Video games had a stellar year in 2017.The likes of Super Mario Odyssey, Horizon: Zero Dawn and Forza Motorsport 7 dominated the Switch, PS4 and Xbox One respectively.Meanwhile, smartphones continue to become better gaming devices with better graphics and more complex titles.That's not to say there weren't controversies. Loot boxes hampered the release of EA's Star Wars blockbuster Battlefront 2 and have become a hot-button topic in the gaming world.This week's episode of Future File includes a roundtable discussion of the state of video games in 2018.We touch on some of the best upcoming titles, the aforementioned issues around loot boxes and the best place to start if you're entirely new to gaming.So hit the pause button for the next half-hour and join us for the discussion.Thanks for listening. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

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If your New Year's resolution included trying out a new diet in a bid to get healthier then by now you're probably feeling the strain.To keep you on track, this week's Future File podcast is all about the science behind some of today's most popular health trends.Jeff Parsons and Shivali Best explore veganism, gluten-free, paleo and intermittent fasting in an effort to understand how these diets work and why they've become so popular.They examine the nutritional as well as the environmental effects of these diets and even discuss a recent experiment involving edible insects.Whether you're a die-hard diet fan or a nutritional novice, you'll find this week's episode informative and entertaining. Feel free to tweet us with any thoughts you had about the show.Thanks for listening. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

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Is love anything more complex than chemical signals in the brain? Can human companionship ever be replaced by a sentient robot?These are just some of the questions puzzling Jeff Parsons and Shivali Best in this week's episode of our Future File podcast.The presenters celebrate the fact the most romantic day of the year with a trip into the high-tech world of romance. They find out which dating app is the most popular, what a sex robot actually costs and why they'll both be taking their respective partners to Greggs.Whether you're looking for love or happily settled - this week's episode is best enjoyed with a bottle of wine and a box of your favourite chocolates.Thanks for listening. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

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Many of the technologies we take for granted today owe their existence to the world of cinema.Inventors frequently cite Hollywood spectacle as the driving force behind creating some shiny new piece of tech.And as real-world equipment begins to match what we see at the multiplexes, screenwriters have to dream up even more outlandish examples of on-screen gadgetry.In this week's episode of Future File, Jeff Parsons and Shivali Best list some of their favourite movie gadgets and explore their real-world alternatives.They also explore some of the gadgets that should best be left in the realm of fiction - paying special attention to the hit Netflix show Black Mirror.If you want to dive more deeply into Charlie Brooker's dystopian TV series, you should check out our sister podcast: Black Mirror Cracked. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

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Bitcoin is everywhere at the moment – but understanding what the so-called “cryptocurrency” is and how it works is no easy task.Created by a mysterious developer who uses the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto, bitcoins exploded on to the financial scene in 2013, following enormous increases in their value.Late last year, the digital currency hit the mainstream and saw huge increases – followed just as quickly by massive drops . Some say it's the future of finance, others say it's nothing more than rampant speculation.Jeff and Shivali are joined this week by James Andrews, the Money Editor at Mirror Online to discuss what bitcoin is and how it works.We'll delve into the blockchain tech behind the trend and explain whether or not it's actually worth investing in.Thanks for listening. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

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Every year, hundreds of thousands of technology enthusiasts descend on Las Vegas for the annual Consumer Electronics Show. It's a place where the great and the good of the technology industry have gathered each January since the 1960s.Alongside the quirky gadgets are emerging technological trends that come to define the next twelve months. Not every new product is a hit, but the show always provides plenty of talking points – and not just for the techies.In the first Future File of 2018, Jeff Parsons and Shivali Best dive into the genesis of CES and pick out what impressed them at this year's event.If you've never heard of CES, then this will serve as an excellent introduction to the tech industry's biggest and brashest annual shindig.Thanks for listening. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

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Television viewing habits are changing at breakneck speed. In 2017 we have on-demand programming coupled with affordable tablet screens littering British homes. There's less emphasis on communal viewing but also a huge opportunity to embrace audience engagement and new technologies.This week's episode of Future File features special guest Craig Doyle, best known for presenting BT Sport's live rugby union and MotoGP coverage.Craig, who is also known for his time on seminal tech show Tomorrow's World, helps examine how broadcasters are adapting to the changing needs of consumers. Whether that's dealing with social media pressure or testing out virtual reality.Join us for this lively discussion that might make you stop and think for a second next time you settle down in front of the box. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

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Strapping a mini-computer to your wrist was once the realm of science fiction. Now, you can't walk down the street without spying an Apple Watch or a Fitbit band.These popular new gadgets offer an increasing number of features, including the ability to measure your heart-rate or pay for things on the go. But do they really warrant you ditching a regular Timex just so you don't have to pull your phone out of your pocket to check your notifications?In this week's episode of Future File, we delve into the state of the smartwatch scene, comparing the Apple Watch Series 3 against the Fitbit Ionic. We discuss whether glancing at your watch is ruder than glancing at your phone and uncover the meaning of the word “Phubbing”.If you're not sure what the fuss is about so-called “wearable technology” or aren't sure which smartwatch is worth your cash, then dive in and find out what you've been missing.Thanks for listening For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

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Technology companies are scrambling to win the war for your house.The Amazon Echo, Google Home and Apple HomePod are examples of so-called "smart speakers" that answer questions, play music and in some cases even control other smart appliances.But if you're a consumer trying to decide which is the best option for you, it can all be a bit baffling. Should you side with Siri or answer to Alexa? In this week's episode of Future File, we delve into the different products on offer and discuss whether voice-controlled tech will become the norm for the next generation.So, whether you've taken the plunge with a smart speaker already or are just curious about the motives behind the new gadgets, this episode is for you. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

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Apple has unveiled its long-awaited iPhone X, boasting a stunning all-screen display, wireless charging capability, and an incredibly powerful depth-sensing selfie camera that can capture your facial expressions in astonishing detail.The company also revealed two other phones - the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus - as well as a new smartwatch, called the Apple Watch 3, which is the first to work independently from the iPhone, thanks to built-in 4G connectivity.While Sophie travelled to California for the launch event, and got her hands on the new Apple devices, Jeff was on his honeymoon, blissfully unaware of the whole thing. In this episode, they compare their first impressions of the new gadgets, and discuss which features are likely to catch on with consumers.Feel free to leave a review and let us know what technology product or service you'd like to hear about in future episodes. Thanks for listening. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

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