PlayStation 5 vs PlayStation 4: Why You Should Upgrade

The PlayStation 5 came out on November 12, 2020, in the US — and it is better than ever. With a new sleek design, more powerful hardware, and a range of new features, the PlayStation 5 is one of the most popular consoles on the market worldwide. In addition, the PS5 is the newest console on the market, and it is still hard to find in physical stores. However, you can find PS5 games at gamestop.ie. Hence, many people are currently wondering if they should upgrade from their PS4 to the PS5 or if they should keep their previous console for a while longer. The answer is not as simple as yes or no.

The PS4 is not yet outdated and many people are still enjoying playing on it, most games and interactive features are still available and the market keeps growing. Of course, a new model offers additional features and state-of-the-art technology. The decision of whether to upgrade to the PS5 or not depends on what kind of games you like to play and how much money you are willing to spend. 

If you are a fan of the PlayStation exclusive games, then you might want to consider upgrading to the PS5. However, if you are happy with the games you are playing on your PS4, then you don’t need to upgrade right away.

In this article, we consider prices, design, specs, and games to determine which PlayStation is best. Read on to find out whether to upgrade or not.

Design

When it comes to the design, the PS5 is significantly bigger and bulkier than its predecessor and has a much more industrial look to it. The latest edition of the PS4 is slim, and light. Some people love the new design, while others think it’s too big and actually quite ugly.

Another difference between the two consoles is the way they handle heat. The PS5 generates less heat since it has a much larger heat sink and cooling system than the PS4. Additionally, PS5 also has a built-in power supply, so you won’t need to buy a separate one.

The PS5 is also available in different colours such as Starlight Blue, and Nova Pink. However, the PS4 had two-tone colour themes and a traditional outlook.

Specs

PlayStation 5 has an RDNA 2 GPU that is twice as powerful as the PlayStation 4. In addition, the PS5 GPU has 10.28 TFLOPs of power, and 36 CUs at 2.23GHz. However, PS4 has AMD Radeon GPU with 4.2 teraflops.

In terms of memory, PS5 has 16GB of GDDR6 RAM, and a 256-bit interface compared to the PS4’s 8GB of DDR5 RAM. This will offer a significant performance boost, as GDDR6 is much faster than DDR3.

Furthermore, the PS5 has a custom-designed 825GB SSD. This is a significant upgrade over the PS4’s 1TB HDD, as SSDs are much faster than hard drives. The PS5 also has a 4K UHD Blu-ray drive, compared to the PS4’s standard Blu-ray drive. This will allow you to watch 4K movies on your PS5.

The PS5 will offer significant improvements over the PS4 in terms of visuals and audio. As such, PS5 will support 4K resolution at up to 120fps, compared to the PS4’s 4K resolution at 60fps. The PS5 will also support 3D audio, while the PS4 does not.

Games

While the PS5 has some new games, it will also be backward compatible with many PS4 games. This means that gamers will be able to play their favorite PS4 games on the new console. Some of these games include Uncharted 4, God of War, Bloodborne, Ratchet, and Clank.

In addition, the PlayStation 5 has some new generation exclusives that the PlayStation 4 does not have. For example, the PS5 has Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Horizon Forbidden West, and Gran Turismo 7. The PS4, on the other hand, does not have any of those games. 

Verdict

After considering the pros and cons of both the PlayStation 5 and the PlayStation 4, it is evident that the PlayStation 5 is the better choice. The PlayStation 5 has better graphics, a faster processor, more storage, and backwards compatibility. Consequently, it is clear that the PlayStation 5 can offer gamers a more complete and intense experience.

If you’re a serious gamer, upgrading to the PlayStation 5 is a no-brainer. However, you will have to pay the price.

Tech Review – Enfokus AI-based intelligent video conference camera

The EnFokus AI Video Conference Camera came in clearly defined packaging with the key features visible on the packaging. The kit is robust with no additional accessories to lose or carry around, the cable with a USB A plug connects directly to a windows laptop without any issues. The camera is mechanical in terms of operation adjusted which pops up with voice automation to advise the scanning AI on the views. The speaker (2 Watt) is incorporated into the kit with a nice touch of LXM logo on the kit. This kit does not have any controls on the unit in terms of volume/ mute etc which have to be done via a Laptop etc.

Key features

  •       AI face recognition
  •       Double talk
  •       Echo Cancellation
  •       Noise reduction
  •       Invisible Camera
  •       Built-in audio DSP

Set up:

The setup is simple and easy Plug and play, and no additional drivers were required.  This took less than one minute to update and required no additional accessories required. Microsoft teams automatically changed the speaker and camera on numerous calls with no time lag or loss.

The AI face recognition was automatic in the background, as focused on a face within a room this took up to 30 seconds on initially plugging in the camera but the Pan tilt zoom part adjusted accordingly as a person’s face moved within the room as would be done during a presentation. The double talk where 2 people on a call spoke at the same time again worked without interference.  The camera when connected shows a red light and changes to a green line when on a call,

Warranty:

The warranty comes with a 1-year warranty, which is disappointing from the website in terms of manufacturing culture and mixed communication in terms of repair times and taking responsibility for customers.

Conclusion :

The EnFokus AI Video Conference Camera does what is said on the box easily and efficiently and works as required. The 2-watt speaker is sufficient for voice calls but lacks a punch when used to listen to high-quality music ranges albeit this is not designed for this area while sufficient to listen to eg Youtube music in the background. The 4 inbuilt microphones have a range of 5 Meters which is sufficient for most boardrooms and can handle multiple people talking at once. The  2K ( 2560 X 1440)  Camera works well and has clarity in a variety of settings when the light dimmed or in a bright room. The AI face recognition worked well and zoomed in or Panned as required to a facial movement. This was noted to be slow which may be designed to ensure a steady smooth transition rather than a jump on the camera. The Manufactures’s website has a variety of mixed messages in terms of warranty repairs and lacks the customer-first ethos as seen by some of the brands tested in the past.

Overall, The product does what is supposed to do keeping it simple without the clutter of additional accessories getting lost, or additional buttons/displays on the units overcomplicating the product. An easy simple product to connect and use, and works as expected.

Buy – https://ensonore.com/products/m?variant=42399067046102

Video review

Tech Review – XLR/USB Dynamic Microphone FIFINE K688

The FIFINE XLR/USB Dynamic Microphone K688 is a simple to use audio product well presented in the packaging it came in, setting up this mic could not be easier to only requiring minimal technical knowledge it is basically a plug and play unit that is also well built and constructed with just one wire for power ( in our review model) and a mount to hook up to existing equipment and is a standard.

There is one volume wheel and gain wheel under the base and easy to control and is one of the easiest mics I have tried to use and gives a much better audio experience for those listening rather than using standard audio on the products you use, the sound is crisp and clear no matter where you sit or have the unit placed..

The XLR participation upgrades the audio team so that you can trust it in guarding the sound quality reproduction. Achieving a 93dB S/N ratio in the actual test, the extremely low cable interference ensures the sound can be picked up without a miss.

Dual ports of XLR and USB give K688 a next level of flexibility. Plug and play USB-C still retains its consistent compatibility on computers, tablets, and PlayStation, providing great convenience for your impromptu recording needs.

In USB connected mode, fiddling the comprehensive features on the mic body around your fingers will make you feel like a pro audio engineer, the mute button, live monitor jack are your weapon to observe unexpected audio during recording. With the microphone and headphone level controls, you can easily run a pre-recording check or even make adjustments.

The cardioid pattern always focuses on your voice. The flatter frequency response shows that the K688 maintains excellent performance in all ranges: Keeping the bass thick enough without compromising the warmth of the mids, the highs are bright and crisp for recording vocal details.

The matte metal finish caters to minimalist style, the shock mount does an important job of resisting the rumbling noises of tabletop, if you notice the grey foam cover on top of the mic, the thick flocked filter is designed to provide more pops protection when talking to your audience.

BUY

Video Review

Tech Review – OneOdio Studio 10 Pro headphones

The OneOdio Studio 10 Pro are a simple to use pair of headphones with no controls at all so in short it is just pop them on sit back and enjoy the sounds, there is no app here either. They have 50mm neodymium drivers built in to deliver a powerful sound with good bass, aimed at the DJ these can also be used on mobile phones with a headphone jack and can plugged into games consoles and your TV, You can also plug into an amp or guitar.

These would be ideally used in a studio or for mixer panels and turntable something which we do not have here and tested in a casual capacity with a sound system and mobile phone and for me the sound is quite good and loud with some bass thrown in, you can change the EQ via your device or platform used but in short these just plug in and you just listen to the tunes, they do come with an inline control which we demo in the video review so you have some control over your music like skip and reverse tracks and play and pause you can also answer and hang up on calls…Overall the sound is quite good no lag latency, highs lows and mids are fine and in general a decent audio experience for the price.

If you want a simple pair of cans to use these are just what you need with having super comfortable cups that block pretty much all the outside world and ideally used at home.

Features

  • BASS SOUND: Enjoy powerful bass and comfort with the OneOdio Studio headphones. Large 50-millimeter speaker unit drivers combined with neodymium magnets deliver dynamic bass, great for DJing, mixing, monitoring, or listening to music.
  • BUILT TO STAY COMFORTABLE: The soft padded ear cushions are designed for monitor headphones’ comfort and noise isolation. The headband is adjustable and stretchable for you to find the desired angle you like to fit in.
  • NO MORE ADAPTER: DJ-style coiled cord (9.8Ft Stretched) easily reaches from the TV or stereo to your chair. They both are completely detachable, so you can plug in any devices that have a 3.5mm or 6.35mm jack.
  • SINGLE-SIDE MONITORING: 90° swiveling ear cups for single-ear monitoring anytime; self-adjustable and flexible headband delivers a fatigue-free listening experience that can last for hours, ideal for mastering and mixing.
  • WORKS WITH: All devices have a 3.5mm or 6.35mm audio jack. Bass sound, durability, and comfort. These are the headphones you’ve been looking for.

BUY

Video Review

Revolut adds Platinum and Palladium to the list of commodities that customers can trade

Revolut, the global financial super-app with more than 25 million retail customers, announced today that Standard, Plus, Premium and Metal customers in the EEA, Switzerland and the UK can now access Platinum and Palladium exposure through the Revolut app.

Revolut launched its commodity trading feature with exposure to Gold (Au) in March 2020. Three months later exposure to Silver (Ag) was added. Customers have used the opportunity to diversify their asset portfolio making gold and silver widely owned assets on the super-app. Today, Revolut decided to add two more precious metals, Platinum (XPT) and Palladium (XPD).

All precious metals are available via the Revolut app in the Commodities tab in the Wealth section. Customers can purchase and trade exposure to Gold, Silver, Platinum and Palladium, based on live market performance data which Revolut obtains through its specialized partner.

Any Platinum or Palladium exposure held by customers is backed up by real, physical XPT or XPD securely held by Revolut’s trusted precious metals services partner. Like Gold or Silver, Platinum or Palladium exposure can be transferred from one Revolut customer to another via the Revolut app, or converted instantly into cryptocurrency or e-money to make purchases.

Revolut also offers an auto-exchange feature whereby customers can set a certain price at which to trade Platinum or Palladium exposure, with super-app automatically completing the transaction when the market price matches the target set.

The addition of Platinum and Palladium to the Commodities feature is the latest step Revolut has taken to remove the barriers associated with traditionally inaccessible financial products, and follows the expansion of 30+ fiat and close to 100 crypto currencies customers can buy, hold and sell in the super-app.

Yaroslav Kravchenko, Director of Wealth & Trading at Revolut said: “We are excited to extend the Revolut Commodities feature to include exposure to two more precious metals, Platinum and Palladium. We’re taking this step to enable our EEA, Swiss and UK customers who look for alternative assets to further diversify their portfolio. We also walk the talk of our mission to democratize the financial sector.”

“Many people still feel closed off from obtaining access to alternative assets such as commodities. This is why we are stripping back the complexity and fees to make sure that getting access to Platinum and Palladium exposure is as simple and low cost as possible. Our goal is to open up as many options and financial products to customers as possible, so they can save, invest and manage their money in the way that they want.”

Revolut customers can get access to Platinum and Palladium exposure immediately by updating their Revolut app to the latest version and selecting the Commodities tab in the Wealth section of the app.

Unlike fiat money, Platinum and Palladium are not regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority or safeguarded under e-money regulations. Revolut doesn’t offer physical delivery of the metal in hand. As with all investments, capital is at risk.

Urbanista Phoenix solar powered earbuds now available online

Urbanista, the Swedish lifestyle audio brand, are pleased to announce that the world’s first self-charging solar powered, wireless active noise cancelling earphones powered by Powerfoyle™ solar cell material, the Urbanista Phoenix, are now available to order online.

Priced at 149 EUR / 149 USD / 139 GBP / 1590 SEK MSRP, Phoenix boasts full compatibility with iOS and Android devices.

Following a successful partnership with Exeger to launch the Urbanista Los Angeles headphones, Phoenix advances the use of their groundbreaking Powerfoyle™ technology to a new level, with true wireless earphones that deliver an endless playtime experience which the user controls. With Urbanista Phoenix you can experience a truly true wireless future with no need for cords or charging cables. Integrated with Powerfoyle™ solar cell material, the earphones’ streamlined charging case continuously recharges when exposed to all forms of outdoor or indoor light, meaning that the earphones will provide endless playtime when placed back in their case for charging and continuously exposed to light.

Enhance Your Experience with the Urbanista Mobile App

Get the most out of the earbuds with the Urbanista mobile companion app. The Urbanista app, available on Apple App Store and Google Play Store, gives you deep customisation options, including the ability to change EQ settings, monitor battery levels and customise touch controls. The companion app also provides information on how to get the most out of the product’s playtime, including visual indications of solar charging levels and historical charging data.

Tuomas Lonka, Brand and Marketing Director, comments: “We were the first audio brand to market with solar powered headphones, the Urbanista Los Angeles, and we are excited that our second product together with Exeger, the Urbanista Phoenix is now available to order. Our focus and ability to bring solar powered technology to the audio industry and being the first to market with two new product innovations, two years in a row, in an extremely competitive market is what really sets us apart from the competition, and is how we are pushing our industry forward.”

Sofie Löwenhielm, Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer of Exeger, says: “I am thrilled that Urbanista is expanding their solar powered audio line-up into the increasingly popular true wireless category. Powerfoyle is revolutionising the way people experience consumer electronics and has set a new standard for convenience and sustainability. With Phoenix, Urbanista shows again that they are a front-runner in this switch to self-powered mode.”

Urbanista Phoenix is now available to order online at www.urbanista.com/phoenix

Priced at 139 GBP, 149 EUR, 149 USD, 1590 SEKMSRP, Urbanista Phoenix is available in two stylish colours: Midnight Black (black) and Desert Rose (beige pink).

Key features:

●      Solar and ambient light charging with Powerfoyle™

●      Hybrid active noise cancelling

●      Transparency mode

●      Multipoint connection

●      Playtime 8 hours

●      Total battery reserve 34 hours

●      Noise-reducing microphones

●      In-ear detection

●      Automatic power off

●      Touch controls

●      Voice assistant support

●      IPX4 water resistant

●      USB type-C charging

●      Bluetooth 5.2 version

●      Urbanista mobile app compatible

●      Available in Midnight Black and Desert Rose

Specifications:

●      Drivers type: 10mm dynamic, moving coil

●      Driver impedance: 16 Ohm ±15%

●      Sensitivity: 97 ±3 dB SPL/mW @ 1kHz

●      Frequency response: 20 Hz to 20 kH

●      Microphone type: Mems

●      Bluetooth® version: 5.2

●      Bluetooth® profiles: A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP

●      Audio codecs: SBC and AAC

Funny way to say, “Sent from Smartphone.”

You receive many emails ending with “Sent from my iPhone” or another mobile email signature. Whatever you think of these email signatures, they serve their marketing purpose. When communicating with customers on mobile devices, you may send emails that contain typos or formatting errors, and your message may come across as hostile, short, and rude. Email signatures explain to people why they should contact you. There are various creative ways to let your contacts know you are using a mobile device to communicate. For example, you can use an iPhone email signature generator to create interesting signatures and mobile mailing lists of your message to all interested parties.

Accusation technology

Some smartphone features like autocorrect and voice recognition are designed to make your life easier. But sometimes, they do the opposite. Your colleagues and clients will likely be involved in these matters, so mentioning them in your signature can be helpful and exciting. The email signature may be just a minor addition to our Email. Just enter your company name in the sender field, and recipients will know all about you. There is nothing more accessible – the email signature is one of the essential elements of your mobile mail. Therefore, make sure that your email signature is prepared correctly. A mobile email signature is your business card, which provides better communication with recipients and creates a positive image for you. What we should avoid when creating a mobile email signature is ensuring that it is not perceived as unprofessional in the age of social networks. In addition to informational purposes, an email signature can make your message more attractive. What else could be in it? Be proud of your achievements. Has your company won a prestigious award? 

Do you have valuable certificates? Provide such information, and you will win your customers’ trust. Social media works best with your company’s image, so allow your recipient to join the community or share your content with relevant links. You can actively promote your brand by providing your recipients with answers to specific questions. For example, do you have a phone number or dedicated email address for customer service? Place this information in the email signature, which will shorten the recipient’s path to accurately expressing their needs. List additional services such as free shipping, loyalty club, warranty period, current offer, and other exciting things. Direct the recipient to unique places by placing valuable links in the mobile email signature. Do you have a blog, custom landing page, or website that you want your recipients to visit? Place the link in the mobile email signature. Check messages on all mail clients. Remember: just because a mobile email signature looks right in your inbox doesn’t mean it will look the same in everyone else’s. 

The mobile email signature is also a convenient place to insert information about future events organized by your company – training, seminars, and conferences. Check what an email signature can do for you. Use it to make a positive impression, grab attention, and show what recipients expect. Give them something interesting. When preparing an email signature, the most important thing is to find the golden mean that will distinguish you – a professional marketer – from others. Remember: the email signature should provide the recipients with the essential information about you, and all additional elements, such as a logo, and a link to a website, will help you create a positive image.

Words about not knowing a smartphone

Sometimes it’s not the phone. Communication on the road with such a small device can sometimes be challenging.

Have fun with Siri

In case you didn’t know, Siri is a voice prompts and answers feature that Apple calls an “intelligent personal assistant.” Available for the latest iPhone and iPad models, some want to use Siri in their iPhone email signature.

A brief description of the random Email

Just because you have a smartphone with email access doesn’t mean you have to be prepared for everything. You can have a signature for the mobile phone from which it will be sent.

The opportunity to have fun

You don’t have to be specific about what device you’re using to let others know. You can easily create jokes to let people know you’re emailing them from your mobile device. Tell others you’re on the phone, such as “sent by carrier pigeon,” “sent by the shield,” or “sent by payphone.” If you joke about technology, it won’t be perceived as wrong or bad. On the other hand, “I’m better than you, so sent from my iPhone” or “Sent from my $400 smartphone” refers to using a particular mobile device as a status symbol. Remember that sarcastic lines in emails can be taken as overkill if others don’t understand your sense of humor.

What email signature do you use for mobile mail?

Have you encountered an interesting mobile email signature, or do you use it yourself? To create a funny signature, you can use the apple mail email signature generator, a special tool designed specifically for creating attractive, unique, witty signatures that you can send from your apple devices to your friends, colleagues, and partners. How does this email signature generator work? You can get a unique email signature for mobile mail in a few simple steps. If you want to stand out, trust this generator! This is a type of tool that allows you to create and edit email signatures for specific personal information. Create a footer, send it to your friend or partner, and save it as the default signature. This way, you can create it whenever you want to send a message to your customers. With this generator, you will create a virtual business card that can be identified with your brand on the Internet! Placing contact information in the email signature is an important thing. This builds trust, builds prestige, and gives you a professional image.

Your logo and photo are stored in the client’s memory, thanks to which he is more willing to contact a person he already knows. In addition, all contact information specified in the email signature created with the help of a professional generator will be shown to all recipients. A generator is one of the tools that will make this task easier! Many companies often downplay signature design. This is a big mistake you can’t make with a generator. A signature should guarantee success for you and your brand. Know that it is within your reach! Take a few minutes and create a professional email signature through your smartphone. You can put more content in an email signature than you can imagine, and using them skillfully will increase your brand’s ranking.

Encourage recipients to read messages with exciting designs that you can create in the iPhone email signature generator.

Are you good at choosing words but feel like something other than a graphic designer? Can you write exciting text but prefer to choose something other than fonts? Not a problem. The iPhone email signature generator offers a variety of email header layouts to choose from: bold, beautiful, and modern, so you can focus on creating an engaging signature. Choose a design, then submit your photos to customize the caption for an impressive caption. If you need help finding the image you need, you can choose from millions of available pictures and images on the Internet that perfectly complement your mobile signature. You have access to a vast number of free images to choose from, as well as premium images.

There is no reason not to use it. With the mobile signature generator, you can quickly create an informative message. You want to send swiftly exciting information to your friends from your smartphone. You must copy the ready-made design with the generator, change the text, and prepare the signature header for the next mailing. The generator stores all your projects in cloud storage so you can view, edit and share them anywhere you have an internet connection. Thanks to its availability on iOS, mobile signatures can be changed on the go. Make sure to limit yourself to mobile mail. Give your captions a new look. Share them on all social networks. Just click the “Share” button and post them directly to social networks like Facebook or Twitter.

Bolt highlights tips for safe electric bike use this winter

Bolt, the European mobility champion, is encouraging electric bike users to take extra precautions before mounting bikes this winter season as the traditional period of colder and unsettled weather kicks in over winter.

Bolt currently operates two shared e-bike schemes in Ireland, Sligo having launched in June 2022 with 65 e-bikes and Kilkenny in August 2022 with 50 e-bikes. Users on the schemes have travelled a combined distance of over 100,000 km to date.

Speaking on e-bike safety ahead of the current winter season, Operations Manager for Rentals for Bolt Ireland, John Buckley, said: “We have been overwhelmingly delighted with the uptake of our electric bike schemes in Sligo and Kilkenny to-date. Electric bikes and other forms of micromobility remain a viable alternative mode of transport for short to medium-length journeys year-round, but there are a few extra actions users can take to ensure maximum safety during the colder, and often wetter, winter months.

Electric Bike safety tips for winter

Ahead of the winter months, John Buckley provided some tips for users to ensure safety while using electric bikes this winter.

What is Bolt doing to ensure electric bike safety in Ireland this Christmas party season?

Cognitive Reaction Testing

Ahead of the Christmas season, Bolt is extending the operating hours for its built-in cognitive reaction testing from 12am – 4am to 10pm – 5am.  This is to deter the usage of electric bikes if the potential user has been drinking alcoholic beverages.

Bolt operates its e-bikes during nighttime hours as a means of transportation for late-night workers, including those working in the hospitality industry and essential services such as healthcare.

Bolt asks that people refrain from using e-bikes when under the influence of alcohol. If a user or friend fails the cognitive reaction test they will be unable to hire a bike and Bolt urges people to find an alternative mode of transport such as a taxi, public transport or walking if the distance isn’t too far.

For user safety and the safety of others, be responsible and do not take the cognitive reaction test on behalf of someone who is too intoxicated to use an electric bike.

Electric Bike Maintenance

To cycle safely in any weather, it’s essential to maintain electric bikes properly. Maintenance usually means checking for a few simple things to prevent issues later down the line. Bolt’s technical team regularly looks over all bikes to ensure they are safe to cycle.

As a cyclist, it is still important to do a quick check before each cycle to ensure the brakes work, and that the wheels move smoothly and this is also hugely important if you hit the trails with an eMTB.

If anything appears broken or not working quite as it should, users can easily report it through the Bolt app. Tap the little warning sign in the electric bike section, report an issue, and Bolt’s team will take care of it.

Using Electric Bikes in the Rain and Cold Weather

In typical winter weather, Bolt e-bikes are safe to cycle as they are built to be able to withstand rain. Users will still want to avoid extreme weather: torrential rain, high-standing water, and going to places with a danger of flooding.

Besides dressing warmly — with special attention to keeping hands warm by wearing gloves — It is important to be on the lookout for ice during cold snaps.

When temperatures fluctuate above and below freezing levels after rain or snowfall, black ice may form. Always avoid cycling on ice.

Cold weather can also affect e-bike batteries shortening the range a bike can travel. Keep this in mind when planning a longer cycle.

Here are Bolt’s top tips on how to stay safe and comfortable riding an electric bike in rain and cold weather:

 

  • Lower your speed. As the pavement can get slippy, lower speeds are safer. Wet tarmac provides less traction, so be extra mindful when turning. The Bolt app allows users to lower the maximum speed of the bike.

  • Brake early. Less traction also means slightly longer stopping times. All Bolt bikes have front and rear brakes to ensure safety, even in the highly unlikely case that one of them should fail.

  • Keep space between you and other road users so users can comfortably swerve or stop when needed to.

  • Stay visible. Rain also means lower visibility. Wear reflective clothing or reflectors. Bolt bikes have front and rear lights and side reflectors.

  • Dress for the occasion. Keep yourself warm and dry by choosing suitable clothing for the weather.

Using Electric Bikes in the Dark

The key to bike safety in low light conditions is increasing visibility.

 

  • Stay aware of your surroundings. Keep an eye out for slippery surfaces and debris.

  • Cycle In well-lit areas. Choose streets with good lighting for a cycle. This will help users to have a clear overview of their surroundings as well as visibility.

  • Be visible and audible. All Bolt bikes are equipped with front and rear lights as well as a bell. Use the bell to make yourself known to fellow cyclists and pedestrians.

  • Dress for the occasion.  As per Road Safety Authority guidelines, wearing a high-vis vest or bright clothing provides cyclists with the best chance of being seen in darker conditions.

Check out our latest review of a light that is also super effective

Top 5 Student Apps to Beat Procrastination

You sit down at your desk ready to crack on with that assignment you’ve been putting off then you pick up your phone to check the time.

Suddenly you’re scrolling through social media, texting your friends and online shopping. You’ve probably had a peek at your screen time and been horrified by the amount you’ve spent on TikTok, we all have.

You’ve well and truly entered the procrastination rabbit hole and need help getting out. This is a guide showcasing the top 5 student apps to beat procrastination and get back on the right track.

Focus To-Do

Combining the Pomodoro technique and a to-do list, this app will increase your focus and productivity.

Pomodoro is Italian for tomato and the technique gets its name from a University student, Francesco Cirillo, who used a tomato-shaped timer to organise his study schedule after he struggled to stay focused.

The idea is to work for 25 minutes followed by a 5-minute break. Repeat this 4 times then have an extended break of 15-30 minutes.

Francesco designed the method to be used alongside a to-do list which Focus To-Do incorporates into an application for your phone. The basic app is free and premium plans start from £1.79 a month or a lifetime licence for £9.99.

RescueTime

RescueTime is compatible with macOS 10.12 and Windows 10, it tracks your time spent on websites and applications and organises it into categories.

It then uses this data alongside 3 billion hours of activity from people like you and determines how you can be most productive throughout the day.

When you really need to focus you can start a ‘focus room’ which blocks sites that threaten your productivity.

RescueTime also has smart coaching which analyses your focus and meeting schedule then serves you insights and tasks you should focus on.

PC Magazine gave this application a rare 5-star rating describing it as “one of the best productivity tools we’ve ever tested.”

Forest

When you want to stay focused you plant a tree in this app, which will grow while you work. If you leave the app before the timer ends, your tree will die.

Over time a beautiful forest will grow in the app, a simple concept that shows a visual representation of your hard work which also has a real-life impact. As you grow trees, you earn coins which can be used to plant trees on Earth. 

A simple motivating concept that has resulted in over a million trees being planted globally by the procrastinators of Earth.

Mindly

If you’re tired of regular to-do lists where everything looks the same and is visually mind-numbing, you should give Mindly a go.

It helps you organise ideas, deadlines and reminders in a three-dimensional format. A digital mind map that keeps track of your thoughts harnessing the power of associations to stay organised.

You can personalise each idea with colours, emojis, links and text. It’s also available on all platforms whether it’s your phone, laptop or tablet which all sync together.

Todoist

A simple app that allows you to create to-do lists based on your projects. It’s available across all platforms which sync together. It also has quirky features such as natural language input.

For example, “finish the monthly report by Wednesday”, will automatically set the due date to the upcoming Wednesday.

If you need to work with someone on a project, the collaboration features allow you to share access and set tasks with deadlines.

The best part is that you’ll get most of the features you need through the free version making this tool a no-brainer to beat procrastination.

 

So there it is, the top 5 student apps to beat procrastination. If it’s in your student accommodation in Cork from Novel or at the student library, get started today!