Here's how you'll be able to run Windows apps on Chromebooks - About Chromebooks

Earlier this month, Google announced a partnership with Parallels that will bring a software solution for Windows apps on Chromebooks. Details were sparse at the time but thanks to The Verge’s interview with Cyrus Mistry, group product manager for Chrome OS, there’s more information.

At first, Parallels Desktop will run inside Chrome OS with a full Windows 10 experience, and eventually, just the Windows apps you want or need could be available.

Image courtesy The Verge

This differs from how Linux apps run on Chromebooks, which run in a containers within a virtual machine created by Google for security purposes. There doesn’t appear to be a container involved in the Parallels solution, just a pure VM. That could help performance by removing one of the two layers found in the Chrome OS Linux implementation, while also maintaining the security of Chrome OS.

Indeed, this approach doesn’t compromise security, one of three pillars to Chrome OS (speed and simplicity are the other two), per Mistry:

This should provide companies with the best of both worlds. It’s exactly what they’ve been wanting, a really easy to manage, secure endpoint.

As far as target audiences for Windows apps on Chromebooks, it doesn’t appear that consumers are one of them; at least not initially.

Mistry told The Verge that Parallels Desktop can be bundled with Chrome Enterprise devices, for example. Resellers will be able to bundle Parallels Desktop with Chromebook Enterprise devices, and IT administrators will be able to easily enable access to Parallels for Chromebooks that are enrolled with the Chrome Enterprise Upgrade. That doesn’t mean everyday consumers won’t ever get the ability to run Windows apps if needed on a Chromebook but don’t expect availability on day one.

And that might be a good thing, particularly for consumers with entry-level or even some mid-range devices. While no hardware requirements for the Parallels Desktop solution have been announced, Mistry says you need a Chromebook “for power usage”. I’d say Core i5, or perhaps an i3, in your Chromebook and at least 8 GB of memory.

There will be some hooks between Windows files in Chrome OS and Parallels Desktop from the sounds of it, similar to how you can download a Linux installation file in Chrome OS and then install it within the Linux container. If you download a Word document to the Chrome OS Files app, for example, double-clicking it may boot up Windows in the Parallels VM and open Word. The less friction here the better, in my opinion.

Lastly, this has me thinking of the Windows 10X talk from last week. I noted that those saying it would be a true competitor to Chromebooks were missing a few points, the main one being if Windows 10X won’t run desktop Windows apps at launch, why would anyone buy it instead of a proven platform like Chrome OS? Microsoft does plan to support Windows desktop or Win32, apps eventually on Windows X but that’s not the plan when devices launch next year.

Chromebooks, however, will have Windows desktop app support this fall, even before Windows 10X devices launch with a hobbled app environment. So the Parallels partnership brings even more of a challenge to Microsoft’s plan to combat Chromebooks, at least if both Google and Microsoft stick to their current timetables and plans.

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2020-07-31 18:00:00Z
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Google details Windows apps on Chrome OS, Parallels will require high-end Chromebooks - 9to5Google

Last month, Google announced a partnership with Parallels to bring Windows apps to Chrome OS. An interview today provided a high-level overview of how this works and what will be required.

Speaking to The Verge, Google explained how “Parallels Desktop will boot a full copy of Windows” for the initial implementation of this feature. Like when virtualizing on Mac, the full Windows desktop will appear in a native Chrome OS window.

Complete with a top bar for minimize, fullscreen, and close controls, it will look like any other browser tab or Android app. In a sign of the deep integration, opening certain Windows files will automatically send you to the Parallels instance.

However, in the future, Google will have “other types of things where you don’t even have to run the whole Windows desktop, you’ll just run the app you need.”

In terms of implementation, enterprises — the intended customer — will have to purchase Parallels Desktop, which will be made available as an option in the Chrome Enterprise Upgrade program, and of course, a Windows license. 

Meanwhile, Parallels is aimed at Chromebooks used “for power usage,” with Google pointing to an Intel Core i5 or Core i7. RAM requirements will be differentiated by whether your device has a fan (8GB) or is fanless (16GB). This is a somewhat limiting constraint that will put the feature more in the realm of enterprise, rather than K-12 customers. Final hardware requirements have yet to be released.

Google today confirmed its work on Project Campfire to dual boot Windows and Chrome OS before partnering with Parallels. The team shuttered that effort last year as it did not want to sacrifice the Chrome OS security model (BIOS, firmware, and boot process).

Ultimately, Google wants to make Chromebooks viable for businesses that still need legacy Windows app but are primarily moving to the cloud. A launch is still slated for later this year, while Google has a sign-up form to learn more.

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2020-07-31 17:59:00Z
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Battletoads is back on 20th August - Eurogamer.net

Hop and glory. 

26 years later, the Battletoads are back.

Microsoft's new Battletoads game has today been given a 20th August release date on Steam, Windows PC and Xbox One (and of course also through Xbox Games Pass).

The cartoony brawler is the work of Essex team Dlala Studios, in collaboration with Rare, and was first announced back in 2018.

Today's new trailer, below, show the trio of toads in some of the game's cel-shaded cutscenes and promises three-player couch co-op.

There's also a few glimpes of fighting, racing, platforming and puzzle solving sections - illustrating what the trailer claims is its "multi-genre adventure".

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The Battletoads have popped up in a few games recently - Killer Instinct and Shovel Knight spring to mind - and are a known favourite of Xbox boss Phil Spencer. But the real reason they're still around is largely thanks to the internet's continued memory of the series via that dang "Do you have Battletoads?" meme.

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2020-07-31 14:12:00Z
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Nvidia is bundling a 5 year-old game with RTX cards, but no-one should upgrade today - PC Gamer AU

Now is the not the greatest time to purchase a graphics card, but if you simply can't hold off any longer, you might as well get something extra for your money. Enter Nvidia's new bundle promotion—purchase a qualifying GeForce RTX graphics card and a receive copy of Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege Gold Edition for no additional cost.

It's not the most enticing offer in the world, but it's not nothing, either. The nearly five-year-old title remains a popular shooter. That's in part because of continued support from Ubisoft, including the recent 'Year 5' season pass (included with the Gold Edition). And in the realm of esports, older games often find longer legs.

Nvidia is calling this the "Frames Win Games" bundle. It's based on the pitch that every GeForce RTX graphics card is capable of maintaining 144 fps or higher at 1080p at high settings, based on a test configuration built around a Core i9 9900K CPU.

"Playing at high fps unlocks your full potential, which is why Nvidia recommends running at least a GeForce RTX 2060 for competitive gameplay, to consistently deliver 144+ fps," Nvidia says. 

Fair enough, though all the marketing in the world doesn't negate the fact that new GPUs are on the horizon, both from the new Nvidia Ampere and AMD RDNA 2 cards. If you can hold off upgrading, you certainly should, to see how the next-gen GPUs shake out, and what effect they have on pricing for current-gen cards.

Intel is also planning to launch its first discrete GPU of the modern era this year (its first since Larrabee), though the initial Intel Xe launch is expected to be a lower power part, potentially only in mobile form, and not anything that will challenge Nvidia or AMD at the high end. But hey, anything can happen.

This bundle is not a complicated one. Qualifying GPUs include the GeForce RTX 2060, 2060 Super, 2070, 2070 Super, 2080, 2080 Super, and 2080 Ti. In other words, the entire GeForce RTX series (but not any of the GeForce GTX models, Turing or otherwise). It also covers the same GPUs that come equipped in prebuilt desktops and laptops.

You have to buy from a participating vendor, of course. Also be sure to check out the terms and conditions for pertinent fine print, and the redemption FAQ.

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2020-07-31 12:57:00Z
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Halo Infinite developer says it has "work to do" on game's visuals - Eurogamer.net

343 Industries has addressed the blowback to Halo Infinite's campaign reveal in a frank blog post answering questions on the game's art direction and visual fidelity.

The studio said it had heard "far more positive than negative" reactions, but also said it agreed with fans it had "work to do".

"Negative feedback in this area includes comments around characters and objects appearing flat, simplistic and plastic-like, lighting feeling dull and flat, and object pop-in.

"We've read your comments, we've seen the homemade examples of retouched content, and yes we've heard the Digital Foundry assessments. In many ways we are in agreement here - we do have work to do to address some of these areas and raise the level of fidelity and overall presentation for the final game."

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Fans have argued back and forth about how early (or recent) the build of Infinite shown during the Xbox showcase was - and whether 343 might have already worked on its visuals further. Here's 343 again:

"The build used to run the campaign demo was work-in-progress from several weeks ago with a variety of graphical elements and game systems still being finished and polished. While some of the feedback was expected and speaks to areas already in progress, other aspects of the feedback have brought new opportunities and considerations to light that the team is taking very seriously and working to assess.

"We don't have firm answers or outcomes to share yet but the team is working as quickly as possible on plans to address some of the feedback around detail, clarity, and overall fidelity. The team is committed and focused on making sure we have a beautiful world for players to explore when we launch."

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As for its art style, 343 pointed to its own learnings and "strong community feedback" which suggested a more "classic" art style with cleaner models and more colours had been what fans wanted - albeit not at a compromise for detail.

"While we appreciate this may not be everyone's personal preference," 343 concluded, "we stand by this decision and are happy to see it resonating with so many fans around the world."

There's plenty more in the blog - reconfirming the game's usual difficulty settings, support for campaign couch co-op, and that Chief's grapple hook will function differently in multiplayer - as an item picked up on the map.

Finally, what does 343 think of Craig? In the wake of Halo Infinite's unveiling, fans quickly turned the burly brute into a multitude of memes.

"We've all laughed very hard at the nonstop stream of Craig memes the community is cranking out," 343 wrote. "Craig is thick-skinned and seems to be taking it in stride though all of this fame and attention seems to be going to his head."

Earlier today, leaks suggested Halo Infinite's multiplayer will be free-to-play. We've asked Microsoft for comment.

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2020-07-31 10:32:00Z
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Halo Infinite multiplayer is reportedly free-to-play - Eurogamer.net

Red versus blue without splashing the green.

Leaks have suggested Halo Infinite's multiplayer will be free to play.

Details of the unannounced multiplayer were initially posted by retailer Smyths Toys, which described it as a "groundbreaking free-to-play multiplayer experience" with "greatly reduced load times" and up to 120FPS gameplay on Xbox Series X.

The listing has now been pulled, but is still viewable via Google's cache (thanks, Verge).

Xbox leaker Klobrille, who has previously detailed other Halo Infinite features before their official reveal, chimed in to say the game's multiplayer would indeed be free-to-play, and offer some kind of battle pass system.

Eurogamer has contacted Microsoft for comment.

Halo Infinite is due to launch later this year for Xbox Series X, Xbox One and on PC via both the Microsoft Store and Steam. A free-to-play multiplayer offering would open up the game to a vast playerbase - and could be especially important for the Steam audience who do not have access to Xbox Game Pass.

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2020-07-31 09:27:00Z
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Oppo's Wear OS Apple Watch clone is officially launching globally this fall - Android Police

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1. Oppo's Wear OS Apple Watch clone is officially launching globally this fall  Android Police
2. OPPO Reno4 Pro unboxing and first impressions  Neowin
3. Oppo Watch release date, price, news, Wear OS and what you need to know  TechRadar
4. Oppo Watch debuts in the UK, will run for a day on a 15 minute charge  Pocket-lint
5. OPPO Reno 4 Pro Review – Killer charging  SlashGear
6. View Full coverage on Google News

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2020-07-31 07:30:00Z
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Google Pixel 5 XL bad news confirmed by camera app update - Tom's Guide

If you've been hoping against hope that Google will release a Pixel 5 XL this fall alongside the Pixel 5, consider your hopes dashed. And it's Google that delivered the latest blow.

Google hasn't announced anything official about its Pixel 5 plans, of course. Instead, it's letting its software updates to the talking. And a Camera app update included in the latest Android 11 beta lists upcoming Pixel phones that will be able to run the updated software — the Pixel 5 XL isn't among the list.

Credit 9to5Google with this detective work for digging into the Google Camera 7.5 update to see what's coming to Google's camera app. The Pixel 5 is mentioned in the app, as are the Pixel 4a and Pixel 4a XL, which would seem to confirm that all those models will ship this year. Along those same lines, the Pixel 5 XL's absence seemingly confirms that it's MIA.

Despite the occasional Pixel 5 XL render surfacing, it's been rumored for some time that Google is putting its larger Pixel on the chopping block. Instead, the latest buzz suggests it will be a 5G version of the Pixel 4a joining the Pixel 5 later this fall. (Of course, for that scenario to happen, we'd have to see the Pixel 4a first, and that rumored launch keeps getting pushed back.)

The Camera 7.5 update also includes hints of new features that will be coming to Pixel phones, including Google's upcoming releases. Spotted in the update are a Motion Blur mode that will join other camera modes like Night Sight and Portrait. Motion Blur sounds like it will be able to focus on a specific subject, even if it's moving — think photos of sports and other activities where the person you're photographing isn't standing perfectly still.

An audio zoom feature in the Camera 7.5 update sounds like it will be able to direct the phones microphone when shooting video to home in on whomever you've zoomed in on. Other features discovered by 9to5Google include an adjustable camera flash and the ability to more easily share videos. That latter feature extends a capability that already exists with still images where you can tap a button form within the viewfinder to share your latest shot to various social media sites and services. The Camera 7.5 update lists 25 such services that will be capable of quick video shares.

The Google Pixel 4a is tipped to launch on August 3, meaning we should only be days away from the reveal of Google's next big phone. Those waiting for the Pixel 5 will likely have to hold out until the fall.

Today's best Google Pixel Buds 2 deals

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2020-07-31 04:00:00Z
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Kylie and Kendall Jenner endorsed 'knock-off' Apple products on Instagram - BBC News

Kylie and Kendall Jenner are amongst dozens of influencers BBC Click has discovered to be promoting the sale of imitation Apple AirPods on Instagram.

The two celebrities have a combined following of 322 million followers.

Apple believes such cloned earphones may infringe its intellectual property rights, but is not pursuing a case against the two sisters.

However, the firm has taken previous action against influencers it believed to be hawking "knock-off" AirPods.

Kylie and Kendall Jenner declined to comment.

Lookalike tech

Click's investigation uncovered dozens of social media influencers promoting clones of Apple Airpods and Apple Watches.

The influencers do not hold stock of the goods themselves. Rather they promote links to websites where anonymous sellers ship the products directly from China.

The products typically may be indistinguishable for the genuine items at first glance, but feature different brand names on their packaging and sometimes deliver a poor user experience.

Promotion of such products can be regarded as being a copyright and trademark infringement under UK law, if the knock-offs are deemed to look similar enough to the legitimate items.

The national co-ordinator for the UK's National Trading Standards eCrime team said that if influencers were found to be promoting knock-off products, in the first instance they would be informed of consumer laws, but if they continued then "formal action" would be considered.

"We would be concerned that some consumers, swayed by the power of social influencers, and the overall look and feel of the websites, might be misled into thinking they are buying genuine Apple AirPods," Mike Andrews said.

Instagram itself has told the BBC that influencers must follow local laws and vet brands before agreeing to paid partnerships.

Drop shipping

The vendors behind the products are known as drop shippers - a kind of intermediary who doesn't make or even see the products they sell, and uses influencers to promote them.

They typically source their products from online Chinese marketplaces and have them sent directly to consumers.

'You can have a massive business without ever going to China," Kevin David, a drop shipper based in Miami told Click.

"I've personally sent millions of dollars to China. I've gotten millions and millions of dollars of products and I've never even been to China."

He added: "Those Airpods, some of my personal friends make hundreds of thousands a month selling those."

Whilst legal, drop shipping is open to abuse with reports of:

• products not being delivered
• refunds not being given
• websites suddenly being shut down

"All you need is an internet connection and a website and you're ready to go," commented Sanchit Jain, an e-commerce analyst, from the consultancy Ender Analysis.

"The downside is that people get conned, don't get what they paid for and are misled. It really is the Wild West, especially because you are easily able to create a new store as and when you please."

Apple told BBC it was aware that drop shipping contributed to counterfeit sales and allowed bad actors to remain anonymous.

It added that its teams "are continually adapting to counterfeiters' latest tactics".

BBC Click's investigation will be broadcast on the BBC News Channel on Saturday and will also appear on iPlayer

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2020-07-30 23:10:32Z
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Candice Patton's Humble Island Tour - Animal Crossing: New Horizons - IGN

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1. Candice Patton's Humble Island Tour - Animal Crossing: New Horizons  IGN
2. New Animal Crossing: New Horizons Datamine Uncovers Exciting Potential Future Additions  Nintendo Life
3. Animal Crossing: New Horizons now officially lets you remove the UI in camera mode  GamesRadar+
4. Laura Bailey's Oasis Island Tour - Animal Crossing: New Horizons  IGN
5. Animal Crossing: New Horizons: How To Back Up Your Island Data  Nintendo Life
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2020-07-30 21:30:52Z
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Apple revenues defy expectations despite store closures - Financial Times

All five product categories for Apple and all five geographies increased in revenue in the June quarter compared with last year © REUTERS

Apple revenues rose 11 per cent to a new record for the June quarter, trumping forecasts that its business would decline because of the coronavirus-induced slowdown and the closure of its stores around the world.

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2020-07-30 22:35:00Z
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Apple revenues defy expectations despite shuttered stores - Financial Times

Make informed decisions with the FT

Keep abreast of significant corporate, financial and political developments around the world. Stay informed and spot emerging risks and opportunities with independent global reporting, expert commentary and analysis you can trust.

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2020-07-30 21:02:00Z
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Laura Bailey's Oasis Island Tour - Animal Crossing: New Horizons - IGN

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1. Laura Bailey's Oasis Island Tour - Animal Crossing: New Horizons  IGN
2. New Animal Crossing: New Horizons Datamine Uncovers Exciting Potential Future Additions  Nintendo Life
3. Animal Crossing: New Horizons now officially lets you remove the UI in camera mode  GamesRadar+
4. Every Item From Pascal's Mermaid Set In Animal Crossing: New Horizons  GameSpot
5. Animal Crossing: New Horizons: How To Back Up Your Island Data  Nintendo Life
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2020-07-30 19:05:55Z
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Google teases Pixel 4a debut on August 3 - Android Authority

1 hour ago

Credit: Google

• Google has posted a teaser hinting at a Pixel 4a launch on August 3.
• There are also clues to the camera quality and battery life.
• It’s expected to be a capable but affordable mid-range phone.

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After months of waiting, Google appears close to releasing the Pixel 4a.

Google has posted a teaser for the mid-range phone on the Google Store that shows a blank device along with some custom “lorem ipsum” text that not-so-subtly hints at features in mock Latin, including low-light photography, bokeh (shallow depth of field) photo effects, and a long-lasting battery.

While it’s not immediately visible on the page, diving into the source code reveals an August 3 debut date that lines up with previous rumors.

You can also change the colors of the black boxes at the top of the screen. After changing the boxes to Google’s colors (blue, red, yellow, blue, green, red), text appears that reads “Just what you’ve been waiting for,” along with an August 3 launch date.

Google didn’t mention the specifications of the 4a. However, past leaks have hinted that it could represent a significant step up from the Pixel 3a in most respects. The new model could jump from a Snapdragon 670 to a Snapdragon 730, implement much faster UFS storage instead of eMMC, and move to a larger 5.8-inch 1080p screen with an 8MP hole-punch selfie camera. You’d still get a lone 12MP rear camera, but it would include Pixel 4 features like an astrophotography mode.

Read more: The OnePlus Nord is here, but should you wait for the Pixel 4a?

There’s only expected to be one model, with no XL version like you saw with the 3a. Price may be the real wildcard. While it wouldn’t be surprising if Google sold the Pixel 4a at the same $399 price it did for the 3a when it was new, there have been hints Google could price the handset as low as $349, albeit with 64GB of storage in base trim.

Whatever the finished Pixel 4a looks like, it could be one of Google’s most important phones in recent memory. In addition to the buzz from months of leaks and speculation (there were rumors it was supposed to premiere at the now-cancelled I/O 2020), it will also come right as mid-range phones like the OnePlus Nord and iPhone SE are capturing the spotlight. There’s a lot of demand for affordable yet capable phones, especially in light of the Pixel 3a’s warm reception.

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2020-07-30 20:04:13Z
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New 2021 BMW 2 Series Coupe to stick to its rear-wheel-drive roots - AutoExpress

BMW currently has a focus on developing a fleet of new electric vehicles, but the German manufacturer hasn’t forgotten its core customer base, because an all-new 2 Series Coupe is on the way. 

The new model is aimed squarely at the driving enthusiast, because it will be rear-wheel drive, while manual gearboxes and a straight-six petrol engine will appear.

Coming in 2021, the arrival of the new coupe means the 2 Series model range will continue to be the most diverse in BMW’s line-up. It will sit alongside the four-door 2 Series Gran Coupe and the firm’s duo of 2 Series-badged MPVs – the Active Tourer and seven-seat Gran Tourer. However, beneath the skin the coupe will share almost nothing with those models.

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Speaking to Auto Express, 2 Series Gran Coupe product manager Gernot Stuhl confirmed BMW’s plans to introduce a new compact 2 Series Coupe that will shun front-wheel drive and downsizing trends.

“There will be a successor that will be on a rear-wheel-drive platform,” Stuhl revealed. “So customers who want and need a new 2 Series Coupe will find that in our line-up, as well as those who want a six-cylinder engine.”

While the Gran Coupe uses BMW’s front-wheel drive UKL platform, which is shared with MINI, the rear-drive Coupe will make use of a heavily modified version of BMW’s CLAR architecture. That underpins the latest 3 Series compact executive, as well as the recently-revealed 4 Series Coupe.

The standard 2 Series Coupe engine line-up will rely on 1.5-litre three-cylinder power, as well as a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol and maybe a 2.0-litre diesel, the latter two taken from the 320i and 320d models. A hot M235i version is likely to use the 302bhp turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine seen in the M235i Gran Coupe.

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Six-cylinder power may be kept in reserve for the flagship M2 Coupe. It’s likely to make use of a detuned a version of the 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight-six found in the X3 M and X4 M SUVs. This motor will also be used in the next M3 and M4 models.

The M2 Coupe will be offered in standard and Competition variants, although BMW UK only takes the flagship Competition versions of current M cars.

Power will likely be capped at around 420bhp to keep the M2 competitive with the Mercedes-AMG A 45 and next Audi RS 3, as well as to ensure there is distance between it and the M3 and M4 models. A six-speed manual gearbox should be available.

Our spy shots reveal that the proportions of the new 2 Series Coupe will alter due to the CLAR platform; a longer bonnet, sloping shoulder lines and more angular bodywork can be picked out on these early prototypes. However, our exclusive images are influenced by in-depth design leaks of the newcomer, and highlight the unique features that BMW will introduce on the new coupe.

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The front end won’t mimic the larger 4 Series, but isn’t a copy of the 2 Series Gran Coupe, either. Instead, it will have angular headlights and an aggressive front bumper design that appears to be influenced by the X2 SUV. The tail-lights and rear end are totally different to anything else in BMW’s line-up, too, underscoring the model’s independence in the range and from other 2 Series models.

While the coupe is in development, it’s unlikely that a new 2 Series Convertible will follow. Sales of small premium drop-tops are low, and Audi won’t introduce an A3 Cabriolet, while Mercedes is to phase out the two-seat SLC in the coming months.

When the new 2 Series goes on sale next year, prices should start from around £30,000 for the three-cylinder 218i.

What will the new BMW M2 Coupe have to beat? These are the best performance cars on sale right now...

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2020-07-30 12:05:00Z
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iPhone 12 release delayed, hints Qualcomm - What Hi-Fi? UK

The iPhone 12 release date, unofficially scheduled for September, could be delayed until October or November. That's the indication from Qualcomm’s Chief Financial Officer Akash Palkhiwala, who recently told investors that the chipmaker's earnings could be affected by "a partial impact from the delay of a global 5G flagship phone launch”.

Palkhiwala didn't specially name 'Apple' or 'iPhone', but analysts expect Apple's first ever 5G phone to feature Qualcomm's industry-leading 5G modem, which has already popped up in Samsung's flagship smartphones. Considering the timeline of phone launches for this year, it doesn't seem likely to refer to a different phone either.

Apple typically launches a new iPhone every September, but it looks like the coronavirus pandemic may have nixed those plan. "That slight delay pushes some of the units out from the September quarter to the December quarter for us,” added Palkhiwala. (Qualcomm's 'December quarter' covers October, November and December.) 

Analysts reckon Apple will want its latest flagship iPhone in stores well before the holidays, so we can assume that the iPhone 12 will arrive in October or November. 

An iPhone 12 delay isn't exactly unexpected. The CEO of Broadcom, a major supplier of iPhone components, previously told analysts of a "major product cycle delay" at a "large North American mobile phone" customer, thought to be Apple. 

The tech giant is set to launch a number of iPhone 12s, all with 5G capability. They include the iPhone 12 (rumoured to have a 5.4in OLED screen), iPhone 12 Pro (said to have 6.1in OLED display) and iPhone 12 Max (with a possible 6.7in OLED display).  And there's plenty more where those iPhone 12 rumours and news came from, too.

Qualcomm also warned investors that it expected 5G handset shipments would be "15 per cent lower year over year" in the quarter ending in September, partially due to the possible iPhone 12 delay. It's not all doom and gloom, though, the company still expects between 175 million and 225 million 5G handsets to be shipped in 2020.

MORE:

iPhone 12: price, design, release date, leaks and news

iPhone 12 could be smaller than iPhone SE (but sport a bigger screen)

The best iPhone 11 deals

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2020-07-30 10:07:00Z
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New Animal Crossing: New Horizons Datamine Uncovers Exciting Potential Future Additions - Nintendo Life

The latest Animal Crossing: New Horizons update - Version 1.4.0 - has only been available for a matter of hours, but dataminers have already started digging through the game's files to see if they can uncover juicy, new details.

A well-known dataminer known as Ninji has found several new references which could hint at potential upcoming additions to the game. We've avoiding showing these in this article's headline or lead image to prevent potential spoilers, so head back to safety now if you don't want to see what might be on the horizon.

Don't mind being spoiled? Then read on.

New references found within the game's files appear to include crops and vegetables, such as sugar cane, potato, carrot, wheat, tomato and squash, as well as sewing and cooking items. Naturally, this would suggest that some form of vegetable growing and cooking abilities may open up to players in future updates.

So, quick summary of hints about possible future things:

- New ‘35_Gyroid’ ItemKind
- New ‘VgtTomato’, ‘VgtWheat’, ‘VgtSugarCane’, ‘VgtPotato’, ‘VgtCarrot’, ‘VgtSquash’ map Fg items
- New bush type (Plumeria)

They’ve also hidden some of the references to sewing and cooking DIYs

— Ninji 🇪🇺🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇬🇮 B L M / 1312 (@_Ninji) July 30, 2020

VGC reports that Ninji has previously uncovered New Horizons additions like the art gallery and diving ahead of them appearing officially.

So, if these new features do indeed appear in the game, when might they be unlocked? We already know that the next major update for the game is planned to launch this autumn, so we'd imagine they'd appear then at the very earliest.

It's also worth mentioning that despite such things being found in the game's files, there's nothing stopping Nintendo deciding against releasing these additions. Until Nintendo officially announces cooking and vegetable growing as new features, make sure to keep your excitement in check.

Do you like the sound of these potential new features? Do you hope that they will indeed end up in the game at some point? Let us know in the usual place.

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2020-07-30 10:45:00Z
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Galaxy Note 20 Ultra pre-orders to include free Galaxy Buds Live - SamMobile

Samsung will be incentivizing Galaxy Note 20 Ultra pre-orders with a complimentary pair of the Galaxy Buds Live or Galaxy Buds+, at least in some countries. One such promotion is currently being planned by Samsung Indonesia, according to a newly leaked image of a flier which recently appeared on Twitter, as can be seen below. Much like it’s usually the case with such initiatives, the company will be giving out e-vouchers alongside pre-order confirmations.

Those coupons will seemingly cover the full price of either the Galaxy Buds+ or the upcoming Galaxy Buds Live in Indonesia, but other markets may only be treated to partial discounts, entirely different pre-order incentives, or a complete lack of any such free goodies whatsoever.

Well, so the Buds Live will be sold for about $179 here. Great deal, I guess.

Ngl, these two colours look good but I'll reserve the spot to replace my S20U for the S21U (or whatever the hell they'll call that thing). pic.twitter.com/QQn1U9W2MH

— Alvin (@sondesix) July 29, 2020

Inferring Galaxy Buds Live pricing

For added context, this is the equivalent of $180 worth of pre-order incentives we’re talking about, which isn’t a particularly valuable opportunity relative to much more generous promotions Samsung often runs in some markets. Assuming whatever it’s selling isn’t doing particularly well, that is. The figure corresponds with recent reports about Galaxy Buds Live pricing which is expected to range from $170 to $220/€190, depending on the market. On a related note, the Galaxy Note 20 prices also leaked just yesterday.

What’s more, the same source reveals exactly how long will Samsung be offering the Galaxy Note 20 series for pre-orders, stating that the early adopter period will run from August 6th to August 19th. Two weeks of pre-orders sounds about right for Samsung. The company used to run somewhat longer launch promotions, but with everything that’s been happening this year, it likely isn’t expecting to shatter any sales records and might have ultimately decided against unnecessarily prolonging this whole affair.

• Model: SM-N986B
• Dimensions: Bar: 164.8 x 77.2 x 8.1 mm
  
• Display: 6.9 inch / 175.26 mm Dynamic AMOLED 2X
• CPU: Exynos 990
• Camera: 108MP

• Model: SM-R180
• Dimensions: Ear Buds: 27.3 x 16.5 x 14.9 mm
  Cradle (Ear Buds): x x mm
  
• Display:
• CPU:
• Camera:

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2020-07-30 09:59:15Z
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Marantz NR1711: an affordable and slimline 8K AV receiver - What Hi-Fi? UK

Following the recent launch of its 8K-supporting SR-Series 2020 AV receivers, Marantz has now drawn the curtain on its first slimline 8K home cinema amplifier.

The NR1711 is the latest in a long line of slimline Marantz receivers, each of which stands at around half the height of a standard model. But while it may be diminutive in size, it certainly isn't found lacking when it comes to features. In fact, the seven-channel, 90-watt-per-channel amplifier supports many of the next-gen technologies and HDMI 2.1 features seen on the SR-Series.

Firstly, there are HDMI connections (one input, one output) that support 8K/60fps passthrough. These are complemented by a further five HDMI inputs that play ball with 4K/120fps video, a number of HDR formats (Dolby Vision, HLG, Dynamic HDR and HDR10+), and immersive Dolby Atmos and DTS:X surround sound technologies. HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) compatibility allows the direct transmission of these surround sound formats from TV apps to the receiver, too.

(Image credit: Marantz)

Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization Technology (via a future firmware update) and DTS Virtual:X are also onboard, giving owners a virtual 3D listening experience without the need for dedicated height or surround speakers. 

Good news for gamers: all the gaming technology buzzwords are onboard, just in time for the eagerly-awaited launches of the PS5 and Xbox Series X. There's Variable Refresh Rate (which allows a TV to adjust its refresh rate in real-time to the frame rate output of a games console or PC), Auto Low Latency Mode (which automatically switches your TV to its low-lag gaming preset when a signal from a console is detected), and, finally, Quick Frame Transport (which decreases display latency).

Movie watching and game playing aside, the NR1711 also follows its siblings' suit by supporting HEOS high-resolution audio, multi-room streaming, AirPlay 2 and Bluetooth, and by featuring a phono input.

The Marantz NR1711 will be available in September in a choice of black or silver-gold, priced £649 (€699).

MORE:

Best AV receivers 2020: brilliant home cinema amplifiers

How to combine stereo and surround sound in one AV system

Marantz 2020 SR-Series AV receivers support 8K, DTS:Pro and IMAX Enhanced

Denon’s world first 8K-ready AVRs are feature-packed and future-proofed

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2020-07-30 08:00:00Z
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AMD CDNA GPU to rival NVIDIA’s Ampere in late 2020 - TechRadar

AMD has revealed that its first GPU designed specifically for computing and based on CDNA architecture will become available later this year. Being developed primarily for artificial intelligence and high-performance computing (HPC) applications, the new Radeon Instinct will compete against Nvidia’s recently launched A100 GPU based on the Ampere architecture. 

Having realized early enough that GPUs for AI and HPC require support for features and instructions that are not necessarily needed by consumers, Nvidia has launched several datacenter-specific GPUs that have been adopted by hundreds AI and HPC-oriented machines. To that end, the multi-billion dollar GPU computing market is largely dominated by Nvidia today. 

AMD released its first datacenter GPU — the GCN-based Vega II — back in late 2018 and while the unit has not been as successful as parts from Nvidia, it is currently used by multiple cloud service providers and HPC customers.

(Image credit: AMD)

AMD’s next attempt on the server GPU front embraces its new CDNA architecture that is tailored primarily for AI as well as HPC and therefore promises to be a better fit for respective customers. AMD expects to launch its first CDNA-based Radeon Instinct MI100 GPU in the second half of the year. 

“We expect [datacenter GPU] revenue to increase in the second half of the year, as additional cloud-based visual computing wins ramp and we launch our new CDNA data center GPU architecture optimized for next generation exascale and machine learning workloads,” said Lisa Su, chief executive of AMD. 

AMD’s first CDNA GPU reportedly derives from the Vega II (GCN 1.5) processor, features new vector ALUs, Bfloat16 support, and is codenamed Arcturus. The company does not project its first CDNA GPU to significantly contribute to its revenues in 2020. AMD says that its datacenter GPUs will become a significant growth opportunity in 2021 and beyond, which is not surprising as such processors will be used in the upcoming Frontier and El Capitan supercomputers. 

“We see [datacenter GPUs] as a multi-year opportunity, but it is not a big revenue contributor here in 2020,” said Su. “But we see growth opportunity as we go into 2021 and beyond.”

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2020-07-30 04:00:00Z
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Official-looking Galaxy Fold 2 renders show off massively improved foldable's design - TechRadar

With Samsung expected to unveil its highly anticipated Galaxy Fold 2 alongside the Galaxy Note 20 at its virtual Unpacked event next week, it was only a matter of time before some official-looking renders leaked online.

That leak has come courtesy of MySmartPrice, which claims to have received the images of the supposed device from a trusted (yet undisclosed) source, showing a number of massive improvements for the second-generation model.

(Image credit: Samsung / MySmartPrice)

The images show the purported Galaxy Fold successor from several angles and in black and bronze color variants – the same colors shown off in numerous leaks of Samsung's Galaxy Note 20 – you can see the rest of the alleged Galaxy Fold 2 renders over at MySmartPrice's website.

Based on what we can ascertain from the leaked images, it appears that Samsung has addressed two of the biggest criticisms of the original Galaxy Fold, namely its small outer display and huge interior notch. 

The leaked images show an updated Galaxy Fold with a full-size outer display with minimal bezels, making the device look more like a traditional phone when closed, along with a tiny pinhole camera positioned at the upper right side of the interior display. 

Camera and screen

Additionally, the renders show an updated triple camera on the device's rear, appearing in an identical array to what we've seen from leaks of Samsung's standard Note 20.

What's unknown is whether Samsung has opted to upgrade the flimsy plastic display that featured in the original Galaxy Fold to the vastly superior flexible glass from the sturdier Galaxy Z Flip.

As with any leak, the renders shouldn't be considered final until Samsung itself officially unveils them. Thankfully, we won't have to wait long – the Galaxy Fold 2 will likely be revealed alongside the Galaxy Note 20 on August 5, 2020.

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2020-07-30 03:54:00Z
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Google will automatically back up your Android phone for free - Android Authority

6 hours ago

• Google has made automatic Android backups free to people without Google One plans.
• An iOS app now backs up media, contacts, and calendars on iPhones and iPads.
• The Google One app includes a storage manager, too.

---

Google is about to give many more Android users a better safety net — and iOS users, too.

The internet giant is making automatic backups available for free to Android users, whether or not they have Google One memberships. Vital data like contacts, photos, and media messages should always be available if something goes wrong. The feature will be accessible wherever Google One is an option.

You now have more options if you prefer an iPhone or iPad, too. An upcoming iOS app will let you store media, contacts, and calendars with Google, including through the free 15GB of storage. This is ultimately consolidating features available through separate apps like Google Photos, but helpful if you want additional protection beyond what Apple’s iCloud offers.

Regardless of platform, you’ll have an easier time managing available backup space. Google One is getting a new storage manager in its app and website that will both illustrate how you’re using space and give you ways to make room by deleting large files, spam emails and other items that you don’t need. Naturally, Google hopes to upsell people to more expensive plans.

Read more: The best Android backup apps

The Android features will reach Google Play in the “coming days,” while the iOS app will be ready “soon.” These tools are for everyday consumers, Google said, and won’t come to G Suite’s business users.

The Android addition is, to some degree, a way to counter iCloud. While you’ve long had ways to recover your info on Android, wider access to automated, centralized backups provides an iCloud-like reassurance — much of your most important data should be safe if something goes wrong. At the same time, there’s little doubt that this helps Google sell One. The more likely you are to back up your data to Google’s cloud, the more likely you are to need extra storage.

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2020-07-29 22:27:33Z
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