Tag Archives: Matt Porter

2024, Gadget Man, General Election, Interview, Matt Porter

The Gadget Man General Election Special Part Two – We Love Hitchin Interviews – Bim Afolami Conservate Party Candidate for Hitchin Constituency

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The We Love Hitchin Interviews 2024 were conducted by Gadget Man, Matt Porter, the founder of We Love Hitchin.

Matt took the initiative to interview each candidate running for the Hitchin Constituency in the General Election, providing an in-depth look at their visions and plans for the community.

You can view the interview below or listen to the podcast episode by clicking the play-head above.

 

Welcome to the We Love Hitchin Interviews 2024! As part of our series, we are sitting down with each candidate running for the Hitchin Constituency in the upcoming General Election on the 4th of July 2024. In this interview, we have the pleasure of speaking with Bim Afolami, the Conservative Party candidate.

Join us as we delve into Bim Afolami’s vision for Hitchin, exploring his plans for economic stability, public safety, and community development. Discover his stance on key issues such as infrastructure, business support, and education. Bim shares his dedication to fostering a prosperous and secure future for Hitchin and its residents.

Interview Breakdown

00:00 Opening Titles 00:09 Welcome from Matt Porter, Founder of We Love Hitchin Facebook Group 01:09 Welcome to Bim Afolami

  • 01:16 Background and Motivation: Bim shares his background and explains his motivation for running in the new Hitchin Constituency.

02:06 Q1: Cost of Living Crisis

  • 02:33 A1: Bim discusses measures to alleviate financial pressures caused by the rising cost of living.

08:05 Q2: NHS and Healthcare

  • 08:37 A2: Bim outlines his plans to improve healthcare services, reduce waiting times, and address staffing shortages in the NHS.

12:40 Q3: Economy

  • 13:14 A3: Bim’s strategies for addressing inflation, unemployment, and ensuring economic stability.

17:44 Q5: Crime

  • 17:58 A5: Bim’s plans to enhance personal safety and improve the effectiveness of law enforcement in the community.

20:41 Q6: Housing

  • 20:57 A6: Measures to address the housing crisis, particularly focusing on affordability and availability for younger people and those on lower incomes.

Community Questions

23:32 Andrea’s Question on Water Companies

  • 24:45 Bim’s Response: Bim answers Andrea’s question about voting on a motion to bring water companies back into the public sector.

27:45 Nyland and Lauren’s Question on Gaza War and Palestine Recognition

  • 28:06 Bim’s Response: Bim discusses the provision of arms or assistance in the Gaza conflict and the recognition of Palestine as an independent state.

30:58 Vanessa and Nicola’s Question on Special Needs Education and Care

  • 31:49 Bim’s Response: Bim addresses the concerns of SEN families, pledging improved support and resources.

36:01 Bim’s Closing Appeal

  • 36:17 Bim asks for your vote: Bim Afolami explains why he should be chosen as the representative for Hitchin on the 4th of July.

39:11 Matt Porter’s Thanks and Closing Remarks 40:19 Closing Titles

Election Results for Hitchin Constituency 2024

The General Election results for the Hitchin Constituency have been announced. Here are the final tallies:

  • Bim Afolami (The Conservative Party Candidate): 14,958 votes
  • Charles Bunker (Reform UK): 6,760 votes
  • Sid Cordle (Christian Peoples Alliance): 181 votes
  • Will Lavin (Green Party): 2,631 votes
  • Chris Lucas (Liberal Democrats): 4,913 votes
  • Alistair Strathern (Labour Party): 23,067 votes – Elected

Congratulations to Alistair Strathern, the newly elected Member of Parliament for Hitchin! His victory marks a significant shift in the constituency, and we look forward to seeing his plans for Hitchin come to fruition.

2024, Audio, General Election, Podcast, Radio Interview, Video Interviews

The Gadget Man General Election Special Part One – We Love Hitchin Interviews – Alistair Strathern Labour Party Candidate for Hitchin Constituency

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The We Love Hitchin Interviews 2024 were conducted by Gadget Man, Matt Porter, who is also the founder of We Love Hitchin.

Matt took the initiative to interview each candidate running for the Hitchin Constituency in the General Election, providing an in-depth look at their visions and plans for the community.

You can view the interview below or listen to the podcast episode by clicking the play-head above.

Introduction and Background

The interview kicked off with Matt Porter, the Founder of We Love Hitchin, welcoming Alistair Strathern. Alistair shared insights into his background and explained why he decided to run for this seat. His motivations are rooted in a deep commitment to the community and a desire to bring meaningful change to Hitchin.

Key Issues Discussed

Cost of Living Crisis Alistair addressed the pressing issue of the cost of living crisis, outlining his plans to alleviate economic pressures on Hitchin residents. He emphasized the importance of creating a sustainable economic environment that supports all citizens.

NHS and Healthcare Healthcare was another major topic. Alistair spoke passionately about his vision for improving NHS services, ensuring that healthcare is accessible and efficient for everyone in the constituency.

Economy Discussing the economy, Alistair highlighted strategies for economic growth and stability. His plans focus on supporting local businesses and creating job opportunities to boost the local economy.

Climate Change and Environment On environmental issues, Alistair shared his approach to tackling climate change and promoting sustainability. His vision includes implementing green initiatives and supporting eco-friendly policies.

Crime Alistair also talked about measures to enhance safety and reduce crime in Hitchin. He stressed the need for a robust policing strategy and community engagement to create a safer environment.

Housing Addressing housing issues, Alistair discussed his plans to increase affordable housing and improve living conditions for all residents. He highlighted the importance of providing quality housing to support a thriving community.

Roads Infrastructure and road maintenance were also on the agenda. Alistair outlined his proposals for improving the condition of roads and ensuring better connectivity within Hitchin.

Community Questions

Public Ownership of Water Companies Andrea, a community member, asked about Alistair’s stance on bringing water companies back into public ownership. Alistair expressed his support for this move, emphasizing the importance of keeping essential resources under public control.

AI Safety Martin raised concerns about artificial intelligence and its safe use. Alistair acknowledged the potential risks of AI and advocated for stringent regulations to ensure it is used responsibly.

Gaza War and Palestine Recognition Nyland and Lauren asked about providing assistance in the Gaza conflict and recognizing Palestine as an independent state. Alistair shared his views on international policy and humanitarian aid, emphasizing the need for a balanced and compassionate approach.

Support for Special Needs Children Vanessa and Nicola, who have special needs children, asked about support for SEN families. Alistair pledged to improve resources and funding for special needs education and social care, aiming to provide better support for these vulnerable families.

Closing Remarks

In his closing remarks, Alistair Strathern appealed to the voters, highlighting his dedication to representing Hitchin and addressing its key issues. He urged the community to vote for him on the 4th of July, promising to work tirelessly for a fairer and more inclusive future.

Election Results for Hitchin Constituency 2024

The General Election results for the Hitchin Constituency have been announced. Here are the final tallies:

  • Bim Afolami (The Conservative Party Candidate): 14,958 votes
  • Charles Bunker (Reform UK): 6,760 votes
  • Sid Cordle (Christian Peoples Alliance): 181 votes
  • Will Lavin (Green Party): 2,631 votes
  • Chris Lucas (Liberal Democrats): 4,913 votes
  • Alistair Strathern (Labour Party): 23,067 votes – Elected

Congratulations to Alistair Strathern MP, the newly elected Member of Parliament for Hitchin! His victory marks a significant shift in the constituency, and we look forward to seeing his plans for Hitchin come to fruition.

Watch and Listen

Don’t miss the full interview with Alistair Strathern! Watch it on our YouTube channel and listen to the podcast episode available on all major platforms. Your support and engagement help us bring more insightful content and coverage of important local issues.

Stay tuned for more updates and interviews on The Gadget Man and don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe.

Artificial Intelligence, ChatGPT, Midjourney

AI Transforms Blogging Efficiency (November 2023)

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Using AI to Write Blog Posts

In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just a buzzword but a practical tool revolutionizing various industries, including content creation. Blogging, an integral part of digital marketing and personal expression, is one area where AI’s impact is notably significant. This post delves into how AI is transforming the way we write blog posts, its advantages, potential challenges, and tips for effectively using AI in blogging.

The Emergence of AI in Blogging

AI in blogging isn’t just about automated content generation; it’s about enhancing the writing process. Tools like OpenAI’s GPT-4 offer advanced language models that can draft text, suggest ideas, and even refine content tone. The integration of AI in blogging platforms simplifies tasks such as keyword optimization, grammar checks, and style improvements.

Key Benefits of Using AI for Blogging

  1. Efficiency and Speed: AI can generate drafts quickly, helping bloggers produce content more frequently.
  2. SEO Enhancement: AI tools can optimize content for search engines, improving blog visibility and reach.
  3. Consistency in Quality: AI maintains a consistent quality and tone, crucial for brand messaging.
  4. Idea Generation: It can suggest topics based on trends and user interests, keeping the content relevant and engaging.
  5. Personalization: AI can tailor content to different audience segments, enhancing reader engagement.

Challenges and Considerations

While AI brings numerous benefits, it also poses challenges:

  • Originality: There’s a risk of producing generic content. Balancing AI assistance with personal insight is key.
  • Over-reliance: Sole reliance on AI can diminish a writer’s skill and creativity.
  • Ethical Concerns: Issues like content authenticity and plagiarism need careful consideration.
AI Transforms Blogging Efficiency (November 2023)
AI Transforms Blogging Efficiency (November 2023)

Tips for Using AI in Blog Writing

  1. Start with a Clear Goal: Define what you want from the AI tool – be it generating ideas, creating drafts, or editing.
  2. Blend AI with Personal Touch: Use AI for the heavy lifting, but add your insights and experiences to make the content unique.
  3. Regularly Update AI Parameters: Keep the AI tool aligned with your evolving content strategy and audience preferences.
  4. Monitor Performance: Use analytics to understand how AI-generated content performs and refine your approach accordingly.
  5. Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date with AI advancements to leverage new features and capabilities.

Conclusion

AI in blogging is a powerful tool when used wisely. It can enhance the quality and efficiency of content creation while providing valuable insights into audience preferences. However, the heart of a great blog post still lies in the human touch – the experiences, insights, and personal stories that AI cannot replicate. Balancing AI capabilities with human creativity is the key to successful blogging in the AI era.

In embracing AI, bloggers are not replaced but empowered, equipped with tools to create more impactful, relevant, and engaging content. The future of blogging with AI looks promising, offering endless possibilities for content creators worldwide.

This is an update of the original blog post Using AI to Write Blog Posts and using newer versions of ChatGPT (version 4)  and Midjourney (version 5.2)

This post was written by ChatGPT 4 (AI)
Tags produced by a plugin written by ChatGPT4 which utilises the GPT3.5 Turbo API
Images created using Midjourney (AI)
All cut and pasted by Matt Porter The Gadget Man (Human)

2023, BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester, Broadband, Ultrafast Broadband Rollout

Gadget Man – Episode 175 – The Copper Switch Off: A Necessary Evil or a Step too Far?

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This morning, I had an enlightening discussion with Tammy Gooding on BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester regarding the ongoing broadband infrastructure enhancements, particularly in light of the Copper Switch-off as announced by Openreach. This move is all about transitioning from the traditional copper wire systems to a more robust and faster digital infrastructure, aiming to future-proof our towns and villages.

However, not everyone seems to be on board with this tech transition, as exemplified by the recent uproar in the picturesque Worcestershire village of Broadway. The crux of the matter unfurled as broadband poles started sprouting up, much to the dismay of the local populace. It seems Full Fibre, the provider spearheading this initiative, hit a nerve when their wooden poles, standing tall at up to 11 meters, started altering the village skyline.

The discontent among the residents morphed into a full-blown protest, with nearly 80 individuals rallying to halt the erection of these broadband poles in Avrill Close. The agitation escalated when a 75-year-old villager, David Owen, took a stance quite literally by spending more than four hours in one of the lorries brought in by the contractors.

This brings us to the question – is the infrastructural overhaul a necessary leap towards a digital future or an imposition disregarding the public sentiment? I tend to lean towards the necessity of upgrading our digital infrastructure, especially when the world is rapidly shifting towards a more connected existence. The Copper Switch off, as discussed on Openreach’s blog post, is a significant stride towards ensuring that the UK’s telecommunications infrastructure is not left in the digital dust.

The saga in Broadway sheds light on the teething issues that such infrastructural transitions entail. On one side, we have Full Fibre asserting their commitment to addressing concerns and emphasizing the critical nature of their work in upgrading the UK’s digital skeleton. On the flip side, the residents feel slighted, their concerns seemingly brushed under the rug, as they see these poles as nothing more than “ugly eyesores” marring their beautiful village.

Lisa Kelly, a villager, encapsulated the general sentiment by stating that they already have satisfactory broadband speeds and do not see the need for these poles. The word “disenfranchised” was used, painting a picture of a community feeling left out of a decision that directly impacts them.

The episode also invited the presence of West Mercia Police officers to ensure the situation remained under control, illustrating the extent of discord between the advancement of digital infrastructure and public approval.

These infrastructural enhancements are a double-edged sword. They promise a digital leap but at the cost of unsettling the communal harmony, at least temporarily. The Broadway scenario is a microcosm of the broader dialogue between technological advancement and community consent.

The future is exciting, but the path there should be paved with understanding and cooperation.

AI, Blog Post, Gadget Man

Using AI to write blog posts

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In today’s fast-paced digital world, it’s no surprise that many businesses and individuals are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to help them with various tasks, including writing blog posts. AI technology has come a long way in recent years, and it has the potential to help bloggers save time and improve the quality of their content.

Using AI to write blog posts - created by Midjourney
Using AI to write blog posts – created by Midjourney

One of the biggest advantages of using AI to write blog posts is that it can help save time. Rather than spending hours researching, outlining, writing, and editing a blog post, you can use AI to quickly generate high-quality content. This can be especially useful if you’re crunched for time or if you need to produce a large volume of content on a regular basis.

Another advantage of using AI to write blog posts is that it can help improve the quality of your content. AI technology can analyze your existing content and use that information to generate new posts that are similar in style and tone. This can be especially useful if you want to maintain a consistent voice and tone throughout your blog. Additionally, AI can use natural language processing to ensure that your content is well-written and easy to read.

Of course, using AI to write blog posts is not without its challenges. One of the biggest challenges is that AI technology is not yet capable of fully replicating human creativity and intuition. As a result, your AI-generated content may not always be as engaging or original as content that is written by a human. Additionally, AI technology is still in its early stages, and it may not always produce error-free content.

Despite these challenges, using AI to write blog posts can be a valuable tool for bloggers who are looking to save time and improve the quality of their content. As AI technology continues to advance, it’s likely that we’ll see even more sophisticated tools that can help bloggers generate high-quality content quickly and easily. In the meantime, it’s worth considering using AI to write blog posts if you’re looking for ways to streamline your content creation process and produce high-quality content on a regular basis.

This post was written by ChatGPT (AI)
Tags produced by ChatGPT (AI)
Images created using Midjourney (AI)
All pasted by Matt Porter The Gadget Man (Human)

AI, Artificial Intelligence, Midjourney

Some of my creations using Midjourney Artificial Intelligence Art Program

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Some examples of images created using Midjourney artificial intelligence program that creates images from textual descriptions.

the haywain painted by John Constable - Midjourney / Matt Porter
the haywain painted by John Constable – Midjourney / Matt Porter
humanity standing over the destruction of the planet in ultra high definition octane rendered - Midjourney / Matt Porter
humanity standing over the destruction of the planet in ultra high definition octane rendered – Midjourney / Matt Porter
the dawn of life in high definition in 8k - Midjourney / Matt Porter
the dawn of life in high definition in 8k – Midjourney / Matt Porter
Oliver Twist in 22nd century - Midjourney / Matt Porter
Oliver Twist in 22nd century – Midjourney / Matt Porter
a sailing ship floating in a mug of tea - Midjourney / Matt Porter
a sailing ship floating in a mug of tea – Midjourney / Matt Porter
Johnny Rotten as a Wild West wanted poster - Midjourney / Matt Porter
Johnny Rotten as a Wild West wanted poster – Midjourney / Matt Porter
The Kray Twins 1962 civil war portrait in black and white - Midjourney / Matt Porter
The Kray Twins 1962 civil war portrait in black and white – Midjourney / Matt Porter

It is the hope of reward that sweetens labor + high definition+ HDR + chromium - Midjourney / Matt Porter

facial portrait of lee van cleef looking straight at the camera in very high definition photorealistic 8k - Midjourney / Matt Porter
facial portrait of lee van cleef looking straight at the camera in very high definition photorealistic 8k – Midjourney / Matt Porter
mankind observed its demise realistic photo octane 8k - Midjourney / Matt Porter
mankind observed its demise realistic photo octane 8k – Midjourney / Matt Porter
humanity celebrates the launch of the DVLA website. Made hysteria. Celebration. Hyperrealism 8k octane cinematic - Midjourney / Matt Porter
humanity celebrates the launch of the DVLA website. Made hysteria. Celebration. Hyperrealism 8k octane cinematic – Midjourney / Matt Porter
photorealistic image of too many cooks spoiling the broth - Midjourney / Matt Porter
photorealistic image of too many cooks spoiling the broth – Midjourney / Matt Porter
Arriving at the gates to heaven, Movie Style Ultra High Definition HDRI, photo realistic, octane render 8k incredible detail, beautiful composition - Midjourney / Matt Porter
Arriving at the gates to heaven, Movie Style Ultra High Definition HDRI, photo realistic, octane render 8k incredible detail, beautiful composition – Midjourney / Matt Porter
Arriving at the gates of Hell, Movie Style Ultra High Definition HDRI, photo realistic, octane render 8k incredible detail, beautiful composition - Midjourney / Matt Porter
Arriving at the gates of Hell, Movie Style Ultra High Definition HDRI, photo realistic, octane render 8k incredible detail, beautiful composition – Midjourney / Matt Porter
houses of parliament in the style of Thomas Gainsborough - Midjourney / Matt Porter
houses of parliament in the style of Thomas Gainsborough – Midjourney / Matt Porter
the houses of parliament in the style of gustav klimt - Midjourney / Matt Porter
the houses of parliament in the style of gustav klimt – Midjourney / Matt Porter
crowd of thousands celebrating in the style of a graphic novel - Midjourney / Matt Porter
crowd of thousands celebrating in the style of a graphic novel – Midjourney / Matt Porter
realistic image of a cat dressed as a yeoman warder standing to attention in london, portrait, hyperrealistic, incredible detail - Midjourney / Matt Porter
realistic image of a cat dressed as a yeoman warder standing to attention in london, portrait, hyperrealistic, incredible detail – Midjourney / Matt Porter
silver birch forest in the style of gustav klimt - Midjourney / Matt Porter - Available to buy
silver birch forest in the style of gustav klimt – Midjourney / Matt Porter – Available to buy
victorious young man, character design, in pencil drawing style - Available to Buy
victorious young man, character design, in pencil drawing style – Available to Buy
stunningly beautiful female British soldier, character design, in pencil drawing style - Midjourney / Matt Porter - Available to Buy
stunningly beautiful female British soldier, character design, in pencil drawing style – Midjourney / Matt Porter – Available to Buy
Mohammad Ali as heavyweight champion of the world standing in the boxing ring with adoring crowds cheering and clapping him - Midjourney / Matt Porter
Mohammad Ali as heavyweight champion of the world standing in the boxing ring with adoring crowds cheering and clapping him – Midjourney / Matt Porter
portrait of David Beckham, age 30, wearing england football kit, character design, painted in oil on canvas - Midjourney / Matt Porter - Available to Buy
portrait of David Beckham, age 30, wearing england football kit, character design, painted in oil on canvas – Midjourney / Matt Porter – Available to Buy
victorious young man, character design, in oil on canvas style - Midjourney / Matt Porter
victorious young man, character design, in oil on canvas style – Midjourney / Matt Porter
Epic cyberpunk portrait of Jimmy Cauty + detailed face + 1987 colours + retro cyberpunk lights + 4k symmetrical eyes + intricate details + zoomed out + extremely detailed + 4k + uhd + 3d + octane render + cinematic - Midjourney / Matt Porter - Available to Purchase
Epic cyberpunk portrait of Jimmy Cauty + detailed face + 1987 colours + retro cyberpunk lights + 4k symmetrical eyes + intricate details + zoomed out + extremely detailed + 4k + uhd + 3d + octane render + cinematic – Midjourney / Matt Porter – Available to Purchase
origami model of Donald Trump made from legal documents standing on a wooden table with global lighting + highly detailed + photo quality + octane + 8k - Midjourney / Matt Porter - Available to Buy
origami model of Donald Trump made from legal documents standing on a wooden table with global lighting + highly detailed + photo quality + octane + 8k – Midjourney / Matt Porter – Available to Buy
Press Release, Technology

UK Company Pulsar Fusion Demonstrates Green, Mach-7 Rocket in Switzerland

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On Saturday 26 November, In the sleepy mountain town of Gstaad – Switzerland, British company Pulsar Fusion demonstrated its latest green hybrid rocket engine.

An impressive visual plume effect of supersonic shock diamonds, typical of a high-temperature high mass flow rate rocket exhaust, could be seen through the snowstorm as the team operated the engine in quickly changing conditions. The exhaust speeds of the engine were recorded at Mach 7. This engine would be capable of launching a small rocket to an altitude of several 10s of km, well above UK airspace, or powering the upper stage of a rocket with a larger booster stage into orbit.

UK Company Pulsar Fusion Demonstrates Green, Mach-7 Rocket in Switzerland
UK Company Pulsar Fusion Demonstrates Green, Mach-7 Rocket in Switzerland

CEO, Richard Dinan commented: “British companies with space ambitions must be international and fast-moving, achieving technological milestones on time and on budget whilst being environmentally conscious. Pulsar’s objective is to build world-class technologies that serve as a force for good.

Pulsar’s green (non-toxic) hybrid rocket engine combusts nitrous oxide (N2O) oxidiser and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) fuel and oxygen.  The HDPE can be obtained from recycled plastic and the two fuels burn together to produce a non-toxic plume.

The propellants used – nitrous oxide N2O and polyethylene HDPE – are some of the cleanest available to the space industry, producing an exhaust of largely water vapour and having an extremely low production energy requirement, resulting in one of the lowest carbon footprints in the world for an engine of this size.

It is a new model that enables Pulsar to manufacture these compact rocket engines at record lead times, with an enhanced safety factor as due to the design, these engines have relatively benign failure modes in comparison with conventional liquid propulsion engines.

The Pulsar Fusion team with Richard Dinan, pictured third left
The Pulsar Fusion team with Richard Dinan, pictured third left

WHAT DOES PULSAR FUSION DO?

Pulsar Fusion is primarily engaged in the research of high-speed propulsion and clean energy applications from nuclear fusion.

Pulsar Fusion received UK government funding in September 2021 to further develop its HET (Hall Effect Thruster) plasma satellite engines, capable of 20 km / second particle exhaust speeds. These Pulsar thrusters have recently been tested at Harwell’s facilities where they withstood 20g’s of vibration, simulating a rocket launch. Pulsar now seeks to IOD test these engines. (In-Orbit Demonstration).

The company’s ultimate milestone is to produce a hyper-speed propulsion engine using nuclear fusion technologies of which it has been researching for nine years which could eventually be used for interplanetary travel – and which scientists say could halve the journey time from Earth to Mars. A first prototype is expected in 2025.

HOW WAS THIS TEST DIFFERENT TO THE PULSAR UK TESTS?

The test in Gstaad ran the engine on liquid oxidiser, compared to only gas in the UK. The oxidiser quantity and engine impulse were increased by a factor of nearly 10, and the chamber pressure raised from around 5 bar to over 20 bar on the first Swiss test to nearly 50 bar on the 2nd one. Pulsar supercharged the flow with nitrogen pressurant which has not been done in the UK before and in doing so raised the thrust to near the design value of 12kN or just over a tonne of thrust.

WHY DEMONSTRATE IN SWITZERLAND?

The demonstration took place on the Gstaad Runway, an idyllic spot surrounded by mountains. Pulsar sees Switzerland as a country that is well placed to support advanced, environmentally friendly space technologies. The company strives to be a British company that can demonstrate its technologies to international clients and Switzerland is an ideal gateway for such an ambition. Pulsar hopes to carry out further tests in the region in 2022 and invite European space clients to attend. Additionally, Pulsar is in contact with most of the UK launch sites and would probably start with further static tests and low altitude flights at Machrihanish, near Cambletown on Argyll before moving to one of the other sites such as Space Hub Sutherland on the mainland or Spaceport-1 on the Hebrides for high altitude flights towards and beyond the Karman line at 100km.

Apple, BBC Radio Suffolk, Gadget Man, iPhone

Gadget Man – Episode 173 – Repair your own Apple devices?

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I’m back again for a new episode of the podcast which features me chatting to Lesley Dolphin at BBC Radio Suffolk about Apples plans to allow their devices to be repaired.

Pretty much everyone is in shock at this decision, which isn’t quite as welcome as it could be.

Listen in to the stream to find out more!

 

Electric Car, Electric Vehicles, EV, EV Chargers, Gadget Man

Cashing In: First Look at the EV Charger that gives you Rewards and Puts Your on the Road to Net Zero, Simply by Plugging In

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The demand for convenient, intelligent, and incentivised electric vehicle charging has been met with the launch of the INDRA Smart Pioneer.

Unveiled to drivers for the first time at Fully Charged OUTSIDE 2021, INDRA’s Smart Pioneer signals a new standard for electric car charging. With a simple plugin and go message for users, the charger is an intuitively smart piece of kit, making it easy for drivers to shift their charging patterns to off-peak times, save money and earn rewards.

Indra Smart PRO at Fully Charged OUTSIDE
Indra Smart PRO at Fully Charged OUTSIDE

Coupling leading technology with reliability, the Smart Pioneer helps drivers to reduce their environmental impact. By managing their charging schedule and shifting up to 80% of energy use to off-peak tariffs, it can lessen the demand on the grid and see customer carbon emissions fall by an average of 20%.

Working in tandem with the ev.energy companion app, the rewards platform automatically taps into the times when energy is at its cheapest, and offers rewards back, meaning drivers can claim over £250* per year in energy savings, retail incentives and get involved in projects like local tree planting to help offset their carbon emissions.

Ben Kelsey, Chief Operating Officer at Indra, chatting to Matt Porter at Fully Charged OUTSIDE
Ben Kelsey, Chief Operating Officer at Indra, chatting to Matt Porter at Fully Charged OUTSIDE

Commenting on the benefits of smart charging sessions Indra’s founder and chief technology officer, Mike Schooling, comments:

“Households that drive a lot of miles on electricity, and charge mostly on electricity, need smart charging to avoid putting more demand on the UK’s power supply. We know that drivers are happy to shift their charging patterns to off-peak times, but they need peace of mind that it will be simple to do and reliable so that when they get in their car at 6 am for work they can get straight on the road.”

Continuing to break down charging barriers, INDRA’s latest product builds on the initial success of its Smart PRO. With an extended 5-year warranty, the Smart Pioneer also offers all the same benefits as the INDRA Smart PRO, including smart-scheduling, house-fuse protection, solar panel integration and advanced safety features – meaning EV drivers can guarantee safety and ultimate utilisation of renewable energy.

INDRA Founder and CTO Mike Schooling, ev energy and Robert Llewellyn with the INDRA Smart Pioneer
INDRA Founder and CTO Mike Schooling, ev energy and Robert Llewellyn with the INDRA Smart Pioneer

Schooling, further adds: “Electric car sales have surged to 17% market share and innovative, smart charging is key to greater uptake of electric cars so that number keeps rising. The launch of our Smart Pioneer is a step-change in the smart optimisation of EV chargers and will be the world’s first commercially available V1G product that rewards customers for being flexible with when they charge their EV at home.”

The Smart Pioneer collaboration between INDRA and ev.energy sees drivers getting rewards passed on from the V1G smart charging technology, something which is a world-first proposition from a charge point company.

V1G charging varies the time and rate at which an electric vehicle is charged to respond to surges in power demand. This type of smart charging can harness extra revenue, above a driver’s tariff savings, by accessing flexibility services across the distribution operator and National Grid.

The Smart Pioneer uses leading technology to aggregate thousands of devices to provide a local or national response to grid events and when revenue is generated, shares those back with drivers.

Nick Wooley, CEO at ev.energy, concludes: “We’ve admired INDRA for a really long time, they have a fantastic history of building great products so we’re really excited to be partnering to bring even more drivers cheaper, greener charging.”

For more information about the Indra Smart Pioneer, visit: https://www.indra.co.uk/smart-pioneer-ev-charger

Google Home, High-End Speakers, Smart Speakers

Braun LE03 – High End Smart Audio for Your Home

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This month I have been reviewing the LE03 Speaker from Braun Audio and I was very pleasantly surprised!

I have used quite a few smart speakers over the years, so when I received the Braun LE03 Speaker, I was intrigued to find out more. Out of the box, you can see that the speaker isn’t aimed at the smart assistant market as it is both high end and reassuringly weighty, but it also retains the smart speaker functionality with its minimalist design approach.

Braun Audio LE03
Braun Audio LE03

The speaker is controlled by either Google Voice (configured from your Android or iPhone), play pause, volume and ‘privacy’ button (which switches off the listening function). It can also be connected by Bluetooth pairing.

The speaker connects to the internet by WiFi, this pairing is set up by the Google Home app, which once set up, seamlessly sits alongside your other Google Devices ready to answer questions, play music or connect to Chromecast compatible TV’s.  If you are looking for finer tuning, you can also install the Braun app which gives greater control.

Braun Audio LE03
Braun Audio LE03

Set up is very straightforward, and once up and running, I was happily playing my favourite tunes and my daughter was equally happy to ask Google plenty of questions. Everything works in a similar fashion to using Google Assistant on your phone or indeed Alexa.

For the audiophiles amongst you, the LE03 contains a custom-designed 3.5” ‘high-excursion fast-transient’ woofer with NdFe motor, a Full-range 1.5“ Balanced Mode Radiator drive unit, a Race track/quadratic 5” x 3” Customised passive radiator all powered by a Monolithic class-D power amplifier. (I did say this was for the audiophiles).

Braun Audio LE03
Braun Audio LE03

The speaker can also be paired with further LE range speakers to give you a full multiroom experience.

The sound quality was mind-blowing, the bass was there when you needed it and vocals were clear. It really is a very good system and probably warrants the price tag of £349

The Braun LE03 is really worth a look if you are on the hunt for a capable speaker and want to spend a little bit more for the added quality.

Highly recommended!!