Author Archive: Matt

More than 20 years in the IT industry. Blogging with a passion and thirst for new technology since 2005.

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By April 24, 2023 Read More →

What is Zigbee?

zigbee logoZigbee is a wireless communication protocol that was developed to enable low-power, low-data-rate wireless connectivity between devices. The technology is based on the IEEE 802.15.4 standard, which defines the physical and MAC layers of the protocol.

Zigbee is designed to support a range of applications and use cases, including home automation, industrial automation, healthcare, and smart energy. The protocol is optimized for low-power operation, with devices consuming very little energy when in standby mode. This makes it an ideal choice for devices that are powered by batteries or other low-power sources.

Posted in: Home Automation
By April 6, 2023 Read More →

Home automation with Home Assistant

Home Assistant LogoI’ve been heavily in to home automation for years, starting with my own homebrew projects built with Arduino, Mbed and later Raspberry Pi, the solutions I ended up with were always bespoke and esoteric. 

As time went by I added new products from Hue, Tuya, Smart Life, Ring, Ezviz and others. While these all worked fine, they each had their own app and ecosystem and therefore could not interact with each other. 

A few months ago I found a Raspberry Pi Model 3 that I wasn’t using and started looking at various home automation options that were available.

Enter Home Assistant…

 

By April 5, 2023 Read More →

What can I do on a cruise?

There are many activities that you can do on a cruise, depending on your preferences and the amenities offered by your cruise line. Here are some ideas to get you started:

  1. Explore the ship: Take some time to explore the various areas of the ship, such as the pool deck, the spa, the fitness center, the library, the theater, and the restaurants.
  2. Participate in onboard activities: Most cruise ships offer a variety of activities throughout the day, such as trivia contests, cooking demonstrations, dance classes, and art auctions.
  3. Go on shore excursions: Many cruises offer shore excursions to nearby ports of call, where you can explore the local culture and attractions.
  4. Relax and enjoy the amenities: Take advantage of the ship’s amenities, such as the pool, hot tub, sauna, and massage services.
  5. Attend entertainment shows: Many cruises offer nightly entertainment shows, such as Broadway-style musicals, comedy acts, and magic shows.
  6. Try new foods: Cruise ships are known for their delicious and diverse dining options. Take the opportunity to try new foods and cuisines.
  7. Participate in onboard games: Many cruise ships offer a variety of games, such as bingo, casino games, and game shows. There are also casino games you can enjoy online through sites like ค้นพบเกมส์พิเศษของ UFABET for added fun and excitement. Also, by using your mobile device, you can login sbobet to choose the sports game you love to play.
  8. Connect with other passengers: Make new friends and socialize with other passengers on board. Many cruise ships offer organized social events, such as cocktail parties and mixers.

Remember to prioritize your own enjoyment and relaxation while on the cruise, and make the most of your time on board.

 

 

 

Posted in: Editorial
By June 8, 2022 Read More →

Apple’s New M2 Processor: What It Means for The Future of Apple Devices

Apple M2 ChipIt’s no secret that Apple is a master of creating products that are simple to use and easy on the eyes. Only a handful of other companies have been able to replicate this kind of user experience (and most try to imitate it). However, when it comes to raw processing power and speed, Apple devices aren’t always leading the pack. In fact, many competitors like Samsung outpace Apple in terms of processor speed and efficiency. Even Google has managed to integrate a faster processor into its new Pixel smartphones. To compete with these other devices, Apple has introduced an advanced “M2” chip that promises fast data speeds and strong performance for future devices. What does this mean for the Apple ecosystem moving forward? Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about the company’s new M2 processor.

 

By June 7, 2022 Read More →

Tesla Charging Tips – What You Need to Know

tesla chargingYou’ve finally taken the plunge and bought your own electric car. Now you can drive on the road without worrying about running out of gas, polluting the environment, or paying a hefty bill. However, owning an electric car is only half the battle; to make it convenient and cost-effective, you need to install a home charging unit. The Tesla is one of the most popular electric cars on the market today. If you own one too, then here are some helpful tips on how to charge your Tesla faster at home and when you’re out and about.

 

By August 10, 2021 Read More →

P&O Cruises currently ‘adults only’

Several weeks ago I booked a 3-night cruise for my family on board Britania. This was going to be a surprise short break for the the children as we really were not expecting to get away at all this year. But as the opportunity presented itself and the cruise fair was so reasonable, we went ahead and booked.

Having told the kids, they were very excited to be going away.

However, this is where things started to go a bit sideways. One morning I received a ‘Notification Of Change’ email from P&O. Having checked through the details provided I could see no obvious change to the trip and rather than play spot the difference, I called P&O.

Posted in: Editorial, Uncategorized
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By October 27, 2016 Read More →

iPhone Data Loss and Recovery [Infographic]

iPhone Data Loss and Recovery [Infographic]

Data Loss and Recovery. An infographic by the team at Secure Data Recovery Services

Posted in: Editorial
By September 16, 2016 Read More →

The Future of Television

There’s no escaping it, television is a huge part of the culture of this country. According to statistics released by Ofcom, no less than 90 percent of adults tune into their favourite shows without fail every week. Our media is dominated by the lives of television stars, and as programming and technology continues to improve exponentially, there’s no way our love of television is going anywhere any time soon. Do you remember your first TV? Sometimes when we’re sat watching tiny beads of sweat on the brows of our favourite footballers, it can be hard to remember that television wasn’t always such an excellent viewing experience. Today we reveal what’s still to come in TV technology, and reminisce about days gone by…

Exciting developments…

Although impossible to see how picture quality can get much better than it is currently – the next leap in HD technology is said to be just around the corner, and will see 8k HD become the norm. Arguably the most exciting development on the block is organic light-emitting diodes (OLED), which is an advancement on LED technology that’s a whopping 1000x faster, and could allow hardware like roll-up screens to become a wonderful, and undeniably futuristic, reality.

In a recent interview, Paul Lever from Cheapest Electrical discussed OLED, “LG and Samsung both revealed potential models at this year’s CES, with the LG winning CNET’s Best of CES Award. Make no mistake, this is the most important advancement in TV technology in more than a decade, and a vast improvement over both LCD and plasma.”

When enjoying the perks of such advanced technology, it’s easy to forget how we got to this point. Let’s take a little look back here, shall we?

 

In simpler times…

For 30 years, from the 1960’s up until the 90’s the predominant television found in houses across the nation was the cathode ray tube, or CRT TV for short. Usually no larger than 25”, the only real additional feature these models offered was access to Teletext.

 

A leap in quality…

As we rolled into the 90’s the latest technologies to cause a stir were plasma and LCD screens. Opinion was initially divided over which provided the best viewing experience – but eventually LCD was victorious, due to using far less energy, and having a better shelf life. Plasma screens were discontinued relatively recently in 2014.

A switch to digital…

Between 2008 – 2012 the country slowly transitioned from analogue to digital. This switch meant that 26 million people were instantly granted access to freeview TV – and all the additional channels, and features that came with it. Now viewers could pause live TV, record a whole series of their favourite shows with just the touch of a button, and could enjoy interactive services, which enhanced the viewing experience.

Along comes HD…

Next picture clarity was targeted, and 4k ultra high definition became the norm, improving the viewing experience tenfold. Digital TV meant people with the right televisions could now access multiple free HD channels, and providers like BT and Netflix made it possible for you to watch your favourite shows and sports in high definition. People also try Spectrum Television Plans that offer on-demand services, they just simply choose from the remote then enjoy the show.

 

Posted in: Editorial
By July 29, 2016 Read More →

Broken Appliance: Is it more cost effective to repair or replace it?

Appliances are essential when it comes to everyday household chores, however they’re not indestructible and it can be extremely irritating and costly when they begin to fault.

Some of the most common faults are pretty straightforward to put right. However, when the problem is out of your control then it’s time to face the tough decision whether to call in repair specialists or to invest in new model and cut your losses on expensive repairs.

To help make the decision for you, Glotechrepairs.co.uk have produced a handy infographic which they’ve put together with their own research and data to show you whether it’s best to fork out on repairs or whether it would be more affordable to buy a replacement model.

Scroll along the infographic below to see whether you should repair or replace your appliance.

Posted in: Editorial
By July 26, 2016 Read More →

Best Games to Experience Vegas from Home

You don’t have to travel all the way to Las Vegas for a gambling experience. Of course, it cannot be denied that the glittering Vegas experience is unique and cannot be reproduced. You have to go to Vegas to enjoy the Vegas casino experience, complete with free drinks and charming croupiers. Despite this, several successful attempts have been made to take Vegas right up to players’ doorsteps, totally eliminating the need for players to travel to Sin City.

Play Casino Games Online

The easiest way to experience Vegas at home is to sign up at an 온라인카지노, load your account, and start playing online casino games for real money. One of the best casino sites in the industry is Slots Heaven, which runs on a sophisticated software platform and offers an impressive portfolio of online pokies.

You won’t get any free drinks while playing at Slots Heaven, but you can surely enjoy brilliant graphics, entertaining animations, and realistic sound effects along with enormous bonus offers, cashback offers, and rewards for loyalty. Playing casino games online with magic jackpot casino is like experiencing Vegas away from Vegas.

Live Dealer Games

Not all online casinos offer live gaming services, but some of them do and it is not at all difficult for players to find them at Don99 singapore. If you want to play a game that is actually being played at physical locations, you should play at live casinos, which usually form parts of online casinos’ product portfolios. Usually, online casinos like https://onlinepokiegames.net offer games such as Live Casino Hold’em, Live Poker, Live Baccarat, Live Roulette, and Live Blackjack.

You don’t even need computers and software programs to create a Vegas-like atmosphere at home. Simply organize a casino night or a casino-themed party. Decorate your house like a casino, invite your friends, and play immortal casino games such as poker, blackjack, and darmowe gry jednoreki bandyta.

Posted in: Apps & Games
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