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The Moon

by George Lovell | | 0 comments

There's light at the end of the month. The Spring Equinox is two weeks today. The clocks go forward 11 days later, on the 31st. Boys of today will never know the embarrassment of missing morning kick-off because their phone alarms adjust automatically.

To get us in the mood for our favourite celestial event, we're talking 'bout moons.

The technology used in the Apollo moon landing in 1969 was cutting-edge for its time but relatively basic compared to today's standards. The Apollo Guidance Computer weighed 30 kilograms, and had 36 kilobytes of RAM, 32 kilobytes of storage and operated at a processing speed of 0.043 megahertz.

In contrast, modern mobile phones weigh 170 grams, have 12 GB of RAM (349,525 times greater), 1 Terabyte of storage (33,554,432 times larger), and a processing speed of 3300 megahertz (
76744 times faster).

But are they as capable as they claim to be?

You see some pretty cool shots of the night sky from Google's Night Sight and Samsung's Space Zoom camera modes (pictured). Turns out Samsung's moon shots, used to advertise their phones, are about as controversial as the Apollo moon landing.


A Reddit user exposed the authenticity of Samsung's moon photos. While acknowledging that the images are not outright fabrications, the author contends that they are not entirely genuine either. To support their argument, the author conducted an experiment using a downsized and digitally blurred moon image, demonstrating that Samsung's AI model adds craters and details where there was intentionally no detail to begin with; essentially photoshopping the image to make it look cooler. This finding has been backed up by other photographers.

Samsung's marketing is deceptive, as the moon pictures are enhanced by AI rather than the optics themselves. Does it change how you feel about the photo, or how you perceive the technology? For us, it's a tad discouraging.

You can't get away with a fake photo in 2024, yet people are still working to disprove an entire space mission from 1969.

But why take a photo when you can just go?

In a 2019 survey, Britons were asked if they'd embark on an all-expenses paid trip to the moon with a guaranteed safe return. The responses revealed a divided sentiment, as 43% expressed interest in undertaking the trip, while 48% said they would straight-up decline the opportunity.

But how many of them are riding to the moon on crypto?

Digital currencies, such as Bitcoin, are having a resurgence after a 2-year slump.
As of 2024, 11% of Brits (approximately 5.6 million people) have invested in cryptocurrency. 71% say they have no intention of ever buying cryptocurrency. Two-thirds of investors are men, which aligns with males' increased tendency to make risky investments.

But you're gonna need more than your little Coinbase account to get off this planet.

A 90-minute trip via Branson's Virgin Galactic or Bezos' Blue Origin will set you back $250,000 (£197,000). Alternatively, you can fly in style to the International Space Station via Musk's Space X, for a very reasonable $60 million, where you can stay for up to 30 days at $35,000 per night. A penthouse suite in Las Vegas is only a modest flex these days.
 
We only have a limited number of spins on this planet left. Most of us don't know exactly how many, but it's probably less than we'd like. One day we'll pick a daffodil; get lost in a birdsong; crunch on a mini egg for the last time. Whatever you're going after this Spring; this year; this life... Shoot for the stars. You might just hit the moon.


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Disconnect to Reconnect: Airbnb Bookings Without WiFi for Nature's Sake

by George Lovell | | 0 comments

In an era dominated by constant connectivity, a surprising trend emerges – people intentionally booking Airbnbs without WiFi to counteract Nature Deficit Disorder. Choosing accommodations in remote, nature-rich locations allows individuals to unplug from the virtual world and immerse themselves in the tranquillity of nature.

Going off-grid is usually associated with meditation retreats; not holidays. The intentional disconnection serves as a remedy for stress, anxiety, and the detachment from nature prevalent in daily life. Airbnb hosts in remote locations are recognising this need and are promoting their properties as digital detox havens, offering guests a chance to rediscover the therapeutic benefits of taking a break from tech and immersing in nature.


It wasn't long ago that WiFi was a luxury; a fancy extra; an expensive add-on. Nowadays, you expect to have free WiFi everywhere you go. You feel a little disgusted; slightly offended even, if your accommodation, cafe or gym doesn't have WiFi. Seeing people push back on this trend is interesting. Perhaps we like to think we could cut back if we needed or wanted to. For some, it takes going to digital rehab for a bit - where "using" isn't an option. When we mastered transportation, we had to build gyms to satiate our need for physical struggle. As we master communication/connectivity, we must build designated spots to satiate our need for rest, solitude and nature.

For those who like the idea of camping, but are partial to running water, basic hygiene, climate and humidity control, non-tinned food, and a good night's sleep on a supportive mattress, then Airbnb Rural could be a viable option for your next getaway.

I won't be actively seeking out accommodation without WiFi, but I get the sentiment. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to unplug the router every once in a while. It is kind of hard to enjoy the view while reading emails and Reddit threads. The view gets kind of boring fast though.  

"No WiFi" is a luxury now. What's next?

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Tales from the leaflet boy

by George Lovell | | 0 comments

Just some observations, having done a few leaflet campaigns, several years apart, in Portishead and surrounding areas.

  • I wasn't surprised to see a lot of Teslas on driveways because the roads are jam-packed with them every morning. I was surprised by how many people have charging stations. Just a few years ago, no one had a charging station installed in their home. There are a ton of electric vehicles that don't look like they're electric. I don't see many people charging their cars in public stations in Portishead compared to Bristol - perhaps because renters in the City can't have one installed at home.

  • A well-kept lawn is beautiful in the summertime, but many people have recently seen the advantage of artificial grass. Some look considerably better than others though.

  • Speaking of outdoing your neighbours, the fancy front doors with luxury hardwood and stainless steel handles are the new way to stand out on the homogenous housing estate. The rather outdated and unaesthetic letterbox has been relegated to the bottom of the door or relocated to a separate box on the side. The latter is certainly preferable for the spinally-fatigued mailman.

  • I wish I'd invented the Ring Doorbell, and I can see why Amazon paid $1 billion to acquire them in 2018.  

  • Everyone in Portishead used to have a dog. Everyone in Portishead still has a dog. Or two.

  • The new developments are deeper and more dense than you think.

  • The High Street might be dead but everyone has a stack of Amazon Prime parcels waiting for them when they get home. This was the case before, but the stacks are getting larger.

I wonder if 2027 will be any different...
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RIP 3G

by George Lovell | | 0 comments

Our most common inquiry recently has been regarding the closure of 3G.



Very boring, but here's what you might need to know:

Mobile providers are switching off 3G networks to make room for 4G and 5G networks, which are faster, more reliable services and are cheaper to run.

Most smartphones released in the past 12 years have 4G or 5G, and some of them will have 2G - which isn't due to be switched off until 2033.

2G is cheap, and still good in remote areas. If you break your leg in the middle of the Peak District, you'll most likely be calling an ambulance via 2G.

If your smartphone does not support 2G or 4G, then you won't be able to make calls, send texts or use mobile data. It's time to sort out your long overdue upgrade.

Basic phones will continue to run on 2G. Nothing to worry about there.

A quick Google Search will tell you what networks your phone runs.

Your provider will contact you if they think your device will be affected by the shutdown. If you have an up-to-date phone, you might need to do a software update at some point, but no further action will be required.

The networks are switching off at different times:

> Vodafone in early 2024. Lebara Mobile, Asda Mobile, Talk Mobile and VOXI use the Vodafone network.

> EE in early 2024. Co-op, 1p Mobile, Utility Warehouse, Ecotalk, Lycamobile, Plusnet and BT Mobile use the EE network.

> Three in late 2024. iD Mobile and Smarty, Freedompop and Superdrug Mobile use the Three network.

> O2 in 2025. Tesco Mobile, Giffgaff, Sky Mobile and Virgin Mobile use the O2 network.

Note: Three do not have a 2G network.

Also note that some other devices such as payment terminals and security systems use a SIM card. If running on 3G, you'll need to upgrade the system.

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Christmas Catch-up

by George Lovell | | 0 comments

It's the most wonderful time of the year 🎅 (for retailers, supermarkets & energy companies)

Here we are again.


Christmas doesn't make sense; I don't get it, but it doesn't matter - it works, and we're better off for it.



How would you feel about finding one of these under your tree this Christmas?🎁



Our estimates place this ad around Christmas of 1997.

How times have changed...

For perspective, £100 in 1997 is worth £224 today.

In 2006, Dixons rebranded most of their electronic stores as Currys - an electronics retail chain, which they acquired in 1984. Dixons also owned PC World, Carphone Warehouse & Team Knowhow - all of which were folded into Currys plc by 2021.

Cellnet demerged from BT in 2001 and was relaunched as O2 the following year. In 2021, they merged with Virgin to form Virgin Media O2.

One2One rebranded as T-Mobile in 2001; and later, in 2010, merged with Orange to form EE - which was acquired by BT in 2016!

They get around a bit...

Vodafone is the exception. The UK's first mobile network was launched in 1985 and is still going strong!

We've been working with Vodafone since we started in 1989 and became an official Vodafone dealer in 1998 - a lucrative partnership which lasted for several years.

So you can bet that we sold a ton of these very devices!😁

How do you think ads will look in 20 years?


Ahhhh...

The Corporate Christmas Party - a unique and festive blend of flex and cringe across your social feeds.


Financial blowout; drunken blackout. That's not our scene.


Thanks to Portishead's best, La Marina and Vilasa, for providing the goods as always.





(Forgot to take a photo at La Marina, so stole one from their page) 🙄

Back in after Boxing Day...



Doesn't feeeeeel like a Wednesday though, does it?😆

Businesses are back open, normal life and routines can resume, but it's still quiet and peaceful. The Christmas lights are still sparkling but the music is finally phasing out. Hangovers and intestines begin to clear. The pressure of Christmas is over, and you can finally enjoy playing with your toys. Everyone seems just a bit more happy and relaxed, still free to be flexible and do as they please because "it's Christmas". Attention turns to the New Year; a fresh start, for which we are grateful and optimistic.

*This right here* is actually the most wonderful time of the year.

Enjoy it. Because bills, traffic, homework, and politics will rear their ugly heads soon 😁



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