Updated: Best Netflix TV shows: 25 great Netflix television series in Australia
Best Netflix TV shows: 25 great Netflix TV series
It's been a long time coming (like, a seriously long time) but Netflix has finally arrived on Australian shores, giving Australians unfettered access to all of the critically-lauded Netflix Originals shows. Not only that, users also have access to a wealth of other licensed material.
Sure, Netflix also streams movies, but its television output is perhaps the reason most people have signed up for an account. There's nothing quite like firing up Netflix and binge-watching a series at your own pace. Getting instant access to entire seasons of House of Cards from day one is half the appeal.
This is why we've created the TechRadar guide to the greatest TV shows on the Australian version of Netflix right now (in no particular order). We'll keep this best TV show list constantly updated with the latest television shows that you should be watching and also tell you why.
- Check out our in-depth Netflix review
1. The IT Crowd
It's safe to assume that if you're reading this website, you're quite tech-savvy, so you'd probably have an intimate knowledge of what it's like to deal with computer illiterate people. The IT Crowd understands this frustration in a way that only those who've actually lived it can – and it's absolutely bloody hilarious. The show follows the misadventures of tech support officers Jen (Katherine Parkinson), Roy (Chris O'Dowd) and Moss (Richard Ayoade), both in the office and out in the real world – spurred on in part by their eccentric boss, Douglas Reynholm (Matt Berry). It's like a geeky, British version of Seinfeld.
Seasons on Netflix: 4
2. Marvel's Daredevil
When Marvel revealed that it would be creating several Netflix shows tied directly into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, fanboys (like me) were over the moon. The fact that it would start by bringing Daredevil back to life (Evanescence pun completely intentional) after the much-maligned Ben Affleck film was more than we could have ever hoped for. This isn't some low-level player – Daredevil is a genuine fan favourite. And if you ask us, 'The Man Without Fear' is probably better suited to being the star of a series rather than another movie – especially as he'll eventually team up with Netflix's other Marvel heroes Jessica Jones, Iron Fist and Luke Cage in the Netflix miniseries, The Defenders.
Seasons on Netflix: 1
3. Arrested Development
If it wasn't for Netflix, Arrested Development would have stayed as a three-season wonder. The streaming giant decided to take a gamble and fund a fourth season of Mitchell Hurwitz's brilliant family comedy and we are glad it did. While splitting the family up for most of the season meant some of the spark had disappeared - this was done to fit in with the actors' busy schedules - the fourth season proved that there was still a lot to like about the dysfunctional Bluth family. Filled with season-long in-jokes, perfect site gags and spot-on wordplay, Arrested Development is a comedy that needs to be watched on repeat - and even then you will find something new to laugh at.
Seasons on Netflix: 4
4. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Netflix continues to expand its repertoire with Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, a heartwarming comedy series with a somewhat dramatic streak. Ellie Kemper (21 Jump Street) plays the titular character – a woman who is rescued from a bunker where she'd been held captive for 15 years and who then decides to relocate to New York. She'll have to face all sorts of challenges, but she'll face them all head-on with a big smile on her face. It's Kimmy's endearing spirit and 'never give up' attitude that makes the show so ridiculously charming.
Seasons on Netflix: 1
5. Mad Men
Arguably the finest show on television, Mad Men is a brilliant time capsule that takes us on a journey through the ever-changing landscape that was 1960s America. Over the years, we get to see the country evolve through the eyes of the people who work at a swanky New York advertising agency – most notably our lead character Don Draper (John Hamm), a damaged individual with a hidden past and a drinking problem who is constantly engaging in infidelity. Through the show, we get some insight into the slow rise of power for women in the workplace while facing overt sexism, race relations and the evolution of the American family during the most tumultuous period in American history. Truly an outstanding, must-watch show.
Seasons on Netflix: 6
6. Marco Polo
Netflix's answer to Game of Thrones, Marco Polo is the most epic and expensive Netflix original series to date. With a budget of $US90 million, the show is packed with big scale battles, thousands of extras, incredible locations and lavish sets. Set during Marco Polo's time in Mongolia under Kublai Khan, the series follows the famed Venetian's adventures as he navigates through Khan's Imperial City. You can guarantee that there will be blood, betrayal, intrigue and heaping helpings of sex and nudity. Hey, we told you it was like Game of Thrones!
Seasons on Netflix: 1
7. Brooklyn Nine-Nine
One of the funniest shows to hit TV in years, Brooklyn Nine-Nine stars Andy Samberg as an immature goofball who also happens to also be a brilliant NYPD detective. The show revolves around the many cases (and shenanigans) that Samberg and his equally hilarious co-stars get wrapped up in under the watchful eye of their stern Captain. Quick-witted and full of heart, Brooklyn Nine-Nine is a new comedy classic.
Seasons on Netflix: 1
8. Arrow
If you can't get enough of your superheroes, then you need to make it your mission to watch Arrow. Based on DC's Green Arrow comic book, the show follows Oliver Queen, a rich pretty boy who is marooned on an island for several years and then returns to his home in Starling City with a new agenda – to shoot arrows into every scumbag that failed his city. Arrow might veer into soap opera territory from time to time, but you have to admire the show's commitment to reaching as high as it can. It also exists in its own DC TV universe, so expect to see some guest appearances from The Flash and other DC heroes (and villains) of note.
Series on Netflix: 2
9. BoJack Horseman
The best way to approach BoJack Horseman, is to let it slowly grow on you. Chances are you won't be blown away by it from the first episode, but once you get hip to its rhythm, you'll likely find it to be one of the best animated comedy shows since Bob's Burgers. Will Arnett voices BoJack, a washed-up '90s sitcom star who spends his days being bitter about his failures alongside perpetual houseguest, Todd (Breaking Bad's Aaron Paul). Things get complicated when his cat girlfriend and agent Princess Carolyn (Amy Sedaris) hires ghost writer Diane (Alison Brie) to pen BoJack's memoir. Filled with hilarious characters that could only exist in drawing-form, BoJack Horseman is a real winner.
Series on Netflix: 1
10. Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Sure, It's easy to disregard Star Wars: The Clone Wars. It's a Star Wars kids show set during the prequel trilogy (you know, the trilogy that everyone hates), so obviously it doesn't seem like something any self-respecting adult would want to watch. How wrong you would be to assume that, as Star Wars: The Clone Wars is the best the series has been since the original trilogy. Each episode is like an epic mini-movie, with immense scope, fantastic production values, brilliant art design and tight direction. The entire series is available in HD on the service, including a Netflix-exclusive 13 episode season entitled 'The Lost Missions'.
Seasons on Netflix: 6
11. Suits
Seasons on Netflix: 3
12. House of Cards
If there ever was a poster boy for Netflix, House of Cards would be it. Funded completely by the streaming service, Cards' first season boasted direction by David Fincher and acting by Kevin Spacey and was addictive television. The reason: Netflix positively wanted you to binge watch, putting all episodes up at once. Now in its third season, Netflix's Card trick is still impressive and shows just how far Netflix has come, given it's shot in both 4K and HDR.
Seasons on Netflix: 3
13. Sense8
This new series from The Wachowskis, creators of The Matrix series, is the kind of show that requires a fair amount of patience to truly appreciate. It's about a disparate group of people from all around the world who suddenly become mentally linked, meaning that they can actually share experiences, knowledge and skills. They all have another thing in common – they have no idea why this is happening to them. As mentioned earlier, it will take a few episodes to get a handle on what the Wachowskis are achieving here, but once it takes off, your patience will be rewarded.
Seasons available on Netflix: 1
14. Firefly
After he had produced the perfect female lead in Buffy and before he was Hulk smashing with The Avengers, Joss Whedon created a short-run sci-fi series that has spawned not only a massive cult following but, quite astonishingly, a movie. The reason it was such an underground success was because Firefly takes the Star Wars framework of making space messy, where everything is a little rough around the edges - including the crew. It even has its own Han Solo in the form of Nathan Fillion's Malcolm Reynolds. Whedon's witty words permeate the whole of Firefly, which is not so much a space opera but a space rock opera.
Seasons on Netflix: 1
15. Spartacus
Before he was the showrunner for Marvel's Daredevil, Steven DeKnight worked on the gratuitously violent and sexual series Spartacus. At first glance, you'd be forgiven for thinking that there's nothing more to the show than meat-headed beefcakes fighting and screwing in a 300-aping manner, but there's so much more going on – we follow Spartacus (the late Andy Whitfield and his replacement, Liam McIntyre) as he is taken into slavery and forced to do cruel and unimaginable things in the gladiatorial arena, just waiting for the day that he can finally get his revenge on slave-owners Batiatus (John Hannah) and Lucretia (Lucy Lawless). All of this culminates in one of the most satisfying season finales in recent memory. Be warned – this show is filled with grotesque violence and an immense amount of sex and nudity. It's like Game of Thrones times ten.
Seasons on Netflix: 3
16. Homeland
Homeland is as nail-bitingly intense as shows come. Marine Nicolas Brody (Damian Lewis) returns home after being held captive in Iraq for several years, much to the joy of his wife (Morena Baccarin), his two kids, and a nation that calls him a hero. Homeland security officer Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes) isn't entirely convinced of his heroism. Could Brody actually have turned into a terrorist? Or is her bipolar disorder getting the better of her? This award-winning show is truly riveting.
Seasons on Netflix: 3
17. Orange is the New Black
It may have never reached the heady heights of House Of Cards, but Orange Is The New Black is another show that proves Netflix is now up there with HBO when it comes to offering decent programming. Set in a woman's prison, Orange doesn't shirk the big issues of violence and rape but manages to mix these with a heady dose of black humour. Oh, and its first series was actually more popular than Cards which is a surprise as Netflix's advertising has always been very Spacey heavy.
Seasons on Netflix: 2
18. Danger 5
Seasons on Netflix: 9
19. The Fall
Seasons on Netflix: 2
20. Misfits
Think of it as Skins with superpowers. A group of sexed-up, troubled British youths are all doing community service together when a crazy storm rolls in and gives each of them powers they can barely comprehend. Will they use those powers for good, or will they use them to get into more mischief? Great writing and a great cast (some of which go on to appear in Game of Thrones) make this show highly recommended.
Seasons on Netflix: 5
21. Top Gear
Okay, so the show may be in limbo at the moment due to Jeremy Clarkson's offscreen bad behaviour, but there's no denying that Top Gear is a remarkably entertaining programme. It's easy to get swept up in the show's various car challenges, test drives, stunts and celebrity appearances, even if you aren't a car enthusiast. This is all due to the infectious camaraderie between the show's three hosts – Richard Hammond, James May and the aforementioned Clarkson are a cheeky trio and are completely responsible for making a show about cars absolutely addicting.
Seasons on Netflix: 7
22. Chef's Table
From the makers of the incredible documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi comes this six-part Netflix Original miniseries that takes us into the lives (and kitchens) of six of the world's most celebrated chefs. Get an inside look at the artistry behind the creation of some of the most breathtaking dishes imaginable, and then start to wish you had the unlimited resources required to travel around the world, visiting each of these incredible restaurants. Mouth-watering and awe-inspiring.
Seasons on Netflix: 1
23. The Office
This hilarious mockumentary series follows a paper company in the midst of a downsizing. Sure, it's not the most hilarious sounding concept, but incredible comedic performances and whip smart writing make The Office one of the funniest shows to ever come out of Britain. Ricky Gervais became an international star due to his star-making role as David Brent, the tragically unhip and mostly embarrassing manager, and he's just the tip of this hilarious ensemble, including Martin Freeman, Mackenzie Crook and Lucy Davis. A must-watch for fans of uncomfortable comedy.
Seasons on Netflix: 2
24. Vikings
Praise Odin! We finally have a brutal and (mostly) historically-accurate show about Norse culture that would make Thor proud. Vikings takes us on a journey through Scandinavian/European history as Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel), a man who may or may not be a direct descendent of Odin himself, rises up the viking ranks and searches for new civilisations alongside his band of viking brothers. Best watched with a pint of mead in your hand.
Seasons on Netflix: 2
25. Freaks and Geeks
On the list of shows that were tragically cut down before their prime, Number 1 is Firefly. Number 2, however, is Freaks and Geeks, the show that served as a launching pad for some of our favorite stars in comedy today. Brash, mischievous and hysterical, James Franco, Jason Segel and Seth Rogen provide a perfect counter-balance for the tepid (and completely loveable) Linda Cardellini. The show scores the last spot on our list and in our hearts because at the end of the day we've all been Cardellini's character, Lindsay. We've all been picked on, called a nerd and genuinely loved something - whether that's cellphones, computers, televisions, whatever. And just when you think you'll never fit in, the right group of people somehow find their way into your life.
Seasons on Netflix: 1
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IN DEPTH: Surprise! Nintendo's best E3 game has an odd multiplayer setup
The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes will give me a reason to unearth my Nintendo 3DS after E3 2015, and I'm fully expecting to pull the underutilized system out of a treasure chest with the series' patented chime when it releases later this year.
This top-down Zelda video game with a three-player cooperative twist makes up for the fact that Nintendo failed to demo the new Legend of Zelda game for Wii U. It's been teased since January 2013, but won't launch until 2016.
Magically healing that pain point, my Tri Force Heroes demo for 3DS ended up being more fun than any other game I played during the Los Angeles-based conference.
Of course, I owe that personal "best of E3" honor to the fact that I was in the ideal situation: two friends were playing alongside me... in person.
Yes, an online mode when two buddies aren't nearby. Alas, Nintendo's inability to spearhead proper online gameplay will hold this title back from true greatness.
Why it was fun
Assuming the roles of a red, green and blue link in Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes, two friends and I set off on what ended up being our longest E3 demo.It took a full 25 minutes to play through one level and a challenging boss battle. You know you're having fun when you don't realize how annoyed the people are waiting in line behind you.
I was drawn into the classic overhead perspective in this game, which is mixed with cartoon-like The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker graphics, giving it a 2D design with an updated look.
The cooperative multiplayer gameplay was also a new spin on an old form. It made us work together to solve intricate puzzles and sword-slash enemies along the way.
Teamwork often required using our special abilities, like using a wind-blowing gust jar to send another Link across a gap. As the one person equipped with bombs instead, I was the one hurtled across dangerous pits to open up blocked pathways.
No one has to fight over being Link and hearts are shared in this game, too. You can have a straggler Link on the team and succeed.
Where Nintendo 3DS falls short... and silent
Communication is essential in this co-op game, and that's exactly what we experienced while playing through our demo standing within inches of each other.But out of that close range makes all of the shouting and softly muttered curses in Nintendo's family friendly E3 booth impossible. The chaotic fun of talking to each other is absent in online multiplayer.
Like Mario Kart 7, there's no voice chat available in this game and it's sorely missed. Instead, Tri Force Heroes relies on Link emotions to direct or cheer on your friends. (SadLinkFace)
There's no other built-in way to artfully solve puzzles and call attention to needing to form a three-person totem pole in order to reach new heights. Prepare for FaceTime and WhatsApp video calls, friends.
Where it literally gets 'odd'
Another strange multiplayer limitation I found on the show floor was that while this is a three-player game, it's not simply "up to three players." It's one OR three players.
That's an odd number for a co-op game, a mode that usually translates into a two-player campaign. It might as well be titled "The Legend of Zelda: Forced Tri Heroes."
Playing Tri Force Heroes solo is possible with the touchscreen manipulation of two AI paper dolls, which gets the job done. But truthfully, three players is what makes the game fun
For now, playing this game with friends in person is the only real way to get the full experience. One day, maybe with Nintendo NX, the company will get online gaming right.
- Here's more of our E3 2015 coverage
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The PC Gamer: Why Dota 2 Reborn is finally a game for everyone
Introduction
I'm far more excited about Valve's Dota 2 Reborn than someone who doesn't play Dota 2 should be. It may not have been the Half-Life 3 announcement we're still hoping to hear (keep the faith, everyone!), but it's based on Valve's new Source 2 graphics engine and could easily end up being more exciting - games as a platform, finally pushed into the mainstream limelight.This isn't of course a world first by any stretch. FPS games have long been the building blocks for other games, with original DOTA being a hugely popular Warcraft III mod. Blizzard itself tried to do the same with Starcraft Arcade, which which you can play things like the RTS/puzzle hybrid Starjewelled (part Starcraft, part Bejewelled, in case it's not obvious) and battle-arena Gridfall.
It never really took off though, even with games playable using just the free Starter Edition, and it's been a long time since anyone really talked about it. Arguably the best example of the style is Minecraft, but even then it's a matter of many disparate mods rather than a single ecosystem. This isn't a criticism, just a comparison.
Valve's goals are markedly different, not least because its cash comes from keeping people close to buy crates and cosmetic items and eSports tickets.
Huge possibilities
In the new Dota client, 'Custom Games' are available straight from the menu and ready to jump into with a click. People have already made several since it came out, including a kart racing game and the ever-popular Pudge Wars, where everyone gets to be a bloated, hook-slinging zombie with a love of flesh.Now though, these games are an integral part of the Dota 2 experience - never out of sight, never out of mind. It's not simply a return to its modding routes, but the magnification of their audience by a factor of, at least, 'loads'. The possibilities are huge, and not just for MOBA fans or the people currently screaming that I just said MOBA instead of their preferred nonsense acronym. For starters it allows for the fantastic cast of heroes to be transplanted into any game style, from simple combat to - Valve claims - a full single-player RPG.
Even sticking to the game lore (aka the stuff most people don't read but is there because someone needed to explain why a blue woman is running around in a leotard and shooting arrows at things) provides plenty of fun stories and background ideas to build on, in addition to its cast's swanky outfits and powersets.
Bringing the vibe
The first mod I tried was a recreation of Bomberman starring Techies. It's a little clumsy due to using mouse input to move rather than directional controls, but there's something endearing about seeing a familiar character in a new context. The Custom Games menu almost has an Mario Party/Kart/Tennis/Whatever vibe - dropping in on what the characters do when not fighting over Ancients. Admittedly, it's still mostly a lot of fighting.Wider afield, modders now have access to and publicity on one of PC gaming's biggest communities - a far cry from simply running servers for those in the know. This puts Dota 2 in the same place as Minecraft - the perfect spawning ground for the next big thing. Today's mods can easily become tomorrow's games, as seen with the likes of Black Mesa Source, and of course Dota 2 itself.
Unfortunately, the big ones are increasingly precious, thanks to DLC and other concerns increasingly pushing developers to lock things down. Props of course to companies that don't, not least Bethesda for games like Skyrim, and more recently Firaxis, which openly admits to having been inspired by what mods like The Long War did for its first XCOM game without any assistance at all to now open things up as much as possible and let player creativity run wild.
This is all the reason I need to fire it back up despite not playing its main game. Also there's a SHODAN announcer pack coming soon, making this the closest I'm likely to get to playing System Shock 3 in a post Bioshock world. Curse the nebulous rights issues that tie up so many classic games.
A side benefit for the genre is that as much as Valve has tried to ease newcomers' passages into it with basic modes and tutorials, with more on the way, Dota 2 still remains a Darwinian shark-tank at the best of times - long games and prized MMR rankings creating a world where ignorance is despised and the weak regularly invited to uninstall the game and kill themselves, not necessarily in that order.
Simpler games can allow for greater familiarity with the heroes, the maps and the basic mechanics, rather than sitting down to play and being shouted at for having the temerity to not know what wards are and where they go. It might seem like the danger is that these games will take over, but it seems unlikely. They haven't in the existing communities, and in any event, it's nothing to fear. Where would games be if we just declared them good enough?
Some killer, some filler
As with everything, there are going to be some downsides. There will be limits not mentioned in Valve's ra-ra announcements, there will be a deluge of appalling mods that no amount of filters and curation will stem, and especially while in beta, expect issues.The fact that Dota 2 currently has two clients (the new one is based on a new engine, with Custom Games only part of the changes) also means that things aren't going to be in sync. For the moment at least, custom games also don't get to play with the main game's fancy matchmaking and long-term progress tracking tools - you jump in and out as if they were a server in the BeforeSteam.
But it's early days, and exciting ones. The new Dota is due to come out of beta after The International, and for now, the frustrations mean it's probably not worth downloading fresh.
When Valve is ready though, and when the community has had enough time to turn its Custom Games menu into a veritable arcade, it'll be the best reason to install Dota 2 since mollifying that friend who just won't shut up about the damn thing. It might even be possible to play alongside them without feeling completely useless. At least, for a little while.
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Taylor Swift says Apple Music's three-month trial is a big mistake
Taylor Swift has well and truly put the cat among the pigeons this Sunday with a Tumblr post criticising Apple for its approach to royalties - specifically during the three-month free trial that all Apple Music users will get through iOS.
It sounds like artists won't receive any payments during that three-month period, and they aren't too happy about it. Taylor Swift is by far the biggest name to voice her complaints so far.
The decision over royalties is "shocking, disappointing, and completely unlike this historically progressive and generous company" she writes. "We simply do not respect this particular call."
Money matters
Swift calls Apple an "incredible company" that just might have the wherewithal to get streaming music right - but "three months is a long time to go unpaid" she says.According to the singer-songwriter everyone else in the music industry feels the same, which is why she's taken the step of calling Apple out on it. "Please don't ask us to provide you with our music for no compensation," she writes.
With Apple Music launching at the end of June alongside iOS 8.4, it's not certain that Apple can reverse its royalties decision even if it wanted to. It looks like the company is off to a bad start with its new music service, at least as far as artist relations are concerned.
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Fighting Talk: It's time we stopped getting angry about our internet speeds
Do you spend your evenings sitting in the kitchen, counting how long it takes to fill a bucket of water from your cold tap, then sending angry emails to your water supplier when it's not filling as fast as Simon's identical bucket is three doors down on the same street?
Probably not. That would be weird, wouldn't it?
It still works. You still get water out of it. There are no obvious bits of poo or dead insects in it, and the toilet flushes. In fact all of the toilets flush even at the same time (you checked), so all's good, right?
This week saw consumer rights campaigner Which? lambast our ISPs for not delivering Internet speeds as high as they promise on their adverts, a shady advertising practise that's perhaps a little unfair, yes, but surely a state of affairs that can hardly be avoided when trying to get 1950s copper to channel 2015's HD Netflix to everyone's tablets simultaneously in a small village in Somerset.
It seems a little bit unfair on the ISPs, like measuring your mains water pressure or moaning to Vauxhall that the speedo on your Vectra goes up to 120mph, but forgetting to mention that whenever you try to go that fast you're limited by physical constraints like road speeds, cameras, corners, traffic, the price of petrol and not being able to find your favourite going-fast CD for a psychological boost.
There are, similarly, quite a few factors involved in getting the internet working in streets and your house, not least managing to plug everything together properly.
How many people reporting crappy internet speeds are reaping the rewards of their own crappy cabling? Or interference, or a slightly damp microfilter, or a computer so full of malware and P2P software they're serving more data to more people around the world per hour than Google?
Game of moans
Plus your ISP can't really help it if everyone on your street is so into Game of Thrones they're torrenting the same HD files all day and night. You can't have adverts that bespoke, promising a connection of "...up to 16Mbps, unless Dave up the road has got a binge-on for House and is grabbing Series 6 off the torrents, in which case you'll be lucky to see 9Mbps, and that's only if Mrs Johnson's three children aren't all watching YouTube, in which case..."My Internet's a bit flaky. I usually get by on around 6Mbps, but if it's windy or wet, it can drop to 2Mbps for reasons, I suspect, to do with moisture or sheep standing on cables. It doesn't ruin my life, just makes it unfold at a bit of a slower pace.
In fact, I've learned to quite like slow internet days, as it means the wife gets off YouTube and stops playing her horrible music, plus the children, frustrated by buffering YouTube and iPlayer, might actually be tempted outside to throw stones at things and unfamiliar people like we used to do for fun in the olden days.
You wouldn't complain to your local council that there are too many other cars on the road, so why is everyone such a whinge-bag about their internet speeds?
It's probably because it's modern and electrical, and bordering on the sort of magical thing we can't understand. It's only wires, they ought to just work at their maximum all of the time and be uninterruptable and reliable, like gravity, shouldn't they?
The internet is also measurable. We get a number saying if it's a good or bad connection, a number that can be compared and moaned about, plus, hopefully, used as a bargaining tool to save £2 a month come renewal time. It's easy to get obsessed about numbers, hence the fury when we perceive we're being shortchanged by the ISPs. It's like getting on a bus that's overtaken by another bus. Or the worst thing in the world.
We treat internet access too much like a one-way street. It's all take, take, take, demand, demand, demand, and make it faster, faster, faster at the same time or I'll leave you, with no compromise from modern users used to getting everything their way.
How about the ISPs hit their speed target promises if connections cost three times as much per month? Or how about you get more Mbps in return for a restricted service, where P2P networks are blocked and VPN use is outlawed so connections in urban areas don't get so snarled up by hoarders queuing up downloads of everything HD?
There wouldn't be much of a rush to register for that one, regardless of the test results.
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Amazon's star ratings are about to get a lot more useful
Do you pay much attention to the star ratings left by previous purchasers when shopping for stuff on Amazon? The e-commerce giant has told CNET that those star ratings are being tweaked to be more useful.
Newer reviews get more priority over older reviews, while ratings left by "verified Amazon purchasers" will also carry extra weight. Reviews upvoted by other users get pushed to the top too.
"The system will learn what reviews are most helpful to customers... and it improves over time," Amazon spokeswoman Julie Law told CNET. "It's all meant to make customer reviews more useful."
Starring role
It means the five-star rating you see next to an HDMI cable or Game of Thrones Blu-ray disc may change more regularly as newer reviews and ratings arrive.The updated system has already begun rolling out in the US - as yet Amazon hasn't confirmed if it's going to appear on other regional sites. Presumably it's going to wait and see how it does first.
For a lot of us, user reviews play a major role in purchasing decisions, and Amazon has thought long and hard about how to make them more effective. The most valuable ratings and reviews should appear first in the queue from now on.
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OS showdown: OS X 10.11 El Capitan vs Windows 10
Introduction and split screen
Apple showed off its latest computer operating system, OS X 10.11 "El Capitan," at WWDC and as predicted it was an iterative upgrade, based around improving the core features of OS X and providing a better experience to users. Just like iOS 9, El Capitan takes the essentials of OS X – Safari, desktop management, Spotlight – and makes them better, tweaking the interface or reworking it slightly.Microsoft's Windows 10 is coming at the end of next month and brings with it a whole new set of features, many of them iterations on Windows 8.1. Both new operating systems will be available for free to those who have already got OS X 10.10 or Windows 8 (both have support that extends even further back from this) and the general theme of improvement runs through both.
In this article, we are going to gauge how El Capitan's new features stack up against Windows 10.
Pin tabs in Safari
Apple's WWDC keynote spent a fair amount of time talking about improvements to Safari. While many users have switched over to Chrome, the Mac client is traditionally a battery killer and the redesign that OS X 10.10 Yosemite introduced won back support.One of the key features that Apple introduced with El Capitan is the ability to "pin" tabs, making for quick and easy access. The bookmark system of the current incarnation of Safari (version 8) is a little lacklustre and so it's good to see Apple is thinking this through.
Windows 10 introduces a much needed change, ousting Internet Explorer and replacing it with Microsoft Edge, a new and fresh browser that attempts to shake off the reputation of IE. We know relatively little about Edge as it is still in the development stage but it doesn't seem to have any way to pin a tab.
Apple is a development cycle ahead of Microsoft in terms of releasing a new browser and so it wouldn't be unreasonable to see pinned tabs being "borrowed" by Redmond and implemented in a later version of the software.
Split screen desktop
One of the main updates to OS X comes in the form of windows management, an area that Microsoft has traditionally been strong in. Many of those watching the show noted the similarity between Windows' "snap" window mode and Apple's new Split View. Dragging a window to one side of the screen can split space down the middle in El Capitan, showing two applications side by side.
With every update there is a back and forth between Windows fans and Apple fans about who has implemented the others' features – Microsoft introduced a new multi-desktop mode recently, reminiscent of Apple's Mission Control – and it's pleasant to see that each company respects the other enough to borrow ideas, especially as the net gain is for the user.
Apple also unveiled a cleaner Mission Control which makes it easier to manage windows and apps, especially with multiple applications open at once.
Better Notes app
Note taking is one of Microsoft's fortes, especially with the announcement of the Surface and its pen accessory. OneNote has taken a far bigger role in the makeup of Windows, becoming almost a "mini Word" in terms of its abilities. Meanwhile, Evernote has attracted millions of users across multiple platforms by offering well designed, easy to use apps and services for free, with more available if you pay a subscription.Apple has evidently seen this and has chosen to beef up its note taking offerings, offering a revamp of Notes in El Capitan. Notes can now contain images, videos, links, checklists and so on, and can sync across all Apple devices seamlessly (or so the theory goes) via iCloud.
Unlike OneNote and Evernote, Notes is still very much aimed at a consumer audience who don't want to write a book on the service (as Nicolas Carlson of Business Insider did with Evernote). The new checklists feature will be incredibly useful, if not damning for smaller apps, such as Clear.
Gaming and Maps
Metal for Mac
Gaming has never been the strong suit of OS X, despite good hardware on many of the higher-end Macs. iOS, however, has strong roots in mobile gaming and Apple is looking to export some of that gold dust to the Mac via Metal, allowing far faster GPU rendering for developers making for better games.
Windows 10 is also set to be a hit with gamers as it incorporates many aspects of Windows 7 (specifically the desktop mode) into the operating system, endearing it to game players in a way that Windows 8 did not. Many of the games on Windows are now becoming available via the Windows Store just as a large quantity of Mac games are on the Mac App Store but it's clear that in gaming, Windows will always have the lead.
Better Spotlight searches
Searching for files on a computer can be a frustrating experience, especially if you know the file is out there somewhere. Apple is aiming to take away that frustration by adding a more "natural" element to searches, allowing queries like "documents I wrote last month about Apple". Searches for stocks, sports scores and the weather are all supported, too, right from within Spotlight (which can now be resized and moved around the screen).
Search in Windows 10 integrates Cortana, Microsoft's virtual assistant that is a mixture of Siri and Google Now. While Siri is not available on Mac, Cortana is as yet untested on a PC and only offers as much information as you can get out of Spotlight. Talking to a PC when there is a keyboard right in front of you may also strike some users as odd, especially for hard-to-understand names of files and so on, but the option is present.
Apple's approach is far more traditional but that is because no Mac comes with a touchscreen, an area where Cortana may shine just as virtual assistants do on a phone.
Better Maps
It is still unknown how many people actually use the built-in Maps app on a Mac (Apple says Maps get 5 billion requests per week but didn't break it down to iOS and OS X) but the company is still innovating, introducing directions that include transfers and public transport information.
Microsoft's offering includes various new features in Windows 10, partly because the software is also available on phones. Powered by Bing, there is a new Street View-style feature, a 3D mode and more available for free on Windows 10.
Both clients are also available on their mobile counterparts and the relevance of this on desktop – especially for services such as transit directions – is questionable, but it's nice to see that both companies are focusing on it.
Big cursor
This is one feature that is largely specific to OS X and could, if implemented tastefully, be very useful on a day-to-day basis. The feature stems from the question: "Have you ever lost your cursor?" If the answer is yes, OS X 10.11 has you covered – if you move your mouse quickly, it increases dramatically in size for a few moments alerting you to its location.Of course, Windows 10 is also designed for touchscreen so this shouldn't be a problem but it's nice to see Apple has thought through the everyday usage of its machines and software.
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Review: Panasonic TX-32CS510
Introduction and features
Does anyone remember the HD-ready TV? While Panasonic – like every other TV maker – has gone gung-ho on Ultra HD and fitted most of its new 2015 TVs with 4k panels, this 32-incher gets the opposite treatment.Its 1366 x 768 pixels don't even muster a Full HD image, but what the 32CS510 lacks in dots it makes up for in advanced usability features. For inside the 32CS510 is not only a Freeview HD tuner, but also a Freetime user interface for easy catch-up TV, and Panasonic's slick myHomeScreen smart TV platform.
The latter has been surpassed this year on the brand's top-end TVs, but on a 32-inch TV of this low price it still feels like an advanced feature.
There's even Swipe and Share, which trades files wirelessly between tablets/phones and the 32CS510. It may be a TV destined for a bedroom, but it's going to be one seriously well-connected den.
Physically, the 32CS510 is predictable but impressive.
Its 69mm depth isn't mould-breaking, but from the front it looks like a shrunken version of a high-end TV, which isn't at all usual at this level of the market. Around three sides is a gloss black bezel that measures a tiny 10mm, while on the bottom that increases to 20mm because of a metallic panel that stretches right across.
The desktop stand is a cut-out, which helps give the 32CS510 a less plastic-dominated look than previous incarnations, but the overall look is no more than business-like.
Overall dimensions are 734 x 437 x 69mm – this is a TV with a small footprint.
Features
The headline feature on the 32CS510 is undoubtedly Freetime, a smart TV guide from the makers of Freesat which provides a dynamic (and great-looking) platform offering catch-up TV for the last seven days across 26 channels.
The chance to roll back through the TV schedules is excellent, and on the 32CS510 Freetime is completely integrated. There's a Freeview HD guide page provided on the TV too, though there's really no need to use it.
Ditto the BBC iPlayer app on the 32CS510's myHomeScreen platform. With BBC iPlayer, ITV Player, 4oD and Demand 5 integrated into Freetime, it acts like a built-in YouView.
Apps
Panasonic's attempt at apps is via its myHomeScreen, a platform that eschews the 2015 trend of depending on pop-ups. Instead, myHomeScreen contains a large live TV preview screen that's ringed with shortcuts to various TV functions, or the whole suite of Freetime services.
One of those shortcuts is Apps, a separate screen that includes Netflix, the BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport, BBC News, YouTube, Wuaki.tv, Meteonews TV and Amazon Instant Video. A second page adds a web browser, Eurosport Player, CNBC Real-Time, Aupeo radio, euronews, Facebook, Twitter and AccuWeather.com.
If you're wondering where catch-up apps from ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 are, don't worry, as they're all rolled-up into Freetime.
Ins and outs
How many HDMI inputs does one home need? More than the 32CS510 has, that's for sure.
As if to underline that the 32CS510 is purely for use in a bedroom or kitchen, a rear panel offers a mere brace of HDMI inputs. Other slots back there include Ethernet LAN (despite the presence of a Wi-Fi module), an RGB Scart, component video inputs, left/right phonos, an optical digital audio output and an RF in to power the Freeview channels.
The side panel isn't much better, supplying only a headphones jack, a single USB slot and a Common Interface slot. On the opposite side of the TV is a recessed panel for hard-button controls for the TV's core functions.
Also available
Though 2014's TX-32AS600, TX-32AS500 and TX-32AS400 are still available, Panasonic's line-up for this year includes only one other 32-inch TV, which is pitched slightly above the mid-range TX-32CS510.The TX-32CS600 has a Full HD panel, though still doesn't include the new Firefox OS.
Picture quality
How impressive can a HD-ready TV be?It's hardly cutting edge in term of resolution, but the 32CS510 puts in a surprisingly impressive performance. With less upscaling to contend with, images are left looking clean, colourful and full of contrast.
There's a choice of Dynamic, Cinema or True Cinema on the 32CS510, while a custom mode lets you tweak the white balance and the full suite of colours. A good shortcut is to use the True Cinema setting and tweak from there.
My calibration test disc revealed the 32CS510 to have vivid, well-saturated colours and excellent peak whites, while a play of Gravity on 2D Blu-ray showed-off enough fine detail to impress on the small screen.
OK, so it's not Full HD, but the 32CS510 downscales with little loss of clarity on this scale.
Contrast is impressive, too, with lots detail and gradation visible within areas of black that would look solid and impenetrable on most LED TVs. It's an image that's surprisingly refined.
I did notice some judder in the 32CS510's images, particularly during vertical panning, with the tightly packed lines of some railings becoming indistinguishable. There's also some motion blur – as there is on all LED TVs – during panning shots, and writing on billboards and credits at the end of movies become harder to read.
However, news tickers work OK and are also easy to read. I also noticed a touch of dot crawl around graphics during weather forecasts, and some grain in background during really bright scenes.
Although the 32CS510 has a 100Hz mode, it's a bit of a fudge, with the native 50Hz panel treated only to some backlight blinking. It works really well, but it's not totally convincing.
However, none of these niggles are at all serious, and mostly less noticeable than on a lot of Full HD LED TVs.
Switch to Freetime and a standard definition broadcast of the Women's World Cup on BBC Two looks a tad soft, but seems unusually clean. Turn to Earthflight on BBC Two HD and the picture noticeably jumps in detail.
It's not jaw-dropping, but it is pristine and involving, which is more than you can say for most mid-range LED TVs.
Meanwhile, the viewing angle is remarkably wide whatever the source. Watch from the wings and the 32CS510's panel retains most of the colour and contrast as it had when viewed head-on.
Usability
Most people find remote controls baffling and confusing, and while Panasonic's remote isn't the simplest, it has been designed with mass-appeal in mind. Buttons are large and well-labelled, with a big white Netflix button above a directional keypad that's all fairly intuitive.
The customisation options for myHomeScreen are unique.
It's possible to download themes for the entire user interface, with some of the most popular including YouTube, Eurosport, FC Barcelona and various urban landscapes.
Watching a live TV panel surrounded by customised widgets isn't particularly nice, but it's great to have your most-used options to call-up as and when, though arguably the Freetime page should be the default.
Such customisations don't really work in a living room where multiple people might use a TV, but on a bedroom TV like the 32CS510 it makes a lot more sense.
While myHomeScreen is mostly impressive, it's mostly a layer too far. With a Netflix shortcut button already on the remote control and access to all UK catch-up TV offered via Freetime, there's little in myHomeScreen of any consequence.
Ditto the electronic programme guide, a standard grid showing seven channels and two hours of schedules for all Freeview HD channels, with a live TV panel in one corner. It's needless duplication that's in danger of making things too complicated for some users.
The 32CS510 does well with digital media, though it's rarely a slick experience.
Although the software that backs them up is rudimentary, the 32CS510's USB slot and DLNA streaming feature supports sticks and drives holding MKV, AVI, MP4, WMV, WMV HD and FLV video files. Music can be played in MP3, AAC, WMA, FLAC and WAV formats.
If you've got MP4 video, photos and MP3/WAV music on a tablet or phone, download the Panasonic Remote 2 app for iOS and you can Swipe and Share files to and from the 32CS510.
Sound quality
The sound quality on the 32CS510 is very good.Despite the slim width and depth, its twin 10W speakers offers bold audio that's more than nuanced enough for speech-based news and drama. Movie soundtracks get little pizazz, though stick to the Music mode and there's just enough mid-range to perk things up.
If it's all too uniform, the 32CS510 does have a digital optical audio output on its rear that can route everything straight into a home cinema or a soundbar.
Value
Since it's built around an HD-ready panel, it's battling supermarket cheapies and no-name brands, so expect a series of imminent price-cuts.It should be possible to get the 32CS510 for under £300 soon enough – and that's an excellent price considering its features and all-round versatility.
Verdict
The 32CS510 has a lot on its plate, but a souped-up processor allows it to skip quickly between Freetime, myHomeScreen apps, networking and external devices.Add some clean, bold images and the 32CS510 succeeds in its mission to be a great value, versatile TV for a bedroom.
We liked
The provision of Freetime is excellent – especially on a TV this affordable – as is the Swipe and Share functionality on the Panasonic Remote 2 app for phones and tablets. Trading digital files is an excellent feature, while digital file support in general is more than adequate.The HD-ready LED panel will be seen by many as a low-point, though it's an honest approach from Panasonic, which is obviously trying to keep the price down by offering real-world specs.
The result is clear, clean images from all sources, since a lot less upscaling is needed. Images have plenty of colour, contrast and detail from all sources, while the viewing angle is wider than expected.
We disliked
Just two HDMI inputs? That's too bad, though the provision of a single USB slot is also disappointing.Some will miss the chance to interact with Panasonic's latest Firefox OS, although the fact that the myHomeScreen user interface is on the 32CS510 is surprising at this low price.
Since a Netflix button is already on the remote control and the Freetime TV interface is excellent, for many UK users there's little point in interacting with either the Freeview HD tuner pages or the myHomeScreen platform. The latter lacks the catch-up services that Freetime includes.
Those multiple layers of the user interface could makes things slightly confusing for the buyer.
For instance, the Guide button on the remote should take the user not to a separate, unwanted Freeview HD EPG, but to the Free Digital TV Screen hub page. To avoid any confusion, Freetime should be front and centre.
Verdict
Would you buy a 32-inch HD-ready telly?In theory such a low-resolution screen is only for those that care more about content than quality, but the savvy buyer need only look at the maths. The provision of Freetime, Freeview HD and Netflix on the 32CS510 – all of which broadcast and stream in the exact same HD-ready quality that LED panel is build to display – makes this a correctly specified TV.
Besides, Netflix usually comes down the pipe at 480p. That well-matched resolution is one reason why the 32CS510's images are so clean as well as so technically impressive. It may lack ultimate detail on Blu-ray discs, but that's about it.
Gaming, Freeview HD channels, DVDs and Netflix all get a polished, colourful and contrasty treatment that's retained even at extreme viewing angles. Though the 32CS510 lacks Panasonic's latest Firefox-based smart TV platform, the myHomeScreen platform it does have is thorough and impressive.
Sure, there's some overlap between Freeview HD, myHomeScreen, the remote's Netflix shortcut and the headline feature, Freetime.
In fact, it's probable that you'll forget all about one or two of those features. Either way, what's left is a great value, advanced 32-incher with reliable, versatile picture quality that's only one HDMI input short of being an absolute steal.
Also consider
Loaded with apps, the Samsung UE32H6400 boasts versatile picture quality and a speedy Smart Hub platform, and though it lacks Freetime, it uses a Full HD LED panel. At the other end of the scale is the only-for-the-UK Finlux 32HBD274B-NC, which is far cheaper, though does have a HD-ready resolution and a built-in DVD player.
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