[blacklion1725]

Welcome back Bob!!

[blacklion1725]

Great news – thanks for keeping us updated

[blacklion1725]

The Duke wrote:

Very nice. But like everything, whack the Google now launcher on it, for a quick and dirty more stock look,and it adds back in the app draw which hauwei stock launcher takes away,to look more ios. Or like I do on the my phone use nova launcher, and the pixel icon pack (youtube it) and set up to look very stock indeed. Takes about 20mins.

Duke on mine (Android 7) there is an option in Settings to bring back the more traditional app drawer/laucher – and with that in place haven’t felt the need to change it, you can add re-namable folders on the home page and get rid of what you don’t want, and customise the launcher tray with the app drawer in the middle. I’m a Nova fan and have it on my phone, but haven’t felt the need for it (yet) on this tablet. BTW know what you mean about ios – opening “settings” looks almost identical to my work ipad.

[blacklion1725]

The Duke wrote:

My girl had a huawei media pad M3 light 8″. Cost me £180 last Xmas, and it’s brilliant. Some amazing sound too. My wife’s had 2 huawei phones (P9 and P20) and I’ve had 2 (nexus 6P and P20 Pro), they make great kit. So if you can get a M3 light for a good price I’d recomend it.the non lite version I think is 10″ if you want a bit more real estate. Though unless your buying a new device, for a big brand, Samsung, Huawei, HTC you’ll get two years worth of os updates, (but still security patches ad they come from Google) or an ipad you’ll get a good few years is support. But if you buy a cheaper one, even form the names avive (minus apple) you’ll likely just goer the Google security patches. But that doesn’t make them unusable. I have a bunch of kindle fire cheapo tablets, you can side load the play store in that. But as Chris said, they are not great, but fine for webpages or data viewing apps, and a mini TV. But your not going to do any heavy lifting with one, and tbh the res is not great so if your wanting to view read a lot of data off one, I’d probably say pass on them. As go windows tablets, u think you need Atleast the surface 4, I’m sure that’s the one that gor good reviews, all before it was bug riddled and I never seem any good press off anyone that actually used one for more than reviewing one (hope that makes sense). Basically anyone that used one for any period of time soon realised they was poor. So 4 is decent, but relativly expensive and tbh a bit pointless. I don’t get really get them.

 

Just bought the same one from Argos yesterday -£140 – agreed Duke – very nice bit of kit.

[blacklion1725]

Yeah he is a proper character! We often have a stroll from Benfleet to Leigh on Sea (about 4 miles with Canvey Island on your right hand side, oil tanks and all) and it always reminds me of the band. I’ve broke the concert news to the boss and safe to say I am more excited than her. I have thrown in an outdoor show at Southend next August featuring a Jam tribute band (that actually includes one of the Jam!) and Bad Manners.

Some women can’t see a romantic gesture for love nor money.

[blacklion1725]

Just had a nose Dave and booked me and the boss up for Wilko with Glen Tilbrook (Squeeze) in Bexhill 2nd March – actually my official redundancy date although they’ve asked me to work will 30th April and I’ve said yes. Very handily near to my Mumso free digs! Thanks for the nod.

BTW Dave have you seen the Feelgood documentary “Oil City Confidential” – very good – used to be easy to find but harder now. Can help out if you are interested.

[blacklion1725]

Picked up a 128GB micro-SD card (Sandisk) for £14.99 on Amazon – was waiting for sub-£20 so happy days.

Best deal I’ve seen (and I don’t need them) is 3x TP-Link Smart Plugs for £36.99. You have to add 3 to the basket for the discount to apply (£29.99 each otherwise). Link.

I’m after a decent spec Android 8″ tablet if anyone spots a bargain

[blacklion1725]

Dave Rice wrote:

The Blockheads was Ian Dury, bit I think I know why you thought that. Their bassist, Norman Watt-Roy, but he’s been playing with Wilko since his non-death. Wilko was a member of Dr Feelgood. Pub rock at it’s best. I wish I’d lived where you do in the 70s. Mind you I may not have survived

Dave Agreed – Dr Feelgood – fantastic band, little early for me but love that tight-but-rough R&B sound. Wilko also played with Ian Dury and the Blockheads which is why I referred as I though that’s what you were talking about ! Internet eh 🙂

In the Ian Dury song “I wanna be straight” Wilko (and the others) give themselves a name-check at the start of the song:

[Everyone else on the forum wondering – what the bleedin hell these two on about !!]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NS5bxk89gQg

I’m Charley, you know
I’m Norman pleased to meet you
I’m Mickey, hello
Wilko
I’m Johnny, how are you doing Harry?
My name is David
And I’m Ian and guess what?

Oi!

I wanna be straight, I wanna be straight
I’m sick and tired of taking drugs and staying up late
I wanna confirm, I wanna conform
I wanna be safe and I wanna be snug and I wanna be warm

 

[blacklion1725]

Cheers Dave will keep an eye out – I think he nearly died a few years back. I know “The Blockheads” have played a lot minus Ian – didn’t know Wilko was out ad about – cheers.

The Stranglers passed me by a bit – didn’t hate it but didn’t love it. Saying that I love live music so would probably enjoy Mr Cornwall if I saw him.

[blacklion1725]

Dave Rice wrote:

I saw them supporting the Clash in Torquay in July 78 (happened to be on holiday there). Both were of course excellent. I used to go to all the punk and 2 Tone gigs still looking like a long haired biker, which is what I was in those days!

A bit late repling Dave – only just seen this! Saw the Clash a few times (actually after I saw the Specials even though the Clash were older). Was born 1966…..so heard Pistols/Clash from mates older brothers then Jam and then Specials etc then went backwards to catch up. Would of loved to see the Clash/Specials tour – very jealous.

Late 70s/Early 80s is me all over. Pistols/Clash/Jam/Specials/Madness/Bad Manners/Selecter along with Ian Dury (RIP), Squeeze and Elvis Costello (who I have seen a few times more recently and sounds better than ever). Oh and saw the Pretenders a few months back and Chrissie Hynde sounds better than ever too – even in her mid/late 60s.

[blacklion1725]

Interesting you post that Dave – I’m pretty sure I tried them a few years ago – VPS or “Virtual Prvate Server” – dodn’t have a lot of luck (specifically Netflix) – be interested to see how you get on….

[blacklion1725]

Really sorry tohear about this set back…Lee please pass on my best wishes…..keep fighting Bob.

[blacklion1725]

I’ve not seen an Internet Security provider offering VPN as part of a product before…….interesting.

NordVPN are the only compay I’m aware of that are actively advertising on UK TV, emphasis on security not Netflix USA (although they actively support most UK and USA streaming services via VPN).

I still think if you are just interested in security when out and about then connect back to your own router (via openvpn) and you are as safe as you would be indoors. Placeshifting is a moving target, the bigger companies (e.g. NordVPN) react quicker, but it is cat and mouse.

[blacklion1725]

On public wifi I just ovpn back in to my home router and use my home internet. The commercial VPNs are (as Ed suggests) just used for place-shifting (mainly). I’ve also had cases where the VPN actually improves performance of streaming – guessing because what’s wrapped up in the VPN can’t easily be filtered based on protocol or host.

[blacklion1725]

https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/vpnsecure-lifetime-subscription-1250-stacksocial-lifetime-vpn-for-5-devices-3106521 I use Torguard as their streaming IP adding are cheap….overkill for you though. If you don’t need it for Netflix etc you can get VPN-Secure lifetime for £12.50 (!). I have it as a backup and speeds are fine but no good for Netflix or iPlayer (blocked). Can’t seem to paste the link but search VPN on hukd

 

[blacklion1725]

Likewise Bob – all the best tomorrow – keeping everything crossed for good news

Good luck mate

[blacklion1725]

Happy Days!

[blacklion1725]

You can download your ouwn music from Google Play (to play offline) – and most music players will have an option to just “stop” after a playlist. There are special apps that let you set a timer and will gradually fade your music after (e.g. 30 minutes). Just search “Music Sleep Timer” in the play store. any way though ‘m sure your phone will achieve what you want without spending any money.

[blacklion1725]

On this subject – “They Shall Not Grow Old” on iPlayer now- incredible remastered WW1 footage by Peter “Lord Of The Rings” Jackson. Eerie but an amzing job.

[blacklion1725]

Blimey….wonder if these will go any lower on B Friday?

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