Today, Google stepped up their place in the world of hardware, announcing a plethora of products at their Made by Google event.
Catch the entire event below, unless reading about them is more your thing.
Our first look at FIFA 17
The football word is pretty unpredictable – just ask Big Sam. To have something pretty regular keeps us from shaking ourselves to sleep at night. One such regularity is the annual release of football games, like FIFA 17.
Before last season, a team like Leicester winning the Premier league was saved only for the FIFA, PES and Football Manager players of the world. But how does trying to achieve the impossible rate in EA’s latest instalment of the world’s biggest footy game?
FIFA 17 features a number of changes this year. Two of the biggest talking points have been the new and glossy Frostbite engine which has totally taken over the EA arsenal and a new story mode similar to the old Fight Night games. To see the power of the engine simply look at this clip:
It’s truly staggering. Just as we think the graphics can’t get any better they make subtle but literally game changing changes.
FIFA 17: The Journey
Do we all remember the legendary Fight Night series EA ungraciously sidelined a few years ago? Well one of the best parts of this game was the story-based campaign mode. This is completely new to football gaming, but was a staple of the Fight Night series for years and was also the making of the NBA 2K series. Last year’s edition was directed by Spike Lee and EA wanted to carry this drama into FIFA 17.
The premise for the series is choc-a-bloc full of clichés and cheese. In fact, most of the story mode would be at home in the Goal movies and that’s kind of why it works. Alex Hunter, the future of football the wonder-kid, is the main character of the story. Right now, its only the English Premier League – a shame because it would be great to lead Limerick FC into European greatness. Anyway, a vital trial takes place and thus the story begins.
A novel way of weaving in mini-games
Games, training and cut scenes are the order of the day. In the games select either your player like Be A Pro or the whole team like a standard game. Through the games and mini-games, your performances decide whether you make the team or will be Wayne Rooney’ed right to the sideline. There is a very linear feel to The Journey, leaving me wondering if you really are having any affect on the journey at all.
Gameplay
Of course, the most important aspect of every new FIFA is the gameplay. The gameplay is fluid yet intricate with combos and multiple motions that separate the good players from the greats. The downside being the now natural slow and almost defensive-minded approach to the game. If you’re coming from PES, you might very well struggle to get up to pace. In PES 2017, things happen naturally. The game cleverly knows if you’re trying to dink the ball over the top of defenders with the outside of your foot. In FIFA 17, you have to do all this for yourself. Which is why I prefer the game. Sure it can be frustrating at times but that’s half the fun. That moment you drill that ball into the top corner and see that look on your mates face it’s all worthwhile.
The players of FIFA 17
There have been some modifications to the players with stronger players now far more commanding. The likes of Pogba are able to storm through the middle, while tricky lads like Hazard a damn sight more nimble in possession. The use of Frostbite does rack up the number of animations, and this makes a visible difference. Players will force a header downwards, curl a free-kick or twist their body to spray a ball downfield. These don’t make a whole load of difference to overall game-play, but they help things flow, and look, better.
Bloody set pieces
And now onto the downsides of FIFA 17. The set piece system at the moment is a nuisance. Sure enough, it will take some time to figure out but so many combos and positioning changes decipher how the ball will be struck, while great, are bloody difficult. Don’t even get me started on penalties.
The verdict
Simple and effective, once again another strong showing from the guys in EA and one that we think is the beginning of something big as the switch to the new engine is the groundwork for future titles. With super realistic graphics and detailed facial expressions that finally make the players look like more than mere robots.
The story based career mode seems like a fun novelty every user will be deep into for all of about two weeks before switching back to the normal season, online or the fan favourite Ultimate team.
Tough set pieces will have you pulling your hair out, but when you friends are screwing it up too, does it really matter? Get ready to pull up next to your mates and bring your finest smack talk because we will be.
Keep an eye on Goos3D for the battle between Jon and Gary.
nello one: The smart intercom system
Around the country, there are countless apartments that are using the old intercom system. When your friends or family come around, they buzz, you mumble at them and they can’t hear you. Chances are you’ll eventually have to go downstairs and let them in too. There’s a reason we described it as the old intercom system. Introducing nello one.
What is nello one?
This isn’t really the first time we’ve looked at the nello one. This disruptive gadget was funded through Kickstarter known as Monkey. Now, following a small rebrand, Monkey is known as nello one.
The nello one is our favourite type of tech. The team behind this crowdfunded device looked at the shortcomings of old intercom systems. More importantly, they also appreciated how our modern lives could be improved with smarter control over the front door. The result was the nello one chip – a small device that you can retro-fit to any intercom system.
How does nello one make my life better?
Certain benefits of the nello one may seem like solving first world problems. The system combines the power of your smartphone and the nello one smart intercom system to allow you to control the front door of your building without a key. Using smart, power-saving GPS, the app detects when you are approaching the front door of your building. The nello app then fires a signal to your intercom system, fitted with the smart chip and opens the front door. Imagine your hands are full with shopping. Problem solved.
Modern lock for modern life
Of course, the online shoppers out there will spot massive potential here. Not so long ago, you had a narrow range of items you could pick up in the local shops. Today, the world is your oyster. Online shopping and smartphones mean you can now buy a wide range of items and get them delivered to your home. While some will get these delivered to their workplace, not all employers are cool with that. Nor will all companies deliver to the likes of Parcel Motel for legal reasons.
The nello one, gives you the power to control your front door using nothing more than your smartphone. The idea is that when the courier is outside the front door and you’re in the office, you simply let them in. Access can also be shared with friends and family too. Better still, if you enjoy making a few extra bob by subletting on Airbnb, there’s no more worry about key loss. nello one also allows you to track people coming and going, so you can make sure everyone checks out on time.
Is nello one compatible with my intercom system?
The smartest part of it all is the fact this can be fitted to your existing intercom system. If in doubt, you can send the nello team an image of your intercom to make sure it will work. The disruptive nature of the device means you squeeze all of this tech into a tiny, easy to fit, chip for just €99.
Like us on Facebook get the latest news and reviews about nello one.
Dare to Care: Goosed on the airwaves
As part of our Dare to Care efforts, Conall Ó Móráin from Today FM’s Sunday Business Show interviewed me. You can listen back to the interview below. We’re on in the last ten minutes.
Dare to Care: Day eighteen using a Nokia
Eighteen days. I’ve been keeping count. Eighteen days without a smartphone and I’m barely keeping it together. Only for the fact this is all for a great cause in the Irish Cancer Society I’d have switched back to my beloved Galaxy S6. One man can only play so much Snake. Dean and now Martin with his upgrade have been blessed with the fancy Snake 2. I can’t go through the walls playing Snake and the lack of Tinder is seriously affecting my love life. Well sort of, but I’ll come back to that.
Why do I miss my smartphone?
Let’s start with the basics. No one texts anymore. We type messages to each other every day using WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger, but why doesn’t anyone send SMS these days? Pretty much every single provider is offering “free” texts, but not a soul wants them.
I mean phone calls are all well and good and it is easier and great craic to hear the old tones. But that novelty wears off after four days, or when you’re called and the people around you don’t know you’re doing this for charity.
As Martin and Dean have said muscle memory is something crazy. Every two minutes fishing out the Nokia with the intention of checking out Facebook, only to realise it’s still 2:15pm and nothing has changed. That and, you know, the phone barely has a phonebook let alone a Facebook. What I would give to even have a text flashing up it would make my day. Martin showing his phone clogged with SMS messages doesn’t help either.
I’m sticking to the excuse that I’m on a temporary number and can only forward calls from my old number. I’ll surely be inundated with notifications once the Galaxy S6 gets powered back up.
Silver lining on our silver night
It’s not all about minor inconveniences either. You’d be forgiven for easily forgetting how many simple things we can’t do these days without access to a smartphone. Seriously how did we get around without Google Maps? How did people ever know what we were at? Goos3D.ie nabbed a silver at the Littlewoods Ireland Blog Awards. We began feeling much like Liverpool, saying next year will be our year and focussing on the improvement from last year’s bronze.
A look at our social media would suggest we didn’t attend the awards, but I assure you we were there. Not a photo in sight but I found something very interesting and probably the only silver lining I have been able to find in an otherwise bleak couple of weeks.
We must have been the only group in the building not glued to our phones trying to get a snap to let the world know we were in attendance. We actually got to soak up the atmosphere and it was a hoot to say the least. We actually spoke to each other and started conversations with other, who would have guessed it. Watching the acts was a blast and Deans cold, dry humour had me in convulsions all the while the flicker of flashes surrounded us with people more interested in perception rather than enjoying the moment. Afterwards, we sat around with a few pints chatting, without the distraction of a smartphone – not needing any gadgets to help either.
Genuine hassle living with and old Nokia
But getting to the venue, in short, was a nightmare of epic proportions. Poor Martin, bless him, had to get across Dublin City by sticking is hand out and hailing a taxi. Try being the poor lads from Limerick searching for a Hotel in Dun Laoghaire without a sat nav. I actually had to plan the route the night before, stopping short of buying a map.
Getting to the red cow was grand, but then it all went wrong – it’s a bloody maze! Of course, it was nothing a last second swerve and a possible crash couldn’t solve. So after our fair share of panicking and learning how to use road signs, myself and Dean made it to Dun Laoghaire. Then we asked no less than fifteen people how we were to find our hotel. After much back and forth and circling the area we actually stumbled on the hotel. That was the moment we rang Martin like children given their first Happy meal. We were simply that happy to have finally made it.
Are we there yet
Three weeks in and this cold turkey crack is making me creative. I would like to consider myself a social guy and not being able to Snapchat my daily routine in all it’s glory to the Goos3D team is weird. Full disclosure, there are loopholes. It’s like a tech nerd Bear Grylls survivor was living deep down in my soul. Without the smartphone, I started looking up Android Emulators to scratch that itch. The emulator allowed a small bit of access to Snapchat. I didn’t fully exploit the loopholes though, with WhatsApp and Viber have stayed sidelines.
Tinder? There’s barely even an ember!
This is something that shocked me. As a single man, I was surprised how much the old love life could be affected by the lack of a smartphone. Working nine-to-five and not being a big drinker because of football commitments, apps likes Tinder are the best way to meet a member of the fairer sex. The love-life has nose dived a little since the start of the challenge. This craic of approaching someone in the street like they do in the movies is absolute nonsense – unless it’s just me? Still, when they see my old Nokia 8830 and its aerial, that’s the end of it.
I am personally counting down the days to the end of this challenge, so this bit really hurts. You can help us make it one more week. We need to hit €750 for one more week of this torture to continue. Ultimately, we are trying to hit the €1000 mark and we genuinely do want to do it.
We all know someone close to us who has been affected by cancer. Here at Goos3D.ie, we are downing our smartphones as part of Today FM’s Dare to Care in aid of the Irish Cancer Society. Your donations will punish the lads, but more importantly, also go towards stopping cancer.
Five apps Big Sam Allardyce will be needing
Ding Dong, Big Sam is gone. After 67 days, and 1 match in charge, Sam Allardyce has left his job as England manager. Following a sting operation by the Telegraph in the UK, Sam finds himself with lots of free time on his hands. He’ll need some new apps to pass the time. So sit back and relax as we look at five apps for Big Sam that will keep him busy for a while.
LinkedIn Job Search
You can’t keep a guy like Big Sam down for long. Sam will be looking to get back into the dugout as soon as possible. The LinkedIn Job Search app will notify him of any management jobs in his area that might come up. Maybe one in West London or South Wales would suit?
The LinkedIn Job Search app is available for iOS and Android.
Fantasy Football
With all of the potential employers out there, what better way to keep your manager skills up to scratch than with some Fantasy Football Manager? He can relive his “successful” Bolton days, or try to keep Sunderland in the Premier League. He’d certainly do a better job than David Moyes! Maybe he’ll join the Goos3D League and chance his arm against the team here.
Get the Premier League Fantasy Football app.
Sky Go
Big Sam is a football man through and through. But now that he’s unemployed, he won’t be getting his complimentary match tickets from the FA anymore. He can still watch plenty of live football through the Sky Go app, and even catch up on some of his favourite TV programs and movies. Goos3D recommend “The Night Of”, while Big Sam is a big fan of gangster films (so we’ve heard). Both are available on the Sky Go app to keep him occupied.
Splitwise
What happens when you have a few people invested in something? Maybe there are some third party ownership issues that need to be managed? Splitwise lets you create groups to manage your joint finances and keep track of any payments made or received in real time. Given that he is known for being a bit of a wheeler-dealer, Splitwise has to be one of the five apps for Big Sam.
Snapchat
Ah Big Sam. We’ve all been there. Getting caught slagging off one of the lads and trying to bend the rules in work, and having it caught on video. It’s all nothing new. But the trick is to make sure that it gets deleted. Snapchat has to be one of the five apps for Big Sam, catch all the pictures and video you want, send them around, and they get deleted. Perfect! Plus with Snapchat Spectacles, those pesky undercover reporters will stand out like a sore thumb recording you.
Crowdfunded: DistractaGone helps with your smartphone addiction
You definitely know at least one person who suffers from smartphone addiction. It’s a rare occasion you can look around a restaurant and not see “that couple”. You know the ones -refusing to talk to each other, staring at their smartphones. DistractaGone is a new Kickstarter campaign setting out to cure smartphone addiction.
How does DistractaGone help with smartphone addiction
The DistractaGone builds on a principal you may have seen at some table quizzes. To stop cheating, smartphones get popped into a pint glass. To stop anti-social smartphone use in general, the DistractaGone provides a safe, distraction-free space to lock away your smartphone.
Once you pop your smartphone, and up to 4 smartphones in total, you select how long you want to lock the DistractaGone for. Once you close the box, there’s no opening it. The designers appear to have deliberately omitted any form of an emergency button to open the DistractaGone. The box really does mean you have to go cold turkey from your smartphone addiction.
How much does it cost to get involved
You can back DistractaGone on Kickstarter from €5. The first level of support that will get you a DistractaGone unit costs €35.
Dare to Care: Nokia 3310 versus Apple iPhone 7
Fate has intervened, taking my Nokia 5110 from me before it’s time. Thankfully I got upgraded to the Nokia 3310 with the help of the guys over in Cash Encounters of Parnell Street, Dublin.
Weighing up the Nokia 3310 versus Apple iPhone 7
Apple iPhone 7 has just launched, so it seems fitting to compare my latest phone to it. The key features of Apple iPhone 7 were announced at Apple’s keynote and some are on Apple’s Irish website has the key features of their latest flagship, so let’s see if the Nokia can stand toe to toe with the iPhone 7’s innovations.
Apple iPhone 7 design
Apple iPhone 7 boasts a two new colour finishes, bringing the range of colours to five. Apple finally introduced water resistance to this year’s flagship, making the iPhone 7 splash and water resistant to a rating of IP67. Finally, in terms of design, Apple redesigned the home button.
Nokia 3310 design
Colour and customisation is at the heart of the appeal behind the Nokia 3310. While not the first Nokia to feature Xpress-on covers, the 3310 was arguably the first to perfect the use of interchangeable covers. The Nokia 5110 suffered as the battery stood in the way, but the internal battery of the 3310 allowed users to customise the entire shell of their phone.
IP ratings weren’t really used for phones back in the day, but the design of the Nokia 3310 and lack of a touchscreen, makes it a little resistant to the elements anyway. Apple simply cannot compete in terms of the home button. Nokia practically invented the home button which was known as the Navi Key.
Apple 0 : 1 Nokia
Apple iPhone 7 camera
Apple has revolutionised the iPhone’s camera, especially the iPhone 7 Plus which features dual lenses. Improved sensors, software and a 7MP Facetime camera mean iPhone users are sure to enjoy the best camera on the go from Apple yet.
Nokia 3310 camera
Eh, it doesn’t have one.
Apple 1 : 1 Nokia
Apple iPhone 7 gaming
At the launch event, Apple went heavy on gaming. Super Mario will make his iPhone debut and Pokémon GO will now enjoy Apple Watch integrations. Rumours are also rife that VR will find its way onto iOS soon with Google Cardboard announcing compatibility. Massive games including Formula One 2016 will be playable too thanks to the massive GPU and processor on board. Still though, gaming with a touch screen?
Nokia 3310 gaming
Yeah, you see where this is going. Snake 2 was perhaps the greatest sequel since Toy Story 2, The Dark Knight and Aliens 2. You could fly through walls, eat bonus mice things – and actually that’s about it. The beauty was the simplicity. Everyone in school wanted to have the highest score, to the point where state-sponsored doping could have been an option. There were a few other games, but honestly, they were only played once or twice after a frustrating Snake 2 session.
Apple 1 : 2 Nokia
Apple iPhone 7 battery
The introduction of the A10 processor does more than provide power for console-like gaming. The more brains you give a smartphone to process, the less energy it takes to solve the daily problems it faces. Apple expects the iPhone 7 to have the longest battery life in an iPhone ever – up to twice as long as iPhone 6. That means you might enjoy a whole day and a half without charging – maybe.
Nokia 3310 battery
Once you charge up a Nokia 3310 it could probably run an area the size of Longford for two and a half weeks. It can power itself for at least three or four days.
Apple 1 : 3 Nokia
Apple iPhone 7 audio
Apple opted to rid their leading smartphones of the 3.5mm audio jack. Because of this they could fit more in and provide a next level audio experience through amplifier powered headphones. iPhone 7 is the first iPhone to come with stereo speakers and has also sent shockwaves through the mobile world with the crazy AirPods.
Nokia 3310 audio
One word. Composer. As soon as I got home with the Nokia 3310 I remembered the composer. Then I found a website that lets you programme your own monophonic ringtones into the phone. Everyone within a ten-meter radius was likely irritated by this discovery as the evening then turned into me playing the part of a mobile phone Mozart.
Beat the intro time. Can you work out what song I’m programming before it gets played at the end?
Apple 1 : 4 Nokia
A landslide victory for the reliable Nokia 3310. Then again, I’m biased. I’m using the Nokia 3310 as I give up my smartphone to raise funds for the Irish Cancer Society. Goos3D.ie is taking part in TodayFM’s Dare to Care. You can find out more below and donate to a fantastic cause.
Gogglebox Ireland: Our verdict on the first episode
Gogglebox Ireland is here. The long awaited reality TV show finally made it’s long awaited appearance on Irish television. With the first episode down, just how did this British hit translate onto Irish TV?
What is Gogglebox about?
Gogglebox is a simple concept. Families around Ireland watch a selection of evening TV shows while being recorded themselves. The results are often humorous but strangely familiar. The original British version of the show was hugely successful, owing to the wide range of TV shows and extremely candid reactions of the viewers.
What did Gogglebox Ireland get right?
Things kicking off with the Angelus was funny if not a little calculated. Calculation will be a running theme throughout. With that said, the Angelus is something likely to resonate with most people watching. Ultimately the most important thing that Gogglebox had to achieve was finding sacrificial lambs for social media to shred to bits.
The Cavan twins
The Cavan twins certainly fit the bill. The two farmers hold a dislike for American culture which many will be familiar. Their description of America’s Got Talent summing this up nicely.
Legends ???#GoggleboxIRL pic.twitter.com/wDBwSJ5j7T
— JJ Hartigan (@jayhartigan) September 22, 2016
One of the brothers reached peak hilarity as a fly decided to come between him and the TV.
"That bloody fly is back fergal" #GoggleboxIRL I'm in heaps ??
— ?Hollie? (@pityimnotwitty) September 22, 2016
And finally, the great debate raged over Gingernut versus Jaffa Cakes.
Auld wans everyone knows
Two darling old ladies with barely a bad thing to say about anyone (save for automated cars) also made us giggle with their “Michael Tea Higgins” tea cosy. Much like Nidge’s Nikes were in demand after Love/Hate, the ladies could be knitting overtime following the show’s airing.
Michael Tea Higgins….the new #KingNidge #GoggleboxIRL #iconic pic.twitter.com/I5k3pxIaSj
— Sarah Geoghegan (@SarahGeoghegan4) September 22, 2016
Other than that, the best one-liner of the night goes to the lad who said the only “white lion” he’s ever seen was the “white line” on the road.
What did Gogglebox get wrong?
Unfortunately, Gogglebox Ireland just wasn’t as funny as the UK equivalent. Deirdre O’Kane hasn’t really been funny for a while now, and unfortunately, Gogglebox doesn’t seem to help her, despite her hopes otherwise.
Given the success of Gogglebox Britain, Irish candidates were likely to have known exactly how to impress the editors. As mentioned earlier, large portions of the show just felt a little calculated and it does feel as if the participants know what they’re up to. The show creators don’t get off scot-free either. As funny as the Angelus intro was, it was a little lazy joke that was always going to spark off a few laughs on Twitter.
You know its Gogglebox Ireland,when the jaysus Angelus kicks off the show. ?#GoggleboxIRL
— Graham Merrigan (@Merriganmania) September 22, 2016
The calculation continues with the lead sponsors of the show. Virgin Media’s obvious product placement of their Horizon boxes and Horizon remotes felt incredibly forced. We’re just wondering if any BT Sports coverage will make the show later on.
Gogglebox Ireland: The verdict
Some parts felt forced, others made it feel like a gigantic ad for Virgin Media and TV3. Given how much we enjoyed the UK version of the show, we hoped the Irish version would be better. Thankfully, the show is created as we go along. One week could be brutal while the next one could be gold.
We won’t lie, there were laughs throughout but the laughs were just followed by a feeling of guilt that we’d been duped into a joke. For now, the best we can hope for is the whole thing to get better. Unfortunately, there is one element of the UK show which can’t be replaced: the late Caroline Aherne.
#goggleboxirl It needs a lot of work, but it has potential –
Caroline Aherne's "Taking the piss tone" in the narration is missing.— Paul (@Data_Cables) September 22, 2016
Irish online shopping to double by 2021
Online shopping is widely considered a slow burner in Ireland, but a report released today by Virgin Media would there are some misconceptions about the online shopper in Ireland.
What is the Virgin Media Digital Insights Report
Formerly carried out by UPC, this is the third report of it’s kind. The report captures a snapshot of the average online digital user. Naturally, as it’s created by an Irish broadband and TV provider, there is a certain spin put on the report. With that said, it has been completed by a third party company, Amarach, so there is no reason to doubt the findings.
The online shopping opportunity in Ireland
Underestimate online shopping in Ireland at your peril. Since 2014, the average monthly purchase amount per month has increased from €71 to €80. The report outlines an expectation that Irish online shoppers will almost double their spend by 2021, with 10% shopping weekly and 60% returning monthly.
Irish businesses are missing a huge chance to make easy money. 41% of Irish shoppers are buying from Irish sites with the rest going to foreign sites seeking better value. 53% of Irish shoppers bought online as they were unable to find particular items in local shops. 72%, unsurprisingly, believe shopping online provides greater value. Interestingly, 60% of shoppers said they would buy locally should bricks and mortar stores be able to provide the same range and value.
Let the internet entertain you
Remember when missing your favourite show meant you actually missed it? That was linear TV viewing. We now live in a world of on-demand entertainment. According to the report, by 2020 nearly half of the 24-hours worth of entertainment consumed within the EU will be time-shifted.
On-demand is taxing on internet providers. Over the past few years, the majority of providers are been improving the internet infrastructure. Unfortunately, many rural areas remain unchanged. Demand has surpassed the internet provided as fewer users believe their internet meets expectations
…and how advertising works these days…
Advertising is extremely targetted these days. Companies can benefit from your online footprint by targeting you with more relevant advertising than ever. The result is more profit for them and more relevant products for you. Online advertising is only going to grow because let’s face it, when was the last time you didn’t change the channel during the break?
Still, online advertising is not without its own problems. 61% of users are aware of adblocking while 32% actively block ads. This is likely to grow as users realise the power is really in their hands these days. You choose whether or not you see ads, and when you watch your favourite shows.
The Irish online shopper has rather unfairly been painted as a bit of a neanderthal. The Virgin Media Insights Report paints a very different picture. Irish online shoppers are craving value and online stores while they want to consume more information than ever. The real question to emerge from this report is whether or not Irish businesses will recognise the potential and commit.