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Huawei Watch GT 2e Review: Purely Fitness Focused

Marty
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Huawei Watch GT 2e Review: Purely Fitness Focused

I’ve been lucky enough to have every Huawei Watch on my wrist. I remember buying the original Huawei Watch because it was the most watch-like smartwatch on the market. It was a thing of beauty. Since then, a few things have changed. Huawei now uses their own operating system instead of Wear OS and designs have evolved too. But at their core, Huawei Watches are amongst some of the best wearables on the market. They’ve just released the Huawei Watch GT 2e and I’ve been testing it out. Here’s what I think.

Huawei Building An Eco-System

As I said, I’ve had every Huawei Watch. The early watches were powered by Android’s wearable operating system. It wasn’t bad, but to be honest, the watches looked better than they performed. I say that with the benefit of hindsight because at the time I was smitten with them. With the Huawei Watch GT, the Chinese phone manufacturer made the decision to use their own wearable operating system called LiteOS. Now, this switch was Huawei’s choice, unlike their move to HMS because of Trump’s ban.

At the time, I found the move odd. It took certain core functionality from my wrist. Google Pay or Android Pay was no more. Syncing Spotify with my watch a thing of the past.

It’s only now I realise what’s really happening with Huawei. They’re building the eco-system. Think of Apple. If you have a MacBook, iPad, iPhone, Apple Watch and Apple TV, everything works together seamlessly. And when I say seamlessly, it’s something special altogether. Huawei has their eyes set upon building the same eco-system. Their logic would appear to be if that can’t have Google, they’ll build something better. A whole new alternative with the freedoms of Android phones, but the eco-system akin to that of Apple.

The Huawei eco-system will feature everything that Apple does. Earlier this year, I got to head over to Barcelona to see Huawei launch phones, tablets and laptops. I’ve seen the eco-system and it’s mighty. The Huawei Watch GT 2 is probably the lesser-known of the lot but one of my favourites. And now there’s a sporty sequel.

The Huawei Watch GT 2e

Why has Huawei launched another wearable? My money would be on the fact that they need to pad out their portfolio of non-cellular products given the who Google thing. Don’t get me wrong, I’m using the Huawei P40 Pro which runs Huawei Mobile Services without Google, and it’s brilliant. Though, full transparency, I have managed to put Google on it. But it’s going to take time for Huawei to assure people their eco-system and more importantly, their app store meets everyone’s needs.

While that’s all happening, every product helps. The Huawei Watch GT 2e enters the market to give people a new Huawei Watch at a lower price. But there’s more to it. The Huawei Watch GT 2 and Watch GT 2e are for slightly different users. The latter being more focused on sports.

Design

The Huawei Watch GT 2e is minimalist in it’s design. The model I’ve been testing out is the black watch with a black strap. The watch face isn’t recessed at all which might cause a little anxiety if you tend to tip watches off walls and the likes. I’ve given mine a few nervy smacks already but I seem to be getting away with it. The 1.39 inch 454 x 454 HD AMOLED is crisp and clear but does get a little washed out in sunlight. Believe it or not, a problem I’ve experienced in Ireland but a wee tilt of the watch and it’s clear as day again.

Around the side are two buttons which keep a low profile. I think I prefer this to the buttons of the Watch GT 2 which stick out a little further. The lower profile buttons certain lend themselves to fewer accidental presses while you work out. Another tick in the box of the Watch GT 2e targeting fitness buffs.

huawei watch GT 2 and GT 2e
Comparison of the Huawei Watch GT 2 and Watch GT 2e

With that aside, it’s the usual. The Watch GT 2e is really comfy to wear, largely down to its lightweight design and curved design which sees the strap flow into the watch and match the curve of your wrist. Also, swapping straps is rather simple with the always present quick release strap pins. The catch is that while other 22mm straps will fit the watch, the curve means they’ll look silly. That curve also causes a bigger problem when you need to charge your watch.

The curve means it can’t sit flush on a bedside locker while charging. It has to lie on its side. An unusual design oddity from Huawei who’s been pretty on fleek to date.

huawei watch gt 2e curved strap
Curved strap brings comfort but awkward charging

Huawei has also been busy adding new watch faces and I love some of the new ones. It’s important you keep things fresh you know?

Functionality

When it comes to functionality, many focus on the lack of support for third-party apps. I know I used to. Things have just started to get really exciting. Just like I’ve been calling for patience with the Huawei AppGallery, Huawei Watch is starting to deliver functionality within its own eco-system.

Music on Watch GT 2e

Music is the prime example. Many dislike the idea of a watch incapable of syncing with Spotify. Again, this was something that bothered me. This year, Huawei launched their own music service, creatively called Huawei Music. Now, it’s not Spotify or Apple Music, but like everything else Huawei does it’s improving fast. Because I’ve got Huawei Music I can sync music from that service to my watch. It does have a certain “work around” feel to it with music being downloaded and converted for your watch. But it’s a start and it’s works, even if the transfers are a little slow.

The watch makes one sacrifice from the Watch GT 2 which I actually did use. There’s no speaker now. I used this when running with my partner and we wanted to both hear the watch fitness instructor. You can still link your Bluetooth earbuds with your wrist for when you’re out breaking a sweat though.

And now that we’re talking about fitness, it’s the perfect time for a segue.

Watch GT 2e Fitness

Huawei has one massive angle with the Watch GT 2 Series. Fitness is amazing on both. Both watches feature more or less the same fitness tracking, but the GT 2e just has more of a fitness look and feel. I’ve been out for a few runs with the Watch GT 2e and love some of the fitness functionality, which I’ll admit I’ve spent more time playing with. Why? Because this feels like a fitness watch.

Going for a run, I can choose from set workouts or build my own. I prefer to set my own. Saying I want to hit 5km and even pop in a target pace. The watch then sets up a virtual running companion who keeps me on my toes. I really found this useful. I haven’t run in ages and set myself the goal of achieving 5km in less that 40 minutes on my first night back. I needed a lot of breaks, but because of virtual companion I was able to keep on pace. I treated the companion like a knife-wielding murderer who I needed to stay at least 10 meters ahead of.

Lads, it actually worked.

And just like that, I have a method. I can try shave thirty seconds off every night by staying ahead of the data. And data really is key. I get live feedback on things like my heart rate and to top it off, the Huawei Health app has a nice map of my route with all the usual info like calories burned ready for me to review. The Watch GT 2e is up there with the best of the best when it comes to Fitness Trackers.

There’s a whole wealth of workouts the Watch GT 2e can help you out with too. The watch is also water-resistant and works well in water, even supporting triathlon mode. Because the watch is GPS enabled, even without a phone connected, it’s clever enough to change modes as you change discipline. Here’s a small selection of the most popular workout modes featured.

Huawei Watch GT 2e workouts

The entire experience of working out with this watch was nice. This is in no small part to being able to run untethered. All I need is my watch and my earbuds for fitness tracking and music.

Watch GT 2e Battery Life

This is once again the Huawei Watch party piece. Since the first Watch GT, Huawei has blown minds with their battery life. Instead of a wearable that needs to be charged every night, with the Watch GT 2e you’ll only need to charge every two weeks. This is down to a few factors. Dark colour schemes and defaulting to screen off when not in use, shows that Huawei is boxing clever and reducing strain on the battery where it’s least noticed. But it is more than that. I’ve been harping on about the Kirin A1 chip for quite some time now but anything that little chip touches seem to be awesome. This chip is specially designed for wearables and has featured in earlier watches and the Huawei FreeBuds 3.

The Kirin A1 chip also means you get high performance with lower power consumption.

To be frank, as brilliant as the battery life is on the Watch GT 2e, it’s almost the minimum that the entire industry should meet. For me, that’s the frustration with the whole Google scenario. It feels like we’re keeping the most innovative markets shackled.

Huawei Watch GT 2e: The Verdict

If you’re an Android or Huawei phone owner, in the market for a smartwatch and are into fitness, this purchase is a no-brainer. It’s between this or the Huawei Watch GT 2. Both will work with iOS, but I struggle to see why you’d not buy yourself an Apple Watch if that’s your eco-system.

The perfect setup for me, and I’m fortunate enough to live it, is the Huawei Watch GT 2 with a leather strap for when I need to look fancy and the Watch GT 2e for workouts. I’ve been won over by non-Android operating systems and can see the Huawei eco-system challenging that of Apple. Right now, if you buy a watch likes this I do wonder if it will meet your every expectation or what they may be. But with an incredible battery, ability to let you run untethered and impressive suite of workouts, I can’t see it disappointing.

Huawei Watch GT 2 versus Huawei Watch GT 2e

Huawei Watch GT 2eHuawei Watch GT 2
Weight43g without the strap41g without the strap
Display1.39 inch AMOLED 454 x 454 HD1.39 inch AMOLED 454 x 454 HD
GPSSupportedSupported
Memory4GB4GB
SensorsAccelerometer sensorAccelerometer sensor
Gyroscope sensorGyroscope sensor
Geomagnetic sensorGeomagnetic sensor
Optical heart rate sensorOptical heart rate sensor
Ambient light sensorAmbient light sensor
Air pressure sensor
Capacitive sensor
Water Proof Rating5 ATM water-resistant5 ATM water-resistant
Android SupportAndroid 4.4 or laterAndroid 4.4 or later
iOS SupportiOS 9.0 or lateriOS 9.0 or later
BatteryTypically 14 daysTypically 14 days
BluetoothBluetooth 5.1，BLE / BR / EDRBluetooth 5.1，BLE / BR / EDR

Huawei Watch GT 2e FAQ

Does the Huawei Watch GT 2e work with iPhone?

Yes. While not all features are compatible, generally the watch will work with iOS devices.

Where can I buy the Huawei Watch GT 2e?

The Huawei Watch GT 2e is available to buy directly from Three Ireland.

How much does the Huawei Watch GT 2e cost?

This is perhaps one of the biggest draws. The Watch GT 2e costs just €169.

Can I install apps on the Huawei Watch GT 2e?

No. The only things that work on the watch are features Huawei have pre-installed.

OPPO Ireland: Everything You Need To Know

Marty
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OPPO Ireland: Everything You Need To Know

Ireland has a fair share of phone manufacturers come and go. Some, I watch from afar, wondering if they’ll ever come here in force. I’ve noticed some movements in Ireland which suggests we’re going to get another soon. Their name is OPPO and here’s everything you need to know about them.

The Irish Smartphone Landscape

For a long time, your selection of phones here was quite limited. Phone manufacturers have gone through several waves of dominance. The early days were Motorola, followed by Nokia until the dawn of the smartphone. That brought the Apple iPhone and Samsung Galaxy. More recently Huawei was the disrupted until the controversy with the United States meant Huawei phones could no longer ship with Google support. While some other great brands like Xiaomi are available, they’ve ultimately been a bit of a damp squib in the Irish market. However, there’s a new brand in town and they’re called OPPO.

Who Is OPPO?

OPPO is a Chinese technology manufacturer. They specialise in smartphones but also have produced the OPPO Enco W31 wireless earbuds. While relatively new in Europe, the company was founded way back in 2001 and is a subsidiary of the much lesser-known BBK Electronics Corporation. While I say they are lesser-known, you’ll likely have heard of some other brands under this parent company, including Vivo and OnePlus.

Can You Buy OPPO In Ireland?

OPPO is not available to buy from any of the big phone shops in Ireland. By “big phones shops” I mean the network shops and Carphone Warehouse. However, you can buy OPPO phones from Currys/PC World, with a smaller selection available from Littlewoods Ireland. However, I don’t believe it’s going to be too much longer until we see OPPO in Irish shops. Where exactly, I have no idea. It would make sense if Three stores began to stock them given that they are the only place in Ireland you can buy OnePlus and Xiaomi. The first of course being a sister company of OPPO.

What Phones Do OPPO Sell?

OPPO stocks three primary ranges of phone. They are the:

  • X Series
  • Reno Series
  • A Series

OPPO has the potential to disrupt the market in a similar manner to how Huawei did a few years back. They offer great spec at extremely competitive pricing. Here are some of the best they have to offer

OPPO Find X2 Pro

It’s like the Samsung Galaxy S20+ and Huawei P40 Pro.

The OPPO Find X2 Pro is the Chinese phone company’s heaving hitting flagship smartphone. On paper (because I’ve yet to really play with an OPPO phone) the Find X2 Pro is a mighty impressive smartphone. It’s capable of largely holding it’s own when compared with the likes of a Samsung Galaxy S20+.

In fact, if you compare the Find X2 Pro DXOMARK camera ratings, the only phone that beats it is the brilliant Huawei P40 Pro.

Currently, it’s only available to pre-order in the UK. While you get a cracking pair of Band & Olufsen headphones included, the phone itself is a spicy €1200+ SIM-free from the UK. While good on paper, I can’t say go buy one until I test it. But early signs are good.

OPPO Reno 2

It’s like the Samsung Galaxy S10 and OnePlus 7

The OPPO Reno 2 is one of those cool phones that, despite a reasonable price point, packs in specs and a bit of wow-factor. The wow-factor comes with the clever bit of engineering that hides the phone’s selfie camera. To allow users to enjoy a completely unobstructed view, the selfie camera folds out of and into the top of the phone.

Shark Fin Pop-up Camera on the Reno 2

OPPO A Series

Within the A Series you have both the OPPO A9 and OPPO A5. With these, you’re into the entry level phones.

OPPO A5

It’s like the Huawei P Smart Z and Nokia 5.3

The battery. Lord above. They’ve squashed a 5000 mAh battery into this thing. There’s also a quad-lens primary camera. This kind of spec for sub €160 is just madness.

OPPO A9

It’s like the Samsung Galaxy A10 and Huawei P Smart 2019

Again, with the 5000 mAh battery. For this price range it’s genuinely stunning. I do need to repeat, I’ve not gotten hands on with any of these phones but the specs and prices versus what’s in the market right now is very interesting indeed.

Watch this space because I believe we’ll be seeing OPPO in Irish phone shops much sooner rather than later.

OPPO: Frequently Asked Questions

Where do OPPO phones come from?

Oppo is a Chinese smartphone manufacturer. They are based in Dongguan, Guangdong, China.

What does OPPO stand for?

There’s nothing to deep about it! OPPO is a Chinese company and in Mandarin their name is Guǎngdōng Ōupò Yídòng Tōngxìn Yǒuxiàn Gōngsī. This translates to Guangdong Opper Mobile Communication Co., Ltd. So you can see where OPPO comes from in the middle there.

Are OPPO phones good?

I have to hold my hand up here and say I’ve had VERY limited time with an OPPO phone in my hand. However, on paper and from what I’ve seen from other reviewers I trust, OPPO make very good phones. They are packed full of specs and wrap it all up in a neat packages for a very reasonable price.

Are OPPO and OnePlus the same?

Actually, yes. Kind of. OPPO’s parent company is BBK Electronics. They’re the same parent company of OnePlus.

Can OPPO use Google?

The Trump ban on American companies working with Chinese smartphone manufacturers is still limited to just Huawei, strangely. While this may change in the future it’s likely that such a change would only affect new handsets released after a certain date. For now, OPPO is officially supported by Google.

Can OPPO play Fortnite?

On a high level, there’s no reason Fortnight wouldn’t work with an OPPO smartphone. However, the game itself does have some specific requirements. So make sure you check out what specs your phone has and that it is supported.

What OPPO phone is the best?

Currently available for pre-order, OPPO’s flagship smartphone is the Find X2 Pro.

Which OPPO phone has the best camera?

The OPPO Find X2 Pro promises to not only be the best OPPO smartphone camera, but it will also be one of the best smartphones on the market full stop. According to DXOMARK, the only smartphone camera in the Irish market that’s better is the Huawei P40 Pro.

Will OPPO be affected by a similar ban to the Huawei ban?

It’s hard to know what’s around the corner and the US and Trump are quite unpredictable. However, for now, OPPO is fully supported by Google and will be for the foreseeable future. If that is to change, existing phones which have already been approved by Google will likely continue to be supported regardless.

Free games on PlayStation Plus June 2020 Edition

Dean
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Free games on PlayStation Plus June 2020 Edition

One of the great things about gaming these days is free Playstation games! Yes, you read that correctly. Free. Well, not completely free. In order to avail of these free games, you need to sign up for Playstation gaming subscription service, “PlayStation Plus“.

What is PlayStation Plus?

For a very reasonable monthly fee of 9.99 a month, you gain access to a library of over 500 Playstation games which can be downloaded directly to your PS4. This saves you the hassle of buying individual discs in-store and allows you to start gaming instantly.

gguy/Shutterstock.com

Now, back to free things. Every month, the library is updated and includes games a discounted prices and also some FREE games. And once you download the game, it’s yours!  So let’s take a look at what games are free to download this month, shall we?

 Star Wars Battlefront 2

In a galaxy not so far, far away, EA absolutely bottled Star Wars Battlefront 2 when it was launched. When gamers got their hands on one of the most highly anticipated games of 2018, they found that EA had inserted loot crates which acted as the game’s main form of progression. In other gaming titles, loot crates mainly offer cosmetic upgrades and do not hinder you from progressing.

Also, in order to play as some of the main characters, such as Luke and Darth Vader, you had to pay money! When this happened, the gaming community lost their minds. EA’s reputation over the years has been dwindling and this was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Eventually, EA upgraded to the game so that this wasn’t the case.

Now? The graphics in the game are great, and who doesn’t love to hear the “pew pew pew” of blasters? The space battles alone are worth downloading it. And you’ve got the campaign. Some of the multiplayer game modes include Starlight Assault, Heroes and Villains, and Galactic Assault.

You can play online co-op with your friends and also enjoy offline space battles, similar to the original Star Wars Battlefront game. And hey, if it doesn’t tickle your fancy, remember, it’s FREE. So you can just uninstall it and try out…

Call of Duty: WWII

Hell. Yes. Who doesn’t love Call of Duty? It’s one of the biggest gaming franchises in the world and its online mode is one of the best out there. Along with the great campaign beginning on the beaches of Normandy, you also get 9 maps to play on in multiplayer. Within the campaign are different game modes such as Free for all, Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flag and Domination.

You also get War Mode, which you don’t get in other COD’s. War Mode is a multiplayer game that requires you to complete specific operations against an opposing team which takes place over multiple stages. The variety of game modes honestly makes the game so much fun and I’ve found getting on the headset with the lads to be one of my favourite things to do during the lockdown.

You also get a choice of 31 guns which you can customise yourself in order to inflict maximum damage on your opponents and pick up those vital W’s. If you are into your shooter games, this free download is not to be missed.

So there you have it, 2 AWESOME titles that can be yours for free this month. Give them a go and join next month for our July edition of what can be yours for free on Playstation.

 

 

PS5 Announcement Incoming! What’s in store for the next generation of gaming?

Jon
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PS5 Announcement Incoming! What’s in store for the next generation of gaming?

We’ve been following the upcoming PS5 for a while now and since the announcement of the Dualsense controller, excitement has been at peak levels. Thankfully the wait to know more is almost at an end, and for us, there are few things as exciting as the launch of a new console. Now as a result of Corona and all events being cancelled, this Sony event is going to be online via Twitch or YouTube, June 4 at 9 p.m. BST.

What do we know?

PlayStation has always been about more than just gaming so what is the is PS5 ging to offer at launch? Much is it going to cost? What’s the expected release date and will this year’s model be an 8K Machine? We’ve looked into our crystal ball and we think we have some of the answers.

We have learned a lot from Mark Cerny, PlayStations lead architect and over the last year both himself and Sony have confirmed some details, so let’s have a look at what we think we know.

Price

PS5: release date, price, specs and news for the PlayStation 5

This is a tricky one, mainly due to Covid-19, will Sony stick to past form or will they price gouge knowing that people are gaming more than ever? With that in mind the price is likely to be kept under wraps until closer to release.

We’re guessing that they will stick to form, the PS1 & 2 rocked up at launch at approx €300, while the PS3 & 4 came in at about €500, so if we were to place a bet right now we presume the PS5 will hit the shelves for between €500-€600.

The thing is you shouldn’t take this as fact as there are a number of contributing factors in play right now, the ongoing trade war between the US & China has all console developers worried and according to Bloomberg Sony is having significant troubles in keeping the cost of the PS5 down. It’s due to the cost of the components inside with DRAM and NAND flash memory, in particular, proving expensive what with smartphone manufacturers gearing up for their own next-gen devices. Basically the price difference could be anything up to €150. Fingers crossed any extra development cost isn’t landed right onto the consumer.

Release date

The official line is before the Holiday Season 2020, which means we are ramping up for the latest edition of console wars with the Xbox Series X due in time for Christmas 2020.

As for an official launch, Sony had flagged E3 as the event for the big reveal but then the world fell apart, hence this new virtual event. Thankfully, the corona hasn’t affected the release date as of yet but there is potential that certain developers may struggle to release games on time. The latest rumour we hear is that in order to avoid a console war and relieve the pressure the PS5 will be reverse compatible, meaning PS4 games will work fine and will let them release for late August/September instead of October.

4K Blu-ray

Quite simply, yes. Mark Cerny has confirmed the PS5 will have an optical disc drive and will also has a 4K Blu-ray player inbuilt. To be honest the PS4 could and probably should have been running this technology so we’re glad they’ve decided to run this good stuff this time around because it’s one of the few areas where the Xbox Series has ultimately dominated.
Basically the PS5 will bring the Ultra HD Blu-ray fight to Xbox

Will the PS5 run 8K Video?

From what we know the PS5 is going to run 8K video…somewhat. The PS5 will run an AMD Ryzen Chip and a GPU from the Radeon Navi suite, combine this with SSD storage and we are set for fast load times, large bandwidth capabilities and serious graphics.

But is it enough for 8K? Possibly for the more simple titles but the big blockbuster not so much but we expect these to run a version of the upscaling tech Sony use to make games look sexy in 4K for the PS4 Pro.

Will we see a more advanced version of HDR, such as HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, also employed? We certainly wouldn’t rule it out, particularly as the current Xboxes already support the latter, but nothing has so far been announced on that front…until June 4th!

Will the PS5 support Dolby Atmos?

Like everything we think we know at the moment, the answers will be revealed very very soon. But in March there was a train of thought that Dolby Atmos will not be happening. Instead the PS5 could run a native 3D audio output, which could work as many more TV sound devices will be able to leverage the PS5’s surround virtualisation and not just Atmos-certified ones.

Story with the Console

PS5: release date, price, specs and news for the PlayStation 5
Way back in August there was a patent doing the rounds registered to Sony technical director Yusuhiro Ootori. Using the patent some designers graphically rendered the image above. It’s a bit of a move from the PS4 with it’s mad vented design, loads of USB ports and a pile of buttons.

To be perfectly honest, we don’t think this is the final design, we reckon elements of this and the PS4 design will combine to make something much sleeker than the render above. Maybe a PS4 with the flying V ventilation system but let’s wait and see.

One thing we do know for sure is that the PS5 will be a more environmentally-friendly games console than the PS4. The Head of Sony Interactive Entertainment, Jim Ryan, revealed a feature called “suspended gameplay” which gets through less power than the current console. If it was used by one million PS5 owners, that would represent a reduction in electricity consumption equivalent to 1000 US households.

DualSense Controller

To be honest, this new design is getting some very mixed reviews for its look but personally I think it’s quite a slick looking bit of kit. Sony claims they have kept much of what people enjoyed about the DualShock 4 control all the while adding in some new features to go alongside its new look. It seems that touch and audio are going to be the two major developments with the latest control rendition. But we have already done a full article on the new control which you can check out here. 

The Accessories & VR

In November another patent was released, hinting at some new accessories. For example, we have seen sketches of a mystery cartridge turned up for what many believe are going to be expandable SSD storage modules. Or modern-day memory cards, because why not.

Having easy slot-in, slot-out external hardware could be a game-changer when talking units of 500GB or more. Rather than just saved game data and other media, it could well offer the storage for game libraries instead. That will free up the PS5 from needing an enormous hard drive at launch, helping the price.
When it comes to VR, the current PSVR will be completely compatible. Cerny has hinted at a bigger push for the technology with VR set to be designed into the build of the GPU. No mention of a PSVR2 headset but I wouldn’t be shocked given the fact their resolution is way below the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift, so it would make sense to bring out a new high powered kit to coincide with the launch.

One interesting twist is Sony may be working on a 3D hologram accessory for the PS5 for multiplayer games. A light emitter with an eye tracker could project an image directly to the user’s retina to give the impression of a hologram floating in mid-air.

What games can we expect?

As ever, as long as the console is up to scratch nobody cares as long as the games are good. From teasers and expected release dates doing the rounds on the internet we can expect most if not all of the following to be around for launch:
  • Assasin’s Creed Valhalla
  • Cyberpunk 2077
  • GTA 6
  • Godfall
  • The Last of Us: Part 2, Starfield
  • The Elder Scrolls 6
  • Death Stranding
  • Ghost of Tsushima
  • Gran Turismo 7

We’re expecting to get a closer look at some of the big titles launching on PS5 during a special YouTube livestream event scheduled for Thursday 4th June. Keep an eye on our social channels for more info.

ISS Docking Simulator: Try Docking Crew Dragon With ISS In The SpaceX Simulator

Marty
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ISS Docking Simulator: Try Docking Crew Dragon With ISS In The SpaceX Simulator

It’s been a day to recapture the imagination when it comes to space exploration. SpaceX and Nasa have together put humans into space on a new vehicle. The SpaceX designed and Nasa crewed Crew Dragon is currently undergoing a demonstration flight. This flight will involve docking with the International Space Station (ISS) and you can test your own ability to complete part of the mission.

The SpaceX Crew Dragon

One thing stands out about this entire SpaceX mission. It’s very consumer-friendly. The obvious goal of it all is to normalise space travel and that is blatantly obvious. The Crew Dragon, with Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley on-board, is the first manned SpaceX mission. While these two men are fully qualified astronauts, technically, this mission could be flown by anyone.

The Crew Dragon spacecraft has been designed with regular users in mind. Just look at it.

Capable of carrying 7 passengers, the simple touch-screen controls and bucket-seats are more akin to a Tesla Model X than a spacecraft. And that’s very deliberate. Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX, is very much planning for Crew Dragon to ferry somewhat regular people to space.

The most amazing part of this is how Crew Dragon is controlled.

Crew Dragon Touchscreen Controls

This blew my mind. The Crew Dragon is designed to be fully automated. While the crew on-board this mission headed for the ISS are astronauts, there’s nothing stopping Musk slapping me into Crew Dragon and sending me airborne. Well, except for the limitations of how much arse those seats can take.

The whole flight is designed to be automated. This includes the docking manoeuvres with the ISS. However, Crew Dragon also has manual controls which the crew aboard can use to take control and fly themselves. Now, if you’ve seen the movie Apollo 13, you probably assumed these flight controls involve taking a stick in the hand. Not on this ship.

SpaceX crew inputing commands via touchscreens

When the crew go to manual controls, they just use a touchscreen to input signals and steer the Crew Dragon spacecraft. To see something so technical be controlled by a touchscreen which could as easily be sitting on a Tesla Model 3 is simply mind-boggling.

SpaceX is going through great pains to make space exploration feel rather normal. In fact, they believe it’s so normal that they’ve treated an ISS Docking Simulator which is based on the very controls you can see the Crew Dragon crew using.

ISS Docking Simulator

Over on the SpaceX website you can test out your own docking skills and take control of a virtual Crew Dragon simulator. This simulator lets you test your skills at piloting the Crew Dragon and docking with the ISS. Looking over the crews’ shoulders to see the touch screen manual controls and testing out the simulator, it’s quite remarkable how like for like it all is. Now, piloting in space isn’t all that easy, but still it’s a really cool idea from SpaceX who are really trying to make all of this more normal, fun and exciting.

The SpaceX ISS docking simulator uses the same interface as the Crew Dragon

For some bonus reality, try it out on your phone or tablet so you can get the full touchscreen experience of piloting that Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley are getting.

What is the SpaceX ISS docking sim?

This simulator is based on the actual interface used by NASA Astronauts to manually pilot the SpaceX Dragon 2 vehicle to the International Space Station.

How do I control the Crew Dragon using the simulator?

You can pilot the Crew Dragon using a laptop, tablet or smartphone. To get the full real-life experience, you should try to use a tablet or smartphone because the real crew are using a touchscreen too!

How do I dock with the ISS using the SpaceX simulator?

To successfully doc with the ISS you must get all green numbers in the centre of the interface below 0.2. It’s important you keep an eye on your rotation too.

I keep crashing using the ISS docking simulator. Any tips?

Take your time. Movement is space is slow and you need to take your time and use delicate inputs.

Did SpaceX create this ISS docking simulator to recruit pilots?

Maybe Elon is watching so if you get it right, you might be a pilot yourself some day!

When will the Crew Dragon be docking with the ISS?

The Crew Dragon will be attempting their real docking manoeuvre with the International Space Station at 15.29 Irish time or 14.29 UTC.

How can I simulate the ISS Crew Dragon docking process?

SpaceX has a simulator available on their website. It bares as uncanny resemblance to the real Crew Dragon controls in terms of looks, but in terms of handling you’d need to ask he real crew.

Watch Today’s SpaceX Launch: Crew Dragon’s Manned Space Flight

Marty
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Watch Today’s SpaceX Launch: Crew Dragon’s Manned Space Flight

Today marks another attempt by SpaceX to launch their first manned space flight.

What Time Is The SpaceX Launch Irish Time?

Weather permitting, the SpaceX launch will take place from Pad 39-A at 20.22 Irish time or 19.22 UTC. If it’s another no-fly day, the launch will be attempted again on Sunday, 31st May at 20.00 Irish time.

Can I See The SpaceX Launch From Ireland?

While you can stream the launch in Ireland, you’ll also be able to see the Crew Dragon vehicle too. With the launch taking place at about 20.22 Irish time, 15 minutes later Crew Dragon should be visible in Irish skies. It should be visible again at around 22.15.

What Are The Chances Of A Launch?

It’s estimated that there’s a 50% chance of launch today.

Watch The SpaceX Launch In Ireland

Listen To SpaceX Mission Control

Launch Schedule

MIN/SEC EVENT
– 45:00 SPACEX LAUNCH DIRECTOR VERIFIES GO FOR PROPELLANT LOAD
– 42:00 CREW ACCESS ARM RETRACTS
– 37:00 DRAGON’S LAUNCH ESCAPE SYSTEM IS ARMED
– 35:00 RP-1 (ROCKET GRADE KEROSENE) LOADING BEGINS
– 35:00 1ST STAGE LOX (LIQUID OXYGEN) LOADING BEGINS
– 16:00 2ND STAGE LOX LOADING BEGINS
– 07:00 FALCON 9 BEGINS ENGINE CHILL PRIOR TO LAUNCH
– 05:00 DRAGON TRANSITIONS TO INTERNAL POWER
– 01:00 COMMAND FLIGHT TO BEGIN FINAL PRELAUNCH CHECKS
– 01:00 PROPELLANT TANK PRESSURIZATION TO FLIGHT PRESSURE BEGINS
– 00:45 SPACEX LAUNCH DIRECTOR VERIFIES GO FOR LAUNCH
– 00:03 ENGINE CONTROLLER COMMANDS ENGINE IGNITION SEQUENCE TO START
– 00:00 FALCON 9 LIFTOFF

Dublin Tech Summit Goes Virtual

Jon
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0
Dublin Tech Summit Goes Virtual

Over the last three years, Dublin Tech Summit has steadily grown into a leading tech conference with over 10,000 global attendees, throughout this time we have met some amazing companies from KeepAppy to Newsadoo and everything in between. This years event which was meant to be happening in April was already shaping up to be a world-class event to make DTS one of Europe’s most attended events. But as a result of Covid-19 this years event had to be postponed. Thankfully a new date and a new format has been decided for Ireland biggest tech event!

DTS Goes Virtual

Recently DTS officially announced a change to this years event, instead of rescheduling their event in the RDS they have decided to go online with Dublin Tech Summit Virtual which will take place on 14th October.

The event that has grown so much over the past 3 years which include sell-out live summits of over 10,000 attendees and a roster of globally renowned speakers including Werner Vogels, Commander Chris Hadfield, Sofie Lindblom, Gary Vaynerchuk and Amanda Gutterman amongst others. While it’s a shame that we can’t be there in person for the first year since it’s inception it is great to see that DTS will be bringing us a whole host of new speakers fo this snazzy new online event in October.

A New Normal?

With the way the world is right now, it’s hard to tell when and if events like this will be commonplace in the future. With the global landscape changing so much, virtual conferences are in demand and that means innovation is key.

Thank fook for technology we say, as DTS see the demand for a world-class virtual event offering unique content, inspired insight and respected voices. As a result, we are going to get a new one-day event with international speakers being set across two “stages” as well as one-to-one networking opportunities with influential thought-leaders, an active virtual exhibition hall and fully interactive options for engagement with both speakers and other attendees throughout the day.

The virtual technology aims to give us an unforgettable experience where we will get to engage with an exciting lineup of experts to discuss, debate, exchange knowledge and network effectively, all without the need to travel.

Still to Come

DTS Virtual is going to be an interesting experience and it’s only going to get more fascinating as we await the list of speakers, due to be released over the next few weeks. The upside of a virtual event is simple, the speakers can be anyone from anywhere so with travel issues out of the equation it’s going to be intriguing to see just who they can get a hold of.

While this year is going to be a virtual event, next years event is already in the pipeline. DTS Live event which will now take place on 20-21 April 2021.

How it’s going to work

On the day, attendees like ourselves will log into an online portal with credentials provided upon registration and enter the DTS Virtual lobby which is designed to have the look and feel of physical space. From there, attendees can visit the Virtual Auditorium, the Exhibition Hall, the Networking Lounge and the Information Desk, with unlimited access to all areas.

It’s going to be very very interesting to see how this is going to work, so watch this space and as we get more info we’ll be sure to keep you posted.

The Perfect Plank: Using Tech To Perfect Your Form

Marty
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The Perfect Plank: Using Tech To Perfect Your Form

Everybody, listen up. There’s a fairly unfit tech reviewer about to give you all fitness tips. Many home fitness fans seek the perfect plank, but how do you know you’ve achieved it? A new iOS app from a company called Exer has the solution.

Why Is The Perfect Plank So Important?

I don’t do enough planks. I don’t do enough because they’re damn tough. When it comes to staying in one place, I would say the plank must be the toughest way to do it. It’s tough, but it’s worth it. When you practice your planks your training your core strength. This means you can improve overall body strength, reduce the likelihood of injuries and more. Planks can improve your posture, your balance, increase your metabolism and even have a positive impact on your mental health too.

All of this only happens if you get it right. Get the plank wrong and you’ll get nothing. If you can achieve the perfect plank you’ll get results even faster.

What Is A Plank?

While there are variations of the plank, I’m going to focus on the basic plank.

To achieve this you support all your weight two points of contact with your toes and your forearms on the ground. You should be fairly straight and this whole move works best when you feel you’ve engaged your core. You want to hold your plank for at least 20 seconds but you will build stamina over time.

Now, all of that came from some Googles. Don’t be listening to me. Download this app for your iPhone or iPad and let some people who know what they’re talking about help you avoid the most common plank mistakes.

What Does Perfect Plank From Exer Do?

Exer is an always free platform, which offers premium content. The platform uses your iPhone or iPad camera combined with AI and thousands of hours of athletic analysis to provide you with realtime feedback on your workout. You don’t need any additional hardware, but it is currently limited to iPhone and iPad.

With plans to release a range of AI-powered personal trainers, they’ve launched with Perfect Plank. Launching Exer on Product Hunt, the company founder Zaw Thet outlines why he created the app, and more importantly, pushed to launch part of it early. With Covid-19, remains unclear “how long people will be forced to either stay home or will not feel comfortable going into a gym, studio, or clinic”.

Does Perfect Plank Work?

Well, it felt like it did! I set my iPad up and moved six feet back, got into position and felt the burn. One thing I’ve got to say is that in a small apartment it’s tough to get your phone back far enough. You’ve got to have your full body in the frame for the AI-trainer to tell you how you’re doing.

exer perfect plank

Once I was set up though, it worked really well. My virtual trainer gave me encouragement and feedback throughout my first plank attempt.

I made the mistake of starting with 1 minute 30 seconds and realised I’m going to need to build myself up. I couldn’t perform a plank for as long as I had hoped at all.  When you’ve finished your plank workout, you can watch your session back. You’ll be able to see if you managed to reach a straight line, were your shoulders and arms in the right position and overall did you perform a forearm plank that activated your glutes and quads right through to your core to make this a great ab exercise?

The good news is (I hope) is that over time you can learn from the feedback, continue to train my core and increase the amount of time I can hold a plank. Who knows, maybe I’ll even upgrade to some new plank variations too.

In his Product Hunt launch post, the founder of Exer said an Android version is coming soon along with additional virtual trainers. So don’t listen to me when it comes to fitness, but in terms of tech I think this is pretty cool and a great way to learn how to perform the perfect plank at home.

Download Perfect Plan by Exer on iOS now

Public Transport Alternatives: Getting Around The Crowd In Dublin

Marty
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Public Transport Alternatives: Getting Around The Crowd In Dublin

People want alternative ways of getting around Dublin City and the surrounding areas. Whether it be to go shopping or just to visit somewhere like the Phoenix Park, cars, buses the Dart and the Luas are less appealing in a world going through Covid-19. So what alternative modes of transport are there for people trying to get around Dublin?

Why Do We Need Public Transport Alternatives?

The Covid-19 restrictions are starting to lift. It should be good news, but they lifted before plans for transport solutions in Dublin City were announced. To me, that was a bit of a grenade rolled across the city. Certain people could go back to work, but how would they get there?

I’m sure that there’ll be a time where Dublin Bus is jammed again. So jammed that it flies past me at the stop, refusing to pick anyone up. While I believe this, I also believe this is years away. From my apartment, I can see the top deck of Dublin Buses. Their capacity has been slashed due to social distancing measures. Even if we were to reduce these measures, the public do not want to share small spaces. Even if wearing masks as per government advice, bus services, rail services and other public transit solutions involve people being close together.

Public Transport Alternatives

With this in mind, people have started to look for alternatives to public transport. It’s the summer, so personal transportation, that isn’t a car, is a real option for city workers and dwellers. I hope some of this applied to beyond the pale, but it’s where I’m living right now so I’ll just use this example. So, if what are your alternatives to public transport in a city like Dublin?

Cycling

Cycling is the most obvious and most popular alternative to public transport in Dublin. I’ve been fantastically shocked by the number of people cycling in the city. I even saw a couple brave enough to take their tandem bike out in the city. Others have gone all-in on cycling and are proving that doing a weekly shop is no problem at all if you have a cargo bike.

A group of cyclists

Car usage in Dublin City is set to drop by 30% and Green Party leader, Eamon Ryan, believes that cycling usage could increase ten-fold if encouraged.

Around the city, cycling infrastructure has been hurriedly put into place by Dublin City Council. Plans have been fast-tracked and further ambitious plans to encourage cycling in the city have been tabled. The city is so much better right now that even me and my partner took bikes out for a spin together for the first time. We’ve been living here for nearly seven years, and now is the first time it’s felt safe enough.

As restrictions lift, cars have begun to return to the roads and some old habits are proving to die hard. Fingers crossed cycling sees a longterm win in the city.

But if you want to cycle, what are your options?

Buying A Bike

One retail space that’s largely survived Covid-19 restrictions are bike shops. The reason for this is that most are also repair shops that continued to operate on appointments. discovered a great tweet yesterday. The best time to buy a bike was three months ago. The second best time is now.

The best time to buy a bike was three months ago. The second best time is now

The first thing you need to look up is whether your employer offers the Bike to Work scheme or not. This is a government scheme which lets your employer help you buy a bike and related equipment worth up to €1000. You can use what’s known as a salary sacrifice arrangement to save up to 51% on the price of a bike and safety equipment like a lock or helmet. If your employer offers this scheme, you should get a quote from your local bike shop.

If your employer doesn’t offer this, you’re best to visit your local bike shop and have a chat about your needs with them. Try support a local bike shop instead of a big chain like Halfords. Reason being, your local shop will give you some amazing advice and also be there when you need help in a few months.

Not into buying a bike?

Bike Share Schemes

I don’t own a bike in Dublin. Instead, I use bike share schemes. There are two traditional bike-sharing systems. One is Just Eat sponsored Dublin Bikes. These operate from stations around the city where you can rent your bike from.

Dublin Bikes can be linked to your Leap Card which makes rental pretty straight forward. Google Maps now also shows you how many bikes are at each station which makes it nice and easy to plan your journey.

There’s also another service called BleeperBikes. These are a dockless bike-share system. That means you can find them and park them in designated areas in the city. The benefit is that you could park one outside your gaff. The downside is someone will probably rent that before you need it again!

To unlock your BleeperBike, you need to scan a QR code using the BleeperBike app. It’s more expensive than Dublin Bikes so I’ve found having both memberships beneficial. Dublin Bikes for when I can plan a little more or BleeperBike for when I need convenience or am cycling from somewhere not services by Dublin Bikes.

Obviously, the thoughts of using a bike share system right now won’t appeal to everyone. Crews from both Dublin Bikes and BleeperBikes are giving the fleet regular wipe downs, but do carry wipes. I give my bike a full wipe down and sanitise my hands afterwards before heading off on my journey.

Electric Bikes Or E-bikes

The electric bicycle has been a long-standing concept, but they’ve hit the big time in recent years. E-bikes bring the best of both worlds to you as a commuter. You still get exercise in the open air, but it doesn’t take as much effort or time when you have an e-bike. This is all down to the fact that electric bikes have a motor built in to assist you in getting from A to B. With the assistance of an electric motor supporting you you’re also likely to cycle long distances.

Tower E-bikes are a popular electric bike maker

E-bikes are not like an electric scooter, Vespa or motorbike. The main reason being that they are classified as pedal-assisted vehicles and not mechanically propelled vehicles. The official title they are given is pedelec. This means they do not need tax or insurance. You do not need a driving licence and they do qualify for the government Bike to Work scheme too. The benefit is that you get to feel all superhuman. Acceleration is really quick and you might get to a top speed that you wouldn’t normally. They are a hybrid of man and machine and you will still feel that you’re exercising. Just getting up that hill won’t be as hard. They come in a range of body types, from electric mountain bikes to fat wheel bikes.

Because of the on-board technology and battery production costs, they are more expensive than the average bike. This means more upfront cost and that it’s advised to plough some additional cash into your lock.

Moby Move: E-bike Sharing

Moby Move secured a licence to operate a similar service to BleeperBike late in 2019. They were planning the final touches to their service when they realised they needed to launch early. The reason being frontline staff needed to get to work and, in some cases, were taking three buses to get there.

Moby Move is almost identical to BleeperBike except that these aren’t normal bikes. They’re ebikes. While the network is quite small now, this is one of the most innovative public transport alternatives in Dublin. You can enjoy getting from A to B without the full effort of cycling while also not having to fork out the cash for an ebike.

This is going to be one of the most exciting ways to get around Dublin for the rest of 2020 and into 2021.

Electric Mopeds

Another growing trend, particularly in markets outside of Ireland is electric mopeds. These are Vespa style scooters. The popularity of these on mainland Europe cannot be ignored and they are also available in countries like Germany under a moped share system. You unlock your moped using your phone, retreive the helmet from under your seat and pay for as much time as you use.

NIU electric mopeds supplied by Lion Mobility in Ireland

In Ireland, there are no share systems in place yet, but private ownership has increased in recent years. I recently spoke with Shane Mullarkey from Lion Mobility and their plans for Ireland. Lion Mobility are bringing the very popular NIU electric mopeds to Ireland.

These mopeds are amazing and can either be charged at a designated point or you can eject the batteries and charge them at home. The range varies depending on the model, but if you were to be looking to navigate through Dublin City, their entry-level model would have plenty of range to meet your needs.

The massive challenge these mopeds face is the licence required to drive one. Despite being relatively small motors and offering a fantastic alternative to those who need to cover more ground in Dublin, you must have an AM class drivers licence to ride an electric moped. This was automatically included with all driver’s licences until 2006. Now you must undergo an AM theory test and 16-hours of motorbike level training. The team at Lion are hopeful that the benefits of electric mopeds will soon been seen in a city desperately seeking out congested public transport alternatives.

E-rides: Electric Personal Micromobility

And this is the controversial one. Arguably, e-rides hold the greatest potential to take people off of overcrowded public transport. E-rides include electric scooters, Segways, hoverboards, u-wheels, powered mini scooters (go-peds), and powered unicycle. All of these vehicles are classified as MPVs in Ireland but cannot be insured or taxed. As such, the Department of Transport and An Garda Síochána have interpreted the law to rule these vehicles as illegal on Irish roads. And they meant it too. Earlier this year, I spoke with an electric scooter rider who was stopped by Gardaí. He ended up in court with five penalty points and a €300 fine for driving uninsured. He was treated as if he were driving a car without insurance.

Today, you’ll still see plenty of these vehicles on the road, particularly electric scooters which have proven very popular in cities like Dublin. Lifting restrictions in the UK has seen micromobility trials fast-tracked to June 2020, meaning electric scooters will be legal on the road a year earlier than planned. Unfortunately, plans in Ireland have been delayed because of delays to government formation. I’m sure these will be a popular choice once legalised considering how many people seem to be aware of the illegality but continue to use them. Their biggest adversary is not having a government and some commonly held misconceptions about some vehicles like electric scooters.

Testing An E-Bike In Dublin

Alternate Transport Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Dublin Bikes cost?

To become a member of Dublin Bikes costs €25 for the year. After that, your first half an hour is free. Up to one hour is charged at 50c, up to two hours is €1.50, up to 3 hours is €3.50, up to 4 hours is €6.50 and every half hour afterwards is charged at €2. The system is designed to be most beneficial for those cycling from station A directly to station. However you can lock your bike freely using the onboard lock and key.

How much does BleeperBikes cost?

BleeperBike offer a variety of plans starting from their pay as you go plan. This is €1 per ride and requires a €4 top-up. Each ride is 60 minutes. You can also buy a one month membership for €12.50, three months for €25 or an annual pass for €75. Each of these plans gives you four rides of up to 60 minutes every day for 30 days. Finally, there is also a day pass available for €5.

What is the Bike to Work Scheme?

Bike to Work or Cycle to Work is a government scheme which offers a tax incentive to PAYE employees to cycle to and from work. This scheme started in 2009 and is organised with help from your employer if they have decided to take part.

Does my employer offer the Bike to Work scheme?

The Bike to Work scheme is optional for employers. If you’re not sure whether or not this is available, it’s best speak with your HR team. If you’re self-employed, you cannot avail of Bike to Work.

How much can I spend using the Bike to Work scheme?

The scheme applies to bikes and equipment up to the value of €1000. It’s important to note you can only use this scheme every five years.

What equipment can I buy with Bike to Work?

You can buy, new bikes and tricycles, new electric bikes (electrically-assisted bikes that require some effort to propel), cycle helmets, bells and horns, lights (including dynamo packs), mirrors, mudguards and skirt guards, cycle clips, panniers, luggage carriers and straps, locks and chains, pumps, puncture repair kits and cycle tool kits, peflective clothing and bike reflectors.

Can I spend more than €1000 with Bike to Work?

Yes, you can spend more than the €1000 limit on the Bike to Work scheme. It’s important to note that any amount above €1000 will be treated as a benefit-in-kind income tax charge.

My bike was stolen. Can I used the Cycle to Work scheme again?

Afraid not. The Bike to Work scheme can only be used by an individual once every five years.

How to e-bikes work?

Most e-bikes have a motor which assists you as you pedal. When you stop, the motor stops assisting.

How fast are e-bikes?

E-bikes can go as fast as you can pedal. The motors will generally assist you up to 45 kmph.

Can I get an e-bike on the Bike to Work scheme?

Yes you can. However, if the e-bike costs over €1000, everything over €1000 will be treated as a benefit-in-kind income tax charge.

Do electric bicycles promote fitness?

Yes. The assistance element of the e-bikes still need you to pedal the bike. This actually means you’re likely to cycle further distances and may even exercise more than a normal bike.

What make electric bikes so expensive?

The most expensive parts of e-bikes are the motor and the battery. These don’t feature on traditional bikes and do drive the cost up considerably.

Are e-bikes legal on Irish roads?

Yes. In 2019 the Minister for Transport opened a report into electric scooter and other electric micromobility vehicles. E-bikes were mentioned specifically to be outside of that report because they were not considered to be MPVs (mechanically propelled vehicles) due to the requirement for the user to constantly pedal the bike.

Are e-bikes mechanically propelled vehicles?

No. Because you must pedal to activate the motor assistance, e-bikes are not MPVs.

What is an electric moped?

Do you know what a Vespa is? Slap an electric motor on that and it’s an electric moped.

Are electric mopeds MPVs?

Yes. These are MPVs and required a licence, insurance and road tax. You can expect them all to be lower given the environmental friendliness and lower power ratings.

Do I need a licence to rider an electric moped?

Unfortunately, for the time being, yes. We believe this is on the table to be reviewed once a government is formed. However, now you must hold an AM category licence or undergoing training to acquire one.

Are electric scooters legal in Ireland?

Electric scooters, also referred to as kick scooters, are legal to own and operate on private land. You cannot use these on public roads. Check out what we’ve written about this in the past.

Das Fone Hell: Helena Bonham Carter and Sam Neill’s Short Movie

Marty
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Das Fone Hell: Helena Bonham Carter and Sam Neill’s Short Movie

I spotted this randomly on Twitter and I loved it. It’s a tweet from Jurassic Park start Sam Neill. Himself and Helena Bonham Carter have created a short film called Das Fone Hell. In just 2 minutes and 19 seconds, they cover quite a bit. Here’s why short films like this are badly needed right now. I’m also going to dust off some of my critical thinking skills learned in college.

Being Starved Of Content

There have been calls for the WWE to stop filming shows because it’s not safe. Only a third of Germans supported the Bundesliga returning with “ghost games”. So why are these things still happening? With Covid-19 restrictions around the world still slowly lifting, we’re starved of new content. Our favourite shows have stopped filming and the vast majority of sports remain paused. But this is a first-world problem of the highest order. At the same time, Helena Bonham Carter and Sam Neill have shown it doesn’t need to be a problem at all.

Das Fone Hell: Our Relationship With Technology

The short film they’ve released is Das Fone Hell. Sam walks into his kitchen carrying “essential” groceries. He’s accosted by his phone (Carter) which he left at home during his ten-minute shopping trip.

The obvious theme to emerge from Das Fone Hell is our relationship with technology, specifically smartphones. The notification sound that plays as Sam places his groceries down will even trigger certain emotions for iPhone users. The look on his face shows the notification has triggered something in him.

sam neill in das telefone

The entirety of this short film brings up many topics, but this is the overarching one. It displays the separation anxiety caused by being away from your phone for just a few minutes. After all, before you leave the house you probably say “keys, wallet and phone”. It’s all about how much of a grip technology has over our lives and even if it disconnects us from people, the opposite of why we thought we wanted phones.

Smartphones: Meeting Needs Or Dictating Them.

Sam describes the last “Sam phone” he ever had as being an old feature phone. I’d wager it was a Nokia 3310 or something. What he means by this is, that was the last phone that met his needs. All he really needed was a phone that he didn’t need to charge and that “didn’t look silly in his pocket”.

when did phones start to dictate our needs instead of meeting them

Sam is trying to work out when did phones start to dictate our needs instead of meeting them. When “the phone” insists Sam list off the benefits it has to offer him. He lists off some of the nice to have things, like movies and music. He then gets onto the likes of purely addictive games like Candy Crush which have little to offer the brain.

“And you’re even a telephone” is the killer line that follows. The smartphone allows Sam to entertain himself in isolation, away from others. The fact this device started out with connecting people more than ever through calls has now been reduced to a footnote feature. Instead, the phone lets us play mind-numbing games or hear “Ariane Grande dropped a single”.

Do Smartphones Make Us Stupid People?

Even the title, Das Fone Hell, questions if smartphones make us stupid people. The title, is supposed to be in German. Perhaps a play to look artsier or more intelligent. I’d imagine that’s a deliberate take on classical European cinematic tropes. But “Fone” isn’t a word used in German. To refer to phones, Germans use “das telefone” or “das Handy”.

With smartphones, we have translation tools so a mistake like this shouldn’t happen. Smartphones being in our pockets mean we don’t need to know as much these days. We just Google things instead. This fun with the title of the short film suggests that smartphones give us a false sense of intelligence to the point we don’t even use that technology in our pockets to look smart. Instead, we just plough on with being confidently stupid and hope no one notices.

I’ll accept some debate on this given that Neill is working on Quarantine Cinema as a series and “Das” is a prefix to all titles, but I still stand by my point.

Smartphones: Now Connecting Us More Than Ever

There’s a beautiful contradiction throughout all of this. This piece of film happened because we’re all in isolation, starved of content. This piece of film could only happen because we have smartphones. It’s been filmed, on a smartphone. It’s being watched, on smartphones. It’s being shared and written about (right now) because of smartphones. While the points the film makes are completely valid and should make us look at our relationship with technology, the power smartphones have to connect the world is nothing short of remarkable.

Personally, I’m seeing family more than ever because of isolation. We’re video calling regularly through Facebook Messenger. I’m even testing a Facebook Portal now to increase connectivity.

While technology does have incredible power to make us introverts, it also allows us to connect in new and meaningful ways. Which brings me to the final point.

This Is A Very Clever And Subtle Advertisement

Sam Neill snuck a wee ad into this as well. Neill is the owner of Two Paddocks Wine, a vineyard in New Zealand. Included in the “the essentials” Sam gets in his shopping is a bottle of Two Paddocks red wine. Now, I think Neill might have been trying to pop a bit of a joke at Covid-culture here too. After all, we’re not supposed to leave the house but for exercise or essential grocery shopping. Yet, we’ve all be drinking loads at home. He is definitely having a giggle at our interpretation of “essential” for sure.

two paddocks sam neill wine brand

But Neill also knows that a new piece of content, a short film, featuring him and Carter is going to pique the interest of a content-starved public in isolation. A film criticising the very device it was filmed on and used to share. It’s all very clever and entertaining. But it’s also powerful enough to make you question things. The amusing personification of the phone to make us feel like our phones are bothered when we forget this is gas. It’s the guilt we put on ourselves for forgetting something we’re and don’t deny it, addicted to.

Sustainability

Sony was the most ridiculous brand for this. They released a flagship phone every six months. Other brands, generally launch their main phone ever 12 months. Regardless, I’ll admit phone launches are all too frequent for the changes they bring.

In this story, Sam recalls there being a few phones in between his old Nokia-style phone and his new smartphone. “I don’t want to hear about those sluts”, says the smartphone before listing off “the three, the five, the eight”. This is calling out manufacturers for their excessive launching of smartphones.

Sustainability in smartphones is a massive issue. While brands like Fairphone try to make phones more reusable and upgradable, the big tech sector is more interested in keeping customers in an annual or biannual purchase cycle.

The Verdict

It’s just over two minutes long and I have thoroughly enjoyed picking this apart. There’s quite a lot that happens in such a short film. What do you think of it yourself? Let us know in the comments below.

Watch Das Fone Hell With Helena Bonham Carter and Sam Neill

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