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Introduction to Contactless Payment Rings: Convenient Way to Pay

Marty
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Introduction to Contactless Payment Rings: Convenient Way to Pay

There are countless ways to pay for everyday items these days. Just a few years ago, you’d have been laughed at for trying to tap your phone on a card terminal, let alone your smart watch to pay for something. But today, in some part thanks to Covid, paying with cash has become arguably the most unusual way to pay for things. At least that was until I got my payment ring. Yep. I pay for items by fist bumping card machines. I’ve been doing it for a few months, so here’s everything I’ve learned so far.

In This Article

What are Payment Rings?

Payment rings are a surprisingly logical evolution when it comes to ways to pay for items. The growth in contactless payments and near field technology (NFC) has left us as this point. The technology that makes your contactless bank card tapable can be moved into other items too, like a ring.

Rings are great because you wear them and kind of forget they’re there until you need them. I’ve been engaged for years and got in trouble for saying a payments ring is great because “it’s a wedding ring that would actually be of some use”. Don’t make that mistake that I made!

But simply put, payments rings are just another piece of jewellery with the added functionality of being able to act just like that contactless payment card. Let’s dive a little deeper into how they work.

How do Payment Rings Work?

There are quite a few parts to making a payments ring work. You’ll find many companies on the market offering similar ideas including the McLear RingPay. But the one I got sent over for testing came from a German company called PagoPace. It’s a pretty nice looking ring made from ceramic materials, though the company has more recently launched silver and gold rings too.

Day one trying on my PagoPace NFC payment ring

The internal tech of the ring is naturally fairly protected, but just imagine it’s pretty much like someone melted down your contactless bank card and turned it into a ring; at least in terms of similar technology connecting your ring to the card machine you’re trying to pay on. Just like your bank card, you don’t need to charge the ring because all it’s doing is confirming card numbers to link your details to the transaction. Because the internal tech is quite simple, there are no added bells and whistles here. It’s just a payment ring. No heart-rate monitoring or fitness tracking.

Once the contactless transaction is complete, the payment is processed. This is where Curve comes in. Curve is another company completely unrelated to PagoPace. They play a significant role in how this particular payment ring works. So much so, I’ll give them some more focus.

Curve

I’ve had a Curve Card in my wallet for a considerable amount of time. I love it because I tend to have a couple of different banks accounts and, as a result, debit or credit cards. Curve lets me add all these cards to a single account and, quite conveniently, a single Curve Card. Then, using the Curve App, I can choose which of my many debit or credit cards is linked to my Curve Card. When I tap my Curve Card, I’m effectively tapping the card that’s linked to it. 4 or 5 cards in my wallet have now become just one.

PagoPaco uses Curve for its card management. My PagoPace ring is linked to my Curve Card. So when I tap my ring, I’m tapping my Curve Card. Even if you’re still just considering a payments ring, I highly recommend Curve. I’m eternally shocked more people aren’t using it.

If you’re following along with this so far, you now see why this is handy. This means my ring can effectively be any of my cards for payments by the flick of a switch in the Curve App. It’s also very good news that you don’t have to worry about an Irish bank officially supporting payments rings themselves. We all know Irish banks are pretty slow when it comes to adopting new ideas. Using Curve completely sidesteps that issue.

Are Payment Rings Secure?

I’ll be talking a bit about my experience actually using a payment ring in stores below, but this question is what I’ve been asked by most people. My answer is simple. Payment rings are as secure as a bank card and arguably more secure depending on your bank. If I was to lose my ring, I’d just have to open my Curve App and block the card. I get notifications every time I tap my ring for a payment, so it’s unlikely anything would get by me in that sense. By comparison, if you were to tap a card from most traditional Irish banks, you’ll get no notification at all.

Some people asked me if others could just walk up behind me and tap a card machine off my hand. I believe this to be a very unlikely scenario for a multitude of reasons, but payment rings like the PagoPace have a feature to reduce this likelihood even further. When paying, you have to place your fist over the card machine in a specific position and angle in order to pay. So your hand down by your side won’t work.

Payment rings also unlock a new way of being out an about. If you want to go for a run, you can leave your wallet at home and still pay for a coffee on the way home with your ring. So I could make a case that you’re less likely to lose your wallet on a run and in turn, these contactless payment rings offer some added security by their very design.

As with anything, there are pros and cons in terms of the security at play here, but ultimately, I would say there’s very little different in a security sense between payment rings and payment cards, at least in terms of negatives. Here in Ireland, the ring is also limited to €50 transactions.

But the part of this introduction and review that I’m most looking forward to is talking about the experience I’ve had to date with my payment ring; because it’s been hilarious.

My Experience With a Contactless Payment Ring

First of all, paying with a ring took some getting used to. Because of that secure position the ring needs to be in, finding the sweet spot on a card machine can be tricky at first. Remember as well, not all card machines are the same. If you’re paying for parking, the card payment point might be flat on the machine. Some petrol stations have them on the side of tills. However, over time I got used to nearly every card machine and rarely have a miss now. But when it doesn’t work, however rare it is, you look very silly and have to explain what you’re trying to do.

However silly that might make you look, it’s worth it for the reaction you get with the card machine processes payment after you’ll hovered your fist over the terminal. From Dunnes Stores on Georges street to the bars and cafes in Tokyo, I’d say 80% of people have reacted with astonishment as I use my payments ring. People are first wondering what the hell you’re doing as you reach in over the fresh pints you’ve ordered and hover your fist over the card machine. But that astonishment quickly turns too utter shock when they hear the beep that follows a successful transaction. Nearly every time ends up with a reasonably long conversation about the ring, how it works and PagoPace itself (hi Steffen if you’re reading this).

It’s been utterly enjoyable in the most part. I did have one flower vendor convinced I had scammed her by making the card machine beep through witchcraft, but one quick check later and I was on my way. Beyond the odd person thinking I’m ripping them off, the ceramic does need some care. My ring cracked slightly and I don’t recall dropping it. I’m not sure when this happened, which means I didn’t notice, which means it didn’t take a massive knock for the ring to be damaged. Not too surprising when you hear “ceramic” but something I have to include.

PagoPace Payment Ring: The Verdict

I love my payments ring. I love the reactions and wonder that follows when I pay with a ring. But it’s not all good.

A McLear RingPay will set you back about €90. The PagoPace even more pricey, starting at €120. That’s a sizeable payment for something your phone, wallet and maybe even your watch can already handle. I was also disappointed to find it cracked with no idea how that had happened.

If you were in the market for a nice looking ring or even, joking aside, wanted a more functional wedding ring, the price quickly shifts into a more favourable context. Also, if you’re like me, you might just treat yourself to the “extra” from time to time.

Beyond the pricing of it, I do love the PagoPace payment ring. It’s just very convenient. In a few years time I believe these things will be a lot more popular. Maybe banks will start to include them with credit cards as a bonus. PagoPace also does a version of the ring which supports Tesla keycards. As the world around us evolves to include more swipe access and contactless payments, added use cases for a ring capable of this NFC uses will also grow. It’s an exciting space.

Is Bodycam Worth Buying in Early Access?

Marty
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0
Is Bodycam Worth Buying in Early Access?

Bodycam is cashing in on arguably one of the most hyped PC games in quite some time. The hype stemmed from a clip released last year teasing a game called Unrecord. This photorealistic first person shooter was teased and then launched with an entry on Steam which went on to be wish listed by over 600,000 people. Some wondered if the whole thing was a scam or vapourware.

Now, a competing game studio has capitalised on that popularity and released Bodycam; a first step towards dismissing fears that photorealistic games like Unrecord won’t happen. But does this excitement alone make Bodycam worth a purchase, particularly when it’s still in early access?

What is Unrecord?

As I mentioned, Unrecord is a game that, as of yet, has only really been teased with a trailer. It’s a first-person shooter with two big unique angles. You are watching through a body cam, and it’s ultra realistic. Before I go any further, you should check that trailer out here:

Teaser trailer for Unrecord that set the internet alight

Now that you’ve watched that, I have to point this out. That’s a game. All of what you saw there is gameplay. It’s hard to believe, but this is the power of Unreal Engine 5.

An absolute testament to the apparent leap in realism Unrecord is bringing is most visible in the accusations that this trailer was faked. Shot in real life with real actors. But it wasn’t, at least not to the best of my knowledge.

Now the internet and gamers waited. Some debate sparked around whether or not first-person shooters this realistic should exist or not. More of a debate in the United States to be fair.

But while the game devs keep working on Unrecord, Bodycam has snuck onto the market.

What is Bodycam?

Bodycam is, well, it’s the exact same premise as Unrecord really. The game is a online multiplayer first-person shooter where you view everything through a bodycam. The camera movement is designed to be realistic and the graphics make an attempt to follow suit with realism.

Admittedly, the game is in Early Access on Steam, and you can now pick it up for €30. But I don’t recommend you do that.

Many of the reviews I’ve read so far really dial up the “don’t play this if you’re easily disturbed or don’t like violence” angle. It’s over doing it to be honest. A few minutes into playing Bodycam and I quit because the gameplay was utterly awful. I get what they’re going for, but games should be playable first. Bodycam isn’t.

On top of the sluggish and frankly unplayable controls, the graphics are only ok. Now, I’ll give my dues to the game devs because the game looks good despite a relatively small install file size. But it’s a far cry from the game that Unrecord promises to deliver. I can hear the fans at their keyboards now: “give it time”, “you’re just bad this FPS” or “noob”. Fair points, but this review is for the average Joe getting tempted by a pretty trailer and Youtube influencers.

I’m gaming on a respectable setup in a AMD Radeon 7900 XTX and Ryzen 7 7700X CPU. Still, it was only ok. Not – “OMG life has changed” good, which I had expected.

For me, Bodycam is a cash in job on the hype job. And fair play to the devs for bringing out a product that’s gotten so many gamers interested and parting with their money for Early Access. Indeed, I’ve read the comments of countless people on Reddit who are delighted with the Bodycam so far. Youtubers galore are playing it saying it’s excellent. But Youtubers rarely refuse video opportunities either and Bodycam has piqued the interest of people around he world.

Considering it’s a cash in job, the game is relatively good. But I just don’t see this game as being fun. And I definitely can’t recommend anyone parting with their money for Early Access to Bodycam. At least wait for this bun to bake a little longer in the oven.

Ticketmaster Got Hacked: What Should You Do?

Marty
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Ticketmaster Got Hacked: What Should You Do?

If you’re reading that headline and thinking this doesn’t affect you – think again. Ticketmaster has been hacked; allegedly. Why allegedly? Because Ticketmaster, the company owned by Live Nation, has yet to confirm what the rest of the world is pretty darn sure about. Time is of the essence here too, yet the live events ticketing giant is staying quiet.

Update 01/06/2024: Ticketmaster has confirmed the company has “identified unauthorised activity within a third-party cloud database environment”.

Knowing that every second counts now for you, a likely owner of at least one Ticketmaster account, what should you be doing to keep secure?

Background to the Ticketmaster Hack

First up. What’s happening? Well, it appears that hackers have gained access to customer data. How likely is it? Australia is already engaging with Ticketmaster to try and find out what’s going on. A hacking group called ShinyHunters has claimed to have taken the customer data of 560 customers. It’s a massive hack leaving most people who’ve ever interacted with Ticketmaster affected.

It would appear that personal details such as name, email and possible shipping addresses have been taken. Partial payment details have also been reported to have been taken, but it does seem as if full payment details is safe for now.

But this doesn’t mean you’re off the hook I’m afraid. When a hack like this goes down, you likely have to update your password. The reason being that if you use one password for lots of different websites and services, those details are now likely on the deep web available to the highest bidder.

Identify How Many Ticketmaster Accounts You Have

This may seem an odd step, but I’m guessing there are a few others like myself out there. I had three Ticketmaster accounts. Two in Ireland with two different emails and one in the UK. This meant I was not involved in one breach, but three.

Reset Your Ticketmaster Accounts

Log out of your Ticketmaster accounts and set about logging back in. But this time, say you forgot your password. Follow the process to set yourself a brand new password. But before you do, consider this.

Get a Password Manager

I don’t know any of my passwords. Honestly. Well, I know one. I know the password for my password manager. If you can remember a password it’s already too easy. If you can remember a password, there’s a real chance that you’re using the same one in multiple places.

Instead, with a password manager, when I sign up for a service, I generate a random strong password using my manager. I have browser extensions, apps and plugins galore than then fill in the details for me when I need them. All the while, I have no idea what my password is.

I highly recommend that you take this opportunity to get a password manager when you’re resetting your Ticketmaster account. I recommend 1Password myself, but Keeper is a good alternative alongside Google and Apple’s own offerings. I would steer clear of LastPass. They’ve had some problems themselves.

And now, I’m about to give you the final step that makes using a password manager the greatest thing in the world.

Reset Every Account Using That Email and Password Combo

If you use the same email address and password combination for lots of different services and also Ticketmaster, you really should reset every account using these details. The reason is that hackers and other cyber criminals can easily get your email and password combination now and just try random websites. It could be relatively harmless like accessing your Netflix account, or a lot worse like getting into your email and gaining access to more accounts.

For this reason, you need to reset all your accounts. And, as I already recommended, resetting them with unique and complex passwords, ideally generated with a password manager.

This is all highly inconvenient, I know. I’ve been caught up in hacks myself. At this stage, you should probably assume you have too. Check websites like Have I Been Pwned to see if your email has already been publically leaked if you really want to know whether or not you’ve been caught up before. But, as I say, chances are you have been.

I spent days recently resetting all my passwords, and I recommend you do to.

Dublin Portal Reopens

Marty
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Dublin Portal Reopens

I’m just back from a trip to Japan. Two weeks I was gone away. I plan to write up a review of all the tech I used when over there. But one of the most fascinating parts of my trip was seeing that in the two weeks I was gone, Dublin City Council managed to launch and close the Portal between Dublin and New York. Today, I overheard a tourist wondering if they were near it (they weren’t), and I broke the bad news to them. Little did I know that around the time I was talking to them, the Portal actually reopened.

In an effort to overcome what I described to the tourists as “us taking the piss”, the Portal will operate between 11am and 9pm here in Ireland. That’s 6am and 4pm in New York.

Blurring has also been implemented to overcome the piss-taking. If people get too close to the Portal, i.e. close enough to show stuff on their phones, the Portal gets blurred both here and over in New York.

My personal opinion is that shutting it down was largely an overreaction. Once the novelty wears off and the news stops talking about people grinding on the Portal, it’ll settle into what the creator, Benediktas Gylys, wants it to be: “As humans we are creating the Portals experience together. I invite local communities not only to enjoy but to care about their Portals and how other community members are approaching the sculptures”.

Looking for Airalo alternatives? Try Sim Local’s eSim App

Jon
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Looking for Airalo alternatives? Try Sim Local’s eSim App

Timing is a beautiful thing, it really is. Martin is just about to nip off on a well-earned trip to Japan and we’ve recently been playing with Dublin-based Sim Local, co-incidence, serendipity, or good planning? You decide, so check back in a couple of weeks or keep an eye on Martin’s TikTok for how he gets on with using Sim Local the real road test.

In the meantime as a self-professed lover of leaving Ireland regularly I frequently get asked by people about to venture beyond the island  “Will my phone work abroad. While some people may have heard of eSim’s or companies like Airalo, the reality is this is few and far between, but the good news is with companies like SimLocal entering the market, users’ options are about to get more accessible and more competitive.

Why an eSim?

Picture this you’re off on your next adventure, ready to soak up the sun and snap Insta-worthy pics, only to find out your phone’s as useful as a rock because your SIM card doesn’t play nice with your destination’s networks. Cue the frustration and frantic Google searches for local SIM cards that may or may not fit your phone. BOOOO

Better bet, either find a hotspot and get yourself and eSim or prepare in advance with Sim Local. This nifty app is your passport to hassle-free international connectivity. Whether you’re jet-setting across Europe, backpacking through Asia, or chilling on a tropical island, Sim Local has packages that cover a range of countries and from my own recent trip to the UK, they are super simple to use.

These days there should be absolutely no need for SIM card hunts and sky-high roaming charges. This app hooks you up with local SIM cards tailored to your destination, so you can stay connected without breaking the bank. I know it’s a line that makes everybody gag a little when they hear it but I could compare Sim Local and other similar providers to the Just Eat of international connectivity, just a few taps on your phone, and boom done!

Trust us, your future self will thank you when you’re effortlessly posting envy-inducing beach selfies instead of frantically searching for Wi-Fi hotspots while supporting Irish tech.

Why use an eSim?

We now live in a modern world where mobile connectivity is no longer a luxury but a travel essential. In this era of constant movement and exploration, staying connected is paramount for both work and leisure. For example, my work literally means as long as I have data and a laptop I have a job, which is brilliant…as long as I have data. I remember a few years back in Heathrow airport trying to remember if my phone was unlocked while trying to buy a sim card from a vending machine. The kicker? My phone wasn’t unlocked and I’d just thrown away cash on a valueless sim card, so I data roamed, and let me tell you, that was not a pretty phone bill a few weeks later. Hence eSim.This has seen the likes of Airalo and Holafly as the rising stars in the realm of eSIMs recently but there are many more options in the eSIM market for customers looking for the best eSIM prices and plans. Enter Sim Local.

Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Dublin, Sim Local has been traditionally known for its airport stores offering local SIM cards to travellers (if they read this maybe ignore my Heathrow airport experience, I hold no grudges for my stupidy). This Irish-based company are now venturing into the eSIM market with a focus on offering a seamless eSIM experience along with competitive pricing and plans. Just to be clear this isn’t an ad in any way shape or form, but given the choice I will always choose and promote the Irish tech companies over international options, especially when the system works, so let’s see why we should Sim Local.

Avoid Data Roaming Costs:

Always a great start, While we can Roam like home in the EU or you get a pretty decent allowance this isn’t the case when going to the UK or Stateside or if you’re like Martin and upping away to Asia for a few weeks.

eSim providers like Sim Local remove the worry of expensive data roaming fees while you are on the move. Sim Local’s eSIM solution provides a cost-effective alternative, allowing users to stay connected without breaking the bank.  Is there anything worse than being abroad and trying to find where you’re going just to realize, no internet, no map, and no Uber to get back?

Convenience Over Physical SIMs:

As someone lucky to review phones as a hobby I shouldn’t cry too much but here’s the thing, swapping out sim cards is a pain in the hoop, ever try finding one of those little pokeys when you actually need one? So when heading abroad save yourself a whole pile of hassle and swap a physical SIM with an eSim that you can set up very easily by following the instructions in 3 to 5 minutes. It’s honestly as easy as Settings, Sims, Add, and entering the details provided.

Keep Your Existing Number:

Another handy little reason for using an eSim sounds simple because it is. Keep your existing phone number active with Sim Local’s eSIM solution, eliminating the need for SIM card swaps and ensuring uninterrupted communication on platforms like WhatsApp. Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, or you just have a relentless Irish Mammy (Hi Burns) who will call every hour to make sure you are alive while abroad, maintaining continuity in your contacts is so simple.

Competitive Pricing and Flexible Plans:

What I’ve enjoyed about Sim Local which makes them stand out in the market is the competitive pricing and flexible plans, offering the best online prices for eSIMs, a very similar setup to known competitors such as Airalo but with slightly better pricing in key destinations to Irish customers. With over 200 travel eSIMs covering all countries and regions, affordability goes hand in hand with convenience and connectivity, catering to the diverse needs of modern travelers and the ever-growing digital nomad culture.

Goosed verdict

In a world where staying connected is no longer a luxury but a necessity, Sim Local simplifies the process with its user-friendly app and competitive pricing.

In the ever-expanding world of eSIM providers, Sim Local stands out for its commitment to affordability, flexibility, and simplicity. So, whether you’re a seasoned globetrotter or a digital nomad in the making, make sure to add Sim Local to your travel toolkit. Your future self will thank you for it, one envy-inducing beach selfie at a time. Happy travels,

Link to website

Link to iOS app

Link to Android app

Reddit Explodes Over Dublin Apartment KFC Advertisement

Marty
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Reddit Explodes Over Dublin Apartment KFC Advertisement

Update: Another post to Reddit this afternoon, confirms that the advertising has been removed.

Reddit has exploded overnight owning to a quite remarkable story. Redditor RealladMalaga posted about their apartment now being the home of a massive KFC advertisement. On the surface, it just looks like another ad on a busy street, but the impact on this renter is massive. In the video they’ve posted on Reddit, it appears that someone is struggling to open an apartment window behind the banner.

In the post, RealladMalaga says “It’s pitch black inside because the only windows are on that side” and that they “can’t even open the window anymore”. The Redditor also says that there was no prior contact with the landlord and that the landlord has yet to respond to their query. It’s quite like the landlord doesn’t know the furore growing online either.

I CAN’T BELIEVE IT – Landlord (?) covers our apartment in advertisement.
byu/RealladMalaga inireland

The apartment in question isn’t hard to find either. It’s located on O’Connell Street above Thomas Clarke’s pub.

Responses in the comments have called for action from a wide variety of bodies, including KFC themselves. However, it is likely KFC just booked the space without knowing how it would be implemented.

One Redditor highlights Dublin City Council’s minimum standards which are being impeded by this advertising. The stand-out areas of these standards being impacted are “that every room has adequate ventilation and both natural and artificial lighting.” Others have called for Dublin Fire Brigade to respond given the banner may be made from a flammable material.

Dublin City Councillor Michael Pidgeon has responded to the thread stating “this display does not have planning permission”, before asking the poster to get in touch with him to get it resolved.

This is the second time KFC has been in the news recently, after the ASAI called them out for having too much chicken in an ad. While this could be one of those “there’s no such thing as bad press moments” for KFC, but this does feel like it crosses a line, even for a slightly edgy brand. With the state of living in Ireland being pretty grim at times, this seems a step to far. But of course, some people have responded with glee, saying “omg the tower burger is back?”.

Images in this article are courtesy of Reddit, RealladMalaga and Google Maps.

Burton & Bennett Snacks Ltd is Binley Mega Chippy of 2024

Marty
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Burton & Bennett Snacks Ltd is Binley Mega Chippy of 2024

I genuinely can’t believe it’s been two years since Binley Mega Chippy blew up on our TikTok feeds. I was scrolling through TikTok last week when I found Burton & Bennett Snacks Ltd. I immediately thought to myself, this is it. We’ve found the next one.

“That” TikTok Sweet Shop

From the early days of lockdown and TikTok getting popular, sweets have played a massive part. Shops and livestreams of shops bagging orders have been the norm. So it’s no surprise that the next random viral sensation is, yet another, sweet shop.

“That” TikTok sweet shop that everyone is talking about is the Burton & Bennett Snacks Ltd. The shop can be found in Brierfield in the United Kingdom. The shop has been set up by friends Paul Bennett and Gordon Burton. The charm is the select nature of their stock. 

On the shelves are a couple of cans of drinks and a relatively small number of sweets compared to what you’d normally see in similar shops on the high street.

Image from the Burton & Bennett Snacks Ltd Go Fund Me

While many are taking the opportunity to mock the friends, I personally see this as a positive entrepreneurial venture between the two. They’re curating some of their favourite snacks and likely turning a small profit while they do so. 

Could it all turn out to be an elaborate prank for a massive sweet company? These days it wouldn’t surprised me at all, but the pair seem genuine.

Viral Sensations

Unfortunately for the pair, I do feel quite a bit of their virality is stemming from negativity. However, they seem eager to stay positive.

Speaking to the Burnley Express, the two don’t seem phased by negative comments. Paul himself says, “We have had some negative comments but we believe that it just people being jealous. We are trying to do something good here for the community and to prove to people that anyone can do this”.

The pair’s first video has already racked up 1m views with a follower count growing steadily. Other TikTokers are visiting too, giving the page and the business further boosts. 

For me, I just hope people continue to respect the guys while also enjoying their curated selection of snacks. If they weather the storm that TikTok virality brings, they could be off to the perfect start at Burton & Bennett Snacks Ltd.

iOS 17.4 Makes Retro Gaming Emulator for iPhone Much Easier

Marty
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iOS 17.4 Makes Retro Gaming Emulator for iPhone Much Easier

Back in January, I outlined my hopes that iOS 17.4 would make retro gaming emulation a lot easier on iPhone. I hoped this would be the case not least because retro gaming was the most obvious win for my Backbone One controller. The answer seemed to be AltStore and that developer’s gaming emulator, Delta. Sure enough, it was indeed the answer. Here’s the ultimate guide to getting retro gaming consoles like the Sega Genesis, Gameboy, Nintendo 64, SNES and lots more, working on your iPhone.

Step 1. Make Sure You’re in Europe

Yep. So this may annoy some people. Apple has finally given in and added app sideloading to iPhone from iOS 17.4. This means you can load apps onto your iPhone from sources other than Apple’s official App Store. This all follows pressure from the European Union to make stoke competition in the iOS app space.

Unfortunately for many, this also means this new functionality is only active inside the European Union. Apple has even said it will cut people off from updates if they are outside the E.U. for more than 30 days. Don’t forget, this E.U. only introduction also means the United Kingdom is excluded.

But with all that bad news out of the way, I’m here in Ireland. Comfortably sitting inside the E.U. with an iPhone 13 Pro running iOS 17.4 ready to sideload.

Step 2. Install AltStore on Your iPhone

Now that Apple must let alternatives operate inside the E.U., alterantive app stores are much more valuable. No longer do you have to Jailbreak your iPhone. You just need a PC or MacBook, and iPhone and a few minutes to spare. AltStore documents everything on how to get started in a fantastic guide, but I’ll add in my two cents from the experience too. This is the first big step in getting retro gaming emulation running on your iPhone.

To install AltStore, you will need either a PC or Mac to download the AltStore server. On this device you’ll also need iTunes installed.

  1. Download the AltServer installation files and run them.
  2. Connect your iPhone with a cable to your PC or MacBook and allow what ever trust notifications pop up.
  3. In iTunes when you see the device, you should also choose “Sync with this iPhone over Wi-Fi” to make things run smoother in the long rung.
  4. On the Taskbar or Mac menu bar, locate AltStore, and choose “Install AltStore”
  5. Enter your Apple ID details that pop up.
  6. On your iPhone, open Settings -> General -> Profiles & Device Management (or similar) and choose “Trust”
  7. Go to Settings -> Privacy and Security -> Developer Mode and enable this. Your iPhone will then need to be restarted.

Just like that, you have sideloaded a 3rd party app store onto your iPhone. Next, we get the retro gaming emulator installed.

If this isn’t clear, I strongly recommend checking out the AltStore guides with images and everything. It makes things very user friendly.

Step 3. Install Delta Retro Gaming Emulator

Delta is the first retro gaming emulator I found for iOS 17.4. From day one of this news emerging, AltStore seemed to me to be the biggest and best alterantive app store out there. So I like it. The same developers also make Delta, so by connection, I like that too I guess!

  1. Now that you’ve got AltStore installed, open it up on your phone.
  2. Delta will likely be one of the first apps you see in the “Browse” tap. Install this. It’s completely free to install with some cost later. I’ll have details below.
  3. That’s it. Delta is installed on your iPhone.

Step 4. Import Game ROMs

Game ROMs are a bit of a grey area when it comes to retro gaming emulation. I’m not here to judge, so just go get your ROMs.

Open the Delta app and in the top right corner, tap the “+” sign. From here, I opted to choose “Files” and navigate to the folder where my ROMs were saved. Open the ROM you want to play and Bob is indeed your uncle.

Now, I mentioned that Delta is free, but there may be some charges. This comes down to what you want to do and more importantly, what games you want to play. I’m a Sega Genesis guy and unfortunately, this isn’t free yet, but it is inexpensive.

To enjoy Sega Gensis in Delta, you simply have to join the Beta. The lowest tier in the Beta is just €3 per month. A very sound price if you ask me. You just sign up to the developer’s Patreon, link your Patreon and boom. You’re in the Beta with access to Sega Genesis ROM loading.

Step 5. Play Your Old Games on iPhone

All in all, it took just a few minutes to get this up and running. I would have loved getting Genesis for free, but I’m also happy to support developers like the team behind AltStore and Delta. They are ultimately the reason why pressure on Apple to introduce sideloading to iOS happens. That’s no mean feat.

They are now also the reason my Backbone One is truly an incredible piece of kit. Of course, you can play without the Backbone One, but now I’ve gotten my hands on over 600 Sega Genesis ROMs and my iPhone feels like a portable gaming god. Do you have any idea what mid-90s Marty would have done with that many games. Not to mention how much more than €3 per month that all would have cost.

The next time I’m jumping on a plane, I’ll have over 600 classics to choose from whether it be Streets of Rage or Sonic. Just make sure if your ROMs are in iCloud that you download them before take off!

Look, before you say it. I know. Android users have this functionality for years. I made the odd choice to move my entire life to iOS and I really like iPhone. So forgive me for being really excited that one of the most annoying things about iPhone has finally been sorted. At least for us Europeans.

Buy The Unknown Mask from Glasgow Willy Wonka Fiasco

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What a headline. A few years ago, my Mam had a funny typo on Facebook on Christmas Day. She celebrated that “Willy Wanka” was on TV. That has now been relegated to second place on my list of funniest Willy Wonka-related things to happen. And that’s all down to the Willy Wonka Experience in Glasgow. Such was the controversy around the event, many are tipping The Unknown from the experience to be the big Halloween costume of 2024 already. Here’s the low down and where you can buy the Willy Wonka Unknown mask.

Disclosure: Products in this article are linked to using affiliate links. That means that while there’s absolutely no extra cost to you buying through the affiliate link, the shop may share some of the profit with us – to say thanks to sending you over. It supports us, so thanks!

Willy Wonka Unknown Mask is on Amazon

I’m going to explain what’s going on, but assuming you get all of that, here’s where you can buy the Willy Wonka Unknown mask. Keeping in line with the very awful experience in Glasgow, the mask is just a chrome-coloured mask and it’s on Amazon.co.uk. It costs less than €15. Add to that a hooded gown and you have 2024’s must-have Halloween costume.

The chrome mask is available on Amazon

Now, if you’ve read that and were left wondering what the bloody hell all of that means, let me explain.

What Happened at the Glasgow Willy Wonka Event?

Right, first thing’s first. It’s not exactly clear how legit this whole event in Glasgow was. By that, I mean I’m not sure Warner Bros had greenlit the use of the Wonka World. Tickets costing up to £35 were sold by House of Illuminati, the event organizer, for what was promised as an immersive experience inspired by the recent Warner Bros film “Wonka.” Starring Timothée Chalamet as a young Willy Wonka, the movie captured the imaginations of both children and adults during the holidays.

Image courtesy of Eve Stewart

What actually went ahead fell unbelievably short of expectations.

Upon arrival, attendees, including children dressed in Willy Wonka costumes, were met with a poorly decorated venue lacking promised features. There was a single bouncy castle instead of the advertised elaborate sets and activities. From TikToks that I’ve seen myself, the Chocolate River was just a bridge over some vinyl on the ground.

If it wasn’t for the genuinely heartbroken children, this would be hilarious. Rather stunningly, the event had no chocolate. Actors were asked to give children a quarter cup of Tesco lemonade and a single jelly bean. Though I have seen videos of one “oompah loompa” giving two jelly beans. Oh, the oompah loompa actors also said they were sent the “sexy oompah loompa” costumes the night before the event, not child-friendly costumes.

The event was such a shambles that not only did people demand refunds and it went viral, but police were called by angry guests.

The event organiser cut corners at every turn to save money. One way they did this was through the use of AI-generated content. This was for the promotion of the event with AI-images, but also through AI-generated scripts for actors hired to entertain guests. This emerged as actors from the day have begun appearing on TikTok describing the event from their point-of-view. Only adding to the insight into how big a disaster this event was. Plus, they are saying they havene’t been paid, so getting publicity is the least get than do, though hopefully that gets resolved too.

One actor said the biggest red flag was that he was hired to play Willy Wonka, suggesting he looked nothing like any from the classic lore.

@paulconnellcomedy I was an actor at the #willyschocolateexperience in #glasgow this weekend and here is the first of 3 clips of me talking about it. #willywonka #houseofilluminati #willy #glasgownews #willywonkaglasgow #chocolatefactory #actor #glasgowtiktok #stvnews #bbcnews #bbcscotland #willywonkaexperience ♬ original sound – Paul Connell

This is where we get The Unknown.

What is Willy Wonka’s Unknown?

From my research thus far, I don’t believe The Unknown is any part og the Willy Wonka world and lore. It apparently only exists in this weird AI-generated Glasgow event. I’ve never typed such bizarre sentences.

Anyway, one character generated by AI for the event is The Unknown. The Unknown is the chrome-masked evil character, who on the day, was hiding behind a mirror for some reason. The Unknown is an evil chocolate maker that lives in the walls. Yep. Lives in the walls.

@tdrnco They even created a villain name The Unknown (he makes chocolate and live in the walls) lmao #willywonka #willywonkaandthechocolatefactory #ai #viralvideo #viraltiktok #fypシ #fypシ゚viral ♬ original sound – Tt♉️

The Unknown won’t be giving Mr. Slugworth a run for his money any time soon.

However, the world is taking The Unknown into their hearts. Demand is growing online for the actor to come forward and tell their story. More people want to see the scripts behind the show too. Just how bad did AI get it?

There is a lesson to be learned here. A human content creator, at some stage, would have said this is an awful idea. AI didn’t know what was coming at all.

For now, if you’re feeling down at all, I beg you to go dive into the world of the Glasgow Willy Wonka event. While some kids were upset, I’ve read that even some parents, while still seeking refunds, did find just how bad everything was objectively funny. So the deeper you dive into this mess the funnier it will get. And in the coming days, there’s only going to be more as the Unknown actor becomes known.

Films Like Helldivers For You To Watch

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Films Like Helldivers For You To Watch

I’m totally obsessed with Helldivers 2. I can’t stop playing it. When the servers go down, I wait for them to come back up. Because waiting is better than giving up. I can’t get enough. So, naturally, when I move away from my gaming PC, I’m wondering what movies could I watch that can scratch the Helldivers itch when I’m AFK. Here’s my list of favourite movies that are really like Helldivers 2 in some way, shape or form.

Starship Troopers

I have to start here. The similarities between Starship Troopers and Helldivers 2 is absolutely undeniable. Both feature warfare against insectoid aliens. Helldivers does also offer war against machines, but still – the point remains. The tone of Helldivers is also wildly similar to that of the satirical Starship Troopers.

Now, when I was younger, I loved Starship Troopers because the big guns went boom and the aliens went splat. Now I love it for the satirical view of pro-military nations and fascism. While many missed the satirical takes in the Paul Verhoeven film adaptation, the older me absolutely loves it.

The result is that both this movie and this game use war to explore and critique various aspects of human society, including militarism, propaganda, nationalism, and the glorification of violence. They often achieve this through satire and dark humour, prompting reflection on the real world through their fictional narratives.

Just look at how both the movie and game open to get a feel for how they land the same concept.

Simply put, Starship Troopers is the ultimate movie to watch when coming down from your latest Helldivers 2 drop. And hell, it’s just a great movie to watch before going down the Nazi meaning rabbit hole of Starship Troopers too.

Event Horizon

A lot of Helldiver fans will probably disagree with me on this one. But your ship in the game left me wanting to watch Event Horizon again. Now, an important caveat here is that I watch Event Horizon every year. Again, it’s one of my all-time favourite movies.

Beyond the ship bringing up memories, this film and game probably couldn’t be much more different. Event Horizon is a tense horror, while Helldivers is a lighthearted shoot-em-up. But I wanted to mention it, and mention it early. One big plus is that the pace of Event Horizon is much slower, so you can rest after blowing up some bugs.

Aliens

Very important to note this is the second movie in the original Alien Trilogy. The reason that matters is because it’s the second movie that mainly takes place on a planet. During that second movie, Ripley battles a xenomorph creature on a planet. It’s all not too dissimilar to the Helldivers taking on a planet of bugs.

Aliens is also arguably the greatest sci-fi film ever made, so regardless of the similarities, I’m pretty sure you’d enjoy watching this anyway!

District 9

It didn’t come to me immediately, but I did eventually think of District 9. One of my favourite movies, that I always forget about.

District 9 is all about an alien race coming to Earth seeking refuge. The most obvious different here is that this was never meant to be a conflict scenario. The aliens, who are very bug-like, arrived on Earth out of necessity. They never intended to harm humans, but eventually a conflict developed because of how humanity treated the “bugs”, more derogatorily known as “prawns”.

While there are vast differences between District 9 and Helldivers 2, I’ll gladly take this as a prompt to go watch one of the best sci-fi movies of all time one more time.

Edge of Tomorrow

This is as close as I’ll ever get to recommending a Tom Cruise movie, I promise. Edge of Tomorrow is a futuristic sci-fi movie that involves the main character dropping into a war zone repeatedly. While humour isn’t at the forefront, there are a lot of militaristic motifs and the like throughout.

If you die in Helldivers, you can usually come back and continue to fight – just as is the main storyline of Edge of Tomorrow.

The enemies are slightly different in Edge of Tomorrow in comparison to Helldivers 2, but you could argue they’re almost a combination of the two! I’m going to admit it. I enjoyed Edge of Tomorrow. So there.

Halo The Series

Gamers will know the role of Master Chief. One of the most iconic game characters of all time, the lead of Halo. Now, Halo has been given the series treatment on Paramount+. Both this and Helldivers are action-packed, futuristic shoot-em-ups with gaming-entertainment crossover genetics. I say that because if Starship Troopers never happened I don’t think Helldivers would happen either.

Perhaps the most direct connection between Halo and Helldivers are the Halo’s Orbital Drop Shock Troopers (ODSTs). Both these and the Helldivers are quite comparable in job specs and enough to warrant a place on this list for Halo.

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