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Sync Fitbit To Apple Health And Get Steps Widget On iPhone

Marty
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Sync Fitbit To Apple Health And Get Steps Widget On iPhone

After many years of resistance to Apple, I’ve found myself sitting slap bang in the middle of their ecosystem. I’m writing this on my MacBook, with experience of using my iPhone 12 and iPad. But I continue to resist Apple Watch, opting instead for the Google-owned Fitbit Sense. I say Google-owned because that means the tracker is firmly competing with Apple which leads to some problems. I like Apple Health, but my Sense doesn’t play nicely with it. I’ve learned how to beat it into shape, forcing it to sync and even getting my steps into a widget for some of my favourite iOS 15 home screen layouts. Here’s how.

How To Sync Fitbit To Apple Health

There is no direct way to sync your Fitbit step data to Apple Health. That’s a real shame because Apple Health is a lovely app. It’s so lovely, I didn’t want to give up on finding a way to sync the data, bridging a gap between Apple and Google. The solution lies in using a third-party app. I found two apps that can do this but both have pros and cons.

I should pop a wee disclaimer here. Neither of these apps has been developed by Apple or Google. You’re trusting a third party to connect your data.

Fitbit to Apple Health Sync

This is the first app I have used for quite some time. I liked it because it was free to get started and it worked, even if it is a bit manual. Fitbit to Apple Health Sync can link your steps to Apple Health but will only do so when you manually open the app and tap sync. Automatic sync is a premium extra and extremely pricey so I never paid for it. You can pay monthly for €6.49, annually for €43.99 or get a lifetime pass for €59.99.

I can see what it may be tempting to pay for this given it solves a specific problem, but the value just didn’t seem right for me given all it will take is an agreement between Google and Apple to rule this app dead in the water. That’s why I went back looking again and found a better solution.

Sync Solver

And that better solution was Sync Solver. Now, this still isn’t free but the price is more reasonable at €4.99. You pay for this app up-front and then there are no additional fees to worry about. Sync Solver continues to link my Fitbit step data with Apple Health. One drawback is that it doesn’t sync very regularly. Typically, you’ll get an automatic sync two or three times a day. You can change the settings to be more aggressive but remember that more aggressive means more impact on battery life.

If you want, you can still open the app and manually sync throughout the day.

Sync Solver costs €4.99 up-front and then you’re done. Compared to the previous app I looked at, I’m much happier with Sync Solver.

Keeping Fitbit To Apple Health Syncs Clean

One final thing you need to be wary of is keeping your sync data clean. By default, Apple Health uses your phone’s hardware to track your steps on a daily basis. It assumes you don’t have a tracker at all but that means if you use an app to sync, you will likely end up with duplicate data and double step counts.

To avoid this from happening, go to the Steps section of the Apple Health app. At the very bottom, tap “Data Sources and Access”. Tap “Edit” at the stop of the screen and go to the “Data Sources” section. Drag “Sync Solver” to the top of the list. This will now be the singular source of your step data.

Fitbit Step Data As iOS 15 Widget

Because I’ve been playing with Focus Mode and home screen layouts, I wanted to get my step data into a home screen widget. I was surprised that Fitbit doesn’t have a widget. I was completely shocked to find Apple Health doesn’t seem to feature as an option either. Yet again, I was seeking a workaround that came in the form of Widgetsmith.

Widgetsmith lets you design your own widget. I’ve not made anything too fancy yet but nor have I spent a penny on getting this app to do what I needed.

Straight away, Widgetsmith supports pulling activity logged in the Apple Health app into a widget. Combined with my Fitbit sync trick from above, creating an iPhone widget to display steps tracked with my Fitbit was easy.

I went for a new small widget and added “Step Counting” from the Widgetsmith app. I started out with a simple basic step counter but now have moved to a step goal layout instead.

That’s it. I can effectively have a Fitbit step counting widget in iOS 15. I’ve also added the Sync Solver app in case I do want to give it a quick manual sync too.

I would have preferred if everything here just worked, but it might be a while before Apple and Fitbit sort their differences out. I also would have preferred being able to do this for free. While the first third-party app worked for free, investing in option two seemed like decent value for money.

Is The TikTok Creator Fund Available In Ireland?: Not Yet

Marty
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Is The TikTok Creator Fund Available In Ireland?: Not Yet

In my eyes, there are two kinds of people. Those who actively use TikTok and those who are too embarrassed to say they do. I’m exaggerating for humour of course, but TikTok has experienced explosive growth around the world. The social media platform was a massive escape from reality during lockdown so it’s no wonder it was a winner. But if you’re living in Ireland and loving the creation side of TikTok, the Creator Fund isn’t available for you just yet.

What Is The TikTok Creator Fund?

People creating content is the lifeblood of social media platforms. That’s the simple reason why TikTok encourages people to go live in order to continue getting followers. It’s also baked into the foundations of the Tiktok Creator Fund.

TikTok launched the Creator Fund to repay content creators based on the number of views and the authenticity of those views along with the level of engagement on the content. Basically, the better the quality the more money creators can make.

The Creator Fund total varies daily and is based on the number of videos published by TikTokers that day. For the next three years, the new social media giant has committed £231 million in funding.

Who Is Eligible For TikTok’s Creator Fund?

Much like going live, the Creator Fund is only for those who have done enough to show they mean business. Right now, you must be a creator based in the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain or Italy. You must be over 18 with at least 10,000 followers. Your videos will need to have generated at least 100,000 views in the past 30 days and you can’t have breached any TikTok guidelines in getting to where you are now.

going live on tiktok with a ring light

Can I Join The Creator Fund In Ireland?

I’m afraid not. Despite the fact TikTok is investing heavily in their Irish offices, we’re not allowed to join the Creator Fund. Even if your account meets all the requirements, you must be based in France, Germany, Spain or Italy to avail of the European Fund. The fund has proven popular in Europe, with tens of thousands of creators already signed up. Over half of all eligible creators have signed up.

Will The Creator Fund Launch In Ireland?

I’m sure it will, but who knows when. As TikTok have said themselves, “the Creator Fund is in its early stages, and we’re continuously exploring new ways to improve the experience for our creator community and the way creators are rewarded”. This means they’re still trying to work out the markets it’s currently live in.

The TikTok Creator Fund is a great idea but Ireland is a relatively small market. Right now, keep creating content and hopefully, your time will come.

Squid Game: South Korean Netflix Series Is Hostel Meets Takeshi’s Castle

Marty
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Squid Game: South Korean Netflix Series Is Hostel Meets Takeshi’s Castle

It’s hard to tell if Squid Game is being recommended to all Netflix customers or it just got fired up by my own recommendation algorithm. I’ve watched the first few episodes and I’ve seen enough to recommend it. For me, it’s the movie Hostel meeting TV show Takeshi’s Castle. If you find yourself looking for an interesting whacky series to watch, this is it.

What Is Squid Game About?

I think my description of Hostel meets Takeshi’s Castle is so damn on the money here. Squid Game is a South Korean TV series about a mysterious survival competition. 456 degenerates who’ve worked themselves into massive debt are invited to play a series of games to win 45.6 billion Won – about €33 million.

The games are based on traditional South Korean children’s games, but they all have a deadly twist.

Mild spoiler ahead for episode one.

For example, the first episode has a game called “red light, green light”. Normally in this game, someone says “green light”, allowing players to move. They can continue to move until the words “red light” are said. Anyone who moves after this point is eliminated. In the kid’s game, that means knocked out. In Squid Game, it means death.

Is Squid Game Worth Watching?

Absolutely. Squid Game is another fine example of how impressive the South Korean entertainment industry is these days. The series threads the needle of humour, entertainment and gore while also offering up a complex commentary on real life. Be warned, while the story is a bit wild and funny at times, the gore is intense. But it’s not just gore for gore sake. There’s some great story underneath all of this.

I’d recommend watching the original in Korean with English subs, but the dubbed version is also great.

Squid Game is now streaming on Netflix.

How Much Is Amazon Prime In Ireland: Is It Worth It?

Marty
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How Much Is Amazon Prime In Ireland: Is It Worth It?

Amazon customers living in Ireland have wondered for a long time just how valuable a service Jeff Bezos offers us outside the UK. It might come as a surprise, but immediately after Brexit, Irish shopping on Amazon.co.uk remained steady. I shop with the UK website and have noticed their delivery times to Ireland are stunningly fast and offer great value even with extra Brexit related fees. For this reason, I’m an Amazon Prime customer and I see the value in that. If you think you might too, here’s everything you need to know.

Update: Amazon.ie is now live, giving shoppers in Ireland access to 200 million products from the Irish distribution centre with faster deliveries and easier returns

How Much Does Amazon Prime Cost In Ireland?

Amazon Prime costs £7.99 per month. I pay monthly through Revolut to make sure I’m always getting the best exchange rate on that along with not worrying about conversion fees. Last month, that worked out to be €9.45 for my Prime membership.

You can also pay for your Prime membership annually. To go down this route will set you back £79 per year. If you pay annually, you’re looking at a bill of about €92. Depending on the exchange rate when you buy annually, you could be saving €20 by paying for the year upfront.

Finally, if you just want to watch Amazon Prime Video there’s a specific membership for that too. That’ll set you back £5.99 per month, or €6.99 per month in Ireland, give or take a few cents.

Here’s a recap.

Amazon Prime Membership Costs In Ireland

Cost (Sterling)Approximate Cost (Euro)
£5.99€6.99
£7.99€9.45
£79€92

Is Amazon Prime Worth It In Ireland?

Personally, I find Amazon Prime worth it. The least value for me is from Prime Video. I just don’t find myself scrolling through Prime Video looking for something to watch very often. But I do order somewhat regularly from Amazon.co.uk and get decent savings along with free and quick delivery. It amazes me that Amazon can deliver to my front door quicker from the UK and passing through customers, faster than most Irish companies based here.

Amazon delivery vans now operating in Ireland

Still, Amazon Prime really is only good value if you use it somewhat regularly. I’d probably order something every week or at least every second week so maybe that’s the sweet spot.

What Amazon Prime Customers Get In Ireland

Along with the improved delivery experience, you get some extra sweeteners as a Prime customer.

  1. Amazon Prime Video included
  2. Unlimited Premium delivery
  3. Unlimited music streaming
  4. Unlimited photo storage
  5. Prime Reading

I don’t use much of this myself beyond the Premium Delivery. Ordering on Amazon can cost up £4.99 or more per delivery if you’re not a Prime customer. From time to time I might spot something on Prime Video, but the rest are nice to have features that I don’t use regularly.

Additional Prime Benefits

The cool thing for Amazon Prime customers in Ireland is that we’re starting to see additional benefits appear in the market. Just recently, Amazon and Deliveroo announced a partnership offering Prime customers free Deliveroo Plus membership. I’m already using this too.

Amazon Prime Verdict

If you plan to shop on Amazon.co.uk in and sort of regular fashion, Amazon Prime is worth it. With Amazon confirming a full Irish fulfilment centre for 2022, the shopping experience will only get better for Irish-based customers. You can sign up to Amazon and try out a month of Prime for free to see if it’s for you.

iOS 15 Home Screen Ideas: Make The Most Of Focus Mode

Marty
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iOS 15 Home Screen Ideas: Make The Most Of Focus Mode

I’ve already written about Focus Mode being the best feature of iOS 15. I had been testing the Beta for a few weeks and really liked the control Focus Mode gave me over my phone. Now that the new iPhone 13 has been launched and iOS 15 is publically available, you can try out Focus Mode for yourself. Here are a few iOS 15 home screen ideas to get you started from the layouts I’ve been using.

Focus Mode At A Glance

I’d recommend reading that article above if you have no idea what Focus Mode is, but let’s have a quick overview. Basically, Apple introduced this feature to give you greater control over your smartphone. Once set up, you can control which apps can send you notifications and when. My favourite feature is setting up the dynamic home screens based on parameters I’ve set.

While there are plenty of guides out there that centre on an aesthetically pleasing look for your home screen, I much prefer functionality. I’ve often used the term “UXing my life”. When I say this, I mean I’m making the tasks I do regularly easier to do by looking at things like workflows and reducing the amount of effort to complete recurring elements of a task. That’s at the core of how I use Focus Mode. Here are some examples. Remember, you build these up yourself in the Settings on your iPhone or iPad.

Home Focus

My Home Focus Mode

Home Focus is the mode active most of the time on my iPhone 12. It activates based on location, so as soon as I come home, my phone knows to juggled my screens into Home Focus.

I’ve divided my Home Focus into three sections.

  1. Entertainment
  2. Wellbeing
  3. Smart Home

Sitting on the couch, I can stream the latest Netflix series to my TV, track meals in MyFitnessPal or control my Dyson Air Purifier. Before I had this feature in iOS 15 I was constantly digging through folders looking for apps or forgetting I even had some.

The widgets let me grab quick info as I need it too. The bottom one is usually where I see how many visitors came to this website and above that I see my steps. For this I have to use a custom widget builder called Widgetsmith.

This Focus Mode is triggered by entering a short radius around my home location.

Work Focus

work focus mode in ios 15
Work Focus keeps my social media out of sight

Probably taking up the second slot of things I see the most is my Work Focus Mode. At the top is a widget from one of my favourite productivity apps called Sorted3. I can jot down and categorise tasks, seeing my work load at a glance. Note, this screen grab was taken on a Saturday, hence it’s pretty clear.

My calendar widget keeps me up to date with other events I’ve booked in and totally forgot along with meetings during the week. I can book a hotdesk for the day and access all my data needed for a days work. I use Dublin Bikes a lot too when traveling to the office so having that app and the Leap Card readily available helps me getting from A to B.

My Work Focus Mode kicks in every week day from 9am to 5.30pm.

Sleep Focus Mode

Getting ready for bed including an iPhone Shortcut

I’m particularly proud of this Focus Mode designed specifically for bedtime. The reason I love this one is because it was my first time using Apple’s Shortcut app. This lets me take a workflow and trigger the whole thing automatically with just one tap of a widget.

“Play to Locker”, confirms my Bluetooth is turned on, waits two seconds, connects to the Bluetooth speaker beside my bed and opens the Headspace app. I love listening to Sleep Casts in Headspace as falling asleep in silence is always a challenge for me.

I kept the Headspace app on the homescreen for other meditation options and have a few different ways to jump into a podcast if I’m feeling it.

MyFitnessPal appears again just in case I need to log a final meal or close out my day.

Another great iPhone feature is the Sleep Widget. I usually get up at 7.15am and the widget tells me when I should be in bed. One tap into the widget and I can tweak my wake time for a lie in and go to bed a bit later. I also like having tomorrows weather at a glance. This helps me decide on working from home or popping in and grabbing a hot desk for the day.

This Focus Mode activates every night at 10.30pm.

Out And About Focus Mode

Not all my screens are balanced or aesthetically pleasing because I just see what I need

My Out and About Focus Mode is a great example of making a pretty home screen versus a really functional one. It’s not balanced with even numbers of apps and widgets. Instead, it’s just what I need when I’m out walking around the city.

If I want to grab a Dublin Bike, navigate from A to B, check a shopping list from Google Keep which we add items to using the Google Nest Hub, or accessing loyalty programs like Lidl Plus or Squid, I have everything I need ready to go.

Out and About Focus Mode starts when I leave my home radius and no other modes are active.

Gym Focus Mode

Everything you need to break a sweat

Anyone talking to me lately has told me to shut up about the gym. It’s even sneaking into my reviews, like this smart padlock. But my Gym Focus Mode is really handy too. I have easy access to my Bluetooth headphone controls, my fitness apps including My PT Hub where my trainer puts my work outs and Spotify.

This mode activates based on location, similar to my Home Focus Mode. As soon as I’m near the gym, I get all of this stuff.

I’m constantly tweaking these Focus Modes with new apps or widgets as they become available. Remember, it’s not just the layouts that help with focus. You can limit which contacts are able to reach you during certain times, like cutting your boss off outside work hours. Better still, you can limit which apps can send you notifications and when. This is particularly helpful if you have one phone for work and personal life. All those work emails and Teams notifications can be muted until your work hours come back around.

My recommendation, is go have a play with some of these modes. These are just my own iOS 15 home screen ideas. You’ll want different apps and layouts. Make them your own and constantly tweak them until you feel like you’re back in control of your phone again.

You can also sync modes on iPad but have different layouts for both devices, so if you have the full eco-system, be sure to make the most of it.

How To Go Live On TikTok: The Essential Guide

Marty
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How To Go Live On TikTok: The Essential Guide

I’m not entirely sure what my lockdown would have been like without TikTok. I do know that now we’re going back to the office, a lot of people will need to fight the urge to watch TikToks on full volume during their toilet breaks. For those who don’t just creep on the platform, you might be wondering how do you go live as a content creator. Not everyone can do it but here’s the “how to”.

Who Can Go Live On TikTok?

Going live isn’t for everyone. It’s very possible that if you’ve just started your account, you won’t see the “go live” option. In order to get live streaming up and running you need to be:

  1. Over 16
  2. Have at least 1000 followers

My own TikTok has over 1000 users but once that first thousand was hit, the growth slowed dramatically. This seems to be how TikTok gets people in. They hook you with 1000 followers and then lure you into live streaming. You should always remember, social media platforms are highly engineered to influence your behaviour.

Anyway, if you’re looking to keep on growing your TikTok account, going live is the next step. Here’s how you do it.

How To Go Live On TikTok

Now that we’ve confirmed you have at least 1000 followers and are over 16, you can go live. Here’s more detail on how you do that.

Step 1: Open TikTok

Ugh. Yes, this is an obvious step, but where else should I start?

Step 2: Tap The Create Button

At the bottom of your screen, you’ll see the Create Button. You might refer to this as a “new post” or “plus” button.

This is the Create or “plus” button in TikTok for new posts and live streaming

Step 3: Swipe To “Live”

Once TikTok launches into create mode, you’ll see a swipeable menu at the bottom. You need to head on over to “Live”.

Step 4: Prepare Your Stream

Before you go live, you’ll need to give your live stream a title and you can also upload a thumbnail image. If you want to support a charity, you can pick there here too.

Step 5: Go Live

Take a deep breath. Hit the “Go Live” button and start your broadcast.

Just like that. You’re ready to go live.

Once you go live, you’ll have access to some tools. Just tap the three dots and away you go.

When you’re live, keep an eye on your comments and chat with people who leave messages. Sometimes it might be a good idea to have some music playing at the start while people are joining. Give people a reason to stay. Play around with some ideas and see what works for you and your followers.

TikTok Live FAQs

How many followers to go live on TikTok?

You need to have at least 1000 followers before the option to go live appears on TikTok.

How to go live with someone on TikTok?

Once you’re live, you’ll have the option to invite another person onto your stream. After you go live a button will appear in the bottom left–hand corner. Once you click this you’ll see a list of people that can join you live. Once invited, they’ll have 20 seconds to accept.

Will iPhone 14 Support USB-C Because Of EU Ruling?

Marty
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Will iPhone 14 Support USB-C Because Of EU Ruling?

This is good news. Despite what Apple would have you believe, this is good news. The EU Commission is now putting forward legislation to establish a common charging solution for all relevant devices. It’s going to be USB-C which has left Apple fuming. Here’s everything you need to know about the EU going USB-C and what Apple will likely do next.

The EU Is Going USB-C Only

Back in 2009, phone manufacturers arrived at an agreement together that they should all adopt a common standard for chargers. This was when we lost the fat and skinny Nokia chargers as manufacturers moved towards micro-USB and more recently USB-C.

There has been some success, as years of working with the industry on a voluntary approach did manage to bring down the number of mobile phone chargers from 30 to just 3 within the last decade. Still, the EU believes they’ve fallen short of where they need to be, most likely because of Apple’s refusal to adopt USB-C, instead opting for their proprietary Lightning port and cables.

As a result of this, the EU is mandating that all phones must feature a common charging port and that’s going to be a USB-C port. And it’s not just smartphones in scope here. USB-C will become the standard port for all smartphones, tablets, cameras, headphones, portable speakers, and handheld gaming consoles.

Fast Charging Standard And No More Bundling

The same legislation will introduce standardised fast charging too. Again, Apple wasn’t exactly sound in this space. For years, they bundled a 5W charging brick with their new products, leaving it up to you if you wanted to go buy a faster charger from Apple. Now, when you visit a mates house, their charger will fit and work just as well as the charger you have at home. After a few years of the older stuff dwindling away.

I mentioned bundling there and this is another thing that’s important to note is changing. You’ll now have the choice, where possible, to buy your new phone without a charger. Samsung and Apple is already selling phones without power bricks, though as I’ve written before, I’m not so sure it’s for environmental reasons.

Why Is The EU Doing This?

The reason for all of this is simple. Annoy Apple. No, I’m joking. This is an important step towards reducing the production and disposal of new phone chargers, more particularly the amount of waste generated by them. Disposed of and unused chargers are estimated to pile up to 11,000 tonnes of e-waste every year.

Commissioner Thierry Breton, responsible for the Internal Market

Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President for a Europe fit for the Digital Age, said: “European consumers were frustrated long enough about incompatible chargers piling up in their drawers. We gave industry plenty of time to come up with their own solutions, now time is ripe for legislative action for a common charger. This is an important win for our consumers and environment and in line with our green and digital ambitions”.

Why Is This A Big Deal For Apple?

Apple has resisted this from the word go, opting instead for their proprietary Lightning charger on iPhone and some iPads. This is despite moving some iPads and all MacBooks to USB-C. Apple is claiming foul, stating that the new rules will lead to more waste being generated whilst also stifling innovation.

The truth of the matter is that Apple knows lots of customers have bought accessories designed with Lightning ports. Think of those old speakers you could dock your iPhone into and play music while also charging your phone. Apple is concerned that these products becoming obsolete is going to lead to more waste than ever. Of course, there are also all the cables headphones that are out there today.

While there is some truth to this, I don’t for a second believe what Apple is saying here on the surface to be the real reason they’re apprehensive. Lightning is another factor that keeps people within the Apple ecosystem. I love the Apple ecosystem and it works so bloody well that I’d now hate to leave it. If people have Lightning accessories, they can’t really swap over to Samsung or OPPO because the accessories just won’t fit.

I’m not buying the whole “stifling innovation” thing either. Apple is a company famed for innovative design. The amount of tech they cram into smartphones is incredible. They’ve been working with massive constraints for years and knocking it out of the park. As Orson Welles once said, “the enemy of art is the absence of limitations”.

The reality is that Apple has stubbornly been dragging this on for years and the EU is now taking a stance. The entire legislation is effectively aimed at Apple’s refusal to adopt USB-C and giving people low-ball chargers.

What Will Apple Do Next?

Well, there are three things they can do. You might be surprised to hear there even are three options.

The first thing, and most likely thing Apple will do, is to adopt USB-C. Apple already has significant experience with USB-C on the Apple laptop range but more importantly for mobile design, lots of iPads too.

Next up, is the most unlikely option. Apple could release a phone with two ports, Lightning and USB-C. The ROG Phone 3 actually does have two ports, both USB-C. So it can be done. However, the amount of design work required to make that a reality is massive.

The third option, which I would say is pretty much inevitable, is the portless iPhone. Apple is pushing MagSafe and wireless charging big time. Everyone thought it was lunacy when they killed the headphone jack, but here we all are with wireless earbuds or headphones. There’s nothing stopping Apple from releasing an iPhone that can only be charged wirelessly. It’s been confirmed that this wireless approach would be exempt from requiring a USB-C port. Ironically, the wireless charger could even have a Lightning port as it falls outside of the scope of the EU legislation.

Will The iPhone 14 Be USB-C?

It’s very unlikely the iPhone 14 will now support USB-C. Even though the iPhone 13 has just launched, design for next year’s phone would be well underway. Unless Apple knew about this or had plans to go for USB-C anyway, it’ll more likely be the iPhone 15 that first bears the USB-C port. That’s assuming Apple doesn’t just go wireless.

From the EU, there will be a transition period of 24 months from the date of adoption to give manufacturers ample time to adapt USB-C and the other new rules.

Lexon Smart Padlock: The Best Padlock For The Gym

Marty
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Lexon Smart Padlock: The Best Padlock For The Gym

As anyone who’s been around me lately will testify to, I’ve been spending a lot of time in the gym lately. All I can talk about is protein this and bench press that. Now, it’s even creeping into my tech reviews. I bought a smart padlock (yes I do actually buy gadgets) and have found it perfect for my locker in the gym. It will work in loads of other places too so you might find a use for one yourself.

What Is A Smart Padlock?

To state the obvious, padlocks are typically used to secure things. You’re probably familiar with locks that require a key or combination to unlock them. I was using a combination lock myself for years but when I stopped going to the gym during the lockdown closures, I forgot the pin number. I riffled through some old photos on my phone and found it again, but I couldn’t change the combination and settled on buying a new lock.

Naturally, because I’m a nerd, I found myself looking at the Lexon Nomaday Smart Lock. Instead of relying on a key or a combination to unlock it, this padlock has a fingerprint reader built into it. The only way to open it is by scanning your fingerprint or thumbprint. Because this is an electronic padlock it has a USB-C port in the base where you can recharge it. But that’s it. Once set up, all you need is your hands to unlock your locker.

Are Smart Padlocks Worth It?

For me, this padlock solved some problems. I couldn’t change the combination and I was afraid I’d forget the pin. I was particularly worried about coming back from my shower without my phone and being stuck in the changing rooms with nowhere to go and just a towel to my name.

smart padlock on a locker

The digital padlock means I don’t need to worry about losing a key or forgetting a combination. Unless there’s a tragic accident with a benchpress machine, I’ll be able to unlock my locker with the tap of my finger.

There are additional benefits too. For example, if you have a lock with a key, you need to carry your key around from machine to machine. I had one before but the key was on my house keys which were awkward to keep in my pocket or lug around the gym. Finding little uses like this for tech is what I love and it made this smart padlock a genuinely clever solution to a problem I, and many other people have.

Additional Features Of Lexon’s Lock

Ok, so it locks stuff and that really is about it. But there are a few other specs that you might like to know about.

The lock is a neat solution if your office is moving to a hotdesking model and giving people lockers. It might even be the perfect solution for your kids in school if they have lockers to store their books between classes. But it doesn’t have to be used indoors as Lexon’s padlock is IP65 rated. Feel free to lock things up outside with it.

Once charged, Lexon claims the battery will last up to one year or for 3000 unlocks. Obviously, I haven’t been able to put it through its paces to that extent so we’ll have to take their word for it.

The lock can store up to ten different fingerprints too so you can register a finger or two from both hands, an approach I strongly recommend. But you can also have multiple users registered too. Handy if it’s being used in a shared space.

The Lexon Nomaday Smart Lock Review Verdict

I’ve been using the padlock for about a month now. It does solve the specific problem I have but it comes with the “but”. There’s still a bit of anxiety that creeps in after a shower or jacuzzi has left your fingers wrinkly and the lock doesn’t open on the first attempt. After a quick rub of a towel, it’s always fine. Both your finger and the lock need to be bone dry to work so just be aware of that.

It isn’t the toughest looking lock in the world either. Personally, I wouldn’t let it secure much more than my gear bag in a locker for an hour or so. I haven’t tried, but I sense you’d be able to force the lock if you really wanted to. Thankfully, it doesn’t have the dramatic weakness a similar smart lock on the market did that cost double the price.

JimmyRigEverything finds a big weakness in a different smart lock

But while there are negatives to be seen here, I’m delighted with my purchase. This smart padlock does everything I need it to do.

I do understand that sometimes it feels like we’re making everything smart without really wondering if it needs to be smart. I have a Bluetooth toothbrush that simply doesn’t need to have Bluetooth. But there are some unusual smart items that genuinely are helpful, like my Bluetooth sunglasses or Ember coffee cup. The Lexon smart padlock slots nicely into this category of useful tech for me, a decision made easier by the reasonable price of €49 too.

You can pick up the Lexon Nomaday Smart Padlock on Amazon.co.uk or from Three Ireland.

The Best Electric Scooter For Commuting Is No Electric Scooter

Marty
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The Best Electric Scooter For Commuting Is No Electric Scooter

That headline hurts me to write. As we re-open our workplaces and people start to try some days back in the office, interest in electric scooters has never been higher. For months, people in towns and cities around Ireland have seen more and more electric scooters on our roads. They’re easy to buy. You can buy an electric scooter in Argos right now. This is despite them being illegal to use on public property without insurance. Government inaction has led to this point where there are very real consequences should Gardaí decide to pull you over when using an electric scooter.

Electric Scooters Are Illegal To Use In Ireland

This section of this article is straightforward. For a long time I believed there was a grey area, but there’s not. It is illegal to use an electric scooter in Ireland, unless you are on private land. That means, as soon as you ride in a bike lane or on the road, you’re breaking the law.

The reason for this is that Irish law has never been updated for this category of vehicle. So we’ve been left trying to find where electric scooters fit. Unfortunately, they are classifed as Mechanically Propelled Vehicles. It doesn’t matter it they request some human force to get them moving, they are an MPV. In Ireland, MPVs must pay motor tax and insurance. I’ve tried to get both of these for my electric scooter but it’s just not possible.

The conclusion is that electric scooters are effectively illegal to use in Ireland for commuting.

Why Are So Many People Using Electric Scooters?

Despite their illegality, you’ll have noticed that electric scooters are everywhere. Even smaller towns have started to bare witness to them zipping up the road. I was in Ennis recently and saw someone getting from A to B using one.

It’s no surprise they are popular as they can both be an alternative to public transport, saving money and reducing exposure during a pandemic, and compliment public transport. This is called last mile commuting where Ireland’s generally poor public transport systems don’t really link up or bring you to where you need to be.

Ireland has just progressed with our latest set of restriction lifts which sees people testing out going back to the office. Public transport has returned to 100% capacity a few weeks ago to support the additional movement, but we can all agree the last place you want to be is a packed bus. Cycling and electric scooters offer a great alternative, the latter being particularly attractive if you don’t have showering facilities at your office.

What Can Happen If Gardaí Stop You Riding An Electric Scooter?

The ramifications for riding an electric scooter can be serious. While they seem like a simply joyful way to navigate your commute, should Gardaí decide to abandon discretion you can be landed in serious trouble. I was stopped on my scooter early last year and was let go with a warning. I haven’t used mine since but have heard plenty of cases where people have been stopped and not been so lucky.

One case resulted in an electric scooter rider ending up in court and losing their license. Fortunately, the case was overturned on appeal but this isn’t an isolated incident. From fines to penalty points there’s a range of punishments you could face for riding an electric scooter in a public place. Simply put, Irish law doesn’t differenciate between a car and an electric scooter. Both are MPVs so you are liable to be punished for using an electric scooter as if you were driving a car without tax and insurance.

I’ve been saying it’s just around the corner for years. But the Irish government moves at a snail pace on things like this. There are a large number of scooter share systems lobbying the government too. Whether this is having a positive or negative impact is hard to tell.

bolt electric scooter in ireland
There are several scooter share systems eyeing up Ireland.

There are on-campus scooter trials taking place in DCU at the moment but it doesn’t feel like this is really anything to do with government legislation, despite politicians loving turning up for photoshoots.

The Best Electric Scooter For Commuting

And that’s why I wrote the headline. The best electric scooter for commuting is no electric scooter. Get a bike or maybe even an ebike. Ebikes still operate in a bit of a grey area themselves but I don’t believe they’ve caused any hassle at all. Personally, I just use Dublin Bikes now. The exercise is a plus, right?

Google Nest Hub Review: Affordable Smart Entertainment Hub

Marty
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Google Nest Hub Review: Affordable Smart Entertainment Hub

There are three kinds of household these days. You’ve either completely rejected smart accessories or gone down the route of picking Google or Alexa accessories. You could probably argue a few went all in on Siri and the likes, but they’re a minority. I personally went fairly full on into Alexa before finding Google’s Assistant-powered devices to be just a touch better. One of the key devices in my home setup is the second generation Google Nest Hub. So, if you’re thinking of investing, here’s what you need to know.

What Is Google Nest Hub?

The Google Nest Hub is a surprisingly affordable voice-controled Google Assistant with a 7-inch touchscreen display. Google has made the logical choice to brand all home-related products under the same “Nest” umbrella. The Google Nest Hub sits at the very centre of this eco-system, acting as your control panel for the lot.

I’ve actually got two Nest Hubs; first and second generation versions. I’ve got one in the kitchen and one on my desk where I work. I mainly use the one in the kitchen for streaming Netflix while washing up or setting timers when cooking. The one on my desk controls my smart lights and keeps me sane during the week, playing different kinds of music I need to keep myself motivated.

my desk with the google nest hub
My desk with the Google Nest Hub and other bits and bobs.

Based on my personal experience, is the Nest Hub worth buying?

Is Google Nest Hub Good For Streaming Shows, Movies and Music?

The 7-inch display isn’t the biggest thing in the world, but it’s plenty big for binging the US Office while doing the dishes. Perhaps most surprising is the quality of the audio. It’s loud and clear despite being a very compact device. You can link your Nest Hub to the services you’d expect from Google. That’s YouTube, YouTube Music and the likes. You can also connect Netflix and Spotify amongst other services.

The Nest Hub will also appear in your Chromecast compatible devices when you try to Cast from another smart device. This is handy if you’re hopping from the big screen in the living room to the small screen in the kitchen.

If you do decide to go all in on a Google Assistant-powered eco-system and end up with a few speakers that support Google, you can also link them in the Home app. This is possibly one of my favourite features of them all. I can ask my assistant to “play The Scratch everywhere” and all speakers in all rooms will play the same music in perfect sync. If you’re having a bit of a spring clean and moving from room to room, this is an awesome feature.

Is Google Nest Hub Good For Smart Home Controls?

Another main use for my Nest Hub is the smart home control side of things. Mainly, I’m controling smart lights but I’ve started recently testing out Google’s new Nest Camera and Nest Doorbell. More on that in a few weeks. For now, it’s mainly lights around my home. You can control your smart accessories with your voice or using the touchscreen on the Nest Hub. Honestly, I nearly never use the screen, mainly down to voice being a lot more intuitive.

I do, however, have to point out that the voice-control interface isn’t perfect. A common action I request is “Hey Google, turn off the lamp”. In response, I often get “Power controls are not supported”. The reason for this is that the Nest Hub hasn’t heard my request properly and thought I wanted to turn the hub off, not a lamp. A second, clearer command in a slightly more annoyed tone usually does the trick. This is such a common occurance that I cannot ignore it, but it doesn’t destroy the experience thankfully.

Other Google Nest Hub Features

The bulk of this review is based on what you’ve read above. My reason for this is simple. In my very real-world experience, that’s what I’ve used the device for. The one exception being setting timers when I cook, which the device really is a game changer for, and the odd time getting a recipe. Sometimes, it’ll struggle with the latter because I’m picky with my recipes.

There are other features though that Google probably wants you to know about in case you might want to use them.

Quick Gestures

I thought Quick Gestures was going to be a big feature for me. When your playing music, a quick flick of your wrist to show the palm of your hand will pause playback. I used this on my desk but it was very sensitive. I was in the middle of a meeting and one gesture to my colleagues started Slipknot. Not ideal. It’s handy if you’re cooking and don’t want to use the touchscreen, but it’s not perfect.

Sleep Sensing

I’ve not used this at all. Being honest, I don’t understand why Google integrated this into the Nest Hub. Probably not want Google want to see given this was a headline feature for the launch of the second generation Nest Hub.

Sleep Sensing uses radar to detect minor movements during the night to monitor your sleep health. That means no cameras to worry about.

This feature wasn’t all that important to me given that I usually wear my Fitbit Sense to bed which offers sleep tracking. It’s good to know there’s an alternative out there for those who find wearables distracting in bed. But if this feature is one that you believe is a game changer for you, I’d recommend reading another review that covers it in more depth.

Google Duo Calling

As I mentioned, there’s no camera on the Nest Hub. That’s great for privacy but not so good if you wanted a device for video calling. Still, you can use Google Duo to call other Nest Hub devices or people with the Google Duo app installed. If you call someone with a camera, like someone using a smartphone, you’ll be able to see them but they won’t be able to see you. So if you were to buy one of these for an elderly family member, they could still see you even if you can’t see them.

Second Generation Google Nest Hub: The Verdict

Despite being a second generation device, the Nest Hub is still a lot of imperfect solutions to problems that most people probably don’t have. At the same time, there’s a lot of tech to be bought here for just €99. The sound quality is extremely impressive and the ability to link apps and daisy-chain devices means this is the modern core of home entertainment.

If you feel like you need a Nest Hub, you won’t regret the €99 outlay. If you feel confused by the device’s existence, it might not add much to your life that a simpler Google Nest Mini device would cover. Still, there’s just €30 in the difference and the Nest Hub offers so much more making it worthy of consideration as long as you’re in the market for a smart assistant at home.

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