9000
9001
TOP NOISE-CANCELLING HEADPHONES UNDER £160
SMARTER LIVING
SAMSUNG S20 ULTRA REVIEW
Is the most advanced phone in the world worth the price?
TESTED!
8K TV
4 PORTABLE SMART SPEAKERS
IN-CAR ALEXA
E-BIKES
2020’S BEST TECH
THE GADGETS AND TECH TRENDS YOU MUST KNOW THIS YEAR, FROM NEW TV TECH TO 5G EVERYWHERE
NEXT-GEN TABLETS
SHOWSTOPPER Gadgets that showcase the very best that design and technology have to offer
GET YOURSELF CONNECTED The latest design of this iconic machine offers two RCA audio jacks for external sources, one RCA audio output for connecting to an external amp and one for an external subwoofer, plus a 3.5mm preamp audio jack for your headphones
B R ION V E GA R A DIOFONO GR A FO R R 226 FO-ST Back in 2016, a 1960s turntable once belonging to David Bowie sold at auction for £257,000. That turntable was a Brionvega Radiofonografo RR126, created by Italian geniuses Achille and Pier Castiglioni. Now, to mark the 100th anniversary of Achille’s birth, a special edition of that iconic music system has been launched, complete with the original machine’s iconic ‘smiley face’ (made up of controls for the record player, radio and volume). The Radiofonografo RR226 FO-ST comes in white, orange and red, with only 100 of each colour available for purchase – all will be numbered and made using the original Italian cabinet design. Each will feature a premium Pro-Ject turntable with Ortofon cartridge, an AM/FM radio and cool modular speakers that can be moved up or down to create unique looks. There’s a headphone jack for when you want to listen privately, but let’s be honest, a system this iconic deserves a bigger audience. From £6,670, brionvega.it/en
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Meet the team
Meet the team
MEET OUR ADVERTISING TEAM Get in touch to see what T3 can do for your brand! UK COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR CLARE DOVE clare.dove@futurenet.com +44 (0)7432 442244
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VISIT T3.COM We’ve overhauled T3.com – the best site for gadget news and reviews now has a great new look and is fully responsive, enabling you to enjoy it on any device.
Welcome
Editor’s letter After three years of steering the good ship T3 around WKH &DULEEHDQ RI WHFK UDLGLQJ FRPSDQLHV IRU WKHLU ĆQHVW wares, I’m giving up the wheel. I’m not leaving T3 – you’ll still see me across the page on our little Most Wanted wall – but I won’t be editing the magazine any more. I’m handing over the reins (I don’t know why this ship has reins, let alone reins and a wheel, but stay with me here) to Josh, who’s already helped make this very issue happen, so you’re in safe hands. I actually started here immediately after 2017’s Hot 100 LVVXH VRbWR HQG KHUH IHHOV OLNH D YHU\ QHDW ĆQLVK WR WKH FLUFOH The Hot 100 is always one of the most fun and frantic issues to pull together – from coming up with our gigantic longlist of potential entries, to spending hours locked in a room ranking them until we have a top 100, to deciding what order those 100 should be in… and then the process of deciding a number one, which takes almost as long again. It’s been really satisfying to work on this year’s list as my last issue as Editor, because I get to cover the whole gamut of gadgets one more time, from practical health tech to weird new startups to game-changing advancements to just very cool-looking gear. I’ve loved bringing all this stuff to you, and I’m so grateful to all of our readers – thank you.
Matt Bolton, Editor
matthew.bolton@futurenet.com Tweet me @matthewbbolton
T3’S MISSION Our mission is to bring you the clearest recommendations ZHbFDQ å DQG WKDW PHDQV D JUHDW GHDO RI KDUG ZRUN KDSSHQV before a product even reaches our pages! Because we only feature products the T3 team would KDSSLO\ XVH RXUVHOYHV ZH HQG XS GLVFDUGLQJ D VLJQLĆFDQW QXPEHU RI RSWLRQV LQ HDFK FDWHJRU\ EHIRUH VHWWOLQJ RQ D ĆQDO shortlist to review. We select only the best of the best for RXUb7HVWHG VHFWLRQ WKHbJHDU ZH NQRZ \RXèOO ZDQW WR VHULRXVO\ consider purchasing. And that should mean an end to you
having to undertake hours of painstaking research and product comparisons. You won’t see any duff products, but you will come away with clarity on which one is the best in its category or for DbVSHFLĆF WDVN RXU DZDUGV EDGJHV VHH EHORZ HQVXUH WKDW everything T3 recommends is clearly highlighted on the page. It goes without saying that every product in our review VHFWLRQ KDVbEHHQ WKRURXJKO\ WHVWHG E\ RXU WHDP RI H[SHUWV HQDEOLQJ \RXbWR EX\ ZLWK WRWDO FRQĆGHQFH
OUR AWARDS PLATINUM AWARD
THE DESIGN AWARD
BEST FOR BATTERY LIFE
BEST ON TEST
Only the best products – WKRVH WKDW VFRUH ĆYH VWDUV – receive our coveted Platinum Award
For kit that demonstrates H[FHSWLRQDO LQGXVWULDO GHVLJQ DQG UHĆQHPHQW LQ DGGLWLRQ WRbEHLQJ JUHDW
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A P R I L 2 0 2 0 T3 7
Contents
Contents
031
HOT 100
E-planes to e-campers, sex tech to next-gen consoles, teensier LEDs to 8K TVs – here are the tech trends setting the world ablaze
059 8 T3 A P R I L 2 0 2 0
STATE OF THE ART
These game-streaming systems offer top-tier 4K gaming (almost) on the go
066
COMPLETE GUIDE
Get the warmth of vinyl and the versatility of wireless audio with Bluetooth turntables
Contents BEST OF THE BEST
HORIZON 010
HORIZON TOP 10
The latest folding phone formats and &DQRQèV QHZ PLUURUOHVV ćDJVKLS
TESTED 074
SAMSUNG GALAXY S20 ULTRA
016
7KH ODWHVW XEHU ćDJVKLS IURP 6DPVXQJ smashes all challengers into submission. But is it worth the cost?
Get preppy with casual tailoring, and discover the trendiest timepieces
078
STYLE
NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES
087
YOUR IN-DEPTH BUYER’S GUIDE
2XU JLDQW EX\HUèV JXLGH KHOSV \RX ĆQG the world’s best gadgets in over 50 categories, from top tellies to DSLRs to car tech to shavers – all tested by T3’s team of tech experts!
Philips and Bowers & Wilkins sound off in this battle over which brand best blocks noise
079
ALIENWARE 55 OLED
018
AUTO
We ride LiveWire, Harley-Davidson’s shockingly fast electric motorbike
022
TRAVEL
Visit these sun-drenched holiday destinations and lighten your mood
023
FITNESS & OUTDOORS
Improve your run times with Nurvv’s smart soles
Offering 4K, a 120Hz refresh rate and superb contrast, is the new monitor an essential addition to your gaming life?
080
SUBSCRIBE
AND SAVE BIG MONEY Get the latest offers
056
SUUNTO 7
The new running watch has a serious screen and downloadable maps – but LW IDOOV DW WKH ĆQDO KXUGOH
082
SMART WIRELESS SPEAKERS
Whether you’re an audiophile or a rugged outdoorsperson, here are the best Alexa-enabled speakers for taking your tunes outside
024
PLUS GET A FREE LAPTOP BACKPACK
LIVING
Spring into action with this tech for freshening up your home this season
026
GADGET GURU
T3’s techspert talks tiny kitchens, NLG SURRĆQJ GLVSOD\V DQG FDOOXV\ IHHW
029
TALKING TECH
Duncan Bell realises, when it comes to nostalgia, you can’t go home again
084
THINKWARE Q800 PRO
With 2K video, a suite of driver safety features and the option of a secondary rear-facing camera, this is the best dash cam we’ve gotten our hands on
A P R I L 2 0 2 0 T3 9
Horizon
The best new tech heading your way Edited by Claire Davies
HUAWEI MATE XS £2,100 (approx.), consumer.huawei.com If you looked on in envy as Huawei launched its beautiful folding 5G phone the Mate X in China last year, we have some good news for you. A second edition of the handset, called the Xs, is coming to Europe – and it’s even better than the original. Okay, in many ways it’s the same: there are still two exterior OLED screens – 6.6 inches at the front and 6.4 inches at the back – that fold out to make a 5.4mm-thick, almostsquare eight-inch tablet; and also present and correct is the Mate X’s quad camera set-up (40MP wide-angle, 16MP ultra-wide-angle, 8MP telephoto, TOF lens), designed in conjunction with Leica. However, Huawei has improved the Falcon Wing hinge, making it more robust and protective against dirt and debris; upgraded the Mate X’s Kirin 980 processor with the faster, more powerful Kirin 990 (which also supports a greater number of 5G bands); and introduced an innovative new cooling system that’ll enable you to stream videos and play the latest games without fear of overheating. Finally, though the phone still doesn’t have any Google apps due to trade restrictions imposed by the USA, Huawei has installed its very latest EMUI 10 operating system – which, lest we forget, runs on an open source version of Android 10. But the very best thing about this new handset? You’ll be able to own it, although the price has gone up even further from the already-expensive first version. Given that cost, is the all-round screen a durability concern? Well, not if you don’t drop it. But it will also come with the fetching leather folio case pictured to the right, if you want to protect it when it’s in a bag with your keys.
TECH-O-METER
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MEGA STORAGE Folded out, the 2480x2200 display is a dream for getting stuff done. And with 512GB of built-in storage, plus a card slot for up to 256GB more, you’ll have loads of space for hoarding your favourites.
“The lack of Google apps is a shame, but we love the design and tech on offer here” Matt Bolton, Editor
Top 10
PACY POWER As with most foldable phones, the Mate Xs comes with a dual battery – with a combined capacity of 4,500mAh. As well as being long-lasting, it’s fastcharging, topping up to 85% capacity in a lightning-quick 30 minutes.
NEAT TOUCH With the Mate Xs, the fingerprint sensor is discreetly integrated into the power button. This means you can switch the phone on, and identify yourself, in a split second – handy for when you want to take a picture or answer a call urgently.
IMAGE SOURCE: HUAWEI
FROM BOTH SIDES NOW Like the Mate X before it, the Mate Xs uses its two screens to offer something called Mirror Shooting. It enables both the photographer and their subject to see a picture before it’s taken, so that they can collaborate to make it as good as possible.
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Horizon
SAMSUNG GALAXY Z FLIP £1,300, samsung.com/uk
IMAGE SOURCE: SAMSUNG
Barely six months have passed since Samsung launched its first folding handset, aptly titled the Galaxy Fold, and already the South Korean firm has taken another stab at the market. To be fair, the Z Flip is a different proposition, folding horizontally instead of vertically, and featuring Samsung’s new Ultra-Thin Glass display rather than a polymer one. Opened up, the HDR10+ Dynamic AMOLED screen measures a virtually bezelless 6.7 inches, but it’s when the Hideaway Hinge is activated that the Z Flip is perhaps at its most useful, its angled position facilitating hands-free selfies and video calling. It also has 4K video recording and a Night Hyperlapse mode for those arty long-exposure shots. It’s a flippin’ good phone, basically. T3 SAYS: You’ll wonder how you ever lived without Samsung’s second folding phone.
TECH-O-METER
SAMSUNG GALAXY S20 From £799, samsung.com/uk
T3 SAYS: Fancy photography and fast transfer speeds abound in Samsung’s latest Galaxy S.
TECH-O-METER
1 2 T3 A P R I L 2 0 2 0
IMAGE SOURCE: SAMSUNG
For the much-touted follow-up to its (nonfoldable) flagship Galaxy S10 smartphone, launched last year, Samsung has leapt forward a few numbers and called it the S20. The South Korean firm certainly thinks the photography capabilities are advanced, the phone offering 8K(!) video shooting, along with a feature called Single Take that can instantly convert all of that resolution goodness into 33MP stills. If you want to take pictures the conventional way, the rear triple camera set-up (12MP ultra-wide; 12MP wide; 64MP telephoto) is more than capable. And for admiring your handiwork, you can either use the stunning 6.2-inch QHD+ screen or transfer your pics and vids in highspeed via the phone’s 5G functionality. So yes, there’s plenty in this 20.
Top 10
CANON EOS R5 £TBC, canon.co.uk One swallow may not make a summer, but a really good camera will. When it goes on sale in July, the EOS R5 won’t come cheap, but then it is a very, very nice piece of kit. Designed for professional photographers, Canon’s latest full-frame mirrorless flagship packs a 45MP CMOS sensor, a blisteringly fast 20fps electronic/12fps mechanical shutter and, for the first time in a Canon camera, In-Body Image Stabilisation, all of which conspire to deliver spectacular results. The EOS R5 is also a sharp shooter when it comes to video, and you’ll enjoy watching back its glorious 8K footage on your new giant TV. Finally – as you might expect from a device in this price bracket – the camera has built-in Wi-Fi, meaning you can edit your results on the move. And what results!
IMAGE SOURCE: CANON
T3 SAYS: Shoot for the stars with Canon’s 8K mirrorless maestro.
TECH-O-METER
MARSHALL MONITOR 2 ANC £269, marshall.com
T3 SAYS: Going on tour? These feature-packed noise cancellers deserve a place in your case.
TECH-O-METER
A P R I L 2 0 2 0 T3 13
IMAGE SOURCE: MARSHALL
The headphones market is as crowded as a Led Zeppelin reunion concert, but that hasn’t stopped Marshall from leaping into the sweaty moshpit with a new, active noise cancelling addition to its popular Monitor range. Sporting the amplifier brand’s iconic black vinyl and brass styling, these wireless over-ears contain custom-tuned 40mm drivers for powerful and accurate sound reproduction – an experience made even better by the cans’ ability to snuff out unwanted interference. With a collapsible design and 30 hours of battery life, they’re ideal for taking on the road. And support for Google Assistant means you can manage your music, hear the news headlines and stay connected to your nearest and dearest, all without removing your phone from your pocket.
Horizon
FUJIFILM X-T4 £1,599, fujifilm.eu Fujifilm’s X-T3 is a mirrorless camera that found adoration thanks to a robust build with power and a raft of features, at an affordable price. And it has T3 in title! Well, now Fujifilm has followed it up with a more advanced model. Though it retains the retro, two-tone look of its predecessor (and also packs the same-size 26.1MP APS-C X Trans 4 sensor), the X-T4 features some notable tweaks. Slightly bigger and heavier, it comes with In-Body Image Stabilisation, an upgraded rear display (now fully articulated, and boasting 1.62 million dots instead of 1.04 million), improved eye tracking/ face detection, better video shooting (including 4K at 60fps) and a superior battery life. This is going to be a hot one.
IMAGE SOURCE: FUJIFILM
T3 SAYS: If you loved Fujifilm’s mirrorless X-T3, you’re going to find this bigger and even better version hard to resist.
TECH-O-METER
WRISTBUDS £115 (approx.), antigravityofficial.com
T3 SAYS: A buddy brilliant idea for people who keep forgetting their true wireless earphones.
TECH-O-METER
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IMAGE SOURCE: WRISTBUDS
Need somewhere to stash away your earbuds when you’re not using them? Well, how about inside your watch? Wristbuds – crowdfunded on Kickstarter and due to be launched any time now – is a quirky, Chinese-made concept that comprises a pair of true wireless earphones and a smartwatch in which to store them. When you’re done listening to your music, podcast, etc, simply flip open the front fascia of the watch and push the buds in. As well as being kept secure, they’ll be fully rejuiced in a claimed 30 minutes, with the watch’s battery good enough for two complete charges. As for the watch itself, it offers a 1.14-inch TFT touchscreen, a wide range of fitness features, phone calling/receiving, and 4GB of music storage. Too good to be true? Time will tell…
Top 10
SONY XPERIA L4 £170 (approx.), sony.co.uk wide-angle lens and a 2MP depth lens for those snazzy bokeh effects) and an 8MP selfie camera at the front. And the impressive spec is completed by 64GB of internal storage and a generous 3,580mAh battery. This could be big this summer. T3 SAYS: Sony’s new budget blower brings great specs for a low price.
IMAGE SOURCE: SONY
With its latest budget handset, Sony has made a big statement – literally. The successor to last year’s Xperia L3 boasts a whopping 6.2-inch, 21:9 display. This screen is cinematically wide, but it also makes it perfect for multi-tasking, because you can split the screen into two separate windows and run a different app on each, something the phone handles with ease thanks to its octa-core Mediatek MT6762 processor. The Xperia L4 also offers a wealth of photography options, with three cameras round the back (including a 13MP wide-angle lens, a 5MP ultra-
TECH-O-METER COOLNESS INNOVATION FEATURES
MASTER LOCK BIOMETRIC PADLOCK If you fancy sexing up your garden shed, here’s something that could’ve come straight out of a James Bond movie: a padlock that’s activated by fingerprint. Master Lock’s latest device will recognise up to 10 fingerprints, meaning your whole family – and quite possibly even the dog – can gain access to the lawnmower, cricket set or patio chairs without having to fumble around with keys or codes. Lights on the lock will inform you if your fingerprint has been accepted, or if the battery is running low, while a keypad will enable you to gain access via
directional code should things go awry. To frustrate would-be thieves even more, the structure of the lock is as tough as old boots, comprising a durable, 56mm-wide metal body, a 9mm boron-alloy shackle and a two-piece all-weather cover. T3 SAYS: This cutting-edge lock will leave burglars howling with frustration.
TECH-O-METER COOLNESS INNOVATION FEATURES
IMAGE SOURCE: MASTER LOCK
£89, masterlock.eu
DYSON LIGHTCYCLE MORPH £499 desk / £649 floor, dyson.co.uk will intelligently track the amount of daylight streaming into the room, the task you’re doing and even your age to ensure that you get the optimal amount of luminance. And it’ll switch itself off when you walk out, saving you money on your electricity bill. T3 SAYS: As smart lamps go, Dyson’s new device is a leading light.
IMAGE SOURCE: DYSON
Not so long ago, just being able to dim your lights seemed like the epitome of cool. Technology has advanced rapidly since then, though, and Dyson’s new lamp can perform a wide range of functions designed to improve your home life and enhance your wellbeing. Available for the desk or floor, the Lightcycle Morph is an app-controlled, manoeuvrable device that can be used for a number of purposes, whether that’s helping with nighttime reading, providing background ambience or highlighting a favourite artwork. Every 60 seconds, sensors inside the lamp
TECH-O-METER COOLNESS INNOVATION FEATURES A P R I L 2 0 2 0 T3 1 5
Horizon
LAIDBACK TAILORING
When ‘athlesiure’ hit, tailoring fell by the wayside a tad. But now it’s back, albeit in a much more relaxed sense, with these items in the mix
CANALI SLUB LINEN SHIRT Lightweight and breathable, Canali’s take on relaxed tailoring looks smart with chinos and will see you straight through from the office to date night. £235, mrporter.com BARENA SLIM-FIT BOUCLE BLAZER Smarten up in a jiffy with Barena’s textured blazer, wearing it over crew neck tees, slim-fitting polo tees or a button-down linen shirt. £365, harrods.com
IMAGE SOURCES: MR PORTER, HARRODS, MATCHES FASHION, TOPMAN
SUNSPEL PIQUÉ POLO SHIRT The perfect polo for spring. Sunspel’s shirt has a strong retro vibe, so let loose and team it with your high-waisters and loafers. £95, matchesfashion.com NN07 JOE SLIM-FIT TAPERED STRETCH-COTTON CHINOS If you’re going to buy one pair of chinos this season, make it NN07’s, crafted from soft cotton. They’re tapered, with the perfect amount of stretch. £120, mrporter.com SELECTED HOMME BROWN POPPER LIGHTWEIGHT JACKET A sharp collar and easy-wearing popper front check the tailoring and leisure boxes comfortably, while the pockets are also bang on the utility trend. £89, topman.com
MONEY NO OBJECT Even though we’ve escaped the icy grip of winter and are mercifully heading into spring, your skin may still be a bit lacklustre. In addition to a regular routine of exfoliating, facial masks and moisturising, facial oils are a great way to treat your skin to some super-intensive nourishment, helping it to look plumper and hydrated. For men, facial oils are particularly beneficial as, when used long term, they soften your skin, making it easier for you to shave – and not have such irritated skin once your razor has passed over it. La Mer’s
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The Renewal Oil is an award-winning facial and hair elixir that’s ideal for energising your complexion. The oil is formulated with La Mer’s signature Miracle Broth, which sounds awfully pretentious but has a raft of sea-sourced and vitamin-infused ingredients all working to supercharge your skin. You can use this sweet and aromatic elixir to nourish your beard, moustache and hair too, leaving both your skin and hair looking healthier and shinier. £180, spacenk.com
IMAGE SOURCE: LA MER
La Mer The Renewal Oil
Style
WHICH WATCH
THE HOTTEST TIMEPIECES RIGHT NOW
IMAGE SOURCES: CERTINA, CARL F BUCHERER, AVI-8, RAYMOND WEIL
CERTINA SUPER PH500M
CARL F BUCHERER PATRAVI SCUBATEC BLACK
With a bright orange dial and an innovative strap extension, this watch is tailor-made for diving. Inside is a Nivachron hairspring, which now sits at the very forefront of watch-making technology.
With water-resistance to 500m, certified chronometer precision, and a strap made from recycled plastic, this watch is ready for any adventure – above or under water.
£795, certina.com
£5,500, carl-f-bucherer.com
AVI-8 SPITFIRE TYPE 300 AUTOMATIC
RAYMOND WEIL FREELANCER 2780
One for all historic aviation fans. The Type 300 uses the indexes, hands and layout of the cockpit dials as a blueprint of the dial, while the rotor is a carved out bird’s eye view silhouette of the Spitfire.
Get your greens with Raymond Weil’s spring-fresh timepiece, featuring an exclusive inhouse movement, the Calibre RW1212; it’s a nod to the postcode of the brand’s global HQ.
£335, avi-8.co.uk
£1,895, raymond-weil.com A P R I L 2 0 2 0 T3 17
Horizon
HARLEY-DAVIDSON LIVEWIRE
Motorbike aficionado Robert Jones reports back from rural Spain where he’s been getting to grips with Harley’s first electric bike, and it turns out to be one hell of a ride ropping the right wrist on the Harley-Davidson LiveWire is a perspectiveshattering experience. The future of motorbikes suddenly is right here, right now in the present, and the feeling it generates as you scream at the horizon is little short of symphonic. And, for me, that horizon lies beyond a twisting mountain road near Antequera, Spain. I’ve been attending Harley-Davidson’s 2020 launch event and, after riding a comprehensive selection of the brand’s more traditional bikes, both on the road and off-road, we’re finishing off the final day with a taste of the future, the all-electric bike that Harley-Davidson has spent nearly 10 years creating. As someone who, truth be told, does not have a strong brand affinity to Harley-Davidson, and whose perspective of the maker was very
IMAGE SOURCE: HARLEY-DAVIDSON
D
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much rumble and leather, the LiveWire feels almost surreal, as if it isn’t supposed to be here and certainly not with a Harley-Davidson badge on it. I think it fair to say that if you asked 100 people which motorbike brand
There’s no having to run up to north of 120mph to get anywhere near peak torque – you just get it all, instantly would produce the first gamechanging electric motorbike, then hardly any would plump for the famous American maker. Which makes the leaning into a now widening bend in the road, tucking in to the LiveWire’s sleek naked frame, hitting the exit line into the straight,
and then absolutely gunning it even more spectacularly bonkers. I’ve ridden fast bikes before, and I think it fair to say that unless you are a track day fiend with a garage full of 200bhp-plus hyper bikes, then the acceleration the LiveWire delivers (0-60mph in three seconds) will leave you breathless. That impact is without doubt largely generated by the sheer amount of torque generated by the bike’s Revelation electric motor (86ft-lb), and the fact that torque is all made available at any stage. As the bike has no traditional gearing, there’s no having to run up to north of 120mph to get anywhere near peak torque – you just get it all, instantly. The result of this is that when I first get on the bike and roll the wrist I fishtail the hell out of the LiveWire, with it begging to put the intense power
Auto
The Harley-Davidson LiveWire is capable of accelerating to 60mph in just three seconds
down under my overzealous, used-tolesser-torque, unknowing hands. Within minutes, though, I get a feeling for the power this bike has to offer, and can choose when to be so dramatic off the line. And, talking of dramatic, the LiveWire is all sorts of theatrical, both from its lack of sound when stationary and the Tron Light Cycle screaming whine when it moves. Harley-Davidson has spent years, apparently, working on just getting this sound right, since otherwise – with the lack of a noisemaking combustion engine beneath you, and instead just the bike’s electric motor connected to a 15.5kWh Rechargeable Energy Storage System battery – when you engage the bike’s power, you would hear nothing. As someone who is used to meeting up with friends to go riding, grouping up at biking cafes and being used to hearing the tick over of a large number of motorbikes engines when stationary, seeing a group of us sat on LiveWires and being able to hear nothing but the wind and ambient noises of rural Spain is markedly odd. Of course, it is how a bike sounds at speed that is the more important part of the riding experience, and as a fan of both sci-fi and advanced technology, this is where the LiveWire really nails it for me.
Harley-Davidson has spent years, apparently, working on just getting the sound of the bike right
As soon as you roll on the accelerator, the LiveWire’s whine begins to build. It’s high-pitched, but seems to carry a more tumultuous whooshing quality (like a jet engine), which, especially at high speed, synchronises perfectly in my mind with what this bike is and the performance experience it delivers. It made me feel like the pilot of a futuristic piece of military hardware and that, partnered with its outrageous acceleration, immediately placed the LiveWire right at the top of my wish list. I slide through a series of tight climbing bends and it is here, where big speed is not possible, that I also realise that the bike actually feels very approachable and manoeuvrable. No one can say this bike is light, and at 230kg (509lb) it really isn’t; however at no point did I feel it was heavy or unwieldy, both on and off the bike. I’m 6ft 2in, so I am hardly a small chap, so that is something to factor in, but I can honestly say I was surprised at how well the LiveWire handled and how perfectly normal its weight felt. The tight bends end, opening up onto a plateau. After dropping the lid a touch before a blink-and-you-miss-it overtake of three vehicles, the LiveWire screaming in my ears, making me feel like Maverick from Top Gun (they A P R I L 2 0 2 0 T3 19
Horizon
LIVEWIRE RIVALS
IMAGE SOURCE: ZERO MOTORCYCLES
SUSPENSION SHOWA forks and shocks are partnered with Brembo Monoblock front brakes
ZERO S Zero Motorcycles is based in Santa Cruz, California, and has been in the electric bikemaking game since 2006. Its Zero S electric bike, which T3 recently put through its paces in the Black Forest, Germany, comes in three flavours: the Streetfighter, the Dual Sport and the Enduro. zeromotorcycles.com
IMAGE SOURCE: CAKE
CAKE KALK& Produced by innovative Swedish electric bike maker Cake, the Kalk& stands out thanks to a super-light weight (only 79kg) build, 53-mile range (from a 10kW motor) and ability to be fully recharged off a standard power socket in only two and a half hours. ridecake.com
IMAGE SOURCE: ENERGICA
ENERGICA EVA RIBELLE This Italian-made pugilist delivers a rather impressive top speed of 125mph, something aided by its 159ft-lb of torque and 145hp. The Energica Eva Ribelle’s lithium-ion battery is also good for an impressive 400km of city range, too. energicamotor.com 2 0 T3 A P R I L 2 0 2 0
should’ve ditched the Kawasaki for this in the new film!), I pin it again and watch as my peripheral vision melts away into a high-speed blur of scrub and background scenery. My god this thing is properly fast! With the LiveWire you can firmly kiss goodbye to any lingering image of an electric bike as some gutless scooter. And, the thing is, the LiveWire can deliver this sort of exhilarating, futuristic experience for around 95 miles of run time in a combined, stop-and-go situation, and up to 146 miles in a city riding environment. Now, don’t get me wrong, if you rode this bike aggressively and made use of its stupendous acceleration and torque in maximum fun mode, you’re almost certainly going to get less than that. But, and I don’t know about you, I hardly ever travel more than 75 miles in one sitting on my bike, let alone 95 or 146. And, as Harley-Davidson is keen to point out, the LiveWire recharges to 80% capacity in 40 minutes, and 100% in 60 with DC Fast Charge tech. For me, though, if I were to own a LiveWire, using it for my daily commute of 10 miles to work via the school run, and then back again, I am quite confident that I wouldn’t even need to rely on Fast Charge to keep me free of range anxiety and the bike always ready to go. Even a trip to my favourite biking store, which is a 35-mile round trip from my home, would still leave the LiveWire with three-quarters of its battery left. That’s about 20 minutes back to full charge. I think, what I’m trying to say, is that while obviously we all want longer range from electric vehicles, and faster charging times, I feel 95% of riders could easily operate a LiveWire without any issues in terms of range and charging. So, overall, my experience riding the Harley-Davidson LiveWire in the hills surrounding Antequera was one that I not only thoroughly enjoyed but, as a rider of fast sports bikes, one that
“A real game-changer from an iconic brand” Matt Bolton, Editor
really opened my eyes to just how exciting electric motorbikes can be. It also proved to me just how much Harley-Davidson seems to be hell bent on powering into the future of riding with innovative new machines and technology, which is something I never thought it would’ve been on the forefront of. The price of the Harley-Davidson LiveWire is clearly going to be a sticking point for many right now, with £28,995 not cheap to anyone but those with very deep pockets. However, we love top, game-changing
Auto BATTERY A 15.5kWh Rechargeable Energy Storage System delivers a range of 146 miles (city speeds) DASH A 109mm colour touchscreen LCD keeps you plugged in to the ride
MOTOR The Revelation electric motor produces 116Nm of torque and 78kW of power
technology here at T3 (our name, after all, stands for Tomorrow’s Technology Today) and we can safely say that the LiveWire is just that, so if you can afford it then it comes wholeheartedly recommended. The Harley-Davidson LiveWire delivers a slice of the future of motorbikes today, and it does so (price aside), in my opinion, with very few real-world caveats. Hats off Harley-Davidson.
The LiveWire will currently set you back almost ÂŁ30,000
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Horizon
TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY KIT This dinky, handheld threeaxis gimbal camera is ideal for filming impromptu action on your various travels. The Osmo Pocket shoots at a moment’s notice, and captures 4K at 60fps, plus it takes cool slo-mo videos and 12MP stills. Edit your video and stills on the go via the DJI Mimo app. £329, store.dji.com
VITAMIN SEA
IMAGE SOURCE: CANON
CANON POWERSHOT G5 X MARK II Canon’s compact travel camera is suited to a wide range of lighting conditions, making it an ideal companion for your various adventures. It has a high-performing one-inch sensor, captures 4K video and 20.1MP stills, and offers a view of the action through a tilting LCD screen. £849, canon.co.uk
IMAGE SOURCE: MANFROTTO
MANFROTTO TRAVEL CAMERA BACKPACK Years ago, backpacks designed specifically to carry cameras were unwieldy and heavy. Not so with the Manfrotto Advanced Camera and Laptop Backpack, which has space for your DSLR and other kit, as well as an extendable tripod pocket and an external padded laptop pouch. £143, manfrotto.com 2 2 T3 A P R I L 2 0 2 0
CATCH THE SUN Craving sun? Tamara Hinson recommends you head to one of these paradises to get a blast of heat and shake off your winter blues Want the good news? Spring is finally here! The bad news is that summer is still a long way off. While we’re certainly not wishing your year away, there may be some among you who are desperate for a blast of proper sunshine and heat following the icy depths of winter. If that rings true for you, we have just the dose of ‘vitamin sea’ you need… When it comes to long-haul winter sun, Malaysia is hard to beat. Start in Johor, a sunshine-soaked state known for beautiful islands and wildlife-filled jungles. Johor is also where you’ll find the Desaru Coast, a luxurious resort serving up beautiful beaches (17 kilometres of them), golf courses, water parks and spa hotels. Base yourself at the recently opened Anantara Desaru Coast Resort and Villas (pictured, from £171 per night, anantara.com), a beachfront property with a gorgeous spa and five restaurants – our favourite is the Turmeric, thanks to its authentic Malaysian cuisine. Across the pond, there are more reasons than ever to visit Miami this year, starting with the achingly hip Greystone Miami Beach Hotel (around $152/£138 per night for a double, greystonemiamibeach.com). You’ll
find this beautifully restored 1930s property, which opened in January, in the heart of the art deco district, just metres from the beach. In recent years, Miami has transformed into a true foodie’s paradise, and top of your culinary wishlist should be a visit to the Time Out Market Miami, an 18,000-square-foot food hall filled with 21 vendors. Feed your face with BBQ jackfruit sandwiches, doublecherry ice cream, sake-steamed mussels and a plethora of booze. Finally, consider a visit to the Azores, a cluster of volcanic islands in the midAtlantic, 1,600km west of mainland Portugal. Weekly Ryanair flights have slashed the cost of getting there, although a word of warning – the airline will launch additional flights to the islands in June, so head there this spring to avoid the inevitable surge of tourists. One of our favourite properties is the stunning Azor Hotel (from £130 per night, azorhotel.com) on São Miguel island. This five-star property overlooks the Ponta Delgada marina and makes the perfect base for explorations further afield; nearby gems include the blue flag Pópulo Beach and Lagoa do Fogo, a spectacular crater lake.
IMAGE SOURCE: ANANTARA DESARU COAST RESORT AND VILLAS
IMAGE SOURCE: DJI
DJI OSMO POCKET
Fitness & Outdoors
DAY HIKING GEAR
Want to run faster and reduce your chances of injury? Nurvv Run, a new biomechanics-based fitness tech, may help you do just that… Running is an invigorating way to improve your physical health and boost your mood, but what happens when you hit a plateau in terms of speed or distance? Also, is there a way to run while reducing risk of injury? There are plenty of wearables and apps that track your runs, but improver runners need more to help them reach new heights. Looking to do just that is Nurvv Run (£249, nurvv.com), a biomechanics-based app and shoe insole combo that analyses your form to help you understand just how sustainable your current running habits are. The lightweight insoles (available in six sizes, and designed with a five-hour
rechargeable battery) slip into your existing trainers. Once fitted, they utilise 32 sensors to capture data from your feet at 1,000 times per second per sensor, gathering stats relating to cadence, step length, footstrike and balance to create your Running Health score, which you can unpick in the companion app (iOS, Android). The aim is to help you understand how your type of running affects your body, and to identify problem areas before they become serious. Through real-time coaching, Nurvv Run also coaches you on form so that you run better, giving you personalised speed and running technique workouts.
MUDDY HELL
WE’RE IN THE ARMY NOW
IMAGE SOURCE: CASIO
Casio and the MoD have just released a new Mudmaster watch. Question is, are you tough enough for it? Casio’s line of G-Shock Bluetooth Mudmaster watches are built for life outdoors, so it’s a no-brainer for the brand to team up with the Ministry of Defence to release this British Army edition (£449, g-shock.co.uk). The stealth black dial means it won’t attract unwanted attention in the wilds, while an updated Carbon Core Guard Structure and triple-layered carbon-insert bezel make it as tough as it is light. Features include location and activitytracking, a mission log, location memory, sunrise and sunset data, and calories burned.
IMAGE SOURCE: MERRELL
OSPREY ARCHEON 25 If you want a hiking backpack that’s big on versatility yet gentle on the environment, take a look at the Archeon, made from PFCfree recycled nylon. Tough and wilderness ready, the Archeon 25 has a built-in raincover, compression straps for a comfier fit, and is water reservoir compatible. £150, ospreyeurope.com
IMAGE SOURCE: OSPREY
LIFE IN THE FAST LANE
MQM stands for moving quickly in the mountains, so have no worries about drafting this technical shoe in for your fast and light day hikes. A Gore-Tex membrane keeps water out, while air cushions in each heel absorb shock and boost stability on uneven terrain. £120, blacks.co.uk
1,000 MILE ULTIMATE TACTEL SOCK Blisters ruin hikes, so don’t be that person who ventures up a mountain without proper walking socks. The Ultimate Tactel Sock (available in anklet and crew) are made for trail running first, so expect supreme sweat-wicking and daylong comfort. Blisterfree guaranteed.
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IMAGE SOURCE: 1000 MILE
GOT THE NURVV
IMAGE SOURCE: NURVV
MERRELL MQM FLEX 2.0 GTX
Horizon
HEALTHY KITCHEN TECH
“The pressure cooker that crisps” would be great in your kitchen, as it functions as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, steamer and air fryer (the latter thanks to Ninja’s own TenderCrisp tech). It’ll even sauté your veg and grill your fish. £179, ninjakitchen.com
IMAGE SOURCE: VITAMIX
VITAMIX ASCENT A2300I Fruit and vegpacked soups and smoothies are an easy way to get extra nutrients into your diet, and both are easy to make with this powerhouse blender. A built-in digital timer ensures you never underor overprocess recipes. £449, vitamix.com
IMAGE SOURCE: LAKELAND
LAKELAND MULTI YOGHURT MAKER Boost your gut health by making your own yoghurt in Lakeland’s countertop machine. It’ll make up to 1.65 litres of plain yoghurt or one litre of Greek-style yoghurt (it makes soft cheese too), with a digital screen enabling you to easily set the time and temperature. £24, lakeland.co.uk 24 T3 A P R I L 2 0 2 0
BUST THE DUST
THE BIG SPRING CLEAN Your home needs a deep clean at least once a year, and for most people this is the big spring clean. Claire Davies picks the right tech Spring cleaning tasks vary depending on who you ask, but they usually include your standard house chores (vacuuming, dusting, mopping floors), plus turfing out and reorganising cupboards, deepcleaning the fridge and washing windows. If you want a thorough spring clean, you’re also looking at steam-cleaning curtains, washing walls and skirting boards, machine-washing duvets and pillows, and flipping your mattress. Most cleaning companies recommend starting on the upper floor of your home (or the back of your flat) and working your way down. You’ll need a multi-surface cleaner, microfibre cloths (use a damp one to remove dense pet hair from fabric-covered furniture), glass cleaner, tile/grout cleaner and toilet cleaner. Or you could draft in a small army of tech to make shorter work of the more arduous spring cleaning tasks… starting with the vacuuming. After you have reorganised, cleansed and dusted the room you’re in, set the iRobot Roomba s9+ (£1,499, shop.irobot.co.uk) to work. One of our favourite robot vacuum cleaners, the s9+ uses smarts to navigate the
room it’s working in, sucking up dust and debris from hard floors and carpeted areas. It’ll let you know once it’s done, before moving on to the next room (or returning to its charging base if it needs more juice). Want to make those hard floors shine? Try a steam mop like the Shark Klick ’n’ Flip (£149, sharkclean.co.uk). It works on hardwood, marble, tile, lino and stone floors, and offers three steam cleaning modes to kill up to 99.9% of common bacteria. Cleaning windows and mirrors also requires elbow grease, so take the edge off with the Kärcher WV Anniversary Edition (£44, kaercher.com/uk), a window and mirror vacuum that cleans without leaving unsightly streaks behind. Want to be sure each room is as clean as it can be? Sit the UV-C Mobile Room Steriliser (£89, uvclightproducts.com) in the middle of any room and it’ll remove airborne contaminants, using UV-C light to kill bacteria lingering on exposed surfaces. Finally, don’t forget that when you’re using cleaning products at home, you’re increasing the levels of indoor air pollution, so combat this by running an air purifier.
IMAGE SOURCE: GETTY
IMAGE SOURCE: NINJA
NINJA FOODI MULTI-COOKER
Living
WASH AWAY YOUR CARES If you’re overhauling just one room this year, make it the bathroom. There are many trends afoot, from dramatic tiles and metallic pendant lights to feature mirrors ANTIQUE CRACKLE METRO BATHROOM TILES Shaped tiles are ace for adding impact if you don’t want to commit to bold colours, though if you’re game, mixing dark and bright bathroom tiles are a big win this year. These brick-shaped ceramic tiles, created in a teal hue, lend a handsome vintage vibe. From £39 (per box), wallsandfloors.co.uk
IMAGE SOURCE: WALLS AND FLOORS, BOMBAY DUCK, HABITAT, DAR LIGHTING
LARGE PINEAPPLE MIRROR Feature mirrors are all over the hottest bathroom designs for 2020, especially those with gold or brass edging and trimmings. Size-wise, the bigger the better. For sheer drama, save some wall space for this 100cm-tall mirror with exotic pineapple-style top. £245, bombayduck.com SPA COTTON DOUBLE BORDER TOWEL SET If you’re not in the market to transform your entire bathroom yet want to introduce a little something new, draft in some coloured towels. Habitat’s Spa Cotton range includes this set of four (two bath, two hand towels) in a mix of warm and cool hues; the mustard and coral in particular contrast well with darker walls. £60, habitat.co.uk THREE LIGHT BAR PENDANT This classic pendant light ticks all the boxes for 2020 bathroom trends. More importantly, it’ll throw a beautiful spread of bright light around your bathroom, and look incredibly handsome and dramatic hanging from the ceiling. £174, darlighting.co.uk
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Horizon
T3’s hash slinger rustles up a fab feast of tasty tech answers
MEL GREENE, KENSINGTON
How can I cook smarter with limited kitchen space? Our poor reader explains that they are stuck in a typical affordable London ‘living space’, which basically amounts to a shed-sized hovel with only a twin electric hob and a microwave to work with. Presuming you’re not squashing a family in there, GaGu would first start by thinking about streamlining the tools. A multi-section skillet like the VonShef All In One (£25) enables you to cook multiple items on a single burner, with defined compartments that stop one leaking over onto the other. Sure, it’s gimmicky, and realistically it’s most useful if you do the sensible
ILLUSTRATIONS: STEPHEN KELLY
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thing and eat a full English breakfast for every single meal, but in a compact situation it’s a practical choice. For the other burner, Guru would suggest Kitchen Craft’s MasterClass Smart Space saucepan set (£38.50), a nesting selection of saucepans with a single one-size-fits-all lid. The
ABOVE With the right tech, you can be a head chef even in the most cramped kitchen
It’s important not to overload that postage-stamp-sized worktop you have going on, so don’t go heavy on the electricals
handle is detachable, so when you’re not cooking the whole lot fits into a tidy 20x20cm package. GaGu knows it’s important not to overload that postage-stampsized worktop you have going on, so he’d suggest not going heavy on the electricals. However, if you were to choose one counterhogger, a multi-function cooker like the Instant Pot 80 Duo (£100) offers up a multitude of options in a single unit. It’ll slow cook, pressure cook, steam, sauté, cook rice and even help you make yoghurt for all those times you’re desperate for yoghurt and don’t mind waiting hours to cultivate the stuff yourself.
YOUR QUESTIONS TO: INBOX@T3.COM OR FACEBOOK.COM/T3MAG 26 T3 A P R I L 2 0 2 0
Gadget guru
GARY TIVERTON, WELSHPOOL
Do you recommend that I make my own gadgets? Let’s be realistic. GaGu doesn’t think you’ll be able to create your own iPhone. If the adventures of YouTube channel Strange Parts are anything to go by, even access to Shenzen’s vast multi-floor emporiums of grey market second-hand parts and a desk full of microscopes and reflow solderers doesn’t make this even close to an easy task. But creating your own controllers? Fiddling with electronics to make A Thing? That is something you can absolutely do. It’s something even Guru can do, and his expertise in these matters extends mostly to breaking and ruining. Guru recently picked up an Arduino kit from Amazon, which is just about flooded with the things. It wasn’t an official Arduino, rather one of the Chinese clones which come in far cheaper – expect to pay around £40 for a big ol’ box with the compatible board itself and a whole host of tinkering
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components, compared to around £70 for the official equivalent. Following a guide or two reveals that this is basically Lego with 5-volt rails; you plug your components together with teensy little wires poking into a breadboard. Then you just assemble your code by copying and tweaking likely looking chunks or using pre-prepared libraries, and you’re done. Guru does have some programming experience – the kind which sent his university tutors into early retirement – but he reckons it would be easy enough for even you to understand. Half the time you don’t actually need to understand it. GaGu used a bunch of arcade buttons to build a MIDI controller à la the Midi Fighter 3D (£170) using the alarmingly simple Control Surface library (github.com/tttapa) and about eight lines of code. Just get out there and have a go – as of the end of last year, you can even make Alexa-enabled gadgets.
ABOVE An Arduino kit: arguably less of a puzzle than your router settings
GADGET GURU’S MAGIC BOX Here’s a thing: have you noticed that the US-only Wyze Cam ($20, pictured) and UK-centric Neos Smartcam (£25) look identical? They aren’t. Yes, they use the same core hardware, but there are big differences in their firmware and big differences in their apps; it turns out both are simply rebadged and reprogrammed versions of the Xiaomi Xiaofang 1S (around £18). What is worse, you can’t flash, say, Wyze firmware onto a Neos cam, because it’s tied to the MAC address of the hardware. That’s not to say that you can’t monkey with the firmware at all. There’s a custom firmware available (search Dafang Hacks) that can add features to (and get rid of a few annoyances of) both the original and the rebadged cameras – even adding some rudimentary
HomeKit support – but it’s very much an at your own risk situation. Given the pocket money price of these cams, though, it might be worth an experiment or two. While GaGu will maintain that Android tablets are one of the biggest disappointments of the tech market until he is blue in the face, the junior members of the Guru household are doing their best to change his mind. Both invested their Christmas and birthday money in the 2019 version of the surprisingly cheap Amazon Fire HD 10 (£109-£149 depending on spec and included ads). Guru is alarmed at how capable it is both at running apps and at shutting the pair of them up and, while it’s not what you’d call a proper Android tablet out of the box, installing Google’s core apps is a five minute exercise. A massive bargain – miles from an iPad, certainly, but a fraction of the price.
KAY WEST, GLASGOW
How do I stop my kids peering at my laptop screen? Grandma Guru would have (and, indeed, did) put GaGu in The Cage if she caught him peeping. Thankfully times have changed (and Guru’s lock-picking skills have improved) so we can think of more sensible solutions. In this case, it’s a privacy filter, which vastly cuts down the viewable angle of your screen and basically completely undoes many years of hard engineering work done to improve flat panel displays. 3M is your best choice. Their filters (from £45-£100 depending on the size of your screen) use microlouvers, basically little pointy filters that direct the light forward to your eyes and stop it going side-to-side, reducing the viewable angle to around 60 degrees. You can go cheaper, but GaGu can’t vouch for the effectiveness of lower-tier filters, which means your little one might get their eyes on whatever horrific imagery you’re trying to hide from them.
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Horizon
NEW MEDIA
NOW PLAYING
PETER HARRIS, SWANSEA
Guru finds the finest media you need on your various devices
How do I prevent calluses when running?
NOT FOR RESALE A documentary look into the slow, painful decline (and, by way of contrast, the surprising resilience) of used game shops in the digital age. Prime Video, you are truly spoiling Guru.
There’s a three step process that starts with your shoes: if you’re prone to such issues, make sure you pick running footwear wide enough that it gives your toes plenty of room to wiggle and fitted enough that it sits snugly around your heel. Good socks, ideally a polyester-cotton blend, can also make a difference for those with slightly sweatier feet. Finally, don’t be afraid to put a barrier, like a plaster, between your toes and those places which might rub. Doctor Guru, license suspended, suggests sticking to preventative action rather than any potential home treatments.
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ABOVE Not really the kind of foot rubs you want
DAVE, VIA EMAIL
Do you think I should get a folding phone? [#] Guru loves K-pop! He does! LOONA’s latest six-tracker is as sparkly and donky as it is dark and over-produced, the perfect accompaniment to a desk full of BTS dolls and a slight headache.
XFL Available on ESPN Player and via the BT Sport Monthly Pass, WWE’s Vince McMahon presents his revived alternative to the NFL, with even more bombastic shenanigans.
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You have foolishly forgone gadget advice and instead asked for Guru’s opinion, and it is this: folding phones don’t feel, to him, quite worth jumping on to yet. The compromises on overall sturdiness (remember, Guru’s house is always in at least two distinct stages of carnage) and price don’t seem worth the street cred of being able to whip out a folder and waggle it in your chump friends’ faces. Some of the rest of the T3 team feel differently (discussions of the Galaxy Fold usually involve some variation on the phrase ‘untapped potential’), and the idea of a phone that doesn’t stick out of the top of your pocket is nice. But not for Guru just yet.
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The industry has already hit upon a form factor that works, and it is now desperate to change it to avoid seeming stale
HARRY GOUGH, NEWPORT
How can I protect my watch glass? Perhaps the question should actually be ‘should you’; while a pristine watch is a beautiful thing, watches are made for wearing, and if you’re too terrified to even strap it onto your wrist there’s not even much point in owning that timepiece at all. Sure, there are plenty of plastic film protectors out there – expect to pay around £3 – that stick on to any old watch crystal and protect it from dings, but you’ll probably be okay without. On the other hand, tempered glass screen protectors for the more fragile screens of smart watches are a great thing, and they’ll cost around a tenner.
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Opinion
Duncan Bell is past imperfect Three interactions with retro tech make it clear that the past ain’t what it used to be
sually in this column – and my day-to-day life – I cover a diverse range of topics. There’s moaning about modern technology and moaning about how tech things ain’t like they used to be. Well, this time out, I am completely ‘flipping the script’, as we say in the hip-hop community, to moan about old tech. As anyone who’s ever been to a school reunion or watched the TV channel Dave will know, nothing destroys nostalgia quite so quickly as actually encountering the thing you are nostalgic about. This month I have had no fewer than three interactions with the kind of ‘classic’ tech that people like to coo about in bad online lists. And let me tell you, people: if that was the golden past, give me the Coronavirusridden present any day. Actually, as a side note, that virus, although it’s been terrible for those affected, has also had some minor positive effects. Fears about travelling and congregating in large numbers in one place have put a temporary halt to two of my most disliked tech things: trade shows, and launches where a series of executive nerds in dad jeans read about a new phone off an autocue. Everyone loves retro gaming, I am told. So when I was clearing out the spare room and discovered a PlayStation 3 and a pile of games, I assumed a glittering road to riches lay before me. Mint condition, 320GB hard drive, an array of 25 fine titles from GTA IV to Metal Gear Solid: Guns of the Patriots; who could resist that? Imagine my disappointment then, when I looked up online what I could expect to earn from them. Some of them were listed as being
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worth one penny. As if to taunt me, some of them still had the price labels showing what I paid for them, and it was generally in the region of £20 to £40 – and I usually bought second hand!
Red hot CEX I popped into the local branch of a well-known buyer of ‘pre-loved’ gaming tech and asked if they’d be interested in my mint condition, 320GB PS3… and the woman laughed. Sure, she looked away, but I could see she was chortling. To be fair, when I set up the PS3 and tried to play a few of those games, I could see why. I think the fact that PS4 is not backwards compatible and that many of those games are part of franchises that
If that was the golden past, give me the Coronavirus-ridden present any day put out a slightly better version of the same thing has also completely killed their second-hand value. But mainly it’s the fact that the graphics are a bit crap, and the gameplay kind of ponderous. In a completely unrelated development, I recently acquired a VHS player. And when I say ‘acquired’ I mean ‘stole from my elderly grandmother’. Well, where else are you going to get a VCR from? Bizarrely, I’d recently bought
a film that, for various reasons, was only available on VHS. No, it isn’t pornographic, thank you. This is where the cold, harsh reality of retro technology became really apparent. If you bought a phone now for £50 that shot video that looked like VHS, it would be laughed off the face of the planet. Although admittedly, millennials might enjoy a VHS filter that made their videos look amazingly shitty, in a deliciously ironic fashion. I put on my long-sought VHS purchase with great excitement. I loved watching videos cassettes when I was a kid. But after watching the colours all blow out or mute, while tracking interference caused backgrounds to become a nightmarishly strobing hellscape, with a soundtrack that compressed into a storm of hissing treble, I resolved never to do that again. Even that paled into minor inconvenience when compared to setting up a record player the following week. No wonder the ‘vinyl revival’ is largely led by kids who buy records to stick on their walls, or rich, old guys who pay someone else to set it up. Give me Tidal any day. My conclusion? The past is over. And it ain’t coming back. Not in my house, anyways. A P R I L 2 0 2 0 T3 2 9
HOT 100
Hot 100
Meet the technology upgrades and gadgets that will have the biggest impact on 2020, including essential buys, behind-thescenes developments and game-changing innovations Words: Matt Bolton, Alex Cox, Claire Davies Photography: Neil Godwin
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Hot 100
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SOLAR ORBITER Talk about hot‌ Get ready to learn a whole lot more about our sun, as the European Space Agency’s instrument-packed orbiter is set to take a peek at its poles and learn more about the way that big ball of gas operates. Interesting, but DOVR D FUXFLDO ĆUVW VWHS LQ properly preparing for the Artemis Moon missions 1DVD LV DLPLQJ WR ODXQFK LQb
SMART PARCEL STORAGE Staying in waiting for deliveries is so last decade. The new hotness: getting your parcels delivered securely and discreetly – you could opt for something like the Danby Parcel Guard, but that’s pretty obvious. How about, instead, the Yale Smart Delivery Box (pictured)? It’s an insulated and remotely lockable container that even has a lit-up release button on the inside should a kid climb in.
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The Cruiser returns to the cockpit for another sortie, a somewhat incredible 34 \HDUV DIWHU WKH ĆUVW ĆOP DQG naturally doesn’t look any older. By now Maverick is an experienced test pilot and trainer, and Miles Teller’s son-of-Goose character is part of his class. Cue airborne shenanigans and incredible machinery shots – this can be our number 96 on the Hot 100 any time.
Modern iPhones are, it’s fair to say, not short on cameras. But why choose between wide, ultrawide, VHOĆH RU WHOHSKRWR" :LWK DoubleTake, you can capture 1080p streams from a pair of those lenses at once, giving you all the creative options you need to edit later on – or you can make split screen or PiP videos right there on your phone. )UHH ĆOPLFSUR FRP
TOP GUN: MAVERICK
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Microsoft and Apple are determined to kill the password, and for good reason: passwords are, it turns out, pretty insecure. Biometric security, the OLNHV RI ĆQJHUSULQW DQG IDFH scanners, are going some way to plugging the gap, but it’s device-based security that’s likely to become the norm moving forward.
When mobility becomes an issue, some people can effectively lose access to WKHbWRS OHYHO RI WKHLU KRPHV As long as you’re willing to cut a hole between ćRRUV ü DQG IUDQNO\ LWèV SUREDEO\ ZRUWK LWbü WKDW doesn’t have to be an issue with something like the Stiltz Duo+, a free-standing electric lift powered entirely IURP WKHbPDLQV 1HDW stiltz.co.uk
THE DEATH OF THEÂ PASSWORD
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FILMIC DOUBLETAKE
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The Manta 5 is a hydrofoil ebike, equipped with pedal assist, a 12mph top speed, and some of the same technology used in high-end sailboats. Go cycling, but on water. Practical? Psh, not a bit of it, unless you happen to live on a private island and need a way to commute to the shops for a bag of sugar. Fun? That’s more like it. e XN PDQWD FRP
LAY-Z-SPA MILAN AIRJET PLUS Lay-Z-Spa’s thing is making hot tubs affordable – its LQćDWDEOH WXEV FDQ JR anywhere, and then fold DZD\ 7KLV LV LWV ĆUVW DSS connected tub, meaning you can check whether it’s up to temperature without going outside, or can set a schedule for it to heat to right from the app. £599, lay-z-spa.co.uk
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SONOS ONE SL +RZ GR \RX LPSURYH RQ WKH EHVW PXOWL URRP VSHDNHU RQ WKH PDUNHW" 2GGO\ \RX PLJKW EH ZHOO VHUYHG FXWWLQJ RXW WKH PLFURSKRQH DQG DVVXDJLQJ HYHU\RQHèV SULYDF\ FRQFHUQV åb6RQRVè 2QH 6/ GRHV MXVW WKDW VOLFLQJ D FKXQN RII WKH SULFH ZLWK LW EXW GRHVQèW ORVH DQ\ RI LWV RWKHU VPDUWV RU DXGLR TXDOLW\ 3HUIHFW IRU VWDUWLQJ \RXU ZLUHOHVV KRPH £159, sonos.com A P R I L 2 0 2 0 T3 3 3
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RAZER ERACING SIMULATOR We don’t think you can take this one home with you (and your family probably wouldn’t be over-pleased if you did) but as a racing game setup it’s impressive – motorised seat and harness, all the wheels and pedals you can handle, and an immense 128-inch screen with a 202-degree curve. UD]HU FRP
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XBOX’S CONTINUED ACCESSIBILITY SUPPORT A while ago, Microsoft released the Xbox Adaptive Controller, which makes gaming accessible to people ZLWK PRWRU GLIĆFXOWLHV $ new clever attachment lets people use wheelchair joysticks to control games. PLFURVRIW FRP DEOHJDPHUV RUJ
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COMFIER CAMPING This year, the camping world is laser-focused on making life outdoors tempting to all by boosting your comfort with kit that’s easy to use and laden with luxe touches. From Coleman’s starter glamping tent (pictured), the Octagon Blackout, through Outwell’s squishy 16cm-thick 'UHDPERDW VHOI LQćDWLQJ VOHHS PDW WR &DQHOOD Supreme sleeping bag, camping has never required less in the way of roughing it.
iPAD PRO’S NEXT UPDATE The signs are building for a new high-end tablet from Apple being imminent. With the last one being so monumentally good, with about as much power inside as a MacBook Pro, we hope the rumours of a new keyboard with trackpad, turning it into more of a convertible, are true. Either way, it’s going to be fast.
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The vitamin market is worth $80 billion, and the demand for personalised supplements is big, with companies like Bioniq and Care/Of leading the pack. Bespoke wellness starts with an in-depth quiz or blood test and ends with a pot of custom pills or powder to combat what \RXèUH GHĆFLHQW LQ
Over 70% of the global workforce works remotely at least once a week. $ ćH[LEOH VFKHGXOH LV WKH ELJJHVW EHQHĆW EXW loneliness is a major downside. Stay socialised and connected to your team by getting regular in-person meetings in the diary. Techwise, a lightweight laptop and capable smartphone make it easier for you to work smarter, anywhere.
Meditation and mindfulness enhance our general wellness, as well as helping us manage symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress. Calm is a celebrity favourite for practising mindfulness, and also for helping folks sleep better. The latter is helped by Calm’s Bedtime Story feature: relaxing tales read by actors and authors. )URP e)UHH FDOP FRP
PERSONALISED SUPPLEMENTS
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MICRO ELECTRIC CARS The micro electric two-seater is the perfect second car for our times. A great runabout, it offers fewer running costs, reduced weight – which leads to increased range – and is small enough to park anywhere. Whether it’s the BMW-Isetta-like Micro Microlino or Toyota’s ultra-compact BEV, it’s a size that makes sense – even Lewis Hamilton has one!
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HAPPIEST BABY SNOO $ VPDUW FULE WKDW PLJKW HYHQ VDYH \RXU VDQLW\ ,W RIIHUV XS D VRRWKLQJ ZRPE PRWLRQ DQG VRXQG FRPER DQG UHVSRQGV WR IXVVLQJ E\ WZHDNLQJ WKH PRWLRQ WKHUHèV D VSHFLDO VOHHS VDFN WR NHHS \RXU EDE\ VZDGGOHG DQG VDIH RQ WKHLU EDFN DQG \RX FDQ HYHQ ĆQG WKH VHWWLQJV \RXU EDE\ OLNHV E\ FRQVXOWLQJ WKH WUDFNLQJ DSS *HW WKHP ULJKW DQG \RX PLJKW JHW ZLQNV \RXUVHOI £995, happiestbaby.co.uk
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6PDOOHU FRPSDQLHV KDYH EHHQ WKURZLQJ RXW D ORW RI JOXFRVH PRQLWRUV å WDNH WKH *OXWUDF SLFWXUHG D ZHDUDEOH WKDW PL[HV YLWDOV PRQLWRULQJ ZLWK D VSULQNOH RI $, WR HVWLPDWH \RXU EORRG VXJDU ZLWKRXW QHHGLQJ WR WDNH DQ\ EORRG RU FHUDPLFV NLQJ .\RFHUDèV SURWRW\SH FDUERK\GUDWH PRQLWRU åbVR ZH ZRXOG H[SHFW WKH WHFK WR ERWK LPSURYH DQG WUDQVLWLRQ WR ELJJHU QDPHV VRRQ
7KH JURZ \RXU RZQ PRYHPHQW LV VHHLQJ ERXQWLIXO HU JURZWK EXW WKHUHèV QR UHDVRQ IRU WKRVH ZLWKRXW D VXLWDEOH SORW RI ODQG WR PLVV RXW /*èV LQGRRUbJURZLQJ FDELQHW IHHOV DOPRVW OLNH DQ DQWL IULGJH ,W JLYHV \RXU YHJ WKHbSURSHU WHPSHUDWXUH ZDWHU DQG QXWULHQWV UHTXLUHG PHDQLQJ \RX FDQbFXOWXUH D IXVV IUHH FURSbDOO \HDU URXQG £TBC, lg.com
SMART GLUCOSE MONITORS
LG’S INDOOR VEGETABLE GARDEN
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BOSE NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES 700 $EVROXWHO\ IDQWDVWLF OHYHO QRLVH FDQFHOOLQJ VXSHUE ORRNV RXWUDJHRXV EDWWHU\ OLIH D EULOOLDQW PLFURSKRQH LQQRYDWLYH DXGLR $5 H[SHULHQFHV å ZH VLPSO\ FDQèW WKURZ HQRXJK VXSHUODWLYHV DW %RVHèV IDEXORXV KHDGSKRQHV $QG JLYHQ WKHLU PXVLF UHSURGXFWLRQ LV W\SLFDOO\ ćDZOHVV WKHVH PLJKW EH WKH RQO\ KHDGSKRQHV \RX HYHU QHHG IRU WUDYHO RU QRW £350, bose.co.uk 3 6 T3 A P R I L 2 0 2 0
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Clever fabrics are all over, and while you might expect WKLQJV OLNH ZDWHUSURRĆQJ OLNH 7KH 1RUWK )DFHèV Futurelight tech) or longlasting (see Ventile’s cotton blend) there’s more: the antibacterial Mizu Towel’s (pictured) stripes change colour when it’s time to JLYHbLW D ZDVK
It’s the little things that count, and most households waste the majority of water that comes in. With the Hydraloop home installed, you’ll be able to recycle 85% of that water, helping reduce your impact on the HQYLURQPHQW übHYHU\WKLQJ from washing machine to bath water, back in the loop. )URP DSSUR[ e K\GUDORRS FRP
6OHHS 1XPEHU UHFNRQV LWV Climate 360 Smart Bed is a “revolution in health,� designed to help you fall asleep faster and for longer by “actively cooling your body during the night�. It also helps you wake during a natural part of your sleep cycle (so no grogginess). e7%& VOHHSQXPEHU FRP
SMART FABRICS EVERYWHERE
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EVIATION ALICE Fuel-guzzling planes are opening the jet set up to a whole lot of criticism these days, so a fully electric plane was an inevitability. Eviation’s Alice might not be able to make a quick turnaround, but the ninepassenger three-prop plane LV GXH WR PDNH LWV ĆUVW ćLJKW this year, and its batteries give it a 600-mile range. HYLDWLRQ FR
HYDRALOOP
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MIRROR DIAGNOSIS Smart mirrors have the potential to help us diagnose and track changes in our body shape. The HiMirror Mini tracks everything from wrinkles to suspicious skin changes; meanwhile WKH 1DNHG IXOO OHQJWK PLUURU VFDQV \RXU ZKROH body in 3D to track any changes in fat, lean mass and weight.
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This year’s festive season will be smart. LEDworks’ Twinkly RGB lights can, in conjunction with your phone’s camera, work out exactly where they are on the tree or wall, allowing you to map funky (and previously impossible) positional effects. )URP e WZLQNO\ FRP
Whether it’s helping the disabled or giving manual workers superhuman powers, the new crop of AI-assisted exoskeletons looks set to make a real impact. Finally we can shed WKH OLPLWDWLRQV RI RXU ćHVK\ forms. Sarcos Robotics’ Guardian XO is a full-body, battery-powered super suit; others will surely follow in its robot footsteps.
TWINKLY SMART CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
EXOSKELETONS
SLEEP NUMBER CLIMATE 360 SMART BED
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MAC PRO There are many ludicrous things about the Mac Pro. Its design, for instance. Its price. Its power. But this is not a machine for us mere mortals. It’s a top-end marvel meant for those who really need – and can afford – to have that SRZHU DW WKHLU ĆQJHUWLSV 7KH 0DF LV VWLOO WKH creative platform of choice, and this beauty is WKHbXOWLPDWH FUHDWLYH WRRO )URP e DSSOH FRP XN A P R I L 2 0 2 0 T3 37
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*DUGHQ RIĆFH SRGV KDYH been around for while, but this year’s trend leans more towards garden gyms. The initial outlay can be pricey, but if you hate both gym fees and working out in front of others, having your RZQ ĆWQHVV VWXGLR RXWVLGH is tempting. For inspiration, check out Bakers Timber DQG WKH $IĆQLW\ UDQJH DW 6PDUW *DUGHQ 2IĆFHV
What is a games console? Publisher Panic and hardware developer Teenage Engineering don’t think the standard answer is necessarily the right one. Playdate is a platform made for innovation, with seasonal game releases, a 1-bit Memory LCD screen, and a perplexing but H[FLWLQJ KDQGbFUDQN FRQWURO $SSUR[ e SOD\ GDWH
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CD Projekt Red, the minds behind the Witcher games, turn their RPG muscles towards a whole new fantasy universe – the techheavy human-augmented world of Cyberpunk. Hotly anticipated doesn’t begin to cover it: this dark, JULWW\bLPDJLQHG IXWXUH ORRNVbVHW WR FRPSOHWHO\ UHGHĆQH WKH JHQUH $OO WKDW plus a starring role from Keanu Reeves. cyberpunk.net
Who doesn’t want the ultimate shower experience at the touch of a button? Smart showers are now getting much more varied, with the likes of SmarTap offering app control so that you’re able to create individual custom shower presets, and the new Kohler Moxie Showerhead (pictured) boasting a built-in waterproof speaker with $OH[D YRLFH VPDUWV
GARDEN GYM PODS
CYBERPUNK 2020
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This is the TV company to watch out for this year å DOUHDG\ ELJ RYHU WKH SRQG DQG LQ SDUWV RI $VLD it brings cutting-edge technology at super-low prices. Expect to see big mentions of its QLED screens this year (including an 8K model), and even pioneering mini-LED sets (see #3). WFO FRP
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LITHIUM-SULPHUR BATTERIES Lithium-sulphur could be a revolution. Li-S batteries have the potential to be cheaper, without as many harmful materials, and pack enough juice to power a SKRQH IRU ĆYH GD\V åbDQG they’re coming soon.
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SMART SHOWERS
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GOOGLE BACKS FITBIT Fitbit hasn’t had the easiest time in a tricky VPDUWZDWFK PDUNHW VXUURXQGHG E\ $SSOH DW WKHbWRS DQG D QXPEHU RI FKHDSHU FRPSHWLWRUV doing well at the bottom. But now the company is in Google’s hands, giving the Big G access to years of data and Fitbit access to a massive, VWDEOH EDFNHU &RXOG DQ $SSOH :DWFK EHDWHU EHbRQ WKH FDUGV" ĆWELW FRP
SMARTER CAR COCKPITS LCD’s recent hold on the dashboard might be waning: witness Cadillac’s delectable wide curved OLED, or the holographic 3D displays being widely tested. Not that LCD is dead, though; Bosch has developed a transparent smart visor that tracks your eyes and blots out the sun with black LCD. So it hasn’t been put in the shade yet…
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APPLE AIRPODS PRO $SSOHèV QRLVH FDQFHOOLQJ KHDGSKRQHV ZHUH DOPRVW LPSRVVLEOH WR ĆQG LQ VWRUHV RYHU &KULVWPDV DQG WKH QXPEHU \RX VHH LQ SHRSOHèV HDUV WHOOV \RX ZK\ 7KH\èUH QRW FKHDS EXW WKHLU PL[ RI VPDUW GHVLJQ JUHDW QRLVH UHGXFWLRQ DQG IDQWDVWLF VRXQG TXDOLW\ KDV PDGH WKHP WKH KRWWHVW KHDGSKRQHV RI WKH \HDU £249, apple.com
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GOOGLE PIXELBOOK GO 0DNLQJ PRUH WKDQ D IHZ QRW VR VXEWOH QRGV WR WKH GHVLJQ ODQJXDJH RI FODVVLF SODVWLF $SSOH 0DF%RRNV *RRJOHèV ODWHVW PDLQOLQH ODSWRS ZLWK D LQFK WRXFKVFUHHQ DQG $QGURLG FRPSDWLELOLW\ EHJV WR EH FDUULHG DURXQG ,W KDV D JULSSDEOH WH[WXUHG EDVH LWèV VXSHU OLJKW LWèOO NHHS JRLQJ IRU D VROLG KRXUV åbDQG LWV PHGLD FKRSV DUH IXOO\ XSJUDGHG From £629, store.google.com
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,URQLFDOO\ FRROLQJ ]RQHV DUH SUHWW\ KRW ULJKW QRZ WKH /* 6LJQDWXUH :LQH &RROHU FKLOOV GLIIHUHQW WLSSOHV DW WKH SHUIHFW WHPSHUDWXUH 3&V DUH VHJPHQWLQJ WKHPVHOYHV IRU RSWLPDO FRPSRQHQW FRROLQJ DQG 6DPVXQJèV &XEH 5HIULJHUDWRU VHULHV DUH TXLHW HQRXJK WR EH NHSW E\ WKH VRID IRU GULQNV RU EHG IRU FRVPHWLFV.
'HYLFHV VXFK DV WKH 1HVW +XE DQG (FKR 6KRZ KDYH UHPLQGHG XV WKDW GLJLWDO SKRWR IUDPHV DUH DFWXDOO\ ZKLVSHU LW SUHWW\ FRRO :KHWKHU LWèV GLVSOD\LQJ ĆQH DUW RU VKRZLQJ RII WKDW VXSHU FXWH SKRWR RI \RXU GRJ /HQRYRèV LQFK 6PDUW )UDPH LV D JUHDW ZD\ WR GR LW Approx. £308, lenovo.com
/RYH RI FDPSHU YDQV DQG FRQFHUQ IRU WKH HQYLURQPHQW JR KDQG LQ KDQG åbWKH HOHFWULF FDPSHU YDQ LV WKH REYLRXV QH[W VWHS 9:èV ,' %X]] SLFWXUHG LV OHDGLQJ WKH FKDUJH IRU EDWWHU\ EXVVHV ZLWK VXSHU VLPSOH GULYLQJ FRQWUROV D ZLOGO\ ćH[LEOH LQWHULRU DQG VPDUW OLJKWLQJ WKDW FRPPXQLFDWHV ZLWK SHGHVWULDQV
ADVANCED COOLING TECH
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ELECTRIC CAMPERVANS
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AI UPSCALING Ever-expanding TV brains mean source resolution is less important than ever: $, XSVFDOLQJ OLNH WKDW RI Samsung’s Quantum chip, isn’t just good for making ĆOP ORRN OLNH LW ZDV created yesterday. It’s an essential you’ll seen on every top TV this year, for ĆOOLQJ PDVVLYH VFUHHQV ZLWK smooth, glitch-free imagery in 4K or even 8K.
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Can the Garmin juggernaut be stopped? It’s on a roll in WKH ĆWQHVV ZHDUDEOHV VHFWRU putting out some incredible and extra-intelligent watches for runners, hikers, swimmers and general health fanatics alike. It’s got things sewn up for regular consumers and, with its delectable Marq collection, for the high end too. JDUPLQ FRP
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CUSTOM BEAUTY AND SKINCARE
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7KH %LJ 1èV ĆUVW SDUW\ WLWOHV LQFOXGLQJ WKH EHVWb=HOGD JDPH HYHU WKH EHVW 0DULR JDPH HYHU bDQG WKH IRUWKFRPLQJ DQG EULOOLDQW ORRNLQJ Animal Crossing: New Horizons) have made the 6ZLWFK IRU PDQ\ WKH ĆQHVW FRQVROH RI WKLV generation, power be damned. The handheldRQO\ 6ZLWFK /LWH IXUWKHU UHĆQHV LW LQWR DQ absolute travel essential. e QLQWHQGR FRP
Take a look at the L’Oreal Perso (pictured), a device that creates custom formulas for makeup based on your complexion or what you’re wearing, and the Opté Skincare System, which detects blemishes, then dishes out the precise amount of concealer that you require.
Canon’s mirrorless cameras got off to a slightly slow start compared to Nikon’s, but the R5 is a technological powerhouse that rights this. The most eye-catching feature is 8K video recording, but 20fps stills shooting with in-body stabilisation on a full-frame lens will make it formidable on all fronts. e7%& FDQRQ FR XN
NINTENDO SWITCH LITE
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SAMSUNG ODYSSEY G9 Samsung’s banana-bent Odyssey G9 truly surrounds you with the action – its bend matches the curve of your vision. 49 inches corner-to-corner, with a 1440p ultrawide resolution, 1ms response time and the ability to handle 240Hz signals, it’s astonishing. e7%& VDPVXQJ FRP
CANON EOS R5
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BODY COMPOSITION SCALES If you want to measure your health and not just your weight, swap out your standard bathroom scales for a set of these. Body composition scales, like the Tanita BC-401 (pictured) and Withings Body+, measure things like your muscle mass, visceral fat, body water percentage, metabolic age, bone mineral mass and more, in addition to weight and BMI.
SURFING 7KLV VXPPHU VXUĆQJ ZLOO debut as an Olympic sport, and we’ll be glued to our screens, watching the world’s most celebrated surfers battle it out in Japan. 6XUĆQJ LV XQEHOLHYDEO\ cool anyway, but after the summer Olympics are done, we fully expect to see more people than ever hitting their nearest surf break. A P R I L 2 0 2 0 T3 41
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There’s always room for something fun, and Samsung’s Ballie is just that: it’s a little ball-shaped robot that follows you around, snapping key moments in your life and bleeping adorably. Not that it’s not smart – the voice-activated VSKHUH FDQ VSRW ĆOWK DQG VHW off your vacuum, act as a ĆWQHVV DVVLVWDQW DQG PRUH e7%& VDPVXQJ FRP
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With a Dreamliner-inspired ultra-wide interior and innovative folding tips at the end of its composite wings, the 777X isn’t just iconic-looking. It’s a marker for the next generation of DLUFUDIW *(èV XOWUD HIĆFLHQW GE9X engine joins that advanced aerodynamics package for a big reduction in fuel use and emissions. ERHLQJ FRP
Now far cheaper (thanks to Ikea’s, pictured) and far easier to install and connect than before, smart blinds are worth a ORRN $XWRPDWLQJ OLJKWV LV one thing, but automating that natural light coming into your home gives your morning smart routines a real shot in the arm – and getting set for movie night will never be the same.
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BOEING 777X
SAMSUNG BALLIE
VIZIO
Vizio has built its name on kit that undercuts its competitors, and it’s set to make a big play for the UK market. It started last year with a pair of highly affordable and really rather excellent soundbars – could this be the year we see Vizio TVs crossing the pond? If the high-end P-Series line hits our shelves, expect some serious ripples. YL]LR FRP 42 T3 A P R I L 2 0 2 0
ANTIBACTERIAL TECH Tech is waiting to take microscopic pests out. From the UV-sanitised ChopBox chopping board to the UV screen-cleaning tech of the PhoneSoap (pictured), bacteria’s days are numbered – and Otterbox’s antimicrobial screen protector might mean it never gets a FKDQFH WR WDNH KROG LQ WKH ĆUVW SODFH
ZAGG MOPHIE POWERSTATION GO $ SRUWDEOH SKRQH FKDUJHU WKDWèV VR PXFK PRUH $ high density, high output 44,400mWh battery and (presumably) a whole bunch of capacitors means the Powerstation Go has enough juice to jump start your car, incorporates a 65W outlet, and even has a Qi charger built in. $SSUR[ e ]DJJ FRP
SMART BLINDS
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VINTAGE-LOOKING SMART BULBS :KLOH IDU PRUH HIĆFLHQW WKDQ WKHLU SUHGHFHVVRUV LED sucked the charm from lighting, at least XQWLObĆODPHQW VW\OH /('V WXUQHG XS DQG GRXEOHG down on the old-school looks. Now everyone from the big names in smart illumination (such as Hue, pictured) and up-and-comers (like Germany’s Sengled) are bringing app LQWHJUDWLRQbWR FODVV\ EXOEV JLYLQJ \RX XOWLPDWH control over your ambiance.
SILK’N TOOTHWAVE This brush, which employs a pair of electrodes LQ LWV KHDG ĆUHV UDGLR ZDYHV WXQHG WR D VSHFLĆF frequency at your teeth, gums, and even below the gumline to effectively dissolve impurities and break down plaque rather than just preventing its buildup. It’s the kind of wacky thing that could put hygienists out of business. e VLONQ HX
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NARWAL ROBOT MOP AND VACUUM :KDWèV EHWWHU WKDQ D URERW YDFXXP" $ URERW YDF WKDW DOVR PRSV KDUG VXUIDFHV 7KH 1DUZDO KDV D VHOI FOHDQLQJ IHDWXUH VR LWèOO ZDVK ULQVH DQG GU\ LWV EXLOW LQ PRS DIWHU XVH $V IRU YDFXXPLQJ LWèV GHVLJQHG WR VXFN XS SHW KDLU GHEULV DQG GXVW DQG ZLOO IROORZ D FXVWRP ćRRU SODQ WRR £615, narwalrobotics.com
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MAXPRO CONNECTED
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FUJIFILM X-T200 5HGROHQW RI WKH FDPHUDV RI \RUH EXW GHĆQLWHO\ QR VORXFK LQ WKH LPDJLQJ GHSDUWPHQW WKLV LV GHĆQLWLYH SURRI WKDW WKH SKRQH LV IDU IURP NLOOLQJ RII WKH GHGLFDWHG FDPHUD 7KLV LV VLPSO\ EHWWHU XSGDWHG $) DQG VXSHULRU SHUIRUPDQFH LQ ORZ OLJKW FRQGLWLRQV PHDQV \RX FDQ FDSWXUH WKDW SHUIHFW VQDS LQ DQ LQVWDQW $URXQG e ERG\ RQO\ IXMLĆOP [ FRP
%XIĆQJ XS GRHVQèW KDYH WR PHDQ FRPPLWWLQJ WR D ćRRU WKUHDWHQLQJ FROOHFWLRQ RI FODQJLQJ LURQ 7KH 0D[3UR &RQQHFWHG RULJLQDOO\ FDOOHG 0D[)LW LV DQ DOO LQ RQH UHVLVWDQFH EDVHG WUDLQHU ZLWK %OXHWRRWK ZRUNRXW WUDFNLQJ DQG VHQVRUV RQ ERDUG DOO LQ D KRYHUERDUG LQVSLUHG DQG HDVLO\ VWRZHG IROGLQJ NJ SDFNDJH Around £500, PD[SURĆWQHVV FRP A P R I L 2 0 2 0 T3 4 3
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LIGHT(ER)WEIGHT DRONES There’s now a licensing limit on drones – if they top 250g, you’ll need to register them. It’s no wonder DJI’s Mavic Mini weighs a nose-thumbingly precise 249g, is it? As more companies drop drones that skirt the limit, you can expect to VHH JUHDWHU HIĆFLHQF\ H[WUD PLQLPLVHG components, and the smaller end of the market really – ahem – taking off. 4 4 T3 A P R I L 2 0 2 0
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SEX TECH
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LEGO ISS At last, Lego gives us the chance to clutch together a big brick replica of the International Space Station, complete with spacewalk PLFURĆJXUH D GHSOR\DEOH VDWHOOLWH DQG HYHQ a dinky space shuttle for docking fun. A true 864-piece treat for space nerds and Lego ĆHQGVbDOLNH DQG D JUHDW VKHOI SLHFH ZKHQ \RXèUHbGRQH SOD\LQJ DURXQG £65, lego.com
Tech’s grip on the bedroom is tightening, but not to the point that it’ll hurt. Lelo’s developer-friendly F1S male toy (pictured), the Ella Wearable Personal Massager, Ose’s 2QGD DQG %DFL übDOO WR\V which give you far more control over your underthe-sheets experiences WKDQbHYHU EHIRUH &RXOG an app one day be a ORYHPDNLQJbHVVHQWLDO"
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Feels weird to say this about a car, but the Honda e is so cute, isn’t it? This retro-styled electric tribute to the original Civic is so cheeky we just want to give it a big hug. Problem is we’d KDYH WR FDWFK LW ĆUVW *LYHQ its hyperspeed 0-30 times from its electric motor and highly manoeuvrable chassis, that won’t be easy. From £26,160, honda.co.uk
There’s been a lot of talk about robots for companionship recently; the ultra-cute Jennie hits the mark as a therapeutic pet analogue for those unable to take care of animals. Developed to help Tombot CEO Tom Stevens’ mother, an Alzheimer’s patient, the touch- and voice-sensitive yapper is truly lifelike. Around £345, tombot.com
HONDA E
TOMBOT JENNIE
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Usually we’d be sceptical, but we see no reason why the Concept UFO wouldn’t be the model for the future of portable PC gaming. Real PC muscle in a decidedly Switch-esque shell, convertible and carryable and ready to go in an instant, on the platform where big games are best. alienware.com
Some have said these true wireless buds are better than the AirPods Pro; some claim they’re the best Bluetooth earbuds ever. All we know is, these are absolutely superb, whether you’re listening to music, making calls, or using the transparency mode to sneak an audio peek at your surroundings – and the HUJRQRPLF ĆW LV H[FHOOHQW £170, jabra.co.uk
ALIENWARE CONCEPT UFO
JABRA ELITE 75T
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SAMSUNG AIRDRESSER
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The AirDresser offers revolution. It steams clothes to kill germs and blast through old smells, it dries gently with less shrinkage, it blasts dust off garments, and even acts as D GHKXPLGLĆHU ,W KHOSV \RX save water too, and cuts down dry cleaning costs. £1,999, samsung.com
What’s old is new, and vinyl’s ever-growing resurgence brings with it a host of really rather good turntables at all ends of the market, record players that maintain that retro charm but don’t ignore the connectivity of the present day. AudioTechnica, Yahama (pictured), Sony, Pro-Ject and even Cambridge Audio are on board with Bluetooth – expect more to follow. See p66 for more on these work.
BLUETOOTH TURNTABLES
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ALBI SMART WINE DISPENSER It seems our love affair with smart wine gadgets continues, as the app- and voice controlled Albi was hugely over-funded upon debuting at Kickstarter. The countertop device preserves wine so that it lasts for up to six months after opening, storing it at its optimum temperature. £430, albicchiere.com
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PRINKER S Expect to see this at the top of many 2020 Christmas lists; the Prinker S takes temporary tattooing away from the domain of spongeon transfers and into a totally custom world. Transfer an image from your phone via %OXHWRRWKbDQG LW FDQ SULQW LW GLUHFWO\ RQWR your skin, using a safe ink that doesn’t need DbVDQGSDSHU VFUXE WR UHPRYH LW $QG LWèV LQVWDQW Around £210, prinker-europe.com
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VIRTUAL PERSONAL TRAINERS Home workouts have never been so pro, and that’s thanks to a rise in the number of virtual trainers via apps for smartwatches, mobiles and tablets, and YLD OLYH ĆWQHVV FODVVHV IRU VSHFLĆF ELWV RI KRPH J\P kit. The latter includes the Peloton home exercise bike, with 14 daily live classes to pick from. 4 6 T3 A P R I L 2 0 2 0
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This chip is the beating heart of basically every upcoming Android device that matters. And for good reason: combined with the ; PRGHP WKH PXOWL OD\HUHG EULQJV * DV the norm. It also enables Wi-Fi 6, 802.11ay and %OXHWRRWK DQG WKH *38 has been souped up. qualcomm.com
An innovative wheel design PHDQV WKH *;L FDQ GURS from fast to folded in just 10 seconds, and that’s just the start of its skills. All the wires (and the removable battery, good for 50 miles) are tucked inside the 17.5kg frame, there’s predictive gear shifting, a traction controlled motor and a cool KITT-like LED display. Straight up design genius. £3,699, gocycle.com
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QUALCOMM SNAPDRAGON 865
V-COPTR FALCON
Why waste battery spinning four rotors when two will do? Zero Zeroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Falcon bicopter, inspired by the V-22 Osprey military aircraft, might just make *LYLQJ \RX WRWDO FRQWURO RYHU ZKR FDQ RSHQ us reconsider our vision of the door, smart locks are getting smarter. what a camera drone should Everything from Netatmoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Smart Door Lock be. It totes a pair of cameras and its customisable, reprogrammable NFC for object avoidance and keys to tamper-proof devices from the likes YLVXDO WUDFNLQJ DQG FDQ Ä&#x2021;\ RI 6FKODJH <DOH DQG 8OWLRQ SLFWXUHG Ã¥bH[SHFW for 50 whole minutes. to see a huge rise in the number of Bluetoothsecured ingresses in the coming months â&#x20AC;&#x201C; theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re Around £768, zerozerorobotics.com one of this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most-desired buys.
SMART LOCKS
GOCYCLE GXI
IN-CAR VOICE CONTROL $SSOHèV &DU3OD\ *RRJOHèV Android Auto â&#x20AC;&#x201C; theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve already made voice control pretty much standard. Now Amazonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on it, pushing Alexa support into a host of devices from its own Echo Auto (pictured) to dash cams, Ankerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Roav 12v phone chargers, and even direct integration with the 2020 Audi range.
Hot 100
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5G LAPTOPS )RUJHW Ä&#x2020;JKWLQJ ZLWK KRWVSRWV RU WKURZLQJ \RXU GDWD WKURXJK LQDGHTXDWH DQG SRWHQWLDOO\ GDQJHURXV SXEOLF :L )L EHFDXVH * LQ ODSWRSV VXFK DV WKH /HQRYR <RJD * SLFWXUHG RU +3 (OLWH 'UDJRQÄ&#x2021;\ FDQ EH DV IDVW DV D KRPH EURDGEDQG connection and get you hooked up anywhere thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a signal. New chipsets ZKLFK PL[ :L )L DQG * PHDQ LWèV JRLQJ WR EH D FRPPRQ VLJKW H[SDQGLQJ DV WKH QHWZRUN GRHV <RXèOO QHYHU EH RIÄ&#x2021;LQH LI \RX GRQèW ZDQW WR EH
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Valve returns to the Half-Life universe at last with a major prequel GHWDLOLQJ WKH HYHQWV EHWZHHQ WKH Ä&#x2020;UVW WZR JDPHV Ã¥ DQG WKLV WLPH youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re battling the Combine in immersive free-movement VR form. A title that could be transformative for the future of VR as a whole. £46.50, steampowered.com
The heir apparent to OLED tech? Oh yeah. Doing away with the backlight means unparalleled contrast, and the fact that a bezel LVQèW UHTXLUHG PHDQV WKHUHèV Ä&#x2021;H[LELOLW\ Ã¥b6DPVXQJèV 7KH :DOO 79 (pictured) allows for an expandable screen in the vein of professional YLGHR ZDOOV ,WèV DOVR UXPRXUHG IRU IXWXUH $SSOH :DWFKHV VFUHHQV
HALF-LIFE: ALYX
MICROLED
A P R I L 2 0 2 0 T3 47
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FOLDING PHONES The potential of folding phones is massive, but they got off to stuttering start with a mixed reception IRU WKH 6DPVXQJ *DOD[\ )ROG DQG QR UHOHDVH KHUH for the Huawei Mate X. But now we have clamshell IROGHUV OLNH WKH 0RWRUROD 5D]U DQG 6DPVXQJ = )OLS and we have the upgraded Huawei Mate Xs (see p10) coming â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2020 will see these phones go from technology curio to truly desirable option. 4 8 T3 A P R I L 2 0 2 0
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18 DUNE
Denis Villeneuveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new adaptation of Frank +HUEHUWèV FODVVLF VFL Ä&#x2020; QRYHO â&#x20AC;&#x201C; due towards the end of the year â&#x20AC;&#x201C; could prove to be the most ambitious and gorgeous movie ever made. 7KHUHèV D GDPQ Ä&#x2020;QH FDVW D Hans Zimmer soundtrack, and the potential for a string RIbHTXDOO\ VSLF\ VHTXHOV LI DOObJRHV ZHOO 1R 6WLQJ WKLV time, mind.
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LENOVO THINKPAD FOLD X1 Lenovo is no stranger to tablet-laptop hybrids, but we were as surprised to see the bendy-screened Fold ; DFWXDOO\ HVFDSLQJ WKH companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s concept labs. It may even end up being the Ä&#x2020;UVW IROGDEOH ODSWRS WR KLW WKH market â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and it could be a VKRZFDVH IRU ,QWHOèV /DNHÄ&#x2020;HOG 3D processor, too. Around £1,920, lenovo.com
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NEXT-LEVEL ACTION CAMERAS
15
An Olympic year inevitably means a long jump IRU WHFK Ã¥bDQG WKRVH VWULYLQJ IRU KLJK HQG FRQWHQW will be unsurprised to hear that perennially forward-thinking Japanese broadcaster NHK ZLOO EH Ä&#x2020;OPLQJ WKH 7RN\R *DPHV LQ JORULRXV . With a raft of new TVs on the way and the price premium quickly dropping off, 2020 is truly the year that 8K blasts off. Oh, and BT has said it will show Premier League matches in 8K this year.
Say goodbye to the classic cuboid action cam; things are getting more extreme. 7DNH *R3URèV +HUR 0$; (pictured), a box which brings 360 shooting to the action market, or the Insta360 One R, a modular 5.3K cam system with a longbOLVW RI SRWHQWLDOO\ essential accessories.
6PDOOHU DLU SXULÄ&#x2020;HUV \RX FDQ Ä&#x2020;W DQ\ZKHUH \RX need them are a big thing this year, helping your respiratory health. From big home units to the tiny Blueair Blue Pure 411 thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s made for cars, to Dysonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s PureCool Me SLFWXUHG WKDW SXULÄ&#x2020;HV DQG FRROV DLU DQG Ä&#x2020;UHV LW MXVW DW \RX LQ \RXU RIÄ&#x2020;FHð ZH FDQ all breathe easier in 2020.
8K TV
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TRUE WIRELESS FOR LESS Just one year matters. Battery life is going up and the price is coming right down: around £100 seems to be the norm now for great sets such as the Lypertek Tevi (pictured), with noise cancellation only adding a small extra fee, with the Amazon Echo Buds feature Bose NC tech but coming in under £120.
AIR PURIFIERS
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JBL BAR 9.1 Just about as compact as virtual surround can be, the Bar 9.1 squashes full-on Dolby Atmos audio, HDR passthrough and a whole stack more connectivity into a standard soundbar shell. Standard apart from the rear speakers, that is: they mount magnetically onto either end to charge, and wirelessly assign themselves a channel when you pull them off. Around £760, jbl.com
ONEPLUS CONCEPT ONE A handset that offers us a glimpse of phones to come. It uses specially miniaturised electrochromic glass, just over a millimetre thick, to completely mask the camera lens cluster until you open the camera app, at which point a current makes the glass transparent. You canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t argue thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not cool. oneplus.com A P R I L 2 0 2 0 T3 49
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FORD GT LIQUID CARBON Just look at it! Oh, apparently, we have to write more here. Fine, just look at its new carbon shell with a clear coating so you can see the Ä&#x2020;EUH /RRN DW LWV OLJKWHU WLWDQLXP H[KDXVW FDUERQ ZKHHOV DQG KS WZLQ WXUER HQJLQH /RRN DW WKH QHZ UHDU GHVLJQ ZLWK PRUH DLUÄ&#x2021;RZ 7KH VDG SDUW" <RXèOO KDYH WR LPSRUW LW 2K DQG LW FRVWV D ERPE $750,000, ford.com
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HEART HEALTH As itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s become clear that tech can be quite good at detecting heart issues, innovative new options have sprung up. The Apple Watch can detect irregular heart beats, Samsung has a watch with a blood pressure sensor and check out the Omron Complete as a smart base station for all heart health checking. Tech to help you spot problems before theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re problems, orto help stay on top of them, is becoming the norm.
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48-INCH OLED TVs 8QWLO WKLV \HDU LQFKHV ZDV WKH VPDOOHVW VL]H . 2/(' 79 \RX FRXOG JHW EXW QRZ VPDOOHU KRPHV FDQ Ä&#x2020;QDOO\ JHW LQ RQ WKH PDMHVW\ RI 2/(' SLFWXUH TXDOLW\ 6RQ\ DQG /* ZLOO KDYH 79V LPPLQHQWO\ DQG 3KLOLSV LV DOVR ZRUNLQJ RQ RQH (YHQ EHWWHU WKH\èOO DOVR EH WKH FKHDSHVW VHWV LQ WKHLU UHVSHFWLYH UDQJHV PDNLQJ WKH WHFK PRUH DIIRUGDEOH RYHUDOO 5 0 T3 A P R I L 2 0 2 0
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NIKE ZOOMX VAPORFLY NEXT% These are the shoes that people say make you instantly faster at running. Can it really be true? Well, we tried them, and instantly broke four(!) personal bests. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re so comfortable and so HIÄ&#x2020;FLHQW WKDW \RX FDQ IHHO KRZ HDV\ LW LV WR FRQWURO \RXU SDFH DQG stamina â&#x20AC;&#x201C; they unlock your full potential. Expect to see them on all the best-equipped runners this yearâ&#x20AC;¦ £239, nike.com
Hot 100
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SAMSUNG Q950TS 7KH Ä&#x2021;DJVKLS 79 LQ 6DPVXQJèV UDQJH LV D ERQD Ä&#x2020;GH VWXQQHU $VLGH from its HDR 4000-rated QLED screen (four times brighter than the recommended brightness for high-end HDR!) and its unbelievably detailed 8K screen with AI upscaling to make everything worthy of WKDWbQXPEHU RI SL[HOV LWèV DOVR JRW RQH RI WKH PRVW H\H FDWFKLQJ 79 designs ever, with a minuscule bezel on three sides that makes it look OLNHbWKH LPDJH LV VXVSHQGHG LQ WKH DLU ,WèV LQFUHGLEO\ WKLQ WRR DQG KDV DQbDUUD\ RI VSHDNHUV DURXQG WKH VFUHHQ JLYLQJ PRUH RSHQ ' VRXQG HYHQbZLWKRXW DQ\ DGGLWLRQDO VSHDNHUV A P R I L 2 0 2 0 T3 51
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E-SCOOTERS In only a year or so, e-scooters have gone from â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;unlikely to be legal in the UK for yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;about to become legal in a matter of weeksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. That they werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t legal before didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really stop people IURP XVLQJ WKHP EXW DW OHDVW LWèOO EH RIÄ&#x2020;FLDO QRZ ( VFRRWHUV DUH LGHDO IRU JHWWLQJ DURXQG WRZQV thanks to 15.5mph top speeds and the fact they take up so little space to park (or can be folded to stash somewhere). Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a big hit in Europe already (especially in cities with good cycling infrastructure), and the low price makes them a really useful â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and fairly eco-friendly â&#x20AC;&#x201C; transport option. Check out options from Segway Ninebot and Xiaomi in particular. 52 T3 A P R I L 2 0 2 0
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MICROSOFT DUO & NEO 7KH TXDOLW\ RI 0LFURVRIWèV UHFHQW KDUGZDUH DQG LWV WKRXJKWIXO DSSURDFK WR JHWWLQJ VRIWZDUH UHDG\ IRU WKLV GXDO VFUHHQ SKRQH WKH 'XR DQG WDEOHW WKH 1HR PDNHV XV WKLQN WKHVH ZLOO DUULYH ZLWK PRUH SROLVKHG UHVXOWV WKDQ HDUO\ IROGLQJ SKRQHV 0LFURVRIW DQQRXQFHG WKHP D \HDU EHIRUH WKH\èOO JR RQ VDOH VR WKDW WKH VRIWZDUH DQG DSSV FDQ EH WZHDNHG DQG SHRSOH FDQ UHDOO\ JHW D KDQGOH RQ ZKDW WKH DGYDQWDJHV DUH EHIRUH WKH\ EX\ WKH\èUH GXH DW WKH HQG RIb )URP ZKDW ZHèYH VHHQ VR IDU WKH\èUH WKH EHVW FDQGLGDWHV WKLV \HDU WR JHQXLQHO\ VKDNH XS DQG LPSURYH KRZ ZH JHW WKLQJV GRQH microsoft.com
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MINI-LED 7KLV LV WKH QH[W JHQHUDWLRQ RI 79 WHFK \RXèUH OLNHO\ WR DFWXDOO\ EX\ VRRQ 0LQL /(' KHUH UHIHUV WR XVLQJ VPDOOHU /('V IRU EDFNOLJKWV LQ /&' SDQHOV VXFK DV WKRVH LQ 4/(' RU 1DQRFHOO GLVSOD\V +DYLQJ PRUH VPDOOHU OLJKWV PHDQV WKH EDFNOLJKWV FDQ JR EULJKWHU RYHUDOO EXW ORFDO GLPPLQJ FDQ EH PRUH SUHFLVHO\ FRQWUROOHG VR WKH EDFNOLJKW FDQ EH WXUQHG RII LQ VHFWLRQV WKDW QHHG WR JR GDUN ,W VKRXOG PHDQ +'5 FRQWUDVW WKDWèV ZD\ EH\RQG ZKDW ZHèUH XVHG WR QRZ PDNLQJ HYHU\WKLQJ HYHQ PRUH UHDOLVWLF $QG LWèV QRW MXVW IRU 79V å ZHèYH VHHQ LW XVHG LQ 06,èV &UHDWRU ODSWRS DQG LWèV DVWRXQGLQJ WKHUH OLNH KDYLQJ D KLJK HQG 79 ZLWK \RX DW DOO WLPHV <RXèUH going to see this in a lot RI KLJK TXDOLW\ GLVSOD\V VRRQ
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PLAYSTATION 5 & XBOX SERIES X The next big leap in gaming is coming. Microsoft is swinging for the digital fences with the Series X, which promises four times the processing power of the Xbox One X, and twice the graphics grunt. The PS5 is expected to not quite match that for graphics, but both will support a range of cutting-edge tech for faster loading speeds and more realistic effects in everything from lighting to AI to physics, and thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s even 8K support. As for pricing, no one is talking just yet, but rumours suggest that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re talking £450 at least for the PS5 and more for the Series X. High price wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hold them back, though â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the world has been waiting for a big jump in console gaming since the PS4 and Xbox One came out back in 2013, and these will absolutely be the hottest things available at Christmas.
A P R I L 2 0 2 0 T3 5 3
Hot 100
1 5G
Last year was the arrival of 5G, but like all new technologies, it needed time to settle in. A limited range of (more expensive) phones and a slow roll-out in just a few areas of a few cities meant that while it did offer the mind-blowing speeds promised, not many people could take advantage of them. But now things are accelerating: the number of locations from the networks already in on the action is rocketing up all over the country, while 7KUHH LV Ä&#x2020;QDOO\ HQWHULQJ WKH IUD\ DQG DGGLQJ SODFHV RI LWV RZQ with what it claims will be the fastest of all the 5G networks. The plans are becoming more competitive as more companies start to compete, including low-cost providers, and the phones are becoming cheaper due to 5G support becoming the norm in chips from the likes of Qualcomm (see #28). Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s likely that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll JHW WKH Ä&#x2020;UVW * L3KRQH DW WKH HQG RI WKLV \HDU WRR FHPHQWLQJ LW as a technology thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in the mainstream. But itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not just about SKRQHV ĂĽ ZHèYH DOUHDG\ ORRNHG DW * ODSWRSV DQG WKH Ä&#x2020;UVW 5G tablet is already available courtesy of Samsung. We still wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see the revolution that 5G promises this year, but that can only come once itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ubiquitous. In 2020, that process will start, and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why it takes the top spot in our list of the hottest tech this year: youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to see more and more tech designed with it in mind, since this is the year you can actually take advantage of that. And letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not forget why you want that â&#x20AC;&#x201C; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s because 5G really is impossible to go back from once youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve tried it. Having Ä&#x2020;EUH EHDWLQJ LQWHUQHW VSHHGV ZKHUHYHU \RX DUH LV VR GHFDGHQW so satisfying and so damn handy that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to the one upgrade everyone talks about in 2020.
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State of the art
Game streaming showdown 4K gaming with graphics set to max, and no need for downloads? Welcome to the world of game streaming Words: Gerald Lynch Photography: Neil Godwin rom cassettes to cartridges, DVDs to downloads, the way we get our games is always changing. But the next evolution may be the most dramatic yet. What if there were no discs, no downloads, and you could take your games and saves with you wherever you went, and play them on any device that has a screen and a broadband connection? That’s the dream of game streaming, with companies like Google, Nvidia, Sony and more battling it out to lay claim to this fertile new gaming ground.
F
The platforms, like Sony’s PlayStation Now, Google’s Stadia and Nvidia’s GeForce Now, store games on remote cloud servers, letting you tap into them instantly over the internet. Imagine a Netflix stream that you control with a gamepad, and you’re on the right track. Powered by supercomputers, they let you run even the most hardware-intensive of PC games on a lowly smartphone or underpowered laptop, as all you’re really powering locally is the video stream coming back from the services’ servers.
It’s not all plain sailing though – you’ll need a steady and fast internet connection, lag between your button inputs and onscreen action can be a problem, and the variety, availability and quality of the games differs greatly from platform catalogue to catalogue. But the benefits are undeniable – imagine getting halfway through a mission in Red Dead Redemption 2 on your TV, then picking it up moments later at the very same point on your smartphone in the cafe down the road? That’s a future that’s already very much here – and these are the best services offering it.
A P R I L 2 0 2 0 T3 59
State of the art
WHAT’S ON TEST…
1
Google Stadia Stadia is Google’s big play for the hearts of gamers. It’s promising a truly “post-console” platform, letting you take AAA games anywhere your phone, a Chrome browser or Chromecast streaming dongle are, with a smart lag-reducing control pad. £119 (Premiere Edition), Stadia Pro subscription (optional) £8.99 per month, store.google.com
2
SPECS Up to 4K resolution, HDR, 60fps, 5.1 sound, 10Mbps broadband connection required, 35Mbps recommended, Mac / PC / TV (Chromecast) and limited Android smartphone support
PlayStation Now Are you a PlayStation fanatic? Disappointed you can’t get PS3 games on your PS4? PlayStation Now lets you stream classic PlayStation games to your PC or console, as well as a top selection of PS4 games, for a monthly fee. There are around 700 PS4, PS3 and PS2 games to choose from, from a wide range of genres. £8.99 a month, £22.99 for 3 months, £49.99 for 12 months (Subscription), playstation.com
SPECS PC and PS4 compatible, 5Mbps broadband connection required, 720p resolution
3
Nvidia GeForce Now Nvidia is a big name in PC graphics cards, and it’s now a leader in game streaming too. Letting you stream AAA games from numerous download stores to low-powered devices, GeForce Now is a versatile game streaming option. Free tier (unlimited one-hour sessions), £4.99 a month Founder’s subscription (six-hour sessions, RTX graphics, queue priority), nvidia.com
SPECS 1080p resolution, 60fps, 10Mbps broadband connection required, 50Mbps recommended, PC / Mac / Nvidia Shield / Android / Android TV compatible
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Game streaming showdown PRODUCT 01:
GOOGLE STADIA
GOOGLE STADIA Google has the web-based tech knowhow, but does it have the games? s there a more web-savvy company in the world than Google? Doubtful. Its connectedtech know-how, and long-established experience in cloud-based software, should make it expertly placed to lead the pack in cloud gaming. But its initial offering with Stadia has some way to go to meet the company’s early promises on the service. First, what does Stadia get right? For starters, it works well across platforms, streaming to a TV over a Chromecast Ultra dongle, working on a Mac or PC browser, and running AAA games from the cloud to select Pixel Android mobile devices. It’s also the only service on test running at 4K resolution (using a Chromecast Ultra on TV) with high dynamic range (HDR) options enabled, and uses a potentially innovative controller that aims to reduce lag and latency by connecting directly to cloud servers over Wi-Fi. Providing you meet the minimum broadband requirements, it’s a smooth and stable experience, and one that transitions well from device to device. Visually, it’s comparable to a native, local gaming experience (if not quite of the fidelity of the high-end, newer home consoles), and though control can feel a tad sluggish, it’s perfectly playable. But there’s a lot missing too from Stadia’s lengthy, initially pitched feature list, from in-game Google
I
While the games it offers are top notch, they number too few right now
The Google Stadia Premiere Edition includes one of the Wi-Fi-enabled Stadia controllers plus a Chromecast Ultra for getting the games on your TV
Assistant guides to wider phone support. At present, these features are missing in action, and while some have always seemed optimistic at best, many were the key defining features that looked set to separate Google from the competition. In their absence, it feels like a beta test – a solid base technically, with a well-presented UI, but all together merely a foundation awaiting the flourishes to make it stand out. What’s more, while the games it offers are top notch and the streams stable, they number too few for the time being, and the pricing structure is steep. The unique potential of the lag-reducing controller, with its dedicated Google Assistant button, hasn’t been met – lag is still present, and the Assistant button is currently all but useless. And while 4K resolutions are hit, some titles don’t seem to be achieving the detailed visual heights of their console and PC counterparts. Revisit Google Stadia in a year or two and it may be a different story. But for now, Google Stadia feels more like a vision of the future, rather than a present reality. A P R I L 2 0 2 0 T3 61
State of the art PRODUCT 02:
PLAYSTATION NOW
PLAYSTATION NOW
Sony has the games, but the streaming service is a little lacking layStation Now takes an all-you-can-eat approach to game streaming. For a flat rate of £8.99 a month, you get unlimited streaming access to hundreds of PlayStation games, some from the current PS4 generation and a handful of vintage PS2 titles, but the majority being older titles from the PS3 era. Fire up the app, and there’s near-instant access to more than 700 titles in total. The quality of the catalogue is undeniable. Though it’s a slowly rotating line-up (games stay on the service a long time), stellar PS4 titles like Bloodborne, Uncharted: The Lost Legacy and God of War have all featured on PS Now, while the PS3 library is extensive, with the likes of Metal Gear, Fallout 3 and Red Dead Redemption all available instantly. There’s certainly some filler in there, but that’s overshadowed by the good stuff. Though true backwards compatibility with the PS3 for the PS4 would have been better, having them all in one browsable app is great for the curious game historian, and lets PC gamers tap into titles previously exclusive to the Sony console. But the streaming quality can be found lacking. For starters, you’re limited to just a lowly 720p resolution – seriously short of the 4K standard that Google Stadia has now set, and that’s without mentioning the fact that many of the PS4 titles have 4K options if played from a
P
There’s filler in there, but that’s overshadowed by the good stuff disc or download on the premium PS4 Pro console. Sony gets around this with the option of offering regular downloads for a small number of PS4 games served up through PlayStation Now, opening up their full range of resolution settings. But that’s not much recompense for anyone looking to play the majority of the games available. Equally problematic is PlayStation Now’s propensity to kick you out of a game if your network connection flags at all. Other services have better provision for fluctuating connectivity, whereas PlayStation Now seems all too eager to send you back to a menu screen. Save your game, and save it often, if you’re planning on playing through a lengthy game using Sony’s service. Price is worth considering too – £8.99 is fair for the amount of games that can be accessed. But given you’re limited to just two platform choices in the shape of the PS4 and PC (Mac owners are left out in the cold), and with no mobile option or high-resolution streaming capabilities, PlayStation Now feels like a half-hearted inflexible, presentation of an otherwise generous line-up. 62 T3 A P R I L 2 0 2 0
PlayStation’s hardware is the most expensive to get started with here, if you’re looking for a TV hook-up, but also plays regular games, of course
Game streaming showdown PRODUCT 03:
NVIDIA GEFORCE NOW
NVIDIA GEFORCE NOW 1YLGLD ĆQGV WKH VZHHW VSRW EHWZHHQ stable streaming and top game options vidia’s been working the cloud gaming market for a few years now, and those years of experimentation have paid off. GeForce Now, originally working on an all-you-can-play subscription model, went back to the drawing board for a lengthy beta testing phase. Launching officially in February 2020, it’s now in the best shape it’s ever been in. What sets GeForce Now apart today is its openness. Nvidia has partnered with a selection of top PC gaming download stores to allow you to play hundreds of their games through its cloud service. So, if you buy a game through Valve’s Steam, Blizzard’s BattleNet, Ubisoft’s Uplay or a growing list of Epic Games Store titles, that one purchase can be tied to your GeForce Now games list, too – all you do is pay the reasonable £4.99 subscription cost to stream them in from Nvidia’s cloud-based network. The point of cloud gaming of course is that you don’t need the high-powered hardware to enjoy top-notch games, and Nvidia duly delivers. GeForce Now can let you play high end PC games, not only on a low-powered PC, but also on a Mac, Android phone and Nvidia’s Shield TV Android set-top box (our preferred option). Nvidia
N
Nvidia delivers a very stable, good-looking stream, even at 60fps
Here, we’ve got the Nvidia Shield TV (which can do AI-based upscaling to 4K) with the Shield controller, but you can use a huge range of controllers
auto-patches the games in the cloud so, while there’s rare occasions where you may have to queue for a spot on its servers, usually you’re right back into your games – download free – within moments. While Nvidia’s recommended broadband speed is high, it delivers a very stable, good-looking stream, even at 60fps. Dip below the recommended speed and Nvidia will scale the visuals well, doing all it can to maintain your stream, and you can throttle more demanding settings like resolution and framerate to ensure a good experience. The only drawback is resolution – though it doesn’t yet do 4K it’s still a respectable 1080p. Even with that slight restriction, there’s a free tier of play too with GeForce Now, letting you give the service a try, Spotify-style, before committing to a fee. It does however cut access to the more impressive RTX-enabled graphical features, and limits play sessions to an hour long (though you can fire up as many sessions as you like). It’s much more generous than the competition in that regard, making for the most comprehensive streaming service out there. A P R I L 2 0 2 0 T3 6 3
State of the art VERDICT:
1st
THE OVERALL WINNER ISâ&#x20AC;¦
BEST ON TEST
NVIDIA GEFORCE NOW From free tier (unlimited one-hour sessions), nvidia.com
WEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;RE IMPRESSED Nvidia GeForce Now currently offers a superb selection of games, offers real game ownership once your subscription ends, doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t care which PC digital download store you get your games from, and streams stably at a good price. WEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;D IMPROVE A few missing PC game stores, like GOG.com, and higher resolution streaming
options would make a great service even better. THE LAST WORD Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not perfect, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the most comprehensive and open game streaming service available WRGD\bÃ¥ DQG LV RQO\ SRLVHG WR JHWbEHWWHU DV PRUH JDPHV EHJLQ to offer ray tracing.
GOOGLE STADIA
PLAYSTATION NOW
£8.99 a month, store.google.com
From £8.99 a month, playstation.com
2nd
WEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;RE IMPRESSED Genuinely smart transition from TV to PC to smartphone AAA gaming, with high graphical quality and a smart, lag-reducing controller. WEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;D IMPROVE Promised features are missing and Stadia (for the time being) just doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have enough games overall. THE LAST WORD One to watch, but not ready just yet.
3rd
WEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;RE IMPRESSED Simple to set up and use; has hundreds of games; offers the option for downloading select titles if your connection isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t up to scratch. WEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;D IMPROVE Streaming quality is the lowest on test; is available on too few platforms and can sometimes be stuttery. THE LAST WORD Great games deserving of better streaming.
5 TOP TIPS FOR SUPER SMOOTH GAME STREAMING 01 WIRED CONNECTION
Have the option of hooking up to a wired Ethernet connection? Then use it â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it will usually RIIHUbD IDVWHU PRUH VWDEOH FRQQHFWLRQbWR WKH JDPH streaming servers, delivering better picture quality and a smoother gameplay experience.
02 WIRELESS CONNECTION
If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re on a mobile device, or canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get near enough to your router to use a wired 6 4 T3 A P R I L 2 0 2 0
connection, try to make sure youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re connecting to your router over a 5GHz frequency, if available. It allows for much faster network connectivity, making it a better choice for streaming of any kind than a 2.4GHz option.
03 PAUSE YOUR NETFLIX STREAMS
Game streaming services are happy to hog your broadband connection, and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like having to share it with any other service. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking to sit
down to an intense session, make sure no one else at home LV VWUHDPLQJ PXVLF RU Ä&#x2020;OPV RU GRZQORDGLQJ DQ\ JLDQW Ä&#x2020;OHV /HW your greedy game streaming platform of choice slurp all those Mbps up.
EHbRQ \RXUbFRQQHFWLRQ 0RVW streaming services offer an adaptive option, which scales the image quality to match WKHbFDSDELOLWLHV RI \RXU broadband service.
04 RESOLUTION ROLLBACK
If your game streaming service of choice offers a HDR option (the fancy new display tech that delivers added vibrancy to light and dark parts of a scene), leave it on! HDR isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t data intensive, and shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t affect the quality of your stream.
If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re still struggling to get DbVWDEOH VWUHDP JRLQJ WU\ dropping the resolution GRZQbDbWDG Ã¥ WKH PRUH SL[HOV DbVWUHDPbLV SXVKLQJ WKH PRUHbLQWHQVLYH LWèV JRLQJ WR
05 HDR HEAVEN
Game streaming showdown
5
ESSENTIAL ADD-ONS Everything you need to take your GeForce Now game streaming sessions to the next level, from Android set-top boxes to slick wireless mice
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02
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NVIDIA SHIELD PRO
GeForce Now may be available on PC, Mac and smartphones, but the Nvidia Shield is the best way to bring it to your living room. This souped-up Android TV streamer gives you access to loads of $QGURLG JDPHV WRS 79 DQG Ä&#x2020;OP VWUHDPLQJ and rental services, and has smart AI upscaling built in. The Pro version of the Shield is our option of choice. £199, nvidia.com
2
NVIDIA SHIELD CONTROLLER
You can use any PC-compatible gamepad with a Nvidia Shield or GeForce Now on computers, but Shield owners should consider Nvidiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own Shield controller. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a comfortable pad with great EDWWHU\ OLIH DQG D VHFUHW ZHDSRQ Ã¥ D EXLOW LQ mic for Google Assistant voice-activated communication with your smart home. £59, nvidia.com
03
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ROCCAT SOVA
04
4 05
LOGITECH G502 LIGHTSPEED WIRELESS MOUSE
Need a mouse too? Gaming pointers donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t come better than the G502 Lightspeed, ZLWKbD '3, VHQVRU ZLUHOHVV connectivity, wireless charging and a whole load of programmable buttons. £129, logitech.com
5
STEELSERIES ARCTIS PRO HEADSET
The SteelSeries Arctis Pro offers audiophile-grade drivers, surround-sound technology, dynamic lighting and one of the best mics for chatting with teammates. £179, steelseries.com A P R I L 2 0 2 0 T3 6 5
IMAGE SOURCES: NVIDIA, ROCCAT, LOGITECH, STEELSERIES
Want to play desktop games from your sofa but sidestep RSI? The Sova is the perfect solution. A chimaera of wrist wrest, mouse pad and ergonomic keyboard, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ideal for settling in for long play sessions; you can even opt for a mechanical keyboard upgrade. £119, roccat.org
The complete guide toâ&#x20AC;Ś
6 6 T3 A P R I L 2 0 2 0
Wireless turntables
THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO…
Wireless turntables
These hard-working wireless turntables aren’t the dusty old record players you might remember from your parents’ attic – and the right model can make your favourite vinyl truly sing Words: Olivia Tambini Photography: Neil Godwin
e are in the midst of a musical revolution, with innovations in digital music, streaming and wireless connectivity dominating the world of home audio over the last decade. However, many of us are looking to the engineering of the past in our quest to achieve audio nirvana, hoping to find the perfect way to combine modern convenience with old-school cool. The answer? Wireless turntables. These incredible audio gadgets give you all the palpable charm and sonic fidelity of vinyl, without the need for complicated setups and annoying cables, using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to stream the music from your record player to your speakers or headphones wirelessly. That means these days, you don’t have to be an expert to indulge your passion for vinyl, with super simple setups making record players accessible to everyone from tech-savvy teens to those who remember the first time turntables came into vogue.
W
WHY VINYL? Lovers of vinyl will often talk about its ‘warm’ sound; music played from a record often sounds richer, and more immersive than digital MP3s and even CDs. This is because vinyl is a truly lossless format – in other words, you don’t miss out on the tiny details and subtleties of the original recording, which most digital music files can’t fully convey. Lossy files like MP3 are compressed, making it possible to download them quickly, and store lots of them on your laptop, mobile phone or portable music player – but for all that convenience, you lose a great deal of the information stored on the original recording. As such, vinyl is a truer representation of the exact conditions in the recording studio, and a better likeness of the artists’ true intentions – every scratch of the guitar, every breath, and every rhythmic nuance. Of course, the record players of old could never measure up to the convenience of digital music streaming, with all those
complicated setups and annoying cables – that is, until Bluetooth turntables came onto the scene. These wireless record players cut out the cords, transmitting your tunes to your speakers or headphones over Bluetooth – some modern turntables are even capable of broadcasting your music to your speakers over your home’s Wi-Fi network, offering an even better quality wireless connection.
HOW IT WORKS So, how do turntables – Bluetooth or otherwise – actually work? To the modern music lover, turntables can be something of an enigma: how can such rich sound be conjured up by a needle tracing a plastic disc? All modern turntables are descended from Thomas Edison’s phonograph, a sound recording machine the inventor devised in 1877. This early sound recorder featured a sheet of foil wrapped around a hand-rotated wooden cylinder; pressed against it was a needle attached to a horn. As Edison spoke into the horn, the resulting
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The complete guide to… The top three…
WIRELESS SPEAKERS No turntable is complete without some kick-ass speakers to blast your tunes – here are our top picks 01
KEF LSX WIRELESS SYSTEM These modern-looking wireless stereo speakers provide excellent sound quality without the need for annoying cables – and despite their compact size, offer enough bass to pack a punch. £999, uk.kef.com
02
BOWERS & WILKINS FORMATION DUO These snappy wireless stereo speakers showcase the best of British brand Bowers & Wilkins, with tight bass, precise trebles and multi-room functionality. £3,499, bowerswilkins.com
03
SONOS MOVE Prefer to listen solo? The Sonos Move is one of the best Bluetooth speakers you can buy right now, with an expansive, multidirectional sound and algorithmic smarts that adapt its audio to its surroundings. £399, sonos.com 6 8 T3 A P R I L 2 0 2 0
vibrations moved the needle up and down, creating a groove on the foil that recorded the frequencies of his voice over time. When repeating the process, the needle traced the pattern, vibrated, and the noise was amplified by the horn, recreating his voice exactly. Today’s turntables follow a very similar principle, with the needle (or stylus, if you prefer) following the grooves in a vinyl record as it spins to recreate the sound of the recording. However, instead of a giant horn to amplify the sound, modern record players convert the vibrations from your record into electrical signals, which are then amplified by a preamp or phonostage. This powers the speakers or headphones connected to the turntable, creating a louder (and far cleaner) sound than the phonographs and gramophones of the early 20th century. Bluetooth and wireless turntables swap the physical cables that connect the record player to your speakers or headphones for a wireless connection, transmitting the electrical signals from the phonostage over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Without the need for cables, wireless turntables are easier to set up than their wired siblings, and are often cheaper too, as many manufacturers aim to lure in vinyl novices with lower prices and the convenience of Bluetooth connectivity. There are a few downsides to opting for a Bluetooth connection, however; while the technology has advanced tremendously in the past few years, some believe that the audio quality still can’t match that of a wired setup. This is because Bluetooth transmission compresses audio files to fit in as much data as possible over a low bandwidth, which leads to a slight loss of detail. Connections can also drop out, particularly if you have a lot of Bluetooth devices being used in the same area. Saying that, newer Bluetooth codecs like aptX HD and aptX Adaptive offer
lower rates of compression and are capable of transmitting Hi-Res Audio files over a wireless connection – they’re also much better at offering a stable connection. Worried about a loss of quality? Wi-Fienabled turntables allow for compressionless audio transmission thanks to Wi-Fi’s higher bandwidth compared to Bluetooth, and drop outs are far less common – however, you may find that you have to pay a little more for wireless turntables that offer Wi-Fi connectivity, as opposed to those that only offer Bluetooth pairing.
CHOOSING THE BEST So, how do you go about picking the best wireless turntable for your needs? And what exactly should you be looking for in your new record player? Well, there are a few key features you should look out for when making your decision. First up is price. Like all home audio gadgets, Bluetooth turntables vary massively in price, ranging from sub-£100 decks to top-of-the-range players that cost well over £1,000. While you might have to sacrifice the premium finish and materials you’ll find in expensive models, budget Bluetooth turntables are often better suited to beginners. That’s because cheaper record players usually come pre-assembled, so you
Budget Bluetooth turntables are often better suited to beginners
Wireless turntables T3 recommends...
THE BEST BLUETOOTH TURNTABLES From premium record players to budgetfriendly beginner decks, these are our faves
RETRO SIMPLICITY
PRO-JECT JUKE BOX E Looking for a simple way to play your vinyl? The Pro-Ject Juke Box E could be the perfect solution. This nifty audio gadget combines minimalist retro looks and eyepopping primary colours with all the mod cons you could want from
your Bluetooth turntable, including D EXLOW LQ SKRQRVWDJH SUH DPSOLÄ&#x2020;HU DQG OLQH DPSOLÄ&#x2020;HU -XVW FRQQHFW LW to your wireless speakers (or hook it up with a phono/line out), and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re good to go. ÂŁ369, project-audio.com
Whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a complete novice or a seasoned audiophile, choosing the best Bluetooth turntable for your needs can be tricky â&#x20AC;&#x201C; especially with all those complicated names and daunting spec lists. Everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s needs are diďŹ&#x20AC;erent, and while some will be looking for the most premium, high-ďŹ delity listening experience they can aďŹ&#x20AC;ord, others will want a simple, user-friendly set-up the whole family can enjoy. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve picked a selection of Bluetooth turntables to get you started on your quest for audio nirvana. From value record players for beginners to all-in-one streaming solutions, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve picked best-in-class options for every situation.
QUALITY SOUND
CAMBRIDGE AUDIO ALVA TT 1R VDFULÄ&#x2020;FH LQ DXGLR TXDOLW\ KHUH The Cambridge Audio Alva TT comes with support for aptX HD Bluetooth, which means you can stream your vinyl in hi-res 24-bit/48kHz. This is a premium record player and looks it, thanks
WR D VWXQQLQJ VPRN\ JUH\ Ä&#x2020;QLVK DQG solid construction. Despite being highly specced, the Alva TT should be a breeze to set up; its built-in phonostage means you wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need DQ H[WHUQDO DPSOLÄ&#x2020;HU
ÂŁ1,499, cambridgeaudio.com
OLD MEETS NEW
FOR BEGINNERS
YAMAHA MUSICCAST VINYL 500
AUDIO-TECHNICA AT-LP60XBT
As well as spinning your records, the MusicCast Vinyl 500 can stream your favourite tunes, thanks to built-in support for Spotify, Qobuz, Tidal and Deezer. In terms of wireless capabilities, you can cast your vinyl to your
wireless speakers over Bluetooth or your homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wi-Fi network using Yamahaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s MusicCast standard. The icing on the cake? If you have an Alexa speaker, you can control this turntable totally hands-free.
ÂŁ429, europe.yamaha.com
Home audio equipment can be expensive, but buying a Bluetooth turntable doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to be. Created by respected Japanese brand Audio-Technica, the ATLP60XBT is a budget-friendly deck thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ideal for vinyl beginners,
thanks to its fully automatic design and built-in phonostage. Sure, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not the most luxurious turntable weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve used, but its simple design and great price wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t put off Ä&#x2021;HGJOLQJ UHFRUG FROOHFWRUV
ÂŁ179, audio-technica.com A P R I L 2 0 2 0 T3 69
The complete guide toâ&#x20AC;Ś
you opt for a cheaper model that isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t particularly well-damped, you can also purchase your own damping kits that consist of rubber-like strips of material that ďŹ t into the recess beneath the platter. Lots of modern turntables also come with cool extras like built-in support for streaming services, and USB outputs that allow you to record your vinyl directly to your computer or laptop. Bear in mind, these additions will often bump up the price. Last but not least, the look of your turntable is a really important consideration; after all, the right model could be a stunning ornamental addition to your home. Lots of modern turntables sport sleek, minimalist
can pretty much play your records straight out the box; the further up the price band you go, the more likely it is that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll need to set up your turntable yourself. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re set on ditching the cables, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll need to look at the kind of wireless connectivity you want your turntable to oďŹ&#x20AC;er. Want something cheap and cheerful? Just be aware that the connection to your speakers or headphones might not be ďŹ&#x201A;awless. Concerned with preserving audio quality above all else? Look out for Bluetooth codecs like aptX HD and aptX Adaptive, or search for a wireless turntable that can be hooked up to your homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wi-Fi network. For both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turntables, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll need to make sure you have compatible speakers â&#x20AC;&#x201C; some Wi-Fi turntables in particular are only compatible
with speakers from the same brand that use the same wireless technology. You should also consider whether you want a belt-drive or direct-drive turntable. The latter are often used by DJs, as they allow you to move the record back and forth to cue and sync tracks, without damaging the mechanisms of the turntable. For most people, a belt-drive will be suďŹ&#x192;cient, as they reduce the risk of noise from the motor that spins the platter being picked up by the needle and messing up your recordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sound. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also well worth looking into how well damped a Bluetooth turntable is before you buy it. Damping is how manufacturers reduce unwanted vibrations; this can be done in a number of ways, including the use of rubber feet to prop the base of the turntable up and absorb these vibrations. If
Turntables can come with cool extras like built-in support for streaming services designs, with burnished metallic ďŹ nishes and glossy controls that wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t look out of place in any smart home. However, you can still ďŹ nd plenty of familiar retro designs â&#x20AC;&#x201C; look out for suitcase record players from brands like Crosley and Victrola if kitschy vintage decor is your jam. Whatever kind of Bluetooth turntable you opt for, the choices really are endless â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s incredibly comforting to anyone who misses the tangible physicality of vinyl, and the mildewy solace of browsing a quiet record shop on a rainy Sunday afternoon.
PLAYERS 101: THE PARTS OF THE TURNTABLE These are the terms you need to know to master your new Bluetooth turntable While most modern Bluetooth turntables DUHbYHU\ PXFK çSOXJ DQG SOD\è DIIDLUV DOO WKRVHbPRYLQJ SDUWV FDQ EH D OLWWOH GDXQWLQJ This is especially true if you need to set up your record player. Most modern turntables, particularly at the lower end of the price scale come pre-assembled, but as they get more expensive you can expect to set them up yourself. Even if your new turntable comes assembled right out the box, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to have a basic idea of the different parts that make up the record player; after all, you may as well embrace the geeky goodness of getting to know your latest gadget. 7 0 T3 A P R I L 2 0 2 0
Plinth â&#x20AC;&#x201C; this is the base of your turntable. Be sure to place it on a level surface to avoid the mechanisms of your record player being thrown off kilter. Platter â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the circular part of the turntable that spins. Belt drive â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a thin rubber strap that rotates the platter. Tonearm â&#x20AC;&#x201C; this is the part of the turntable that holds the cartridge, guiding the stylus (or needle, if you prefer) through the tiny grooves on your vinyl. If your turntable doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t come pre-assembled, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll need to balance the tonearm so the stylus sits at the correct point on your record.
Cartridge â&#x20AC;&#x201C; this is the small box-like appendage that sits on the end of the tonearm and contains the stylus. As the platter spins the record, vibrations travel through the stylus and into the cartridge, ZKHUH D PDJQHWLF Ä&#x2020;HOG FRQYHUWV WKLV NLQHWLF energy into an electrical signal. The stylus is usually made by a tiny piece of diamond DWWDFKHG WR D Ä&#x2021;H[LEOH PHWDO VWULS Preamp or phonostage â&#x20AC;&#x201C; this isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always included in the turntable itself (some models UHTXLUH DQ H[WHUQDO SKRQRVWDJH ,W DPSOLÄ&#x2020;HV the electrical signal from the cartridge, so you can hear the music when it reaches your speaker or headphones.
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TESTED Expert reviews and recommendations WR KHOS \RX EX\ ZLWK FRQÄ&#x2020;GHQFH Edited by Matt Bolton
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SAMSUNG GALAXY S20 ULTRA
NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES
ALIENWARE 55 OLED
SUUNTO 7
WIRELESS SMART SPEAKERS
THINKWARE Q800 PRO
HOW WE TEST In T3, we feature only the ďŹ nest gadgets out there, and we believe that you â&#x20AC;&#x201C; our loyal reader â&#x20AC;&#x201C; deserve only the best tech in your life. We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want you to waste time, and money, on inferior products, and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exactly why our Tested section exists. In here youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll ďŹ nd only the latest and hottest tech. Each product has been handpicked and tested by T3â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s experts.
We only choose people with specialist knowledge for each test, so you know youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to get an outcome based on many years of experience in their respective ďŹ eld. As well as our traditional ďŹ ve-star rating system (right), we also give out awards to particularly exceptional gadgets, using the line-up below - so when you spot one of these, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll know youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re onto a good thing.
THE SCORES EXPLAINED Forget it Below average Good for the price Very good all round An exceptional, best-in-class product
OUR AWARDS Only the best products ĂĽ WKRVH WKDW VFRUH Ä&#x2020;YH PLATINUM stars â&#x20AC;&#x201C; receive our AWARD Platinum Award
This is given to winners BEST ON of our group tests, so TEST you can see which is the best at a glance
BEST FOR BATTERY LIFE
This accolade, and others like it, show you which gear is best for VSHFLÄ&#x2020;F IHDWXUHV
THE DESIGN AWARD
For kit with exceptional industrial design and UHÄ&#x2020;QHPHQW LQ DGGLWLRQ to being a great buy
A P R I L 2 0 2 0 T3 73
Tested
Processor Samsung Exynos 990 Screen 6.9-inch OLED, 120Hz, 1440x3200 HDR10+ Memory 12GB/16GB Storage 128GB/512GB Battery 4,200mAh Cameras 108MP, 48MP, 12MP, Time-ofFlight camera rear; 40MP, PDAF front OS Android 10.0, One UI 2.0 Dimensions 167x76x8.8mm Weight 221g
From £1,199 samsung.com he Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra is, technically, the best Android phone on the market today. It is a phone with an impressive, versatile camera system, hyper-premium internal hardware suite, futureproofed, next-gen 5G connectivity and a huge and immersive screen. How it achieves its dominance, though, is quite base. These tech weapons are wielded in a rather unrefined way, and in some cases feel powerful but a bit rough round the edges and/or complete overkill. The price of this tech is also incredibly high, making it a bit of a niche proposition to our minds. The S20 Ultra’s camera system is probably its biggest unique selling point, and so we will begin our analysis of the phone here. Samsung speaks about its rear camera array as a “signature design element” – something that helps make the phone’s overall look and allows it to be easily identified. And, when you flip the phone over, the one thing it does is stand out.
T
NE PLUS ULTRA
Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra
A bludgeoning hammer blow to Android rivals – that comes with a hefty price tag
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Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra
SELFIE-CENTRED Samsung has bet big on the S20 Ultra’s cameras; even the front facing snapper can capture sumptuous pictures with a seriously powerful 40MP sensor
SMOOTH OPERATOR The S20 Ultra is a bezel-free beauty that has an even bigger screen than the huge Samsung Galaxy Note+. On top of this, its 120Hz display is smooth as silk, leaving all of its rivals in the dust
The noticeably pronounced rectangular array (which will have to be protected by a case to avoid scrapes and nicks in our opinion) houses a seriously powerful quad-camera system, with a 108MP wide-angle main snapper joined by 48MP telephoto, 12MP ultra wide and time-of-flight DepthVision lenses. And, while we’re talking about the rear array’s selection of lenses, the phone’s new Single Take shooting mode makes use of them all. In this mode all the lenses are used when a shot or video is taken and then, post shot, the user is presented with a variety of differing options (10 shots and mini-videos), which sit all under one entry in the phone’s image gallery. The S20 Ultra also comes with some pretty impressive zoom functionality. From the furthest out ultra-wide setting to 1x, through 5x, 10x, 30x and up to 100x, you have plenty of range at your disposal when shooting. And fidelity remains decent at most zoom levels aside from 100x, which seem to take on a soft-focus watercolour finish. With a proper
tripod, we’re sure you could get some half-decent images from it, but we question its everyday usability. Elsewhere, though, the S20 Ultra’s camera system really does flex its muscles. The amount of shooting modes on offer is quite remarkable. As well as a maximum freedom Pro shooting mode, you’ve got a strong panorama option, as well as dedicated settings for food, nighttime and live focus. As you would expect, you can shoot in a variety of aspect ratios, too. In terms of video, you can shoot at a wide variety of resolutions up to 8K, while the Ultra also delivers a Pro video shooting mode, as well as slow-mo, super slow-mo and hyperlapse options. But while the 8K video shooting is a technical achievement, and very nice to have, the vast majority of people will not get to enjoy it, as you’d need an 8K screen to play it back at full fidelity – though creating 4K video from this 8K source looks just excellent. As you would absolutely expect, the S20 Ultra delivers very strong camera images, no matter what
The S20 Ultra delivers excellent quality camera images – naturally
you’re shooting. Colour balance in particular seems to be a strong point and vibrancy is good, although there is no getting away from the fact that Samsung still seems to be leaning towards quite heavy post-processing. It’s a tad clumsy in our opinion and can lead to sharp edges appearing a little soft. Lastly, in terms of camera system, the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra comes with a 40MP front-facing selfie camera. This bad boy can, if you so wish, capture your lovely mug in 40MP glory with or, for the brave, without beauty mode activated.
The big screen Pick up the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra and the first thing that you notice is how large its screen is. At 6.9 inches, it is a match for even the gargantuan Samsung Galaxy Note 10+, which comes with a 6.8-inch screen. Side-by-side these two phones look essentially the same in terms of size; however when you pick them up there is a noticeable weight difference, with the Ultra feeling A P R I L 2 0 2 0 T3 75
Tested
LARGE AND IN CHARGE A gargantuan 5,000mAh battery means you can run the Ultraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 120Hz screen for between a day and a day and a half on a single charge CURVY BEAUTY While outweighing siblings like the Note â&#x20AC;&#x201C; coming in at 221g to the latterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 196g â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the Ultra has softer lines, having inherited the S-series frame curves
heavier (221g) and denser than the king-sized Note (196g). In terms of design, though, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re very much in the same ballpark. The main visual diďŹ&#x20AC;erence, at least from the front, is that the Galaxy S20 Ultra has more S-series wider frame curves, giving it a slightly softer look. When it comes to the display, you cannot but be impressed by the size and clarity of the Dynamic AMOLED screen. It has a refresh rate of 120Hz, which even outguns the gorgeousness of the OnePlus 7T and OnePlus 7T Pro panels, which are 90Hz, and that along with HDR10+ and a sharp
Demanding Android games FDQbEH UXQ ZLWKRXW any problems
1440x3200 resolution means that anything you display looks stunning. That 120Hz refresh rate means that scrolling, app switching, UI navigating and all animated elements are liquid-butter smooth, and in partnership with the slickness of Android 10.0 and Samsungâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best-inclass One UI 2 skin it truly delivers a top-tier general usage experience. Overall, the phone looks damn good from the front â&#x20AC;&#x201C; even though there is basically no lovely waterfall curve to its screen â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and pretty ropey from the back, largely thanks to that bulky rear camera array.
In terms of internal hardware, as you would expect from the rangetopping new hotness in a fresh Samsung phone line-up, the Galaxy S20 Ultra is stacked. It comes with Samsungâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rapid Exynos 990 CPU (a Snapdragon 865 in the US), an Adreno 650 GPU, a simply incredible 16GB of RAM (in max-spec) and a chunky 512GB of internal storage space (which can be expanded by microSD). Despite not being a dedicated gaming phone, it has more than enough power to run even the most graphically demanding Android games without breaking sweat.
PRO ADD-ONS
SPIGEN NEO HYBRID CASE
GALAXY BUDS PLUS
RAVPOWER PD PIONEER 20000
With more expensive phones, you face the dilemma of wanting to show it off while keeping it safe. This case is the perfect compromise, offering a slim form factor and showing off your screen while defending it from drops. ÂŁ17.99, spigen.co.uk
6DPVXQJèV *DOD[\ %XGV 3OXV DUH ZHOO Ä&#x2020;WWHG have improved mics for calls and offer an amazing 11 hours of battery. Even better, you can tweak the ambient sound, EQ and touch controls through the app. No ANC, though. ÂŁ159, samsung.com
Given its power-hungry 120Hz screen, this capacious power bank makes the perfect companion for the Ultra. And thanks to its spritely size and incredibly reasonable price, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pocket friendly in several senses. Around ÂŁ39, ravpower.com
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Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra
BIG SHOT The Ultra’s quad-camera system is both its biggest strength and weakness; its astounding snaps come at the cost of a very bulky array
Of course, such a ginormous phone needs a large battery, too, and thankfully Samsung has actually made a decent stab at handling this, as the S20 Ultra comes loaded with a very large 5,000mAh battery. This is one of the largest battery capacities on the market today in a mainstream phone. So if you use it on its fresh out of the box settings, which lock the screen at a 60Hz refresh rate, with medium usage you get a solid day-and-a-half to two days usage out of the phone on a single charge. If you turn on the Ultra’s 120Hz mode, though – and you really will want to – then that battery life is reduced. With 120Hz on, you’re very much looking at a day to a day-and-a-half usage on a single charge with medium usage. Other tech of note included an underscreen fingerprint reader that works just as well as these Samsung units have been doing for the past few phone releases, 5G support (there is no just 4G version of the Ultra, with the one handset supporting all network connections up to and including 5G) and AKGtuned stereo loud speakers. And, finally, before we reach the verdict, let’s talk OS. The S20 Ultra
comes running Android 10 and Samsung’s own One UI 2.0 skin. The One UI remains the best-in-class Android skin on the market and, as you would expect, when partnered with the super-slick and streamlined Android 10 delivers a superb mobile usage experience.
Loadsa money As you’ve probably realised by now, this really isn’t a phone for everyone, and for more users than not, it will simply be too much phone and too much money to be worthy of serious consideration. Unsurprisingly, you really don’t need to spend north of £1,199 (max spec is £1,399!) to get a quality smartphone experience. To beat the Ultra up due to its very high price point seems to miss the point somewhat. Shock horror, a super expensive phone targeted at Android phone enthusiasts isn’t for everyone! But when you compare what the S20 Ultra delivers to the other hyper-premium and flagship handsets on the market, and for what cost, it crashes into the real world somewhat. These phones offer over 95% of the experience that the S20 Ultra delivers and do so for less money. This takes
This is a fantastic phone – and the SULFH UHćHFWV WKDW
nothing away from the S20 Ultra’s abilities, but it does raise the important question of just how much money one is prepared to pay for that last few per cent. Overall, it’s impossible not to recommend the S20 Ultra, which sets a new benchmark for 5G Android phones. But we’d also say this is one of the most niche variants of a mainstream product Samsung has ever made, and only tech enthusiasts and serial first adopters should consider it.
VERDICT WE’RE IMPRESSED Huge 120Hz screen; premium hardware; feature-packed camera. WE’D IMPROVE The price; 120Hz impact on battery life; may be better off with a Note 10+. THE LAST WORD Rivals can’t stand mano-amano with it; recommended if you can afford it.
Find the latest deals for the S20 Ultra at: bit.ly/t3ultra
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Tested
NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES
Philips PH805 £159, philips.co.uk
£349, bowerswilkins.com
DESIGN & FEATURES Well-specced for the price. You get up to 30 hours of playback, plus a five-min charge for two hours of use, though it’s annoying that it’s micro-USB, not USB-C. Bluetooth 5 connectivity was solid overall. They only really lack a smart pause.
DESIGN & FEATURES These are the better-looking of the two here. Thirty hours of playback is great, as is USB-C charging and a 15-min charge for five hours. They auto-pause when you take them off or lift an ear-cup. And there’s app connectivity, too.
USABILITY They’re comfortable and light, but we’re not keen on the controls here – a mix of buttons, an odd switch and a touch panel. It’s too easy to change the NC mode while putting them on. They also sometimes struggled to reconnect to our phone.
USABILITY The physical controls here are easy to get used to, and the lighter weight and softer cushioning compared to the B&W PX (which they replace) are very welcome. The auto-pausing works great – totally reliable, with no connection issues.
SOUND QUALITY While these won’t blow you away, they sound superb for the money. The balance tends towards quite a naturalist approach (compared to the PX7), with rich bass and twinkling treble providing a fulsome sound. Impressive stuff.
SOUND QUALITY Compared to the more open and neutral Philips (or Sony’s WH-1000XM3 competitor), these lean towards a more rocky sound by default, punching up the bass especially. The detail, liveliness and power within that are all top-notch, though.
NOISE CANCELLATION In most common cases (such as an office or on a train) the noise cancellation here is as good as the PX7, for half the price. Wind noise is its bane, but that’s normal. There’s an ambient mode too, naturally, and it all works incredibly well.
NOISE CANCELLATION The noise cancellation here is just – just – behind the Sony WH-1000XM3 for NC quality, though it’s close enough as makes little odds. It handles wind better than the Philips do, but otherwise they’re largely on a par – both very good indeed.
VERDICT
2nd
Bowers & Wilkins PX7
WE’RE IMPRESSED Simply brilliant value for money; great noise cancellation and sound quality. WE’D IMPROVE We don’t love the control setup; some (minor) connection foibles.
VERDICT WE’RE IMPRESSED Good looking; excellent sounding; very good noise cancellation… WE’D IMPROVE …but not quite the best in the business; sound balance may be too rocky for some.
See more of the best noise cancelling headphones: bit.ly/ncht3
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1st
Alienware 55 OLED
THE BIG GAME
Alienware 55 OLED This huge gaming monitor is a thing of true beauty £3,199 dell.com ake this monitor/TV hybrid out of the box – which is actually quite hard considering that the top half is exposed wafer-thin, super-light OLED and the bottom is weighty chassis stuffed full of silicon (total weight without stand is 25.5kg) – and the first thing that hits you is how aesthetically pleasing it is. A product of the maker’s new Alienware Legend Industrial Design, the monitor boasts a series of gentle but pronounced lines, which are contrasted sharply by the scarily thin, incredibly flat, near-bezel-free OLED panel, which at certain angles looks literally pressed to the monitor’s chassis. Overall the build quality on this monitor is absolutely first rate, with everything about it showcasing an immaculate fit-and-finish and radiating a sense of dense, well-made quality. Classy just about sums it up. But the reason this monitor costs so much isn’t primarily because of its future-industrial design; rather it’s that it comes with a simply stunning 4K OLED panel that boasts a wide
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colour gamut of 98.5% DCI-P3 (in layman’s terms, super strong, vivid and accurate colour reproduction), and “infinite contrast”. The latter means it features OLED’s signature pixel-by-pixel lighting and, as a result, an incredible contrast ratio (130,000:1 here). On that point, though, it is necessary to mention that the peak brightness on this monitor is 400 nits. Currently the top OLED TVs and HDR monitors on the market boast peak brightness ratings of around 1,000 nits, so if true HDR performance is a must then this monitor doesn’t quite tick that box. At this price (and size) this is obviously not the gaming monitor that the vast majority of gamers are going to ring up. The 55-inch bulk means that only those who essentially need a gaming-focused TV-sized screen in their setup should apply. And even if you do need that, this monitor is about to be seriously challenged by a raft of new cheaper products like the recently announced LG CX OLED, which will offer the same sort of features like 120Hz refresh rates and Nvidia G-Sync, with better brightness. But, the thing is, the 55 OLED actually delivers, at least in our opinion, the absolute best performance in its (admittedly rather niche right now) product class – it is truly top technology embedded in a premium design.
VERDICT WE’RE IMPRESSED Stunning design; impressive OLED 4K panel; 120Hz refresh rate. WE’D IMPROVE A lot of money; not an ideal HDR screen; could buy a TV with gaming features. THE LAST WORD If you want a very large, TV-sized gaming monitor, this is what you should buy. It will be too much (in size and price) for many gamers, but that takes nothing away from its stunning build and image quality.
See more of the world’s best monitors at: bit.ly/t3monitors
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Tested
Screen 454x454 AMOLED Processor 4XDOFRPP 6QDSGUDJRQ :HDU 3100 Battery 7UDLQLQJ KRXUV 6PDUWZDWFK GD\V OS :HDU 26 Glass *RULOOD JODVV Case *ODVV Ä&#x2020;EUH UHLQIRUFHG SRO\DPLGH Strap 6LOLFRQH Dimensions 50x50x15.3mm Weight J
TRACK OF ALL TRADES
Suunto 7 Is the Suunto 7 a smartwatch, DbUXQQLQJ ZDWFK D Ä&#x2020;WQHVV WUDFNHU or maybe all of the above?
8 0 T3 A P R I L 2 0 2 0
From £429 suunto.com
rap the Suunto 7 around your wrist and what catches your attention straight away is the huge screen. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re used to big screens â&#x20AC;&#x201C; think the Garmin Fenix 6 Pro â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but the Suunto 7 still surprised us with how vibrant the display looked. The Suunto 7 oï¬&#x20AC;ers more than just a large screen: it comes with downloadable oï¬&#x201E;ine maps, over
:
70 sport modes, music control and all the smart functions youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d expect from a Wear OS powered watch. The catch? For one, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have to pay £429 for the privilege. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to have to work to justify starting at more than the latest Apple Watch. The Suunto 7â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hardware is all about the touch-screen AMOLED display, which is housed under a Gorilla Glass screen. The display has a 454x454 pixels resolution, good enough to see images that have been sent to you through WhatsApp and with enough contrast and brightness to be sharp under most lighting conditions.
Suunto 7
The watch uses a hybrid touchscreen/four-button navigation, which needs a little time to get used to. You can swipe in either direction from the main screen to access diďŹ&#x20AC;erent areas of the software. To return, you swipe the opposite direction, but if you went into any sub-menus, you will have to swipe right to return to the previous menu and then the opposite direction to return to the home screen. The buttons on the right are also used for accessing menus and to move up/ down in the menus as well. If it sounds confusing, let us assure you: it is.
Worse for wear The new Suunto 7 is diďŹ&#x20AC;erent from previous Suunto watches because this is the ďŹ rst model to feature Googleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wear OS, a move that brings along a range of smart functionalities, integrations and features, as well as many of the frustrating aspects of the operating system. It is not standard vanilla Wear OS, of course, and Suunto has included a really potent feature as well: maps can be downloaded into the watch and
used oďŹ&#x201E;ine, making navigation more convenient. Naturally, you get the Google Fit/Assistant/Pay/Play integrations as well as many other handy apps. The duality of the Suunto 7 is probably best explained by how you can change and access information about the watch on the phone: Wear OS features â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the tiles, watch faces, integrated apps etc â&#x20AC;&#x201C; can be changed in the Wear OS app while sport activities are fed into the Suunto App. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not impossible to get used to all this but it gives one the impression that Suunto launched the watch before they managed to fully ďŹ&#x201A;esh out how to integrate Wear OS into the Suunto ecosystem. The watch has over 70 sport modes and this is an area where it really shines. Granted, we havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t tried every single one of the modes, but during cycling and running, the sensors gave us precise readings. The GPS isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hyper-precise: following our path on the map in the Suunto app, it seems like we ran through buildings here and there without noticing.
THE ALTERNATIVES APPLE WATCH SERIES 5
GARMIN FENIX 6 PRO
:LWK LWV FKHDSHU SULFH H[FHOOHQW GHVLJQ IDQWDVWLFbKHDOWK IHDWXUHV DQG EURDG Ä&#x2020;WQHVVbRSWLRQV WKLV LV WKH SHUIHFW Ä&#x2020;WQHVV VPDUWZDWFKbDOO URXQGHUĂ° IRU L3KRQH XVHUV ÂŁ399, apple.com/uk
Another mammoth UXQQLQJ ZDWFK WKLV HGJHV RXW WKH 6XXQWR WKDQNV WR LWV H[FHOOHQW EXLOG TXDOLW\ KLJK SUHFLVLRQ DQG VXSHULRU menu system. ÂŁ599, garmin.com
$ VKDUS GLVSOD\ ZLOO VKRZ RII WKLQJV OLNH the heart rate sensor and maps
When you add it all up, it has plenty to oďŹ&#x20AC;er: the sharp display, lots of smart functionality, a good heart-rate sensor and built-in GPS, not to mention the oďŹ&#x201E;ine maps. Yet it occupies a strange space on the ďŹ tness wearable market: it is too expensive and overpowered to be a ďŹ tness tracker and, to some degree, too casual to be taken seriously as a running watch. It is more expensive than many of the latest Apple Watch models and also its direct competitor, the Garmin Venu. We doubt many people would choose a Suunto over an Apple Watch. Once the price has dropped slightly, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll recommend this strongly. But right now, others are better.
VERDICT WEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;RE IMPRESSED /DUJH VFUHHQ GRZQORDGDEOH PDSV :HDU 26 VPDUW IXQFWLRQDOLW\ WEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;D IMPROVE Short EDWWHU\ OLIH H[SHQVLYH ODJJ\ WRXFKVFUHHQ FRQIXVLQJ GXDO DSS control on phone. THE LAST WORD :KLOH ZH ZHUH LPSUHVVHG ZLWK WKH KXJH GLVSOD\ WKH RIÄ&#x2021;LQH PDSV DQG WKH VHQVRU SUHFLVLRQ WKH 6XXQWR doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fully compensate for the VKRUWFRPLQJV RI LWV XVHU LQWHUIDFH
See more of the best running watches at: bit.ly/t3runwatch
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Tested
Wireless smart speakers :LWK WKHLU SUHPLXP TXDOLW\ DXGLR DQG YRLFH DVVLVWDQWV these speakers are shaking up audio on the go :RUGV -RVK 5XVVHOO 3KRWRJUDSK\ 3KLO %DUNHU
BIG AND CLEVER
PORTABLE AND PUNCHY
SONOS MOVE
ULTIMATE EARS MEGABLAST
£399, sonos.com
£269, ultimateears.com
At 3kg, you certainly wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be taking a Sonos Move on a camping trip: itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more in its element at pool parties. But what this Alexa and Google-capable smart speaker lacks in portability, it more than makes up in sonic precision. Exuding bass with real substance, its presence manages to outstrip its already ample size, while it handles treble with UHDO Ä&#x2020;QHVVH 7KH 0RYHèV IUHTXHQF\ UHVSRQVH LV DOVR YHU\ LPSUHVVLYH cue up some classical or jazz and each instrument sounds crisp and GLVWLQFW $QG LWV $XWRPDWLF 7UXH3OD\ WUXO\ IHHOV OLNH VRQLF PDJLF HDFK time you move the speaker, it recalibrates to its new surroundings, VKUXJJLQJ RII HFKRH\ VSDFHV DQG QHJDWLQJ QHDUE\ VXUIDFHV ZLWK HDVH
7RR RIWHQ JHWWLQJ D PRUH PRELOH UXJJHG VSHDNHU PHDQV FRPSURPLVLQJ on sound. Not so with Ultimate Ears Megablast. While itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not able to JR WRH WR WRH ZLWK WKH 6RQRV 0RYH RU %RVH 3RUWDEOH +RPH 6SHDNHU IRU SXUH TXDOLW\ WKLV ZLUHOHVV VSHDNHU SURYLGHV VHULRXV SXQFK ZKLOH being able to withstand both puddles and being shoved in a pack. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not as warm as its larger rivals, but its excellent transient response PHDQV LW FDQ UDSLGO\ VKLIW EHWZHHQ EXUEOLQJ EDVV DQG FOLFN\ WUHEOHV ZLWKRXW WKH PXGGLQHVV WKDW VR RIWHQ DIIHFWV EDVV\ VSHDNHUV ,WèV DOVR very obedient, with Alexa hearing and acting on commands without IXVV %XW GRQèW SD\ WKH 553 Ã¥ \RX FDQ JHW WKLV IRU DURXQG e
8 2 T3 A P R I L 2 0 2 0
Wireless smart speakers
ireless speakers have been a ďŹ xture at garden parties and campouts for years. But taking audio outside no longer means tolerating tinny treble and wrestling with pig-headed pairing procedures.
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Not only have companies been upping the quality from standard Bluetooth alone â&#x20AC;&#x201C; switching to the aptX codec and oďŹ&#x20AC;ering Wi-Fi connectivity â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but many are making use of the brains embedded in your homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s smart speakers to oďŹ&#x20AC;er you voice
control over your audio on the go, via Alexa or Google Assistant. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve brought together a selection of the best, whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for a voice-ready speaker thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s accident-proof or one that has sumptuous sound with smarts to match.
AFFORDABLE AUDIO
PRO TONES ON THE GO
JBL LINK PORTABLE
BOSE PORTABLE HOME SPEAKER
ÂŁ129, uk.jbl.com
ÂŁ299, bose.co.uk
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7KDQNV WR LWV ,3; ZDWHU UHVLVWDQFH DQG UHODWLYHO\ WULP NJ IUDPH LWèV FOHDU %RVH LV LQWHQGLQJ WKLV WR VSHQG IDU PRUH WLPH RXWGRRUV WKDQ WKH 0RYH $QG \HW LW PDNHV YHU\ IHZ FRPSURPLVHV LQ WHUPV RI VRXQG LWèV ZDUP DQG VPRRWK RIIHULQJ UHVRQDQW EDVV WRQHV DQG SURGXFLQJ YHU\ RUJDQLF PLGV DQG WUHEOHV ,W GRHVQèW TXLWH KDYH WKH JXWV RU WKH EUDLQV RI LWV ULYDO WKH ORZ HQG LV VOLJKWO\ OHVV ZHOO URXQGHG ZKLOH WKH ODFN RI VSDFH VHQVLQJ VPDUWV PHDQV LWèV RQO\ DV JRRG DV LWV SODFHPHQW It was also occasionally let down by its Alexa integration; the smart DVVLVWDQW UHVSRQGV WR VRPH FRPPDQGV ZLWK +$/ OLNH REVWLQDF\ %XW IRU WKH EHVW FRPER RI Ä&#x2021;H[LELOLW\ DQG Ä&#x2020;GHOLW\ WKLV LV WKH RQH WR JR IRU
A P R I L 2 0 2 0 T3 8 3
Tested Thinkware Q800 Pro
CAM DUNK
Thinkware Q800 Pro This do-it-all dash cam shoots in 2K and offers DbZLGH UDQJH RI GULYHU safety systems From £249 thinkware.com ash cams come in all shapes and sizes, and the Thinkware Q800 Pro is certainly one of the largest on sale today. It doesn’t have a display, but makes up for this by offering QHD resolution video, a wide range of driver safety features, and the option of a secondary rear-facing camera. Video quality is where the Q800 Pro sets itself apart from much of the competition. Unlike most other dash cams, which record video at 1080p Full HD, the Q800 offers QHD. This means a resolution of 2560x1440, which in turn means sharper, higher-quality video with key details like number plates being easier to see than with an HD camera. The Q800 Pro we were provided for review came with an optional rear-facing camera, which increases the price from £249 to £329, and increases the included memory card from 16GB to 32GB. The secondary camera records 1080p resolution at 30 frames per second, so isn’t quite as sharp as the front camera, but is perfectly adequate for recording footage through the rear windscreen.
D
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The Q800 Pro has a large footprint compared to most dash cams, but its relatively low profile means it is subtle and neatly out of sight once fitted to the windscreen using the included 3M adhesive. It should fit neatly behind the rearview mirror of most cars, but if yours already has a camera there for its own lane departure warning system, then the dash cam might have to sit in a more prominent position. Despite its lack of display, the Q800 Pro has a wide range of driver safety and assistance features. These include its Super Night Vision 2.0, which brightens nighttime footage without blowing out the highlights. Meanwhile, its integrated GPS antenna means your location and speed can be added to every video recorded, along with the time and date. The camera can also warn you about red lights and speed cameras, as well as alerting you if you drift out of your lane, or if it thinks you are going to run into the vehicle ahead. Ultimately, it depends what you want from your dash cam. If all you want is a way to record video in the event of a collision, there are many cheaper, smaller and simpler options. But if you want all of the driver assistance and safety features offered by the Thinkware Q800 Pro, then few others that fit the bill so well.
VERDICT WE’RE IMPRESSED QHD video recording; great build quality; packed full of features. WE’D IMPROVE :RQèW ĆW QHDWO\ on every windscreen; too many features for some; expensive. THE LAST WORD The Thinkware Q800 Pro is packed full of features. It records at 2K resolution and can be used with a second rear-facing camera. But the high price and huge feature set might put some buyers off.
Find the best deals for the Q800 Pro at: bit.ly/t3q800
Future Publishing, Quay House, The Ambury, Bath, BA1 1UA EDITORIAL +44 (0)1225 442244 SUBSCRIPTIONS & CUSTOMER SERVICES +44(0)844 848 2852
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T3 ISâ&#x20AC;¦ EDITOR MATT BOLTON matthew.bolton@futurenet.com SENIOR CONTENT EDITOR CLAIRE DAVIES claire.davies@futurenet.com ART EDITOR MICHELLE McLAREN michelle.mclaren@futurenet.com PRODUCTION EDITOR RUSSELL LEWIN russell.lewin@futurenet.com GLOBAL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF PAUL DOUGLAS paul.douglas@futurenet.com
ISSUE 307 ON SALE FRIDAY 17 APRIL
GROUP ART DIRCTOR JO GULLIVER jo.gulliver@futurenet.com EDITORIAL & ART CONTRIBUTORS 'XQFDQ %HOO $OLVWDLU &KDUOWRQ $OH[b&R[ 5RE &URVVODQG 3DXOb'LPHU\ Erlingur Einarsson, Ian Evenden, Spencer Hart, Tamara Hinson, 5REHUWb-RQHV 6WHSKHQ .HOO\ 0DWW .ROODWW *HUDOG /\QFK %HQ 5HDG -RVKb5XVVHOO 2OLYLD 7DPELQL ADVERTISING 0HGLD SDFNV DUH DYDLODEOH RQ UHTXHVW CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER ZACK SULLIVAN ]DFN VXOOLYDQ#IXWXUHQHW FRP 8. &200(5&,$/ 6$/(6 ',5(&725 CLARE DOVE clare.dove@futurenet.com +($' 2) &200(5&,$/ 7(&+ DAVE RANDALL dave.randall@futurenet.com 6(1,25 $'9(57,6,1* 0$1$*(5 SASHA McGREGOR sasha.mcgregor@futurenet.com ACCOUNT DIRECTOR ANDREW TILBURY andrew.tilbury@futurenet.com $&&2817 0$1$*(5 ISABEL LINCOLN-MOORE isabel.lincoln-moore@futurenet.com INTERNATIONAL T3 is available for licensing. Contact the International department WRbGLVFXVV SDUWQHUVKLS RSSRUWXQLWLHV +($' 2) 35,17 /,&(16,1* RACHEL SHAW licensing@futurenet.com PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS & BACK ISSUES (PDLO HQTXLULHV t3@myfavouritemagazines.co.uk 8. RUGHUOLQH HQTXLULHV 0844 848 2852 2YHUVHDV RUGHU OLQH DQG HQTXLULHV +44 (0) 344 848 2852 2QOLQH RUGHUV HQTXLULHV www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk CIRCULATION HEAD OF NEWSTRADE TIM MATHERS PRODUCTION +($' 2) 352'8&7,21 8. 86 MARK CONSTANCE 352'8&7,21 352-(&7 0$1$*(5 CLARE SCOTT $'9(57,6,1* 352'8&7,21 0$1$*(5 JOANNE CROSBY ',*,7$/ (',7,216 &21752//(5 JASON HUDSON PRODUCTION CO-ORDINATOR NOLA COKELY MANAGEMENT CHIEF CONTENT OFFICER AARON ASADI &200(5&,$/ ),1$1&( ',5(&725 DAN JOTCHAM +($' 2) $57 '(6,*1 RODNEY DIVE PRINTED IN THE UK BY :LOOLDP *LEERQV RQ EHKDOI RI )XWXUH DISTRIBUTED IN THE UK BY 0DUNHWIRUFH 8. QG )ORRU 5 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5HU ZZZ PDUNHWIRUFH FR XN 7HO
BEST TECH
FOR EVERYTHING 7RS 79V Ä&#x2020;UVW FODVV Ä&#x2020;WQHVV TXDOLW\ FRIIHH Ã¥ JHW WKH JDGJHWV WKDW FRPHbVHFRQG WR QRQH
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Luxury outdoor gear for comfortable camping Pick the perfect smart home camera Our verdict on the latest big phones Samsungâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s outstanding 8K TV reviewed
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BEST OF THE BEST The worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best tech, all in one place Edited by Matt Bolton
If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for the very best tech available WRGD\ \RXèYH GHÄ&#x2020;QLWHO\ FRPH WR WKH ULJKW SODFH %HVW RI WKH %HVW LV WKH PRVW XVHIXO JDGJHW EX\LQJ JXLGH \RX ZLOO HYHU HQFRXQWHU 7R FUHDWH it, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve extensively tested the best tech the ZRUOG KDV WR RIIHU WR EULQJ \RX URFN VROLG UHFRPPHQGDWLRQV IRU \RXU KRPH OLIH GDLO\ FRPPXWH DQG WKH WHFK \RX XVH DOO WKH WLPH In 54 different categories, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve chosen the WRS IRXU SURGXFWV VR \RX FDQ FKRRVH RQH WKDWèV
MXVW WKH ULJKW PL[ RI IHDWXUHV DQG EXGJHW IRU ZKDW \RX QHHG 7KHVH UDQNLQJV FRPH IURP UHDO WHVWLQJ E\ RXU WHDP RI H[SHUWV Ã¥ WKH\èUH WKH SURGXFWV weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d choose for ourselves, and we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t UHFRPPHQG DQ\ KLJKHU WKDQ WKDW Look for the links above each category that WDNH \RX WR WKH VDPH OLVW SOXV PRUH EH\RQG WKH WRS IRXU DQG PDQ\ PRUH FDWHJRULHV DW T3.com, ZKHUH RXU SULFH FRPSDULVRQ V\VWHP VKRZV \RX WKH FXUUHQW EHVW GHDOV IRU HYHU\ SURGXFW
INSIDE Smartphones
88
Cheap smartphones
88
Smartwatches
88
Hybrid smartwatches
89
Watches
89
Watches under £500
89
TVs
90
TVs under £1,000
90
Projectors
90
Soundbars
91
Streamers
91
Games consoles
91
Turntables
92
Streaming DACs
92
Multi-room speakers
92
Bluetooth speakers
93
Bluetooth headphones
93
True wireless headphones
93
Noise-cancelling headphones
94
Wired in-ear headphones
94
Wired over-ear headphones
94
Laptops
95
2-in-1 laptops
95
Tablets
95
Gaming laptops
96
Gaming headsets
96
4K monitors
96
Drones
97
Action cameras
97
Cheap action cameras
97
DSLR cameras
98
Mirrorless cameras
98
Compact cameras
98
Sat-navs
99
Dash cams
99
Electric bikes
99
Smart speakers
100
Smart bulbs
100
Smart thermostats
100
Smart plugs
101
Security cameras
101
Robot vacuums
101
Cordless vacuums
102
Washing machines
102
Dishwashers
102
Coffee machines
103
Fridges
103
Ovens
103
Electric shavers
104
Electric toothbrushes
104
Beard trimmers
104
Fitness trackers
105
Running watches
105
Running headphones
105
A P R I L 2 0 2 0 T3 87
Best of the best
SMARTPHONES
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/bestphone APPLE iPHONE 11 PRO
From £1,049, apple.com/uk Packing the best screen and camera on any phone, plus the fastest processor and a beautiful highquality build, and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got a phone that earns its Pro name. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a totally polished package.
SAMSUNG GALAXY S10+
CHEAP SMARTPHONES
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/bestcheapphone
SAMSUNG GALAXY S10E From £669, samsung.com/uk The modestly sized and pocket-friendly 5.8-inch screen on the S10e is a breath of fresh air. With Samsungâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s impeccable levels of Ä&#x2020;W DQG Ä&#x2020;QLVK JUHDW software and top specs, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a deal.
GOOGLE PIXEL 3A
SMARTWATCHES
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/bestsmartwatch
APPLE WATCH SERIES 5 From £399, apple.com/uk This truly straddles the line between tech and fashion; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not just the bestlooking smartwatch, but its health and Ä&#x2020;WQHVV IHDWXUHV always-on screen and good apps PDNHbLW HVVHQWLDO
SAMSUNG GALAXY WATCH ACTIVE
From £899, samsung.com/uk A premium build, LQFUHGLEOH ,QÄ&#x2020;QLW\ 2 screen with HDR10+, brilliant rear triple camera system and blazing performance in Samsungâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s slick new One UI make this the Android king.
From £399, store.google.com 64GB of storage, always up-to-date Android with no extra cruft, snappy performance and a truly brilliant camera, all in a SDFNDJH WKDW GHÄ&#x2020;QHV â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;cheap and cheerfulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x201C; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great value.
From £279, samsung.com Sleek and powerful, this is the best smartwatch for Android users. The screen and design are on par with the Apple Watch, while a collection of new watch faces give it DbPRGHUQ HGJH
HUAWEI P30 PRO
HONOR PLAY
SAMSUNG GALAXY WATCH
From £899, huawei.com A revolutionary 5x optical zoom (with 10x lossless hybrid zoom) meets a 6.47inch OLED screen, big battery, and ultra-fast processor for one of the smartest Android phones available.
ONEPLUS 7T PRO From £699, oneplus.com/uk This is one of the best-looking, highest-specced phones weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen this year â&#x20AC;&#x201C; from the SRS XS VHOÄ&#x2020;H FDPHUD to the fantastic 6.67-inch screen, the OnePlus 7T Pro exudes quality.
8 8 T3 A P R I L 2 0 2 0
From £279, hihonor.com Pitched as a gaming phone, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just an all-round brilliant Android phone thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a stone-cold bargain. It has a high-end processor, 6.3-inch screen, good rear cameras and a fantastic design.
XIAOMI MI 9T PRO £399, mi.com/uk A phone that marries Ä&#x2021;DJVKLS OHYHO VSHFV with a design thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guaranteed to turn heads. Combine that with a very appealing price and this quickly becomes a fantastic all-round package from Xiaomi.
From £239, samsung.com/uk The circular screen with innovative rotating bezel is the best way to control a smartwatch, and the slick Tizen software is easy to use. It looks good too, and a battery life of up to six days is ace.
FOSSIL SPORT From £186, fossil.com/uk Fossilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fourth generation of smartwatches serves up whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s probably the best Wear OS smartwatch available to buy today. Capable and wearable, with good app support.
Best of the best
HYBRID SMARTWATCHES
WATCHES
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/besthybrid
WITHINGS STEEL HR SPORT £190, withings.com Featuring a heart-rate monitor and the ability to track 30 different exercises, this is ideal for ĆWQHVV IDQDWLFV ,WèV ZDWHU resistant to 50 metres, and the battery lasts around 25 days.
WITHINGS MOVE ECG
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/bestwatch
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/bestwatch500
TAG HEUER AUTAVIA
VICTORINOX I.N.O.X V
£4,250, tagheuer.com Part of TAG’s Heritage range, the Autavia was favoured by racing drivers in the 1960s. The vintage silver dial features a retro Heuer logo, and is encircled by DbEODFN DOXPLQLXP EH]HO
TUDOR HERITAGE BLACK BAY
£129, withings.com Think a pricey Apple Watch is needed to take an ECG reading of your heart? This can do that, plus activity tracking and sleep monitoring, with a 12-month battery life, for a really low price.
MONDAINE HELVETICA 1
£2,630, tudorwatch.com The Tudor Black Bay might be the ideal piece to start a “proper” watch collection. It’s premium but not too expensive, it’s got history, and it’s a very attractive, wearable, everyday watch.
OMEGA SEAMASTER 300
£195, mondaine.com Mondaine is most famous for producing watches which resemble its classic Swiss Railways clock, but the Helvetica range is different. It includes activity and sleep tracking.
£5,520, omegawatches.com The 300 recalls its iconic namesake, but has been updated to include Omega’s more modern watch tech, including the anti-magnetic Master Co-Axial mechanical movement inside.
KRONABY SEKEL
BREITLING NAVITIMER B01 CHRONOGRAPH
£445, kronaby.com
£6,460, breitling.com The Navitimer is Breitling’s most iconic collection. This model boasts a 43mm stainless steel case with a transparent back, showing off the selfwinding movement.
Looking for more than a pedometer? The Sekel vibrates to alert you to QRWLĆFDWLRQV RQ \RXU phone, and there’s a button which can be programmed with IFTTT to do loads.
WATCHES UNDER £500
£459, victorinox.com Having undergone 130 durability tests, this watch will stand up to anything you throw at it. The paracord strap hints at its adventurous heritage, and it’s great IRU DOO ZULVW VL]HV
HAMILTON KHAKI FIELD £375, hamiltonwatch.com This is a faithful recreation of its original 1960s forebearer and is true to Hamilton’s military heritage. The 38mm stainless steel case is paired with a durable NATO strap.
TISSOT QUICKSTER CHRONOGRAPH £295, tissotwatches.com 7KLV SDFNV D 6ZLVV TXDUW] movement with 1/10 of a second counters, central 60-seconds chronograph hand, and add/split functionality. The case LVbĆQLVKHG ZLWK D VOHHN PVD coating.
CHRISTOPHER WARD C5 MALVERN MK III £495, christopherward.co.uk This sleek dress watch retains its classic British design cues from older models, but features a new 39mm stainless steel case with Fluid ‘light-catcher’ lines and 38 hours power reserve.
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Best of the best
TVs
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/besttv SAMSUNG Q90R
TVs UNDER ÂŁ1,000
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/besttv1000
SAMSUNG QE55Q6FNA
ÂŁ3,800, samsung.com/uk This stunning 2019 range-topper is narrowly our top pick. QLED nearly matches OLED for cinematic visuals in ideal lighting conditions but also looks fantastic even in bright sunshine.
LG C9
ÂŁ750, samsung.com/uk
A triumph of OLED evolution, improving every aspect of its performance thanks to the addition of DUWLÄ&#x2020;FLDO LQWHOOLJHQFH This is easily the smartest and most feature-packed 4K TV you can buy.
From ÂŁ2,200, panasonic.com Panasonic tunes its TVs to produce images exactly how WKH Ä&#x2020;OPPDNHUV intended. A true cinematic experience, and a great-value mix of big sound and 2/('bYLVLRQ
SONY AG9 From ÂŁ2,899, sony.com/uk The lastest OLED classic from Sonyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; range earns its grandiose title with superb native 4K, upscaled HD imagery and very slick motion. The OS is full of smart streaming options.
9 0 T3 A P R I L 2 0 2 0
ACER V7850
$ PRGHObWKDW was once ÂŁ1,500, and at this price itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s irresistible. This 4K set runs the Tizen smart platform, and despite its slimness, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a fairly beefy 40w stereo sound system onboard.
ÂŁ900, sony.com/uk
PANASONIC GZ950B
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/bestprojector
ÂŁ1,699, acer.com
SONY KD-49XF9005
ÂŁ2,500, lg.com/uk
PROJECTORS Acer really hit the sweet spot here: VPDOO HQRXJK WR Ä&#x2020;W on a coffee table, whisper-quiet in operation, and yet still produces a bright, crisp HDR 4K picture of 70 to 110 inches (at 3.5m).
OPTOMA UHD40 ÂŁ999, optoma.co.uk
If you want a TV that delivers sharp, colourful images, WKLV LV D Ä&#x2020;QH VWDUW Combining 4K X-Reality Pro image processing with a Triluminos panel, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an ideal display for 4K streaming.
SAMSUNG UE65NU7470 ÂŁ750, samsung.com/uk
4K resolution and HDR in a projector for this price is hard to beat. It doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t quite have the pop and HDR richness of more expensive sets, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s way beyond HD projectors at the same price.
OPTOMA UHZ65 ÂŁ3,499, optoma.co.uk
This 4K 65-incher supports both regular HDR and the newer open HDR10+ standard. Edge-lit, with a narrow bezel, it comes with widely spaced pedestal feet and three HDMIs.
PANASONIC TX-49FX750B ÂŁ750, panasonic.com
This is very aimed at the proper AV enthusiast, but laser projection at this price makes it worth it for anyone. 4K HDR video is supremely rich, and it can hit 120 inches from just 4m.
EPSON EH-TW6700W ÂŁ999, epson.co.uk
This 4K Pro HDR Panasonic is a great deal that offers premium quality features on the inside while looking the elegant part on the outside too thanks to the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Art & *ODVVĂŤ Ä&#x2020;QLVK
If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re happy with Full HD resolution, this is the best option, partly thanks to a super-easy setup process. The image quality is good, you just donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get the IXWXUH SURRÄ&#x2020;QJ RI HDR and 4K.
Best of the best
SOUNDBARS
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/bestsoundbar SONOS BEAM
STREAMERS
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/beststreamer ROKU STREAMING STICK+ £59, roku.com
£349, sonos.com
£229, qacoustics.co.uk Want superb sound without a big price and unnecessary extras? Q Acoustics’ M3 combines great simplicity and great sound. Impressive, affordable, and it wasn’t hit with the ugly stick.
SONOS PLAYBASE £639, sonos.com
MICROSOFT XBOX ONE X
The Swiss Army Knife of streaming delivers 4K HDR, isn’t locked to a particular ecosystem, has tons of available apps and is a joy to use. It’s the best streamer for many people.
CHROMECAST ULTRA £69, store.google.com The Chromecast Ultra is a receiver for phones and laptops and depends on them for control and content – but it’s simple, versatile and compatible with iOS, Android, Windows and Mac.
AMAZON FIRE TV STICK 4K £34, amazon.co.uk
This soundbase sits under your TV looking handsome but can put out anything from a subtle and nuanced performance to a tsunami of sound through its many drivers.
4K HDR for under £35 isn’t to be sniffed at. It’s best suited to Prime subscribers and Google apps are absent, but it’s a very capable and affordable streamer IRUb79 DQG PRYLHV
SONY HT-ST5000
APPLE TV 4K
£1,199, sony.co.uk
£179, apple.com/uk iTunes has the biggest source of 4K HDR and Dolby Atmos movies, and lots of other services have apps here too. You can also easily stream to it from Macs and L26bGHYLFHV
More premium than Sonos kit and with more channels too. Build quality is exceptional, and while there’s a fabric cover, we suggest you remove it and just drink in those drivers.
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/bestconsole
£449, xbox.com
If it were just a soundbar, the Beam’s great audio would still make it top – but with Amazon Alexa, Apple AirPlay 2 and support for a billion streaming services, it’s IDQWDVWLFDOO\ ćH[LEOH
Q ACOUSTICS M3
GAMES CONSOLES
With 4K, Dolby Atmos, Ultra HD Blu-ray and D IDLUO\ FRPSDFW SURĆOH this is the best Xbox ever. It’s even more powerful than the PS4 Pro and also a great home entertainment hub.
SONY PLAYSTATION 4 PRO £349, playstation.com It’s still overkill if you don’t have a 4K TV, but with 2160p HDR gaming, the PS4 Pro delivers incredible visuals and is smoother and faster than its nonPro siblings.
NINTENDO SWITCH £279, nintendo.co.uk We love the Switch, which brings Nintendo’s great gaming pedigree to genuinely stylish, premium-grade hardware. Forget the specs: it’s all about the sheer joy of gaming.
MICROSOFT XBOX ONE S £207, xbox.com The S is smaller, whiter and much cheaper than its big brother, and while you don’t get its sibling’s super-powered specs you still get Ultra HD %OX UD\ $ ĆQH KRPH entertainment hub.
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Best of the best
TURNTABLES
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/bestturntable
PRO-JECT ESSENTIAL III ÂŁ250, project-audio.com Really sounds great for the money, with an expansive and enjoyable sound across a range of genres and volume levels. It also looks very pleasing, in a variety of high JORVVbÄ&#x2020;QLVKHV
CAMBRIDGE AUDIO ALVA TT
STREAMING DACs
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/bestdac YAMAHA WXAD-10 ÂŁ120, yamaha.co.uk
TECHNICS SL-1210GR
ARCAM RDAC
ÂŁ4,995, mcintoshlabs.com This beautifully Ä&#x2020;QLVKHG GHFN LV perfect for vinyl addicts. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll wring an incredible amount of detail out of your records, without needing to be plugged into a crazily pricey system.
9 2 T3 A P R I L 2 0 2 0
NAIM MU-SO 2ND GENERATION ÂŁ1,300 naimaudio.com
GOOGLE CHROMECAST AUDIO ÂŁ30, google.co.uk
MCINTOSH MT2
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/bestmultiroom
This Yamaha lets you stream everything from Bluetooth to hi-res audio, with support for AirPlay, most of your favourite streaming services and, of course Yamahaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own MusicCast.
ÂŁ1,500, cambridgeaudio.com This Bluetooth turntable is a real game changer. It uses an exhausting array of analogueto-digital trickery, plus aptX HD to give hi-res/better-thanCD-quality sound, and all wirelessly.
ÂŁ1,000, technics.com/uk The iconic DJ turntable reimagined as a lustworthy slab RI KRPH KL Ä&#x2020; :KLOH we wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take this out clubbing, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the ultimate deck for gently maturing ravers, and sounds excellent too.
MULTI-ROOM SPEAKERS Mu-So 2 crushes its competition. An awesome, thumping wall of sound and reliable, versatile software platform and streaming support make for the perfect 21st-century music experience.
SONOS ONE ÂŁ199, sonos.co.uk
A somewhat less audiophile solution perhaps, but so simple and so cheap. Suddenly, all your Android phoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s music (plus Googleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s apps on iOS) can be beamed to your audio setup.
Sonos One is compatible with every music service ever, multi-room connectivity is fab, and Alexa comes built in as an added bonus. Many pricier Sonos speakers then await youâ&#x20AC;Ś
RUARK R5
ÂŁ320, arcam.co.uk For those who stream via AirPlay and UPNP, this is ever so hard to beat. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s essentially a very high quality DAC, and gives a real boost to any decent TXDOLW\ DXGLR Ä&#x2020;OHV beamed its way.
iFI NANO iONE
ÂŁ1,000, ruarkaudio.com Like a mini system for the 21st century, Ruarkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s R5 chucks in a CD player, DAB and FM radios and two extra inputs, including one preamped for use with a turntable. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s even Bluetooth too.
BOWERS & WILKINS FORMATION DUO
e LÄ&#x2020; DXGLR FRP Just want to wring the very most out of Bluetooth? This fagpacket-sized DAC is your new friend. Even the shonkiest MP3 gets a polish, and your higher TXDOLW\ Ä&#x2020;OHV DQG streams will shine.
ÂŁ3,500, bowerswilkins.com These may look like Bender from Futurama but sound like God yodelling in your ear. The only wireless choice for any real audiophiles out there: highly specced, but not exactly affordable.
Best of the best
BLUETOOTH SPEAKERS
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/bestbluetooth BLUESOUND PULSE FLEX 2I £299, bluesound.com More than a Bluetooth speaker, with Wi-Fi and ethernet included this is more like a portable Sonos. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s AirPlay 2 compatible, and works with streaming services and internet radio.
AUDIO PRO ADDON C3 £220, audiopro.com $ Ä&#x2020;QH EOHQG RI FODVVLF Bluetooth portability, high-quality audio and Scandie style. Thanks to Wi-Fi, you can stream higher quality sounds indoors, then revert to Bluetooth in the garden.
ULTIMATE EARS MEGABOOM 3 £169, ultimateears.com The best waterproof VSHDNHU Ã¥ LW HYHQ Ä&#x2021;RDWV â&#x20AC;&#x201C; offers 20 hours of battery life and a hefty sound, perfect for outdoor parties. It works great for kitchen audio duties, too.
BLUETOOTH HEADPHONES
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/bestwireless
AUDIO-TECHNICA ATH-M50XBT £179, audio-technica.com Long battery life and sound thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s closer to the more neutral tones of hiÄ&#x2020; FDQV WKRXJK VWLOO ZLWK D slight extra kick of bass), plus great comfort levels, make these ideal for losing yourself in music.
AKG Y50BT
TRUE WIRELESS HEADPHONES
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/besttruewireless
BEATS POWERBEATS PRO £219, beatsbydre.com/uk If you want true wireless buds with quality audio, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s almost nothing to match these, and the ZD\ WKH\ Ä&#x2020;W PHDQV WKH\ cannot fall out and get lost. Beats has knocked LWbRXW RI WKH GDPQ SDUN
JABRA ELITE 65T
£120, uk.akg.com
£130, jabra.co.uk If you want an onear alternative to the Marshalls, these â&#x20AC;&#x2122;phones from AKG remain a great option. The sound is punchy and the styling is pretty cool without WU\LQJbWRR KDUG
OPTOMA NUFORCE BE LIVE5 £89, optoma.co.uk These slick earphones offer incredible sound for the price, taking everything from pop to classical in their stride. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re made to stay comfortable for their eight-hour battery life.
CAMBRIDGE AUDIO YOYO M
SOUNDMAGIC E11BT
£300, cambridgeaudio.com The best Bluetooth solution for audiophilesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; DXGLR Ä&#x2020;OHV WKLV LV DV \RX can see, a stereo pair. As such itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more like a FODVVLF KL Ä&#x2020; V\VWHP EXW with the convenience RIbZLUHOHVVQHVV
£69, soundmagicheadphones.com These are as good as buds that cost twice as much. Audio is brilliant, connectivity is rock solid, the necklace-style band VWD\V VWDEOH DQG WKH Ä&#x2020;W LV comfortable and secure enough for exercise.
Jabra has solved most of the problems that bedevilled earlier true wireless buds. Sound is great, connectivity LV URFN VROLG WKH Ä&#x2020;W LV secure but comfortable, and theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re discreet.
APPLE AIRPODS PRO £249, apple.com/uk Great active noise cancellation, a superVHFXUH LQ HDU Ä&#x2020;W VZHDW SURRÄ&#x2020;QJ DGDSWLYH (4 good battery life and excellent audio quality make these pricey but technically brilliant buds.
LYPERTEK TEVI £99, lypertek.com
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These are unbeatable at this price â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a discreet design, decent battery OLIH JRRG ZDWHUSURRÄ&#x2020;QJ stable connectivity and good sound make these one hell of a bargain. The best under £100.
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Best of the best
NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/bestnoisecancelling SONY WH-1000XM3 £329, sony.co.uk
WIRED IN-EAR HEADPHONES
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/bestinear
FLARE AUDIO FLARE PRO 2HD e Ä&#x2021;DUHDXGLR FRP
With 30-hour battery life, very quick charging, Google Assistant, amazing bass response and an incredibly clever noise cancellation processor, these are superb headphones.
BOWERS & WILKINS PX £329, bowers-wilkins.co.uk With useful motionsensing features, the stylish PXes have variable noise cancelling and accurate B&W sound. We think the Sonys are slightly better, but you may well disagree.
SONY WH-1000XM2 £299, sony.co.uk
KLIPSCH R6I II
BEATS STUDIO3 WIRELESS £299, apple.com These Beats deliver exceptional noise cancellation that reacts very well to all kinds of environments, they get three hours of charge in 10 minutes and theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re the best sounding Beats so far.
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/bestoverear BOWERS & WILKINS P9 SIGNATURE
£699, bowers-wilkins.com The P9s donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just sound wonderful with hi-res audio. They do a stellar job with poor quality music, such as compressed MP3s. You can have any colour you like as long as itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brown.
AUDIO TECHNICA ATH-A1000Z
e NOLSVFK FRP A more comfortable alternative to in-ear monitors, the R6i IIs deliver lots of bass and a lively, HQJDJLQJbVRXQG Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s maybe a little bass-heavy for older music, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great for modern stuff.
FLARE AUDIO FLARES JET 3 e Ä&#x2021;DUHDXGLR FRP
With the XM3 model replacing these, you PLJKW EH DEOH WR Ä&#x2020;QG them cheap â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and if you can, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll get impressive noise cancellation and brilliant sound in a comfortable body. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re still ace.
94 T3 A P R I L 2 0 2 0
These are both wired and wireless â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the in-ear bit has a cable to a DAC box, which you can then play music through over Bluetooth or by plugging in. The sound is fantastic â&#x20AC;&#x201C; huge and nuanced.
WIRED OVER-EAR HEADPHONES
e DXGLRWHFKQLFD FRP Forget about MP3s or EDM: these headphones donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Ä&#x2021;DWWHU RU VDFULÄ&#x2020;FH sound quality for bass. But if you give them a good amp and a good sound source they do incredible things.
SENNHEISER MOMENTUM 2.0 AROUND EAR e VHQQKHLVHU FRP
Maintaining the quality of the Flares Pro (see Bluetooth headphones), removing the DAC element and thereby slashing the price, these audiophile inear headphones are a tremendous option.
SOUNDMAGIC E11C e VRXQGPDJLFKHDGSKRQHV FRP Can we really be recommending a pair of headphones for under £50? Yes we can! The grown-up sound quality and exemplary comfort RIbWKH F PDNH them the sonic bargain of the year.
The best sub-£200 over-ear headphones arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t too picky about sonic sources. They donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t quite have the frequency range of our more expensive picks but theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re well built and good for the price.
BOWERS & WILKINS P5 SERIES 2 £99, bowers-wilkins.com The little sisters of the mighty P9s deliver a beautifully warm and spacious sound for a lot less money, and their closed backs mean theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re less likely to annoy other people when you commute.
Best of the best
2-IN-1 LAPTOPS
LAPTOPS
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/bestlaptop
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/best2in1
ASUS VIVOBOOK S15
ASUS ZENBOOK FLIP 13 £800, asus.com
£539, asus.com This slim and super light laptop hits a wonderful sweet spot. With an Intel Core i5, 4GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD and a touchscreen ScreenPad, it represents wonderful mid-range value.
DELL XPS 13 (2019)
The Zenbook Flip 13 might be the best laptop Asus has ever released. Tooled up with an eighthgen Intel Core processor, the tablet mode feels great to use, thanks to a responsive touchscreen.
MICROSOFT SURFACE BOOK 2
£1,194, dell.com The Dell XPS 13 is thinner and more powerful than ever. Up to 1TB of SSD storage, 16GB of RAM, a 4K screen and fast Intel chips help make it a top quality all-rounder.
HP STREAM 14
£1,149, microsoft.com Pull the screen away from the keyboard and it’s a tablet. Connect them for more graphics power and battery life. A premium, fantastically portable, and supremely versatile system.
MICROSOFT SURFACE GO
£200, HP.com Not the most powerful laptop money can buy, but truly astonishing value, the HP Stream 14 shows that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a strong computing experience.
£350, microsoft.com Microsoft’s 2-in-1 forays have been a huge success, revitalising the company’s image as a serious hardware maker. For a capable and portable laptop, it’s hard to do better.
MICROSOFT SURFACE BOOK 2
ASUS CHROMEBOOK FLIP
£1,149, microsoft.com Available in 13- or 15inch sizes, with a 3:2 screen that gives you more height than other laptops, and plenty of power, this is a light and fast machine that’s also UHDOO\ ćH[LEOH
£450, asus.com If you are shopping for a 2-in-1, hybrid laptop with anything but a premium budget we recommend ORRNLQJ DW WKH )OLS ĆUVW For the price it can’t be beaten as a 2-in-1 running ChromeOS.
TABLETS
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/besttablet APPLE iPAD PRO 12.9 (2018) From £969, apple.com/uk The biggest iPad Pro is unbelievably powerful and slick, with an excellent screen, thin and compact design, great battery life and support for the Apple Pencil. Pricey, but worth it.
APPLE iPAD PRO 11 (2018) From £769, apple.com/uk Despite its smaller size, the internals of the 11in iPad Pro are the same as the bigger version: it’s supremely powerful, it’s incredibly versatile, in short, it’s an absolute beast of a tablet.
APPLE iPAD AIR (2019) From £479, apple.com/uk With a sharp, vibrant 10.5-inch screen, Apple Pencil support, powerful A12 Bionic processor and thin, light body, this a Pro in all but name, for a bargain price. The best all-rounder tablet.
SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB S6 £619, samsung.com 7KH ĆQHVW $QGURLG tablet, this delivers DbV\VWHP ZLWK D VKDUS OLED screen, S Pen stylus, excellent audio credentials, powerful internals, and a neat laptop-aping DeX mode.
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Best of the best
GAMING LAPTOPS
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/bestgaming HP OMEN 15
GAMING HEADSETS
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/bestheadset STEELSERIES ARCTIS PRO WIRELESS
£1,199, hp.com
£299, steelseries.com With the option of a ray-tracing-capable GeForce RTX 2070 graphics chip, plus 9th-gen Intel Core processors and up to 32GB of RAM, this is the best gaming laptop on WKHbPDUNHW
ASUS ROG ZEPHYRUS S GX701 £3,199, asus.com/uk
LUCIDSOUND LS35X
£1,799, msi.com This wolf in sheepâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clothing couples a GeForce RTX 2080 with Max-Q Design GPU with a Core i7-8750H CPU and 32GB of RAM and a 17-inch display to really aim for its ULYDOVè MXJXODUV
96 T3 A P R I L 2 0 2 0
EIZO COLOREDGE CG319X
For quality wireless audio on Xbox One, JDPHUV VKRXOG ORRN here: it delivers excellent audio reproduction and also connects directly to the console without any GRQJOHV RU FDEOHV
£90, logitech.com
MSI GS75 STEALTH 8SG
A simply massive LQFK SDQHO ZLWK up to 1,000 nits RI SHDN EULJKWQHVV DQG D PV UHVSRQVH WLPH 7KDQNV WR WKH Quantum Dot colour tech, images and videos have rich, YLYLG FRORXUV
£3,989, ezioglobal.com
LOGITECH G635 7.1 LIGHTSYNC A lower spec is UHÄ&#x2021;HFWHG LQ WKH ORZHU SULFH :LWK a Core 15, 8GB of RAM, 128GB SSD plus a 1TB hard drive and a Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti 6GB, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s still a SRWHQW SHUIRUPHU
PHILIPS MOMENTUM 436M6VBPAB
The SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless LV VLPSO\ DZHVRPH The dual-wireless audio system that allows for ERWK *+] and Bluetooth simultaneously is HVSHFLDOO\ IDQWDVWLF
The combination of a six-core processor and top-of-the-line Nvidia 2080 8GB JUDSKLFV PDNH WKLV powerful beyond belief, and yet it isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t WKDW EXON\ ,W FRVWV but no-compromise JDPLQJ LV KHUH
£750, acer.com
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/best4kmonitor
£456, philips.co.uk
£148, lucidsound.com
ACER NITRO 5
4K MONITORS
Equipped with a raft of high-end features this screen is ideal for high-end photo DQG YLGHR ZRUN DV well as general usage DQG JDPLQJ 6HULRXV hardware commands a serious premium SULFH KRZHYHU
SAMSUNG SPACE MONITOR £439, samsung.com/uk
Surround sound audio, Lightsync for illuminating your play space, plenty of features and buttons and compatibility ZLWK 3& 36 ;ER[ One, and Nintendo Switchâ&#x20AC;¦ what more could you want?
ASTRO A50 GEN 4 £300, astrogaming.com Comfortable on the head, the A50 brings rich audio to your ears at any volume â&#x20AC;&#x201C; bass, trebles and mids all come through clearly, though QRLVHbFDQFHOOLQJ FRXOG EH LPSURYHG
This marries a 32LQFK KLJK TXDOLW\ . panel with a unique space-saving designâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; it clips (safely) to the UHDU RI \RXU GHVN so has effectively no IRRWSULQW ,WèV HDVLO\ adjustable, though â&#x20AC;&#x201C; SHUIHFW IRU ZRUN
DELL ULTRASHARP UP3216Q £1,175, dell.com Dellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s high-end LQFK . GLVSOD\ SDFNV LQ D ORW RI professional-grade features for superb FRORXU DFFXUDF\ ,W hits 99% Adobe RGB coverage and 87% DCI-P3, delivering JUHDW SLFWXUH TXDOLW\
Best of the best
ACTION CAMERAS
DRONES
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/bestdrone DJI MAVIC MINI
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/bestactioncam
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/bestcheapaction
GOPRO HERO8 BLACK
GOPRO HERO7 WHITE
£379, gopro.com
£369, dji.com/uk $UJXDEO\ WKH Ä&#x2020;UVW KLJK quality camera-carrying drone for the masses, the Mini is surprisingly fast, nimble and stable LQ Ä&#x2021;LJKW DQG ZHLJKV J shy of the CAAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 250g UHJLVWUDWLRQ UHJXODWLRQ
DJI MAVIC AIR
£179, gopro.com GoProâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest sees XSGDWHV HYHU\ZKHUH Four virtual lenses get \RX WKH LGHDO Ä&#x2020;HOG RI YLHZ for what youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re shooting, and next-gen video VWDELOLVDWLRQ NHHSVbLW VWDEOH DQG FULVS
GOPRO HERO7 BLACK
£769, dji.com/uk
£319, gopro.com The Mavic Air is a super-portable 4K FDPHUD GURQH 9LGHR quality from the camera mounted on a three-axis gimbal is excellent, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s so simple to control, EHJLQQHUV JUDVS LW IDVW
RYZE TELLO
The waterproof Hero7 Black makes capturing pro-looking shots easier, thanks to HyperSmooth HOHFWURQLF VWDELOLVDWLRQ 4K image quality is excellent, and thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s VOLFN ISV UHFRUGLQJ
DJI OSMO ACTION
£89, ryzerobotics.com This is a bargain â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it uses '-, WHFK LQVLGH IRU Ä&#x2021;LJKW stability, has a camera that takes HD video or 5MP snaps, and hovers VWLOO IRU VHOÄ&#x2020;HV ,W FDQ Ä&#x2021;\ indoors or out, though is WRR OLJKW IRU ZLQG\ GD\V
£329, dji.com/uk With a cool front display EXW PLVVLQJ 6XSHU9LHZ mode and live streaming, DJIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cam is ideal for extreme sports types DQG YORJJHUV ,PDJH stabilisation is excellent, DQG LWèV HDV\ WR XVH
DJI MAVIC 2 PRO
SJCAM SJ8 PRO
£1,349, dji.com/uk
£166, amazon.co.uk For 4K 60FPS footage at less than half the price of the Hero7 Black, the SJ8 Pro is a worthy FRQWHQGHU 7KH 6RQ\ sensor is topped with an I OHQV ZLWK D r Ä&#x2020;HOG RI YLHZ
While this doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t offer the same size to power ratio as the Air, its 4K video and stills capture are sensational, thanks to an on-board Hasselblad camera and IDQWDVWLF VWDELOLVDWLRQ
CHEAP ACTION CAMERAS The wallet-friendly Hero7 White borrows premium features from WKH +HUR %ODFN ,GHDO for part-time adrenaline junkies needing a simple HD camera that shoots <RX7XEH UHDG\ IRRWDJH
AKASO V50 X £99, akasotech.com 4K at 30fps for under £100, plus two-inch touchscreen and image stabilisation? This is SURSHU EDQJ IRU EXFN ,W comes with accessories, including waterproof KRXVLQJ DQG UHPRWH
YI 4K £119, yitechnology.com Captures high-quality footage even in low light, thanks to an LCE sevenlayer all-glass lens and Sony Exmor-R IMX377 VHQVRU ,W VKRRWV . DW 30fps; buy a separate FDVH IRU ZDWHUSURRÄ&#x2020;QJ
OLFI ONE.FIVE WHITE e ROÄ&#x2020;FDPHUD FRP This camera might lack 4K, but 1080p/60fps and 720p/120fps video, plus 16MP stills, are plenty for weekend ZDUULRUV 7KH 2QH )LYH White also comes with Db P ZDWHUSURRI FDVH
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Best of the best
DSLR CAMERAS
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/bestdslr NIKON D850
MIRRORLESS CAMERAS
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/bestmirrorless NIKON Z 6
ÂŁ3,299, nikon.co.uk
CANON EOS 7D MARK II ÂŁ1,430, canon.co.uk
ÂŁ1,099, sony.co.uk With a full-frame 24.5 megapixel sensor, 12fps continuous shooting, phenomenal lowlight performance and fantastic handling, this creates incredible images for a reasonable price.
SONY A9
Trading up from an entry-level camera? The 7D Mark II is the camera of your dreams. A superb all-rounder with a 20.2-megapixel sensor and a host of features to suit DbYDULHW\ RI QHHGV
ÂŁ629, panasonic.com The A9 is expensive but earns every penny by packing an incredible 24.3MP full-frame sensor capable of 20fps shooting with tracking autofocus the whole way. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a technical marvel.
CANON EOS R
ÂŁ1,699, nikon.co.uk
For the best image quality in a pocketfriendly body, look here. The RX100 VII continues to build on Sonyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reputation for high-quality premium compacts, and does so without breaking the bank.
PANASONIC TZ200
ÂŁ3,699, sony.co.uk
NIKON D500
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/bestcompact SONY RX100 VII
ÂŁ1,899, nikon.co.uk With a highresolution 45.4 megapixel sensor, 4K video capture, a 153-point AF system, and a sturdy body, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll never be disappointed with what the D850 can create for you.
COMPACT CAMERAS
CANON G5X MARK II
ÂŁ2,149, canon.co.uk This solidly built camera is the SHUIHFWbFKRLFH IRU those who like to shoot a little bit of everything, thanks to a brilliant autofocus system and glorious image quality from its 20MP sensor.
This might be the ideal travel companion, with a versatile zoom lens up to 15x, and a fantastic one-inch sensor that captures bright, sharp images. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also stylish and pocket-friendly.
ÂŁ849, canon.co.uk The EOS R is classic Canon, but with some useful twists, such as the touch-sensitive multi function bar. Image quality is also fantastic, thanks to the full-frame 30.3 megapixel sensor.
This full-blown overhaul of the G5 line brings a oneinch 20MP sensor and a 5x optical zoom, plus 4K video recording, USB-C battery charging and burst shooting up to 30fps. Versatile.
NIKON D7500
PANASONIC S1R
FUJIFILM X100F
ÂŁ774, nikon.co.uk
ÂŁ2,899, panasonic.com
e IXMLÄ&#x2020;OP HX XN
This has the same sensor and image processor as the D500 for less. You still get fantastic pics, but with a slightly slower autofocus (and a few other changes). A superb all-rounder.
9 8 T3 A P R I L 2 0 2 0
Panasonicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leap into full-frame is bigger than other mirrorless systems, and for now is fairly limited on the lens front. But with 47.3MP to play with, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be interesting to see it develop.
7KH )XMLÄ&#x2020;OP ; ) is as beautiful as it is capable. If the retro ORRN Ä&#x2021;RDWV \RXU ERDW then the X100F is a thing to behold. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s compact, but packs a large APS-C sensor and a lovely 35mm f/2.0 lens.
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SAT-NAVS
DASH CAMS
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/bestsatnav
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/bestdashcam
TOMTOM GO PREMIUM
NEXTBASE 522GW
£290, tomtom.com This state-of-the-art sat QDY OLQNV ZLWK ,)777 VR \RX FDQ FRQQHFW WR KRPH GHYLFHV LQWHUDFW ZLWK SHUVRQDO GLJLWDO DVVLVWDQWV JHW QRWLÄ&#x2020;FDWLRQV DQG VKDUH ORFDWLRQ DQG DUULYDO GDWD
GARMIN DRIVESMART 61 LMT-S
£150, nextbase.com The king of dash cams LQ QDLOV WKH EDVLFV DV ZHOO DV EHLQJ WKH Ä&#x2020;UVW GDVK FDP DYDLODEOH LQ WKH 8. ZLWK $OH[D EXLOW LQ ,W ZLOO DOVR DOHUW HPHUJHQF\ VHUYLFHV WR WKH ORFDWLRQ of an accident.
GARMIN DASH CAM 66W
£209, garmin.com
£169, garmin.com 7KLV VOHHN VDW QDY KDV substance to match its VW\OH ZLWK D ELJ GLVSOD\ OLIHWLPH WUDIÄ&#x2020;F DQG maps (for Europe) and XVHIXO SRLQWV RI LQWHUHVW LQIRUPDWLRQ FRXUWHV\ RIb7ULS$GYLVRU
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THINKWARE F800 PRO
£299, tomtom.com Packed with features EXW QHYHU Ä&#x2020;GGO\ DQG ZLWK *RRJOH DQG 6LUL VXSSRUW WKLV LV D UHDOO\ JRRG PRELOH FRPSDQLRQ WRR 7KH SULFH LQFOXGHV OLIHWLPH XSGDWHV YLD Wi-Fi for most features.
£249, thinkware.com :LWK DQ DOPRVW LQYLVLEOH GHVLJQ WLPH ODSVH recording and a great QLJKW PRGH WKLV LV D JRRG VWHDOWK\ RSWLRQ LI \RXèUH worried more about YDQGDOLVP RU WKHIW WKDQ \RXU IHOORZ GULYHUV
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MIO MIVUE J60
£329, garmin.com
£117, mio.com $ SHWLWH FP VFUHHQ LV JRRG IRU VPDOOHU FDUV EXW WKLV QDY LV VWLOO SDFNHG ZLWK IHDWXUHV LQFOXGLQJ %OXHWRRWK :L )L VSHHG DOHUWV WUDIÄ&#x2020;F EDWWHU\ EDFNXS and European maps.
7KLV QHDW OLWWOH FDPHUD PRXQWV EHKLQG \RXU UHDU YLHZ PLUURU EXW Ä&#x2020;WV LQ *36 :L )L QLJKW PRGH ODQH GHSDUWXUH ZDUQLQJ FROOLVLRQ ZDUQLQJ DQG PRUH Ã¥ SOXVbFOHDU S YLGHR
ELECTRIC BIKES
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/bestebike GOCYCLE GX £2,899, gocycle.com 0RUH VWXUG\ DQG IXQ WR ULGH WKDQ WKH %URPSWRQ WKH *RF\FOH GRHVQèW IROG XS DV QHDWO\ EXW \RX FDQ VWLOO WDNH LW RQ WKH WUDLQ :LWK SRZHU DOJRULWKPV WZHDNHG E\ H[ ) W\SHV LW IHHOV OLNH D SURSHU ELNH
BROMPTON ELECTRIC £2,595, brompton.com (ELNHV DUHQèW MXVW DERXW WHFK 7KH\ VKRXOG EH fun too. The Brompton LV D KRRW DQG LI \RXèUH D FRPPXWHU WKHUHèV QR EHWWHU LW PXQFKHV PLOHV DQG WKHQ IROGV WR DQ LQFUHGLEO\ WLQ\ VL]H
RAD POWER BIKES RADRHINO From £1,380, radpowerbikes.eu 'RQèW YLHZ WKLV PRQVWHU DV PHUHO\ D VHW RI ZKHHOVbWR JHW \RX IURP $ WR % EHFDXVH LW LV FDSDEOH RI FDUU\LQJ \RX \RXU IDPLO\ DQG WKH kitchen sink to even the furthest of destinations.
VANMOOF ELECTRIFIED S2 £2,398, vanmoof.com ,I \RX ZDQW WKH (OHFWULÄ&#x2020;HG 6 PRYH TXLFNO\ WKLV SULFH LV IRU HDUO\ RUGHUV ,WèV SDFNHG ZLWK DQWL WKHIW PHDVXUHV KDQGOHV EULOOLDQWO\ DQG ORRNV DFH 7XUER ERRVW LV JUHDW IRU WUDIÄ&#x2020;F OLJKWV
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Best of the best
SMART SPEAKERS
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/bestsmart AMAZON ECHO PLUS £139, amazon.co.uk Thanks to its integrated Zigbeecompliant smart home hub, the Plus is a great smart home starter. Never pay the RRP, though: Amazon discounts Echos every time LWbKDV D VDOH
SONOS ONE
SMART BULBS
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/bestbulb PHILIPS HUE From £59, philips.co.uk Hue dominates the smart lighting sector for good reason: itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a superb system with the widest range of bulbs and a simple, useful app. Rivals may be cheaper but they canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t compete with Hueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s variety.
AMAZON ECHO STUDIO £189, amazon.co.uk
GOOGLE NEST HUB MAX £219, store.google.com A big 10-inch screen, plus good-quality VSHDNHUV WKDW FDQ Ä&#x2020;OO a room, make this a Google Assistant device that can really do anything. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a camera for video calls, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a smart home hub.
10 0 T3 A P R I L 2 0 2 0
This cheaper Nest PRGHO GRHVQèW Ä&#x2020;W DV much information on its screen and doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t feel as premium, but thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s it. Same algorithm, same Alexa and Google Home compatibility.
£99, tado.com If you fancy a Hue system but donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to spend so much, LIFX has a strong product range and integrates with your favourite personal digital assistant. Philips still wins, but only just.
IKEA TRÃ&#x2026;DFRI
Tado is very sociable: it works with 95% of the systems out WKHUH ,WèV Ä&#x2021;H[LEOH clever and supports a wide range of accessories too. Price cuts have made it even PRUHbHQWLFLQJ
NEST LEARNING THERMOSTAT
From £13, ikea.com With support for the Dolby Atmos and Sony 360 Reality Audio â&#x20AC;&#x201C; as well as Alexa, Amazon got serious about sound here. Five drivers give your music really rich, meaty audio power.
£180, nest.com/uk
TADO SMART THERMOSTAT
From £19, lifx.com The Sonos One is a superb standalone speaker with integrated Alexa, EXWbWKH UHDO VHOOLQJ SRLQW LV LWV Ä&#x2021;H[LELOLW\ use it as part of a stereo pair or in a multi-room Sonos audio system.
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/bestthermostat NEST THERMOSTAT E
LIFX
£199, sonos.com
SMART THERMOSTATS
£220, nest.com/uk Ikeaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Zigbeecompatible system doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the range of Hue, but if you prize control over colour options itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stellar value for money and has some great controllers DQGbGLPPHUV
EUFY LUMOS WHITE From £16, eufylife.com Eufy is just entering the market, so right now thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only a white bulb out, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great: simple, with a polished app and Alexa support for smarts. And no hub needed â&#x20AC;&#x201C; just pay for one and go.
Nest made smart thermostats sexy and this third-gen model looks great. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s simple to use with good Google Home and Amazon Echo integration, but a tad pricey, especially with installation.
HIVE HEATING CONTROL £179, hivehome.com Imagine: British Gas in â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;excitingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; shocker. Hive is great: itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s affordable, works well, and is part of a larger smart home system that includes bulbs and security options. This is an ideal way to jump in.
Best of the best
SMART PLUGS
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/bestplug BELKIN WEMO INSIGHT SWITCH
SECURITY CAMERAS
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/bestsecurity ARLO ULTRA
£49, belkin.com Belkinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premium smart SOXJ URFNV ,W ZRUNV ZLWK services from Amazon, Apple and Google, and can monitor your energy XVDJH DV ZHOO DV HQDEOH \RX WR FRQWURObDSSOLDQFHV YLD \RXU SKRQH
HIVE ACTIVE PLUG £39, hivehome.com Similar to Belkin, Hive can turn sockets on/ off via your phone, and FUHDWH VFKHGXOHV ,W DOVR ZRUNV ZLWK $OH[D <RX QHHG D +LYH +XE (£80) to use the Active 3OXJ bWKRXJK
KASA SMART WI-FI POWER STRIP HS300 £40, tplink.com
RING STICK UP CAM £180, en-uk.ring.com Pretty much any feature you could ask for is included, such as night vision, motion detection alerts, two-way audio, and 1080p video you can view on Alexa devices ZLWK VFUHHQV
NEOS SMARTCAM £25, neos.co.uk Offers 90% of what you need from an indoor VHFXULW\ FDPHUD EXW DW less than a quarter of the SULFH RI RWKHUV ,I \RXèUH RQ WKH IHQFH DERXW getting a smart camera, WU\LQJ WKLV LV D QR EUDLQHU
TCP SMART WI-FI PLUG
ARLO PRO 3
£18, tcpsmart.eu
£550 (two cameras), arlo.com/uk ,I \RX FDQ OLYH ZLWKRXW the 4K resolution of the Arlo Ultra, then the $UOR 3UR LV MXVW DERXW WKH EHVW KRPH VHFXULW\ FDPHUD \RX FDQ EX\ ULJKW QRZ DQG LWèV DYDLODEOH DW D YHU\ UHDVRQDEOH SULFH
This offers app control, plus Alexa and Google $VVLVWDQW FRQWURO ,W GRHV LW DOO UHOLDEO\ DQG LV UHDOO\ easy to set up from L3KRQH RU $QGURLG ,WèV a simple and solid plug, ZLWK DQ HDV\ WR XVH DSS
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/bestrobotvac iROBOT ROOMBA I7+
From £450 (one camera), arlo.com/uk While it may look similar to its competitors, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s when you open the Arlo app that the quality UHDOO\ VKRZV ,WèV WKH sharpest security camera weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen in action, and LV KLJKO\ FRQÄ&#x2020;JXUDEOH
With six smart outlets, each with independent control, as well as three USB port connections for small appliance charging and power, this delivers plenty of Ä&#x2021;H[LELOLW\ DQG IHDWXUHV
ROBOT VACUUMS
£1,199, irobot.co.uk The i7+ is the i7 with an DGGLWLRQDO GLUW ELQ LQ WKH EDVH DQG DQ H[WUD e RQ WKH SULFH ,WèV ZRUWK it if you hate emptying WKH ELQ EXW DQ\ L LV D JUHDW FOHDQLQJ URERW WKDW OHDUQV LWV ZD\ DURXQG
ROBOROCK S5 £459, en.roborock.com At less than £500, this is exceptional value, especially for a cleaner with navigation thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s DUJXDEO\ EHWWHU WKDQ WKH L ,W JHWV UHJXODU updates, and a new S6 YHUVLRQ LV FRPLQJ VRRQ
NEATO BOTVAC D7 CONNECTED £799, neatorobotics.com $Q H[FHOOHQW URER cleaner, with a range of smart vacuuming DQG PDSSLQJ IHDWXUHV 5REXVW VXFWLRQ WXUER mode and an improved EUXVK V\VWHP KHOS GHOLYHU D SRZHUIXO FOHDQ
EUFY BOOSTIQ ROBOVAC 30C £270, eufylife.com
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CORDLESS VACUUMS
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/bestcordlessvac DYSON V11 ABSOLUTE ÂŁ599, dyson.co.uk
WASHING MACHINES
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/bestwashing AEG 9000 SERIES L9FEC966R ÂŁ899, aeg.co.uk
The high-torque head, well-sized bin and powerful suction make this the top sucker to get, and worth the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Dyson taxâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. The Auto power mode works well, balancing battery and suction nicely.
VAX BLADE 2 MAX ÂŁ249, vax.co.uk This does everything a Dyson does, for less. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s powerful enough to do a good job on carpet and KDUG Ä&#x2021;RRUV DOLNH although its shape and bulk make it less effortless as DbKDQGKHOG
DYSON V8 ABSOLUTE ÂŁ349, dyson.co.uk
BOSCH SERIE 6 i-DOS WAT286H0GB ÂŁ599, bosch-home.co.uk Smooth, near-silent when running, and designed with appconnected features to make laundry easy. The i-Dos function holds detergent and softener for up to 20 washes â&#x20AC;&#x201C; one less thing to worry about!
LG F4V910WTS
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The award-winning ComfortLift drawer pulls out and rises up for easy emptying, which means this is that rare thing: an exciting dishwasher. Cleaning performance is good too, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quiet.
MIELE G7150 SCVI ÂŁ1,150, miele.co.uk This 14-place unit features the usual quality expected from Miele, but the fully-integrated design is also perfect if you want it to keep D ORZ SURÄ&#x2020;OH 7KH A+++ energy rating is impressive too.
BOSCH SMS67MW01G ÂŁ549, bosch.co.uk This 10kg drum runs like a dream thanks to the direct drive motor, which means itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quiet too. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an app, Alexa and Google Assistant connectivity, and TurboWash tech that cuts water usage.
BEKO WTG1041B2 ÂŁ279, beko.co.uk
You get what you pay for: the V10 is the state of the cordless vacuum art with unprecedented power, better battery life and a bigger bin. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a little heavier than the Dyson V8, though.
AEG COMFORTLIFT FSS62800P ÂŁ689, aeg.co.uk
ÂŁ800, lg.com
ÂŁ449, dyson.co.uk
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/bestdishwasher
AEG delivers superb Ä&#x2021;H[LEOH FOHDQLQJ effective water softening and a steam-cleaning feature to reduce your ironing pile. ,WèV TXLHW HIÄ&#x2020;FLHQW and environmentally friendly, too.
It might not have the sheer awesome power of the V10, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pretty close. The V8 is still ahead of most rivals and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s still a smart buy unless you need to vacuum every room of a mansion.
DYSON CYCLONE V10 ABSOLUTE
DISHWASHERS
Takes it up a notch when it comes to quality, practical design and very quiet operation. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s room for bSODFH VHWWLQJV DQGbD TXLFN ZDVK option that takes MXVWb PLQXWHV
MIELE G6630SC ÂŁ849, miele.co.uk
The eight useful washing modes (including quick cycles), huge 10kg drum, 1,400rpm spin speed, and easy-touse dial operation make this a keenly priced machine for the family.
Mieleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s superbly economical washing machine offers open-drawer drying, an easily adjustable cutlery tray and a new, versatile basket system. Wash performance is well and truly fantastic.
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COFFEE MACHINES
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/bestcoffee SAGE BY HESTON BLUMENTHAL THE ORACLE TOUCH £1,999, sageappliances.com The Oracle Touch looks like a barista-operated machine, it produces coffee like one, yet all WKH FOHYHU VWXII å GRVLQJ tamping, extraction, milk texturing, is done for you. 1RW FKHDS å EXW DPD]LQJ
SAGE BY HESTON BLUMENTHAL BARISTA TOUCH £999, sageappliances.com &KHDSHU IDVWHU DQG ZLWK better frothed milk than WKH 2UDFOH bWKLV PD\ EH the better buy for most unless being unable to make coffee and steam milk at the same time is DbGHDO EUHDNHU
GAGGIA VELASCA
FRIDGES
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/bestfridge MIELE K 28202 D WS £875, miele.co.uk
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/bestoven NEFF N 70 B57CR22N0B £789, neff.co.uk
,I \RX KDYH WKH FDVK DQG FP RI VSDFH ZLWK QR FXSERDUGV DERYH WKLV cooler should be top RI \RXU OLVW ,WV FOHYHU cooling keeps foodstuffs IUHVK ZLWKRXW KXPLGLW\ DQG LWèV FDYHUQRXV
BOSCH SERIE 2 CLASSIXX KSV29NW3PG £599, bosch-home.co.uk Looking for a mid-sized larder fridge that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t FRVW WKH (DUWK SURYLGHV plenty of food storage space, cools quickly and is cheap to run? &RQVLGHU WKLV HIÄ&#x2020;FLHQW DQG ZHOO PDGH %RVFK
AEG RKE64021DX
£466, gaggiadirect.com The espresso and lungo that the Velasca make are as good as anything you can buy in most coffee shops. It produces a reassuringly old-fashioned, intense Ä&#x2021;DYRXU IRU \RXU EUHZ
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£779, aeg.co.uk 7KLV YROXPLQRXV IULGJH is the perfect option if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a regular grocery shopper. With 395 litres of storage, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all nicely GLYLGHG XS VR \RX FDQ Ä&#x2020;QG D KRPH IRU ZHOO anything really.
MELITTA BARISTA TS SMART
BOSCH KSV36VB3PG
£799, melitta.co.uk )HDWXULQJ WZR EHDQ hoppers (one for light, one for dark), and a backup container for pre-ground coffee, this PDNHV GLIIHUHQW YDULHWLHV RI FRIIHH DQG stores your preferences.
£643, bosch-home.co.uk $Q LPSRVLQJ FP IULGJH JLYLQJ \RX OLWUHV RI VWRUDJH å LI \RX buy all your groceries in one go, it can take LW )RXU RI WKH VHYHQ VKHOYHV FDQ EH DGMXVWHG to suit most spaces.
The unique Slide and Hide door is brilliant, the touchscreen is handy DQG WKH RYHQèV QR VORXFK it enables you to cook PXOWLSOH GLVKHV ZLWKRXW cross-contamination IURP VWURQJ Ä&#x2021;DYRXUV
SIEMENS HB578A0S0B £629, siemens.com/uk 7KLV LV D VLQJOH RYHQ ZLWK 60 litres of space, so itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll GHOLYHU WKH EDNHG JRRGV for big families. It heats up fast, has 30 automatic cooking modes, a child lock, telescopic runners DQG QRQ WLS VKHOYHV
BOSCH HBG634BS1B £599, bosch-home.co.uk 7KH %RVFK LV HTXLSSHG ZLWK OLWUHV RI LQWHULRU cooking estate and selfcleaning catalytic linings. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s particularly good IRU EDNHUV ZKR QHHG consistent temperatures for big batches.
MIELE H6160BP £1,325, miele.co.uk Mieleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;affordableâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; PRGHO LV SDFNHG ZLWK features. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s VWHDP FRRNLQJ ZLWK MoisturePlus, and *HQWOH%DNH IRU VRXIÄ&#x2021;HV ZKLOH ,QWHQVLYH WXUQV RXWbD JUHDW SL]]D
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Best of the best
ELECTRIC SHAVERS
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/bestshaver PHILIPS SERIES 9000 PRESTIGE £300, philips.co.uk
ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSHES
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/besttoothbrush
PHILIPS SONICARE DIAMONDCLEAN SONIC £145, philips.co.uk
The best shaver around has a silly RRP (£430!) but is available for around £300. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s good for sensitive skin, mows long stubble and is really close to the shave you get from traditional razors.
PHILIPS SERIES 9000 S9211/26 £149, philips.co.uk
ORAL-B GENIUS 9000
10 4 T3 A P R I L 2 0 2 0
PANASONIC ER-GD60 e bSDQDVRQLF FR XN
PHILIPS SONICARE 6100 PROTECTIVECLEAN £89, philips.co.uk
£160, panasonic.com/uk Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t pay the £330 RRP: this superb wet and dry winner is widely discounted and often available for half the price. At that price itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a bargain alternative to much dearer premium shavers.
The best trimmer for general beard maintenance, this has a largely VXSHUÄ&#x2021;XRXV ODVHU (for ultra-straight edging, supposedly) but also boasts WKHbYHU\ EHVW EODGHV LQ WKH EXVLQHVV b
This is an extremely good electric toothbrush with a rather pointless smartphone app, but it does a great job of cleaning and comes ZLWK IRXU Ã¥bIRXU Ã¥ brush heads, so itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a bit of a bargain.
This is Braunâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t shave daily. The Braun laughs in the face of three-day growth, and its retractable beard trimmer helps VKDSHbZKDW \RX GRQèW VKDYHbRII
PANASONIC ES LV95
PHILIPS SERIES 9000 BT9297/13
This is a great toothbrush with excellent cleaning power, and an attractive but easily smashed glass charger. It also comes with a handy travel case with 86%bSRZHU
Much cheaper than the Prestige, but with similar superb shaving performance. It doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the anti-friction coating, and is less adept at longer stubble, but LVbVWLOO EULOOLDQW
£327, braun.com
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/besttrimmer
£80, philips.co.uk
£85, oralb.co.uk
BRAUN SERIES 9 9296CC
BEARD TRIMMERS
For slightly longer beards, this is the one to go for. Its unusual, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;side-onâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; cutting action, where you pull the shaver through your hirsute tresses more like a comb, soon becomes second nature.
PHILIPS ONEBLADE PRO £50, philips.co.uk
This is top value pick in the Sonicare range: not too pricey but not lacking any important features either. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very capable and still ZRUNV Ä&#x2020;QH ZLWKRXW Philipsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; expensive â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;smartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; brush heads.
PHILIPS SONICARE DIAMONDCLEAN SMART SONIC £145, philips.co.uk
The best trimmer for those with sensitive skin, this uses innovative OneBlade technology. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s good for both your face and your downstairs, although you may wish to change heads in between.
BRAUN BT3040 £26, braun.com
Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hilariously expensive and monstrously overspecced but this range topper looks good and, more importantly, it makes your teeth look good. Shop around â&#x20AC;&#x201C; donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t pay the RRP.
This is a bargain all-rounder, offering 39 precision length options with its combs, plus you get a Gillette razor included for edging. The battery life isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t great, but otherwise this is a top deal.
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FITNESS TRACKERS
RUNNING WATCHES
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/bestďŹ tness
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/bestrunningwatch
FITBIT VERSA 2
GARMIN FORERUNNER 245 MUSIC e JDUPLQ FRP
e Ä&#x2020;WELW FRP 7KH EHVW Ä&#x2020;WQHVV WUDFNHU cum-smartwatch you can buy. It has Alexa built in, its heartbeat and step counting are reasonably accurate, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been well designed in terms of looks and usability.
FITBIT CHARGE 3
The ultimate phonefree GPS running watch for the price-conscious runner. The battery can last up to seven days in smartwatch mode and VL[bKRXUV LQ *36 PRGH with music.
GARMIN FORERUNNER 945
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e JDUPLQ FRP Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no GPS and the capacitive â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;buttonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is a bit pants but this is otherwise a textbook tracker. Sleep, steps, swims and serious FDUGLRbZRUNRXWV DUH DOO handled with aplomb.
GARMIN VIVOSPORT
e EHDWVE\GUH FRP XN These true wireless powerhouses absolutely crush their predecessors when it comes to quality of sound and security RI Ä&#x2020;W $OO EXW LPSRVVLEOH to accidentally dislodge from your ears.
JABRA ELITE ACTIVE 65T These are the bestÄ&#x2020;WWLQJ WUXH ZLUHOHVV EXGV weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve tested. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re particularly good for vigorous workouts and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t suffer too badly from wind noise when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re out for a run.
OPTOMA NUFORCE BE SPORT 4 e RSWRPD FR XN
$ SHFXOLDU Ä&#x2021;DJVKLS smartwatch, this has some unique features that might arouse the runners out there, especially the running power metric, measured on the wrist.
POLAR IGNITE
GARMIN FENIX 6 PRO TITANIUM
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)URP e JDUPLQ FRP Rugged, but far from too heavy, the Fenix 6 is especially good for triathletes and trail runners. Expensive and over-specced, this demonstrates what Garmin is capable of.
Though mainly aimed at runners, the Ignite can track other activities, and monitor your sleep and heart rate too. You get instant stats after exercise, with deeper analysis in the app.
BEATS POWERBEATS PRO
The Forerunner 945 has retained the look and feel of the 935, but inside it has been completely revamped. There are new GPS chips and heart-rate sensors, plus on-board maps.
e SRODU FRP Garminâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rival to the Charge 2 boasts GPS for a similar price, but it also has a dodgy interface and some pointless extra features. The core functionality is good, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s waterproof.
Find the lowest prices at: t3.com/bestrunningphones
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RUNNING HEADPHONES
Running headphones RIWHQ VDFULÄ&#x2020;FH VRXQG quality. Not here. These VRXQG VWXQQLQJ Ä&#x2020;W OLNH a glove and are great value. The effective sound isolation may be DbELW PXFK IRU VRPH
SOUNDCORE SPIRIT SPORTS BY ANKER e DQNHU FRP Our favourite budget UXQQLQJ KHDGSKRQHV Ä&#x2020;W brilliantly and are very waterproof and sweatproof. Sound quality is acceptable rather than astonishing, but weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll forgive that.
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