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Trump is blocking celebs on Twitter and we’ve got the solution

Trumps presidency has already been one awash with childishness to-date. It doesn’t look like it’s going to get much better any time soon.

Trump is blocking celebs on Twitter

Today, Trump blocked Stephen King from reading his tweets. No, I shit you not:

The second tweet by King is a great point. The entire internet is pulling Trump’s tweets apart, also who the hell tweets and then wants it to be kept a secret? To be honest, we didn’t put too much time into thinking about Trump making sense as we know this is all par for the course.

Always being up for some divilment, we got to thinking: just how easy would it be to bring Trumps tweets those he blocked.

Trump.Goos3D.com

Yeah, we turned it around pretty quickly, but there’s now a site that publishes all of Trump’s tweets. We’re going to say it’s in BETA for now, but it works.

@Trmplstltskn

And you can also follow out Trump-clone Twitter account.

The whole idea here is that he’s probably doing more harm than good with his Twitter rants, so we want to make sure everyone can read his non-sense. We’re not alone in this logic either:

 

The DC Universe continues to grow with Wonder Woman

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The DC Universe has had a shaky start, to say the least, but how will ‘Wonder Woman’, the latest instalment, fare?

The DC Universe so far

It’s fair to say that the launch of the DC Universe has been shaky. The Summer of 2016 should have been the first great steps in their cinematic universe. But what should have been easy critical and audience approval with ‘Batman vs Superman’ and ‘Suicide Squad’ turned out to be massive blunders with both films criticised across the board for nonsensical plots, minimised screen time for major characters and an overly stylised gritty dark tone that contrasts sharply with the source material. With the ambitious Justice League film looming closer and closer (along with several individual Justice League movies before then) there’s been a growing fear that the DC Universe will fail to live up to expectations. Wonder Woman was the best response to that doubt they could have possibly given

Wonder Woman

Directed by Patty Jenkins, this beautiful origin story tells the story of Diana (Gal Gadot). From her childhood in the land of Themyscira as the child of Queen Hippolyta (Connie Nielsen) and trained as an Amazon warrior under, General Antiope (Robin Wright). Living an idealistic life unaware of the world of men, or at least until one washes up on her shores.

Steve Trevor (Chris Pine), a spy who tells the Amazons of the Great War that has claimed countless lives across Europe. Believing The God Of War Aries to be the reason behind it, Diana leaves Themyscira with Steve, travelling towards the world in the hope of finding and defeating the Amazons’ sworn enemy thus stopping his influence from spreading.

Quite simply this is the best Movie DC has made since The Dark Knight. You’d almost be forgiven for thinking that an entirely different studio had taken over in the direction of Wonder Woman when you compare it to the overly complex mess that was ‘Superman Vs Batman’. No cheap tricks, no perceived “edginess” for the sake of being gritty. Just pure simple story telling and it solved the mystery as to why such an iconic heroine had to wait seventy-five years for a feature film.

Genuine Wonder Woman

It was waiting for Gal Gabot. Utterly perfect fit for the role, especially after stealing the show in Batman versus Superman.Fitting the character as Diana perfectly, seamlessly flowing between Tough, determined, to soft and empathic at the drop of the hat. Totally believable as a girl who would run fearlessly into no man’s land, kicking Nazis through windows, but at the same time marvelling at ice cream with wide-eyed curiosity. Her and Chris Pine as Steve Trevor have a wonderful chemistry going between them.

A major theme of this movie are the general the horrors of war and the self-destructive nature of mankind. Diana living such an idealistic life. Sheltered and somewhat innocent, she has to deal with the cruelty of man and if they’re worth the effort, a subtle yet powerful theme that’s a far cry from anything achieved by Superman versus Batman.

Is the DC future bright?

We can only hope that this movie and not Batman versus Superman turns out to be the blueprint for all DC films in the future. Films that aren’t gloomy and dark and devoid of any joy but rather hope and doesn’t feel the need to make the audience miserable. It seems like DC is only now discovering what Marvel had known for years: people come to these movies for fun, not to see moody, ego driven, and needlessly melodramatic heroes.

With Justice League coming up at the end of the year, how long this lasts remains to be seen.

We’ve been to Token in Dublin. Spoiler alert, it’s amazing

I remember a few years back when Lyrath, a five-star hotel in Kilkenny, opened for the first time. Joe Dolan played and the crowds swarmed into an unfinished venue. It was a disaster, with door handles coming off and cars getting beached after parking on grass. In Dublin, there’s a brand new bar currently in a Beta phase after only opening on Monday. I went along on Thursday after they opened their doors and I’m delighted to say their opening week is going a lot better than poor old Lyrath’s did.

What is Token?

It would be very easy to just brand Token as a nerd’s paradise, but it’s so much more. Token is a really happy little part of Dublin that’s thrown their arms wide open to the public. On the surface, Token is a restaurant and bar that’s stuffed with authentic arcade gaming machines and I really do mean authentic. These are proper old-school versions of Mortal Kombat and Pac-man that you can challenge for top scores on.

I was taken aback by the mix of people in the venue. Some might have feared that it would be hard-core gamers, but there were as many people who were trying out pinball for the first time as were going for top scores. Let’s dig a little deeper into how Token operates.

The service in Token

I want to start with the service because the humans are often forgotten about. Everyone in Token is incredibly friendly. From the bouncer on the door, right through to the bar staff, everyone is just happy to help you out. So, to the people of Token, you’re amazing.

The food in Token

Dublin can be an expensive place to eat and often you don’t get what you pay for. First of all, Token has an impressive range of food, all with names that will likely make you giggle:

food available in token

I went for the Sneaky Juan while my better half nabbed a Quick Juan. Just because we were starving we opted for a No Juan too – honestly, I laughed too much at that option. We also threw on some fries. While the portions initially looked a little small, I was stuffed after my grub. The tacos and fries tasted gorgeous and the garlic mayo is a definite highlight.

food in token dublinThere really is something for everyone with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options too.

The beer in Token

Pardon the pun, but the beer sums up the spirit in Token. There’s a wide selection of beers from your classics to crafts and they all come at a standard enough price. The gas part is the fact they haven’t really got the proper bar license yet. With a classic ‘can-do’ attitude, they are playing a loop-hole which allows you to serve alcohol in a restaurant to people once they are served at a table. This is why you order your beer and collect it from a table in front of the bar. Genius.

Here’s my food and drinks receipt for two people. I think you’ll agree it’s very fair indeed.

how much does food cost in token dublin

The games in Token

And then we get to the important part; the games. You’re barely in the front door and you’re playing a crane-arm game to try and win some free food and drinks. On the floor, there is an amazing selection of games on show, many of which I’ve never had the chance to play before visiting Token. I love retro gaming, but I just wasn’t around the last time arcades like Token were thriving. I was a bit of a dab-hand at the G-Con gun powered Point Blank game, while the likes of Mortal Kombat left me feeling more than a little humbled (I’m used to the Sega controller, I swear). Like, just look at my face, the face of a broken man:

I took a beating from my other half on Street Fighter and after a period of sulking, I got stuck into other classics like Pac-man. The one genuine fear I had about Token was that it wouldn’t be good value. With the food and beer not being silly prices, I was delighted to see the great value gaming tokens on offer. I grabbed 50 tokens for €20 which kept four of us entertained for the night. You even get a cool little Token bag for your gaming tokens – I don’t know why, but it’s just a really nice memento to get.

Token: The verdict

As soon as I heard about Token, I knew it would be a great spot but it really is one of Dublin’s most unique and enjoyable venues. The atmosphere is great and you’ll just be in a good mood after visiting the place.

 

Yer grand! Plynk it to me: Irish money messaging app Plynk is a big deal

Banks are sweating. How we handle our money is dramatically changing with the imminent arrival of PSD2 and the growing popularity of smartphone payments. Still, transferring money is a bit of a pain in the arse, which is why Irish startup, Plynk, has just raised €25m in funding.

What is Plynk?

In short, Plynk is a less awkward way to get that cash your mates owe you. It’s a money messenger app that lets you transfer cash using only the app on two smartphones. If you’ve been paying close attention, it’s not a million miles away from the French-based Lydia app.

Why is Plynking so great?

To really appreciate the convenience, think back to the last time you split a bill. It’s all awkward with one person paying with cash, another with card and then the waiter moaning that you’re splitting at all.

Plynk helps you avoid all that. Instead of sending money to an impossible and annoying IBAN, you just send it to a contact. It’s better than a bank transfer as it’s instant regardless of your friend’s bank. No more being judged for being with Ulster Bank.

Plynk prepaid Mastercard

Plynk will also give you a what is effectively a prepaid Mastercard. Once topped up, you can use your virtual card online. This is great for a couple of reasons, including the fact you’re adding an extra layer to your online shopping security. You can spend money on your virtual card once you either top it up or have received money from a friend.

What’s next for Plynk?

Arguably, they Ireland’s hottest startup right now. It’s really important that the app gains the momentum that Lydia totally failed to gather in Ireland.

Ireland’s hottest startup right now

Personally, I can see Facebook swooping in and buying the lot. For now, the app will make your life easier so give it a download and text that friend that owes you a few bob.

Plynk is available now on Android and iOS

Tech to the Rescue: Father’s Day gift ideas

Of all the Hallmark makey-uppy celebrations, Father’s Day probably gets the least attention. Sure all your auld lad wants is socks really. Still, there’s time to order from Amazon still so here are some more creative Father’s Day gift ideas.

Socks

Aw, god damn it. Not even one gift in and it’s socks. To be fair, it’s not just any old pair of socks. Let you dad embrace his inner summer-dad regardless of the weather or footwear: sandal-socks.

sandal socks are a great fathers day gift idea

Gift cards

Usually, gift cards are a last-minute solution when you’ve been caught of guard. Well, to be honest, they actually always are. But gift cards are a great Father’s Day gift idea and because Dad’s are simple creatures, they’ll be delighted with the few bob to spend in Gamestop or on Amazon. Plus, just thin about it logically. That country CD will be great for a few minutes, but a Spotify membership gives an endless amount of music. We’ve written in detail about this in the past so check it out.

TomTom Go is a brilliant sat-nav app

Is your auld lad the kind of man that rather get lost than ask for directions? Yeah, they all are. TomTom is one of the world’s best-known sat-nav makers. Smartphones came along and destroyed demand in their hardware. Finding themselves in an ‘adapt or die’ situation, TomTom created a fantastic navigation app. Sure enough, Google Maps does a fairly good job, but TomTom Go just has a more polished finish to it. Read the full review we did on this a while back, but at €19.99 it’s a great pressie for Dad. It’s also a handy one if you find yourself without a present at short notice.

Sony WS620 Bluetooth Walkman

earphones for father's dayYeah, Walkman. Go on, admit it, you just got all nostalgic. These Sony earphones are a serious piece of kit and will surely tick a few boxes for Dads out there, particularly the active ones. Dustproof and waterproof, the Sony W620 can even be used while swimming. For cyclists and people trying to hear instructors, they’ve also got an ambient mode that lets you tune into your surroundings. These Sony earphones have built-in storage to have a few tunes but, of course, can also be connected to a smartphone. You’ll find these at a load of electronics retailers, just check out the Sony site.

So, when is Father’s Day?

I’ve already had a mini-heart attack because of the Lidl catalogue advertising Father’s Day last week, but you still have time. This year, Father’s Day falls on Sunday 18 June, but just bear in mind you’ll need some extra time if you’re ordering from Amazon.co.uk. You could always pick him up and Echo Dot.

 

iOS 11 is here and it has a few new tricks up its sleeve

Yesterday, Apple held this year’s WWDC keynote and we were introduced to some of their new toys. This includes their new OS platform iOS 11. The great thing about phone today as opposed to a decade ago is that every year we get a system update that gives us new and improved functionality to play with. It’s almost like getting a new phone without the cost.

iOS 11 got a fairly big overhaul on all products. Between new functions on your iPhone to developers being able to do a lot more in game development and picture editing. Here’s the down low on what’s new with iOS 11.

Siri

Siri has gotten an upgrade. It now sounds a bit more natural and can change the tone of its speech based on the context of what is being said. It can also translate now for you, which can come in handy when you’re on holidays and need directions somewhere or are ordering food. They also have a new concept they seem to be excited about called ‘Machine Learning’. This means that Siri can make more proactive suggestions and provide information based on what you are doing on your iPhone and iPad.

Apple Pay

Apple Pay is still being rolled out in Ireland and if your bank doesn’t support it, don’t forget to try out Boon. But, for those of you who have the real deal, it’s gotten a pretty cool upgrade. Nothing too fancy, but it is useful. Let’s say you’re out for dinner with friends and ye are splitting the bill three ways. It’s always awkward, someone doesn’t have the right cash or gets left short a few quid. With the messages app, you can now send and receive money on Apple Pay. You can then choose to keep it on your Apple Pay ‘card’, or transfer it straight to your bank account. Right now this isn’t a big deal for Ireland, but more banks are now starting to use Apple Pay and in the next year or two we will be using it a lot more. It does seem to offer the same convenience of Lydia, but of course, Apple would be a heavy hitter here.

iPhone

Rather disappointing on the iPhone front when it comes to iOS upgrades. But given the fact that it’s the ten year anniversary of the phone this year, we might see more changes towards the end of the summer.

The camera app has gotten a slight improvement. There are better editing options and settings that offer better pictures in low light conditions. Maps got a new upgrade too, offering maps of airports and shopping centres. Of course these will be limited at the start but they will be rolling out new maps every month for the next few months.

The Control Centre has also gotten an upgrade. It’s a bit less cluttered and relies a bit more on 3D touch to bring up more options.

iPad

iOS 11 on iPad has gotten far more upgrades than on the iPhone given the fact that the new iPad Pros that were announced along with it. It now has a dock, similar to on your Mac. It allows for better multitasking with split screening. And you can now drag and drop, which makes adding pictures and attachments to emails easier. Searching for notes has been made easier too. It now recognises notes you have written with the Apple Pencil in your own handwriting, even if it’s poor, which is pretty impressive. Apple is calling this ‘Deep Learning’ to recognise your handwriting.

iOS 11 comes to the world of AR and VR

As Apple are throwing their hat into the AR and VR ring, they have shown off some very impressive tools for developers. One of these is an app called AR Kit, which Apple are calling ‘The largest AR platform in the world’. They did a demo of how developers can make different scenarios and it was flawless. Of course, this was a demo they were probably working on for awhile. I’m sure in the real world it won’t be as smooth until you’ve caught a real grasp of it.

They are also dipping their toes into VR. Rather than making their own VR headset, they are more set on developing VR support. Because why not? If Samsung users have to use Apple software to get the best out of their headset, I reckon that’s definitely a win for Apple. They showed us a demo of Darth Vader on Mustafar and a couple of Tie Fighters overhead. Thanks to their new graphics card which they will be selling to developers, it looked sleek, lag free and awesome.

Mac

Their newest iOS system you’ll be getting on their Mac’s is High Sierra, which Apple SVP Craig Federighi described as ‘Fully baked’. Heh heh. It’s not a major update. They said they spent the year trying to perfect your Mac OS, so nothing to get too excited about. It includes a better filing system, better photo editing, and updates to Safari. The Safari updates ‘Intelligent tracking prevention’ which will cut back on ad trackers. And on the new Mac’s their stronger updated graphics card will support your VR development and support for the Unity and Unread gaming engines. For gaming developers out there, Apple seems to be the way to go moving forward.

Apple TV

On the tvOS side of things there isn’t anything major. The main talking point is that Amazon Prime is now coming to Apple TV, but Tim Cook has promised more updates on tvOS later this year.

Apple Watch

And last but not least, watchOS4 is here, but there is only so much you can do with a smart watch. They bragged about how it’s the world’s number one selling watch and is the highest in customer satisfaction. Siri now uses machine learning to customise the content shown in real time such as traffic, meetings, news and smart home controls. Toy Story is also coming to Apple Watch, with the option of having Woody and Buzz as a watch face.

It has some fitness-focused updates which encourage the user to exercise in order to achieve monthly challenges. You can also use NFC to tap your watch on gym equipment, presumably a treadmill, to keep track of how fast you’re going and how many calories are burned. I reckon it’ll be awhile before Irish gyms bring in the required equipment to even use this feature. My advice? if you’re looking for an Apple Watch, maybe stick to the Apple Watch 3 for now.

So what do we think of iOS11? Some big updates and some small updates. For the big Macheads out there we have seen some big developments. If you’re in the gaming industry I would be rather excited. For the everyday user on an iPad, we have some very nice updates. If you were looking forward to some major updates on your iPhone, you may be disappointed. But don’t be surprised if we don’t see some updates when the new iPhone range is unveiled in a few months.

Infographic: Apps to spice up your love life

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We’ve covered some of the weird and wonderful things from the modern world of love and romance. So far, that’s included a look at unusual apps like Hater, Tinder based on similar hates and Rumuki, a safe way of making a sex tape. This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to sex tech as today, spicing up your love life has never been easier.

Democratisation of sex tech

There was a time when spicing up the love life meant a mandatory trench coat and a quick dip into the local store that might as well be selling shady curtains and neon lights. Today, ordering items online and downloading apps, often for free, makes it easier than ever to heat things up in the bedroom. This interactive infographic has a plethora of apps to get you started.

Google Flights: How so save money when planning a holiday

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Searching for cheap flights can be a maze, which is why Google Flights was launched for Irish users recently.

What is Google Flights?

Google Flights provides you with a hugely powerful search engine for flights. You enter your preferred travel details. Google then does all the donkey work and returns an overview of prices to each airline.

Preview of Google Flights

Once you’ve assessed the available flights and are happy with your airlines, the service will prompt you to book. This is done directly with the airline, so Google has nothing to do with it. Once you book one, you can return to the screen below to book your second flight.

booking-with-google-flights

Why use Google Flights?

You can spend as much time as you like trawling through all the airlines in the world looking for cheap flights. Or you can let Google do it for you. For years many have suggested using incognito mode while booking flights. The idea is that airlines like Ryanair track you returning to their site to increase the price. Google should discredit this theory with their travel service, or at least give you a smarter way to beat it.

If you adjust your own online flight booking habits slightly, you’ll benefit greatly. Google Flights lets you track prices, with updates going to your inbox. This will tell if you if there is a sudden price drop or increase so you can react quicker. Google Flights also lets you know if you might there are cheaper flights on a similar date. The service goes even further now, warning you of previous trends where prices normally increase.

google-flights-alert

As cliché as it may sound, why wouldn’t you use Google Flights? The best feature simply has to be the ability to track flight prices and get warnings for price increases. By giving new technology like this a try, you could save yourself a nice bit of cash!

 

Crowdfunded June: 6 tech Kickstarter campaigns you should back

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I’m a massive fan of Kickstarter as products that come through crowdfunding already know the public needs them. I’m currently waiting patiently on the Everlast notepad from Rocketbook – hopefully, the last notebook I ever buy. That crowdfunding ship has sailed, but there’s no shortage of techie gadgets on Kickstarter right now for you to back.

Jelly: The world’s smallest smartphone

Get your giggles out of the way because this is a serious smartphone once you dive into it. Produced by Chinese manufacturer Unihertz, Jelly has already raised over $1m. They only bloody set out to bag $30k, but over 9,000 backers have sent them flying past their goal. The Jelly will run Android 7, full 4G and boasts an 8MP primary camera. Top that off with dual-SIM slots and three days of battery life and you’ve got yourself a top-notch piece of kit. Did I mention it measures in with a 2.45-inch screen?

Yep, the Jelly is designed to fit in the ‘johnny’ pocket of your jeans (fun fact, that was actually for cowboys to carry those watches on a chain, not your ‘jimmy-hats’).

The Jelly will set you back about €70 before shipping.

HEED: Turn your smartphone into a dashcam

I’ve been loving Nexar for a long while now. It’s a super simple app that lets you use your smartphone as a dashcam. There’s no doubting that dashcams can save your bacon if you’re in an accident. HEED is a new Kickstarter campaign combining an app similar to Nexar with some in-car hardware. HEED will reduce your need to handle your phone while driving and even charges it wirelessly.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/420513186/heed-probably-the-smartest-car-accessory-in-the-wo?ref=producthunt

The HEED super early bird is still available for about €52.

Vintage vinyl Bluetooth speaker

Recycling madness, but still absolute class, is how I would describe the latest from UncommonGoods. They’re reclaiming old vinyl and making them into Bluetooth speakers. This is really cool for a few reasons, my personal favourite being that old vinyl will continue to produce different types of music for a new generation.

Even more importantly, it would appear that the speaker is made from really high-quality material meaning you get great sound.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/uncommongoods/vintage-vinyl-bluetooth-speaker/description

You can back this now for less than €190, but the levels are filling up fast.

Momo: A smart home assistant

First impression: why do we need another smart home assistant to compete with Google Home and Amazon Echo. Then, I realised the Momo isn’t really taking them on, it’s trying to replace them in a way. Momo will work with everything the two heavyweight home assistants does and more. It also doubles as a lamp and is much easier to flip into a definite privacy mode.

The Momo goes the extra mile to Google and Alexa, learning from your actions and even recognising users. Like all of these gadgets, to get the absolute most out of it, you’ll need some other smart tech such as WeMo lights. Still, worthy of making the list because it’s taking on the big dogs if nothing else.

 

The only catch is that at just under $300, it does come in a little more expensive than Google Home and a lot more expensive than the Echo Dot. You do get more for your money though.

AquaGenie: The world’s smartest water bottle

You can slap a microchip into anything these days. AquaGenie is a great example of how slapping a microchip into everything can lead to brilliance. I can’t remember the last day I drank my proper allowance of water. AquaGenie is a smart water bottle tracks your water consumption and reminds you with subtle light flashes when you need to take a sup. Drinking water is probably the most overlooked part of being healthy and this bottle will definitely help with that.

Unlike many Kickstarter campaigns, the AquaGenie is very far along in terms of development and is already integrated with key fitness apps. This means you’ll get even more value from the bottle straight from the start.

The smart bottle charges wirelessly, is extremely durable and comes with a dedicated water tracking app. The AquaGenie is also BPA free, which bottle enthusiasts will appreciate.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/921287511/aquagenie-the-worlds-smartest-water-bottle/faqs

It might seem like peak world of tech stuff, but the AquaGenie is one of my favourite and most affordable Kickstarters to come along for a while.

The Spyslide: Just in-case your webcam is watching you

Apparently, Russian hackers are mad to see you sliding around the sitting room in your bockies. So much so, you’ll often see bits of tape covering people’s webcams. All joking aside, I cover my webcam with a little sticky on slidy thing I bought over on Amazon for €10. If you’ve ever watched Black Mirror, you’ll have an appreciation for things like this.

The Spyslide is a very similar Kickstarter campaign that’s just been slight more engineered than my cheap Amazon solution. They also pride themselves on being the world’s thinnest cover, so you’re laptop will close nice and smoothly. I’m sure this is even more important for Macbook users.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2126936003/the-spyslide-the-most-elegant-webcam-cover?ref=category_most_backed

Privacy gadgets like his are going to become more popular in the coming years, so it’s worth taking a look at it.

Recall drunks texts and pin WhatsApp chats

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Snapchat doesn’t let you pin chats, do they? No, they don’t but you can now pin WhatsApp chats. That’s an innovation WhatsApp decided all on their own. Fair play.

Isn’t pinning WhatsApp chats a little boring?

Yeah, it’s a slow news day. Sure WhatsApp isn’t even talking about it on their own site where WhatsApp Status is still their big news.

Ah no, being able to pin chats is actually fairly cool and it lets you cut through a lot of the noise in the popular chat app. If you’ve been landed into a few groups, the people you actually want to hear from often get pushed way down into the depths chat list. Now, you simply tap and hold the chat you want to pin and Bob’s your uncle.

There are a few other bits and pieces in the pipeline including what might be the best feature ever for drunk people.

Recall messages in WhatsApp

Why the bloody hell are you allowed to text people when you’re drunk.

drunk texts

Well, WhatsApp got your back. Right now, they’re testing a feature in WhatsApp Beta where you have a five-minute window to recall any texts you send. Guess you’ll have to come to your senses pretty quickly, but still, it’s a step in the right direction.