Ubisoft has shut down Rainbow Six Siege across all platforms following a significant hack that gave every player billions of credits and rare cosmetics whilst attackers posted messages directly to players through hijacked game systems.
The breach occurred on 27th December, forcing the developer to take the unusual step of completely disabling the game whilst teams work to stabilise systems and roll back unauthorised changes.
What Actually Happened
The scope of this hack goes beyond typical security incidents. Players logged in to find their accounts flooded with two billion credits, the game’s premium currency. Beyond that, hackers distributed developer-only skins, unlimited Renown, thousands of Alpha Packs, and previously unobtainable cosmetics like Glacier skins.
More concerning was the attackers’ ability to manipulate live gameplay. Some players found themselves forced into losses during ranked matches, whilst others received what appeared to be ban notifications. The hackers had gained enough access to hijack the in-game messaging system, posting messages aimed directly at Ubisoft.
The Community Response
Prominent players like KingGeorge immediately warned their audiences to stay offline and avoid spending any of the suspicious currency. This advice stemmed from previous incidents where Ubisoft had banned accounts that benefited from exploits, even unintentionally.
The random bans hitting both regular players and streamers added to the confusion. For several hours, nobody was certain whether these were legitimate Ubisoft actions or part of the attack itself.
Ubisoft’s Handling
The company’s initial response drew criticism for referring to an “incident” rather than acknowledging the breach directly. About 30 minutes after their first statement, they took the more decisive step of shutting down both the game and marketplace entirely.
To Ubisoft’s credit, they’ve since clarified their position. Nobody will face bans for spending the hacked credits. All transactions after 11am UTC are being rolled back. The ban messages players saw weren’t from Ubisoft at all, the hackers had control of that system too.
Larger Security Concerns
Reports suggest this visible chaos may have served as a distraction for a more serious objective. The attackers allegedly attempted to steal source code for multiple Ubisoft titles, with claims they’ll leak classified information unless Ubisoft makes contact.
Ubisoft hasn’t confirmed these allegations. They have stated that personal data like passwords and banking details weren’t accessed, which matters more to most players than in-game currencies.
What This Means for Players
Servers remain offline with no confirmed timeline for restoration. If you’re a regular Siege player, the practical advice is straightforward: wait for Ubisoft’s official all-clear before logging back in.
The incident raises questions about security in live-service games. When attackers can manipulate not just inventories but active gameplay and communication systems, it demonstrates vulnerabilities that go beyond typical data breaches.
For now, the community waits whilst Ubisoft works to secure systems and restore service. The silver lining, if there is one, is that accounts won’t face punishment for circumstances entirely beyond players’ control.
Amazon’s Fire TV Stick has grown incredibly popular in Ireland for many reasons, not least of which is the rampant use of underground IPTV services and so-called “dodgy boxes”. For this reason, but also for many legitimate reasons, sideloading is a popular feature on Amazon Fire Sticks. However, Amazon has announced Vega OS, a Linux-based operating system which does support sideloading. So if this is an important feature for you, how can you be sure you are getting a Fire Stick that meets your needs?
What is sideloading?
In simple terms, sideloading means installing apps on your device from somewhere other than the official app store. On a Fire TV Stick, this means getting applications without going through the Amazon Appstore. Instead, you’re manually installing APK files, the raw form of Android apps.
The most common legitimate uses include installing apps that simply aren’t available in Amazon’s relatively limited Appstore. Niche streaming services, international content platforms, alternative media players, and specialised utilities often never make it into Amazon’s ecosystem. If you’ve ever wanted to use a particular browser, VPN client, productivity app or even an app like RTÉ Player that works on Android phones but isn’t on Fire TV, sideloading has been your only option. Some people use it to access earlier versions of apps when updates break features they relied on.
Of course, sideloading’s popularity in Ireland, and the reason it’s such a contentious feature, comes down to those “dodgy boxes” and unauthorised IPTV services I mentioned earlier. These provide access to premium sports channels and other content, including content Amazon is paying a small fortune to both licence and create, without the hefty subscription fees.
While this gray market is widespread, it’s worth understanding that sideloading itself is just a capability. Losing it doesn’t just affect people chasing free football matches; it impacts anyone who needs their Fire Stick to do something Amazon hasn’t explicitly approved.
Fire Sticks Without Vega OS
The good news is, however legitimate or not your reason for seeing out a non-Vega OS Fire Stick is, they are plentiful in supply for now. Just the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select supports Vega OS. These are limited in supply to Ireland, but you need to pay attention when purchasing. While not available on Amazon.ie, you can buy the Vega-OS powered Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select from other retailers such as Currys.
Right now, that is the only Fire Stick with Vega OS, though I’m sure that will change in time, despite the new Fire Sticks getting mixed to low reviews. One review on the Currys website specifically saying, “Don’t like the new operating system. Wanted Android and was unaware it changed”.
Which means you have plenty of choice to get a Fire Stick which continues to support sideloading, for whatever reason you may need it. The popular ones are:
The big difference here is price and spec. The Fire TV Stick HD can often be got for about €20 on sale, while the Fire TV Stick 4K Max supports WiFi 6E which can mean smoother streaming experiences
The most important thing, and the reason you landed on this article, is that both support sideloading of apps from 3rd party sources. Proceed to use that functionality responsibly and only while having a fair idea what you’re doing.
Ireland’s famously green landscape is a direct result of its mild, damp climate. While beautiful outdoors, this persistent moisture often finds its way inside, creating a silent problem of high indoor humidity. This can lead to musty smells, condensation, and the endless struggle of drying clothes indoors. A dehumidifier is not just a gadget; it’s an essential appliance for any Irish home, offering a solution for a healthier living space and a revolutionary secret to conquering the laundry pile.
The Persistent Damp: Understanding Ireland’s High Humidity Levels
The Irish climate is characterised by high rainfall and moderate temperatures, resulting in consistently elevated atmospheric moisture. This outdoor humidity easily infiltrates our homes, raising indoor humidity levels far above the ideal range and creating a perpetually damp environment, especially during the autumn and winter months.
The Hidden Impact of Moisture on Your Irish Home and Health
Excess moisture is more than just an inconvenience. It creates the perfect breeding ground for mould and mildew, which can trigger allergies and respiratory issues. It can also cause paint to peel, wood to warp, and a persistent damp chill that makes your home feel colder than it is.
Dehumidifiers: Your Essential Solution for a Drier, Healthier Environment
A dehumidifier pulls in moist air, condenses the water into a collection tank, and circulates drier, slightly warmer air back into the room. A dehumidifier directly tackles this problem by actively extracting excess water from the air. It draws in moist air, cools it to condense the water into a collection tank, and releases drier, slightly warmer air back into the room, effectively breaking the cycle of dampness.
Why Dehumidifiers Are Near Non-Negotiable for Irish Homes
Combating Condensation, Mould, and Mildew
By maintaining optimal humidity levels, a dehumidifier prevents the root cause of condensation on windows and walls. This directly inhibits the growth of mould and mildew, protecting both your health and your home’s interior. This is especially critical in properties with lower energy ratings, as more than 40% of rental homes have a BER of D or lower, often leading to dampness issues.
Protecting Your Property: Furniture, Fabrics, and Structural Integrity
Sustained high humidity can ruin furniture, damage electronics, and cause musty odours in fabrics and carpets. By controlling the moisture in the air, a dehumidifier safeguards your valuable possessions and helps maintain the structural integrity of your home.
Enhancing Indoor Air Quality and Respiratory Health
Mould spores and dust mites thrive in damp conditions. A dehumidifier creates a less hospitable environment for these common allergens, leading to cleaner indoor air and providing significant relief for those with asthma and allergies.
Creating a More Comfortable and Warmer Home Environment (Energy Efficiency Link)
Dry air feels warmer than damp air. By removing moisture, a dehumidifier helps your home feel more comfortable at lower temperatures. This can reduce the strain on your heating system, potentially lowering your energy bills in a country where heat demand accounted for 35.1% of energy use.
The Secret to Faster Indoor Clothes Drying: A Dehumidifier Revolution
The Problem with Traditional Indoor Drying in Ireland
Drying laundry on a rack indoors can take days in Ireland’s damp climate. This slow air drying process not only clutters your living space but also releases litres of moisture into your home, exacerbating humidity problems and often leaving fabric with a stubborn musty smell.
How a Dehumidifier Transforms Your Laundry Routine
Positioning a dehumidifier near your drying rack creates a micro-environment of dry, circulating air. The appliance actively pulls the moisture evaporating from your clothes out of the air, dramatically accelerating the drying process from days to mere hours.
Maximising Drying Speed: The Dehumidifier, Drying Rack, and Air Circulation Synergy
For the fastest results, place your dehumidifier in a small, closed room with the clothes on a drying rack. Ensure there is space between garments for air to circulate. The dehumidifier’s fan will move the dry air around the wet fabric, creating a powerful and efficient drying system.
The Advantages Over Tumble Dryers and Other Methods
A dehumidifier is significantly gentler on fabric than a tumble dryer, preventing shrinking and extending the life of your clothes. It’s also a more energy-efficient solution. With 43% of tumble dryer owners worried about energy costs, using a dehumidifier offers a way to dry clothes quickly without the high energy consumption and impact on your energy bills.
Choosing the Right Dehumidifier for Your Irish Home: A Comprehensive Buyer’s Guide
Understanding Dehumidifier Types: Compressor vs. Desiccant for Ireland’s Climate
Compressor dehumidifiers work like a refrigerator and are most efficient in warmer rooms (above 15°C). Desiccant dehumidifiers use an absorbent material and perform better in cooler temperatures, making them ideal for unheated spaces like garages, utility rooms, or colder Irish homes.
Key Specifications: Extraction Rate and Tank Capacity
The extraction rate (litres/day) indicates how much moisture the unit can remove; choose one appropriate for your room size and humidity level. A larger water tank means less frequent emptying, a key convenience factor.
Energy Efficiency and Running Costs in the Irish Context
Look for models with low energy consumption to keep running costs down. An efficient dehumidifier has a significantly smaller Carbon Footprint than a tumble dryer, especially as 40.2% of Ireland’s electricity is now generated from renewable sources.
Other Essential Features to Consider
Consider the noise level if it will be used in living areas. Features like a laundry mode, timer, and a continuous drainage option (a hose to bypass the tank) add significant convenience.
Conclusion
For anyone living in Ireland, a dehumidifier is a transformative appliance. It is the single most effective tool for combating the country’s pervasive dampness, protecting your home and health from the effects of excess moisture. More than that, it unlocks the secret to fast, efficient, and gentle indoor clothes drying, a game-changer for every household’s laundry routine. By choosing the right model and using it effectively, you can create a drier, warmer, and more comfortable living environment while reducing your reliance on costly, energy-intensive appliances like the tumble dryer. Investing in a dehumidifier is an investment in your home’s health and your own comfort.
Amazon Web Services has just received planning permission for three new data centres in Dublin, part of Ireland’s continuing expansion as a European tech hub. On paper, this represents investment, jobs, and Ireland’s position in the global digital economy. But recent events in Memphis, Tennessee, offer a sobering case study in what happens when data centre development prioritises speed over community impact.
Understanding the Scale
Data centres aren’t just warehouses with servers. Modern AI facilities like Elon Musk’s Colossus in Memphis house hundreds of thousands of processors running continuously. This creates two significant demands:
Massive energy consumption
Substantial cooling requirements.
The Memphis facility was built in just 122 days after local authorities waived planning regulations, a speed that left little room for environmental assessment or community consultation.
Ireland’s situation differs in important ways. Our planning process, while often criticised for delays, does provide more oversight than Memphis received. But the fundamental resource demands remain identical, and Ireland faces unique vulnerabilities.
Energy and Water: Ireland’s Specific Concerns
Ireland’s electrical grid operates near capacity during winter peaks. Data centres already account for roughly 21% of Ireland’s total electricity consumption, with a single data centre using as much energy as my home county, Kilkenny. Worse still is that figure is still growing and set to reach 30% by 2030. Each new facility adds pressure to a system that struggles to meet existing demand while transitioning away from fossil fuels.
Water usage presents another challenge. Modern data centres use evaporative cooling systems that consume millions of litres daily. In Memphis, residents report concerns about water supply strain. Ireland has different climate conditions, but water infrastructure in Dublin already faces stress during dry periods. Three additional large facilities will increase that pressure.
The Jobs Question
Memphis residents discovered that Colossus employs far fewer people than initially suggested. Data centres are highly automated, once operational, they require minimal staff compared to traditional industrial facilities of similar scale. The construction phase creates temporary employment, but long-term job creation tends to disappoint communities expecting significant local hiring.
Ireland should approach employment projections with realistic expectations. These facilities generate substantial economic activity through property taxes and infrastructure investment, but direct employment numbers rarely match the physical footprint.
What Legitimate Concerns Look Like
The Memphis situation highlights environmental justice issues, a predominantly Black neighbourhood experiencing increased pollution without consultation or benefit. Ireland’s planning system should prevent similar scenarios, but it’s worth asking specific questions:
Air Quality and Community
Will continuous emissions monitoring be required? Memphis residents report sulphurous odours from backup generators running constantly. Ireland’s milder climate might reduce generator reliance, but verification matters. I don’t believe Irish authorities will allow anything that is significantly detrimental to the environment, but it’s worth knowing this is an issue for the wider world, and one for us to keep a close eye on.
Memphis received investment without direct community benefit. Irish planning could require specific commitments, grid infrastructure upgrades, renewable energy investments, or community funding, that ensure local areas benefit from hosting these facilities.
Energy Sourcing Transparency
Where will the electricity come from? If these facilities draw from the general grid, they’re competing with residential and business users. Planning permission is conditional on Amazon entering into a Corporate Power Purchase Agreement (CPPA) with a renewable energy provider before the data centres begin operation; a hard requirement from An Bord Pleanála.
Finding Balance
Data centres enable the digital services we use daily, cloud storage, streaming platforms, AI systems, and countless business applications. Ireland’s position as a data centre hub reflects genuine advantages: political stability, renewable energy potential, and connectivity infrastructure.
The question isn’t whether data centres should exist, but how development proceeds. Memphis demonstrates what happens when speed overrides scrutiny, a facility built without meaningful community input, creating environmental concerns that residents now live with indefinitely.
Ireland can do better, but only if we ask difficult questions during the planning process rather than afterward. The Amazon facilities will likely proceed, but the conversation around future developments should incorporate lessons from places like Memphis. Residents near proposed sites deserve transparent information about energy sources (in fact, this stretches nationally given the national impact), water consumption, emissions, and realistic employment prospects.
We don’t need to reject data centre development entirely. We do need to ensure it happens with full awareness of costs alongside benefits, and that communities hosting these facilities receive something beyond increased utility bills and infrastructure strain.
The technology industry moves quickly. Planning processes that prioritise community wellbeing don’t need to match that speed, and probably shouldn’t.
The new 3rd Generation Google Nest camera landed in for review recently. I was blown away by it given how badly I needed it to supervise my elderly Mum living at home. But as the Google Home Subscription expired, I realised how quickly this because utterly useless without paying more for it.
Design
The latest Google Nest Camera is brilliantly designed. The base is easy to mount and the camera itself is flexible – oddly, not always that much of a priority for camera designers. I will say that it’s weighty enough, so don’t feel like double-sided sticky pads will hold this to the roof for long – screw it in properly.
The camera itself looks nice, but not overly intimidating if that’s the kind of security you’re looking for. In truth, Google is designing something here for people that want indoor cameras that don’t need to be hidden. They look nice, but also blend into the background to be discreet.
This is a wired camera, so no battery to worry about, and of equal importance is the cable being generous. There’s no IP rating given it’s assumed this will be only used indoors, as intended.
The smart side of this camera is where it excels.
Functionality
I have to divide this into two areas.
Good: Premium Trial Active
First of all the quality of this camera is incredible. You get 2K resolution from a relatively small device, also priced at under €100 for the device itself. It syncs with the Google Home app, which is either good or bad depending on your opinion of Google’s Home ecosystem. I’m not overly in love with it to be honest, now that I’m into Home Assistant.
My first month with the camera included a one-month subscription to Google Home Premium. This unlocked a world of AI-powered insights. The camera recognised people entering the space, and logged what they were doing. I look forward to this technology advancing to a point where you can build automations specifically on Google’s Gemini, recognising something happening in the field of view – like a specific face taking medication.
Daily summaries of what had happened get set to you too. It’s a brilliant feature and useful too. At a glance, you can see if enough water was drank or a meal was made. It’s not dependable enough just yet, but it is a glimpse at amazing functionality that Gemini AI could deliver down the line.
Which is where I’m left furious by this camera, because all free trials must come to an end.
Bad: Useless Without Subscription
Quickly, I learned why you get such a high quality camera for under €100. Google is pushing that Home Premium subscription hard. As it ended, I was suddenly limited to 10 second clips of what was happening in my Mum’s house. I’d be notified of an event that might need to be monitored, only to find most of that now behind a paywall – on my own security system.
I was irate.
Simultaneously, I paid for one more month of Google Home Premium while also shopping for a replacement camera.
I understand unique features have to be paid for, but for the camera to cut off at 10 seconds is ludicrous. Not least because I have two other camera systems doing more work without a monthly subscription at all. Google expects you to pay either €10 or €18 per month for their Home Premium subscription, with both price points unlocking extra functionality.
While I could see Google’s subscription paying off with more functionality, now it’s just a novelty. Google has gotten this one terribly wrong – I’m left feeling like the 6 hours of event previews borderline offensive.
Google Nest Camera 3rd Generation: The Verdict
If you already have a Google Home subscription, this is one of the best cameras I’ve ever used at a very attractive price. However, if you are looking to start building an ecosystem, this is not the place to start.
Google has a history of retiring products with little notice, and I really don’t like how utterly bricked one of these devices would be should Google decide they don’t want you using it any more. I’ve never, in all my years of testing, had such a massive fall off in opinion of a device after a trial period ended, either.
Simply put, if you’re already in the Google Nest ecosystem and can justify the monthly cost because of several cloud-based cameras, it’s a good camera. Or if you don’t care about camera history and just want live view, then it’s a good investment. But for most use-cases, there are better cameras and home security ecosystems to be had on the market with less subscription friction.
A couple of months ago I picked up a Nintendo Switch 2. I’ve never had a Switch, so I grabbed a handful of games and got cracking. It’s a fun console, but I’m left wondering if Switch isn’t for me, mobile gaming isn’t for me, or I just have to give it more time.
I bought a ROG Ally Extreme and Nintendo Switch 2 on the same day. The ROG Ally got my attention first because I had my Steam library to get through. Despite many disliking the design of the ROG Ally, I had no issue with it – except for the battery.
The Switch 2 is considerably more comfortable to game on. The button layouts are good, even if getting used to Nintendo’s different button priorities is infuriating for me as a former Xbox, current PlayStation 5 and PC gamer.
But the console is light, with a great display and a handy kickstand for gaming on the go. You can detach the controllers for two reasons.
First, if you are solo gaming on the go and want a bit more comfort. It’s completely weird gaming with both hands separately, but you get used to it.
Second, is that both controllers, when detached, can be used as multiplayer controllers. They are a bit small for prolonged play on their own, but it does mean you can play Mario Kart with your travel companion on a flight (tested and confirmed over Christmas).
Performance
What will amaze many is the power of the Switch 2. It’s early days and only going to get more powerful. Now, I’m not convinced that GTA 6 will run on it great when it lands, but I’m able to enjoy a relatively decent Cyberpunk 2077 on it and that game is not light to run. Better still, I am able to play my PC save on my Switch 2 – continuous cross-device saving. Nice.
Because the vast majority of the first Switch back catalogue is compatible with the Switch 2, you have a simply huge games’ database to pick from. What might surprise you (it did me) is that even some older games are quite expensive. However, they run incredibly well (new and retro).
The battery life is respectable too. You’ll usually get the bones of 2 hours out of a relatively light gaming session, but mileage may vary based on how demanding your game is – again, looking at Cyberpunk here.
Playability
This is where I’m struggling and I simply can’t explain it. I’ve added Tony Hawk to my game library and enjoy it. But I’m still just not comfortably playing it on the Switch 2. I struggle to get completely immersed in the console, and I don’t know why.
Granted, Cyberpunk I’ve been playing on PC and enjoying it substantially more than Switch 2. But that game really is a PC game before all else. Tony Hawk is best grabbing my attention, but a lot of the games just aren’t as enjoyable.
But am I the real target audience for the console? Probably not. I’ve been stuck into the original Red Dead Redemption, GTA III and GTA Vice City along with a retro point and click classic Grim Fandango. I’ve tried Zelda, it’s not for me and the LEGO games seem utterly pointless despite my love for LEGO and all the franchises they use.
The multiplayer elements have massive potential, but at 37 it’s rare I have a group of people together where we all say “it’s time for Mario Kart”.
Nintendo not being chill
I’m giving this a dedicated section because I’m irate about it. The Switch 2 is designed for mobile gaming, but you can of course dock your console and play on a TV. The dock is included but is bloody bulky. Not the kind of thing you would travel with.
But why would I travel with it, when I have a regular USB-C dongle with HDMI support.
Well, Nintendo decided not to support all dongles. And yes, it was a very conscious decision by them too.
LTT demonstrated this on YouTube, looking at the technical implementation Nintendo deployed, which shows they simply check if the dongle being connected is one they want to work or not.
This is infuriating that the general consensus is that any dongle should work, if Nintendo just wasn’t being a big evil corporate about it.
Value
As a console, the Switch 2 is a fairly standard price. Between €450 to €500 will get you a Switch 2, sometimes with, sometimes without a game. I’m not overly upset at that price. It’s a new console with a fantastic display and is largely a solid piece of tech (even if I’m yet to fall in love with it).
What kills me is the price of games. €60 to €80 is the standard, and I’m sorry, but on a mobile console when the experience just can’t compete with full size screens, that’s a shocker. I’m not an idiot. I know the game needs development etc regardless of platform, but a lot of the games are ports. I can see Rockstar has a dedicated team working on these free moneymakers of old games coming to the extremely powerful Switch 2 (a matter of time until GTA 5 makes it).
The giveaway here too is Nintendo’s sales. Games dropping to 50% to 90% of the usual cost shows that what you really should pay is attention to when you buy, not just what you buy.
If you’re chasing value, Deku Deals is an absolute must. Here, you’ll find the price history of games and see if it’s worth waiting or not.
Switch 2: The Verdict
While I have yet to fall in love with both the Switch 2 and mobile gaming in general, I couldn’t imagine going on a flight or a holiday without my Switch 2.
The dock situation is absolutely infuriating and the kind of thing that would make me less likely to recommend this, to be totally honest. But I shouldn’t let that cloud my view too much. Probably.
Overall, I think I know the truth. I need to play the Switch 2 more and get used to it. Because it ticks every box that makes a gadget great fantastic. I guess I want this review to be a cautionary tale of setting expectations for anyone who isn’t from Switch background like Alex.
There’s been a noticeable uptick in interest around affordable smart home gear lately, and Tapo keeps appearing in those conversations. It’s TP-Link’s budget-focused smart home line, often compared with Xiaomi, TP-Link’s own Kasa range, Aqara, and various Tuya-powered devices. The core question buyers have is straightforward: is it cheap for a reason, or genuinely good value?
I’ve been using various Tapo devices over the past year in my own home and in my efforts to keep my elderly Mum supervised – often alongside equipment from other ecosystems, so I can offer some perspective based on actual daily use rather than just specs.
What Tapo Actually Offers
Tapo’s range covers the basics: smart plugs, bulbs, cameras, switches, and some sensors. The pricing sits noticeably below premium brands while remaining above the absolute cheapest no-name options. They’re not trying to compete with Philips Hue or Aqara’s more sophisticated sensors, they’re targeting people who want functional smart home features without massive investment.
The app is straightforward. It handles multiple device types without feeling cluttered, though it’s not as polished as some competitors. You can set schedules, create automations, and group devices logically. Nothing groundbreaking, but it works consistently.
But really, the win here is the price and the fact these are very obtainable through Amazon and other Irish retailers.
Tapo Smart Plug
Tapo has a couple of different smart plugs. I’ve accidentally bought two different types in the past so it’s worth paying attention. The main thing you might miss is that some include power monitoring, while others done.
This is a relatively small thing, however you do either gain or lose functionality and usually pay a little extra less.
I’ve found that having monitoring also unlocks a world of extra automation. For example, you can tell if a device is on or not based on the power draw.
Beyond that, the plugs themselves are great quality and really safe. I’ve never experienced mine getting excessively hot and like that this automation means I can have light cycles when I’m away from home.
Where Tapo Gets It Right
Build quality is surprisingly solid. The plugs feel substantial, cameras have proper mounting hardware, and nothing feels like it’ll fall apart after a few months. This matters more than people realize—cheap smart home gear that physically degrades creates frustration that outweighs any savings.
Local control options exist. While Tapo pushes cloud connectivity, many devices support local network control, which means they’ll function during internet outages. This isn’t universal across their range, but it’s more common than with purely cloud-dependent alternatives.
The ecosystem plays reasonably well with others. Integration with Home Assistant works reliably for most devices, and there’s basic Matter support rolling out. If you’re platform-agnostic like me, this flexibility matters significantly.
The Limitations You Should Know
Tapo isn’t perfect, and understanding the trade-offs helps set realistic expectations.
Advanced automation requires workarounds. The native app handles simple schedules fine, but complex conditional logic often needs third-party integration through Home Assistant or similar platforms. If you want “when this happens, do these three things depending on time and other sensor states,” you’ll hit limits quickly.
Camera quality is adequate, not exceptional. The resolution specs look good on paper, but low-light performance and compression artifacts are noticeable. For basic monitoring, checking if a package arrived, seeing who’s at the door, they’re fine. For detailed footage you might need in security scenarios, consider higher-end options.
Regional availability varies significantly. Some products appear in certain markets but not others, which complicates recommendations. Check what’s actually available in your region before committing to the ecosystem.
Who Should Consider Tapo?
Tapo makes sense if you’re starting with smart home gear and want to test the waters without substantial financial commitment. It’s also solid for renters who need temporary solutions or people supplementing an existing ecosystem with basic devices.
It’s less ideal if you’re planning a comprehensive smart home with complex automations, need professional-grade security cameras, or want cutting-edge features as they emerge. The platform will handle basics reliably but won’t push boundaries.
The Honest Verdict
Is Tapo cheap for a reason? No, I’d say good value. The hardware works, the app functions adequately, and the pricing reflects what you’re actually getting.
I use Tapo devices for specific purposes where their limitations don’t matter: monitoring a storage area with a camera, controlling holiday lights with smart plugs, basic room lighting. For those tasks, they’ve been entirely reliable over months of daily use.
Would I build my entire smart home around Tapo? Probably not. But as part of a mixed ecosystem where different brands handle different tasks, they fill certain roles effectively. That’s perhaps the most useful way to think about them, capable tools for specific jobs rather than a comprehensive smart home solution.
The brand represents genuine value rather than false economy. Just make sure the specific limitations align with what you’re trying to accomplish before committing to multiple devices.
I’ve been using the UGREEN Magnetic Phone Stand for several weeks now, and like the Anker 26k powerbank, it’s become one of those items that permanently lives in my travel bag. This isn’t just another phone accessory; it’s a genuinely useful tool that solves real problems when you’re on the move.
What Makes It Stand Out
The build quality immediately impresses. The aluminium construction feels premium and durable, with smooth edges throughout. The thickened base provides excellent stability, so you don’t have to worry about your phone toppling over on a plane tray table or hotel desk. The two metal arms and three rotating joints offer remarkable flexibility, letting you dial in exactly the viewing angle you need, whether you’re watching a movie on a flight or setting up for a quick video shoot in your hotel room.
Perfect for Creators on the Go
Here’s where this stand really shines: those spontaneous content creation moments. As someone who frequently needs to shoot quick videos while travelling, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve struggled to prop my phone at the right angle. This stand is the perfect solution. The magnetic hold is strong and secure, and the adjustability means you can frame your shot properly without the makeshift stack of books or precariously balanced phone against a water bottle.
That said, it’s important to remember this is a desktop stand, not a tripod. You’ll need to place it on an elevated surface if you want higher shooting angles. But for tabletop filming, video calls, or hands-free monitoring, it’s exactly what you need.
Broad Compatibility (With a Small Addition)
While the stand is designed for MagSafe-compatible iPhones (iPhone 12 and newer) and Pixel Snap on the Pixel 10 series from Google, I’ve successfully used it with older phones and even other devices like my Honor Magic V5, by adding a MagSafe sticker to the back. This opens up the stand’s usefulness to virtually any phone, and I’ve even attached it to the back of a Nintendo Switch for a better viewing angle during travel.
The included magnetic metal ring means you can adapt non-MagSafe devices to work with the stand, though I prefer the cleaner look of adding a dedicated MagSafe sticker to phones I use regularly.
One crucial point: this is a stand, not a charger. Despite the MagSafe compatibility, it doesn’t provide wireless charging. The magnets simply hold your phone securely in place. You can still plug in a charging cable while using it, but don’t expect this to power up your device on its own.
The Verdict
The UGREEN Magnetic Phone Stand is a fantastic piece of kit for anyone who works or creates content while travelling. Its foldable design takes up minimal space in your bag, the build quality ensures it’ll last, and the flexibility means it adapts to whatever situation you find yourself in. Whether you’re watching movies on a flight, taking video calls from your hotel, or shooting quick content on the road, this stand delivers exactly what you need.
For mobile professionals and content creators who value both portability and functionality, this is an easy recommendation.
I was at a phone launch recently. I really enjoy these events because you get to meet fellow nerds and talk about with others what I normally review in my home office. I floated an topic that caught us all off guard. There really isn’t an major EU smartphone anymore. But that might be changing thanks to Finnish company Jolla.
The small Finnish company just sold 5,000 smartphones in a week with virtually no advertising budget. That’s €2.5 million in pre-orders driven almost entirely by word-of-mouth and community enthusiasm.
If you’re not familiar with Jolla, this probably sounds surprising. But if you’ve been watching the mobile landscape and feeling increasingly uncomfortable with the iOS-Android duopoly, this makes perfect sense. I mean come on, Pixel has MagSafe now!
What Actually Happened
Jolla launched pre-orders for their new phone with a marketing budget of €2,500. The kind of budget that gets you maybe a few weeks of modest social media ads. Within 48 hours, they hit their minimum viable production run of 2,000 units. By the end of the week, they’d crossed 5,000.
This wasn’t driven by slick ad campaigns or influencer partnerships. It was organic demand from people who’ve been waiting for exactly this: a European-made phone running an independent operating system, with a user-replaceable battery and a physical privacy switch.
Why This Matters Beyond the Numbers
The smartphone market has felt locked down for years. You pick iOS or Android, and you’re essentially choosing between two American tech giants who control the entire software stack. For many people, that’s fine. But for those concerned about privacy, digital sovereignty, or simply wanting alternatives, the options have been limited.
Jolla runs Sailfish OS, Europe’s only independent mobile operating system. The company was founded in 2011 by former Nokia engineers after Microsoft acquired Nokia’s phone division. They’ve been keeping the dream of an alternative mobile platform alive for over a decade, which is no small feat given how many others have failed.
What makes this pre-order campaign significant isn’t just that it succeeded. It’s how it succeeded. The organic demand suggests there’s a genuine market for technology that isn’t controlled by the usual suspects, especially in Europe where digital sovereignty concerns have been growing.
The Modular Hardware Gambit
Here’s where things get more interesting. Jolla has set a stretch goal: if pre-orders reach 10,000 units by the end of January 2026, they’ll open source their “The Other Half” modular accessory system.
This isn’t just a marketing gimmick. The Other Half is a snap-on back cover system with pogo-pin connectors that can house additional hardware. Think e-ink displays, physical keyboards, thermal cameras, barcode readers, or custom GPIO breakouts for hardware enthusiasts. Jolla pioneered this concept years ago, and now they’re offering to release the complete interface specifications, including 3D-printable reference designs.
For makers, hardware hackers, and small manufacturers, this could be genuinely valuable. Instead of trying to retrofit accessories onto phones designed to be sealed units, you’d have official specs and APIs to work with. The modular phone dream has stumbled repeatedly (remember Project Ara?), but Jolla’s approach is more modest and potentially more sustainable, focused on accessories rather than modular internals.
Practical Considerations
Before getting too excited, it’s worth being realistic about what this phone represents. Sailfish OS has a much smaller app ecosystem than iOS or Android. If you depend on specific apps for work, banking, or services that only exist on the major platforms, this won’t be a viable daily driver. Jolla knows this. Their target audience includes privacy-focused users, European institutions concerned about digital sovereignty, and enthusiasts willing to accept some inconveniences for more control.
The €579 price point (with €99 down payment for pre-orders) positions it as a mid-range device by specifications but premium by philosophy. You’re paying for independence, European manufacturing (final assembly in Salo, Finland—Nokia’s historic hometown), and a replaceable battery, not cutting-edge processors or camera systems.
What This Signals
Whether or not Jolla hits the 10,000 mark, this campaign demonstrates something important: there’s measurable demand for alternatives to the current mobile duopoly. Not massive market-shifting demand, but enough to sustain a viable niche product.
In a market dominated by companies with effectively unlimited resources, a small Finnish company just proved you can still find your audience if you’re building something people actually want. The nearly 1,000:1 return on their marketing spend (€2.5M in sales from €2,500 in ads) is remarkable, but what it really shows is that community-driven products don’t need traditional marketing when they solve real problems.
If you’re interested in contributing ideas for modular accessories, Jolla has opened a Community Innovation Program on their Sailfish Forum where users can propose and vote on which modules should be developed first. And if you’re considering a pre-order, the current pricing is locked in until they hit the 10,000 milestone.
The smartphone market has felt stagnant for a while. Maybe that’s finally starting to shift—not through another Silicon Valley disruption story, but through patient, community-focused work from a small company in Finland that refuses to give up on the idea that we deserve alternatives.
Ireland’s older generations are living longer, which is absolutely bloody brilliant. But it poses new questions about how can we support the elderly to live at home for longer, particularly if they live alone. The HSE makes a considered effort to support older people to live in their own home with dignity and independence, for as long as possible. I’ve been working on this a lot for personal reasons and have found some stunning technology that can help elderly people live considerably safer at home, even alone if needs be.
I’m going to break this up into three sections:
Non-connected supports for elderly living alone
Connected Eco-systems for elderly living alone
Customised smart home for elderly living alone
Non-connected supports for elderly living alone
Not every family is comfortable with setting up large amounts of technology in a home. Nor do all elderly people living with another elderly person or alone always want invasive technology. For this reason, there are some very simple tech solutions and some you’ll even find in the local supermarket.
Motion sensor lights
I did a bit of a double take in my local Lidl just last week. They were selling these plugs with motion sensors on them. A genius little bit of tech when you connect it to a lamp.
The idea here is simple. At nighttime, when it’s dark and people are tired, the risk of an elderly person falling increases massively. This little sensor can detect motion and activate what ever is plugged into it. For example, a lamp.
This means you now have a light that turns on whenever someone is moving. This will significantly reduce the risk of a fall in the home at night.
There are various versions of this available, including versions with lights built in, available on Amazon.
TabTime smart medication dispenser
I’ve called this a smart medication dispenser, but it’s not actually smart; it’s clever. The TabTime medication dispenser is perhaps one of the gadgets that has most impressed me, and I mean that of all time.
The circular device has 28 spots for medication, but only one is open at any given time. The device has a timer built in alongside the medication tray being motorised. You set the dispenser to allow medication to be taken at set times daily, up to a maximum of 6 alarms per day. And I do mean alarms. The dispenser will beep rather annoyingly (in a good way) until the box is tipped over.
Ultimately, the idea here is to help vulnerable people, who struggle to manage their medication properly, in taking the correct doses at the correct intervals.
I’ve been blown away by how much this has improved my Mam’s medication taking. Incredible wee gadget. It’s available on Amazon and is one of those piece of tech that amazes people when I tell them about it.
Connected Eco-systems for elderly living alone
Moving towards smarter technology is critical as the elderly person’s ability to live along requires more supervision. There are three eco-systems I’ve found work incredibly well, and one connected device that just came onto the Irish market with a unique trick up its sleeve.
Alexa
We kind of take Amazon Alexa for granted these days, but they are incredibly powerful when it comes to supporting elderly people living alone, for a raft of reasons. First of all, you can set up “Drop In”. This means you can land into a room on a video call without the elderly person having to do anything. Great for a welfare check.
Next up is reminders for medication. This is a game changer for us. Particuarly because we also have a smart IR blaster that can control the TV. One great use case here is again on medication reminders. At medication time, Alexa controls the TV through the IR blaster, muting whatever is on. Then Alexa announces it’s time for medication, just before the TabTime box alarms. It’s a relatively simple solution despite sounding complex that is really effective.
Beyond these solutions, voice controls can be a fantastic way for elderly people to interact with their home, but it’s critical you train those actions as early as possible. Alexa can support with setting timers, calendar reminders, help with checking the time, saying the day and date and, I’ve found really importantly, play music – a nice alternative to the TV.
Aqara smarthome accessories
I’ve been testing Aqara devices for years and am increasingly impressed with how good they are. I’ve got everything from cameras and smart locks to sensors and smoke alarms.
What is impressive with Aqara is the larger eco-system of solutions you can dip into to build a solution that suits your needs. For example, we have an Aqara G3 Hub combined with an Aqara Door and Window sensor. This simple combination is fantastic if you are caring for someone who tends to wander at night. You can create customised rules that “If the door sensor opens at night”, “then play a recording”. The recording can be your own voice, reassuring someone everything is ok, but it’s late and best they go back to bed.
It’s important to check that you have a required hub for your smart home ecosystem. The G3 Hub naturally is a hub and lets most Aqara devices connect to it. But something like the motions sensors won’t work in their own, and require a hub.
Having cameras in the home can, naturally, be a divisive topic, though I would argue that some people will get to a stage living at home where cameras are an absolute requirement of living alone.
However, if you find you are a few steps back from cameras, motion and presence sensors are incredible; but what is the difference?
What is the difference between presence and motion sensors?
The core difference is what they detect and how they respond.
Motion sensorsdetect movement within their field of view. They’re constantly scanning for changes, like someone walking through a room, a pet crossing the space, even significant air movement in some cases. Once they stop detecting motion, they typically turn off after a preset delay. This means if you’re sitting still reading on your couch, most motion sensors will eventually decide the room is empty and trigger whatever automation you’ve set up, like turning off the lights.
Presence sensors go further as they detect that someone is actually in the space, even if they’re stationary. The technology varies but most common on the market use millimeter-wave radar that can pick up subtle movements like breathing or minor shifts in position. The practical result is that your lights stay on when you’re working at your desk or watching TV, rather than plunging you into darkness because you haven’t moved enough.
In my experience, this distinction matters most in spaces where you spend extended periods relatively still. My office setup used to have basic motion sensors, and I’d find myself waving my arms every fifteen minutes to keep the lights on during focused work sessions,not exactly ideal. Presence sensors solve this annoyance entirely.
The trade-off is cost and complexity. Motion sensors are cheap, widely available, and dead simple to set up. Presence sensors cost more and sometimes require fine-tuning to avoid false positives (like detecting activity through walls in adjacent rooms). For high-traffic areas like hallways or entryways, basic motion detection works perfectly fine. For living rooms, bedrooms, or workspaces where people actually spend time, presence detection becomes significantly more valuable.
And this is exactly how I’m using them.
Aqara Presence and Motion Sensors
I have an Aqara Presence Sensor set up in the living room that keeps a lamp turned on as long as my Mum is in there. Once she moves out of the room, it turns off to save on electricity. But it also turns back on once she returns, again reducing trip hazards. One important thing to remember here is that they use more power and as a result usually need to be plugged in.
In the hallway, an Aqara Motion Sensor will pick up on movements and activate lamps to ensure her walkways are well lit. These are battery operated and don’t need as much power at all.
There are several other ways I use the motions sensors, but I do have to admit they come into their own when combined with Home Assistant.
Eufy smarthome accessories
I’ve had Eufy accessories at my Mum’s house for years. They were some of the first accessories we installed; external battery operated cameras. They are super convenient with long battery lives, only needing to be charged every few months.
But even that got a little janky to manage so we hooked them up to some small solar panels. Job done. Never really had to worry about them again. If you are primarily looking for some external cameras, Eufy is a goto accessory. You can get this great value starter kit including a hub over on Amazon.
They do let themselves down a little in the sensors area, but are always expanding their eco-system.
Google Nest Cam Indoor (wired, 3rd gen)
This little camera has blown my mind. While Google does sometimes have a reputation for just retiring products, the new Nest Cam Indoor (wired, 3rd gen) is powered by Gemini AI. This means there’s a good chance it’s going to be backed for years to come.
This camera gives you everything you might expect from a camera. High quality, real time view of a remote location and the ability to speak down the camera. All good stuff.
But with Google plugged in you get some awesome extras. The camera recognises saved faces which is, alone, pretty cool. But the amazing thing is the Gemini-powered daily summaries. This will give you a run down of everything that happened throughout the day. When it comes to elder care, this means you can check and see if breakfast was had, the washing machine was put on and the dishwasher emptied.
I would imagine that this will continue to get better at describing scenes and hopefully get customisable. Because if you could train it to learn what an elderly person taking their medication looks like – that’s an amazing solution. But unfortunately, the Nest Cam Indoor (wired, 3rd gen) is, while exciting and interesting, still very early in the AI-powered journey.
Update: Never has a subscription ending left me so utterly disappointed in a product. Fantastic camera inside if you already have Google’s Home subscription, but otherwise it’s utterly disappointing. Read the full review.
Customised smart home for elderly living alone
Now, this is the advanced level solution, but once you get into it it’s addictive. It’s also easier to get into than you might think thanks to AI these days.
Home Assistant
Home Assistant is the alternative to a set eco-system, Apple HomeKit or Google Home. Home Assistant is open-source home automation software that runs locally on your own hardware, typically a Raspberry Pi, dedicated server or maybe an old computer. It connects practically every smart home device and service under one roof, regardless of manufacturer, giving you unified control and the ability to create automations across different ecosystems without being locked into any single vendor’s platform.
Think of it as the Swiss Army knife for smart homes: it speaks every protocol, integrates with thousands of devices, and keeps your data on your own network rather than in someone else’s cloud.
I started playing with Home Assistant in the past 12 months and couldn’t believe how powerful it is. It’s also fantastic being able to make different sensors and gadgets from different eco-systems work together. My Aqara motion sensor controlling my LIFX Beam lights – it’s beautiful.
But when it comes to elder care, the power of these automations go into the next level. It also makes the entire effort much more affordable. I do pay for Home Assistant Cloud for ease of access, but getting started is free. Another exciting part is once you get into ordering sensors from AliExpress. Your costs plummet as you find incredibly gadgets that feed you more and more information about the home you’re monitoring.
Home Assistant Automations: Brought to you by AI
Home Assistant has lets you make some incredible automations. I’ve connected WhatsApp to my Mum’s Home Assistant instance. This means that if someone walks into the bathroom and doesn’t come back out again in 20 minutes, a family group is sent a WhatsApp message to give a quick welfare check given that’s longer than expected and may be a fall event.
If the kitchen doesn’t sense motion within 10 minutes of the TabTime alarm going off, a WhatApp is sent to the family group warning that medication may have been missed.
Of course, you could do this with push notifications and skip over WhatApp completely. But the whole goal here is to get the notifications to my family group.
Now, not all of this is easy to automate and might even need some coding experience. But I’ve built it with no coding ability whatsoever. All thanks to AI. Yep, AI can code anything you just need to help with the building blocks. I would still say this is a rather advanced option, but what you can achieve for specific scenarios is incredible.
I’m looking to add a vibration sensor to the TabTime so we known when meds are taken, a pressure sensor to the bed so we know when Mum is up and lots lots more.
Overall, what has really shocked me in the past few months is just how much technolgy has improved my Mum’s quality of life at home. It’s improved our own peace of mind too. What’s really exciting is that we just got a new washing machine delivered and it says it’s smart. I’m looking forward to seeing if I can get that into Home Assistant too.
I’ll be coming back and updating this article from time to time. I’ve written it because I know there are countless others out there wondering how can they help an elderly relative living at home alone or with special needs. Feel free to reach out to me on social if you have specific questions because I really do believe this is an area technology has excelled in supporting the elderly staying in their homes for longer.
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!
Disclosure: A product in this article may have been gifted to the author. This means it was provided free of charge to be reviewed but the brand supplying it did not insist on a review, nor do they have any control over the content within the review.
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