Human Uber – It’s not what you think

8th February 2018/in Gadgets / Tech/by billywright

When you read the title of this blog post you’re thinking of something quite comedic. At least we did anyway when we first heard about this. We had visions of you calling a ‘Human Uber’ and someone would come along and give you a piggyback to your destination. But the Human Uber is not that. It’s something else. Something A LOT better.

The Human Uber is the nickname to a tech from Japanese researcher Jun Rekimoto. Called ChameleonMask and is kind of like a mobile facetime. According to the official website of ChameleonMask the tech is deemed as a piece of tech that “uses a real human as a surrogate for another remote user” by giving a surrogate a “mask-shaped display that show’s a remote users live face anda voice channel which transmits a remote users voice” so a video call basically. Jun Rekimoto has described his invention as being “surprisingly natural”. Which is surprising considering what it looks like:

Credit: @haleylaurenross

Human Uber: Uses

One of the uses of this tech is designed to help out your lazy friends. For example, you could help your friend move out. Or you could use the ChameleonMask and use someone else to do the work for you. While you’re actually doing it as it’s your face on another person’s body. Right?

What’s quite alarming is how is a surrogate going to see where they are walking? The tablet device is literally right in front of their face. So doing a bunch of work for someone is going to either take a lot of co-ordination with your surrogate. Or there’s going to be some sort of glasses that will help your surrogate actually see.

We’re struggling to see how this is going to work, or if it is even necessary, but it’s interesting nonetheless.

Would you use this platform if it ever came to fruition? Would you be the mask or the maskee? Let us know via our social media channels. Our handle is @howtokillanhour across all platforms!

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Powerbeats 3 – Your new Gym ear-phones?

8th February 2018/in Gadgets / Tech/by billywright

Powerbeats 3

We all love the gym. Correction. We all love to hate the gym. However, we all still go, some of us religiously, some of us sporadically. However, one thing that links us all is our love of music. Hitting the gym is great and all, but it’s nothing without your music. It’s the worst when we forget our earphones at home. No one likes the gym’s in house music. We think we have found your new favourite earphones. Plus their wireless. Let us tell you about the Powerbeats 3.

The Powerbeats 3 are the earphones to beat all earphones. They’re stylish for one and come in a range of colours. Such as:

Powerbeats 3 – Colours

Black
White
Flash Blue
Siren Red
Shock Yellow

They come with a handy wire tamer to hold the wire away from your body and neck. Therefore preventing from any potential dangerous tangles or flying out of your ears. We’re especially impressed by 12 hours of battery life. So for those who work out even up to 2 hours a day for 5 days a week will have 2 hours spare to listen to your favourite tracks.

Powerbeats 3 – Connectivity

Furthermore, connecting them to your phone is a piece of cake. Excuse the pun and resist the temptation! Simply turn on your Powerbeats 3 keep them close to your iPhone 7 or iPhone X and the phone will automatically recognise them. Click connect and you are done! As, this is all due to Apple’s X1 chipset which is found on the Beats X!

Most of all, if you’re running a little low on juice and you’re also running late to the gym. Charge the Powerbeats 3 up for 5mins and you get 2 hours of charge in these bad boys as well. With sweat and water resistance, an ability to take calls on them, there’s nothing to not like about these gym focused earphones!

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DePop: A Brand New Marketplace

1st February 2018/in Gadgets / Tech/by billywright

DePop – Marketplace

DePop is an app where you can sell things online right from your phone! It’s a mobile marketplace, meaning there is no desktop version of the app/platform. Therefore making our lives a whole lot easier!

Designed for the creative community, take a photo of what you want to sell with your phone. Upload it to the app with your phone. Follow your friends and explore all different shops around the world. That’s what your account is. It’s a shop. Not a place where you sell things.

Literally anything is sold on DePop from clothing, jewellery to arts and music, all from around the world. Furthermore there is even an explore page, which is listed from all the things you look at and buy. Purchase with a tap, safely and is your privacy and safety is secure with PayPal integration. Promote your shop on all your social media and grow your hobby into a business!

Community

There’s a HUGE community with over 7million users, shop from 10million different items. There are even local meet ups and lunches from around your city or town!

So whatever your level, either at hobby or business there is no other easy way to get involved in selling your stuff online. As everything is done via your phone there is no need to set up long drawn out item listings. That, is the reason why we, at How To Kill An Hour, love DePop!

What do you think of DePop? Have you used it before? Let us know what you think via our social media pages! We’re @howtokillanhour on all forms of social media!

To download DePop please click here Apple / Android

We also spoke about DePop on the show with Gadgets Jon from Gadgets Boy! To listen to the guys chatting about this please click here!

Huawei Mate 10: A HUGE screen on a cool phone.

1st February 2018/in Gadgets / Tech/by billywright

The Huawei Mate 10 is a smartphone that is HUGE and has a few features up it’s sleeve which separate it from the rest of the pack. Firstly, the Huawei Mate 10 has a FULL HDR display, in glorious 16:9 aspect ratio, making it perfect to watch movies on. It has an almost bezel less design, and a robust glass casing. On both the front and the back of this glorious phone! It’s Android based so all of your favourite apps are capable with it too.

Huawei Mate 10: Battery

As Gadgets Jon discussed in his episode with is the Huawei Mate 10 has a very impressive battery. On the show Gadgets Jon stated that the Huawei Mate 10 could last up to two days from an average user. Rightly so with a HUGE 4000mah battery and optimized with Huawei’s own internal software. The Smart Power Management system helps to optimize the use of the phones power and thus make your phone stay alive for longer.

Huawei Mate 10: Camera

The Huawei Mate 10 has an incredible camera, that unlike other cameras with two lenses. Uses software driven capabilities to recoreate the Bokeh effect. While it also boasts a 1.6 F stop aperture and ‘Real Time Recognition’ Which basically means the phone’s camera will easily be able to recognise the scene that it’s in (Low Light/Day time) and objetcs that are in the shot.

Despite all these super cool features, unfortunately it doesn’t have wireless charging built in. Though that is a minor compared to all the really cool features that it has. Most notably the vivid and crystal clear screen that the smartphone has is one of the best we’ve seen here at How To Kill An Hour!

To purchase please click here!

Listen to the guys chatting about this with Gadgets Jon please click here!

Sony RX100 Mk III – A super camera for beginners

1st February 2018/in Gadgets / Tech/by billywright

Gadgets Jon stopped by recently to give his tips on photography and cameras. He shared what he thought is the best camera for beginners looking to make the upgrade from their smartphone. The camera he chose was the Sony RX100 Mk III.

The Sony RX100 Mk III is a POWERFUL camera for it’s size, boasting a huge 20 megapixels! In such as small device is beyond impressive. It also has a lens that is capable of shooting very wide! (24-70mm) As well bringing more in for photographers to get a hold of in their scene. With an aperture of F1.8 to 2.8 allowing macro capabilities and an electronic viewfinder, it will not be long before users are finding their feet and wanting to leave the smartphone behind!

Furthermore the introduction of an electronic viewfinder allows creators to hold the camera steadily and accurately compose a shot at a very quick pace! Something with the use of screens has eliminated and damaged the beauty of a physical viewfinder! Yet it also has one! Futhermore it’s flippable so it’s perfect for all the vloggers out there, so just flip up the screen and see what your shooting behind you!

The Sony RX 100 Mk III has really good low light capabilities too, so no more noisey dark photos taken from your smartphone! The camera is built in a steady and rock solid aluminium frame giving a very premium finish. That even high end camera’s will be jealous of!

Consequently for all those that like to share their photos on the big screen there is Wifi and NFC built in. Allowing a user to easily share their creations to NFC-compatible televisions and Android phones.

Listen to the guys chatting about this with Gadgets Jon please click here!

Purchase the Sony RX 100 Mk III please click here!

Reikan Focal: Bring Autofocus to life!

1st February 2018/in Gadgets / Tech/by billywright

Gadgets Jon recently joined us recently to talk about all things camera work! He spoke very highly of a piece of software that helped him out a lot. It’s called Reikan Focal, is designed to help calibrate a users autofocus.

Reikan Focal: Calibration

Calibration is what is being done to the camera, simply attach a DSLR to a laptop that has the Reikan Software installed on it. Then let it do it’s thing for 90 seconds to 20 minutes. So, attach the FoCal Target to a wall. Place your DSLR on to a camera. Connect it to a camera. Consequently just simply follow the instructions and set up guide step by step. So there’s no hacking required! It’s literally the minimal of interaction from you. Therefore, it simply is the piece of tech you need for all the camera enthusiasts out there.

Yet, as cool as this is, the Reikan Focal will not just calibrate your autofocus. Therefore, it’s even easier to unleash your camera’s abilities! Reikan Focal can also analyse, Aperture Sharpness, Autofocus Consistency, MultiPoint Focus and Dust Analysis.

However, there are two different price points for the calibration software. Each with differing features, while there is a £20 difference between the two.

Feature	FoCal Plus	FoCal Pro
	£39.95	£69.95
Tethered Operation
Fully Auto Calibration
Target Setup
File Mode
Camera Information Tool
Camera Settings Save/Load
Computer Support	Windows & Mac	Windows & Mac
Included Updates	12 months	12 months
Autofocus Consistency
Aperture Sharpness
MultiPoint Focus Test
Test all focus points
Dust Analysis
Target Optimisation
Detailed Analysis
Save detailed test reports
Compare your results with 1000s of other users
Review your test history
Long Lens Support	Lenses up to 400mm focal length.	All lenses, including lenses over 400mm.
Camera Support	All Canon & Nikon that support AF adjustment.	All Canon & Nikon that support AF adjustment.

(Reikan Focal)

NOTE: Reikan Focal works with Canon and Nikon cameras only (*Models that have autofocus adjustment)

To download Reikan Focal please click here!

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Vanacci Lockstone Pendant – Lock in your smell!

31st January 2018/in Gadgets / Tech/by billywright

Vanacci Lockstone Pendant – Cologne Saver!

Do you ever find that your perfume/cologne doesn’t last all day? No matter what the adverts say? Well introducing the Vanacci Lockstone Pendant, a really cool pendant that allows you to take control of your cologne! Spray perfume or cologne inside the pendant, screw the pendant back up and the smell will be locked in all day long! Approximately lasting 7 times longer that you normally get. You can use any scent and the pendant is corrosion resistant so you can use this for as long as you want! Since it is very absorbent and doesn’t leak all over your clothes, protecting them from potential stains.

To find out more please click here!

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Star Wars Jedi Challenges: Become a Jedi

31st January 2018/in Gadgets, Gadgets / Tech/by marcusbronzy

Star Wars Jedi Challenges: Feel The Force!

Star Wars Jedi Challenges is the piece of tech for all Star Wars fans in 2018. With the help of augmented reality you’ll be transported into the Star Wars universe! There’s an array of cool VR/AR tech coming to our homes in the coming weeks and months! However, this has got to be one of the best things we have seen here at the office! We cannot believe that someone hasn’t thought of this before. Augmented and Virtual reality is perfect for the Star Wars franchise. Helping to bring nostalgia to a lot of men and women around the world. So we think that this is going to be used a lot more by the parents than the children!

With the help of the AR headset, complete an array of challenges to become a Jedi! Train to become a Jedi Master, have Jedi Battles with the Sith, play HoloChess, complete strategic combat right from your table! This sounds absolutely incredible and we LOVED it when it came into the studio!

So, how does this become reality? By using the smartphone-powered Lenovo Mirage AR headset and a Lightsaber controller, that is all, to transport you into space and fight to save the universe! The Lightsaber controller enables you to experience what it’s like to yield a lightsaber. So you can feel your opponents attacks with the force feedback! Whilst a tracking beacon ensures accurate and detailed tracking of yourself and the lightsaber controller. Furthermore allowing the AR headset to fill your environment with an immersive universe. While not just a video image displayed in front of you.

Click here to complete the challenges and become a Jedi Master!

Click here to purchase your own!

Nintendo Labo: Get Creative With Cardboard!

26th January 2018/in Gadgets / Tech/by billywright

Nintendo Labo

This is Nintendo Labo and they’re giving you new ways to interact with the Switch, with cardboard.

So, what exactly is it? It is designed to help you get creative with the Switch. Create all different kinds of gaming add ons with the variety kits that are available. Such as fishing kits, play piano or even the most impressive one that we have seen an AR Robot kit!

Nintendo are calling the cardboard kits, ‘Toy-Cons’ and are designed to be solely used with the Nintendo Switch. Just by following the onscreen instructions that are displayed on the Switches touchscreen.

The Toy-Cons are so versatile that you can either use the Toy-Cons independently of the screen itself and you watch what’s occuring on screen. I.e: Fishing. Where all the computing is done inside the joy-con controller, or by using the whole console itself to find new ways to play! An example of this would be the use of a motorbike, whereby the switch is placed in the center of the ‘Toy-Cons’ and ‘Joy-Cons’ are placed either side and the accelerometer acts as a steering mechanism.

The most impressive of the lot was the use of a HUGE contraption, with the Robot ‘Toy-Con’. This cardboard accessory is HUGE and is placed on a users back and utilises cables to detect a users movement. From the imagery online this game looks incredibly immersive and we cannot wait to check it out!

Nintendo Labo: Customization

Most of all, the ‘Toy-Cons’ are cardboard and come pre-printed with designs. Therefore users are able to colour them and customise them as they wish! Furthermore if you’re a computer whizz and know how to code, then you’re in luck! You can even create your very own games that interact with the Nintendo Labo! So, get those thinking caps on!

Nintendo Labo

This is Nintendo Labo and they're giving you new ways to interact with the Nintendo Switch, with cardboard.It's called the Nintendo Labo and is designed to help you get creative with the Switch. Create all different kinds of gaming add ons with the variety kits that are available. Such as fishing kits, play piano or even the most impressive one that we have seen an AR Robot kit!Find out more here:howtokillanhour.com/gadgets-tech/nintendo-laboMarcus Bronzy Nick Bright DJ Ace

Posted by How To Kill an Hour on Thursday, 25 January 2018

What do you think of the Nintendo Labo? Get in touch and let us know via our socials!

To purchase the Nintendo Labo please click here!

To listen to the guys chatting about this please click here!

CES 2018 TOP 5 – Top Tech from CES 2018

18th January 2018/in Gadgets / Tech/by billywright

Top Tech from CES 2018

GadgetsBoy joins us this week to check out his Top Tech from CES 2018!

CES Top 5 Tech Bits!

It's CES 2018 and there's lots of great tech that's being shown off! See below our Top 5 pieces of tech from #CES2018, click the link below to hear our thoughts on them from this weeks show with GadgetsBoy here:howtokillanhour.com/shows/ep265Marcus Bronzy Nick Bright Funk Butcher DJ AceVideo Credits:RazerSamsung TVTheverge.comDJILaCieMobilegeeks Deutschland

Posted by How To Kill an Hour on Wednesday, 17 January 2018

Lacie DJI CoPilot

Top Tech from CES 2018 Lacie DJI

Lacie’s DJI CoPilot is basically a rugged external hard drive. But for the videographer’s out there. It’s a lot more than that. Who doesn’t want 2TB’s, a back up battery and a SD card reader in one?

Not got USB C? The CoPilot has got you! Use the regular USB or MicroUSB ports. Plug in any piece of media and the CoPilot does the rest, it’s automatically backed up. There’s also a small screen on the front to tell you how much storage is left. Making it great for videographers who don’t want to carry around their laptop ‘just in case’ they run out of space on all their SD cards. The CoPilot will also charge devices and daisy chain other drives off of it. Simply plug another external HDD into it and your lappy will be able to read and write to it!

Samsung’s ‘The Wall’

Top Tech from CES 2018 The Wall

Samsung announced at CES a breakthrough in home television technology. A world first. A modular, yes you read that right, a modular. 146-inch TV, that utilizes MicroLED technology. What’s beneficial of MicroLED’s over normal LED’s is that they are much much smaller than them and can serve as their own source of light. Thus vastly reducing the chance of backlight bleeding (as there isn’t a backlight) and burn-in. As well as creating darker blacks and much brighter colours on screen. Plus they draw a lot less power and can save you a lot of money in the long run! Bigger Tv Cheaper to run. Win Win in our books!

What’s even more intriguing is the fact that it has a modular design. This allows for a screen that is completely bezel-less and fully customisable to suit a consumers needs. Make the TV as big or as small as you like. You really are only stopped by how big your wall is!

Razer’s Project Linda

Top Tech from CES 2018 Project Linda

Razer’s Project Linda is a Lapdock. Don’t know what a Lapdock is? Basically it’s a laptop that has no internals and basically runs off of your mobile phone. What we’re about to tell you is really cool, but it’s just a prototype at the moment and it may or may not see the light of day. But one can hope!

Project Linda will run off the latest Razer Phone and it looks incredible and fits in well alongside other traditional gaming laptops. The phone sits where a trackpad would be and then you use the laptop traditionally but with a mouse.

Whilst being connected to Project Linda, games will take advantage of having an extra display and display vital stats and other information on the phone’s screen whilst the main action on the laptop screen.

When docked the phone will be charged by Project Linda and whilst the laptop doesn’t have internals per say there is 200gb of internal storage on the device. To store apps, games, media and phone backups. The aim of the device is to bridge the gap between handheld entertainment experience and laptop convenience.

Stats:

13.3” Quad HD 120Hz touchscreen
5.7″ Razer Phone screen can act as a touchpad, second display for stats or touch display for fine editing
Keyboard powered by Razer Chroma (Fully customizable laptop keys)
200gb internal storage
o.59 inches thin
3.5mm headphone jack

LG Rollable TV

Top Tech from CES 2018 LG Rollable Tv

Not to be outdone by Samsungs ‘The Wall” LG showed off a rollable 65″ TV prototype, which has a resolution of 3840 x 2160. (UHD) Much like their Wallpaper series, LG are highlighting to the world what OLED technology can actually do. When we saw the Wallpaper series we were impressed, it’s incredibly thin, yet produces some gorgeous imagery. The fact that it can now be rolled up, one saves space and two, makes it less easy to break. One small caveat of the Wallpaper series is although it was pencil thin, it looked really fragile!

Vivo’s In-Screen Fingerprint Reader

Top Tech from 2018 CES Vivo Fingerprint (The Verge)

Whilst many of us have iPhone X’s and have got used to FaceID, (so long TouchID, we hardly knew thee) there’s just as many who LOVED touch ID. We know have the notch. The notch we don’t want. There was a lot of will they won’t they prior to the launch of iPhone X in regards to the fingerprint sensor under the screen. While many experts believe that Apple will introduce it on this years iPhone. A Chinese tech firm have beat them to the punch!

Vivo, have announced at CES 2018 a phone that does just that, a phone that’s bezelless and with a fingerprint sensor embedded into the screen. The reader is completely invisible and makes for a super sleek design. The guys over at The Verge have been testing it out for themselves. Whilst they state that the phone and the tech is slow, it works. That’s all that matters. Whether that’s just because we’re used to super quick fingerprint sensors on Apple and Samsung devices is another matter entirely.

The Vivo is using a Synaptics optical sensor. The tech works by looking at the gaps between the pixels on an OLED display and scanning your prints that way. (LCD’s won’t work due to the tech needing a backlight.) The guys over at The Verge did state that whilst this is a breakthrough in tech, no phone has been announced. BUT. An announcement is due imminently.

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