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Best Sodastream To Buy In Ireland: Where To Buy Refills And More

Marty
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Best Sodastream To Buy In Ireland: Where To Buy Refills And More

Maybe it wasn’t a thing for every family, but Sodastream was a massive thing for me growing up. My family wasn’t fancy, quite the contrary. So, looking back it’s almost a bit odd that my grandparents’ house had a Sodastream. Sparkling water and flavoured drinks were surely an unusual indulgence back in the day. But still, it was there and having a press with cola flavour in it is another childhood memory. Sodastream is enjoying a “resurgence” in pop-ularity, if you’ll excuse the puns, but here’s which Sodastream machine you should buy, where to get it and, perhaps most importantly, where you can get gas refills.

The opinions in this article are from a time before I was aware of Sodastream’s operations in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. I personally would no longer buy a Sodastream machine, opting instead for an Aarke machine. I also source my gas from Faerly who offer Sodastream alternative gas suppliers from the UK and Germany. However, my opinion on the Sodastream machines remain valid if you are interested in buying them. I’ve chosen to keep this article alive beacuse people are looking for it and to offer Sodastream alternatives and this message for people seeking Sodastream.

What Is Sodastream?

Sodastream is primarily a machine that lets you carbonate water. The system uses a gas canister of CO2 and a bottle-locking system to inject CO2 into the water, making it fizzy. Whether you like drinking Fanta, Coke or just sparkling water, carbonated drinks play a part in your life. Sodastream is a way to make your own drinks back home, whether it be water, generic flavours or flavours created by Sodastream themselves.

Sodastream is was founded way back in 1903 and one of the biggest things to happen in recent years was Pepsi taking ownership in 2018. That means you can now also buy Pepsi and Pepsi Max syrup and make your own drinks at home. I like a bottle of Pepsi Max with my Zambrero burritos and now I just make my own drinks at home. Mostly, I just use this for sparkling water though.

Where Can You Buy Sodastream Gas Refills In Ireland?

Before getting into the details, it’s important you know one thing about Sodastream. You have to buy canister refills on a fairly regular basis and they can be tough to find. It’s even tougher now that Argos is closing. That was my go-to spot for picking up canisters.

But all is not lost. You can now get the gas for your Sodastream without leaving your home at all. Irish sustainability-focused company Faerly sells CO2 online that fit Sodastream, and other, machines. More importantly, they also have the Faerly CO2 gas cylinder return programme. The system gives you €10 back for every CO2 cylinder you return to them.

Once the news of Argos closing hit, I looked at the alternatives. Harvey Norman do carry the refills. All you do is bring in your empty CO2 canister and they’ll give you a new one at a discounted rate. A new one costs around €30 with a refill costing just €19. Harvey Norman oddly don’t talk about this on their website at all, so I’d recommend calling your nearest store before you visit just in case it’s a bit of a trek.

There’s one more option I’ve yet to try myself; refilling the canisters myself. There are two ways to do this. You can either buy a really big CO2 canister and fill the 60L Sodastream canister off it, or you can get it refilled at a depot. It’s important you get food-grade CO2 and know what you’re at in general to be safe. It might be too much hassle for most people, to be honest, but it does work out really cheap. Plus I can probably work out a way to use this for my homebrewing set up too!

Sodastream Alternatives

There’s been a massive surge in people seeking out Sodastream alternatives.

SodaStream has been the target of boycotts for several years due to its operations in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Critics argue that the company’s factory in Ma’ale Adumim, a settlement in the West Bank, is illegal under international law and that by operating there, SodaStream is complicit in Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory.

I’m not going to go into the depths of this debate, but I will respect that there are two groups as a result; those who won’t buy Sodastream because of this, and those that will regardless.

If you are seeking out a Sodsastream alternative, know that Faerly, and indeed some other brands like Harvey Norman, have options. Aarke is a premium carbonated water maker that runs on the exact same style of CO2 canister as Sodastream.

If you still want to pick up a Sodastream, you can. So let’s get back to picking a Sodastream system for you.

Why Sodastream?

There’s one primary reason behind Sodastream is a good idea; the planet. I was buying bottled sparkling water because tap water in Dublin was horrendous. It took me a while to realise the best solution wasn’t buying bottled water (and lugging them from Lidl every week) but to get a filtration jug and Sodastream. Now, every week we’re buying less plastic. You can also have a range of flavours on standby to make a drink to cater to your tastes and even needs (I’m thinking tonic for gin).

I’ve owned my own Sodastream machine for years but they’ve sent over two newer machines for me to test out, including more techy modern versions. Which brings me to which Sodastream machine should you buy?

Which Sodastream Machine Is Best?

There are a surprising number of Sodastream machines on the market. I say “surprising” because the concept is simple, right? How many ways can you inject gas into a bottle of water? Well, the answer is loads. It’s difficult to say which one works best because they all achieve the goal of making sparkling water. They just do it slightly differently

Sodastream One Touch: The Electric Sodastream

This is the smartest of the Sodastream machines on the market. The Sodastream One Touch is the only machine that needs to be plugged in and that’s to power the single-press mechanism. In the box, you’ll get two large and one small bottle. Fill this with water up to the line on the bottle. I fill mine with eco-friendly water filter because the water in Dublin is gross until you filter it.

As I said, I’ve had a Sodastream machine for years so I was using quite an old model. Newer machines have a really cool quick-lock system so you don’t need to screw bottles in. Just push it up and push it forward to lock your bottle of water in.

On the top of the Sodastream One Touch are three buttons. The more gas that goes into the water, the stronger the fizz. These buttons let you control how fizzy your water or flavoured drinks are. Press once to wake the machine and press again to make the fizz happen.

Is Sodastream One Touch Worth It?

The Sodastream One Touch appealed to my inner nerd that insists on everything being more than a bit gadgety. I like being able to press the button then wash up a glass or go to the fridge to grab flavour while my water carbonates. But, while I like this I don’t think I’d pay extra for it.

the three sodastream buttons
The three fizzy levels of which only one is used in my house.

After attaching a fresh canister, my kitchen turned into Niagra Falls. I like fizzy water, so I was using the highest setting – a mistake for a fresh canister of CO2. Now that I’ve dialled it back to just the low-level carbonation, the water is still perfectly fizzy for me but I do wonder what’s the point in the other two settings. I also had to buy an adapter to add extra power beside my coffee machine.

It also got me wondering if the automatic carbonation uses more gas than I would normally use by manually surging the water, as I did with my old machine.

One massive point worth highlighting is that Harvey Norman is currently selling the Sodastream One Touch for just €119, which is €35 less than the regular RRP of €159. But there are other options.

Sodastream Spirit

The Sodastream Spirit is more like my own older machine. The bottle locking mechanism is the same as the Sodastream One Touch but now you surge the water yourself. This isn’t difficult in the slightest and takes less than ten seconds to do. The Sodastream Spirit is a living lesson that you don’t always need to electrify everything and make it smart.

The clever bottle locking technology on both Spirit and One Touch machines.

The Sodastream Spirit is totally wireless and doesn’t need power at all. You can put it anywhere you like in the kitchen, even that awkward corner without a plug. You also have greater control over the gas used because it’s down to as many times as you press the button on top of the machine.

The Spirit is a simple machine that does everything most people will need to get up and running with home carbonation. It’s more than enough to start making core memories with your kids. The machine is also reduced in Harvey Norman, selling for just €99, down €34 from €134.

Sodastream Crystal

I’ve used the Sodastream Crystal a good few times. The unique selling point of this machine is that it’s the only Sodastream machine compatible with the company’s glass bottles. Again, the Sodastream Crystal doesn’t need power at all but it does have a different unique locking system. Pop the glass bottle into the holder, push back and twist the collar. Then, like the Spirit, pump as much CO2 into your water as you like.

The Crystal is the most expensive Sodastream on the market at €149 from, you guess it, Harvey Norman. The whole idea with this machine is premium. That’s the feeling you get from the glass bottles. They look nice on a table for dinner guests and the bottles will last longer than the regular plastic Sodastream bottles. Still, the machine does everything the Spirit does in terms of making water fizzy.

Dishwasher Safe Sodastream Bottles

Not too long ago, I moved apartment. One of the wonderful upgrades I got was a dishwasher. So, naturally, I was in the market for dishwasher-safe Sodastream bottles. Until recently, my understanding was that the Crystal had the only dishwasher-safe bottles. But I was wrong. You can also buy plastic dishwasher-safe Sodastream bottles that work with all Sodastream machines. A very worthwhile purchase, I promise you.

The Verdict: Which Sodastream Machine Should You Buy?

The Sodastream Spirit. I’ve never been so sure about a recommendation before. I’ve pointed out the narrow range of reasons you might pick one of the other machines, but the Sodastream Spirit is a simple machine that does its one job really well. Unless you absolutely want or need the other machines for a specific reason, the Sodastream Spirit is an easy choice.

I was also a bit surprised that the One Touch was overly aggressive with freshly opened gas cylinders. You can remove all risks of water gushing everywhere by sticking to the simpler Spirit machine.

Updated 28.01.2024: Added notes on Sodastream boycotts, Sodastream alternatives and Faerly offering additional options.

iOS 17.4 Should Pave the Way for Retro Gaming Emulators on iPhone

Marty
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0
iOS 17.4 Should Pave the Way for Retro Gaming Emulators on iPhone

I recently bought a Backbone One and it’s quite good. I love turning my phone into a gaming pad when I travel. It’s the second most enjoyable part of travel after passing by loads of people from the UK in a queue that I, an EU citizen, get to bypass. I’m a smug man, what can I say? Which is why I’m also a little smug about the iOS 17.4 update that’s coming in March later this year. Apple’s is releasing some major updates that are limited only to the EU, committing the US and UK. Here’s what we’re getting, including the possibility to play retro games on emulators previously limited to Android.

Contents

  1. Sideloading Apps
  2. Alternative App Stores
  3. Gaming Streaming Apps
  4. Third-Party Payments
  5. Other iOS 17.4 Features

Sideloading Apps

iOS 17.4 will enable sideloading of apps for iPhone users in the EU, and naturally, Ireland too. This means you’ll be able to install apps from sources other than Apple’s own App Store. These changes were brought about by the European Union’s revised Open App Markets Act (Open App Store Regulation), which aimed to promote competition and innovation in the app market.

But boring legal mumbo-jumbo aside, what’s the real benefit of this? Well, for me it’s loading apps that operate in grey areas. While some might be excited about IPTV apps, I’m really excited about retro gaming emulation.

I already own a Backbone One controller and felt I was missing emulation on iPhone. iOS 17.4 could be the answer.

Retro gaming emulation is totally legal, but owning some of the game files might not be. It’s an odd area that resulted in emulators not being available for iPhone unless you Jailbreak your phone. That’s a process of unlocking the phone’s software and effectively voiding your warranty with Apple too. So few people see it as a user-friendly approach to getting retro games going on iPhone.

However, with these new updates, Apple also said they have no intention of policing content customers use outside of their own ecosystem so this should mean this grey area offers no additional problems.

It’s by no means completely confirmed this will all be possible or that retro console emulators for consoles like SNES or Sega Mega Drive will be able to get their apps through to an iPhone. But it looks a lot more possible now inside the EU than outside it.

Alternative App Stores

An important update for iPhone users in the EU is Apple allowing alternative app stores to distribute apps for download directly to iPhone. This will massively support the sideloading side of things. Ideally, what will happen here is we’ll see an alternative app store offer up some emulation apps and make this whole process a lot easier.

It’s important that I don’t just paint a picture here that’s just raindrops and daffodils. There are also some potential risks associated with the introduction of alternative app marketplaces. For example, it could make it easier for malicious apps to be installed on iPhones. It could also make it more difficult for Apple to protect its users’ privacy and as I’ve mentioned, they won’t really be monitoring this area of downloads and installs. It can be done safely on Android today, so my advice is just to do some research and reading before trusting any content or downloads.

Gaming Streaming Apps

While retro gaming is still a little bit unsure, Apple will be making it much easier for people to play games on cloud gaming apps. This means Xbox Game Pass and Nvidia GeForce Now will be fully installable and playable on iOS worldwide.

Third-Party Payments

Another sizeable enforcement by the EU is the insistence that Apple must allow customers to make in-app purchases using payment methods other than Apple Pay.

Before iOS 17.4, Apple had also restricted access to the NFC chip to its own payment platform, Apple Pay. This gave Apple a significant advantage over its competitors, as it allowed it to collect a 30% commission on all in-app purchases made using Apple Pay. However, the revised Open App Store Regulation prohibited Apple from requiring developers to use its own payment system, opening the door for third-party apps to access the NFC chip and offer their own contactless payment solutions.

This might open the door for an app like Curve to offer more services.

Other iOS 17.4 Features

There are some other features which are a little less exciting for me personally, but maybe they’ll make your day.

New Emojis

iOS 17.4 includes 118 new emoji, including lime, an edible brown mushroom, a phoenix, a broken chain, shaking head vertically (as in a “yes” nod), and shaking head horizontally (as in a “no” head shake).

Auto-generated transcripts with Apple Podcasts

iOS 17.4 adds the ability to automatically generate transcripts for Apple Podcasts episodes. This can be helpful for people who are hard of hearing or who want to follow along with an episode without having to watch it.

New Stolen Device Protection Feature

iOS 17.4 introduces a new Stolen Device Protection feature that makes it more difficult for stolen iPhones to be used. This feature includes a new Activation Lock bypass protection feature that prevents thieves from easily bypassing the Activation Lock screen.

Siri Message Reading

iOS 17.4 allows Siri to read incoming messages in a specific language, even if the user’s iPhone is set to a different language. This can be helpful for people who are multilingual or who want to receive messages in a language that they do not speak fluently.

There are also some CarPlay updates and the usual bug fixes and security updates. You can read more detail on Apple’s website.

Review: Is SWAT Game Ready or Not Worth Buying?

Marty
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Review: Is SWAT Game Ready or Not Worth Buying?

Last year, I built a gaming PC. I wanted to get back into gaming away from my console and back to PC gaming, which I used to love. One of my favourite games was SWAT 4. The mechanics of the game were excellent, marrying tactics and control with the usual excitement of a first-person shooter. So when I saw Ready or Not on Steam, I jumped at it, pulled the trigger, and bought it. But I’ve been left feeling that I rushed that purchase just a little bit.

What is Ready or Not About?

The fictional city of Los Sueños is a city in turmoil. Crime rates are soaring and the police are stretched thin. In response, the LSPD has enlisted David ‘Judge’ Beaumont as the Commander of the LSPD SWAT team. Beaumont is tasked with bringing peace back to the city, but he will need to navigate a world of extremists, crooked politicians, and illicit activities. The SWAT team has been improved and given access to the best equipment, but Beaumont will still need to rely on his team’s mental and physical health in order to succeed.

This is the setting at the core of Ready or Not. Run the missions, command your team, navigate the buildings and either arrest or kill the bad guys. Sounds simple. Yet, the game’s makers have fumbled some mechanics which leave the game massively frustrating to play.

Now, an important stipulation is that I bought this game to play solo, not online. That’s just how I like to roll, but this likely changes the enjoyment a fair bit. Anyway, just what didn’t I like?

Slow Transitions

Ready or Not focuses on two main game modes; Practice Mode and commander mode. Once in Commander Mode, you are in charge of your team. You pick them, pick their load outs and are responsible for their well-being; mental and physical.

Commander Mode is incredibly frustrating. When you die, you have to sit through a scoreboard that tots up what you did and didn’t score, before being awarded a grade. You cannot skip this scoring process. Then, you are dropped back at your station and have to walk to the briefing room.

It’s incredibly frustrating to have to navigate this every time you die instead of a simple restart. There’s no story to buy into here either. It all makes this game really hard to play for any kind of extended period.

Odd Design Choices

I loved SWAT 4 because it was almost like a simulator. Ready or Not dabbles with the idea of being a simulator, but then just seems to stop taking itself so seriously. I’ve had bits of briefings missing. The planner for your missions is so useless. When choosing weapons there are no traditional info readily available to help pick one gun over another.

What’s really frustrating is that it Ready or Note should be an excellent game. But for some reason, the developers have made really odd choices. The kind of choices that leave you scratching your head.

Not least of which is pretty much unacceptable in modern game development.

No Female Officers

So I should mention the game is quite fun when it’s good. But I couldn’t help but see a glaring issue with the SWAT teams. There are no female police officers.

Now, let’s be fair. Women do make up a small percentage of SWAT teams. In fact, it’s less than 1% in real. But games are supposed to give you creative license. I’m not in SWAT either but here I am – commanding a SWAT team. Lots of excuses will be given. It’s a small game house and the likes. But for me, there’s no excuse.

The developers do state on Steam they “fully intend to add woman SWAT officers once it is feasible for us to do so, as with our current team size it would be difficult to add new model rigging, animations, etc. while also working on the game”.

Should it be more of a priority? To me – that’s a yes.

Verdict

Ready or Not is still fairly fun. I can knock the game for silly decisions, but it still scratches the itch that comes from watching a police TV show. I got a Steam key for about €30 which means I don’t regret buying Ready or Not – but I nearly piad €50 direct from the developer. I want to play around with some mods and maybe try online a bit more. I feel like there’s fun to be had with this game. While it can’t match the fun of SWAT 4 it might just offer up a good game if I play with a fresh set of eyes.

But, the devs leave too much at risk for me. At the end of the day, surely they want to release something fun? I’m not sure they have.

Will WWE Raw and More Stream on Netflix Ireland?

Marty
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Will WWE Raw and More Stream on Netflix Ireland?

In a major programming shift, Netflix will be the exclusive new home of Raw in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Latin America from January 2025. Right now you would need a TNT Sports (formerly BT Sports) subscription to watch WWE programming in Ireland. But the wording of the release shared by Netflix today is confusing for Irish wrestling fans, leaving many wondering if they’ll be able to watch WWE Raw and Smackdown in Ireland.

The deal sees Netflix become the home for all WWE shows and specials outside the U.S. but only when agreements are struck available. That means WWE fans will be able to watch Raw, SmackDown, NXT, and the company’s Premium Live Events.

WWE’s documentaries, original series and forthcoming projects will also be available on Netflix internationally beginning in 2025.

Will WWE Shows Be On Netflix Ireland?

WWE have confirmed that their shows will be on Netflix in U.S., Canada, the U.K. and Latin America while alluding to other territories also being included in the detail. Unfortunately, Ireland hasn’t been named specifically.

Netflix often does tie their UK and Irish presences together, including their social accounts where they shared this news.

But wrestling fans in Ireland will have to wait and see if they’re included in the deal. If Ireland is included it means Monday Night Raw will stream live at 12am on Tuesday mornings (arguably still Monday night!) and documentaries like Undertaker: The Last Ride on demand. All from the start of 2025.

Goosed.ie has reached out to Netflix for comment to see if Ireland will be included in the deal and will update this article once it’s confirmed.

Backbone Review: Is The Backbone One Worth Buying?

Marty
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Backbone Review: Is The Backbone One Worth Buying?

Last week I finally got myself a Backbone One. It was something I’d researched but was pretty heavily discounted when I bought it and a bit of an impulse buy at the time. So now that I’ve tried it, is it something I’d recommend?

What is the Backbone One?

The Backbone One is a mobile gaming controller. You snap your phone into the Backbone One and then you can play games on your phone. A couple of years ago, this would have been no more than a novelty because mobile games aren’t for everyone. But with advancements in 5G and remote gaming, a mobile gaming controller is a much more interesting idea.

I have a PlayStation 5 and this supports PS Remote Play. While that means I can plug my PS5 controller into my laptop and game on my PS5 from anywhere in the world, it also means I can play my PS5 remotely on my phone. This makes a mobile controller like the Backbone a very attractive idea indeed.

I was using this Backbone one with both an iPhone 12 and an iPhone 13 Pro.

Backbone Design

The Backbone One is super light. There’s really not much in it that could weigh it down. But while light is good, it does almost feel a little flimsy. My biggest fear when using it is putting the locking the phone onto the Lightning Port connector. I’m convinced it’s only a matter of time before that’s the breaking point.

But with that said, once the phone is in place – it shores up the stability of the controller a great deal. From there on, the controller actually feels great in the hand. The buttons are nice and tactile, feeling satisfying to click. The shoulder buttons are just too small though. Irriatatingly my fingers are never quite able to find where I’m going for those yet. I’m sure I’ll learn.

The sticks are responsive, offering a suitable resistance for my taste. The sticks are a touch on the small side though and their placement isn’t ideal for me. As a Playstation gamer, my preference is for both left and right sticks to be down in the middle. But the Backbone instead goes for the “Xbox configuration”.

It’s just a little jarring for my brain to be playing a Playstation game with my thumbs in the “Xbox position” and even the Playstation edition of the Backbone retains this position.

Included on the controller are some other buttons too. These make capturing screenshots and sharing a doddle while also making accessing the Backbone App much easier too. An app that I must say is quite a nice hub for all your gaming needs.

One of the most important design features for you to remember is that you have to pick the right Backbone for your phone. This is down to the fact that you’ll have to either get a USB-C model or a Lightning model. The good news is that there are two further ports on your controller. One to allow for passthrough charging and the other, wait for it, is a headphone jack. So even if your phone doesn’t have a headphone jack, using the Backbone One gives you that functionality back.

Backbone App

The Backbone App isn’t critical to using the Backbone controller. You can just load the PS Remote app and play away. But the Backbone app does give you a central place for all your gaming apps and, obviously, games. It’s a nice launcher to browse through when you’re not entirely sure what you want to play next.

The downside of the app is that this is where you manage your subscriptions, including Backbone Plus. Now, Backbone Plus isn’t required to use the Backbone, but it does make the experience better.

Backbone Plus costs €39.99 per year in Europe. I think they know this is a bit pricey for something that’s firmly in the nice-to-have category because finding that price is incredibly difficult online. The good news is that you get a free trial for one year when you buy your Backbone One. My tip is to immediately cancel the trial so you don’t forget about it and get charged in a 12 months time. You can cancel and continue to enjoy Backbone Plus features until the trial expires after one year.

Once you fire up the app there is one more big plus. An Apple Arcade free trial for 3 months. This is included even if you’ve already had it! So that’s good news for iPhone users at least.

Using the Backbone

Ok. So the main point here, is what is the Backbone One like to actually game with. For me, it’s been a split experience. I bought this because I wanted to make the most of my remote gaming experience. And while you can plug the Backbone into a laptop and just use it as a controller, using my phone as my screen on the go was the main goal.

Unfortunately, playing the PS5 remotely on such a small screen proved really challenging. It never felt natural or that I was getting the same quality experience that I would sitting at home. Playing multiplayer games was just not going to happen. Despite being on a very quick 5G connection and my PS5 being connected directly to a very fast connection too, it was too laggy for EAFC and led to a headshot fest on any shooters; not me banking the headshots I’m afraid either.

Now, would that experience be better if I had a larger screen like the iPhone 15 Pro Max? Perhaps. But I still don’t think it would have delivered what I’d been expecting. I was expecting a seamless transition from sitting on the couch to sitting on a bus with the same game. And that’s just not what I got.

Funnily enough, I did fall in love with some mobile games directly from Apple Arcade. And this is where the Backbone excelled as an excellent controller. It makes mobile games utterly enjoyable. For example, there’s Retro Bowl American Football game. I’m not sure this game would be as enjoyable or even be as playable without a controller. So the Backbone absolutely makes this experience.

One other area I can see the Backbone being excellent is retro gaming, and I don’t just mean like that Retro Bowl game. I mean the world of retro console emulation. This is where you download old ROMs for the classic games and play them on modern devices. I’m talking SEGA Megadrive’s Sonic and the likes.

I tested this on my iPhone using AfterPlay which was great, but limited in what you can do for free while requiring an internet connection (so no inflight retro gaming for you). Emulation on an iPhone is really tough, particularly if you don’t want to go down the Jailbreak route. The good news is that this might change with Apple’s forthcoming allowance for sideloading. Naturally, emulation is much easier on Android.

The Goosed Verdict: Is the Backbone One Worth It?

If you think you’ll be able to play your PS5 on the bus, I need to manage your expectations a bit. It’s absolutely doable, but the Backbone One doesn’t deliver an exceptional remote gaming experience. And many hardcore gamers are seeking that. However, if you’re more of a casual gamer and you have lots of times you’d like to be gaming when out and about, the Backbone One is a great little piece of kit to have in your backpack.

Not sure how much you need one? Well, the easiest thing to do is connect your regular Bluetooth gaming controller to your phone and see how much you like the general idea of mobile gaming. Then, if you find that it’s for you, keep an eye out for the Backbone One going on sale and bag yourself a gaming bargain.

The Backbone One is available from a wide range of retailers including Amazon, Smyths, Harvey Norman and Soundstore

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Samsung Launches AI-powered Galaxy S24 Series in Ireland

Marty
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Samsung Launches AI-powered Galaxy S24 Series in Ireland

It was only a matter of time before we saw AI-powered products take centre stage in 2024. With Unpacked taking place today, the 17th January, Samsung would be forgiven for thinking they’d win the 2024 AI launch race, only to be beaten by Rabbit R1 Device at CES. Regardless, Samsung’s launch of the Galaxy S24 Series has taken place at the annual Unpacked event. Here’s what they want you to know.

AI-Powered Communication

With a German missus and very little German, until I have a few pints, you better believe I’m excited about this. The Samsung Galaxy S24 series introduces a range of AI-powered features to help you with communication. With Live Translate, you can translate conversations in real-time, even during phone calls. Interpreter takes it a step further, allowing you to have natural conversations with people from different cultures without the need for an intermediary.

It pains me to call this AI because really it’s just natural language processing or NLP. AI suggests some kind of sentient being’s involvement. But even so, NLP-powered translation is just as exciting. I recently compared Google Translate to translations carried out in Bard, Google’s AI platform. The Bard translations were so much better. They understood nuances of communication, colloquialisms and more. So this is definitely an area that, if Samsung gets it right, could be a very cool feature.

AI-Powered Creativity

The Galaxy S24 series brings AI to mobile photography with its ProVisual Engine. This is a suite of AI-driven tools that Samsung says will help users to capture better images and videos. The Quad Tele System with 5x optical zoom on the Galaxy S24 Ultra promises to let you capture distant subjects with great clarity. Samsung’s Nightography capabilities give you the best chance of capturing beautiful photos and videos even in low-light conditions.

AI-Powered Performance

Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform for Galaxy, the Galaxy S24 series should deliver great performance for even the most demanding tasks. The 1Hz to 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate ensures a smooth and responsive experience while remaining efficient. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra brings a large vapour chamber to the table, a spec I can’t help but feel is directly targeted at gamers.

Sustainability at the Forefront

Samsung is committed to making a positive impact on the planet, and the Galaxy S24 series reflects this commitment. The series incorporates recycled materials in its design, including recycled plastics, glass, and aluminium. The Galaxy S24 Ultra also features a titanium frame, which is a sustainable alternative to traditional aluminium.

I won’t harp on about this bit because I never really know what to make of massive companies singing their own praises about sustainability. I’ll leave you to do your own research.

Gorilla Glass

The new Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra will feature Corning’s new Gorilla Armor cover material, which is the most durable and scratch-resistant glass ever made for a smartphone. Gorilla Armor is also 25% recycled content, making it more eco-friendly.

Again, it’s hard to verify these claims but I do feel that in recent years, smartphone glass has gotten significantly better. And a lot of phones use Gorilla Glass, so that’s got to be good news.

Pre-order Offer: Double the Storage

Customers who pre-order the Galaxy S24, S24+ and S24 Ultra from Samsung.com can get double the storage for the price of the lower storage model, with savings available of up to €260. Lovely.

Availability and Pricing

The Galaxy S24 series will be widely available from network providers like Eir, Three and Vodafone along with other retailers including samsung.com starting on 31st January. You can already pre-order. Yay!

The Galaxy S24 series comes in Earth mineral-inspired colour tones. On Galaxy S24 Ultra, colours include Titanium Grey, Titanium Black, Titanium Violet and Titanium Yellow. On Galaxy S24+ and Galaxy S24, colours include Onyx Black, Marble Grey, Cobalt Violet and Amber Yellow.

We hope to have a review in the coming weeks once we get our hands on a device.

Watch Unpacked Live for Free in Ireland

Here’s the live stream. It starts at 6pm local time here in Ireland.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Series Specs

Here are the detailed specs for each of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Series.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra  

Price256GB – €1,469
512GB – €1,589
1TB – €1,849
Display6.8-inchQHD+, Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display, 120Hz refresh rate (1Hz to 120Hz)  
Dimensions & Weight 79mm X 162.3mm X 8.6mm
233g 
Rear Camera12MP Ultra-Wide Camera  
200 MP Wide Camera  
50MP Telephoto Camera  
10MP Telephoto Camera  
Selfie Camera12MP Front Camera  
RAM and Storage ROM12GB + 1TB 
12GB + 512GB 
12GB + 256GB 
Battery5,000 mAh
ChargingUp to 65% in 30 minutes with wired charging and 45w adapter
OSAndroid 14 with Samsung One UI 6.1
Network and Connectivity 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 7, Wi-Fi Direct Bluetooth v5.3 
Water ResistanceIP68

Samsung Galaxy S24+

Price256GB – €1,159
512GB – €1,269
Display6.7-inch QHD+, Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display  120Hz refresh rate (1 to 120Hz)  
Dimensions & Weight 5.9mm x 158.5mm x 7.7mm
197g 
Rear Camera12MP Ultra-Wide Camera  
50 MP Wide Camera  
10MP Telephoto Camera   
Selfie Camera12MP Front Camera  
RAM and Storage ROM12GB + 512GB 
12GB + 256GB 
Battery4,900 mAh
ChargingUp to 65% in 30 minutes with wired charging and 45w adapter
OSAndroid 14 with Samsung One UI 6.1
Network and Connectivity 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6E
Water ResistanceN/A

Samsung Galaxy S24

Price128GB – €919
256GB – €969
Display6.2-inch FHD+, Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display  120Hz refresh rate (1 to 120Hz)  
Dimensions & Weight 70.6mm x 147mm x 7.6mm
168g
Rear Camera12MP Ultra-Wide Camera  
50 MP Wide Camera  
10MP Telephoto Camera   
Selfie Camera12MP Front Camera  
RAM and Storage ROM8GB + 512GB 
8GB + 256GB 
8GB + 128GB 
Battery4,000 mAh
ChargingUp to 50% in 30 minutes with wired charging and 45w adapter
OSAndroid 14 with Samsung One UI 6.1
Network and Connectivity 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6E
Water ResistanceN/A

AENO Heater Review: Google Home Connected Home Heater

Marty
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AENO Heater Review: Google Home Connected Home Heater

It’s cold snap season, which means it’s time for a topical review of a heater by me! Yes indeedy. Until now, I’ve been using a Dyson heater to heat my apartment. I’ve got three massive windows so it can be both tough and expensive, to heat my living room. So I jumped at the chance to review the AENO Premium Eco Smart Heater when the team got in touch. Mainly because I can control it with Google Assistant.

The AENO Premium Eco Smart Heater is an energy-efficient panel heater. The heater has a sleek and minimalist design that complements any décor. It is easy to use, with both manual controls and a mobile app. On the surface, the AENO Premium Eco Smart Heater is a great option for anyone looking for a safe, efficient, and stylish way to heat their home. But let’s dive into what I love and don’t love about it.

Why I Love the AENO Heater

There are a lot of great reasons to love the AENO smart heater, but the “smart” element is what really gets me. My apartment has a storage heater and some convection heaters, but they’re stupid. I mean that literally. I have no smart way of controlling them. I even tried getting a Switchbot button pusher bot but the switch on the wall is too stiff.

Thankfully, the AENO heater connects directly to my Google Home eco-system. When I’m out and about I can either use the dedicated AENO app to switch on the heat, or I can run automations through the Google Home app. I have an automation for bedtime too which switches off everything in the living room, heater included.

I shouldn’t gloss over the AENO app here actually. It’s fairly simple but effective. I have routines set that turn the heater on around 5am most days and switch it off again at 9am – because most days noone is home. Unless it’s a day I expect someone to work from home in which case I’ve added a rule for that too.

Using SMART mode, the heater works to keep the room warm instead of just always being on.

It’s also night to have usage statistics in the app, though with the cost of electricity these days I’d rather not be looking at it at all. Still, it’s not a wild price to run. My settings mean this has used about 308kWh which cost about €120. Versus other heating methods – it’s really not all that bad.

What I Don’t Love About the AENO Heater

It was a bit on the tricky side to get synced up with Google Assistant. Now that it is connected, there’s no problem at all though so it could have been something fixed with a software update.

I feel super uncomfortable that the heater can get up to 120 degrees Celcius. Maybe it’s totally normal, but that seems wildly hot. It’s ok for us here, but if you had kids or a pet you might want to lower that temperature. The really good news is that you can indeed control this in the app.

Fan heaters also make you feel like they work better. You can feel the heat better almost. If that makes sense. This isn’t a bad mark against the AENO as much as it’s a flag that if you’re used to a fan heater (which is more expensive too lets not forget) you have to have this panel heater running longer to heat a room.

The Verdict

I can’t say you will save on your heating with this heater. Because I don’t know how you heat your home. However, I’ve found the apartment to be much warmer since we’ve whacked this heater in. I love that I have more control over the heat when I’m away too despite being reared by a man who only trusted the fridge to be left plugged in when we left.

If you want a fairly budget-friendly way to add smart heating to your home, I think this might be the best option on the market. You can grab this smart heater from Harvey Norman and Arnotts.

Vodafone TV Play Set to Be Sky TV Alternative

Marty
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Vodafone TV Play Set to Be Sky TV Alternative

The TV market is pretty rotten at the moment. I’ve called it death by a thousand cuts a few times. You can pay a small fortune and still miss your favourite shows or sporting events. This has seen countless people turn to “dodgy boxes” with a steady increase in interest around these illegal streaming services offering up the best alternative to Sky’s defacto monopoly.

But Vodafone has seen this scenario as a massive opportunity, launching Vodafone TV Play to offer up home entertainment packages at very appealing prices.

What is Vodafone TV Play?

Vodafone TV PLAY is an all-in-one smart entertainment hub and soundbar that brings together the best of live TV, streaming services, and Dolby Atmos immersive audio. It is designed to provide a seamless and personalised entertainment experience for all customers. The box you get, made by Sagemcom, comes with an integrated soundbar, 4K Ultra HD picture quality, and hands-free voice control via Google Assistant, Vodafone is aiming to offer unparalleled value for your money.

The aggressive part of Vodafone’s offering is the pricing.

Vodafone TV Play offers a variety of packages to suit your needs, from €65 per month for broadband and TV to €95 per month for broadband, TV, and sports.

Is Vodafone TV Play Good Value?

Without yet testing the service, it’s hard to say – but let’s look purely at pricing.

ProviderTV & Broadband
Sky TV + Broadband€50 for the first 12 months
€106 thereafter
Virgin Media TV + Broadband€50 for the first 12 months
€104 thereafter
Vodafone TV Play + Broadband€70 per month
Pricing is provided for comparison only between comparable packages. Please visit respective websites for the latest up-to-date pricing.

Vodafone’s pricing stands out here because there is no thereafter pricing. The €70 per month is, as is the case with all providers,  subject to the annual price adjustment of CPI +3%. Consumer Price Index (CPI) pricing increases are a way for telecoms companies to recoup their costs from inflation. When the CPI increases, the cost of everything from labour to equipment goes up, which means that telecoms companies have to charge more for their services to make a profit.

What we’re seeing here is good news for the consumers of Ireland. Vodafone has brought an option to the TV market which could disrupt Virgin Media and Sky’s friendly agreement to charge astronomical prices for TV and Broadband bundles. Vodafone is effectively offering the same thing for €34 less than Virgin Media and €36 less than Sky.

How Does Vodafone TV Play Work?

Vodafone TV Play is IPTV. This means your entertainment is streamed over the internet. For this reason, Vodafone will only sell Vodafone TV Play to people with a high-speed Vodafone Broadband connection. It’s not available to customers from other broadband providers.

Now, does Vodafone TV Play offer a route back from the world of “dodgy boxes” for customers? Maybe. At €95 a month for Broadband, TV and Sports channels, it’s the most competitive entertainment package Ireland has had for some time. A massive green tick for Vodafone TV Play is that it’s legal and legitimate.

If you’re in the market for a change, it’s worth a look for sure.

Who Was The Man Who Slipped On The Ice?

Marty
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Who Was The Man Who Slipped On The Ice?

Nirvana covered Bowie’s “The Man That Who the World”. Chiwetel Ejiofor stars in “The Man Who Fell to Earth”. And on an icy January 8th in 2010, Irish television lore gained one of the greatest mysteries; The Man Who Slipped On The Ice. It’s been 14 years now, yet we still know very little about this mystery.

There are two clips on YouTube, one introduced by Anne Doyle and one introduced by Bryan Dobson, before handing it over to John Kilraine. “Dublin pavements remain very dangerous…” and the rest is history.

The piece would talk about how councils were struggling to keep up with a cold snap, but no one was paying attention. Every last one of us was bent over laughing at this clip, wondering how RTÉ let it get to air. It’s just the highest level of comic timing on a serious new bulletin.

Despite this, or perhaps because of it, the identity of the man remains a complete mystery.

The moment never seems to lose its hilarity and we never tire of talking about it. When the 2010 series of Reeling in the Years kicked off, it included the above clip. In 2020 Coors cashed in by mounting a plaque to commemorate the moment, but again – the identity of the man was not known.

Where Did the Man Slip on Ice

Realising he looks a bit like the guy in the video, Kevin McGahern plays out a hypothetical clumsy man who slipped on the ice. This character is named Brendan Adhere, but alas he’s fictional.

Still worth a watch as you get a great view of where it actually happened on Church Street near the Four Courts.

Was the Guy Slipping on Ice Faked?

The camera positioning was perfect. The fall was delivered with stuntman-like precision. Combined with the fact RTÉ actually used this clip, leaves a massive question. Was the whole thing faked? Did RTÉ stage this for relevance in the YouTube era? Did they know it would deliver iconic comedy when Reeling in the Years came about. I’m not convinced by the conspiracy theorists, namely because Ireland’s best comedy seems to go abroad because RTÉ drops the ball!

in 2022, a similar event took place at Dublin Airport. This one looked a lot more likely to be faked, and considering the likelihood of the orginal fall being a stuntman is low, I doubt the average joe would have sold that fall so well. While some ask why he would have signed of for his image to be used, realistically permission wasn’t needed. Why?

Well, we’re here, 14 years on and we still don’t know who he is. He can’t be identified.

Will we ever learn the identity of the man? I honestly doubt it at this stage. I doubt anyone would want to lay claim to such a title. After one quick visit to the Late Late Show couch, it’s to the dungeons of C-list viral celebrity. Not something that’s very appealing these days.

Russ Bray Dart Scorer Pro: Best Dart Scoring App

Marty
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0
Russ Bray Dart Scorer Pro: Best Dart Scoring App

The dust has settled on the Darts PDC World Championships. I used to follow the darts quite a bit when living back home, but I haven’t watched it in years. But today, I’ve seen loads of live streams of people playing darts. While the final was great, and Humphries a deserved winner, all the talk was about Luke Littler. Littler a 16-year prodigy dart player who made the final and could have won it. But back to the darts streamers. They are all using a brilliant scorekeeping app. Russ Bray Dart Scorer Pro seems to be the best dart scorekeeping app on Android and iPhone/iPad out there. Here’s why.

Russ Bray

The name Russ Bray is synonymous with darts, perhaps only falling in behind Phil Taylor and Sid Waddell in terms of stature within the game and outside it. Bray is a darts referee, known most for his raspy and loud calling of scores including a bordering on silly but brilliant calling of 180 scores.

Bray retired after last night’s final to become a PDC ambassador for the sport, but his scorekeeping app will live on. By linking up with Bray, the app makers have created a World Championship-style darts experience for the home with some very clever innovations.

One of my favourites is the expansive bank of names Bray has voiced within the game himself.

Game Modes

The app offers a variety of game modes, including 01, Cricket, Practice, and Tournament, catering to both casual players and serious dart enthusiasts. Practice yourself or against a computer scoring their own game with varying difficulty levels to match your ability.

You can even play online against others. The app supports cross-platform play too. This means you can challenge friends to online matches, regardless of their operating system (Android or iOS), thanks to the app’s cross-platform support.

Voice Recognition

This is perhaps the best feature of the app and the one I’ve seen most streamers using. You can toggle voice recognition within this darts scorekeeping app. That means that after you’ve thrown your darts, simply call out what you’ve hit and the app will tot up your scores. Before you throw, Bray himself will call out what you require to finish, if finishing is within reach.

Stats Tracking

Track your performance over time with detailed statistics, including win-loss records, average points per turn, and percentage of triples and doubles. Great to monitor your practice progress or track games against your best friends.

If you have a mate big into their darts but can’t get down the pub, this app on a tablet while you video call on your phone is a great combination for darts fans.

There is a certain amount of functionality free within the app, with premium costing just €6.99 to unlock everything.

Russ Bray Dart Scorer Pro Alternative

I’m awful at maths and this app still requires me to keep track of scores. In a world of smartphone technology, I hoped this problem would have been solved. And it has. Scolia is the mega premium option. This uses cameras to detect your score, tracking it for you in an app. I love the idea, but at €649 – it’s spicy.

Instead, I’m really interested in this Reddit user’s app that’s currently in iOS Beta. Simply pop your smartphone on a stand, point it at your board, open the app and watch it track. It’s really impressive and I gotta say a combination of this and Russ Bray’s existing functionality would be about as good as you could hope to see these apps getting.

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