Indian researchers use 'nanomotors' as detectors that can read cancer environment

An interdisciplinary team of researchers from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has used a 3D tumour model and magnetically-driven nanomotors to probe the microenvironment of cancer cells. The team consisted of researchers from the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE) and Department of Molecular Reproduction, Development and Genetics (MRDG), Bengaluru-based IISc said a media statement on Wednesday. In their work, published in Angewandte Chemie, the team steered helical nanomotors remotely via an external magnetic field through the tumour model to sense, map and quantify changes in the cellular environment.

The model comprises both healthy and cancer cells embedded within a reconstituted basement membrane matrix, and mimics the breast cancer environment, it said.

The study highlighted a new way of targeting cancer cells by manoeuvring nanomotors inside a tumour and waiting for them to localise in the vicinity of the cancerous site.

"We tried driving the nanomotors toward cancer cells in a tumour model and observed them getting stuck to the matrix near cancer cells, but this was not observed near normal cells," says Debayan Dasgupta, a co-first author and PhD student at CeNSE.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex 3D network of proteins and carbohydrates secreted by living cells into their neighbourhood.

A helical nanomotor under a scanning electron microscope. Image: Wikimedia CommonsA helical nanomotor under a scanning electron microscope. Image: Wikimedia Commons

However, when cancer cells secrete fresh material into the ECM, it disrupts the chemical and physical composition of the native ECM surrounding healthy cells, degrading the local environment.

"Therefore, understanding how the cellular microenvironment is altered due to cancer cells and measuring these changes quantitatively could be vital in understanding the progression of cancer," IISc noted.

In the current study, the researchers discovered that as the nanomotors approached the cancer cell membrane, they stuck to the matrix more strongly than they would to normal cells.

To measure how strongly the nanomotors bound to the matrix, the team calculated the magnetic field strength required to overcome the adhesive force, and move forward, it was stated.

"This means that the cancer cells are doing something.

So, we did some measurements and discovered that it [the adhesive force] depended on the type of cells, the strength of interaction and also which side of the cell the nanomotor approached," explains Ambarish Ghosh, Associate Professor at CeNSE and one of the senior authors.

"In the end, we really ended up discovering a physical property of an important biological environment."

"The reason why the nanomotors appear to stick to the cancer cells better is their charged ECM. This may be due to the presence of 2,3-linked sialic acid, a sugar-conjugated molecule which confers a negative charge on the cancer cell environment, the researchers found.

They visualized the distribution of these sugars using fluorescent markers and found that sialic acids were distributed up to 40 micrometres from the cancer cell surface – the same distance until which the nanomotors experienced strong adhesion, the statement said.

To counter this adhesive effect, the team coated the nanomotors with Perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane (PFO) which shielded them from the charged environment.

The coated nanomotors did not stick to the matrix near the cancer cells, whereas the uncoated motors clung to the matrix, confirming the fact that the negatively charged cancer microenvironment interacts with the incoming nanomotors, rendering them immobile.

"What came as a beautiful surprise was that within such a milieu, we found that aggressive cancer cells ended up remodelling their surroundings by making them stickier, and richer in specific charged sugars," says Ramray Bhat, Assistant Professor at MRDG and one of the senior authors.

"This charging can potentially be used to target and kill tiny populations of cancer cells hidden among their normal counterparts, for which we are extending these studies to living animals", Bhat added.



from Firstpost Tech Latest News https://ift.tt/2Se2r3x
Share:

Widely-available, low-cost enzyme could be a treatment option for COVID-19, study suggests

Catalase, a commonly used low-cost enzyme, holds potential as a therapeutic drug to treat COVID-19 symptoms, and suppress the reproduction of the novel coronavirus inside the body, according to a study.

Catalase is produced naturally and used by humans, animals, and plants. Inside cells, the enzyme kick starts the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide, which can be toxic, into water and oxygen.

The antioxidant enzyme is also commonly used worldwide in food production and as a dietary supplement.

"There is a lot of focus on vaccines and antiviral drugs, and rightly so," said Yunfeng Lu from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in the US.

"In the meantime, our research suggests this enzyme could offer a very effective therapeutic solution for treatment of hyperinflammation that occurs due to SARS-CoV-2 virus, as well as hyperinflammation generally, said Lu, a senior author of the study published in the journal Advanced Materials.

The team, including researchers from the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Jinan University, China developed the drug-delivery technology used in the experiments.

Three types of tests were conducted, each addressing a different symptom of COVID-19.

The researchers demonstrated the enzyme's anti-inflammatory effects and its ability to regulate the production of cytokines, a protein that is produced in white blood cells.

Cytokines are an important part of the human immune system, but they can also signal the immune system to attack the body's own cells if too many are made – a so-called "cytokine storm" that is reported in some patients diagnosed with COVID-19.

The researchers also showed that catalase can protect alveolar cells, which line the human lungs, from damage due to oxidation.

The experiments showed that catalase can repress the replication of SARS-CoV-2 virus in rhesus macaques, a type of monkey, without noticeable toxicity.

"This work has far-reaching implications beyond the treatment of COVID-19. Cytokine storm is a lethal condition that can complicate other infections, such as influenza, as well as non-infectious conditions, like autoimmune disease," said Gregory Fishbein a pathologist at UCLA.



from Firstpost Tech Latest News https://ift.tt/36lq0Q5
Share:

Redmi 9i to go on sale today at 12 pm on Flipkart: Specifications, pricing, features

Redmi 9i with a 5,000 mAh battery debuted in India recently. This is the fourth model of the company's Redmi 9 series that already includes Redmi 9 Prime, Redmi 9 and Redmi 9A. The highlight of Redmi 9i is 4 GB RAM.

The smartphone will be available for purchase today at 12 pm in India.

Redmi 9i pricing, availability

The 4 GB RAM + 64 GB storage variant is priced at Rs 8,299 and the 4 GB RAM + 128 GB storage variant is priced at Rs 9,299.

Redmi 9i

It will be available in Sea Blue, Nature Green and Midnight Black colour variants.

The smartphone will go on sale today at 12 pm on Flipkart and Mi.com.

Redmi 9i specifications

The smartphone features a 6.53-inch HD+ IPS display that has a 20:9 aspect ratio. It is powered by a MediaTek Helio G25 chipset and offers 4 GB RAM and up to 128 GB internal storage that is expandable up to 512 GB via a micro SD card. Redmi 9i runs on MIUI 12.

In terms of camera, it comes with a 13 MP rear camera setup and a 5 MP selfie camera. The camera also comes with Pro mode, Palm Shutter mode and more. According to Redmi, it also features AI scene detection which recognises 32 different scenes, including 5 India specific scenes.

It is equipped with a 5,000 mAh battery. It also comes with a P2i coating that makes it water-resistant.



from Firstpost Tech Latest News https://ift.tt/303CQ1C
Share:

Realme 7 with 64 MP quad camera setup will go on sale today at 12 pm on Flipkart

Realme launched Realme 7 (Review) and Realme 7 Pro (Review) in India at a starting price of Rs 14,999 and Rs 19,999 respectively. The headlining feature of the Realme 7 series is the 64 MP quad camera setup.

Realme 7 will be available for purchase today at 12 pm on Flipkart.

Realme 7 pricing

Realme 7 comes in two storage variants. The 6 GB RAM + 64 GB storage variant is priced at Rs 14,999 and the 8 GB RAM + 128 GB storage variant is priced at Rs 16,999.

It comes in Mist Blue and Mist White colour variants.

Realme 7

You can buy the phone today at 12 pm on Flipkart and Realme.com.

Realme 7 specifications

Realme 7 features a 6.5-inch full-HD+ display. It comes with a side-mounted fingerprint scanner. It is powered by MediaTek Helio G95 processor and offers up to 8 GB RAM and 128 GB storage variants.

In terms of camera, it comes with a quad rear camera setup that includes 64 MP  Sony IMX682 primary sensor, 8 MP ultra-wide-angle lens, 2 MP macro lens and a 2 MP lens.

It sports a 16  MP punch hole selfie camera.

Realme 7 is equipped with a 5,000 mAh battery that supports 30W Dart fast charging tech.



from Firstpost Tech Latest News https://ift.tt/3h9LVM4
Share:

Facebook Integrates Instagram DMs and Messenger

The social media giant did not reveal exactly when it plans a public rollout of cross-platform messaging features.

from Top Tech News- News18.com https://ift.tt/36jtPW8
Share:

Google Nest Audio Is Well Placed To Take On The New Amazon Echo, As Smart Speaker Battles Get Serious

The price of the new Google Nest Audio is $99.99, and it will be available in the US, Canada and India from October 5. The launch of the Google Nest Audio comes just after Amazon announced the 2020 refresh to the Amazon Echo smart speaker line, which includes the serious upgrades for the Echo speaker.

from Top Tech News- News18.com https://ift.tt/3n5ARDR
Share:

Singtel Names Insider As New Group CEO Amid Sector Slump

Singapore Telecommunications Ltd appointed an insider as its new group CEO on Thursday amid a challenging time for the industry, saying its current chief will retire in January after 13 years at the helm.

from Top Tech News- News18.com https://ift.tt/3jkoLEq
Share:

Google Pixel 4a India launch date is on October 17

The Google Pixel 4a will launch in India on October 17. Google's @madebygoogle Twitter handle confirmed the availability earlier today. 

Google hosted its annual product launch event last night on online where the company unveiled the all-new Google Pixel 5, Pixel 4a 5G, Google TV, Chromecast with Google TV, and Nest Audio

Google has already confirmed that the new Googe Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a 5G won't make to India a couple of months. However, the Google Pixel 4a which was launched in India was confirmed to launch in India. 

Google Pixel 4a

(Image credit: TechRadar)

Last night, after Google's "Launch Night In" event, several users from India on Twitter started asking the company about the availability of the Google Pixel 4a. To which the Made By Google handle responded with the actual launch date of the device. 

The Pixel 4a launches in India on October 17th and will be available for purchase on Flipkart, said the tweet response to multiple queries about the availability of the Pixel 4a. The teaser page is live on Flipkart for the past couple months. 

Check out Google Pixel 4a on Flipkart

Launches on October 17View Deal

Google Pixel 4a specs

The Google Pixel 4a offers a 5.81-inch 1080 x 2340 OLED screen that’s fairly compact for a 2020 smartphone. It has a 19.5:9 aspect ratio. The device is powered by a mid-range Snapdragon 730G octa-core chipset, which is paired with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. The battery meanwhile is 3,140mAh, which isn’t massive. It supports 18W fast charging, but there’s no wireless charging.

Since its a Pixel phone, the camera is the USP of the device. It has a single-lens 12.2MP shooter with an f/1.7 aperture and optical image stabilization on the rear.  The front camera meanwhile is an 8MP in a punch-hole, and there are stereo speakers along with a plastic back with a fingerprint scanner in the center. The device runs on Android 10 out of the box and the Android 11 update is already out for the same.

As for the pricing, the predecessor, Google Pixel 3a currently retails for Rs 30,999. So, we can expect the Google Pixel 4a to launch in India for around Rs 35,000. 



from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/33klL5H
Share:

Dell’s 17-inch G7 gaming laptop with an RTX 2070 gets a whopping AU$1,050 price drop

Dell has cut a huge AU$1,050 off the asking price of its G7 17 gaming laptop, bringing the total price down to just AU$2,449.

If you’re a gamer, you’ll appreciate the G7’s excellent performance thanks to its i7 CPU paired with robust Nvidia RTX 2070 graphics. A relatively low resolution 1080p screen runs at an exceptionally high 144Hz, so you should easily see silky smooth gaming approaching the maximum frames per second this screen is capable of running.

It’s also great for casual use as well as productivity, boasting 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD and a 9th-generation six-core Intel Core i7 processor.

This laptop would suit those who identify themselves as an ‘active gamer’ that requires a new rig to not only play their favourite titles but also to perform a range of other tasks.

If that sounds like you, the Dell G7 17 is definitely a machine worth considering (especially with the enormous AU$1,050 discount).

No code is required to receive the generous discount, meaning you simply have to head to Dell’s online store to secure yours today. Whilst there isn’t a displayed deal expiration date, Dell often refreshes its deals every Friday, meaning this discount may not be here tomorrow. In other words, now's the perfect time to make a decision.

Dell G7 17 Gaming Laptop | Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 | i7 | 16GB | 512GB | AU$2,449 (was AU$3,499; save AU$1,050) 

An impressively sleek and slim laptop with 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD and a 9th generation six-core Intel Core i7 processor, Dell’s G7 17 Gaming Laptop also packs in Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 2070 design graphics card for immersive 1080p gaming. Currently discounted by 30% through Dell’s online store – that’s a massive saving of $1,050!View Deal



from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/3l2xWtP
Share:

Redmi 9i to go on sale in India today: price, availability, and specs

Update(October 1): The Redmi 9i will go on sale again today at 12 noon via Flipkart

Xiaomi's latest budget phone, the Redmi 9i will be up on sale today for the time. The newest Redmi 9 series device was unveiled in India earlier this week. 

The Redmi 9i will go on sale at 12 noon today via Flipkart. The Redmi 9i base variant with 4GB of RAM and 64GB is priced at Rs 8,299. And, the 4GB+128GB variant is priced at Rs 9,299. The device will be available in three colour options - Midnight Black, Sea Blue, and Nature Green. 

Check the out Redmi 9i on Flipkart

4GB + 64GB: Rs 8.299

4GB + 128GB: Rs 9,299View Deal

(Image credit: Redmi India)

Redmi 9i specs

Starting off with the display, you get a 6.53-inch HD+ IPS display with a 20:9 aspect ratio. The display is also certified by TUV Rheinland for low Blue light. It sports a water-drop notch at the front which houses the selfie camera. On the inside, the device is powered by an octa-core MediaTek Helio G25 chipset clocked at 2GHz. The PowerVR GE8320 GPU will take care of graphics. 

The Redmi 9i comes in two storage options with 4GB of RAM common across the variants. You can opt between 64GB and 128GB storage options. Additionally, you also get a microSD card slot which can further expand your storage. Powering the device is a 5,000mAh battery. The battery is capable of 1000 recharge cycles. 

For optics, the Redmi 9i is said to come with a 13MP shooter at the rear and a 5MP selfie snapper. The camera comes with a bunch of shooting modes including HDR, portrait, AI modes, and filters. And, finally, as for software, the Redmi 9i runs on MIUI 12 out of the box which is based on Android 10. 



from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/3mw2WDT
Share:

Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 5 to go on sale in India today

Xiaomi unveiled its latest budget centric fitness tracker in India earlier this week. The Mi Smart Band 5 was unveiled in India along with Mi Watch Revolve and a bunch of other AIoT products at Xiaomi's annual Mi Smarter Living event. 

The Mi Smart Band 5 will be available on Amazon starting 12 noon today. The Mi Smart Band 5 is available in Black, Teal, Purple, Navy Blue, and Orange colour options. The biggest upgrade in terms of hardware is the 20% larger screen compared to the last-gen Mi Band 4.

The Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 5’s price in India is Rs 2,499. It will be available on Amazon starting October 1.

Specs and features

(Image credit: TechRadar India)

While its dimensions dont really change, the Mi Smart Band 5 has a 20% bigger display, now spanning 1.1-inches. It’s an AMOLED touchscreen with a resolution of 126 x 294. The brightness also gets a bump up to 450 nits. Xiaomi tells us that the bands from the previous Mi Bands should also be compatible. The other hardware change comes with the new magnetic charging connector, replacing the finicky old cradle mechanism.

The Mi Smart Band 5 comes with multiple new tracking modes that can check your vital physical and mental stats: stress, breathing, heart rate, sleep tracking and nap tracking, menstrual cycle, step counting, calories, etc. Personal Activity Intelligence (PAI) also makes the cut to track progress over time. The total number of workout modes has also been increased to 11 with the addition of yoga, power walking, swimming, jump rope and freestyle.

Hundreds of watch faces will be available at launch, and each can be further customized as per liking. Music and media playback can also be controlled. A notable new feature is the remote shutter control to click pictures on the connected phone. The Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 5 can also be used to unlock Xiaomi phones and laptops, bypassing the need to enter a password.

A battery life of 14 days is claimed, with the power saver mode taking it up to 21 days. The included charger should take it from 0 to full in less than 2 hours.



from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/3im7eui
Share:

Google TV is the Android TV skin for the new Google Chromecast


https://ift.tt/3je5h4t
Share:

Twitter Removes 130 Accounts Disrupting Public Conversation During Trump-Biden Debate

Twitter Inc said on Wednesday it had removed 130 accounts, as they were attempting to disrupt the public conversation during the first U.S. presidential debate between President Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden.

from Top Tech News- News18.com https://ift.tt/2Sefemx
Share:

ExpressVPN offers exclusive one-month trial to LastPass password manager customers

ExpressVPN has a long history of partnerships with other tech companies (HP, Mozilla, Dynabook to name a few) and has now teamed up with popular password manager LastPass.

The VPN firm will provide a one-month trial to users of LastPass Premium and Family packages, which can be activated by logging into the LastPass Vault and accessing the Security Dashboard on the left hand menu.

The move, while unexpected, is logical for two of the biggest players in their respective fields. Rival password manager Dashlane, for example, already offers a VPN service from Anchorfree, the company behind HotspotShield. The combo package costs $60 per year and offers credit monitoring, identity restoration support and identity theft insurance.

NordVPN, meanwhile, also offers a password management solution called NordPass and has quietly added cloud storage and encryption services to its roster too. It has also partnered with BlackBerry Cylance in the past for antivirus protection.

Privacy focused bundles are rapidly becoming the norm in the security market, with most big players (e.g. Norton, Bitdefender, F-Secure) offering an integrated approach to security.

While most examples come in the form of software-as-a-service (SaaS), there's also a growing number of providers that offer hardware solutions too, like Torguard.



from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/3jjXy4Y
Share:

AFL Finals Week 2020: where to watch the Footy qualifiers live online

Just like the rest of the sporting world, it’s been a season like no other for the AFL. Now heading into the first week of the finals series, we’re looking at four powerhouse matches, and it all kicks off tonight.

The road to finals glory starts today (Thursday, October 1 at 7:40pm AEST) with the Power playing to a fired-up home crowd, but the team have its work cut out for it when facing the Cats. Port Adelaide was dominated by Geelong back in round 12, where the Cats lost 91-31.

The Brisbane Lions will face Richmond at the Gabba on Friday, October 2 (7:50pm AEST) in a qualifying final. The Tigers have been in top form, but if Brisbane can handle the pressure and come out on top, the Queensland team will be on its way to securing a home ground final.

St Kilda will meet with the Western Bulldogs on Saturday, October 3 (4:40pm AEST) in an elimination match. This has been a long time coming for the Saints, who will be making their first finals appearance since 2011.

Later that night, West Coast Eagles will face Collingwood in another finals decider (8:10pm AEST / 6:10pm WST). The Magpies started off strong this year, but have since slumped to the bottom of the top eight teams. Collingwood has had a rocky season on and off the field, so this go-hard or go-home match to be played with an Eagles home crowd will be hard won.

Every finals game will be broadcast live online and on free-to-air. Here's how you watch it all unfold in the lead up to the Grand Finals on October 24.

How to watch AFL 2020 Finals Week online

The best place to catch all the qualifiers live online would be on Kayo. This streaming service is dedicated to sports so there won't be any distractions, with the exception of a few ad breaks perhaps.

The advantages with watching footy on Kayo is the versatility – you'll get live interactive stats while the matches are happening, the ability to watch up to three other streams at the same time in SplitView and have all the AFL matches available on-demand later if you happen to miss it all. If you want to just check the highlights, Kayo Mini videos are bite-sized clips of all the best bits.

And, if you haven't signed up yet, you get a 14-day free trial before you need to pay your monthly subscription. If you'd like to know more about the streaming service, take a look at our in-depth Kayo Sports review.

Kayo Sports basic package | 14-day free trial, then AU$25 per month

Kayo’s Basic package will let you live stream and catch up on over 50 sports on two devices at the same time. You’ll have access to Kayo’s features such as SplitView, and you can cancel any time as there’s no lock-in contract.View Deal

How to live stream AFL 2020 Finals Week for free

The Seven Network has broadcast rights to all the qualifier games during Finals Week. They'll be available to watch live and free on Seven or 7Mate, depending on which state you're in.

That means, you'll also be able to stream the games on the Seven Network's catch-up app, 7Plus. This platform is available on a web browser, and has apps for both Android and iOS.

How to live stream AFL 2020 Finals Week from abroad

If you're a footy fan who happens to be living outside of Australia, New Zealand or the Pacific Islands, you needn't despair. You can watch every single AFL game this season no matter where you are on the Watch AFL streaming service.

Like Kayo, Watch AFL is also a subscription service and has three different plans to choose from:

Weekly: US$17 / £13 / €17 / AU$20 
Monthly: US$33 / £25 / €33 / AU$39 
Annual: US$165 / £130 / €155 / AU$199

For the qualifiers, Watch AFL has a new option called the Finals Pass, which temporarily replaces the monthly plan. It gives customers the ability to watch all the matches during Finals Week as well as the Grand Finals live.

Watch AFL Finals Pass | US$33 / £25 / €33 / AU$39

The contents of this streaming service are only available to view outside of Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, but a subscription can be purchased from anywhere. It includes every match in the Premiership, including the fixtures from the Women’s League. Watch AFL allows you to pause and rewind live matches, and also allows you to download matches for offline viewing. While you can watch the livestream on desktop via the website, the Watch AFL app is also available for iOS, Android and Apple TV. You can even cast onto a TV via AirPlay or Google Chromecast.View Deal



from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/3cMlQC4
Share:

Netflix October 2020 Releases: Ginny Weds Sunny, Arrow Season 8, Serious Men, and More

Ginny Weds Sunny, Arrow season 8, Serious Men, Star Trek: Discovery season 3, Hubie Halloween, The Haunting of Bly Manor, The Trial of the Chicago 7, Fast & Furious Spy Racers: Season 2: Rio — the biggest movies and TV shows on Netflix India in October 2020.

from Gadgets 360 https://ift.tt/30nbnIg
Share:

Facebook Bans U.S. Ads That Call Voting Fraud Widespread Or Election Invalid

Facebook Inc on Wednesday banned ads on its flagship website and Instagram photo and video sharing service that claim widespread voting fraud, suggest U.S. election results would be invalid, or which attack any method of voting.

from Top Tech News- News18.com https://ift.tt/33fykz6
Share:

Facebook Sees Uptick In Proud Boys Content After Presidential Debate

Facebook Inc identified an "uptick" in content related to the farright Proud Boys on Wednesday, after President Donald Trump declined to condemn the group during Tuesday night's presidential debate, a company executive said on Twitter.

from Top Tech News- News18.com https://ift.tt/3n3TDvj
Share:

Redmi 9i to Go on Sale in India Today at 12 Noon via Flipkart, Mi.com: Price, Specifications

Redmi 9i smartphone will go on sale today at 12pm (noon). It will be available for purchase via Flipkart, Mi.com, Mi Home stores and Xiaomi partner offline retailers.

from Gadgets 360 https://ift.tt/3ici7Pq
Share:

Realme Narzo 20 trio moves 230K units in first sales


https://ift.tt/2SqAc1T
Share:

Google Pixel 4a vs Pixel 5 vs Pixel 4a 5G Specs Compared: What You Get and Miss in India

Google is set to launch the non-5G Pixel 4a in India in the coming days, and we take a look at what you will get (and miss out) by buying the lower-end variant of the Pixel 4a lineup in India.

from Top Tech News- News18.com https://ift.tt/3ijIO4P
Share:

Asics launches virtual relay marathon – here’s how to join in for free

Asics has launched a new virtual running event, allowing teams from all over the world to compete in a virtual relay for free. Teams can be made up of friends, family members, running clubs, work colleagues, or anyone else you’d like to run with

Virtual running events have existed for years, but have really come into their own during the pandemic as mass participation races are cancelled and people are unable to meet up for regular training face-to-face.

The new event, Asics World Ekiden, is inspired by Japanese running culture. In traditional Japanese races, a ribbon called a tasuki is worn like a sash, and passed from each runner to the next like a baton.

In Asics World Ekiden, the 26.2-mile race is split into six legs of varying lengths to suit the mix of participants. Log your section of the race with the Asics Runkeeper app between November 11 and 22, then pass the virtual tasuki on to the next person.

How to join

The event is being managed through the Asics Runkeeper app, which is available for Android, iPhone and Apple Watch. You can use Runkeeper together with almost any GPS fitness tracker, including Apple Watch, Fitbit and Garmin devices.

You and your team will be able to see your global ranking on an online leaderboard, and each member will get customized in-race audio during their run.

You and your team can sign up directly through Runkeeper, or through the Asics Hub. You can also find more info on Twitter using the hashtag #ASICSWorldEkiden.



from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/348om1E
Share:

Marshall Major IV come with 80 hour battery and wireless charging


https://ift.tt/33eVOEp
Share:

Yet another cheque for Reliance Retail: This time from General Atlantic for Rs 3675 cr

The companies that invested in Reliance Industries’ digital subsidiary Jio Platforms in a big way are reposing faith in its retail arm, Reliance Retail, too. First it was Silver Lake. Then it was KKR

And now General Atlantic, which had invested Rs 6,598.38 crore in Jio Platforms, is shelling out Rs 3675 crore (around $498.2 million) at a pre-money equity value of Rs 4.285 lakh crore for a 0.84% equity stake in Reliance Retail. 

Reliance Retail operates India's largest and fastest growing retail business serving close to 640 million footfalls across its 12,000 stores nationwide.  

General Atlantic is a leading global growth equity firm with a 40-year track record of investing in the  Technology, Consumer, Financial Services and Healthcare sectors. General  Atlantic has investments in high-profile companies like Airbnb, Alibaba, Ant Financial, Box, ByteDance, Facebook, Slack, Snapchat, Uber and  other global technology leaders.

What they said about the deal

Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries, in a media statement said, “Like Reliance Retail, General Atlantic  believes in the fundamental ability of digital enablement to drive progress, growth, and inclusion across  India and the world. We look forward to leveraging General Atlantic’s extensive expertise at the  intersection of technology and consumer businesses, and two decades of experience investing in India,  as we create a disruptive New Commerce platform to redefine retail in the country.”

Bill Ford, Chief Executive Officer of General Atlantic, said, “General Atlantic is thrilled to be  backing Mukesh’s New Commerce mission to drive substantial positive change in the country’s retail  sector, which goes hand-in-hand with his vision to enable a Digital India through the work of Jio  Platforms. General Atlantic shares Reliance Industries’ foundational belief in the power of technology  to foster transformative growth, and we are excited by the immense potential of the full Reliance  ecosystem.”

Isha Ambani, Director of Reliance Retail, said, “General Atlantic has tremendous knowledge in the retail space  developed by working with leading consumer and retail companies globally over the years and we  hope to benefit from that as we progress on our journey.” 

Sandeep Naik, Managing Director and Head of India & Southeast Asia at General Atlantic, said “Reliance Retail’s  strategy is unique – highly disruptive, and yet fully inclusive”.

Mubadla may be the next investor

Reliance Retail, like its sister entity Jio Platforms, is attracting investments in a big way. After Silver Lake, KKR and General Atlantic, it is said to be in talks with Abu Dhabi state fund Mubadala Investment Co. The latter who is also a stakeholder in Jio Platforms,  is said to be in advanced talks to invest up to $1 billion in Reliance Retail.

Reports have it that Japan's SoftBank Group is also keen on investing in Reliance Retail.

It may be recalled that addressing shareholders at Reliance Industries 43rd annual general meeting recently, Mukesh Ambani had said "Reliance Retail has received strong interest from strategic and financial investors."

Ambani explained his plans to add newer categories like electronics, fashion, pharmaceutical and healthcare into its omni-channel venture, JioMart.

Jio Mart is positioned to take on Walmart-backed Flipkart and the other behemoth in the business Amazon

The Ambani-Amazon face off is being billed as a major battle in the Indian e-commerce sphere.

Jio Mart, apart from using the inventory of kirana stores in each neighbourhood, hopes to ride piggyback on the massive infrastructure Reliance Retail is building. 

Reliance Retail is pushing merchants to use technology tools and create an efficient supply chain infrastructure to help deliver a superior value proposition to the customers. 

Reliance Retail recently picked a stake in Kishore Biyani-led Future Group.



from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/2GjjQFi
Share:

Apple Grants CEO Tim Cook First Major Stock Package Since 2011

Apple on Tuesday granted CEO Tim Cook 333,987 restricted stock units, with a possibility to earn as many as 667,974 more if he hits performance targets, in the executive's first stock grant since 2011.

from Gadgets 360 https://ift.tt/2SaRmjJ
Share:

EU will reportedly approve Google’s acquisition of Fitbit


https://ift.tt/3cFjvJe
Share:

Alibaba Cloud Division To Be Profitable Within FY2021 - CFO

Chinese tech giant Alibaba's cloud unit expects to be profitable within 2021, a senior executive said on Wednesday.

from Top Tech News- News18.com https://ift.tt/2Sdzvsx
Share:

Poco M2 Goes On Sale On Flipkart Today: Rs 10,999 Onwards With Exchange, Discount & Cashback Offers

The Poco M2 is priced at Rs 10,999 for the 6GB RAM and 64GB storage variant, while the higher spec 6GB RAM and 128GB storage variant is priced at Rs 12,499.

from Top Tech News- News18.com https://ift.tt/3jtmmrr
Share:

Realme Narzo 20A to Go On Sale Today: All You Need to Know

Realme launched its Narzo 20 series of smartphones earlier this month.

from Top Tech News- News18.com https://ift.tt/30jb0P0
Share:

Amazon Great Indian Festival Sale & Flipkart Big Billion Days Sale: New Details, OnePlus 8T 5G & More

The Amazon Great Indian Festival Sale will, among the new launches, feature the upcoming OnePlus 8T 5G smartphone, which is expected to launch on October 14. Flipkart, on its part, has confirmed that there will be deals on smartphones from Samsung, Realme, Xiaomi and Oppo.

from Top Tech News- News18.com https://ift.tt/2EIxstc
Share:

Telstra now selling NBN250 and NBN1000 speeds as Superfast and Ultrafast 'add-ons'

Broadband bigwig Telstra has announced that it's starting to roll out a new 5G home broadband service to compete with NBN, but it's also making some changes to its core NBN plans as well.

Previously, the telco has offered a fairly simple array of NBN plan speeds – Standard (NBN25), Standard Plus (NBN50), and Premium (NBN100), staying away from newer, faster tiers that have recently been unlocked by NBN Co. That's just changed however, with Australia’s biggest telco now offering two new plans that boost speeds significantly beyond what was previously available.

Unlike other telcos, Telstra isn't offering these as standalone products – rather, they're add-ons to its Premium (NBN100) product. Subscribe to the latter and, if you've got the right connection type, you'll now be able to optionally add Superfast or Ultrafast speeds (aka NBN250 and NBN1000 respectively) for a flat monthly fee.

The Superfast add-on is already available both online and in-store and promises typical evening speeds (7-11pm) of 215Mbps for AU$30 extra per month. Ultrafast connections, meanwhile, offer a typical evening speed of 250Mbps for an extra AU$70 monthly fee – but this option is currently only available in-store.

It’s worth noting that Telstra says its 'typical evening speed' claim for Ultrafast still requires more user data to get an accurate average speed reading, so the 250Mbps rate is likely on the conservative side.

Telstra Superfast (NBN250) plan | AU$130 per month (first 12 months, then AU$140 per month)

With typical evening speeds of 215Mbps, the Superfast plan from Telstra offers blazing fast speeds for those with the connection that can handle it (see below). You'll get unlimited data, AU$10 monthly credit for the first year, 3 months free subscription to Binge Standard movie and TV streaming, a waived AU$99 connection fee, and there's also a Telstra Smart Modem included for new customers that stay connected for 24 months. Score! Total minimum cost over 24 months is AU$3,240
View Deal

NBN250 and NBN100: Are you eligible?

As mentioned earlier, not everyone will be able to sign up for these new plans: they're provided as add-ons to the Premium (NBN100) plan. That means if you're an existing Telstra customer on a NBN25 or NBN50 plan, you can’t purchase these add-ons unless you first upgrade to the NBN100 option. 

More broadly, whether you can access NBN250 or NBN1000 requires you to have a specific NBN connection type that can handle those higher speeds – meaning you’ll need at least a HFC connection. Telstra states that “Most HFC and FTTP connections are capable of Superfast speeds, while only FTTP and some HFC customers can achieve Ultrafast speeds”.

The good news is that Telstra won’t let you sign up to these plans if your connection won't be able to handle them, so you won’t end up paying extra for high speeds that you can’t possibly reach.

NBN100 back on the menu

Alongside the new add-ons, Telstra has also revealed that it has resumed selling NBN100 plans "for FTTC customers and selected existing Telstra NBN customers on FTTN and FTTB".

These plan sales were paused earlier in the year, but Telstra assures us that it's upgraded its systems and "done a lot of work behind the scenes" to make sure its customers are getting the speeds promised them.

Further to this, Telstra states that, "if a customer on FTTN, FTTB, or FTTC can’t reach the maximum speeds of the Premium Internet plan or Premium Add-on, we’ll let them know and provide them with options in accordance with our regulatory commitments".



from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/34a5lfh
Share:

Presidential Debate 2020 recap: how to watch the full video replay and highlights

Update: We're adding more Presidential Debate video recaps and highlights, and we have  already embedded the full video below in case you want to watch the entire debate.

You can already watch the first Presidential Debate 2020 video highlights as well as the full video replay of the debate now that the live stream is over.

It was indeed fiery between incumbent President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden. Below are both the Presidential Debate full video replay and highlights to give you a sense of the chaotic question answering (and interrupting) that went on.

The full debate touched on a lot of topics, including Covid-19, healthcare reform, and Trump's new Supreme Court nominee, Amy Coney Barrett. This debate is the first Presidential Debate of three, so there'll be two debates before November 3.

Presidential Debate 2020 full video recap

We've embedded the unedited YouTube video of the full 2020 Presidential Debate via C-SPAN, the independent US public affairs cable channel. The video starts at 27:45, as the live stream started well in advance of Chris Wallace introducing the Trump and Biden.

Every major station that carried the debate had the same camera angles via a pool camera system, so you won't see anything different (except maybe lower-third graphics) between networks.

Presidential Debate video highlights

President Trump and former Vice President Biden trade barbs over the topic of the Covid-19 pandemic in the first Presidential Debate. This video highlight is a heated five-minute discussion.

In this eight-minute debate highlight, we see Trump and Biden go back and forth about the the process of 'repeal and replace Obamacare.' It got to the point that Biden blurted out "Will you shut up man" as the candidates were talking over each other. That's sure to appear in a lot of highlight videos being cut right now.

Continuing with the healthcare topic in the first Presidential Date, this video highlight is short but it's going to be another widely circulated clip by both campaigns (for different reasons). It has Biden calling Trump "a clown."

In this debate video highlight, Trump addresses his taxes from 2016 and 2017, in which he paid $750. He cited taking advantage of deductions, saying that Biden 'passed the tax bill that gave us all these privileges'.

In this nine-minute clip, Trump and Biden address climate change and the California wildfires, while Biden explains the benefits of the Green New Deal and what affect that will have on the environment vs how it'll impact the economy. 

Watch the Presidential Debate live next time 

Miss the debate while it happened live because you don't have cable? You can subscribe to one of these services if you're a fellow cord-cutter in the US.

  • SlingTV $30 per month - With SlingTV’s Sling Blue plan for $30 per month, you’ll get access to CNN, Fox News, Fox, MSNBC, NBC (in select markets) and loads of other live TV channels. The service also lets you watch on three screens simultaneously and record content to watch later with its Cloud DVR.
  • FuboTV $64.99 per month - FuboTV gives you access to 114 live TV channels including ABC, Fox, Fox News, MSNBC and more but it does not include CNN. The service also includes a 7-day free trial so you can test it out for yourself.
  • Hulu with Live TV $54.99 per month - Hulu with Live TV gives you access to all the channels you’ll need to watch the first presidential debate including ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, CNN, Fox News and MSNBC. The service also includes its own Hulu Originals and supports a wide variety of streaming devices.
  • AT&T TV Now $55 per month - AT&T TV Now’s Plus plan will give you access to over 45 live TV channels including ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox, Fox News, MSNBC and NBC. However, if you want even more channels and an HBO Max subscription, you can sign up for the service’s Max plan for $80 per month.
  • YouTube TV $65 per month - YouTube’s live streaming service will give you access to all of the channels you’ll need to watch this year’s presidential debates including ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, CNN, Fox News and MSNBC. YouTube TV also has flexible contracts and no extra fees for HD or cancellation.

How to watch the Trump-Biden debate online from outside your country

If you’re currently traveling abroad for work or out of the country, watching the first presidential debate will be difficult as many of your viewing options may be geo-blocked.

Thankfully there’s an easy fix that will let you watch the first Presidential Debate online from anywhere. By downloading a VPN, you can watch no matter where you’re currently located. This simple piece of software changes your IP address to one in a different country where the debate is being broadcast, so you can stream it as if you were back home.

Get a 100% risk-free ExpressVPN trial for 30-days
We've thoroughly tested all of the most popular VPNs and rate ExpressVPN as the best of what's out there. It's simple to install, boasts strong security features, and is compatible with just about any streaming device out there, including the Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, Xbox and PlayStation. You can also use it with Android and iOS mobile devices, so to get that home broadcast and stay safer online, this is our pick of the litter.

Best of all, ExpressVPN comes with a 30-day money back guarantee so you can try it out for a month for free, or sign up for an annual plan and get 3 months absolutely FREE. It really is the top option around, so check it out today.
View Deal

Topics for the first Trump-Biden debate

The first debate between President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden covered six topics:

  • Trump and Biden’s records
  • The Supreme Court
  • The integrity of the election
  • Covid-19
  • Race and violence in US cities
  • The economy

US 2020 Election - Full debate schedule

  • First presidential debate - Tuesday, September 29 at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.
  • Vice presidential debate - Wednesday, October 7 at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah.
  • Second presidential debate - Thursday, October 15 at Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami, Florida
  • Third presidential debate - Thursday, October 22 at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee

Debate topics

President Trump and former VP Biden were asked questions based on a variety of topics including their records, the US Supreme Court, the integrity of the election, Covid-19, race and violence in US cities and the economy.

Presidential Debate moderator

The first Presidential debate moderator was Chris Wallace, who is the anchor of Fox News Sunday and son of the legendary journalist, the late Mike Wallace. 

Chris Wallace wanted to be invisible in tonight's debate, letting the Trump and Biden hash out the topics on stage, but several times, he had to reign in the candidates to abide upon the agreed upon two minutes. Political editor of C-Span Steve Scully will moderate the second debate, while NBC News White House correspondent Kristen Welker will moderate the third debate.

If you’ve watched US presidential debates in past years, there were almost always two or three moderators present to ask a variety of questions (typically based on their speciality as an anchor or reporter). This Presidential Debate series, like a lot of 2020, is different: there will be just one moderator at each Presidential Debate to reduce the number of people in the room.



from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/34pYmiD
Share:

This Lenovo laptop has a controversial feature no other notebook offers

The Lenovo ThinkBook 15 Gen 2 i (note the i) looks relatively unimpressive from the outside but this new laptop has pioneered a new way of consuming multimedia-content on the move.

In what is one of the most unique features we've seen for a while, the device offers branded integrated wireless earbuds that can be stored inside the laptop, delivering what Lenovo calls a completely new audio experience.

These ThinkBook earbuds will charge automatically when stored in a dedicated drawer (where they are charged) and connect to the laptop audio system instantly (via Bluetooth) when taken out. Muting and unmuting yourself during calls requires merely a double tap on the earbuds.

Shackled to your buds

These aural peripheral devices are also equipped with dual microphones and environmental noise cancellation to, “make online meetings more effective than ever before”, Lenovo says.

If that wasn’t clear enough, this business laptop targets WFHomers, small and medium businesses as well as ROBO (remote office/branch office) environments.

There’s even a dedicated button to reach Lenovo support faster; pressing it will automatically send device details such as the serial number of the laptop. Sadly, there’s no Zero Touch login, a security feature that locks and unlocks your device depending on your face and physical presence.

Confusingly, there’s the ThinkBook 15 Gen 2 i, the ThinkBook 15 Gen 2 AMD, the ThinkBook 15p i; only the first one, which features an Intel 11th generation processor, will come with the earbuds. Expect it to go on sale from October 2020 starting at $569. Note that the ThinkPad E15 Gen 2 i will also get these groovy earbuds.



from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/3nblvxR
Share:

T-Mobile will offer the Motorola Razr 5G for half off


https://ift.tt/3ib91SR
Share:

Realme Narzo 20A with a 5,000 mAh battery to go on first sale today at 12 pm on Flipkart

Realme launched the Narzo 20 series that includes Narzo 20A, Narzo 20 and Narzo 20 Pro (Review) recently in India. Today, the least expensive smartphone of the series, Narzo 20A, will go on its first sale on Flipkart and Realme.com. The highlights of this smartphone include its triple rear camera setup, 5,000 mAh battery and 4 GB RAM. The smartphone comes in two storage variants that offer 32 GB and 64 GB internal storage.

Realme Narzo 20A pricing, availability

The Realme Narzo 20A 3 GB RAM + 32 GB storage variant is priced at Rs 8,499 and the 4 GB RAM + 64 GB is priced at Rs 9,499. The smartphone comes in Victory Blue and Glory Silver colour variants.

Realme Narzo 20A


It will go on sale for the first time today at 12 pm on Flipkart and Realme's website.

Realme Narzo 20A specifications

Realme Narzo 20A features a 6.5-inch HD+ display. It is powered by Snapdragon 665 chipset and offers up to 4 GB RAM and up to 64 GB of internal storage.

The smartphone comes with a triple rear camera setup that includes 12 MP primary sensor, a 2 MP monochrome sensor and a 2 MP "retro" sensor. For selfies, it features an 8 MP front camera.

The smartphone comes with a 5,000 mAh battery that supports reverse charging.



from Firstpost Tech Latest News https://ift.tt/2SaBwWn
Share:

U.S. House Judiciary Antitrust Report Likely To Come Out As Soon As Monday Oct. 5 - Source

The U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee's antitrust subcommittee is expected to release a muchanticipated report into antitrust allegations against four of America's largest tech companies as soon as Monday, according to a source with direct knowledge of the matter.

from Top Tech News- News18.com https://ift.tt/3n0RJvr
Share:

Apple Grants CEO Tim Cook First Major Stock Package Since 2011

Apple Inc on Tuesday granted CEO Tim Cook 333,987 restricted stock units, with a possibility to earn as many as 667,974 more if he hits performance targets, in the executive's first stock grant since 2011.

from Top Tech News- News18.com https://ift.tt/36gV0kf
Share:

U.S. Expected To Sue Google Next Week As DOJ Seeks Support From States

The U.S. Justice Department is expected to sue Alphabet's Google as soon as next week, and is currently urging state attorneys general to sign onto the lawsuit, according to three sources familiar with the process.

from Top Tech News- News18.com https://ift.tt/2S8i0d9
Share:

Micron Yet To Regain License To Sell To Huawei, Pressuring Sales

Micron Technology Inc has not yet obtained new licenses needed to sell its memory chips to China's Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, which will cut its sales over the next two quarters, company executives said on Tuesday.

from Top Tech News- News18.com https://ift.tt/3kWHuGI
Share:

Moto E7 Plus to go on sale today: price, specs, and availability

Motorola's latest budget offering, the Moto E7 Plus was unveiled in India recently. The Moto E7 Plus will go on sale for the first time in India today. 

The Moto E7 Plus is an entry-level offering from the company. The key highlight of the phone is the massive battery and 48MP rear camera which comes with night vision. The device will go on sale via Flipkart at 12 noon.

The price of Moto E7 Plus in India is set at Rs. 9,499 for the sole 4GB + 64GB variant and will be available in two colour options - Misty Blue, Twilight Orange with a gradient finish.

Check out Moto E7 Plus on Flipkart

4GB + 64GB: Rs 9,499

5% Instant Discount on ICICI Bank Credit Card EMIView Deal

Moto E7 Plus specs

The phone is powered by an with an octa-core Snapdragon 460 chipset with Adreno 610 GPU coupled. This is paired with 4GB of RAM and 64 GB internal storage. Additionally, you also get microSD card support up to 512GB. You can choose between two colour options - Misty Blue, Twilight Orange.

On the front, there is a 6.5-inch Max Vision IPS TFT LCD with HD+ (1600x720) resolution. The phone is backed by a 5,000 mAh battery with support of a 10W charging solution. Moto has opted for a Micro USB charging slot on this phone.

(Image credit: Future)

In terms of optics, the phone comes with a dual-camera setup at the back with a primary 48MP primary sensor with f/1.7 and a 2MP secondary camera with f/2.4 for depth sensing. The camera supports Night Vision that allows you to capture detailed images even in low light conditions. On the front, the phone has an 8MP selfie shooter housed in a waterdrop notch.

The Moto E7 Plus runs on Android 10 out of the box with close to stock Android experience. It is a dual sim phone that supports two nano sims and a dedicated micro SD slot for memory expansion and has a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor. Other features include Bluetooth 5.0, WiFi, 3.5mm headphone jack, and GPS.



from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/347BAvK
Share:

Poco M2 to on open sale starting today: price, specs, and availability

Poco's latest budget phone, the Poco M2 will go on open sale starting today. The device was unveiled earlier this month and went on flash sale a few times on Flipkart. Now the company has announced that the device will be available 24/7 on Flipkart.

Starting today noon at 12, the Poco M2 will go on open sale, making it easier for those who are looking for a phone around Rs 12,000. This is also India's cheapest phone with 6GB of RAM. 

The Poco M2 comes in two configurations. The 6GB + 64GB variant is priced at Rs 10,999 while the 6GB + 128GB variant is priced at Rs 12,499. Colour options include Pitch Black, Slate Blue and Brick Red.`

Check out Poco M2 on Flipkart

6GB + 64GB: Rs 10,999

6GB + 128GB: Rs 12,499

Flat Rs 750 Instant Discount with ICICI Bank Credit Card and Credit and Debit card EMI Transactions. View Deal

(Image credit: Poco)

Poco M2 specs

On the front, the Poco M2 sports a 6.53-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 2,340 x 1,080. There’s also Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection on top. The fingerprint scanner is located under the cameras on the back. The entire phone is also P2i coated for splash-resistance. 

The Poco M2 is powered by the MediaTek Helio G80 chipset with. This is an octa-core processor built on the 12nm process. The Mali G52 clocked at 950MHz takes care of the graphics duties. MediaTek’s HyperEngine Gaming technology also makes the cut. It is also the cheapest phone in India to offer 6GB of RAM across the board. There’s up to 128GB of internal storage, which can be further expanded by 256GB via micro SD.  

On the back is a quad-camera setup consisting of a 13MP primary camera, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, a 5MP macro shooter and a 2MP depth sensor for portraits. Selfies are handled by an 8MP front camera.

The Poco M2 has a big 5,000mAh battery inside with support for 18W fast charging. A 10W charger is included in the box. It runs on Poco Launcher atop MIUI 11 based on Android 10.

Poco is expected to unveil the Poco X3 in India in the coming weeks. 



from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/2RtOBKa
Share:

Realme Narzo 20A to Go on Its First Sale Today at 12 Noon via Flipkart, Realme.com: Price in India, Specifications

Realme Narzo 20A will be going on its first sale today, September 30, starting 12pm (noon) via Flipkart and Realme.com. The phone will be available in two colour options and two storage configurations.

from Gadgets 360 https://ift.tt/33fUNfk
Share:

Compare NBN plans: best-value options from Telstra, TPG, Optus and more

Update: Telstra is discounting select NBN plans for a limited time, scroll down to find out more.

A decade after it was first announced and the NBN rollout is almost complete, so there’s a very good chance that wherever you are in Australia, you’ll have access to the nation’s high-speed network.

While different areas will have access to different connection types, some of the trickiest choices you’ll need to make are deciding which internet service provider to go with, which speed tier you’ll need and how much data you’ll use.

Here, we’ll drill down on the best NBN plans currently on offer, whether it be the most affordable option, the highest speeds or the best overall value. Along with our handpicked plans, you’ll also find a live tracker featuring the best NBN plans as, and when, they’re put on offer.

Editor's Pick: Best Value & Best Budget Option

Tangerine | NBN50 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$59.90 per month (for first 6 months, then AU$69.90)

The price for NBN50 plans is steadily creeping up but this one from Tangerine is the best value right now. Starting at a little under AU$60 a month for the first half-year, you'll get unlimited data and no lock-in contract. You'll need your own modem though, or alternatively you can pay AU$119.90 upfront to get the same plan but with an included modem.

Total minimum cost is AU$59.90View Deal

Editor's Pick: Premium Package

Mate | NBN100 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$79 per month

Tangerine had long held our number one pick for best NBN100 plan, but it’s now been dethroned by this killer deal from Mate. For AU$79 a month, you’ll get unlimited data and typical evening speeds of 83Mbps – excellent value for a premium plan. There’s no setup fee, and you’ll have the option of using your own modem, or you can pick up a preconfigured one from Mate for AU$165.

Total minimum cost is AU$79View Deal

Editor's Pick: Best NBN1000 Plan

Before rushing to sign up to a high-speed NBN1000 plan, there are a couple of caveats you should be aware of. This tier is only available on two types of NBN connection – fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) and hybrid fibre coaxial (HFC). And while all FTTP connections can sign up for 1000Mbps, that speed will only work with a select subset of HFC installations – estimated to be roughly 7% of the total.

Aussie Broadband | NBN1000 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$149 per month

Aussie Broadband was the first in the market to offer NBN1000 to residential addresses, but that didn’t stop the telco from offering an incredibly competitive plan. For download speeds of up to 1Gbps and upload speeds approaching 50Mbps, you’ll pay just AU$149 a month. Aussie has rightly cautioned potential customers that it’s yet to determine definitive numbers on peak evening speeds, though it’s put forward 215Mbps as its baseline, so you’ll at the very least get that.

If you’re happy to sign up to an NBN1000 plan with a 3000GB data limit, you can opt for this limited time deal with Superloop, where you can save AU$10 each month over your first year – that’s AU$139 each month. That discount is available with the code Whistleout10FOR12 until September 30.

Total minimum cost is AU$149View Deal

Best Telstra NBN plan

Telstra | NBN50 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$80 per month (first 12 months, then AU$90)

Telstra is now offering a rare discount on some of its NBN plans, so if you’re looking to switch, now’s a good time to do so. The Big T is taking AU$10 per month off this NBN50 plan for your first year with the service, which will save you AU$120 in total. After those first 12 months, your monthly bill will then bump up to the usual AU$90. You can expect unlimited data with typical evening speeds of 44Mbps, which should be enough for the average household looking to stream in HD, and enjoy smooth and responsive gaming. New Telstra customers will have their connection fee waived if they sign-up online, and if you stick with the service for 24 months, you won’t have to pay for the Telstra Smart Modem either (usually AU$216). The discount is only available to new customers, so get in before the offer ends on November 2.

Total minimum cost over 24 months is AU$2,040View Deal

Best Optus NBN plan

Optus | NBN50 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$75 per month

If you’re looking to go with a trusted telco, but are hoping for a competitive price, then this NBN50 plan from Optus offers value for money. For AU$75 a month, you’ll get unlimited data and typical speeds of 44Mbps during the busy evening period. Optus Sport is also included as standard, and the telco’s modem comes with 4G backup. It’s worth noting that there’s an additional AU$99 upfront fee to get started, and if you stick with Optus over 36 months, you won’t have to pay for the modem (usually AU$252).

Total minimum cost is AU$426View Deal

Best TPG NBN plan

TPG | NBN50 | Unlimited data | 18-month contract | AU$69.99 per month

TPG is a favourite for delivering solid, reliable speeds at a bargain price. The ISP typically ranks well in the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) quarterly report, delivering typical evening speeds of 46Mbps. If you sign up for 18 months, TPG will waive the usual AU$99 setup fee. However, note that a AU$10 delivery fee applies, as well as a AU$20 home phone deposit. While this plan is much cheaper than what’s on offer from the big telcos, be mindful that you could face a contract payout fee of up to AU$350 if you decide to leave early.

Total minimum cost over 18 months is AU$1,289.82View Deal

Live-updated NBN deals: today's best-value plans

  • Want to see other broadband options? You can use our broadband plan finder to compare a huge range of Australian NBN, broadband and cable plans!

NBN connection types: what you need to know

Australia’s NBN was first proposed as a high-speed network of fibre-optic cable that would reach every home in the country. Following a change in government, that’s not what we've ended up with, with the final rollout combining a mix of old and new technologies.

While the NBN is made up of a multi-technology mix, it’s important to know that you don’t have a choice in what technology is available to you. Different connection types have been built in different areas, so it’s entirely dependent on where you live. Below, we lay out the connection types across the network, and what they mean.

Fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP)

FTTP is a fibre-optic line that runs directly to your home, and therefore is the best type of connection you can have. It requires a device to be installed in your home, and is what was originally intended for every household in Australia when the NBN was first announced.

Fibre-to-the-building (FTTB)

An FTTB connection is most commonly used for connecting apartment blocks and similar buildings to the NBN. In this instance, a fibre-optic line runs to the building’s communications room, and existing technology such as copper wiring is used to connect each apartment from there.

Hybrid fibre coaxial (HFC)

An HFC connection uses existing pay TV (Foxtel) or cable network as the final connection to households. The HFC line will run from your home to the nearest available fibre node.

Fibre-to-the-curb (FTTC)

FTTC is when the fibre-optic cable extends a little closer to your home by connecting to a distribution unit located outside on the street. From there, it uses the copper phone line to run the last leg into your home.

Fibre-to-the-node (FTTN)

The majority of Australian households – around 4.7 million – are using FTTN technology. This connection type uses existing copper phone wire to make the final connection to the home from a central node in your neighbourhood. The distance of your home to the node will affect the average speeds you can reach, so if your home is more than 700m from the node, it’s not advisable to choose an NBN100 plan.

Fixed Wireless

Fixed Wireless connections are used to reach regional and remote areas. Homes in these areas will access the NBN from a transmission tower through an antenna installed on their roof.

Sky Muster satellite

The NBN’s Sky Muster satellite technology is also used to reach regional and remote communities. It requires a satellite dish to be installed on the premises, to which the NBN is received through satellite.

Other factors to consider

It’s important to note these recommendations do not take into consideration other factors which could make certain deals a better option for you. For instance, do you already have a Telstra or Optus mobile plan and home phone line? If so, sometimes combining them with their respective NBN plans could save you some money.

When applying for a new NBN deal, make sure you’re not already signed up to a contract you can’t get out of – most contracts are on 12 or 18 month terms, so it’s important to contact your current provider before committing to anything else.

Another thing worth noting is some services may not be available in your area. If a particular deal seems good to you, head over to the provider’s website to find out if it’s available at your address.



from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/2CFEz4b
Share:

Categories

Rove Reviews Youtube Channel

  1. Subscribe to our youtube channel
  2. Like our videos and share them too.
  3. Our youtube channel name Rove reviews.

WITNUX

This website is made by Witnux LLC. This website provides you with all the news feeds related to technology from large tech media industries like GSM Arena, NDTV, Gadgets 360, Firstpost and many other such ates altogether at technical depicts so that you need not go to several sites to view their post provide you advantantage of time.

From the developer
Tanzeel Sarwar

OUR OTHER NETWORKS

OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL

ROVE REVIEWS PLEASE SUBSCRIBE

OUR FACEBOOK PAGE

The Rove Reviews

Support

Trying our best to provide you the best DONATE or SUPPORTour site Contact me with details how are you gonna help us