One of the world’s biggest games is teaming up with the social media platform of the moment, as Fortnite kicks off a dance competition in collaboration with TikTok that could see your own dance moves immortalized with an in-game emote.
TikTok users are being encouraged to submit their own “original dance moves” through the short-form video platform, with the promise that winning entries will be turned into emotes (playable dance moves you can use at the touch of a button, often used to celebrate kills or victories) for Fortnite’s millions of players.
It’s not a surprising move from Epic Games, the developer behind Fortnite, which has been mired in lawsuits in recent years over emotes in its games that it’s based on various viral dances shared online (‘flossing’, for example); if a dance is explicitly submitted to Epic for use in-game, there’s no legal minefield over copyright to navigate.
That’s not to say there’s no reward for dance creators: winning entries will net you a mix of in-game and IRL goodies, including 25,000 V-Bucks (Fortnite’s in-game currency), plus a bundle of merchandise including a satchel, a Funko toy, a pair of hoodies, a battle bus drone (yep), and a Fortnite-branded Jenga game (yep, again).
How do I win that Jenga?
Firstly, you need TikTok. You can use the app in-browser, download it from the App Store or Google Play, or have TikTok text you a download link to your phone.
When you’re in the app, you just need to film yourself doing an original dance move and tag the video with #EmoteRoyaleContest – but note that the video must be “no longer than fifteen (15) seconds in length”, and use one of Epic’s pre-approved dance tracks as music, which can be downloaded here, for the routine.
You can read the rest of the official rules, though the most important bit is the submission window: having kicked off on January 18, the competition will run until 11:59pm PT on January 24 (2:59am ET / 7:59am GMT).
Most people think of Nokia phones when they think about mobile phones or cell phones. It’s a long-running brand (even if the name has been passed around a few companies over the years), and it’s built up a popular following because of its legacy handsets, as well as its newer affordable smartphones.
But there are so many Nokia phones, it can be hard to choose which to buy, if you’re on the market.
Best phones by brand
Never fear, TechRadar’s here, and we’ve made this buying guide to help you find the best Nokia phone out now, and also to compare the various phone models available. We’re not including feature phones like the ancient Nokia 3310, this is just a list of smartphones.
Nokia is always launching new phones, like the Nokia 6.2 and 7.2 which were shown off at IFA 2019, and it’ll likely have more at MWC 2020 in late February, so there’s never time to release a definitive list. Instead, our collection is accurate right now. We haven’t added these new phones to the list yet, as we’re still testing them, but rest assured we’ll add them soon.
The Nokia 9 PureView is Nokia’s most recent flagship phone, and it comes with cutting-edge features to match. In particular, it comes with one important feature (or five depending on how you count it) in the form of its five-sensor rear camera, which is the most we’ve seen in a smartphone.
It’s not exactly an expensive phone either, compared to some of the flagships you can buy today, so if you want a photographic smartphone powerhouse without taking a chunk out of your bank account, this may be the phone for you.
The Nokia 9 PureView has problems, as most phones do, but it represents the best Nokia has to offer right now.
The Nokia 8.1 is one of the best Nokia phones you can buy
Release date: December 2018 | Weight: 180g | Dimensions: 155 x 76 x 8mm | OS: Android 9 | Screen size: 6.2-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 2280 | CPU: Snapdragon 710 | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 64GB | Battery: 3,500mAh | Rear camera: 12MP, 13MP | Front camera: 20MP
Well built design
Large, clear display
Not waterproof
Lacks wireless charging
The Nokia 8.1 was our favorite Nokia phone until the Nokia 9 PureView came along – it’s a competent mid-range device offering up a tried-and-tested Snapdragon 710 chipset, functional camera, and adequate battery, all for a relatively low price.
For such a low-priced phone you’ll certainly be impressed by its screen, with 2280 x 1080 Full HD+ and an 81% screen-to-body ratio, and an elegant design to match.
It’s by no means a powerful smartphone, and it won’t rival high-end models in terms of specs of functions, but at its price band it’s a tempting device.
Release date: October 2017 | Weight: 160g | Dimensions: 151 x 73 x 8mm | OS: Android 7 | Screen size: 5.3-inch | Resolution: 1440 x 2560 | CPU: Snapdragon 835 | RAM: 6GB | Storage: 128GB | Battery: 3,090mAh | Rear camera: 12MP, 13MP | Front camera: 5MP
Beautiful design
Gorgeous QHD display
Launch price is higher than we’d expect
Not waterproof
Nokia phones are often reliable handsets that lack any defining or distinctive features, and the Nokia 8 is a prime example of this. It looks great, with an impressive display and beautifully designed body, but many of the other features could be defined as ‘fine’.
The dual cameras were acceptable in 2017 when the phone was released, and features like the 3.5mm headphone jack and physical front button which used to be commonplace but aren’t any more, may appeal to users who like these features.
With the Nokia 8 you’re getting a solid handset that won’t let you down, but won’t be an icebreaker at parties either.
Release date: April 2018 | Weight: 172g | Dimensions: 149 x 76 x 8mm | OS: Android 8 | Screen size: 5.5-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 1920 | CPU: Snapdragon 630 | RAM: 3/4GB | Storage: 32/64GB | Battery: 3,000mAh | Rear camera: 16MP | Front camera: 8MP
Durable yet attractive
Generous HD screen
Solo rear camera
Battery just about lasts a day
While the Nokia 6.1 doesn’t quite have all the bells and whistles of the other Nokia handsets above, it’s still a great device – especially given many of the downsides we could attribute to it wouldn’t realistically be expected on a phone of its price.
It’s a tough device with a robust design and strong frame – fans of solid and secure phones will love the Nokia 6.1’s durability.
It also packs some pretty impressive specs for its low price, with a competent chipset and splendid screen – yet its camera loadout isn’t as impressive as it could be.
Release date: September 2019 | Weight: 180g | Dimensions: 159.9 x 75.2 x 8.3 mm | OS: Android 9 | Screen size: 6.3-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 2280 | CPU: Snapdragon 660 | RAM: 4/6GB | Storage: 64/128GB | Battery: 3,500mAh | Rear camera: 48MP + 8MP + 5MP | Front camera: 20MP
Strong main cameras
Good performance
Bad wide-angle camera
Very slow to charge
The Nokia 7.2 is a solid mid-range phone, but it struggles to stand out in the sea of Nokia Android devices. That said, it has smooth performance, a premium design and good quality main cameras.
Unfortunately the wide-angle camera is not up to scratch, which is disappointing when that can be a fun shooter to use. It is also a very slow phone to charge up and isn’t waterproof.
But the Android One version of Android 9 Pie is a godsend, with attractive stock design and a guaranteed two years of OS updates and three years of security updates, which is as good as the Google Pixel line.
Release date: March 2018 | Dimensions: 158 x 75 x 8mm | Weight: 183g | OS: Android 8.1 | Screen size: 6-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 2160 | CPU: Snapdragon 660 | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 64GB | Battery: 3,800mAh | Rear camera: 12MP, 13MP | Front camera: 16MP
Pure Android
Good camera
Mid-range CPU
Camera struggles in low-light
The Nokia 7 Plus is exactly what you’d imagine from a Nokia handset, in that it’s half the price of a flagship from its era yet it comes packed out with all the features you’d expect.
In particular the handset has an impressive camera loadout for its price, and can last for a long time under heavy use. There are drawbacks to the phone too, but it’s still an impressive Android device.
Release date: October 2018 | Weight: 160g | Dimensions: 150 x 71 x 8mm | OS: Android 8 | Screen size: 5.8-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 2280 | CPU: Snapdragon 636 | RAM: 3/4GB | Storage: 32/64GB | Battery: 3,060mAh | Rear camera: 12MP, 5MP | Front camera: 8MP
Large, bright LCD display
Camera stands up well
Battery life isn’t fantastic
Occasional lag in apps
The Nokia 7.1 isn’t exactly a miracle of a phone, but with such a low price tag you’ll find the device great for everyday use if you don’t need the high processing power.
That tall, bright, sharp screen really stands out for us though, and it makes video watching a pleasure – you can easily forget you’re not using a modern flagship with it.
And at such a low price point, you definitely won’t come away from the Nokia 7.1 feeling like you’ve got a bad deal – it’s a reliable and snappy Nokia smartphone.
Release date: August 2018 | Dimensions: 151 x 71 x 8mm | OS: Android 8 | Screen size: 5.5-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 2160 | CPU: MediaTek Helio P18 | RAM: 2/3GB | Storage: 16/32GB | Battery: 2,970mAh | Rear camera: 16MP | Front camera: 8MP
Best-in-class design
Great screen for the price
Occasionally laggy UI
Mediocre camera performance
You wouldn’t guess to look at it that the Nokia 5.1 is another mid-range smartphone – its metal body, classical styling and sleek design make it look like a premium device.
Of course it’s what inside that counts too, and the Nokia 5.1 doesn’t have the best specs which it’s why it’s a little lower on our list – but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad phone, and it’ll serve your needs easily.
The Nokia 5.1 also has a great screen, with a Full HD+ display, which is rare in its price category – but it should be this low cost that draws you in in the first place, as few phones that look this good cost so little.
The Last of Us 2 might be landing on PC in the future, although we should immediately note the major caveat upfront that this is speculation built on pretty shaky ground.
Still, plenty of online chatter has been stoked by a LinkedIn job posting which specifies some interesting skills for a graphics programmer to be part of the team working on The Last of Us 2.
The requirements call for:
Thorough understanding of current GPU architectures (AMD GCN, Nvidia CUDA)
Experience with DirectX12, Vulkan or other modern graphics or compute APIs
Console or PC programming experience
The bits to focus on are that developer Naughty Dog is asking for someone with understanding of Nvidia GPUs – remember, Sony’s PS4 and PS5 have AMD graphics – and also PC programming chops, as well as experience with DX12.
All of these points raise questions about why the dev would want a programmer with DX12 and Nvidia knowledge for the PlayStation sequel, and indeed why specifically mention PC programming experience?
Unless, of course, a PC port is planned for the future – which would perhaps be a much less feasible prospect if there hadn’t been a swirl of strong rumors around a version of Horizon: Zero Dawn for the PC.
Generic post?
On the other hand, we’d be foolish to read too much into a simple job description which could, of course, be a pretty generic post, with some spiel perhaps copy-and-pasted from elsewhere. Or Naughty Dog could just want a programmer with broad knowledge across all platforms and technologies for all manner of reasons which are nothing to do with making a PC port.
As you’re doubtless aware, we’ve seen PlayStation exclusives land on PC before, such as Detroit: Become Human – and Death Stranding is inbound too (for the middle of 2020).
This week’s cheap laptop deals can save you a wad of cash as you pick up your new machine for the year. We’ve found excellent savings on a range of cheap laptops, and more powerful discounted computers, from simple grab and go Chromebooks all the way to the Microsoft Surface Pro. Laptop deals like these are perfect for picking up a set of specifications at a much lower price point than you would as standard, so we’re seeing plenty of speedy SSDs, quad-core processors, and Intel Optane memory sporting models in the roundup at the moment.
Comparing laptop deal specs can often be an arduous task, so we’ve laid out all the need to know information about every model included in this week’s roundup. That means you’ll know what you’re getting in terms of RAM, processing, storage, and screen size specs before you take a closer look. Plus, we’ve been laptop deal hunting for a while now, so we’ll only show you the configurations that are worth their sales prices. From huge names like Dell, Asus, Acer, and Lenovo to lesser-known brands, we’ve got something for everyone.
We’re on the lookout for great laptop deals every day of the year, so we know a decent saving when we see one. We’ve got you covered for various needs too so if you’re looking for work, school or home you’re sure to find something that works for you below. We’ve got cheap laptop deals featuring an assortment of workhorses, versatile machines, and basic configurations perfect for students all at surprisingly low prices.
If you’re a gamer, you’d be better suited to check out our selection of gaming laptop deals, as the models on this page are not usually built with gaming in mind. We’ve also rounded up a fine collection of cheap laptops on sale in the UK too.
Cheap laptop deal of the week
Lenovo IdeaPad 330s 15.6-inch laptop | $499 $359 at Walmart With 8GB of RAM and a Ryzen 5 2500U quad-core processor, you’re off to a good start with this IdeaPad 330s, but we rarely see IdeaPad laptop deals at this price including a 256GB SSD, making this a must-see deal. View Deal
More top cheap laptop deals
Laptops under $200
Acer C720 11.6-inch Chromebook (refurbished) | $199 $75.99 at Walmart With just a 16GB SSD and 4GB of RAM you’re going to be using the cloud for most of your storage, but that’s exactly what this Chromebook was designed for. At under $80, this is an excellent saving of over $100 to make this cheap laptop deal even more enticing. View Deal
Lenovo 11.6-inch refurbished Chromebook | $93.99 at Best Buy If you’re looking for a cheap and cheerful laptop to cover the bare basics of computing on the tightest of budgets, then this Chromebook is a perfect match. This model only has 16GB of storage, but you can always expand via a USB drive. It comes with 4GB of RAM which is still on the low side but acceptable at this price point. View Deal
Acer Chromebook 14 14-inch Chromebook | $299 $149 at Walmart There’s a quad-core processor hiding in this unassuming 14-inch Chromebook, making it one of the more intriguing laptop deals of the week. Aside from that, you’re getting the standard 4GB of RAM and 32GB storage to run your Chrome OS from, and Walmart are also throwing in an Acer protective sleeve as well. View Deal
Lenovo S330 14-inch Chromebook | $299 $169 at Walmart This Lenovo somewhat breaks the mold of Chromebooks – offering a larger 14-inch HD display on a cheap laptop. You’re still only getting 32GB SSD storage, but with Chrome OS you don’t need to worry about being kicked out of future updates. It’s also an extra $10 cheaper than we’ve been seeing it over the last few weeks, making it a fantastic laptop deal right now.
Lenovo Ideapad 130s 14-inch laptop | $239 $189 at Walmart For under $190, you can pick up a 14-inch Lenovo laptop with 4GB of RAM and 64GB storage in these great Walmart laptop deals. These specs are perfect for everyday computing on the go, especially if you’re using cloud storage for your heavier items. View Deal
Asus Chromebook C423NA | $269.99 $199 at Walmart This 14-inch Chromebook is just under $200 – what a steal! You’re also getting double the usual amount of storage inside as well, with a 64GB hard drive at your disposal. 4GB of RAM is fairly standard at this price, but will ensure you’re always running smoothly. View Deal
Laptops under $400
Lenovo IdeaPad 330S 15.6-inch laptop | $499 $279.99 at Newegg This is a solid Windows laptop for your standard day-to-day work activities at work or study. You’re getting a roomy 128GB SSD with an 8th generation i3 processor and 4GB of RAM which is plenty for storing media files and light multitasking respectively. The HD display will also work wonders in conjunction with the narrow bezels and the light design makes this an excellent choice for portability. View Deal
Motile 14-inch laptop | $699 $299 at Walmart We’ve been seeing laptop deals on this particular model sitting at well over $300 in the past, but this Motile budget laptop is now offering a 256GB SSD at just $299 this week. With 8GB of RAM and a Ryzen 5 / Radeon Vega 8 processor and graphics pairing, you’re looking at a high spec laptop at an amazing price – more than enough to delight punters curious about this lesser-known brand. View Deal
Lenovo Ideapad 330 15.6-inch laptop | $499.99 $299.99 at Amazon Save $200 on this Lenovo Ideapad 330 laptop deal at Amazon. You’re picking up 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD – great specs at this price, not to mention the AMD A9 processor and Radeon R5 graphics. View Deal
Lenovo IdeaPad S340 i3 laptop | $449 $329 at Walmart There’s some serious spec here in this Walmart laptop deal for just over $300 thanks to the $120 discount. 8GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD make for a fantastic spec at this price, though if you’re after more storage take a look at the 330s below. View Deal
Lenovo IdeaPad 330s 15.6-inch laptop | $499 $359 at Walmart You’re paying $30 more on this 330s model over the S340 below, and getting the same 8GB of RAM but with a Ryzen 5 2500U quad-core processor. Plus, you’re doubling your storage to a fantastic 256GB SSD making this a must-see deal. View Deal
HP 14-inch laptop | $599 $369 at Walmart For under $400 you can pick up a fantastic 14-inch HP laptop with a 256GB SSD, 16GB of Intel Optane memory, and 8GB of RAM, with a 10th generation i5 processor to match. Those are some great specs with an even better price tag this week. View Deal
Lenovo IdeaPad L340 15.6-inch laptop | $383.85 at Amazon If you want to trade your Intel processor for a bigger SSD, this L340 IdeaPad has you covered. You’re getting an AMD Ryzen 3 processor but you’re also going home with a 256GB SSD and 8GB RAM – fantastic storage for the price point. It’s a slight trade off to be able to store more and access it quicker, but it might be the deal for you. View Deal
Laptops under $600
Lenovo IdeaPad S340 i5 laptop | $549 $419 at Walmart A $130 price cut on a Lenovo IdeaPad is always a good shout. These are already incredibly cheap laptops for their power, and this particular model offers a surprising 8GB of RAM alongside a quad-core 8th generation i5 processor and a 128GB SSD. It’ll have a good swing at some light media editing and gaming too with these specs. View Deal
Dell Inspiron 5481 14-inch 2-in-1 laptop | $599 $449 at Walmart For just under £450, you can pick up something a little different at Walmart this week. This 2-in-1 laptop can double as a tablet when you need it to and comes packed with an 8th generation i3 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD – perfect for faster computing on the go. View Deal
Lenovo Ideapad 330S 15.6-inch laptop | $559 $475 at Amazon This 330S Lenovo Ideapad model only has 4GB of RAM listed, but you’re also getting 16GB of Intel Optane memory to balance the books on that spec. The Optane memory acts as a streamlined buffer between your hard drive and CPU, making read and write speeds incredibly fast. If you’re after big storage, this 1TB hard drive will do the trick, and while there’s no SSD to speak of, you’re getting efficient power thanks to that Optane memory. There’s also a nice quad-core 8th generation i5 processor to keep everything ticking over. View Deal
HP 15 Graphite Mist 15.6-inch laptop | $599 $479 at Walmart This laptop is equipped with an HD touchscreen display and comes with impressive internal spec too. There’s an 8th-gen i5 processor, 1TB hard drive, 16GB optane memory and 4GB of RAM. This is a laptop deal perfect for those who are looking to store in bulk, rather than being worried about accessing everything with the speed of an SSD. That’s not to say you’re getting a slow laptop here, that 16GB optane memory takes care of the traditionally slower hard drive, but you’ll be spending a lot more to pick up a 1TB SSD. View Deal
Acer Aspire 5 15.6-inch laptop | $625 $499 at Walmart This powerful Acer laptop with a 512GB SSD has just dipped below $500 in this week’s laptop deals. You’re also getting an impressive 8th generation i7 processor at that price tag, as well as an all-day battery to keep all that computing going. View Deal
HP Pavilion 15.6-inch laptop | $1,299 $529.99 at HP This is perhaps the holy grail of cheap laptop deals. You’re getting 16GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD, and an HD touch screen, all for well under half the original listing price. An AMD Ryzen 5 3500U processor will suit any everyday task, but if you’re looking to boost the performance of your laptop even more you can always upgrade to the 3700U. That also boosts your graphics to Radeon Vega 10 instead of 8, turning this already nifty everyday machine into a streamlined powerhouse. View Deal
Microsoft Surface Pro 7 | $959 $649 at Best Buy This is the entry-level version of Microsoft’s 2-in-1 with a 10th-gen Core i3 processor in the Platinum color (silver by any other name), bundled with the Type Cover which comes in black. You’re also getting 4GB of RAM (a little on the small side at this price point, but durable) and a 128GB SSD. View Deal
Lenovo Yoga 730 2-in-1 15.6-inch laptop | $849.99 $696.99 at Best Buy This Lenovo Yoga laptop brings us over the $600 limit, but if you’re in the mood to push that budget a little you’ll find an excellent little 2-in-1 computer here. With a 256GB SSD and a massive 12GB of RAM, this has some powerful memory and storage potential that can fly with an 8th generation i5 processor. View Deal
Where to find the best laptop deals in the US:
What stores have cheap laptop sales?
We’ve compared prices on some of our favourite cheap laptops and run through the details on why we recommend them further down this page. But if you’d like to browse the latest laptop deals directly from your favorite retailers we’ve included a list of the most-recommended stores directly below.
Here we have one of the few budget laptops with a processor nearly equivalent to a MacBook Pro from a couple of years back, that is if you opt for the Intel Core i5 configuration. The best part? Among the best Acer laptops right now, it’s roughly half the cost of its Apple-branded rival. Now given that it sells at a range of different prices, the Acer Swift 3 can be an obtuse purchase, but lucky for you, the midrange model will get you by just fine. There are often plenty of cheap laptop deals on Acer products so you’ll always be in a good position to grab a discount.
CPU: Intel Atom x5-Z8350 | Graphics: Integrated Intel HD Graphics | RAM: 4GB | Screen: 10.1-inch HD (1,280 x 800) LED touch display | Storage: 64GB
Tablet and laptop in one
Sizable hard drive
Tiny size could be tough
This convertible laptop has always been about function over form. For one minuscule transaction, you’re getting a tablet equipped with an included keyboard and even a fingerprint scanner for more secure logins. Along with reliable performance and a magnesium-alloy chassis, it’s built to last – not to mention, one of the best Asus laptops you can buy when you’re on the budget. As cheap laptops go, Asus is one of the most trusted brands out there so as long as you’re getting the specs you need you can’t go wrong.
CPU: 1.5GHz Intel Celeron 3205U | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics | RAM: 4GB | Screen: 15.59-inch, HD (1,920 x 1,080) touchscreen | Storage: 32GB SSD
Stunning battery life
Attractive, fanless design
Trackpad feels clunky
While it may be outclassed by the Pixelbook and the Samsung Chromebook in terms of sheer power, the Acer Chromebook 15 can still pack a wallop while providing battery life that is frankly out of this world. It’s rare that a cheap laptop can truly provide all-day battery, but in our independent battery tests, Acer’s Chromebook lasted an astonishing 17 hours – on top of providing enough power to get your work done online. If you’re looking for a 15-inch Chromebook that will give you the most bang for your buck, look no further.
CPU: 1.44GHz Intel Atom x5-Z8550 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 400 | RAM: 4GB | Screen: 10.1-inch FHD (1,920 x 1,200 resolution), IPS touchscreen | Storage: 64GB flash storage (plus 128GB with microSD)
Insanely thin and light
Keyboard surprisingly accurate
Woefully underpowered
Dated microUSB port
If you’re looking for a Lenovo laptop, the Lenovo Yoga Book, and the Windows 10 version of it in particular, is the sort of futuristic fodder you would find in an episode of Black Mirror. It has a keyboard that doubles as a Wacom touch panel and, best of all, it’s cheap as hell. Now, of course, that comes with the caveat of a weak Intel Atom processor, but the rest of the Lenovo Yoga Book should go down in the history books. Lenovo laptop deals are often worth a look, even if you’re just browsing, as they offer a decent range of prices and specs.
With its slick lines and a slim silhouette, the Acer Chromebook 14 makes for a subtle, snazzy laptop. Although its display isn’t the most attractive we’ve seen, it’s still acceptable for full HD. On top of that, the keyboard and trackpad adhere to the principle of ‘it just works.’ The battery life is satisfactory as well despite falling a bit south of Acer’s 12-hour claim in real-world use.
In a budget of between $50 and $200, you’ll be taking a look at the excellent range of Chromebooks on sale right now. Typically running Chrome OS, these budget laptop deals will see you through everyday web browsing, emails, and some light streaming for eye wateringly low prices. You’ll be picking up anything from a 16GB SSD to a 64GB hard drive, but you’ll also be looking to utilize the cloud for more storage.
If you’re punting a bit higher than $200, you’ll be opening yourself up to more RAM, moving from 4GB to 8GB in most models, meaning your cheap laptop will be able to open programs faster, generally retrieving information and multi-task in a more streamlined manner. You’ll also be picking up far more storage for your cash, with prices this week including either a 128GB or 256GB SSD. This SSD further streamlines your storage, acting as a lightning-fast drive to keep everything you need instantly attainable.
Once you search for a laptop deal above $400, you may well start to find 16GB of RAM on offer as well as a few models with a 512GB SSD. Along with improved processors, that means exceedingly fast storage potential, keeping your cheap laptop zippy however many programs you have open. Laptops above this price range are also better suited to media editing than cheaper models.
Not quite what you’re looking for? Maybe our other laptop articles will have what you need:
Windows 10 20H1 is the first major Windows 10 update of 2020, and it should be coming soon, promising to bring loads of new features to Microsoft’s popular operating system.
We still don’t have an exact date for Windows 10 20H1, also known as Windows 10 version 2004, but we’ve already got some details on the new features coming.
Builds of Windows 10 20H1 have been available to Fast Ring Insider testers since early 2019, and that’s made plenty of information available.
We’re going to lay out all of the most exciting, interesting, and generally useful features that are coming up in Windows 10 20H1 within – you guessed it – the first half of 2020, along with any news and rumors we’ve found.
Cut to the chase
What is it? Windows 10 20H1 is next major version of Windows
When is it out? Windows 10 20H1 is expected in the first half of 2020
How much does it cost? Windows 10 20H1 will be free for all users
Windows 10 20H1 release date
We’re still not too sure when the Windows 10 20H1 release date will be, though the name ’20H1′ means we’ll be getting it in the first half of 2020.
In the past, major Windows 10 updates that are released in the first half of the year are usually released in April, such as the Windows 10 April 2018 Update, though last year we saw the Windows 10 May 2019 Update, due to delays.
So, the smart money would be on an April or May 2020 release, but Microsoft could always surprise us.
Windows 10 20H1 name
At the moment this major Windows 10 update is going by a few names: Windows 10 20H1 and Windows 10 build 2004, neither of which will be the final name.
Microsoft may stick with its naming convention of previous Windows 10 updates and name it after the time it’s released, for example Windows 10 April 2020 update, or Windows 10 Spring 2020 update – although that latter name might be confusing to people living in the Southern Hemisphere.
Of course Microsoft could change tack again. Perhaps it will name the update after the kind of features it’s introducing, like the Windows 10 Creators Update, which was released in 2017.
Windows 10 20H1 features
Regardless of the release date and name, the Windows 10 20H1 update will likely bring a load of new features to Windows 10 – certainly more than the relatively low-key Windows 10 November 2019 Update, anyway.
So, here are all the new Windows 10 20H1 features that we know of.
Windows 10 20H1 brings a new look
We’ve seen more than one hint that Version 20H1 could be making a move toward a more rounded design instead of the sharp angles seen currently in Windows 10. This would extend from windows and buttons to sliders and pop-up dialog boxes.
This would work to provide some more consistency between the desktop user interface and apps, as well as aligning it more with modern web and app style. This change isn’t certain though, but has been hinted at more than once.
Windows 10 20H1 brings new virtual desktop names
When you make virtual desktops in Windows 10 right now, they get rather unhelpful, numbered names: Desktop 1, Desktop 2, etc.
Version 20H1 should introduce the option to create custom names for each virtual desktop. So, if you use virtual desktops to separate work and play or various projects, you can make sure each is clearly labeled for which project each is dedicated to.
And, as Windows Central notes, the custom virtual desktops can be saved so they aren’t reset after each reboot.
Windows 10 20H1 brings commitment to Windows Hello
Many computers are now built with fingerprint scanners or advanced cameras that provide facial recognition to work with Windows Hello. This lets you sign on without a password, but Windows still requires a password for the account even if you don’t have to use it to sign on every time.
The 20H1 update may include an option to make your device password-less, letting it exclusively rely on Windows Hello for signing into your Microsoft account, Windows Central reports.
Windows 10 20H1 will improve Cortana
It seems like Microsoft isn’t giving up on Cortana, its voice assistant, any time soon, and Windows 10 20H1 will bring improvements, with a better conversational experience that will make it feel more natural to ‘chat’ with Cortana.
Cortana will also have its own app, rather than being built into Windows 10, so we can expect more regular updates in the future – rather than having to wait for Microsoft to release major Windows updates.
Windows 10 20H1 makes it easier to reset Windows 10
Another welcome addition is that Windows 10 20H1 will make it easier to reset Windows 10 to how it was when you first installed it, or when you first bought your device.
It include the Cloud Download feature, reinstalling Windows 10 from an updated version that’s held online, and should make resetting or reinstalling Windows 10 even easier.
The rise of the web has allowed countless businesses to reach a wider market. Not only that, it has given rise to countless new online-only businesses, fueled by the exponential rise of mobile connections.
It’s not surprising, then, that one analyst claims that the SMB e-commerce platform market will break the billion dollar barrier.
There’s no doubt that the web provides a huge opportunity for companies, but it’s important for organizations to make the most of that opportunity. In order to sell your products or services online, your website has to be appropriately equipped.
Building an online store from scratch is a mammoth task, and fortunately, an unnecessary one. Today, there is a huge variety of e-commerce platform packages from which to choose.
Most e-commerce platforms will provide businesses with standard functionality such as the ability to showcase products in an online catalog, take payments online, manage customers and provide with after-sales.
Others will provide more sophisticated functionality, such as online marketing features, the ability to manage or integrate with in-store systems and the provision of APIs.
Which e-commerce software is best for your business depends entirely on your specific requirements. If you’re an online-only outfit, then POS integration won’t be necessary, but you may get a lot of business from overseas, in which case foreign currency support would be a requirement.
In this article, we’re going to highlight some of the best e-commerce platforms available right now, before moving on to consider other options you might want to explore in terms of creating your own e-commerce solution.
Shopify is perhaps the most well known e-commerce platform available. It was set up in 2006 by founders Tobias Lütke, Daniel Weinand and Scott Lake who, as the story goes, felt that there wasn’t a simple-to-use e-commerce platform available and so built their own. The company claims that: “You don’t need to have any technical or design experience to easily create a beautiful online store.”
According to Shopify, it’s possible to get one of its online stores up-and-running within minutes. Users can choose from a wide range of templates, or they can design the look and feel of their store themselves. It accepts a comprehensive range of credit cards, has Level 1 PCI compliance and 256-bit SSL encryption for security, and it offers 24/7 support via phone, instant messaging or email.
The platform provides a full CMS with which users can manage the functionality and layout of their online store. Users can manage their store on-the-go using Shopify’s mobile apps, and the platform itself is fully responsive, meaning the store will be optimized for visitors regardless of whether they access it from a desktop computer or a mobile device. Also, a live chat function is available which allows you to have a real time conversation with your customers.
Shopify also offers users unlimited hosting for their stores, in-depth analytics of how visitors are using the store, and functionality for marketing such as SEO optimization, a discount and coupon engine, gift cards and email marketing tools. You can test out Shopify with a 14-day free trial.
Bigcommerce was established in 2009 and promises to “support your business, not just your store.” In addition to offering support via phone, instant chat and email, it also offers articles and videos to help with e-commerce, and access to a team of e-commerce experts who can provide advice and guidance about online selling. Their experts are qualified in both Google Analytics and Adwords.
Like Shopify, Bigcommerce provides a variety of templates and themes to help stores look their best and get up-and-running quickly. Alternatively, users can design their own store or use Bigcommerce designers to do so. The platform incorporates a full-featured CMS that allows users to run an entire website, rather than just a store.
Users can benefit from detailed and flexible product management, optimized search engine rankings, along with a variety of integrated marketing tools and analytics. Payments can be accepted via 40+ pre-integrated gateways and shipping details can be customized as per the business’s requirements. As of late, some new features have been added like support for Amazon Import and Link and Shopping in Instagram Stories. The platform offers automated order processing, flexible tax rules depending on where orders are made and shipped, and support for multiple currencies. You can test out Bigcommerce with a 15-day free trial.
Volusion has been around for almost two decades, having been set up in Texas over in the US in 1999. The company touts its platform as being an “all-in-one e-commerce solution”, and offers a free 14-day trial (no credit card required).
As with other e-commerce platforms, users are offered a variety of templates from which to choose, and can also customize templates if they so wish. Should a more complex design be required, Volusion offers a custom design service that can incorporate branding and a firm’s social media presence.
The platform provides the site and product management tools you’d expect, marketing functionality for SEO, social media, and affiliate outlets, along with emails and order management functionality for fast order processing, accepting payments, tax calculations and POS integration.
In addition to its platform and associated services, Volusion offers apps from its partners, support for users and a knowledge-base for help with e-commerce. Users can draw upon blog posts, guides and webinars. As of October 8th 2018, there are no more transaction fees.
CoreCommerce was set up in 2001 and focuses on providing e-commerce services to small and medium-sized businesses. The company places an emphasis on simplicity and transparency, promising that its platform is easy-to-use and that customers will not fall foul of any hidden charges.
Perhaps CoreCommerce’s most unique aspect is that all of its features are offered to all customers regardless of what plan they are on. Price plans are determined by the number of products, the number of email addresses, the amount of bandwidth and the amount of storage required by the user (and higher-end plans also benefit from additional support).
As with other e-commerce providers, CoreCommerce offers functionality for store design, product management, order processing and marketing. Of its headline features, the platform offers unlimited product customization options, a built-in blogging engine, and secure hosting that is provided by Rackspace and comes with a 99.9% uptime guarantee. You can try CoreCommerce out with a 15-day free trial.
Allows for an impressive degree of tailoring to your needs
User-friendly
Plenty of innovative features
Lots of additional services on offer
Having been founded in 1997, 3dcart is the oldest of our featured providers here. It was set up with a view to incorporating as many of the most requested e-commerce features into one platform as possible.
The company says it has six core values by which it operates: ongoing innovation, good service, simple solutions, fostering trust, keeping employees and customers happy, and stimulating prosperity amongst employees and customers.
Some of the platform’s innovative features include a module that users can install to offer gift-wrapping, a purchase order system, the option of running a loyalty program and the ability to offer recurring orders. Many of these features are very specific, meaning that stores can be highly tailored to the needs of each business.
Stores can be designed using one of the many templates offered by 3dcart, or users can design their own store. A quick edit bar means that making changes to the design of a store is simple. Product images are fore-fronted with 3dcart’s auto-zoom feature and products can be sold via Facebook with its store integration. As with some other platforms, users can blog directly from 3dcart and tools are provided for setting up coupons, sending newsletters and affiliate marketing. Users can also make use out of “make an offer” feature, which basically lets you and your customers to negotiate on a price.
In addition to its platform, 3dcart offers a number of professional services. Users can request help with SEO, PPC, shopping feed management, social media, Facebook ads and conversion consulting. Help can also be provided to ensure that a user’s store is set up to the highest standard. Services such as site cloning, setting up custom tracking, data migration and training are offered.
In addition, 3dcart can provide SSL certification. Hosting is guaranteed at 99.9% uptime and 24/7 support is provided via phone, email or online chat. You can test out the service with a 15-day free trial.
Also consider:
Alternative means
If you don’t want to go the route of using an off-the-shelf package, what other options are available for you to explore? That’s what we’re going to look at in the second half of this piece…
Is eBay right for your business?
Opening its doors in 1999, eBay UK now has over 14 million users, with over 10,000 people using the site for a business that is their primary means of income. It’s not just about people selling unwanted goods – businesses have used the simplicity that eBay offers to set up lucrative operations. Even the larger brands such as Argos, Debenhams and House of Fraser are using eBay to sell online.
With sophisticated tools now available you can be up and running with your store in just a few hours. The eBay Seller Centre has all the information you need. Each store is managed via eBay’s familiar user interface, and there are a number of eBay-provided tools to help manage, track and promote your shop once it’s established.
Using eBay as the platform for your business could be ideal if your business wants to sell goods on a fixed price basis. The complete integration of the PayPal e-payments system into eBay takes care of this essential component of your store.
The key with eBay is to look closely at the costs involved and also the transaction fees that PayPal charge before moving forward and setting up your own store.
How to create your own e-commerce solution
Of course if you want complete control over every aspect of your new online store, building each page yourself will be the best course of action. Hiring someone to code your website is one option. If you decide to do this follow these steps:
Ask the company for live examples of their work to look at
Write a detailed brief of the site you want created. The more detail the better to avoid confusion
Ensure you understand the price you are being charged and how many revisions this price includes
Always have a signed agreement or contract before work commences
Ask whether the designers will host your site and if you will be able to make updates yourself or if all updates must go through the design agency at an additional cost
Ask for the copyright of your design to be assigned to your company, as your website is an important part of your business’ intellectual property
Put into your contract, details of how the agreement can be amicably dissolved if things go wrong
You also don’t have to build your site completely from scratch. Buying a template can give you all the basic pages your site needs. You can then either modify them yourself using an application like Dreamweaver, or hire a coding expert to make the changes. Website templates are available from a number of vendors including Template Monster.
If you already have a website and want to add e-commerce functionality, this can be easily achieved with a number of applications including:
Final advice
Whichever route you decide to take when building your website always remember:
You need to ensure your store can be easily updated and managed.
Good professional web hosting is vital to ensure your site is always available.
Look for payment and shopping carts that are intuitive and efficient to use.
Customer service is king these days. Businesses shouldn’t just efficiently take customers’ money, but should also properly support them.
Make sure that your store is fully integrated with all the leading social media sites.
Put security first – shoppers are now more comfortable buying online, but always ensure your site uses SSL (Secure Socket Layer) which is now the industry standard for online payments.
Above every other consideration should be your site’s visitor experience. Don’t forget your competitors are just a mouse click away in the world of e-commerce.
Setting up your online store should be approached carefully and diligently to ensure you put a professional and efficient site live. Internet shopping continues to expand. Make sure your business doesn’t miss out on a sales channel that shows no signs of slowing down.
These are busy times in the TV streaming world. While Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Hulu had the market more or less sewn up three months ago, they’ve had to face up to new competition in the form of Apple TV Plus and Disney Plus – and they’re soon to be joined by NBC’s Peacock and HBO Max.
There’s one new player on the scene that promises to be very different to the rest, however. Quibi is threatening to shake up the market by doing things its own way, making all of its content exclusively for mobile devices. It’s backed by huge amounts of cash, has Hollywood royalty like Steven Spielberg and Guillermo del Toro involved, and promises to bring some exciting technological developments to the table. But what can we expect from Quibi when it launches in the US this April? Below, we’ll talk you through what we know.
Cut to the chase
What is Quibi? A new premium streaming service with a twist – it’ll only be available on mobile devices.
When will it be released? Quibi is scheduled to launch on April 6, 2020 in the US. A UK/Australia date is TBC.
How much will it cost? There will be two pricing tiers available for US viewers: $4.99 per month with ads, $7.99 per month for an ad-free service.
Quibi release date: April 2020
Quibi is set to launch on April 6, 2020 in the US, the same month as NBC’s new Peacock streaming service lands, and a month ahead of HBO Max‘s May debut – a busy few weeks in the ever-more-competitive streaming wars. Quibi is taking ‘insider’ sign-ups now.
We’re still waiting on confirmation of international launch plans.
Quibi price: how much the two tiers cost
Quibi will launch with two pricing options for US viewers. If you’re happy to watch your shows interrupted by ads, you pay $4.99 a month (about £4 / AU$7). If you want an uninterrupted ad-free experience, it’ll set you back $7.99 a month (about £6 / AU$12).
Both tiers seem to be competitive when compared to Quibi’s streaming rivals – Disney Plus costs $6.99 per month in the US, while Netflix’s standard option is $12.99 and HBO Max will set you back $14.99. Though whether it amounts to value for money will ultimately depend on the content on offer.
Why Quibi is different to other streaming services
We’ve become accustomed to having the option of watching shows from Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and other streaming services on our phones, but that was always just one the many ways to view. With Quibi content, mobile devices are the only place you can watch – quite a contrast to Martin Scorsese imploring viewers not to watch his Netflix hit The Irishman on their phones.
The platform is looking to attract people on the go, whether they’re on their commute or waiting in line at a bank. All of the programming will run at somewhere between 4-10 minutes in length – Quibi is short for ‘Quick Bites’ – with feature-length stories spread across multiple bite-sized episodes. It’s also been confirmed that all the content will be downloadable, so you won’t need an active internet connection to view.
But there’s set to be more to the service than simply showing short TV episodes on a small screen – Quibi are promising to embrace the potential of the mobile device to create a new user experience, much as Netflix brought a new dimension to storytelling with interactive Black Mirror episode ‘Bandersnatch’.
Adam Harter and our partners @PepsiCo have produced the VERY-FIRST Turnstyle ad, created for @mountaindew.Here.It.Is. #CES2020 #QuibiCES pic.twitter.com/pGxcnTDCc9January 8, 2020
The innovative ‘Turnstyle’ feature (the ad above nicely encapsulates how it works) will allow you to instantly flip between watching a show in widescreen (like you do on your TV) and portrait (like a phone) orientations. A lot of the time, how you watch will be down to personal preference, but on some shows it’ll change the way you see the story – thriller series Wireless will give you the chance to shift the POV depending on how you hold your phone, with the portrait mode allowing you to see how things unfold on the lead character’s smartphone.
Meanwhile, Steven Spielberg’s new horror series After Dark will take advantage of your device’s clock to ensure the show’s title is entirely literal, only allowing you to tune in at night. It’ll be interesting to see what other standard phone functions Quibi can exploit on their future releases.
“What we’re trying to do is bring together the best of Hollywood and the best of Silicon Valley to make viewing short-form content on your mobile extraordinary,” says co-founder and chairman Jeffrey Katzenberg. “I think we are doing something that is now such a well-established consumer habit. You have 2.5 billion people walking around with these televisions in their pocket. They’re already watching a billion hours of content every day. I just know it’s going to work.”
Quibi shows: exclusives and originals launching on the platform
Quibi is promising three hours of new content every day, coming from three distinct tracks. ‘Quick Bites’ will feature reality or alternative shows, while ‘Daily Essentials’ will give you a hit of news and sports coverage. The one that’s likely to gain the most attention, however, is ‘Lighthouses’, the home of the platform’s premium videos – that’s the place where you’ll get the stuff from big-name directors like Spielberg, Guillermo del Toro (The Shape of Water), Antoine Fuqua (Training Day), Doug Liman (The Bourne Identity), Catherine Hardwicke (Twilight) and Paul Feig (Bridesmaids).
Potential Lighthouses highlights include Spielberg’s aforementioned After Dark, a reboot of The Fugitive with Kiefer Sutherland and Logan’s Boyd Holbrook, an as-yet untitled twist on zombies from del Toro, and Fuqua’s #Freerayshawn, which Katzenberg has described as a modern-day take on Dog Day Afternoon.
Elsewhere, Liman will take on superhero drama Crazy Talented, where the residents of a psychiatric ward deal with superpowers; Hardwicke directs Emily Mortimer and Don Cheadle in future-set sci-fi tale Don’t Look Deeper, about a high school kid who realizes she may not be human; and Frat Boy Genius will give the Social Network treatment to Snapchat founder Evan Spiegel. There’s also a remake of 1999 American football movie Varsity Blues in the works.
Reality offerings include Idris Elba getting behind the wheel for real in Elba vs Block, Jennifer Lopez paying it forward in Thanks a Million, and Zac Efron venturing into remote jungles to play at explorers. Fight Like a Girl comes from WWE, and is about young women getting advice from WWE superstars. Reese Witherspoon is hosting a wildlife documentary series called Fierce Queens, too.
Meanwhile, The Hot Drop promises to make the old TV staple that is the dating show interactive; the home makeover gets an unlikely twist as a team of experts go into houses where murders and scandals have taken place (the phrase “from morbid to marvelous” has been used; and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt star Tituss Burgess hosts Dismantled, a cookery show that begins with mystery dishes being fired into the faces of two chefs with a cannon. We’re not making this up.
In other words, you can’t accuse Quibi of playing it safe…
Will Quibi’s content be any good, though?
If it isn’t, it won’t be down to a lack of ambition. Quibi’s founders – former Disney chairman and DreamWorks co-founder Jeffrey Katzenberg, and former eBay and Hewlett Packard CEO Meg Whitman – are big names in Hollywood and tech, respectively, and they’re setting their sights incredibly high.
Despite Quibi’s content being made for the smallest of screens – the production values will be seriously high-end. Figures of $100,000 per minute of screen time are being quoted for the more premium shows, which puts them firmly in the Game of Thrones bracket – albeit significantly shorter in length.
Katzenberg and Whitman will also have the power to attract huge levels of financial backing – they’ve already brought in $1.4 billion of investment, with all the major Hollywood studios contributing – and shouldn’t have any trouble enticing advertisers. Indeed, Quibi say that Google, Procter & Gamble and Walmart are already on board, and its entire first year of ad inventory in the US has already been sold out.
There’s no denying that Quibi has rounded up some serious talent in building this brand new video platform, but that subscription fee feels like its biggest obstacle in an increasingly busy streaming market. It’s a forward-thinking idea, to create TV around the changing ways we watch video, but ultimately that $4.99 per month might still be a big ask when you can already watch free video content from Facebook, YouTube or Instagram on the go.