After obtaining rights to air 64 of the Russian World Cup matches, Optus decided to exclusively show them on its Optus Sport streaming service, which cost $14.99 a month for those that didn’t already have a membership.
“Our customers and viewers have been the priority in our decision making,” Optus CEO Allen Lew said in a statement that claimed the telco “puts football fans first”.
“That’s why we have provided several ways to watch the matches, offered refunds and introduced a range of measures to address the technical issues experienced by some Optus Sport viewers.”
The statement concluded with an open offer that invites all Australians to trial Optus Sport for free until August 31.
For those that signed up to the service purely for the streaming of the 2018 World Cup, there aren’t any explicit instructions on how to approach the possibility of a refund, but since the telco explicitly mentioned it has offered refunds, we’d recommend contacting Optus’ support team if you wish to pursue that line of inquiry.
“With eight million Australians tuning into SBS’s coverage to date, we know how passionate the country is about the world game,” SBS managing director Michael Ebeid said in a statement. “[We] are confident fans will continue to engage with the matches as we head towards the end of the competition in Russia.”
As a huge part of Fortnite’s appeal lies in the ability for players to compete and collaborate across many different platforms, the fact that Sony is holding back total cross-platform play is a huge disappointment not just for fans of the game, but any title that would benefit from unrestricted play between platforms.
A new hope
Thankfully, Sony has hinted that a solution to the problem could be on the cards, with one executive’s comments at the Gamelab conference in Spain offering a ray of light for fans left in the dark, as reported by Eurogamer.
“We’re hearing it. We’re looking at a lot of the possibilities. You can imagine that the circumstances around that affect a lot more than just one game. I’m confident we’ll get to a solution which will be understood and accepted by our gaming community, while at the same time supporting our business.”
White it’s encouraging to hear that Sony is actively looking for solutions to its cross-play problem, there’s no guarantee it will loosen its mulish stance. That said, the outlook is brighter now than it was before, so fingers crossed that Sony will find a way to play nice with its console competition.
While Microsoft toils away on Redstone 5, the next major update to Windows 10, you might be thinking the the latest version of Windows is the best. And honestly, with Windows Mixed Reality support for a wave of ARM-based laptops and tablets – you may be right.
And, now that the Windows 10 April 2018 Update has been released, even though it’s had its own fair share of problems, the best Windows tablets are more versatile than they’ve ever been. You can now even switch out of Windows 10 S Mode, so now the best Windows tablets can easily run the full-fat version of Windows 10.
It’s thanks to this flexibility that the best Windows tablets can cover a diverse set of use cases more than ever before. From economical featherweight tablets like the Lenovo Miix 630 to heavy powerhouses like the Surface Pro, there’s a Windows tablet for everyone. Even if you’ve been waiting for a cheap way to get your hands on a Surface device, Microsoft might have you covered, judging by recent budget Surface rumors.
That’s why we’ve gathered together the best Windows tablets we’ve used over the last year or so. There are obvious choices, like the Surface Pro, alongside the surprisingly powerful HP Spectre x2 and the gorgeous Samsung Galaxy TabPro S. No matter which you choose, you can rest assured that you’ll be getting a great Windows experience with any of these tablets.
1. Microsoft Surface Pro
The best all-around Windows tablet
CPU: 2.5GHz Intel Core i7-7660U | Graphics: Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640 | RAM: 16GB | Screen: 12.3-inch, 2,736 x 1,824 PixelSense display | Storage: 512GB SSD | Connectivity: 802.11ac Wi-Fi; Bluetooth 4.1 | Camera: 8MP rear-facing, 5MP front-facing | Weight: 1.73 pounds | Size: 11.5 x 7.93 x 0.33 inches (W x D x H)
Hugely improved battery life
Much better Surface Pen
Surface Pen pulled from package
Only Core i7 can challenge A10X
The Surface Pro is the follow-up to the massively successful Surface Pro 4 – confusing we know – and it deserves to have a number attached to it. This is because the latest version of the Surface Pro not only sees massive battery improvements up to 32%, but it now features an updated Kaby Lake processor as well. Plus, even though it’s no longer included in the box, the Surface Pen now has 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity.
Half the price, but not half the tablet, of the Surface Pro
CPU: 1.1GHz Intel Pentium N4200 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 505 | RAM: 4GB | Screen: 12.2-inch, 1,920 x 1,200 WUXGA IPS LCD | Storage: 64GB eMMC | Connectivity: 802.11ac; Bluetooth | Camera: 5MP rear, 2MP front | Weight: 2.8 pounds | Dimensions: 11.6 x 7.9 x 0.6 inches
Excellent build quality
Great screen
Tricky hinged stand
No good for games
The Acer Switch 3 arrives at a time when most of the best Windows tablets are premium 2-in-1 devices designed to oust both your PC and your tablet. But for anyone who doesn’t need the horsepower of a Surface Pro, the Acer Switch 3 is a wallet-friendly alternative. Even without cutting-edge specs, this tablet is highly competent in other ways. Its impeccable build quality, for example, is complemented by a top-notch active digitizer and pressure-sensitive pen.
CPU: 900MHz Intel Core M3-6Y30 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 515 | RAM: 4GB | Screen: 12-inch Super AMOLED Full HD+ (2,160 × 1,440 resolution) multi-touch | Storage: 128GB SSD | Connectivity: 802.11ac Wi-Fi, VHT80 MIMO, Bluetooth v4.1 | Camera: 5MP front-facing webcam; 5MP rear camera | Weight: 2.4 pounds | Dimensions: 11.43 x 7.83 x 0.64 inches
Impeccably thin
Vibrant Super AMOLED display
Flimsy keyboard base
While it may still be rocking a 6th-generation Intel processor, the Samsung Galaxy TabPro S is a knockout 12-inch tablet that’s thinner and better built than most Windows 10 tablets. It also offers a beautiful Super AMOLED display that you won’t find on any other Windows Device, plus a pair of punchy speakers that actually sound good. It’s keyboard is a bit lackluster, but if you’re looking for a tablet to consume media on, you can’t really do much better than the Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro S.
This product is only available in the US as of this writing. UK and Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Microsoft Surface Pro
4. HP Spectre x2
Fighting fire with spiffier fire
CPU: Intel Core i7-7560U | Graphics: Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640 | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 12.3-inch, 3,000 x 2,000 WLED-backlit multi-touch-enabled edge-to-edge glass | Storage: 360GB PCIe SSD | Connectivity: Intel 802.11b/g/n/ac (2×2) Wi-Fi; Bluetooth 4.2 | Camera: 5MP webcam and HP IR camera with integrated dual array digital microphone (front-facing); HP 13MP camera (rear-facing) | Weight: 2.49 pounds | Dimensions: 11.57 x 8.15 x 0.52 inches (W x D x H)
Elegant design
Laudable performer
Finicky trackpad
Weak battery life
Originally designed as a budget alternative to the Surface Pro, the HP Spectre x2 has essentially been rebranded to take Microsoft’s crown. In many ways, it succeeds. You get a 7th-generation Kaby Lake i7 CPU for a lower price. And, it looks better than the Surface Pro to boot. What’s more, the Active Pen and keyboard come with it – which we still wish was the case with the Surface Pro in 2018.
CPU: 2.71 Intel Core i5-7200U | Graphics: Intel HD 620 | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 12.2-inch, 1,920 x 1,080 FHD IPS | Storage: 256GB PCIe SSD | Connectivity: 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 | Camera: 2MP front camera, 5MP rear camera | Weight: 2.76 pounds (1.25kg) | Size: 11.8 x 0.6 x 8.1 inches (W x D x H)
Beats Surface Pro 4 on price
Has USB-C as well as USB 3.0
No microSD
Average battery life
In a sense, the Lenovo Miix 510 is the Surface Pro alternative that you buy when you’re fed up with Microsoft’s reluctance to move forward with its connectivity practices. USB-C is here, and it’s brought USB 3.0 with it. While the screen is limited to 1080p, the Lenovo Miix 510 comes with an active stylus, a detachable AccuType keyboard and an articulating kickstand for flexibility without limits. While the battery suffers, the Lenovo Miix 510 is still a surefire win.
