Fleur, Director
Living with a frustrated PS5 intender: What I wasn’t quite prepared for (and neither was my husband) was that despite knowing how much of a step change PS5 would represent, how much demand there would be. He regretfully didn’t pre-order as I think a little bit of him was worried that I’d veto the purchase but when I encouraged him, it was too late!
High: The genuine joy and excitement not often observed in the grown adult male
Low: Living with someone who is bombarded by hype on every channel who can’t get hold of a console. He sent this edited photo to me last week after waiting in the GAME digital queue for hours. Seems that 2020 continues to be the year of limitations.
Dan, Consultant
Podcasts & the audio streaming wars: Confession: I’m a bit of a podcast fanatic. This meant I was more than frustrated when two of my favourites (The Joe Rogan Experience and 3 Shots of Tequila) signed to Spotify, leaving me podcast less on Apple Music and Podcasts. I was being forced to choose: Apple or Spotify, podcasts or music. With a heavy heart, podcasts and Spotify won the prize that was my monthly subscription.
High: Dave Chappelle and Kanye West finally doing the Joe Rogan Experience – Christmas come early.
Low: I’m now back to listening to Soulection on Soundcloud with ads and no tracklist. It’s a real struggle…
Joyce, Marketing Manager
Air Pods: At first, I didn’t buy Air Pods because they’re quite pricy. During COVID I started running a lot more and the headphones I had really started to annoy me. But would the Air Pods really stay in my ears on a run? A friend of mine had Air Pods for a while and suggested to just go for it. As soon as I got them I was very pleased with my purchase. I wear them all the time now!
High: My first 10km run with them – they’re so much easier to use when going for a run
Low: People thinking I’m rude because I forget to take them out in stores or outside when people start talking to you
Rachel, Consultant
Nobsound Mini Bluetooth Power Amplifier: I’m almost embarrassed to say it but my tech highlight of the year has to go to something fairly mundane and simple; a Bluetooth connector to my old Hi-Fi. It’s far from new and exciting tech, but it’s made a pretty substantial difference.
High: I listen to waaay more music now that I have easy access to the good speakers
Low: Taylor Swift’s Folklore has easily topped my Spotify tracks of the year as it’s now my go-to work music
Ellie, Consultant
Discovering 3D audio: Deep in lockdown no.1, once I had completed Netflix and Disney+, I started to really miss real life entertainment, the main thing being concerts. Listening to live versions of albums helped for a little while, but soon it wasn’t enough. This is when my housemate (clearly feeling the same as me) sent me a link to a 3D audio song. In that moment it was exactly what I needed!
High: It felt like the artist was in the room with me, and so started a binge of 3D audio to get my concert fix in lockdown.
Low: Can’t believe I hadn’t found this sooner
Simon, Director
PS5: My New PlayStation 5 arrived on launch day and I’m playing like there’s no tomorrow! Super fast, rich graphics, enhanced audio and immersive gameplay – the next generation of consoles is finally here
High: Getting my hands on a PS5
Low: The prevalence of cheaters in online games. It’s frustrating to hear that hackers are still finding ways to cheat in the games. The best idea I heard was to boot them all onto servers with each other, so they can play their way… or maybe I just need to get better!
James, Head of Analytics
This is a tough one. Either I go for Disney+ (I got it for the MCU and I love it for The Mandalorian, Frozen 2, & Hamilton) or my Wahoo Kickr. I think it’s got to be the Wahoo Kickr.
High: My indoor cycling setup can now simulate the 10%+ gradients in Zwift
Low: My indoor cycling setup can now simulate the 10%+ gradients in Zwift