Brace Yourselves; it's a Gadget Review

Wow, it's 19th February, a Monday evening and it's finally hit me - we're almost at the end of the second month of 2018 already. Where has the time gone??

Anyway, I hope you've all had a fab weekend, and that your Mondays have been good. I was working over the weekend on Saturday and Sunday, but had last Friday and this coming Wednesday off to make up for it.

Those of you who know me personally are aware that I have, well, an unreasonable amount of bad luck with iPhones. I am, of course, completely dedicated to Apple so I've never damaged my phone through dropping it, smashing the screen, or subjecting it to a watery grave. No, my bad luck seems to be that the software very much dislikes me. It's a long story, so I'll skip to the end, which is the inspiration behind this evening's post. 

I started my weekend, on Friday, by heading into my local Apple Store to attend my Genius Bar appointment for my iPhone 6s (I've had a few). The 'Genius' who helped me was incredibly patient, very friendly and helpful, and essentially the result was that my iPhone 6s (thankfully covered by additional Apple Care Warranty) was replaced free of charge. However, as I only have approximately 2 weeks left of this warranty and there was no guarantee that the issue I'd had in the previous 3 replacement iPhone 6s' wouldn't return again, it was suggested that I might bid the phone a hearty farewell and part ways with a chunk of £££ for a newer model. Which I did (with very little hesitation).

The issues I've had with my last 3 iPhone 6s' have been mainly to do with the phone being very slow to respond, freezing on occasion, and also the battery draining rapidly to the point of sometimes needing to be charged twice a day, rather than simply overnight.

This brings me to the point of this post. Considering the many battery related issues I've faced with phones and this causing them to be boiling hot to the touch or drain completely, I have to say, and cannot say enough, just how impressed I therefore am with the iPhone 8 Plus. Taking into consideration that it's a much faster phone, the screen resolution is fantastic and that overall, it must take a lot more energy to run, thus far I can't fault it at all. I've had it since Friday, and so far have only charged it twice in total. My battery level currently is at 6% at 22:59 on Monday evening, which is pretty amazing, considering I last charged it fully on Saturday night.

Aside from the battery, I have to be honest, I'm also swooning a fair bit over the camera, and I'm totally head over heels for the 'Portrait' mode option (only available on the iPhone 8 Plus model not the iPhone 8 - the iPhone X has this feature for both the front and back cameras, but it's a fair bit outside of my price range).

Below are a 2 examples of the photos taken in Portrait mode, and there's no filter added.

Feedback always welcome, so please feel free to leave your comments for me below.

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Happy New Year: The 12 Part New Years Resolution

New Year's Resolutions. Everybody has them, everybody starts out well on them. Some people succeed longer than others, some succeed fully and others fall at the first hurdle. Why do most New Years resolutions revolve around giving something up? Whether it’s to go on a post-Christmas diet or to get in shape for summer, it usually means something is sacrificed for something most people consider less fun or see as a chore.

Well here’s a different take on a New Years resolution; instead of giving something up, how about resolving to start something new?

They say it takes 21 days to form a habit, so I’m testing out a steady 12 part resolution theory, which admittedly does involve me giving something up, but for every thing I stop doing, I’ll be swapping it it for starting something new. So, as an example, starting January 2nd, I’ve resolved to get to the gym minimum 2 times per week, not including my regular PT sessions, and will stop eating crisps and pizza (my main weaknesses). Come February, I want to cut out chocolate and sweets, and instead (using the money saved from less chocs, sweets, pizza and crisps) put away £10 per day. I’ll also aim to increase going to the gym, to 3 times per week minimum.

The target to save £10 per day serves a greater purpose as well because I’m trying to save up for a trip I’ve had on my to-do list a while now and will finally get to do in 2021. So it’s motivation for travel and health goals all rolled into one, without feeling like I’m giving something up.

I haven’t made up my mind on the other 10 parts of the resolution, but I thought I’d give this a try so that it’s a more achievable goal split into baby step targets.

What are your New Year's resolutions and what do you think of my unconventional approach? Let me know in the comments below - I always appreciate feedback.