Review - Stephen Radford

YouTube Music: A Real Spotify Competitor?

04 July 2018 by Stephen Radford

When YouTube Red launched in the US in 2015 I was extremely jealous. The promise of ad-free YouTube was one I'd dreamed of. Unsurprising considering I probably watch 2-3+ hours of YouTube a day (don't @ me). Though YouTube obviously thought of Red as much more than just a way to remove ads. They've invested heavily into their Originals starring creators Pewdiepie and Logan Paul (🙄) and also tacked on Google's answer to Spotify — Play Music. Fast-forward to 2018 and YouTube Red has undergone a rebrand taking on the "YouTube Premium" moniker and Google Play Music slowly transforming into YouTube…

Battle of the Boxes: Apple TV, Fire TV, Android TV, Chromecast

18 December 2017 by Stephen Radford

A few years ago I "cut the cord", cancelled my TV License and cable subscription. Back then I used a 3rd generation Apple TV with subscriptions to Netflix and Now TV alongside my vast number of YouTube subscriptions. I've since tried what feels like every box or stick that displays web content on your TV. All have their own interfaces, experiences, content options, and trade offs. Which box works for you will depend on your requirements. My Requirements While your requirements will undoubtedly differ I think it's important to understand what requirements I'm testing these boxes and sticks…

Echo: Revolutionising NHS Prescriptions

02 March 2017 by Stephen Radford

Like millions in the UK I rely on repeat prescriptions to keep me healthy. The NHS is marvellous but the repeat prescription service has always felt a little archaic. Little slips of green paper popped in a box or handed to your pharmacist and then a 24-48 hour waiting period before you can actually get ahold of the medication you need. The NHS Electronic Prescription Service launched in 2014 did seek to solve much of this. If both your GP and pharmacy supported it you could use their online service to order repeat prescriptions and collect them at your leisure.…

Iconic: The Other Apple Book

06 December 2016 by Stephen Radford

So by now I'm pretty sure anyone who hasn't been living under a rock the last few weeks is aware Apple released a ridiculously priced portfolio book of their products since 1998 and Jobs' return to Apple. The book is pitched as telling a story of Apple design over the last 20 years and is priced at $299 or $399 depending on the size of the book (what happened to one size fits all 'eh?). As much as I love Apple products it's not unlikely you'll spit your coffee out when you hear how much they're trying to charge for…

A Weekend With Apple Watch

01 May 2015 by Stephen Radford

It's totally and completely unnecessary. What I mean by that is that everything Apple Watch does can already be achieved on your iPhone. You can already read your notifications, message people, track your fitness, tell the time and so-on. The Watch lets you do some of these things quicker. At least that's the idea. It seems that for once I've been lucky. I ordered my watch on the 28th April and it showed up Friday. Three days from walking into the Apple Store to the thing showing up and my office. Considering I was given a dispatch time of June,…