Spartacus blood and sand

If you've already binge-watched all of Game of Thrones prior to the coronavirus lockdown, you'll need a new TV series obsession to fill your time. Here's a list of quality TV shows full of fantasy, violence and enough thematic similarities to justify a hearty binge. Got any favorites that don't appear on this list? Share them in the comments! The Last Kingdom (3 seasons) Based on Bernard Cornwell's Saxon Series novels, The Last Kingdom is set in England during the 10th century, when Viking invasions were commonplace. The series centers around a character named Uhtred (Alexander Dreymon), a Saxon noble captured and raised by the Vikings who fights for the English. Like Game of Thrones , The Last Kingdom has plenty of family drama, power struggles, complicated relationships and bloody battles. The violence is extremely graphic -- eye-gouging, beheading, stabbing and crucifixion are just some of the ways people die on this show. Watch The Last Kingdom on Netflix … [Read more...] about 11 Game of Thrones type TV shows to watch during lockdown

Smart displays combine the handy features of a smart speaker with the flexibility of a screen, so you can see and hear the information you’re asking for, whether that's the news, a recipe or even just what the weather is like. Both Amazon and Google offer several smart displays with varying screen sizes, but now Google has added the Nest Hub 2 to the mix. This 7-inch smart display, which is available to pre-order now , is priced at $99.99 / £89 / AU$149. Going on sale on March 31, it’s the first smart display that can track your sleep as well as everything you’d expect such as acting as a digital photo frame, displaying recipes, and letting you watch streaming services such as Netflix and Disney+ . If you’re considering investing in a smart display, but are wondering which one will suit you best, then we’re comparing the Google Nest Hub 2 and the popular Amazon Echo Show 8 – a similarly priced rival – to help you decide which model is right for you. Best Google … [Read more...] about Google Nest Hub 2 vs Amazon Echo Show 8: pick the right smart display for you

Apple launched two new smartwatches in 2020: the Apple Watch Series 6 and the Apple Watch SE . Both devices run WatchOS 7 , but because the Watch SE is a more affordable version of Apple's flagship Watch, it has fewer features and an older processor, Apple's S5 chip. The devices have cellular and Wi-Fi-only variants and are available now to purchase. The Watch Series 6 starts at $399 (£379, AU$599), while the Watch SE costs $279 (£269, AU$429). If you're interested in either smartwatch but aren't sure which one you should get, read on for our deep dive on how these two compare. Read more: Apple Fitness Plus is a no-brainer if you already own an Apple Watch Apple Watch Series 6 $399 at Apple Apple Watch SE $279 at Apple Now playing: Watch this: Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Series 6 comparison 13:38 … [Read more...] about Apple Watch 6 vs. Apple Watch SE: Which should you buy?

With its launch today, Resident Evil 7 becomes one of the first blockbuster games playable entirely in virtual reality (provided you’re playing on the PS4, that is). In theory, it’s a perfect fit. With its new first-person perspective, absolutely stunningly detailed visuals, and renewed focus on straight-up horror, RE7 is the most immersive Resident Evil yet. And when you strap on a PlayStation VR headset, you should only further be ensconced in this spooky, unsettling world. Unfortunately, there are a handful of compromises that keep the PSVR version from being the ideal way to play. One of the most important compromises comes in the form of the game’s visuals. Part of what makes the standard version of RE7 work so well is how real it looks. Walking through the creepy Baker household, it’s impossible not to get chills from the tiny details; cockroaches scurrying through the walls, dried blood caked on a bathtub. But you don’t get that same sense in VR, as the visuals are … [Read more...] about Resident Evil 7 in VR is a scary but compromised experience

It's been a tough year for 007 fans. First scheduled for a release in March 2020 but delayed repeatedly by the coronavirus pandemic, No Time to Die is now set to premiere Oct. 8. The next James Bond installment will be the 25th film in the 007 franchise and the fifth and final (so he says) starring Daniel Craig as the British secret agent. Like every Bond movie , No Time to Die will span the globe , showing viewers not just London, but also far-flung locations like Italy, Jamaica, Norway and Scotland. From Dr. No to Spectre , each Bond flick is enough to give you the serious travel bug, even if you can't afford the luxury hotels someone on a government payroll seems to be able to manage. Editors' top picks Subscribe to CNET Now for the day's most interesting reviews, news stories and videos. As a Bond fan , I try to seek out sights shown in the series when I travel. Here are a few incredible places I've been so far and one I can't … [Read more...] about Amazing James Bond locales in real life: How to travel like 007