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Should You Delete TikTok? Is The Latest Social Platform Safe?

Marty
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Should You Delete TikTok? Is The Latest Social Platform Safe?

TikTok has enjoyed quite the ride to date. The social media platform was slowly gathering momentum in Ireland earlier this year before isolation set in. Suddenly, a bored nation found themselves taking part in bizarre music-based viral trends, recording their own takes. The app is Chinese and as has become par for the course, Trump’s America has touted a potential ban of the app. Many have been left wondering if this is just the latest political play by Trump over China or does the TikTok app genuinely pose a treat? I’m going to look at the issues surrounding TikTok and ultimately help you decide whether or not you should delete TikTok.

What Is TikTok?

TikTok was previously known as Musica.ly. In 2018 it was bought by the Chinese company ByteDance and relaunched as the app we see today. 2020 has been the year of TikTok and the app has already been the most downloaded app of the year.

TikTok is a social media platform. The appeal of the app is its short, vertical videos which usually involve music or other sound bytes. Typically, the goal of the videos is humour and replicating other funny videos. Some of the most popular videos go viral because of simple dance moves which are easy to replicate alone or within groups.

Where Is TikTok Based?

TikTok is a Chinese company but has global bases. There’s actually a bases here in Ireland too. At the start of 2020, the platform created their Trust and Safety Hub in Dublin. In late June, TikTok moved all data privacy operations for Europe to the Dublin office too. With 800 staff in the UK and Ireland, TikTok now employs over 1000 people in Europe.

What Are The Privacy Concerns Around TikTok?

The shifting of data protection operations to Dublin is a clear step to build trust in the brand. This is badly needed as the app has come under criticism, specifically related to user data. Now, I’m always eager to take a couple of steps back in these situations. The Trump Administration is leading the charge when it comes to condemnation of the app. According to Trump’s Chief of Staff, Mark Meadows, there are a number of administration officials who are looking at the national security risk as it relates to tik tok [sic], we chat and other apps that have the potential for national security exposure”. To me, this immediately means there’s a political layer of consideration here too.

So what’s happened in the past and why are we here questioning an app where people dance around having fun?

It Might Be Run By The Chinese Government

This is probably the toughest debate that’s taking place right now because it’s really hard to prove what’s true. The claim being made by the social media platform’s biggest doubters is that the whole app is a trojan horse for the Chinese Communist Party. I’m reluctant to dive straight into believing this because it’s a dangerous continuation of a narrative which may or may not be true which is having a massive impact on the world. First of all, I don’t for a second doubt that Trump could simply be stirring up anti-Chinese sentiment for political gain.

My biggest fear with that scenario is we start to create a world where a new form of racism is quietly bubbling under the surface that we don’t even see coming, or do see and stand by while it happens.

With that said, after watching the Chinese Ambassador’s response to a disturbing video echoing the Holocaust, there can also be no free passes for Chinese operations happening behind closed doors.

Reddit Reverse Engineers The App

One of the biggest points of reference for people questioning the security of TikTok is a thread on Reddit. This thread was started by someone claiming their job is to figure out how apps work and goes on to list the data the app gathers and processes when you use it. TikTok was noting the type of phone you are using, disk space, CPU type and other hardware specs. Strangely, the app also tracks the other apps you have installed including some you may have deleted. The poster also claims TikTok tracks your IP address, MAC address and WiFi access point name amongst other bits and pieces while GPS was also pinging regularly based on default installation.

I am in no way a reverse engineering, app development specialist. However, I am very conscious of the data being access by my apps. When reading that list of things TikTok were tracking, none set off alarm bells in my head. My first thought was that Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and other apps all track this kind of information.

In another Reddit thread dedicated to the reverse engineering of TikTok, another user posted stating that a lot of the statements being made are by unqualified commentators.

What hasn’t helped TikTok is that along with a general untrust in China being fanned by the Trump administration and online infosec commentary, the platform has also experienced the usual bugs and security issues that new apps have to deal with.

TikTok’s Development Issues

When apps experience explosive growth they also experience growing pains. Developers cut corners and find hacky ways of solving problems to get things up and running as quickly as possible. Facebook’s own motto was “move fast and break things”, at least that was until Cambridge Analytica. Actually Facebook shows you both why that approach is great but that it brings perils with it.

Most, if not all, known issues to date which were flagged to TikTok by security specialists have been fixed. Some of these issues were pretty sizeable. One vulnerability would allow a hacker to take over someone’s account and start posting as them. While that’s a serious issue, just the past week has shown that’s not a TikTok-only issue. Last week, the Twitter accounts of Bill Gates, Elon Musk, Joe Biden and Kanye West were compromised and tweets sent from these accounts by the hackers scammed over €100k in Bitcoin from the public.

While I know this isn’t the security bar to measure a social media platform by, it is important we start to challenge what lenses our criticism of platforms passes through. For example, because TikTok is Chinese, them having the same issue is exacerbated versus the American-owned and based Twitter. It also demonstrates that not every app vulnerability comes as a result of government collusion.

Even Issues On iOS

Apple’s AppStore is a robust gallery where you can download apps for your phone. The screening process deployed by Apple is impressive and results in iOS devices being widely considered the most secure in the world. Apple prides itself on privacy and even Apple falls foul of privacy hiccups. TikTok on iOS also had some issues make their way onto iPhones around the world involving the app reading users’ clipboards.

The clipboard is where content is stored that you’ve either cut or copied before pasting or moving elsewhere. From daily use, your clipboard could store anything from passwords and bank details to links to memes and quotes about football at the weekend. My personal first reaction to this was massive suspicion because this is a disturbing thing for an app to be doing on purpose. TikTok’s explanation was that they read the clipboard to identify “spammy behaviour”. This had been happening on iOS for some time and became public knowledge following the release of iOS 14 Beta which notifies the user of an app taking such an invasive approach to your clipboard.

While I understand the social media platforms approach to beating spam, it hardly gets TikTok off the hook. But again, what lens are you looking at this through? Linkedin and Reddit had the exact same issue and have since stated they would cease this behaviour within their apps.

Should You Delete TikTok?

There are still a vast number of unknowns when it comes to TikTok. My personal gut feeling is that the platform experiencing additional scrutiny and mis-trust because it’s Chinese. That’s not to say it’s not well founded distrust but I do disagree that every little security issue discovered about TikTok is evidence of the platform being a gaping whole in national security.

The unfortunate truth is that social media has moved faster than our data privacy laws and the result has been services like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok creating problems which we’re exceptionally slow to address. Data protection needs to move faster. I’ve made a valid claim to have personal church records, which are incorrect, deleted using GDPR and that’s been going on for years. GDPR itself only offers certain protections to global users too. Just this week an agreement between the EU and the United States called Privacy Shield was deemed illegal. This agreement facilitated data transfer between the EU and the US, circumnavigating GDPR.

So, yeah. The US Goverment can spy on you just as easy as the Chinese Government. I’d rather neither of them did but it’s important to be clear here. Both sides are just as bad as each other here.

The US has added interest in getting TikTok banned considering how many users see content on it on a daily basis. The Trump administration is likely very concerned that should the network be compromised it could become very influential in swaying public opinion. Tiktok users and K-Pop fans have already claimed responsibility for booking thousands of tickets, leading to a Trump rally being hilariously light on attendees. At the end of the day, I don’t think Trump’s thought process about things is much greater than “that thing I did with Facebook, others could do with TikTok, right?”.

Will I Delete TikTok?

We all need to be grown-ups here. I’m not deleting TikTok. For me it’s entertainment and I trust myself to know when something is trying to influence me away from my core beliefs. I would personally feel a bit hypocritical deleting TikTok while leaving a vast number of social media apps sitting their harvesting the same information. I’m not one for conspiracy theories, but the West and the East are locked in a battle and I’ll be damned if that stops me enjoying some hilarious videos.

Camo: Get DSLR Quality Video Calls With Your iPhone 11

Marty
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0
Camo: Get DSLR Quality Video Calls With Your iPhone 11

There’s a good chance you’ve found yourself asking more webcam-related questions lately. More than ever, we’re being seen by people through the lens of a laptop webcam. People have started looking into their setups, tweaking where they position their laptop and concentrating on their lighting to try get a better shot. There’s only so much you can do though given that the webcam is a part that doesn’t get much investment. Considering you’ve probably got a smartphone with a stunning camera in your pocket. Why not use that? If you’re living in the Apple ecosystem, here’s how you can use your iPhone as a webcam with your MacBook.

Why Use Your iPhone As A Webcam?

Laptop webcams are horrible. I hate them because, while you rarely use your webcam, they define the design of your laptop. Of course, many of us are using webcams a lot more since COVID made working from home the new normal. Once you’ve finished playing around as a potato on Zoom calls, you’ll probably want to improve your stream quality.

All the same, I’d still argue that your webcam shouldn’t define the design of your laptop. Some companies like Huawei has opted to hide your webcam in a button on the keyboard. This gives added security, reduces screen bezel sizes but does result in a horrendous “up nose” angle.

The obvious perfect solution is to have an external webcam that you plug in when you need it.

Dedicated Webcams

Dedicated webcams have been around from the PC days. The lack of innovation in this space is painful. With the exception of a Logitech C920 which is not impossible to find anywhere, webcams offer lacklustre camera quality in a world where average internet users have become accustomed to high quality.

Next stop. Using a DSLR as your webcam.

DSLR As A Webcam

Irish tech journalist, Adrian Weckler, has devised an impressive setup using his Canon DSLR as a webcam with a program called Ecamm. The resulting quality you get is incredible and after watching some of Adrian’s videos, you can see the benefits of the setup. It’s the same crisp satisfying quality you get watching an MKBHD video.

The catch here is that you need a DSLR and the Ecamm app, which alone costs €120. Together, this setup will likely set you back the guts of a grand.

An ideal solution would be to use what you’ve already got. Why not use your smartphone?

Using Your Smartphone As A Webcam

For me, I’ve always wondered why is it so hard to just use your smartphone as a webcam? When I look at the likes of my Huawei P40 Pro I’m left wondering why I can’t just use that? Right now, I’m using a MacBook as my day-to-day work. The Facetime camera is, while better than quite a few webcams, awful. My P40 Pro camera is best on the market but I can’t use it as a webcam. Why? Because between Apple, Android, Huawei and Microsoft, no one is that bothered about solving the solution.

Fortunately, someone is bothered. UK app developer Reincubate has just launched Camo which, while with some limits right now, can let you use an iPhone or iPad as a webcam for your MacBook.

Reincubate Camo Lets You Use Your iPhone As Webcam

Well, the heading there is a bit of a give away. Just hunted on Product Hunt is Camo from Reincubate.

Camo is specifically designed to give people an alternative to webcams and also needing to adopt an expensive DSLR set up to achieve high-quality video calls over Zoom, Teams and more.

How Camo Works

The concept is really simple. First, you download the Camo program to your Mac and the app to your iPhone or iPad. Next up, you connect your phone or tablet to the MacBook with a cable and open both apps. Then, the next time you open up your video call app, you can choose “Reincubate Camo”.

The Reincubate Camo option in Zoom.

Once you select Camo as your webcam, your video calling app will be showing your iPhone or iPad’s camera.

Within the Camo program on your MacBook, you’ll be able to select specifically which camera on your iPad or iPhone you want to use. For example, I was testing with my iPad and could choose between front-facing and rear camera. If you were to connect a iPhone 11 Pro and have the Premium version of Camo, you could choose from and of the four on-board lenses. Great if you need to get a whole meeting room in with a wide lens or focus on just you with a narrower one.

Camo Versus Webcam

Here’s a comparison of my MacBook webcam camera versus the 8MP rear camera on my iPad. The screenshots were taken from a test Zoom call.

While the lighting where I tested this wasn’t great, what I want you to focus on here is purely the quality because you’ll need to play with your own lighting positions. The quality difference is clear. The MacBook’s native camera is washed out while the iPad, which doesn’t have a world-beating camera, is significantly better.

The Catch

There are some obvious catches here.

  • You need to have a MacBook
  • You need to have an iPhone or iPad
  • Only works via cable

The cable is a sizeable catch. By requiring a cable, positioning your iPhone or iPad can be tricky so you’ll need some sort of phone holder or a phone tripod. Also, if you’ve got yourself a MacBook without only USB-C ports, you’ll need a special cable like this USB-C to lightning cable from Spigen. The team behind Camo are also working on integrating with Windows in the near future which will also let you use Portrait mode.

Camo: The Verdict

The big point about Camo I’ve not mentioned yet is that it’s free. Limited to 720p and with a watermark in the corner. If you upgrade for little over €40 you’ll get some additional controls but for most the free version does plenty. While the cable does mean you need to think about your set up, it helps keep your laptop cool with all video processing happening on the phone instead.

When it comes to tech I’m always on the lookout for value and getting the most from what you have to deliver a better experience. The Camo app nails this. If you have a MacBook, an iPhone or iPad and a week full of video calls ahead, why not give it a go?

Learn more about Reincubate Camo.

Irish Craft Brewery Set To Host First International Beer Festival Online

Marty
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Irish Craft Brewery Set To Host First International Beer Festival Online

A couple of things have happened in isolation. I’m sporting a beardstache, I’ve forgotten how airports work and I’ve developed a taste for craft beer. To be honest, I had really developed a taste for craft beer before isolation hit and even started a website just to talk about beer. The cool thing about getting into craft beer in isolation is that I’ve been able to spend a bit of time getting used to the finer nuances of what makes a great beer and how to pair beers and food. It feels like an age ago, but as Zoom Pints, Zoom-bombing and all that jazz was getting popular, I stumbled upon a brewery in Sligo launching beer on social media. Next week, The White Hag will be hosting Ireland’s first online beer festival called Boxtravaganza.

Sink Or Swim?

When I came across The White Hag, they were launching a new beer they had brewed for St. Patrick’s Day. That was a whole lot of beer with no tap to go to. The lads running the brewery knew that should they not find a way to drum up a bit of interest in their new beer, it would end up down the drain. Now, I’ve sampled my fair share of beers from The White Hag and having their beer get chucked would be a sin.

Fortunately, their efforts worked and they’ve be hosting events and launching beers online regularly since. While some were left with nowhere to go, many Irish businesses had to make a choice recently. The choice was sink or swim? Some are gone but The White Hag is tipping along nicely because they’re willing to try new things.

And try new things they will.

Making The Online Beer Festival

Every year, in true Charlie and the Chocolate Factory style, the brewery doors are thrown open for Hagstravaganza. This is The White Hag’s annual birthday bash where up to 1500 people land into the brewery to sample a curated selection of the world’s finest beers all under one roof is Ballymote, Sligo. This COVID world that we find ourselves in doesn’t lend itself well to 1500 literally organising a piss-up in a brewery.

Not everything can be replicated online like the classic beer puppeteer.

With that, Hagstravaganza was immediately in-doubt. It was St. Patrick’s Day all over again. But just like back then, The White Hag weren’t going to take this lying down. Just like that, Boxtravaganza was born.

The White Hag has described Boxtravaganza as “when the beer comes to you” instead of “when you come to the beer”. The concept is simple. You order your box of beer online, wait patiently for the postman to arrive and then wait patiently for the craic to kick off. That’s right! The lads will be streaming a day of White Hag birthday festivities straight from the brewery floor. To name but a few things, you’ll be able to enjoy comedy, music and beer tastings amongst other entertainment. You’ll also be sipping away on a curated selection of beers from that box your postie brought you. 24 beers handpicked from around the world now sitting in your fridge. Well, if you were lucky.

Taking Part In The Online Beer Festival

The Boxtravaganza Box sold out in little over a day. 500 boxes of beer flying globally from L.A. to Budapest done and dusted in just 24 hours. The good news is that you can still pick yourself up a Birthday Box with some of the best beers from The White Hag’s catalogue, including the limited edition Hopstravaganza.

On the day, everyone can join in the craic. Just check out The White Hag’s social media and subscribe to their YouTube channel for updates.

EKSA E900 Pro: A Cheap But Excellent Gaming Headset

Marty
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0
EKSA E900 Pro: A Cheap But Excellent Gaming Headset

When you run a tech review website, you get a lot of cold emails. The vast majority of them are junk, generic emails that get no further thought beyond me wondering why they didn’t end up in spam. A few months back, an email landed in that I nearly didn’t pay any attention. It was offering me a free EKSA E900 Pro gaming headset to test out. After a quick scan online my expectations were pretty low. It just looked like another Amazon Store trying to shift as much product as possible. Man, did I get this one wrong? Here’s my review of an excellent gaming headset where you don’t have to spend massive money to get.

an excellent gaming headset where you don’t have to spend massive money

Design

To be totally honest, from the initial offer to the unboxing of the EKSA E900 Pro headset, my expectations were low. But as I actually got my hands on the headset my opinion changed. In terms of design, the EKSA E900 Pro doesn’t take any chances but they also haven’t cut any corners. This headset comes at sub-€50 on Amazon.co.uk but my first opinion was that cup look and overall feel was more akin to the likes of the Sennheiser Momentum 3. These are considerably more expensive.

The cups are a nicely padded, and I’m assuming faux, leather. With the headband being very generously padded too, one of the most important boxes is ticked straight away. These are very comfy.

The sub-€50 price tag not only had me looking at the comfort but general build quality. The headset is adjustable with the cups being held in position with a metal frame which slides into the headband. It all feels durable which I think is aided by the metal mesh on the outside of the headphones which distracts from some of the more plastic areas. The most I looked at the EKSA E900 Pro the most I could see they weren’t really offering the quality of a €350 pair of headphones. At the same time, they were offering much more than what you’d expect to get from gaming headset under €50.

I find myself talking about thoughtful design more and more recently. I’m constantly looking for the little inclusions that don’t need to be there, but make a difference to the user. On the 3.5mm connection there’s a small notch here that means you can twist and lock the cable into your headset. Great if you have a tendency to fling your headset off in anger or have a cat that tries to pull your chord.

Naturally, I care about audio quality too and the surprising quality of this headset doesn’t stop yet.

More than what you’d expect to get from gaming headset under €50

Sound

As look would have it, this headset landed in before the isolation hit. As a result, I didn’t just use them for gaming. I actually used them for some calls and found them brilliant. The detachable boom mic meant others could hear me really clearly. I even got to test that with a classic call from the bedroom to my better half in the sitting room.

Back on the beaten track, I gave these a lash while learning my way around Rocket League with my friend in New Zealand. I’m sure die-hard gamers who need to pinpoint threats on a broad soundstage could pick the EKSA E900 Pro apart till the cows come home. But I’m not that gamer. I want comfort and decent quality. This headset absolutely delivers here again. What I really enjoyed was the cushioning actually providing a bit of extra noise-cancelling versus the official Xbox headset I typically game with. Taking F1 2020 for a spin while combining this headset with the dedicated Thrustmaster F1 Wheel, I was left totally immersed.

I hear you out there. Spitting in my direction because I’m a console gamer. To be fair, this headset does offer a superior experience to PC gamers. The reason being if you connect the EKSA E900 Pro to your PC via USB-C you’ll unleash a virtual 7.1 surround sound system on your ear-holes.

The Extra Bits

The headset goes a little bit further than it has too as well. Personally, I don’t get the gaming obsession with LEDs and lights, but then again I do have a LIFX system beside my bed. Anyway, the EKSA E900 Pro does have an illuminated red logo on the side when you’re connected via USB. You can also control the volume with a scroll wheel or mute button. The scroll wheel is a nice way to quickly control volume too instead of playing around with pressing a single up or down button over and over again.

The two meter cable is nice and long and also includes a connection I’ve not seen in years. It’s a splitter so you can use this headset with older PCs. I know you’re out there, hardcore retro gamers.

EKSA E900 Pro Gaming Headset: The Verdict

Sometimes you get so caught up in this world of gadgets that you let the price tag lead your opinion. The EKSA E900 Pro does so much right and is so hard to find anything wrong with that I’m left flabbergasted by their price tag. This gaming headset offers enough quality for older gamers looking for a decent headset but is still cool enough to keep teenage gamers happy. I don’t want to say they’re flawless, but they’re not far off.

Buy the EKSA E900 Pro Gaming Headset

Google Pixel Buds Review: The Most Comfortable Ear Buds Ever

Marty
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Google Pixel Buds Review: The Most Comfortable Ear Buds Ever

Do you remember when there was a genuine shock we, as a society, decided to kill the headphone jack? In hindsight, it makes total sense. In fact, it had to happen before Bluetooth audio accessories would get really good. When it comes to over-ears, the Bose 35 QCii are still a market leader for me but I’m currently testing the JBL Club One and they are mind-blowing. When it comes to buds, many love AirPods but it’s Huawei’s FreeBuds 3 which still offer the best overall experience. Google usually doesn’t do things by half measures, but its first Pixel Buds were a little disappointing. They went back to the drawing board and have created a new pair of Pixel Buds, the most comfortable earbuds I’ve ever worn.

Today, the Google Pixel Buds launch in Ireland. I’ve been using them for the past few weeks so here’s the inside line.

Google Pixel Buds: Design

The Pixel Buds are distinctly Google. They are really low-profile and subtle when wearing them. When you get sent these things to review, you’re actually given a sheet of features. I never read them because I feel they influence my review, but I did noticed that they call out taking off a jumper while wearing these buds means you’re less likely to knock them out. That’s thoughtful design right there people.

Let’s be honest here though. There’s one element of the design that will make a pair of headphones win and that’s comfort. I rarely wear bud for that long but you genuinely can forget you’re wearing the Pixel Buds. They’re light but also secured in your ear with a twist so there’s no fear you’ll lose them. The buds come with a selection of tips to ensure a comfortable fit. The buds are IPx4 rated so rain or sweat shouldn’t be a problem making them great workout earbuds.

Google has also managed to somewhat nail gesture controls on a pair of buds. Something that many have tried and failed. The secret seems to be to keep it simple and have the same controls across both buds. Tap either bud once for play or pause, twice to skip, three times to rewind or swipe to adjust the volume.

The Buds’ Case

I’ve decided the case warrants a section to itself.

The matte soft-touch case and clean white buds follow design principles that just scream Google. The case is probably one of the coolest things going on here. It has a bit of weight which I find reassuring when I panic thinking I’ve lost my charge case. The case also supports wireless charging which, while not on the Pixel 4, does feature on many phones these days. If you want something more traditional, so to speak, the good news is that it’s a USB-C case.

In the past, I’ve sometimes felt Google products can feel a little cheaper than the expectation set by their premium looks, but not this time. Everything with the buds feels deliberate if that makes sense. When the buds sit into the case, the snap into place to charge and are held magnetically. When you open the case it locks into the open position. It’s terribly satisfying and I hope Google has really developed the hinges on this case because I can see myself playing with this like a fidget spinner.

Don’t worry, the case does a lot more than be a gimmick. If you find yourself with dead buds, the case can get you another two hours of life on just a ten-minute charge. In total, Google claim you’ll get five hours battery life but I’ve clocked just under 4.5 on a single charge myself. With the case included, you can survive for up to 24-hours in the wild.

Pixel Buds: Sound

I’m not one to get bogged down in the details here because you probably don’t really care about the driver size of these buds and all that jazz. Instead, I’m just going to say they sound great. There’s no noise cancellation which you kind of get on the FreeBuds 3 but I was never really that impressed with that anyway. I adore the FreeBuds 3 but when it comes to sound, the Pixel Buds are right up there.

Even more surprising is the incredible call quality. I maintained the FreeBuds 3 managed to offer great call quality because the mic was just that little bit closer to your mouth. The Pixel Buds manages to get equal call quality with just a tiny in-ear bud. It’s quite remarkable. The tech behind it is impressive and it goes so far as to detect vibrations in your jawbone to improve quality. An incredible solution which overcomes issues with calls in windy spaces.

It’s worthwhile noting that there’s no EQ option with the buds. So tailoring sound to your own needs is really limited. I don’t believe for a second Google is targeting audiophiles with these and that’s really obvious when it comes to the lack of nerd settings. Adaptive Sound is another wink towards regular users as the buds themselves detect your surroundings and adjust volume levels accordingly.

Google Smarts In Your Ear

As with any Google product, you’re simply always going to get the best natural language interpretation on the market. Some, myself included, would say it’s scary good. As always, you’ll have Google Assistant on standby for you do say something like “Hey Google, play my favourite music in Spotify”. You can also wake your assistant with a long-touch on either bud. Note, you’ll need to have a device connected which supports Google Assistant.

Google has also started to push real-time translation more too. As a man with a German partner and as a man who’s tried to learn German for many many years, I need this technology to keep getting better. Unfortunately, Google is still overselling this “live translation” solution a little. I tried to have a conversation with my better half but it was still very stop-start, missing bits and pieces and ultimately, very unnatural. It needs to get to a point where it’s like there’s a person live translating conversations for me. I think we’re oddly close to it and Google producing buds this good, will only keep us moving in the right direction.

Google Pixel Buds: The Verdict

I’ve had an incredible number of buds come and go. They get tested and then find a home on “tech mountain” in my gaff never to be used again. The Huawei FreeBuds 3 were absolutely dominating the real estate space in my ear. that was until these buds landed. I’m not sure I’d admit they’re better than the FreeBuds 3 but Google’s Pixel Buds are certainly on par. Perhaps, they are for slightly different scenarios, but the fact the Pixel Buds are just so comfortable in my ears when wearing them means I’ll be reaching for them quite a bit in the coming months.

The Google Pixel Buds are now available to buy in Ireland from the Google Store and will set you back €199. If you’ve lost a bud or a case, they’re €70 to replace.

Huawei MatePad Pro Review: A Productivity Beast

Marty
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Huawei MatePad Pro Review: A Productivity Beast

Huawei has been pouring new products into the Irish market in recent years. This has accelerated due to some increased anxiety over the whole Google, Trump, China thing. While that whole thing sucks, the up-side is that we get lots of new toys which traditionally were kept for other countries or even just China. One of these new toys is the Huawei MatePad Pro, a 10.8-inch tablet which has crosshairs set on the iPad and even the iPad Pro. You can watch my hands-on review above, or give this a read.

MatePad Pro Design

One of the standout design features is the front facings hole-punch camera. The camera is your primary biometric unlock and it works incredibly well. You actually forget that you’re face is unlocking the tab because it’s so fast and accurate. There were a few occasions where I would have rathered a fingerprint reader so I do consider this to be an omission that costs a small bit. However, it’s a trade-off that results in a stunning thing bezel display.

A hole-punch camera means you get a thin bezel design all around the Huawei MatePad Pro

Also impressive is the quad-stereo speakers which are nothing short of mighty. So many phones and tablets these days assume we don’t want stereo speakers. Maybe the logic is most people will use headphones, but I like to have the choice. Note, there’s no 3.5mm jack either. Anyway, back to the speakers. These are Harman Kardon powered speakers which gives the tablet lots of oomph. Features like these suggest we’re looking at iPad Pro levels, not just iPad and an iPad Pro challenger would be nothing without a stylus.

MatePad Pro Features

Huawei M Pen

Huawei’s M Pen is arguably the highlight of the MatePad Pro. I love sustainability and with the usually Premium Nebo app included for free, you can take hand written notes and digitise them with a tap. Nebo’s ability to convert my scrawl into digital text is nothing short of incredible which is why it’s my go-to notetaking app on my own iPad. Once you’re finished, just pop the M Pen onto the tablet where it wirelessly charges.

The Huawei M Pen charging wirelessly on the MatePad Pro

Bluetooth Keyboard Case

If keyboards are more your thing, Huawei has you covered too with a folio protective case and Bluetooth keyboard. Again, my direct comparison is with iPad and I have to say I prefer the more free-moving buttons of the Huawei keyboard over the
membrane type iPad keyboard. It’s a personal preference I guess, but I didn’t expect the keyboard to be quite so usable.

Fast Charging

Fast charging is one of my longstanding favourite features on Huawei phones and the MatePad Pro brings fast charging, a 7250 mAh battery and reverse wireless charging to the game. Reverse wireless charging working on both phones and accessories alike. Handy if you’re caught on the hop.

EMUI 10

Huawei’s EMUI 10 brings something beyond the typical Android experience to the MatePad Pro too. Multi-screen collaboration allows you to control your phone from your tablet, keeping your focus in a central device and even letting your transfer files
between phone and tablet seamlessly. Eco-system for the win. You can also make use of the ful 10.8-inch screen to up your efficiency with multitasking, now supported by over 1000 apps. Handy for watching something and taking notes, or researching and writing simultaneously.

Serious multi-tasking with EMUI 10 on the MatePad Pro

The Huawei AppGallery And Google Apps

The MatePad Pro is not saved from the political battle between Trump and China and as a result, there’s no Google Play Store or Google Mobile Services. Like the P40 Pro, you’ll need to make do with the Huawei AppGallery. Not all apps are there yet but there are workarounds. For example, I’ve installed Adobe Sketch by setting up my tablet with an image of my old Android phone.

Using Adobe Sketch on Huawei MatePad Pro

This transfers most of my apps over which work perfectly fine. Huawei has also been pushing Petal Search as a more user-friendly way to sideload APK files adding a bit more trust. Even with all of these workarounds, you might very well find yourself lacking an important app.

Huawei MatePad Pro: The Verdict

The MatePad Pro is not flawless, but it is a productivity beast and is another addition to the ever-growing ecosystem. If you’re looking for a tablet to pop into meetings with for note keeping, this is excellent but don’t think for a second it’s
limited to the simple tasks in your day to day. The MatePad Pro is a potential laptop killer for many light to medium users. For some, the AppGallery will be a turn-off but this is the perfect choice for those who won’t even notice the app store shift.

The big win if you’re considering the MatePad Pro 128GB WiFi edition launch bundle which includes the keyboard
case and the M Pen can be bought for €549. I believe this will be available in Harvey Norman and possibly other stores. I’ll update this article when confirmed.

If you have any questions about the Huawei MatePad Pro that we’ve not touched on, drop a comment in the comment section of our YouTube video and we’ll be glad to answer your questions.

COVID Tracking App Downloaded Over One Million Times In Ireland

Marty
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COVID Tracking App Downloaded Over One Million Times In Ireland

Less than 48 hours ago I brought you news that the HSE had launched Ireland’s COVID tracking app. The app has already reached one million users in Ireland. This is great news because white some reports suggest the app will need to reach 60% of the population, in countries with lower infection rates 40% adoption can be effective in combating COVID. While debate goes on regarding the magic number for the app’s effectiveness to peak, the ultimate goal is to get as many people in Ireland as possible downloading it.

COVID App Success In International Context

CEO of the HSE, Paul Reid said “the app comes at an important time as we begin to move about more and will support us in managing future cases. I would encourage those who have not yet downloaded the app to do so, and for the one million people who have already downloaded the app, I would ask them to share it with their friends and families. The more people who download the app the greater its impact will be.

In terms of international adoption, the Irish app is currently tracking 20% of the total Irish population. In Germany, 18% of the population was being tracked within the first three weeks of their tracking app launching. In Italy, one of the worst struck countries globally, in the first ten days the national Immuni COVID tracking app was downloaded by just over two million people.

Why exactly adoption has been so quick in Ireland remains unclear. Personally, I’d put it down to an eagerness to get back to normal and doing whatever it takes to get there. New Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, believes it’s down to a national sense of “solidarity” which is still being shown, now through app downloads.

Why Is This All Good?

How will the app actually help? After a few hairy moments on Android phones thanks to a Google update which has since been resolved, the app is fast becoming insurance. Just like insurance, it’s one of those things that you have and hope to never to need. Fran Thompson, Interim Chief Information Officer at the HSE, explained “the app augments our current testing and tracing effort it has been developed with privacy by design at its core, employing the decentralised model. Phones exchange random IDs, if you test positive for COVID-19 and are using the app, you can choose to alert other app users anonymously”.

Will More Download The App?

We need more to download the app. While debate surrounds the total needed for it to be successful, simply put the more that download the better.

The app has raised privacy concerns but the vast majority of online chatter here points towards “if you install apps like Twitter of Facebook, you’re giving up more privacy than this potentially life-saving app”.

1 million downloads of covid tracking app with small drop off

I personally had concerns around battery life owing to the continuous Bluetooth polling required. I’m not sure how the app development company NearForm did it, but the app barely uses any battery life at all.

What ever the driving force behind national buy into this app, people signing up has been far greater than those uninstalling and I would very much imagine adoption will slow but continue.

How To Install Irish COVID Tracker App

Marty
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How To Install Irish COVID Tracker App

One thing the news has taught me over the past few days is that we’re still dealing with something rather dangerous in COVID-19. While we might not talk about it as much, it’s still capable of terrible things. Many, myself included, believed that the Government-backed COVID Tracker App wouldn’t be needed by the time it landed, but it’s here. Here’s everything you need to know about the HSE COVID Tracker App and how to download if for both your iPhone and Android device.

What Is The HSE COVID Tracker App?

Covid-19 thrives off human contact. Passing from human to human is how this virus survives, grows and kills. Due to the nature of the virus, tracing past contacts of those who have come into close contact with the infected is a crucial element of stemming the spread of the virus. As part of Ireland’s national response to COVID-19, a contact tracing app was commissioned and tonight has landed for users to download. The. HSE’s COVID Tracker app helps with the contact-tracing process and also offers real-time symptom tracking.

While the app or any technology could never replace a vaccine, the app does offer benefits in allowing people to return to some sort of normality as a result of reduced risks through increased tracing.

How Does The HSE COVID Tracking App Work?

The app is effectively a beacon which constantly emits a signal. When other users have similar COVID tracking apps on their phone, the two phones perform a kind of handshake, acknowledging each other. Both phones store this exchange and if you test positive for COVID-19, you enter this in the app and users with the app who were within close proximity to you within the past two weeks will be notified.

How To Download The HSE COVID Tracking App: Android

The app can be downloaded and installed on your phone like any other app. I do have some question marks about how this will impact certain features on the phone. Of course, this is an important app that only works if a lot of the nation’s phone users download it. But, as a tech reviewer, I have to wonder what the battery impact will be and will this impact my Bluetooth headphones? With an app like this which has been understandably rushed to market, there will almost certainly be some shortcomings. For a start, you need to be over 16 due to Ireland’s digital age of consent and the app is only available on mobile for people using Apple’s iOS 13.5 or higher or Google’s Android 6.0 or higher. Generally speaking all phones from the past five years should be covered.

For now, here’s how to install it.

Download The HSE COVID Tracking App: Android

The official COVID tracking app for Android is available to download from the Google Play Store.

  1. Open the Google Play Store on your phone
  2. Search for “COVID tracker Ireland”
  3. You’ll see the result with “Health Service Executive Ireland” underneath the app name.
  4. Select “Install”
  5. Once installed, open the app.
  6. Confirm you are over 16
    • The app can only be used by people over 16 for legal reasons.
  7. You’ll need to consent to several things
    • App metrics (optional)
    • Exposure notification service (required)
    • Provide number for contact (optional)

Download The HSE COVID Tracking App: iPhone

The iPhone version of this app is supported by iPhones running iOS 13.5. That means the iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone SE, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, and the company’s new iPhone SE 2.

  1. Open the App Store on your phone
  2. Search for “COVID tracker Ireland”
  3. You’ll see the result with “Health Service Executive Ireland” underneath the app name.
  4. Select “Install”
  5. Once installed, open the app.
  6. Confirm you are over 16
    • The app can only be used by people over 16 for legal reasons.
  7. You’ll need to consent to several things
    • App metrics (optional)
    • Exposure notification service (required)
    • Provide a number for contact (optional)

How To Use The COVID Tracker App

Using the app is simple. You should try to check in daily and log how you are feeling. I don’t have any symptoms and this is a serious app so I’m not going to go fiddling the system to see how it works. Beyond that the app will tell you how many others have checked in and how people are feeling. I’ve never seen an app with this kind of broad community appeal. It’s really something. Right now, 1.7k people have checked in and 99% are feeling well.

The app also shows confirmed cases, total deaths, number hospitalised and in intensive care, along with how many have downloaded the app. We are also given a breakdown of transmission including travel abroad, close contact and community transmission stats.

Look, this isn’t a review. I’m going to keep an eye on this app but at the end of the day, you should download this because the app’s success and our community wellbeing depends on us all being bought in. Do I have privacy concerns? Yes. Yes I do. But what good is privacy if we can’t all look out for each other.

Visit the HSE’s dedicated COVID tracker website for more information.

Download The HSE COVID Tracker Android APK

I know some of you are just into APKs so I’ve extracted this directly from the Google Play Store.

Download the HSE COVID App Android APK

HSE Covid Tracking App FAQs

I’ve been getting quite a few questions since the app launched. Here are the answers I’ve been dishing out.

How can I download the HSE COVID tracking app?

Follow the instructions above to download the app for your phone. Ultimately, search for “COVID tracker Ireland” in your phone’s app store.

What iPhone’s support the COVID tracking app?

The app requires iOS 13.5 to work. iOS 13.5 can be downloaded on the iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone SE, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, and the iPhone SE 2. These are the iPhones that can use the app.

Which Android phone supports the COVID tracking app?

There is a much wider range of Android phones so I can’t list them all. However, if your phone is less than five years old and running Android 6.0 or above you should be fine.

I have an iPhone running iOS 13.5, but I still can’t download the app. How come?

It’s not uncommon for iPhones to set up in the wrong region. Check you’re set to the Irish app store. If not, here’s how to fix that.

Do I need to have Bluetooth turned on for this to work?

Yep. You need both Bluetooth and location turned on.

Does the COVID tracking app kill battery?

All apps kill your battery. However, I was surprised to see that COVID tracking app barely uses any power at all. Battery power shouldn’t be a concern.

Which Companies Have Stopped Advertising With Facebook?

Marty
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Which Companies Have Stopped Advertising With Facebook?

You know why fines exist, right? If you do something wrong and are told you’re wrong, there’s a fair chance you’ll do it again. If you’re hit in the pocket, you’re less likely to re-offend. Works for speeding and borrowing books from the local library. It also works in big business. Over the past few weeks, some of the world’s biggest brands have begun to boycott Facebook, hitting them right in the pocket. Here’s the why and the who.

Why Are Companies Boycotting Facebook?

This is by no means a new issue for Facebook. The platform has famously taken a hands-off approach in terms of censorship or content management over the year. Mark Zuckerberg claims the platform is not a publisher and, as such, should not be held accountable for what people say on Facebook.

The unbridled power of the platform being harnessed for “change votes” had a light shone upon it with Trump, Brexit and Cambridge Analytica. More recently, Facebook has come under fire for standing by while the platform was used to spreading messages of hate during the Black Lives Matter movement.

This new movement is running under the name Stop Hate For Profit and the #StopHateForProfit hashtag and has gathered substantial support from some of the world’s biggest companies. These companies have committed to removing or pausing Facebook advertising during July, dramatically hitting the social media platform in the pocket.

The Stop Hate For Profit website states that the social media giant “allowed incitement to violence against protesters fighting for racial justice in America in the wake of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, Ahmaud Arbery, Rayshard Brooks and so many others”.

Companies No-Longer Advertising With Facebook

  • Unilever
  • Pepsi
  • Verizon
  • Starbucks
  • Hershey’s
  • Diageo
  • Honda
  • The North Face
  • Ben & Jerry’s
  • REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc.)
  • Patagonia
  • Eddie Bauer
  • Upwork
  • Mozilla
  • Magnolia Pictures
  • Birchbox
  • Dashlane
  • TalkSpace
  • LendingClub
  • The North Face
  • Dockers
  • JanSport

The list is also growing companies joining the movement.

Patagonia is beyond reproach when it comes to activism

Is This #StopHateForProfit A Good Thing?

As is often the case, it’s difficult to separate corporate care from PR bandwagoning. On the list above, Patagonia stands out to me as being a company beyond doubt. They have a massive amount of care for social justice and general activism.

The other companies remind me of the cigarette industry. When they were all banned from advertising, they all benefitted from reduced spends and no brand dilution. It’s not the exact same, but if Coca-Cola and Pepsi both pull ads, they don’t lose market share and save money on advertising. Meanwhile, all the companies get a nice PR bump for publically saying what they’re up to.

It’s a bit of a pessimistic way to think, but I’ve seen enough Netflix documentaries to know how greedy corporations are. Some have committed to stopping advertising, but are still paying for ads right now. So time will tell if they really act or if this is all a play. Fingers crossed some good can come from it all.

Closca Face Mask Review: Reusable, Sustainable, Filter Cloth Face Mask

Marty
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Closca Face Mask Review: Reusable, Sustainable, Filter Cloth Face Mask

Face masks or face coverings are set to become mandatory in Ireland. While making them mandatory is a positive step for public health, it brings with it a risk of increased waste as a result of single-use, disposable masks. I’ve been testing out a reusable filtered cloth face mask produced by Closca Design. Here’s everything you need to know about face coverings in Ireland, Closca and their sustainable face covering.

When Should You Wear Face Coverings In Ireland?

Initially, face coverings and face masks were a recommendation. At the time, there was criticism of the stance taken because it simply wasn’t appearing very serious. As a result, it’s obvious when you pop out to the shops in Ireland that a lot of people don’t believe masks are necessary. Today, Covid-19 levels in Ireland are at a good place but as the country begins to lift restrictions there are fears of a second wave.

Public transport is one potential hotspot. Just this week I received an email from Irish Rail which said “social distancing from other customers and staff should still be practiced however our services are running at 50% capacity so distancing may not always be possible”. In this kind of scenario, it’s now recommended face coverings be worn.

  • when staying two metres apart from people is difficult
    • in shops, shopping centres or public transport
  • visiting the homes of those who are cocooning
  • by people who are being visited in their homes by cocooners

With face coverings set to become mandatory in these settings, where can you buy them?

Where To Buy Face Coverings

There’s a load of places to buy face coverings. It’s led to plenty of cottage industries popping up around the country. If you can, support local and buy one from someone in Ireland who’s donating profits to charity.

The thing is, you should buy a few masks. In a perfect world, you should be swapping masks as much as you do underwear. If you need more guidance than that (which is worrying) that’s daily.

Speaking of daily, you should also wash your mask daily which adds to the need to have a few more. Here’s how to care for your mask:

  • Wash daily in a hot wash over 60 degrees with detergent
  • You do not need to sterilise cloth face coverings. Wash it in a washing machine or by hand as you would any other item of clothing
  • Wash hands before and after use
  • Store in a zip-lock bag or pouch

My own approach is to buy a few cheaper face coverings but then also have a really good one. My really good one is made by Closca Design.

Who Is Closca Design?

Closca Design is a Spanish company producing sustainable everyday products. I’m currently testing the Closca Helmet, have a Closca Bottle and a Closca Mask. I’ll be totally honest with you, they’re not the cheapest brand in the world. But they do have a mission that justifies their price. Closca is big into design and sustainability. A phrase I’ve been using more and more lately is “thoughtful design” and that sums up Closca to a tee.

The Closca Mask

This review is all about the Closca Mask. A sustainable face covering that’s stylish and quite affordable. I mean that genuinely. Closca’s portfolio can be considered pricey but the mask is very fairly priced. Let’s dive in.

Design

Where else would I start except with design. It’s great. Typically, cheaper face masks have loops that go around your ears. It’s not bad for a quick stroll around a shop but for longer use it’s quite sore. The Closca Mask has velcro which closes around the back of the head meaning it’s much more comfortable.

I do find that the mask is more likely to slip down my nose so it’s important you get it tight enough that this happening is minimised. If you do need to adjust the mask, remember to sanitise your hands every time you need to touch around your face.

The mask can also be folded up and stored in a pouch that Closca supply.

Protection

This mask is a non-medical face covering. But still, it offers a little bit more protection than many masks. Now, when I say protection, remember I’m not talking about you. I’m talking about those in your company. That’s what all of these masks are for.

The design of the mask means there’s less of a gap for your breath to escape. For example, if you’re on a flight and wearing an over the ear mask, quite a bit of your breath escapes over your left and right cheek. Not great if people are sitting beside you. That’s lessened with the Closca Mask.

While some masks on Etsy are offering filters, it’s also a feature on the Closca Mask. These filters can be washed up to five times and are neatly held in place with a dedicated compartment. These filters do offer some additional protection for you as they are capable of a 98% Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (BFE).

Personality

Many masks on the market let you add some flair, particularly on Etsy. Closca Masks are more clinical (no pun intended). Personally, I like the clean colour choices and even more that you can pick a primary and secondary colour that matches your own preference. I’m a Kilkenny man which shines through a little.

Closca Design face mask in action. I needed to shave my beard a bit for comfort since.

Supporting Those In Need

While not particularly part of the review, buying a Closca Mask means you are supporting those in need. With the Closca Heath Hero Campaign, your mask purchase means you’re also donating 5 surgical masks to the most vulnerable groups.

Closca Mask: The Verdict

Masks are generally an imperfect solution to a problem that just needs a solution. Do I like wearing a mask? No. But I’m also not selfish. During a recent trip to Aldi me and my partner were the two of four people in a store of maybe thirty people wearing masks. It’s going to become more common that you need to wear a mask. So you’re going to need to invest in a few unless you are have a suitable medical reason not to. A genuine one far greater than “I don’t like masks”.

As I said, I’d recommend you pick up some cheaper ones locally and maybe invest in one really good one. If I was going to be in a scenario where I had to wear a mask for a few minutes, my cheaper one is great, maybe even better. However, for longer wearing or even a more social situation where I want a cool mask the Closca Mask is a perfect choice.

If I was to list why I love this mask versus other ones, it’s the design that tops the list. That’s assuming I’m comparing to other re-usable masks. When compared to single-use masks it’s the sustainability.

It looks like the masks are sold out for now, but it’s worth keeping an eye out to see if they come back. With filters they’ll set you back about €20.

Face Mask: FAQs

Are face coverings mandatory in Ireland?

In certain circumstances face coverings are mandatory in Ireland from Monday 29.06.2020.

When should I wear a face mask or face covering?

Wearing a cloth face covering is recommended in situations where it is difficult to practise social distancing, for example, in shops or on busy public transport. This is assuming you’re not in a category of people listed as an exception.

Are face coverings effective?

It early days when it comes to measuring the effectiveness of face masks with Covid-19. However, early indicators are positive. Wearing a cloth face covering in public may reduce the spread of the virus in the community. It may help to reduce the spread of respiratory droplets from people infected with Covid-19. Also, cloth face coverings may help to stop people who are not aware they have the virus from spreading it.

Should I wear a medical face mask?

Ideally, medical face masks should be worn by those who need them most and these people know they should be wearing them. Generally, if you’re asking the answer here is no. Wear a non-medical face covering.

Can I make my own face covering?

Yes, you can. The government has provided a guide on how to create your own face covering at home.

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