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History of Emoji

by George Lovell | | 0 comments

There are currently 3664 different emojis. Over 10 billion emojis are sent every day 🤯

Emoticons have come a long way since their formation in the late 20th century 🙋‍♂️

In a world where the vast majority of communication and expression is achieved through messaging and social media, Emoji has provided people with a vast array of tools to send and receive information with far greater accuracy and empathy than could possibly be achieved with standard letters, numbers and symbols 🙄

Emoji is everywhere: It's in your DMs, your social feeds, and even your work inbox; your Grandma uses emojis; and sometimes you just default to emoji-only messaging when thinking of words is too much effort 😴

Deliberate and strategic use of emojis in conjunction with text has the potential to create a deeper meaning and more distinct tone than text alone, meaning messages are less likely to be misinterpreted. Emoji helps us differentiate between sarcasm and seriousness; fear and excitement; amusement and disgust; disappointment and relief; and much more 👀





















Check out https://emojitimeline.com/ for a detailed history of Emoji 🙌

You'll learn why the eggplant emoji was banned and why the revolver was replaced with a water pistol amongst other controversies 🍑

Top 10 most used emojis:
1. Crying-laughing 😂
2. Love heart ❤️
3. Rolling on the floor laughing 🤣
4. Thumbs up 👍
5. Crying 😭
6. Hands-clasped 🙏
7. Kissy face 😘
8. Smiling face with hearts 🥰
9. Heart eyes 😍
10. Smiley-blush 😊

What's your favourite emoji? 🕺😋🌻🥑🚀
Thanks for reading!

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Should you clear recent apps on your phone?

by George Lovell | | 0 comments

There's two types of people:
> Those that relentlessly kill every single app, tab and task on their device.
> Those with 99 open tabs, that don't know how to kill an app. 

But who would win in a fight?



Generally, recent and running apps do not use up significant battery power or RAM. Your device continuously switches processes on and off as needed.

Don't think of it as running idle - rather, it's suspended. This means it is not using up system resources.

Killing an app before reopening it will place more strain on the processor than leaving it running. It's a bit like running in eco mode or hibernation - it's actually more energy efficient than switching off and on.

When you leave an app running, your device remembers where you left off. It stores this data in a memory bank called "Cache". When you open the app, data is quickly transmitted from the Cache to the CPU. 

This makes for a smoother, more efficient experience. For example, you're reading an article in your internet browser. You exit to send a message to a friend on WhatsApp, before checking Instagram. You come back to your article exactly where you left off. Imagine having to re-enter a search query, find the link, wait for the page to load, and scroll down to find where you left off.  


To bring up recent apps:
Old-school iPhones: Double tap the home button
New-school iPhones: Drag from the bottom and pause in the centre
Android setting 1: Tap the multi-window button
Android setting 2: Drag up slowly from the bottom

To clear the app, swipe it up.

When should you close an app?
> If it crashes
> If it's not responding or working properly
> You want the app to reopen on its home page with default settings
> It's running background processes that you don't need or want right now
> You will not be using the app again for a while
> You want to kill the app for privacy reasons
> Having apps open and running triggers your OCD
> You want to assert power and dominance over your apps

When should you keep an app open?
> You are switching back and forth with another app
> You want to pick up exactly where you left off
> It's running useful background processes, such as music playback or GPS navigation
> Literally, whenever you don't have an actual reason to close it

Apple and Android  both state that users should not clear their app history unless an app is causing an issue.

Well-designed apps will consume minimal resources when left open. Poorly-designed and buggy apps may drain your resources - this includes bloatware and, ironically, any third-party app that claims to speed up, optimise, or clean your phone.


Closing recent apps and killing background processes used to be essential for keeping your devices running smoothly. With modern phones; their abundance of RAM, and auto-optimising operating systems, there's no reason to clear all your apps regularly. You are free to enjoy switching between apps seamlessly.

Like biting your nails, this can be a very difficult habit to break.


TL;DR - Don't clear your apps for no reason, but it doesn't really matter that much either way.
Thanks for reading!

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Is iCloud storage a waste of money?

by George Lovell | | 0 comments

Do you pay 79 pence per month for iCloud storage?

I see a lot of people waste a lot of money on a lot of things...

  • Cotton T-shirts with a £400 designer logo
  • Expensive wine that you won't remember drinking
  • Fake Instagram followers from Cambodia
  • Entire life savings on a wedding
  • £30k on a degree that they don't intend to use
  • £200 per month on takeaways
  • £2.50 for "premium" bottled water
  • Scratch cards, lottery tickets and fruit machines - don't get me started.
  • £10 per day on Starbucks
  • £50+ for OnlyFans access - Link in bio
  • Edible gold leaf
  • Custom registration plates starting "B055" - Instant respect
  • Pictures of Bored Apes and other NFTs which fund influencers' lifestyles

Each to their own - it's their money, and it might not be a waste to them.

What I can't understand, is the number of people who are very reluctant or outright REFUSE to pay 79p per month for iCloud storage.


Yes, this happens all the time in our shop.

Having your photos, videos, messages, contacts, notes and apps backed up - so that if you lose or break your phone, you can restore all of it onto a replacement device - is a no-brainer.

Imagine how you'd feel if you permanently lost everything on your phone, and/or laptop and other devices...

Data which you have collected for many years.

You cannot buy back your baby photos if you lose them. 

It doesn't matter how careful you are. You are carrying a complex, fragile little device in your non-water-proof, non-thief-proof pocket at all times.

At least buy yourself the peace of mind.

CHECK IT NOW: Go into Settings, click your name at the top, select iCloud, then iCloud Backup. When was your device last backed up to the cloud? It should back up automatically every night when plugged in to charge and connected to Wi-Fi.

Remember that you'll need to know your iCloud email address and password to restore a backup, and you'll need another one of your Apple devices or your phone number for two-factor authentication.

You get 5GB for free - which is nothing. 50GB is £0.79/month and is sufficient for most. 200GB is £2.49/month.

It's one of those things that you have to pay upfront, before receiving the benefit. Hopefully, you'll never need it - but if you do, it'll be worth every penny.


Thanks for reading!

See Our Blog for the latest industry news, tech tips, company updates, and anything else we feel like writing about. 
 

Sweatshop labour is wrong, unless the camera's good

by George Lovell | | 0 comments

Sustainability is playing an increasingly key role in consumers' habits and buying decisions.

People want to feel good about who, what and where they're getting their products from.

One report by Deloitte investigated sustainable attitudes and behaviours. They found that the adoption of sustainable lifestyles is on the rise.



In 2022, 59% of UK adults reduced the number of new products they buy, solely with the goal of leading a more sustainable life. This is up from 39% in 2021 - a huge increase.

53% repaired an item instead of replacing it with a brand new, equivalent item. 38% of people surveyed did this for an electrical item such as a mobile phone or laptop.

40% bought second-hand/refurbished items. 29% of people surveyed did this for an electrical item such as a mobile phone or laptop.

40% chose brands that have environmentally sustainable practices/values.

An increasing number of consumers elect to support companies that take a responsible approach to their use of water, energy and finite raw materials. People are also more concerned with social sustainability, which comprises working conditions, fair wages and employee welfare.

Companies recognise this trend, which is why they take every opportunity to emphasise their commitment to the environment, as if the fact that their product packaging is made from 37% recycled materials makes up for all the lives and ecosystems they destroy. 



Even so, brands like Apple and Amazon continue to grow at exponential rates, despite being notorious for poor working conditions and unsustainable business practices.

Even though we care about the environment and sustainability, we cannot deny how much we love the more affordable, convenient, prestigious products that these companies provide - so much so, that we'll readily turn a blind eye to their dubious ethics.

Studies have proven that the more we desire a product, the less concerned we become with how it was made. Furthermore, we make more critical judgements on other people's buying decisions than our own.



As they say in consumer behaviour research groups: Sweatshop labour is wrong, unless the shoes are cute.    

This demonstrates the insane power of brand and consumer loyalty. We find ways to rationalise buying these products - or better yet, just "zone out" all the guilt and shame that would get in the way of enjoying the product.

Fortunately/unfortunately, the product is ready for us when we walk into the store, as opposed to a made-to-order system whereby we watch a child descend into the Earth to mine the cobalt needed to power the battery in the phone that we just ordered.



People get very defensive when confronted with their own cognitive dissonance. Especially those that rage tweet about unsustainable business practices from their iPhone.

Look at all the products that you use today. Would you be willing to pay a little more, wait a little longer, or use a less distinguished brand for the health and welfare of people you'll never meet? Maybe you would for some products, but not for others. Sometimes the alternative is unaffordable, or just plain sucks - though the gap is certainly closing. And how much difference does it really make? Who knows...

I'm not not going to use a smartphone, and neither are you. It doesn't mean we should abandon all efforts to make more mindful, less wasteful decisions.

What's really required is stricter enforcement of laws and regulations which hold companies accountable for their unethical business practices. But that might be a pipe dream.

We should acknowledge that things do generally appear to be getting better, with more and more companies making real, well-intentioned progress towards sustainability goals. Let's hope that this effort is reflected in the relevant data in the coming years. 

Hey, it's all just more reason to repair your electronics or trade-in your device for a refurbished one from Talkback. We extend product life cycles, use reclaimed parts and accessories, recycle waste, and treat our staff well!


Thanks for reading!

See Our Blog for the latest industry news, tech tips, company updates, and anything else we feel like writing about. 
 

Why you should consider having a separate phone for work

by George Lovell | | 0 comments

Recent reports suggest that work phones are making a comeback.

An increasing number of jobs require workers to use a mobile phone to communicate and complete various tasks.


Whilst companies have typically favoured a "Bring Your Own Device" approach in recent years, mobile carriers are now enjoying a surge in company-issued devices.

This is a direct result of employers clamping down on non-work related phone use, i.e. cruising TikTok whilst you're supposed to be working.

We think this is good. Here's why...

Having a separate phone, free of distracting apps and constant notifications can result in increased focus and productivity.

Being able to disconnect from work has become increasingly difficult. By putting your work phone away at the end of the day/week, you're more able to keep your work and personal life separate.

Establishing appropriate boundaries is the key to having a good work-life balance. #corporatelife is overrated.

If the sound of your ringtone gives you anxiety whilst you're having Sunday dinner with your family, you might benefit from having a separate device for work.

If your company provides a device with pre-installed mobile device management software, you should have a separate device for personal use - unless you don't mind your employer being able to track everything you do on your phone.


Remember, if they're paying for the phone, they're legally entitled to the data on it.

How reliant are you on your device for accessing accounts with two-factor authentication? If you leave the Company, they will probably erase the device and cut off the SIM card remotely. This could leave you in a right pickle.

Carrying two phones around isn't ideal, but with your wallet, clock, iPod, SatNav, calculator and all the other tools on a smartphone, you've probably got the pocket space for them.

All of this applies to laptops and other devices. Having a work laptop and personal phone might be a better setup for some jobs. Find what works for you: what allows you to be efficient and productive; disconnect from work when finished; and protect your privacy.


Thanks for reading!

See Our Blog for the latest industry news, tech tips, company updates, and anything else we feel like writing about.