Thursday, April 2, 2020

Unannounced Poco Phone Spotted on Eurasian Regulator’s Website, Tipped to Be Poco F2

https://ift.tt/2tOrD5s F2 has been in the news for quite a while now and a mysterious new phone has been spotted on Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) website.

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Nvidia GeForce RTX Super mobile GPUs are here to provide superpowered gaming laptops

For those who would like to take their ray tracing on the go, Nvidia announced that its Turing-based GeForce RTX 2080 Super and RTX 2070 Super graphics cards are now going to be available for gaming laptops. 

Released for desktop last year, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Super and GeForce RTX 2070 Super were a step up from the base GeForce RTX 2080 and RTX 2070 cards, featuring more processing cores, quicker memory, and higher clock speeds. Now, those Turing cards are making their way into the best gaming laptops beginning April 2020.

While these GPUs are definitely an improvement over the current mid-range laptop chips, Nvidia is also announcing that its GeForce RTX 2060 laptops are going to start coming in at the $999 (about £800, AU$1,640) price point. 

Hitting the all-important sweet spot between price and performance, the drop cuts the price of a RTX 2060 powered laptop by about third, putting a lot more graphics processing power within reach of many more consumers.

If you’re looking to pick up a laptop rocking one of these Nvidia GeForce RTX Super cards, they should start appearing in the very near future. We know we can’t wait to get our hands on them for testing. 

By the numbers

All that power packed into a gaming laptop obviously raises efficiency concerns, but before you go pressing F for battery life, Nvidia Max-Q is getting a boost as well to help defray the power cost of all that added, well, power. 

Relying on static thermal technology to manage the power balance between the CPU and GPU, Nvidia’s Max-Q Dynamic Boost technology shifts power between the CPU and GPU automatically every frame to maintain a steady power draw, which Nvidia says doubles power efficiency. This ultimately translates into better performance and crisper visuals at higher framerates, all with the same amount of power.

What’s more, thanks to Nvidia’s Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) technology, laptops could see as much as a 20% improvement to its battery life while running in performance mode, making these laptops more than capable of gaming for more than a couple of hours at a time. 

All told, as more and more games start taking advantage of ray tracing technology this year, we can rest assured that the latest gaming laptops running these Nvidia’s latest RTX cards are more than capable of keeping up. 



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Intel 10th Gen Comet Lake-H is here to bring the fight to AMD Ryzen 4000

Intel Comet Lake first made its way into Ultrabooks in late 2019, but ever since then we've been waiting to see them make their way to the best gaming laptops and workstations. That wait is over. 

Today, Intel has announced the full lineup of Comet Lake-H processors, which will be the high-performance chips that will be found in gaming laptops this year. And, when we say high-performance, we mean that turbo speeds are being pushed all the way up to 5.3GHz in a laptop, which is a spec that was out of reach for the best processors just a couple years ago. 

It's not just clock speeds that see a jump, though. Core counts are also getting a boost, particularly in the mid-range. You see, when it comes to 9th-gen Coffee Lake Refresh processors for laptops, core counts peaked at 8-cores and 16-threads for the top-end Core i9 processors, but everything below that had less available. However, with the Intel Core i7-10875H the spec gets bumped up to 8-cores and 16-threads, likely in response to AMD Ryzen 4000. 

These high core counts, combined with the high turbo speeds should lead to a sizable jump in performance, especially if you haven't upgraded your laptop in a few years. We can't say just how big of a performance boost these new processors will provide until we get our hands on them for testing, though. 

Either way, with both Comet Lake-H and AMD Ryzen 4000-H out in the wild, the best laptops for gaming and creative work are getting a lot better, and the line between desktop and mobile computing is getting even more blurred. We're excited to get our hands on laptops rocking these new Intel and AMD processors over the next few months as they filter out to store shelves. 

We went ahead and listed out all the 10th-generation Intel Comet Lake-H processors down below:

  • Intel Core i5-10300H: 4 cores, 8 threads | 2.5GHz base clock | 4.5GHz max Turbo
  • Intel Core i5-10400H: 4 cores, 8 threads | 2.6GHz base clock | 4.6GHz max Turbo
  • Intel Core i7-10750H: 6 cores, 12 threads | 2.6GHz base clock | 5.0GHz max Turbo
  • Intel Core i7-10850H: 6 cores, 12 threads | 2.7GHz base clock | 5.1GHz max Turbo
  • Intel Core i7-10875H: 8 cores, 16 threads | 2.3GHz base clock | 5.1GHz max Turbo
  • Intel Core i9-10980HK: 8 cores, 16 threads | 2.4GHz base clock | 5.3GHz max Turbo

Intel vs AMD

With what's happening in the computing world right now, it's impossible not to talk about the war between Intel and AMD here. AMD Ryzen 4000 laptops are here and in our testing of the Asus Zephyrus G14, AMD has a pretty significant advantage in battery life and power over Intel's 9th-generation Coffee Lake Refresh-H processors. 

Only time will tell whether or not Intel Comet Lake-H will be enough to hold off AMD, and the higher clock speeds on offer here might be enough. However, since AMD Zen 2 processors bring such a huge improvement to IPC, or instructions per clock, a raw clock speed increase might not be enough. 

Analysts are already taking a pretty critical look at Intel over this issue, predicting that Team Blue could have a rough time this year if it can't sufficiently defend its mobile crown from AMD. 

One thing is for sure either way, though. The best gaming laptops are about to get a whole lot better in the very near future. Even if Comet Lake-H doesn't absolutely destroy AMD, it will result in better gaming devices, especially when paired with one of the new Nvidia GeForce RTX Super GPUs. 

The world of PC gaming just got a lot more interesting, especially if you're into playing on a laptop. 



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How to deliver effective workplace training in a virtual space

For many organisations an almost overnight shift has flipped us into the world of home working, virtual meetings and whole host of new challenges to overcome.

With travel restrictions and working from home directives in place, you might be wondering how to make sure your teams are constantly learning, when faced with the prospect of cancelling face-to-face training programmes.

Fortunately you have technology on your side. Here are some top tips to help you minimise disruption to planned training and drive workplace development in a virtual space:

Start with a plan

Planning priorities and deadlines alongside your team will help everyone stay clear on what is required and what areas they may still need development on. Microsoft Teams and Planner can be really useful for checking progress and keeping up to date. Remember some team members (depending on how they like to work) may need regular video calls to talk through their learning and development –Teams or Slack are great ways of keeping in touch.

Use the right technology

Meeting software such as Zoom is a good option for bringing teams together for training. Whatever you use, make sure it meets your needs. Consider the extra challenge of keeping people engaged virtually – making use of virtual whiteboards, polls and chat can really help keep the energy up.

Don’t underestimate the need for people

To make your sessions virtual you need more than just a facilitator, as unlike in face-to-face training there are more moving parts. Allocate someone as a “producer”, whose job it will be to take care of the virtual side of things, manage the chat, help those struggling with connectivity and organise break-out rooms. This means the facilitator can focus on their core task – facilitating!

Maintain engagement and learning with available tools

Constant participation in virtual learning is key to helping your teams stay engaged and on track. It is easy to get sucked into emails or distracted by another screen. Encourage the use of webcams – you’re less likely to check your phone if you know you’re being watched! Using breakout rooms - available on a lot of leading tools - allows smaller groups to be formed, just as in face-to-face training. This is a great way to kick start interaction and discussion. 

Prepare for the unexpected

This is a new world for a lot of people, so giving them the training and tools they need to be successful will greatly aid your delivery. Work with your facilitators to create notes, tools, scripts and troubleshooting advice on issues that might arise. Constantly add to this as you learn. Find out what resources your teams need and work together to create them.

Invest in training for facilitators

While the purpose is to train your people, it is also important to consider the training of the facilitators. You might assume that because someone can facilitate face-to-face, they can easily switch to virtual, however that is not always the case. Spend time ensuring people know how to do their job after the shift to virtual. Understand that different people experience change in different ways and be patient with them as they navigate a new normal.

Consider individual preferences

When learning, those with a more introverted preference may like time to reflect. More extraverted team members on the other hand might need to speak in order to think. Incorporate this into your virtual training by sending information before sessions and plan time for reflective exercises. For more extraverted participants, encourage chat, open up the mic to the room and include interactive exercises.

Marcus Wylie is Head of Product and Innovation at Insights Learning and Development



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Wednesday, April 1, 2020

Which food and grocery delivery services have slots this week - and can you get a Morrisons food box?

Online food delivery services have been struggling for weeks to meet increased demand. The government's latest advice to stay at home to reduce the spread of the coronavirus has led to a huge spike in people looking to buy food online, and for many, booking an online grocery delivery slot has been tough.

The good news is we're starting to see signs of progress. Yesterday, Tesco announced that it has expanded its food delivery and click-and-collect capacity to around 780,000 delivery slots - that's up from 660,000 two weeks ago. Tesco has also announced plans to add another 100,000 slots in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, if you can get through the queue to get onto the Morrisons website, the supermarket has increased the limit of three items per customers to four so that customers can continue to donate to food banks, and Waitrose has removed its cap on all fresh food. 

Booking a food delivery slot still isn't easy - demand is still extremely high. But with many online supermarkets starting to release small numbers of slots for elderly or vulnerable customers throughout the day, chances are that if you need one - and keep trying throughout the day - you'll find a slot eventually.  

Food delivery: quick links

Grocery delivery

Recipe box and meal delivery

Pizza delivery

Takeaway delivery

Alcohol delivery

How to get a food delivery slot

Most supermarkets are requesting that you visit stores in person, if you can, so they can prioritise food delivery slots for elderly or vulnerable customers. Some, such as Waitrose, have closed their websites to new customers to help them do this. Others, including Sainsbury's, have been in touch with loyalty card holders who are aged over 70.

If you're a vulnerable person - or you know someone who is - you can register for support on the government's website. Tesco is prioritising orders for people on the government's vulnerable list, and will be in touch with anyone who is by email.

Our best advice, if you need to order food online, is to keep checking the website of your local supermarket throughout the day. If you can sign up for an account, do: this will make it easier for you to find a delivery slot in future. And book your delivery slot first - once you have one, most supermarkets give you around an hour to place your order.

Finally, if you can't get hold of a grocery delivery slot, don't forget that some meal delivery services are still operating too. Recipe box services like Mindful Chef deliver fresh ingredients to your door for you to cook, while meal delivery companies such as Allplants will drop off meals that have been cooked by their chefs. 

Morrisons' £35 food box delivery

Two weeks ago Morrisons launched a food box delivery service that aimed to supply customers who can't get to the shops with essential items. "A Morrisons Food Box could be a real help if you can’t currently get to a store to stock up on essentials," says the site. "We will deliver a box of selected food and household items straight to your door.

Unfortunately, Morrisons' food box delivery service doesn't currently have any available delivery slots. The company says it is "doing everything we can to increase capacity" - and we'll let you know as soon as we find any new delivery slots.

When will more online grocery delivery slots open up? That's the million dollar question. While the major supermarkets work around the clock to speed up the supply chain, we've taken a look at how they're dealing with the increased demand. 

It currently looks like it'll be mid-April before many new food delivery slots are opened up. But we're assessing the situation daily, and we'll tell you which supermarkets are offering food delivery slots, below, as soon as we see them. 

Please remember to use all food delivery services responsibly. Only order what you need to preserve stocks for others who might be in need. 

Grocery delivery: our process

We signed up to all the major supermarkets below, and created a shopping basket full of popular goods. We then compared five different locations to provide a sense of what stock is available in each area and whether delivery slots are currently offered. 

Your situation may differ, but the locations we covered were: London, Leeds, Portsmouth, Manchester and Bath. Here's the latest on which supermarkets are offering online grocery delivery today...

Tesco

Next delivery slot: none currently available (last updated 02/04/20)

Update (02/04/20): Tesco has expanded its food delivery and click-and-collect capacity to around 780,000 delivery slots. However, while we saw a couple of Tesco food delivery slots pop up a few days ago for April 3, we're now not finding any in the areas we're testing. We have heard from people who checked back regularly throughout the day and managed to book a slot though.  

Tesco CEO Dave Lewis has reached out to customers in a new message this week: "We know that it's difficult right now to get a delivery slot for online shopping. We are at full capacity for the next few weeks and we ask those who are able to safely come to stores to do so, instead of shopping online, so that we can start to free up more slots for the more vulnerable."

Tesco has a decent selection of food items online, but getting hold of them at the moment can be tricky. Most brands are in stock, but eggs, hand soap, pasta, milk and bread are the exception, with some items sold out. 

According to Tesco, new food delivery slots are offered up as and when they're available each day.

How to sign up for an account 

Enter a valid email address and password, and confirm whether you have a Clubcard or not. You’ll receive one automatically upon registering if you don't. Fill in your personal details, including your phone number and UK Postcode. You can then select if you’d like to receive offers and vouchers from Tesco or not. 

Benefits and perks

Online shoppers can collect Clubcard points and Tesco has begun price matching Aldi on both its own-brand and branded products. A Delivery Saver pass is also available for regular customers, and comes with the added benefit of priority delivery slots during the busy Christmas and Easter periods. 

Coronavirus measures and policies

Customers who shop online are encouraged to shop in-store where possible to help free up delivery slots for the elderly customers and those who are self-isolating. 

Due to increased demand, Tesco isn’t accepting any new Delivery Saver customers right now either. A restriction of only three items per customer on every product line is in place, and multi-buy promotions have also been removed.

An 80 items limit is now in place for all online orders. 

Sainsbury's

Next delivery slot: none currently available (last updated 01/04/20)

Unless you’re already registered as a Sainsbury’s online customer, Sainsbury’s has paused all new online registrations. 

Update (01/04/20): If you have an existing account, we found some food delivery slots for March 31 and April 1 earlier in the week, but the elderly and vulnerable are being prioritised. The amount available will vary depending on your area, but it's a positive sign that Sainsbury's are beginning to cope with the unprecedented demand. The company offers a click & collect service but this is still unavailable. 

In a message to customers, Sainsbury's Chief Executive Mike Coupe has provided more insight into how the company is delivering to the elderly or vulnerable: "Many of you have written to me to tell me you are elderly or vulnerable and are struggling to book online delivery slots. We are doing our absolute best to offer online delivery slots to elderly, disabled and vulnerable customers. These customers have priority over all slots."

Sainsbury's revealed that their customer Careline has had "one year's worth of contacts in two weeks". Mike Coupe went on to add, "I apologise to our regular online customers, who I know are feeling very frustrated at not being able to book slots. Please bear with us and I hope you can understand why we feel the need to prioritise elderly and vulnerable customers at the moment."

How to sign up for an account

Due to the huge increase in online orders, new registrations have been paused for the time being. To sign up for a Sainsbury’s online account, enter your email address and fill in your details on the following page. Once you’ve finished, you can start shopping. 

Benefits and perks

You can collect and spend Nectar Points with each online food shop. A Delivery Pass is also available, which can help you save up to £156 per year.

Coronavirus measures and policies

Elderly customers and those deemed as vulnerable will be offered priority delivery slots.

Asda

Next delivery slot: none currently available (last updated 01/04/20)

Update (01/04/20): Asda will still let you register as new online customer, but online delivery slots are not available up until April 19. Click & Collect slots are also unavailable. 

Similar to Ocado, Asda has now implemented a queue system to deal with the high volumes of traffic its website is receiving. There's no estimate as to where you are in the queue, though, or how long you'll have to wait. Items such as pasta, hand soap and toilet roll are also in high demand. 

In an email to customers, Asda CEO Roger Burnley has shared some information regarding how the company is working to deliver online shopping: "We're providing our drivers with hand sanitiser and gloves, and making as many online shopping slots available as we can. We're encouraging those that are able to safely shop in person to do so - this allows us to deliver to the highly vunerable."

Roger Burnely went on to add "If you are self-isolating or have additional needs, please advise us in the 'other information' section when placing your order."

How to sign up for an account

Registering is quick and easy with Asda (it says as much on its website), simply enter your email, a password and then enter your delivery postcode and you’re good to go. You can choose whether to receive exclusive offers and the latest info from Asda too if you’d like. 

Benefits and perks

Competitively priced and with a Delivery Pass available, Asda online shoppers can save up to £80 and £100 by choosing a 6-month or 12-month pass. Offers are clearly highlighted on the Asda website, so you’re never likely to miss a cracking deal. 

Coronavirus measures and policies

Customers are limited to a three item maximum on all food, toiletries and cleaning products when ordering online.

When placing an online delivery order, anyone who is self-isolating is advised to fill in the ‘Other information’ section to advise where their order should be left, i.e. on the doorstep.

Ocado

Ocado

Next delivery date: none currently available (last updated 01/04/20)

Update (01/04/20): No more slots are available, according to Ocado's website. The company has seemingly ditched its queuing system in favour of a daily update that states whether or not delivery slots are available. 

The company is also bringing order cut-off times forward, so customers are encouraged to complete their order in one session to avoid disappointment later. If you visit the Ocado website you’ll be placed in a virtual queue, which can take up to four hours (the brand has paused the app due to high demand). 

In an email to existing customers on 25 March, Ocado Retail CEO Melanie Smith has said that "no matter how hard we work, we will not have enough capacity to serve the unprecedented levels of demand".

She went on to say that "new delivery slots will be released every day for the coming week, as and when we have capacity". 

It's currently unclear whether Ocado is allowing new customers. If you do not have a delivery booked already, Ocado's website notes that there is "limited availability over the next few days".

How to sign up for an account

You can sign up to Ocado using a Facebook and PayPal account, or simply fill in your details such as your email address and postcode to register.Tick the box if you’d like to opt out of Ocado’s offers, vouchers and gifts before you hit ‘Register’.

Benefits and perks 

New customers can enjoy three months free delivery with Smart Pass, and Ocado also offers one-hour delivery windows. 

Coronavirus measures and policies

Ocado had to temporarily suspend its service due to high demand, but is now its back online. Customers can only book one delivery slot every seven days to free up more slots for other customers.

Some products are limited to one or two per order, and a small number of bulky items have been removed from sale to make more room in each delivery van. The company has shared how stockpiling has affected its service during the coronavirus outbreak.

Anytime Smart Pass members who joined before 2020 will be placed in a temporary priority queue so they can book a delivery slot each week. Ocado will send an email and text message between the hours of 09:00 and 17:00 to give members access to the queue. 

Morrisons

Morrisons

Next delivery slot: none currently available (last updated 01/04/20)


The Morrisons website has recovered after being down for a few days, but there are still no delivery slots available at this time. There is also a very small selection of pasta. 

How to sign up for an account

To sign up for a Morrisons online account, firstly enter your postcode to check if Morrisons deliver in your area. Once you’re given the all clear, enter your details and a password to register. You can also receive tailored offers, coupons and communications from Morrisons.

Benefits and perks

You can use a Facebook account to sign in, and Morrisons Quick Shop fills your trolley with the top things you might be wanting to buy with a single click. A Delivery Pass is also available with regular choices for those looking to do their weekly shop online. 

Coronavirus measures and policies 

Orders must be finalised 48 hours before delivery. Morrisons are working on introducing a number of measures to help reduce the amount of substitutes and missing items that some customers are encountering with their online food shops:

Waitrose

Waitrose

Next delivery slot: none currently available (last updated 01/04/20)


Waitrose is still accepting new customer registrations - however, all delivery and click & collect slots are unfortunately unavailable right now. You can still amend or cancel existing orders, though. 

Update 01/04/20: Waitrose has updated its website to inform customers its supporting the vulnerable and elderly by giving them priority access to its home delivery and Click & Collect slots.

It doesn't look like many will open up in the near future either, as the brand isn't confirming any new slots at the moment - but that could well just be a lack of communication to the social media team:

How to sign up for an account

Signing up to Waitrose is simple - just fill in your details, such as your address and contact number, then click ‘next’ and you can start shopping straight away.

Benefits and perks

Waitrose has a number of attractive introductory offers, including a £30 saving on your first three online grocery shops. The website also includes hundreds of recipes and lists the ingredients so you can quickly add them to your basket. 

Coronavirus measures and policies

The company has paused its online voucher codes along with any offer incentives until further notice. Some products have are restricted for a limited time, with customers only allowed to buy a maximum of two packets of toilet roll and three of any specific grocery item. 

Entertainment products are also no longer available to order online for the foreseeable future. Substitutions for online orders cannot be returned to your driver if they have been handled, and drivers will not enter homes. 

All online deliveries will be bagged as well to make them easier to collect quickly.



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Smartphones in India get dearer due to GST hike

April 1 is the start of the new financial year in India when new revisions and rates are implemented. One of the more prominent changes was the increase of GST on smartphones from 12% to 18%. With that coming into action, smartphone manufacturers announced new prices for their products.

In India, all products sold are subject to a Goods and Services Tax at the time of sale. The rate is different for each product category. For smartphones, the rate had been at 12%, but starting April 1st, all phones sold will be subjected to an 18% tax rate. This is accompanied by a very depreciated dollar to rupee conversion rate, tight competition, and slim margins, resulting in a somewhat unfavorable mix. Understandably, manufacturers were compelled to raise the prices of smartphones to continue being profitable.

Price competitors Xiaomi and Realme were amongst the first ones to announce increments but were soon followed by biggie such as Samsung. Oppo and Vivo haven’t officially mentioned it yet, but retailers such as Mahesh Telecom were able to share details on their new prices. Visit the brands’ websites for the exact price changes and real-time updates on the situation. 

Xiaomi’s Redmi K20 and K20 Pro series’ price has been increased by almost Rs 2,000 across the board, as for the  Redmi Note 7 Pro series. Costs for the more affordable devices such as the Redmi 8A has been increased by only about Rs 500. The Poco X2’s price has been increased by Rs 1,000 for all variants.

Realme seems to be following slab-wise increments for its devices, with budget phones till Rs 10,000 such as the Realme 5 see a Rs 500 increment, those priced till Rs 20,000 are up by Rs 1,000, and the flagships such as the X2 Pro and the X50 Pro will be more expensive by almost Rs 2,000.

Samsung’s flagships, spanning till the Galaxy Note 10 series, will see an increment of up to Rs 5,000, while the mid and entry-level devices will see much more modest increases of about Rs 1,000.

Oppo will be increasing the prices of its premium mid-rangers such as the Reno 3 Pro and the Reno 2 series by about Rs 2,000. Vivo’s mid-rangers will also see an increment of Rs 2,000 on phones such as the U20, S1, and the V17. The price of the iQoo 3 series will also go up by Rs 2,000.

Other brands could also join the club and announce price hikes on their smartphones, especially those that run on slimmer margins. It remains to be seen how much of an impact the prices will make on sales, as the Finance Ministry mentioned that smartphones were one of the categories that hadn’t slowed down. India is also currently in a state of precautionary lockdown, where sales of smartphones are also suspended.

Via XDA Developers



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Where to buy a Nintendo Switch: here's where you can get a Switch Lite right now

Been trying to hunt down a Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch Lite over the last few days? You've probably noticed that these consoles are selling out everywhere. You can still get a Switch Lite, though: scroll down for places that still have stock. The regular Switch, though, is pretty much gone for now, unless you're prepared to pay monstrously high prices for a unit. We'll update this page when they come back. It's looking like the Switch Lite could sell out in the next few days, too, as we've seen multiple retailers run out of stock. But there are places still selling them in the US and UK. 

Below, we've gone into the reasons why the Switch is selling out for context, and provided our predictions for when it'll be back in stock based on our past experiences of covering the console during peak sales periods. Plus, we'll also let you know where to buy a Nintendo Switch once that stock does return, and highlight any current Switch or Switch Lite stock we can find.

Check out our Nintendo Switch bundles and deals page for an around-the-clock update on how the console's supplies are doing, but you're much more likely to find a Switch Lite out there right now than the base Switch. 

Where to buy Nintendo Switch now: here's the last remaining Switch Lite stock

If you're looking for the full, dockable Nintendo Switch console in the US, UK and Australia, you may have a little longer to wait. Stock has completely dried up, and what's left is hard to find at a reasonable price. 

However, if you're looking for where to buy a handheld-only Nintendo Switch Lite, you may be in more luck. There's still a little stock across US, UK and Australia for you to take advantage of, but we've had to keep updating these entries over the last few days as stock get snapped up. So grab one now if you want it.

Why is the Nintendo Switch selling out?

It's a combination of a few factors: the global pandemic has led to a rush of people buying the console to fill their hours indoors, which isn't surprising. At the same time, Animal Crossing: New Horizons has released, a long-awaited game and a massive crossover hit that's captured the imaginations of a wider, mainstream audience. The Switch has been regularly selling out for a while now. This has just exacerbated the issue. 

In addition, back in February, Bloomberg posted a report warning that a potential bottleneck with component supplies coming out of China (caused by coronavirus) would see stock dry up as soon as April. If the reasoning mentioned in that report was correct, it looks like they were pretty on the money with the timing, except stock looks like it'll be gone even faster than that. 

"Nintendo Switch hardware is selling out at various retail locations in the US, but more systems are on the way. We apologize for any inconvenience," is what Nintendo told THR in a statement. So, more stock is on the way. But when will you you be able to buy a Nintendo Switch?

When will the Nintendo Switch be back in stock?

Assuming supply chains are functioning normally, our prediction is it could take around a month for stock to return. What are we basing this on? Well, in the UK last year, the Switch sold out during the Christmas period, and it took until late January for stock to be replenished at every major retailer. 

Another reference point in the US: Amazon's last remaining Switch Lite model you can pre-order at the time of writing has an in-stock date of May 7, 2020. That doesn't seem unlikely as a realistic date that we could see wider stock for that particular unit. That said, it's possible Nintendo is taking other measures to meet the unprecedented demand, and we could see consoles arrive a bit sooner. We'll have to wait and see. 

Again, these are just predictions, but you can be guaranteed that when the Switch does come back, folks will be rushing to claim the new consoles. It's very likely to sell out again. 

In the meantime, our advice is to avoid being gouged by third-party sellers who are inflating the price. $299.99/£279.99/AU$469 is the MSRP/RRP for the regular Switch, while $199.99/£199.99/AU$329 is the price for the Switch Lite. Paying above that isn't worth it unless you're picking up a bundle with games and accessories. 

Where to buy Nintendo Switch when stock returns

As soon as those consoles hit that warehouse, retailers are going to want to get them on the shelves. And you can bet they'll be flying into delivery trucks just as quickly. If you hear word that the Nintendo Switch is back in stock in the US, Amazon and Walmart will be your best bet. 

With massive warehouse inventories, speedy delivery, and quick checkout processes, these retailers are primed to pick up your Nintendo Switch order ahead of the queue. Plus, in all our time covering Nintendo Switch bundle deals, these stores have consistently won out in value, meaning you're more likely to grab some extras for your cash. 

where to buy Nintendo Switch

In the UK, Currys and Game are likely to offer the first bundles of the pack, though don't underestimate the power of Argos same day delivery if you want your console now. We'll likely see the best prices come out of Currys, who are normally reluctant to increase the cost of the console as demand reaches its peak, and if you're looking for the fastest checkout times to secure yours before everyone else, you'll want to keep an eye on Amazon as well.

If stock has already been wiped clean at these retailers by the time you get there, you'll still be left wondering where to buy a Nintendo Switch. Luckily, plenty of non-tech retailers stock the Nintendo Switch as well, so you'll have luck with John Lewis, Jacamo and Studio among others.

In Australia, Amazon is likely your best bet, though it's worth keeping an eye on other online stores, such as Kogan and eBay. Big retailers such as JB Hi-Fi and Big W are also likely to receive new stock, and game retailers such as EB Games and The Gamesmen are also expected to get more units soon.

Don't leave yourself wondering where to buy a Nintendo Switch on the day, get prepped now and you have every chance of bagging one when the masses flock to the shelves.

Right now, you're more likely to find a Switch Lite than you are a regular Switch, but stock is still selling out fast. Here's a quick price comparison chart for the Switch Lite:

And here, you'll find a quick price comparison chart for the Switch itself. 

We'll keep you updated on the Switch's stock levels. 



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The best food delivery services: how to order food online this week

Update 02/04/20: Tesco has expanded its food delivery and click-and-collect capacity to around 780,000 delivery slots - up from 660,000 two weeks ago. It has also announced plans to add another 100,000 in the coming weeks. 

Most supermarkets are requesting that you visit stores in person, if you can, so they can prioritise food delivery slots for elderly or vulnerable customers. If you need to order food online, keep checking the website of your local supermarket throughout the day. Some meal delivery services are still operating too.

Online food delivery services have been under strain for weeks - but we're starting to see small signs of progress. Following the government's strict advice to stay at home to combat the spread of the coronavirus, there's been a huge surge in people looking to buy food online.

That's meant it hasn't been easy to book an online grocery delivery. But with many online supermarkets starting to release small numbers of slots for elderly or vulnerable customers throughout the day, chances are that if you need one - and keep trying throughout the day - you'll be able to find a slot eventually.  

Food delivery: quick links

Grocery delivery

Recipe box and meal delivery

Pizza delivery

Takeaway delivery

Alcohol delivery

When will more online grocery delivery slots open up? That's the million dollar question. While the major supermarkets work around the clock to speed up the supply chain, we've taken a look at how they're dealing with the increased demand. 

It currently looks like it'll be mid-April before many new food delivery slots are opened up. But we're assessing the situation daily, and we'll tell you which supermarkets are offering food delivery slots, below, as soon as we see them. 

Please remember to use all food delivery services responsibly. Only order what you need to preserve stocks for others who might be in need. 

Grocery delivery: our process

We signed up to all the major supermarkets below, and created a shopping basket full of popular goods. We then compared five different locations to provide a sense of what stock is available in each area and whether delivery slots are currently offered. 

Your situation may differ, but the locations we covered were: London, Leeds, Portsmouth, Manchester and Bath. Here's the latest on which supermarkets are offering online grocery delivery today...

Tesco

Next delivery slot: none currently available (last updated 01/04/20)

Update (01/04/20): While we saw a couple of Tesco food delivery slots pop up a few days ago for April 3, we're now not finding any in the areas we're testing. However, we have heard from people who checked back regularly throughout the day and managed to book a slot.  

Tesco CEO Dave Lewis has reached out to customers in a new message this week: "We know that it's difficult right now to get a delivery slot for online shopping. We are at full capacity for the next few weeks and we ask those who are able to safely come to stores to do so, instead of shopping online, so that we can start to free up more slots for the more vulnerable."

Tesco has a decent selection of food items online, but getting hold of them at the moment can be tricky. Most brands are in stock, but eggs, hand soap, pasta, milk and bread are the exception, with some items sold out. 

According to Tesco, new food delivery slots are offered up as and when they're available each day.

How to sign up for an account 

Enter a valid email address and password, and confirm whether you have a Clubcard or not. You’ll receive one automatically upon registering if you don't. Fill in your personal details, including your phone number and UK Postcode. You can then select if you’d like to receive offers and vouchers from Tesco or not. 

Benefits and perks

Online shoppers can collect Clubcard points and Tesco has begun price matching Aldi on both its own-brand and branded products. A Delivery Saver pass is also available for regular customers, and comes with the added benefit of priority delivery slots during the busy Christmas and Easter periods. 

Coronavirus measures and policies

Customers who shop online are encouraged to shop in-store where possible to help free up delivery slots for the elderly customers and those who are self-isolating. 

Due to increased demand, Tesco isn’t accepting any new Delivery Saver customers right now either. A restriction of only three items per customer on every product line is in place, and multi-buy promotions have also been removed.

An 80 items limit is now in place for all online orders. 

Sainsbury's

Next delivery slot: none currently available (last updated 01/04/20)

Unless you’re already registered as a Sainsbury’s online customer, Sainsbury’s has paused all new online registrations. 

Update (01/04/20): If you have an existing account, we found some food delivery slots for March 31 and April 1 earlier in the week, but the elderly and vulnerable are being prioritised. The amount available will vary depending on your area, but it's a positive sign that Sainsbury's are beginning to cope with the unprecedented demand. The company offers a click & collect service but this is still unavailable. 

In a message to customers, Sainsbury's Chief Executive Mike Coupe has provided more insight into how the company is delivering to the elderly or vulnerable: "Many of you have written to me to tell me you are elderly or vulnerable and are struggling to book online delivery slots. We are doing our absolute best to offer online delivery slots to elderly, disabled and vulnerable customers. These customers have priority over all slots."

Sainsbury's revealed that their customer Careline has had "one year's worth of contacts in two weeks". Mike Coupe went on to add, "I apologise to our regular online customers, who I know are feeling very frustrated at not being able to book slots. Please bear with us and I hope you can understand why we feel the need to prioritise elderly and vulnerable customers at the moment."

How to sign up for an account

Due to the huge increase in online orders, new registrations have been paused for the time being. To sign up for a Sainsbury’s online account, enter your email address and fill in your details on the following page. Once you’ve finished, you can start shopping. 

Benefits and perks

You can collect and spend Nectar Points with each online food shop. A Delivery Pass is also available, which can help you save up to £156 per year.

Coronavirus measures and policies

Elderly customers and those deemed as vulnerable will be offered priority delivery slots.

Asda

Next delivery slot: none currently available (last updated 01/04/20)

Update (01/04/20): Asda will still let you register as new online customer, but online delivery slots are not available up until April 19. Click & Collect slots are also unavailable. 

Similar to Ocado, Asda has now implemented a queue system to deal with the high volumes of traffic its website is receiving. There's no estimate as to where you are in the queue, though, or how long you'll have to wait. Items such as pasta, hand soap and toilet roll are also in high demand. 

In an email to customers, Asda CEO Roger Burnley has shared some information regarding how the company is working to deliver online shopping: "We're providing our drivers with hand sanitiser and gloves, and making as many online shopping slots available as we can. We're encouraging those that are able to safely shop in person to do so - this allows us to deliver to the highly vunerable."

Roger Burnely went on to add "If you are self-isolating or have additional needs, please advise us in the 'other information' section when placing your order."

How to sign up for an account

Registering is quick and easy with Asda (it says as much on its website), simply enter your email, a password and then enter your delivery postcode and you’re good to go. You can choose whether to receive exclusive offers and the latest info from Asda too if you’d like. 

Benefits and perks

Competitively priced and with a Delivery Pass available, Asda online shoppers can save up to £80 and £100 by choosing a 6-month or 12-month pass. Offers are clearly highlighted on the Asda website, so you’re never likely to miss a cracking deal. 

Coronavirus measures and policies

Customers are limited to a three item maximum on all food, toiletries and cleaning products when ordering online.

When placing an online delivery order, anyone who is self-isolating is advised to fill in the ‘Other information’ section to advise where their order should be left, i.e. on the doorstep.

Ocado

Ocado

Next delivery date: none currently available (last updated 01/04/20)

Update (01/04/20): No more slots are available, according to Ocado's website. The company has seemingly ditched its queuing system in favour of a daily update that states whether or not delivery slots are available. 

The company is also bringing order cut-off times forward, so customers are encouraged to complete their order in one session to avoid disappointment later. If you visit the Ocado website you’ll be placed in a virtual queue, which can take up to four hours (the brand has paused the app due to high demand). 

In an email to existing customers on 25 March, Ocado Retail CEO Melanie Smith has said that "no matter how hard we work, we will not have enough capacity to serve the unprecedented levels of demand".

She went on to say that "new delivery slots will be released every day for the coming week, as and when we have capacity". 

It's currently unclear whether Ocado is allowing new customers. If you do not have a delivery booked already, Ocado's website notes that there is "limited availability over the next few days".

How to sign up for an account

You can sign up to Ocado using a Facebook and PayPal account, or simply fill in your details such as your email address and postcode to register.Tick the box if you’d like to opt out of Ocado’s offers, vouchers and gifts before you hit ‘Register’.

Benefits and perks 

New customers can enjoy three months free delivery with Smart Pass, and Ocado also offers one-hour delivery windows. 

Coronavirus measures and policies

Ocado had to temporarily suspend its service due to high demand, but is now its back online. Customers can only book one delivery slot every seven days to free up more slots for other customers.

Some products are limited to one or two per order, and a small number of bulky items have been removed from sale to make more room in each delivery van. The company has shared how stockpiling has affected its service during the coronavirus outbreak.

Anytime Smart Pass members who joined before 2020 will be placed in a temporary priority queue so they can book a delivery slot each week. Ocado will send an email and text message between the hours of 09:00 and 17:00 to give members access to the queue. 

Morrisons

Morrisons

Next delivery slot: none currently available (last updated 01/04/20)


The Morrisons website has recovered after being down for a few days, but there are still no delivery slots available at this time. There is also a very small selection of pasta. 

How to sign up for an account

To sign up for a Morrisons online account, firstly enter your postcode to check if Morrisons deliver in your area. Once you’re given the all clear, enter your details and a password to register. You can also receive tailored offers, coupons and communications from Morrisons.

Benefits and perks

You can use a Facebook account to sign in, and Morrisons Quick Shop fills your trolley with the top things you might be wanting to buy with a single click. A Delivery Pass is also available with regular choices for those looking to do their weekly shop online. 

Coronavirus measures and policies 

Orders must be finalised 48 hours before delivery. Morrisons are working on introducing a number of measures to help reduce the amount of substitutes and missing items that some customers are encountering with their online food shops:

Waitrose

Waitrose

Next delivery slot: none currently available (last updated 01/04/20)


Waitrose is still accepting new customer registrations - however, all delivery and click & collect slots are unfortunately unavailable right now. You can still amend or cancel existing orders, though. 

Update 01/04/20: Waitrose has updated its website to inform customers its supporting the vulnerable and elderly by giving them priority access to its home delivery and Click & Collect slots.

It doesn't look like many will open up in the near future either, as the brand isn't confirming any new slots at the moment - but that could well just be a lack of communication to the social media team:

How to sign up for an account

Signing up to Waitrose is simple - just fill in your details, such as your address and contact number, then click ‘next’ and you can start shopping straight away.

Benefits and perks

Waitrose has a number of attractive introductory offers, including a £30 saving on your first three online grocery shops. The website also includes hundreds of recipes and lists the ingredients so you can quickly add them to your basket. 

Coronavirus measures and policies

The company has paused its online voucher codes along with any offer incentives until further notice. Some products have are restricted for a limited time, with customers only allowed to buy a maximum of two packets of toilet roll and three of any specific grocery item. 

Entertainment products are also no longer available to order online for the foreseeable future. Substitutions for online orders cannot be returned to your driver if they have been handled, and drivers will not enter homes. 

All online deliveries will be bagged as well to make them easier to collect quickly.



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Samsung Australia confirms 2020 TV line-up, including this gorgeous 8K stunner

As we prepare to remain indoors for the foreseeable future, the importance of the television's role in a home has obviously risen dramatically. Luckily, Samsung's Australian 2020 4K and 8K TV line-up has arrived just in time to help keep us entertained in this new and unprecedented era. 

Without a doubt, the headliner of Samsung's 2020 TV range is the Q950T, a stunningly gorgeous 8K QLED television with an 'Infinity Display' that boasts a staggering 99% screen-to-body ratio, meaning almost no bezel to speak of. 

Each TV in Samsung's 8K range also sports a more advanced version of the AI upscaling technology that featured in the company's 2019 models, thanks to the inclusion of a new quantum processor, which is said to offer "pixel-by-pixel image enhancement".

Additionally, that same quantum processor also provides the 8K TV range with access to Samsung's Object Tracking Sound+ technology – a new sound optimising feature which is said to analyse on-screen action and translate it into immersive three-dimensional audio using the multiple speakers built into the TVs themselves.

Furthering this year's sound advancements, each of Samsung's 8K QLED TVs sports Q-Symphony technology, which the manufacturer says will enable "seamless cooperation between this innovative new TV sound technology and Samsung’s Q Series soundbars to deliver an extra layer of richness and audio detail."

Samsung 4K QLED Q95T

Of course, not everyone is going to want to splurge on a top-of-the-line 8K television, which is why Samsung has also updated its 4K QLED range, bringing its new quantum processor to all but its lowest end model, the Q60T.

As for non-QLED offerings, Samsung also revealed a new range of entry-level Crystal UHD TVs – these tellies lack the exceptional colour and brightness benefits brought on by quantum dot technology on higher-end models, but make up for it with much lower price points.

If style and decor is of more importance to you than processing power, you'll be happy to know that Samsung's design-focused televisions, namely The Frame and The Serif, have also received an update, now featuring the same Smart Hub technology that's available on the rest of its QLED range.

Lastly, Samsung Australia also revealed a new addition to its Lifestyle TV range in Australia with The Sero, a truly original offering which can rotate between horizontal and vertical formats, presumably so that dumb teens can watch their Snapchats and TikToks on a much larger screen.

Samsung's 2020 TV range begins its nationwide rollout into stores today, with the exception of its 8K QLED TVs and The Sero, which will receive pricing and availability information at a later date. In the meantime, you can check out pricing and sizing details for every other model below. 

QLED 8K

Q950T

  • 85-inch (AU$TBC)
  • 75-inch (AU$TBC)
  • 65-inch (AU$TBC)

Q800T

  • 82-inch (AU$TBC)
  • 75-inch (AU$TBC)
  • 65-inch (AU$TBC)
  • 55-inch (AU$TBC)

QLED 4K

Q95T

  • 75-inch (AU$6,999)
  • 65-inch (AU$4,649)
  • 55-inch (AU$3,499)

Q80T

  • 85-inch (AU$7,549)
  • 75-inch (AU$5,249)
  • 65-inch (AU$3,499)
  • 55-inch (AU$2,549)

Q70T

  • 85-inch (AU$6,399)
  • 75-inch (AU$4,049)
  • 65-inch (AU$2,699)
  • 55-inch (AU$2,099)

Q60T

  • 75-inch (AU$3,349)
  • 65-inch (AU$2,199)
  • 55-inch (AU$1,729)

Lifestyle

The Frame

  • 75-inch (AU$4,649)
  • 65-inch (AU$3,149)
  • 55-inch (AU$2,299)
  • 50-inch (AU$1,949)
  • 43-inch (AU$1,599)
  • 32-inch (AU$919)

The Serif

  • 55-inch (AU$2,099)
  • 43-inch (AU$1,499)

Crystal UHD

TU800

  • 82-inch (AU$3,939)
  • 75-inch (AU$2,589)
  • 65-inch (AU$1,699)
  • 55-inch (AU$1,369)
  • 50-inch (AU$1,129)
  • 43-inch (AU$1,019)


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OnePlus 8 Pro Leaked Renders Tips Ultramarine Blue Colour Option Ahead of Launch

https://ift.tt/1gTLncO we head closer to OnePlus 8 Pro launch later this month, more and more leaks are popping up online. The upcoming OnePlus phone was recently leaked in a sea green render, and now the phone has been spotted in a funky new blue finish.

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Here's the cheapest 20w laser engraver cutter in the world

At USD 230 from Gearbest (roughly GBP 190/AUD 380), the Ortur Laser Master 20w laser cutter offers a compact and affordable engraving and cutting solution.

The 20w machine is the flagship model in Ortur's Laser Master range, which also includes 7w and 15w versions. The additional power offered by the 20w model provides greater speed and accuracy, and can be used for both engraving and cutting.

A 32-bit STM32 chipset motherboard provides high precision 12.5um accuracy for the X-Axis, a default pixel accuracy of 300 pixels per inch and 0.81um pixel precision. This means lines, edges and the cuts will be smooth and fluid across the large 160x150mm engraving area.

The powerful Ortur Laser Master 20W also has broad material compatibility, allowing you to engrave designs into cardboard, wood, plastic and other materials.

Aluminium and acrylic provide the cutter with sturdy construction and it also boasts safety features such as Active Position Protection, Laser Beam Safety Guard and Exposure Limitation.

The laser cutter works with Windows-based software LaserGRBL, which is a free download. Using LaserGRBL, you'll be able to lay out your designs and control the power of the laser, swapping between engraving and cutting modes.

LaserGRBL translates designs from files created in popular imaging and CAD applications (such as Photoshop and Inkscape) and converts them into laser-ready cutting paths.

The application will recognise a range of file formats - including NC, DXF, BMP, JPG and PNG - which means you can also download designs from the internet.

The machine requires some assembly, which should only take between 5 and 10 minutes. Thankfully, the more complex modules all come pre-assembled, so don't worry if you're uncomfortable with flat-pack assembly.

Providing a balance between price, quality and features, the Ortur Laser Master 20w is a fantastic choice for crafters and hobbyists.



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