We talk to other people every day. Now we talk to our phones and smart speakers dotted around our home. So the natural progression of course would be to talk to our cars. We’ve seen Mercedes-Benz’s MBUX system before while driving the A250, and it returns in full force in the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300.

Aside from swift voice commands, the GLC 300 packs other great tech for safer driving on the road, as well as plenty of creature comforts that offer a superb driving experience. It’s certainly priced to match the amount of tech crammed in here, but know that if you do buy the GLC 300, you’re investing in some substantial amount of tech.

WE DROVE

Mercedes-Benz GLC 300

Engine: 1.9-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power output: 190kW/258hp
Max speed: 240 km/h
0-100km/h: 6.2 seconds
Price: from $69,900

The interior leather finish in our Premium+ model is sadly not the best for Dubai’s sweltering summers, but it does look fantastic. It feels like you’re stepping into a car from the future, ready to drive you to your destination while you flex your Sudoku muscles.

(Image credit: TechRadar)

One of the eye-catching features of the cabin is the digital instrument panel, featuring a crisp 10.5” screen with a 1920x720 resolution. Come day or night, it’s always easy to read whatever is on screen, and there are a number of options to cycle through just the information that’s useful to you as a driver.

(Image credit: TechRadar)

A second screen sits squarely in the middle of the dashboard, offering navigation, audio controls, climate information, and the various settings related to the car. It also supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, though we found that while using Android Auto, it doesn’t utilize the entire screen, but is cropped to fill in only a part of it. More tech comes in the form of a hidden wireless charging pad for your phone, as well as USB-C ports hidden in the center armrest and at the back.

Elsewhere, the GLC 300 flexes more style with adjustable ambient lighting around the cabin, a gorgeous, panoramic sliding sunroof, and plenty of space for rear passengers as well as for cargo in the back.

On the outside you’ll spot improved changes such as new LED lights and revamped front and rear bumpers. Our review model featured a red metallic finish, which on the road really stands out from the crowd. Only when you get behind the wheel of the GLC 300 do you really understand what all the fuss is about.

(Image credit: TechRadar)

Driving the GLC 300 is a whole other experience, and there’s a lot to take in. Firstly, cabin noise is at a bare minimum here – if you’re coasting along the highway you’ll get the faintest bit of wind noise from the side mirrors, but otherwise you can barely hear the low rumble of the engine. 

Pickup is also excellent when you need to overtake someone, with the engine quickly (and quietly) roaring to life to give you that needed speed boost. Handling is also very responsive, and taking sharp turns or roundabouts don’t make you feel like you’re being flung around in your seat.

There’s an exhaustive list of safety and driving aids as well, including lane assist, 360-degree camera, and blind spot assist when changing lanes. It all comes together to ensure that no matter what comes in front or behind your vehicle, you’re always aware and kept safe. 

We found it at times to be a little too precautious, with the sensors warning us of objects that were nowhere in front of us, so there’s a bit of tweaking to do in the settings to adjust their sensitivity. The different driving modes also adjust the car’s handling accordingly – use ECO for the best fuel mileage, Comfort for long-distance driving, and Sport for when you really want to zip around the roads.

The tech dazzling continues with Mercedes-Benz’s MBUX system, which offers nearly complete control of the car using just your voice. A simple ‘Hey Mercedes’ automatically kicks the voice assistant into gear, while simultaneously muting the music and even lowering the AC fan speed so your voice can be clearly heard. You can easily dial contacts, ask for directions, adjust the cabin temperature, and even inquire about weather reports for other cities.

It’s a much more connected system that offers more control of your car than what’s on your smartphone. Accuracy was almost always on point, and over time the system will get better at recognizing your commands the more you use it. The future dream of course would be to sit in your car and say ‘drive me to work’, but we’ll keep that as a pipe dream for now.

(Image credit: TechRadar)

As with previous cars, the GLC 300 supports the ‘Mercedes me connect app’, which offers in-depth information about your vehicle at any time. You can use the app to quickly schedule a service appointment, or even remotely start your car’s engine or lock the doors. It’s a fun add-on that expands the utility of your vehicle, but isn’t essential if you don’t want to use it.

There’s a lot to enjoy with the GLC 300, both in terms of its driving and the amount of tech it has to offer. It offers plenty of safety features that will appeal to anyone who wants to stay extra-alert on the road, and for families it makes an excellent road trip companion.

The GLC 300 pricing starts at $69,900 for the Premium Line and $74,550 for the Premium+ Line. Our review car is priced at $76,750.

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Dell Inspiron 15 3000 Laptop - $440.99
This 4th of July, get your hands on the cheapest AMD Ryzen 5 laptop on the market - available at 10% off this weekend. Despite the low price, this machine packs 8GB of DDR4 memory, a 256GB PCIe SSD and a 15.6-inch full HD display.View Deal

At $440.99 from Dell direct, the Inspiron 15 3000 is the cheapest Ryzen 5 laptop currently on the market for this 4th of July (and you should be able to get an additional 10% discount using the coupon code SAVE10 this weekend).

You won't find a better AMD laptop deal anywhere at the moment, and the Ryzen 5-powered model (albeit the older 2500U with integrated Vega 8 GPU) is well worth it.

Despite the price, this is a quad-core machine that packs 8GB of DDR4 memory (dual channel) and a 256GB PCIe SSD. We love the fact it has a 15.6-inch full HD display and Qualcomm-based 802.11ac Wi-Fi.

• These are the best business laptops on the market
• Check out our list of the best rugged laptops
• We've built a list of the best business tablets right now

Ryzen 5 deal

There’s no optical drive (as is usually the case with laptops of this size), which also means the device has a lightweight feel, weighing in at less than 5 lbs. There's also a card reader, three USB ports (including a USB 2.0, an anachronistic addition), HDMI, an Ethernet port and an audio jack.

We would have appreciated an upgrade path to Windows 10 Pro, but at least you get a 12-month subscription to McAfee LiveSafe antivirus and Cyberlink's ubiquitous MediaSuite Essentials to sweeten the deal.

A unique selling point compared to the competition is the presence of Dell's Mobile Connect, which essentially mirrors your Android or iOS smartphone to your laptop, allowing you to make calls, send texts and use apps seamlessly.

• Check out our list of the best rugged tablets on the market

Bear in mind

• If you've managed to get your hands on a cheaper product with equivalent specifications, in stock and brand new, let us know and we'll tip our hat to you.

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As researchers tracked his flight over 27 countries, a cuckoo became a celebrity and raised questions about how climate change could affect his species’ travel.

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With a major camera upgrade, new automated flight modes, and longer flying times, this is the drone we recommend you get.

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Virgin is a brand which is rarely that affordable when it comes to broadband deals. But right now, it has one of the best (and cheapest) fibre plans currently on the market.

For the price of just £24 a month, Virgin will land you with speeds averaging 108Mb - roughly double what most fibre broadband deals will get you at this price point. And on top of that Virgin isn't charging set up costs here.

Then topping it off, this 12 month contract is also throwing in a £50 Amazon voucher when you sign up. With Amazon Prime Day just around the corner, that is a pretty tempting incentive.

You can find out more about this Virgin broadband deal below:

• Broadband and TV deals: go all out on a package

Virgin broadband deals:

Virgin M100 Fibre Broadband | 12 months | 108Mb average speed | £24 per month | FREE activation + £50 voucher
This latest offer from Virgin is pretty fantastic. It offers speeds averaging 108Mb at a price of just £24 a month. There's nothing to pay upfront and on top of the excellent speeds and pricing combo, Virgin is also throwing in a £50 Amazon.co.uk voucher on top.
View Deal

Is Virgin fibre broadband available in my area?

Approximately 60% of UK households can get superfast Virgin broadband. It's quite simple to find out if you're included in this percentage - head over to our dedicated Virgin broadband deals page, enter your postcode where indicated (at the top of the page) and if the deals show as available then you're good to go.

If no results are returned, then head to our best broadband deals page instead and do exactly the same thing to see whether you can get superfast fibre broadband with another provider, such as BT Fibre broadband.

Existing Virgin Media broadband customers

Sorry, the Virgin website states that these limited-time offers are for new customers only. However, there's no harm in trying to get a slice of the pie, so if you're already a Virgin broadband customer we suggest you get in touch with customer services before trying to place an order.

Read more:

• 4G home broadband: see the best temporary internet solutions
• Amazon Prime Day: prepare for the upcoming saving event
• Mobile phone deals: considering a new phone contract?

Today's best broadband deals:

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Rumors abound that Apple is considering not including a power adapter or earbuds in the box with the iPhone 12 models – to save on electronic waste and to save money – and we've now come across another hint that this is going to be the case.

Based on tweets posted by users, Apple is currently surveying some of its customers about what they've done with the power adapters they've already got – which may give an indication about which way the company is thinking.

The survey apparently sent to existing iPhone owners asks if they're still using the USB charging block, or if they've lost it, or if they've given it to a friend or family member to use instead. There's also an option to indicate that the charger is no longer working well.

• Updates on the OnePlus Nord launch
• iPhone 12 details in iOS 14
• PC gamers get Horizon Zero Dawn

This isn't confirmation that Apple is ditching the bundled charging adapter of course, but it does at least appear to be on the table. So far the strongest indication that the iPhone 12 won't come with the standard accessories has been an analyst prediction.

An Apple rumor a day

According to TF Securities analyst Ming-chi Kuo, Apple wants to offset the cost of adding 5G to its handsets by not including a power adapter or indeed earbuds in the box, though they will be available to buy separately if you need them.

To be fair to Apple there is an eco-friendly angle here too: at this stage the majority of people who are going to buy an iPhone probably already have the accessories they need from previous handsets. And more compact packaging means less waste.

We'll find out for sure later in the year when the iPhone 12 finally breaks cover – though it looks as though the regular schedule of a September announcement could be under threat, with the global pandemic that we're all living through.

We're expecting a total of four iPhone 12 phones to be unveiled eventually, with 5G available on all of them, and a variety of screen sizes to pick from. Inside sources suggest the iPhone 12 models will be taking a few design cues from the iPad Pro tablets.

• What can the iPhone SE (2020) tell us about the iPhone 12?

Via 9to5Mac

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Movie theaters are beginning to reopen. Despite plenty of public disagreement over when entertainment venues should be opening their doors, seats are being prepped, projector lamps are being struck and the smell of popcorn is filling the foyers once again.

The likes of Odeon and Vue cinema chains are the first in the UK, with the former open as of July 4 and latter sticking to a July 10 date, while competitor Cineworld (and AMC in the US) are pushing their openings back as far as July 31, amid uncertainty over audience members’ safety and their willingness to come back to movie theaters already.

It’s a brand new world for the industry to adapt to, as many countries attempt to return to normality after passing the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic. The fallout the cinema industry faces delves far beyond the simple plan of getting bums in seats and instead extends into many other facets that will no doubt have long lasting ripple effects for years to come.

Simply watching a film is only one element of the movie-going experience, and this new world will be very different for patrons. 

With the green light given in many countries for cinemas to open once again, many chains have come forward with opening dates and their plans on how to ensure guests feel safe in the auditorium environment. In the UK, Showcase Cinemas released a video on its social media channels, giving an in-depth look into the precautions the company will be taking. Hand sanitiser stations are located throughout, protective screens have been installed at till points and cleaning procedures have changed with staff using an antiviral spray to disinfect each screen after use. 

Other chains have similar plans, but many have omitted the necessary need for face masks. In the US, AMC Theatres stated that guests won’t be required to wear face masks for entry. The decision unsurprisingly met vocal opposition, and the company swiftly amended their initial statement to announce that face masks were mandatory. 

“This announcement prompted an intense and immediate outcry from our customers, and it is clear from this response that we (AMC Theatres) did not go far enough on the usage of masks,” the company said in a revised statement. “At AMC Theatres, we think it is absolutely crucial that we listen to our guests. Accordingly, and with the full support of our scientific advisors, we are reversing course and are changing our guest mask policy.”

• New movies: what you can watch when theaters reopen

Masking indecision

It’s this sort of mixed messaging that’s going to temper with audience expectations of a safe experience. The industry needs to come together and devise one concise message for the public and create an element of trust between the two parties.

It’s worth homing in on the day-to-day realities of cinemas reopening, too. Guest management can be difficult at the best of times – and as someone who has worked within the industry in a management position for over five years, there’s only so much that can be done from a staff perspective. Everyone’s more than likely had one cinema experience that’s been ruined by someone on their phone, a fight between other guests or a disturbance from other members of the audience. In a post-COVID world, these issues are only going to become more prevalent – and harder to solve.

How do you begin to tackle a guest concern about another audience member coughing throughout the film? While defusing situations is one of the skills staff are required to learn in order to maintain a relaxed and efficient trip to the cinemas, these new and challenging situations will require new solutions.

Masks will be mandatory at first, but how long will cinemas hold firm? (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Will the pull of blockbuster films be enough?

There also has to be content that viewers will want to leave their safety bubble to see. This summer hopes to bring movies such as Tenet and Mulan as heavy hitters to reignite the industry – both of which have now faced another delay till mid-August. 

Showing older films at a discounted price is going to be the case for the first few weeks. Titles such as The Shawshank Redemption, The Dark Knight and Despicable Me will be given a new lease of life in the attempts to drag in an audience. The question remains whether older titles have the pulling power to bring in guests, especially with the sudden rise in drive-in cinemas offering a completely unique experience for cinematic classics. 

Both AMC and the UK based chain Cineworld have both been quick to act on this fact and have since delayed its opening to July 31, to open when films with demand intend to be released. “In line with recent changes to upcoming film release dates, we have made the decision to move our re-opening date,” Cineworld announced on their website. “with the on-going pandemic, this new date remains subject to final confirmation.”

With both distributors and cinema chains playing chicken on who will stick to a date first, any release dates going forward are essentially placeholders. The unease of both parties will spark not only confusion to the public, but constant doubt on whether now is the right time. The ability to sustain a market with older titles is a gamble at best and if cinemas fail to hit attendance with such features, certain chains could end up in further crisis. 

If cinemas fail to bring an audience then two options will arise. To close until new releases finally commit to a date or draw back on resources for the time being. This could include reduced staff, even shorter opening hours and a smaller selection of films. All of these pose threats with less staff not being able to clean efficiently, shorter opening hours having stricter film times and a smaller slate of films failing to bring in those that feel they are ready to go back.

Disney's live-action Mulan is one movie cinemas are hoping will pull in audiences (Image credit: Disney)

Home safe home

Lockdown has forced many to stay in their homes and undoubtedly utilise many streaming services and rentals, which certain distributors have capitalized on. Universal’s decision to follow a streaming model even after cinemas reopen has ruffled a few feathers with chains such as AMC, who are now refusing to show the company’s titles in the future. In a letter directed to the distributor the company stated that “effectively immediately AMC will no longer play any Universal movies in any of our theaters in the United States, Europe or the Middle East.” Realistically, cinemas doing this will no doubt shoot themselves in the foot as they inevitably force viewers to stay in the comfort of their homes to watch big-name films.

With the economic repercussions of lockdown facing many, renting a film for an entire family is going to be far more sustainable than a cinema trip with inflated prices. Showing older films for a discounted price is a great tactic to attempt to restart the industry, but once the big blockbusters eventually hit screens such as Tenet and Mulan, ticket prices will almost certainly shoot up to recoup costs. The question is whether audience members will feel secure placing a price on the risk of their health, or sacrifice the big screen experience for a safer (and cheaper) evening? 

How cinemas will operate in a year or even a month is uncertain and it’s going to be an experiment of trial and error to get the formula right. Both guests and staff will have numerous concerns about the revival of cinemas and it’s up to the industry to come together to conjure a solution. With mixed messaging on face masks, and partnerships squandered between distributors, the industry is in a maelstrom of turmoil – and it needs to come together collectively to find a solution or risk losing an audience permanently. 

• Don't feel safe going out? Build your own home cinema setup instead

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Leigh Dana Jackson, the co-executive producer on Apple TV+'s forthcoming show, believes genre fiction has a role to play in addressing injustice.

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Still sheltering in place? Good. Here’s how to watch movies with friends, even when you’re apart.

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Here's the truth: I was never going to see Hamilton live on-stage. There were just too many hurdles. 

Even though London is just a couple of hours from where I live, I know I wasn't going to go out of my way to get tickets, book a hotel, co-ordinate days off with my partner and make a whole evening of it. I'm just too lazy. Hamilton was destined to be something I either experienced through Spotify, or just had explained to me over and over again by friends who actually bothered to go.

Hamilton's arrival on Disney Plus, then, feels like a real event. And maybe the only massive event on streaming services during this strange year so far. While the early release of movies like Pixar's Onward or The Invisible Man on VOD seemed like a big deal in the moment, this is the first thing I've cleared my schedule to watch during our current global situation. 

And yes, I think it lives up to the hype. I believe Hamilton feels momentous because this is something you never expected to experience in your home this year. The novelty value is high because theater experiences are harder to come by right now.

• How to watch Hamilton online
• Our Disney Plus guide
• The best Disney Plus movies

Why is Hamilton worth watching?

(Image credit: Walter McBride/WireImage)

To put it simply, as a first-time viewer, Hamilton showed me something I feel like I've never seen before. Unless you really hate musicals, I feel like this will offer the same sensation to you. 

An ambitious biographical musical with a distinctly contemporary approach, I watched Hamilton with the strong sense that I was enjoying someone's masterpiece for the first time. It's an enlightening, frequently funny and emotional viewing experience that leaves a powerful impression, even without seeing it live in the theater.

Hamilton tells the life story of United States founding father Alexander Hamilton (played by writer and lyricist Lin-Manuel Miranda), and his extraordinary journey from orphan to vital figure in the American Revolution and ultimately American politics. His story is told in contrast to that of Aaron Burr (played by Leslie Odom Jr), his friend-turned-rival and eventual killer. 

Collectively, the show offers a rich depiction of this part of American history, and it suddenly had me opening 25 Chrome tabs to read about everyone mentioned in the script (in my experience of education in the UK, they don't teach you all that much about the wars we didn't win). 

A massive part of this movie version's appeal is that it features the original 2015 Broadway cast of the musical. This is the ensemble that turned Hamilton into a sensation in the first place. This recording exists as a time capsule, then, and even though it was filmed over three different performances in a single week, I wasn't able to tell. For continuity purposes, it helps that Miranda consistently looks tired as hell in every shot (partly because he was performing on his day off to get the footage needed for this movie, according to an interview). 

Afterwards, I ended up researching what the entire cast did next, because there are so many memorable performances to enjoy here (although I'm already familiar with King George actor Jonathan Groff from Netflix's Mindhunter). Admittedly, I did also watch Miranda's amazing turn in Curb Your Enthusiasm a few months before this, which piqued my interest in finally watching Hamilton.

If you're a first-timer, don't miss it

(Image credit: Disney Plus)

If you're sceptical about Hamilton being overly hyped based on the monumental success of the musical, I say watch the first number and try not to be won over. The energy of the lyrics and performances immediately enchanted me as a first-time viewer. 

I have no real knowledge of musical theater, and I don't think the promise of seeing Hamilton live one day will address my laziness in booking a trip to London's West End. Not when I can just sit here and play Apex Legends in my underpants.

That said, this feels like a lightning-in-a-bottle experience, and a real treat to fight the lockdown blues. I imagine the prospect of seeing Hamilton live is more complicated for most people than it is for me. And while getting a month of Disney Plus might not be within everyone's means, the release of Hamilton on the platform brings down the financial barriers of experiencing this culturally significant work. That's pretty cool. 

Hamilton's arrival also underlines another important point: Disney Plus needs more musicals. In this period of production strife in TV and film, it's another way to differentiate the service from its competitors.

Hamilton is streaming now on Disney Plus

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The iPhone SE (2020) was one of the more surprising smartphone launches this year. Rumors of a follow-up to the 'affordable iPhone' had been circulating since the launch of the original iPhone SE back in 2016, so its successor finally arriving four years later certainly piqued the interest of consumers.

One of the perks of this mid-year launch is that it gives us a glimpse into Apple's 'mind'. The new iPhone SE can tell us a thing or two about the company's hardware strategy, which in turn hints at changes for the iPhone 12.

The iPhone 12 series is due to launch in September (barring any pandemic-related delays), and we've been hearing a lot about it through leaks.

We've looked at some of the more interesting aspects of the iPhone SE in order to speculate on Apple's next main phone line. 

This could even help you decide whether you should wait for the iPhone 12, or check out our iPhone SE deals and pick yourself up a new iPhone now.

• These are the best iPhones

No 'cheap' option

If you wanted a 'cheap' iPhone in 2019, there wasn't exactly a perfect option for you although the iPhone 11 and some older iPhones weren't too expensive, but in 2020 the iPhone SE fully scratches that itch as it's cheaper than any iPhone currently made by Apple. 

It means Apple doesn't need to put out a low-cost device, instead it can put out a line of high-spec devices with less consideration for the price tag.

We've heard Apple might put out four different iPhone 12 models, including two 'iPhone 12 Pro' devices, and if this turns out to be the case we could see them extend into the super-premium market with huge prices.

Rumors suggest the most affordable of the range will match the iPhone 11 in price (one dubious leak even suggests there will be a more affordable version with a key feature missing), but given the wild gamut of iPhone 12 prices that have leaked in recent months, it's hard to piece together what the future phone could like like.

Given the presence of the iPhone SE, though, we could see the most affordable phone start at a higher price than the iPhone 11, and an iPhone 12 Pro Max that's a serious rival to the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra (and the rumored Galaxy Note 20 Ultra), in specs and price.

But perhaps a new iPhone SE?

One rumor that circulated prior (and slightly after) the new iPhone SE launch was that there could be an iPhone SE Plus at some point too, which would be a bigger version of the phone in the same way the iPhone 8 Plus was a larger variant of the iPhone 8.

Well, that hasn't proven true just yet, but perhaps the iPhone SE Plus could in fact be released under a different name - as an iPhone 12 variant. iPhone 12 leaks have been all over the place, so we haven't received any definitive evidence they're all top-end phones, so we could see a new mid-ranger from the company.

This might not be the case, as we've heard the iPhone SE Plus could come out in early 2021 instead, but it's still possible. 

(Image credit: Future)

Rounded edges are in

Certain rumors suggest the iPhone 12 will have flat edges, like iPad Pro models and iPhones of old, which would be a curious design decision since it'd make the phones more uncomfortable to hold. 

However, the iPhone SE arrived with rounded edges, and we wouldn't expect Apple to radically change its design philosophy by putting out a different-looking iPhone 12, because as we've said, flat-edge screens are much more uncomfortable to hold than rounded-edge ones. 

Apple's unlikely to choose to make its affordable phones better looking and nicer to hold than its pricey flagships line, as that would risk driving users to its cheaper devices away from the main range.

No headphone jack

This fact rather went without saying, but the new iPhone SE delivered another nail in the coffin - the iPhone 12 almost definitely won't have a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Sure, iPhones haven't had the audio feature in years now, so few were really expecting it. The original iPhone SE had the jack though, which led some to hope its successor would, but it doesn't. Clearly Apple truly is done with the 'standard' audio jack.

(Image credit: Future)

Long-lasting battery

One of the core criticisms against the new iPhone SE is its battery life, and that echos a common complaint with iPhones in general, as they don't tend to last very long at all.

However with the iPhone SE, unlike most other iPhones, the battery life was arguably the biggest complaints leveled against it, with our reviewer finding it didn't even reach a day.

So if Apple wasn't aware its phone batteries weren't lasting long enough, the feedback from the iPhone SE will hopefully make that clear, and result in iPhone 12 units that have batteries which last a full day at the very minimum.

The iPhone 11 Pro Max has a battery capacity of nearly 4,000mAh, which is big for an iPhone, and it was the longest-lasting of Apple's smartphones by far. But it still doesn't compete with many Android phones, some of which last more than two days without needing to be charged.

(Image credit: Future)

A change in photo processing attitudes

You can usually tell a photo is taken on an iPhone because its color capture is skewed towards the yellow side, resulting in pictures that looked a little orangey, especially to the sides of the image. As a result pictures look warmer, but not always very natural.

However that wasn't the case in the iPhone 11, suggesting Apple was tweaking its image optimization software to take more natural-looking pictures, and it was also the case in the iPhone SE.

This shows the change wasn't a fluke, but an intentional change by Apple to make its pictures compete with other devices a lot more. 

Huawei phones take very natural looking snaps, and we often rate them higher in our list of the best camera phones as a result, so it's likely Apple is making this change to better compete with its rivals.

• Even if the iPhone 12 4G is real, you probably shouldn't buy it – here's why

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Start your engines, motor racing fans - F1 is back in action! It's been a long time coming, but the first race weekend of the new-look 2020 Formula 1 season is finally here, taking place on July 3-5 in Austria at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg. Don't miss a second of the action - here's how to watch an Austrian Grand Prix F1 live stream from anywhere in the world.

F1 Austrian Grand Prix 2020

Sky Sports is the home of F1 racing in the UK, so a bargain Sky Sports Monthly Pass is all you need to see you through the Austrian GP and all of July's Formula 1 action. In the US, it's ESPN you want - and the channel's included in Sling TV's Orange package, which is currently available on a FREE 14-day trial.

It's one of eight GPs currently green-lighted by the sport's governing body, FIA, and will see star British driver Lewis Hamilton launch his bid for a record-equalling seventh Drivers' Championship - and the Mercedes man has certainly made a blistering start to the campaign, owning free practice on day one in Austria.

As you'd imagine, there aren't any fans at the Red Bull Ring - but fortunately, getting a first-class F1 live stream has never been easier. The Austrian GP is a start rather than a restart for the 2020 F1 season, as all originally planned races were cancelled back in March due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Lewis Hamilton is understandably the heavy favourite for Sunday - but at last year's spin, he didn't even make it on to the podium. Instead, Red Bull wunderkind Max Verstappen took the honours, with Charles Leclerc second and Valtteri Botta third.

Keep on reading as we explain how to watch an Austrian Grand Prix F1 live stream and provide details of the full practice and qualifying schedule.

• Don't miss: how to watch Hamilton online

F1 Austrian Grand Prix schedule: practice, qualifying and GP times

• Practice 1 (Friday, July 3): 10am BST / 11am CEST / 5am ET
• Practice 2 (Friday, July 3): 2pm BST / 3pm CEST / 9am ET
• Practice 3 (Saturday, July 4): 11am BST / 12pm CEST / 6am ET
• Qualifying (Saturday, July 4): 2pm BST / 3pm CEST / 9am ET
• Austrian Grand Prix 2020 (Sunday, July 5): 2.10pm BST / 3.30pm CEST / 9.10am ET

How to live stream the F1 Austrian Grand Prix from outside your country

If you're resident in the UK, US, Canada, Australia or New Zealand, you can scroll a bit further down for a guide to who's showing the Formula 1 Austrian GP in your country. But if you're abroad for whatever reason, you might encounter a problem accessing your normal coverage in the form of geo-blocking. 

You needn't worry, though - by using one of the best VPN services we recommend, you can whizz around these digital borders and tune in to a reliable Austrian Grand Prix live stream, just like you would at home. Here's how to get started.

We've taken the time to try out all the best VPN providers and we found ExpressVPN to sit at the front of the grid. It works with lots of devices and offers super fast connections across its many servers. 

Access ExpressVPN via your laptop, iPhone, tablet, Android phone, PlayStation, Xbox and plenty more. Express is a do-it-all service that also benefits from 24/7 customer support.

ExpressVPN is the best all-round VPN for streaming at (appropriately) excellent speeds - and perhaps best of all, it has a 30-day money back guarantee plus three months FREE when you subscribe for a year.

How to watch the Austrian Grand Prix: live stream F1 in the UK

This year, there is next-to-no free live coverage of the F1 as Sky has nabbed the rights to Formula 1, meaning you'll be able to see it all via Sky Sports and its dedicated Sky Sports F1 channel. Subscribers also get to watch on the move using the Sky Go app , which is available on nearly all modern phones, tablets, laptops, PCs and consoles.

For those without Sky, the best option is to nab a Now TV Sky Sports Monthly Pass, which includes all 11 channels - currently £10 off and down to just £25 a month as part of a special three month deal. Taken out at the right time, this should get you access to all eight confirmed races of the revised 2020 season - as well as live Premier League football, PGA Tour, and lots more. 

Coverage begins on the dedicated Sky Sports F1 channel at 10am on Friday for the first practice runs, 10.45am on Saturday for Practice 3, 1.30pm on Saturday for qualifying, and 1pm Sunday for the Austrian Grand Prix itself (expected 2.05pm start time)

To access your usual streaming service from outside the UK, you'll need to download a good VPN as detailed above. 

How to get an F1 Austrian Grand Prix live stream in the US

For the 2020 F1 season, it's ESPN that will be providing broadcasts in the US. Cord cutters are in luck, too, as you don't have to use cable to access ESPN. 

Over-the-top streaming services let you watch TV over an internet connection and can typically be had for a fraction of the cost of even the most basic cable package.

When it comes to getting ESPN, two in particular standout.

Watch ESPN without cable - option 1

Sling TV's Orange package includes ESPN and offers a FREE 14-day trial period before billing you at $30 a month. If you just want access to ESPN and the F1 action, this is the cheapest way to go.

Watch ESPN without cable - option 2

For a more complete cable replacement solution, consider Hulu + Live TV, which costs $54.99 but comes with over 65 channels including ESPN as well as Hulu's full line-up of original and on demand content. It's got a FREE 1-week trial going at the moment, too, so check it out.

F1 Austrian Grand Prix 2020: US times and TV coverage

ESPN's coverage of the F1 Austrian GP is pretty comprehensive: on Friday, July 3, Practice 1 is covered by ESPN 2 from 4.55am ET and Practice 2 by ESPN 2 from 8.55am ET.

On Saturday, July 4, it's 5.55am on ESPN2 for Practice 3, or things start getting serious at 8.55am on ESPN with the qualifying race. On Sunday, July 5, you can watch the Austrian Grand Prix live from 9.05am on ESPN (build-up starts at 8am).

For anyone abroad

US residents heading outside of the country can still access the feed they normally use and pay for by using a VPN as per the method described above.

How to watch an F1 Austrian GP live stream in Canada

In Canada, 2020 F1 races are aired a pair of Bell Media-owned sports broadcasters: the English-language TSN and its French-language counterpart RDS. Check your local listings for linear TV details, but those wanting to watch online are well-served by their digital platforms. 

The TSN Direct and RDS Direct streaming services cost just CA$4.99 a day or (much better value) $19.99 a month and can be purchased by anyone, regardless of whether you have the channels as part of a pay TV package - though existing subscribers should note they can log in to live streams at no extra charge with details of their provider. They both also offer apps for convenient on-the-go streaming.

Practice coverage starts at 8.45am ET on Friday, July 3, qualifying action at 8.55am on July 4, and the Austrian GP itself at 9.05am on Sunday, July 5.

Canadians abroad can use a VPN to whizz back to the Great White North and watch the streaming coverage they normally do at home - only from anywhere in the world.

How to watch F1 and get an Austrian Grand Prix live stream in Australia

Paid-for service Fox Sports is showing every race of the 2020 Formula 1 season and is available to Foxtel subscribers on linear TV.

But Australians can also live stream F1 action without pay TV via great value Kayo Sports , which will give you access to Fox Sports coverage of Formula 1 without a length contract or eye-watering price.

 In fact, it's available from just $25 a month - and it comes with a FREE 2-week trial period so you can see how it works for yourself. It's also home to comprehensive NRL and AFL coverage, making it a great all-around choice for Aussies.

For the best value, consider the upgraded Kayo Sports Premium Package, which provides three concurrent streams for $35 per month. We probably don't need to tell you, but if you've got mates or family who also like to watch F1, this can be shared and breaks at just over a tenner a head.

Coverage starts with the first practice runs on Friday, June 3 at 7pm AEST. On Saturday, Practice 3 will be shown at 7.45pm, followed by Qualifying at 10.30pm.

On Sunday July 5, you can watch the Austrian GP live from 10pm.

Don't forget, you can take your coverage abroad with you as well - just grab a VPN and follow our instructions above to take your streaming service of choice with you wherever you go in the world.

How to get an F1 live stream in New Zealand

New Zealand will get the 2020 F1 races broadcast by Spark Sport which costs $19.99 per month. But if you just want to catch one race for free, you're in luck as there is a 7-day free trial.

Qualifying coverage is set to start at 12.30am NZST in the early hours of Sunday, July 5 - and the Austrian Grand Prix 2020 will be on-air from 12.30am on Monday, July 6.

Should you go elsewhere in the world and want to still sign-in to watch your subscription you can, then using one of our best VPN recommendations should have you covered.

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Less than a week after India banned TikTok and 58 other Chinese apps in India in the wake of the Sino-Indian border skirmish, there are reports that the Chinese company is already making efforts at a rapprochement. Tik Tok's chief executive has told New Delhi that the company would never turn over user data even if Beijing asked for it. 

A report in the Wall Street Journal claimed that Kevin Mayer, who leads the video-sharing social network, had written a letter to the federal government in India on June 28 where he had categorically stated that the Chinese administration had never sought user data and even if they did, the company would not be turning it over. 

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Why is TikTok seeking a rapproachment? 

Readers would recall that TikTok, owned by the Chinese multinational tech giant ByteDance Ltd., is not available for users in China, which makes continuance in India critical for survival. A report from Reuters said this could be a crucial factor behind TikTok distancing itself from its Chinese roots. 

"I can confirm that the Chinese government has never made a request to us for the TikTok data of Indian users, Mayer wrote in a letter, which the Reuters report claims to have accessed. He also noted that data from India is stored not in China, but on servers located in Singapore.

The company had boasted over 150 million active users in India at the time of the ban while globally it had more than 2 billion downloads at the start of 2020. The fact that the app had over 177 million downloads in India during the first nine months of 2019 indicates its popularity. And Meyers obviously would like to smoothen any rough feathers by putting as much distance as he can between TikTok and the Chinese regime in Beijing. 

But, will it really help?

Officials in the federal government confirmed to us that representatives from TikTok could be meeting with officials in New Delhi in the coming week, though they refused to indicate whether an amicable settlement was on the cards. Given the prevalent negative sentiments around Chinese apps, the chances of an immediate return for TikTok appears remote at this juncture. 

Since the government notification banning 59 Chinese apps had cited national security as a reason, there is little chance that the ban would be lifted or revoked any time soon. Even a legal recourse is unlikely to bear fruit at this juncture as the courts have little option but to go accept the government's security concerns, though they can offer some respite in terms of asking the administration to define norms for ensuring data security. 

Keeping the spirit of reinventing myself alive I have finally decided to be on #tiktok. Here is my first video. As yet I have no clue what should I post on this platform. May be your suggestions will help. Do follow me on @Anupampkher. Jai Ho.🤓😍😎 @tiktok pic.twitter.com/4MiJbxIHqNJanuary 3, 2020

The sudden ban has brought to fore several local contenders who appear to be cashing in on the huge legion of TikTok stars that existed in India, which even included known supporters of the ruling BJP such as Bollywood actor Anupam Kher. Incidentally, he is married to Kirron Kher, who is a lawmaker in the Indian parliament. 

Before the border skirmish, TikTok had gone on record with investments proposals estimated at over $1 billion dollars in the region. The company employs over 3,500 direct and indirect employees in their Indian operations, and has also committed to build a data centre in India to ensure privacy and data security.

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The rigorous customs clearance processes rolled out following India's border skirmish with China adversely affected production of iPhones in India for more than a week. Foxconn, one of Apple's contract manufacturers, now confirms that delays in  customs clearances for components have eased and production has normalized. 

In a statement, the Taiwanese contract manufacturer has said the federal government has relaxed some of the conditions for clearing consignments from China. As a result Foxconn's two factories that were at a standstill for over a week, have resumed normal production of the iPhones. 

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(Image credit: Foxconn India)

Tightening of customs regulations

India put in place stringent customs clearance procedures for consignments from China following an escalation of its long-standing border dispute with that country. Though both countries are engaged in diplomatic and ground-level negotiations, the federal government brought in extra regulations for Chinese imports while also banning the use of 50 mobile apps within India. 

The decision led to Foxconn facing delays in receipt of iPhone parts as consignments were held up at the Indian customs. Sources said Foxconn had as many as 150 of its consignments containing electronic parts from China stuck at Chennai port. The company operates two units in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh where it assembles smartphones for Apple and Xiaomi. 

All's well no for Apple in India

On Friday, the federal government had exempted foreign companies such as Apple from its stringent customs verification processes. Officials confirmed to us from Delhi that further shipments from Apple would face no delays over customs clearances following discussions with officials of Foxconn and Apple in India. 

Meanwhile, a report in 9to5Mac.com quoted filings from the Taipei stock exchange said Foxconn had reported that customs clearances of cargo logistics in India had been resolved and all regulatory procedures had been complied with. 

These reports would go a long way in assuaging doubts at the Apple headquarters, given that there were several reports of the company considering a major increase in iPhone production capabilities in India.  These were part of their efforts to reduce reliance on China, with the reports first emerging in January when the Covid-19 virus spread forcing Apple to shut down their manufacturing plants in China. 

A couple of months into the pandemic, there were reports in the Indian media that Apple was indeed looking to shift a substantial part of its production over to the country. It was also reported that Indian officials were holding talks with Apple to convince them of the changed investment climate in the country under the 'Make in India' program. 

• Do check out our recommendations for the Best iPhone Games for 2020

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Lenovo ThinkPad P53 mobile workstation - $2,358 at Lenovo
(£1,539.99/AU$2,999.40)
You'll be hard pressed to find a much better deal than this laptop, if you're looking for 128GB of RAM to take on the move. The ThinkPad P53 should be at the very top of the list for memory-hungry professionals after an affordable workstation. For the best price, use coupon code THINKJULY at checkout (offer ends July 31).View Deal

Lenovo has cut the price of all its ThinkPad mobile workstations as part of its annual 4th of July sales, giving you a great opportunity to upgrade without breaking the bank.

One of the best offers is the ThinkPad P53 (20QNCTO1WW), which boasts a ridiculous 128GB of RAM - an amount of storage usually associated with solid state drives, not system memory.

The machine is available for $2,357.40 (£1,539.99/AU$2,999.40) at a 40% discount, with coupon code THINKJULY (valid until the end of July).

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Boost your computer performance

Apart from the 128GB RAM, the laptop is otherwise decently configured. It features an Intel Core i5-9400H, 256GB SSD, 15.6-inch full HD display, 90Whr battery, Nvidia Quadro T1000 GPU, 802.11AX Wi-Fi and Windows 10 Home. 

Most will appreciate the fact it has a dedicated numeric keypad and falls under the umbrella of mobile workstation, meaning it's likely to have less bloatware and better build quality (plus the iconic eraser top controller).

You cannot run Windows 10 in memory sadly, but you can run software in memory for free. And from what we saw, storage performance can improve by an order of magnitude. Just don’t expect this to magically improve the gaming performance of the laptop - this simply won’t happen.

• Here's our list of the best laptops for graphic designers around

Bear in mind

• If you've managed to get your hands on a cheaper product with equivalent specifications, in stock and brand new, let us know and we'll tip our hat to you.

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