Category Archives: Retro Gadgets

2025, Gadget Man, Game Tie-Ins, Games Consoles, Gaming, retro, Retro Consoles, Retro Gadgets

5 Ways To Make Gaming More Fun

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Do you love gaming but now find yourself wishing that it could be more fun? You are not alone. It is a situation that many people find themselves in. This is despite the fact that graphics and tech capabilities are greater than ever.

So, how can you restore the fun factor to your gaming activities? Here’s all you need to know.

Win Money

If you play modern titles, you’ll be familiar with in-game purchases. Players often spend more money on them than they do on the game itself. However, you can now grab free spins on registration at casino and bingo sites. Rather than paying out more money to play a game you’ve already paid for, you could win money.

The financial rewards are great. In truth, though, the thrill of winning gives you a dopamine hit that most video games no longer do. Another way to earn money from gaming is to enter tournaments or play eSports.

Play Retro Games

When playing today’s games, it feels like all features are aimed at microtransactions and long-term investments. Back in the day, games had a “pick up and play” quality. Retro games ranging from Pac-Man to popular platformers of the 80s and 90s are far simpler. You can play for an hour and then not worry about them.

You don’t need to dedicate half of your life to the game. You simply have some fun for the duration of play before doing something else. This more balanced approach to gaming will enhance your life in and out of those activities.

Focus On The Fun

Whether playing retro games or modern titles, the focus should be on fun. There’s no need to worry about completing a game to 100% of doing things a certain way. It’s meant to be a recreational activity. So, don’t be afraid to embrace cheats or skip sections that you don’t want to do. The aim is to have fun.

Similarly, there should be no pressure to keep playing a game beyond the point you want. If you’ve completed the main story and want to try another title, go for it. This has to be a smarter move than boring yourself just to keep up with other gamers.

Invite Friends Over 

When you think about all the fun you had playing games in yesteryear, it’s not just about the great titles. In truth, the company you shared those moments with was an equally key factor. While jumping in a Call of Duty online lobby is great, there’s nothing like being in the same room as friends. Do not ignore it.

It’s not something you’ll do as often as you did in your youth. Still, inviting pals over to play games and have some snacks is great fun. And it’s certainly cheaper than a night out on the town. Embrace it.

Combine Gaming With Another Love

The one thing that we do love about modern gaming is that it opens the door to doing things your way. Therefore, you may find that streaming or content creation is the perfect way to rediscover your love of gaming. Not least because it encourages you to join the community and find people with similar interests.

Or your love of gaming could be combined with creative writing, films, or other entertainment. The options are endless. And if you can alter your approach to rediscover a love of gaming, it has to be worthwhile.

BBC Radio Kent, Gadget Man, Retro Gadgets

The Relics of Technology: A Stroll Down Memory Lane

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In the rapidly evolving world of technology, it’s easy to forget the gadgets and gizmos that once dominated our lives. Today, we’ll take a nostalgic trip down memory lane, reminiscing about the tech tools that have faded into the annals of history.

  1. Floppy Disks and CD-ROMs:
    Once, the clunky floppy disks and shimmering CD-ROMs were our only recourse to data storage and transfer. They have now gracefully bowed out, making way for sleek USB drives, capacious external hard drives, and the omnipresent cloud storage that promises accessibility from every corner of the globe.
  2. VHS Tapes and VCRs:
    The ritual of rewinding VHS tapes and the magic of VCRs bringing images to life on screen are chapters from a bygone era. They’ve been overshadowed by the crisp clarity of DVDs, Blu-rays, and the instant gratification delivered by streaming services.
  3. Fax Machines:
    The whirring and buzzing of fax machines, once music to the ears of office-goers have been replaced by the silent, instantaneous delivery of emails and other digital communication channels.
  4. BlackBerry:
    Once the pinnacle of business communication with its iconic QWERTY keyboard, BlackBerry has been overshadowed by the touchscreen revolution led by smartphones that offer an array of features and applications making communication and management seamless.

    Once the pinnacle of business communication with its iconic QWERTY keyboard, BlackBerry has been overshadowed by the touchscreen revolution led by smartphones that offer an array of features and applications making communication and management seamless.
    Once the pinnacle of business communication with its iconic QWERTY keyboard, BlackBerry has been overshadowed by the touchscreen revolution led by smartphones that offer an array of features and applications making communication and management seamless.
  5. The Pager:
    The humble pager, a precursor to the mobile revolution, once clipped to belts, has quietly retreated to the shadows as smartphones dominate the communication landscape with various features unimaginable back in the day.
  6. Film Cameras:
    The instant gratification of digital photography has replaced the thrill of loading film and the patience of development. Though a niche of enthusiasts still cherishes the craft of film photography, digital cameras and smartphones have become our lenses to the world.
  7. CRT Monitors:
    The bulky CRT monitors that once occupied desks were replaced by sleek LCD and LED monitors, marking a significant leap in aesthetics and technology.
  8. Cassette Tapes and Players:
    The tactile joy of flipping a cassette tape is a forgotten pleasure. Digital audio and streaming services have ensnared the auditory senses with a promise of endless playlists.
  9. Typewriters:
    The rhythmic clacking of typewriter keys is a sound from a bygone era, replaced by the soft tapping on modern-day keyboards as computers and word-processing software took over.
  10. Rotary Phones:
    The nostalgic spin of the rotary dial has been replaced by the swift taps on touch-tone and mobile phones, making communication faster and smoother.
  11. The Evolution of Industrial Automation:
    Beyond personal gadgets, industrial technology has also undergone dramatic transformations. Take, for example, the     servo convertidor, an essential component in early automation systems that controlled motor speed with precision.Once a staple in manufacturing plants, these devices have gradually been replaced by more advanced digital controllers and AI-driven automation. The seamless efficiency of modern robotics and smart technology has streamlined production like never before, leaving behind the once-revolutionary servo convertidor as a relic of industrial progress.

Each piece of outdated technology carries with it stories and memories that shaped the era they belonged to. As we embrace the new, it’s a sweet reminiscence to look back at the tech relics that paved the path for today’s digital wonderland.

You can also listen in to my chat with Steve Ladner on BBC Radio Kent by clicking on the play button at the top of the post

Gadget Man, Microphones, Press Release, retro, Retro Gadgets, Shure

Shure Unveils MV5C Home Office Microphone Designed for Professionals who Require Pristine Audio

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Latest Addition to MOTIV Microphone Line Provides Consistent Audio for Important Meetings

Executives presenting to leadership, sales teams pitching to a new client, and teachers tackling the world of distance-learning, all demand one thing in this new age of virtual collaboration: crystal clear audio that allows them to speak confidently while delivering their message. To support the needs of this new working environment, Shure launched the MV5C Home Office Microphone, which provides optimal audio quality by prioritising the user’s voice and not the environment. The ideal solution for working-from-home professionals, the sleek digital microphone provides clear audio for conferencing and video calls from any home office, without the need to wear headphones.

Shure launches the MV5C Home Office Microphone
Shure launches the MV5C Home Office Microphone

“With nearly everything now operating from home—TV productions, education, health and wellness, and our everyday work—we quickly realized the need for improved audio in these settings,” said John Born, Senior Global Product Manager at Shure.

“The MV5C provides drastically better sound from a brand that professionals have been trusting for decades to support their biggest moments on stage. In the simplest and most concise way, you can now have the confidence that your message, presentation, or story, is being heard loud and clear.”

Shure launches the MV5C Home Office Microphone
Shure launches the MV5C Home Office Microphone

One-Step Set-Up
User set-up is intentionally simplified, so professionals of all levels can unbox the MV5C, plug it into their computer, and that’s it. The set-up also provides different audio modes for “set it and forget it” applications. Headphones are optional, allowing users to take a break and listen through the computer’s built-in speaker or external speakers. The microphone is compatible with Mac or Windows devices by using the supplied USB-A or USB-C cables for a direct connection.

Studio-Quality Sound for the Home Office
Out-of-the-box, the MV5C is a directional microphone and features Shure’s Speech Enhancement Mode to enhance the user’s voice on audio or video calls for even clearer sound. Users can speak with assurance knowing that their voice will be heard clearly during virtual pitches, presentations, and lessons without having to repeat themselves or be asked to talk louder.

Shure launches the MV5C Home Office Microphone
Shure launches the MV5C Home Office Microphone

Retro-Inspired Design
The MV5C features a sleek, compact design that easily fits on any desk for a powerful solution that offers studio-quality sound. The fully adjustable desk mount stand allows users to easily tilt the position of the MV5C toward the talker’s mouth. The MV5C is a home audio upgrade to help professionals speak more confidently, knowing they will be clearly heard on the other end of the call.
The MV5C Home Office Microphone is available for purchase at select retailers and at www.shure.com for £115 GBP.

Shure’s range can also be purchased on their Shure Amazon Store

Audio, BBC Radio Suffolk, Gadget Man, Matt Porter, Podcast, Radio, Radio Interview, retro, Retro Consoles, Retro Gadgets, Review, Technology, The Gadget Man

The Gadget Man – Episode 146 – Retro Gadget of the Week – Part 10 – Nintendo Game Boy

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In the final episode of my Retro Gadget of the Week, I bring you the Nintendo Game Boy.

This is an exclusive episode which was never broadcast. I’d like to be able to say it was too hot for broadcast, but in reality, it never made it because of time constraints on BBC Radio Suffolk. But here it is in all its glory, exclusively available to your pleasure!

Nintendo Game Boy in front of Assorted Games Cartridges
Nintendo Game Boy in front of Assorted Games Cartridges

Nintendo Game Boy

The Game Boy was an 8-bit portable games console designed and built by Nintendo, it was released in Japan in 1989 and then 12 months later made it to the USA and Europe.

The console featured a green, greyscale screen, but excelled in battery life against its arch-rivals, the Sega Game Gear and Atari Lynx. Along with an extremely durable case, both these features went towards beating it’s technically more advanced rivals.

The Game Boy came with the puzzle game, Tetris with later bundles including the legendary Super Mario Land, both were excellent games with fabulous soundtracks which didn’t become irritating.

The original Game Boy was a smash hit with gamers and went on to sell almost 65 million units. Nintendo kept gamers attention by releasing backwardly compatible upgraded units such as the Game Boy Color, Game Boy Light and Game Boy Advance.

As will other format wars, the gadget you least expect to win on paper is the victor and the Game Boy was certainly that, a truly great retro gadget which deserves to round off this series.

If you haven’t already, listen in to the stream as it contains 6 minutes of discussion about the Game Boy and its rivals and a little bit of history behind them.

Thanks to Matt Marvell at BBC Radio Suffolk for hosting my segment for the last 12 weeks and for producing this final one.

Don’t forget to Like, Share, Subscribe and Comment!!!

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BBC Radio Suffolk, Coding, Gadget Man, Matt Porter, Podcast, Radio, Radio Interview, retro, Retro Consoles, Retro Gadgets, Technology, The Gadget Man

Gadget Man Episode 144 – Retro Gadget of the Week – Part 9 – 80s Home Computers

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In our penultimate episode of Retro Gadget of the Week, we take a look at one the most revolutionary moments in computer history,  where an explosion of homegrown talent changed the very face of the personal computer marketplace and faced up directly the power of Silicon Valley with low-cost home computers designed in the UK

Commodore VIC20 Personal Computer
Commodore VIC20 Personal Computer, my first computer in all it’s 3.5k glory and 22 columns display

I was very lucky to receive a Commodore VIC20 personal computer for one of my birthdays in the 80s and proceeded to embrace coding head-on! Unlike other home computers, the VIC20 only supported it’s own tape drive, so instead of using our portable cassette play like my mates with Sinclair ZX Spectrums, I had to wait until I save enough money to buy my own Commodore Datasette.  This meant that every single program I wrote on the Vic was lost when the power was switched off, I either needed to write down my code or memorise it!

Alongside the American VIC20, a slew of other devices was released by UK based companies. The most famous was the Sinclair ZX Spectrum and ZX81. However, other notable UK made systems included the BBC Model B (built by Acorn), Dragon 32,  Amstrad CPC464, Apricot F1, Camputers Lynx, Gundy Newbrain, Jupiter Ace, Memotech MTX, Tangerine Oric 1 and many others.

Dragon 32
The Dragon 32 used the Motorola 6809 CPU

Almost all home computers of the era were based on the Zilog Z80 or MOS 6502 microprocessors with a small number going with the Motorola 6809 (which was more advanced that the Zilog and MOS processors).

The computers were generally self-contained devices, combining keyboards and computers as one with connectivity with colour or black and white TV’s which the user was generally expected to supply. Other peripherals were available such as tape drives, floppy disk drives, printers, joysticks and light-pens. Some models also supported plug-in cartridges which generally allowed the owner to play pre-programmed games.

Sinclair ZX Spectrum 16K 48K
The Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48K was the darling of the 80s market due to it’s price and range of games

The first to the market came with minute amounts of programmable RAM in the region of 1K to 5K, later entrants from the UK market settings with 16K or 32K with some stretching even further.  If I compare this to my Sony Xperia 1 mobile that I use today, this comes with 6 Gigabytes of RAM which is roughly 1,700,000 times more than my Commodore VIC!

Commodore 64 Personal Computer
The higher-end Commodore 64 Personal Computer with its sprite graphics, outstanding sound and award-winning games had a longer stay than most in the market
BASIC Code - Beginner's All-Purpose Symbolic Instruction Code
An example of Commodore BASIC Code – Beginner’s All-Purpose Symbolic Instruction Code

Almost every computer came preloaded the BASIC (Beginner’s All-Purpose Symbolic Instruction Code) programming language which allowed a new breed of programmers to begin crafting their own code. Although the basics of each version of BASIC remained similar, that’s where it ended, different hardware and firmware made each machine incompatible with the other. Having a market saturated with different devices which didn’t speak the same dialect was the architect of their demise.

BBC Micro Model B
The BBC Micro Model B, built by Acorn as a joint venture with BBC. It found it’s way into schools as the staple computer for education.

After 3 to 4 years, the majority of these computers had become obsolete and fell out of use leaving the BBC Model B surviving through use in UK schools, colleges and universities and the Commodore 64 which had become a glorified games console rather than a way for young people to gain computer experience.

IBM PC AT
The IBM_PC_AT and it’s lower cost clones swooped in and stole the market

Along came affordable IBM PC clones from Dell, Compaq, AST and Gateway which WERE compatible with each other. Users began migrating across to these PC compatibles and the market was replaced at home and office. It was the end of an era.

Without the likes of Commodore or Acorn, my life would have been very different, so I have to tip my hat to the 80s Home Computer!.

Listen in to the podcast above to find out more and don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, SHARE and COMMENT!!!

See you next time

Matt
The Gadget Man
(Former Programmer of CBM Basic, BBC Basic, DataGeneral Basic, Testpoint Basix and Visual Basic)

Image Credits: Wikipedia

 

 

BBC Radio Suffolk, Gadget Man, Matt Porter, Radio, Radio Interview, Retro Gadgets, Review, Technology, Telephones, The Gadget Man

Gadget Man – Episode 140 – Retro Gadgets Part 7 – The GPO Telephone Handset

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Before the age of privatisation of utility companies in the United Kingdom, the General Post Office (GPO) of the United Kingdom was responsible solely for the provision of telecommunication services for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The notable exception was Kingston Upon Hull which has been granted the licence to provide it’s own telephone services in 1906.

Alongside its telephone services, the GPO also issued a variety of telephones for use on this service. Although handsets were supplied in different forms, it wasn’t until 1937 when a new line of ‘portable’ telephones was introduced using the Type 332 code number. These telephones used the rotary dial system with the handset sitting directly on top of the unit.

[videopress xXW5tGFk hd=”true” autoplay=”true”]

During 1959, the 700 series was released by the GPO. This was launched after public demand for handsets similar to those featured on US television shows. These devices were modern in design with anti-tangle cord and came in very smart two-tone colour schemes. This was the design which is still found in many homes some 60 years after launch (although some modification was necessary to bring them in line with current BT sockets).

The 706 models came in two-tone green, topaz yell, concorde blue, two-tone grey, topaz yellow, lacquer red, ivory and black. The red models being in great demand still today.

Such was the popularity and demand for the Model 706 and later the Model 746, several manufacturers were contracted for its manufacture with both table-top and wall mounted version was available to rent.

GPO Type 746 Telephones
GPO Type 746 Telephones – Image Credit: Wikipedia

In 1981, the GPO was privatised and the New Plan Socket was introduced for all new handsets, this allowed for approved 3rd party telephones to be either rented or purchased for use on the British Telecom network. The public was quick to drop this rotary dial phone in favour of new Tone-Dialing push-button models and the 746 was consigned to history and in many cases rubbish-skips and land-fill.

However, I think every house needs at least one Model 746.

Listen in the audio attached and listen to me talking to Matt Marvell on BBC Radio Suffolk about this amazing retro gadget

Thanks for reading and listening, don’t forget to LIKE, SHARE and SUBSCRIBE and I will see you next time.

Matt
The Gadget Man

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Gadget Man – Episode 137 – Retro Gadgets Part 5 – VHS vs Betamax

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We reach the fifth part of our series on Retro Gadgets and in this one, we focus on the 1st Format Wars where VHS fought Betamax for dominance in the VCR format battle for supremacy.

During the ’80s, video entertainment came home with the introduction of the Video Cassette Recorder and with it came competing standards.

The Format Wars - Betamax vs VHS
The Format Wars – Betamax vs VHS

The main standards were Sony’s Betamax and JVC’s VHS. Both were looking for market dominance, but who was to win?

Find out what happened and how we still witness mega-corporation format rules today.

Click on the play button above and don’t forget to subscribe using the widget above and I will see you very soon.

Matt

BBC Radio Suffolk, Radio, Radio Interview, Retro Gadgets

Gadget Man – Episode 135 – Retro Gadget Part 4 – SodaStream

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In this episode, I talk to Matt Marvell at BBC Radio Suffolk about the SodaStream.

The SodaStream is a fizzy drink machine which uses CO2 gas forced under pressure into an attached bottle of fresh water. After fizzing has taken place, the user adds their choice of flavoured concentrate to the water and thus create their own home-made carbonated drinks.

SodaStream
SodaStream

SodaStream was popular in the ’70s and ’80s with big-named brands such as Irn-Bru, Tizer and Fanta licensing their concentrate, with many other brands and flavours available.

The product has been modernised over its lifetime with Samsung building the product into some of its refrigerators.

In this episode of the podcast, we chat about our childhood memories of the SodaStream.

You can listen in my click on the link above or subscribing using your favourite podcast platform.

Don’t forget to Like, Share and Subscribe!

Thanks for listening

Matt

Retro Gadgets, Technology, The Gadget Man

Gadget Man – Episode 134 – Retro Gadget Part 3 – Hostess Trolleys

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Now we have reached the third part of our Retro Gadget series, we go left-field by selecting something that has been a part of peoples dining rooms for many many years.

Hostess Trolley
Hostess Trolley

Yes, I’m talking about the Hostess Trolley, a dining gadget that has been keeping our dinner party food warm for many years.

Listen in to the podcast by clicking on the play button above and subscribe using your favourite podcast app using the widget.

Don’t forget to Like and Share and I will see you very soon

Matt

BBC Radio Suffolk, Gadget Man, Matt Porter, Podcast, Retro Gadgets, Speakers

Gadget Man – Episode 133 – Alexa is now reading Bedtime Stories

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In this podcast episode, I speak to Mark Murphy at BBC Radio Suffolk about reports that Smart Speakers are now taking parents places by reading stories to children.

Intelligent Assistant Smart Speaker
Intelligent Smart Speakers are now taking over parental responsibilities in some cases.

BookTrust surveyed 1000 parents and discovered that 25% have used Alexa or Siri to read stories to their children.

Here I discuss the survey with Mark and how the changing face of parenting has lead to the use of smart speakers to step-in when parenting becomes too busy.

You can listen in to the episode by clicking on the play button above, or subscribe using your favourite podcast app by clicking the subscribe button.

Thanks for reading and listening in and see you next time.

Matt