Samsung has leaked the Galaxy S7 early – and it's waterproof
Samsung has accidentally leaked out a video of the
Galaxy S7 Edge, showing off new features that include wireless charging and a waterproof design.
The video, uploaded as an unlisted
YouTube
link on the Samsung Indonesia channel, shows what the company is
calling "TheNextGalaxy", but there's no mention of the phone name within
the video.
The minute long clip shows Indonesian archer Dellie
Threesyadinda using the unnamed Samsung phone during training,
highlighting a more durable design, enhanced camera, and showing the
phone on a wireless charging pad.
A little early
The phone pictured in the video looks very similar to the
Galaxy S6 Edge+, but it's thought it is actually the long rumoured Galaxy S7 Edge with a 5.5-inch display.
The
fact it can survive a downpour of rain while Threesyadinda is training
suggests the phone will have IP68 waterproofing as rumoured.
Although the video doesn't confirm the Galaxy S7 name, another
Indonesian teaser showed a screenshot from the video with the caption "Samsung Galaxy S7: Get Ready for #TheNextGalaxy."
Samsung
is set to officially announce the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge on
Sunday February 21 at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHaxUZPyomg
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Review: Fuji X-Pro2
Introduction and features
Few
mirrorless cameras develop as strong a fanbase as Fuji's X-Pro1, and
even fewer manage to appeal to as wide a demographic as it eventually
did. With its classic styling and manual controls, it immediately
attracted seasoned photographers who may have started out with similarly
styled rangefinders, while its fine image quality and a steady line of
well-regarded optics slowly released alongside meant that it fast became
the camera everyone else wanted to own too.
True, as the first
interchangeable-lens model in the X-series it arrived with a handful of
quirks and idiosyncrasies that weren't to everyone's taste. Its focusing
system, for example, wasn't particularly adept at capturing moving
subjects, while the unique X-Trans sensor technology proved problematic
when it came to video quality. Firmware updates were issued to address
some of these concerns, but four years is a long time in camera
technology and the appetite for a refresh was very obvious.
And
here it is, the X-Pro. It retains its predecessor's winning formula
while rejuvenating the core feature set. With a new sensor and processor
on board, together with a fresh focusing system and an updated hybrid
viewfinder, it appears as both a significant upgrade and potentially a
camera to win over those unconvinced by the X-Pro1.
Key features
Fuji
has given the X-Pro2 joint flagship status alongside the more DSLR-like
X-T1, and has aimed it towards the enthusiast/professional end of the
market. It's likely to be considered alongside the similarly priced Sony
A7 II, as well as the Panasonic Lumix GX8 and Olympus's well-received
OM-D E-M5 II – and indeed, potentially the X-T1 too.
Up until the
X-Pro2, all of Fuji's interchangeable-lens X-series models employed some
form of 16MP APS-C sensor, but the X-Pro2 breaks tradition by offering a
new 24.3MP alternative. This is perhaps the most common pixel count
across budget, enthusiasts and professional cameras alike, and this
compares well against its direct rivals.
Now on the third
generation of Fuji's X-Trans CMOS technology, the sensor has once again
been designed with a more random colour filter array than conventional
Bayer GRBG sensors. Despite being more densely populated than the
X-Pro1's sensor, Fuji has broadened the camera's sensitivity range from
the same base of ISO 200 up to a maximum ISO 12,800 – one stop higher
than the previous ISO 6400 limit. As is fairly standard on such a model,
you can use extension settings that broaden this range, stretching to
ISO 100 and 51,200-equivalent settings at lower and higher ends
respectively. Sadly, the ISO 100 setting is JPEG only, but the upper
values can be used when shooting raw files.
Fuji
attributes many of the camera's performance and image quality changes
to its brand new X Processor Pro processing engine. This delivers
start-up time of 0.4 seconds, as well as shutter lag of just 0.05
seconds, and also now allows for a losslessly compressed raw mode. It's
also responsible for the camera's 8fps burst rate, with a burst depth of
27 uncompressed raw frames, 33 compressed raw frames and 83 JPEGs.
Fuji's
Film Simulation options have long included options to mimic the
company's Velvia, Provia and Astia emulsions, but they now include a new
black-and-white Acros mode. This is said to offer deep blacks and
smooth tones, and presents an alternative to the standard Monochrome
option, while a new Grain effect mode lets you treat images with two
different levels of grain for a look Fuji claims is reminiscent of
images captured on film. Advanced Filters, such as Toy Camera, Dynamic
Tone and Pop Color, are also provided.
Post capture, the user can
take advantage of in-camera raw processing, with control over core
parameters such as exposure, noise reduction, white balance and so on,
together with the option to change the Film Simulation mode and either
apply or remove the Lens Modulation Optimiser among other things. The
LMO is there to offset the softening effect of diffraction at small lens
apertures.
The X-Pro1's Hybrid Multi Viewfinder was a much-loved
feature, and something which separated the model from more conventional
systems, and this has also been subject to a raft of improvements. Now
dubbed an Advanced Hybrid Multi viewfinder, it maintains both the
optical and electronic displays of the X-Pro1, but is augmented by the
Electronic Rangefinder feature that first appeared in the X100T compact.
This overlays a small version of the electronic finder in the corner of
the optical one, which gives the user a better idea of exposure and
white balance when not using the electronic finder.
The
electronic component of the viewfinder has seen the resolution of its
display jump from 1.44 million dots on the X-Pro1 to 2.36 million, while
its display rate has similarly been increased to a maximum 85fps in its
High Performance power setting (two further settings are also
available, which increase battery life though at the cost of
performance). It's also now an OLED device.
The
viewfinder gains internal dioptric correction – a feature omitted from
the X-Pro1 and only possible through external optical accessories – and
has had its eye point shifted from the previous 14mm to 16mm for better
visibility. When using the optical finder, which takes its view head on
like a rangefinder rather than through the lens like on a DSLR, the
camera can apply framing guidelines to show what the camera will
capture, and with the new Bright Frame Simulation option, it's possible
to see what angle of view would be be captured at other focal lengths
before a lens of the focal length is used.
In contrast to many
rival models, the camera's 3in LCD screen cannot be pulled away from the
camera in any way, nor is it sensitive to touch. It does, however,
resolve details with 1.62 million dots, which is the highest resolution
of any X-series camera to date.
Video and autofocus
Fuji
has fleshed out the X-Pro1's video recording options for the new model,
sadly not offering the 4K recording common to many other recent
releases, but with full HD capture now available in 60, 50, 30, 25 and
24p options. These record for up to 14 and 28 minutes at a time in Full
HD and HD quality respectively. There's also a mic port for external
microphones to be used as an alternative to the camera's own, and using
the built-in interval timer it's possible to create time-lapse footage.
The
camera's focusing system has been significantly upgraded from the
49-point system found on the X-Pro1. There are now 77 points as
standard, and this can be expanded to 273 points where required, which
densely saturates the central part of the frame with AF points.
Phase-detect points now occupy 40% of the imaging area, which is said to
help the camera when focusing on a moving subject, while improvements
to the predictive AF algorithm are also said to be behind better
performance here. Furthermore, thanks to changes to the contrast-detect
readout speed from the sensor and the new processor, the camera is said
to achieve the fastest focus of any X-series camera – double that of the
X-Pro1.
The X-Pro2's manual focusing system has also received
attention, with the previously seen focus-peaking option fleshed out
with different colour settings and peaking levels, as well as the
rangefinder-style Digital Split Image method of achieving correct focus
in both colour and monochromatic options.
The new camera follows
other recent Fuji models such as the X-T1 and X-A2 in providing built-in
Wi-Fi connectivity. As we've come to expect on such models, this can be
used to control the camera remotely for shooting or simply browsing and
downloading images and videos. When used in conjunction with the
Fujifilm Remote Camera app, images and videos on the camera can be
browsed and saved to a tablet and smartphone, while GPS information
recorded by the app can also be subsequently embedded into images. You
don't need to use the app, however, as you can simply send images to a
computer from the camera if you prefer.
Thanks
to a new focal-plane shutter, the camera can reach a maximum shutter
speed of 1/8,000 sec, although this can be extended to 1/32000 when the
electronic shutter is used. This has the further benefit of silent
shooting, which is useful with specific subjects and for discretion. The
flash sync speed has also increased from 1/180sec to 1/250sec here, and
Fuji rates the shutter to at least 150,000 frames, which is on a par
with many pro-level cameras.
The X-Pro2 has the honour of being
the first Fuji camera to sport two card slots. Both support the SD, SDHC
and SDXC formats, although the primary slot also allows for the use of
UHS-II cards, which are faster than more conventional ones. As the
X-Pro1 only offered one slot, this was incorporated into the camera's
battery compartment, accessed via a door on the base of the camera, but
the switch to two slots on the new model has meant this has now moved to
a side-access door, which in turn means the camera no longer needs to
be removed from a tripod for cards to be accessed or changed.
Those
upgrading from the X-Pro1 but planning on keeping it as a backup body
will also be pleased to learn that the new model uses the same battery.
Battery life varies with poor management settings, but it stretches from
210 frames in the High Performance mode up to 330 frames in the Economy
setting.
Build and handling
The X-Pro2 has been designed
and constructed to a standard befitting its four-figure cost. Built
around a four-panel, magnesium-alloy chassis, the body feels just as
solid in the hands as the original X-Pro1. Furthermore, with 61 seals at
various points of potential water and dust incursion and protection
down to -10 degrees, Fuji also promises that the camera can be used in
testing weather.
While the camera is not exactly small, it still
manages to fit inside an average coat pocket when fitted with either the
18mm f/2 R or 27mm f/2.8 XF lenses. Its ergonomics show Fuji's
intentions for it to be partnered with smaller and lighter optics,
particularly prime lenses, rather than the likes of the XF 50-140mm
f/2.8 R LM OIS WR and XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR ASPH zoom lenses, which
really require the more substantial grip of the X-T1.
The
X-Pro2's grip is more defined than the flatter grip on the X-Pro1, and
walking around all day with the camera in my hand, I found the X-Pro2
provided a more secure hold at the slight expense of comfort. That's not
to say that it's uncomfortable, just that the flatter design is perhaps
more accommodating to different hands.
There
are no doubt many photographers who would have preferred the X-Pro2 to
have sported an tilting or side-articulating LCD screen with touch
functionality, particularly when you consider that the X-Pro 2 is
perfectly suited to street and snapshot photography where such features
make a considerable difference. One argument against this is that any
kind of tilting display compromises a model's overall solidity.
Nevertheless, the screen shows lots of detail and excellent contrast,
and its wide viewing angle makes it slightly easier to use away from
standard shooting positions.
Much of the top plate is the same as
the X-Pro1's, although the larger exposure compensation dial, which is
now marked with an extra EV step in each direction and a 'C' function to
extend this even further to -/+5EV is welcome. Comparing the torque of
the exposure compensation dial to that of the X-Pro1's reveals that its
movement is tighter but during this test there were a number of
occasions where the dial was 1/3EV out of line, which only became
apparent after having taken a number of images at that setting. This is
potentially partly down to its larger circumference, making it more
exposed.
The
changes Fuji has made to the shutter-speed dial from the X-Pro1 are
largely positive. Being marginally taller and less obstructed by the top
plate makes it noticeably easier to turn, while the slightly finer
milling around the edges also helps with purchase. The angle between
each setting on the shutter-speed dial has decreased from the X-Pro1,
partly to accommodate the additional 1/8000sec option but largely to
make room for a new window that lets you view the ISO setting that's
adjusted via a dial incorporated within the shutter speed dial. The two
turn together as standard, with sensitivity only changing when the dial
is lifted upwards.
The only annoyance here is that when manually
adjusting shutter speeds, the markings on the inner dial are often
either upside down – particularly at the commonly used 1/30-1/250sec
settings – or at some other slightly awkward angle. With no
illumination, there's no way to see this in darker conditions and I
found the window's reflectiveness meant that reading it in brighter
conditions was sometimes problematic; in these conditions I resorted to
reading the value at the base of the LCD screen which changed as this
was adjusted.
Together
with a new command dial around the front of the camera, one of the most
positive changes from the X-Pro1 is the inclusion of the mini joystick
controller on the back of the camera for setting the AF point. Unlike on
some other camera bodies, where this control is awkwardly placed where
the left-eye shooter's nose would be, there is enough space here to
continue using the viewfinder without anything getting in the way. The
control not only protrudes far enough for comfortable operation, but it
also moves freely enough for the desired point to be easily reached,
returning to the centre of the frame when pressed in. While this process
was far from difficult on the X-Pro1 – you had to press the AF button
on the left-hand side of the camera before using the menu pad's
directional buttons to reach the desired AF point – it's great that Fuji
has consolidated it into a single control here. Given how many AF
points there are, though, it would be welcome to have the option of
selecting alternative focusing patterns with fewer points, as this would
speed up their selection.
It's also possible to magnify the
centre of the frame to check focus by pressing in the rear command dial,
and this serves the same purpose when playing back images, zooming in
to 100% in one press; this should really be a standard feature on any
interchangeable-lens camera, but it's surprising how seldom it's seen.
For whatever reason, though, this dial is recessed much further into the
body than on the X-Pro1, almost to the point of it not protruding at
all, which makes this action a little more awkward than it ought to be.
Controls and settings
In
response to user feedback, Fuji opted to drop the Drive/Zoom in,
AE/Zoom out and AF/Delete controls that were previously located on the
left-hand side of the LCD screen, and using the camera, even for a brief
period of time, shows this to make perfect sense. The playback and
delete buttons are now next to each other, which allows for the quick
deletion of images with just one hand, something that wasn't possible
before. The Drive mode option now occupies the top directional button
that was previously a control for the camera's macro mode.
Given
the breadth of controls this accesses, from single-frame and burst
shooting to Advanced filters and a raft of bracketing options, it's
clearly a much better use of space. Not only that, but these options are
all arranged in a single vertical column, which makes them easy to
access. All rear controls are just as clearly labelled as before, and
although some are a touch smaller than the X-Pro1's, they appear to
travel a little more positively into the body.
While
the X-Pro1's menu system was already well regarded – notable for its
clarity the logical organisation of its various options – Fuji has
managed to considerably improve things here. The slightly darker
background and brighter text makes non-selected options easier to read,
and the new font is easier on the eye too. Fuji has also made much
better use of graphics for each tab, making it easier to see where, for
example, flash, movie, focus and other options are located from any
other screen.
Each screen now offers a maximum of eight options
rather than the previous seven, and a consequence of this is that the
text is marginally smaller, although this makes it somewhat easier to
digest as everything is closer together. There's also a My Menu option
which can have 16 options assigned to it and ranked in order of
preference, which is perfectly at home on a camera of the X-Pro2's
billing, and many external controls can be customised to taste too.
The
camera's electronic viewfinder is significantly improved over the
X-Pro1's. Details appear with far greater clarity and lagging is
negligible, meaning that the camera very much delivers on the promise of
offering an optical viewfinder experience (that said, as with any
electronic viewfinder, scenes with a wide dynamic range show details in
shadow and highlight details better with the optical finder). Aliasing
artefacts when shooting fine details also appear to be far less of an
issue and less of a distraction than before, particularly when set to
the High Performance mode. In many ways, this is an electronic
viewfinder for people that don't like using them.
The only slight
annoyance is that the exposure compensation scale at the side of the
viewfinder is smaller and decidedly harder to read than before, which is
particularly a shame here given the ease with which the exposure
compensation dial tends to be knocked out of place. It can, however be
changed to a more simple numerical display and shown among other
exposure information at the bottom of the viewfinder.
The camera
performs best on its High Performance power management setting, although
this is also the most power hungry. In terms of clarity and brightness
of the electronic viewfinder the Standard option is a good alternative,
with slightly less stability and a little more tearing (visible
disconnection or breaks within the finder image) as the camera or
subject moves by comparison, although focusing speeds appear to be the
same. The Economy setting doesn't do too badly with regards to clarity
in bright light, although the feed is slightly more affected by
artefacts and in darker conditions the gulf between this and the other
two settings becomes particularly apparent, with a darker and less clear
view. This is perhaps best stuck to if using the optical viewfinder
and/or the battery is close to depletion.
As
the optical viewfinder doesn't take its view through the lens, it's
more usable with shorter optics that won't obstruct the view as much as
longer ones. Whichever lens you use, the framing marks which adjust as
the lens is zoomed gives a better idea of focal length, adjusting for
parallax correction when the shutter is half pressed. As on the X-Pro1
there appears to be a little distortion with the optical finder,
although there does appear to be a small improvement in contrast on the
new model, and exposure and other shooting information is crisper and
easier to read.
On the X-Pro1 the viewfinder lever simply moved to
the right to alternate between optical and electronic displays – here,
it also moves to the left to activate the electronic rangefinder
function when using the optical viewfinder. This has two benefits:
first, it shows what kind of effect exposure compensation or white
balance settings will have on the image, and second, as it magnifies a
portion of the frame, it provides a better idea of correct focus. What's
particularly good is that you can apply focus peaking to this window
alone, so that you can maintain a view of the whole scene while using
this to fine-tune focus.
Performance
Perhaps the most
common criticisms of the X-Pro 1 regarded its autofocus system, which
explains why Fuji issued a number of firmware updates addressing this.
Yet, even with the X-Pro1 running on the most recent v3.50 firmware
update, a comparison between the two confirms that Fuji has indeed made
real progress with the new camera.
Although it's difficult to
measure exact focusing speeds, and as these are very much dependent on
the lens, subject and other factors, Fuji's claims of a doubling of
focusing speed from before does appear to be validated through testing.
This is perhaps a touch behind some of the competition – this is, after
all, an area where great gains have been made in recent cameras –
although for most scenes this is not a concern.
•
The AF point can be adjusted to one of four sizes, which is useful when
focusing on smaller details such as the stamens of flowers. Here, the
smallest point of the four options was used.
Click here for a full size version.
•
The new Grain function lends images a pleasing but subtle film-like
quality, and this should particularly appeal to users who started out
photographing in the analogue era.
Click here for a full size version.
•
The Zone/Tracking focusing option works well to maintain focus on
moving subjects, and this can be combined with 8fps burst shooting.
Click here for a full size version.
•
The camera's default colour option is Standard/Provia, which gives
images a nice boost over Raw files while staying accurate and true to
life.
Click here for a full size version.
The
camera's Wide/Tracking option does well to maintain focus on subjects
moving at slow and moderately fast speeds and I was impressed with the
hit rate when studying these images closely. There were a few occasions
where the camera repeatedly returned false positive focus confirmations,
and it wasn't obvious as to why this was the case given the fine
visibility and contrast of the subject, but this did not happen often
enough to be a cause for concern. When shooting ducks swimming in and
flying around a pond, now and again the camera would be distracted by
the shimmer of the water, although this is a testing environment for any
camera's tracking capabilities and it would be unreasonable to expect a
flawless performance here. The key thing is that it's usable and
effective.
One thing I found useful is the ability to adjust the
size of the focusing point – which is more a box than a point – to four
different degrees, particularly when focusing on small details such as a
flower's stamens, where the default size was a little too large. The
ability to adjust this quickly – you simply press in the focus lever and
turn the rear command dial – is most welcome when you consider the lack
of a touchscreen, which would otherwise be useful in achieving the same
goal.
Even when capturing images at the camera's 8fps burst rate,
and shooting uncompressed raw images, the camera maintained its speed
well enough to cover most eventualities. Using a Transcend 64GB SDXC
card, the camera maintain a burst of uncompressed raw and Fine JPEG
images for 25 frames, dropping to about one frame second after this, and
26 when shooting raw images alone (just one under the promised 27).
These took around 20 seconds to clear the buffer and, pleasingly, the
camera remained operational throughout, even allowing for further images
to be captured. It was only when nearing the end of the card's capacity
that the camera slowed right down and took considerably longer to flush
these out.
The X-Pro 2 offers a well rounded collection of raw
processing options in camera, which is great when you want to tweak
exposure, shadows or colours, or alternatively create multiple copies of
the same image. It's a shame that these options aren't in any way
previewed as they are selected, in the same way the they are when
selecting different Film Simulation modes and white balance, as you're
essentially processing blind until all adjustments are made. Once the
image has been processed and displayed, the camera returns to the
original image, which at least gives you some idea of how appropriate
any changes have been.
• Face detection does well to identify subjects and ensure that eyes are sharp.
Click here for a full size version.
•
The camera's Raw processing function makes light work of small tweak to
colour, exposure and so on, although the image cannot be previewed
until converted. Here, Color was adjusted by +1 for extra saturation.
Click here for a full size version.
The
image stabilisation of the XF 50-140mmF2.8 R LM OIS WR lens used as
part of this test was clearly effective though the viewfinder, and I
generally found good performance down to around 3EV stops slower than
usual. Many of the lenses that are ideally partnered with the X-Pro2 –
namely, smaller prime lenses – sadly lack image stabilisation. This
isn't too great a concern with wider focal lengths and wide apertures,
but it nevertheless gives rival cameras with built-in image
stabilisation an advantage. There are, however, three customisable Auto
ISO settings that allow minimum shutter speeds to be defined to maintain
sharpness, which is particularly useful with prime lenses.
The
camera's auto white balance system does very well in a range of
environments, only slipping under mixed daylight and incandescent light,
delivering far too warm a cast. I found it also sought to slightly tame
the warmth of other artificial sources, but otherwise it did well.
Similarly,
the camera's metering system did a very good job in all manner of
conditions. I was particularly impressed with its performance when faced
with scenes dominated by either darker or brighter details, where many
other cameras would come unstuck; here, studying the images and their
histograms showed the camera did a brilliant job to keep the scene
balanced. Only occasionally the camera displayed a tendency towards
underexposure, although this is perhaps just as well as highlights did
tend to roll off (burn out) a little sooner than expected. I also found a
noticeable difference in exposure when the Face Detection system
correctly identified faces in the scene exposures, lifting the exposure
to deliver a slightly more pleasing result.
Colour rendition, noise and video
The
camera's default Film Simulation mode is the Provia/Standard option,
and this is well suited to everyday scenes, rendering colours with
accuracy. On the Standard Film Simulation mode JPEGs are given a
noticeable boost over raw files, with colours getting just the right
level of saturation and images a good sharpening, although I found most
scenes could tolerate a little further sharpening to get them looking
their best. What's particularly good is that raw images can have their
colours – and sharpening and much more – quickly and easily intensified
in small increments with the raw conversion option, which is great for
giving the odd image a little extra bite.
• Using the 90mm wide open at f/2 has resulted in a very pleasing background blur.
Click here for a full size version.
• Even at mid-range ISO settings such as ISO 1600, detail remains very good.
Click here for full size version.
Even
at the base sensitivity there's a little noise is visible in flat
areas, such as blue skies, although this is fairly common and not
particularly problematic until higher sensitivities are reached. The
camera offers noise reduction over nine separate levels, which is very
useful; on its standard, middle setting, noise is well removed and most
details remain, without any obvious artefacts showing.
Lab testing
reveals the camera to fall a little short against not only much of the
competition but also the X-Pro 1 with regards to raw image noise and
dynamic range at higher sensitivity settings. Still, the camera can hold
its own with lower-ISO dynamic range and does very well with regards to
colour accuracy. Not only that, but the jump in pixel count and
Fujfilm's X-Trans technology also means the camera does an excellent job
to resolve details consistently across most of the sensitivity range,
maintaining strong reading where smaller-sensor rivals fall short and
doing well to fight the full-frame Sony A7 II.
The Lens Modulation
Optimiser appears to make some difference to images captured at smaller
apertures, although not to any significant degree – still, it's easy
enough to just keep this on when shooting JPEGs. The new Grain option
also lends images a pleasing texture reminiscent of medium-speed
black-and-white film emulsions, particularly the stronger of the two
options where this is more apparent.
•
Detail is still respectable at high ISO settings, and the fine control
over noise reduction in camera allows you to tailor this specifically to
the scene.
Click here for a full size version.
It's
possible to achieve decent video quality with the X-Pro2, and footage
appears to be less troubled by various artefacts than before. It's also
nice to find a wide choice of frame rates and the option to use external
microphones through the port at the side, particularly as the camera
tends to pick up the battering sounds of wind quite easily (and there is
no specific control over this in the menu). When shooting at a specific
shutter speed, the camera closes down the aperture reasonably silently
but in noticeable increments to adapt to different changes in scene
brightness; I found setting the ISO to Auto works better for smoother
transitions.
The camera can be used wirelessly in conjunction with
the Fujifilm Remote Camera app that's available for both iOS and
Android devices. Connection is very straightforward – you just find the
network on your device and confirm connection on the camera. Although
the control offered by this app isn't quite as comprehensive as on
similar apps designed for other manufacturer's cameras, on an iPhone 6 I
found the feed to be stable and the camera responding as quickly as
excepted to any changes made, with images displayed and downloaded
promptly.
Lab tests: resolution
We use an
industry-standard resolution test chart to check camera performance.
This yields resolution figures in line widths/picture height, a
measurement now widely used across the camera industry. We also compare
the results against our database of previous camera tests to see how
each camera compares against its nearest rivals.
For the Fuji X-Pro2 comparison, we've chosen the following cameras:
Olympus OM-D E-M5 II:
The Olympus may use a smaller Micro Four Thirds sensor than the X-Pro2,
but it impressed us with its performance, features and appealing retro
design.
Panasonic GX8:
Panasonic's flagship mirrorless camera uses a classic 'rangefinder'
design, just like the X-Pro2, and has a brand new 20Mp Micro Four Thirds
sensor.
Sony A7 II:
The A7 II has a full frame sensor twice the physical size of the one in
the X-Pro2 but the same resolution. It's a similar price and pitched at
a similar user level.
JPEG resolution analysis: The
X-Pro2 lags slightly behind the full frame Sony A7 II at low and medium
ISO settings but matches it higher up the ISO range. Its resolution is
remarkably consistent across the sensitivity range. Interestingly, the
new sensor in the Panasonic GX8 can match the Fuji for resolution.
Raw (converted to TIFF) resolution analysis:
This pattern is repeated with raw files. The X-Pro2 is narrowly beaten
by the Sony A7 II but, again, delivers remarkably consistent resolution
across the sensitivity range.
Lab tests: Dynamic range
Dynamic
range is a measure of the sensor's ability to capture detail in
extremely dark and bright areas. It's measured in EV (exposure values)
and the higher the figure the better.
JPEG dynamic range analysis:
Fuji cameras typically deliver lower dynamic range JPEGs than rival
brands, presumably as a result of higher mid-tone contrast. This
tendency is repeated here, though the X-Pro2 does at least deliver
consistent results across its sensitivity range.
Raw (converted to TIFF) dynamic range analysis: The results are much closer when comparing raw files, and here there's little to choose between the X-Pro2 and the rest.
Lab tests: Signal to noise ratio
The
signal to noise ratio is the ratio of random digital noise to real
image data. The higher the signal to noise ratio the better. This
inevitably drops at higher sensitivity settings, but the drop-off in
performance does vary from one camera to another.
JPEG signal to noise ratio analysis:
The X-Pro2 delivers a very good set of results that closely match those
from the Panasonic GX8. Interestingly, the Sony A7 II can't quite keep
up and delivers JPEG images with a similar noise level to those from the
Olympus OM-D E-M5 II.
Raw (converted to TIFF) signal to noise ratio analysis: The
raw files tell a different story, however, and here the X-Pro2's images
prove significantly noisier than the rest, while the Sony and Panasonic
are the best.
Verdict
As we would probably expect given
the four-year interval between the two, Fuji has made some significant
changes to the X-Pro formula to create the X-Pro2 – and on the whole,
the results are positive.
Those coming from the X-Pro 1 will
immediately notice the superior electronic viewfinder, whose boost in
resolution and overall performance goes some way to closing the gap
between this and traditional optical viewfinders. While Fuji is not
alone in making these more usable than on previous generation of
cameras, it's the type of viewfinder that may sway those ordinarily
averse to using them.
The many changes made to both manual and
autofocus systems also make it more suitable for a greater range of
static and moving subjects, and the new focusing lever is great when
shifting the AF point needs to be done quickly, although it's a shame
this has not been complemented with touchscreen functionality or an
articulated LCD as these would benefit everything from street to macro
photography.
At
its current asking price of around £1395 for its body only, the
camera's main competitor is perhaps the 24.2MP Sony A7 II, although many
people not tied to any system will also no doubt add the cheaper
Olympus Pen F and OM-D E-M5 II to their shortlist, together with the
Panasonic GX8. Compared with the GX8 in particular the X-Pro2 does
appear to be highly priced, although this is partly down to the GX8
having been on the market for some time. The long gap between this and
the X-Pro1 also means that the previous model can now be found for less
than £400 brand new and even less second-hand in a good condition, which
is a significant difference.
We liked
Fuji has paid a lot
of attention to the things that matter, and in so many respects the
camera is much better than its predecessor. The AF system is faster, the
viewfinder is better and the inclusion of weather sealing means it can
be used in a greater range of shooting conditions with confidence.
Image
quality is strong overall, with sound metering and auto white balance
systems and lovely colours straight out of the camera. The revised menu
system also makes it a much nicer camera to use than its predecessor.
All of this, combined with plenty of customisation options and a myriad
of small and sometimes unexpected extras, means that the camera ticks
many boxes it's expected to.
We disliked
While Fuji has
made some welcome changes to the physical controls, some revisions may
not be as well received, particularly by users used to the X-Pro1 who
are considering it as an upgrade.
The easy movement of the
exposure compensation dial and recessed rear command dial prove
bothersome, while the excellent viewfinder performance sadly comes at
the expense of battery life too. Furthermore, the need to change the ISO
via a somewhat awkward physical control may upset those upgrading from
the X-Pro 1, where the lack of a physical dial meant this could be
changed easier, and the lack of a tilting LCD screen is shame when you
consider how valued a feature this is on other cameras.
Final Verdict
The
X-Pro2 is a worthy upgrade on an already popular camera. It's great to
find that Fuji has paid attention to so many areas, notably AF and
viewfinder performance through to the menu system and physical
operation. It's clearly sought to fix what wasn't quite right from
before and thrown in a handful of useful extras, and while not
everything is a complete success, for many reasons it's still a much
nicer camera to use.
Those planning on upgrading from the X-Pro1
will find plenty to be happy with here although others will find the
camera has a number of cheaper rivals vying for the enthusiast user's
attention. These typically have advantages of in-built image
stabilisation, articulating or tilting screens and touch functionality,
and these are all features than can make a considerable difference to
the types of images you can capture.
Still, these aren't always
deal-breakers and many will be more than satisfied with what the X-Pro2
offers. It's build is solid and image quality is very good, while the
control Fuji offers over the camera's operation often goes beyond what's
expected. In short, even with a handful of foibles, it's remains a
solid offering for the enthusiast user.
See also:
Read More ...
Toshiba: We're not pulling out of PCs
Toshiba
has denied that it is pulling out of the PC market, with the Japanese
giant insisting that reports it was selling its main factory and looking
to merge with Fujitsu and Vaio were false.
Toshiba is a familiar
name in the laptop world and any retreat would be hugely damaging for
the Windows PC industry as it battles against tablets and the looming
threat of Apple.
However, responding to a report in Japan's
Sankei newspaper that suggested a merger was on the cards, the company
has insisted that it is not pulling the plug.
Toshiba has already
focused its efforts on the Asian and US markets, with Europe not
helping avoid a big loss announced at the end of 2015.
But with
Sony already carving off its PC business, the Japanese powerhouses in
the industry are clearly suffering through a difficult period in the PC
world.
Read More ...
LG Stylus 2 brings fancy pen features for those on a budget
LG's
pre-launch leak-a-thon has continued in earnest as the brand has
announced the LG Stylus 2, a phone that takes the core of Samsung's
popular Note range and brings it to a much lower price point - and will
be shown off at
MWC this year.
LG's
been dabbling with its Stylus range of smartphones for a couple of
years now, but thinks that a new phone with a few enhanced pen features
will hit that sultry combo of the productivity fiend who doesn't like to
splash too much cash.
The key features the brand is touting
center, unsurprisingly, around the detachable accessory that lives in a
slot at the bottom of the phone. Remove that and you'll get instant
access to Pen Pop, a menu that lets you take memos and Pop Scanner -
which mysteriously has no details on it bar this patent filing from LG
last month.
There's a nano-coating on the tip of the stylus too,
which LG says makes your scribblings more accurate than the boring old
rubber we've been subjected to. It will also allow you to write on the
screen in a calligraphic style - screw a three day battery life, THAT'S
the feature we've all been waiting for.
The LG Stylus 2 will also
feature Pen Keeper, where the phone will alert you when the stylus slot
is empty and the phone is in motion. Presumably that means it can sense
when you're holding the pen as well, otherwise it's just going to be
screaming every time you try to use its primary feature.
Styl-us intrigued
The
reason LG is talking up the stylus so much is the fact that, well, the
specs aren't that inspiring. This is a phablet, given it has a 5.7-inch
screen, but the 720p resolution isn't going to look anywhere near as
sharp as even some budget phones on the market.
It's got a no-name
quad core chipset, 1.5GB of RAM and a 13MP camera on the rear (with an
8MP option on the front for the 'look at me, being all productive'
selfies we like to send to our bosses three to five times per day).
Battery-worriers
will enjoy the 3000mAh power back stuffed in the back, as it's also
removable for those moments where you've doodled too hard and have run
out of juice before lunch. However, the low-res screen means that you
should easily last a day with that much power, and a microSD slot is
provided to complete the 'removable battery / expandable memory'
combination so many love.
We sadly don't know the price just yet, so it's hard to say whether LG has positioned the phone at the right level.
Neither
have we been told the LG Stylus 2 release date, but in previous years
the cost has been lower than the flagship device, and it launched in the
US and South Korea last year - so it could get a larger worldwide
release this time around.
- You know what else will be at MWC 2016 this year? Loads and loads of new phones.
Read More ...
Updated: 12 best VR games: best virtual reality games for PC and mobile
Introduction
Picking
the best VR games at the moment is tricky because many of the best VR
experiences aren't the best games, and vice-versa. For example, much as
we love Team Fortress 2, you don't half get motion sick running at the
scout's speed in VR.
Other experiences are like hands-off coaster rides - Sony's The Deep, for example - which one would hardly want to call games.
Oculus' story studio takes that one step further, employing ex-Pixar staff to create bespoke first-person VR entertainment.
Even those games that are good fun are often just demos, for products that will be released when the Rift,
Vive
and the rest are all on sale. We've picked the five games we're most
excited about seeing and the 10 games that we think are best now. If you
disagree, let us know in the comments.
VR games on our radar
Arizona Sunshine
There
will probably come a time when we're sick of zombie gamed played in VR.
For now, though, the thought of getting close enough to smell the
rotting flesh of the undead hordes is strangely alluring. In development
by Vertigo Games, Arizona Sunshine is shaping up to be a graphically
impressive, fast-paced zombie shooter. In development as one of the
first SteamVR games, it will use HTC Vive's motion controllers to let
you blow chunks off approaching enemies. Do you run, or do you gun?
Arizona Sunshine looks set to make you consider your choice very
carefully.
System Shock 3
As if System Shock 3 being announced wasn't exciting enough, the studio developing it, Otherside Entertainment,
may be giving it the VR treatment.
Little is known about the sequel to the excellent (and very scary)
System Shock 2 other than it will once again feature SHODAN, the
murderous AI antagonist that stalked your every move back in 1998.
Otherside
Entertainment recently created a survey to ask gamers what platform
they prefer (be it consoles or PC), so there's a chance that System
Shock 3 could come to consoles (and their associated VR headsets) as
well as the PC this time around.
Rigs: Mechanized Combat League
If
you've never wanted to pilot a massive mech in VR then you're probably a
liar. Either way, you'll get your chance in Rigs: Mechanized Combat
League, a Project Morpheus FPS heading to the PS4.
Set 50 years in
the future, you control 'Rigs' — piloted, highly-tuned, athletic
machines that compete in a futuristic, weapon-based sport. Of course,
your robots have lasers, rockets and plasma cannons, which means you'll
also need jump jets to avoid getting killed all the time.
Set in
massive multi-floor arenas, its backdrops of Dubai and Rio look
gorgeous, and we can't wait to see how its gameplay fares.
P.O.L.L.E.N
One
of the huge draws of VR is immersion, something that upcoming space
exploration game P.O.L.L.E.N has in abundance. It's a slightly different
affair to the Alien: Isolations of the world in that there are no
monsters to speak of. Instead, it's all about adventuring and places a
focus on picking up and observing objects to find clues and discover
what happened aboard the mysterious space station you're exploring.
In
development for two years by Finland-based studio Mindfield Games,
P.O.L.L.E.N reeks (in a good way) of classic science fiction movies like
Solaris and Space Odyssey. Its gorgeous graphics and an intriguing
narrative could make it the modern VR equivalent of the classic
adventure game Myst from 1993. Only more, er, spacey.
Lucky's Tale
Lucky's
Tale is as intriguing as third-person platformers get. Think Mario 64
spliced with Crash Bandicoot, viewed with a third-person camera angle
that you can manipulate by moving your head, and you'd be halfway there.
The VR element promises to let you peek at more of the level as you go
along, though it remains to be seen whether the extra dimension is
gimmicky or genuinely useful. Lucky's Tale is one of two games (the
other being multiplayer dogfighting shooter EVE: Valkyrie) being bundled
with the upcoming Oculus Rift headset, so it won't be (too) long until
you can find out for yourself.
YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqEm1fXBWKg
Eve: Valkyrie
What
started out as a spectacular tech demo for the developers of Eve:
Online has rapidly morphed into a full project that's entirely focused
on squad-based dogfighting in deep space.
Though the game is far narrower than Star Citizen and
Elite: Dangerous,
it promises to be a classic multiplayer experience, with a Call of
Duty-style rank progression that allows you to unlock more ships,
weapons and equipment the better that you do.
That focus on combat
allows the game to be much less realistic and more visceral than its
competitors - and potentially much more fun.
Star Citizen
While
Eve: Valkyrie looks to have the most promising combat, Star Citizen is
hoping to have the most comprehensive space experience.
As an
unofficial follow-up to the Wing Commander series, the game is promising
to combine gutsy first-person shooting on space stations and planets,
exploration of its crazy-large universe in a variety of hand-crafted
spaceships, and a huge storyline with a cast of movie stars.
The
VR experience is still unclear, but will probably work along the lines
of Elite's - head-tracking, whilst you use a joystick or gamepad to
control your craft.
Dreadhalls
No
platform is complete without a pant-wetting horror experience and
Dreadhalls is planning to provide that. Along the lines of Amnesia,
you're an unarmed explorer in a series of procedurally-generated tunnels
attempting to simply find your way to the exit.
Sadly, the maze
is filled with a variety of monsters, like gargoyles that only move when
you're not watching, and spooky little girls. Objects in the maze can
help you, but ultimately it's a game about hiding and running away. For a
more involved dungeon crawling game, Oculus' own Hero Battle sounds
promising.
Robinson: The Journey
There
are few details on Crytek's first VR game yet, but given the firm's
history we can be assured that it'll be outrageously beautiful with a
terrible story.
You're playing as a small boy who's crashlanded on
an alien planet that seems to be inhabited by dinosaurs. It's notable
that Crytek has been separately showing off a VR demo in a similarly
lush jungle where you're hiding out in a T-Rex nest as various dinosaurs
menace you.
Crytek promises that "players will become pioneers by
interacting with the rich ecosystem around them and unearthing
incredible secrets at every turn."
Technolust
The
biggest promise of VR is in story-driven games like Technolust. It's a
puzzle and mystery game, where you explore this brave new world, finding
clues and objects to move the plot forward.
Here, you're in a
near-future cyberpunk world where big business has taken over. You can
choose to join the resistance and battle large corporations, pop to the
arcade to experience new worlds, or just stay at home and watch TV with
your AI. This could be the nearest thing we get to Bladerunner - until
they adapt it for VR, that is.
1. Elite: Dangerous
It's
been over thirty years since the first Elite was released and original
creator David Braben has finally got around to making a sequel (i.e. got
the rights back.)
Elite: Dangerous takes the elements of the
first game - trading, exploration and combat in a huge
procedurally-generated universe - and updates them, so that you can do
all those things in an accurate representation of our galaxy in the
future.
The game has also added massively-multiplayer gameplay,
and industry-standard VR. Sitting in a cockpit in Elite and looking
around feel utterly real, and well worth it.
2. Euro Truck Simulator 2
Ever
wanted to deliver frozen chickens from Innsbruck to Bad Kissingen in an
eighteen wheeler? Someone, who should probably be using their genius
for the betterment of mankind, has perfectly replicated the art of being
a truck driver, letting players fulfil their long-haul longings.
The
VR experience has been updated to work well with the Oculus DK2 and
lets you look all around your cab, as well lean out of the window to
look behind you. You'll still crash your semi into the hard shoulder on a
regular basis, but that's your fault, not the game's.
3. Alien Isolation
Creative
Assembly's masterful conversion of the Alien movie into a survival game
was an unexpected success of last year, allowing players to take the
role of Ripley's daughter, attempting to survive another xenomorph event
and discover what happened to her mother.
The long-promised
Oculus support wasn't released with the game, but exists in the game's
code and has been reimplemented by modders. It makes for an utterly
terrifying and hardcore experience, with players trying to stealth their
way through the grimpunk space station, but it's mostly short-lived due
to the alien's efficiency.
4. Surgeon Simulator 2013
Just like Alien Isolation, there are aliens in Surgeon Simulator 2013, but this time you're the one taking them to pieces.
One
of the few comedy games of recent years, SS13 is all about your
incompetence in performing advanced surgery (including heart and brain
transplants), which is only exacerbated by the VR interface.
The game supports VR natively in Oculus Rift and uses Razer Hydras to allow you to attempt heart transplants.
5. Assetto Corsa
I've
never really been a petrolhead - though I do know that red ones go
faster - so I can't comment on how good a game Assetto Corsa is.
Suffice
to say that my Petrolhead friends say it's one of the best car games
out there, and the reviews agree. The key point is its moddability,
which has allowed gamers to add all sorts of fancy new cars and tracks
onto its superb driving system.
It supports Oculus natively and,
like Elite, it makes perfect sense to be able to look around when
racing, whether rallying or in an F1.
6. Dear Esther
VR
is wonderful at providing a sense of presence in a world - but not so
good, as yet, at interacting with it. Which is perfect for 'walking
simulators' like this.
Dear Esther is an exploration game, where
you walk all over a remote Scottish island, plumbing its depths and
heights, as your character whinges about his life. It may sound like an
art-house adaption of a J.G. Ballard novel, but the game is utterly
beautiful to wander.
7. Shufflepuck Cantina Deluxe VR
The
unofficial sequel to 1989's Shufflepuck Cafe takes the physical game of
Shufflepuck (AKA Air Hockey) to the furthest possible point.
Shufflepuck
Cantina takes place in an interstellar casino, where you play against a
charismatic range of aliens and robots with a huge array of special
moves on a range of bizarre tables.
The casino is just charming to
wander, packed with unearthly sights and detail, and fun challengers to
natter to. Warning: you'll need to shut your eyes for the control-free
intro, as it's utterly nausea-inducing.
8. Dying Light
The
unofficial follow-up to Dead Island from the creators of the same game
was a surprisingly good take on the zombie survival action game, mingled
with gruesome melee combat, fun parkour and a ton of other bits nicked
from Dead Rising.
The VR version is still a bit shonky - the menus
and buttons are unreadable and the camera control needs work - but it's
a wonderful world to wander around, before zombies tear you apart.
There will almost certainly be a separate VR release when the Vive and
Oculus launch.
9. Subnautica
Subnautica
looks like it should be a simple diving game - but then you realise you
don't recognise any of the 'fish'... or the sky or the sun.
It's
actually a survival game on a distant ocean world, where you have to
craft equipment, pilot submarines, and terraform the aquatic undersea
for humankind - whilst surviving hostile wildlife, volcanoes, and
aircraft-sized jellyfish. It's still in Early Access, so the Oculus Rift
support is limited but effective.
10. Grand Theft Auto V
What
could be better suited to VR than a game that simulates real life?
Rockstar's latest cime-em-up doesn't officially support virtual reality
yet, but that hasn't stopped people hooking the game up to an Oculus
Rift DK2 and getting up close and personal with Los Santos' shady
underworld.
In one particular
video,
which shows footage from a third-party mod that replicates mouse
movement control, you can see the Oculus wearer let rip down the freeway
on a motorcycle, taking in the environment while weaving in and out of
traffic.
It's eerily effective and almost makes the case alone for
splashing out on a headset, a beefy PC and a copy of GTA V. Not sure
about the Snow Patrol soundtrack, though.
11. Temple Run VR
You're
probably familiar with Temple Run, the endless runner that has been
downloaded by millions of smartphone owners. You're likely less familiar
with the VR version of the game, which was released for Samsung's Gear
VR Innovator Edition.
Taking on a first-person view of the sprint,
the game is surprisingly harrowing – mainly because you can look back
at the giant artic monster monkey chasing you through the snow-capped
mountains. When not admiring the view you'll have to navigate the track
while running, jumping and collecting power-ups to rack up the highest
score possible.
12. Shooting Showdown
Shooting
Showdown reimagines the first-person shooter concept for VR. You aim by
tilting your head to move a crosshair in the middle of the screen,
hitting a button on a Bluetooth controller to take out objects strewn
across the level. They can be anything from shooting range targets to a
robot carrying a bucket or traffic lights that require you to shoot the
green light. Regarded as one of the best games for the Samsung Gear VR,
its head-to-head mode pits you against human opponents to see who can
rack up the highest score.
Read More ...
Updated: Best Netflix TV shows: 35 great Netflix television series
Best Netflix shows: 30 great Netflix TV series
Netflix's
transition from a DVD rental service to a streaming behemoth has been
impressive to watch. The company has sunk so much money and effort into
making itself into the number one destination for on-demand content that
it isn't just a place to watch things, it also creates them. So much so
that the big TV and movie studios are quite rightly running scared - as
you will see with the following best Netflix shows.
And they should be. At CES 2016, Netflix announced it was
expanding its reach to 190 countries.
While
Netflix
slowly makes a land grab for movies, it is perhaps its television
output that is the reason most people have an account. There's a ton of
TV content to feast upon - too much to ever consider watching in one
lifetime, and more and more of it is in 4K too.
This is why we
have created the techradar guide to the best Netflix shows in the UK
right now. We will keep this best TV show list constantly updated with
the latest television shows that you should be watching and also tell
you why.
And with news that
Netflix is cracking down on VPN use,
if you are in the UK and are accessing the US version of Netflix, your
choice is soon to get that bit more limited. All the more reason, then,
to browse our extensive list of the best shows available.
If it's a night in at the movies you want, then head over to our
best horror movies on Netflix and
best romantic movies on Netflix - there you will find great-quality films to capture or tear out your heart.
1. 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
2. Battlestar Galactica
Before
the world was awash with gritty superhero reboots, Battlestar Galactica
proved you could take some slightly campy source material and make it
into something special. Given it is set in space, Galactica never quite
gets the plaudits it should but believe us: it's not just one of the
best sci-fi series ever made, it's one of the best series full stop. It
has the perfect blend of politics and space dogfights, human drama and
extraterrestrial exploration. From the perfectly realised mini first
season to the last, there's enough themes in Galactica to fill a
university course. Unmissable stuff.
Seasons on Netflix: 4
3. Better Call Saul
Vince
Gilligan made no secret of the fact he wanted to re-visit the world of
Breaking Bad and, while many were apprehensive that it was 'too soon',
we shouldn't have been worried. Yes, there was always a fear that Better
Call Saul would turn out to be what Joey was to Friends but it has
thankfully more Frasier to Cheers. This all thanks to Bob Odenkirk's
portrayal of Saul Goodman, the corrupt lawyer who - despite the world he
is in - has his heart is in the right place, even if he is consistently
in the wrong place. The second season is currently underway on Netflix.
Seasons on Netflix: 2 (season 2 on-going)
4. Bloodline
Any
series that has Coach from Friday Night Lights in it will be watched by
techradar - thankfully Bloodline has enough intrigue and plot
development to make us keep watching, even when Kyle Chandler isn't on
the screen. Yes it meanders but if you can forgive the slow pace this
dark tale of a Florida family really delivers in its final episodes.
Seasons on Netflix: 1
5. Bojack Horseman
A
comedy about a failed '90s sitcom star doesn't sound like the most
enticing premise for a cartoon. But when that failed star is a horse and
is voiced by the brilliant Will Arnett, it turns out to be comedy gold.
It takes a handful of episodes for the show to ease into itself, but
once it does it doesn't let up with the cutting comedic cynicism centred
around Hollywood and its, well, bleakness.
Seasons on Netflix: 2
6. Breaking Bad
More
addictive than the meth pushed by Walt and Jessie (apparently, ahem),
Breaking Bad is brilliant binge-watching television. The initial plot is
simple: a straight-laced teacher is told he has cancer and to make sure
he leaves his family with the best possible life, he turns to drug
making and dealing. There's method to his madness as he ends up being
pretty good at it. Creator Vince Gilligan has created such a good group
of characters, he is currently mining the same world again with Better
Call Saul. But that has some way to go reach the highest highs that
Breaking Bad offers.
Seasons on Netflix: 5
7. Brooklyn Nine-Nine
If
you only know Andy Samberg thanks to his comedy songwriting in Lonely
Island, then you are in for a treat. Brooklyn Nine-Nine sees Samberg as a
New York cop and follows the exploits of him and his team. Give it
three episodes and you will be hooked and it's all because the
characters are hilarious and the dialogue first class - especially when
it comes out of the mouth of stuffy captain Ray Holt.
Seasons on Netflix: 2
8. Californication
Even
though he is soon to reprise his iconic role as Mulder in another
X-Files series, David Duchovny never really rested when the show
finished. Instead he jumped straight into Californication, a series
that's about as far away as you can get from chasing aliens. Duchovny is
New York author Frank Moody who moves to LA to try and battle a bout of
writer's block, with a heady concoction of womanising, drinking and
drugs. The heavy subject matter is given light relief thanks to a breezy
script and some fantastic comedy performances.
Seasons on Netflix: 7
9. Community
Community
is the series that just won't die. And many have tried to kill it. Now
its sixth - and final - season is over, we will have to wait to see if
the Six Seasons And A Movie fan mantra will actually come to fruition.
It was looking rocky for the comedy when Season 4 was announced, without
show runner Dan Harmon, but it survived with its dignity almost intact
and was back to its best for Season 5. Set in a community college,
Community follows a rag-tag group of adult learners and is so packed
through with in-jokes, parodies and surreal humour that it's hard to
believe each episode is just 20-odd minutes long.
Seasons on Netflix: 5
10. Daredevil
When
it comes to superhero movies, Marvel are bossing DC thanks to the rich
tapestry it has weaved with its cinematic universe. Its TV shows, as fun
as Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D and Agent Carter are, haven't had the same
success as DC's The Arrow or The Flash. Thankfully Daredevil has come
along to change all this. Released in one binge-watching dose, Daredevil
is superb television, regardless if you are a superhero fan or not.
Matt Murdoch's (Boardwalk Empire's Charlie Cox) rise from blind lawyer
to vigilante is brutal and steeped in realism. The reason it works so
well is that it doesn't shy away from being violent - each crack and
crunch is a world away from Ben Affleck's terrible movie version. And
special mention has to go to Vincent D'Onofrio as Wilson Fisk, his best
role since the tortured Private Pyle.
Season two is set to land 18
March and will feature Marvel fan favourites The Punisher and Elektra.
This trailer will definitely get you excited for it.
YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXyW4Cuwphg
Seasons on Netflix: 1
11. Fargo
There
was a collective groan by Coen Brothers fans the world over when Fargo
the television show was announced. But what could have been darn tootin'
awful ended up being fantastic, thanks to the casting of Billy Bob
Thornton who is both funny and psychotic - well, his character is
anyway. The series thankfully didn't retread the movie but added to it,
acting as a strange but sublime companion piece. It's so good, the Coens
initially refused to have their name on the show - until they saw it
and loved it.
Seasons on Netlflix: 1
12. 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 - and sprinkles superb characters into the mix. 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
13. Friday Night Lights
"Clear
eyes, full heart." This phrase used by Coach - *cough*, sorry there
must be something in my throat - perfectly encapsulates Friday Night
Lights the television show. Borne out of a near-forgotten movie, the
television adaptation has everything. It's steeped in teenage angst, has
perfectly realised characters and a sports motif that's used
surprisingly sparingly. Apart from the road bump that is the second
season - due to a writers' strike - the show is consistently brilliant
television and up there with the best programmes around, even if the
only thing you know about American Football is that it's a poor person's
rugby.
Seasons on Netflix: 5
14. Fringe
Not
since X-Files has a show managed to balance 'monster of the week'
storylines with an overarching story that goes beyond this universe and
into many more. Fringe was always a shows that never quite gained
superstar status but, thanks to stellar casting (which included the late
Leonard Nimoy and Pacey from Dawson's Creek) and mind-bending themes,
it was consistently one of the brainiest and craziest things on
television. It was thanks to its cult support that Fringe actually had
an ending too - and a decent one that managed to wrap all that went
before it with a poignant conclusion, even though we were a little sad
to let go of Walter Bishop and co.
Seasons on Netflix: 5
15. Homeland
Homeland,
now in its fifth season, is a very different show now than it was when
it first aired back in 2011. Based on the Israeli series Prisoner of
War, the first few seasons were based around the premise of a returning
war hero that may or not be holding a dark secret. This duplicity has
been a running theme since then but the narrative has moved on. What
hasn't changed is the brilliant central performance by Claire Danes as
the CIA officer with bi-polar disorder - she's superb and the glue that
holds this sometimes disparate show together.
Seasons on Netflix: 4
16. 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.
Season 4 is just around the corner - as you can see from the trailer, it's looking even darker.
YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvGL42rywPM
Seasons on Netflix: 3
17. Jessica Jones
And
there was us thinking that Daredevil's subject matter was dark. Jessica
Jones is another tale set in Hell's Kitchen that may be under the
Marvel banned but is about as far removed from the bromance of Thor and
Iron Man that you are likely to see.
Breaking Bad's Krysten
Ritter is superb as the titular Jones, a private detective with
superpowers and super issues. This is nocturnal noir that moves in the
same circles as Daredevil - figuratively and literally as both
characters will eventually team up in the Defenders. It may not have the
bone-crunching violence that Daredevil is famed for, but there's enough
booze, sex and black humour on the screen to make this a cracking
comic-book caper that's strictly adults only.
Check out our
Jessica Jones review
Seasons on Netflix: 1
18. It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia
Initially
made on a shoe-string budget, It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia first
season had a cult following, but low viewing figures meant it was
destined to be a one-series wonder. Thankfully, everything changed when
Season 2 was eventually green-lit, thanks to some big-time star power.
Danny De Vito joined for a 10-episode run that was extended because he
loved it so much. He's still in the show that's now in its 10th season,
bringing with him huge viewing figures. The antics of Dennis (Glenn
Howerton), Mac (Rob McElhenney, the show's creator), Charlie (Charlie
Kelly) and Sweet Dee (Kaitlin Olson) won't be for everyone - at its
darkest the show's 'comedy' themes range from nazism to drug abuse - but
stick with it and this deliciously depraved classic will reward you.
Seasons on Netflix: 10
19. The Killing
The
US version of The Killing is also on Netflix, but the original
Scandinavian version is the must watch, and it's all because of Sophie
Grabol. She is simply superb as Sarah Lund, the detective brought into
unpick a number of murders that start off as family-centric tragedies
and end up having bigger political consequences. The first season is
highlight, with a narrative arc that keeps you guessing right until the
end but every season is worth your time. This is crime drama at its very
best.
Seasons on Netflix: 2
20. Luther
Idris
Elba was a relatively unknown actor when he blew us all away as
Stringer Bell in The Wire. After starring in the show his career
catapulted him into the A List, but he thankfully never forgot his TV
roots. Luther is a cop show with a difference, and that difference is
Elba. He brings that bit extra to a cop who is battling both deranged
criminals and his own demons. He befriends murderers and breaks rules,
all amongst the beautiful but broken backdrop of London's East End.
Seasons on Netflix: 3
21. Master of None
Aziz
Ansari was part of one of the best comedy ensembles ever in Parks and
Recreation, but in Master of None he proves he can hold his own when he
goes it alone. Channeling Louie CK, by way of Curb Your Enthusiasm,
Master of None is a fantastic look at being in your 30s in Hollywood and
all the trappings that go with it. Ansari plays the fictional Dev but
this sitcom comes off as deeply personal and is all the better for it.
Seasons on Netflix: 1
22. Making a Murderer
The
world's fascination with real crime seems to be at its highest at the
moment and it's all thanks to the podcast Serial. Now on to its second
series, Serial highlights cases of crime in forensic detail. Making a
Murderer is in a similar vein. This 10-part series looks at Steven
Avery, someone who spent 18 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit
and is then accused of a different crime. The show has been ten years
in the making and is gripping stuff.
Seasons on Netflix: 1
23. Narcos
Narcos
is that wonderful thing: a TV show that doesn't scrimp on controversy.
Based on the exploits of Columbian drug lord Pablo Escobar, the show
examines the criminal's rise to the top of one of the biggest drug rings
the world has seen, while constantly trying to avoid the clutches of
the DEA.
Uncompromising, uncomfortable but completely
unforgettable, Narcos is exactly the sort of thing that Netflix should
be commissioning. It's also the sort of thing that HBO would have
snapped up just a few years ago - which is very telling as to where
television is today.
Seasons on Netflix: 1
24. The Office
While
the US Office took nine seasons to tell its ordinary tale of office
life, the original UK version was on air for just two six-episode series
and a Christmas double, and it's perfect. Ricky Gervais manages to make
the small - office life and the boredom, frustration and romance that
can bring - seem big and does it with perfect comedy timing. Gervais and
his co-creator Stephen Merchant have produced one of the greatest
comedies ever made and as for David Brent... well, we all know one,
don't we?
Seasons on Netflix: 2
25. Orange Is The New Black
Set
to return for a fourth season in June, Orange Is The New Black has
consistently tried to oust House of Cards from the Netflix top spot,
with its superb tale of life in a women's prison. It's so popular that
its makers have announced that the show will be running until at least
season seven.
What makes OINTB so popular? Well, there's no show
quite like it that can balance comedy and heart-breaking scenes -
sometimes in the same episode.
Seasons on Netflix: 3
26. Orphan Black
Tatiana
Maslany may not be able to master a cockney accent but watching her
take on multiple roles tin Orphan Black is a joy. The show, now into its
fourth season (the first two are streaming on Netflix), manages to
bring the premise of cloning to a mainstream audience without veering
too much into sci-fi. While Orphan Black took something of a dip in
Season 2, it's worth watching as quality does return to the show. And
Maslany is endlessly watchable in any of her many guises.
Season on Netflix: 2
27. Person of Interest
From
the mind of Jonathan Nolan - Inception writer and brother to
Christopher - this twist-ridden series is as high concept as it gets. A
computer algorithm offers up 'people of interest' to a crack
crime-fighting team which consists of former Jesus Jim Caviezel and
Michael Emerson, last seen chewing the scenery as Lost's big bad
Benjamin Linus. While the first season is a little by the numbers, this
show has blossomed into something of a must watch.
Seasons on Netflix: 3
28. Scream: The TV Series
Scream
was the ultimate '90s horror franchise. It held a blood-stained mirror
up to the genre, played with convention and made you guess right up to
the end who the killer was - all the while telling you exactly who the
killer was throughout the movie. Its sequels meant it lost lustre due to
diminishing returns, but the TV show sees the franchise back to its
heyday.
In Scream: The TV Series, the mask is scarier, the
victims have been updated for the YouTube generation and the show proves
that you can stretch the 'man in the mask' horror genre into episodic
chunks and it will still work. Again, this showcases Scream's ability to
mess with conventions to create something entirely new.
Seasons on Netflix: 1
29. Sense8
The
Wachowski siblings have been more miss than hit lately - Cloud Atlas
was brave but flawed, Jupiter Ascending was just flawed - but Sense8
sees something of a return to form for the directing duo.
Yes
there are problems with Sense8 but this uneven show is brilliantly high
concept and packed with interesting characters. Well, eight characters
in all, from different parts of the globe that are connected in a
variety of ways.
The disparate batch of characters means this is a
show that has a lot in keeping with Cloud Atlas, where different genres
nestled uneasily against each other. But it's a brave show and one that
suits the lavish cinematography the Wachowskis are famed for.
Seasons on Netflix: 1
30. Sherlock
Sherlock
is a show that has been drip-fed to it audience over a number of years.
This is partly due to its stories working better as three-episode arcs
but also because its main stars, Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman
have become bonafide superstars during its run, so pinning them down is
somewhat difficult.
Cumberbatch is superb has the modern day
Sherlock, but the show works because of a potent mix of scriptwriting
(thanks to Doctor Who's Stephen Moffat), deft direction and a fair bit
of challenging the viewer. Superb stuff.
Seasons on Netflix: 3
31. Sons of Anarchy
There's
very good reason Sons of Anarchy is the highest rated show on FX ever -
its Shakespeare-esque plot (think Hamlet on bikes), following the
tumultuous lives of a motorcycle gang, has everyone who watches it
gripped. The show ended in 2014 after seven glorious seasons - although
later seasons could never quite reach the glory days of one to three -
and is perfect fodder for those looking for another Breaking Bad-style
fix.
Seasons on Netflix: 7
32. The Thick Of It
The
Thick Of It is perfect satire. It is the closest we will ever get to
the machinations of politics, until they decide to let cameras roll 24/7
at Number 10. From the ever-sweary Malcolm Tucker to the string of
forever-wrong MPs he has to protect with his profanities, The Thick Of
It manages to show the world what an omnishambles a government in charge
can be, with hilarious consequences.
Seasons on Netflix: 4
33. The Trip
The
Trip is the perfect gig for Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon and one that
must have been too good to pass on. Based on the flimsy premise that
hyper realised versions of the two comedians drive around rural England
eating in the best restaurants as food critics, the show shouldn't work
but it really really does. Completely unscripted, each episode is strewn
with movie star impressions and passive-aggressive jokes, where the two
try to one-up each other. Director Michael Winterbottom manages to hold
the show together with clever editing and cinematography and manages to
add subtle plot through phone conversations with Steve and Rob and
their respective families.
The second season has also landed on
Netflix and it feels like a sumptuous main course. Italy is the setting
and its beautiful surroundings seems to have made the pair more relaxed
about life, while still bringing the funny.
Seasons on Netflix: 2
34. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Someone
escaping from a Domesday cult shouldn't be a recipe for comedy but
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt manages to squeeze the funny out of this
premise. Created by Tina Fey and starring Ellie Kemper as the title
character, the show sparkles with wit and is the right side of kooky -
unlike some other shows *cough* New Girl *cough* we won't mention. There
is already a second series in the works and if the positive reviews are
anything to go by, there will be plenty more.
Seasons on Netflix: 1
35. Wet Hot American Summer: First Day Of Camp
The
prequel to a film sequel that no one watched, Wet Hot American Summer:
First Day of Camp is both fantastic and utterly stupid. It has a cast
list to die for - most of Mad Men are in there as is Ant Man's Paul Rudd
and Bradley Cooper - and focuses on the goings on at the first day at
camp.
These goings on include X-Files style conspiracies,
homoerotic dancing, long lost rock singers, journalists going undercover
and government hit men. In the original film the cast were in their 30s
and were playing 17 year olds. In the prequel, the same cast is now in
their 40s and are playing their characters' younger selves. If you can
get your head around that, then you are going to love the show.
Seasons on Netflix: 1
Read More ...
UPDATED: The best superhero films of all time
The best superhero films of all time
UPDATE: Deadpool has made it onto our list of the best superhero films of all time – read on to find out more!
Here
at techradar, we love our superhero movies. When you look over the
evolution of the superhero genre, from the first major Hollywood
superhero film, Superman, to the multiplex-dominating films of today
like Avengers: Age of Ultron and the upcoming
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,
it's easy to see just how far comic book movies have come. Superhero
movies are not only extremely popular, they're also some of the most
technologically advanced movies of our generation.
In celebration
of the genre, we've decided to list the best superhero films of all
time. We think these films encapsulate much of what the superhero genre
has to offer, from the big budget blockbusters starring well-known
characters to the small indie films which take the concept of
superheroism and approach it with a unique outlook.
The Avengers
Seen
by many as the culmination of the entire superhero movie genre,
Marvel's The Avengers brought together several characters from their own
franchises to create a team-based mega-franchise. While superhero
team-ups have been happening in comic books for decades, The Avengers
proved to be first real time that the notion would be properly realised
on film, allowing audiences to buy into all of Marvel's movies as an
overall cinematic universe. The Avengers went on to become the
highest-grossing superhero film ever made, and the fourth
highest-grossing film of all time overall, inspiring all of the other
major film studios to start coming up with their own cinematic
universes. Without The Avengers, we wouldn't have DC Universe movies
like Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Justice League and
Suicide Squad to look forward to.
YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOrNdBpGMv8
The Dark Knight
A
major turning point for the genre, The Dark Knight saw the concept of a
superhero film grow up significantly, with director Christopher Nolan
approaching the material like a genuine crime film in the vein of
Michael Mann. Gone were the days of cartoonish villains in a fantastical
setting – Gotham City finally felt like a real place that was being
held under a veil of terror by a genuinely frightening psychopath. Which
brings us to Heath Ledger's Oscar-winning performance (yes, this is a
superhero movie that received an Academy Award for acting) as The Joker.
Easily one of the most memorable performances of the last decade from
any movie, the character instantly became one of the greatest villains
in cinema history, cementing Ledger's legacy after his untimely death
shortly after completing his work on the film. Jared Leto sure has some
big shoes to fill when he takes up the role in the upcoming film,
Suicide Squad.
YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXeTwQWrcwY
Iron Man
It's
hard to believe now, but the prospect of an Iron Man movie was
initially considered to be far from a sure thing. Iron Man had been
unable to get off the ground in Hollywood for a long time, with Tom
Cruise at one point attached to play Tony Stark in what would have been a
very different take on the character. It would eventually take comedic
actor/director Jon Favreau to bring Iron Man to cinematic life, with a
fresh and unique approach that would see Tony Stark become the charming
and hilarious lothario we know and love today. We can also thank Favreau
for the inspired decision to cast Robert Downey Jr, an actor once
considered to be box office poison, in the role of a lifetime. Iron Man
was an enormous success, officially kicking off the Marvel Cinematic
Universe and cementing Downey Jr as one of the highest paid actors of
all time. The rest is history.
YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hYlB38asDY
Guardians of the Galaxy
Leave
it to Marvel Studios to take Guardians of the Galaxy, which is one of
its most obscure superhero properties, and spin it into box office gold.
Director James Gunn infused this space opera with a colorful, punk-rock
attitude, making audiences totally buy into (and eventually love) a
superhero team consisting of a talking raccoon (voiced by Bradley
Cooper) and a monosyllabic tree-person (voiced by Vin Diesel). But of
all the film's casting choices, it would be Chris Pratt (most famous for
his role as the endearing nitwit Andy in Parks and Recreation) that
would prove to be the film's biggest asset. Pratt brought an infectious
sense of swagger and likeability to the character of Peter Quill (a.k.a
Star Lord) that made him an instant star, landing him the lead role in
the colossal hit Jurassic World.
YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d96cjJhvlMA
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
In
the same year that brought us Guardians of the Galaxy, Marvel Studios
also redefined what a superhero movie could be with Captain America: The
Winter Soldier. This sequel could not be further from its WWII-set
predecessor, placing Captain America (Chris Evans) in a modern day
setting, entangled in a paranoid spy-thriller plot that would see him
re-evaluate his allegiances to S.H.I.E.L.D. and go head-to-head against
an old friend. Marvel Studios was clearly pleased with how the film
turned out, handing its directors the Russo brothers the keys to its
enormous-sounding sequel, Captain America: Civil War, as well as the
next two Avengers films.
YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SlILk2WMTI
Batman Begins
The
importance of Batman Begins cannot be understated, as it is the
bat-film that put director Christopher Nolan on the path of creating one
of the genre's greatest achievements, The Dark Knight. Nolan did the
unthinkable – he rescued Batman from rubber nipple oblivion. A more
serious, adult approach, coupled with a great leading man choice in
Christian Bale, helped re-establish Batman as the coolest superhero of
all time.
YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neY2xVmOfUM
Spider-Man 2
One
of the greatest superhero movie sequels ever made, Spider-Man 2 took
everything audiences loved about the first Spider-Man movie and amped it
all up significantly. Director Sam Raimi dialed up his trademark zany
energy and delivered a follow-up with more drama, bigger stakes, and
incredible action. Spidey's battle with Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina)
atop a New York subway train showed us how huge and awesome a superhero
battle can be, topping anything that occurred in the original film.
Easily superior to either of the films from the already abandoned reboot
series, Spider-Man 2 is a true classic of the genre.
YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enmFqm_N_ZE
Deadpool
Even
though they'd spent close to a decade trying to get their passion
project made, star Ryan Reynolds, director Tim Miller and writers Rhett
Reese and Paul Wernick could never have expected Deadpool to achieve the
biggest box office opening weekend for a superhero franchise-starter of
all-time, easily eclipsing previous title holder, Man of Steel. That it
could do so with an audience-limiting R-rating is almost unheard of,
and yet it just goes to show that crowds will come if a film's approach
is as invigorating as Deadpool's proved to be. Hilarious, violent, sexy
and full of fourth wall-breaking, Deadpool is as perfect an adaptation
of Marvel's motor-mouthed mutant antihero as we could've ever hoped for.
YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIM1HydF9UA
The Incredibles
Pixar's
only superhero film to date (a sequel is on the way), The Incredibles
is a fantastic movie that makes us wish there were more computer
animated entries in the genre (Big Hero 6 is also wonderful). Directed
by Brad Bird (who would go on to make Ratatouille and Mission:
Impossible – Ghost Protocol), this breezy flick features a loveable
family of super-powered people who are struggling to keep up appearances
as a normal family, while keeping their powers under wraps. Mr.
Incredible (Craig T. Nelson) is drawn back to his superheroing ways,
eventually dragging his whole family back with him. Feeling like James
Bond meets Fantastic Four, The Incredibles is... well, incredible.
YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYYt3nOrSkY
Super
Before
he made Guardians of the Galaxy, director James Gunn made the
low-budget indie superhero flick, Super. Playing like a darkly funny
comic book take on Taxi Driver, Super is about a sad sack loser (played
by Rainn Wilson) who turns to crime-fighting after his wife (played by
Liv Tyler) leaves him for a total scumbag (played by Kevin Bacon). He
develops a superhero persona known as the Crimson Bolt, who runs around
violently cracking criminals (and jerks in general) on the head with a
pipe wrench while yelling his catchphrase, "Shut up, crime!" Similar in
theme to the film Kick-Ass (only way darker), Super is recommended
viewing for anyone who loves superhero films.
YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLj_Bzw8n90
Unbreakable
Possibly
M. Night Shyamalan's best film, Unbreakable sees David Dunn (Bruce
Willis) slowly come to the realisation that he was born to be an
invincible superhero. After coming away from an enormous train
derailment as the sole survivor (with nary a scratch on him), David is
contacted out of the blue by comic book aficionado Elijah Price (Samuel
L. Jackson), whose wild theory about David and his powers sets him on a
path of discovery. Expertly crafted with a cracker of an ending,
Unbreakable is the kind of superhero movie we want to see more of.
YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfkoFvARU6E
Kick-Ass
Kick-Ass
is a superhero film that asks the following question: what would it
actually be like to dress up in a costume and fight crime? That's
exactly what high school kid Dave Lizewski (Aaron Taylor-Johnson)
attempts to do – only to get stabbed on his first attempt. Okay, so
maybe he'll need a bit of help from Big Daddy (Nicolas Cage) and his
pint-sized, potty-mouthed daughter, Hit-Girl (Chloë Grace Moretz) – a
pair of bad-ass vigilante killers on a quest to rid the city of its mob
infestation. Hilariously profane and wickedly violent, Kick-Ass really
does kick ass.
YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YqLOoxsMwc
Watchmen
Long
thought to be impossible to adapt for the screen, Alan Moore's classic
superhero graphic novel Watchmen has nevertheless inspired its share of
attempts by many different directors, including Terry Gilliam and Paul
Greengrass. However, it was Zack Snyder, fresh from his successful
adaptation of Frank Miller's 300 comic book, who would eventually get
the movie made. While his adaptation is seen by many as a surface-level
reading of Moore's groundbreaking book, it is perhaps the best
live-action version of Watchmen we could have hoped for, outside of a
television miniseries. Its powerful imagery and terrific performances
make it a one-of-a-kind superhero movie experience worth savouring. Oh,
and it has the best opening credits of any comic book film we can think
of.
YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUjMO_k9IF8
X-Men 2
Director
Bryan Singer is arguably responsible for bringing superhero films back
into fashion with the first X-Men movie, so you can imagine how much
pressure was on him to not screw up its sequel. Thankfully, X-Men 2
wiped the floor with its already excellent predecessor, greatly
expanding its scope, drama and action. The film's opening sequence,
which features a mind-controlled Nightcrawler (Alan Cumming) teleporting
around the Oval Office and attacking the President of the United States
is a particular highlight. Too bad its sequel, X-Men: The Last Stand,
sucked royally.
YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xF9FW5_yDxs
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Though
it was recently rebooted by producer Michael Bay, the original Teenage
Mutant Ninja Turtles movie reigns supreme (like a pizza). Closer in tone
to the comic that inspired it than the cartoon that made these
characters famous, the film has a dark (and somewhat dirty) New York
tone that was absent from its subsequent sequels. The film retained the
source material's edge while keeping still remaining funny and endlessly
quotable. The dynamic between the four turtles was handled perfectly,
and Elias Koteas' portrayal of the hockey mask-wearing vigilante Casey
Jones turned the character into one of film's great unsung badasses. Add
to that an incredible soundtrack featuring the likes of M.C. Hammer,
Technotronic and Partners in Kryme, and what you have is one of the most
radical comic book movies of all time. Cowabunga!
YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMJPwRWaZBI
Batman
Tim
Burton took the world by storm with his hugely successful Batman film,
which was the first film adaptation of the character since the swinging
sixties era of Adam West. Back in 1989, the film acted as a
revitalisation of a flagging genre, rescuing superhero movies from the
stagnation caused by the abysmal Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, made
only two years before. Burton applied his trademark dark and twisted
visuals to the property, changing the way people view Batman forever
(no, not the Val Kilmer movie), while Jack Nicholson's scary take on The
Joker made an entire generation of children afraid of hand buzzers and
chattering teeth.
YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgC9Q0uhX70
Superman
The
superhero film that started it all, Richard Donner's Superman made the
world believe that a man could fly. Christopher Reeve's magnificent
performance and presence set the standard for all for future versions of
the Man of Steel, and Margot Kidder played a wonderfully spunky Lois
Lane which gave Reeve's clumsy take on Clark Kent a lot to play off of.
Fans will also want to check out Superman II, though the less said about
Superman III and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, the better.
YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grO4OcJ6cgY
Read More ...
Tesla and Radio Flyer team up to make a Model S for kids
Lil'
gearheads itching to get a Tesla of their own one day may not have to
wait long, thanks to the electric car company working with Radio Flyer,
the century-old wagon maker, to create the 'Model S for Kids.'
The
toy cart shares more with Elon Musk's motor company than name, as the
Model S for Kids sports a striking resemblance to the original road
vehicle, complete with fully-functional headlights, high-power
rechargeable batteries, and sound system with auxiliary support,
allowing your kid to blast One Direction as they cruise down the
sidewalk.
YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGom8Y5wAow&feature=youtu.be
Just
like the original Model S, Radio Flyer's child-sized adaptation comes
with a bevy of luxury options, ranging from personalized license plates
to, we kid you not, a fitted car cover and parking sign.
Three
"authentic" paint jobs are also available, but beware — even if you stay
clear of the add-ons, these bad boys sell at $499 a pop, approximately
£345/AU$697.
The Tesla Model S for Kids is now available for preorder off of Radio Flyer's
website, with shipping planned for May of this year — the perfect time for an adorable drive with the top down.
Read More ...
Star Wars Episode VIII teaser launched after first day of shooting
For those who've not yet seen
Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens, spoilers will follow.
We've
seen teaser trailers for teasers trailers before, but now, Disney's
movie marketing department has kicked it up a notch by providing us with
a 'teaser to announce the commencement of production' on
Star Wars Episode VIII.
Unlike all of the
Star Wars
films prior to this, Episode VIII seems to begin at the very moment
where Episode VII left off, meaning we can expect each entry in this
sequel trilogy to feel less like its own individual story, and more like
a third of one big film.
The Marketing Awakens
The Force
Awakens ended with our heroine, Rey (Daisy Ridley), tracking down a long
off-the-grid Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) as he meditates on the side
of a cliff. Rey approaches Luke with his lightsaber extended out towards
him. He looks at her, the music swells, and the credits begin to roll.
As you can see from the
Episode VIII teaser below, it appears that director Rian Johnson will begin his film by continuing on from that exact moment.
It's
probably safe to assume that the Star Wars marketing machine will kick
off this early for all new entries to the franchise from now on – our
only question is: when are going to get a look at
Rogue One?
YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQQMLE4FuIQ
Read More ...
UK Government to enforce age verification on all porn sites
The UK Government has confirmed plans to enforce age verification systems on porn sites.
A
public consultation has been launched today to discuss the best way to
enforce the age restriction, with a range of stakeholders including
parents, teachers and internet service providers set to be part of the
conversation.
Right now, the government is looking to put
responsibility on the porn sites themselves, but a government
spokesperson told techradar that having visitors simply enter their date
of birth to prove they're 18 or older will not be enough.
"It's
up to the porn companies to come to us and say here's what we can do,"
they said. "The obvious one is credit cards, but some people are
reluctant to putting their credit card details [online]"
The
spokesperson also confirmed that the government is targeting websites
that are "purely set up to make commercial profit from pornography,"
meaning sites that feature pornographic content but aren't built solely
for that purpose (some internet message boards, for example) likely
won't fall under the same restrictions.
Penalties
The
government announced it will give powers to one or more regulators to
enforce the new laws when they become active, and the power to impose
civil sanctions when they are breached.
It added that it will
allow business that support porn providers, such as payment companies,
to withdraw their support should the site breach the law.
"The
internet is a tremendous resource for learning and creativity but it is
important to make sure that children are able to make the most of all it
has to offer in a safe way," said Internet Safety and Security Minister
Baroness Shields. "Keeping children safe online is one of government's
greatest priorities.
"Just as we do offline, we want to make sure
children are prevented from accessing pornographic content online which
should only be viewed by adults."
Last year, prime minister David
Cameron said it was "absolutely vitally important that we enable
parents to have that protection for their children from this material on
the internet." He also mentioned an "opt-out" system, but didn't
explain any further about what that might look like.
It's worth
adding that many porn providers are based outside of the UK, although it
seems all of them will be subject to the proposed new laws.
The
public consultation will run until April 12. The government spokesperson
was not able to comment on how long it might be until we see age
verification brought into effect.
Read More ...
See the exact moment Kanye caused a Tidal wave on the App Store
If you want evidence of what exclusivity deals can do for a streaming service, just look at the data below.
Tidal rocketed to the top of the App Store after Kanye West
announced that his latest album, The Life of Pablo, would stream exclusively on the service.
As
you can see from the data Tidal shared with us, the Jay Z-backed
service rocketed from around 250 to number one in the US Apple App Store
(Free, All Categories) in just a few hours. It didn't have quite the
same impact in the UK, but it didn't do badly either, with the app sat
at 13 at the time of writing.
But
let's not forget that Kanye hasn't acted alone in giving Tidal a
much-needed boost. Rihanna's latest album Anti was recently released as a
free download through the service, while Beyoncé's latest single
Formation also dropped on Tidal on Feb 6.
Shown below in the data from
SensorTower,
both Rihanna's and Beyoncé's releases pushed the service up
significantly, from 600th to around 160th in the latter's case. Both
were bigger spikes than The Life of Pablo caused, although Kanye had a
shorter sprint to the finish line.
Tidal also caught up with Spotify in daily app installs on February 12.
None
of this is a huge surprise given the anticipation surrounding these
artists' music, and the drop between Rihanna's release and Beyoncé's
shows that the service needs more than the odd exclusive to maintain
momentum.
Nonetheless, it's encouraging to some dramatic
fluctuations. One criticism that has been aimed at Tidal is that its
exclusive content and high subscription fees for the high-fidelity audio
tier would only push users to pirate the music rather than using the
service.
Tidal's reception has been mixed to say the least. While
these stats are encouraging news, they're short term. The service needs
to do a lot more to win over users, unless it can keep pushing out big
exclusives.
While writing this story, Kanye did announce that his
album will stay as a Tidal exclusive, and said it will "never be for
sale". So there's that.
Read More ...
Mattel's 3D printer lets kids make their own toys
Mattel wants to make a toy factory out of the living room with its announcement of the
ThingMaker — a 3D printer designed to let children customize and create their own playthings.
Originally
shown off at the New York Toy Fair, Mattel's ThingMaker is a far cry
technologically from its 1960s' predecessor, which was also known as
Creepy Crawlers.
In
place of cooking up rudimentary rubber bugs, the new ThingMaker marries
contemporary hardware and software, allowing kids and adults alike to
design articulated toys that the printer creates within a matter of
hours.
While 3D printers typically require modeling software
expertise, not mention copious amounts of supervision, the ThingMaker
keeps things family-friendly with a simple app for designing toys and a
safety-focused construction that keeps little hands away from the
printer's heated elements.
Created with the help of software developer Autodesk,
Mattel's Thingmaker Design app mocks up action figures, accessories, and even toy jewelry using an iOS or Android device.
Once
designed, the schematics then beam wirelessly to the ThingMaker, which
uses heated plastic filament to construct your child's masterpiece,
piece-by-piece and layer-by-layer.
While 3D printing is old news, especially for making toys and
other knick-knacks,
the ThingMaker is one of the first attempts we've seen by a major
company to bring consumer-level 3D printing to the mass market.
That
said, Mattel isn't the first company looking to put 3D printing tech in
the hands of younglings, as WoobleWorks also recently announced the
3Doodler Start — a child-friendly pen that 'draws' three-dimensional shapes using heated plastic.
Mattel's
ThingMaker is set to debut this fall, with preorders available now.
Getting one will set you back $300 — approximately £208/AU$420 — though
pricing on the filament needed to print each part has not yet been
specified.
Those especially eager to begin preliminary designs for their new action figure can also download
Tinkerplay — Autodesk's toymaking app intended for other 3D printers besides the ThingMaker.
Read More ...
Nissan puts its self-parking tech in office chairs
While most other car makers are taking on electric and self-driving technology, Nissan is looking to office chairs.
Specifically,
Nissan has taken its self-parking tech, otherwise known as "Intelligent
Parking Assist," and put it into office chairs.
With a single
clap, the lights won't switch off, but all the office chairs in the room
will automatically turn and tuck themselves back under their desks.
Nissan explains this should keep offices and meeting rooms tidy,
allowing employees to fix up the room with a clap of hands at the end of
the day or meeting.
These Intelligent Parking Chairs actually
works with the help of four motion-control cameras mounted on walls
around the room, connecting to the chairs using Wi-Fi. The chairs
themselves are able to turn a full 360-degrees, with the cameras helping
track and transmit where the chair needs to go.
Unfortunately,
while it's fun to watch the chairs scurry around, this isn't something
you'll start seeing pop up into offices around the world. Instead,
Nissan is using the Intelligent Parking Chair to show off its
self-parking tech, while we continue tucking our own chairs in like
plebeians.
You can see the Intelligent Parking Chair in action below, or check out the 'making of' video over
here.
YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1D07dTILH0
Read More ...
Show off your Rocket League skills at the PC Gamer Weekender tournament
The
PC Gamer Weekender is just around the corner, and it's been announced
that the show will be hosting several gaming tournaments for you to show
off your prowess.
Tournaments will be held for Street Fighter 5,
Rocket League, Dota 2, League of Legends and Hearthstone. There'll even
be prizes up for grabs courtesy of Lenovo and GT Omega, which should
give you even more incentive to annihilate your opponents.
Street
Fighter 5 will be winner stays on, while Dota 2 will be 1v1 solo mid
mode (first to score two kills or destroy a tower wins). As for LoL,
that'll be a one-vs-one in the Howling Abyss.
The PC Gamer
Weekender will take place at London's Old Truman Brewery, March 5-6.
Competitions will be on a first-come, first-served basis, so you'll need
to be quick in getting a ticket if you want to get involved. Lucky for
you, they can be found right
here.
Read More ...
How to watch BBC Three online
If
you've tried skipping channels to watch the latest episode of Don't
Tell the Bride, only to find there's a conspicuous absence in your TV
Guide then you might have missed the news that
BBC Three will no longer be broadcast as a traditional linear TV channel, but instead will be online-only.
From
3:55am on February 16, the only way to view BBC Three content will be
online, so if you're worried about missing out on your favourite TV
shows here's our guide on how to watch BBC Three.
1. Through your browser
Perhaps the easiest way to watch BBC Three programs is through the BBC iPlayer website.
BBC Three has its own section of the iPlayer website
that lets you watch TV shows online. You won't have to wait for a
program to be broadcast before watching it – all shows will now go
online for your on demand viewing pleasure.
2. Through a smart TV or set top box
Getting
up from the comfort of the sofa in your living room to watch BBC Three
on a computer monitor won't appeal to many people, but there are other
ways of watching the channel on your TV even though it is now
online-only.
Most smart TVs support the iPlayer app, so if you're
able to connect your TV to the internet then you should be able to
browse iPlayer and watch BBC Three all from your TV's remote control.
Many set top boxes – such as YouView – as well as games consoles like the
PlayStation 4 and
Xbox One – also support the BBC iPlayer app, so you can use them to access BBC Three on your TV.
You can also use a Chromecast and use that to access the iPlayer app as well.
3. Through the iPlayer mobile app
One
of the main reasons why the BBC has decided to make BBC Three
online-only is because our viewing habits have changed – especially
among young people who are BBC Three's primary demographic.
An
increasing number of us are watching videos on our smartphones rather
than traditional TV – so it makes sense that it is now easier than ever
to watch BBC Three on our mobile devices. Just download the app for
iOS,
Android or
Windows Phone.
4. Through YouTube and social media
If
you want to make sure you don't miss out on any of the new
documentaries, dramas, comedy and more made by BBC Three then subscribe
to the official
BBC Three YouTube channel, which will host most of the channel's online output.
Clips will also be shown on BBC Three's various social media channels, and the
BBC Three Daily Drop website will keep you posted about the best programs from the now online-only channel.
Read More ...
Apple heads back to 1970 to fix the iPhone's bricking problem
Apple
has acknowledged that switching your iPhone's date back to May 1970, or
earlier in that year, will brick your phone beyond use - and it is
working on a fix.
A number of users were fooled into switching their device back to January 1, 1970, after a
Reddit post suggested it would give a 70's themed Easter egg, but instead it bricked their devices so they couldn't restart their phones.
Apple has now updated its
support page
to admit the problem exists. It says: "Manually changing the date to
May 1970 or earlier can prevent your iOS device from turning on after a
restart."
Apple also said an upcoming software update would bring a
solution to the problem, but there's no sign of when it will actually
land.
If you've already had the problem affect your phone, Apple's advice is to contact Apple Support.
Read More ...
Microsoft's modular all-in-one PC could make upgrading child's play
Microsoft is mulling over a modular all-in-one PC that would let you easily replace and upgrade components.
This piece of info has emerged courtesy of a Microsoft
patent
which was initially filed last July, with one of the authors being Tim
Escolin, a senior industrial designer working with the popular Surface
range.
The idea is to have modular components which are like
high-tech Lego bricks, with a computing module (containing memory,
processor etc), accessory module and a display module featuring the
screen on top.
Within these, you'd be able to easily swap the
various elements (which would connect magnetically) including CPU,
memory, graphics card, storage, battery, speakers, wireless
connectivity, and even things like gesture recognition components.
Truly modular...
Of
course, as Venturebeat points out, any typical PC is "modular" in that
you can upgrade or swap out all these elements anyway, but doing so
isn't always an easy task for the less tech-savvy – particularly when it
comes to elements like the processor (heatsink, fan, paste) and power
supply (snaking cables) for example.
A truly modular PC would see
an upgrade (or two) taking less than a minute, and it should be child's
play to carry out (with no danger of frazzling components with static
electricity, either).
This isn't a new idea in computing, mind. We've seen it in the past with efforts such as the
Revo Build M1-601,
although Microsoft's design is for a fully-fledged all-in-one. Whether
it sees the light of day at all, however, is another matter – like all
the tech giants, Redmond patents a lot of stuff, and most of it doesn't
make it anywhere near the real world.
Via
Venturebeat
Read More ...
Updated: The very best Nvidia GTX 950M, 960M, 965M, 970M and 980M laptops for gamers
Introduction
Update:
We've added Dell's sleek new XPS 15, which isn't billed as a gaming
laptop but can chew through the latest titles thanks to its Skylake
processor and 960M GPU.
It's much easier to identify a gaming
laptop that matches your requirements these days. Nvidia's GeForce 900
series of mobile GPUs now includes the GTX 950M at the lower end,
followed by the GTX960M, GTX 965M, GTX 970M and GTX 980M. Which one
you'll need depends on your budget, how modern the games are that you
want to install and what resolution you want to play them in.
As a
rule of thumb, anything up to a GTX 965M will be more than suitable for
1080p gaming, albeit with varying levels of graphical detail and
inconsistent frame rates in texture-heavy titles such as Fallout 4 and
The Witcher 3. If you won't accept anything less than 60 fps with every
graphics options ticked, expect to splash out on a 970M or 980M-equipped
laptop - especially if you've set your sights beyond full HD.
To
help you find out which mobile GPU is for you, we've rounded up the
best laptops to feature each chip. We're basically the aspirin to your
gaming laptop headache.
GTX 980M
The
GTX 980M is the current cream of the crop as far as Nvidia's mobile
graphics chips go. (We'll take a look at Nvidia's laptop-bound GTX 980
another time.) The 980M is around 75% as powerful as a desktop GTX 980,
which gives you some idea of how meaty it is. The 980M uses a 256-bit
memory interface, packs 2,048 CUDA cores and can boost its clock speed
up to 1,216MHz. Most laptops with a 980M inside are paired with a large
amount of video memory, allowing you to play titles built on massive
textures sans slowdown.
Origin EON 15-X
The
Origin EON 15-X
chews through anything you throw at it thanks to its GTX 980M, which is
backed up by a huge 8GB of video memory. Having that much vRAM onboard
means you won't have to worry about the laptop coping with high-res
texture-heavy titles like The Witcher 3, GTA V or Fallout 4. And yes:
they all look stunning on the EON 15-X's 15.6-inch 1080p matte display.
MSI GT80 Titan
The
MSI GT80
Titan lives up to its name. It houses not one, but two GTX 980M GPUs
configured in SLI and more than delivers the horsepower required for
intense gaming sessions. It's quite easily the heaviest GTX 980M-powered
computer on the block, but you get a full-sized mechanical keyboard
with Cherry MX switches under the keycaps to make up for that sprained
back you'll get after lugging it around.
Origin EON17-X
Like the MSI GT80 Titan, the Origin
EON17-X
is a true desktop replacement with a desktop processor inside. On the
outside it's basically a larger EON15-X, featuring a 17.3-inch display
(with G-Sync support) and a top-end sixth-generation Intel Skylake
processor. Its 980M lends it some of the best performance stats we've
seen from a laptop thanks to its massive 8GB video memory buffer, and if
you're not keen on wearing a gaming headset, the EON17-X's speakers
impress too.
Dell Alienware 17 (2015)
Angular, powerful and delivering attitude in spades, the
Alienware 17
has everything fans of Dell's gaming systems want. Packing a large
17-inch display, its GTX 980M chip inside is backed up by an acceptable
4GB of video memory and 16GB of DDR3L RAM. If you're seeking even more
power, Alienware's Amplifier lets you connect the laptop to an external
GPU enclosure to draw power from a desktop-grade graphics card.
Acer Predator 15
A laptop that looks like it was built by gamers for gamers, the 980M-powered
Acer Predator 15
has a chassis that would light up any LAN party. You probably won't
want to bung its massive angular frame into a backpack, but if you do,
it's one heck of a portable powerhouse. An Intel Core i7-6700HQ and 4GB
of GDDR5 RAM paired with a whopping 32GB of DDR4 of main memory means
you'll have no trouble running the latest games.
GTX 970M
Like
its desktop equivalent, the GTX 970, the 970M does a better job of
balancing performance and cost than the flagship 980M above it. Most
models still offer plenty of video memory, but the 970M is less capable
of hitting the high notes once you venture beyond full HD. Still, it's
the ultimate semi-affordable solution for 1080p/ultra gaming on the go.
The 970M packs 1,280 CUDA cores, uses a 192-bit memory interface and
features a base clock of 924MHz (plus boost).
MSI GS60 Ghost Pro
The
MSI GS60 Ghost Pro
is a stylish machine with a 1080p display. It pairs a 970M with an
Intel Core i7 6700HQ Skylake processor making it one of the most capable
full HD laptops we've ever tested. It's something of a multimedia
all-rounder too thanks to its excellent screen and formidable speakers -
plus it has one of the most comfortable keyboards doing the rounds on a
gaming laptop.
Aorus X7 Pro-Sync
This
monster from Aorus features Nvidia's frame-smoothing G-Sync tech, which
eliminates screen tearing to make gameplay super-smooth. On the inside
there's a 2.5GHz Intel Core i7-4870HQ processor and - wait for it - dual
GTX 970M GPUs with 6GB of GDDR5 video memory configured in SLI.
Fashioned out of a futuristic lightweight alloy,
the X7 Pro-Sync is a tempting blend of power and semi-portability.
Aorus X3 Plus V3
The slimmest of the lot, the
Aorus X3 Plus V3
is a slimline computer that features a GTX 970M chip under the hood,
one that's backed up by a whopping 6GB of GDDR5 memory. With that
amount, 4K gaming is possible on some titles. Tune down the resolution
down a notch or two and you can play any title out there. Just make sure
you pack a gaming mouse because the Aorus X3 Plus V3's glass trackpad
is a confusing and at times unusable pain point.
Razer Blade 2015
Styled like a MacBook Pro but packing the power of a portable battlestation, the
2015 Razer Blade
is primed for 3K gaming – though you'll want to lower the resolution
down from its native 3,200 x 1,800 when playing recent titles if you
want to hit 60 fps. Its GTX 970M is paired with 3GB of GDDR5 video
memory, and Intel's older Core i7-4720HQ features as the processor. It's
highly likely that Razer will update the Blade with Intel's
sixth-generation Skylake processors in 2016, but if you can't wait that
long then the company's inventive
Blade Stealth laptop and docking station combination might prove a tempting alternative.
GTX 965M
The
GTX 965M is the newest mobile graphics chip on the block from Nvidia.
Lying one place below the 970M, laptops housing a 965M are often equally
as affordable as the 960M while bagging you a handful more frames (or
more, depending on the title), compared to the that chip. The 965M is
configured with 1,024 CUDA cores and has a base clock of 944MHz (plus
boost), with a 128-bit memory interface.
Gigabyte P55K V4
The
Gigabyte P55K V4
isn't the prettiest gaming laptop out there, but it packs a punch.
Intel's fifth-generation Core i7-5700HQ (quad-core, 2.7GHz up to 3.5GHz
with Turbo Boost) Broadwell processor is paired with a GTX 965M (2GB
GDDR5) and 8GB of main memory, which all helps games look terrific on
the P55K V4's accurate IPS display.
Gigabyte P35K v3
The
second Gigabyte entry our list of GTX 965M-powered laptops dials down
performance in one or two areas to make it more attractive for budget
buyers. The
P35K v3
packs a slightly older (but still very capable) Intel Core i7-4270HQ,
and its GeForce GTX 965M's 4GB of video memory is actually double that
in the 2GB in the P55K V4.
GTX 960M
Lying bang in the
middle of the mainstream and performance sector, the Nvidia GTX 960M
suffers a significant dip in performance in some games compared to the
970M due to its considerably fewer CUDA cores (640 versus the 970M's
1,280). With a 128-bit memory interface and a base clock of 1,096MHz
(plus boost), the 960M is a still a great option for 1080p gaming and
models sporting the chip are often (but not always - see the HP Omen) a
good deal more affordable than their 970M-equipped competitors.
Dell XPS 15
It isn't a gaming laptop, but
Dell's XPS 15
makes for a mean 1080p gaming machine thanks to its beefy Skylake
processor, 960M and incredible 4K InfinityEdge display. The XPS 15
doesn't weigh a ton and is the most compact 15-inch laptop on the block
due its display's thin bezels, making it a great choice if you're
frequently carting your gaming machine around in a backpack.
HP Omen
Many gaming laptops with a 960M inside don't feel the need to be stylish, but not the
HP Omen.
Steeply tapered edges and lights embedded around the chassis make for
one of the most eye-catching models out there, and with 4GB of GDDR4 RAM
and 16GB of main memory, there's enough grunt under the hood to take on
today's most demanding games. It's pricier than other 960M-equipped
laptops out there, but style-conscious gamers might think it's worth it.
MSI GE72 Apache Pro
The
MSI GE72
Apache Pro is an aggressively-styled machine with performance to match.
It features plenty of storage for games and is a strong performer
thanks to a sixth-generation Intel I7-6700HQ Skylake CPU under the hood
paired with a GTX 960M (2GB vRAM) and up to 16GB of DRR4 RAM.
Dell Inspiron 15 7000
Affordable yet powerful, the
Inspiron 15 7000
deploys Nvidia's GTX 960M to great effect. The mobile GPU's healthy 4GB
of GDDR5 video memory means the Inspiron can chew through games packing
large textures. If you can cope with its bulky chassis and slow hard
drive, the Inspiron 15 7000's great display, speakers and battery life
all add to its gaming credentials.
GTX 950M
Nvidia's GTX
950M is the lowest we would recommend you go if you're on the hunt for a
gaming notebook. You're looking 1080p gaming squarely in the eye with
this mobile chip, but be prepared to tune down some graphics settings
(and the resolution) on more recent titles to hit 60 fps. The GTX 950M
packs 640 CUDA cores and a base clock speed of 914 (plus boost), with a
128-bit memory interface.
HP Pavilion Gaming Notebook
One of the best value gaming laptops out there, the
HP Pavilion Gaming Notebook
is a mean green gaming machine. It features Intel's new Skylake
i7-6700HQ processor which also resides in Acer's Predator 15, though the
950M makes for a comparatively modest gaming machine. 60Hz gaming isn't
out of the question, but you're more likely to achieve it playing
titles from one or two years back and with the graphics turned down a
notch or two.
Read More ...
The Punisher comes to town in explosive Daredevil season 2 trailer
The Punisher is kicking down the door of Hell's Kitchen in an explosive first trailer for Netflix's Daredevil season 2.
Full
of Taxi-Driver-esque shots of Josh Bernthal (formerly of AMC's The
Walking Dead) looking pissed off as The Punisher, the trailer packs in
enough explosions and fights to promise this will be a no-holds-barred
brawler of a season.
There's also emotional conflict, tender shots
in the pouring rain, guns ,and the moody back streets of the city that
we know and love.
YouTube : youtube.com/watch?v=m5_A0Wx0jU4
Season 2 of Daredevil will hit Netflix on March 18, with a second trailer set to drop on February 25.
Read More ...
Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge release date, news and rumors
While all eyes are on the
Samsung Galaxy S7 arriving at
MWC 2016, we're bound to see the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge - a phone which adds a curved screen into the mix, just like the
Galaxy S6 Edge did last year.
But
curves aren't likely to be the only differences between Samsung's two
flagships. We're hearing all sorts of other leaks and rumors which paint
a very intriguing picture of this other phone.
With the Galaxy S7
Edge due to be announced right before the big phone show in Barcelona
gets underway we'll know all about it soon, but in the meantime the
rumors just keep on creeping in.
Cut to the chase
- What is it? The curvy counterpart to the Galaxy S7
- When is it out? February 21 at Mobile World Congress
- What will it cost? A lot, even more than the 'standard' Galaxy S7
Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge release date
Samsung has confirmed that it's holding its next
Unpacked event on February 21 in Barcelona, right before MWC 2016 kicks off.
While
it obviously hasn't revealed that we'll see the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge
then, it seems pretty certain. The Galaxy S7 is certain to make an
appearance and the S7 Edge is heavily tipped to arrive alongside it,
especially as Samsung itself
accidentally confirmed the phone's existence on one of its sites.
Of
course that doesn't mean you'll actually be able to buy the S7 Edge on
that date, but it has been rumored that pre-orders may go live on launch
date, so it's very possible that it will be in eager hands by early
March.
Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge design
Don't expect a new
look from the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, as it's largely thought to be
modelled after the Galaxy S6 Edge. That would make sense, since Samsung
completely refreshed the design of its flagships last year.
So expect a metal frame, a glass back and a slim design. It might not be identical though, as
a leaked image of the standard Galaxy S7 shows a curved back, a lot like we saw on the
Samsung Galaxy Note 5. Assuming this makes its way to the S7 Edge too it will help it sit more comfortably in the palm.
The image also seems to show a smaller camera bump, so it seems like the design could be similar but refined on the Edge too.
Images of the S7 Edge are slightly thinner on the ground, but a render
shared by @evleaks shows that the front of the phone looks a lot like last year's model. We've also seen what it may look like in the hand,
courtesy of a Weibo user.
There's also now 'confirmation' of the colors too, with supposed press images leaking onto the web before the launch.
Interestingly,
the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge could be a lot larger than the S7 this time
around, appearing more like an S7 Edge+. You can see that from
a couple of renders showing the two phones
side by side.
There's also talk that Samsung's upcoming flagships could have reinforced frames, possibly made from a
magnesium-based alloy.
They may also be
IP68 certified dust and water resistant, a feature which was sorely missed from the
Samsung Galaxy S6. The potential for water resistance is backed up by mentions of waterproof components on
an import listing.
Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge screen
You
can't talk about the S7 Edge's screen without talking about its curves.
Expect a small curve on both edges of the screen, just like we saw on
the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge.
It seems the screen could be a lot bigger this year though, with
rumors pointing to a large
5.5-inch screen. That's backed up by
leaked renders of the handset alongside the standard Galaxy S7.
One rumor goes even further and claims it will have
a 5.7-inch display, but that's likely the expected S7 Edge+, so the S7 Edge is expected to be the 'smaller' 5.5-variant.
The
display is tipped to be 1440 x 2560, just like last year, so if it is
that large it actually won't be quite as pin sharp (due to the pixels
being spread more thinly), but then again, the S6 Edge was already so
clear such a move might not make too much of a difference.
Early
rumblings pointed to a flexible screen, rather than just a curved one, but that seems unlikely. What we
might see though is
3D Touch-like technology on the screen, in order for Samsung to keep up with the iPhone 6S.
It could also be super strong, as Samsung is
said to be working on its own 'Turtle Glass'.
Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge camera and battery
Most
of the camera rumors surrounding the Galaxy S7, and likely by extension
the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, point to a 12MP snapper. Both a
Samsung employee and a
Weibo tipster have said as much.
That
would be a drop from the 16MP snapper on the Galaxy S6 Edge, but
supposedly Samsung has worked to improve image quality and let more
light in with the new sensor.
Then again, the megapixel count might not be dropping at all, as an
AnTuTu benchmark points to a 16MP sensor.
However many megapixels it has there's a good chance that it will use Samsung's
BRITECELL technology, which is designed with optimal low-light performance in mind.
It could also have a feature much like the
Live Photos mode on the iPhone 6S, except without adding sound to the images.
As for the battery, FCC documents
peg that possibly at a massive 3,600mAh, making it 1,000mAh larger than the juice pack in the Galaxy S6 Edge.
Size
doesn't always translate to performance and the phone is thought to
have a bigger screen this year, but we're cautiously optimistic that it
will have good battery life. However, it's highly likely the larger
power pack is again for the more mysterious S7 Edge+, which we expect to
turn up alongside the two 'main' models, but have a much more limited
release.
However, whatever size battery it has, while it could be long-lasting it apparently
won't be removable.
Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge OS and power
The Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge has been consistently
rumored to come in Snapdragon 820 and Exynos 8890 variants, both of which are likely to include 4GB of RAM.
That's
probably going to be a fairly standard spec for the next crop of
flagships, so it doesn't come as much surprise, but should make for a
reasonable upgrade on the Galaxy S6 Edge.
Interestingly it might also pack
liquid cooling to keep the temperature down. That's not as novel as it might sound as the
Sony Xperia Z5 and
Microsoft Lumia 950 both feature it, so it could happen.
As
for the OS, the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge is bound to run Android
Marshmallow, but it's just as sure to be overlaid with TouchWiz.
Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge other features
There
aren't really any rumors of features specific to the Galaxy S7 Edge,
but anything seen on the Samsung Galaxy S7 is likely to be seen here
too.
As such it could have impressive sound quality, as there are
rumors of a powerful chip from ESS Technology being included.
It also
may well have
a microSD card slot, which is likely to make a lot of people very happy
after the S6 Edge ditched it. That slot will supposedly support cards
of up to 128GB, on top of the choice of 32GB or 64GB of built in storage
that's been rumored.
Plus, there's talk of
USB Type-C support, while a fingerprint scanner is pretty much a given.
Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge cost
We've
heard early word on how much the S7 Edge will be... and it's not going
to be cheap. Word is the Galaxy S7 Edge will retail at €800, which
translates to about £622 or US$800 - but that could increase with taxes.
The
curved screen plus the fact that it looks like it's going to be larger
than the Samsung Galaxy S7 means that it makes sense for it to be even
pricier than Samsung's main flagship. We'd be surprised if it was less
than around £600/$650/AU$1,100 for a few months after launch.
Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge rivals
With its curved screen the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge won't have many direct rivals, though the still-quite-new
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ could be one. The S7 Edge is likely to be a little smaller and a fair bit more powerful though.
The
standard Samsung Galaxy S7 could also be a strong alternative option
for anyone who wants all the best bits except the curves.
Outside of Samsung's stable the
LG G5
is set to land on the same day and is expected to pack flagship power
of its own, including a similarly-sized 5.5 or 5.6-inch QHD screen, a
fingerprint scanner, a Snapdragon 820 processor, a metal build and a
dual-lens camera.
The
HTC One M10
should follow not long after too, albeit a month or so down the line,
with a stylish metal build and plenty of high-end components. While it's
a little older, the
iPhone 6S Plus could also steal some of the Galaxy S7 Edge's thunder, thanks to its 5.5-inch screen.
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