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The Gadget Man - Technology News and Reviews

The Gadget Man - Technology News and Reviews

De: Matt Porter
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Artificial Intelligence, Technology, News and Gadget Reviews on air, online, in print and in personCopyright © 2013 - 2020 - Matt Porter
Episodios
  • The Gadget Man – Episode 183 – Are We Addicted to Apps?

    The Gadget Man – Episode 183 – Are We Addicted to Apps?
    Apr 11 2025

    In the latest episode of The Gadget Man, I joined Lorna Bailey on BBC Radio CWR to explore a topic that’s close to all our smartphones — apps. From checking our health and managing our money, to securing our homes and snapping hundreds of photos we never quite get around to backing up, apps have become the digital wallpaper of our lives.

    But here’s the big question: Have we become too reliant on them? And are there risks lurking in our seemingly innocent app folders?

    During this episode, we chat candidly about the app overload many of us experience. Whether it’s a dozen different parking apps or a folder full of CCTV apps just for one house (guilty as charged), we’ve all felt the weight of digital clutter and the anxiety of deleting an app in case we “might need it someday.”

    We also talk about the very real risks of having so much of our data connected to apps and the internet — and how tech companies benefit from our every tap and swipe. While some of this data helps deliver useful services, like live traffic info, it also opens doors to targeted ads, invasions of privacy, and even scams.

    Tips for Staying Safe in an App-Heavy World:

    • Only download apps from reputable sources like Apple App Store, Google Play, or Amazon’s App Store.

    • Avoid sideloading apps from unknown third-party websites — that’s where trouble can start.

    • Keep apps up to date — security patches are often part of these updates.

    • Use antivirus apps to scan for threats, especially on Android devices.

    • Be mindful in public when making payments with your phone — contactless tech can be abused.

    • Back up your photos and data regularly to avoid heartbreak if your device is lost or damaged.

    There’s also a moment of digital self-reflection: Are we hoarding apps the same way we hoard random kitchen gadgets — “just in case”? You’re not alone. I’ve got folders of unused apps, too.

    And while we’re talking about clutter, let’s not forget the thousands of photos we store and forget — until it’s too late. If there’s one takeaway from this episode, it’s this: Back. Up. Your. Photos. Whether it’s to iCloud, Google Photos, or any other cloud service, it could save your most precious memories.

    Listen to the full episode to hear all the laughs, insights, and a few home truths about our app obsessions — and maybe get inspired to finally sort out your own digital drawers!

    Want to chat more about this topic? Drop a comment below or ping me on social media @gadgetmanblog — I’d love to hear about your app habits, fears, and favourites!

    The post The Gadget Man – Episode 183 – Are We Addicted to Apps? appeared first on Matt Porter, The Gadget Man - Creative Technologist - AI & Tech News and Reviews.
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    9 m
  • Deep Dive : The Art of Watching 3D Prints with LM Notebook

    Deep Dive : The Art of Watching 3D Prints with LM Notebook
    Jan 18 2025
    In this post, we utilise Google’s LM Notebook to create a Deep Dive into this article. Listen in to the deep dive and let me know what you think!!! This article explores the surprisingly captivating experience of watching a 3D printer at work, delving into the perspectives of both the creator of a 3D model and casual observers. It questions whether this act is genuinely satisfying or simply hypnotic, examining the emotional, practical, and psychological elements at play. Key Themes and Ideas: Dual Perspectives: Creator vs. Viewer: The Creator: For those who have designed a 3D model, the act of watching it print is a deeply personal and often emotional experience. It’s likened to watching a sculptor carve marble and it’s directly tied to their creative vision and anticipation of the final product.Quote: “For those of us who have spent hours—sometimes days—designing a model, watching it come to life can feel akin to witnessing a sculptor carving marble. The experience is deeply personal, tied to the creative process and the anticipation of seeing your vision materialise.”Practicality for Creators: Beyond the emotional aspect, watching a print can also provide invaluable insight into potential design flaws, allowing for refinement of the process. The creator can observe issues like poor filament flow or miscalculations.The Viewer: For those not involved in the design, watching a 3D printer can be a mesmerising experience due to the rhythmic movement of the print head and the slow transformation of filament into a physical object. This is often compared to watching a campfire – soothing and meditative.Quote: “For the uninitiated, the spectacle of a 3D printer at work can be downright mesmerising. There’s something hypnotic about the rhythmic movements of the print head, the hum of the stepper motors, and the slow but steady transformation of raw filament into a tangible object.” The Element of Satisfaction: Creator Satisfaction: For creators, satisfaction can stem from witnessing the culmination of their design efforts and from the troubleshooting and learning aspects of observing the print. It is also admitted that the novelty of watching a large print wear off and can become monotonous after a while.Viewer Satisfaction: Viewers find satisfaction in the precision of the printing process and the visual transformation, often condensed into time-lapse videos on platforms like YouTube and TikTok. The real-time experience is described as relaxing, if not always engaging for long periods.Quote: “These videos are undeniably satisfying, combining the visual appeal of precision engineering with the gratification of seeing a project completed in record time. But is the live experience equally captivating?” The Role of Time: Patience vs. Anticipation: Watching a print in real-time requires patience, and the article compares this to “watching a pot boil” where anticipation can sometimes outweigh the actual event.Time-lapse vs. Real-Time: Time-lapse videos significantly enhance the viewing experience for casual observers, condensing hours of printing into seconds or minutes, therefore providing an instant gratification. The live experience, while relaxing for some, might not hold the same level of engagement. Remote Monitoring and its Impact: Convenience: Remote monitoring via webcams or software like OctoPrint allows creators to oversee the printing process without being physically present. This is a practical benefit but potentially removes the immersive aspect of watching in-person.Enhanced Time-lapse: Modern printers often feature built-in cameras and time-lapse functions, and open-source tools like OctoPrint enhance the quality of time-lapse footage by homing the print head during capture. This also allows for cleaner and engaging footage to be shared.Connecting Creators and Viewers: Remote monitoring and live streaming open up opportunities to share the process with a wider audience, bridging the gap between creators and viewers. The Subjective Nature of the Experience: No Definitive Answer: Ultimately, the article concludes that whether watching a 3D print is satisfying or not is subjective. It depends on individual perspectives, personal interests, and the context of the print.Quote: “So, is watching a 3D print satisfying? The answer, unsurprisingly, is subjective. For creators, the process can be a blend of satisfaction, anticipation, and anxiety. For viewers, it’s often a mix of curiosity and relaxation, with the level of engagement varying based on personal interest.”A Shared Appreciation: The real value is perhaps found in the shared appreciation for the technology, whether you’re a maker looking for flaws, a viewer enjoying the process, or someone enjoying the condensed versions of the prints online. Conclusion: Watching 3D prints is a multi-faceted experience that engages different emotions and interests depending on whether you are a creator or a viewer. While ...
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    25 m
  • Global Windows Crash Crisis: Crowdstrike Falcon Sensor Update “Defect” Disrupts Key Sectors Worldwide

    Global Windows Crash Crisis: Crowdstrike Falcon Sensor Update “Defect” Disrupts Key Sectors Worldwide
    Jul 19 2024
    Today, I’m addressing a significant issue affecting numerous Windows users worldwide. Reports have emerged of widespread crashes, commonly referred to as the “blue screen of death,” impacting various critical sectors, from transportation to banking and media. I spoke with Sarah Julian at BBC Radio WM about the worldwide problems that continue to persist Understanding the Issue: The root cause of these crashes has been traced back to an overnight software update for CrowdStrike’s Falcon Sensor. For those unfamiliar, Falcon Sensor is a security tool designed to act as a sentinel for your computer, monitoring and protecting against malicious activities. A single corrupted system file from this update is causing Windows systems to crash upon booting. Why This Matters: Windows holds a substantial market share, with 72% of global computers running this operating system. The automatic update to Falcon Sensor has inadvertently introduced a fault, leading to these severe crashes. The update, once applied, seems to corrupt system functionality, causing the dreaded blue screen on countless machines. Impact Across Sectors: The ripple effect of this issue is profound. The update has disrupted services across various sectors: Transportation: Both train and plane operations have been hampered.Banking: Financial institutions are facing operational challenges, with payment systems affected.Media: Broadcast systems have been affected, causing interruptions, including Sky News and CBBC.Healthcare: NHS GP surgery systems are impacted, with reports of doctors having to handwrite prescriptions.Emergency Services: Even essential services like emergency call centres have not been spared.Airports: Airports, including Birmingham Airport, have reported issues with check-in services, and operations at the Port of Dover are also impacted. Al Lakhani, CEO of IDEE, said: “Many people might be thanking Microsoft for their accidental day off, but countless businesses are suffering due to Microsoft’s and their partners’ failure to maintain their services. This incident underscores the importance of businesses thoroughly researching and vetting their cybersecurity solutions before implementation. Microsoft clearly fell short in this regard, and we are witnessing a cascade of operational failures around the world as a result.” “CrowdStrike’s platform approach, which relies on a single agent focused on detection, might seem good at first glance, but as we can see, it can create significant issues. For instance, agents require installation and maintenance of software on multiple different OSes, adding layers of complexity and potential points of failure. Moreover, agents can become a single point of failure, as a bad update can compromise the entire network, as seen with the SolarWinds attack. “The lesson here is blindingly obvious: investing in cybersecurity is not just about acquiring the latest or most popular tools but ensuring those tools are reliable and resilient. This is why businesses must prioritise agentless solutions like MFA 2.0, which reduce the risk of widespread failures and ensure more resilient defences.” Cloudstrike Falcon Sensor Blue Screen of Death BSOD Global Outage Current Status and Actions: Microsoft has acknowledged the problem and stated that a fix is in place. However, this does not immediately rectify the situation for all affected devices. Many computers remain non-functional, and a manual fix may be required. One proposed solution involves removing the corrupted update link to restore system operations. Security Concerns: This incident raises critical questions about our reliance on third-party providers and the level of access they have to our systems. The Falcon Sensor update had kernel-level access, the deepest level of system access, which allowed it to cause such widespread disruption. Tech Alert Windows Crashes Related to Falcon Server Moving Forward: As we navigate this challenging situation, it’s essential to stay informed and take proactive steps to secure our systems. Further updates will be provided as new information becomes available and solutions are implemented. For now, if you’re experiencing issues, consult with your IT department or follow the suggested manual fix to remove the problematic update. Manual intervention is likely to be needed to address the corrupted system file causing the crashes. Stay vigilant and prioritise your system’s security. The post Global Windows Crash Crisis: Crowdstrike Falcon Sensor Update “Defect” Disrupts Key Sectors Worldwide appeared first on Matt Porter, The Gadget Man - Creative Technologist - AI & Tech News and Reviews.
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    5 m
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