News from the web

Image: UberUber has announced that it will provide rides to and from England’s seven mass-vaccination centres free of charge. The ridesharing app released a series of promotional codes that will cover up to £15 of your trip to or from the vaccination hub. £15 is the price of the average fare, meaning you could travel to your appointment free of cost. ...   The Inquirer

Reports are circulating that a number of retailers and companies will be restocking the PS5 later this week, which has remained unavailable since its launch last November. According to PS5 UK Stock – Instant Updates on Twitter, who has proven accurate in the past, a selection of retailers will have the next-gen console available to purchase in the coming days. ...   The Inquirer

In this episode of The Full Nerd, Gordon Ung, Brad Chacos, Alaina Yee, and Adam Patrick Murray dig deeper into some of CES 2021’s biggest PC hardware announcements, then dive deep into your questions. ...   PC World

Swiss loudspeaker maker PIEGA has launched its Ace series, a range of affordable and elegant looking speakers that feature the brand’s signature aluminium cabinets and AMT tweeters. ...   The Inquirer

Epic Games has added the iconic Predator to Fortnite, and the famous sci-fi creature comes with an assortment of skins and other cosmetics to unlock. To unlock Predator and all of his associated cosmetics players will need to complete the Jungle Hunter Quests, which unfortunately involves hunting down the alien as he prowls about the island. ...   The Inquirer

After months of testing a “shuffle playî button, Netflix will roll out the feature in the first half of 2021.   PC World

Google started rolling out Chrome 88 this week, and while browser releases usually herald what’s new, the most noteworthy change in this update is what’s not included. Chrome 88 lays Adobe Flash and the FTP protocol to rest. RIP circa-2000 Internet.Neither comes as a surprise, though it’s poetic that they’re being buried together. ...   PC World

Final Fantasy 16 has all the ingredients to make it one of the greatest single-player entries in the series for generations, sporting a supremely talented development staff and a unique vision of a dark, imaginative fantasy world I can’t wait to explore. ...   The Inquirer

LG is considering leaving the smartphone market after reporting billions of pounds in losses over the past five years. The news comes from a memo CEO Kwon Bong-seok addressed to staff and published by The Korea Herald. ...   The Inquirer

God of War is easily one of the biggest games to grace PS4 in recent years, acting as an ambitious reboot for Kratos as he was thrust into the world of Norse mythology. It was a huge success, and spells a hugely exciting future for the franchise. ...   The Inquirer

Calling all iPhone users, you can now get a refurbished pair of 2nd Gen Apple AirPods for just £79.19 when you use the code PURCHASE10 at the checkout. Available via StockMustGo’s eBay storefront, the deal is only available for a limited time as the aforementioned discount code expires this Friday, Jan 22. ...   The Inquirer

What’s the best cheap TV to buy in 2021? Great TVs don’t necessarily have to cost the earth. There are plenty of cheap TVs that can do a job if all you need is a set to watch your favourite shows and movies on. Here, we not only have just best cheap TVs, but the best value sets if you can push your budget a bit further. ...   The Inquirer

Q: What are the best options for a pre-built desktop PC? My parents need a new computer, but building them one isn’t an option, as I don’t live in the same state. All they do is surf the web and play an ancient card game, so I don’t need to buy them much.A: Since this question can be interpreted as either one about best form factors or best vendors, I’ll tackle both topics. ...   PC World

Quality over size is our usual mantra, but vendors don't generally offer their best technology in TVs smaller than 55-inch class.   PC World

Version 88 of the Google Chrome web browser is out in the wild and is historically significant as the first to arrive without the doomed Adobe Flash plug-in. Adobe finally announced that Flash, which powered many of the early gaming and video (oh and lots of ads) in the early era of the web, would be shutdown for good on December 31 2020. ...   The Inquirer

On Tuesday night, MediaTek launched the Dimensity 1100 and 1200, a pair of smartphone chipsets that aim to challenge the best that Qualcomm’s Snapdragon smartphone chipsets have to offer.MediaTek released just two performance benchmarks to support its claims. ...   PC World

The next-generation ASUS ROG gaming-centric smartphone will have a somewhat unique secondary display on the rear of the handset, according to a leaked hands-on video. The hotly-tipped smartphone looks like it’ll have small second screen on the back of the phone that’ll seemingly display notifications and other indicators, the brief clip uploaded to Weibo (below) shows. ...   The Inquirer

Switching to a solid-state drive is the best upgrade you can make for your PC. These wondrous devices obliterate long boot times, speed up how fast your programs and games load, and generally makes your computer feel fast. But not all solid-state drives are created equal. ...   PC World

When Apple launched the AirPods Max at the back-end of last year for a whopping £549, eyebrows were certainly raised. Surely they’d be DOA given the number of high quality rivals available for around £200 less? However, a new teardown from the destructive folks at iFixit might go a little way towards explaining where Apple lovers’ extra cash goes. ...   The Inquirer

Scalpers are still ruining PS5 sales for the general public, with the makers of a popular bot brazenly claiming to have snagged more than 2,000 consoles from the retailer GAME on Tuesday. The makers of Carnage Bot claimed i’s users were able to leap to the front of the queue when a limited number of consoles went on sale on Tuesday morning. ...   The Inquirer

Considering the new M1 Mac computers are debuting a revolutionary new architecture, the rollout has been surprisingly free of teething problems. However, some early adopters of the new Apple Silicon-powered MacBooks are currently experiencing a strange screensaver bug that just won’t go away. ...   The Inquirer

The Samsung Galaxy A32 5GSamsung unveiled the newest updates to its A Series this afternoon. The Galaxy A32 5G, Galaxy A12 and Galaxy A02s will join Samsung’s line of cheap smartphones for 2021, coming a mere week after the launch of the more expensive Galaxy S21 family of phones. Here is what you need to know about them. ...   The Inquirer

Epic Games has announced a huge new update for Fortnite which will see the battle royale experience incorporate a number of major football teams into its roster.  The new update will add a number of popular teams from all over the world such as Manchester City and AC Milan. ...   The Inquirer

Surprise! Out of nowhere, Intel killed its entire lineup of Optane SSDs for desktops over the weekend, signaling the end for the Optane 800P, 900P, and 905P, as well as the Optane Memory M10, as spotted by Tom’s Hardware. ...   PC World

Qualcomm has announced the Snapdragon 870 5G mobile platform as the successor to the Snapdragon 865 and 865 Plus with an enhanced CPU, 5G connectivity and intuitive AI. The Snapdragon 870 5G features the Qualcomm Kryo 585 CPU, offering speedy performance that clocks up to 3.2 GHz while also delivering maximum power efficiency. ...   The Inquirer

Samsung’s been at the top of the SSD storage food chain since the day the company entered the market, and the 870 EVO honors that tradition. It’s the fastest SATA SSD we’ve tested, it’s available in up to 4TB of capacity, and it’s exceedingly affordable given its speed. Specs and pricing The 870 EVO is a 2. ...   PC World

Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim is now playable on PS5 at a silky smooth 60 frames per second thanks to a new user-created mod.  Fallout 4 received similar treatment in recent months, with players uncovering that both the PS5 and Xbox Series X are capable of running the post-apocalyptic RPG at a much higher performance thanks to mods in the Bethesda Creation Club. ...   The Inquirer

Roughly a month after launching the Snapdragon 888 for next-gen smartphones, Qualcomm decided to go back to its earlier Snapdragon 865 to tweak it once again, resulting in the upgraded Snapdragon 870. The only gotcha? A lack of Wi-Fi 6E.In a nutshell, the new Snapdragon 870 is a faster version of the original Snapdragon 865. ...   PC World

If you’ve yet to make the jump to 4K then this offer on a 55-inch Hisense set is the perfect chance to do so without breaking the bank. Previously available for £349, just use the code PURCHASE10 and you can bring the price down to a super affordable £314.10. Just be warned however, the code expires on January 22, leaving you with just a few days to make use of this fantastic offer. ...   The Inquirer

In December, Samsung revealed that it had teamed up with TikTok to bring the popular video sharing app to its smart TVs, in a move that surprised the team of tech experts at Trusted Reviews. Keen to get the inside scoop on why Samsung thinks TikTok, an app focussed on mobile content, will benefit TV viewers we chatted with Samsung’s Head of TV for Europe, Nathan Sheffield, at CES last week. ...   The Inquirer

UVI has released PX Memories, a new instrument based on the LAMM, the definitive version of a massive and highly-esteemed six-voice analog synthesizer from 1982, presented in a dual-layer... Read More   KVR Audio

Kuassa has updated Efektor GQ3607 Graphic Equalizer to v1.1.0. Changes: Breaking update: onBypass, equalizerType parameter automation behaviors changed, old DAW projects... Read More   KVR Audio

NUGEN Audio has announced that it will soon make available its 'Focus Elements' solutions, which are ideally suited for small/home studios. These offerings are budget friendly, streamlined... Read More   KVR Audio

Harrison Consoles has announced the release of a new AAX/AU/VST/VST3 compatible plug-in, AVA Bass Flow. AVA Bass Flow is a channel strip plug-in designed for mixing bass. It... Read More   KVR Audio

Sonimus has announced SonEQ 2 and the release of an early access version, Release Candidate 1. Sonimus says: Thousands of possibilities in just one plugin. SonEQ... Read More   KVR Audio

McDSP has announced two new APB plug-ins - Royal Mu and Royal Q. Royal Mu is a dual-channel compressor and limiter. Features include analog biasing and saturation, mid/side... Read More   KVR Audio

Truality Audio has released WarmApp, a free audio plugin (VST3) for Windows designed to 'Warm' an audio signal in a subtle, refined way. Its effectiveness depends on the harmonic content... Read More   KVR Audio

VGTrumpet has released VG Tenor Saxophone Jazz & Subtone for the full version of Kontakt. Details: Set up to work with breath controllers (TEControl, MRT Audio, Yamaha... Read More   KVR Audio

Tek'it Audio has updated Oru, a wave-folder distortion for VST2, VST3 and Audio Units plug-in formats, to version 1.1.0. This update improves performance, adds support for macOS... Read More   KVR Audio

weyrerTon has announced the release of Tyrolean Harp, a new Kontakt Library that recreates the unique sound of a wooden Harp only known within the region of the Alps. Here's... Read More   KVR Audio

HoRNet Plugins has just updated LU Meter MK2, the LU Meter with automatic gain staging. The new 2.1.0 version is a feature release and includes: Fixed plugin not loading... Read More   KVR Audio

G-Sonique has announced the release of EDM / Bigroom Ammunition, a plug-in multi-instrument/ROMpler for creating EDM, Dance, Trance, Bigroom, House, Electrohouse G-Sonique and other electronic... Read More   KVR Audio

Fracture Sounds has released Glacier Keys - a collection of piano harmonics performed on a Steinway D concert grand for the free Kontakt Player. Harmonics are produced by gently placing... Read More   KVR Audio

sonicLAB has announced the release of Cosmosf M31, a 'stochastic MIDI event generation system working on multiple time scales and multiple MIDI channel outputs'. Cosmosf M31... Read More   KVR Audio

Thomas Mundt has updated LoudMax to version 1.37 for Mac OS, Windows and Linux. The Winamp version has also been updated. Changes: Improved processing accuracy.... Read More   KVR Audio

App Sound has released Hypotenuse, a collection of 64 new presets for the hardware synthesizer Sequential Pro 3. All the sounds use the Pro 3 arpeggiator and focus is on the paraphonic... Read More   KVR Audio

Lostin70s has updated Bass Deluxe and released an an iOS version for iPad. New features in v1.1.0: Resizable interface. User presets (with virtual foot board). AUv3... Read More   KVR Audio

iPhone, iPad / Instruments / Others: Mobel is a bell ringing simulator for church bell ringers and handbell change ringers. When ringers are at home, travelling or at towers, Mobel lets them practise any method they are going to ring. It also shows the blue line diagram for any method, including...   440Software

iPhone, iPad / Tools / Music Writing: [Compatible devices] iPhone6 or later(Except for the iPhone SE). [System requirements] iOS 11.0 or later required. An easy way to create your own original dance music! Chordana Trackformer makes it easy for you to write your own dance music, even if you...   440Software

iPhone, iPad / Tools / Metronomes: In addition to basic functions of metronome, 1. Simple drum machine. 2. Tuning Fork(A, B-flat, C, E-flat). 3. Rotatable Key-Circle(It is a useful tool for writing a score that is key transposing).   440Software

iPhone, iPad / Tools / Tuners: This is a lite version of the popular Tuning Fork-App with adds! Use your device as a virtual tuning fork! This beautifully designed realization of the classical tuning fork for iPhone, iPod or iPad plays a pre-selected tone and features: Freely adjustable...   440Software

iPhone, iPad / Education / Games, Ear Trainig: Learn to play the piano using falling notes! Start playing immediately, even if you can't read sheet music. Use the touchscreen or connect a digital keyboard and play using real piano keys! Synthesia will wait until you hit the correct note in...   440Software

iPhone, iPad / Education / Games, Ear Trainig: This is the free version. It includes 100 ear training lessons. SECTION “Aâ€� has twenty rhythmic lessons and twenty melodic lessons. SECTION “Bâ€� has twenty rhythmic lessons and twenty melodic lessons. SECTION “Câ€�...   440Software

iPhone, iPad / Education / Training: To use CUBE JAM select 'OK' when the 'CUBE JAM Would Like to Access the Microphone' pop-up message appears when you first launch the App. In case you select 'Don't Allow', setting can be changed from [Settings] -> [Privacy] -> [Microphone] -> [CUBE JAM]. * *...   440Software

iPhone, iPad / Education / Sheet Music & Tablatures: Compose and play back piano compositions anywhere, anytime. Compose your songs using standard music notations on a score sheet, adjust playback settings and then listen to your compositions one at a time or together as part of a playlist....   440Software

iPhone, iPad / Education / Chords and Scales: The app contains major balalaika chords. You can: see the chords in notes representation, as colored photos in one position, save and load the chords sequences, drag and drop the chords into your documents, listen to the chords you picked with...   440Software

iPhone, iPad / Instruments / Others: StrandOrgan lets you play Lars Palo's sample set of the Strand pipe organ of the church in Kalvträsk, Sweden, on a MIDI keyboard attached to your iOS device. The Kalvträsk Church sampleset is provided by Lars Palo under the Creative Commons...   440Software

iPhone, iPad / Tools / Controllers: F8 Control is an app that enables remote control of the ZOOM F8/F8n. With it, you can use an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch (5th generation and later) as a wireless remote controller for an F8/F8n. In addition to the fundamental operations of starting/stopping...   440Software

iPhone, iPad / Education / Chords and Scales: Play the bass guitar major chords right away - no experience required! You can: see the chords in standard string representation, in TAB-representation, as colored photos in one position, save and load the chords sequences, drag and drop the...   440Software

iPhone, iPad / Education / Games, Ear Trainig: This is the ad-free version. It includes 100 ear training lessons. SECTION “Aâ€� has twenty rhythmic lessons and twenty melodic lessons. SECTION “Bâ€� has twenty rhythmic lessons and twenty melodic lessons. SECTION...   440Software

iPhone, iPad / Education / Sheet Music & Tablatures: The professional toolbox your sheet music needs. Used and trusted by 100,000+ musicians worldwide. Import thousands of scores, organize your digital library, and access it anytime, anywhere. Edit your scores with cutting edge tools, and share...   440Software

iPhone, iPad / Tools / Metronomes: Maelz Pro is a simple and beautiful metronome.   440Software

iPhone, iPad / Tools / Controllers: NEXO NeMo is the remote control app of a set of NEXO products (NXAMP Powered TD-controllers, DTD Digital TD-controllers). It allows you to control from an Apple iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch through a Wi-Fi network and from a Mac through a wired or Wi-Fi network one...   440Software

iPhone, iPad / Instruments / Drums: Note: This free version is supported by ads. To remove advertisements, either use the in-app purchase or buy Rhythm Pad Pro from the App Store. Play drums and compose beats using high-quality, professionally sampled drum kits with Rhythm Pad. Create drum...   440Software

iPhone, iPad / Tools / Tuners: This is a lite version of the popular Tuning Fork-App with adds! Use your device as a virtual tuning fork! This beautifully designed realization of the classical tuning fork for iPhone, iPod or iPad plays a pre-selected tone and features: Freely adjustable...   440Software

iPhone, iPad / Education / Courses: Celebrate years of Absynth with these tell-all, expose videos that explore this Native Instruments soft synth's every intimate detail. Watch and see why this updated virtual synth is the Go To instrument for the top synthesists and sound designers all over the...   440Software

iPhone, iPad / Education / Chords and Scales: This app will test your ability to recall all the Blues Scale shapes on the guitar. The minor Blues shapes are in the key of A minor. The major Blues shapes are in the key of C major.   440Software