Tag Archive for: How To Kill An Hour

Star Trek Bridge Crew

Star Trek Bridge Crew

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Star Trek Bridge Crew

Star Trek Bridge Crew: become a Trekkie for hours on end! Just don’t fall off your chair. (Yes, it is that immersive!)

Firstly, it is to be said that Star Trek Bridge Crew is a game designed predominantly for the PSVR and takes you aboard the USS Aegis. As well as being built from the ground up for VR, it is also designed to play with friends. The game (whilst can be played with AI) is best played with a group of friends. Form a crew of four to serve in the roles of Captain, Helm, Tactical and Engineer and complete a range of tasks in the universe. From saving other space travelling humans, hacking enemy shields to targeting vulnerable ship systems, there’s always something to do when aboard USS Aegis.

Most of all, the game is stunningly beautiful as well! Simply at the press of a button, you’ll be able to look at the incredible galaxy in glorious HD 360 degree virtual reality. It’s so immersive you may even forget you got a mission to complete! The game isn’t for those looking for hard hitting, fast paced action though. It’s designed to be played sat down at a slow pace, it’s a thinkers game. Teamwork and great communication is required to make the best out of Star Trek Bridge Crew. Each player and their decisions in game are vital to the success as a team within each mission.

Non VR Mode

However, recently, the game has been updated to allow users to play this incredible game without the use of the PSVR. However, we do advise those that do have a PSVR headset to use it! As, it is one of the best games we have played with the Playstation VR. It really is immersive, you feel like you’re aboard the USS Aegis. So, for all the Trekkie’s out there, this game is definitely one you want to check out. For all the non-Trekkies, you still need to check this game out!

To purchase Star Trek Bridge Crew on PS4 please click here!

 

HQ Trivia

HQ Trivia: The live game show on your phone!

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HQ Trivia is a brand new LIVE game for iPhone!

Firstly, it’s an app that is very unique, in the fact that it plays on the use of live streaming very intelligently! HQ Trivia is a LIVE game show which anyone can take part in around the world. Here in the UK the shows differ, as there are US game shows (that UK players can take part in) and UK specific game shows. UK game shows take place every Monday and Wednesday at 3pm and 9pm and are hosted by Sharon Carpenter. Whilst the US shows are shown at various different times during the week with the main show taking place at 2am GMT (there are other more convenient times, for UK players, throughout the week. Just keep an eye on your notifications) The US Show is mainly hosted by Scott Rogowsky alongside other US hosts.

Viral Sensation

HQ Trivia hasn’t, by the looks of things online, used any marketing tactics. It’s gone viral and the numbers have creeped up from 300, 5K, to close to a 1M game players at once. However, these figures do change depending on what game users take on we’ve found. Created by the co-creators of Vine, game players use their general knowledge ability for the chance to win real cash prizes. Prizes of which have ranged from $500 – $2500 on a regular game. To the HUGE game that have been played recently of $15K!! The winnings are either split or taken by 1 user.

Not like Goldenballs

Now don’t worry, this isn’t a case of the game several years back on UK’s ITV ‘Goldenballs’. (This game was BRUTAL, players had to use their game playing skills to take out other players. Until, the end where players had to either split or steal. If both players split, the money is split. One players Steals and the other splits, the stealer takes all the money. Both steal, neither take home the money. Absolutely brutal, as you had to often think of if the other person is manipulating you to just take home all the money)

Splitting in HQ Trivia, you’ll be glad to know is not like that. The winnings are literally split X amount of ways. For example we recently saw a $500 game be split 30 ways, each player got $16. It’s not a lot. But it’s great when you only have had to answer 12 questions for 15 minutes.

‘Easy’ Money

Consequently, that’s the draw. The ‘Easy’ money. It’s only 15 minutes and you ‘only’ have to answer 12 questions. The questions understandably will get harder as they go on. But it’s 12 questions between you and a potential $500. You only get 10 seconds to answer so there’s no Googling! It’s a one and done play too, so get a question wrong and you’re out!

While there have been some glitches where players aren’t able to answer any question and your ‘eliminated’ but the app is new and kinks will have to be ironed out. Just recently Rogowsky had to stall for a long time. People in the chat noticed and the guys over at HQ Trivia HQ restarted the game.

Most of all, HQ Trivia is a lot of fun, so we can’t recommend it enough! It’s totally addictive and keeps you on your toes!

To download HQ Trivia please click here!

 

 

Rick and Morty VR

Rick and Morty VR: Get lost in the Universe!

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Rick and Morty VR

Firstly, Rick and Morty VR, is a game for all of you diehard Rick and Morty fans out there. Literally be transported in to the world of Rick and Morty and walk around the home of Morty, Summer, Beth and Jerry! Better yet explore teh alien worlds that Rick takes Morty on during the hit show!

Everything that is shown on the cartoon, players will be able to create in this cutting edge VR adventure from Adult Sim Games and Welchemy Labs. You can play as a Morty cline and explore all around Ricks garage and all the trauma that comes with it. (Consequently the adventures that come with it) Step into bizarre alien worlds simply by stepping through a portal. Yes you literally have to step through the portal, the game is THAT immersive.

Immersive

So, you may think that this game is simply sitting and walking around the Rick and Morty universe. Nope. Rick and Morty VR literally is a VR world that is fully immersive. Pick up things from inside the world, move objects to the side. For example you can throw iconic items like the Plumbus around Rick’s garage.

Follow Rick’s directions throughout the game and complete the missions that he sets you in a game that’s got the voice actors in it. (Or maybe don’t follow Rick’s directions, you may end up somewhere you really don’t want to be!)

The game is in full 3D and we cannot get enough of it! Consequently, if you are not a fan of Rick and Morty you will really enjoy the tasks that Rick sets you. Even, simply walking around the different universes really shows off how good VR can be!

 

To purchase Rick and Morty VR please click here!

Ember Travel Mug

Ember Travel Mug: Keep your drink HOT!

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Ember Travel Mug: The SMARTEST Mug

The Ember Travel mug isn’t just a regular old travel mug, it’s a smart connected device that does so much more than hold your favourite hot drink. It’s a smart mug and has a lot of features that will help you throughout the day. So, without teasing you much longer Ember will notify you once your drink has reached you preferred temperature. This is set via the app on your smartphone or via the mug itself. For those without a smartphone, tap the Ember logo on the fron to select temperature settings. Simply twist the dial at the bottom of the mug and select your temperature. The temperature is displayed on the front of the mug via lights.

Features

So, the app and the mug really work well in tandem and the use of the app will open up a whole world of abilities to you:

  • Set a preferred temperature (hot or cold)
  • Set a preset temp to different beverages (Coffee, Tea, Mocha for example)
  • Remotely adjust the temperature
  • Name your mug
  • Set celcius/farehnheit
  • 2 Hours battery life. (2 one hour drinking cycles, however this is dependent on external temperature, liquid temperature when initially poured, how quickly the drink is consumed. Whether lid is on or off, there is a whole set of factors which can affect the battery life. However, Ember have stated that the travel mug is designed to last 2 hours.

Without a smartphone

Whilst you can use the app without a smartphone, you are very limited with the features available to you. For example you cannot give your mug a name. Nor can you set presets to different drinks.

What is the Ember Travel Mug

The Ember Travel mug is designed to give you a feeling that your drinking from a ceramic mug, with what Ember are calling a perfect lip interface. The Ember Travel mug has a lid that screws off instead of a lip to enhance this feeling. The difference between the Ember Travel Mug and a regular travel mug is that a regular mug will keep it hot. Yet, the Ember Travel Mug will keep something at a temperature for longer and it won’t get warmer, or even colder.

The Ember Travel Mug works by using 7 temperature sensors to make this functionality a reality. Not all users want to use it to keep their beverages warm, but you can also keep things cool. The Ember Travel Mug has a rapid cooling system to help keep them cold and have them warm throughout the day.

Compatability

The Ember Travel Mug is compatible with Apple and Android devices. All that is required is an iPhone that is updated to iOS 8.0+ on an iPhone 4s or later. Android devices that are Android 5.0 & BLE 4.0 or above.

To purchase the Ember Travel Mug please click here!

 

Facebook Suicide Prevention

Facebook Suicide Prevention

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Our friends over at the Daily Dot have reported on, Thea, aged 25. Thea shared a post on Facebook expressing she felt like dying. It is here where Facebook, for lack of a better term, ‘stepped in’ to prevent her suicide.

Writing that she felt “tired of living” and “exhausted” her post was flagged for feelings of suicide, within 20 minutes.

When Thea returned to Facebook, it displayed a ‘resources’ message, suggesting that she reach out to a friend or contact a helpline. Thea also felt that Facebook made her feel embarrassed. It notified people whom she didn’t interact with anymore.

What flagged Thea’s post was in fact part of a Facebook machine learning tool. Developed by AI, the tool identifies posts which express thoughts of suicide.

A spokesperson for Facebook informed Daily Dot that disagree’s which parts of Thea’s account. Stating that they don’t contact friends of people contemplating suicide. Unless they are the users who have flagged posts to Facebook.While Thea maintains that her Facebook friends were indeed contacted and to contact paramedics were also suggested.

The tool works by identifying a range of concerning words of phrases in posts, comments that show concern for the poster of content. Consequently multiple comments such as “Are you ok” or anything of that sort will trigger the tool. This will then flag it to Facebook’s Community Operations team.  Suicide prevention trained employees will then review the content and determine how to help them. Such as contacting paramedics (if a user needs immediate attention) Regardless if a user has flagged a piece of content or the AI has picked it up.

Uncertainty

Though the tool may have some slight flaws in how users feel that Facebook use their content. Thea spoke to Daily Dot and originally shared the post as she knew others on her feed could relate. Henceforth they will take comfort knowing that they weren’t alone. But after her experience with the tool, she feels anxious. She’s not entirely sure if she will express her feelings on Facebook:

“I post these things because…it makes it easier for those people to talk with you and help, because they know how to handle it,” Thea said. “With the way the AI functions, it feels like we can’t trust anything anymore, and now less people are going to speak up about their suicidal thoughts, which is more dangerous to that person.”

 

 

Facebook

Facebook positivity down to you?

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Facebook have defended itself against claims that using the site can damage your health. The impact of Facebook has come into the press recently which was discussed recently.

The social media giant have now said in a blog post that whilst there is evidence to suggest that the site can damage wellbeing. Facebook can also be a positive experience. Use the site positively, get a positive return. Kinda like how Karma works. If Karma is a thing.

Internal Debates

David Ginsberg, Facebook’s director of research, has allegedly said that there are continuous internal debates of how their users are using their website. While discussing how the time spent on their website was in fact good/bad for people:

“Just like in person, interacting with people you care about can be beneficial, while simply watching others from the sidelines may make you feel worse.” 

So, that being said, be more active and positively engaging with the people in your social network helps a user to feel better.

Ginsberg also stated that the social media giant are working on ways to turn users into active users. While not being just social media voyeurs.

Facebook Emotions

Dr Bernie Hogan, a senior research fellow at the Oxford Internet Institute, has called into question, Facebook’s theory. Hogan has researched extensively Facebook’s effect on it’s users and doesn’t see how Ginsberg’s theory will work.

“They are saying that the solution is more interactivity, more personal feedback and less broadcasting. The problem is that they are engineering tools for more broadcasting.”

Hogan’s daming response to Ginsberg’s suggestion to use Facebook positively to feel positively, does make sense. It does raise a few questions as to how it will work.

The only way to see, is to do it in practice.

So we’ll see.

UberX Ambulance

Get help in an UberX Ambulance?!

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Apparently people are requesting Ubers to get to the hospital rather than calling the ambulance. As it’s quicker. It’s not an UberX Ambulance though. Uber aren’t getting in to the services industry.

A study from the University of Kansas found that there was a 7% decline in calls to the emergency services where an UberX was available.

The guys over at the Hustle report that their very own CEO Sam called an Uber when his appendix burst when he was out shopping. He called an UberX and was at the hospital in 10 minutes. So in effect, his very own UberX Ambulance.

Consequently he would have been a lot heavier in the money department. Over in the US, an ambulance ride can cost anywhere between $450 and $5000. So that $20 (I’m spitballing here) UberX ride just saved your life and a LOT of money!

Uber and Lyft are said to discourage users from calling their fleets for emergencies. However, according to the guys over at Slate most medical professionals interviewed that they’d agree with UberX’s or Lyft’s over the emergency services. Though if you’re having the below, they’d advise you call the ambulance:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Severe pain
  • Pregnancy-related complications
  • Suspected internal bleeding
  • Signs of stroke (numbness, weakness, or speech problems)

UberX Ambulance – Our thoughts

Now we’re based in the UK and this does sound very interesting to us. While it would seem that the UberX can most likely get to you quicker (if they’re close enough to an incident) will they be able to get to the hospital just as quick? Probably? Probably not? If you’re in an Uber you’re going to have to wait in traffic. If you’re in an ambulance, you can part the cars like Mohammed and the Sea and get there super quick. Plus you’re getting medical attention at the same time.

Is this a good route to go? Maybe? Maybe not? It all depends on the situation that you’re in.

 

Wonderboom

Waterproof, wireless and great sounding: Wonderboom

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The Wonderboom is an ultra-portable Bluetooth speaker with a huge sound! Firstly the shape of the speaker, highlights how the sounds of the speaker will work. A rounded shape, almost like a short fat, squashed Amazon Alexa. It has HUGE buttons on the top to allow for easy access to controls. But why would we need easy access to controls? It’s simply just a bluetooth speaker.

Wonderboom: Features

That much it is but it is so much more, it’s waterproof! Plus it can float! So this can easily be used in the bath, shower, or even better, the sea or a swimming pool! If it gets dirty just simply give it a soak and the speaker will be free of damage!

The shape pays respects to the 360 degree sound that the Wonderboom produces, so wherever you are in the pool or in the room. You’ll receive the same level of sound volume and share the same experience! Not only that, there are two speakers inside the Wonderboom, to help produce that huge pumping thumping sound!

The Wonderboom has an enormous life. It comes with an incredible battery life of 10 hours! So you can go partying long into the day and night.

Wonderboom is also virtually indestructible, with being drop proof tested by up to five feet, it comes equipped with a hanging loop to easily attach to any bag, or backpack.

Finally the Wonderboom’s bluetooth and wireless capabilities are to be desired with up to 8 source devices being able to be stored on the device. It has a range of up to 33M too so you can be as free as you like and party without being constrained to the speaker!

The Wonderboom’s sound is something to be desired and we love it here at the How To Kill An Hour studio. It’s heavy and can pack quite the punch with the bass. A truly wonderful speaker that has a plethora of uses. It’s one not to be missed when going on holiday!

To purchase your own Wonderboom bluetooth speaker please click here!

California Cowboy

California Cowboy – Your next favourite shirt

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As tech enthusiasts and tech lovers, we have found a great shirt. A wonderful shirt. A shirt that will make you open your mouth in awe. The shirt that we have found is so good, we almost wanted to keep it a secret. It’s called the California Cowboy and it’s a multi-functional shirt that can do an all manner of things. Don’t worry though, we know what you’re thinking, it definitely has a tech element to it. It’s a wonder that no one has thought of it before! We are now wondering why we didn’t survive our summers without this!

California Cowboy

California Cowboy

California Cowboy: Features

So where to begin:

  • Firstly this shirt is really really comfortable
  • It has a secret pocket to keep all of your gadgets clean and safe from water
  • A sunglasses loop to keep your eye protectors safe
  • Bottle pocket and kazooie to keep your drinks with you at all times (can’t be losing them beers!)
  • Bottle opener (Of course)
  • Conversation card (if it ever gets awkward around your AWESOME SHIRT!)
  • Slim fit
  • Vintage prints (so like flowers and beach type designs, perfect for the streets of california – or margate)
  • Plus THE BEST FEATURE – a built in towel! No need to carry a towel to the beach! You can just wear your shirt, then take it off to swim, then put it back on to dry off!

 

California Cowboy

California Cowboy

 

If this doesn’t get you dizzy, I don’t know what will and we cannot wait to take the California Cowboy to the beach in the summer. It’s going to be a lifesaver!

To purchase your own California Cowboy shirt please click here!

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Listen to the guys chatting about this here! (Link LIVE from May 31st)

Fingbox

Fingbox: Protect your home network

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This is the Fingbox a plug & play network security appliance and mobile app for protecting your home and family online. However it is so much more than just a networking device!

Fingbox: Features

Firstly, for all the parents out there there’s a range of controls that you have at your fingertips. So, all of these controls are available at 1 click so there aren’t any confusing menus to wade through. But, that doesn’t mean that the Fingbox is any less powerful! It’s super powerful and we are very impressed at how much it can do! So, without further adieu, listed below is a pleth

  • Internet Outage Scheduling
  • Device Blocking in 1-click
  • Device Usage & Monitoring
  • Also, track who is home and online

Furthermore there are a whole host of network security features:

  • 24/7 Network Monitoring
  • Event Monitoring
  • Intruder Detection
  • Opened Port Detection
  • Ability to close Opened Ports by UPnP
  • Alerts about Rogue and Evil Twin Access Points
  • KRACK Attack and MiTM Attack Detection
Consequently, if you have ever experienced a slow network and not known why you’re slowing down. The Fingbox will show you a whole host of information about your ISP and give you the following information on your ISP.
  • ISP Outage Monitoring
  • ISP ranking by city and country
  • Automated Internet Speed Tests
  • WiFi Speed Tests
  • Bandwidth Analysis

Fingbox: Benefits

So there are also more benefits the Fingbox will also allow you to:

  • Block any device, such as intruders or unwanted devices with 1 click
  • Pause a user from using the internet in 1 click
  • Alerts: Open ports, malicious threats or vulnerabilities on the network
  • Consequently, use the DigitalFence – detects any device around your Fingbox (even if not connected to the Wifi) See who is nearby your home and block any unwanted intruders.
  • Event logs that everything that has happened in the home
  • Monitor your network anywhere in the world
  • See how fast the Wifi is from every corner of your home
  • Also test the speed of your internet and if you’re getting the speed you’re paying for.
  • Detection of “Evil Twin” malicous access points which are a threat to your network.

 

Most of all, the Fingbox is the digital companion that helps you manage, secure and control your home network and all the devices attached to it. With Fingbox you can manage, secure and control your network, anytime from anywhere.

Also purchase your own Fingbox please click here!