New record for UPI - Transactions clock Rs 5.47 lakh crore in June

After a record show in February and March, UPI (Unified Payments Interface) transactions had taken a bump as the Covid-19 second wave swept India. And now that its effect are slowly ebbing, the UPI-backed digital transactions have made a strong comeback. They have recorded their highest transactions, both in volume and value, in June, according to data released by NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India). 

The digital payments platform logged 2.8 billion or 280 crore transactions worth Rs 5,47,373 crore in June. 

In terms of volume, this is a 10.6% rise. And in volume, it saw a surge of 11.56% in comparison to its May numbers that were pegged at 2.53 billion transactions worth Rs 4,90,638 crore.

UPI's previous highest figure was in March which was 2.73 billion worth Rs 5,04,886.44 crore.

• Flipkart hives off PhonePe, chips in with $700 million investment - Here's why
• More than 6.1 billion people will use digital payments by 2023
• Google Pay to support UPI payments over NFC in India - Just tap and pay

Hectic activity in UPI ecosystem

(Image credit: Twitter handle of NPCI)

It may be recalled that the UPI first breached the two billion mark back in October 2020.

The surge in UPI transactions have come even as the NPCI plans to take the platform overseas. 

UPI is the common system that powers multiple bank accounts into a mobile application, merging several banking features, seamless fund routing and merchant payments. It also caters to the "Peer to Peer" collect request.

NPCI manages the UPI, and is the umbrella organisation for operating retail payments and settlement systems in India.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is also working on on plans to allow private players to provide a platform like the NPCI, and reduce its monopoly.

UPI is seeing tight competition among three main players — PhonePe, Google Pay, and Paytm. PhonePe, backed by Flipkart, is the market leader, overtaking Google Pay.

• Follow TechRadar India on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates.

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What's new on Netflix Australia for July 2021

As the number of shows and movies available to stream in Australia continues to grow at an impressive rate, it can be tough to keep up with all the new additions to each streaming service each month. 

We've all come to anticipate a new stable of Netflix Originals releases each month, but figuring out which shows they are and when exactly they become available isn't so easy. And what about the large number licensed shows and films that are made available to stream, if only for a limited time?

• Check out the competition and see the best Disney plus price

In an effort to keep you informed of the best shows and movies that are in the process of being added to Netflix, we'll be bringing you an updated list of what you can expect on the service on a monthly basis. 

Not only that, we'll also be singling out the biggest releases, as well as a number of quality TV shows and films which we believe deserve your Netflixing time. 

After a few weak months in terms of Originals, Netflix has come back swinging with a fantastic month of great new TV shows, specials and movies on offer – here's what's new on Netflix in July 2021. Check out Netflix's newest offerings below!

Netflix highlights for July 2021

Masters of the Universe: Revelation (23/07/2021) 

He-Man is back! From showrunner Kevin Smith (Clerks, Mallrats) and featuring animation from the studio behind Castlevania and Blood of Zeus, Masters of the Universe: Revelation sees the war for Eternia begin again! Will this be the final battle between He-Man and Skeletor? We certainly hope not!

Sexy Beasts (21/07/2021) 

In what could be either the best or worst Netflix reality series yet, Sexy Beasts sees young singles meet up for blind dates that are even more blind than usual, thanks to a heavy layer of animal/creature prosthetics that obscures what each participant looks like. Can these individuals fall in love with their prospective mates on personality alone?

The Fear Street Trilogy (starts 02/07/2021) 

Horror fans are in for a treat with Fear Street – a film trilogy event that will unfold over three weeks. Kicking off on July 2 with Part 1: 1994, before continuing with Part 2: 1978 on July 9 and concluding with Part 3: 1666 on July 16, the trilogy promises a terrifying story that's over 300 years in the making. Based on Goosebumps author R.L. Stine's more grown up horror books, the Fear Street trilogy has all the makings of something truly special for fright fans.

The Last Mercenary (30/07/2021) 

Action superstar Jean-Claude Van Damme makes his Netflix Original debut (the van in Sense8 doesn't count) with The Last Mercenary, a French action comedy that sees a disavowed secret agent (Van Damme) return to France when his son becomes framed by an international terrorist organization. Based on the trailer above, it looks like JCVD Is in fine form, delivering plenty of kick-ass action while also leaning into his comedic sensibilities.

I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson: Season 2 (06/07/2021)

Netflix's extremely weird sketch comedy series I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson has received a second season which once again promises a wealth of awkward situations and a number of celebrity cameos, including Bob Odenkirk, Tim Heidecker, Andy Samberg and more.

Dynasty Warriors (01/07/2021) 

Koei Tecmo's most famous video game series steps into live action with the Netflix Original movie Dynasty Warriors. Just like the games, the film sets the stage for epic, fantastical battles which are loosely based around the Chinese historical text Records of the Three Kingdoms. Based on the trailer above, it seems like the film truly nails the heightened feeling of the games that inspired it.

...and the rest for July 2021

ORIGINAL SERIES

Generation 56k (01/07/2021)

Young Royals (01/07/2021)

Mortel: Season 2 (02/07/2021)

Big Timber (02/07/2021)

You Are My Spring (05/07/2021)

The War Next-door (07/07/2021)

The Mire: '97 (07/07/2021)

Atypical: Season 4 (09/07/2021)

The Cook of Castamar (09/07/2021)

Biohackers: Season 2 (09/07/2021)

My Unorthodox Life (14/07/2021)

Never Have I Ever: Season 2 (15/07/2021)

Van Helsing: Season 5 (16/07/2021)

Too Hot to Handle: Brazil (21/07/2021 and 28/07/2021)

Sky Rojo: Season 2 (23/07/2021)

The Snitch Cartel: Origins (28/07/2021)

Tattoo Redo (28/07/2021)

Glow Up: Season 3 (30/07/2021)

Outer Banks: Season 2 (30/07/2021)

Feels Like Ishq (Coming soon)

How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast): Season 3 (Coming Soon)

NETFLIX FILM

Haseen Dillruba (02/07/2021)

The 8th Night (02/07/2021)

Major Grom: Plague Doctor (07/07/2021)

Last Summer (09/07/2021)

How I Became a Superhero (09/07/2021)

A Classic Horror Story (14/07/2021)

The Guide to the Perfect Family (14/07/2021)

A Perfect Fit (15/07/2021)

My Amanda (15/07/2021)

Deep (16/07/2021)

Chernobyl 1986 (21/07/2021)

Bankrolled (23/07/2021)

Kingdom: Ashin of the North (23/07/2021)

Blood Red Sky (23/07/2021)

The Last Letter From Your Lover (23/07/2021)

Bartkowiak (28/07/2021)

Resort to Love (29/07/2021)

ORIGINAL COMEDY SERIES

Lee Su-geun: The Sense Coach (09/07/2021)

ORIGINAL DOCUMENTARY 

Audible (01/07/2021)

Cat People (07/07/2021)

Dogs: Season 2 (07/07/2021)

Elize Matsunaga: Once Upon a Crime (08/07/2021)

Private Network: Who Killed Manuel Buendía? (14/07/2021)

Heist (14/07/2021)

Emicida: AmarElo - Live in São Paulo (15/07/2021)

Explained: Season 3 (16/07/2021)

The Movies That Made Us: Season 2 (23/07/2021)

Myth & Mogul: John DeLorean (30/07/2021)

KIDS & FAMILY

We The People (04/07/2021)

The Water Man (09/07/2021)

Ridley Jones (13/07/2021)

Johnny Test (16/07/2021)

Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans (21/07/2021)

A Second Chance: Rivals! (23/07/2021)

Mighty Express: Season 4 (27/07/2021)

Centaurworld (30/07/2021)

ORIGINAL ANIME

Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway (01/07/2021)

RESIDENT EVIL: Infinite Darkness (08/07/2021)

BEASTARS: Season 2 (15/07/2021)

Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop (22/07/2021)

Transformers: War for Cybertron: Kingdom (29/07/2021)

LICENSED HIGHLIGHTS

Kung Fu Panda 3 (01/07/2021)

Mission: Impossible (01/07/2021)

Mission: Impossible II (01/07/2021)

Mission: Impossible III (01/07/2021)

Yolngu Boy (01/07/2021)

In My Blood It Runs (04/07/2021)

This Little Love Of Mine (07/07/2021)

Animal Kingdom: Season 5 (13/07/2021)

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (15/07/2021)

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (15/07/2021)

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (15/07/2021)

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (15/07/2021)

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (15/07/2021)

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (15/07/2021)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (15/07/2021)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (15/07/2021)

What's coming next month and beyond?

Netflix has has big plans for 2021, with a number of high-profile shows and movies confirmed for release on the service. Keep coming back to this page each month to find out when they'll be available to stream!

• Check out our list of best Netflix TV shows in Australia
• Looking to stream from overseas? Then get the best Netflix VPN
• See how Netflix costs compare with our Disney Plus price guide
• Best Netflix documentaries: the finest non-fiction offerings

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Best laptop sales in Australia: cheap laptops to buy in July 2021

If you’re looking for a cheap laptop or a deeply discounted premium machine, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve scoured the web for savings and rounded up all the genuine deals in one neat place.

You’ll find we’ve covered everything from budget browsing machines to high-performance powerhouses, so you’ll no doubt find something here to match your needs.

We’ve highlighted a selection of the latest deals that we’ve sniffed out, and if you scroll further down, we've rounded up some of our favourite laptops in a dedicated buying guide.

Best laptop deals this week

Laptops & ultrabooks

Apple MacBook Air M1 | 8GB RAM / 256GB SSD | AU$1,499 AU$1,349 on The Good Guys (save AU$150)

We think the MacBook Air (M1, 2020) is the best laptop in Australia. It’s worthy of this spot thanks to Apple’s own M1 processor, which has greatly improved both performance and battery life for the laptop. It’s carrying a price tag that’s decently competitive with Windows 10 rivals too (finally). The Good Guys has taken 10% off a range of Macs until July 7.

Apple MacBook Pro M1 | 8GB RAM / 256GB SSD | AU$1,899 AU$1,709 on The Good Guys (save AU$190)

The MacBook Pro had a big refresh to its internals in 2020, so it now features the powerful M1 chip. The upgrade brings stellar performance and exceptional battery life to Apple’s iconic chassis, and it feels rather luxurious. It’s a small 10% discount, but it’s rare to find much more off an Apple machine. See more discounted MacBooks on The Good Guys.

Dell Inspiron 15 (5510) | i7 / 16GB RAM / 512GB SSD | AU$2,149 AU$1,099.20 on Dell eBay (save AU$1,049.80)

You can pick up this Inspiron 15 for almost half price when you buy from Dell’s eBay store. It comes packing the latest internals, with an 11th-gen Intel Core i7 chip, 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD all for AU$1,099. While it’s not from Dell’s XPS line, it still looks and feels premium with a sleek build. Get a further 20% discount on the already reduced laptop by heading to eBay and using the code DELL20 at checkout.

HP Chromebook 14 | Celeron N4020 / 4GB / 64GB eMMC | AU$399 AU$278 on HP (save AU$121)

Here’s a cheap and cheerful deal on a decent Chromebook. It’s slim and light enough to carry around with you, and it’s price means it’ll go easy on your wallet too. This will get you set up with Chrome OS for just AU$278, which is 30% off when you buy from HP. It’s also cheaper than it was during EOFY sales, so you’re getting a great deal here.

2-in-1s

Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Carbon | i5 / 8GB RAM / 512GB SSD | AU$1,699 AU$1,019 on Amazon (save AU$680)

Lenovo’s Yoga Slim 7i Carbon is a stylish and slim laptop, and this model comes equipped with an 11th-gen Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. Despite carrying the Yoga name, be aware that this laptop doesn’t go into full tablet mode because it lacks a touchscreen. If that’s not a dealbreaker for you, consider buying from Amazon where it’s AU$680 off RRP.

Gaming laptops

Alienware m15 R5 | Ryzen 7 / 16GB RAM / 512GB SSD / RTX 3060 | AU$2,799 AU$2,159.20 on Dell eBay (save AU$639.80)

Under the hood of this Alienware m15 R5 comes a 5000 series Ryzen 7 CPU, working alongside a powerful Nvidia RTX 3060 GPU. It has a 15-inch Full HD with a 165Hz refresh rate, which should play nice with the rest of the specs too. With Alienware’s intergalactic inspired design, we think it looks great. You can now score 20% off on Dell’s eBay store with the code DELL20.

Dell G7 17 (7700) | i7 / 16GB RAM / 512GB SSD / RTX 2070 | AU$2,999 AU$1,599 on Dell eBay (save AU$1,400)

Gaming laptops can be a pricey investment, but now you can pick up this Dell G7 17 for an insane price of AU$1,599. While it’s not from the top-tier Alienware line, this 17-incher is a pretty powerful machine. It’s equipped with a 10th-gen Intel Core i7 CPU and an Nvidia RTX 2070 GPU. It’s now steeply discounted on Dell’s eBay store, just use the code DELL20.

• Find great bargains and compare Australian prices on the latest tech at Getprice

The best deals on our favourite laptops

Over the years we've reviewed plenty of laptops, and as a result, we've seen what to avoid and what to jump on when there's savings to be had. We'll keep track of the prices of some of the best we've seen so that you can snatch up a bargain when they do show up. Check out the prices below and see if anything has dropped enough to spark your interest.

(Image credit: Future)

Our favourite overall laptop: Dell XPS 13 (2020)

Dell's latest Ultrabook is simply the best laptop in the world

CPU: 10th generation Intel Core i5 – i7 | Graphics: Intel Iris Plus | RAM: 8GB – 16GB | Screen: 13.3-inch FHD (1,920 x 1,080) – 4K (3,840 x 2,160) | Storage: 256GB – 2TB SSD

Gorgeous design

Excellent battery life

Lackluster audio

Expensive

Saying that we’re very happy with Dell’s XPS 13 is a huge understatement. At first glance, its slim profile and small frame don’t give away the powerful performance and gorgeous 13-inch display inside. Typically, you’d have to weigh up portability and performance, but the XPS 13 has managed to strike a fine balance between the two. Sporting Intel’s latest 10th-generation chips, much-improved battery life and barely-there bezels, the starting price of the newest iteration of the XPS 13 is a tempting proposition. We’re so chuffed with it that it’s still our favourite Ultrabook, and has taken the top spot as the best laptop overall.

Read the full review: Dell XPS 13 (2020)

(Image credit: Future)

Our favourite gaming laptop: Gigabyte Aero 15 OLED

The original designer's laptop gets an OLED upgrade

CPU: Intel Core i7 9750H | Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 (8GB GDDR6; MaxQ) | RAM: 16GB | Screen: 15.6-inch, 4K (3,840 x 2,160), 60HZ, AMOLED, Gloss | Storage: 512GB SSD

4K HDR OLED screen

RTX GPU and 9th-gen CPU

Sleek with better thermal management

Reasonably priced

Max 60HZ refresh rate

Unfortunate webcam placement

It’s true, the Aero 15 range from Gigabyte is aimed at creatives. However, it’s also an attractive option for gamers – with powerful internals, a brilliant display and a sleek chassis – so we think it’s one of the best-value gaming machines Australians can get their hands on. The 2019 model boasts a 15-inch 4K HDR screen, which is ideal whether you’re looking to buy for high-resolution on-the-go gaming or its intended creative use. Under the hood it’s also got the option of the latest Nvidia RTX series GPUs and 9th-gen Intel Core CPUs.

Read the full review: Gigabyte Aero 15 OLED

(Image credit: Future)

Our favourite 2-in-1: Lenovo Yoga C930

A 2-in-1 laptop experience with little to no compromise

CPU: 8th-generation Intel Core i7-8550U | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620 | RAM: 16GB | Screen: 13.9” UHD (3,840 x 2,160) IPS Glossy Multi-touch with Dolby Vision | Storage: 1 TB PCIe SSD | Connectivity: 802.11 AC (2 x 2) + Bluetooth 4.1 | Camera: 720p HD Camera

Strong build quality

Robust feature set

Excellent battery life

Weak graphics performance

This premium portable 2-in-1 has a lot to love: a strong build, excellent battery life and a robust feature set. It has a 360° hinge, so can easily be converted from a conventional clamshell to a handheld tablet. There’s also the addition of Dolby Atmos speakers, cleverly built into the rotating hinge, so you’ll have superb sound whichever way you use it. The screen too is vibrant, though the graphics performance could leave some wanting. Still, with an 8th-generation chip, it’s a solid all-rounder for the 2-in-1 crowd.

Read the full review: Lenovo Yoga C930

(Image credit: Acer)

Our favourite student laptop: Acer Aspire 3 15-inch

A Chromebook for schoolwork, and then some

CPU: 10th-generation Intel Core i3-10110U | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics | RAM: 4GB | Screen: 15.6-inch FHD (1,920 x 1,080; non-touch) | Storage: 128GB

Great value

Lightweight

Limited to Chrome OS

If you’re looking for a student laptop, chances are you’re shopping on a budget. If that’s the case, our go-to bang-for-buck pick is the Acer Aspire 3 15-inch laptop. It’s a Chromebook, which means it runs on Google’s Chrome OS and is ideal for those with a reliable internet connection who want a laptop to browse the web and complete coursework online. The battery life isn’t the best, but if you don’t mind keeping your charging cable with you during the day, it certainly offers excellent value for money.

(Image credit: Future)

Our favourite Apple laptop: Apple MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019)

The best MacBook Pro ever

CPU: 9th-generation Intel Core i7 – i9 | Graphics: AMD Radeon Pro 5300M – Radeon Pro 5500M | RAM: 16GB – 64GB | Screen: 16-inch Retina display with True Tone | Storage: 512GB – 8TB SSD

Stunning 16-inch screen

New and improved keyboard

Expensive

Limited to four Thunderbolt 3 ports

If you’re firmly placed in the Apple ecosystem, or you’re a Windows user thinking about converting, then we think the 2019 version of the MacBook Pro is the best Mac you can buy. It has a generous 16-inch display, and while that may spell a bulky laptop for other brands on the market, Apple remains true to form with this svelte machine. It’s got the latest and greatest components under the hood, rounded out with high-quality speakers and a much better keyboard than older models.

Read the full review: Apple MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019)

If you're after some more further info on the best laptops, check out some of our other dedicated articles:

• The best laptops in Australia
• Best gaming laptops
• The best ultrabooks
• Best business laptops
• Best 2-in-1 laptops

Watch the video below for the top 7 things to consider when buying a laptop. 

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Help sell products & get paid commission: Flipkart launches Shopsy app for it

The Walmart-owned Flipkart has launched Shopsy, an app through which individuals and small businesses can be (re)sellers of goods that are available on the platform. Flipkart will have around 15 crore products on the platform that individuals and small entrepreneurs can help sell through their own modes like WhatsApp or Facebook or any other messaging app.     

Shopsy will have catalogues of a wide selection of goods offered by Flipkart sellers, ranging across fashion, beauty, mobiles, electronics and home, among others.

The idea of Shopsy is to make available online commerce to wary consumers through people they can trust. Flipkart is a conduit between the seller and the reseller.

With Shopsy, Flipkart aims to enable over 25 million online entrepreneurs by 2023.

• Flipkart, Amazon need not worry:  Govt isn't planning to ban all online flash sale
• Survey says 49% of Indian consumers prefer e-commerce shopping

How to use Shopsy

Shopsy model: See Catalogue, resell through your own network.  (Image credit: Flipkart)

Individual entrepreneurs or small business owners can share catalogues of products from Shopsy in their networks and take orders, which will be fulfilled by Shopsy. The platform is free for these individuals and small businesses.

According to Flipkart, users can simply register on the Shopsy app using their phone numbers. "Budding entrepreneurs can now set up their business as long as they have access to a network of people that trust them, without the hassle of investment, inventory or logistics management."

Users can share the catalogues with potential customers via popular social media and messaging apps, place orders on their behalf and earn commissions on the transactions. 

The commission percentage will vary depending on the category of products being ordered, the company said.

(Image credit: Flipkart)

Prakash Sikaria, Senior Vice President - Growth and Monetization, Flipkart, said, “Entrepreneurs now will utilize Flipkart's catalog, established delivery networks, and infrastructure to bring reliability and speed. These benefits will help them enhance the end consumers' experience, which in turn help them grow their business."

As Flipkart's media release said many internet users in India do not transact online due to two key challenges - trust and simplicity. Shopsy hopes to power e-commerce through people and entrepreneurs that the people trust in their communities. It is a model that has been made famous by Shopify.

• Want to know about the latest happenings in tech? Follow TechRadar India on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram!

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Get ready to pay more on some Xiaomi phones and Smart TVs

Chinese tech company Xiaomi has revealed that its smartphones and TVs will become costlier starting today. According to the company, there could be an increase of 3-6% in the price of some of its devices that are selling in the country right now.

The company has blamed the short supply of components for the price hike. Additionally, thanks to lockdown and the new normal, the demand for smart TVs and phones have been on the higher side as well.

The company’s spokesperson said, "Due to massive demand-supply mismatch, the majority of components used in smartphones, Smart TV and other electronics gadgets (chipsets, display panels, display driver, back panels, battery etc) have seen constant upward movement in their prices.

“While we have tried to absorb the increasing costs, some of our products have witnessed a price hike. We also foresee an inevitable increase of 3-6% in prices of our smart TVs from July 1 onwards,” the spokesperson added.

• Best Xiaomi phones of 2021: these are the top Mi, Redmi, Poco and Black Shark devices
• Best phones under Rs 20,000 in India for June 2021

Xiaomi isn’t the only one impacted 

When it comes to raw materials, China and countries like Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam are the key suppliers of LED TV panels and chipsets. And the factories based in India are only responsible for assembling the products.

The pandemic led to a lockdown and the tension post-India-China border conflict has also resulted in the supply chain getting disrupted. The global chipset shortage as well has impacted a lot of companies. While brands try to absorb the price hike as much as they can, however, post a certain limit they’re forced to pass on the additional costs to the end customers.

Xiaomi and other brands have highlighted the increased logistics cost, including ocean freight charges and domestic transportation costs, apart from increased prices as the reason to increase costs by 3-4% starting this month.

Earlier, in April increased ocean freight and domestic logistics resulted in a slight price hike. Considering the current announcement, the Redmi Note 10 and Mi TV Horizon Edition 40-inch are at least Rs. 1000 costlier than their original launch price.

• Want to know about the latest happenings in tech? Follow TechRadar India on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram!

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Last chance to win AU$15K in PC gear: watch the 2021 Aus PC Awards before July 4!

UPDATE (03/07/2021): There's just three days left to enter our 2021 Aus PC Awards competitions! 

For your chance to share in AU$15,254 in prizes, watch each episode to find the code word, then follow the links below to enter the three comps! 

Better get a wriggle on though: entries close at 11:59pm this Sunday, July 4.

Full list of APCA 2021 winners

Episode #1:

Prefer to watch Episode #1 on YouTube? Click here!

Enter the Episode #1 competition here or check out the full comp details below

Award categories in this episode: Motherboards and Graphics Cards.

Episode #2:

Prefer to watch Episode #2 on YouTube? Click here!

Enter the Episode #2 competition here or check out the full comp details below

Award categories in this episode: CPUs, Storage and Systems.

Episode #3:

Prefer to watch Episode #3 on YouTube? Click here!

Enter the Episode #3 competition here or check out the full comp details below

Award categories in this episode: Peripherals & Components, Reseller, Excellence and Gold.

Episode #1 competition details

(Image credit: Future)

Watched the first episode and have the secret code word? Then simply click this link to head to the competition page and submit your entry for a chance to share in AU$4,935 in PC gear! Episode #1's awesome prizes include:

Aorus 15G YC laptop worth AU$3,499
AMD Radeon 6700XT graphics card worth AU$749
AMD Ryzen 3600 CPU worth AU$289
Corsair K70 TKL keyboard worth AU$299
Corsair Sabre Pro RGB mouse worth AU$99

CLICK HERE & FILL OUT THE FORM TO ENTER!

Please note that this competition is open to Australian residents only. Entries close July 4, 2021.

Episode #2 competition details

(Image credit: Future)

Episode 2 has a fresh collection of PC luxury up for grabs worth a total of AU$4,593 – and there's even more to come in Episode 3 tomorrow night!

All you need to enter is the hidden code word – which isn't actually hidden very well – plus your wits about you as you tell us “What’s your all-time favourite CPU and why?”

Head here and fill in the form when you have that figured out.

Episode #2's treasures are:

Gigabyte AERO 15 XC laptop worth AU$3,099
Aten UC3022 CamLive Pro worth AU$679
MSI CH130X Gaming Chair worth AU$399
MSI Sekira 100R Case worth AU$219
MSI Vigor GK50 Elite Keyboard worth AU$119
MSI GM41 Wireless Gaming Mouse worth AU$78

Fill out the form here to enter

Please note that this competition is open to Australian residents only. Entries close July 4, 2021.

Episode #3 competition details

(Image credit: Future)

Here they are – the final set of super-desirable prizes that you can win in Episode 3 of the Australian PC Awards!

In this final round there's yet another incredible laptop to win – the Gigabyte AERO 17 KC – as well as the stunning Citadel desktop PC from Thermaltake with RTX 3000-series graphics, and a premium Corsair K70 keyboard and Sabre Pro mouse combo. VERY nice.

Tonight's prize pool is worth a tidy AU$5,796! 

To have a shot at winning watch Episode 3, find the not very carefully hidden code word, and decide what you think is "the technology or product that advanced the PC more than any other in 2020, and why?”

Head here and enter to be in the running!

Episode #3's prizes are:

Gigabyte AERO 17 KC laptop worth AU$2,999
Thermaltake Citadel Gaming System PC worth AU$2,399
Corsair K70 TKL keyboard worth AU$299
Corsair Sabre Pro RGB mouse worth AU$99

Fill out the form here to enter

Please note that this competition is open to Australian residents only. Entries close July 4, 2021.

Australian PC Awards deals

(Image credit: Future)

For the 2021 APCAs, we've also teamed up with this year's Awards sponsors to bring you a selection of special Aussie deals on some of the top PC hardware and software from Adata, Aftershock PC, Asus, Aten, Eset, MSI, Mwave, PC Case Gear, Razer and Western Digital including:

Laptops & PCs
Gaming keyboards
Gaming mice
Wireless routers
SSDs & hard drives
...and more!

BROWSE ALL THE APCA 2021 DEALS HERE!

How to watch the 2021 Awards & full schedule

The 2021 APCAs consist of three 30 minute episodes arriving June 23, 24 and 25 respectively. Each episode goes live at 7:30pm AEST on this very page and on YouTube. 

Here's what each broadcast includes:

EPISODE 1 – Wednesday June 23 @ 7:30PM AEST

MOTHERBOARDS
Best Motherboard Maker
Best Value Motherboard
Best Premium Motherboard

GRAPHICS CARD
Best Graphics Card Maker
Best Value Graphics Card
Best Premium Graphics Card

EPISODE 2 – Thursday June 24 @ 7:30PM AEST

CPUs
Best Value CPU
Best Premium CPU

STORAGE
Best Internal Storage Maker
Best External Storage Maker
Best SOHO or Home NAS

SYSTEMS
Best Value Laptop or 2-in-1
Best Premium Laptop or 2-in-1
Best Gaming Laptop
Best Desktop PC Maker

EPISODE 3 – Thursday June 25 @ 7:30PM AEST

PERIPHERALS & COMPONENTS
Best Memory Maker
Best Cooling Product
Best Monitor
Best Keyboard
Best Mouse
Best Gaming Headset
Best PC Case
Best Router

RESELLER
Best Reseller

EXCELLENCE
For the person, product or technology that advanced the PC more than any other.

GOLD
A reader-voted award for the Best Company, chosen from all this year's finalists.

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Over AU$15,000 in prizes to be won

(Image credit: Future)

By tuning in to this year's awards, you could also be a winner – in a really big way. We have AU$15,254 in quite fantastic PC prizes that we're giving away.

There's three top-spec gaming laptops, a full gaming PC, many many lovely peripherals and accessories and more. Get your share!

Just watch each part of the show and find the three secret code words (they're not really very hard to find if you're watching...), and you're ready to enter. 

Check out the full list of what you can win:

• Aorus 15G YC laptop worth AU$3,499
• Gigabyte Aero 15 XC laptop worth AU$3,099
• Gigabyte Aero 17 KC laptop worth AU$2,999
• Thermaltake Citadel Gaming System PC worth AU$2,399
• AMD Ryzen 3600 CPU worth AU$289
• AMD Radeon 6700XT graphics card worth AU$749
• Corsair K70 TKL keyboard worth AU$299
• Corsair Sabre Pro RGB mouse worth AU$99
• Aten UC3022 CamLive Pro Dual HDMI to USB-C UVC Video Capture worth AU$679
• MSI CH130X Gaming Chair worth AU$399
• MSI Sekira 100R Case worth AU$219
• MSI Vigor GK50 Elite Keyboard worth AU$119
• MSI GM41 Wireless Gaming Mouse worth AU$78
• Corsair K70 TKL keyboard worth AU$299
• Corsair Sabre Pro RGB mouse worth AU$99

(Image credit: Future)

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Don’t start playing Ghost of Tsushima on PS5 until August 20

One of last year’s best games, Ghost of Tsushima, is set to become even better starting on August 20, 2021. It’s then that we’ll see the launch of Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut that’s going to launch on both PS4 and PS5.

For that reason, if you haven’t played it yet, you should probably hold off for another month.

While PS4 and PS5 players will have access to every piece of content released so far, along with a completely new adventure set on the new location of Iki Island, only the next-gen version of the game will have 3D audio, faster load times, a 4K resolution and a 60 frames-per-second frame rate – making it a very compelling option for new PS5 owners.

If you’ve got a save game on PS4 and want to bring it to PS5, you're in luck – the game’s developer Sucker Punch Studios says that you’ll be able to transfer your save to PS5 to pick up where you left off with access to the new Iki Island after the start of act two. 

Exactly what PS5 owners need right now 

PS5 owners have been in a tough position – first they had a hard time getting the console due to the ongoing shortage of systems and then didn't have many PS5 games to picked from due to the limited amount of PS5 exclusives out there.

That said, now that we have Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart and Final Fantasy 7 Remake: Intergrade, as well as Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut on the horizon, things are starting to look better.

Although there aren't many more high-profile PS5 exclusives coming in 2021 –outside of Horizon Forbidden West that's due out sometime towards the end of the year – PS5 owners will, thankfully, have a number of third-party games to play throughout the remaining months, like the new Battlefield 2042, FIFA, Madden, Back 4 Blood and Dying Light 2.

Until they arrive, however, we'll be looking forward to playing through Ghost of Tsushima in the highest resolution and 3D audio on Sony's latest hardware.

• Need something new to play? Check out our guide to the best PS5 games

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Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G leak suggests pastel colors are in for the cheap flagship

We’ve gotten another look at the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE thanks to a leak showing off alleged marketing renders with the phone in plenty of colors. We’ve also seen a rumor suggesting the phone will come in multiple chipsets, though you can probably expect why.

We’ve seen these colors before – in fact, noted leaker Blass showed them off in renders already – but the new leak from Android Headlines shows them all in what looks like an official marketing image, adding more evidence that this could be the final array of colors for the upcoming affordable flagship. Those colors will allegedly be a (very dark) gray, white, light violet, and white, with possibly a fifth color (which other leaks suggest will be a blue-ish hue). 

(Image credit: Android Headlines)

The new leak affirms a more streamlined design in the S21 FE than the original S21 line, with a camera block the same color as the back of the phone. But unlike previous renders, which show a protruding camera bump, Android Headlines’ models seem to show a thinner block. Whether that’s a trick of the angles in the photo or just the nature of pre-release renders that don’t necessarily reflect the final design is hard to tell.

But the newly-leaked renders do support the general design we’ve seen in previous leaks: a triple rear camera with an adjacent flash. There isn’t any new information on what those cameras will be, and we don’t have rumors outside of a 32MP front-facing camera. 

Via PhoneArena

Chipset rumors: not just the Snapdragon 888?

A separate new rumor spotted by SamMobile suggests that the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE will not just use the Snapdragon 888. S21 phones sold in the US and Europe will use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chipset, while versions sold in other markets will pack Samsung’s own Exynos 2100 silicon. 

This isn’t too surprising given that both chipsets were used in the Samsung Galaxy S21 series of phones, with different regions getting different silicon: S21 phones sold in the US and China featured the Snapdragon 888, while those sold elsewhere used the Exynos 2100. The new rumor doesn’t specify which other countries will feature the latter in the S21 FE, but if it follows its previously-released flagship sibling, we wouldn’t be shocked.

We’ll have to wait and see whether this bears truth when the phone is released, though rumors differ on when that will be: one suggests the S21 FE will launch in August alongside other expected devices like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3, while another hints its launch has been pushed back until October – and a third warns that the phone could have been canceled entirely due to the global chip shortage. 

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Harman’s AKG headphones offer studio quality listening at an affordable price

No matter where you’re from or what culture you’re a part of, music is something we all have in common. It tells our stories and brings us together in ways nothing else can. 

Headphones are increasingly becoming the most popular way for us to listen to music mainly because they’re so convenient, but also because we can almost just tune the world out for a minute and sink into some of our favorite tunes. 

AKG has been exploring and engineering sound for over 70 years and are definitely one the biggest names in designing and producing professional-grade audio products. 

The AKG 300 series headphones are one of the latest endeavors from AKG and they are tuned to the AKG Reference Response Curve. In short -  they sound absolutely amazing.

In more technical terms, AKG’s Reference Response Curve has to do with attempting to make the sound you hear sound as natural as possible, without any coloration or distortion, exactly the way the artist wanted you to hear it. Typically other frequency response curves are determined by the manufacturer of the headphones in order for you to hear a more stylized sound profile, for instance, exaggerated bass. 

(Image credit: AKG)

AKG’s goal is to produce headphones with as neutral a frequency curve as possible. This proved to be a bit of a challenge for headphones due to one very simple reason: you wear them on your head, and everyones’ head and ears are shaped differently 

When listening to speakers or studio monitors, the sound is coming at your ears from the front so essentially the sound has to curve to make it inside your ear. When you listen to headphones, the sound is entering your ear directly, without having to maneuver it’s way around your ear. This actually affects how the music sounds to you.

The engineers as AKG spent over 5 years trying to take that same, neutral, natural frequency curve and apply it to headphones. The result is the AKG Reference Response Curve and the K371s are tuned to that curve. 

The K371s are just the latest in the K300 series with the K361s still offering an incredible listening experience for a great price. They share the same closed back design of the K371s which means they’re much more durable and portable than open back headphones. 

The K300 series is also designed to be a more universal set of headphones that are great for studio recording, mixing, podcasting, listening, and - great for our new work from home environment - video conferencing. Due to their design and portability, they are easy to travel with and both the K371 and K361 headphones are available with Bluetooth if you want some extra connectivity. 

When you think of high-quality, studio-level headphones, you typically think of a high price to go along with them. One of the most impressive features of the K300s is their price. You can get the K361s directly from AKG for around $100 and the K371s are only about $50 more. 

At that price, it’s really hard to go wrong with any of the K300 series headphones. 

AKG K361 - Better quality sound at a great price

The AKG K361 headphones are an incredible value for what you get. Studio-quality audio in a durable, lightweight package.

Get yours for $105.00

AKG K361 BT - Studio quality sound on the go

If you prefer the freedom of Bluetooth, the K361 BT headphones offer the same great audio experience without the wires. 

Get yours for $135.00

AKG K371 - Hear music the way it’s meant to be heard

The first headphones to be tuned to the industry-leading AKG Reference Response Curve, the K371s are the best way to hear your music.

Get yours for $155.00

AKG K371 BT - Same great quality, more freedom

The same K371s you know and love, just without the wires. 

Get yours for $189.00

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Sony might be bringing more PS5 games over to PC with its latest acquisition

Sony has just announced an acquisition of Nixxes Software, a game developer mostly known for making excellent PC ports of other studios' games, and it could be a sign that more PS5 games will eventually make their way over as PC games. 

Herman Hulst, the head of PlayStation Studios, announced the news through Twitter. While we don't know what kind of games PlayStation will have Nixxes working on, it's not the first time Sony and Nixxes have crossed paths, notably helping get Killzone: Shadowfall out the door in time for the PS4 launch. 

Excited to announce that the talented Dutch studio Nixxes Software will be joining PlayStation Studios. It's a real pleasure to welcome a team with such deep technical expertise and vast experience to the @Playstation family. Huge congrats to everyone @NixxesSoftware!July 1, 2021

See more

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But more than a Killzone launch title, Nixxes is way better known on PC, where it's helped some pretty high-profile games launch. Most notably is the rebooted Tomb Raider trilogy. No matter how you feel about those games, the PC versions are still used to test hardware to this day, thanks to the extremely solid ports – especially Rise of the Tomb Raider. 

We have heard in recent times that Sony is going to try to have more of its games move over to PC. And we even heard Herman Hulst talk back in May about how Sony is still early in its plans for the platform, and, more importantly that "Releasing games on PC will not come ever at the expense of building an exciting lineup of great console games". 

Bringing Nixxes in house will let Sony have its main studios never really have to worry about porting their games over to PC, as it has an extremely experienced developer that specializes in doing just that. 

This is all speculation, of course, and it's early days, but Sony bought Nixxes Studios for a reason, and fleshing out its PC offerings would be a pretty great reason. 

Sony needs some help with its PC ports

So we've recently heard of a few PS4 games getting ported over to PC, with Days Gone and Horizon Zero Dawn being the heavyweights. Both of these games were ported through in-house studios and while Days Gone has generally been, well, fine, Horizon Zero Dawn was an absolute mess when it first came out. 

When we were benchmarking it for our own performance analysis piece, we kept running into crashes, inconsistent performance and needed to reinstall shaders every time you changed resolution. The game is a lot better now, but it was in a rough spot when it first launched. 

If Sony is able to offload the development of PC games to a dedicated developer, its core studios can instead focus on delivering the next big PS5 exclusive, and we'll get a better PC port – it's a win-win. 

Plus, with re-releases of its older games, Sony typically goes with outside companies anyway. Sony accidentally leaked its purchase of Bluepoint a couple days ago, but when it was an independent company, the gaming giant used the developer to create stunning ports of Demon's Souls and Shadow of the Colossus. 

We don't know what Sony's plans are regarding Nixxes, and it could just use the studio to support other studios on new PS5 games. But if Sony is serious about putting out stellar PC versions of its best games – looking at you Bloodborne and The Last of Us – it'd be silly not to put Nixxes on those projects. 

• Via KitGuru

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DIY builder makes 'breathing' RTX 3080 PC and it's the coolest build we've ever seen

A DIY builder on YouTube has constructed what he bills as the world's first "breathing" PC, and it is honestly one of the most innovative and beautiful PC builds we have ever seen. 

YouTuber DIY Perks turned his attention towards high-end gaming PCs to see if he could construct a build running seriously powerful gaming hardware without needing to rely on noisy fans for cooling. Using acrylic bellows, vents, and a water loop to cool one of the best graphics cards and the best gaming CPU on the market, the RTX 3080 and AMD Ryzen 9 5950X, he reproduced an innovation designed by Nature itself.

Using magnets and reinforced acrylic panels that quietly glide back and forth, DIY Perks was able to create a lung-like bellows system that successfully pulled in cooler, ambient air while forcing out the heat produced by the PC hardware, all without a single fan. It's a masterclass in engineering design and is absolutely worth watching in its entirety.

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How well does this cooling work with powerful, high-end components?

It's no secret that high-end hardware like the RTX 3080 and AMD Ryzen 9 5950X generate a lot of heat, so using powerful – and noisy – fans seem like an absolute necessity if you want to get high-performance gaming. 

DIY Perks' build shows that that might not strictly be true, however. It should be noted that the CPU and GPU temperatures he recorded were impressive for a fanless build – 60 and 62 degrees Celsius, respectively. The real question is whether they can maintain those temperatures when cranking up Cyberpunk 2077 to ultra settings with ray tracing turned on.

The benchmark tool DIY Perks used is certainly valid, but as PCGamesN points out, he didn't run any in-game benchmarks, or run any of the more intensive tests like those we use to test GPUs, such as 3DMark's Time Spy or Port Royal, so it's hard to gauge the builds true potential against more traditional, fan-heavy builds.

Still, the build is admittedly the first prototype of the design that DIY Perks has produced, so there is absolutely room for him to improve on the design. We hope that he does and that inspires others to explore this as a cooling mechanism for future builds.

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