Tag Archive for: marcus bronzy
Insta360 ONE – The 360 Degree Super Camera
Insta360 One
The Insta360 One is a 4k 360 degree camera which is absolutely incredible! It shoots in 4k both video and photos at 24MP! You can use the Insta360 One as a standalone device, remote control via Bluetooth or via a direct connection to a smartphone!
Check out the Insta360 ONE! Record 360 video in 4K!!!
Posted by How To Kill an Hour on Wednesday, 30 August 2017
“We set out to make the easiest-to-use, most versatile 360 camera in the world, and the ONE is the result of those efforts.The ONE isn’t just a step forward for 360 videography. With its unique FreeCapture technology, it stands to change the way we think about cameras in general.” JK Liu, CEO and founder of Insta360.
The Insta360 One also uses something called FreeCapture, users of the device can create videos in 3D. Yet if they find a specific moment, they can then hone in on that footage and convert it to a standard 1080p video. While right from within their smartphone.
The Insta360 One utilises smartphone’s on board gyroscope to edit the 360 degree scenes, using their phones as a viewfinder. So whatever they point their phone at at that specific moment of a 360 degree video, is what they’ll capture as a traditional fixed frame video. Moreso users can easily and quickly shift perspectives within a 360 degree video. Creating shots such as the “tiny planet” or the “Rabbit Hole”
What’s incredible about this device is that it can erase your selfie stick, making the camera, look like a drone.
Tech Specs
The Insta360 One has six-axis image stabilization along with an in built gyroscope to allow for super smooth shots. Futhermore the advanced stabilization and SmartTrack feature allows to create incredible “bullet time” shots. Hence a user can swing the Insta360 One around them, they will always be center frame, while the string/selfie stick is concealed.
- Standard 1/4″ -20 Screws (Allowing to connect to most helmets, drones, tripods)
- IP68 Waterproof rating. (Effective up to 30M (98.4 ft)
- Insta360 One specific selfie stick/remote available separately
- Includes a string attachment in the box to allow flying camera shots.
- Maximum shooting range of 120FPS, 240FPS only achieved via software and algorithmically with the app)
Download the app here Apple / Android (Coming Soon)
Listen to our latest show!
8 Awesome things about Mario Odyssey
We struggled to put our Nintendo Switch down and show you 8 AWESOME things about Mario Odyssey! check em out here:howtokillanhour.com/entertainment/8-awesome-things-mario-odysseyMarcus BronzybFunk Butcher DJ Ace Nick Bright
Posted by How To Kill an Hour on Wednesday, 15 November 2017
Mario Odyssey: 8 Awesome Things
Mario Odyssey has been out for a while and we are enjoying it here at the studio, on the train into work, at home, in the bath. Everywhere! We cannot put it down! It truly is one of Nintendo’s best Mario games to date. If not one of their best games. However, we’ll take a minute or two from playing the game and pry it away from our hands and tell you 8 Awesome Things that we LOVE about Mario Odyssey!
Gameplay
Firstly, the gameplay of this game is second to none. Nintendo have done an absolute incredible job building this game. It’s in 3D, yes. Which some people won’t like as it’s not true to what Mario was always about, 2D side scroller. But it has some of the 2D elements that we all know and love from the original game. It plays like a 2D side scroller but in 3D open world bliss. Incredible. It just feels like Mario and not a cheap 3D version of itself.
Audio
This game just sounds great! We know that this isn’t something that you can physically see, but it helps the game! It remains true to Mario and keeps a lot of the retro style audio, even if a little enhanced to bring it into 2017. If you’re stuck on a level it can get repetitive. But you’ve got to ignore that and not let it affect you, you WILL get past that difficult part!
Motion Sensor
The motion sensor plays a big part in Mario Odyssey, you can use it to climb higher, swim faster even fly faster. The motion sensor also enhances the cap’s abilities. These little elements is what separates the Nintendo Switch from other consoles. Small but beneficial gameplay tweaks that push your experience further. When the console is docked it’s best to use the motion sensors, however they do work in portable mode, just not as well.
The Cap
The Cap is what everyone is talking about. While we won’t go into exactly why the Cap acts this way as it’ll ruin the story. You won’t get far not using the Cap as it is a very crucial element to the game. Some enemies you won’t be able to take over, while some you can, so it’s a trial and error game when it comes to the cap. Some parts of the game you can’t get around NOT using it. We love it here at How To Kill An Hour and it’s what makes this game great! Be inquisitive when using it too, You may be surprised!
New Donk City
This is the level that got a lot of attention on social media and for good reason. People have been looking forward to New Donk City ever since it was used to promote the game, when first announced! A derivative of New York City, Mario is transported into a world of humans, cars and tall buildings. It truly is one of the more enjoyable levels of the game, there is A LOT to do on this level. Plus keep an eye out for the intricate 2D level as well. A famous Mario character makes an appearance!
Nostalgia
This is a quick one but a good one. If you’ve ever played the old Super Mario games, Mario Odyssey has an intelligent nod to yesteryear. At various points throughout each level you will have to complete a short level, or task, in complete 3D. At some points the 3D elements even affect the 2D elements!
Difficulty
Mario Odyssey has an ‘adult’ feel to the game, yet remaining it’s core element of a childs game. The game is relatively easy in the sense that it’s got a main gameplay element to it. Collect enough moons to power up your Odyssey, hit the boss 3 times to defeat them. Then move on to the next planet. But there are also levels to this game. If you want to complete it 100% there’s lots of replayability to go back and collect all the purple collectables and find ALL the moons. There are some elements to the game that require a lot of logical thinking to overcome a task. So it’s not just an easy breeze through kind of game. This game will also challenge most adults!
The Switch
Mario Odyssey was built for the Switch, which sounds silly. But this game was built for both the home version of Switch and the portable one.
Some of Nintendo Switch’s games are easily identifiable as portable or home console games. But with Mario Odyssey it works either way. Sure you can play it either way but you get the feeling that it just doesn’t work.
Most importantly though, it works for Nintendo’s AAA game, Mario Odyssey. The gameplay fits both a pick up and play portable game and a sit at home, ‘take your time with it’ game. This is really hard to explain in words, but once you play it, you will understand what we mean!
Purchase Mario Odyssey
To buy Mario Odyssey please click here!
To listen to the guys talking about this please click here!
What do you think of Mario Odyssey?
Don’t forget to hit us up via our social media channels (@howtokillanhour) on ALL platforms and give us your thoughts on Nintendo’s stellar AAA game! Let us know how far you’ve got and what elements of Mario Odyssey that you like the most!
Philips Master Your Shave! Star Wars x Philips
Philips Master Your Shave! Which side are you on?
To celebrate the release of Star Wars: The last Jedi, Philips have collaborated with Star wars to bring you, Star Wars inspired shavers, calling it Philips Master Your Shave! The range combines the cutting edge technology that we all know and love from Philips with designs which emulate your favourite characters from the Star Wars movies!
‘The range fuses Philips high tech innovation with the Star Wars imagination factory…..The products within the range retain premium Philips shaving functionality whilst being themed around the iconic Star Wars movie collection.’ Rob Smith, UK Senior Marketing Manager for Male Shaving and Grooming.
Our very own Marcus Bronzy and Channel 5’s ‘The Gadget Show’s’ Ortis Deley at the Star Wars x Philips event.
Philips Shaver Series SW9700
Philips Master Your Shave
So this shaver from Philips is for all you dark side of the force fans! The premium shaver has V-Track Pro blades which provide exceptional comfort and closeness, but with a dash of dramatic red to black gradient, coupled with hexagonal patterning, topped off with a First Order logo as the power button.
Philips Shaver Series SW7700
Philips Master Your Shave
For all you good side of the force fans this Shaver helps to reduce skin irritation by gliding comfortably along the skin, even if you haven’t shaved for a few days! The body is silver and turquoise with Symbols of the Resistance on the body. There are even subtle references to light speed on the etchings of the handle. The Jedi Logo lights up in use, so you can feel like a real Jedi on those cold winter mornings!
Philips Shaver Series SW6700
This shaver brings to life the X Wing, why? As it allows you to have a quick and close shave. Since the shaver automatically recalibrates to every curve of the neck and face, mimicing the fluid nature of the X-Wing. The design follows the nature of Poe Dameron’s X-Wing right down to the tiny details such as scratched metal finishings and red stripes. Also as with other Shavers the on turbo button flickers during it’s use.
Philips Shaver Series SW5700
Also, everyone’s favourite modern character BB-8 even makes an appearance on the Philips Star Wars range. The iconic orange and white colour scheme is throughout the design which incorporates the Philips ComforCut Blade system.
Philips Shaver Series SW3700
Finally but by no means least, also incorporating ComfortCut blades the Philips SW3700 has an R2-D2 design. As with many other shavers the on-off switch blinks and the panneling lights up too!
Purchase your own Philips Star Wars Range! Philips Master Your Shave today!
Purchase your own Star Wars Philips Shavers here!
Listen to our latest Podcast here!
Call Of Duty World War 2 Multiplayer
Call Of Duty World War 2 Multiplayer
Impressions
We recently got invited to play Call Of Duty World War 2 Multiplayer at a secret location in London, England. Everything outside the location looked normal, you wouldn’t think something incredibly cool was going on inside. While inside was decorated to look very gritty and like a World War 2 bunker, we felt like we had time travelled back in time! While there we got to play 3 differen modes, surprisingly with the developers, Sledgehammer games.
This was A LOT of fun as we got to learn about the game as well as play with some really cool people. Most noteworthy is that the learning curve is as easy as ever. This is a Call Of Duty game after all, which plays a lot like the series of old. We felt like we had Call of Duty 2 in our hands, we loved the old game and this is even better. We liked the nostalgia feel that this took us back to what made Call Of Duty, Call Of Duty. While remaining modern with things such as kill streaks. So those beware of those campers!
Check out each of the videos below for some more information of the game types!
Team Deathmatch
Not much to explain with this game mode. If you’ve played a lot of Call Of Duty you know the score. If you haven’t, this game requires you to get as many kills as possible in a 10 minute match or first to 100. (or whatever the server host decides if it’s a private match) Killstreaks (extra abilities that you get once you achieve x amount of kills without dieing. Increasing in devastation as the amount of kills you get before you die) apply here as well. Keep an eye out for the SICK double kill Marcus achieved in this match.
Gridiron
This is an upgrade on the old ‘Uplink’ mode of Call of Duty multiplayer. Instead of a Satellite, as in Uplink, you have a ball and two goals placed in the bases of each team. The aim of the game is to score as many points as possible before the time runs out. You can still shoot one another and your scorestreaks work as they would in Team Deathmatch, you can pass the ball too. You get 3 points for throwing the ball into the goal and 6 points for a touchdown and that, basically is Gridiron.
War
War is an objective based mode that requires you to work as a team to complete mini missions. They’re time based objectives, so it’s vital to complete all tasks before time is up. We had to complete Operation Neptune, based on the D-Day landings. One half of the match requires you to work as the allies and storm the beach of Normandy. The other puts you in the shoes of the German axis tasked with pushing the allies back on to the beach.
A MASSIVE THANK YOU!
Finally, a huge thank you to Michael and the team of Sledgehammer games for their time, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves! Even if we did lose each time!
Call Of Duty World War 2 Multiplayer
When and where to buy?
Call of Duty World War 2 releases Friday November 3rd on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows.
Purchase Call of Duty World War 2 please click here!
Watch more of our Call of Duty videos please click here!
Listen to our latest podcast please click here!
Call Of Duty World War 2 Developer Interview
Call Of Duty World War 2
Developer Interview: Michael Condrey
The How To Kill An Hour team recently headed down to a super secret, top location in London to play Call of Duty World War 2. There’s A LOT more gameplay content available for you soon! So keep an eye out for that! There won’t be any disappointment, that much we will say! However, check out what happened when our own Marcus Bronzy had an interview with chief operating and development officer of Sledgehammer Games, Michael Condrey.
Michael and Marcus discussed everything from the story mode to the multiplayer and even touched on the fan favourite: Zombies! Call Of Duty World War 2 is built for entertainment purposes. But the game is based on an important aspect of the world’s history, which brings authenticity and respect to the young men and women that lost their lives during one of the worlds most devastating wars. Michael really goes deep to tell us and explain what extensive lengths the Sledgehammer development team went to researching World War 2. To both teach themselves and those that play that game what went on during the times of 1939-1945.
Another interesting soundbite from the interview with Michael is how the guys put a stop to one of their developers! Sledgehammer Games hired an ex-pro, MLG star, Rambo Ray who kept on defeating all of us. So the devs put something in on their play tests to put him down a peg or two. Did it work? Check out the interview above to find out!
A MASSIVE THANK YOU!
Finally, a huge thank you to Michael and the team of Sledgehammer games for their time, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves!
Call of Duty World War 2 releases Friday November 3rd on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows.
Purchase Call of Duty World War 2 please click here!
Watch more of our Call of Duty videos please click here!
Listen to our latest podcast please click here!
Cozmo – Big Brain, Personality and SMART!
Cozmo – Big Brain. Big Personality. SUPER Computer.
Anki's COZMO robot is the coolest little pal you'll know
Ever wanted your own Wall-E? Well, this little guy may be the answer to your robo-BFF dreams. Meet COZMO, a small robot with a fully fleshed out personality and tricked out with the coolest A.I. Just don’t expect him to listen to you all the time. Where’s the fun in that?Find out more about Cozmo and its maker Anki at https://www.anki.com/en-us/cozmoNow on sale!
Posted by How To Kill an Hour on Thursday, 19 October 2017
We have reviewed some gadgets by Anki before and we were very impressed with what they had on offer. The upgraded, modernised version of scalextric, Anki Overdrive. Now they’ve moved into personal robots and introduced a tiny little robot called Cozmo. Don’t be fooled by it’s short size though, this little gadget packs an intelligent yet mean punch!
Made up of 300+ parts this little gadget has a big brain and can detect humans, even cats and dogs! Cozmo can even read your emotions and recognise the environment around him. Read Cozmo’s emotions right from the small screen acting as his face, coupled with a series of bleeps and technologic sounds it’ll be like having a mini conversation!
Have a bit of computer know how? Download the SDK kit off of Cozmo’s site and develop your own games and tasks for Cozmo!
So what can he do?
If you ever owned a tamagotchi you had to keep that little animal alive by feeding it and playing with it. Much like with a tamagotchi you have to to nurture your Cozmo to help it grow! By using the app you keep an eye on how well he is doing, feeling low? Feed him power cubes. Not performing to the best of his ability, run diagnostics to see if he needs a repair. While Cozmo may from time to time indicate that he is bored: play a game with him to cheer him up! Just try to beat him though if you do he may get upset. The more you play, the more you can upgrade and the more skills you can unlock.
Gameplay
Coz has a surprisingly large arsenal of games and features to keep both him and yourself entertained. He’ll sing if he’s bored and wants to play. He’ll raise his forks for a fist bump, though this is an upgrade skill. As stated earlier, Cozmo is incredibly aware of you and it’s surroundings, you try and creep up on him with your finger and he’ll pounce!
Cozmo comes with a set of cubes that help to keep him busy. Using 1 cube, play keepaway with him, to well….keep the cube away! Put the cube close to him and pull away the cube before he drops his lift. He catches the cube he gets a point! Memory match is just like Simon if you’re old enough to remember. The cubes light up different colours and you take turns with Cozmo to remember and repeat the path. With Quicktap, both of you get a cube, the cube lights up and when it’s the same colour you have to beat Cozmo to tapping the cube. First player to tap their own cube wins.
It can see you, read your emotions, learn the world around him and plots quicker, easier ways to complete tasks. He’s almost human. He’s a supercomputer. As a result, we cannot call Cozmo a toy. He is far from it. Most of all though, he is a lot of fun!! So Cozmo is not just for children!
In Conclusion……
We fully recommend you him out , most of all we cannot reiterate enough that it isn’t just a toy. It’s far far faaaar to intelligent to be a toy. It’s a supercomputer and we can’t wait to see what the space of smart tech brings in the future.
To buy a one please click here!
To listen to the latest show please click here!
Thorpe Park Fright Night 2017
AMC’s The Walking Dead x Thorpe Park
Thorpe Park Fright Night
Thorpe Park Fright Night
Fright Night at Thorpe Park is back and this time it has been overran by Zombies from AMC’s The Walking Dead! Thorpe Park has teamed up with AMC to bring you right into the heart of the Walking Dead universe right in the heart of Thorpe Park to celebrate Halloween – only at night of course as “The Island Changes After Dark” – although some rides start transforming and become Zombified from 3pm. The real experience starts after it gets dark!
Thorpe Park Fright Night
Rides
The Park transforms once darkness arrives, however there are some rides that are exclusive for the month of Fright Night. Two rides are brand new for 2017 and are Incredibly Scary! Whilst there are several rides that are returning just for Fright Night, so if you missed them, you can get a second chance at survival!!
Brand New for 2017
Living Nightmare
This ride, or should we say nightmare, really is one of the most exciting mazes we have ever done here at How To Kill An Hour. Long time listeners will know that we love a Zombie or two. Hence this maze is no different. Lucille is on the way and your at the mercy of Negan from The Walking Dead, be careful though as one wrong turn in the maze and it’s game over for you and your friends.
Sanctum
This maze is similar to The Living Nightmare but your mission is to get to the sanctuary along with the survivors. Make sure you get your way through the maze, avoid any confrontation with the Zombies and just hope that it wasn’t a trap. Get through the compound, taking on the roaming walkers. So, to be safe, don’t get caught.
Returning Rides
Platform 15, the hugely popular Saw Maze, Containment and one of our favourites from the night Big Top. All return to scare the hell out of you this halloween. Big Top’s a carnival that has been overran by the undead Zombified. What’s scarier than a Zombie? A Zombie Clown. Didn’t think of that one did you?! It’s very impressive that Thorpe Park built a huge carnival in the middle of the park for Fright Night. It’s scary but very impressive, the team were lucky they didn’t get caught!
We arent giving away too much of our time there as it’s one of those things that you have to experience in person. Reading doesn’t do it enough justice. Fright Nights are an experience that requires you to be there to fully immerse and understand the feeling of the whole experience. It’ll ruin the surprise and secrecy of the whole night. Finally, be prepared to bring along with you an extra pair of trousers. You’re going to need them!
We loved being terrified during our stay and we fully recommend that you check it out for yourselves.
So, don’t say we didn’t warn you!
Thorpe Park Fright Night
To go to Thorpe Park Fright Night (Before October 31st) please click here!
To check out the latest show please click here!
What is Sky Q? All you need to know!
Sky are changing the home entertaintment game with Sky Q! They are letting you free from the home and giving you your entertainment anywhere! Find out all you need to know by clicking here: http://www.howtokillanhour.com/entertainment/what-is-sky-q-need-know
Posted by How To Kill an Hour on Wednesday, 18 October 2017
What is Sky Q?
All you need to know!
What is Sky Q? Sky Q is Sky’s latest Tv offering, bringing with it some next generation features to help fight the battle against Netflix and the rise of streaming online services. One major part with this is via Sky Q’s plethora of devices. Such as Sky Q’s mini boxes, allowing you to watch what is on the main Sky Q Box in another room. Furthermore Mini boxes also double up as Wi-Fi hotspots. (As they don’t connect to the dish and pull the footage over Wi-Fi) What comes with Wi-Fi connectivity comes a brand new ecosystem, as not just the boxes connecting to one another, you can view all your content that is on your Sky Q box, both LIVE and on the planner on your mobile device via the Sky Q app. Sky call this ‘Multiroom Viewing’
Multiroom Viewing
This essentially is freeing up Sky’s content offerings away from the main hub in your living room.
The main caveat of this is the ability to watch anything anywhere and then go in to a room that has a Sky Q box in it and continue watching right from where you left off! Sky Q mini box paused and then resumed in another room, or by watching a piece of content on your mobile device and then shutting off the phone, walking into your house and continuing right from where you left off!
Features
Finally Sky Q is once again fresh faced and comes with a brand new TV guide.
- Multiroom Viewing and content on demand via the Sky Q App
- Touchpad Remote
- Record up to 6 channels and watch a 7th
- Watch 5 channels on 5 different screens at once
- Apps including YouTube and Vevo.
- Stream music via your mobile device using Airplay or Bluetooth.
Pricing + UHD
Sky Q are really pushing 4K, Ultra HD Content (here on out known as UHD) as the next big thing in home entertainment, however the only way to get UHD content is via Sky Q’s 2tb flagship box. While the standard box has replaced Sky’s regular box. Including all bundles that Sky offer, they’re all Sky Q bundles. Also previously Sky Q have offered things to sweeten the deal with offers such as a free 32″ Samsung Tv.
(As of October 2017 )Existing Sky+ multiscreen customers will pay £49 for a Sky Q 1TB box or £99 for a 2TB box. While those without multiscreen but wish to upgrade will have to pay £199 for either box.
Entry level Sky Q bundle comes in at £22 per month. Basic Box + Basic Sky Tv Channels and NO UHD content. The bundles that are available such as Variety (£32p/m) and Box Set (£38 p/m) , but again these don’t offer UHD.
Finally to watch Sky’s UHD content you require the Sky Sports and Sky Cinema packs, currently priced (at time of writing) at £27.50 p/m and £18 p/m respectively (on top of the other original box sets that you have to pay for)
‘So now you’ve answered the question ‘What is Sky Q?’ where can I get it?’
So we hope this answered the question rolling about now which is ‘What is Sky Q?’
To buy Sky Q please click here!
To check out the latest podcast please click here!
What time should I go to bed?
What time should I go to bed?
Ever wondered why you wake up tired in the morning? Struggle to get out of bed? Well we have just the solution for you! Check out the sleep calculator here: howtokillanhour.com/entertainment/what-time-should-i-go-to-bed
Posted by How To Kill an Hour on Tuesday, 17 October 2017
The age old question, what time should I go to bed? The sleep calculator from Web-Blinds allows you to find out the best way to wake up feeling fresh! No longer find yourself struggling to get out of bed or hitting that snooze button half a dozen times. Sleep calculator finds out the best time that you should go to sleep based on when you wish to wake up. The best thing about this calculator is that, uses a formula that is based on the bodys natural rhythms. It even sets apart 14 minutes for you to get to sleep and it counts in sleep cycles so you wake up at the end of a cycle and not during the middle. If you wake during the middle of a 90min ‘sleep cycle’ you will wake up grumpy and groggy.
What’s even better is that if you feel sleepy right now, you can use the sleep calculator to take a nap! It’ll give you 90min intervals to take your afternoon nap in and wake up feeling even more refreshed!
To answer the question ‘what time should I go to bed?’ please click here!
To listen to the latest show please click here!