WhatsApp is slated to receive a pair of AI-powered upgrades aiming to help people answer tough questions on the fly, as well as edit images on the platform.
Starting with answering questions, the upgrade integrates one of Meta’s AI models into the WhatsApp search bar. Doing so, according to WABetaInfo, would allow users to directly input queries without having to create a separate chat room for the AI. You’d be able to hold a quick conversation right on the same page.
It appears this is an extension of the in-app assistants that originally came out back in November 2023. A screenshot in the report reveals WhatsApp will provide a handful of prompts to get a conversation flowing.
It’s unknown just how capable the search bar AI will be. The assistants are available in different personas specializing in certain topics. But looking at the aforementioned screenshot, it appears the search bar will house the basic Meta AI model. It would be really fun if we could assign the Snoop Dogg persona as the main assistant.
📝 WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.7.14: what’s new?WhatsApp is working on a feature to ask queries to Meta AI, and it will be available in a future update!https://t.co/qSqJ9JobbK pic.twitter.com/mKM9PLCF3VMarch 23, 2024
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AI image editing
The second update is a collection of image editing features discovered by industry expert AssembleDebug, after diving into a recent WhatsApp beta. AssembleDebug discovered three possibly upcoming tools – Backdrop, Restyle, and Expand. It’s unknown exactly what they do as not a single one works. However the first two share a name with other features currently available on Instagram, so they may, in fact, function the same way.
Backdrop could let users change the background of an image into something different via text prompt. Restyle can completely alter the art style of an uploaded picture. Think of these like filters, but more capable. You can make a photograph into a watercolor painting or pixel art. It’s even possible to create wholly unique content through a text prompt.
(Image credit: AssembleDebug/TheSPAndroid)
Expand is the new kid on the block. Judging by the name, AssembleDebug theorizes it’ll harness the power of AI “to expand images beyond their visible area”. Technology like this already exists on other platforms. Photoshop, for example, has Generative Expand, and Samsung’s Galaxy S24 series can expand images after they have been adjusted by rotation.
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WhatsApp gaining such an ability would be a great inclusion as it’ll give users a robust editing tool that is free. Most versions of this tech are locked behind a subscription or tied to a specific device.
Do keep in mind neither beta is available to early testers at the time of this writing. They’re still in the works, and as stated earlier, we don’t know the full capabilities of either set. Regardless of their current status, it is great to see that one day WhatsApp may come equipped with AI tech on the same level as what you’d find on Instagram especially when it comes to the search bar assistant. The update will make accessing that side of Meta software more convenient for everyone.
Friendly or otherwise, England vs Brazil at Wembley is a marquee fixture, and as Dorival Junior’s first game in charge of the five-time World Cup champions, the Selecao will be doubly keen to put on a show. Here’s where to watch England vs Brazil live streams online for FREE – from anywhere.
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The reason Brazil are starting afresh just three months out from Copa America? They’re in a mess, and appointing journeyman coach Dorival – who’s bounced between 25 clubs over the past 22 years, with wildly differing results – demonstrates just how far their star has fallen.
They’ve lost three games in a row, and won just three of their last nine, and with both Ederson and Allison injured, Dorival will have to field an uncapped goalkeeper. On a vaguely positive note, Brazil have a superb record against England, who they’ve lost to just once in their past 11 encounters.
Furthermore, either Ivan Toney or Ollie Watkins will lead the line for the Three Lions, as Harry Kane injured his ankle just before the international break. Gareth Southgate has a near full-strength squad to work with otherwise, and a Real Madrid reunion between Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr. is certainly on the cards.
Follow our guide to get an England vs Brazil live stream from all over the world – including detail of FREE streams.
How to watch England vs Brazil for free
Unblock any stream with a VPN
If you’re keen to watch England vs Brazil but you’re away from home and the coverage is geo-blocked, then you could always use a VPN to access it (assuming you’re not breaching any broadcaster T&Cs, of course). You may be surprised by how simple it is to do.
Use a VPN to live stream England vs Brazil from anywhere
Using a VPN is as easy as one-two-three…
1. Download and install a VPN – as we say, our top choice is NordVPN
2. Connect to the appropriate server location – open the VPN app, hit ‘choose location’ and select the appropriate location
3. Go to the broadcaster’s live stream –so, in this case, just head to Channel 4.
No. 13 plays No. 4 in the First Round of March Madness 2024 as the Vermont Catamounts take on the Duke Blue Devils at the Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY, in the South Regional.
Vermont vs Duke is on CBS in the US. Tip-off is 7.10pm ET / 11.10pm GMT on March 22.
No. 13 seed Vermont take on No. 4 seed Duke tonight. After winning eight straight America East regular-season titles, Vermont secured their 10th bid in the last 20 NCAA tournaments. The Catamounts have developed a defensive style which enables them to control the tempo of games but against a significantly more physical and larger opponent they will struggle to hold Duke off.
On the other side, the Duke Blue Devils need no introduction. A perennial powerhouse in college basketball, Duke boasts a passionate fan base. According to Duke coach, Jon Scheyer, the team have been too slow to start from tip-off and said practices have included simulating the start of games. Duke senior guard Jeremy Roach is targeting a solid showing in his last dance.
“We have really the best — I think the best team in the country just talent-wise,” the senior told NBC. “I mean obviously talent can get you so far, but you gotta compete every day and I think that’s just the been the biggest thing for us just competing for all 40 minutes.”
Watch March Madness 2024 in the US
All First Four games are on TruTV, but the March Madness 2024 TV schedule is a tricky one with games spread across four TV channels. Here’s your best options..
What TV channels do I need to watch March Madness 2024?
All men’s March Madness games are shown on TruTV, TBS, TNT and CBS. The first three are owned by Warner Bros. Discovery and are available on Max as well as your regular cable TV package.
If you don’t have cable, you can get CBS through the likes of FuboTV and YouTube TV. It’s also worth knowing that all March Madness 2024 CBS games will also be show on Paramount Plus, though you need Paramount Plus with Showtime package which is $11.99 per month after a 7-day free trial.
Can I watch March Madness 2024 without cable?
US viewers at home can get all of the TV channels without signing up to a cable TV package. How? With a cable replacement service:
Sling is a great option as it includes TruTV, TBS and TNT in its Blue plan. Prices start from $40/month and new users get 50% off their first month. Sling doesn’t include CBS, so you’ll need a Paramout Plus ($11.99) subscription too.
Fubo is another good option. The Pro Plan isn’t cheap (currently $59.99/month) but it gets you well over 100 channels including TruTV, TBS, TNT and CBS. New users get 7-day free trial.
Max is another great option for March Madness 2024 because it currently includes the B/R Sports add-on for free which brings access to TruTV, TBS and TNT all for just $9.99 per month. Throw in Paramout Plus ($11.99) and you’ve got the lot, and with no long contract either.
Watch March Madness 2024 worldwide
Sky Sports has the rights to March Madness 2024 in the UK but has not announced its schedule of matches yet. It doesn’t appear that Sky will be broadcasting anything even close to all of the games.
To watch March Madness 2024 in Canada it’s TSN and Bell Media. TSN Plus gets you all of the First Four but the schedule is unconfirmed for the rest of the tournament with many games likely to appear on the TSN cable channels instead.
For Australian basketball fansFoxtel and Kayo are your go-to platforms for March Madness with games courtesy of ESPN. Kayo Sports starts at $25 per month with the benefit of a 7-day free trial.
Geo-blocking makes it tricky to watch a March Madness 2024 live stream when you’re away from home but you can get round that problem with a VPN. A VPN can make it appear as if you’re in any country you choose.
That means you can watch your free live stream from anywhere, and there’s a great deal with one of the best VPNs just in time for March Madness…
It’s officially the weekend, and if you’re looking for all the best deals from Amazon’s Big Spring Sale, then you’ve come to the right place. As TechRadar’s deals editor, I’ve gone through Amazon’s sale and hand-picked the 31 best deals that I recommend buying now.
Amazon’s six-day spring sale is a first for the retailer, and it hasn’t disappointed thanks to record-low prices on a range of items, including vacuums, kitchen gadgets, and smart home devices to TVs, headphones, and tablets. You’ll find rare discounts on top brands like Apple, Bissell, Samsung, Instant Pot, Sony and more.
Below, I’ve listed links to the most popular sale categories, followed by the 31 top offers representing the best in price and value. Some highlights include Amazon’s best-selling devices starting at just $19.99, a free 65-inch 4K Samsung TV when you pre-order a 2024 Samsung TV, and the viral vegetable chopper on sale for just $19.54.
Shop more of this weekend’s best deals below, and keep in mind that Amazon’s Big Spring Sale ends on Monday, and you might not see bargains like this until the July Prime Day sale.
Alabama face off against Charleston in what promises to be a thriller in this First Round game at March Madness 2024 The match is at the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena in Spokane, Washington, and tips off on Friday, March 22. Below we have all the information you’ll need on how to watch the Alabama vs Charleston live stream from anywhere.
Alabama vs Charleston TV and streaming info.
Alabama vs Charleston is on TruTV in the US. Tip-off is 7.35pm ET / 11.35pm GMT on March 22.
Alabama’s season has been marked by high-scoring performances. Their explosive offense averages an impressive 90.8 points per game, making them one of the most potent units in the nation. Mark Sears, Aaron Estrada, Grant Nelson, and Rylan Griffen are key players in this offensive onslaught. Sears, in particular, with his 50.4% field goal accuracy, is a force to be reckoned with.
Charleston, the No. 13 seed, enter the matchup with a respectable 27-7 record. Their offensive output, averages 80.5 points per game. While they may not be favored, the Cougars have a history of causing upsets.
Watch Alabama vs Charleston live streams in the US
Alabama vs Charleston is on TruTV. If you don’t already have TruTV with your cable package, here are your best options…
Watch an Alabama vs Charleston live stream worldwide
Sky Sports has the rights to March Madness 2024 in the UK but has not announced its schedule of matches yet. It doesn’t appear that Sky will be broadcasting anything even close to all of the games but it’s worth noting that Sky does have an NCAA basketball show at the same time as Alabama vs Charleston, so there’s a good chance you’ll see some action.
To watch March Madness 2024 in Canada it’s TSN and Bell Media. TSN Plus gets you all of the First Four but the schedule is unconfirmed for the rest of the tournament with many games likely to appear on the TSN cable channels instead.
For Australian basketball fansFoxtel and Kayo are your go-to platforms for March Madness with games courtesy of ESPN. Kayo Sports starts at $25 per month with the benefit of a 7-day free trial.
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Watch an Alabama vs Charleston live stream from anywhere
Geo-blocking makes it tricky to watch an Alabama vs Charleston live stream from anywhere when you’re away from home but you can get round that problem with a VPN. A VPN can make it appear as if you’re in any country you choose.
That means you can watch your free live stream from anywhere, and there’s a great deal with one of the best VPNs just in time for March Madness…
The IPL live stream 2024 returns for the 17th time, with the Chennai Super Kings trying to retain their title and win the T20 tournament for a record-breaking sixth time.
There was to be no fairytale rescue act for Collingwood Magpies, who have officially gone under, but they’ve been replaced for the 2024 Super Netball season by Melbourne Mavericks, led by celebrated head coach Tracey Neville. We’ll get to see them in action for the first time at the Team Girls Cup. Here’s where to watch Super Netball live streams online for FREE – from anywhere, including the pre-season tournament.
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If there’s one thing we’ve learned from the Team Girls Cup, it’s that you don’t want to win it – but you want to come close. By some quirk of fate, West Coast Fever were runners-up in the inaugural pre-season tournament and came second in the ladder, but won the premiership. Adelaide Thunderbirds trod exactly the same path last season.
It’s a coincidence rather than a pattern but even so, there’s going to be a lot of speculation following the beaten Team Girls Cup finalists this season.
The eight teams have been split into two pools for the pre-tournament at Sydney’s Ken Rosewall Arena, which runs from Friday, 22 March to Sunday, 24 March. The pool games will take place on Friday and Saturday, with Sunday reserved for finals action.
Follow our guide to get a Super Netball live stream from all over the world – including any FREE streams. We’ve also included the details of live Team Girls Cup coverage, and the pools.
How to watch Super Netball for free
Unblock any stream with a VPN
If you’re keen to watch 2024 Super Netball but you’re away from home and the coverage is geo-blocked, then you could always use a VPN to access it (assuming you’re not breaching any broadcaster T&Cs, of course). You may be surprised by how simple it is to do.
Use a VPN to live stream Super Netball from anywhere
Get the hottest deals available in your inbox plus news, reviews, opinion, analysis and more from the TechRadar team.
Using a VPN is as easy as one-two-three…
1. Download and install a VPN – as we say, our top choice is NordVPN
2. Connect to the appropriate server location – open the VPN app, hit ‘choose location’ and select the appropriate location
3. Go to the broadcaster’s live stream –so, in this case, just head to Kayo Freebies.
Can you watch Super Netball in New Zealand?
Can you watch Super Netball in the UK?
Sky Sports has the rights to netball in the UK, but it doesn’t look like the network will be showing either the 2024 Super Netball season or the Team Girls Cup.
Poland welcome Estonia to what promises to be a febrile National Stadium in Warsaw for a one-legged shootout in this massive Euro 2024 playoff semi-final on Thursday, March 21. Fans can watch Poland vs Estonia for FREE in France and Italy. Full details of how to watch Poland vs Estonia live streams below.
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Poland were unusually inconsistent in Euro 2024 qualifying, finishing third in Group E behind table toppers Albania and runners-up Czech Republic. The Eagles even contrived to lose to minnows Moldova in a stunning 3-2 upset last June. That defeat brought about the sacking of manager Fernando Santos, the Euro 2016-winning boss replaced by U21 coach Michal Probierz. Unbeaten in four games under the new man, Robert Lewandowski & Co. will look to continue their improved form.
Estonia are the lowest-ranked side left in qualifying. Though the Blueshirts failed to win a single one of their Group F fixtures, picking up a solitary draw with Azerbaijan among seven defeats in a group that also contained Belgium and Austria, they have reached the playoff stage by dint of being the best group winner from League D of the 2022/23 UEFA Nations League. That they only had to come through Malta and San Marino doesn’t augur well, though, and nor do the 22 goals conceded in qualifying. Konstantin Vassiljev, the 39-year-old captain, has his work cut out.
The winner of Poland vs Estonia will go on to play either Wales or Finland in the Path A final in Cardiff on March 26, with the winner of that game joining the Netherlands, France and Austria in Group D at this summer’s Euro 2024 tournament in Germany.
How to watch the Poland vs Estonia live stream for FREE
Watch the Poland vs Estonia live stream from anywhere
If you’re abroad right now and struggling to tap into your usual coverage of the 2024 Euro qualifiers, you’ll want a VPN. This’ll help you circumvent the geo-blocking that will try to stop you watching a Poland vs Estonia live stream in particular parts of the world.
They’re a useful means of getting around this issue, are cheap, and easy to set-up as well. Here’s how it’s done.
Use a VPN to watch Poland vs Estonia from anywhere
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How to watch Poland vs Estonia: live stream soccer in the US without cable
How to watch the Poland vs Estonia live stream in the UK
How to live stream Poland vs Estonia in Australia
How to watch Poland vs Estonia: live stream in Canada
Wales will have the home crowd behind them when they play Finland in a huge Euro 2024 play-off on Thursday, March 21. Fans can watch Wales vs Finland for FREE in the UK and US. Full details of how to watch Wales vs Finland live streams below.
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Wales are just two wins away Euro 2024 qualification. Head coach Rob Page’s options will be boosted by the return of winger Rabbi Matondo, Hibernian midfielder Dylan Levitt, and captain Aaron Ramsey from injury, while Rubin Colwill, Joe Low and Charlie Savage have been promoted from the U21s to add some extra options.
Finland’s final two group games produced six points – they beat Northern Ireland and San Marino – but that still wasn’t enough to finish in the automatic qualifying spots.
The winner of Wales vs Finland will go on to play either Estonia or Poland in the Path A final in Cardiff on March 26, with the winner of that game joining the Netherlands, France and Austria in Group D at this summer’s Euro 2024 tournament in Germany.
How to watch the Wales vs Finland live stream in the UK for FREE
Watch the Wales vs Finland live stream from anywhere
If you’re abroad right now and struggling to tap into your usual coverage of the 2024 Euro qualifiers, you’ll want a VPN. This’ll help you circumvent the geo-blocking that will try to stop you watching a Wales vs Finland live stream in particular parts of the world.
They’re a useful means of getting around this issue, are cheap, and easy to set-up as well. Here’s how it’s done.
Use a VPN to watch Wales vs Finland from anywhere
Get the hottest deals available in your inbox plus news, reviews, opinion, analysis and more from the TechRadar team.
How to watch Wales vs Finland: live stream soccer for FREE in the US without cable
How to live stream Wales vs Finland in Australia
How to watch Wales vs Finland: live stream in Canada
How to watch Wales vs Finland: live stream in New Zealand
How to watch Wales vs Finland live stream in India
An important part of how we test TVs at TechRadar is subjective testing. That’s the part of the process where our reviewers run the best TVs through tests looking at picture quality, sound quality, gaming features, smart TV features and more. To test picture quality, we use 4K Blu-ray and streaming, HD Blu-ray and streaming and lower-resolution sources such as DVD.
The specific movies, TV shows, and other media we use are important for our picture quality tests. We’ll use the same scenes for reference across every TV or projector because we know what to look out for when it comes to contrast, black levels, color accuracy, motion, brightness and more using these scenes. And it’s not just picture quality – we’ll also use some of these movie scenes to test the TV’s built-in audio quality.
The movies and scenes we use vary from reviewer to reviewer (apart from one disc that I’ll get into later) but will have been carefully picked as references because they can quickly show a TV’s strengths and weaknesses on the criteria listed above.
Here are the four movies (a mixture of both SDR and HDR across discs and streaming) that I use whenever I’m testing a new TV, along with a bonus disc at the end that no reviewer can live without.
1. The Batman
The Batman (pictured) is excellent for showing black level and shadow detail. (Image credit: Future)
For me, The Batman, the 2022 movie starring Robert Pattinson and Zoë Kravitz, is an excellent resource for testing several aspects of a TV’s picture. An extremely grainy, dark and gritty movie, The Batman used “available natural light” and is “an urban noir film”, according to cinematographer Greg Fraisier ACS ASC (via Cinematography World). The film is also mastered at a very dim 400 nits (most movies are mastered at 1,000 nits).
The Batman is a no-brainer for testing shadow detail and black levels on a TV. If a set can reveal the details and textures in such a dark movie by keeping dark tones accurate, it’s a big positive. Much of the movie takes place at night, so it’s also great for testing black uniformity – the ability to evenly display dark tones across the screen. This is usually no problem for the best OLED TVs but can be a real issue for edge-lit LED TVs such as the Samsung CU8000, for instance, which makes black areas in images appear gray and cloudy instead.
There’s a noticeable amount of grain in The Batman – an intentional choice by the director – but the movie still aims to maintain true-to-life skin tones and textures. That’s why I use it to test a TV’s digital processing to see if it reduces grain too much, giving the image an artificially clean look – something that typically happens in picture modes such as Standard and Vivid.
Along with picture quality, The Batman is excellent for testing audio. The speech is a bit mumbled (again, maybe intentionally?), so it’s a great disc to test dialogue clarity. There’s also the brilliant Batmobile chase scene, which can test the power and weight of a TV’s built-in audio, primarily through the rumble of the Batmobile’s roaring engine.
2. Top Gun: Maverick
Top Gun: Maverick (pictured) is good for showcasing daylight scenes and skin tones. (Image credit: Future)
Top Gun: Maverick, the sequel to 1986’s Top Gun (both starring Tom Cruise), is almost polar opposite to The Batman. Both of these 4K Blu-rays are excellent for evaluating skin tones and a TV’s ability to display true-to-life textures. But a lot of Maverick is shot during the day, so it lets me see how a TV handles those characteristics in a well-lit scene.
The main reason I use Maverick, though, is to test motion. In 2018, Tom Cruise commented on TV motion settings, saying “it takes the cinematic look out of any image and makes it look like a soap opera shot on a cheap video camera” (via BBC News). He made these comments whilst shooting Top Gun Maverick, so clearly natural-looking cinematic fast-paced action was what he was aiming for.
Maverick is filled with plenty of long, panning shots – across landscapes, following cascading, rolling jets and even boats and motorcycles. There are also plenty of intense flight scenes including the first ‘dogfight’ training mission, which I use a lot. This sequence lets me easily see if motion looks smooth or choppy on a TV. When using Filmmaker Mode (generally the most accurate TV picture preset), motion smoothing settings get turned off and that’s a real challenge for TVs. More premium models tend to handle this fine, whereas more budget sets, contrary to what Mr. Cruise says, need a bit of motion help via blur and judder reduction adjustments.
Again, this disc is one I use not just for picture quality tests but audio as well because, you guessed it, jet engines make a fantastic workout for a TV’s built-in speakers. Also, it has many shots of jets flying across the screen, which tests the TV’s soundstage (the wider the better), virtual surround sound, and the positioning of sound effects relative to the on-screen action.
3. Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Star Wars: The Last Jedi demonstrates color, particularly in the scene pictured above. (Image credit: Future)
Despite what many people think of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, it is a wonderfully shot and beautiful-looking movie. Details, motion, contrast – you name it, this movie has it. However, I use it for one test in particular: color.
In the ‘throne room’ fight scene between Rey, Kylo Ren and the red-suited guards late in the movie, so much dynamic and punchy color appears on screen and it really tests a TV’s color rendition. In particular, this scene uses the color red (the guards’ armor, the walls of the room, Kylo Ren’s lightsaber) and it can reveal a TV’s color strengths and weaknesses. Budget models often display a more faded and dull hue whereas more premium sets provide the eye-catching red I’m looking for, though without oversaturation.
The lightsabers are another excellent test for color. Several scenes make these the focal point of the shot and can be very useful for showing a TV’s effectiveness in displaying HDR highlights. TVs I’ve tested that have handled this successfully include OLEDs such as the Panasonic MZ2000, Philips OLED808 and LG G3.
4. The Amazing Spider-Man
The Amazing Spider-Man (pictured) DVD is good for showing a TV’s upscaling. (Image credit: Future)
This choice is less about the movie itself and more about a legacy format: DVD. The Amazing Spider-Man is a superb-looking movie, but not all 4K TVs handle it equally. Textures can appear soft and fuzzy – unsurprising considering the picture needs to be heavily upscaled.
A good 4K TV will provide blur-free upscaling and sharpen textures to give more life and punch to the picture. On larger screens such as the best 65-inch TVs, 4K upscaling of a standard-definition image will never be perfect, but a good TV should be able to make a DVD watchable.
The Amazing Spider-Man is a colorful, fast-paced movie with plenty of alternating day and night sequences, so it covers all the picture quality testing bases. More importantly, the DVD version tests a TV’s upscaling to see if it can bring a vivid visual punch to the movie even from a lower-resolution source.
Bonus disc: Spears & Munsil UHD Benchmark 4K Blu-ray
The Spears & Munsil 4K Blu-ray (demo footage pictured) is a testing essential. (Image credit: Future)
Many readers will be unaware of Spears & Munsil UHD Benchmark 4K Blu-ray, but it is an essential disc for TV reviewers. Spread across three discs, it is designed to test every performance aspect of a TV. The UHD Benchmark features test patterns for color gamut, grayscale, sharpness, motion, skin tones and much more, and for me is a must-have.
A section I regularly use is the demonstration material, a 7-minute reel of footage mastered in all HDR formats – HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision – that highlights every area of a TV’s picture performance mentioned above. Snowy scenes reveal how a TV handles vibrant whites, night landscapes show its ability to reproduce a truly black sky, while animal shots contain intricate textures and details in feathers and scales.
This disc will enable home theater enthusiasts to calibrate their TVs for the absolute best picture and is highly recommended.
