Roundup: Best of TechRadar: this week's best features and hottest reviews

7 reasons why now is the time to buy a Windows Phone

And two reasons why it isn't

For a long time, the biggest decision to make when weighing up a new smartphone has been whether to plump for iOS or Android. But with Windows Phone 8.1 bringing some significant extra functionality to the table, Microsoft's app store growing in scope and quality, and Nokia still producing top-notch hardware, the time is right to upgrade to Microsoft's OS — or so we think. Don't believe us? Check out these reasons to see how Microsoft has leapt forward with its OS.

Meet the awesome tech that will soon make your smartphone smarter

Gadgets, now with added brain

Context is everything. Your smartphone knows where you are and what direction you're facing, but that's about it. What if it knew your context? Not just where you are, but what you're doing, who you're with – and what you're likely to do next. It's called contextual computing, and it's going to make your smartphone into a much better personal assistant. With context, a smartphone, tablet, wearable device or headset could detect when you're driving and read your text messages out loud. It could detect when you're low on battery and start preserving power. It could even alert you when someone really important to you is suddenly nearby. Contextual computing is about improving interaction between human and computer – and it's about computers becoming intelligent. Read all about it

Samsung UE48H6400

A great all-round TV for a very attractive price

A quad core processor, intense detail and fantastic blacks levels make the first-ever 48-inch TV we've reviewed a winner. A fine example of a direct LED-backlit LCD TV, the UE48H6400 has contrast and black levels to spare, while both upscaling and smart TV impress, too. Samsung 3D will presumably add the missing apps on its smart TV platform as quickly as it can, but the lack of the BBC iPlayer, Demand Five and BBC Sport apps at launch is a lesson in what to do with a brand new TV launched in Spring; leave it in the shop until late summer, that's what. Samsung UE48H6400 review

Alfa Romeo's new 4C supercar proves that less is more and super fun too

Carbon-fibre to the core, 40MPG-plus and looks to die for

Can supercar remain relevant in this energy-conscious, technology-obsessed age? That's the conundrum du jour for car enthusiasts. And it's a question addressed head on by the fabulous new Alfa Romeo 4C mini supercar. That's because Alfa hasn't just used tech for tech's sake with the 4C. It's taken the concept of what makes a supercar back to first principles. Then it's considered how to use the latest technology to deliver the best possible driving machine. Crucially, however, Alfa has done all that with more than one eye on relevance and sustainability.

Attack of the Chinese superphones

The brands Apple and Samsung should fear

The likes of Huawei and ZTE are already making moves into the developed smartphone nations, and they're set to be followed by a legion of Chinese smartphone makers in the next year or so. The incumbent Chinese brands may not be making particularly big waves just yet, but with ferocious marketing campaigns and strong budgets from domestic success, it may not be long until the likes of Apple, Samsung and Sony are looking nervously over their shoulders. So we have taken a look at some brands you may not even have heard of, alongside a few more familiar manufacturers to pick out those that could be shaking things up in the next decade. Continue reading...

Garmin Vivofit

The fitness band that lasts a year on one charge

Before you head into the quality of its various fitness features, the Vivofit's always-on display and year-long battery life make it a wearable winner - possibly the only one that could replace your watch right now. Luckily, the fitness stuff is good too for anyone looking for a tracker that doesn't get too serious. It might lack GPS but there are plenty of features to get you moving. When it gets dark the Vivofit becomes a little less useful, given that it misses both an alarm and a backlight, but luckily there are enough positives - including the low price - to make the Vivofit a fitness band to recommend. Garmin Vivofit review

The price is right: why China is all set to dominate 4K TV

Prepare for the Chinese invasion

Ultra HD 4K TVs are being touted as the next big thing, but it's a resolution revolution that's going to be largely fought not in Europe or the North America, but in China. Chinese brand Seiki is selling a 39-inch 4K TV for a mere £295 (US$499, AU$535) and a 50-inch for just £474 (US$799.96, about AU$816) on Tiger Direct. It's also true that 4K TV in the UK tends to begin at the 48-inch size, which does open-up the market for anyone selling smaller sizes at much cheaper prices. Could the likes of Seiki and TCL take a big chunk of business away from the entrenched Korean and Japanese brands like Samsung, LG, Sony, Panasonic and Toshiba? Continue reading...

Canon G1 X Mark II

A superb premium compact camera

By keeping the same sensor but basically rebuilding the rest of the camera's key components around it, Canon has produced something which could potentially worry the likes of Sony and Fuji – it will be interesting to see how sales figures shape up. For now, with its high price and bulky build, I can't see the G1X II displacing too many sales from the current king of the compacts, the Sony RX100 II. However, image quality is better than from the Sony, so if you are looking for the ultimate in performance from something which is (relatively) pocketable, this is the camera for you – especially if you already have an affinity with the Canon brand. Canon G1 X Mark II review

The LG G3's super screen will make it the flagship phone to beat this summer

It's not all about the pixels, people

LG has confirmed that it's going to be using a bleedingly sharp screen in its upcoming LG G3 smartphone, and that's caused an outcry. 'It's pointless pixels and it's going to kill my battery!' the panicked smartphone buyers are lamenting, before realising there are more important things to worry about. While some might question the need for such a high-resolution display (Apple wasn't far wrong when it said its Retina Display in the iPhone 4 was as sharp as the eye could realistically discern) there are other benefits to the new screen technology. Find out what they are

5 sets of headphones that are better than Beats

Forget about Dre

Apple is rumoured to be in the process of buying Beats for a whopping $3.2 billion. While it may be the streaming aspect of the company - and its relationship with big music labels - that attracted Cook and co, if it does purchase the company it will also have headphones that are loved by fashionistas but ridiculed by true audiophiles. TechRadar has been lucky enough to try out a whole host of headphones over the years and here is our pick of the best - the 'phones Apple should consider buying before signing over its hard-earned to Dr Dre and his cohorts. Oh, and as a special bonus, we've added what we felt was the worst pair of earbuds we had to subject our ears to. See the list

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