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In addition to the WatchOS functionality that the Series 5, I'd really like to have the Blood Oxygen and Sleep Apnoea notifications. And I'd like a really long lasting battery. Working through the list based on this criteria theres only one watch that matches, and that is the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Im not bothered about the double tap gesture support but I do want the sleep apnoea detection feature. That one feature aside the original Apple Watch Ultra is the pick of the bunch with real bargains from Apple (eligible for AppleCare) and elsewhere (Cex and Amazon).
TL:DR – The Glowtime event didnt make it easier to choose a new watch for me, it made it harder. My choice in the end might be a surprise because it was a surprise to me. I bought a second hand 'Grade A' Apple Watch Ultra 2 from CeX. It cost £555 with no strap but boxed with a USB-C watch cable and a two year guarantee, (less any vouchers from previous trade in's of which I have a few). I will likely keep it for the two years it is guaranteed for then look again and see if what are better technology improvements emerge after Glowtime. The Ultra 2 has exactly the same technology as the Ultra 2 relaunched at Glowtime. The original Ultra is a real a contender too at £589 new in box with a strap and eligible for AppleCare direct from Apple via the Apple Certified refurbished store. It has an identical case just a few software and technology differences inside. Heres the Cheapest new Apple Watch Ultra 2 I could find on Amazon UK. (22 Sep)
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Apple’s relentless launch cycle demanded the Glowtime event. It launched iPhone 16/Pro, new/updated AirPods, new Watch Series 10 and updated Ultra 2 including Hermès. Tim and Craig literally invited us to share the glow. But how much innovation did we really see?
TL:DR – Apple's latest lineup offers a few incremental upgrades wrapped in their famed reality distortion field of new materials and buzzwords, with slightly better cameras, thinner borders, more USB-C and some mildly useful software tweaks.
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In a market where tech enthusiasts continuously seek high-performance devices, Apple Certified Refurbished products offer a compelling alternative to buying new at your local Apple Computer Store. With Apple’s extensive refurbishment process, consumers can access top-tier Apple products such as refurbished MacBook Pro computers, and other refurbished mac models at significantly reduced prices without sacrificing quality or warranty. Exploring these deals directly online from Apple rather than from a physical Apple Computer Store presents an opportunity to enjoy the latest technology with confidence in the product’s performance and longevity at a reduced price compared to retail.
TL:DR – While Apple Certified Refurbished offers competitive pricing and warranties, comparing prices on platforms like Amazon and CeX can sometimes reveal lower prices for new, used or third-party refurbished products, although likely without the same warranties. Sometimes, Apple Computer Stores have open box or old stock bargains too so keep an eye on them too.
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Read more: Uncover Apple Certified Refurbished Bargains Direct from Apple
In a landscape saturated with high-performance laptops, the Apple Macbook Pro M2 stands out as a remarkable yet understated contender. The Macbook Pro M2 may not dominate headlines, but it quietly revolutionizes how users experience productivity, creativity, and efficiency. It carries the legacy of Apple’s commitment to innovation while integrating groundbreaking features that make it an underappreciated powerhouse. As the tech world races forward, the Macbook Pro M2 remains a hidden gem waiting to be discovered by those who demand more from their machines.
TL:DR – The Apple MacBook Pro M2 Pro, Model A2779, identifier Mac14,9 offers incredible performance and when launched had the longest battery life ever in a Mac. Bargains are out there both new (MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2023, 18GB/512/Space Black New £1899.97 – Amazon UK 19 Aug 2024), and used (MacBook Pro 14,9/M2 Pro (10-CPU 16-GPU)/16GB Ram/512GB SSD/14"/SG/A) £1670 – CeX UK 19 Aug 2024). You can find them from time to time as refurbished models direct from Apple (Models Vary).
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Navigating the UK rail system can be expensive, but Railcards offer a practical way to cut costs. For frequent travelers, especially off peak time commuters or seniors, selecting the right Railcard can lead to significant savings. If you primarily travel in the South East, the UK Network Railcard and Senior Railcard are popular options, but they cater to distinct audiences and travel patterns. Understanding the differences is crucial to optimizing your travel budget.
TL:DR – The Network Railcard pays for itself quickly for me, but the Senior Railcard might pay for itself on one long trip so I expect I will end up with both now.
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Read more: Deciding Between the UK Network Railcard and Senior Railcard
Known for its microblogging format, Twitter once offered an open forum for diverse voices, real-time news, and global conversations with moderation for excess through an active team fighting disinformation and responding to content violations. However, the platform's evolution into "X" represents a significant departure from its origins. I advocated that Twitter had the potential to require regulation in 2009 when it was a company with just 35 people, but now that it is a worldwide influence on peoples behaviour it seems to me that the genie has left the bottle and the site is now a clear and present danger to our society.
Unplugging from Twitter/X has been something I've been thinking hard about for some time, so I set about removing myself from Twitter/X. Heres how I did it. It didn't take long and it protects the account name from spammers taking over. End of line for me is about me moving off the platform I loved.
TL:DR – This article explores the reasons why leaving Twitter/X may be the right decision now, and how to go about it effectively by mothballing a twitter account. Unfollowing all. Setting to protected. Adjusting settings to limit use for AI harvesting of data, deleting profile pic and background, updating profile to say bye, deleting third party products permissions to access my account and sending a final message.
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Ever wished you could transcribe the text of an audio file easily just from the command line, without heath robinson playback and dictation software? Its easy to do now from the command line and only takes a few minutes to set up. Just remember, you're the product and nothing is for free so don't send data that might be confidential to be transcribed.
TL:DR – The whisper tool from openai does the job well, certainly for my needs, in UK English and is easy to install and use. YMMV.
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Read more: Transcribing an audio file on a mac using AI in 2024
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