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Shokz OpenFit 2 Review: These Are Great

Marty
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0
Shokz OpenFit 2 Review: These Are Great

I love some good headphones. From my Sony over ears, to the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pros I was dailying until recently, my audio setup is in a good place. The reason I’m not dailying the Samsung buds right now is because I’ve been testing the Shokz OpenFit 2 ear buds that just launched in Ireland. And rather surprisingly, I might not be going back.

Design and Comfort: Refined for All-Day Wear

With working from home for the full week now and the odd spin around town on a bus, I find myself wearing either my over ears or in ears most days and for long periods of time. I’ve found my ears getting itchy and irritated, suffering from ear fatigue. Yes, that’s a thing.

The Shokz OpenFit 2 overcome this problem by completely reimagining what earbuds should be. These buds don’t sit over or in your ears at all in the traditional sense. Shokz has designed the OpenFit 2 buds to hook in over your ears and sit just outside the ear canal. There’s very little contact that could irritate the ear; something I’m noticing already.

This has been a typical design feature of all Shokz products. The company is famous for bone conduction headphones that allow you to maintain situational awareness while still consuming content, whether that be a podcast or some music while you cycle or run. But these are not bone conduction headphones. Instead, these buds sit just outside your ear canal where a speaker directs the sound into your hear. The quality of which, I’ll discuss a little further down.

Previous versions of Shokz were banded, but these are now two free earbuds, resting on your ear with looped support resting on the back of your ear. Weighing in at 9.4g per ear, the design of the Shokz is super comfortable and I’ve found myself wearing them for hours, even during sleep, without noticing them. At times, I’ve literally forgotten I was wearing them.

All of that leaves me with just one take. The Shokz OpenFit 2 are flawlessly designed.

Sound Quality

That comfort means nothing if the sound quality doesn’t meet expectations. This isn’t my first “near ear” audio solution. I’ve had both Huawei sunglasses and, more recently, the RayBan Meta Headliners, which both used a small speaker over the ear for sound. I thought the RayBans were pretty good, despite noticing that in louder environments, I was straining to hear calls and content.

The OpenFit 2 audio is streets ahead. I can’t quite explain how I can both hear my content perfectly, but also the world around me as I need it. Much like how my first time ever trying noise-cancelling headphones blew my mind years ago, so to does this new approach to awareness-focused earphones.

There’s just more meat to the audio experience of the Shokz OpenFit 2 than these others near ear products. Despite that power, which offers you a fantastic audio experience, I’ve had no issues with leakage. By that I means, when I wear these at home, my other half isn’t giving out to me for flooding the room with my music.

The lack of leakage and comfortable compact design, lends to another great use-case; wearing these to bed. I’ve worn these sleeping a few nights and have found them to be the best sleeping headphones I’ve tried yet, particularly because they don’t irritate my ears, but also because they sit so securely on the ear.

Now, I’ve no doubt that some people will find the lack of isolation distracting, and that is a fair criticism. I’m not so sure that I’d fully enjoy a long commute beside a stag or a hen, trying to listen to a podcast depending solely on these buds. I’d never depend on them for a long haul flight, either, given that is mandatory noise-cancelling territory for me.

Naturally, this causes a predicament. I believe most people would have these buds alongside over-ear headphones, so you have the option for the best of both worlds. But that’s a somewhat pricey way to live your life.

But for this review, I’m just here to let you know that the audio quality of the OpenFit 2 is amazing, but the very design of these ear buds means they are a considered purchase for anyone who doesn’t specifically need awareness-friendly headphones.

Other Features

I’m going to bundle in the other features together here as they’re a bit more “quick fire”.

Battery

The OpenFit 2 battery life has been exceptional. I’ve never been caught without battery life and that includes nights where I’ve woken up with the buds still playing and they just get left on my bedside locker when I wake up. At some stage throughout the day, I’ll chuck them back into their case and they’re ready to go again.

I’ve never had a pair of earphones that seem to have an endless battery life. Shokz themselves say you’ll get up to 11 hours of continuous listening on a single charge, while the case gives you another 37 hours of charging. That means you’ve got a full 48 hours of listening between having to find a cable to charge.

Better still, when you do charge, even if it’s just for a few minutes, you’ll get loads of power. Just ten minute charging gives up to 2 hours playback.

Controls

Intuitive control surfaces is not something I’ve had the chance to say often with ear buds, but Shokz seems to have it licked. A customisable button on each side lets you control volume and skipping through tracks.

The buttons aren’t the “under the surface” capacitive type either. These are proper physical buttons. So even if you’re out for a run with gloves on, you’ve got easy control over your devices.

Multipoint Connection

This should be standard today, but it’s still not. The Shokz OpenFit 2 earbuds also support connection to two devices at the same time. This is great in the office. Listening away to music from your phone on the Shokz OpenFit 2, you can hear people around you if they call your name. If someone calls you on Teams, just pick up and your audio flips over to your laptop. It’s clever and convenient.

The Goosed Verdict: Shokz OpenFit 2 Are Perfect for Some

The Shokz 2 OpenFit take the best features of Shokz other products and layers in a range of new approaches and design ideas. The result is the perfect pair of headphones for some people in certain circumstances. And I hope that by reading this article, if that’s you, you’ve just twigged it.

I still believe if you travel quite a bit or like the cosiness of noise-cancelling, you’ll want a regular pair of over-ear noise-cancelling headphones. But for the office, running, cycling, walking or sleeping – these are an incredible pair of earphones to have in your arsenal.

The biggest downside here is that these are pricey enough at €200 especially given I see them as being part of a two product solution for most

What’s surprised me the most is that I do daily drive two audio solutions; over-ear and in-ear. And now, I’m swapping my in-ear buds for these new OpenFit 2 buds. That’s how much I’ve loved them.

You can pick these up at Harvey Norman and Amazon.

Shane App Launches Globally: LGBTQIA+ Safety & Navigation Tool Built in Ireland

Jon
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Shane App Launches Globally: LGBTQIA+ Safety & Navigation Tool Built in Ireland

If you’ve ever tried to find a safe, welcoming space as part of the LGBTQIA+ community whether it’s in Dublin, Berlin, or Bangkok, you’ll know it can feel like navigating a minefield. That’s where Shane steps in, a brand new app from Irish trans- and queer-led start-up Shane Collective, launching globally on iOS and Android this June 24th, 2025. And no we are not Pride washing, let’s be very clear here, at Goosed we aren’t rainbowifying our logo for one month a year, we want to see amazing companies succeed and Shane is one of them apps that covers a need, and honestly a need I didn’t even know existed before, and I am glad I know now.

This isn’t just another map app with rainbow emojis tacked on. It’s built by LGBTQIA+ folks, for LGBTQIA+ folks—designed with safety, inclusion, and visibility at its core. Not long ago I had the team from Shane join us on the Goosed Podcast and to be honest I was shocked by how little I knew about the issues some corners of the community have when they travel, so this newly educated guy right here is about to break down, what Shane is, how to use it and why this Irish Start-up is nailing their colours firmly to the mast and saying enough is enough and its about time and we are here for it.

What is Shane?

Shane is your new digital wingperson. Whether you’re travelling abroad, looking for a queer-friendly café, or just want to feel safer walking home at night, Shane is packed with tools to help you move through the world with more confidence.

From community-rated inclusive spaces, to an emergency alert system that shares your live location with trusted contacts, Shane does what Google Maps and TripAdvisor never could—it centres you, the queer user.

Here’s a taste of what Version 1 brings:

  • A global map with inclusive space filters
  • Community-sourced safety & inclusion ratings
  • Custom lists you can share with mates
  • Emergency alerts to share live location
  • “Shane Certified” businesses clearly marked
  • Points for contributing reviews and ratings

As for what’s coming down the line this summer? Get ready for…

  • An AI-powered Safe Travel Concierge (because what is life without AI these days)
  • Countdown-based emergency triggers
  • Automatic incident recording to the cloud
  • Real-time rerouting with in-app Safe Navigation

Designed for Real-World Safety

One of Shane’s standout features is its smart international design. Not every country is safe for LGBTQIA+ people and the team knows that. The app won’t show sensitive info in high-risk countries and won’t be available at all in places where being queer could cost someone their life. Seriously….this is an actual need in 2025 in some parts of the world.. madness. There are 2 worlds, the reality and the dream right? Personally I would love to live in a world where it doesn’t matter where you place your pecker, slam your ham or yano, don’t, you do you because it’s the substance not sexuality of a person that matters, right?….but the reality this is not the case and some parts of the LGBTQ+ community still cannot travel in peace (and probably less so now given the current political climate)

Privacy is also baked in. Users stay anonymous, and data collection is kept to a minimum—because trust isn’t a bonus feature, it’s the baseline.

As Tadhg Mac Mahon, founder and CEO of Shane Collective, puts it:

“Shane is the solution our global community needs. A tool for everyday safety, belonging, and visibility, in a world that too often overlooks us.”

Who’s Behind It?

Shane Collective is a fully remote team of 17, with members from across the LGBTQIA+ spectrum and around the world. It’s intersectional, international, and informed by lived experience at every level from feature development to accessibility. It’s almost like it was made by those with the need, for those with the need….sounds logical to me. It’s not tech-for-tech’s sake this is tech for good and we all know that’s an area I love because the world wants to paint technology as the thing that will end humanity, not a tool for us to leverage for our betterment.

Want to Learn More?

If you’re heading to Pride in London, Shane Collective will be in Soho on Friday, June 27th, at the Pride pop-up shop (7 Walkers Court, W1) from 4pm to 6pm. Swing by, meet the crew, and see how the app works.

In the meantime, check them out online:

🌐 getshane.io
📱 Instagram | TikTok | Facebook

Shane isn’t just a cool app it’s a necessary one. As someone who covers tech that matters, I can say with confidence: this is the kind of innovation we need more of.

Now available on iOS and Android—go grab it, and travel a little lighter.

SeeGap and QS1: The Future of Product Engagement for Consumers

Jon
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SeeGap and QS1: The Future of Product Engagement for Consumers

I love start-ups, and I love Irish start-ups and over the last 10 years one of my key focus’ on Goosed has been finding the best and brightest of the start-up community and I think we have unearthed another gem. Anyone who has followed the Goosed Podcast knows that one of the things I love is finding who is at the cutting edge of Irish technology and I reckon SeeGap might just be the latest to add to our ever growing list of companies who Got Goosed.

Remember QR codes becoming relevant? Kinda seemed to happen during Covid for restaurant menu’s but they do so much more! Today we live in a world where QR codes have gone from being a novelty to a necessity, and the Irish Founded company SeeGap is taking things up a notch. You might not have heard of them yet, you might never really hear of them directly, but if you’re someone who cares about where your products come from, what’s in them, and how brands engage with you, then SeeGap something worth paying attention to.

The Seegap Journey: Innovating the Future of Product Engagement

SeeGap was founded with a simple yet ambitious goal: to change how consumers and businesses interact with product packaging. Recognizing the growing need for transparency, traceability, and digital connectivity, the company set out to bridge the gap between the physical and digital retail world. Ok let me break down a story, Remember Mars Delight? Remember when they gotten taken of the shelf? Because I sure do, and there was nowhere for me to reach out and ask for my favourite snack back. Or for the health concise of us, what’s the macros, what’s really in my food? Simply packaging and barcodes just don’t cut it and that’s why GS1 is just around the corner.

In the early days, SeeGap focused on developing smart packaging solutions that utilized QR codes and NFC technology to provide consumers with instant access to product information. As consumer expectations evolved, so did SeeGap’s vision. By aligning with GS1 standards and the global push towards 2D barcodes, they have positioned itself as a leader in transforming traditional packaging into interactive experiences. Just check out the pod below with David to find out the full story, its a good one, trust me.

SeeGap’s journey has been driven by collaboration with major industries, including retail, healthcare, and food production. By working closely with brands, regulators, and technology partners, the company has played a crucial role in helping businesses adapt to the new era of digital-first consumer engagement.

Who are Seegap?

Seegap is a technology-driven company that specializes in bridging the gap between physical products and digital experiences. They provide packaging solutions that enhance our consumer engagement through QR code technology. Their mission is to transform traditional product packaging into a dynamic, interactive touchpoint for brands and consumers alike. By integrating smart packaging solutions, Seegap enables brands to engage with consumers in real-time, offering interactive content, traceability, and transparency.

Their mission is to give brands direct visibility into who their offline shoppers are — what they care about, how they engage with products, and what drives them to buy again. In a world where over 80% of FMCG sales still happen in physical retail, this is a crucial blind spot most brands can’t afford to ignore.

Through smart packaging and a powerful analytics backend, SeeGap enables brands to:

  • Capture first-party consumer insights at the point of use or post-purchase
  • Build direct relationships with retail buyers without relying on third-party data
  • Understand why products perform (or don’t) across different markets or retailers
  • Run targeted campaigns based on real behavior, not assumptions
  • Convert offline buyers into loyal, digital audiences

Whether it’s improving product feedback loops, driving online conversions from in-store sales, or uncovering patterns across SKU performance — SeeGap helps FMCG brands turn packaging into a scalable data channel that supports decisions, faster innovation, and long-term brand growth.

What is GS1 and Why Does It Matter?

GS1 is a global organization that sets the standards for barcodes, including the familiar EAN/UPC codes you see on retail products. These standards ensure seamless product identification across the supply chain, making it easier for businesses and consumers to track, verify, and engage with products.

One of the key advancements in GS1’s standards is the rise of 2D barcodes and QR codes, which allow for much richer data than traditional 1D barcodes. Instead of just identifying a product, these codes can store detailed information about ingredients, allergens, expiration dates, sustainability efforts, and much more. This shift is where Seegap is making its impact—helping brands utilize GS1’s evolving barcode technology to create smarter, more interactive consumer experiences.

Why is This Shift Happening?

Consumer behavior is changing. one are the days when people blindly trusted marketing buzzwords slapped on a box. Now, consumers demand transparency, sustainability, and convenience all at once. People are demanding more information about the products they buy, whether it’s verifying ethical sourcing, checking allergens, or accessing user guides. Here are the key drivers behind this shift:

  1. The Rise of Conscious Consumers – People are more mindful about what they buy, from the food they eat to the clothes they wear. Shoppers today want to know exactly what they’re buying, where it comes from, and whether it aligns with their values.
  2. Retail and Regulatory Evolution – Industries such as food, healthcare, and cosmetics are facing increasing regulations that demand more transparency in labeling and product tracking. QR code-driven solutions like QS1 help brands stay ahead of compliance requirements.
  3. The Mobile Digital-First Lifestyle – We live on our phones and modern consumers expect instant access to information. QS1 taps into this behavior, making it easier than ever for consumers to get product information in just one scan.
  4. Brand Engagement and Loyalty – Companies want more than just a one-time sale; they want ongoing relationships with their customers.  QS1 gives them a direct channel to offer personalized content, discounts, or customer support, right at the point of use.

What Does This Mean for the Consumer?

For everyday shoppers, this shift in barcode technology means easier access to the information they care about, all about convenience. Instead of Googling reviews, searching for manuals, or trying to decode ingredient lists, everything you need is instantly available through a quick scan.Instead of searching for product details manually or relying on outdated packaging, a simple scan can provide:

  • Instant product verification – Ensuring authenticity and origin. Know exactly what you’re buying and who you’re buying from.
  • Detailed ingredient and allergen information – Helping consumers make informed dietary choices.
  • Eco-conscious decision-making – Brands can showcase their sustainability initiatives transparently.
  • Digital manuals and tutorials – No more losing paper guides; everything is accessible via a scan.
  • Loyalty perks and brand engagement – Exclusive deals, personalized content, and customer support are just a scan away.

The Future of Smart Packaging

Seegap’s work with GS1 standards is paving the way for a future where packaging does more than just sit on a shelf, it interacts, informs, and enhances the customer experience.It’s a shift towards a more transparent, interactive, and consumer-friendly shopping experience. 

As more brands adopt this technology, we’re likely to see an evolution in how we interact with everyday products—turning packaging into a gateway for digital engagement, making shopping smarter, safer, and more connected.

So next time you pick up a product, check for a QR or 2D barcode—your next scan might be your gateway to a whole new level of product engagement.

So, the next time you pick up a product with a QR code, give it a scan—you might just be stepping into the future of retail.

Eufy E20 Robovac Review: The Most Complete Robovac on the Market

Marty
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Eufy E20 Robovac Review: The Most Complete Robovac on the Market

A couple of years ago I tested a Eufy robovac. It’s an easy sell – never vacuum again. However, just a few years ago this wasn’t the case. As cool as the robovacs were, you still had to have a regular vacuum. How else would you clean the stairs or the car?

I gave up on those older robovacs that would just bash themselves off everything in sight to navigate your home, hopefully hitting all the dust. A couple of years later and that tech has come a long, long way. so far, in fact, that I’ve been left calling this the most complete robovac on the market. The Eufy E20. A robovac that does it all.

Disclosure: This product was gifted to the author. This means it was provided free of charge to be reviewed but the brand supplying it did not insist on a review, nor do they have any control over the content within this review.

Design

Where I live has stairs, and I have a car. So you might be wondering just how exactly a robovac can tackle that. Simply put, it’s down to clever design. The robovac comes in two parts. The driving bit and the vacuum bit. This is clever, because when you separate the two, the vacuum bit is a regular “stick vacuum”. Included in the box is everything you would need to run around the house giving a regular vacuum job. I mostly use this on the stairs – the biggest barrier to some buying a robovac at all.

The Eufy E20 is the first robovac solve the problem of cleaning stairs and cars. Picture: Marty Meany

When you pop it back into the driving shell, it becomes a full on robovac, capable of automated cleaning around the home. One nozzle is fitted into the machine itself for handheld use, so it’s always nearby and ready to go if you need some quick handheld cleaning. I think the idea here is that you would leave the other “stick” accessories elsewhere in the home where you’d use them. Because one oversight is that Eufy has absolutely nowhere for you to put any of the accessories. Which seems odd given there is a full sized self-cleaning docking station which could be home to some accessories.

Functionality

That self-cleaning docking station is where your robovac (mine is called Piper by the way) comes home to charge after cleaning and even empties into a removable, but unfortunately not reusable, dust bag. I’m looking out for a reusable alternative.

Eufy E20 docked and charging in the self-cleaning dock. Picture: Marty Meany

I think the biggest leap forward in robovacs for me is that LiDAR has become nearly a global standard on these machines. No more bashing itself of everything. The E20 maps out my home and learns where it can and can’t go. In fact, it’s so good that you can ask it just to vacuum one area – great if you have an open-plan space and just want the kitchen done after dinner.

The combination of great design and function means that every evening, my home gets a great clean. An important note I nearly omitted is the cleaning quality of the E20 itself is perfect. Now, even with LiDAR, you will need to vacuum the “corners” of your robovac area once a week because all the clever design in the world doesn’t mean robovac get everywhere. In fact, LiDAR adds a little height to the device, which means under some cupboards become no-go areas for my robovac. But overall, this is the most complete robovac solution I’ve seen to date. It doesn’t lean on gimmicks, just clever design and functionality.

The App

Eufy has just released a new “super app” which is home to Eufy security and clean products. Until now these were two separate worlds. I’ve tested Eufy security products in the past and it is nice to finally have everything in the one location. Beyond that, I don’t really have too much to say about the app. It works and has all the information I could want.

One very niche issue I’ve found so far, and it genuinely won’t be an issue for most is, Home Assistant. I have just started building a custom smart home integration where I control all of my own technology from my own Home Assistant platform. Eufy doesn’t officially support this. Now, while I realise just how niche a topic this is, it’s problematic because everything else in my home, with the exception of my 12-year-old smart plugs which just need replacing anyway, worked straight away. For me, it’s unusual that this wasn’t considered and if you are a Home Assistant user, it’s a very considerable blocker – not to say I won’t work it out.

Noise Levels

I live in a pretty noisy area, but even so I don’t want a vacuum being noisy. This was a concern when I first ran the E20 because when it finishes the cycle and goes home to empty itself, it’s possibly the noisiest appliance I’ve ever had. To my pleasant surprise, Eufy thought of this.

The vacuum will only empty during assigned times. So if it does a clean at 2am and you’ve said this is a quiet time, it will skip until the next day. This is a thoughtful feature I really liked.

Goosed Verdict: Eufy E20 Robovac

Retailing at €479, but available for as little as €379 if you find it in a sale, the Eufy E20 Robovac is on the very high end of “regular vacuums” and the middle shelf of robovacs. Given this is a stick vacuum too, it’s an easy recommendation from me. I like to walk around my home in my bare feet and because I live in a city, no matter what I do that floor is nearly always covered in dust. Highly irritating in bare feet and, I’m sorry, but vacuuming every single day just isn’t going to happen.

The Eufy E20 means I can have my apartment cleaned every night while I sleep. Making a coffee in my bare feet with no annoying debris everywhere after making dinner last night. When the weekend rolls around, I can clean the car or spruce up the stairs. In general, my home is cleaner with less work, all thanks to the Eufy E20. Making it a strong recommend.

The Eufy E20 Robovac is available now from Harvey Norman, Currys, Euronics and Amazon.ie. But do shop around for the best price.

ChatGPT and Perplexity Pro Subscribers Experiencing Access Issues

Marty
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ChatGPT and Perplexity Pro Subscribers Experiencing Access Issues

Our growing dependency on “Artificial Intelligence” platforms is clear to see. Just this week, An Garda Siochana has taken steps to restrict free AI access, I assume because it was becoming apparent it was being widely used. This means when a platform experiences technical issues, it makes a lot more noise. Today, both Perplexity Pro and ChatGPT subscribers are experiencing outages.

ChatGPT Outage

One quick look at the OpenAI status page shows us that there is an increased number of outages globally. This is an interesting time to see how many other services are affected. ChatGPT’s APIs are experiencing outages too. This means any 3rd party services which lean on OpenAI’s technology is also down. This can mean chat support bots and other “smart” features.

There has been no official comment from OpenAI yet. Oddly, this outage seems aligned, at least in timing, with Perplexity being down too.

Perplexity Outage

Perplexity AI is a “AI model aggregator” with an additional user experience layer on top. Basically, it takes all the tech from AI platforms and wraps it up in a deeper user-friendly experience.

Perplexity AI is rather popular in Ireland and the UK because it’s included as a benefit for Revolut customers. Unfortunately, those Perplexity Pro customers today find themselves without access to the platform.

I’ve reached out to the Perplexity team, but there is speculation that this could be linked to a recent post from the Perplexity team on Reddit outlining public abuse of promo codes to gain paid access to the app.

Posting on Reddit, a Perplexity representative stated they have, “noticed unauthorized distribution of some promotional codes” and that the company has “now deactivated those codes” and was “actively investigating how to resolve this as quickly as possible, which includes disabling unauthorized access to Pro”.

Speculation now centres on the possibility that this clean up mission may have removed access for valid customers who have signed up to the platform through channels like Revolut.

I do have to highlight that this is speculation, and I will update this article once I hear back from Perplexity. In fact, Perplexity has since posted in response to some customers stating “there are no problems with your subscription, it is likely because of the server outage (https://status.perplexity.com/) – will be back up soon. Sorry for the inconvenience”.

If you feel your access has been wrongly removed, you should reach out to their support at support@perplexity.ai.

Update 10/6/2025 – Comment from Perplexity stating there is a server outage and that Pro subscriptions are intact.

Nintendo Switch 2: The Goosed Review

Alex
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Nintendo Switch 2: The Goosed Review

Well, it’s finally here. After 8 years the successor to the Nintendo Switch has launched. And it’s….pretty neat. This might be the first time in almost forever where a new Nintendo console is basically the previous console but more. It’s bigger, more powerful and it certainly looks a lot nicer, but apart from one or two new features this really is just a bog-standard Switch but better. I’m not saying this to be negative at all, by the way. The Switch is a generation-defining console that dared to try something new and bold that only Nintendo would ever think of. This thing certainly has pedigree but I’m feeling, maybe, a little disappointed that there isn’t more to it than meets the eye. At least not yet anyway.

The Good

            Look, let’s get this out of the way right now, the Nintendo Switch 2 is shockingly powerful. I mean, it’s not that powerful relative to its competition (at least it’s actually outputting 4K and 60fps for a lot of games now) but for its size it beggars belief how Nintendo got those kinds of numbers out of it. It’s a little bigger than the original, boasting a 7.9-inch screen as opposed to the Switch’s 6.2, but it still shouldn’t be able to put up “modern” game numbers with its svelte profile in my opinion. I am also aware that I said that it can output 4K graphics and 60 frames per second smoothness, but did I forget to mention that it, apparently, will also be capable of playing some games (Metroid Prime 4 most notably) at 120 frames per second? Not that this is any good to me of course because my phone is the only screen I actually own that can put out that kind of a refresh rate but it’s big if true nonetheless! Mario Kart World looks fantastic in every frame and seeing games like Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom live up to their true potential is something incredibly special in my eyes.

I cannot stress enough just how good this game looks

Quite aside from the technical improvements and how much nicer the screen looks, the larger size makes the Switch 2 a lot more comfortable to hold for those of us who first started playing on the Gameboy or the SNES. I find that, when I’m playing in handheld mode, I don’t have to contort my hands into all kinds of claw shapes just to tap the triggers or shoulder buttons. The extra weight is nice too, though that’s just my personal preference. I like to feel like I’m holding something substantial when I’m gaming, not something flimsy that feels like it’ll break if I look at it the wrong way. *Cough* PS3 controller *cough*.

C H O N K Y

A feature that is new is the fact that now each joycon now works as an individual mouse. This turns the gaming experience on the Switch 2 into something much more like what you’d get from a PC. One hand can be used for movement and a few commands, with the other used for aiming and shooting, or for moving the camera. There aren’t many games out at the moment that take full advantage of this new functionality (no I didn’t pay €10 for the glorified tech demo “Switch 2 Welcome Tour”) but with games like Metroid on the horizon it’s only a matter of time before we see what this new gimmick is really capable of.

The not so good

            I’m gonna say this straight out. The Switch 2 is expensive. Smyths have them for €470 standalone or €510 for the bundle that includes Mario Kart World. While it’s not any more expensive than its counterparts from Sony and Microsoft, it does give pause for thought and would make anyone consider how much use they’re actually going to get out of it. For me it was always a no-brainer. I’m a Nintendo fanboy until I die and I’ll be there day-1 for every first-party release. But if you’re the kind of person who only wants a Nintendo console to play the latest version of Mario Kart or Smash Bros. you may want to think about whether your money may be better spent elsewhere.

Thankfully, if you already have a lot of Switch accessories or games they’re all fully compatible with the Switch 2 (notable exceptions being any SD cards or not being able to charge older joycons directly from the console) so you don’t have to shell out for a rake of new peripherals. But this is cold comfort for someone who just can’t even justify the price of entry to themselves at the moment.

Secondly, and this is certainly only a temporary problem, there isn’t really much of a draw to the newer device in terms of software. Mario Kart is always a day-one pick up but apart from Donkey Kong next month the rest of the year seems pretty empty in terms of releases. Metroid Prime 4 still doesn’t have a firm release date and Pokémon Legends Z-A isn’t coming until October. When the Switch launched with Breath of the Wild many people were more than happy to tip away at that for months on end, Mario Kart, sadly, doesn’t have that longevity. I hope they announce a rake of new games soon, otherwise the Switch 2 may be another let down in the cursed Nintendo cycle.

The Controversial

            Ever since the reveal of the Switch 2 there have been some controversies and misinformation floating around online so I’m going to see if I can lay the facts out and bust a couple of myths.

Games are all going to be €80. This is partly true, but also not 100% legit. Some bigger games like Mario Kart of Donkey Kong will be €80 if you choose to purchase a physical version (my preferred format, for what it’s worth). However, the digital versions will be cheaper (usually about €10 cheaper). This does suck, I’m not gonna lie. However, what we’ve seen since this was announced were myriad other studios and publishers also putting their prices up. Some of whom did so with far less tact than others. Lookin’ at you Randy Pitchford. Someone was going to be the first to charge €80 for games and it’s a bummer that Nintendo were the ones to do it, but such is life under capitalism. I’m not defending it; I’m just trying to reason it out. Also, let’s be honest here, GTA VI is going to be €100 or more and that’s not going to impact sales figures at all.

The games aren’t even on the cartidges. This one is bogus. It’s also been happening for years and nobody cared. Most, if not all first party titles will use Nintendo’s higher-capacity cartridges. That means that if you buy the physical edition of Donkey Kong Banaza you will get the whole game on the cartridge and won’t need to download anything. Bigger third-party games like Star Wars: Outlaws will come on “Game Key” cartridges, meaning some of the data will be on the smaller, cheaper cartridge, leaving the remainder of the data to be downloaded by the user. This is already common practice on the Xbox family of systems, as well as on the original Switch! Yep, Nintendo released these kinds of carts for some games years ago and nobody batted an eyelid. Don’t get caught up in the ragebait, my friends!

In conclusion

            Look, I’m not gonna lie, I love this thing. It’s just the Switch, that I already adore, but bigger, more powerful, and brimming with even more potential. The price is eye-watering. Of course it is. But if what you want is the finest piece of gaming tech on the market, it’s worth every cent. I spend hundreds of hours gaming every year (thanks to each company’s own version of “Wrapped” for that depressing insight) and the Switch was always my number one most played console. I have no doubt the Switch 2 will be the same. Not to mention that any console that lets me play Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker gets a big thumbs up from me.

For me, nothing comes close to the feeling of Nintendo magic when you open up a new console and connect it to your TV for the first time. It’s a phenomenon I’m lucky enough to have experienced over and over again, and it’s not one I get from Playstation or Xbox. Nintendo change the gaming landscape again and again and if the Switch 2 gives them time to think up something truly crazy next time around then I’m happy to let them cook.

Anker Prime TB5 Hub Review: The Ultimate Docking Station

Marty
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0
Anker Prime TB5 Hub Review: The Ultimate Docking Station

As a tech reviewer, I’ve had years of smartphone reviews. I nearly feel bad, because I loved getting the latest phones in to test. It was such a novelty. Until it wasn’t and they got really boring. You know what excites me now, here in my late thirties? Docking stations. Anker has sent over it’s new Anker Prime TB5 docking station and I absolutely love it. It’s a beast.

Disclosure: This product was gifted to the author. This means it was provided free of charge to be reviewed but the brand supplying it did not insist on a review, nor do they have any control over the content within this review.

Design and Build

Straight off the bat, I’m going to call out that the Anker Prime TB5 is not cheap. However, what you get for your money is probably the best all-rounder dock on the market. This is Anker’s first Thunderbolt 5 dock. While Thunderbolt isn’t exclusive to MacBook users, the overall design and spec of the Prime TB5 gives strong suggestions that MacBook users are that target. You could argue this takes down that price tag a little further towards the realm of reasonable, too given MacBook users typically spend a little more on their hardware (I’m one of them by the way).

The Anker Prime TB5 has an aluminium alloy chassis and a Applesque Space Gray finish that won’t look out of place next to your MacBook (assuming you have the same colour). It’s a weighty enough unit too, weighing in at just over 1kg. As someone who once bought a mic filled with concrete thinking it “felt decent”, I won’t let that sway me too much. The spec sheet I go into later will do that instead.

It’s a tidy little unit though, and sits neatly on your desktop with a massive array of connectivity made available to you. From a usage point of view, a single cable from the dock to my MacBook is all I need. And even better, the dock has a built-in power supply. Why does that matter? It means no massive power supply on the floor or desk. That means not bit box on the power cable going into the wall. It’s just neater.

Because of the internal power supply and that this dock is a general work horse, it does have a fan to keep it cool. This usually means noise, but I’ve never noticed the device making any noise, let alone getting overly noisy.

To add a little flair, Anker has added a power light to the dock too. You can turn this on or off by hitting the “power button” on the unit.

Before I go into the I/O of the dock, I just want to speak about the positioning of it all. With USB-C x 2, USB-A x 1 and a headphone jack, all on the front of the dock, you have you’re daily plug and play sorted. But on the rear, there’s even more I/O for the bits and pieces you typically leave plugged in 24/7.

So, let’s talk about connectivity.

Connectivity: All the Ports You Need (and Then Some)

There is a mind-blowing amount of connectivity on the Anker Prime TB5. Anker describes this as a 14-in-1 dock.

The I/O includes three Thunderbolt 5 ports. One upstream to connect to your laptop with charging up to 140W, and two downstream ports that support high-speed accessories or external displays. To be clear, this means one suitable cable from the Anker Prime TB5 can charge your laptop and handle display. I’m using the cable Anker recommends with the dock, which is a paid extra rather surprisingly – but it’s a lovely cable I guess.

Each downstream port can handle up to 8K resolution at 60Hz. Most people using this dock with a MacBook will connect either one or two monitors, depending on their chip. Standard M1 and M2 models are limited to one, while Pro and Max models can handle two. Using three displays is technically possible in some Windows setups, but it’s not something Mac users should expect from this dock.

You also get both HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 2.1 connections, though only one of these can be used at a time. For those using a laptop that supports multiple external displays over Thunderbolt, the two downstream ports cover that need.

I’ve tested this with a single HDMI-powered monitor from both an M3 MacBook Pro and M4 MacBook Pro with no issues.

Day-to-day devices are well-supported too. As I’ve alluded to, the front of the dock includes two USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 ports offering 10Gbps speeds and up to 45W of shared charging, perfect for phones, tablets or portable drives.

Around the back, there are three USB-A 3.2 ports, also at 10Gbps, for connecting older accessories. For anyone dealing with large files or video calls, the inclusion of a 2.5Gb Ethernet port ensures stable, high-speed networking.

If you work with media, you’ll be glad to see both SD and microSD card slots on board. These are compatible with UHS-I and UHS-II cards, but speeds are limited to 104MB/s, which matches UHS-I performance. That’s usually more than enough for photographers, content creators, or anyone regularly transferring files from a camera or drone. There’s also a standard 3.5mm audio jack for headphones or mic input.

I’m sure there are plenty of edge cases where individuals won’t be able to achieve something with the Anker Prime TB5. Whether it be powering 17 monitors or transferring media at UHS-II speeds to an SD card. But for 98% of users, this dock presents itself as a great value way to get this level of connectivity.

Goosed Verdict: Anker Prime TB5

The Anker Prime TB5 will set you back £399 which is about €470. It’s a sizeable purchase to say the least. One that most won’t understand the value of. And that’s absolutely fair enough. Alone, the dock doesn’t do anything. It needs to be powered by another machine, such as a MacBook.

However, if, like me, you have a MacBook that you sometimes use on the go, but also sometimes like as a desktop machine, this dock is worth it’s weight in gold.

One single cable is all I have to plug in, and my MacBook connects to my entire work station. My keyboard, mouse, monitor, webcam and phone charger, all work with one connection. It’s neat and tidy on the desk too. And, because it’s Anker I expect this to work for a very long time, given the company’s experience in the charging and power space.

So if you’ve read this review and wondered why anyone would buy a dock, let alone pay that kind of money for one – this isn’t the item for you.

If you are sick and tired of your work day starting with plugging in items and trying to get everything working – you’ve found your answer. Keep an eye out on the Anker website to see if there’s a discount though.

Scams Grow in Volume and Quality Because of AI

Marty
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0
Scams Grow in Volume and Quality Because of AI

Artificial Intelligence (for want of a better name) has surged in adoption. You likely know it as ChatGPT or Google Gemini. Interactive and conversational applications that appear almost human in how they “speak”. We can all see the benefits of using AI when it comes to turning an angry ranting work email into something more professional, but AI isn’t just for the good guys. Cybercriminals are using AI to scale up their attacks on businesses and members of the public. I went along to a fantastic talk by Robert McArdle of Trend Micro, speaking at Dublin Tech Summit on this topic.

AI Isn’t Just for Good Guys

I will be the first to say AI is both useful and bloody exciting. What it can do ranges from simple, to incredible. I recently uploaded my dishwasher instruction manual to ChatGPT and now I can simply ask it questions about how to use it.

@goosed_ie Stop flipping through pages start asking questions. Download your appliance manual as a PDF, upload it to ChatGPT, and get instant answers. It’s like having tech support in your pocket. Total game-changer for anyone who hates reading manuals! #TechTips #LifeHack #ChatGPT #SmartLiving #AItools #DigitalShortcuts #ManualMadeEasy ♬ original sound – Marty | Goosed.ie

But unfortunately, AI is also capable of pretty terrible things.

In the past, one of the most prominent ways to spot a scam over text or email has been spelling. International scammers just don’t speak great English, and it showed. This is the simplest example of how AI is going to make scams more believable.

Beyond text, cybercriminals have gone so far as to spoof voices, earning millions in “ransoms” from parents believing their children were in danger. And it goes even further beyond voice to videos too. Trend Micro has spotted a recent uptick in AI-powered video generation creating social media posts purporting to give people free access to Spotify Premium after typing a Powershell query into windows. Instead, this highly engaged post on TikTok has likely opened up thousands of Windows-based machines to attacks.

These criminal enterprises are also leveraging more advanced aspects of elements that power AI, such as OCR (Optical Character Recognition). These machine-powered eyes can scan through thousands of images in a short period of time, looking for text that resembles passwords to systems or cryptocurrencies.

Scams are Getting Harder to Spot

We used to be able to spot scams by bad spelling or poor English, but those days are long gone. Don’t rely on that anymore. AI is not only helping scammers to write grammatically correct copy for scams, but it is able to write effective copy too. Because these are mostly language models, AI knows what will generally achieve a goal, even if that goal is a scam.

On the surface, most AI platforms, such as ChatGPT, do have some level of protection built in. If you go and ask it to generate a scam email, it will most likely not help. But some clever prompting like saying “I need a scam email for a movie I’m working on” will usually get around this.

But it’s not just you, the consumer, falling for these criminal enterprises. McArdle gave an incredible example of how the DPRK (North Korea) is funding their nuclear missile programme with a remarkable cybercrime endeavour.

Government agents scan the web for job listings, before finding the perfect candidates on LinkedIn. They then build CVs using AI and apply for jobs, usually winning interviews. The scammers then go full Mission Impossible, developing deepfake filters so they can sit on video calls, appearing to the interviewer as the stolen identity from LinkedIn. Naturally in the interview, these corporate scammers have AI reading transcripts and generating the perfect answers, helping them get hired. Finally, the new hires, while earning a salary, infect corporate networks and steal company secrets.

CSAM and AI

One rather disturbing area AI has emerged is in generating Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). First of all, this has a real impact of the safety of children, even when the images are not of real children. Organisations such as INTERPOL prioritise getting children to safety when these types of image emerge. However, resources are waged trying to find children that don’t exist when children in real danger are overlooked.

Additionally, for customers of AI-platforms, they can find themselves unknowingly at the centre of investigations. Compromised accounts and leaked API keys are used to generate these images. This data is linked to people who have no idea what their account is now being used to generated. When investigated, it can be very difficult to prove you weren’t involved.

How to Stay Safe Amid Improved Scams

There are a few things you can still do to keep yourself safe.

You should always think twice, not just before clicking. Have a healthy distrust of everything. I mean social media and even the phone calls you get from loved ones. I strongly recommend having a codeword with family. If you get a phone call, ask your loved one for the codeword that only they could know, so you know it’s them.

We’ve had years of educational campaigns trying to keep us all safe online. Unfortunately, while useful at the time, now many believe they know the simple warning signs for a scam. Poor spelling or bad English just isn’t sufficient red flag to be waiting for. You need to be more alert than ever, but in your private and professional life.

McArdle predicts that by the end of 2026, most workplaces will have at least one agentic AI coworker handling some tasks, whether it be support tickets or project management. This opens the door to new forms or attack.

One common way businesses are being targeted now is for their cloud access. Cybercriminals target easy to access cloud services like Amazon’s Bedrock, and running up massive GPU usage to power online criminal empires. Everyone must remain vigilant to ensure access to these systems is not compromised.

If you have any platform, personal or professional, that supports 2FA you really should be using it. I strongly recommend you also use unique passwords for every single platform you have an account for. Again, that’s across personal and professional.

And remember. While the world of technology is moving pretty damn fast, you can keep up with it.

Smyths Toys Confirm Nintendo Switch 2 Midnight Launch

Marty
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0
Smyths Toys Confirm Nintendo Switch 2 Midnight Launch

The much anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 launches soon on June 5th. It is set to be the biggest console launch of 2025, and it’s getting the full treatment. Smyths Toys will be opening at midnight for the launch, so eager gamers can pull all-nighters.

Here’s what you need to know.

Nintendo Switch 2 Midnight Launch in Ireland

All Smyths Toys stores nationwide will open at 12am on June 5th. That means on Wednesday night, you have to get yourself to a Smyths Toys store for midnight opening. The “midnight” thing has caught people out before, so pay attention.

Pre-order remains open today, where you can secure your launch Switch 2 for €509.99, a bundle which includes Mario Kart World.

When ordering, you can choose home delivery or “Click & Collect”. If you are planning to pick up at a midnight launch, you should choose “Click & Collect” and choose the store you want to pick up from.

Stores will remain open until 12:30am. You will need to bring some form of photo ID to prove you have a console to collect.

Should You Pre-order the Switch 2?

I’d be reluctant to attend a midnight launch with high hopes of getting a Switch 2 unless I had pre-ordered. But with that said, Smyths Toys has said that there are limited quantities of the Switch 2 available for purchase on the night.

In an attempt to combat scalpers buying and selling consoles at higher prices, Nintendo has produced a massive number of units of the Switch 2. The market should be more or less flooded from legitimate places to purchase it.

Again, to reiterate though, if you really want one at launch, I recommend pre-ordering.

Other than that, from everyone here at Goosed, we wish you a happy Nintendo Switch 2 launch!

StatrDraft: Irish Fantasy Football Startup Launches Crowdfunding

Marty
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0
StatrDraft: Irish Fantasy Football Startup Launches Crowdfunding

As the curtain falls on the English Premier League and with it ends the Fantasy Football you all play for 2 weeks and forget about. So do something different next year. Irish tech startup StatrDraft has launched a crowdfunding round for their new approach to fantasy football. Here’s what you need to know about the true alternative to Premier League Fantasy Football.

Disclosure: One of the founding members of StatrDraft writes for Goosed.ie. However, I’m writing this myself because I love fantasy football and I wanted to support Irish.

What is StatrDraft?

StatrDraft is the brain child of a group of Limerick friends who got bored of traditional fantasy football. They built their own leagues and scoring system based purely on the “NFL style” draft system.

StatrDraft is the answer to everything broken about regular fantasy football. The biggest issue fantasy football faces is, “the template team”. This is the same key players appearing in all of the most successful teams. Think Mo Salah. Straight away, he’s one player that every fantasy football team has. If I was to check the top 100 teams, you can be nearly sure they all have Salah.

Typically over a season, you’ll be in a league with several teams who all feature three or four of the same players with just a few differentials.

StatrDraft takes aim at this old model. Every player can be drafted only once to the league. This means every team is unique with every single pick being highly strategic.

The team also unleashes deeper statistics and variable competition times.

StarDraft is also the first fantasy football game I’m aware of which operates a blended league. This means you can piece together your team from the best players in the Premier League but also Women’s Super League.

How to Get Started With StatrDraft

StatrDraft has just opened it’s first crowdfunding round on Indiegogo. You can choose from a range of perks starting at just €10.

The team hopes, with the support of enough backers, to launch ahead of the 2025/2026 Premier League Season.

You might wonder just how likely is it that this bunch of lads from Limerick can take on the Premier League, however they’ve been recognised by the NDRC as one of Ireland’s startups with the most potential. So with your support, they can and will take on the world!

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