Thursday, 2 May 2019

Qualcomm announces $4.7 billion boost in revenue after the Apple deal

Qualcomm released its quarterly report with some pretty juicy details about the deal with Apple. The chip company will score between $4.5 billion and $4.7 billion in revenue from the settlement with Cupertino that saw Intel quit the 5G modem market. The deal was announced mid-April, where Apple and Qualcomm dropped all lawsuits against each other and miraculously became best friends, working towards the 5G future of the upcoming iPhones. While we know how much Qualcomm will earn in the future, we don't know how much it got from backdated deals, but some analysts predict anywhere...



from GSMArena.com - Latest articles https://www.gsmarena.com/qualcomm_announces_47_billion_boost_in_revenue_after_the_apple_deal-news-36865.php

Mother's Day gift idea: save up to 45% at Mixbook on photo books and more

Mother's Day is just around the corner, and if you're still looking for the perfect gift for mom, then you've come to the right place. Mixbook, an online photo design tool, is currently offering up to 45% off their site until May 8. You can receive 40% off sitewide or 45% off orders $139+ with code MOMDAY19F.

Mixbook's design tool lets you create customized photo books, photo cards, albums, calendars, and so much more. Mixbook allows you to create the perfect gift with personal photos that add a special touch. The site even has a Mother's Day gift guide that includes customized cookbooks, canvas prints, Mother's Day cards and more.

Mixbook is also easy to use and has several different themes and layouts to choose from - that's why it has been heralded as our number one best photo book service. Once you decide what theme you like best, upload your photos and customize and edit your design until your happy with the final result.

This is an excellent opportunity to create a unique gift for mom and snag a fantastic deal. Like we mentioned above, this limited time promotion ends on May 8, and May 5 is the last day to order to ensure a Mother's Day delivery.

Interested in getting mom flowers? Shop our guide on Mother's Day flowers: the best online delivery services.



from TechRadar - All the latest technology news http://www.techradar.com/news/mothers-day-gift-idea-save-up-to-45-at-mixbook-on-photo-books-and-more

40 best PC games 2019: the must-play titles you don’t want to miss

Now that we have the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti, and Intel has launched its Coffee Lake Refresh lineup that promises some of the best processors for gaming, 2019 is the perfect time  to dive into the best PC games. So, if you want to get in on the action that the top PC games 2019 have to offer, like Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey or Shadow of the Tomb Raider, then read on for our picks of the best PC games of 2019.

We here at TechRadar have found the best PC games on the market today, from oldies like the Orange Box to brand new fan-favorites like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Believe us when we say you’ll want to get all of these PC games installed for yourself. Plus, many of these games are available on consoles like the Xbox One X and PS4 Pro, so you can play them even if you can’t afford one of the best gaming PCs.

If you’re a PC gaming newcomer, you picked the perfect time to jump in on the platform, and we’d love to extend you a warm welcome. While there are definitely elitist gatekeepers among the PC gaming community, we here at TechRadar believe in inclusivity. So, with that in mind, let’s dive into the best PC games you can play today.

Gabe Carey and Bill Thomas have also contributed to this article

Back in 2011, when Rage came out, it was one of the best looking games on the market, and pushed our PCs to the absolute edge. However, the gameplay and the story didn’t really sit well with a lot of people. So, when we first heard word of Rage 2, we were a little skeptical. 

However, now that we know that id Software is teaming up with Avalanche Studios, the minds behind the criminally underrated Mad Max, we have our hopes up once more. Instead of the grimdark mood of the first title, Rage 2 looks like it won’t take itself too seriously, and will let you wreak neon-colored havoc across the post-apocalyptic wasteland. 

If Doom 2016 and Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus have shown us anything, it’s that id Software is back on a roll. We can’t wait to get our hands on Rage 2 when it launches in May 2019. 

Expected: May 14, 2019

Look, we know that this game is starting to get old, but it is aging like fine wine. Even three years after its release it’s one of the most ambitious open world games that’s ever existed – combining Skyrim’s unabashed scale with Grand Theft Auto V’s insane depth. It’s such a jam-packed games, that it’s still one of the best PC games in 2018. Huge, beautiful and an absolute time sink – in a good way – The Witcher 3: Wild hunt isn’t just the best PC game in 2018, but it may be one of the best video games of all time. 

Dragon Age: Inquisition, while not perfect, puts you in the midst of a huge, vibrant world on a much larger scale than past Dragon Age titles. Packed with hours of engrossing story and a wealth of side content, Dragon Age: Inquisition brings the series to an open world setting in a smart and compelling way. It might not be a new game, but for this excellent blend of Elder Scrolls and Baldur’s Gate, it’s still one of the best PC games available in 2018. 

Assassin’s Creed is basically a household name among the best PC games in 2018. And, starting with last year’s Origins, Ubisoft has been making huge efforts to revitalize the aging franchise. Well, we’re happy to report that they’ve succeeded. Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey feels like an improvement in every sense of the word over last years entry, feeling like a completely different game than older games in Ubisoft’s flagship series. 

This time around, despite the drama about microtransactions, Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey places you in the shoes of Kassandra or Alexios, in the middle of the Peloponnesian War, as you look for your lost mother and father. And, while the main story – which will have you switching alliances between the Spartans and the Athenians – will likely get lost in the mix along the way, the world that Ubisoft has created is as rich and beautiful as ever before. 

Just make sure you have one of the best graphics cards before you even try to run Assassin’s Creed Odyssey at a higher resolution. 

If you’re looking for one of the best open world games on PC, you can’t go wrong here. So, join us in exploring ancient Greece in Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey.

Although it's arguably not as difficult as previous entries in the series, From Software's Dark Souls 3 takes everything you like about the Souls series and combines it with elements found in Bloodborne, the developer's more recent game for PS4.

We won’t sugar coat it: you’re going to die in Dark Souls 3, probably more than once. It still takes patience to master its complex combat system, but it plays fair too, inviting more casual players to take part in its bleak, fantastical world. Plus, on the bright side, it’s much more optimized for PC than the first two games. And, now that you can pick up Dark Souls: Remastered and see where the apocalyptic series began, there’s never been a better time to link the first flame.

Pillars of Eternity made a huge splash in the PC gaming scene when it launched a few years ago – Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire follows faithfully in its footsteps. Not only is this one of the best RPGs you can play today, but it’s also one of the best PC games 2018 has to offer. 

Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire puts players in the middle of the Deadfire Archipelago in pursuit of an ancient god. Along the way you’ll find yourself immersed in a rich, dense and long story crafted by Obsidian Entertainment – arguably the masters of RPGs.

If you enjoy old school RPGs like Baldur’s Gate and Neverwinter Nights, and long for a return to those storied days – do yourself a favor and don’t miss out on Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire. It’s one of the best RPGs we’ve ever played. 

Do yourself a favor, though, and check out Pillars of Eternity first – it still holds up as one of the best PC games and your story will carry over to the sequel. 

Grand Theft Auto V is one of the most anticipated console ports to ever hit the PC. You probably didn't need telling twice to head back into Los Santos's hugely detailed and interactive world, but it's 10 times more fun with the PC's richer graphics and smooth 60 frames per second gameplay. After you’ve completed its 30-hour campaign, there’s an overflow of post-game content to enjoy here. Most recently that includes The Doomsday Heist in GTA Online and even a radio station hosted by Frank Ocean.

BioShock is a first-person shooter that takes concepts from Ayn Rand's Atlast Shrugged and tosses them underseas. To be exact, BioShock takes place in an underwater city called Rapture, free from government regulation, designed for artists and entrepreneurs to thrive. Of course, not all goes well in a city where the residents have all the power and, well, stop what you're doing and play it right now if you haven't already.

You're in for one of the great games if you play BioShock, one that balances story elements with horror nigh-perfectly. There's a remastered version out there now, too, which is free of charge if you own the original.

Set 15 years after the events of the first Alien film from 1979, Alien: Isolation is the suspense-packed game that fans of the franchise have been crying out for. Playing the role of Amanda Ripley, daughter of Alien protagonist Ellen Ripley, your mission is to track down and recover the flight recorder of the Nostromo spacecraft from the first Alien film which has been located aboard the Sevastopol space station. First and foremost a stealth game, Isolation ramps up the tension by providing you with minimal weaponry. Its excellent graphics shine on high-end PCs and clever AI helps ramp up the dread, leaving you to quiver when turning every corner.

Overwatch, if nothing else, completely changed the landscape away from the norm of gray-ish cover shooters in the realm of competitive gaming. Its bright, vibrant colors are complemented by likeable characters, each decorated with their own interesting backstories which, though not present in game, make for a collection of awesome webcomics and cinematics.

Overwatch is also one of the best PC games, because of how well it runs on all kinds of different hardware. Sure, it’s a bit old now, but even in 2018, it’s the best PC game for anyone looking for some competitive action. If somehow you’ve missed out on this game, do yourself a favor – sign in to your Battle.net account and take Overwatch, and its colorful cast of characters, for a spin today.

Even if it came out almost 6 years ago, Counter-Strike Global Offensive is still a fantastic update to a timeless classic that continues to thrive thanks to its vast online communities – it’s truly one of the best PC games. Global Offensive is a well-rounded tactical shooter that builds on the simple Terrorists vs Counter-Terrorists gameplay of Counter-Strike 1.6, by updating classic maps such as Italy and Dust – while also adding new modes in Arms Race and Demolition. Simpler than Battlefield, but more complex than Call of Duty, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is a shooter for those who like to think – if only just a little bit. 

In a lot of ways, Far Cry 5 is the ultimate Far Cry game – combining all of the elements that has made the series successful, while cutting a lot of the fat (including the towers, thank god). And while on its own it doesn't do anything entirely new, it perfects the Far Cry formula to a point where Far Cry 5 is one of the best open world First Person Shooters you can play in 2018.

After a very heavy and intense intro, you’re dumped in the middle of rural Montana and given the task of dismantling the local cult. But, that quickly fades into the background as a myriad of activities – from hunting down aliens to taking out outposts – ultimately become your focus. But it’s precisely this focus on playing your own way that makes Far Cry 5 so special. 

Monster Hunter has been one of the biggest gaming franchises you’ve never heard of for years now. However, with Monster Hunter: World, the series broke into the mainstream, and it’s also come to the PC (finally). And, well, it’s one of the best PC games you can play today. 

Monster Hunter: World places you in the shoes of a, well, monster hunter, and you’ll hunt progressively bigger and nastier monsters, strip them for parts and craft bigger and badder armor. It’s a deceptively simple gameplay loop, that ends up being one of the most enthralling and rewarding PC games you can play today. 

There’s a never-ending onslaught of content in this game, and Capcom, the developers of this monster hunting hit, are dedicated to bringing a wealth of free DLC to the game. Not to mention a new frosty expansion in Monster Hunter World: Iceborne. So, if you’re looking for an addictive, engaging and most importantly, fun game to play by yourself or with all your best friends cooperatively, check out Monster Hunter: World – it really is one of the best PC games you can buy today.

A 90s classic brought back to life (unlike its main protagonist), Grim Fandango Remastered is a successful attempt at reviving one of the PC's best adventure games of all time. Combining writing that matches the funniest dark comedies with clever puzzles and a still-impressive art style, Grim Fandango was the most entertaining work of art to take place in a Mexican setting for years until Breaking Bad came along. Now with updated graphics, sound and better controls, Manna Calavera's adventure has never looked so good.

Six years after its initial release, Skyrim is going as strong as ever thanks to a vast selection of mods and high-resolution texture packs. Even if you're only interested in playing the vanilla version of the RPG, it offers more than 100 hours of gameplay.

Throw in three action packs DLC expansion packs (Dawnguard, Hearthfire and Dragonborn), and it lasts even longer. That Skyrim has been compared to graphically superior but similar RPG blockbuster The Witcher 3 is testament to its enduring popularity. Step into Skyrim and you too can be an adventurer - just try not to take an arrow in the knee.

And, if you’re looking for a more, well, special version of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Bethesda has you covered – it can’t seem to stop releasing and re-releasing Skyrim for every platform. You can even play it in VR.

From Software is essentially a household name among the best PC games these days. The minds behind the critically acclaimed Dark Souls series have brought PC gamers to some of the most desolate landscapes with some of the most challenging and rewarding gameplay. And, From Software is back again, with Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.

Sekiro places you in the shoes of the Young Wolf, a shinobi tasked with rescuing his young master. The game will take you through 16th-century Japan, but things will get weird and supernatural: this is From Software we’re talking about. 

Don’t expect an easy time of it though, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is an extremely difficult game to master. You’ll need quick reflexes to deflect enemy attacks, and you’ll need to master stealth. You won’t be able to hide behind a shield all day, like you were able to in Dark Souls III

The phrase "build it, and they will come" literally rings true when it comes to Minecraft, the survival-based sandbox RPG that has now been purchased more than 100 million times since its conception in 2009. In it, you can create your own worlds using resources you find in the wild or explore worlds created by other players online. 

In Minecraft, you can either limit yourself to the numerous tools and blocks provided by the developer, Mojang, or you can install mods to truly capitalize on your investment. What’s more, come 2018, you’ll be able to take part in the Super Duper Graphics Pack, an optional piece of DLC that adds more realistic lighting effects and textures to an already fantastic product.

The Orange Box may be showing its age, but it remains a must-play collection of games - particularly for FPS fans. Half-Life 2, technically still the most recent game in Valve's franchise (excluding its Episode 1 and 2 add-ons), remains a modern masterpiece and is famed for being the first game to intelligently apply physics to its puzzles and combat set-pieces.

The collection's other titles aren't too shabby either: Portal takes gravity-based puzzles to the extreme by equipping the player with the Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device (also known as the Portal Gun), which places two portals for objects to pass through, while Team Fortress 2 continues to go from strength-to-strength thanks to the introduction of custom gear and well-balanced team combat.

Sometimes a game that’s been out for 10 years becomes temporarily free on Origin and you just have to play it. Dead Space is one of those games. A survival horror game by definition, this acclaimed piece of science fiction stars a fittingly named Isaac Clarke, whose name itself is a combination of the famous sci-fi authors Arthur C. Clarke and Isaac Asimov. Told from an over-the-shoulder third-person perspective, Dead Space is a rescue mission story, wherein you (as Isaac) are tasked with investigating a mining ship mysteriously full of alien virus-infected dead bodies. All the while, you’ll have to stay on top of upgrading your futuristic ‘RIG’ suit too.   

Id Software's Doom was a phenomena for PC gamers in the 90s. The crudely rendered first-person shooter series was as controversial as it was beloved, largely thanks to its cutting-edge depictions of gore and violence that only a computer could deliver. Parents be damned, the franchise has made a comeback in 2016 with a fresh restart, appropriately titled Doom. Although the multiplayer might not appeal to shooter fans regardless of age, the single player campaign will pit you against demons in Hell for a lengthy experience that's as bloody as it is satisfying.

If Forza Horizon 3 is the racing game for newcomers to racing games, Asetto Corsa is the game for the grizzled experts. Its obtuse handling and insane difficulty straight from the get go makes it a toss up for one of the most realistic racing simulators of all time. And, even if you can get it on consoles, unlike Project Cars, this is a game that was developed for PC first. Everything about this game, from its demanding career mode to its deep seated driving mechanics – which basically require a racing wheel accessory – make it a joy for die-hard petrolheads, even if its difficulty curve is often just backbreaking. 

Capcom has been on a roll these last couple years. After coming out of seemingly nowhere with the fantastic Resident Evil 7, Capcom has been reinventing some of the most beloved franchises for the modern age. And, with Devil May Cry 5, Capcom has done it again. 

Devil May Cry has always been over the top, with high-octane character-driven action and cheesy one liners. Devil May Cry 5 takes this and turns it up to 11, with non-stop action as you fight your way through two characters’ stories in style. 

As you progress through the game, you’ll unlock many different weapons and combat moves, and you can combine them to write symphonies of bloodshed – and you’re encouraged to do so. It’s not really a question of surviving to the end of the level, it’s how cool you look while playing through it. And, that’s why Devil May Cry 5 is one of the best PC games. 

Among the best PC games, there’s this tendency to romanticize the apocalypse. Whether it’s zombies, like in Dead Rising or a nuclear wasteland like in Fallout 4, the apocalypse is oddly a place you want to visit. But, with Metro Exodus, that’s not the case. 

Metro Exodus takes a more dark and gritty approach to the apocalypse. The air is poison, the wildlife is all mutated, and the survivors are all at each other's throats. And, while past Metro titles have explored this darker post-apocalypse from underground, through the titular ‘Metro’, Metro Exodus takes things to the Surface.

You’ll set out on an Exodus across the nuclear wasteland in order to find a home, but along the way you’ll experience the horror and supernatural weirdness that the Metro series has become known for. 

And, as a bonus, it’s one of the most beautiful PC games on the market today, provided you have the graphical horsepower to back it up. 

Described as "achingly beautiful" by Unity Engine boss John Riccitiello, Ori and the Blind Forest borrows its game mechanics from old-school 2D games such as Metroid and Castlevania while adding a modern twist. If any word can describe Ori's atmospheric world, it's alive. You'll have to think fast and use new abilities gained along the way to bash, stop and manoeuvre your way through its gorgeous locations, and with no automatic saving system or easy difficulty level, it's no walk in the park. As satisfying to master as it is to look at, Ori and the Blind Forest will re-open your eyes to what 2D games still have to offer.

There aren’t many franchises that are as iconic as Resident Evil. Since the first game launched way back in 1996, it has served as a watermark of where Survival Horror is – even in its worst days (looking at you, Resident Evil 6). So, when Capcom finally announced the Resident Evil 2 remake, we instantly started paying attention. And, we have to say – it paid off. 

Resident Evil 2 isn’t just a remake of the best horror game ever made, but it might actually take the mantle altogether. Gone are the ancient tank controls that divided fans, giving way to the same over-the shoulder perspective introduced in Resident Evil 4. But, this time around, through the use of Resident Evil 7’s RE Engine, Capcom has transformed the ancient horror game into a title that’s terrifying by today’s post-Amnesia standards.

And, thanks to just how much you can customize how the game performs and looks, Resident Evil 2 will serve as a benchmark for the best PC games throughout 2019 – even if it doesn’t use as much VRAM as the settings menu says it does.

Beyond Final Fantasy, there isn’t another Japanese RPG (JRPG) franchise that carries as much weight as Dragon Quest. For decades, these have been the penultimate JRPGs for many – even inspiring modern classics like Pokemon. And, for the first time in 14 years, Dragon Quest has made its way to home consoles and, more importantly, to PC for the first time ever. 

Dragon Quest XI is a beautiful, colorful JRPG that’ll put you in the shoes of a young prince that’s set out to – save the world, obviously. You’ll get about 80-100 hours out of the game, and every moment will be memorable and magical. It even features art from Akira Toriyama, best known for his work on Dragon Ball – it’s easy to see why it’s one of the best PC games of 2018.  

Already familiar to millions before they've played a played a second of it, Rocket League turns the age old game of football (or soccer, depending) on its head. Played with rocket-propelled cars in futuristic low-gravity environments, the aim is simple: knock the ball into the opposing team's goal. Doing so is harder said than done because there could be up to three cars on the opposing team trying to steal the ball off you - or ram you into submission - at any one time. Gorgeous to look, simple to learn but difficult to master, Rocket League is the surprise smash hit of 2015 - and a wonderfully addictive one at that.

Read: 8 real-life footballers in Rocket League: which one are you?

Ubisoft’s Anno series has always been among the best PC games: rich, in-depth city builders with a historic flair. This entry in the venerated series will see players managing cities starting at the beginning of the Industrial Age. You’ll have to decide the fate of your city, whether you’re in a rich European setting or in the rainforests. 

Anno 1800 is one of the most in-depth city builders on the market right now, and for the right kind of gamer – you know who you are – it’s going to be one of the best PC games you can buy today. So, dive in and lead your city to prosperity or destitution, and try to navigate the perilous world of industrial-age politics. 

Metal Gear Solid V, the last Metal Game which will be helmed by Hideo Kojima after his forceful ejection from Konami, is a hugely ambitious title. Its massive open world setting allows you to tackle missions using stealth, but you’re still able to go in guns blazing if you prefer – though you won’t get as good a score.

Taking place nine years after the events of Ground Zeroes, The Phantom Pain’s story unravels through its main missions and more than 100 Side Ops tasks. The action is interspersed with beautiful cutscenes, and while you sometimes have to decode annoying pseudo-military babble to figure out what’s happening, TPP’s fast pacing and beautiful Afghanistan and African settings make sure the game never feels like a chore.

You can ask basically any veteran PC gamer, and they’ll tell you that Battlefield games have always been among the best PC games. And, with Battlefield V, the trend continues – it’s one of the best PC games 2018 has to offer, period. 

The core mechanics remain the same, drive, fly, or run to capture points on a map and defend them against the enemy team. However, this year’s offering refines the Operations mode from 2016’s Battlefield 1, and transforms it into, well, Grand Operations. This epic game mode takes place across up to 4 maps, and is meant to portray crucial battles of World War II. It’s an absolute blast, just make sure you have an hour to spare. 

Battlefield V is also one of the best PC games when it comes to visuals. Never before has war looks so terrifyingly real in a virtual space. The environments are more realistic than ever before, and if you’re rocking an Nvidia Turing card, like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti, you can turn on ray tracing and experience out-of-this-world reflections. We’re not exaggerating when we say it’s the best PC game in 2018 for FPS fans.

The 2016 revival of Hitman was a revelation, a rebirth of a classic series that showed what Hitman could be. So, we went into Hitman 2 with high expectations – expectations that paid off. Hitman 2 puts players in even bigger environments, with more complicated missions that will test your creativity in deadly ways. 

What’s especially notable here though, is the new game modes on offer. You’ll have access to a new Sniper Assassin mode, and most importantly, a co-op game mode – a first for the Hitman series.

If you’re looking for an engaging stealth experience, you really can’t go wrong with Hitman 2 – it’s one of the best PC games of 2018, easy.

Warhammer: End Times - Vermintide was one of the best PC games for anyone who loves playing the best PC games with friends. And, we’re delighted to say that Warhammer: Vermintide 2 takes the deep co-operative gameplay of the original and improves on it in every conceivable way.

Although it technically allows you to form complex strategies with your teammates, the action often turns into chaos, where the only way you can survive is mindlessly bashing at enemies until you, and your teammates (preferably), are the only things left standing. And, because Vermintide 2 adds a wide range of Orc enemies on top of the familiar Skaven enemies, you’ll never run out of things to hack to pieces.

It's official: Fallout 4 has lived up to the hype. Despite feeling a little bit like Fallout 3 but with nicer graphics at times, its tighter shooting, in-depth crafting system and well-thought out story make it a wholly more enticing affair.

As the Sole Survivor (the first fully-voiced protagonist in the Fallout series) in Boston's post-apocalypse wasteland, you'll take on Feral Ghouls, Raiders, Syths and Bloodbugs and more with high-powered weaponry that includes the Fat Man mini nuke cannon and the fusion cell-powered Laser Musket.

If the Call of Duty series is the poison that dumbed down the FPS genre with its run-and-gun gameplay, then Rainbow Six: Siege is the antidote. Working as a team to out-wit the enemy, Siege plays out like a thinking man (or woman's) Counter-Strike that doesn't simply encourage cooperation if you want to win - it requires it.

When you're not peering down your gun's iron sights, you'll be laying traps, scouting ahead using drones, strategising with your teammates and building walls that could keep a herd of demented bulls at bay. While Siege's heavy reliance on tactical team-based gameplay can prove its biggest weakness if you're hoisted into a server with a particularly uncooperative bunch, when it does click, it provides a level of satisfaction rarely found in online multiplayer games.

After the rebooted Tomb Raider and its sublime sequel, Rise of the Tomb Raider, the seminal series has won its place among the best PC games with Shadow of the Tomb Raider. Instead of simply porting over a console version and calling it good, Crystal Dynamics has created a technical masterpiece with Lara Croft’s latest adventure. 

Shadow of the Tomb Raider finds Lara heading down to South America to thwart a Mayan apocalypse. While the scenery isn’t as diverse as in previous titles, it’s still just as arrestingly beautiful throughout. And, with Nvidia’s RTX technology coming later this year, it’s going to be a great way to put the best graphics cards to the test while having some fun at the same time. 

Imagine a survival-based shooter where every match starts with your avatar being ejected from a cargo plane alongside 99 other players with no weapons or items. That’s PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, or at least the solo, free for all mode. After spending the early minutes of the game digging for resources, you’ll soon be forced to reckon with your own mortality as the body count ticker at the top of the screen descends into desolation.

Abbreviated PUBG, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds is based on another “last man standing” game released back in 2013: PlayerUnknown’s Battle Royale. It doesn’t require a copy of Arma III or H1Z1 to run, but you’ll need to keep your wits about you. There’s no respawning in PUBG, so it’s less about the precision of your aim as it is about your ability to scavenge quickly for weapons, first aid kits and clothing. 

Picking up immediately after the events of Wolfenstein: The New Order, Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus will inevitably be heralded as a classic. For some, it’s the punishing old-school gunplay that’s to thank for this. Even on the default difficulty, Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus will have you fretting for your life. 

Yet, for others, story reigns supreme. And, if The New Colossus serves as an interactive showcase for anything, it’s story, the most interesting parts of which are told through flashbacks. We won’t go as far as to spoil the plot, but what we will say is that B.J. Blazkowicz’s motives become a lot clearer in this iteration of Wolfenstein, not that he needs to justify killing Nazis.

When The Division first came out in March 2016, it was, well, divisive. However, Ubisoft put in a ton of work improving the game over the years. And, now, Ubisoft has released the Division 2, and it’s orders of magnitude better than the original. 

You’ll be unleashed in a collapsed Washington DC, fighting with other players to stabilize the city. While doing this, you’ll level up, get new loot and unlock more areas. It’s an addictive gameplay loop, and it will keep you engaged for hours on end. 

Plus, since it’s a live service game, you can be confident that Ubisoft will keep it updated with fresh content for a while to come.

X-Com 2 is one addictive game, and we still can't put it down. Following up from 2012's XCOM: Enemy Unknown, which reimagined the 1994 cult classic UFO: Enemy Unknown, XCOM 2 has delivered everything we wanted in a sequel. Bigger, deeper, faster and even easier on the eyes, the turn-based tactics game takes place 20 years after its predecessor.

It pits you in control of the Avenger, a converted alien ship that serves as your mobile base of operations used to devise strategy and execute fight plans against otherworldly enemies. With a greater focus of stealth, more intelligent alien AI and deeper customization options, XCOM 2 is bound to end up one of our games of the year.

Anyone familiar with World of Warcraft knows that it's among the most successful and influential massively multiplayer online role-playing games (or MMORPGs) of all-time. Comprising nearly 14 years of content, with over thousands of hours just waiting to be invested, there are few better games to spend your money on than World of Warcraft.

In the new expansion, Battle For Azeroth, players explore two new continents – Kul Tiras for Alliance players and Zandalar for the Horde – though there’s something much more sinister hiding beneath the surface. Blizzard has kept the leveling system from Legion, too, meaning you can tackle the new zones in whatever order you want. This will of course come with the all-new raids and dungeons we’ve grown accustomed to over the years and a storyline that will see the two playable factions at each other’s throats in a major way. 

You’ll get hours upon hours of content to play through here, as is custom with World of Warcraft throughout its 14-year history. And, you can count on updates throughout the expansion, like the recently released Tides of Vengeance that add even more stuff to do.

From PlatinumGames and Square Enix, Nier: Automata is a sequel to the 2010 cult classic Nier, which itself is a spin-off of the Drakengard series. Technically an action role-playing game, Nier: Automata’s most gripping quality is that it never truly adheres to one particular genre. At times, it’s a 2.5D platformer and, at others, it’s a twin-stick shooter. It’s unpredictable and a breath of fresh air when compared to other PC games out on the market.

The story centers around a femme android by the name of 2B who is aided by a survey android called 9S, or Nines. With many questions being asked along the way, both of these characters are tasked with extricating Earth from alien machines that have engulfed the planet. Just be conscious of how you play because not only does Nier: Automata feature different endings, but with each new path comes vastly different gameplay. 



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Windows 10 S Mode release date, news and features

Initially revealed as a standalone OS in May 2017, Windows 10 S faced some controversy at release. Still, the lightweight operating system has evolved since launching, helping Windows 10 reach a whopping 800 million devices, just in time for the end of Windows 7. A lot of the criticism faced by Windows 10 S Mode boils down to the fact that it restricts users from installing third-party programs. But, since you can easily switch out of Windows 10 S Mode – for free no less – it’s a much more attractive solution these days. 

In fact, Windows 10 S makes a lot of sense for the right users and devices. Just take a look at the Microsoft Surface Go, an affordable alternative to the Surface Pro: it rocks a low-power Pentium Gold chip, so a lightweight version of Windows 10 makes perfect sense. We’ve also seen reports of Windows 10 running on a Raspberry Pi 3, which would make even more sense for Windows 10 S. Microsoft is also rumored to be working on “Windows Lite”, which would take this approach further, functioning similarly to Chrome OS.  

Windows 10 S Mode will also be able to take advantage of any Windows 10 updates, like the October 2018 Update and the upcoming Windows 10 April 2019 Updatethough it may be delayed .

That means you get neat features like the April Update’s “Light Mode” and useful storage space tools, not to mention the possibility of playing Xbox One games natively.

Now, two years after its initial release, Windows 10 S is a major part of the Windows 10 landscape, so we thought it was the perfect time to dive in and explore everything the lightweight version of Windows can do. And, make sure you bookmark this page, as we’ll keep it updated with all the latest and greatest Windows 10 S information that appears.

Cut to the chase

  • What is it? Windows 10 without x86 and x64 apps
  • When is it out? Available now
  • What will it cost? Free to all schools using Windows 10 Pro

Windows 10 S release date

Windows 10 S originally launched on May 2, 2017, with devices using the OS trickling out over the next few months. Fast forward to 2019 and Windows 10 S is bigger than ever. These lower spec Windows 10 devices are more versatile now than ever before. 

Eventually, there will be a UI toggle that’ll let Windows 10 users switch in and out of S Mode, but that’s not available at the time of this writing. Fortunately, you can still get out of S Mode relatively easily – just head to the Windows Store on your device and search for ‘switch out of S Mode’. As for when we’ll see the switch go live, who knows? However, Microsoft may sneak it in at a later date – we don’t think it’ll appear in the April 2019 Update, though.

Now, as for the reveal of Windows 10 S itself – Microsoft’s event invitation was titled ‘#MicrosoftEDU’, making no misgivings about its aims with the new OS. While Windows 10 S is not for individual sale, it is issued to IT administrators in education as well as laptops found in stores and online.

It’s no coincidence that Windows 10 S is focused on the education sector, where Google’s Chromebooks are experiencing outlandish success.

Windows 10 S price

Windows 10 S is essentially free for users. Microsoft subsidizes the cost of the OS to hardware manufacturers, assuming they’re not getting Windows 10 S for free. Essentially, as a user, you don’t really pay for Windows 10 S Mode, instead you’re paying for the hardware running it. 

Save for premium devices like the original Surface Laptop, you can find devices running Windows 10 S Mode starting at just $189 (about £146, AU$251) and cap out around $299 (about £239, AU$396). PC makers across the board, including Dell, HP, Asus, Acer and Lenovo all have Windows 10 S Mode-powered devices in their stables.

But, now that Windows 10 S Mode is a thing, it’s a toggle that doesn’t cost anything extra. Both Windows 10 Home and Pro S Mode users are able to go to the Windows Store and opt out of S Mode, though the conversion only works one way – out of S Mode – right now. Though, there will be a switch in the settings app of a future build, that will let users go back and forth.  

What is Windows 10 S?

Microsoft intends Windows 10 S to serve as a lightweight, more secure version of Windows 10 for lower-end devices. While in “S Mode,” Windows 10 will only support apps that are downloaded from the Windows Store.

This talk of a version of Windows that can only download Microsoft-approved apps is familiar, isn’t it? Microsoft believes it has mastered this approach since the turbulent days of Windows 8 RT and Windows 8 with Bing – both of which tried to position Microsoft as the sole provider of apps through curation.

The good news is that this allows for a startup time of under 5 seconds as opposed to the 30 - 40 second startup time of Windows 10 Pro. Not only that, but configuring settings (such as Wi-Fi, webcam, etc.) across an entire classroom of students is as easy as inserting a USB stick in each of their laptops.

Being in competition with Google’s Chrome OS, Microsoft has, of course, also positioned Windows 10 S as a more secure PC operating system. However, its resilience to viruses is mostly a side-effect of the inability to install apps not approved by Microsoft. Historically, Windows viruses have tended to erupt from untrustworthy internet downloads.

Should you find a must-have app that isn't available in the Microsoft Store in Windows 10 S you can switch from Windows 10 S to Windows 10 Home or Pro by just going to the Windows Store and searching for “switch out of S Mode”. Microsoft used to charge a fee for this service, but now it’s free for everyone.

Microsoft will also allow users that upgrade to Windows 10 Pro to move back down to Windows 10 S. And, now that Microsoft is rumored to be working on a Windows 10 Lean Mode, which will be even more lightweight and locked down. 

Oddly enough, the shiny new Surface Laptop 2 now ships with Windows 10 Home, not in S Mode like the previous.

That said, what can you expect to see included in devices running Windows 10 S? Well, the Edge browser, OneNote and Windows Ink are all givens. The standard Movies and Groove Music apps, as well as Maps and Mail and Calendar are shoo-ins, too. 

Of course, we won’t see x86/x64 program support on a Windows 10 cloud operating system until 2019 when the aforementioned Polaris is expected to touch down and implement a ‘virtualization container’ for each of your favorite legacy applications. That means that, yes, should everything work out perfectly, there will be a Windows 10 cloud OS that can emulate the .exe’s of the past.

Despite its constraints, Windows 10 S still features File Explorer, and although many of the laptops that come with the lightweight OS pre-installed may ship with smaller capacity SSDs, Microsoft’s forthcoming introduction of OneDrive Files On-Demand will make it so files can be stored in the cloud, but still viewed the same way as locally stored content.

All things considered, there are still questions looming around in regard to the viability of Windows 10 S. Fortunately, as new developments emerge to (hopefully) address those criticisms, you can count on us to cover them right here on this page.

  • Images Credit: Microsoft

Bill Thomas and Gabe Carey have also contributed to this article



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Computex 2019: what to expect from the world’s biggest computer show

Computex is the place to go every year if you’re looking for the latest in the computing world. From svelte Ultrabooks to all the juiciest PC components, Computex 2019 is going to be a must-watch event for all of you computing enthusiasts out there. However, because so much happens at this even each year, it’s hard to know what to keep an eye out for. 

Fortunately, we’ve put our tech and computing expertise to the test, and we’ve put together a guide to all of our Computex 2019 predictions. So, sit back, relax, and we’ll dive into some educated speculation, informed by all the latest rumors and happenings in the computing industry.

Cut to the chase

  • What is it? The biggest computing event of the year
  • When is it? May 28 – June 1 2019

Computex 2019

AMD

At CES 2019, AMD announced its 7-nanometer (nm) Zen 2 architecture, which will be behind its Ryzen 3rd Generation, Threadripper 3rd Generation and even its upcoming Epyc processors for servers. AMD didn’t announce any specific processors at that event, however, instead showing off an 8-core, 16-thread processor. However, rumors suggest we may get as many as 16 cores and 32 threads in a new Ryzen processor – we expect that beefy piece of silicon to make an appearance at Computex 2019 (assuming it’s real.) 

But, AMD doesn’t just make processors. There has also been speculation that AMD Navi 10 graphics will show up at Computex 2019. This is a little less certain, as AMD’s next graphics cards have seen all kinds of rumors that point to an October release. We could see AMD show Navi off – it will be 7nm, too – but wait to release it until a later date. This would be similar to what Team Red did with AMD Vega at CES 2017, as well as Zen 2 earlier this year. 

No matter how you slice it, Computex 2019 is going to be big for AMD. The underdog chip maker has risen to the top of the processor world, more than doubling Intel’s sales, so we expect a celebratory Computex.

Computex 2019

Asus

Asus is hands-down one of the biggest computing companies in the world. From gaming laptops to Ultrabooks; from motherboards to the best graphics cards, Asus does it all. 

However, Asus has been relatively quiet for the last couple months, after announcing a slew of Ultrabooks and gaming laptops at CES 2019. We expect Asus to deliver the goods. Last year, Asus announced its ZenBook Pro 15, a unique mobile workstation with a touchscreen built into its touchpad – something that’s been present in many of its subsequent products.

We always expect Asus to deliver something unique, and we have no reason to expect anything different this time around. We might even get some hands-on time with the Asus ROG Mothership

Computex 2019

Gigabyte and Aorus

Gigabyte’s Aorus brand is behind some of the best gaming laptops and components on the market. So, at Computex 2019 we could see anything from new motherboards to new gaming laptops. For example, Gigabyte refreshed its Sabre gaming laptops with Intel Optane drives – the first gaming laptops to do so. All we know is that Gigabyte will be there. Beyond that, your guess is as good as ours. 

Computex 2019

Intel

Ever since AMD Ryzen first hit the market, Intel has been in a rough spot. It is still manufacturing some of the fastest processors in the world, like the Core i9-9900K, but the value just isn’t there. That’s why we think Intel is going to come out of the gate swinging at Computex 2019. 

Last year, Intel made a huge show out of a 28-core, 56-thread monster of a processor, clocked at 5GHz. We learned later that it was both a $2,999 Xeon chip, and it was overclocked. But, that’s still impressive. We don’t think something like that will be enough this time, though. 

Intel has been making a lot of headlines over the last few years for pushing back its 10nm silicon. Cannon Lake was supposed to come out five years ago, after Skylake. Intel has announced both Sunny Cove and Ice Lake at CES 2019, so we expect these 10nm processors to take center stage. These 10nm processors need to take center stage. 

Microsoft

Microsoft is going to be at Computex 2019, which shouldn’t come as a surprise, but with Build 2019 happening earlier in May, we’re not sure what the tech behemoth is going to reveal. We could see Microsoft show off Windows 10 May 2019 Update, along with new developments in its cloud computing sector. New Surface devices are also a possibility, but we wouldn’t hold our breath. 

Computex 2019

MSI

At CES 2019, MSI launched some juicy gaming laptops, including the new GS75 Stealth. We expect MSI to continue this trend at Computex 2019. Last year, it revealed the MSI GF63, a budget-minded gaming laptop. But, there were plenty of high-end products, like the MSI Trident A and the insane MSI Pro 24X all-in-one.

We’re not sure what MSI is planning, but PC gamers should pay attention, MSI consistently brings the most flamboyant PC hardware on the market. Computex 2019 will be no different. 

Computex 2019

Nvidia

We know Nvidia is going to be at Computex 2019, but we’re not sure what the focus is going to be. Team Green has been pumping out Turing graphics cards at a rapid pace since September 2018. With so many new consumer graphics cards at every price point, we think Nvidia’s Computex 2019 presence will focus on the professionals this time. 

We’ve seen some rumors for a while that Nvidia might reveal 7nm Ampere graphics cards. These graphics cards could be consumer models, but that would be a little too quick, considering Nvidia’s problems with sales earlier this year. Instead, Nvidia Ampere may end up being the follow-up to Nvidia Volta, powering the next line of workstation-class GPUs. 

Or, Nvidia could spend Computex 2019 focusing on artificial intelligence (AI), like it did at GTC 2019. 

Computex 2019

What else?

Computex 2019 is still weeks away at this point, and we’re sure we’ll see more manufacturers show up. Microsoft, HP, Dell and Samsung aren’t on the list of exhibitors at the time of writing, and all of these manufacturers are Computex mainstays. We’re sure all of these companies will be there to show off some new hardware and software. 

That’s not to mention all of the smaller manufacturers that will be there. Lian Li will surely be delivering some beautiful PC cases, G.Skill will probably show off some new RGB memory sticks and BenQ will show off some new monitors for professionals and gamers. There are more than 100 exhibitors this year, so get ready for a smorgasbord of new hardware.

Be sure to keep this page bookmarked until the conference begins, as we’ll update it with any new rumors and exhibitors. Not to mention all the news from the show floor. 

Images Credit: TechRadar



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Best mining motherboards 2019: the best motherboards for mining Bitcoin, Ethereum and more

Mining is still alive and well in 2019, and if you’re ready to jump on the bandwagon, one of the best mining motherboards should be at the top of your list. Fortunately, we know this as well as anyone and have crafted a guide to the best mining motherboards on the market today, so you can get to mining, rather than spending hours researching.

The best mining motherboard, in theory, will work hand in hand with a mining graphics card so that everything attached to your mining rig works together in perfect harmony. We’re not exaggerating when we say that the best motherboards are the nervous system of your mining rig, and getting a good one will help you maximise the profit from your mining rig.

There’s a lot to take in when you’re looking for a mining motherboard, but we here at TechRAdar have your back. Right here you’ll find all the best mining motherboards on the market, so whether you’re mining for Ethereum, Bitcoin or some other cryptocurrency, you won’t be left out in the cold. 

The best mining motherboards 2018

best mining motherboards 2018

Supporting a jaw-dropping 19 GPUs – more than any other board on this list, the Asus B250 Mining Expert is easily the best mining motherboard you can buy today. Plus, thanks to a special mining mode, you won’t have to screw around with the BIOS in order to maximize your bitcoin payout. On top of these quality of life improvements, the B250 Mining Expert boasts the same quality standards we’ve come to expect from Asus, the only real drawback is its scarcity – it can sometimes be extremely hard to find, likely due to how great it really is. 

best mining motherboards 2018

Thanks to its extremely solid build quality and slots for up to 13 GPUs, the AsRock H110 BTC+ is one of the best mining motherboards you can buy today. These features allow you to expand as needed, so you won’t find a much better future-proof board. It might be a bit overkill, as Windows 10 only supports eight GPUs, but there’s no harm in preparing for future updates. The AsRock H110 BTC+ may not be the best motherboard for mining if you’re a beginner, but if you’re looking for a more advanced platform – you can’t go wrong with the AsRock H110 Pro BTC+. 

best mining motherboards 2018

If you’re not looking for a motherboard that can run 13 GPUs at once, the Gigabyte GA-H110-D3A might just be the best mining motherboard for you. It can still handle up to six GPUs, and it has the excellent build quality Gigabyte is known for – which means it can withstand the intensive conditions cryptocurrency mining can create. It also includes electrostatic, power failure and high temperature protection, which is essential for a machine running 24/7. Unlike some other mining motherboards, it can be used for non-mining applications, giving it a flexibility that we really appreciate. 

best mining motherboards 2018

The Biostar TB250-BTC Pro is a great value mining motherboard that brings some excellent and advanced mining features, such as support for up to 12 GPUs, for a very competitive price. Even if you're not going to be using the full 12 PCI slots for graphics cards, this could be a wise investment if you plan on scaling up your mining operation in the future. The only real downside of this motherboard is that it's quite difficult to get hold of, so keep an eye on our price tracker on this page, as it will tell you when it's in stock, and what the best price is!

best mining motherboards 2018

The MSI Z170A Gaming Pro Carbon is one of the best mining motherboards not just because it’s good at mining, but because it’s also good for gaming. Thanks to a number of gaming-centric features you’d typically associate with boards found in the best gaming PCs you can have a machine that does both. You’ll get four DDR4 memory slots, plenty of ports and connectivity that appeals to hardcore gamers. And, it’s no slouch when it comes to mining either – with support for up to seven graphics cards. For the best versatile mining motherboard, you can’t do much better. 

best mining motherboards 2018

Asus’ ROG brand is well known for making gaming components and peripherals, but these peripherals are also great for mining cryptocurrency. The Asus ROG Strix Z270E supports seven graphics cards, which is a decent number for a mining rig. It also has a ton of other features, though many of them are focused on gaming. That’s great if you’re looking for something that can pull double duty, but if you’re not interested in gaming, you’ll find the additional features pointless at best and distracting at worst.



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Best mining GPU 2019: the best graphics cards for mining Bitcoin, Ethereum and more