Category: Techradar

  • Nvidia reportedly readying GeForce MX450 to challenge AMD and Intel

    Nvidia is reportedly preparing a Turing-based successor to its Pascal-based GeForce MX300 series of entry-level graphics cards in order to better compete against AMD and Intel.

    That’s according to a 3DMark database spotted by hardware leaker @_rogame, which suggests that the MX GPU – which will end up in entry-level notebook designs – will be based on the TU117 architecture, have 2GB GDDR6 memory running at 10Gbps, a base clock of 540MHz and a TDP of 25W.

    The tweet, which doesn’t tell us much else about the incoming sequel to the MX350, is accompanied by a screenshot of the cards performance on UL’s 3DMark, in which the “Generic VGA” is paired with a Comet Lake Core i7 10510U CPU.

    Earlier rumours via Notebookcheck claim that Nvidia’s incoming GPU, referred to as the “N18S-G5” internally, will arrive to counter Intel’s Xe DG1 iGPU that will be part of the chipmaker’s incoming Tiger Lake-U processors, along with AMD’s 7nm Vega Integrated GPUs.

    The same report claims that the so-called N18S-G5, which could arrive as the MX 400 series, will be available in two variants “A” and “B”. It confirms that both will be based on the Turing TU117 architecture and fabricated on the 12nm process node and that each GPU will deliver PCI Gen4 speeds, 64-bit GDDR6 VRAM, and have a 25 W TDP envelope.

    The difference between the two will lies in the package size, Notebookcheck claims, with the N18S-G5-B set to come in a 29 x 29 mm package, compared to the N18S-G5-A1’s 23 x 23 mm.

    As per the report, the “A” variant can be configured to have GDDR5 VRAM at 3.5GHz or GGDR6 at 6GHz, while the “B” model has only the option of GDDR6 VRAM at 5GHz. While GPU core clocks and CUDA Core counts are still unknown, the report says that performance will be similar to that of the GTX 1650 Max-Q.

    The N18S-G5-A variant is expected to enter mass production in May, followed by the N18S-G5-B variant with GDDR6 in the early June. Both GPUs are expected to feature in Intel Tiger Lake-powered laptops that are set to arrive sometime in the second half of 2020.

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  • iOS 14 might let you try out apps before installing them

    Code spotted in an early build of iOS 14 suggests that Apple is working on a new feature called Clips, which would let you test out dynamic and interactive content from apps without actually installing them.

    As 9to5Mac reports, the idea is that you could watch a video from YouTube, for example, without actually having YouTube installed. Users would be able to try out various features before they commit to downloading the app.

    Based on the Clips API, it would kick into action when you scanned a QR code or tapped on a link for an app that wasn’t installed on your iPhone. In addition to YouTube, apps for Yelp, DoorDash, OpenTable and PS4 Second Screen are specifically referenced in the code.

    App developers will need to specify in the App Store which parts of their apps are available before installing. There will then be the option to install the full app, if required. A similar sort of tech is available in Android with Slices.

    What’s coming in iOS 14

    Like everything else that has been spotted in the iOS 14 code ahead of time, Apple may decide to scrap the idea between now and June, when we’re expecting the first official preview of what the software will bring.

    Previous leaks have suggested that Apple is thinking of adding extra home screen and wallpaper customizations to iOS 14. We’ve also seen hints of changes coming to the app switcher.

    iOS 14 is expected to be compatible with all the iPhones that can currently run iOS 13, which would mean everything since the iPhone 6S from late 2015 and the iPhone SE which launched in 2016. It’s always possible this could change, but we haven’t heard that more phones will be left off the upgrade list.

    We traditionally get our first look at new iOS versions at Apple’s annual WWDC event, held at the start of June. This year’s event has been called off in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, though Apple’s announcements are likely to still arrive around the same time.

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  • Animal Crossing on PC? The best alternatives on Steam

    Animal Crossing on PC? The best alternatives on Steam

    Look, we get it. You’re probably sick of people posting about Animal Crossing: New Horizons on the internet. What’s the big deal with it, anyway? It’s just a bunch of cutesy characters, running around an island doing menial tasks to pay off an ever increasing debt to a money-hungry raccoon. 

    And yet for some reason you want it – crave it, even. You want to chat with anthropomorphic villagers; you want to toil the land and enjoy the fruits of your labor. But the mere prospect of buying a Nintendo Switch solely to experience one game just isn’t right. 

    Well, what if we told you there are some great PC games that can give you those Animal Crossing feels… and they’re all on Steam. Who cares if they aren’t the real deal  – these Animal Crossing PC alternatives will make you feel a little less envious of your friend’s island life, at the very least.

    Graveyard Keeper

    1. Graveyard Keeper

    No, this isn’t a joke recommendation. Graveyard Keeper is kind of similar to Animal Crossing, albeit the subject matter is a lot less cheery. Grab a shovel (and some bodies) as you manage your own graveyard and do whatever it takes to make a thriving business.

    Despite being a game largely about putting people six-feet under, Graveyard Keeper is full of dark humor and will make you appreciate your real world job quite a bit more. Sure, you might have back-to-back meetings and the printer is jammed yet again, but at least you don’t have to grind up organs to sell to the local butcher for a quick buck.

    2. Stardew Valley

    A genuinely amazing game in its own right, Stardew Valley combines the best of Harvest Moon and Animal Crossing to create a compelling and utterly addictive experience. With farming at its heart, enjoy the simple life as you live off the land, grow crops, tend to livestock and craft more efficient equipment. 

    Head into the bustling town and forge relationships with its citizens – you never know, it may even lead to marriage and kids! There’s so much to do in Stardew Valley that you’ll wonder why you don’t possess these productivity levels outside of the game. 

    Oh, and with the recent multiplayer update you can now fish, fight, plant and sow your seeds with your closest farmhouse friends online. It just gets better and better. 

    Garden Paws

    3. Garden Paws

    Instantly adorable, Garden Paws is the equivalent of Sylvanian Family: the video game (which sadly doesn’t exist). You play as a pint-sized animal tasked with building up a prospering community. Run a shop to earn coins, battle through dangerous dungeons, and take on exciting quests as you work your little paws to the bone.

    With over 500+ hours of content to enjoy, Garden Paws continues to grow with regular updates and new gameplay modes to try, like online multiplayer where you can play with up to 32 furry friends. Aww.

    My Time at Portia

    4. My Time at Portia

    A new life awaits in the enchanting town of Portia, but before you get too comfy, you’ll have to restore your father’s dilapidated workshop to its former glory. Befriend the townsfolk, farm like harvest is just around the corner, and become a house designer as you collect and craft all sorts of furniture.

    To aid you on your adventure, you can level up your character with numerous skills to boost a variety of skills to fit your playstyle. Become more social, or put all your efforts into combat – the choice is yours. 

    There’s so many tasks to tackle in My Time at Portia, that you’ll only wish you had an infinite amount of time to get everything done.

    Little Dragons Cafe

    5. Little Dragons Cafe

    Have you ever wanted to work at a cafe and raise a dragon? Of course you have! Little Dragons Cafe will help you realize that strangely specific life-long dream as you train your very own scaly companion from a weak-winged baby into a fire-breathing adult. 

    You’ll also get to run a quaint olde cafe, preparing delicious dishes, serving customers and managing a team of staff and visitors who think keeping a dragon as a pet is totally normal.

    To keep your cafe stocked with supplies, you’ll need to venture out into an expansive world filled with secrets, wildlife, and dangers to overcome as you collect ingredients to cook new recipes at your cafe. What a lovely existence.

    Hokko Life

    Hokko Life 

    Hokko Life mirrors the Animal Crossing formula so closely, that you might be forgiven for thinking it’s nothing more than a cheap imitation. But that damning judgment would be rather unfair, considering the game has yet to be released and does bring a few fresh ideas to the table.

    For example, Hokko Life lets you craft your own furniture using materials you find in the world. The level of customization goes far beyond what’s possible in Animal Crossing, too – swirl your own paints, upholster a deck chair, or create catwalk-worthy outfits – you can personalize the game however you like. 

    With a release date set for 2020, we’ll have to wait and see whether Hokko Life can go toe-to-toe with Nintendo’s charming simulation series.

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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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