Author: dpugh007

  • Xbox Boss on PS5: We Have a Plan That Can Win

    Phil Spencer’s feeling good after PlayStation 5 reveal.

    Microsoft is currently engaged in a strong public relations battle against Sony, and some would argue it’s winning the fight. While the PlayStation 5 has attracted more attention than the Xbox Series X thus far, the Team in Green has been quietly chipping away at its competitor, touting better technical specifications and adopting a more “open” attitude than its Japanese rival.

    Case in point: boss Phil Spencer popped up on an IGN podcast recently to share some of his thoughts on the impending next-gen launch. “I feel really good about how Xbox Series X lines up ,” he beamed, before complimenting some of the features in Sony’s console, like the SSD hard drive and 3D audio. “It’s impressive, we like that; we saw the work that they did .”

    Read the full article on pushsquare.com

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  • How to watch 1917: stream the movie online from anywhere today

    How to watch 1917: stream the movie online from anywhere today

    Few movies in 2019 were as well received as Sam Mendes’ 1917, which won an Oscar for Best Cinematography and would have scooped a whole lot more gongs at the Academy Awards were it not for Bong Joon-ho’s magnus opus, Parasite. Not seen the instant WW1 classic yet? Read on and our guide explains how to watch 1917 online from anywhere in the world.

    Without spoiling things for film fans, we can briefly outline the premise of 1917. At the height of World War I, British soldiers Lance Cpl. Schofield (George MacKay) and Lance Cpl. Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman) face the seemingly impossible task of delivering crucial orders to comrades entrenched deep in enemy territory. 

    The drama is hammered home by the fact that one of the 1,600 British troops stuck behind enemy lines is the brother of Lance Cpl. Blake. And while the film’s two leading men weren’t necessarily A-listers before 1917, the movie is added some serious star gravitas courtesy of appearances from Colin Firth and Benedict Cumerbatch.

    If you haven’t seen it already, 1917 was one of last year’s most impressive movies – so follow our guide as we explain how to watch 1917 online no matter where you are in the world.

    How to watch 1917 from outside your country

    While many, if not most, of us will be at home self-isolating in line with government guidelines right now, the fact is you may still find yourself away from during these unprecedented times – in which case, a taste of home may just what the doctor ordered. Unfortunately, when it comes to watching your usual streaming services, from abroad, this isn’t always possible due to annoying geo-blocking restrictions.

    Fortunately, there’s an easy remedy. Downloading a VPN lets you to watch movies like 1917 and much more no matter where you are in the world. This simple bit of software changes your IP address so that you can keep streaming movies and TV shows anywhere.

    How to watch 1917: online streaming options in the US

    How to watch 1917 online: UK streaming options

    • Want more great content? Disney+ is now live in the UK now and you can get a FREE TRIAL

    How to watch 1917 online in Australia

    How to watch 1917 online: stream the WW1 movie in Canada

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  • Where to buy a Nintendo Switch: where you can still get a Switch Lite right now

    Where to buy a Nintendo Switch: where you can still get a Switch Lite right now

    Been looking for a Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch Lite lately? By now, you’ve figured out the regular Nintendo Switch is out-of-stock everywhere. The handheld-only Switch Lite is still available, though: scroll down for places where you can still order it. The main Switch, which plugs into your TV, is basically gone right now, with third-party sellers charging obscene prices for a unit.  

    Why is the Switch selling out? Below, we’ll explain how this happened, and offer our predictions on when stock will return based on our history of covering the Nintendo Switch. We’ll also explain where to buy a Nintendo Switch once retailers get stock back in. 

    Check out our Nintendo Switch bundles and deals page for an around-the-clock update on how the console’s supplies are doing, but you’re much more likely to find a Switch Lite out there right now than the base Switch. 

    Where to buy Nintendo Switch now: here’s the last remaining Switch Lite stock

    If you’re looking for the full, dockable Nintendo Switch console in the US, UK and Australia, you may have a little longer to wait. Stock has completely dried up, and what’s left is hard to find at a reasonable price. 

    However, if you’re looking for where to buy a handheld-only Nintendo Switch Lite, you may be in more luck. There’s still a little stock across US, UK and Australia for you to take advantage of, but grab one now if you want it.

    Why is the Nintendo Switch selling out?

    It’s a combination of a few factors: the global pandemic has led to a rush of people buying the console to fill their hours indoors, which isn’t surprising. At the same time, Animal Crossing: New Horizons has released, a long-awaited game and a massive crossover hit that’s captured the imaginations of a wider, mainstream audience. The Switch has been regularly selling out for a while now. This has just exacerbated the issue. 

    In addition, back in February, Bloomberg posted a report warning that a potential bottleneck with component supplies coming out of China (caused by coronavirus) would see stock dry up as soon as April. If the reasoning mentioned in that report was correct, it looks like they were pretty on the money with the timing, except stock looks like it’ll be gone even faster than that. 

    “Nintendo Switch hardware is selling out at various retail locations in the US, but more systems are on the way. We apologize for any inconvenience,” is what Nintendo told THR in a statement. So, more stock is on the way. But when will you you be able to buy a Nintendo Switch?

    When will the Nintendo Switch be back in stock?

    Assuming supply chains are functioning normally, our prediction is it could take around a month for stock to return. What are we basing this on? Well, in the UK last year, the Switch sold out during the Christmas period, and it took until late January for stock to be replenished at every major retailer. 

    Another reference point in the US: Amazon’s last remaining Switch Lite model you can pre-order at the time of writing has an in-stock date of May 7, 2020. That doesn’t seem unlikely as a realistic date that we could see wider stock for that particular unit. That said, it’s possible Nintendo is taking other measures to meet the unprecedented demand, and we could see consoles arrive a bit sooner. We’ll have to wait and see. 

    Again, these are just predictions, but you can be guaranteed that when the Switch does come back, folks will be rushing to claim the new consoles. It’s very likely to sell out again. 

    In the meantime, our advice is to avoid being gouged by third-party sellers who are inflating the price. $299.99/£279.99/AU$469 is the MSRP/RRP for the regular Switch, while $199.99/£199.99/AU$329 is the price for the Switch Lite. Paying above that isn’t worth it unless you’re picking up a bundle with games and accessories. 

    Where to buy Nintendo Switch when stock returns

    As soon as those consoles hit that warehouse, retailers are going to want to get them on the shelves. And you can bet they’ll be flying into delivery trucks just as quickly. If you hear word that the Nintendo Switch is back in stock in the US, Amazon and Walmart will be your best bet. 

    With massive warehouse inventories, speedy delivery, and quick checkout processes, these retailers are primed to pick up your Nintendo Switch order ahead of the queue. Plus, in all our time covering Nintendo Switch bundle deals, these stores have consistently won out in value, meaning you’re more likely to grab some extras for your cash. 

    where to buy Nintendo Switch

    In the UK, Currys and Game are likely to offer the first bundles of the pack, though don’t underestimate the power of Argos same day delivery if you want your console now. We’ll likely see the best prices come out of Currys, who are normally reluctant to increase the cost of the console as demand reaches its peak, and if you’re looking for the fastest checkout times to secure yours before everyone else, you’ll want to keep an eye on Amazon as well.

    If stock has already been wiped clean at these retailers by the time you get there, you’ll still be left wondering where to buy a Nintendo Switch. Luckily, plenty of non-tech retailers stock the Nintendo Switch as well, so you’ll have luck with John Lewis, Jacamo and Studio among others.

    In Australia, Amazon is likely your best bet, though it’s worth keeping an eye on other online stores, such as Kogan and eBay. Big retailers such as JB Hi-Fi and Big W are also likely to receive new stock, and game retailers such as EB Games and The Gamesmen are also expected to get more units soon.

    Don’t leave yourself wondering where to buy a Nintendo Switch on the day, get prepped now and you have every chance of bagging one when the masses flock to the shelves.

    Right now, you’re more likely to find a Switch Lite than you are a regular Switch, but stock is still selling out fast. Here’s a quick price comparison chart for the Switch Lite:

    And here, you’ll find a quick price comparison chart for the Switch itself. 

    We’ll keep you updated on the Switch’s stock levels. 

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  • Microsoft ‘Spring Sale’: deals on laptops, Xbox One consoles, noise-canceling headphones, more

    Making the transition from the office to your home can be difficult, especially if you lack the tools to do your job efficiently. Luckily, Microsoft is currently holding its ‘Spring Sale,’ which includes fantastic deals on essentials and at-home entertainment. For a limited time, you can save on a selection of laptops, noise-canceling headphones, X-Box One consoles, smartwatches and more. 

    Microsoft’s top deals include savings on best-selling laptops like the HP 14-inch laptop on sale for just $349 and up to $200 off the 2-in-1 Surface Pro 7. If you’re looking for headphone bargains you can get the Samsung Galaxy Buds on sale for $99.99 and save $50 on the Bose QuietComfort 35 II. Interested in Xbox deals? You can get the Xbox One X Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order bundle on sale for $299 and score a $100 discount on the NBA 2K20 Special Edition bundle.

    Shop more of Microsoft’s top ‘Spring Sale’ discounts below, and keep in mind, these incredible deals end on April 13.

    Microsoft deals:

    • Shop more laptop deals here

    See more offers with the best cheap laptop deals and the best Xbox One prices, bundles, sales, and deals.

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  • Latest true wireless earbud deals offer big savings on AirPods, Powerbeats Pro, Samsung Galaxy Buds and more

    If you’re looking for a cheap pair of true wireless earbuds to drown out the sounds of your family, you’re in luck. Whether you’re tuning into streaming entertainment on a smaller device or after some high-quality buds for finally getting into that album everyone’s been telling you to listen to, we’re rounding up the best true wireless earbud deals going this weekend to get you there for less. 

    That’s right, there are plenty of earbud sales live this weekend. With cheap AirPods coming in at just $139 in the US and £129 in the UK, and Samsung Galaxy Buds reduced to just $99 / £109 right now, you’ll find the perfect set of buds for any occasion. We’re even seeing price cuts on the incredible Sony WF-1000XM3 true wireless earbuds, with prices starting at $198 in the US and £169 in the UK

    Those are some fantastic true wireless earbud deals, and landing just in time for the weekend makes these savings particularly special. So, if you’re looking for high-quality audio to take you far away from your own four walls, look no further than our top deals below. 

    True wireless earbud deals in the US

    True wireless earbud deals in the UK

    • Shop all true wireless earbuds deals at Currys

    Looking for more? We’re keeping tabs on all the latest AirPods deals as well as top Beats headphones sales and Sony WH-1000XM3 headphone prices.

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  • Extended VPN deal: 73% off and free cloud storage with IPVanish VPN

    Extended VPN deal: 73% off and free cloud storage with IPVanish VPN

    It was a VPN offer that was supposed to end the second that the calendar turned from March to April, but we’re delighted that IPVanish has extended its fabulous VPN deal for another 30 days.

    If you sign up to IPVanish before the end of April, you’ll get a whole year of VPN protection and secure cloud storage from SugarSync for just $39.

    When it comes to VPN goodness, we rank IPVanish extremely highly – the provider has 24/7 customer support, zero traffic logs, unlimited bandwidth and an excellent Windows kill switch. It really is one of the very best around.

    And then throw in that freebie and discount, and you’re laughing. The SugarSync addition gets you a full 250GB of secure data storage. This means that all your photos, videos and personal documents (whatever you choose to store) will remain safeguarded from outsiders. That means that for the next 12 months your VPN and storage needs are completely covered for the equivalent of just $3.25 a month.

    Still unsure if this is the deal for you? Scroll down to see this deal in full, or why not also check out our best VPN deals guide for all of the very best offers on cyber privacy.

    This amazing VPN deal in full:

    How good is IPVanish?

    As well as unblocking Netflix, (hello streaming!) and being one of the best value for money VPNs, it also has a 7-day money-back guarantee and servers in over 75 countries. 

    Plus, it boasts incredible download speeds so you don’t need to worry about the VPN slowing down your device and it’s got plenty of powerful, configurable apps. So whether privacy, streaming or cost is your reason for getting a VPN, IPVanish ticks all the boxes. 

    Still undecided? Check out our IPVanish review.

    • Not sure this provider is the one for you? Check out our best VPN guide
    • Want to try before you buy? See your choice of VPNs with free trials
    • Or pay nothing at all! These are the best free VPNs

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  • Best free photography courses, apps and YouTube channels for lockdown learning

    Best free photography courses, apps and YouTube channels for lockdown learning

    Updated 3/4/20: we’ve added all the latest free photography courses to this guide

    Today’s age of lockdowns and self-isolation might not be great for travel snapping, but it is the perfect opportunity for beginners to learn how to shoot – so we’ve rounded up the best free photography courses, apps and YouTube channels to help you do just that.

    With many educators and developers recognizing that there are millions of potential photographers stuck at home, there’s been something of a surge in free courses and downloads. Whether you use a smartphone or DSLR, these could be the perfect way to give yourself a little photographic firmware upgrade over the next few months.

    Some of these free offers are based on extended free trials, so you’ll simply need to set yourself a reminder to avoid being charged down the line. 

    But many are simply free photography courses or YouTube channels that we’ve long rated as a great way to boost your camera knowhow. All you’ve needed was enough spare time at home to give them a good crack…

    Best free photography courses

    These free photography courses will level up your photographic skills no matter where you’re starting from…

    Digital Photography Exposed

    Best free photography courses

    This free, 12-part course from Harvard University might be a few years old now, but it’s long been one of our top recommendations for beginners (or intermediates) who are looking to get a solid grounding in the photographic fundamentals.

    It starts at the very beginning with how digital cameras work, but then quickly moves through lenses, histograms and image artifacts. There are project ideas too, and while you might be five years too late to submit entries, they’re good exercises to follow and many can be done at home.

    Go to the Digital Photography Exposed course   

    Nikon School free

    Nikon School

    One of the best free online courses options for beginners, the Nikon School has made its ten classes free for April only.

    The classes cover a range of subjects, starting with the ‘Fundamentals of Photography’ and going all the way to more complex topics like ‘The Art of Making Music Videos’.

    All of the sessions, which range from 15-minute primers to hour-long explainers, are taught by Nikon’s pro ambassadors, who collectively have decades of snapping experience.

    You don’t need to have a Nikon camera to benefit from the lessons either, just a free account. To find out how to sign up for them read the full story here.

    Creative Live

    Best free photography courses

    While Creative Live does offer some fairly pricey paid-for classes, which you can rewatch whenever you like, there are also free, live broadcasts that are on 24-hours a day.

    This does mean it’s a slight case of pot luck, but at the time of writing there were interesting classes on portrait photography and Photoshop layer tips scheduled. All you need to do is sign up for a free account and RSVP to the class you want to tune into. While you’re there, you can also dip into other free classes in music and art.

    Go to Creative Live’s On Air Today classes 

    Professional Photographers of America

    Best free photography courses

    The Professional Photographers of America hit the headlines this week by announcing that its catalogue of over one thousand online photography courses will be free for the next two weeks, ending on 4 April.

    As their name suggests, a lot of the courses are aimed at pro photographers and cover exciting subjects like navigating contract cancellations. But there are few educational gems for aspiring snappers, like an introduction to Capture One and some Lightroom tutorials.

    Go to the Professional Photographers of America’s free courses 

    Best free photography courses

    Stay Home with Leica

    Less a photography course and more a series of web talks with famous photographers, the new ‘Stay At Home with Leica’ program brings together some chats from the educational Leica Akademie on a range of subjects.

    These range from ‘Photo Book Inspiration’, where a range of instructors talk about some of their favorite tomes, to ‘Family as subject’, which is a timely discussion on photographing relations who you might even be spending a little bit too much time with at the moment. 

    Coming soon is a session with renowned Hollywood portrait photographer Dennys Ilic, who’ll be talking about some of the stories behind his images.

    Go to the Stay At Home with Leica schedule

    Best free photography software

    Looking to boost your photo editing skills? These recent offers are a great way to dip your toes into image tinkering waters…

    Affinity Photo

    Affinity Photo

    One of the more popular alternatives to Adobe’s Photoshop, Affinity Photo has announced a lengthy 90-day free trial of its desktop software for Mac and Windows.

    That gives you a generous window to get familiar with the photo editing app, which we once described as “a fabulous program that really does rival the best professional and enthusiast-level image-editing packages on the market”, to see if it’s for you.

    And if you do decide it’s the editing program for you, there’s also a 50% off deal on the Mac, Windows and iPad versions of Affinity Photo, which brings it down to impulse buy pricing. Unlike Adobe creative Cloud, there’s no subscription needed either.

    Go to Affinity Photo’s free 90-day trial

    Adobe Creative Cloud

    Adobe Creative Cloud

    Shortly after Adobe announced that is was providing free home Creative Cloud access for students, a broader offer for all CC customers emerged – one that could get you two months of its desktop apps for free.

    To get the offer you need to be an existing Creative Cloud subscriber and follow the cancellation process at the link below, but it could land you some big savings of up to $105 / £99 / AU$155.

    It’s not the first time Adobe has run this cancellation offer, but for those who were considering cancelling to make some savings in tough times, it’s a welcome bonus that could give you the opportunity to delve deeper into apps like Lightroom and Photoshop.

    Find out how to get two months of Adobe Creative Cloud for free 

    Apple Final Cut Pro X

    Apple Final Cut Pro X

    If you’re looking to brush up on your video editing skills then it’s well worth checking out Apple’s new extended trial for Final Cut Pro X, which has recently been boosted from 30 days to an impressive 90 days.

    This premium software retails for $299 / £299 / AU$499.99 and is ideal if you feel like you’ve outgrown the more basic iMovie than comes installed on most Macs. While that price tag sounds hefty, it’s great value considering the editing tools and AI-driven skills Final Cut Pro X brings to the table.

    Read our full review of Apple Final Cut Pro X

    Best photography YouTube channels

    Looking for some video-based photography inspiration? These YouTube channels will inspire you to level up your skills…

    Sean Tucker

    Best photography YouTube channels

    Sometimes it’s good to take a step back and look at why you want to get into photography, rather than the specifics of how – and there’s no better YouTube channel for doing that than Sean Tucker’s polished, thoughtful channel.

    While he does offer some excellent technique guidance on subjects like shooting in manual or taking great headshots, some of the more enlightening episodes – whether you’re a beginner or photographic veteran – are on topics like discovering your own style, finding time to shoot when you’re busy, and overcoming creative block.

    Subscribe to Sean Tucker’s YouTube channel 

    Mango Street

    Best photography YouTube channels

    If you’ve got a specific photography question, particularly if it relates to editing or processing your shots, then the chances are good that Mango Street has an insightful video covering it.

    Produced by Los Angeles-based couple Rachel Gulotta and Daniel Inskeep, the prolific channel carries the tagline “photography tutorials that don’t waste your time” and covers everything from underwater portraits to mastering Lightroom Classic.

    Subscribe to Mango Street’s YouTube channel

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  • Modern Warfare 2 Remastered No Russian: should the controversial mission have been included?

    Modern Warfare 2 Remastered No Russian: should the controversial mission have been included?

    Few video game missions loom as large as No Russian from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. The most remarkable thing about it is probably how much the entire game has been remembered for that one, rather short level, in a five-hour campaign designed to be blitzed through while players got the hang of Call of Duty’s mechanics – and prepared themselves for the true battlefield of online play.

    Why was it so unforgettable? The fourth mission in the 2009 game, No Russian puts you in the shoes of a CIA agent, attempting to gain the trust of Russian terrorists by… optionally helping them gun down crowds of fleeing civilians in a Moscow airport.

    Asking or allowing players to mow down civilians along with the ‘bad guys’ was – to put it mildly – divisive. While the game certainly sold well, there was a sour taste to that success for many – and the mission was removed entirely from the game for release in Russia.

    It was quite a big change in tone from the previous Modern Warfare game only two years previously, which had – along with a slower, more thoughtful approach to combat – a bit more restraint than the Hollywood blockbusters that MW2 was geared towards imitating.

    MW2 was a game with bigger action set-pieces, higher dramatic stakes, far more improbable situations, and a final-level speedboat chase that felt straight out of a James Bond movie. Not to mention No Russian, a mission that dedicates eight minutes to the murder of civilians to which you cannot intervene, ostensibly for your entertainment.

    This was still a game focused on the modern realities of military conflict, but one that took ‘realities’ to mean accurate facsimiles of weapons and camo designs rather than believable gameplay – something that’s still quite characteristic of the Call of Duty franchise – and ended up being caught awkwardly between its dual-missions of realism and entertainment.

    This was over a decade ago, of course, and much has been said on the uneasy reception of No Russian already. However, when news around a remaster of the Modern Warfare 2 campaign started to leak, the question on our lips was this: will No Russian be included?

    The answer was a definitive yes. No Russian is still playable in the remastered game, which retails for $19.99 / £19.99 / AU$35,95, and is now exclusively available on PS4 – with a PC and Xbox One release coming in a few weeks time. You can watch the official announcement trailer below (though there’s no footage from the No Russian mission shown).

    Unsurprisingly, the remaster won’t be released at all in Russia – but re-releasing the game with No Russian anywhere, especially after the intense media scrutiny and industry soul-searching that the controversial mission provoked, is a choice worth interrogating.

    In the game, your commanding officer warns you in advance that the mission “will cost you a piece of yourself” – but is it worth it? We’ve brought together our thoughts on whether or not the No Russian mission should have been included in the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Remaster – and which side we came down on in the end.

    The case for No Russian

    While No Russian was controversial back in 2009, you could argue that it doesn’t serve anyone to brush over this part of Call of Duty’s history. We can learn a lot from looking at the past from a modern perspective, and the remastered No Russian enters a different gaming landscape than it did originally.

    The mission also still comes with the same trigger warnings and safeguards as it did in the original game. Players are warned of “disturbing content which may offend some players”, with the option to skip the mission entirely. Achievements aren’t tied to the mission, either, meaning that those wanting every single game trophy on Xbox One won’t be hindered from their 100% goal for having taken issue with the level.

    Our Senior Editor of Home Tech, Gerald Lynch, stresses that you don’t have to fire a single bullet in the mission, which feels important: “That you’re the arbiter of whether you take part or not is on you – its failing is that you aren’t given the opportunity to intervene in any way (unless you consider beating the game and taking down the end villain a form of correcting vengeance).”

    There’s the entertainment argument to consider, too. 

    Modern Warfare 2 is a video game, and the story is pretty overblown already (you even go to space). The Russians aren’t the only villains, either, with (spoilers ahead) the military general who guides most of your missions becoming the big bad before the end of the game is out. How seriously should anything in Modern Warfare 2 be taken?

    The case against No Russian

    Obviously, Modern Warfare 2 is a piece of entertainment, but – because of that – it’s in a place to move, surprise, or horrify us. And its creators need to be willing to take responsibility for all and any of those emotional responses.

    The campaign is short, at around five hours of gameplay, but it’s not like cutting this eight-minute mission – possibly replacing it with 10 seconds of voiceover exposition to explain what happened – would have dented that quantity much either. Why not just take it out and avoid the extra dev work?

    Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered (2020)

    TechRadar’s Gaming Writer, Vic Hood, says that, “It still feels like it’s there to shock. The game could have functioned without [the mission]… and the fact you can skip it proves that.”

    It’s also impossible not to consider No Russian in the context of 2019’s Modern Warfare reboot, which included a mission including (and named after) the infamous Highway of Death, a stretch of road between Kuwait and Iraq where vehicles carrying retreating Iraqi civilians and refugees were indiscriminately fired upon by US-led forces. In Call of Duty’s rewrite, however, Russian-led forces were leading the attack.

    There’s an uneasy alliance between Call of Duty’s output and US military forces, with the franchise’s writing team working with Pentagon advisers to pen their stories. While you obviously couldn’t call Infinity Ward complicit in any actual warfare, its lax attitude when representing real-life atrocities is… concerning, to say the least.

    Gerald Lynch argues that “war crimes are very real, and shocking, and that in a game that does strive to have some form of realism attached, depicting one (fictional or otherwise) that we’re all too often allowed to shy away from and be shielded from is actually a brave inclusion.” It’s a shame, though, that this inclusion wasn’t handled more responsibly.

    Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)

    Takeaway

    When we reached out to Activision for comment, we were reassured that the safeguards of the original 2009 game remained in place, which was a start. The publisher wouldn’t be drawn on any internal conversations regarding the mission’s inclusion, however – or whether not including it was ever on the table.

    Our conclusion here is that the Call of Duty team should know better. They should have known better back in 2009, and uncritically remastering No Russian for 2020 doesn’t show a developer that’s learnt its lessons.

    Last year’s Modern Warfare (2019) is certainly more culpable for its mishandling of military history, but Modern Warfare 2’s record isn’t clean either – and revisiting or restoring history requires a lot more thought than a splash of paint for modern consoles.

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  • PS4 Pro bundle deals are back in stock across the UK

    If you’ve been trying to find PS4 Pro deals available in the UK over the past few days, you might have been coming up short. With many people retreating into their homes, you might find yourself desperate to fill your days with entertainment, and the 4K variety is particularly popular. 

    All that ends today, though, with plenty of retailers restocking their shelves with fresh PS4 Pro bundle deals offering some of the latest games for a non-inflated price. That means you can get your hands on the 4K console with a fantastic game just in time for the weekend. 

    These bundles are sitting at £349 right now, and while that’s certainly not as cheap as we’ve seen them over the last few months, with stock shortages swallowing up inventory and demand pushing prices up this week, that price tag offers a welcome respite.

    Not in the UK? We’re rounding up our favourite PS4 Pro deals further down the page. 

    The latest PS4 Pro bundle deals

    More PS4 Pro deals

    Hungry for more? You’ll find cheap PS Plus deals available across the US and UK, and plenty more PS4 Pro sales to shop as well. Or, take a look at the latest Xbox One X deals for Microsoft’s take on 4K gaming.

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  • Virtual Grand National 2020: live stream from anywhere and best betting odds

    Virtual Grand National 2020: live stream from anywhere and best betting odds

    The Grand National is the biggest event on the UK horse racing calendar, but sadly Aintree will be empty in this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Here’s how to live stream the Virtual Grand National 2020 online or on TV from anywhere in the world.

    As has been the case since 2017, a simulated virtual race is scheduled to run alongside the real-life contest – and not even Covid-19 can cancel a CGI-powered steeplechase!

    In last year’s Virtual Grand National, Rathvinden triumphed, while eventual 2019 winner Tiger Roll came in second. The CGI-powered race was right on the money in 2018, though, when the Michael O’Leary-owned horse won both races in nearly identical circumstances.

    And while Tiger Roll won’t get a chance to seal a historic third consecutive Grand National this year – a feat not even Red Rum managed – he is the bookies favourite in the virtual race at 5/1. Any Second Now is also fancied with odds of 10/1, as are Burrows Saint (12/1) and Definitely Red (14/1). Still, with a 40-strong field of runners as usual, it’s safe to say that the Virtual Grand National stands to be every bit as unpredictable as the real thing.

    Those looking to enjoy their annual flutter and bet on the Virtual Grand National 2020 should know that all profits from this year’s event are being donated to NHS Charities Together – and as a result bookmakers are limiting bets to £10, either to win or each-way. 

    In addition to the main race, ITV’s coverage – which is led by Nick Luck and features Alice Plunkett and Richard Pitman – will also include a special race of champions pitting some of the greatest National winners of all-time against each other. Now, let’s look at how to watch the Virtual Grand National this weekend.

    How to watch the Grand National for free: UK stream

    Watch the Virtual Grand National online from outside your country

    This scenario is less likely than it used to be, for sure, but if you do happen to be away from the UK for whatever reason, don’t worry. You can still tune in to ITV’s coverage of the 2020 Virtual Grand National live from anywhere in the world.  

    The secret is to download and install a VPN , which will let you change your IP address to one in the UK and head over to ITV’s website or a streaming site like TVPlayer.com. Here’s how to watch a Virtual Grand National live stream using a VPN in three simple steps.

    Virtual Grand National odds 2020 – runners and latest betting guide

    As we’ve said, Tiger Roll is the current favourite to win the Virtual Grand National at 5/1.  Victory on a computer screen would be scant consolation for such a legendary horse, though – one who has been denied his chance at a record third consecutive Grand National victory. Times are more than complicated at the moment, but you have to feel for the 10-year-old Irish Thoroughbred and his trainer, Gordon Elliott. 

    Any Second Now is also heavily fancied and looks decent value for an each-way bet at 10/1.

    There’s a full list of Virtual Grand National odds below to help you spend your £10 wisely in 2020, with each of the below bookies taking bets online:

    Please gamble responsibly. For help, support and advice about problem gambling contact the National Gambling Helpline free on 0808 8020 133 or via the Live Chat.

    1 Tiger Roll, 5-1

    2 Bristol De Mai, 20-1

    3 Aso, 66-1

    4 Elegant Escape, 20-1

    5 Anibale Fly, 20-1

    6 Top Ville Ben, 45-1

    7 Beware The Bear, 33-1

    8 Peregrine Run, 66-1

    9 Jett, 50-1

    10 Alpha Des Obeaux, 25-1

    11 Total Recall, 40-1

    12 The Storyteller, 40-1

    13 Magic Of Light, 18-1

    14 Talkischeap, 25-1

    15 Yala Enki, 28-1

    16 Ballyoptic, 25-1

    17 Burrows Saint, 12-1

    18 Definitly Red, 14-1

    19 Sub Lieutenant, 33-1

    20 Ok Corral, 25-1

    21 Tout Est Permis, 80-1

    22 Vintage Clouds, 33/1

    23 Crievehill, 66-1

    24 Lake View Lad, 50-1

    25 Jury Duty, 40-1

    26 Pleasant Company, 28-1

    27 Acapella Bourgeois, 33-1

    28 Shattered Love, 66-1

    29 Any Second Now, 10-1

    30 Potters Corner, 18-1

    31 Dounikos, 50-1

    32 Kildisart, 50-1

    33 Death Duty, 50-1

    34 Ramses De Teillee, 66-1

    35 Valtor, 66-1

    36 Saint Xavier, 66-1

    37 Warriors Tale, 80-1

    38 Double Shuffle, 100-1

    39 Kimberlite Candy, 16-1

    40 Walk In The Mill, 16-1

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