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6 fitness apps for getting in shape this year

Goosed.ie Team
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6 fitness apps for getting in shape this year
As Summer closes in, we here in Ireland are hopeful that this year we may actually see a glimpse of the sun. At very least some slightly warmer rain. Still, holiday season is just around the corner. With that the inevitable pressure to have our “beach bodies” ready. For most of us this is no easy task but thankfully, there are several handy apps for getting in shape.
Nowadays, it seems there is something to appeal to almost everybody. Unfortunately, I have yet to find one that will actually do sit ups for me. Rest assured when I do, Goos3D readers will be the first to know. In the meantime, here are some apps for getting in shape in the run-up to the Summer break.
Summer.
Yup.

Myfitnesspal

Who is it for? The analyst.

Myfitnesspal
Mine has given up on me.

As you can see, mine has given up on me.
MyFitnessPal may be one of the most recognised and widely used fitness apps for getting in shape. The iOS app provides all the tracking functions for logging your food and exercise. It gives you full mobile access to your online account. The app synchronises all updates with the website and vice versa. Additionally, it has the handy feature of displaying the nutritional information of almost all food …ever. A useful tool on the go or even for planning your weekly shop.

The upside: Chock full of features and information. This is the ultimate resource when dieting.

The downside: The Android version is split between several apps when it could all be covered in one.

30 day fit challenge workout

Who is it for? Quick fixers.

Motivation
Pretty much sums it up.

The beauty of the 30 day fit challenge is that it appeals to those of us who need something to aim for. We’ve all been there, you’re going to Portugal in a month but you’ve spent the last four days on the sesh, eating three Supermacs a day. That’s where this app comes in. Giving you 30 days to complete a goal provides some structure, making this a great app for getting in shape.

Furthermore, it holds an accountability that doesn’t so much motivate as it does guilt you into a healthier lifestyle. Nevertheless, anything that results in a healthier you is worth checking out.

The upside: With 3 levels beginner, intermediate and pro there is something for every fitness level. The app actually ended up winning several awards last year including best self-improvement app on Google play.

The downside: Hard to find one. It works really well. There is, however, no step counter.

Zombies, Run!

Who is it for? Walking dead enthusiasts.

Zombie run
Because what else but zombies paint a picture of a healthy lifestyle?

Not enough apps both help you get in shape and prepare you for the apocalypse. “Zombies, Run!” however accomplishes both of those feats in spectacular fashion. Plug in your headphones. Pick your track. Do some stretches. Now prepare to flee from the undead. This app accomplishes the goal of getting fit in an easy and fun way that allows some fantasy indulgence along the way.

The upside: A novel and fun way to stay in shape.

The downside: Lacks many of the features of other fitness apps.

Fitbit

Who is it for? The techie.

FitBit
Don’t be this person.

A widely popular app designed to be coupled with the wearable Fitbit device. This is for those of us who care about our technology just as much as health and fitness. The Fitbit connects to the app to allow one to track their daily fitness goals, keep a log of workouts and meals, have some friendly competition with friends and keep tabs on important vitals such as your heart rate.

The upside: It does everything it says on the tin. One of the most reliable and accurate apps. It also has rather interesting plans and goals to appeal to all fitness levels.

The downside: Obviously it only works fully with Fitbit products. Some users have reported trouble when syncing information to their smartphones.

Muscle Building With Kris Gethin

Who is it for? The bro’s who lift.

Squats
This . . . may not actually be part of the workout.

This app from bodybuilding.com is geared towards the serious gym goers. Those guys and girls who have muscles in places where I don’t even have places. The app is hugely popular in the bodybuilding community and hence, aims to provide a serious weight lifting regiment aimed at building skin stretching guns.

The upside: Experts have “scienced” the hell of this thing, so it can definitely benefit those who have the time and dedication for such a programme.

The downside: Due to the required experience its not for everyone. With no previous experience, it would be advisable to start with something lighter and build up to this gargantuan undertaking.

Touchfit: GSP

Who is it for? Those looking to be the next Conor McGregor or Ronda Rousey.

Georges St. Pierre
All workouts finish via stoppage or TKO.

This app is tailor-made for the growing number of UFC fanatics across the nation. Georges St. Pierre teaches you his own MMA inspired workouts. It provides an alternative to the humdrum of basic exercise while also providing challenging and diverse workouts. All workouts have been made as accessible as possible using little to no equipment and mostly body-weight exercises. As a plus, these workouts evolve to suit your needs over time.

The upside: Perfect for those looking to train in MMA. What’s more, it’s great for those who just want to experience a different way to get in shape outside of a gym.

The downside: At €4.99 with various in-app purchases required to get the full benefit, it’s a little bit more pricey than the rest.

Think you’ve overdone the working out a bit? Well, technology can help there too. There has been an increase in video GP consultations over the past year. That means you don’t even have to go to the doctor’s office for a lot of things. Instead, you can have a chat with a GP using nothing more than your smartphone. The Apple Watch has even been used as part of a study to reduce the risk of heart attacks. What a time to be alive.

So, what fitness apps are you using? Let us know in the comments below.

Nokia 3310 Relaunch: News, Irish release date and price

Marty
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Nokia 3310 Relaunch: News, Irish release date and price

Has anyone in Ireland not had the Nokia 3310? I only have to think back to last year when I gave up my S7 Edge for the trusty Nokia. Naturally, I got more than a little bit excited when I heard about a potential Nokia 3310 relaunch. So, what’s it all about? When is the Irish release date and how much will it cost? Wouldn’t you know, we have all that.

Meet the Nokia 3310 …again …kind of

At Mobile World Congress 2017, Nokia took to the stage. They announced several impressive Android smartphones and just before wrapping up they confirmed the Nokia 3310 relaunch. Generally accepted to be the greatest phone of all time, most have fond memories of the near indestructible 3310. We got a pretty brief introduction, but here’s what we know.

It’s not really a Nokia 3310

Call me a purist, but the only thing Nokia could have gotten away with was calling this a Nokia 3310i. Don’t get me wrong, this new phone is cute and simple, but it’s too far from the original. For starters, it’s got a colour screen. The display measures in at 2.4-inches corner to corner – a little larger than the original. It comes in a range of colours, but you’re stuck with the colours Nokia pick for you. Remember when phone shops were awash with custom Nokia Xpress-on covers? I guess it would have been a big stretch to bring back that kind of a market.

One of the biggest departures from the original is the fact you get a camera on the Nokia 3310. I’ve just had to say the Nokia 3310 comes with a camera – is nothing sacred? Well, how about being able to browse the internet on a Nokia 3310? It’s not a smartphone, but it does offer 2.5G connectivity. That’ll get you some pretty basic browsing privileges.

The final slap in the face is Snake. Oh sure, Snake is there alright but it’s an abomination.

Nokia GIF - Find & Share on GIPHY

But, it’s a little bit like a Nokia 3310

I doubt it would survive the abuse the original could, but it does resemble a Nokia 3310. The button layouts are very similar and you’ll be able to text in your pocket with a trusty T9 dictionary. You can pop the back case off and remove the battery. When was the last time you took a battery out of a phone? When you’re there you can also pop in a micro SD card. That feels a little wrong.

The battery life is another echo from the past. If you’re hitting a festival, this is surely going to be in your pocket. You can chat on the new Nokia 3310 for up to 22 hours and have it on standby for up to a month.

Innovation can be good sometimes

Ok, so I may have been a little precious about my beloved Nokia 3310. There are some very worthwhile departures from the original. It charges with micro-USB, not the famed “Nokia skinny charger”. Imagine how pissed you’d be if you threw them all out to realise they’re worth something. The new Nokia 3310 is arguably more convenient than an iPhone 7. Well, that’s a stretch, but it does have a 3.5mm headphone socket.

When does the Nokia 3310 relaunch in Ireland?

Nokia suggested that their new phones will launch globally in Q2 of 2017. Unfortunately, we don’t have an exact date. We will update this post and announce on Facebook when we know more.

How much will the Nokia 3310 cost in Ireland?

We do know you can expect to pay €49 for this festival burner phone. You will likely be able to buy this everywhere, literally. Like phone shops, Argos, Tescos, Supermacs, bloody everywhere.

Am I excited about the relaunch? Not really. Maybe I’m biased because I have a working original Nokia 3310. I just can’t imagine a car rolling over this new version ending the same as the original.

Samsung Galaxy S8: Irish Release date and rumours

Marty
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Samsung Galaxy S8: Irish Release date and rumours

Update: This article was created and updated in the lead up to the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S8. Feel free to read through it to see how much we got right and wrong. For up to date information on Samsung’s latest flagship smartphone, visit our new post.

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Smartphone silly season has officially kicked off with HTC making some announcements. Traditionally, it’s Samsung and Apple that really grab your attention every year. Samsung made a hames of the Note7 last year, so now it’s make or break time. So, while nothing is official just yet, here’s everything we know about the Samsung Galaxy S8 so far.

When will we get the official Samsung Galaxy S8 news?

The Note7 debacle left some believing we would get an earlier Galaxy S8 launch this year. Thankfully, Samsung does not believe that rushing a smartphone launch is a good idea. After a worldwide recall of the Note7, the South Korean phone manufacturer will be sticking to the annual launch plan for their 2017 flagship. Samsung annually makes their big announcement at Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona. This year, MWC will take place between 27 February and 2 March. You should be able to buy the Samsung Galaxy S8 should soon after. However, some reports do suggest an April launch.

What are the big Galaxy S8 talking points?

Win back customer support

Well, the biggest talking point is Samsung itself. Despite launching the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge, two fantastic phones, all everyone remembers is the Note7. The Note7 was a brand disaster. Airports still have warnings in place to remind customers they cannot fly with a Note7. This simply means the Samsung Galaxy S8 has to be both a cracking phone, but also non-explosive. It’s weird that you have to spell that out these days.

3.5mm headphone jack

Some early reports suggested Samsung would follow Apple and remove support for 3.5mm headphone jacks. If you are wondering what that is, it’s every (may be exaggerated) single headphone connection in the world, ever. HTC have even followed the madness, moving towards wireless and USB-C based headphones. Well, the dust is settling a little, and it would appear that Samsung will not ditch 3.5mm headphone jacks just yet. This is a decidedly good move considering how many people they pissed off last year.

With that said, Samsung is perhaps the best-positioned smartphone manufacturer to rid phones of the 3.5mm connection. Samsung is the most prominent smartphone on the market to utilise wireless charging. This means you can charge wirelessly while listening through the USB-C port. Though, that might sound a little dangerous actually.

Removing the home button

Yes, apparently Samsung are going for on-screen buttons. This feels like one of those rumours that we’ll look back at in a few months and laugh. Still, leaks have emerged on Twitter showing screen potential screen protectors for the next Samsung flagship. The tweeter initially said these were screens before correcting himself, leaving a few questions marks around the images.

Should these be actual manufacturer specifications emerging early, Samsung will be removing the home button. Judging by the sensor spaces at the top, they will also be most likely adding a retina scanner which was supposed to accompany the doomed Note7.

Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Edge

It’s hard to imagine Samsung opting for just one variant of their flagship this year. That means we’re likely to see the Samsung Galaxy S8 launch alongside an Edge version of the same. The Galaxy S7 Edge has been my own phone of choice for the past year and I love it. But only when you put it alongside the Galaxy S7 do you realise just how much bigger it is. It’s big enough to massively affect how much people like the phone.

s7 edge beside the s7

Samsung Galaxy S8 leaks

As there is every year, we’ve seen several purported leaks of what the Galaxy S8 will look like. The most interesting one to emerge yet is from Samsung themselves. A detailed phone render appeared while promoting their latest AMOLED display.

samsung galaxy s8 leak

Now, of course, you could argue this is a very unlikely source for a leak. Also, could you even call it a leak if it’s Samsung themselves? Either way, the detail of the mocked-up phone would point to this being a possible Galaxy S8 design. If you look closely at the phone in the video, you’ll see proximity sensors and antenna lines. That’s fierce detail for a simple mockup.

Should this be true, Samsung is removing physical navigation buttons. For this reason, we just hope it’s just a generic mockup.

Official Samsung Galaxy S8 news

Samsung bailed on announcing the Samsung Galaxy S8 at Mobile World Congress. They’ve opted for taking extra time for more safety tests, even running ads promoting the process. They did take their chance at MWC 2017 to drop a few hints about the Galaxy S8. We now know that 29 March is the annual Unpacked event where we’ll finally meet Samsung’s new flagship smartphone. There was little else hinted at, but Samsung did have a 30-second “This is a phone” teaser video.

What does the teaser tell us?

These teasers give away quite a bit sometimes. Big companies just can’t help themselves from giving something away. This teaser hints at the progression of Samsung flagship phones throughout the years. Predominant the whole way through is the home button.

Earlier rumours that Samsung would depart from the home button would appear accurate

Earlier rumours that Samsung would depart from the home button would appear accurate. The final screen of the video shows what we can only presume is the shape of the new Samsung Galaxy S8. Missing from the last screen is, of course, the home button.

Another subtle tip comes in the lack of a bezel. Last year, Samsung also had a bezel free phone in the shape of the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge. Surely Samsung don’t plan to make the Edge their standard model, do they?

All will be revealed soon enough.

BlackBerry’s Back alright: How to get the BlackBerry KEYone in Ireland

Marty
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BlackBerry’s Back alright: How to get the BlackBerry KEYone in Ireland

Goos3D was started back when I worked in a phone shop. I still remember the days you’d customers bringing in bloody BlackBerrys. What an almighty pain in the arse they were. See, if you were changing a setting and had to reboot, half your day was gone waiting on the thing to restart. With that said, I’m actually rather excited about the new BlackBerry KEYone. Here’s what we know about it and how you can pick up this BlackBerry if you’re living in Ireland.

BlackBerry KEYone design

For a start, the BlackBerry KEYone is a little bit more fun to write about than other phones. It’s actually got some unique features. Gone is the old school BlackBerry operating system. In its place is an Android system. You see, the “we’re too proud for Android” thing is long gone since TCL took over. Far more importantly, the distinctive physical QWERTY keyboard BlackBerry was famous for remains.

Actually, the keyboard is extremely smart. The space bar doubles as a trackpad and each button can be programmed. So you could long-press “n” for Nexar. Predictive text looks very impressive too. You swipe up on the space bar to fire words to the screen.

BlackBerry KEYone keyboard
Image: mashable

The KEYone is clearly still aimed at the professional market. The aluminium body looks gorgeous and compliments the classic leather style back. But professional also means performance.

BlackBerry KEYone specs

In terms of specs, the BlackBerry KEYone is up there with other flagships. Sure, it’s aimed at business types, but even suits like selfies these days.

BlackBerry KEYone front camera
Image: mashable
BlackBerry KEYone Camera
Image: mashable

 

 

 

 

That’s why the KEYone is packing an 8MP selfie camera and a 12MP primary rear camera. Battery-wise BlackBerry has packed in 3,505 mAh which should last you at least two days use. By the way, to charge, you’ll need your USB-C accessories.

Owing to the physical buttons, the screen is a little smaller than other phones on the market – measuring 4.5 inches. Some of the other specs include 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. You can expand storage to an incredible 2TB with a microSD card. You also get a Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor. That’s plenty of bang for your buck.

The best bits of BlackBerry with Android

The reason the KEYone is so exciting is because it’s so different. It’s got that QWERTY keyboard for a start – packed full of features. You also get BlackBerry Hub which is an extremely smart piece of kit. BlackBerry Hub consolidates all your messaging apps into one handy place. You can download BlackBerry Hub and try it out on any smartphone.

Then there’s the classic BlackBerry security factor. There’s a good reason why all Presidents of the United States use BlackBerry. Well, at least until the current President who opts for a bloody Samsung Galaxy S4. We won’t go into the security details, but it’s an extremely secure smartphone powered by DTEK.

How can I get the BlackBerry KEYone in Ireland?

This is where things get a little complicated. The BlackBerry KEYone is unlikely to be available through any of Ireland’s networks. Chances are, you’ll have to buy this in the UK and ship it over to Ireland using a service like Parcel Motel. We’ve run through how to do this for the Google Pixel and will update this article once retailers are confirmed.

Project Ara: An unfortunate ending

Jon
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Project Ara: An unfortunate ending

Alas, Project Ara has died. A personal favourite, Project Ara began as a Kickstarter project. The design screamed Lego and the idea was sensible and downright sexy. Eyeing the potential, Google bought it and over the past few years they had been working on the idea. As we head towards MWC 2017, we look at the biggest let down of 2016 (after the Note7 perhaps).

What was Project Ara?

The customization options were endless. You could choose between improved cameras and extra battery cells. Want some different screens or integrated home technology? To the Ara it wouldn’t have been a problem. The knock-on effects would have been a reduction in electronic waste by swapping out broken parts and easy upgrades to things like the processor. Just imagine how easy to overcome the Note7 debacle would have been if you could just lob out the battery.

What went wrong

It really is a crying shame that the project got shelved but Google changed the design spec earlier this year. Project Ara was to become a much more limited platform. The CPU, GPU, sensors, battery, and display were all locked down — so it became just a phone a normal phone with one or two bits moving part. Pointless, unless Google wanted to kill Project Ara as it was potentially going to affect the launch of the Pixel.
Image result for project araThe original design and concept was one of sheer intrigue. One major question remained – how would such a concept sell? Markets may not have been ready for such a massive change. Look there were always going to be problems, but we would have loved to see this beauty hit the shelves.
The ultimate problem is nicely summed up in the LG G5. LG put a module slot on the G5 but it was so different, no one made modules for it. Suddenly, a fantastic innovation was completely redundant. How would Google turn a profit from Project Ara? It’s likely they were looking at LG from afar and realised they wouldn’t. Of several problems Google struggled to solve, one was power consumption from unusual combinations of modules. Google reportedly struggled to solve these kinds of problems, but the Ara was getting more expensive by the development.
Unfortunately, when everything was said and done, Google simply couldn’t justify Project Ara. Hopefully, someone else picks it up in a licensing agreement because it would be a shame to not see this make it. But with Google’s efforts having failed, few companies may be willing to take it on. At least we have the Pixel to enjoy.

New on Netflix Ireland: Ultimate Beastmaster

Marty
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New on Netflix Ireland: Ultimate Beastmaster

“Reality TV” has finally found its way onto Netflix Ireland. We’ve binged on Ultimate Beastmaster in the interest of science.

What is Ultimate Beastmaster all about?

Ultimate Beastmaster is an obstacle course based show produced by Sylvester Stallone. In each episode, 12 Beastmasters from the US, Brazil, Mexico, Germany, Japan and South Korea take on the Beast. The Beast is made up of four levels where each Beastmaster must score points to work their way up the leader board. It’s kind of like Takeshi’s Castle, but not as entertaining. Or maybe Ninja Warrior, but not as exciting.

You don’t seem convinced about the show

The show is actually quite entertaining. The winner from each episode goes forward to the Ultimate Beastmaster final. The problem is that everything gets a little repetitive. Every now and then the first obstacle is swapped out or a chain is replaced with a rope.

Simply put, if you binge on this show in one go, you’ll be bored very quickly. Instead of being ten episodes, it could easily have been two. The challenges just don’t change enough.

But, don’t let me take away from the show. It’s very exciting to watch in bits. You’ll fall in love with the South Koreans too, mainly because of the presenters.

The presenters

As the show pits several nations against each other, each is represented by two presenters. The presenters are a saving grace of the show. Most notable is a surprisingly timid Terry Crews who isn’t really is usual banter self. Plus his repetitive chanting of U-S-A will drive you insane. I’m trying really hard to protect my positive feelings toward Crews. Other presenters include former UFC champion Anderson Silva, but it’s not the well-known names you should focus on. The South-Koreans are amazing.

The South-Koreans are amazing. Their reactions to the South Korean Beastmasters efforts are worth the admission fee on its own.

The verdict

It’s decent. Honestly, don’t try and binge-watch the whole thing. You’ll hate your beloved Terry Crews. You’ll wonder why Sylvester Stallone was allowed make money on this idea. It’s obviously a cash spinner. It’s a grand show to pop in and out of but that’s about it. If you’re looking for something to really sink your teeth into, try White Rabbit Project, Chef’s Table or Abstract.

 

Irish sites possibly affected by Cloudbleed

Marty
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Irish sites possibly affected by Cloudbleed

An online security thing has happened again, and of course it has a cool nickname too. But just what this security bug and what Irish sites are affected by Cloudbleed? We’re here to explain the issue in simple terms. First, you’ll need to know a little something about Cloudflare.

What is Cloudflare?

You’ve probably never heard of Cloudflare, yet over 5.5 million websites use this service. Goos3D is one of these 5.5 million sites too. The service makes websites run much faster for users, but also make them much more secure. Remember when Boards.ie was being pounded by a DDoS attack last year? Their solution was to install Cloudflare. A DDoS attack simulates huge volumes of traffic to a website. Cloudflare steps in like a bouncer telling suspicious traffic to pop away for a coffee. If you’ve ever been in a club with extremely drunk people, you now get why Cloudflare is really important.

What is Cloudbleed?

Cloudbleed is a security bug discovered in the way Cloudflare works. Tavis Ormandy, a Google vulnerability tester, discovered the bug on 17 February. Have you ever been annoyed in on a Friday evening when an email comes in just before 5pm? Imagine how the poor Cloudflare lads felt seeing this tweet.

cloudbleed tweet

 

The security bug led to some user data being leaked. It’s possible that this has been happening since September 2016 up until last week. Some of the biggest sites involved are Uber, 1Password, FitBit and OKCupid. 1Password, a password management service, was unaffected as

Uber stated that they only have a small amount of traffic passing through Cloudflare. 1Password, a password management service, was unaffected as they don’t depend on Cloudflare’s encryption. OkCupid, which does have a substantial database of Irish users, reported minimal if any exposure.

I use some of those sites. What should I do?

Cloudflare has played down the bug, highlighting how quickly they moved to plug holes.

The companies response time and transparency should be applauded. At the same time. you shouldn’t play down the severity of the breach. Your 1Password account’s master password won’t need to be reset. However, if you use some of the other services affected by Cloudbleed, you should change your password.

What Irish sites are affected by Cloudbleed

There are a huge number of sites that use Cloudflare. As I’ve mentioned, Goos3D is one of them, but our investigations show we’re unaffected by Cloudbleed. Other low-risk sites include JOE.ie, TheLadBible.com and Balls.ie. These sites, like Goos3D don’t require login and are considered low risk.

Boards.ie is one of the best-known sites to utilise Cloudflare since their DDoS attempt last year. In a recent update, Boardsie Mark confirmed they were in touch with Cloudflare and didn’t believe Cloudbleed affected Boards.ie.

RTÉ.ie is also a Cloudflare customer, but as of yet have made no comment on the security bug. We’ve reached out for comment and will update this post when possible.

Update: RTÉ have confirmed that while they are using Cloudflare, they have been unaffected by Cloudbleed.

Should I be worried about Cloudbleed?

First of all, it’s important to note that the media loves a good online security bug. There’s a fair bit of scaremongering that goes on. You should always be somewhat concerned about leaks like this. Honestly, there’s a large chance you’re data has been leaked before now and it’s easy to check.

If in doubt, you can check popular websites to see if they use Cloudflare with this tool. This won’t tell you if Cloudbleed has affected a website. It simply tells you that they are one of the millions of sites using Cloudflare.

When things leaks like this happen, we do recommend you change your passwords. While you’re at it, swap over to passphrases.

 

WhatsApp status rolls out for Irish users

Marty
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WhatsApp status rolls out for Irish users

When was the last time you when a few days without WhatsApp? That app has changed everything about how we communicate. I have a fun fact for you. WhatsApp was never meant to be a messaging app.

But WhatsApp doesn’t do anything else?

WhatsApp does have one other feature. You probably only used it when you downloaded the app – WhatsApp Status. Back in 2009, when the app was created, this was actually all it did. It was a super simple way to tell your friends and family what you were at.

whatsapp status

This is the reason for the name WhatsApp – you were saying “what’s up”. There was none of this “but they were online” or “they’ve seen my bloody message” nonsense. Anyway, the brains behind the app have wanted to upgrade the WhatsApp status for years. Irish users can now use the new status features, which may look a little familiar.

What’s up with the new WhatsApp Status

The new status lets you share an image or video with your contacts. This status is a snapshot into what’s going on in your life. It’ll remain in place for 24 hours – visible only to those you pick in your security and privacy settings. Once you’ve captured your photo or video, you can add emojis, text or draw freehand. Isn’t this a totally unique way to keep your network up to date with your life?

No actually, it’s really like Snapchat

It’s that obvious, is it? Well, WhatsApp is owned by Facebook. Mark Zuckerberg’s social network behemoth has been targeting Snapchat for a while now. Facebook has added the stories space to the top of the mobile app. An identical feature now appears in Instagram too. Okay, so I’ll admit that they’ve failed miserably in my network to get people on board …

facebook stories not popular

WhatsApp status is another attempt by the powers that be in Facebook to take on Snapchat. Is Snapchat in any danger?

I thought WhatsApp video would be the reason we all finally start video calling each other. That explosion didn’t happen, most likely because everyone knows WhatsApp does one job brilliantly. We’re happy with that. so I’ll risk saying WhatsApp Status won’t take off either.

Check the iOS and Android store for your update.

Podcasts: What podcast should I listen to?

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Podcasts: What podcast should I listen to?

Are you a podcast sceptic or new to the podcast scene? I was once like you – unsure if I would genuinely like to listen to a podcast. I wondered if they would be able to fit into my daily routine. Podcasts became a staple for me last summer when all the music I was listening to had lost its edge and I wanted something a bit more varied. Now I regularly find myself asking “what podcast should I listen to next?”

Why should I listen to podcasts?

There are loads of reasons to listen to podcasts:

Podcasts offer diversity

There’s a lot of choice when it comes to podcasts. There are mindfulness, true crime, comedy, news podcasts … I think you get the picture the list goes on and on.

They’re portable

Download one or two or as many as you like onto your computer or phone and off you go. Great for the morning and evening commute, in the gym or on the way to meet friends.

They’re informative

There is always something new to learn from a podcast. As they say, you learn something new every day and with podcasts, you can.

Podcasts are a great alternative to TV

Sometimes there’s nothing on TV or we’ve watched all the series that interest us on Netflix. If you’ve checked out Robyn’s hidden gems, then it’s time to look at podcasts. I often just listen to a podcast when I’m not in the mood to watch anything on TV.

man deciding what podcast to listen toWhat podcasts should I listen to?

If I’ve piqued your interest then here are some fantastic podcasts you could listen to:

The Heart

Narrated by Kaitlin Prest this podcast explores relationships, love, sexuality, and humanity. Each episode has an understated air and leaves the listener with a sense of having a deeper understanding of the topic.

Recommended episodes: Samara + Kelsey, Twirl, Ultraslut, and Beloved.

Criminal

A podcast about crime with a difference. Criminal explores all sides of crime: those who have been wronged, those who have wronged, and those who work in crime solving, even if they are just amateurs.

Recommended episodes: Episode 20: Gil from London, Episode 34: The Stay, Episode 46: Tiger, and Episode 47: Brownie Lady.

True Crime Garage

Two buddies sitting in a garage drinking beer, what’s not to love?! Each week Nic and The Captain, from Ohio, investigate and discuss a crime. From serial killers to cold cases to missing persons the lads are always very respectful when discussing the case of the week.

Recommended episodes: Ed Gein, West Mesa Body Pit, Diane Schuler, and the Ted Bundy three past series.

Radiolab

Hosted by Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich Radiolab takes you on an investigative journey told through sounds and of course, a story. Topics range from science, music, culture, and news.

Recommended episodes: Patient Zero, The Girl Who Doesn’t Exist, On the Edge, and Alpha-Gal.

Lore

Let Aaron Mahnke take you through a world of myths, legends, and the supernatural. In each episode he explores unusual cases be it from the present or the past.

Recommend stories: Episode 3: The Beast Within, Episode 26: Brought Back, Episode 36: When the Bow Breaks, and Episode 40: Everything Floats.

There are many different styles of podcasts out there so there’s definitely something out there for everyone. Why not try one out today?

Irish Film Industry: What comes next for Irish filmmakers?

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Irish Film Industry: What comes next for Irish filmmakers?
Irish filmmakers are experiencing somewhat of a boom in business right now. Irish writers and directors, producers and editors and every other crew member are in huge demand. I, as a filmmaker, can attest to this.
 
Look at Lenny Abrahamson. Best known for his stunning take on homelessness in Ireland with Adam and Paul. Abrahamson, has since gone on to become an Oscar nominee for his film Room. Irish Writer Emma Donoghue adapted Room for the big screen. Abrahamson also cleaned up in Europe, though this may be the more traditional stomping ground for our filmmakers.

This is a huge sign of what can be expected from Irish filmmakers in the next few years. Already we knew that our animation sector was running rampant. There have been two Oscar nominations for Book of Kells and Song of the Sea. Now we are seeing the quality of our live action filmmakers catch up. Sing Street being a notable recent addition to the list – Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

Sing Street result of irish filmmakersThe McDonaghs disbelief

Never mind the McDonaghs, if you remember this time last year John Michael McDonagh was quite uncomplimentary in regards to the size and ability of our industry. Though, you may look back at both brothers filmography and note that they almost exclusively use Irish Film Board money, Irish cast, Irish Crew and Irish locations.

This rankles a tad too much, since, despite continued government cutbacks to the funds available to the IFB, our small and medium sized films are making waves. Thankfully, the film board are pushing for funding to return to pre-recession levels. The number being thrown around is €20 million but nothing concrete has emerged.

How are Irish filmmakers doing?

Signs are boding well for the industry. Several new studios are currently in development. The push for Ardmore to not be sold continues – though I could write an entire article on why that would be a terrible terrible idea. And the continued use of our country for large Hollywood productions and tv series such as Vikings which is shot almost entirely in and around Ashford Co. Wicklow. So, you may ask …

What exactly happens next?

Well, in terms of quality I believe that the Irish industry will continue to improve. As a small nation with a growing population, the number of filmmakers, both prospective and actual, will continue to grow. Assuming the IFB get what they need, there’s no reason why small independent Irish features can not spread the world over.

Hollywood has a stranglehold on big blockbuster filmmaking right now. Ireland will soon, and has previously, loosened Hollywood’s grip. To those of us out there who love cinema, who love TV, get out there and support our filmmakers. It’s already an uphill struggle. Instead of going to see Bridget Jones baby momma or the latest Marvel flick, look up and consume Irish. We want to do it with our food, so why shouldn’t we look locally for our entertainment?

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