Trump Lashes Out at Social Media Companies Over 'Political Censorship'

US President Donald Trump on Thursday sharpened his attacks on American social media companies, calling out Google, Facebook and Twitter by name.

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Hack Causes Major Apps to Show Anti-Semitic Name

A number of people posted screenshots on Twitter showing "New York City" had been relabelled "Jewtropolis" on the Mapbox map used by companies and services such as Snapchat.

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iPhone 2018 Models' Launch Likely as Apple Sends Invites for September 12 Event

Apple September 12 launch event will likely see the launch of the 2018 iPhone models, featuring 5.8-inch, 6.1-inch and 6.5-inch displays.

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Chinese Regulator to Control Number of New Online Video Games

China's publishing regulator should control the number of new online video games and take measures to limit the amount of time young people spend playing games.

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Twitter to Verify Those Behind Hot-Button US Issue Ads

Twitter on Thursday started requiring those behind hot-button issue ads in the US to be vetted as part of the effort by the social network to thwart stealth campaigns aimed at influencing politics.

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Google Assistant Is Now Bilingual

Now Google Home and Android smartphone owners will be able to speak in any two of the following languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Japanese

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ZTE Axon 9 Pro With 6.21-Inch Display, Snapdragon 845 SoC, Dual Cameras Launched at IFA 2018: Price Specifications

The price of Axon 9 Pro has been set at EUR 649, and it will go on sale this September.

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Red Dead Redemption 2 Limited-Edition Collectibles Announced

Rockstar Games has announced a series of limited-edition collectibles – in other words, merchandise – for its upcoming game Red Dead Redemption 2 called the "Outlaw Essentials Collection".

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BlackBerry KEY2 LE With Snapdragon 636 SoC, 3,000mAh Battery Launched: Price, Specifications, Features

BlackBerry KEY2 LE has been launched - let's get into the pricing, availability, and specifications.

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Microsoft Now Requires US Suppliers to Offer 12 Weeks of Parental Leave

Microsoft said Thursday it will begin requiring US suppliers to offer employees at least 12 weeks of paid parental leave.

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Battlefield V Release Date Delayed

Battlefield V has a new release date with the Battlefield V open beta being unchanged.

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Lenovo Launches ThinkPad X1 Extreme With DolbyVision HDR Display and Nvidia Graphics at IFA 2018

Lenovo's new ThinkPad X1 Extreme aims to blend consumer and enterprise features into a singular, power-packed laptop.

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PS5 Codename May Be Erebus: Report

The PS5, PlayStation 5 or whatever is planned by Sony after the PS4 may be codenamed Erebus.

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Lenovo Yoga C930 2-in-1, Yoga Book C930 With Dual Screens Launched at IFA 2018

Lenovo has released a new flagship 2-in-, the Yoga C930, along with a new dual-screen ultraportable called the Yoga Book C930.

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Lenovo Yoga C630 WOS, First Snapdragon 850-Powered Laptop With 25 Hours Battery Life, Unveiled

Lenovo has become the first company in the world to launch a Windows 10 laptop based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 platform.

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Lenovo Smart Home Devices, Yoga Chromebook, and More Launched at IFA 2018

Lenovo has launched new products in its smart home lineup, and new Chromebooks at the ongoing IFA 2018.

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IFA 2018: Lenovo Unveils New Legion Desktop PCs, Legion Y530 Laptop Refresh, and L27m Monitor

At IFA 2018 Lenovo announced the Lenovo Legion T730 and C730 desktop PCs with Nvidia RTX graphics, a Legion Y530 laptop refresh, and more.

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Voot Announces 17 New Originals, International Expansion

Voot has announced 17 new original series along with a second season for Swara Bhaskar-starrer It’s Not That Simple. In addition, Voot is set to expand to the UK in November.

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Android Phones to Have 85 Percent Global Market Share In 2018: IDC

Android mobile phones will take around 85 percent share of the global market in 2018 as volumes are expected to grow, IDC said.

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Google Titan Security Keys for Two-Factor Authentication Go on Sale via Google Store

Google's Titan Security Keys are available first in the US, followed by other regions.

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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99, Cyber-shot DSC-HX95 Ultra-Compact High Zoom Cameras Launched at IFA 2018

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99 and DSC-HX95 are a pair of portable high zoom cameras that come with Bluetooth support for better connectivity.

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NASA Says Water Spotted at Jupiter's Great Red Spot

NASA scientists have found water above the massive planet's deepest clouds.

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The best upcoming TV shows and movies on Netflix

UPDATE: After 48 years, the great filmmaker Orson Welles' final film is being released at last by Netflix. Find out more about it on the next slide!

Netflix has changed the way we engage with television shows and movies forever, giving us the most convenient way to experience both from the comfort of our living rooms, laptop screens or smartphones. 

With a rapidly growing library of shows on the service and a huge lineup of projects in the works, we've put together a list of the best upcoming TV shows and movies on Netflix for 2018 and beyond. 

The shows and films on this list have been hand-picked based on how excited we are for them, meaning that it's not intended to be a complete release schedule. Instead, consider it our curated list of the coolest looking Netflix Originals currently in the works. 

We've also included upcoming seasons of already established shows which we're really eager to see. So without further ado, these are the best TV shows and movies coming soon to Netflix.

• How to become a Netflix master

Orson Welles, the brilliant writer and director of the classic film Citizen Kane, died 33 years ago, but hasn't stopped his long-unfinished final film The Other Side of the Wind from being released at long last. Thanks to Netflix, which stepped in to help fund its completion, we will finally get to see Welles' lost masterpiece 48 years after it was shot. Along with the film, Netflix will also be releasing a companion documentary about the process of finishing Orson's opus, which is sure to be fascinating for film fans. Eerily, Orson's film The Other Side of the Wind is about a Hollywood director (played by the late John Huston) who dies before getting to complete his own final film, also titled The Other Side of the Wind. Also starring a young Dennis Hopper, Peter Bogdanovich and Susan Strasberg, The Other Side of the Wind is an incredibly important cinematic event that cinephiles will not want to miss. Watch the trailer below. 

Release date: November 2, 2018. 

Outlaw King, based on the "untold true story" of Robert the Bruce, King of Scots and the real man referred to by historians as 'Braveheart', is an epic film starring Chris Pine which Netflix hopes will be a major contender come awards season. Directed by David Mackenzie (Hell of High Water), Outlaw King looks set to deliver all the high drama, large-scale battles and questionable Scottish accents we've come to expect from this kind of heavyweight film. Find out more about the film here. 

Release date: November 9, 2018

With his fantastic films Blue Ruin and Green Room (two of the most brutal cinematic entries in recently memory), writer/director Jeremy Saulnier established a style that's as harrowing as it is exhilarating. His next film, Hold the Dark, promises to be just as intense as his previous two films and has already been picked up by Netflix for worldwide distribution. When a young boy is killed by wolves, a wildlife naturalist enters the Alaskan wilderness (Jeffrey Wright) is hired by the boy's parents (Alexander Skarsgård and Riley Keough) to find out what happened. Watch the trailer below.

Release date: September 28, 2018

If you were around in the '90s, you probably remember the cute TV series Sabrina the Teenage Witch, starring Melissa Joan Hart and a talking cat named Salem. What you might not have realised, is that the show was based on an old Archie Comics series. Now that the staggering success of Riverdale has put the Golden Age publisher back on the map, it's time to for Sabrina to return in a darker, more terrifying way. Thankfully, Netflix is doing just that, with the service bringing everyone's favorite witch (and her cat) back to television with Chilling Adventures of Sabrina — a series which promises to embrace the comic's more recent horror stylings. The show's creators have already name-checked the likes of Rosemary's Baby and The Exorcist when describing the tone they're aiming for, meaning it'll be a far cry from the family-friendly original TV series. Riverdale showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa will also be in charge of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, so expect some crossover to occur between the two shows. Judging by how dark Riverdale already is, we imagine that Chilling Adventures of Sabrina will go all into some deeply Satanic territory with its exploration of witchcraft and the occult. We can't wait!

Release date: October 26, 2018

1980s saturday morning icon He-Man has seen his share of reboots in recent years, so it stands to reason that his long lost twin sister She-Ra should also try her hand at a modern day comeback! The Netflix Original series She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (notice the plural in the title this time around) sports a brand new art-style and is expected to feature a number or new characters along with returning ones. We can't wait to see what She-Ra's arch nemesis Hordak looks like this time around! As for whether He-Man will make a guest appearance, we'll just have to wait and see...

Release date: November 16.

Arguably the hottest actor in martial arts cinema right now thanks to his starring turns in The Raid films, not to mention his supporting turn in the upcoming Mark Wahlberg actioner Mile 22, Iko Uwais has signed with Netflix for a 10-part series that takes place in San Francisco's Chinatown district. Uwais plays an aspiring chef who becomes an assassin tasked with restoring balance among the ancient triads that rule city. In case you need more convincing, Uwais will also act as the lead fight choreographer and stunt co-ordinator on the show, which also stars Byron Mann (Altered Carbon), with John Wirth (Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles; Falling Skies) acting as showrunner. 

Release date: TBA

Director Paul Greengrass (Bloody Sunday, Captain Philips, United 93) is no stranger when it comes to recreating real-life tragedies, and with his first Netflix Original film, simply titled Norway, the filmmaker will explore the devastating terrorist plot that left 77 Norwegians dead in 2011. Norway will star Ander Danielsen Lie and Jon Øigarden and is expected to be absolutely harrowing.

Release date: November 2

First published in 1978, the novel Watership Down told an survival story about a group of rabbits that venture out of their warren to find a new home in an attempt to escape tyranny and oppression. An animated version came shortly after, and while it looked like something akin to an old Disney film at first glance, its content would be considered incredibly bleak and disturbing to most children. Now, Netflix and BBC have teamed up to produce a new four-part Watership Down animated series and have already lined up some big names to lend their voices to the project, including John Boyega, James McAvoy, Gemma Arterton, Nicholas Hoult and Sir Ben Kingsley. Expect it to be even darker than the original. 

Release date: 2018

Having assembled an amazing cast for his next movie (now known as Velvet Buzzsaw), writer-director Dan Gilroy (Nightcrawler) looks set to deliver a fantastic Netflix Original film in the future. The film will star Nightcrawler alums Jake Gyllenhaal and Rene Russo, along with John Malkovich, Daveed Diggs, Natalia Dyer, Tom Sturridge, Billy Magnussen and Zawe Ashton. The film has been described as a horror thriller. Sounds intriguing to us!

Release date: TBA

Having made a huge splash with his explosive Indonesian action films The Raid and The Raid 2, Welsh born writer/director Gareth Evans is doing something a little different with his upcoming Netflix Original film Apostle — his first English-language film since his little-seen debut. We don't know much about it, other than it stars Dan Stevens (Beauty and the Beast) and Michael Sheen (Passengers) and follows a man who attempts to rescue his sister from a religious cult. While it probably won't feature any Silat-based martial arts brawls, it's likely to be just as violent and intense as his previous films.

Release date: 2018

Given that the original Making a Murderer series took over a decade to make, we're not entirely sure when its announced follow-up will actually land on Netflix. We're hoping sooner rather than later, as subjects Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey, convicted for the murder of Theresa Halbach on what appears to be extremely unreliable evidence, have already been incarcerated since 2007. We're waiting on more information with bated-breath. 

Release date: TBA  

Reuniting Hollywood megastars Emma Stone and Jonah Hill for the first time since Superbad, Maniac is expected to be a monster of a hit for Netflix later this year. A remake of the Norwegian dark comedy series of the same name, Maniac sees Hill play an institutionalized man who retreats into a number of fantasy worlds. Need more convincing? Okay, well it's also directed by Cary Fukunaga (True Detective: Season 1, Beasts of No Nation). In other words, there's no way we're missing this show. 

Release date: September 21, 2018

Joel and Ethan Coen, directors of such classics as No Country for Old Men, Fargo and The Big Lebowski, officially step into the streaming arena with The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, a Western mini-series that will star James Franco, Liam Neeson and Tim Blake Nelson. It will be the first time that the brothers will write and direct for television, making the upcoming Netflix series a major event for fans. 

Release date: 2018

Late last year, we reported that Netflix will make one more season of House of Cards, but without Kevin Spacey, who was dumped from the show due to sexual misconduct allegations. It's a pretty bold move for Netflix to fire the lead star of its flagship series and carry on anyway, but we're very confident that Robin Wright will easily carry the show for its sixth and final season.

Release date: 2018

Exciting news for fans of Martin Scorsese's classic gangster films – the director is bringing The Irishman to Netflix in 2018, and Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Harvey Keitel and Al Pacino (working with the filmmaker for the very first time) are all along for the ride. The Irishman follows a mob hitman (De Niro) as he recalls his possible involvement in the murder of Jimmy Hoffa, and is based on the best-selling book by Charles Brandt. If you're a film buff and aren't excited about this, you may need to check your pulse. 

Release date: 2018

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Best laptop sales in Australia: Cheap laptops to buy in August 2018

If you're looking for a cheap laptop or a mammoth saving on a premium portable computer, you've come to the right place. We've scoured the web for savings – from the usual suspects to the niche deal sites – and rounded up all the genuine and worthwhile specials in one neat place. We've covered everything from budget browsing machines to high-performance powerhouses, so you'll no doubt find something to match your needs.

• Best laptops of 2018: our pick of the 15 best notebooks this year

Up the top, we've highlighted a selection of the latest deals that we've sniffed out, so you can reap the rewards of having your finger on the pulse. Below that we've covered some of the more popular laptops that often come up on special, and then included a quick list of the best prices on TechRadar's pick of the latest best laptops.

If you're from the US or the UK, check out our selections of the top laptop deals in the US or in the UK.

Best laptop deals this week

We'll keep on updating the list of deals as and when we find them. Below, you'll find up to date prices on TechRadar's favourite laptop, so keep an eye out for those savings.

The best deals on our favourite laptops

Over the years we've reviewed plenty of laptops and, as a result, we've seen what to avoid and what to jump on when there's savings to be had. We'll keep track of the prices of some of the best we've seen so that you can snatch up a bargain when they do show up. Check out the prices below and see if anything has dropped enough to tickle your fancy.

Saying that we're very happy with Dell's XPS 13 is a huge understatement. The slim profile, revolutionary design and small frame bely its powerful performance and gorgeous 13-inch screen. Typically you'd have to weigh up portability and performance, but the XPS 13 has managed to strike a fine balance between the two. With Intel's latest Kaby Lake processors plus lighting, quick storage and memory, the XPS 13's starting price is certainly an impressive one. We're so chuffed with it that it's still one of our favourite Ultrabook, and has taken the top spot as the best Windows laptop and the best overall laptop.

Read the full review: Dell XPS 13

Asus has nailed it with the overhauled ZenBook Flip S 2-in-1. Adding top of the line processing power, plenty of memory and a speedy PCle solid state drive available in some of the models, this laptop shows off a beautiful new design to perfection, giving you the ability to use it as a laptop or a tablet. While it costs a pretty penny as compared to some of the competition out there, it would be our top recommendation if money isn't a factor.

Read the full review: Asus ZenBook Flip S UX370

While this may not be a great leap from the previous generation of MacBook Pros with Touch Bar, the 2018 model is definitely the best Apple has produced to date. The Cupertino firm has ramped up performance for the 13-inch MacBook Pro 2018, more so than the bigger 15-inch model as well. A thin OLED display at the top end of the keyboard can be customised to for various functions, and also offer Touch ID for secure logins. And although it retains Apple's signature design, it doesn't come cheap, but you can argue with the choice if you're a diehard Apple fan.

Read the full review: Apple MacBook Pro with Touch Bar 13-inch (2018)

Our earlier choice of gaming laptop, the Asus ROG Zephyrus GX501 has been knocked off its perch by MSI's GS65 Stealth. With cutting edge components, including an 8th-gen Intel Core i7-8750H processor and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 GPU, it makes the top spot in gaming laptops. It's also cheaper than the ROG Zephyrus GX501. And it doesn't look like a hunky gaming laptop either; with subtle design tweaks, the GS65 Stealth can pass off as a work or study laptop without anyone being none the wiser.

Read the full review: MSI GS65 Stealth

Dell's XPS 15 laptops were already some of the best you could buy, but this beautifully redesigned 15-inch 2-in-1 competes with the Dell XPS 13 in every respect, with the convenience of becoming a tablet when needed. It's one of the most aesthetically pleasing devices in its category and also boast plenty of power. Under the hood is a new Intel Kaby Lake G-series processor featuring 'discreet-class' Radeon graphics – meaning with the power comes a bit more noise.

Read the full review: Dell XPS 15 2-in-1 

If you're after some more further info on the best laptops, check out some of our other dedicated articles:

• The best laptops of 2018 in Australia
• Best gaming laptops of 2018
• The best ultrabooks of 2018
• Best business laptops of 2018
• Best 2-in-1 laptops of 2018

Watch the video below for the top 7 things to consider when buying a laptop. 

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Apple Watch 4 release date, price, news and leaks

iPhone 9 release date, price, news and leaks

iOS 12 release date, news and features

iPhone XS release date, price, news and rumors

Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 takes page out of Find X playbook, employs sliding selfie camera

Though it arguably kicked off the current bezel-free smartphone craze with its original Mi Mix handset, Xiaomi seems to be taking a page out of Oppo's design playbook with a Find X-style sliding selfie camera on its newly announced Mi Mix 3 device.

Posted by Xiaomi president Lin Bin on the company's Weibo page along with a proposed October release date, the Mi MIx 3 image shows a camera that's hidden behind an almost completely bezel-free display. 

Previous Mi Mix devices, like the Xiaomi Mi Mix 2, awkwardly placed the selfie camera at the bottom of the phone's face, forcing the user to either turn the handset upside down, or take self portraits from an especially unflattering angle. 

If you look closely at the bottom left corner of the Xiaomi Mi Mix 3, you'll notice that unlike the Oppo Find X, the entire back part of the device slides – not just the top section. 

Ticket to slide

This unique approach leads us to believe that instead of the camera popping up, the Mi Mix 3's display may actually slide down. Could this mean that the Mi Mix 3's sliding mechanism is not motorized like the Find X, but rather a manual implementation that would see the user simply flick the screen down when they want to take a selfie?

It would make sense for Xiaomi to go with a non-mechanical approach – while a very impressive device in its own right, the Oppo Find X's motorized pop-up camera feels like something that's destined for an eventual breakdown.  

Unfortunately, it's all just guesswork at this stage, with absolutely no information on the Mi Mix 3's specs offered at this time. Stay tuned for more information in the lead up to the Xiaomi Mi Mix 3's (likely China-only) October release.

• Oppo Find X vs Vivo Nex: the all-screen smartphone showdown

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Google Pixel 3 leak details the smaller flagship inside and out

While we’ve already had plenty of chances to check out the larger Google Pixel 3 XL in the slew of leaks over the last few months, we’re finally seeing what is very likely to be Google’s smaller Pixel 3 flagship.

The leaked photos and screenshots come from an anonymous Reddit user whose account has since been deleted, so the veracity of the leaks should be taken with a pinch of salt. 

However, given the current volume of new Pixel leaks and rumors, there's a strong possibility we’ve been given a fairly accurate description of the smaller handset.

For instance, /r/GooglePixel moderator Racer_77 stated in the thread that “based on all other leaks and renders seen so far, I personally have enough confidence to say that this is likely the Pixel 3.”

Familiar faces

The three images the Reddit user has taken of the handset give us a pretty good look at the upcoming Pixel 3. The rear of the handset closely resembles the current Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL design with their single-lens camera and fingerprint scanner, albeit with a curved boundary between the glass and aluminum sections.

Similarly, the side of the phone isn’t anything too exciting or surprising – with a volume rocker and power button as we’ve come to expect and a slightly more rounded side profile overall.

The handset’s screen looks a whole lot like the Pixel 2 XL but smaller, with much thinner bezels than the existing Google Pixel 2, and rounded edges on the display that match the curvature of the handset itself, just like the 2 XL.

While it’s a touch difficult to make out, the image of the phone’s face also appears to be sporting two front-facing cameras. This is supported by the specification screenshots which list two 8MP cameras – one with a dual aperture of f/1.8 and f/2.2, and the other with f/1.8.

It’s what’s inside that counts

If this leak does indeed prove accurate, the screengrabs show off a great deal of nitty-gritty when it comes to the inner-workings of Google’s next flagship.

Assuming this is true, the Pixel 3 will be sporting a 2,915mAh battery, slightly improving on the Pixel 2’s 2,700mAh capacity. Its display will also be bumped up from 5.0 to 5.5-inches, increasing the aspect ratio from 16:9 to 18:9 (or 2:1).

Although the slimmer bezels allow for a bigger screen, the resolution of 1,080 x 2,160 maintains the same 440ppi density that the Pixel 2 had. As mentioned before, the specs also seem to confirm a dual front-facing camera, which has previously been speculated to support 3D facial recognition.

While we can't know for sure whether this is in fact a legitimate Pixel 3 and if the specs in the screenshots are accurate, the chances are looking pretty good at this point. For complete peace of mind, however, we'll have to wait for the likely October announcement from Google itself.

• Get all the latest on the Google Pixel 3, including release date, price, news and rumors
• Or, for its older sibling, check out everything we know about the Google Pixel 3 XL

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The first Apple Watch 4 photo reveals a 15% bigger display

Firefox's upcoming releases will block ad trackers by default

Mozilla has today announced that, starting in October, the Firefox web browser will begin to implement new features aimed at blocking cross-site ad tracking. The changes will make it much harder for third-party advertisers to track Firefox users' web browsing activity and, by extension, it will be more difficult for ad networks to construct personalised profiles of those users.

The rollout of Firefox's new blocking features won't happen overnight, however. Instead, Mozilla has a three-step process in mind which will eventually ensure all ad tracking is blocked by default.

Blocking ad trackers isn’t new to the open-source browser. Firefox began blocking pop-up ads way back in 2004, while an outright ad blocking feature was implemented in 2015, although it currently only applies to Private Browsing mode.

Last year, Mozilla launched Firefox Focus on Android, which automatically blocks trackers and completely wipes browsing history when the application is closed. On Firefox for iOS, ad blocking was already available in Private Browsing mode, but earlier this year that feature was also switched on by default for normal browsing as well.

The privacy game plan

Mozilla’s three-part strategy begins with blocking trackers that slow down page loads. This feature is currently being tested on Firefox Nightly, the internet company’s testing platform. If this works well, it will be added to Firefox 63 – which is currently slated for an October 2018 release – as a default feature, thereby injecting a speed boost to page loads and enhancing general performance.

Following that, Mozilla plans to remove ad trackers that follow users across sites, a feature that will actively delete cookies and block third-party content storage. This will be tested by some Firefox users in September and, if successful, will be rolled out as a default feature in Firefox 65, due to be released in January 2019.

Finally, Mozilla wants to moderate deceptive practices in other areas, like fingerprint tracking (which can be used to identify users by their devices) and cryptocurrency mining. There’s no official word on when these additional privacy safeguards will be released, or exactly how the company plans to implement them, but Mozilla has stated its intent to block these practices by default as well.

Giving users a voice

Over the years, Mozilla has added features to its browser to ensure user privacy was protected. For instance, the company added an extension to keep Facebook locked in its own sandbox after the Cambridge Analytica fiasco and this, Mozilla says, “is about more than protecting users – it’s about giving them a voice”.

"Some sites will continue to want user data in exchange for content, but now they will have to ask for it, a positive change for people who up until now had no idea of the value exchange they were asked to make,” reads the company’s latest announcement.

• The best Mozilla Firefox VPN in 2018

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The 30 best indie games on PC and consoles

Gaming as a whole continues to evolve over time, and our standards for the best indie games evolves with it. One of the most interesting things about the best indie games is that unlike AAA game publishers, who feel the need to monetize every single inch of their games – the best indie games simply cost what they cost and are completely free of malevolent tactics. Free of corporate influence, the best indie games will give you a glimpse into the pure artistic vision of the developers, especially if you have one of the best gaming PCs.

That’s not to say the best indie games can’t keep up with the latest Assassin’s Creed or Call of Duty, though. In fact, the best indie games regularly surpass the latest AAA games in both quality and scope, thanks to their less repetitive nature – they don’t need to rely on tired cliches and tropes to sell through millions of units.

With this list, we culled through the hundreds (maybe even thousands) of indie games we’ve played and ranked the 30 best indie games you can play today – only the best of the best have made it. We mixed in classics like Braid and Dwarf Fortress, with modern indie darlings like Hollow Knight and Dead Cells. To discover all the best indie games that made our list, read on!

Linux, Windows or Mac - which one is best for you? Watch our guide video below:

Bill Thomas, Joe Osborne, Kane Fulton and Gabe Carey have also contributed to this article

Described as a sort of combination of Pokémon, Harvest Moon and Animal Crossing, we couldn’t help but recommend that you keep your eye on Ooblets until it releases at some point in 2018. This indie game is being developed by first-time studio Glumberland with the backing of the beloved Double Fine studios. The art style here curiously reminds us of Adventure Time. However, the game itself revolves around collecting creatures called ooblets in a town called, well, Oob. 

Upon doing so, you’ll be able to train and battle your ooblets against other ooblet trainers. At the same time, you’ll have to balance your ooblet training with the real-world responsibilities of being a farmer. That’s right, drawing influence from the likes of Stardew Valley, you can cultivate produce and decorate your house with various trimmings as well. You’ll also be able to join an Ooblet Club comprised of friends (NPCs) you’ll meet along the way. 

If you don’t know what to do in Ooblets, simply walk around and discover new shops and buildings that suit your interest. While you’re at it, you can open up your own shop and sell produce that you’ve grown on the farm in addition to items you’ve scavenged from throughout the world. Otherwise, you can feed the leftover crops to your ooblets to watch them level up and learn new techniques to be used in the turn-based RPG-style battles.

Expected: 2018

Jonathan Blow's masterpiece first appears to be a simple pastiche of Super Mario Bros, with a middle-aged curmudgeon replacing the titular plumber but still seeking to rescue a princess.

But, the longer you spend in the game, the more that’s revealed to you, moving from a series of time-bending puzzles to quiet reflective texts – which doesn’t stop it from being the smartest puzzle game until SpaceChem. Blow himself has subtly hinted that the ultimate story may revolve around the atomic bomb.

First released as PC freeware by Japanese designer Daisuke "Pixel" Amaya back in 2004 after five years of 100% solo development, Cave Story predates the recent indie renaissance by a few years. Because of when and how it was first released, it's often forgotten in discussions of indie gaming.

But this classic deserves to be on every best-of list for its loving homage to the classic action platforming games of the Super Nintendo era, its incredible music and its incredibly vibrant world. Oh, and don't forget the hugely intuitive controls, gobs of secrets and weapons that are entirely too fun to use. If you've yet to enjoy this one, just put it on your backlog already.

From family-owned and operated Studio MDHR, Cuphead has connected with millions of people around the world, many of whom normally wouldn’t touch a run-and-gun platformer with a ten-foot pole. 

Although its gameplay was inspired by classic games like Mega Man and Contra, most gamers would likely compare it to a Fleischer Studios cartoon, like Betty Boop. Because Cpuhead utilizes a hand-drawn art style likened to a 1930s animation, it’s been universally praised for its gorgeous visuals.

Its beauty is more than skin deep, though, Cuphead is a challenging and engaging series of 19 boss fights, with actual levels taking place between them. And, if that’s not enough, Studio MDHR has announced the Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course DLC, with a new isle to explore, new bosses to conquer and, most importantly, a new playable character. 

Many AAA games serve as escapist power fantasies, where the player is ultimately able to dominate the game’s universe – right up until the game ends. However, many indie games serve as the opposite – like the IGF award winner and misery simulator Cart Life.

Papers Please is similar to Cart Life – it's also an IGF winner with elements of misery about it - but it's better, being a smart, weird sim about the compromised life of a border guard under a totalitarian regime. It's ugly and desperate, but also innovative, uproariously funny and terribly smart.

Among the hardcore gamers of my acquaintance, Spelunky is the go-to drug. Even today, several years after its release, some of them still play it every day, despite having completed it many times over. That's because Spelunky, an ostensibly rogue-like platformer with a definite end, is tough, varied and highly randomized.

It also has more dark secrets than a presidential candidate, meaning there are many, many ways to finish it, and its daily challenges are a sure-fire way to public humiliation.

Unfortunately, humor is often missing among games, mostly being restricted to slapstick comedy or crude one-liners. The Stanley Parable, however, is hilarious without being dumbed down. Players follow (or don’t) a very British narrator who changes the world around you, depending on your decisions.

No decision is punished, every play-through throws up new humor and weirdness. Being trapped in the closet in the Stanley Parable is more moving and funny than 9/10 of other games.

• Further reading: Retro-me-do! Digitiser's Mr Biffo on his top PC games of all time

It took more than nine years to make, but Owlboy was definitely worth the wait. Originally contrived for PCs and released in late 20166, the clever masterpiece of an indie game is now available to experience on Mac and Linux as well – and there’s even a Nintendo Switch version! Owlboy centers around a race of owl-human hybrid characters called, well, Owls. Of them, you control Otis, an Owl who is censured by his mentor for his inept flying skills.

The story sees Otis’ village dismantled by pirates who clearly have conflict with the Owls. As a result, Otis has to work with an assortment of villagers in-game to take out enemies. Of course, when boss battles arise, you’ll need to manage allies accordingly, as each character comes with their own set of unique skill sets to use in conjunction with one another. If you’ve ever played and enjoyed a Kid Icarus game, this is one for the books. Otherwise, play it anyway.

Similar to The Stanley Parable, Gone Home falls into the unofficially labeled ‘walking simulator’ genre. Where it diverts from the clever and philosophical Stanley Parable, however is its focus on life’s difficult realities, instead of light humor.

After arriving at your childhood home after an overseas visit, you play as 21-year-old Kaitlin Greenbriar who is greeted by a vacant house. While gameplay is essentially limited to scavenging through notes to find out where the protagonist’s family has ventured off to, the gripping story exhibits a rollercoaster of emotions, if you keep an open mind.

Only SpaceChem has mingled education with entertainment as successfully as The Kerbal Space Program. The game is simple - design and build spacecraft to take the cutesy Kerbals to the Mun and beyond.

Yet its focused use of real physics means that you'll find yourself following NASA in building multi-stage rockets, space stations and exploring the Kerbal's strange universe on EVAs, before bringing your discoveries back to research on the Kerbal planet - that's if you can get off the ground at all. It's a huge, complex, challenging and fun game, that's smart without being preachy.

The exact opposite of the Kerbal Space Program, The Binding of Isaac is an action roguelike par excellence. Matched only by the equally visceral Nuclear Throne for replayability, you play as a young boy attempting to kill his damned siblings, his Mom, and possibly the Devil, using only his tears. Which he shoots from his eyes, of course.

With hundreds of weird modifiers to discover, endlessly touch procedurally-generated levels, and secrets galore, Isaac is a very dark take on the exploratory model established by Spelunky.

Though you might get put off by the pixel art graphics, Undertale isn’t a game that would have fit on the Super Nintendo. That’s because, in Undertale, you decisions make a huge difference in how the game ends and, more importantly, how it continues in New Game Plus.

While you play Undertale, one of the first things you’ll start to realize is the sheer freedom the game affords you. Despite its genius boss matches, you can make it through the entire nine or so hours of Undertale without killing a soul. Plus, when you go through the game a second time, you’ll bear the weight of the consequences from your previous run. Plus, now that Undertale is coming to the Nintendo Switch later this year, you’ll be able to take this genius piece of game design wherever you go.

From developer Playdead, Inside is comparable to its predecessor, Limbo, in some ways but with an added layer of depth that inspires frequent wonder. This is mostly a result of the unspoken narrative, which revolves around yet another nameless boy. In Inside, however, the boy in the story is running away from a group of men who – if you fail to stay out of their sights – will try to mercilessly kill you.

Though it isn't quite clear why the boy is running from these men or why you should even care since you don't know who he is, Inside will leave you begging for answers. The bleak, lifeless setting of Inside is more than worth the price of admission. Its minimalist art style alone is avant-garde enough to feel right at home in a museum. Add in a game that's both fun to play and dripping with curiosity, though, and Inside is one of the best indie games money can buy.

Developed single-handedly by Eric Barone, Stardew Valley is undoubtedly a technical feat for that little facet alone. If you’ve ever played a Harvest Moon game, you’re already familiar with the premise of Stardew Valley – you may just not know it yet. Stardew Valley is an addictive farming simulator which sees you interact with townees to the point where you can literally marry them.

Stardew Valley isn’t just farming, though – it’s a whole bunch of things at the same time. You can go fishing, you can cook, you can craft stuff – you can even go explore procedurally-generated caves to mine for items and even attack slime-monster-things. However, you should keep in mind that your health and energy are finite, so you'll want to keep your character rested and fed to avoid suffering from exhaustion. Pass out and you’ll lose a considerable amount of money and items you’ve worked hard to attain. Stardew Valley will have you addicted for hours on end, for better or worse. (Definitely better.)

From Canadian game developer Alec Holowka, the creator of the award-winning Aquaria (also featured on this list) and independent artist/animator Scott Benson, Night in the Woods is an unconventional side-scrolling adventure game centering around a 20-year-old protagonist named Mae who drops out of college to move back in with her parents.

Featuring a story largely based around dialog choices and mini games that put a spin on mundane tasks, like carrying boxes up the stairs and eating perogies, Night in the Woods is a timeless coming-of-age tale. Not only will you experience middle class America through the eyes of a personified cat, but virtually every interaction in-game will have you laughing aloud. And now that it’s coming to the Nintendo Switch on February 1, you’ll be able to take it wherever you go.

If you’re a fan of the recent wave of games inspired by Dark Souls, you’ll absolutely love Hollow Knight. You take control of the Hollow Knight, and lead them through the deceptively adorable landscape to take on bosses and other difficult challenges. Much like Dark Souls, it’s not immediately clear what you’re actually supposed to be doing as the narrative is intentionally obtuse. 

The Dark Souls inspirations don’t end there, however. It also adopts Dark Souls’ ‘tough but fair’ philosophy, where the game is only as hard as you make it – you can overcome anything as long as you have patience and learn from your mistakes. Hollow Knight takes these lessons from Dark Souls and injects them into a MetroidVania, with all the side-scrolling and upgrades you could possibly want. You can even play it on the Nintendo Switch now.

If you’re looking for a game that’s as unforgiving as it is fun, look no further than Dead Cells. It takes gameplay inspiration from so many places – from roguelikes, to MetroidVania to even a hint of Dark Souls, to create a unique action game that will test your limits. 

Every time you play the game, it’ll be different. And, while you’ll lose some progress each time you die, and trust us, you’ll die a lot, the game will become more and more rewarding as the complex and fluid combat becomes second nature. In the final release of the game, you’ll get access to 90 weapons, skills and abilities that will let you tailor your gameplay however you feel. 

Whatever you do, don’t get discouraged when you fail. Get up and try again, Dead Cells will only reward you in the end – which is why it’s one of the best indie games 2018 has to offer.

Introversions was one of the earliest 'indie' companies, releasing games like Uplink, Defcon and Darwinia whilst Vlambeer were still in short pants. After years of struggling, they've finally hit a huge success with Prison Architect, a game where you build, staff, outfit and manage a maximum security prison.

With smart prisoners who are willing to do anything to escape, you'll struggle to keep them all inside - or keep them from rioting - and turn a profit. It's still in alpha, but it's eminently playable right now..

While The Kerbal Space Program might actually take you (or at least those poor doomed Kerbals) to the moon, To The Moon is a game about wish fulfillment, and thrives on narrative. In terms of movies, Kerbal is Gravity and Isaac is Saw, To The Moon is Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

You control two doctors who are exploring a dying man's memories to implant a false memory so he can die in peace. Which is all depicted in a classic 16-bit Zelda style. It's a rare, brave, adult game.

Dwarf Fortress is its own genre, its own industry. This is a game that, before you've even set foot in it, has to generate the entire geography, mythology and history of its massive world. Then it tracks every single one of the dwarfs you're managing down to the hairs on their legs and the particular horrible elephant murder that they witnessed and they're now carving on an ornamental chair.

Your task is to keep the dwarves alive as they carve out their subterranean kingdom - given that insanity, monsters, and starvation plague are thrown at them at every stage that's not easy. And dwarves, always, always mine too deep.

Run. Jump. Die. Repeat. That’s essentially the gameplay loop of Super Meat Boy, a fiendishly addictive 2D platformer that’s also bloody hard, with an emphasis on bloody. Gallons of blood is spilled as the game’s eponymous meaty hero leaps over deadly drops, spinning saws and walking chainsaws in a bid to rescue his girlfriend, Bandage Girl, from the evil Dr Foetus. Obviously. Boasting tight controls, plenty of humor and colorful graphics, Super Meat Boy lept onto the PS4 and Vita last year in style – with a Nintendo Switch release coming soon, as well. 

It might not be Playdead’s most recent game, but Limbo is timeless. Even five years after its release, the game’s haunting storyline still affects us. You play the Boy, a child with glowing eyes who’s cast into Limbo to find his sister. Making your way through a bleak and dangerous world full of hostile silhouettes, giant spiders and deadly gravitational fields, you’ll need to think quickly and perfectly time your movements if you’re going to survive.

But Limbo is much more than a simple platformer: it's an experience, and one that has you pondering the very essence of life by the time it's over. Deep, profound and absorbing, it's one indie game everybody should take time out to play.

If you're yearning for a retro-styled multiplayer archery combat game (aren't we all?), TowerFall: Ascension is the pick of the lot. Fast, frenetic and teeth-gnashingly hard in hardcore mode, the game's mechanics are simple: fire arrows at enemies or jump on their heads to stay alive until the round ends.

Arrows that don't hit are embedded in walls, making for tense scenarios when you have to traverse the map while dodging enemies to retrieve them. As such, practicing until you achieve Robin Hood-esque levels of accuracy is recommended. Ascension is best experienced with friends in local multiplayer mode, which recalls Super Smash Bros' most manic moments.

It’s not often that a platformer manages to balance challenging and engaging gameplay with an emotional and thought-provoking narrative, but Celeste pulls it off. From the developers of Towerfall, Celeste follows the story of Madeline, a young girl who decides to face her mental health issues by climbing to the top of the mysterious Celeste Mountain. Ind doing so, she learns more not only about the mountain, but about herself amid the heartwarming process. 

An inevitable classic, Celeste integrates the obvious jump, air-dash and climb controls into a brutal series of platforming challenges in upwards of 700 unique screens. And, if that’s too easy, you’ll unlock B-side chapters along the way, designed for only the bravest of hardcore players. Better yet, you don’t have to worry about waiting an eternity between each respawn. Instead, Celeste brings you back from the grave instantaneously, a welcome departure from the typically extensive load screens.

Admittedly, exclusive indie games always wind up with the short end of the stick. That continues to ring true for Golf Story, an homage to Mario Golf on the Game Boy Color developed by Sidebar Games. As it’s a debut title for the Nintendo Switch, you might have overlooked Golf Story considering it came out on the same day as Stardew Valley, but here’s what you need to know.

You don’t have to obsess over the PGA Tour to get into Golf Story, as you’re likely better off appreciating it for its RPG elements. Substituting combat for an athletic sport, you begin your adventure as a kid who is mentored by his dad before realizing he isn’t very good at golfing, something you’ll have to overcome as you pursue professional golf.

After the raging success that was the original Nidhogg, it’s a shame to see the superior sequel get thrown under the bus. Nevertheless, in spite of its controversial art style, Nidhogg 2 packs a refined, gorgeous look that the first version, a cult-classic, couldn’t even think to compete with. In still frames, we can see how this could get misconstrued, but fortunately, it’s the fun and addictive local multiplayer gameplay that makes Nidhogg, well, Nidhogg. And it’s all there in Nidhogg 2. Plus, every time you respawn, you get one of four unique weapons that only bolster the challenge.

Esteemed indie designer Jon Blow's follow up to Braid may look like an entirely different adventure, being 3D and all, but the two are more thematically alike than you might think. The Witness, at its core, is another puzzle game that tells an interesting story through said puzzles.

This puzzler takes place in an almost equally impressionist – albeit heavily Myst-inspired – world, but it's story is far more nuanced and mysterious than Blow's previous. At almost every corner of this island that you've simply woken up on (or beneath), there is a clue as to how you got onto this island and why you're here.

Don’t get us wrong, we liked Bastion, but we won’t deny that Transistor was SuperGiant Games’ best work to date. Much of that has to do with the convergence of action-based and turn-based RPG elements contained within its cyberpunk futurescape. Likewise, in classic SuperGiant fashion, those mechanics are complemented by a gorgeous art style and a music score so unforgettable it’ll make you want to buy the soundtrack.

Leaving key gameplay beats up to the player, the story isn’t so variable. Transistor’s main character, Red, is a renowned singer in the city of Cloudbank. However, she’s been attacked by a group of vicious robots who call themselves the Process, operated by another group called the Camerata. In her journey, she finds the Transistor, a mysterious sword with the voice of a man. Soon enough, she’ll learn more about him and how he will shake up her world.

It’s weird to think that Oxenfree came out before the first season of Stranger Things, and yet, the two properties coincidentally have a lot in common. The 80s-inspired heavy synth music composed by scntfc, for one, accentuates some truly gripping sci-fi horror centering around – you guessed it – a group of teenagers stuck on an island.

The story involves a handful of uniquely written characters, namely the main character Alex, along with her stoner friend Ren, her newfound stepbrother Jonas, her dead brother Michael’s ex-girlfriend Clarissa and her best friend Nona (who Ren happens to be in love with).

The plot is explained through branching speech dialogue, similar to Life is Strange or modern-day Telltale games, and features five different endings depending on your choices.

Exploring a surreal wilderness seems like quite the trend these days in gaming, and developer Campo Santo's debut only serves to keep it going strong. Set in the wilderness of 1989 Wyoming, you're Henry, a fire lookout that's all alone in the woods after exploring something strange in the distance.

That is, save for your partner on the other line of a walkie-talkie: Delilah. She's your only point of contact as you explore the wilderness. Will you make it back alive? Will the decisions you make help or harm the relationship with your only lifeline to the outside world, your boss? Don't worry about those questions just yet – just look at those forestscapes!

Rust is one of the more successful indie titles of recent times. By the end of 2015 it had sold more than 3 million copies, which isn't too shabby considering it isn't even finished — the game has been on Steam's Early Access scheme since launching in December 2013.

Still, it seems people can't get enough of the Day Z-inspired survival sim. It sees you use your wits and bearings to survive its harsh open world, starting off with nothing but a rock. After gathering resources needed to build a house and weapons to fend off attackers (other online players, in other words), Rust gradually becomes more intense as you defend your growing base — or attempt to breach others'.

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Best HP laptops 2018: the top HP laptops we’ve seen and tested

Musk vs Bezos: how the battle of the rocket men could shape the future of our species

The best gaming routers 2018

If you play the best PC games online as much as we do, you likely want one of the best gaming routers to make sure your online gaming is never interrupted.

In a nutshell, the best gaming routers are designed to prioritize network traffic from games, a feature known as QoS (Quality of Service), so your gaming won’t be interrupted by your roommate trying to watch Netflix in the other room.

Many gamers will go on and on about the benefits of using a wired connection for online gaming and streaming through services like Steam In-Home streaming and Playstation Now, and we’re right there with them. The best gaming routers, then, will feature plenty of Gigabit Ethernet ports for hardwiring your gaming devices to the internet – or even for throwing a LAN party.

However, not everyone in your house can have a wired connection without wires spanning the entire building, so the best gaming routers will feature the latest and fastest WiFi technology (currently 802.11ac). Having external antennae which can be moved to direct the Wi-Fi signal to certain areas of your house is also useful.

With the particular needs of gamers in mind, then, here are the very best gaming routers you can buy.

 

If you’re looking for one of the best gaming routers with old-school aesthetics and new-school tech, the TP-Link Archer C5400 v2 is exactly what the doctor ordered. This gaming router blends enthusiast-grade features and accessible setup into a package that’s appealing to pretty much everyone. And, when you add in the Alexa support, you have a router that can adapt to any situation, whether you’re focusing hard on topping the leaderboards in Overwatch, or you have guests all connecting to your network.

Read the full review: TP-Link Archer C5400 V2 

The Asus RT-AC5300 is one of the best gaming routers – it comes with a variety of advanced features, making online and network gaming as lag and frustration free as possible. This includes an easy-to-use yet powerful interface, as well as comprehensive QoS settings. The spider-like design won’t be to everyone’s taste, but the eight antennae serve a purpose, as they can be used to direct your Wi-Fi signal throughout your home, giving this router an excellent range. 

Read the full review: Asus RT-AC86U

The Asus RT-AC5300 is an excellent high-end gaming router that comes with a number of advanced features for making online and network gaming as lag and frustration free as possible.

This includes an easy-to-use yet powerful interface, as well as comprehensive QoS settings. The spider-like design won't be to everyone's tastes, but the eight antennae serve a purpose, as they can be used to direct your Wi-Fi signal throughout your home, giving this router an excellent range.

 Read the full review: Asus RT-AC5300 Tri-band Gigabit Router

While it looks like it’ll start abducting a close friend or family member, we assure you, the Zyxel Armor Z2 AC2600 isn’t as alien in function as in appearance. Strapped with MU-MIMO support, which improves speed when multiple devices are connected to the same network, the Armor Z2 AC2600 prides itself on its performance capabilities. Coupled with StreamBoost, Zyxel has devised a router that not only can handle tons of traffic, but it can actually prioritize bandwidth based on the needs of each device connected to it.  

Read the full review: Zyxel Armor Z2 AC2600

The Asus RT-AC88U justifies its high asking price with insane next-generation 802.11ac wireless performance. Rocking four antennas and NitroQAM tech, which pushes speeds even further, this gaming router enables wireless performance that can break the 1GB/sec limit. But, there is a catch – you’ll need to invest in a NitroQAM wireless adapter, such as the Asus PCE-AC88, to see those faster speeds. It’s worth it though, with speeds like this it’s easy to see why the Asus RT-AC88U is one of the best gaming routers you can buy today. 

If routers had a fashion contest, Netgear’s D7800 would be among the top contenders. Its solid black finish is complemented by a quartet of antennas. Plus it’s damn fast and bettered by its inclusion of a duo of USB ports paired with an eSATA connector. The real centerpiece, though, is the VDSL 2 modem built into the Nighthawk X4S D7800, negating the need to buy or lease one separately. The outfitted software isn’t too shoddy either; a simple Dynamic QOS system makes it a breeze to govern a multitude of devices on a single home network.

Yeah, we know, it looks like something you saw on the set of a Star Trek episode, but the D-Link DIR 885L/R is a dependable mid-range router with great speed and range. If you’re looking for the be best gaming router, you might want to take a look at this one – it has a good selection of ports, and a nicely designed UI. It also features DD-WRT open-source firmware, which makes this router as flexible as it is powerful. 

•  We’ve also picked out the best best wifi extenders of 2018

• Bill Thomas has also contributed to this article

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The best 13-inch laptop 2018: the top 13-inch laptops we've reviewed

The best laptops are incredibly important in 2018. However, there’s only one reason to opt for one of the best 13-inch laptops – they’re the perfect size. 15-inch laptops are just two big, and anything less than 12 inches is just to small to get anything done. The best 13-inch laptops, then are the sweet spot for notebook displays – they’re perfect for streaming media, work and are even awesome Back to School notebooks. And, because the best 13-inch laptops are the most popular display size, they’ll be full to the brim with all the latest tech.

The Dell XPS 13 remains one of the best laptops we’ve ever reviewed, winning TechRadar’s coveted Best in Class award three years in a row. But, even still, we’d understand if you would rather pick up the HP Spectre x360 or even the MacBook Pro. Because even though the XPS 13 is beautiful, thin and powerful, these other 13-inch laptops aren’t held back by awkward camera locations. Plus, every laptop is good at different things.

At the end of the day, the best 13-inch laptop is going to come down to your own personal preference. Do you need a more traditional laptop that does its job well, or one of the best 2-in-1 laptops that you can flip around into tablet mode? What about a machine that runs macOS High Sierra instead of Windows 10? There are so many choices on the market, and with this list we’ve tried to cover as many as possible. 

Its changes are subtle, and yet the Dell XPS 13 is still the best 13-inch laptop you can buy. On the high end, it now offers a 4K display, for a sharper picture across the board. But even if you can’t afford higher tier configurations, the beautiful design, lengthy battery life and even the SD card slot are still there – plus you’ve got a quad-core processor no matter what poison you pick. Better yet, the 13.3-inch display of the XPS 13 has been squeezed into a smaller frame, which explains Dell’s marketing line: ‘the world’s smallest 13-inch laptop.’ Now stew on that, as you admire the Dell XPS 13’s gorgeous, albeit more expensive, Alpine White finish. 

Read the full review: Dell XPS 13

While it may not be as powerful as its behemoth of a 15-inch counterpart, everything else about the 13.5-inch version of the Surface Book 2 is perfect for the mobile workhorse user environment. Whether you’re a creative or a professional, the Microsoft Surface Book 2, with its more compact form-factor rocks a style that’s just as beautiful as its predecessor. What’s more, the dynamic fulcrum hinge is stronger than you remember, which only complements its robust, quad-core CPU.

Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Book 2

We didn’t expect a laptop made by Razer to be thinner and lighter than a MacBook Pro – not to mention prettier, but here we are. The Razer Blade stealth – in its all-new gunmetal finish – rocks not only a beautiful and practical aesthetic with its 400-nit display brightness and full-size USB 3.0 ports, but it also has a few tricks up its sleeve to make it a performance beast. The 8th-generation Kaby Lake R U-series processor make the Razer Blade Stealth a force to be reckoned with. It might not have the best battery life, but an Ultrabook this fast is worth the 16 minutes of battery life you give up. 

Read the full review: Razer Blade Stealth

For anyone who prefers premium build quality over everything, the HP Spectre x360 contains everything you could ever ask for in a 2-in-1 without compromise. Weighing in at just 2.78 pounds and measuring just over half an inch thick, it’s as thin as it is light. Plus, with up to a 4K display and 8th-generation Intel processors, it’s one of the best ways to experience high-quality video streaming as well as 720p gaming on a hybrid. We didn’t even mention the plentitude of ports. You’ll get two USB-C Thunderbolt 3 ports on top of a USB 3.1 Type-A – so you shouldn’t need a ton of adapters. 

Read the full review: HP Spectre x360

While Samsung may not be well known for its laptops – beyond its Tab Pro S convertible, at least – Samsung’s follow-up to the 2012 Series 9 Notebook has impressive performance at a competitive price. Marketed as an Ultrabook, it’s certainly disheartening to know it can only last 5 hours in between charges, but given its beautiful design, it almost doesn’t matter. As a bonus, with the Samsung Notebook 9, you won’t have to deal with the bloatware that makes many other Windows laptop the target of derision on tech forums. 

Read the full review: Samsung Notebook 9

• This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Dell XPS 13   

If you’re looking for a thin, stylish and speedy 13-inch laptop to carry around with you, and you don’t mind giving up some high-end features, you’re going to love the Asus ZenBook 13. Measuring just half an inch thick and weighing just 2.5 pounds, this is the ideal laptop to carry when you’re traveling. And, don’t think you have to give up on power with all this portability either. The Asus Zenbook 13 is strapped with an 8th-generation quad-core Kaby Lake R processor, 8GB of RAM and a speedy SSD. The only thing you’re missing here is USB-C, and while it’d be a nice feature to have, it’s easy to look past in a laptop this stylish.

Read the full review: Asus Zenbook 13 

No one likes change, we get it. Still, the 15.6-inch frame of the Samsung Notebook 7 Spin we once knew will soon be erased from our memories forever, but the new 13.3-inch model doesn’t seem like an awful upgrade. It’s bounced two generations into the future in terms of processing power, and even though there are no discrete graphics – we’re happy to see a keyboard that can compete with some of the heavy hitters. It’s not going to blow your mind, yet as far as hybrid notebooks go, this one ain’t too shabby (plus it’s cheaper than a weaker MacBook Pro). 

Read the full review: Samsung Notebook 7 Spin

• This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Surface Laptop   

The Surface Laptop is Microsoft’s first effort at a ‘traditional’ laptop – even if it does come with a PixelSense touchscreen and Alcantara keyboard. It also features specs that’ll make the 12-inch MacBook Blush, like a U-series 7th-generation Kaby Lake CPU – making Apple’s thin and light look obsolete. It might be hampered by limited ports and the default S Mode – but that’s easy enough to overcome. It’s real appeal is its design, gorgeous display and serious performance. 

 Read the full review: Surface Laptop

As the best 2-in-1 laptops become more and more common, their manufacturers have been improving them steadily. This is doubly true for Lenovo who has been crafting drop-dead gorgeous convertibles with standout watch band-esque hinges, much like that of the Lenovo Yoga 920. This version of Lenovo’s popular 2-in-1 hybrid brand sees the integration of Thunderbolt 3, an improved webcam and, most importantly, an 8th-generation Intel Kaby Lake R processor at every configuration. It’s loud, but the Lenovo Yoga 920 is without a doubt one of the best 13-inch laptops you can buy today. 

Read the full review: Lenovo Yoga 920 

The 2018 MacBook Pro feels like the natural evolution of Apple’s pro-series laptops since it was redesigned a few years ago. It keeps the slim-line design, but improves on the keyboard, making it quieter and more reliable, while also boosting performance to new heights. If you need an ultra-portable workhorse running macOS, and you can justify the cost, the 2018 MacBook Pro won’t let you down. Keep in mind, though, that the model without a Touch Bar has yet to be upgraded. 

Read the full review: MacBook Pro (13-inch Mid-2018) 

Joe Osborne and Gabe Carey have also contributed to this article

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Windows 10 Redstone 5 news, rumors and release date

Lyft in talks to hire advisor for 2019 IPO: Bloomberg

U.S. ride services firm Lyft Inc is in talks with an advisor for a targeted March or April 2019 initial public offering, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

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Trump vows to fight censorship of conservatives by social media firms

President Donald Trump told a campaign-style rally in Indiana on Thursday that his administration is standing up for free-speech rights, warning that large social media companies could not be allowed to "control what we can and cannot see."

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China online video restrictions wipe $20 billion off Tencent's market value

Plans to limit the number of new online video games in China wiped a further $20 billion off Tencent Holdings' market value on Friday, ratcheting up concerns over regulatory risks facing firms in the world's No. 1 market for mobile games.

from Reuters: Technology News https://ift.tt/2NyTm1l

California looks to adopt Obama-style net neutrality rules

California lawmakers moved on Thursday toward imposing the nation's strictest net neutrality laws on internet providers, flying in the face of sweeping new Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules seen as a win for the companies.

from Reuters: Technology News https://ift.tt/2PUbLHE

BlackRock voted to replace Tesla's Musk with independent chairman

Funds run by BlackRock Inc voted in favor of a recent shareholder proposal that would have required Tesla Inc to replace Elon Musk with an independent chairman.

from Reuters: Technology News https://ift.tt/2LH793W

Republican senator asks FTC to examine Google ads

U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch on Thursday asked the Federal Trade Commission to rekindle an antitrust investigation of Alphabet Inc's Google, and President Donald Trump vowed to fight what he called political censorship by social media companies.

from Reuters: Technology News https://ift.tt/2oplHvS