Arguably the world’s best USB Microphone has been miniaturised and made even better for all content creators out there! The Blue Yeti Nano is a premium USB Microphone which is designed for everyone interested in creating. For example, podcasters, YouTubers, Gamers, Streamers and even in the workplace with SKYPE and VoIP! The Blue Yeti features 24-bit sound quality, an incredible compact design and is easy to use, simply plug and play! From our testing there is no lag or latency, there’s a headphone output allowing for monitoring. There’s also mic muting and pickup pattern choices available directly from the microphone too.
Pickup Patterns?
The Yeti Nano is incredibly versatile, as it allows users to record single or multiple sources at once! Simply tap the pattern selection button on the device to set one that’s right for the content you’re currently working on. Cardioid mode is perfect for single host podcasters, game streamers and voice over artists as it is dealing with a single voice or source. Omnidirectional mode is great for those when there is more than one person/source being recorded. Such as a dual host podcast or a conference call with more than one person in the room.
Quality
The Nano is very very clear. It was designed with two proprietary mic capsules which are designed specifically to give voices presence and detail. The Blue Yeti Nano supports high quality 24bit/48khz recording, allowing for crystal clear audio each time!
Design
The Yeti Nano is beautifully designed and looks great on camera. Making it the perfect microphone for those who record their podcasts on camera or a video game streamer. What do we like the most about the design? The little channel on the metal stand which allows for a sleak input of the wire. No more wobbly or messy microphones!
Set Up
Set up is a breeze as Blue have made the Yeti Nano easy to use, whether you’re a beginner or an expert content creator! Simply plug in the device and you are good to go! The device works across a multitude of programmes such as Adobe Audition, Audacity or Garageband. Whatever your software of choice. It just simply works. You can even use the Yeti Nano with a boom arm! Simply purchase the Radius III shock mount and attach it to a Compass Broadcast Boom Arm!
There’s an app for that!
The Blue Sherpa Companion App will allow content creators to get the very best from the Yeti Nano. Mute, Unmute microphones/headphones, fine-tune gain and levels, switch polar patterns, and change sample rates all in one place! What’s even more impressive about Sherpa? It will download any firmware updates directly to the Yeti Nano!
First of all, this is an amazing little device. A device that took us by surprise. TAP Wearable Keyboard looks like something our of Minority Report and yet, is so useful! The TAP Wearable Keyboard from our tests had a very steep learning curve. However, we can see the potential for this device. It feels very natural to use and nothing alien at all. With a lot of patience and practice we can see the wearable keyboard taking off and in use across the world.
Features
However, it’s not just a keyboard it also has a mouse attached to it! Well, it’s your thumb. Which you use to scroll and navigate around your computer by rolling or gliding your thumb across the table, simply tap to click. Again, it will take some getting used to. Some patience and some practice. Yet, it did feel very very natural to us. We can see plenty of uses for the TAP Wearable Keyboard too, for example, the disabled. If they only have use of the hands the TAP Wearable Keyboard may be a lot easier and less painful for them to use than a keyboard and mouse. Or even those who are visually impaired and struggle with seeing keys on a keyboard and cannot touch type! The device is engineered from advanced, biocompatible materials which allow for the free movement and comfort whilst you tap and type.
Moreover, Tap is bluetooth enabled and can be used across a range of devices such as a computer, a laptop, a tablet and many smartphones that have bluetooth built into them. It comes in two sizes and has a micro-size battery which provides 8 hours of use. Recharge it simply by putting it away into the case and plugging in the case to a wall outlet using a USB plug and a Micro USB lead!
Future
Furthermore, what do we love the most about TAP Wearable Keyboard? The fact that you can use it anywhere and on any surface. Tapping becomes texting and swipes become cursor movements. This is revolutionary and we cannot wait to see what the future holds. We already use gestures like it’s second nature on our phones. So why not move to the desktop?
Here at How To Kill An Hour, we understand how frustrating it can get when you run out of memory. You need all the data on the hard drive and there’s nothing you can delete. Or you are on set and you need all the rushes just in case you need them in the edit. Or your phone has run out of memory whilst on holiday and there is nothing you want to delete. It can get so frustrating! However, there are solutions! So, we have devised a list of 5 great memory products for you to get your teeth stuck into this Black Friday event on Amazon! (16-25th Nov)
This little device may just be the best memory deal we have seen on Amazon over Black Friday. At just £8.79 you’ll be receiving a whopping 64gb of storage! You don’t have anything that uses MicroSD? Fear not! This particular product comes with an adapter allowing you to place the memory card into a plethora of other products that take the larger SD cards.
At 100mb/s you cannot go wrong and for £8.79, what are you waiting for? It holds up to 1200 photos, 160 albums and 320mins of Full HD video. This little device is a beast and is perfect for all the content creators and hobbyists alike. (Purchase here)
SanDisk Ultra 64GB Dual USB Flash Drive USB M3.0 up to 150 MB/s
This one is for all the Android owners out there. If your particular Android phone supports USB OTG:
USB On-The-Go (OTG) is a standardized specification for USB connections that allows a device to read data from a USB connection without requiring a PC. The device is basically becoming a “USB Host”, which isn’t an ability every gadget has. (makeuseof)
With this nifty little device you can back up your phones photos, videos and even contacts to it. It’s high speed usb 3.0 and can transfer data up to 150mb/s. SanDisk’s own Memory Zone app lets you easily manage your photos and videos. The mini USB end connects to your Android OTG phone/tablet and then once it has backed up on to the device you can connect the regular USB side to your computer and transfer all the data off of it! A perfect back up solution! (Purchase here: £10.78)
SanDisk Ultra SDHC Memory Card Up to 80 MB/s
This particular SD card is not as fast as the other ones we have listed here, however, it is the price that has drawn us to this. £5.99! SIX QUID basically. SIX QUID FOR 32GB of storage! Incredible value! That’s 53p per gig!
It may only transfer at speeds of 80mb/s but, that’s a small price to pay considering the amount of money that you’re spending on this memory card. What’s a few minutes more of your life when you’re getting this much incredible value for something that’s as big as 32gb! 160mins of HD Video (720p) and 80mins of FULL HD video (1080p) – We dare you to find a better memory card for this low priced from a massive company like SanDisk. Incredible value!
SanDisk SDCZ48-128G-U46 Ultra USB Flash Drive USB 3.0 Up to 100 MB/s
This product is designed to be carried around with you transferring data, more so than recording directly on to it with a camera. This is more for when you are going from home to the studio and you want to take your work with you but not the laptop. That’s always been a bit of a struggle with the large file sizes that everything is these days. Well with this 128gb giant of a USB Stick (the size of the memory, not the stick as it’s tiny!) you can carry so much more. Plus with SanDisks own SecureAccess software you can password protect and encrypt the data on it, so if you were to lose it you can be safe in the knowledge that the data is untouchable. Plus with transfer speeds of 100mb/s all your files will take no time at all to be transferred from home to studio! (Purchase Here: £16.99)
SanDisk microSDXC UHS-I card for Nintendo Switch 64GB
So it’s Christmas Day and you’ve cracked open a Nintendo Switch and a gift card to download all the latest games, however, you’ve downloaded Zelda, Mario Kart, Mario Odyssey, Fifa 19 and you really want one more game to round off a great set of titles: Super Smash Bros! You’ve ran out of space, but there’s literally nothing you want to get rid of. You’ll have to go without. Not while How To Kill An Hour is here! Just extend the storage capacity!
With the Sandisk MicroSD built specifically for the Nintendo Switch! This bad boy gives you 64gb of storage, allowing for a ton more games to be installed on to your device. With a transfer rate of 100mbs a second you’ll be ready to play in no time and for £15.99 you cannot go wrong! (Purchase here)
https://wp.freedomhost.uk/howtokillanhour/wp-content/uploads/sites/65/2018/11/Sandisk-MicroSD.jpg679679billywrighthttp://wp.freedomofcreation.co.uk/howtokillanhour/wp-content/uploads/sites/65/2017/09/htkah-web-logo-2017.pngbillywright2018-11-21 11:25:282019-02-13 08:32:195 Black Friday Memory / Storage DEALS!
We recently were invited to a super secret Apple Holiday Showcase Event where they showed off all of their latest gadgets and gizmo’s perfect for the upcoming holiday season! They showed off a lot of things from their latest keynotes amongst a bunch of other super cool 3rd party devices that are a lot of fun! Below are some of our favourites! Don’t forget to check out our gallery of the event at the bottom of the blog post!
(All purchase links are affiliate links)
3rd Party Products
Sphero Mini
sphero.com
The Sphero Mini is a smaller version of the ever popular Sphero. You can do almost everything that it’s bigger brother can do, but in a smaller form size! It’s about the same size as a table-tennis ball! Different to the other Sphero’s available, the Sphero Mini uses facial expresssions to play! Face Drive will track a users expressions such as smiles, frowns, head tilts and more to control Sphero Mini.
The Sphero Mini has three different driving modes within the app: Joystick, Tilt, Slingshot, or Face Drive.
There are also a range of games available to play with Sphero Mini too! Such as:
Exile II: Use Mini as a controller to move and shoot spaceships.
Lightspeed Drifter: Control a futuristic ship racing inside a tunnel with Mini.
Round Trip: Rotate Mini to destroy a polygon of “bricks”.
As with all Sphero’s the Sphero Mini can also help users learn how to code! Using the Edu app you are able to program the Sphero Mini by drawing, dragging blocks or text coding. Sphero Mini comes in 5 colours: blue, green, pink, orange and white. All of which are interchangeable!
Specs:
10M Range, connect via Bluetooth
Charge with the included micro USB
LED lights glow in any color
Gyroscope & Accelerometer
Charge an hour, play for 45 minutes
iOS 10+ & Android 5.0+ compatible
Height: 42mm / Width: 42mm / Weight 46g
Top speed 1m/s
Accessories – miniture bowling pins and cones – included
The Sphero BOLT is the bigger brother of the Sphero Mini and it does back a punch! Producer Bill had a lot of fun trying to programme the Bolt to go around the table at the Apple Holiday Showcase Event!
It’s designed for children trying to encourage them how to code. However, we feel as though this can be for any age who are into learning how to code! The Bolt uses advanced sensors to track speed, acceleration, direction and drive Bolt without having to aim the robot thanks to the compass! It also uses infared technology to communicate with other BOLTs. The shell itself is bluetooth enabled allowing it to communicate with the app and other BOLT’s
You can use the Sphero Edu app from a desktop or mobile device to create custom activities or even download some of the aweseome community created programmes to play with. Learning to code can be as simple as drawing on the screen, use Scratch blocks or if you are advanced coder write your own Javascript text!
This was a lot of fun whilst at the Apple Holiday Showcase event! It’s a simple ball game but has a lot of intelligent tech inside of it!
You can play with an iOS device for on the move fun or via the Apple Tv. The free Gameball app (iOS) comes already loaded with a ton of single and multiplayer games. They’re simple but so much fun! Such as hot potato or who can make the ball spin the most in an allotted time!
The games are focused on improving a players hand eye co-ordination, agility and creative thinking. Such as the single player game called “Impossible” this is a platformer designed to start off easy and get harder as the game progresses. Users will have to think outside the box to think about ever increasing heights, RPMs and airtime challenges.
Whilst Multiplayer games such as Mulitplayer Showdown is a simple racing game. While Party Time is based around silly challenges which will bring family and friends laughing for hours! Other games such as Skyscraper and Sport Labs tap into STEM and the competitive nature of users. As precise airtime, height, speed and catch force is recorded to help a user better understand the physics behind sport.
(Apple, Purchase here)
DJI Tello Edu
This drone from DJI is designed for the first time Drone flyers or children who are looking into drones as a hobby.
Apple
Again, like many of the devices we have featured here, the Tello Edu drone is designed to help younger people get into coding. It’s the ideal for anyone engaged in STEAM-based learning. The drone flys incredibly well and has DJI’s cutting edge flight technology like many of it’s bigger drones. Allowing for precise and stable flying.
The drone is super light and very strong, making it great to learn how to fly drones inside as it’s less susceptible to breakages and/or injuries. Plus, for all the young filmakers out there the drone has an incredible 720p video recoring camera on it and can take pictures with it’s 5MP Camera!
The Tello Edu App in conjunction with Swift Playgrounds will help users code the drone. It’s made it easier for children and novice coders with the introduction of colourful interface, helping users easily navigate themselves around the app. Therefore allowing users to have complete control of their drone whilst completing simple manoeuvres
Features:
Enhance your flight with DJI’s flight control technology
Learn coding with Swift, Scratch or Python
Program a swarm of drones
Mission Pads offer multiple fun uses
Unlock more programming possibilities with the upgraded SDK 2.0
Control Tello Edu with the app on your iPhone or iPad
5MP photos and 720p video with Electronic Image Stabilisation
Precise hovering
Multiple flight modes
Safe and easy to use
(Apple/Purchase £139.95)
Apple Products
iPhone Xr
Apple
iPhone Xr was really impressive! We loved the form factor and the fact that it can do almost as much as the more powerful size iPhones The lower end of the Apple iPhone lineup but still as incredibly powered as it’s more flagship devices. The iPhone Xr is all screen, glass, allowing for wireless charging and aluminium design. With an LCD screen that’s the mosr advanced LCD in a smartphone, Liquid Retina, standing a 6.1 inches. iPhone Xr features Face ID, True Depth camera system, the same camera system as the iPhone Xs which creates dynamic portraits in a single camera lens. The iPhone Xr is also IP67 rated, protecting it from every day splashes. (Read More)
(Purchase £749)
iPad Pro
The iPad Pro was very impressive, we love how sharp and clean it looks! The design is definitely one of the best designs that we have seen here at How To Kill An Hour. Using it in person the device is super quick and can undertake tasks quicker than a regular laptop can. Even dual loading two different apps at one time. We can definitely see this replacing some laptops for some of our readers out there. This device is definitely one to keep an eye on!
The iPad Pro has seen an incredible upgrade, marking the biggest change to iPad ever. The display has been transformed into a beautiful edge to edge Liquid Retina display. It now includes Face ID, USB C and out performs many PC laptops. Furthermore there are updates to Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard Folio. The second generation Apple Pencil now connects to the iPad Pro magnetically, wirelessly charging at the same time. The Smart Keyboard Folio has a brand new design that’s adjustable for added versatility. (Read More) (Purchase 11″ £769 / 12.9″ £969)
Macbook Air
Apple announced a brand new version of the Macbook Air recently to replace the current Macbook Air. This new Macbook Air features slimmer bezels on a stunning 13-inch Retina display, Touch ID and the latest processors. Making the worlds most loved notebook, the Macbook Air, even better! Seeing it in person is really really impressive. Again, this little Macbook is crazy quick and is perfect for all the bloggers and students out there!
The keyboard has been improved to share the same quality keyboard than that of Macbook and Macbook Pro. But it’s in it’s 3rd generation, with a slight improvement on the ones in the Macbook and Macbook Pro’s. Furthermore the Macbook Air’s trackpad has also been improved. Pressure sensing capabilities and haptic feedback on a 20% larger trackpad offering a quieter and more capable trackpad experience.
Audio experience on the new Macbook Air has also been improved seeing a 25% loudness imcrease and 2x more bass than the previous generation. The Macbook Air also comes with 2 Thunderbolt 3 ports. Allowing connections to external storage, docks for additional ports and 4K and 5K displays. (Read More)
Mac Mini
Mac Mini has had a upgrade in performance. The device now comes with quad and 6-core processors, up to 64gb memory and up to 2TB of all-flash storage. Therefore increasing the speed to up to 5 times faster performance than the previous generation. The quad-and 6-core 8th generation Intel Core processors with up to speeds of 4.6GHz and Intel UHD graphics is responsible for this massive increase in performance. As a result rivalling many larger, more powerful machines. Allowing users to perform tasks such as video editing, software development and photo editing at a much faster rate than previously.
This little powerhouse is not shy of ports either. It has 4 Thunderbolt 3 ports, each with double the performance of the previous Mac Mini. It can connect to high speed storage, 4K & 5K Thunderbolt displays and output video in three different formats. The Mac Mini also has a HDMI 2.0 port, 2 USB-A ports, an audio jack and 10gb Ethernet ports. (Read More)
(Purchase £799)
Homepod
The Homepod is very impressive as a singular device. However in a stereo pair the smart speaker is very very very VERY impressive. We were blown away how clear the audio was coming out of this little device. You can hear every little musical intrument and the bass is powerful but not overpowering. Even at a low volume, we could still hear the bass and the vocals. Nothing was lost. Nothing was taken away. At either end of the spectrum of volume.
AirPlay 2 alongside bring with it stereo play with 2x Homepods, it also brings multi room playing so if one Homepod is in the kitchen and one homepod is in the living room, you can simply ask Siri to play “Pop Music” in the Kitchen, whilst staying in the living room. Living Room’s music will be untouched. Seriously impressive.
Sound
All the speakers, tweakers and all music based tech from within Homepod is all Apple built and with this brings tremendous sounding music. The way that the speakers are formed and the brains from within the device, the A8 chip. Allow the speaker to adjust itself to wherever it is and from any room – even if it’s moved. No longer is sound directly forced in front of you. With the HomePod, the audio is all around you. You get the best experience, from anywhere in the room.
Consequently we are very impressed by this and cannot wait to continue learning more about this wonderful device. As audiophiles we are blown away by the craftsmanship and quality of this device.
Snapchat Spectacles 2.0 are here and they’re better than ever! The Snapchat Spectacles 2.0 are designed for use with your Snapchat account, making it easier than ever to record your day out, sharing your day with friends and family. Savouring memories forever! What’s good about them? Well, for starters you don’t even need to have your phone with you to record snaps. As, the Spectacles themselves can hold up to 70 videos on a single charge!
Features
They’re super easy to use as well. Simply press the button on the top of the Spectacles to take a photo or video from your point of view. No need to grab your phone and select the app. Making things a lot easier and less streamlined. Making time enjoying your activity that much more precious as there’s no need to fumble with your phone! Furthermore the Snapchat Spectacles 2.0 records HD Video and Photo. Press the button for a 10-second video. Consequently, press it again to keep recording for a total of 30 seconds! To take a photo simply press and hold the button.
They’re water resistant as well! The Snapchat Spectacles 2.0 are designed to resist the water, so take them to the beach, a pool party and not worry about damaging them. They can even take photos UNDERWATER! You have an option to export in a multitude of ways too: White Background, Black Background, Square or Widescreen: (CLICK ON IMAGES TO GET A BETTER VIEW)
You’re able to recharge your Snapchat Spectacles 2.0 within the hour too! Simply use the included charging cable and power up the Spectacles 2.0 (Originals only) anywhere in their included charging case. When you return to your phone, the Spectacles will sync wirelessly with Snapchat, then you’re able to easily export to share on another platform! The stories that you take on your Spectacles will automatically add to your story, they’ll capture photos in a special HD Circular format. Allowing you to relive the moments how your saw them!
Ever had to delete a game that you really didn’t want to because you have run out of space on your PS4’s Hard Drive? How many times has that happened? As we know it’s happened on more than once occasion for us! Well there’s a plethora of choices available for external hard drives and we’ve found an incredible one! The Seagate Game Drive for PS4, it comes with a whopping 4TB of storage which allows for 100games!
The drive is USB 3.0 which is incredibly fast, therefore you won’t experience any slow down as it’s like you’re playing games from the internal drive.
Installation is pain free and super quick. Simply plug in the Seagate Game Drive directly into any USB port on the PS4 and boom, you’re good to go. The PS4 will recognise the drive and walk you through a simple set up. The Seagate Game Drive will be ready to have games installed on it within 3 minutes!
Purchase your own drive by clicking here! It comes in 1TB, 2TB, 4TB and 8TB configurations, so you’ll never run out of space!
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The Sky Soundbox is the piece of audio hardware to revolutionise your tv viewing experience! For £299 (£499 for Non Sky Tv customers) it’s the perfect piece of tech to compliment your Sky Q package.
Sky partnered with Devialet, who are one of the most innovative names in audio to bring you the Sky Soundbox. Combining the power of Sky Tv intelligence with Devialet’s incredible, groundbreaking acoustic technology. Together with Sky Q the Soundbox delivers crisp, crystal clear bespoke sound across all of the content you love. Sports, Music, Cinema, it can handle it and produce the very best audio experience to compliment the very best visual experience with Sky Q.
The Sky Soundbox brings immersive 360 degree’s of audio experience. Putting you at the heart of the action. Home cinema quality sound from a single speaker. Simply plug and play.
Sky Soundbox produces powerful bass, dynamic volume and huge power, all from a single box. Worried about the depth of the bass. There’s no need for an external subwoofer with the Sky Soundbox, so no need to worry! It is very intelligent and can adjust volume levels automatically to ensure 100% clarity.
Apple today have announced a plethora of new pieces of hardware designed with the creative in mind. The Apple October Event focused on the creative people of this world and how Apple are at the forefront helping them achieve their goals. We saw brand new Macbook Air, Mac Mini and iPad Pro’s. These update’s weren’t minuscule, they were HUGE and will help creatives big and small around the world.
Mac Mini
New Mac Mini
Mac Mini got a huge upgrade in performance. The Mac Mini now comes with quad and 6-core processors, up to 64gb memory and up to 2TB of all-flash storage. Therefore increasing the speed to up to 5 times faster performance than the previous generation.
Mac Mini: Display
The quad-and 6-core 8th generation Intel Core processors with up to speeds of 4.6GHz and Intel UHD graphics is responsible for this massive increase in performance. As a result rivalling many larger, more powerful machines. Allowing users to perform tasks such as video editing, software development and photo editing at a much faster rate than previously.
Mac Mini: Lots of ports!
Mac Mini is not shy of ports either. It has 4 Thunderbolt 3 ports, each with double the performance of the previous Mac Mini. It can connect to high speed storage, 4K & 5K Thunderbolt displays and output video in three different formats. The Mac Mini also has a HDMI 2.0 port, 2 USB-A ports, an audio jack and 10gb Ethernet ports.
The Mac Mini starts at £799 is available to order from today (Oct 30th 2018) and ready to pick up from November 7th 2018. (Apple)
Macbook Air
Apple have announced a new version of the Macbook Air to replace the current Macbook Air. This new Macbook Air features slimmer bezels on a stunning 13-inch Retina display, Touch ID and the latest processors. Making the worlds most loved notebook, the Macbook Air, even better!
The display on the new Macbook Air has over 4 million pixels of resolution, making text and images look sharp and stunning. Apple have even managed to include a FaceTime HD Camera in the small bezels, three camera array and making it perfect for Group FaceTime. Macbook is now more secure than ever and includes Face ID, built right into the keyboard. Unlock your Macbook Air, authenticate purchases using Apple Pay and your identity.
The keyboard has been improved to share the same quality keyboard than that of Macbook and Macbook Pro. But it’s in it’s 3rd generation, with a slight improvement on the ones in the Macbook and Macbook Pro’s. Furthermore the Macbook Air’s trackpad has also been improved. Pressure sensing capabilities and haptic feedback on a 20% larger trackpad offering a quieter and more capable trackpad experience.
Audio experience on the new Macbook Air has also been improved seeing a 25% loudness imcrease and 2x more bass than the previous generation. The Macbook Air also comes with 2 Thunderbolt 3 ports. Allowing connections to external storage, docks for additional ports and 4K and 5K displays.
MacBook Air is available in three gorgeous finishes — gold, space grey and silver. Starting at £1,199 it’s available to order from today October 30th and pick up from November 7th. (Apple)
iPad Pro
The iPad Pro has seen an incredible upgrade, marking the biggest change to iPad ever. The display has been transformed into a beautiful edge to edge Liquid Retina display. It now includes Face ID, USB C and out performs many PC laptops. Furthermore there are updates to Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard Folio. The second generation Apple Pencil now connects to the iPad Pro magnetically, wirelessly charging at the same time. The Smart Keyboard Folio has a brand new design that’s adjustable for added versatility.
The display on the iPad Pro is now edge to edge Liquid Retina Display, made capable by the rounded corners that follow the curves of the iPad Pro’s unibody enclosure. It is Apple’s brightest and most colour accurate iPad display ever. Featuring wide colour support, True Tone capabilities and anti-reflecting coating for natural, accurate viewing experience. Either inside or outside viewing. ProMotion tech automatically adjusts the display refresh rate up to 120Hz for ultra smooth scrolling!
The new 11inch iPad Pro packs a bigger display but on a smaller form factor than the older 10.5inch model. The larger iPad Pro has the same inch screen as before (12.9″) but also on a smaller form factor. The size difference between current and previous generations? 25%! Both models are an
incredible 5.9mm thin. The thinnest iPad ever. FaceID comes to iPad and it is designed to work in landscape mode, upside down, there is no wrong way to hold the iPad and FaceID will work no matter what. USB-C replaces lightning connector. USB-C offers power charing for the iPhone, supports USB 3.1 Gen 2 for high bandwith data transfers between cameras and musical instruments and connect to external displays up to 5K.
The new 11inch / 12.9inch iPad Pro’s are available to order today, October 30th and ready to pick up from November 7th. The 11-inch iPad Pro starts at £769for the Wi-Fi model and £919 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model and the 12.9-inch iPad Pro starts at £969 for the Wi-Fi model and £1,119 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model (Apple)
Apple October Event Bonus: iOS12.1
iOS 12.1 is avaiable from today, Tuesday October 30th 2018. Bringing with it a plethora of new features. Such as Group Facetime and 70 new emoji to iPhone and iPad. Dual Sim is now turned on and depth control is available to use in camera preview, as well as post production. This is available to iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR users.
Group FaceTime
Facetime has got a HUGE update, allowing users to call from 2 to 32 people at once. You can use all the same camera effects that you can use in messages in Group Facetime. Such as stickers and filters. Even use the brand new Memoji! Not forgetting Animoji either! Users can choose to join a group facetime call with audio or video from iPhone, iPad and Mac.
There are also a bunch of other advancements to Facetime coming aswell!
Automatic detection of active speakers: Facetime will now use on-device intelligence to display the most prominent speaker on the call. Automatically bringing the person who is talking to the forefront of the screen. Furthermore a users Facetime box will change depending on how active they are during the call. This is based on the duration of speech, how loudly they talk and even how much motion they use when talking. Those who aren’t talking will be placed at the bottom of the screen. Tapping will bring a participant to the front.
Ringless notification: When calling more than one person, FaceTime displays a notification that lets you instantly join a call without being disruptive.
Messages integration: If you are in a group chat, Group FaceTime is integrated directly into the messages. So you can host a group call from right within the chat. If people within the chat have already started a group call, it will show as active within the message thread.
Emoji
There’s 70 brand new emoji on it’s way to iPhone and iPad with iOS 12.1. Including characters with red, grey and curly hair, bald people get the emoji treatment too! There are some more emotional smiley faces and several new animal, sport and food emojis.
Also, keep up to date with everything How To Kill An Hour by signing up to our newsletter by clicking here!
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So, it looks like Number Plated Bikes may become a thing. We mean bicycles not motor bikes if anyone was wondering. Thats what one South London school is implementing to curb bad cycling by their students
Stanley Park High in Carshalton has banned students from cycling to and from school unless they have number plates. Yes Number Plated Bikes. The reason? So people can snitch on bad cycling behaviour from their students. They can report irresponsible cycling that “endangers themselves and others”.
The school’s official statment says that the move is to ensure student safety. Number Plated Bikes will come into effect on October 1st. However, Duncan Dollimore from Cycling UK has asked why the school are making cycling more difficult. Stating that it could have a negative impact on the number of children who ride their bikes to school.
“They should be looking to make active journeys easier and more attractive. Worryingly, this behaviour seems to be part of a trend of head teachers trespassing on parental responsibilities.”
Cycling UK have called on schools to work with their local councils to implement a 20mph speed around schools. As well as traffic calming measures.
While this does sound silly, do the school have a point? I mean there has always been that thought could a bike set off a speed camera. Yet, if they do, they won’t get fined as there is no plate. However, if a car does it, it gets fined. So why should cyclists get different treatment to other road users. Bikes could be dangerous and can cause serious harm, so could the school have a point? Or are they over stepping the mark, as it’s outside of school?
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Remember that article we wrote about Black Mirror Nosedive episode? The one where citizens rank each other based on behaviour. Well, there’s an update. In the original article, it may have become a reality. Well it’s looking more and more likely now.
Here’s what Nosedive is all about:
According to ABC Chinese citizens will soon be ranked out of 800. This number can be raised by doing community work or buying Chinese products.
Commit Fraud or smoke in non-smoking areas, buy stuff that government doesn’t approve of and your number will decrease. Things the government doesn’t approve of is stuff like alcohol and violent video games. If you have a high score however you will be treated to VIP treatment at airports, have your deposits waived when hiring a car. You’ll even be fast tracked to top universities or land a better job apparently.
Low score citizens will get some harsh punishments such as being banned from travelling or applying for government jobs. You’ll even receive a negative score on your credit, even restrict access to high speed travel as well!
Successful Trials of “Black Mirror Nosedive”
The Black Mirror Nosedive type scheme has already been implemented successfully in a number of trials in China.
The scheme will make use of smart phones, artificial intelligence, facial recognition and geo-tracking. So quite a lot of tracking! Your score will be combined alongside the data that the government already holds on you. Such as financial, medical and educational history.
While ABC are reporting that the scheme may be up and running by 2020. The China communist party allegedly states that it will allow ‘‘the trustworthy to roam freely under heaven, while making it hard for the discredited to take a single step’.
What’s scary is that CBS News spoke to a Chinese journalist, who stated that he was barred form booking a flight because he was ‘untrustworthy’. The government ordered him to apologise, he did, but it was deemed insincere. So his score unfortunately didn’t rise. He told them that
“I can’t buy property. My child can’t go to a private school. You feel you’re being controlled by the list all the time.”
The Homepod is very impressive as a singular device. However in a stereo pair the smart speaker is very very very VERY impressive. We were blown away how clear the audio was coming out of this little device. You can hear every little musical intrument and the bass is powerful but not overpowering. Even at a low volume, we could still hear the bass and the vocals. Nothing was lost. Nothing was taken away. At either end of the spectrum of volume.
The keyboard has been improved to share the same quality keyboard than that of Macbook and Macbook Pro. But it’s in it’s 3rd generation, with a slight improvement on the ones in the Macbook and Macbook Pro’s. Furthermore the Macbook Air’s trackpad has also been improved. Pressure sensing capabilities and haptic feedback on a 20% larger trackpad offering a quieter and more capable trackpad experience.
The iPad Pro has seen an incredible upgrade, marking the biggest change to iPad ever. The display has been transformed into a beautiful edge to edge Liquid Retina display. It now includes Face ID, USB C and out performs many PC laptops. Furthermore there are updates to Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard Folio. The second generation Apple Pencil now connects to the iPad Pro magnetically, wirelessly charging at the same time. The Smart Keyboard Folio has a brand new design that’s adjustable for added versatility. 
The display on the iPad Pro is now edge to edge Liquid Retina Display, made capable by the rounded corners that follow the curves of the iPad Pro’s unibody enclosure. It is Apple’s brightest and most colour accurate iPad display ever. Featuring wide colour support, True Tone capabilities and anti-reflecting coating for natural, accurate viewing experience. Either inside or outside viewing. ProMotion tech automatically adjusts the display refresh rate up to 120Hz for ultra smooth scrolling!
There’s 70 brand new emoji on it’s way to iPhone and iPad with iOS 12.1. Including characters with red, grey and curly hair, bald people get the emoji treatment too! There are some more emotional smiley faces and several new animal, sport and food emojis.
