How to Kill an Hour (or five) as a Passenger
Have you got a big summer holiday planned? Many of us will be spending our summers in this country, driving to a coastal destination to enjoy time on the beach with our friends and family. Even if you are travelling abroad, you might be either doing so by car or hiring a car at the airport. Summer holidays often include a lot of driving.
This can have many advantages, the main one usually being that you have your car (or a car) for the duration of your trip. If you’ve bought a great car from Jagtechnic, why should you have to rely on public transport while you are on holiday? But, long drives can be boring, especially if you are a passenger. So, what can you do to pass the time on a long car journey?
Create a PlayList
Now, the music tends to be the driver’s domain, so it would be good if you could both come up with an agreed playlist. Spend some time setting it up before your trip, so you’ve got lots of fantastic tunes to listen to alone the way.
Swat Up on Road Trip Games
There’s very little more old fashioned than a road trip game. In the days of portable DVD players and tablets, they’ve somewhat gone out of use. But, they can still be a fantastic way to pass the time. If you’ve got kids in the car, stick to the family classics like eye spy or red car. But, if it’s an adults-only road trip, a few adult road trip games could be great fun and have you laughing all the way.
Take a Nap
If the driver doesn’t mind, try to get your head down for a short nap. Take a travel pillow and wear comfy clothes and you’ll soon nod off. If possible, take turns driving so that you both get a rest, but remember to make sure you are both insured to drive before you leave.
Be The Navigator
Traditionally the passenger has always been the map man. The navigator, that’s armed with a map book and plans all of the stops and routes along the way. But, now we tend just to spend our time shouting at a sat nav. If you want something to do, buy a map book and get stuck in, turning the sat nav off first to avoid arguments.
Look After the Driver
As the passenger, it should be your responsibility to take care of your driver. Sometimes, this will mean checking the map or finding a stop along the way. But, it can also mean opening a drinks bottle or sweet and even scratching an ear. Think of yourself less as passenger and more as drivers assistant.
Take in the Sights
In our busy day to day lives, we so rarely get the chance to really look at the world around us. Use this time to take in the sights, to see what you can spot, and to pick out places that you’d like to come back to for a proper look.
Why Second-Hand Cars Are Perfect For Tech-Lovers
Tech-lovers beware: you’re making a massive mistake. When it comes to the car in your life, there is always the urge to go with a brand spanking new model. After all, they have the best gadgets and gizmos, the things that keep you awake at night with excitement. Who cares if they’re expensive? They’re worth every penny! At least, that’s how you feel now. Usually, tech-lovers change their minds when the realisation hits – used cars are as appropriate as new motors, and they’re cheaper.
Here are the reasons you should start looking at the second-hand market the next time you need a whip.
Used Doesn’t Mean Old
Sure, it might be older than something that came out this year, but it’s not ancient. Looking 4 Car Finance has lots of models on their lot at affordable prices, and most of them aren’t as dated as 2012. Anything that came out post-2010 is fair game because all cars come with cool tech gadget these days. Whether it’s a 69 plate or a 60 plate, you’ll get everything from an ABS to an in-car sat nav with Bluetooth sync capabilities. And, because the registrations are almost a decade old, the cost will be significantly lower.
You Only Need Certain Tools
Car manufacturers have us in a tailspin with the way they market their products and services. As a result, it’s not uncommon to think you need everything they have and to fob the base model off as insufficient. Of course, the reality is different. There is only a handful of equipment you need, and you can find a list of our very own on this How To Kill An Hour post. The things that make a difference to the driving experience, such as dash cams and auto energy braking, should be on your list and everything else can go.
They’re Installable
Okay, you’re a tech-lover so the idea of only using the necessary car tech is laughable. That’s fair. Still, there’s no need to fork out a fortune for a vehicle that’s overpriced when there is an affordable base model. Once you have a chassis, you can add to the skeleton of the car by installing the stuff you love. New brakes and a better suspension aren’t cheap, yet they’re more affordable when you do it yourself. And, the electricals are easy to get hold of and to install in the car’s interior. Essentially, you can do an Xzibit and pimp your ride!
Sometimes, Basic Is Good
Remember that pimped out cars make bad drivers. The next time you get behind the wheel of one without parking sensors, you should note how many times you back up without looking. It’s crazy. Plus, you might be a tech nerd but you’re also a car-lover and that counts for something. It means, deep down, that you love the sound of an engine and hitting the open road without any mod cons because it takes you back to a simpler time.
Used cars focus on the basics, and they get petrolheads’ hearts racing.
THE GUARDIAN features The Switch!
Marcus Bronzy’s other podcast “The Switch” has been featured alongside world famous TechCrunch and the legendary Kurupt FM in The Guardians Podcasts of the Week! We’re incredibly proud to be recognised by such a huge institution that is The Guardian and a brand new podcast too! Check out The Guardian’s article by clicking here! Please see below the original article: Launched by podcasting heavyweights Acast and audio production giants WiseBuddah, Launchpod aims to find the UK’s next hottest podcast! Our very own Marcus Bronzy is on the LaunchPod shortlist for his Podcast ‘The Switch”
For all those who were eagerly awaiting hearing something from new from our Marcus, can do so RIGHT NOW! The pilot has been released for all you to get into your ear holes. Open your ears and mind to the people behind the tech that we all know and love!
Listen by clicking here!
Please review, rate 5* and subscribe, we’d love for him to win!
The Switch – Marcus Bronzy
Marcus’ podcast finds human stories in the world of technology, focusing on the people who are using tech to “switch things up” in the world we live in, and the way tech affects our everyday lives. Marcus is a TV, radio and podcast presenter and producer.
LaunchPod’s a super cool initiative which gives people the chance to create podcasts and share them with a much wider audience with Acast/WiseBuddahs help!
So, What was the competition?
Each semi-finalist will work with Wisebuddah and Acast to produce a pilot episode.
These three pilots will be made available on Apple Podcasts, the Acast app and other podcast platforms. While listeners will vote for their favourite. The listener vote will be considered by the judges and a winner will be announced.
The winning podcaster will work with Wisebuddah to bring the first series of their production to life! They will host their podcast on Acast and receive launch, content, artwork and promotional support from the Acast team.
Click here to read the previous post on LaunchPod
So, keep up to date with everything How To Kill An Hour by signing up to our newsletter by clicking here!
Also, let us know what you think of the show by clicking here!
Click here to subscribe to our YouTube Channel to see more amazing ways to kill time!
While you’re there follow us on Twitch by clicking here!
Judgement – Worth An Hour?
Haunted by his past, disgraced attorney Takayuki Yagami takes up arms as a private detective, clawing his way through Kamurocho’s underground crime network to investigate a string of grisly murders.
Judgement is created by the team that brought us the amazing Yakuza series. It’s an incredible game that brings you to the edge of your seat time and time again. It’s a physcological thriller, which will see the lines between justice and mercy teeter on the edge.
The game isn’t all run and gun action either. In Judgement you have to track suspects, discover clues and bring evidence to court. Consequently, also have to keep your witts about you though as those who seem to be your friend may be your foe and vice versa!
However, when there is action, there is action! There is Hollywood style action with combat sequences and cinematic twists that keep the action going. Which keep you engaged in the story! As there is a 2 different combat styles that you get to use, Crane Style, which allows you to mash up your opponent, street fighting style. Or play as the Tiger combat style and overwhelm opponents with powerful strikes.
Judgement Features
- Dual Audio: Switch between the Japanese and English VO tracks at any point during the game. Experience Judgment using whichever language you prefer.
- Dual Subtitles: Subtitles change based on which audio track is selected – Japanese or English. Japanese voice subtitles are presented in a way that represents the traditional Yakuza experience. While English voice subtitles match the English script.
- Localization Pedigree: Furthermore Judgment’s localization has been handled in-house by SEGA of America’s talented Yakuza series localization team.
Judgment marks the first time in over 12 years that a game set in the Yakuza series universe has received an English dub for its Western release. A starstudded English voice cast brings Judgment to life. Greg Chun takes on the role of Judgment’s protagonist, Takayuki Yagami, supported by Crispin Freeman, Matthew Mercer, Cherami Leigh, Yuri Lowenthal, James Hong, Ed O’Ross, Amy Walker, Matt Yang King, Fred Tatasciore, Brian Mcnamara, as well as guest appearances by SungWon Cho, Cristina Vee, Max Mittleman, and many more.
So, what are you waiting for? Purchase Judgement by clicking here!
Keep up to date with everything How To Kill An Hour. By signing up to our newsletter by clicking here!
So, let us know what you think of the show by clicking here!
Click here to subscribe to our YouTube Channel to see more amazing ways to kill time!
Also, follow us on Twitch by clicking here!
Charlie’s Angels: A new generation
Those of you old enough to remember Charlie’s Angels and then the remake with Lucy Liu will be glad to know that another remake is in the works! The amazing franchise is set for a brand new tale with the next generation of Angels. If the trailer is anything to go by, this franchise is set for yet another smash hit on it’s hands!
Charlie’s Angels is directed by Elizabeth Banks. It will feature an all star cast including: Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott, Ella Balinska. Plus Elizabeth Banks stars in it herself alongside Djimon Hounsou and Noah Centineo. Plus Sam Claflin and Patrick Stewart also star.
Charlie’s Angels Plot
Elizabeth Banks directs the next generation of Angels – Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott, and Ella Balinska – working for the mysterious Charles Townsend. Charlie’s Angels have always provided security and investigative skills to private clients, and now the Townsend Agency has expanded internationally, with the smartest, most fearless, most highly trained women all over the globe – multiple teams of Angels guided by multiple Bosleys taking on the toughest jobs across the world. When a young systems engineer blows the whistle on a dangerous technology, these Angels are called into action, putting their lives on the line to protect us all.
So, keep up to date with everything How To Kill An Hour! By signing up to our newsletter by clicking here!
Also, let us know what you think of the show by clicking here!
Click here to subscribe to our YouTube Channel to see more amazing ways to kill time!
While you’re there, follow us on Twitch by clicking here!
Vari Pro Plus 36 – To Benefit Don’t Sit!
We sit at a desk on an average day up to 19.5hrs. That’s just an average day too! This seems like a lot, but when you break it up, it shows how easy time can add up! All this time you’re usually sitting down too! The Vari can help with this!
This is how an average day looks like for the average worker:
- 1.5 Hours Sat commuting via Car, Train or Bus.
- 8 Hours Sat in the office chair.
- 2 Hours Sat eating dinner and watching TV after work.
- 8 hours Laying Down Sleeping,
As you can see it can seem quite sedentary. Leaving most of us with only 4.5hrs each day of potential movement. This isn’t great for your health! Your working day is often strict and structured in routine. Therefore the only way to gain movement is through changing work habits.
You could change meetings to be held standing only. This means it’ll be quicker and you’ll feel more focused due to increased blood flow. Amplified circulation to your brain will make you feel sharper!
Another easy change would be to incorporate standing desks. Rotating time between sitting and standing all throughout your working day. Standing for 4hrs per day has a number of benefits such as burning 50 calories extra per hour. Consequently this equates to 200 per day or 1,000 per week. Which is 48,000 calories per year! (48 wk’s per year)
48,000 calories = running 18.71 marathons.
Using a standing desk has many more benefits including:
- Lowering the chance of cardiovascular disease.
- Reducing and preventing lower back pain.
- Improving productivity by 48%.
- Reducing blood sugar levels by up to 43% after lunch.
Vari
Vari are at the top of their game, with a choice of desks for every set-up. Such as sit-stand converters such as the Pro Plus 30, 36 and 48.
What is a sit-stand converter, I hear you ask. Well it’s simply a device that sits atop of your existing desk and will make a regular desk a standing desk. Simple! No need to buy big expensive standing desks when you can already use your own. Now you have no excuses!
The Vari Pro Plus 30, 36 & 48 range from £275 to £425 by clicking here!
No space because you’re in a corner? No Problem!
Vari also offer corner desks, such as the Cube Corner 36. Again just simply sit atop of your current desk. Then you’ll have a standing desk!
The Cube Corner 36 costs £425 is available by clicking here!
Keep up to date with everything How To Kill An Hour by signing up to our newsletter by clicking here!
Let us know what you think of the show by clicking here!
Click here to subscribe to our YouTube Channel to see more amazing ways to kill time!
Follow us on Twitch by clicking here!
CUE3: RECORD-BREAKING BASKETBALL ROBOT
Well, looks like Steph Curry better watch out! A record breaking basketball playing robot named CUE3, has been birthed by a team of Toyota Engineers. How good is it? Well it can land a free shot, perfectly hitting the target, more than 2,000 times in a row.
It originally was a spare time project, designed to demonstrate the potential of robotics and artificial intelligence. It may display some incredible sporting ability and accuracy. However, the same technical innovation is being applied to Toyota to create robots which help. Helping the injured and disabled rehab in their day to day lives at home.
CUE3, is as the name suggests, the teams third iteration of the concept. It was revealed at a pro-basketball match in Japan earlier this year. It stands 6ft 10″ tall and wears the #93 vest. A simple video of the robot landing a centre line, took the web by storm. As it was so popular online, the team bidded to set a Guinness World Record. A record for the most consecutive basketball free throws by a humanoid robot.
Earlier versions of CUE3 were unsuitable for such record attempts. Mainly due to the fact it took up to 3mins to reset the machine after each shot. The team got to work and 5months later CUE3 made the record bid a realistic possibility.
Not settling for 5 successive shots that were needed to set the record, the team wanted more! However, they were a little unsure of how much repeated movement would affect the robot. Plus the air pressure in the balls and the angle of the hoop also needed to be accounted for. Plus they also had to retrieve the ball and place it accurately in CUE3’s hands for the robot to be able to pot successfully.
CUE3 Completing The Task
CUE3 landed 5 shots with easy. Then 200. 3 hours later that number was set at 1,000. That’s 1 every 12 seconds. The team stopped at 2,020 shots. The same number of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics date. It accomplished this feat in 6hrs and 35mins.
“For the record attempt, we remained members of Toyota, but also collaborated with a professional sports team to embark on a challenge no one else had undertaken. We would be delighted if as many people as possible developed an interest in basketball, robots and manufacturing as a result of watching our efforts.” – Project leader Tomohiro Nomi
The CUE team are now looking to take part in an all-stars match in January 2020, which could see CUE3 evolving yet again.
Keep up to date with everything How To Kill An Hour by signing up to our newsletter by clicking here!
Let us know what you think of the show by clicking here!
Click here to subscribe to our YouTube Channel to see more amazing ways to kill time!
Follow us on Twitch by clicking here!
The Switch – LaunchPod 2019
Launched by podcasting heavyweights Acast and audio production giants WiseBuddah, Launchpod aims to find the UK’s next hottest podcast! Our very own Marcus Bronzy is on the LaunchPod shortlist for his Podcast ‘The Switch”
For all those who were eagerly awaiting hearing something from new from our Marcus, can do so RIGHT NOW! The pilot has been released for all you to get into your ear holes. Open your ears and mind to the people behind the tech that we all know and love!
Listen by clicking here!
Please review, rate 5* and subscribe, we’d love for him to win!
The Switch – Marcus Bronzy
Marcus’ podcast finds human stories in the world of technology, focusing on the people who are using tech to “switch things up” in the world we live in, and the way tech affects our everyday lives. Marcus is a TV, radio and podcast presenter and producer.
LaunchPod’s a super cool initiative which gives people the chance to create podcasts and share them with a much wider audience with Acast/WiseBuddahs help!
So, What was the competition?
Each semi-finalist will work with Wisebuddah and Acast to produce a pilot episode.
These three pilots will be made available on Apple Podcasts, the Acast app and other podcast platforms. While listeners will vote for their favourite. The listener vote will be considered by the judges and a winner will be announced.
The winning podcaster will work with Wisebuddah to bring the first series of their production to life! They will host their podcast on Acast and receive launch, content, artwork and promotional support from the Acast team.
Click here to read the previous post on LaunchPod
So, keep up to date with everything How To Kill An Hour by signing up to our newsletter by clicking here!
Also, let us know what you think of the show by clicking here!
Click here to subscribe to our YouTube Channel to see more amazing ways to kill time!
While you’re there follow us on Twitch by clicking here!