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.
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.
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”.
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.
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.
You’ll see the result with “Health Service Executive Ireland” underneath the app name.
Select “Install”
Once installed, open the app.
Confirm you are over 16
The app can only be used by people over 16 for legal reasons.
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.
Open the App Store on your phone
Search for “COVID tracker Ireland”
You’ll see the result with “Health Service Executive Ireland” underneath the app name.
Select “Install”
Once installed, open the app.
Confirm you are over 16
The app can only be used by people over 16 for legal reasons.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
Finally, we have a government. Not what many thought would happen and some have been left angry enough about it. Back in February, I’m personally not sure this is what I would have supported. Still, I’m of the opinion we should criticise what they do and not give out about their existence. Micheal Martin has said that the first 100 days of government will be key, so with that in mind, there are some topics I believe it’s key for new Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan, to get straight to work on.
Electric Scooter Legislation
This is more important that a few nerds, myself included, looking to zip about on gadgets. There’s also more to this than just electric scooter. This whole question surrounds micromobility.
Even if there’s legislation, it doesn’t really mean the situation for these riders would change. However, every day I see electric scooters carrying people from A to B. People simply don’t question the legality and if Gardai aren’t stopping them it’s purely down to Garda discretion. There are thousands of people unwittingly facing a court date unless these scooters get legalised.
Under normal circumstances, that would be ridiculous, but given the strain, public transport is under right now it’s even worse.
Public Transport Demand
As a result of Covid-19 and restrictions across the country being lifted, public transport is facing increased demand. At the best of times, public transport in Ireland doesn’t do well with being needed or fully joining up where people are coming from to where they are going. That’s left people seeking out public transport alternatives as even with face masks, the thoughts of being on a cramped Luas, bus or train is far from appealing.
Cycling traditional bikes, shared bike, e-bikes and electric scooters all have their own reasons for being fantastic alternatives to crowded buses. So they all need to be legislated for with bespoke laws tailored to these new modes of transport instead of the current laws which are shoe-horned into place.
E-bike Legislation
One thing outgoing Minister for Transport, Shane Ross, did do was muddy the waters a bit on e-bikes. When there was a report requested to look into micromobility solutions like electric scooters, he specifically separated e-bikes as being out of the report’s scope. The problem that causes is the wide variety of e-bikes which are available on the market.
I recently took out a Riese and Müller Charger 3GT which is understandably fully road legal without any grey areas. I also got to take out a Riese and Müller Delite which is the very high-end of what they offer. This bike is capable of 45kmph so it can actually break speed limits. In the German market, there has been specific legislation for these bikes. The reason this is important is because without legislation, we’re left with a grey area and consumers don’t like grey areas.
Micromobility Grants
Micromobility modes of transport include e-bikes, electric scooter, electric skateboards, electric unicycles and more. All of these modes of transport can be green, help close the gap between commuters getting from A to B and take strain off of failing modes of public transport.
As this is the case, their use should be encouraged by the Government. While the UK has gotten their fair share of things wrong recently, they are already fast-tracking the use of electric scooters in a limited manner. Those plans have come forward by a year to meet demand and reduce strain on public transport.
The Government already supports people looking to buy a new bike with the Bike to Work scheme. The problem with this scheme is that it’s, as the name suggests, bicycle focused. While great, consumers have interest in much more than just bikes. The scheme also only covers purchases up to €1000 which Shane Ross disappointingly referred to as a “a generous contribution towards the cost of any commuter bicycle but especially towards the cost of an e-bike”.
Micromobility is attractive for people to adopt but it’s also expensive. €1000 simply isn’t enough so the Government needs to shift closer towards offering grants or at least raising the Bike to Work cap considerably while also allowing other micromobility vehicles to be included.
Wise Spending Of Cycling And Walking Budget
The Government has promised to spend just shy of €1,000,000 per day for a year. That spend is only impressive if it achieves the most necessary goal of all. Shifting people from cars to alternative modes of transport. Cian Ginty describes the ambitious plans as an attempt to bring Ireland into a “Dutch level of cycling funding“.
Improved cycling infrastructure and steps like keeping Phoenix Park closed to through traffic can all change perceptions of cycling. But spending that money means more than bike lanes. With the tragic news of a cyclist being killed when a 17-year-old motorist knocked him down in Limerick. In some European countries, these events are always followed by an audit to determine what happened and steps are taken to ensure chances of it happening again are reduced.
There’s a lot of money being spent here to promote greener and healthier ways of getting around and this cannot be blown.
Logical Reformation Of Moped Licensing
Today, if I wanted to take a moped out for a spin I would need an AM category on my license. If you had received your full license before the end 21 October 2006, you got that by default. No additional training required. However, as is the case with me, I got my license after that date and would need to undergo 16 hours of training and pass a theory test to get the AM category added to my drivers license.
Training to take control over a powerful vehicle is a very good idea. However, in the case of the AM category, the training required is very disproportionate to the power of the vehicle. In Ireland, our licensing system makes no distinction between moped and motorcycle when it comes to obtaining a license. Both require 16 hours of initial basic training with an average cost of €500. Such an approach is massively at odds with the rest of Europe.
Some countries don’t require any training, which is a step to far towards the liberal end of things. Countries that do require training offer moped-specific solutions. Usually, this is between a half to a full day and costs around €100 to €150. In the UK, to get a moped license costs just €110 and takes one day.
Why do I care about mopeds? Well, traditional mopeds are a welcome alternative to both cars and public transport depending on where people live. They can be an ideal solution. Electric mopod technology is fast developing too. Irish startup, Lion Mobility, offer a great range of NIU mopeds with prices similar to that of some e-bikes.
We need to start looking at transport as a multi-solution issue where different vehicles suit different people. We also need realistic barriers and right now, the AM category requirements are way over the top.
16 hours of training.
All that’s left now is for everyone to keep the new Minister in check and ensure he’s delivering on high expectations we all have for a Green Minister.
PS. As Eamon Ryan has been confirmed to be Minister for Climate Action, Communication Networks and Transport, we also hope he can land rural broadband improvements too.
There’s a drum regularly beaten around Goosed Tower. Smartphone launches have become boring. Last year, one smartphone that caught us off guard was the Google Pixel 3a. While the Pixel 3XL was, and indeed still is, a great smartphone, its little sister was incredible. Today, at just €329, the Pixel 3a is still one of the best mid-priced phones on the market, particularly if you’re after a good camera. While it’s late, ripples of interest are going through the tech world that Google is nearly ready to launch the successor, the Google Pixel 4a. Here’s what we know and when we expect the Pixel 4a to launch in Ireland.
What Is The Google Pixel 4a?
I’m not entirely sure how it came about, but last years Pixel 3a felt like Google had ordered too many camera systems to make flagship phones. The answer to this problem was to make a cheaper phone with lower spec but the same camera. The result was remarkable both in terms of value and delivering a phone with a great camera. Now, it’s quite possible that’s not really what went down at all and that the Pixel 3a was always planned to sit in the mid-range smartphone category. Actually, it’s likely. But regardless, it’s set an expectation for the Pixel 4a. I’m expecting to see a smartphone with very respectable specs and a flagship camera.
In typical Google fashion, this new phone’s secrecy has been kept about as well as the existence of Area 51. Here’s what we know.
Google Pixel 4a: Name and Variants
First thing to clear up. This phone might not even be called the Pixel 4a – that’s an assumption. You can also assume things that have been leaked are probably reliable as Google is a very leaky ship.
Next up, the variants. We’d have expected to see a Pixel 4a and Pixel 4a XL. The latter appears to have fallen by the wayside despite reliable leaks that it exists. This suggests manufacturing his some sort of snag which given the whole Covid-19 situation is somewhat understandable.
Pixel 4a: Design
Pixel 4a design leak by @OnLeaks
The new Google Pixel is going to have a 5.81-inch display, making it slightly larger than its bigger brother – strangely enough. It will look incredibly similar to the Pixel 3. The rear camera setup is smaller given the phone will only have one camera lens. Another significant inclusion is a fingerprint reader on the rear of the phone, a preferred spot for man, and a headphone jack. Google is another company who called time on headphone jacks for flagships, but the Pixel 4a brings it back.
The biggest change in my eyes is the shift away from that gigantic forehead that the Pixel 4 has. Was it super noticeable? Well, yeah. Not when using, but to look at it was definitely an eyesore. The Pixel 4a design looks much tidier, made possible because the underwhelming radar technology won’t feature either.
More on specs.
Pixel 4a: Specs
Description
Specification
Display
5.81-inch 2340 x 1080 resolution
Front-facing camera
8MP – in-screen hole-punch
Rear-facing primary camera
12.2MP
Video recording
4K 30fps
Security
Rear-mounted fingerprint reader
Processor
Snapdragon 730
Memory
64GB or 128GB
Battery
3080 mAh
Headphone Jack
Yes
5G Ready
No
Speculative Specs
There’s nothing here to really spark too much conversation. Google’s choice to go with the Snapdragon 730 means plenty of power but kills hopes of this being a 5G phone. To be honest, Google were never going to include 5G on this when the Pixel 5 is a marketing dream for that.
Battery, like the Pixel 4, isn’t boasting an impressive number. Perhaps even more disappointing was the real-world experience of the Pixel 4 battery so it’ll be interesting to see if Google have worked out some software workarounds for that. You can probably expect to see the 64GB model get picked up by networks in Ireland, but if you want the 128GB you’ll need to buy from Google.
Pixel 4a: Launch Date, Price And Where To Buy
The Pixel 4a is already late for the expected launch window. But it is coming. I’d be shocked if Google pulls this handset completely, but we also don’t have a rock solid date.
I can’t see any major surprises in where you’ll be able to buy this phone either. The Google Store will have it all while Vodafone will most likely stock a “Just Black” 64GB variant. You can expect the Pixel 4a to cost in or around €399.
I adore Queer Eye. Honestly, it’s the most wholesome thing on Netflix in my eyes. I was watching an episode recently where a gym owner was struggling with his own “separation of church and state”. It got me thinking. While leaving the church is a big topic for me, this phrase can also be used generically to describe separating two things which have become merged for whatever reason. Think about right now. If you’re fortunate enough to still be working your “office job”, your home and workplace have become one. Working from home is great, but blurring those lines can have a negative impact on your mental health. Small changes can help greatly, so if you have a smartphone shared for work and your personal life, this is for you. Here’s how to disable app badges on iPhone, iPad and Android smartphones.
Why Would You Want To Disable App Badges
Perhaps this doesn’t bother everyone, but it does bother me. When I’m off, I’m off. It’s a personal motto I’ve had for years. During work hours, you get my undivided attention, but as soon as I’ve done my hours, I’m done. It’s a completely selfish thing. Sometimes being selfish is crucial to both yourself and your employer.
You’re absolutely no use to anyone burned out. Not to your employer, your colleagues or your friends and family. I’ve started using my iPad when I work because it’s great for notes, video calls and, thanks to Sidecar, being a second screen to work on. While it’s convenient, it also blurs the lines between work and personal life. On a day off, even if team chats are set to “Do Not Disturb” and I’ve set an “Out of Office” message, people will still message me. It’s not out of badness and I do it myself. It’s sending a message or a mail, in the moment, when you think of something.
you’re a kind of failure by not clearing through the work
I view it as “being on me” to solve this problem. The easy solution is “Do Not Disturb Mode”. You can set this on iPhone from the Control Centre or on Android by swiping down from the top of your screen. The problem is that this then sets everything to “Do Not Disturb”. Instead, I prefer to deal with everything on an app by app basis. Some apps will let you set “Do Not Disturb” hours, but not all do. When they don’t, I manage that apps notification rights individually. One of the things that get’s most overlooked is the app badge.
What Are App Badges?
App badges are the nicotine of modern technology. They are the little red circles that sit on an app to let you know how many notifications you have. While they serve their function well, I dislike them. Because of these badges, you find yourself checking your phone more often. If you’re really self aware, you’ll even feel your emotions change once you see them.
App badges reminding you of the work that needs to be done.
For the last while, I’ve had all my devices set to “Do Not Disturb” in an effort to reclaim control over the tech in my life. It’s working well. However, on a day off recently, I noticed badges on my email and chat apps were dragging me into a workday, even on weekends. For some, this isn’t a problem. But for me, I’ve been trying hard to, once again, “separate church and state”.
Disabling app badges was a must. The good news is, smartphones and tablets have started introducing features to give you more control over how your phone notifies you. Here’s how you can disable app badges.
How to Disable App Badges: iOS – iPhone and iPad
This step by step guide will show you how to disable app badges for iOS devices, including both iPhone and iPad.
Open “Settings”
Select “Notifications”
Select the app you would like to individually control
Work app examples might be Gmail, Outlook, Teams or Slack
Here you can either:
Disable all notifications, or
Disable all sounds
Disable all badges
(Individual apps may offer other options)
And that’s it. Repeat these steps for each of your work apps and you’ll no longer get reminders on Sunday that you’ll be facing into 132 emails in the morning.
How to Disable App Badges: Android
This step by step guide will show you how to disable app badges for Android devices.
Open “Settings”
Select “Notifications”
Select the app you would like to individually control
Work app examples might be Gmail, Outlook, Teams or Slack
Here you’ll be able to manage individual notification options for this app on your phone.
One particular option will be a toggle for “App icon badges”
Once you toggle that “App icon badges” to off, the red circle will no longer appear.
Look After Yourself When Working From Home
My final bit of advice is take some time to manage how your phone notifies you. I’ve found that setting time in my day to read emails and chats is more efficient for my own workflow. Everyone is different and it’s only by sitting down and working out what suits you that you’ll be able to take back control.
If you find yourself struggling with working from home or unplugging, little steps like this can really help. If you feel that things are really overwhelming, talk to someone. A family member, a friend, a colleague or your boss. See if your employer offers an Employee Assistance Programme. This time can be just as tough for people still in work as those out of work. It’s ok to admit you don’t feel ok. Taking steps to look after yourself mentally these days can be as crucial as wearing a face mask.
I’m a sucker for things to do with planes. Flight simulator “games”, Air Crash Investigation shows and movies like Flight with Denzil Washington. Hook them up to my veins. I was surprised when scrolling through Amazon Prime that there’s a new movie called 7500 starting Joseph Gordon-Levitt that I hadn’t heard of. So I hit play.
What is 7500 About?
Gordon-Levitt plays first officer Tobias Ellis. A pilot with ten years flying experience setting out on another routine flight between Berlin and Paris. Flying nerds, and pilots I guess, will recognise that the movies name, 7500, is the transponder setting for pilots to indicate an aircraft hijacking. Indeed, 7500 is about terrorists attempting to take over a plane. More accurately, 7500 is about how Gordon-Levitt’s character handles the situation and the terrorists.
There’s added emotion involved as, without the terrorist knowledge, the co-pilot’s partner is also an air steward on the same short-haul flight.
The movie opens silently with security footage tracking passengers through security. Immediately, video footage which emerged of terrorists post-9/11 comes to mind. As the movie moves beyond the intro, the cockpit is set up as being the primary location for the story. The camera sits inside the cabin, inside the secure door, looking at the pilots’ controls. With the exception of earlier security footage and a shot from the flight deck looking down the plane, the only other sight out of the cabin is through a camera. The camera is used by pilots to identify people attempting to gain access to the flight deck.
After some typical ground checks and some pilots’ humour about two late passengers, the flight takes off as expected. As the cabin crew bring the pilots their meal, terrorists rush the cabin. After a brief struggle, the co-pilot secures the door again. The captain has suffered fatal wounds, the co-pilot is injured, some terrorists remain locked out of the cabin while one remains inside unconcious.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt as the co-pilot Tobias Ellis
The co-pilot remains in control of the aircraft, keeping the door locked while redirecting to Hannover Airport. He keeps the door locked despite terrorists murder two people in the passenger cabin. Included is the co-pilot’s partner. Eventually, the terrorist in the cabin comes around and manages to open the cockpit. With the terrorists in control of the plane again, the plane aimed at a city below and descending rapidly, one young terrorist named Vedat played by Omid Memar has second thoughts. He kills the terrorist in control and the co-pilot, with the help of the regretful terrorist land safely.
The passengers disembark but the co-pilot and terrorist remain, Vedat trying to plot a way out. Ultimately, there isn’t one and after threatening the co-pilot with a knife, police snipers take their shot through an open window of the cockpit.
The movie ends with the co-pilot stepping past his dead partner with the camera in the passenger cabin staring back into the cockpit.
7500: Is It Good?
7500 is bloody tense. It’s also shot brilliantly. I enjoyed the movie myself and could feel my heart racing throughout. So, on the surface – yeah, it’s good. But I always like to dig a little deeper into what I’ve just watched and see what the director really wanted to tell.
The Muslim Terrorist
This feels lazy at first. It’s another mid-air hijacking where the terrorists are Muslim avenging the crimes of The West. Initially, I tutted in my own head. But as it unfolds, the movie appears instead to be challenging the belief that all extremists can’t be neutralised peacefully with words and listening. The terrorist shows a conscious and his remorse is apparent even when battling with self-preservation. But when Vedat is taken down by a sniper, it’s hard to really understand what the director wanted to achieve.
The co-pilot tries to stop the bleeding from the gunshot wound, but really it seems more to be Stockholm Syndrome than an attempt to address any serious misconceptions about extremism lacking humanity at a deep level.
Gordon-Levitt himself stated on Twitter that the movie is about the “controversial and often oversimplified narrative involving prejudice, extremism, and how the dehumanisation of ‘others’ can perpetuate a tragic circle of violence”. To be honest, I don’t buy what the director is selling here. If he’s going to create a terrorism movie with this kind of goal, he needed to work harder on the story he wanted to tell.
Shooting Style
While that first hurdle is huge, even after dissecting the movie, I feel I did enjoy it. And that’s mainly down to how tense a thriller it is.
The movie is void of any soundtrack beyond the hum of jet engines and familiar dings that passenger airliners routinely make. It’s all about the atmosphere. The opening shot is almost claustrophobic, showing how tight the cockpit is for space before all the drama takes place here. It’s not accidental that the final shot takes place outside the cockpit looking back in giving the viewer some deserved breathing space when the obvious conflict is resolved. The style result comes as a result of the director’s deliberate shooting approach. Gordon-Levitt said on Twitter that they “wouldn’t stick to script, wouldn’t stick to marks, would just leave the camera rolling and stay in character for these long stretches of time. It was extremely challenging but deeply rewarding”.
Our Relationship With Technology
Some of the themes to emerge, like extremism, are obvious. Others are more subtle. Not for the first time, I’ve spotted a few things that give a nod towards our difficult relationship with tech as a theme. More specifically, the movie looks at how technology is an often negative medium between us and our goals or a barrier between us and control. You might think I’m reaching but check it out.
For the flight crew, there’s no connection to the rear of the plane during the flight and the attack except for the video intercom. The video intercom also provides a mirror for the viewer to consider their own position in society. The co-pilot turns off the video stream just before a terrorist murders a passenger in an attempt to force the co-pilot to open the cockpit door. Naturally, while refusing to open the door is for the greater good of the plane’s safety, it also acts as a metaphor for the public turning their back on news of atrocities.
A terrorist being viewed through the pilot’s video intercom
There are even more examples of tech coming between humanity and control. The co-pilot can only get advice from air traffic control or an invisible police officer we never meet over a radio. At the start, even the co-pilot’s partner says she just had a call with her mother and found out they didn’t get a kinder garden place. Another phone call between a terrorist and his mother confirms to him that there’s no going back.
The plane he’s flying is a model of Airbus which flies a side-stick, not centre-stick like we’d all be typically used to seeing. Airbus planes are disliked by hardcore traditional pilots because of their flight controls. Instead of hydraulics directly connecting pilots to flight surfaces, it’s all electronic. This leaves pilots often second-guessing, fearing a “ghost in the machine“.
That’s a very specific one but there are some more obvious examples of tech as a negative medium.
To support all of this, the non-direct interactions are juxtaposed with one genuine human interaction between the captain and ground crew who know each other years. This face to face connection visibly means a lot to the captain in comparison to two passengers who are late, reduced to the pilot as being a nuisance delaying the flight. The terrorist, Vedat, is unsure what to do during the attack and eventually “does the right thing” once he has a face-to-face connection with the co-pilot, albeit while also saving his own life.
7500: The Verdict
Ok, that’s my ramble complete. The movie is tense. While there are some lazy tropes that, with a little bit of creativity, could have been avoided, all-in-all, this is a good return to the big-small screen for Joseph Gordon-Levitt. In his first movie since 2016, he’s managed to shoot something a little different in style if not substance.
How we get around is changing. With people seeking out public transport alternatives, and even alternatives to their car, we’re looking at new modes of transport. While it’s hopeful a new government will legalise electric scooters, for those looking for something a little bit more familiar, e-bikes are a great solution. Thanks to the team over at Green Aer, I was able to take the Riese and Müller Charger 3 out for a few hours in Dublin to put this top-selling e-bike through its paces.
Who Is Riese and Müller?
Riese and Müller is a bicycle manufacturer from Darmstadt in Germany. Founded by Markus Riese and Heiko Müller. While the company makes a wide range of bikes, they are fast becoming best known for their work in the e-bike space. In the Green Aer showroom, I got to see a few e-bikes they have on offer. I also got to take a quick spin on the incredibly impressive Riese and Müller Delite.
While you’ve probably never heard of the Delite, in a short space of time I both witnessed people speaking about it like I’ve seen people talking about top sports cars. I also took it for a ride and was blown away by it.
However, the big test of the day was taking out the Riese and Müller Charger 3 GT.
The Riese and Müller Charger 3 GT
The Charger 3 is your Kia Cee’d, Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf of e-bikes. By that I mean thay aren’t cheap but they’re also not stupidly expensive. Also, for your money, you get enough bells and whistles to feel like you’ve bought yourself a nice e-bike. From chatting with the guys in Green Aer, it became clear quite quickly that when people are shopping for an e-bike, they’re generally shopping for the Charger 3.
Riese and Müller Charger 3: Design
To look at, the Charger 3 is a bike. Some e-bikes on the market have unorthodox looks but if this was to pass you on the street, you’d likely not give it a second look. It’s got a nice looking sporty design that’s at home in a big city centre or going cross country in a national park. Already, you can see some of the broad appeal this e-bike has to offer.
Typical of Riese and Müller is minimal design. When you take this bike out for a spin, you don’t feel like you’re climbing aboard a spaceship. The experience remains very much like taking a bike for a cycle.
The frame of the bike is heavier than your avergage bike and an important consideration. For me, having become used to the weight of Dublin Bikes, it didn’t worry me. In fact, the additional weight combined with assisted power left me more confident to take up position on the road where I normally wouldn’t have. The result is safer cycling.
What else is there to say about the design? At the end of the day, this is a bike. While there’s a motor on-board, you get two wheels, a frame and a handlebar. Where things start to change is in the mechanical side of things.
Riese and Müller Charger 3: The Hardware
Sure, many parts of the hardware are similar but when you buy an e-bike there are a few additional things that you need to consider. These are the elements that make e-bikes a significantly larger investment that a regular bike.
The Bosch Performance Cruise Motor
I don’t have a whole lot to compare the motor too. I have taken Moby Move for a test drive and was a regular rider of an electric scooter, but this is different. E-bikes only assist you, they don’t do all the work. When I took out the Moby Move e-bike, it was my first time on an e-bike. I thought it was awesome as you felt somewhat superhuman in having a motor aid your movement. While I thought that was great, the Bosch Performance Cruise motor that features on the Charger 3 is just next level.
While you can control the level of assistance the e-bike gives you, in top Turbo Mode as soon as you start cycling you can feel the additional power trying to take the effort away from you. Moby Move bikes don’t have that.
The reason is the quality of the motor. This Bosch motor is capable of 340% pedal assistance. If you’re not into the maths, like I just said above, this means the bike just needs a small bit of effort from you to ramp up the power the bike dishes out. While you can cycle as fast as you like, the motor will only provide assistance up to 25kmph. This is the case with most e-bikes for legal reasons, though some are capable of up to 45kmph.
The motor itself is under warranty for two years too, but much like a car, if something doesn’t go wrong in your first couple of hundred kilometres, you’re unlikely to experience massive issues.
There’s only so much you can tell from a few hours when testing a motor, but it’s powerful, reliable and fun.
Battery Power
The “e” stands for electric so naturally, there’s a battery on board. The base model of the Charger 3 comes with a 500 Wh battery. Additional upgrades give you a 625 Wh battery or 1125 Wh battery. I was cycling for about two or three hours and only saw the battery reduce to 90% from 97%.
There are so many variables when it comes to batteries before we even talk about the e-bike specific ones. Again, tough to test over a short period of time, but for most journeys I couldn’t see you running out of juice. While your cycling, you are recharging the battery, but it’s not going to be enough to cancel out how much power the batteries are using in general. This means you do need to plug the Charger 3 in.
To recharge the battery you can either plug the bike itself in or remove the battery from the frame and charge it at home. This is handy if you don’t have power near where you charge the bike. It’s also a bit of a security feature as e-bikes are no craic to cycle without batteries. Before you ask, don’t work. An ABUS locking system keeps your battery in place so if you’re just locking it on the street for a few minutes, someone can’t make off with your battery.
The battery is stored in the frame and can be released by unlocking the ABUS security system.
On-board Computer
I was actually a bit surprised with how simple the on-board computer is. Once again, there are a few different computer options. The one I tested out is the Bosch Kiox.
While not standard, the Kiox is a definite optional for me to recommend particularly if you’re leaning towards the sporty side of reasons to own an ebike. The colour display lets you see what power mode you’re in, how much juice is left in your battery pack and also loads of nerdy cycling data too. You can even sync this up via a smartphone app and track all of your stats.
Bosch Kiox
Another optional extra is the chest strap heart monitor. You’ll know if you need this. The guys in Green Aer told me that loads of people buying e-bikes are retired, elderly or people who’ve had a medical scare. With the chest strap, you can manage how much the bike assists you and keep your heart rate in a save range, under medical advise of course.
Gear Change
The gear change on the Charger 3 is all handled by a single twist shifter on the handlebar. It’s a little bit silly, but I really love the indicator which the guys in Green Aer affectionately refer to as “Watson”. While a little silly, I love things like this in place of “third gear” because it makes it more visual and helpful to know what gear you should be in.
NuVinci Gear Shift
Chain Reaction
Is there a more hated part of a bike than the chain? It does it’s job and goes unloved, until the day it fails you and becomes the very bane of your existence.
Well, with the Charger 3 comes an alternative to the bike chain. In it’s place sits a carbon belt drive. While more effective than a chain, this belt is also more reliable and should never give you trouble.
Riese and Müller Charger 3: The Ride
I appreciate that referring to anything as “the ride” in Ireland will usually get a giggle so I apologise. Try to focus.
Most of the bikes I’ve taken out lately have been bone rattlers. Dublin Bikes, Bleeper Bikes, Moby Move and even my own electric scooter are all suspension-free. The only thing connecting you to the road is the tyres. The Charger 3 has plenty built in to stop the fillings from being shaken out of your head.
Front air-fork suspension does, no pun intended, lots of heavy lifting when it comes to a smooth ride. Chunky tyres help out too, but with no space for mid suspension, the Charger 3 has a clever trick up its sleeve, or more under your arse, to keep things smooth.
The seat is connected to the frame with a Thudbuster suspension system.
Overall, the entire ride was incredibly smooth. I found myself aiming the bike at bumps or deliberately going over cobblestones because I knew I could.
These are comfort machines.
Security: Locking And Securing Your Charger 3
E-bikes aren’t cheap. That’s why I spent quite a lot of time chatting with the Green Aer team about how you secure these bikes. If you’re going to park on the street, you want to make sure your bike will be there when you get back.
I mentioned earlier that the battery can only be removed with your ABUS key. This doubles as a security feature as without battery power e-bikes are a lot less attractive. The Green Aer team also require that you bring your frame to the shop if you need a replacement battery. While partially to ensure you get the right one, they also check for proof of purchase to ensure the bike is yours.
ABUS also supply the ABUS Bordo Granit X-Plus lock that’s included with the bike. It’s really neat and tidy too.
Finally, if you opt for the Kiox on-board computer, you can pair this to your Charger 3. By doing this, the Kiox becomes a key that starts your bike. Another neat little bit of security for what is a valuable piece of micromobility to own.
The Riese and Müller Charger 3: The Verdict
I’m by no means a hardcore cyclists. I’m a filthy casual as some might say. I do enjoy a traipse through Phoenix Park on a bike or getting across down a little quicker on one, but that’s about it. However, recently I find myself cycling more than ever. Dublin City is seeing heavy investment in cycling infrastructure making bikes a much most popular option. So, should you buy an e-bike?
It’s impossible for me to know what your personal circumstances are, but I’d imagine you know whether or not you need to buy an e-bike. Perhaps your workplace doesn’t offer on-site shower facilities? Maybe you’ve had to stop cycling for health reasons. For me, I’d buy an e-bike because I noticed when riding the Riese and Müller Charger 3, I was taking the long route because cycling was effortless.
There’s no arguing with the fact that e-bikes like the Charger 3 are expensive. This particular model that I was testing out costs just over €4500. Even if your workplace offers the Bike to Work scheme, you’ll only receive support up to €1000. So, e-bikes are for certain people in certain circumstances. Beyond that they are a significant expense to justify.
The wildcard here is “what’s around the corner?”. A new government with a green lean will likely look to invest in cycling. This will hopefully include e-bike grants.
This is my long-winded way of saying there’s no questioning of the quality the Riese and Müller Charger 3. It nails everything. The question is much broader. Do you need an e-bike? If the answer is yes, the Charger 3 is the perfect choice.
The team over at Green Aer did nothing more than lend me a bike and their time. They haven’t paid for this but I do need to say, they’re brilliant. I never knew buying an e-bike could lead to so many questions. They are more of the bike dealership. They’ll help you find the best bike for you with no extras or just the extras you’ll need. Also, they only service e-bikes they sell, so you’re supporting local business while also ensuring you have somewhere to get it fixed too. They’ve also just opened a store in Cork and are servicing the entire Munster area.
