That’s a good question, especially during a global pandemic! Many of us don’t clean our phones on a monthly basis, let alone a weekly or even daily basis. So it would be interesting to know how dirty is your phone and how can you clean it? Well the Casetify UV Sanitiser can help with that!
The Casetify UV Sanitizer will disinfect germs that live on your phones surface, which is perfect for those concerned about germs in the current world that we live in. Better yet Casetify are sending medical responders, essential supplies and food to communities that are in need. That’s awesome! Let’s all work together to make an impact!
Germs
The Casetify UV Sanitiser is a high efficiency UV Sanitiser that will help to kill germs that live on your smartphone. Via the 6 mercury free UV Lamps inside. So, not only is it helping to keep you safe it is helping to keep the environment safe! Note: Please be aware that this product is not proven to kill coronavirus. The UV Sanitizer disinfect germs, but we do not currently have a way to test its effectiveness against COVID-19 yet. See Casetify’s FAQ Page for more.
Instructions
To use the Casetify UV Sanitiser simply:
1. Connect USB cable to product type-C interface. The circular button stays on for 8 hours.
2. Sterilization: Place your device flat into the box so it can close securely. The circular indicator light (not a bue dot indicator) flashes for 3 minutes until sterilization is complete.
3. Wireless Charging: Put the wireless supporting devices inside the sanitizer. Close the lid and press the blue button. The blue dot light will be on to indicate that the wireless charging is activated. The phone screen must face up.
Note:
– If the circular button is pressed for 3-5 sec, a 15-min intensive sanitization would be activated (blue circular button light continuously flashes).
Casetify UV Sanitiser
Kills 99.9% of Germs
Wireless Charging
Fits all Smartphones
Spacious
Radiant Free
Mercury Free
USB Type C Power InPut
Safe Materials
Model = Wireless UV sanitizer box
Feature = UV Sanitizing 5W Wireless charge
Material = ABS
Power input = 5V/2A
Size = 245 x134 x60mm
Interior Size = 220 x 115 x 35mm
No. of bulbs = 6 x 2mw
UV wavelength = 260-280nm
UV life = 10000 hours
Sanitizing time = 3 mins
Type-C Cable = 1.5M
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The Xbox Series X is almost upon us and we got the chance to give it an unboxing, firstly we have to say that the console is a thing of beauty! It’s a radical new design and is built to stand up but it can also be laid down flat. Though personally we think it looks best standing up!
There is lots to shout about about the new Xbox, for example, most importantly though, the Xbox Series X is the most powerful Xbox console to date! With 4K true gaming at up to 120 frames per second and 8K HDR (High Dynamic Range) Capabilities.
Optimised for Xbox Series X
Some games will be optimised for Xbox Series X and will come with the “Optimized for Series X” logo on the box.
What the icon means is that the game will include incredible load times and frame rates of up to 120 frames per second, giving players a much steadier framerate. All of these games will have been built natively using special Xbox Series X|S development environment. This also includes games that have been rebuilt specifically for the Xbox Series X|S. It means that the developers have gone that little extra mile to make sure that every aspect of the Xbox Series X|S has been utilised to give you the best experience available to you, no matter what Xbox you play on.
Being optimised also means that the console will be using the custom processor and Variable Rate Shading and hardware-accelerated DirectX Raytracing. Which will give players a more dynamic and realistic environment to play in. It means that you will get true to life lighting in your worlds and accurate reflections on things like walls and water, in real time too!
Load times will also be vastly decreased on optimised games as it will use the SSD and software, to help loading both in and out of games.
For a full list of ‘Optimized for Xbox Series X|S’ titles please click here!
Power
The Xbox Series X truly is POWERFUL. Inside the system is 12 teraflops of processing power, which is housed in the system on a chip (SOC) will work with AMD’s Zen 2 and RDNA 2 architectures to create worlds that are truly out of this world and hyper realistic. Therefore helping to create those true to life lighting environments. Helping to recreate shadows, lighting and accurate reflections.
Audio
The audio is just as important as the visuals and Microsoft haven’t forgotten either. The system will have 3D Spatial Audio. 3D Spatial Audio is the next evolution of audio tech and it uses advanced algorithms to create a world within your living room. It will make you feel like you are at the center of your game. Furthermore the console supports a wide range of audio technologies, including, Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1, Dolby True HD with Atmos and up to 7.1 Linear PCM!
Speed
Games on the Xbox Series X load incredibly quick and are VASTLY improved over the previous generation. This is mainly thanks to the Xbox Series X’s usage of SSDs.
Games are also able to be continued where you left off no matter what you are doing, this is very very impressive. As it doesn’t even matter if you load up another game! Microsoft are calling this ‘Quick Resume’ and we cannot wait to give it a go for ourselves soon!
Storage
The console itself comes with 1TB of on board storage. However, we’re sure that many of you will want more storage for more of your games. Well, there is an official expansion card available, which will be sold separately. The 1TB Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S. It will plug into the rear of the console via a dedicated slot. It will provide the additional storage and will perform at the same rate as if it were an onboard SSD!
Backwards Compatibility
The Xbox Series X is backwards compatible with all four generations of game consoles. Your Xbox One gaming accessories will work as will your backwards compatible games. Services like Xbox Game Pass will also work with the Xbox Series X. Backwards Compatible games will benefit from the increased power of the newer console. As it will be able to run with steadier framerates, faster load times, improved resolution and visuals.
Controller
The controller is very similar to the original controller on the Xbox One, bar a few core changes. It uses USB – C instead of micro USB’s for charging.
A dedicated share button on the middle of the controller, between the thumb sticks. This will make it much easier to share videos and images.
A brand new ‘hybrid’ d-pad that is inspired by the Xbox Elite Controller Series 2. Which will make controlling games a lot more precise and easier. It is designed for responsive play as the D-Pad has a dish shape to hold your thumb comfortably.
The size is slightly changed to accommodate more people, for example there is new textured shoulder triggers, which, much like the original Xbox One are rumble enabled!
Furthermore on this new controller the Xbox Series X will use Dynamic Latency Input. This reduces the usual 8ms! Perfect for those who like first person shooters!
Xbox Series X Full Stats
CPU: 8x Cores @ 3.8 GHz (3.66 GHz w/ SMT) Custom Zen 2 CPU
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The next gen consoles are nearly upon us, it’s been a long time with the current generation of consoles too. 7 years to be exact! That’s the longest lifespan between generations to date and there has been plenty of iterations of both the playstation 4 & Xbox One. From Xbox One to Xbox One S to Xbox One X. From the Playstation 4, to the Playstation 4 Slim to Playstation 4 Pro. There certainly has been lots of fun on all the consoles.
But now it’s time for a new set of consoles to come out, ones to lead us into the next generation of gaming, the PS5 and the Xbox Series X. The PS5 is HUGE and the Xbox Series X has an unusual shape. But that’s what makes this new generation great and we for one am chomping at the bit to get our hands on the latest and greatest games.
So we’d thought we’d give you a run down of what’s to come from the gaming behemoths that are Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X
Here are our Top 10 games that we are most looking forward to on the next gen!
Next Gen – Halo Infinite – Xbox
We just had to kick off this list with Halo Infinite.
A brand new Halo game has to come out on a new Xbox console right? That’s like law!
We got shown loads during an Xbox event this past summer. The killer title will be coming to the new Xbox Series X but will also be released on the entire Xbox Family of Devices. So one would expect it to be released on the current gentoo & It’s also slated to come out on Windows PC’s
Halo Infinite is built on a brand new engine, Slipspace, the trailer looks really cool and according to Chris Lee, studio head on Halo Infinite, will “mark the beginning of a new chapter and challenge for the Chief, but it will also respect and continue threads that led to this point.”
Halo Infinite was due to come out around release but it’s been pushed back to 2021. There were plenty of meme’s online about how Halo looked and that could have been one of the contributing factors for the delay, but whe’ll never know for sure.
Chris Lee stated on the delay:
“We have made the difficult decision to shift our release to 2021 to ensure the team has adequate time to deliver a Halo game experience that meets our vision,”
“The decision to shift our release is the result of multiple factors that have contributed to development challenges, including the ongoing COVID-related impacts affecting us all this year. I want to acknowledge the hard work from our team at 343 Industries, who have remained committed to making a great game and finding solutions to development challenges. However, it is not sustainable for the well-being of our team or the overall success of the game to ship it this holiday.”
Spiderman Miles Morales – PS5
We LOVED the original Spiderman when it came out on the PS4 and when we heard about Spider-Man Miles Morales we were very very excited indeed. Though we were confused about what it actually was, was it a sequel, was it DLC, was it a standalone title? All those questions have now been answered as it’s been announced that it’s a half sequel. Think Uncharted: Lost Legacy kind of sequel, a 1.5 type of game if you will.
However, we’re very excited and intrigued as to how the new console will tackle Spiderman and New York. How will the new PS5 SSD takle fast travelling across New York City? How will the PS5 Dual Sense controller enhance the feel of the game and story? Who knows, what we do know is we cannot wait to get our teeth into it when it drops in November!
Next Gen – God of War: Ragnarok – PS5
In the grand scheme of things, we saw nothing about God Of War: Ragnarok. All we saw at the end of the PS5 price reveal event was a very short teaser. But that was more than enough. We’re so excited for this. Based off previous God Of War games, a next gen version of Kratos has got us all frothing at the mouth for more.
Ragnorak is set after the events of the God Of War reboot that came out in 2018 and continues the path that Kratos has set for himself up in the frozen north.
The game is set to come out in 2021.
Avowed – Xbox
Avowed is brand new and is from Obsidian Entertainment. This is the same studio that’s behind The Outer Worlds and Fallout New Vegas, so you know that it’s going to be good!
Avowed is another First Person RPG, that will bring with it many epic memorable adventures and characters. As you’d expect from an Obsidian Entertainment title, veering on the little bit silly side too.
You are based on a planet called Eora, there is a much darker tone than what we are usually used too from an Obsidian game but there’s lots of magical abilities and you get quite a gnarly sword too. You’re going to need it because you’ll be facing some pretty big monsters judging by the trailer. WOWZERS!
Next Gen Fable – Xbox
Much rumoured title Fable is coming back. Yes the loved franchise is due to come out on Xbox Series X, Windows 10 and Game Pass at some point in the future.We know nothing about this one since the trailer was very short. But we do know it’s coming and it keeps the much loved fantastical creatures and lush environments.
Forza Motorsport / Gran Turismo 7 – Xbox
No generation is complete without it’s trophy racing game, so that’s why we’ve included two games on this one. Forza Motorsport and Gran Turismo 7
Forza Motorsport is getting somewhat of a soft reboot, as you’ll notice there is no number scheme this time around. It will run at 4K and at 6
0fps, it focuses on delivering a dynamic racing game. There is no release date as of yet, though it will release on Xbox Series X, PC and Game Pass! As with most Forza games, it looks beautiful and we fully expect the gameplay to match!
Like Forza Motorsport there is no release date for Gran Turismo 7 but we have had a look at what Gran Tursimo 7 looks like when it does drop. It too looks beautiful and we did get to see some gameplay footage of it too. Polyphony Digital are working on its next-gen vision for the legendary racing sim and we cannot wait!Did you know that Gran Turismo 6 came out way back in 2013!
The Medium – Xbox
Layers of Fear and Blair Witch Devs Bloober are taking this on and it’s very spooky.
Silent Hill’s composer Akira Yamaoka is taking on the soundtrack, so yes, prepare to play this game with a spare pair of pants nearby.
You play the game over two different worlds, a real one and a spirit realm.
The story involves child murder, with Marianne, your character, visiting an abandoned hotel resort and you try and unravel bad things that happened in the past.
*shudder* ooooh sorry about that a cold shiver just went down my spine.
Oddworld: Soulstorm – PS5
Abe is back in Oddworld: Soulstorm.
The next gen game in the Oddworld series is a remake. Oddworld: Soulstorm is a remake of Oddworld: Abe Exodus. It’s the perfect game for people brand new to the series and it’s perfect for those familiar with the series to get a feel for the next gen version of Abe.
Soulstorm follows Abe who has worked himself from worker bee to leader of an uprising of his fellow Mudokens, Mudokens, that’s what the creature of Abe is, against their exploitive capitalist overlords, the Glukkons.
Project Athia – PS5
Project Athia is from the guys over at Square Enix, the developers behind the Final Fantasy Franchise. It’s set in a beautiful world, full of large structures, massive creatures and dragons. Above all else it looks beautiful.Judging from the trailer it looks like the game will be a large scale action adventure game. Where your character has to use magic and Tomb Raider style traversing elements across large scale environments.
We don’t know what’s going on or what the story is but we’re interested!
Stray – PS5
This one certainly caught our eye when the trailer dropped as it wasn’t until you got half way through the trailer that we thought. You’re playing a cat! But it doesn’t seem like a cat sim type game at all. We’re in some sort of robot like post apocalyptic world where everyone is a robot and the only living thing left is a cat?
Indie developer Annapurna Interactive have created Stray, a futuristic title based around you, a cat. The trailer isn’t too clear from what you have to do, but it seems as though you’ll be navigating a Mad Max, Blade Runner type combo environment where there isn’t a lot of living things around. We still don’t know what to do in this game but again we’re interested.
Notable Mentions For Not Upgrading To Next Gen Just Yet
There are some amazing games that are currently out on this generations consoles & that are due to come out, so while there is no rush to upgrade to the latest consoles just yet, there are a bunch of games that are upgradeable once you do decide to jump into the new generation. Now, the upgrades do vary between game to game, but, the type of upgrades that you can expect are polished graphics, increased frame rates and shorter load times!
Some of the PS5 Upgradeable Games are:
Cyberpunk 2077
Fortnite
Fifa 21
Marvel’s Avengers
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
Witcher 3
Doom Eternal
Destiny 2
Watch Dogs Legion
Ghost of Tsushima
Some of the Xbox Series X Upgradeable Games are:
Cyberpunk 2077
Fortnite
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
Dirt 5
Fifa 21
Destiny 2
Gears 5
Sea Of Thieves
Forza Horizon 4
Yakuza: Like a Dragon
So there we have it 10 games to look forward to on next gen consoles. We’re not fanboys here at How To Kill An Hour, so there’s no allegiances here. We just love games and we like to kill many hours on them, regardless of what console they’re on. Come on guys it’s 2020, can’t we just all get along? You’re all missing out on great games if you are completely dismiss each other’s favoured console!
I for one am looking forward to Halo Infinite and God Of War: Ragnarok!
What next gen games are you looking forward to?
Let us know via the comments below!
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NEW POWER GENERATION: MUSTANG MACH-E 1400, PUMA ST, STARD FIESTA STAR AT GOODWOOD
We recently headed over to Goodwood Festival of Speed to check out some amazing vehicle machinery from Ford! They recently demonstrated their latest car prowess to a global virtual audience. Highlighting the potential of their newest production and prototype vehicles. Including debuts for the Mustang Mach-E 1400 and the Ford Puma ST!
“This is a really exciting time for Ford Performance. We are exploring how electrification can bring a whole new level of fun with projects like Mustang Mach-E 1400, and at the same time we are delivering for new customers with Puma ST the accessible, everyday performance that is the core of what we do,” Stefan Muenzinger, Ford Performance manager, Europe.
Mustang Mach-E 1400
The Mustang Mach – E delivers a targeted peak power of more than 1,400 PS! Therefore embodying the extremes of an all electric performance vehicle. It was recently shown off for the first time at the Goodwood Circuit in Chichester, UK. Demonstrated perfectly by Vaughn Gittin JR. The RTR Vehicles founder, motorsports champion and all round professional fun-haver!
The Mustang Mach-E 1400 is the ultimate example of the type of power that an all electric powertrain vehicle can create. This super powerful vehicle is the result of 10,000 hours of collaboration by both the Ford Performance team and the RTR Vehicles team. While the Mustang Mach-E 1400 is aimed at bridging the gap between what an electric vehicle can do and what customers tend to believe it can do. Especially after seeing the drifting capabilities of the prototype model that was driven by Vaughn Gittin Jr!
Mustang Mach-E 1400 uses 7 motors to deliver 1,419 PS, with a single driveshaft connecting them to differentials that have a huge range of adjustability to set the car up for everything from drifting to high-speed track racing.
Rear-Wheel drive, all wheel drive and even front wheel drive configurations are all possible on this vehicle. While the power delivery can be split evenly between both the front and rear of the vehicle. Also the power can be completely at one side or the other side of the vehicle! Downforce is targeted at more than 1,000 kg at 257 km/h (160 mph).
“Getting behind the wheel of this car has completely changed my perspective on what power and torque can be,”
“This experience is like nothing you’ve ever imagined, except for maybe a magnetic roller coaster.” Vaughn Gittin Jr
Ford Puma ST
The amazing Ford Puma ST is the first Ford Performance SUV in Europe. It is enhanced with sophisiticated Sports Technologies too. A unique in segment limited slip differential (LSD) option, a patented force vectoring springs and selectable Drive Modes from Eco to Track.
The Puma ST is as capable on a track as it is on the road and raises the bar for compact SUV driving whilst delivering the best in class uncompromised load space.
The engine is 200 PS 1.5L EcoBoost Engine and delivers 0-62mph in a ridiculous 6.7 seconds. Whilst it also comes with a performance-optimised chassis which features a rear twistbeam with 50 per cent more torsional stiffness than the standard Puma, 25 per cent faster steering and brake diameters increased by up to 17 per cent. Specially-developed Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres also help deliver an agile driving experience.
The Puma ST comes in Mean Green and also comes with performance body styling and optimised aerodynamics including a Ford Performance embossed splitter to increase front end downforce by 80%, which leads to greater stability and traction.
Whilst the Ford Puma ST has incredible performance credentials! The ST Variant continues to deliver practicality, such as the Ford MegaBox storage solution beneath the boot floor.
“Our number one priority was that the Puma ST had to be as exhilarating and capable as every ST model, without sacrificing any of Puma’s practicality,”Muenzinger
Fiesta ERX
There was more than just 1 electric car shown off at Goodwood. The STARD Ford Fiesta ERX was also on show. Helping to demonstrate the potential of an all electric propulsion vehicle across a range of motorsport disciplines.
The Fiesta ERX is a fully electric rally car! It’s based on the Fiesta ST and was developed my rally and racing specialists STARD, to meet FIA World Rallycross Championship’s Projekt ERX regulations.
It is a technological beast with 3 electric motors prododucing more than 600 PS and more than 1,000 Nm of torque combined. This is all sent to the wheels via a 4 wheel drive system and 2-speed transmissions at each axle for a 0-62mph acceleration speed of an astonishing 1.8 seconds! Whilst the top speed is 149mph, the vehicle complies with world RX regulations. The Fiesta ERX is available to buy in race-ready form.
Three electric motors produce more than 600 PS and more than 1,000 Nm of torque combined. Sent to the wheels via a four-wheel drive system and two-speed transmissions at each axle for 0‑100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration in an astonishing 1.8 seconds, and a top speed of 240 km/h (149 mph). Complying with World RX regulations, the Fiesta ERX is available to buy in race-ready form.
Ford GT
Finally, the legendary Ford GT supercar returns to Goodwood. Helping to deliver high speeed excitement in the Michelin Supercar run. It was driven by former Ford GR Le Mans 24 Hours Racer Richard Westbrook. (That’s Marcus as in the picture!)
The road-going Ford GT features a lightweight carbon fibre and aluminium chassis, carbon fibre body panels. With active aerodynamics and a twin-turbocharged V6 EcoBoost engine! Which delivers 655 PS and 750 Nm of torque for a top speed of 347 km/h (216 mph).
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So, it’s that time of year again and by that we mean it’s iPhone season. Yes, it may be a little late because of the big C word which may make this years iPhone’s lifespan shorter, but that remains to be seen.What we do know is that, the iPhone 12 is almost here and we are very much looking forward to giving them a spin for ourselves. But why are we excited we hear you ask, well there’s plenty of reasons. 12 Big Juicy reasons to be excited in fact. So here are 12 reasons to look forward to the iPhone 12 –
Sit down, strap in and grab some popcorn because this is extensive:
5G
5G is the most notable feature in Apple’s new lineup of iPhones.
5G is standard in Apple’s new line up. It will be available in all of the models, that’s the iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max.
5G is the next generation of Phone connectivity and the successor to current standard 4G.
5G brings incredible speeds to the iPhone and where possible will allow for up to 4GB’s per second of download speed. Improved video streaming, improved upload speeds, more responsive gaming and real time interactivity are also great benefits for 5G.
One smart feature of the new iPhone lineup is the ability to smartly switch between the slower speed of 4G and the faster speed of 5G on the fly. For example if you are using Twitter, the phone will reduce the speed to 4G to save data and battery life. While if you are streaming 4K on Netflix, the phone will upgrade your signal to 5G to give you a better experience.
Camera
Both the iPhone 12 and 12 Mini come with 2 cameras each.
However, the main camera has changed. It still has 12 megapixels but the lens now has a 7 element display and a larger f/1.6 aperture. Therefore allowing 27% more light to hit the sensor compared to the 11. This will mean less noise, brighter imagery in low light.
Also available on these models is a 2nd 12MP f/2.4 ultra wide camera with a 120 degree field of view. This camera has a 5 element lens to it. The focal length is equivalent to 13mm.
Apple’s Deep Fusion technology can now be used on either camera as opposed to the main. Night mode will be available on both the ultra wide and front TrueDepth camera. There is also a new night mode time-lapse feature. The ability to shoot in HDR video with Dolby Vision at 30fps. Apple’s Smart HDR3 feature is also available to use.
On the iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max there is still 3 cameras, however like the regular iPhone 12’s these have been improved.
The iPhone 12 Pro still uses the same f/2.0 telephoto lens though you can now use Deep Fusion with it. The 12 Pro has LiDAR which we’ll get on to in just a moment. It also has the same main and ultra wide cameras that is found in the iPhone 12.
It has 2x optical zoom and 10x digital zoom which is thanks to the 52mm equivalent telephoto lens. You can also shoot HDR video with Dolby vision. Though unlike the iPhone 12, the iPhone 12 Pro can shoot at 60fps instead of 30fps.
iPhone 12 Pro Max Camera
This is where the real difference comes in!
The 12 Pro Max’s 12MP f/1.6 aperture wide camera now has a 47% larger sensor. This will help to improve low light photography by 87%. The main camera also has sensor shift optical image stabilisation. This will allow for the sensor to move inside the camera to offset any movement. This should help to make more stable photos and videos.
The iPhone 12 Pro Max has a 2.5x optical zoom compared to 2x. This is thanks to an equivalent 65mm focal length lens, however, the aperture is slightly slower at f2.2
The LiDAR sensor and ultra wide camera is exactly the same as found on the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro. While you can digitally zoom up to 12x instead of 10x. You can also shoot in Dolby Vision HDR at 60FPS much like the 12 Pro.
LiDAR
Apple have introduced LiDAR into their smartphones, though only limited to the Pro line up. The iPhone 12 Pro and the iPhone 12 Pro Max. A LiDAR scanner will help to improve the AR capabilities of these devices. LiDar is a ‘Time of flight sensor’ which measures how long it takes for light to bounce off of objects in a room and return to the sensor.
This information is then used by the phone to judge the depth of each point that is measured. As a result, more accurate augmented reality experiences will be both faster and more accurate than ever before. As the LiDAR sensor will essentially scan a room and create an accurate 3D map for these Augmented reality experiences.
Apple says that the LiDAR sensor in the iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max will allow for instant AR. You can also utilise LiDAR to autofocus in low light up to 6x as faster and even take night mode portrait selfies!
Apple ProRAW
There’s even more tech coming to the iPhone’s cameras this year. Though this particular feature is limited to the iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max. RAW. Specifically Apple ProRAW.
Coming later this year, Apple ProRAW is a brand new photo format from Apple. It is said to offer photographers the combination of computational photography smart technology and the ease of use and flexibility of raw editing.
As we all know RAW photos have this incredible flexibility to them and you can edit a lot with a RAW photo. So, when you shoot in RAW you will lose the benefits of Apple’s smart features such as Deep Fusion and Smart HDR 3. With Apple ProRAW you’ll be able to get both the RAW editing ability and the smart features.
This brand new image processing will combine multiple steps of processing and create a new file and all this is done by the CPU, GPY, ISP and Neural Engine and without any shutter delay! You will now get full control over colour, detail, dynamic range and get the flexibility of RAW, editing it all right from within the camera app, though there will be an API which allows developers to build ProRAW capture into their own apps.
The A14 Bionic Chip
A new phone means a new smart chip.The iPhone 12 will now ship with the A14 Bionic, a successor to the A13 Bionic chip which is found in the current iPhone line up. While the A13 is still comfortably one of the fastest chips ever in a smartphone, the A14 goes one step further and becomes even quicker.
The A14 brings improvements to the camera, the neural engine, which is the portion of the A14 which handles all the smart tech such as Artificial intelligence and this has been expanded up to 8 cores to 12.
So basically your phone will now be even quicker to complete tasks whilst getting more intelligent too. Better yet it does all this whilst using less power, so that means better battery life.
New Design
There is a brand new design for the latest models of iPhone, all across the models. That’s iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max. Gone are the rounded edges and the squared off, sharp edges are back from the iPhone 4 days.
iPhone 4 still remains one of the best designs of a smartphone, people have been clamouring for this design to come back and their prayers have been answered.
The antennas placement have been improved since the controversy of the original design lead to Apple having to release a special case for them. So you can rest easy on that part.
However, there is a slight change between the models. The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Mini are made out of aluminium. Whilst the iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max are made out of stainless steel.
MagSafe
Magsafe is coming to iPhone, in a rather genius way too!
On the new iPhones there is a special array of magnets that help align the new iPhones to Apple’s new MagSafe Brand of Chargers or a 3rd Party MagSafe compatible charger. Think Apple Watch style magnets but for iPhone. It will also charge much faster at 15W instead of 7.5W, but again, you’ll have to use the MagSafe Brand of chargers or the 3rd Party MagSafe compatible charger.
Not only does it help to align your iPhone 12 to a wireless charger (Seriously why hasn’t anyone thought of this before) it can also help connect an array of brand new accessories to the iPhone. Apple showed off one example whereby the iPhone 12 slotted into a case via magnets and then connected a credit card wallet to that via magnets. Easily and securely. Worry not too as the magnets are shielded and protect your credit cards!
Colours
Who doesn’t love a bit of colour in their life eh?
There are a range of brand new bright and exciting colours coming to the iPhone 12 and 12 Mini.
It will be available in blue, green, black, white and PRODUCT Red.
Whilst the 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max will remain distinctly professional and sleek and come in Silver, Graphite, Gold and a brand new colour, Pacific Blue.
We have to say that the Gold one looks very very good!
Super Retina XDR OLED panels
For the first time ever, the brand new line up of iPhone models will come with OLED screens!
The line up will come with Super Retina XDR OLED Panels and feature an edge to edge design. Though the notch is still there. There is no difference in display between the regular 12 models and the 12 Pro models either.
The 5.4” display has a resolution of 2430 x 1080 with 476 pixels per inch and the 6.1 inch iPhone 12 has a resolution of 2532 x 1170 with 460 pixels per inch. While the 12 Pro models have a 2532 x 1170 resolution with 460 pixels per inch and the 12 Pro Max has a resolution of 2778 x 1284 pixel resolution with 458 pixels per inch.
They also come with HDR support with 1200 nits peak brightness.
What this basically means is that the screens will provide wide colour range for vivid true to life colours, true tone to match the colour temperature of the display to the lighting that’s around you for a natural viewing experience.
Ceramic Shield
Say hello to a brand new screen for this years iPhone. I know we already spoke about Apple’s introduction of OLED to the new line up.
But Ceramic Shield is the glass. Ceramic Shield is a brand new stand out feature that apple says is “tougher than any smartphone glass”. With it being four times as greater resistance to damage from drops”
We’re eagerly awaiting YouTubers testing that one! Apple worked with glass ceramic manufacturer Corning as glass ceramic is tough and lightweight.
Whether or not the ceramic glass can withstand the general public’s wear and tear or people’s disregard for their stuff remains to be seen, but I for one am really excited for this new tech! Will we see an era of phones that doesn’t mean we have to apply screen protectors?
The iPhone Mini
…and finally we’d like to give a special shout out to the iPhone 12 Mini. As we spoke earlier on in this video we loved the size and shape of the iPhone 4. Well, Apple brought this back with the iPhone SE and they’re taking things to the next level with the iPhone 12 Mini.
The iPhone 12 Mini still has all the same technology that’s built into it’s bigger brother of the iPhone 12. It is vastly different to the iPhone 12 Pro models but that’s in a different league entirely.
The only difference between the iPhone 12 and 12 Mini is screen size. The iPhone 12 is 6.1” and the 12 Mini is 5.4”
Other than that it’s still a great phone. Smaller doesn’t necessarily mean worse.
If you loved the iPhone 4 and want to step into the latest technology, why not pick up the iPhone 12 Mini, it’s a great size and perfect for those that enjoy small phones that you can easily type with on one hand!
Conclusion
So there you have it, 12 big juicy reasons to be excited for this years iPhone.
To re-cap, it comes in 4 flavours,
iPhone 12
iPhone 12 Mini
iPhone 12 Pro
iPhone 12 Pro Max
iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro will be available to pre-order on Friday October 16th and available to pick up the following week on Friday October 23rd. Priced at £799 and £999 respectively.
While, iPhone 12 Mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max will be available to pre-order on Friday November 6th and pick up will be available on the following week on Friday November 13th. Priced at £699 and £1099 respectively.
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It’s a brand new year and what does that mean? Brand new iPhones! Apple today (October 13th 2020) announced a whole host of new tech. Including the iPhone 12! Check below for more info on these amazing announcements from Apple this year!
iPhone 12 & iPhone 12 mini
The iPhone 12
Apple have announced a bunch of brand new phones, the iPhone 12 is replacing last years iPhone 11 and there’s lots to talk about! However, the iPhone 12 keeps the same 6.1″ screen size as found on the current XR and 11. But there is OLED in it’s more affordable iPhones. It comes with squared off edges much like the latest iPad Air and iPad Pro.
While the screen size is the same the iPhone 12 is thinner and has smaller bezels and weighs less than the 11. This is due to the OLED display! The screen resolution has improved over the iPhone 11 to 2532 x 1170. This works out to 460 pixels per inch. Which is a huge upgrade over the 11. There is also a brand new glass used on the iPhone 12 and Apple are calling it the “Ceramic Shield” . This is via a partnership with Corning. This improvement helps to make the screen 4x as much drop resistant the the 11.
5G
iPhone 12 has 5G connectivity and will use the “sub-6” spectrum which is more widely deployed. The iPhone 12 uses the A14 Bionic chip which was announced at last months iPad Air event. It combines 6 CPU cores (two high performance and four lower performing for better energy efficiency) and four GPU cores. The A14 is built on the 5nm fabrication process. This means it is more densely packed with transistors. So the A14 has 11.8 billion transistors up from 8.5 billion on the A13. What does this all mean for you and I? Well, it means that the A14 will be about 15% faster than the A13 using less power. So faster computing power and better battery life.
Cameras
The iPhone 12 has a new standard wide camera with a f/1.6 aperture and a 7 element lens, alongside the same ultra wide camera that was in the 11. The standard camera now has a 27% improvement in low light over the iPhone 11. While on the video the larger aperture will allow for more detail in low light. Furthermore there is a brand new night mode time lapse.
Detailed more below, the iPhone 12 has wireless charging and brand new magnetic sensors to connect to accessories. Think MagSafe but for iPhone. You can connect a credit card case that snaps to the back of the ohone for example! There is also a dual charger that will charge both the iPhone and Apple Watch at the same time!
The iPhone 12 will cost $799 at launch with 64GB of storage; 128GB and 256GB models are also available. It is available in black, white, red, green and blue. It goes on pre-order this Friday (16th October), and will be available to pick up on the following Friday (23rd October).
For those who love small phones, you are going to love the iPhone 12 Mini! It has a 5.4″ OLED display, while being a much larger screen than the 4.7 inch display on the 2020 iPhone SE. Apple are claiming that this is the smallest 5G phone in the world!
The iPhone 12 Mini has the new A14 Bionic Chipset, which is faster than the A13 Bionic by 15% and it consumes 30% less power! It also comes with the same rear camera system. Which is the 12MP primary camera with a f/1.6 aperture lens, which performs at 27% better in low light conditions than the previous generation!
It also has Apple’s new “Ceramic Shield” tech, which is 4x as drop resistant than the iPhone 11. The Mini also has IP68 water and dust resistant and also comes with 5G connectivity!
Starting at $699 and will be available in blue, green, black, white and Product Red. Pre-orders begin on Friday (16th Oct) and will be available on Nov 13th.
The iPhone 12 mini will start at $699, and will be available in five colors: blue, green, black, white and (Product) Red. Pre-orders open on Friday, November 6th, with general availability beginning on November 13th.
The iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max feature a brand new flat edge design, bigger screens, stainless steel case designs and LiDAR sensors. Plus there’s 5G connectivity!
Much like the regular iPhone 12, the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max feature 3 cameras, 12MP wide angle lens, 12MP ultrawide angle lens and a telephoto lens. The Pro Max has a slightly different step up in the camera department with a 47-percent larger sensor” with 1.7μm pixels for improved low-light performance. However, both models still include the notch.
Apple’s Deep Fusion will tap into the A14 Bionic processor’s capabilities for photo processing, helping to make the colours pop! You can now shoot in RAW, with the introduction of Apple ProRAW. This is a brand new file format which helps give you more flexibility editing. Much like RAW formats. You can now shoot video in HDR Dolby Vision content right from the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max!
The larger screens are also apparent but the form factor remains the same. iPhone 12 Pro is up from 5.8″ to 6.1″ and the iPhone 12 Pro Max is up from 6.5″ to 6.7″. Both displays have “Super Retina XDR” technology and support HDR and Dolby Vision. Furthermore they also support the same screen tech as the other models with Apple’s Ceramic Shield technology. While these models also include the MagSafe accessory tech!
Also announced was a LiDAR sensor to the Pro models. This adds depth mapping technology 3D augmented reality mapping. It will help with delivering better autofocusing in low light for example.
iPhone 12 Pro starts at $999 with 128GB of storage, while the iPhone 12 Pro Max starts at $1,099.
The iPhone 12 Pro is available for preorder this Friday, October 16th, and will ship on October 23rd.
iPhone 12 Pro Max is available for preorder on Friday, November 6th, and will ship from Friday November 13th.
Both models are available in Silver, Graphite, Gold and Pacific Blue.
For those who knew of the trusty MagSafe on Macbooks you’ll be pleased to hear that MagSafe is now on iPhone! Apple have unveiled a new charger that will power noth your iPhone and Apple Watch!
This new device will connect to the back of your iPhone, connecting magnetically on the right spot of the back of the iPhone. Much like it currently does on the Apple Watch.
MagSafe supports wireless charging and will be releasing a bunch of new charging and everyday phone accessories to go with it. For example a magnetic leather wallet that will snap on to the back of your iPhone. Complete with credit card holders. Or a phone pocket that will recognise when it has been slipped into it and adjust the screen to peep through a little window. The DuoCharger will also connect your phone and watch at the same time!
Apple have unveiled the HomePod Mini it’s a smaller version of the larger HomePod that’s apart of the HomePod family. It can use Siri to get things done, control a smart home and is very small! At just 9.5cm tall it is packed with tons of tech and is available in space grey or white for £99! HomePod mini can play all of your music from Apple Music, Radio Stations from iHeartRadio, radio.com or TuneIn. Plus it will soon be able to play music from Pandora or Amazon Music! Connect multiple HomePod Mini speakers together to stream anything in perfect sync. Furthermore place two HomePod Mini speakers in a single room and they can connect as a stereo pair! Creating a soundstage of filling, rich and enveloping sound!
Audio
So, to do this there is an Apple S5 chip inside the HomePod Mini. It uses advanced software to analyse the characteristics of the music that is playing. While doing so it will apply complex tuning models to optimise the loudness, adjust the dynamic range and control the movement of the drive and passive radiators. The full range driver is very powerful and enables deep bass and crisp high frequencies alongside the force cancelling passive radiators!
The same acoustic principles that are used in the HomePod are also present in the HomePod Mini. It will feature an Apple designed acoustic waveguide to direct the flow of the sound down and out towards the bottom of the speaker for an immersive 360 degree audio experience. Therefore the speaker can be placed anywhere in a room and you will always hear a consistent sound. A 3 microphone array will always listen for “Hey Siri” and a 4th microphone will help to isolate the sound coming from the speaker to help improve voice detection when music is playing.
Siri
Siri can identify who is speaking and tailor the music and podcasts to their preferences, it will also respond to personal requests! Such as accessing messages, reminders notes and calendar appointments. Even taking and making phone calls! Siri can also provide a quick snapshot of the day, all they have to do is ask “What’s my update?”
Apple Devices
HomePod Mini will work effortlessly with other Apple devices, such as pick up a call, listen to music on a Mac or take the sound from an Apple TV to the next level! Handoff is getting a little upgrade and customers can simply move their iPhone to a HomePod Mini to seamlessly hand off their music without pausing it! Furthermore there will be, available later on in the year, visual, audible and haptic effects when sound is transferred from one device to the other. Personalised suggestions will also appear on iPhone when next to HomePod Mini and instant controls are available without having to unlock!
SmartHome
HomePod Mini will also control smart home accessories with simple voice commands. Such as turning off lights, changing temperature or locking a door. Intercom is brand new and will offer a quick and easy way for family members to connect at home. One person can send an intercom message from one HomePod to another, all throughout the home! The voice will automatically play on the designated HomePod speaker. Intercom will work on iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods, and CarPlay, so everyone will get your message!
Additional Features
Siri Shortcuts created on iPhone and iPad are accessible on HomePod mini, so users can ask Siri on HomePod mini to start a pot of coffee, control a robot vacuum, add milk to the grocery list, and more.
Ambient sounds, including rain, a fireplace, a stream, and more, offer the perfect background noise to focus, relax, or fall asleep. Siri can set a sleep timer so the sounds automatically stop playing.
Find My helps locate a misplaced iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, or Apple Watch by playing a sound to pinpoint its location.
Web search results from HomePod mini can be sent directly to the user’s iPhone for easy viewing.
Music alarms let users wake up to a favourite song, playlist, or radio station from Apple Music.
https://wp.freedomhost.uk/howtokillanhour/wp-content/uploads/sites/65/2020/10/iPhone-12-10.jpeg463500billywrighthttp://wp.freedomofcreation.co.uk/howtokillanhour/wp-content/uploads/sites/65/2017/09/htkah-web-logo-2017.pngbillywright2020-10-13 20:20:422020-10-14 20:30:00Everything announced at Apple’s iPhone 12 October Event
Thanks to the guys over at Honor we got to give their latest range a spin! We loved giving them a go and think that they’re ideal for anyone looking to get into all the ways that smart tech has to offer to enrich their lives. Without having to spend lots of money to get there! More suited to a student looking to save some cash & kickstart their studies at the same time. Or the older generation wishing to get into tech after seeing their younger family members show them the ropes!
Check out the MagicBook 15 (Laptop) the Honor 20 (Phone) and the Honor GS Pro (Smartwatch) below!
MagicBook 15
Ultra-lightweight Design, Weighs at 1.53kg
AMD Ryzen™4000 Series Processor
25.9% Increase in Multi-core Performance
Innovative Fan Design, Better and Faster Heat Dissipation
The HONOR MagicBook 15 is an incredible little laptop and with the AMD Ryzen™ 5 4500U mobile processor (or AMD Ryzen™ 5 3500U mobile processor) it can deliver up to 25.9% faster multi-core performance. Therefore you can expect fast and super smooth performace for any task that you put it under!
Furthermore with all this power means heat! So the HONOR MagicBook 15 features a really cool fan blade design that increases efficiency, number of fan blades and makes for an effective airflow. Keeping your laptop super cool!
It also has an ultra-fast PCIe NVMe SSD storage drive (Up to 512gb) and DDR4, helping to increase the speed of your laptop than a standard SATA SSD Drive! Helping to fire up the laptop and start work instantly!
Design
The display has ultra narrow bezels and features a fully laminated display. Which helps to reduce the reflection of light off of the LCD panel. Furthermore it helps to create an immersive and true to life imagery even in sunlight! The TÜV Rheinland certified display reduces excessive blue light for safer, more comfortable reading.
What is a notebook without making it easy to carry around! The HONOR MagicBook 15 is really lightweight at just 1.53kg and only 16.9mm thick at it’s thickest point it helps to give great portability!
Battery Power
You can also charge your laptop really quickly thanks to the 65W USB C Fast charger. Helping to get your laptop up to 53% in just half an hour! Furthermore if privacy is super important in your life, you can now use the in built fingerprint scanner on the powerbutton to help unlock your laptop with just a tap! There’s also a hidden webcam built into the laptop that will only pop up when you need it to!
Pair your HONOR MagicBook 15 with a HONOR Smartphone and you can share files with it, your smartphone screen really easily. Meaning youcan edit your files with the same keyboard and mouse without having to jump between devices!
Firstly we have to mention the impressive camera on the HONOR 20! It has a main 24MP AI Triple lens camera, with a f/1,8 wide aperture lens and a Quadra CFA Sensor! The AI Multi-scene recognition is also really impressive as it can detect 22 object categories in over 500+ scenarios. Therefore helping to create a professional grade film on your photos! The 17mm ultra wide angle lens will allow you to capture more! Allowing you to easily capture full body portraits and landscape shots!
We absolutely love the design! As it has a sophisticated 3D photolithography technology built in. This allows for a dynamic prism-shaped colour gradient, with a gleaming effect, allowing the phone to ‘shine’ whenever it moves.
Storage
Furthermore you can expand the storage of your phone! Keep everything on your phone without having to delete anything as you can add up to 512gb via microSD! Better yet, the HONOR 20 has a dewdrop notch and over 90% screen to body raio, helping to create an immersive viewing and gaming experience! To help with eye comfort, the phone has been certified by TÜV Rheinland. Helping to reduce blue light radiation which is emitted by the screen. This will help to protect your eyes and prevent eye strain, especially in dim light!
Gaming
Love gaming? You’re going to love this! It comes with a GPU Turbo, which dramatically improves graphics, progressing efficiency, delivering a smooth, full-frame gaming experience! Even more goodies inside the Honor 20 with a Dual 4G SIM, stable internet connection and improved call quality! AI Elevator mode intelligently recognises when you have entered/exited an elevator and will recover your 4G signal in seconds!
Privacy
There is also Smart Face Unlock which will even recognise your face when your eyes are closed! It won’t unlock the phone however unless you open them. Face ID data is specifically stored in the Secure Enclave. Which will add an extra layer of security for your personal data.
The HONOR 20 has an Android 9 system with the EMUI 9.1 operating system features a concise user interface, enhances data management system and optimizes mobile user experience.
Like going to the gym or eating healthily? Built into this smartphone is a scan-to-measure food calories feature. So you no longer need to worry about counting calories for diet!
If you are an outdoorsy type of person you will love the HONOR GS Pro! It has been designed specifically for the urban adventurers! It has a rugged exterior to help survive the toughest environments!
The HONOR Watch GS Pro is complied with 14 different MIL-STD-810G tests, including temperature-humidity-altitude resistance, salt spray, sand resistance and humidity resistance, enabling it to withstand extreme conditions. You can even get creative and choose from a wide range of stylish designs in the HUAWEI Health App!
Battery
Battery life on this watch is insane! It can last up to 25hours! Even with the outdoor GPS Mode on it can last 100 hours! So you won’t need to worry about running out of battery when exploring the outdoors! There is a high precision built in dual satellite navigation system to help Route Back your way back even when taking the scenic route! Furthermore plan your day ahead and stay up to date with what is around you. With helpful outdoor information including sunrise and sunset times, moonrise and moonset times, tidal phases, and bad weather alerts.
Sports
For those interested in skiing, you can track a range of data, including the number of runs, distance, trail time, maximum speed, maximum steepness, vertical ascent and descent, altitude, heart rate, and calories burned.
For those not into skiing don’t worry the HONOR Watch GS Pro will cater to any sports with over 18 professional workout modes and 85 customised workout modes to help you in your sport or workout. It has a 24/7 heart rate monitor, all night sleep tracking to even SpO2 monitor for blood oxygen level measurements!
You are able to speak on the phone without getting your phone too, with the built in speaker you can answer a call anywhere! Want to keep entertained? The HONOR Watch GS Pro will store up to 500 songs!
The Department for Transport (DfT) has published the nation’s first official framework for e-scooter rentals, which enabled trials to start from 4th July. As you may be aware e-scooters were fully banned on UK’s roads.
However, pilot trials have been fast tracked into place. The aim is to discourage workers from using their cars as they return to work following the easing of lockdown in the UK.
E Scooter trials were originally meant to take place in just four transport zones. However, they’ll now be in place across the nation. With 50 councils so far expressing an interest in hosting an E Scooter rental scheme. So which of the UK’s biggest cities are ready?
The E Scooter ability Index
The team at USwitch have taken 40 of the UK’s most populous cities and analysed the ‘e-scooterbaility’ of each city. This is based on air quality, potholes, bike thefts and planned cycle lanes, giving them a rating out of 70.
So, scoring 50 out of 70, Newcastle is the city that is most prepared for E Scooters. With over 13km of planned cycle lanes and just 9 pothole complaints in the last year.
Mapping the UK cities ready for e scooters!
It seems as though the North is the home of the most suitable cities for E Scooters. Seven out of the top 10 are located in the north of England; Newcastle, Carlisle, Hull, Salford, Preston, Manchester and Sunderland all score high on the e-scootability index.
Scoring 42/70 overall, Manchester has the highest number of pop-up cycle lanes and over 24km of planned cycle lanes where e-scooter users can get from A to B safely.
Smooth scooting
While when it comes to road quality, USwitch scored each city based on the number of pothole complaints that are made via FixMyStreet. Leeds had the smoothest roads for scootering, followed by Exeter and Cambridge.
Though with over 400 complaints combined both the roads in London and Manchester will need some work done before they’re ready for E Scooters.
A breath of fresh air
An air pollution index was taken from Numbeo**, where USwitch scored each city on the potential pollution levels that riders would face. Preston (16.79) and Carlisle (19.89) topped the list as the cities with the best air quality, making them a great candidate for e-scooter trials. Arguably, cities with very poor air quality such as Wolverhampton (63.22) and Wakefield (62.07) could also benefit from an emission-free option such as e-scooters.
These lanes can be used by E Scooters, whilst keeping riders safe and away from traffic. London Westminster topped the list with the most (97km) of cycleways planned in and around the combined city area. Closely followed by Salford and Manchester with 25km of routes planned.
Predicting the popularity of E Scooters
The popularity score was based on the number of people who are already using two wheel sto get to work. Cambridge topped the list with 15.34% of the population already cycling, followed by Westminster (12.42%), Oxford (8.75%) and York (5.29%). This suggests that these cities would be open to this new, green form of transportation.
Will Owen, energy expert from Uswitch, comments on the results of the e-scootability index:
“Cities all over the UK have been working hard to stop the spread of COVID-19 and with lockdown finally easing, we’re seeing a welcome push towards climate-friendly transport options such as e-scooters.
“Later this year, the UK will join several European countries including Spain, France and Italy following the release of the DfT’s e-scooter rental framework. 50 city councils have already applied to be part of the trial.
“But the research behind the e-scootability index revealed that some cities were more ‘geared’ up for their arrival than others, with cities in the North making up 70% of the top 10 list.
“Rental e-scooters will be banned from footpaths to protect pedestrians so road safety is another factor that needs to be considered. Alongside the obvious environmental benefits of e-scooter rental schemes, there are many other factors for regulators to consider.”
Will e-scooters make a difference to the UK’s daily commute?
E Scooters may revolutionise the way the UK public travels to work, so Will Owen the energy expert at USwitch gave his thoughts. He believed that we should follow the US and Europe’s lead when it comes to implementing our own scooter schemes.
As the UK slowly unlocks, e-scooter rental companies look set to revolutionise the way we travel to and from the office.
It’ll reduce the amount we spend on our daily commute
We spend an estimated £146 per month to commute, that’s around £7.30 per day based on 20 working days in a month. Whilst in Germany E Scooter rental brand Grover launched GroverGo. A subscription based model which allows customers to rent the Xiaomi e-scooter Mijia M365 for €49.90 (£44.83) per month or €2.50 (£2.24) per day. So, if a similar model was implemented here in the UK, it would reduce costs by 69%!
We’ll reduce the amount of CO2 in our cities, reducing air pollution overall
It is concerning that there may be sudden spike in air pollution as people are advised on avoiding public transport.
Global e-scooter rental brand Lime announced that they have just passed 150 million rides globally. They have calculated just how environmentally friendly e-scooters are. Lime says that these rides have saved:
32 million miles of car travel
1,300,000 gallons of petrol (about 100,000 full tanks for your average car).
While Lime also states in 2018, E Scooter users had saved 540,000 lbs (244,939 kg) of CO2 in just three months, which is equivalent to roughly 28,000 gallons (127,290 litres) of fuel that wasn’t burned in car engines, or the absorption capacity of an additional 46,000 trees.
Usage needs to be safe and regulated
However, there has been debate in the press about safety. With many European countries reporting problems. Such as illegal parking and accidents. France for example have set speed limits and prohibits parking anywhere but in designated spaces.
Though, figures from a recent study confirm that E Scooter riders do not face a a higher risk of road traffic accidents than cyclists do.
To ensure the safety of rental e scooter users, pedestrians, cyclists and others, The Department of Transport has already provided safety regulations and guidance.
Speed limit of 15.5mph(25km/h)
Driving licence required for use
Private scooters remain illegal
Not permitted on sidewalks and cycle lanes
When it comes to enforcing the regulations, the UK could follow the example from France. Any e-scooter riders found to be breaking the laws could be fined up to €135 (£121).
Uswitch analysed data from 40 UK cities with a population over 100,000 and analysed seven different data sets that related to the infrastructure of each city and their suitability for e-scooter uptake.
https://wp.freedomhost.uk/howtokillanhour/wp-content/uploads/sites/65/2020/10/uswitch-scooter-header-HowToKillAnHour.jpg9902048billywrighthttp://wp.freedomofcreation.co.uk/howtokillanhour/wp-content/uploads/sites/65/2017/09/htkah-web-logo-2017.pngbillywright2020-10-07 18:24:272020-10-14 20:31:35The E Scooter, is your city ready for them?
We’ve taken a short break from reviewing electrical cars to driving back to petrol/diesel cars, old school! The Ford Puma ST (Available to order from October 2020 and arrives January 2021) will soon be here and it’s Ford’s first ever performance SUV in Europe. Which has been created with the signature fun to drive feel of the ST Range.
It has a turbocharged 1.5L Ford EcoBoost engine and has an impressive 200 PS with 320 Nm of torque. While it can go from 0-62mph in just 6.7 seconds! So, not only does it have practicality of an Urban SUV it also has the sheer power of a Ford Performance vehicle!
Drive Modes
The Ford Puma ST has 4 selectable drive modes (Normal, Eco, Sport and Track), a sports-tuned suspension, an aggressively sculpted aerodynamic design, impressive 19” alloy wheels, and signature ST styling. You can seamlessly change the Puma from a robust SUV around town to an exhilarating all round performer. Easily! The 4 drive modes will fine tune the car performance by modifying the engine mapping, throttle, steering response, as well as traction and stability settings. The chassis has been combined with an optional Mechanical Limited-Slip Differential, this will continuously optimise the traction and stability to ensure a comfortable driving experience. In any driving condition. You’ll be able to do this via the 12.3″ digital instrument cluster.
Storage
Key information is shown on the 12.3″ digital instrument cluster. While a host of smart assistance technologies work together to enhance your driving experience. Furthermore you get a total of 80L storage space with a Puma MegaBox! With Puma Load you no longer have to rummage around for your keys either! Simply use some foot movement under the rear bumper and the boot will open up! It can also be opened and closed whilst sitting in the car!
There is also an option to choose a full length panoramic roof which will replace the steel roof. Letting in lots of light to create an airy feel to the car. the front half is power operated and can tilt or slide ride back. While the full length retractable sunshade lets’ you open the glass to get some fresh air whilst being protected from the sun.
Intelligent Tweaks
The Ford Puma ST has some intelligent tweaks to the car. They’ve been implemented so that none of the fun to drive aspects of the ST are compromised by the ride height of an SUV. There’s and added torsion bar and stiffer rear twist beam counterbalance the SUV models higher centre of gravity to ensure stability. While uniquely tuned suspension springs increase lateral stiffness for sharper cornering.
The New Puma ST also has a fantastic braking system which has been optimised for performance. As it has larger front and rear disc components than on other Puma models, for impressive breaking performance.
Comfy Seats
Inside the Ford Puma ST there is racing inspired RECARO front sport seats. It has contrasting Metal Grey stitching and an embossed Ford ST Logo. While the seats are ergonomically designed to fit you perfectly. Moulding you to every movement of the road.
Driving
The Ford Puma ST has been designed in such a way to uphold the pure joy of driving, whilst maintaining efficiency. Even if it can go 0-62mph in 6.7 seconds. Whilst it has a 6 speed manual transmission to help you get the most out of the car. Shifts are short, fast and deliver a smooth performance on each gear change.
The Tech Lovers Car
Ford Puma has a FordPass Connect modem built in. It provides a whole range of invaluable benefits. Including 4G LTE Wifi for up to 10 devices and real time traffic updates delivered to the in car satnav.
Local hazard information is displayed as warning symbols in the instrument cluster and will advise you of any obstacles you may be approaching. Furthermore in the event of an accident. FordPass Connect will even place an eCall to the emergency services and provide your vehicles location.
While if you download the FordPass app you’ll gain even more features. Such as locating your vehicle via your phone, lock it and unlock it remotely. Monitor fuel level, mileage and tyre pressure. While you can also get vehicle health alerts direct to your phone!
Ford SYNC 3 is a state-of-the-art system that enables you to stay connected and control your phone, music and navigation system with natural voice commands.
Call up a list of local restaurants by simply saying “I’m Hungry” Ford Sync 3 will also read out text messages! The colour touchscreen can be use pinch/swipe gestures and connects to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. With AppLink you can also access some of your favourite apps!
Music
There is an incredible music system in the Ford Puma ST. It comes with a powerful B&O system. A premium 575W audio system finely tuned and designed by B&O sound engineers. The system is a 10 speaker set up and includes a subwoofer which has been cleverly incorporated into the rear bulkhead.
Driving Assistant
Ford Co-Pilot360 combines a range of tech that will make your drive better. Adaptive Cruise control automatically adjust your cruise control speed based on the vehicle ahead. It will also recognise speed signs and too adjust your cruise control accordingly.
The Blind Spot Information System will use radars to see any vehicles that will be hidden from your sight. They’re located on either side of the Ford Puma ST and will alert you with an orange light. Which is clearly indicated in the side mirrors.
Traffic Sign Recognition can help the driver recognise speed limits and no taking over signs for example, of which will be displayed on the instrument cluster and will help the driver if they missed a sign.
Parking is made easier by the rear view camera, the view of which will be shown on the centre console. Virtual lines will help you park in even the smallest of places.
Pre-Collision detection and pedestrian detection helps keep you safe on the road. If a collision risk is detected with either a pedestrian or another vehicle, you will be warned. If you don’t respond in time the system can provide full breaking force, to help reduce the severity or in some cases eliminate frontal collisions.
Launch Control
Developed for use on the track (& available on the optional Ford Performance Pack), Launch Control will allow you to maximise acceleration off the line for fast standing starts. Simply set the maximum RPM for the engine and the system will ensure you won’t over rev when pressing the throttle.
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Some games will be optimised for Xbox Series X and will come with the “Optimized for Series X” logo on the box.
The controller is very similar to the original controller on the Xbox One, bar a few core changes. It uses USB – C instead of micro USB’s for charging. 
The Puma ST is as capable on a track as it is on the road and raises the bar for compact SUV driving whilst delivering the best in class uncompromised load space.
