Tag Archives: Home Security

BBC Radio CWR, Matt Porter, Payment, Podcast, Tap to Pay

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

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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!

Gadget Man, Technology, The Gadget Man

Modern Tech Gadgets All Homeowners Will Want

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We are living in the future. It’s just that we don’t realise it yet. There are more and more home gadgets coming out all the time, and some of them are seriously impressive. If you’re a homeowner who wants to be at the cutting edge of all that’s hot, then this is the article for you! We’re going to run through some of the best, most exciting, and most useful tech gadgets available for purchase. Install them in your home, and you’ll feel like you’re living in the future!

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Robot Assistants

Home devices such as the Alexa and Next are increasingly popular, and it’s not hard to see why: you can do so much with them. From dimming the lights to playing television shows and songs, these devices not only make the home more convenient; they also make it more fun. You can get as many as you need for your home, so why not have one in a couple of different rooms? There are new features coming out all the time on these devices, so you never know just what they’ll be able to do in the coming years. 

Clean Homes

Who wants to spend all of their time cleaning the home? Not us. They’ve been talking about technology that’ll clean the home for around a century, but it feels as if now, the time has finally come. There are some excellent robot vacuum cleaners available on the market. Perhaps right at the top of the list is the D77, which has some seriously impressive features. For instance, you can program it so that it can clean a variety of different floor types, and it’ll even empty its contents into another bin. A seriously cool gadget, and one that reduces the time you spend cleaning your home. Perfect. 

Keeping the Home Secure

The security of your home will be right at the top of the list of your priorities. And in this day and age, there are plenty of tech tools that can help to keep your home even more secure. There are tech-enabled deadbolts, for example, which can only be opened with a code or smartphone. Then there are services such as those offered by Minut, a company that specializes in smart home monitoring. This is especially useful if you rent out your property, since you’ll always know that everything is just as it should be. There are also video doorbells, so you can always see who’s outside of your home, whether you’re at home or not. 

Air Quality Assistance

There’s something that has a big impact on the quality of a home that many people overlook: the quality of the air. If you want to improve your air, then look at investing in a tech air purifier. It’ll automatically detect the quality of your air and make adjustments as and when it’s needed, and it can even remove bad odors too. It’s one of those things you won’t know that you needed for your property until you get one.