All Good Great

Category: Family

  • Nucu Pad: Review of the Multisensory Sleep Pad for Babies

    Nucu Pad: Review of the Multisensory Sleep Pad for Babies

    In partnership with Nucu Oy

    The Finnish Nucu Pad is a multisensorysleep pad for babies, designed to support the sleep of the whole family. The second-generation Nucu Pad is coming to Finland this summer.

    In this article, we’ll go through what Nucu is, what it’s for and what first-time users’ experiences of Nucu have been. I’ve been involved in Nucu myself for a couple of years now, so this article includes views and experiences from the inside as well.

    The Nucu Pad can be installed in a bassinet or crib. Photo: courtesy of Nucu Oy

    The Nucu Pad in a nutshell

    • Multisensory sleep pad developed, designed and manufactured in Finland
    • Size: 417x337x17 mm (slightly larger than A3 paper)
    • Put under the baby’s mattress (bassinet or crib)
    • Soothes the baby with feelscapes (sounds and vibration)
    • Monitors the baby’s sleep (timings, in the first versions of the app)
    • Package includes: Nucu Pad, controller and app (plus frame and mattress for installation)
    • Initially only available for iOS (Android support coming later)
    • Monthly paid app (subscription includes 1 year free)
    The gentle feelscapes (sounds and vibrations) of the Nucu Pad can also be felt through the mattress.

    What is the Nucu Pad used for? Who is it for?

    The first generation Nucu Pad was developed to support and comfort premature babies in NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) incubators. Its purpose was to create a sense of togetherness in the clinical environment, which is important for the baby.

    The second-generation Nucu Pad is designed for ordinary families: to support sleep, well-being and good sleep routines. This is how early users have been using the Nucu Pad:

    • Soothing the baby when moving from the parent’s arms to the bed (either sleeping or calm)
    • Improving the solidity of the night’s first sleep session
    • To help the baby fall asleep independently
    • Giving parents peace of mind as the baby falls asleep to a familiar heartbeat

    The Nucu Pad is intended for use up to 24 months – and that age will rise as the app continues to develop. The Nucu Pad supports babies of different ages in different ways:

    • In newborn babies, womb-like feelscapes are important
    • Slightly older babies usually calm down to the natural white noise of the Nucu Pad (rain and storm)
    • For older children, songs and stories are important and can be recorded on the Nucu Pad using the Nucu app.
    • The Nucu app can also be used to monitor your child’s sleep development (at first at a more general level and then more and more as the app develops).
    The Nucu Basic set is intended for use in bassinets and sidesleepers. It comes with a foam frame (white in the picture) to place the Nucu Pad on the bottom of the bassinet. The bassinet is not included in the product set. Photo courtesy of Nucu.

    Will the Nucu Pad solve all your baby’s sleep problems?

    The Nucu Pad is designed to support your family’s own sleep routines and habits. It is not a medical device and is not intended to treat or diagnose diseases or conditions.

    Throughout product development, we have seen that babies’ reactions to the Nucu Pad are very varied:

    • Some families report that they have been able to get their baby to sleep more peacefully the first time they use Nucu, which is of course a huge relief.
    • Other families say that Nucu has had no effect at all
    • There are also experiences in between: sometimes Nucu helps, sometimes not. Sometimes there is sickness, sometimes there are difficult developmental phases.

    We’ve found that the Nucu Pad is most supportive of everyday life when it’s introduced early and at a calm stage. Familiarize the baby with the Nucu Pad gently and as a part of your other sleep routines.

    Nucu is not meant to be a magical baby soother that calms the baby down instantly – at any time and in any situation. Nucu is also no substitute for togetherness and touch.

    Nucu provides comfort and safety for both the baby and the parent who knows that their baby is all right.

    The Nucu Pad is made with safety first. The device’s battery and connections such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are in the controller, which you can put outside your child’s crib. The controller can also be disconnected from the wire for charging.

    What is the Nucu Pad based on? Is it safe?

    The Nucu Pad is based on the same phenomenon as kangaroo care, that is, skin-on-skin contact. In English, it is called multisensory stimulation. Your baby’s senses are developing at a tremendous rate and they experience the world very differently. Multi-sensory experiences support your baby’s development.

    The Nucu Pad creates the same sense of security and familiarity as holding the baby close: with the sounds and vibrations of the chest and womb. The sound levels of the feelscapes are safe and gentle.

    The first-generation Nucu Pad has also been successfully used at Oulu University Hospital NICU to support the most fragile premature babies.

    Despite the safety of the Nucu Pad, the family plays a major role:

    • In your baby’s sleep environment, follow the same good practices as usual: no extra objects in the bed, no loose fabrics, clothes or toys. For example, you can read more about safe sleep for babies on the American Academy of Pediatrics website.
    • The Nucu Pad slips under the mattress and comes with a foam frame to hold the Nucu Pad level. When installing the Nucu Pad, make sure that the mattress is level and that there are no gaps between the mattress and the edge.
    • The cable of the Nucu controller must be pulled from under the mattress and the crib or bassinet, and must not remain inside the bed. The controller must be attached to the outside of the crib so that it cannot fall into the bed.
    • Nucu is in no way a substitute for normal family closeness and parental control

    Your own heartbeat feelscape on the Nucu Pad

    A selection of feelscapes is immediately available on the Nucu Pad: a sound that reproduces the uterine heartbeat and soundscape of the womb, and natural white noise sounds like rain and storm.

    You can record your own heart rate with the Nucu app. Photo courtesy of Nucu Oy

    With the Nucu app, you can record your own heartbeat and transfer it to the Nucu Pad, so your baby can fall asleep to a familiar and safe feelscape. Recording is done with the Nucu app:

    • Nice quiet place
    • Semi-sitting relaxed position
    • A few minutes of relaxed breathing with the Nucu app open on your phone, which is on your chest.
    • Transferring your own heart rate to the Nucu Pad

    Experiences with the Nucu Pad: what families are saying

    The Nucu Pad has been tested with babies of different ages and in different situations. Here are direct quotes from families’ experiences:

    • “It was wonderful that my baby slept better and didn’t wake up right after being laid in the crib.” – Marjo, mom with a 4-month-old baby
    • “When put to bed, the baby listened to the familiar sound of mom’s heartbeat and fell asleep.” – Iida, mom with a 3-week-old baby
    • “Our baby falls asleep best and sleeps more peacefully next to mom or dad, rather than in their own bed. With Nucu, it hasn’t felt so bad putting the baby down in the crib, since they can still fall asleep to the comforting sound of mom’s heartbeat there too.” – mom with a 2-month-old baby
    • “It was a huge relief not to always have to move the baby from my arms to the bed and worry about waking them up. With Nucu, the baby would fall asleep in their bed, cutting down on the time it took to get them to sleep, especially in the evenings.” – dad with a 3-month-old baby
    • “Sometimes getting the baby to calm down for sleep takes a while, but with Nucu, the baby can settle down gently even when a parent isn’t constantly by their side.” – Mariella, mom with a 4-month-old baby
    • “With Nucu, we can have a moment of respite in the evenings, when we don’t have to worry about whether the baby will settle down to sleep and feel safe, without mum or dad being there to watch over them.” – mother, baby 2 months

    Positive user feedback is mainly divided into three categories:

    • facilitating the transition to bed
    • help with sleep routines
    • peace of mind for parents

    In terms of negative feedback, the main points are:

    • Some families would like to have a SIDS monitor (i.e. a warning if the baby stops breathing). There is no breating alerts coming to Nucu, at least not initially. Rather the product will focus on supporting children and families in a positive way.
    • The Nucu Pad does not always provide the desired help: When families are under pressure and sleep-deprived, their expectations for the instant effect of the Nucu Pad may not be in line with the actual effect. Babies’ reactions to the Nucu Pad are individual and also vary from one developmental stage to another. We respond to this in two ways: 1) we try to be open about what parents can expect and 2) we make it as easy as possible to return and resell your product.

    Where can I buy a Nucu Pad? How much does it cost?

    The Nucu Pad will be available on Nucu’s own online shop. It is also the only place where you can buy it.

    There is currently a Nucu Family early access program. The first product drops in Finland will be available in the summer only for members. So it’s worth becoming a member so you can find out when, what and at what price Nucu is coming to your country.

    This is how the drops work:

    • Pre-registered members get the chance to buy the Nucu Pad
    • 20% discount on normal prices for members
    • Product drops are limited (due to low initial production volumes) so products can sell out very quickly
    • Information on the progress of the campaign will be sent to members
    • Membership costs nothing and is not binding (you only get to know about new patterns and can decide what you do).

    The prices of Nucu are not yet public. There are three product ranges: the Basic set for bassinets, the Plus set for cribs and the Plus Pro with an extra breathable mattress and frame. The Nucu Pad and controller are the same for all product sets. That is, the Nucu Pad is always the same size in all sets. All the product sets are on display in the Nucu shop.

    Other questions and answers

    The product is new, so there are many questions. Here’s a collection:

    Why is there a cord in Nucu?

    The Nucu Pad and the Nucu controller always work together. Between them is a cable, one end of which is detachable from the controller. One option would have been to make a pad that goes under the mattress with (battery and all), but we decided to do this for these reasons:

    • Security. Only the Nucu Pad is under the baby. The battery and wireless communications are in the controller and the controller can be placed outside the bed.
    • Use without a phone: the Nucu Pad can also be operated in the dark, without a phone.

    Why is Nucu only coming to iOS initially?

    The Nucu app is indeed coming initially only for the iPhone, i.e. iOS. An Android app is coming later (not necessarily in 2024). In particular, recording your own heart rate is easier in an iOS environment, so limited development resources are being spent on iOS first.

    Is the battery in a Nucu Pad safe?

    Nucu is designed with safety first. The controller’s battery is a stable and reliable LFP battery.

    Do I need a subscription for the app?

    A Nucu subscription is required to use all the features of Nucu. Buyers get a 1-year free subscription with their purchase from the Nucu Shop.

    Is Nucu right for you?

    We have found that the Nucu Pad is particularly relevant in two situations:

    • During the third trimester, you can order a Nucu Pad at the same time you’re getting the other baby gear you need. You can transfer your own heart rate to the Nucu Pad and mount it, so it’s there to support you when you come home with your baby.
    • When you need support with your baby’s sleep. Situations vary and many parents have found the Nucu Pad to be a daily helper that provides security, comfort and a sense of control for both baby and parent.

    Feel free to ask for more in the comments or visit the Nucu website. It’s also worth joining Nucu Family early access program as it’s not binding and allows you to decide for yourself whether a Nucu Pad would suit your family.

  • What Makes a Great Gift?

    What Makes a Great Gift?

    What is the goal of a gift? To surprise, delight, add some utility… or all of the above? We spend a lot of money and time on things like Christmas gifts, but we rarely stop to think about what makes a great gift.

    In this episode of the Hidden Brain podcast, marketing professor Jeff Galak explains what research tells us about great gifts. We have summarized the lessons and gift-giving tips in this article.

    • What is a great gift?
    • Does the gift have to be expensive?
    • When should you give a gift?
    • What is the best way to give a gift?

    What is a great gift: focus on the giver or the receiver?

    What kind of gifts do you like to give? Is there a common factor? Are they, for example:

    • Self-made
    • Nature-friendly
    • Creative
    • Unique
    • Intangible

    If you notice common elements in all your gifts, you may be a gift-giver that focuses on yourself. The best gifts, however, often focus on the recipient. What does the recipient need? What does he value?

    It’s only human to want to tell something about yourself with your gift. If you feel creative, it makes sense that gifts should be creative too. But it may also be that if the recipient has a scratched frying pan, the best gift for that situation would be a new pan.

    The characteristics of a good gift:

    • It is intended for the recipient
    • It delivers benefits in the longer term
    • It is surprising but necessary

    Does the gift have to be expensive?

    A gift doesn’t have to be expensive to be great. A unique gift can also be valuable without being expensive. The podcast gives an example of gifts related to emotions and memories. A gift that tells the story of the history between the recipient and the giver can be more satisfying than a frying pan.

    A gift can also be related to helping out in real life: watching the kids or the dog, so the recipient can go to the cinema, on a trip or out for a meal. It cannot be paid by credit card, which makes it even more valuable.

    A really expensive gift can also cause negative emotions: jealousy, inadequacy and the stress of giving something in return. There are situations where expensive gifts are more acceptable: for example, parents can help with setting up the house without the young couple feeling they have to buy their parents an expensive snowblower as a present next Christmas.

    On the other hand, suddenly buying a Rolex for a colleague raises at least a few eyebrows.

    When should you give a gift?

    Gifts come with expectations. Christmas presents or birthday presents are, at least in Finland, the gifts to which most expectations are attached. And when expectations rise, it’s harder to succeed.

    So the real gift-giver’s tip is this: give gifts when least expected.

    Delight your spouse with flowers on a Wednesday in March. Make a photo album for a childhood friend and give it to them out of the blue. It doesn’t have to be a big gift, but it will bring great pleasure.

    If you are a spontaneous gift giver, remember to be kind to yourself on major gift-giving days. Invest less in Christmas and more in May.

    What is the best way to give a gift?

    It seems that to give a great gift, you would need to be a mind reader. Fortunately, we humans have this skill right on the tip of our tongues.

    The best way to give a great gift is to ask the recipient what kind of gift they want. It may feel like cheating or forgetting your identity altogether, but research shows that it leads to better gifts.

  • Acoustics at Home: Less Echo, More Comfort

    Acoustics at Home: Less Echo, More Comfort

    Partner links marked with *.

    Improving the acoustics at home can have a big effect on the quality of life. And it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. The main objective of improving the acoustics is to reduce echo and attenuate disturbing sounds. An additional goal could be, for example, to acousticize a home theater or TV room.

    You can get a feel for the normal, acoustically bare conditions of your home when you’re just moving in. The empty apartment echoes with normal conversation and it feels like all the sounds from outside are coming right in. Once the furniture has been brought inside and put in place, a lot has already been done for the acoustics:

    • The carpets have been put in place
    • Large furniture, such as sofas, absorbs sound
    • Large surfaces on the walls have been (acoustically) broken up by boards or shelves
    • Curtains are put up to cover the windows

    In this article, we’ll go over some tips for home acoustics beyond those basics. We’ve been improving the acoustics of our home a little more than usual, because we’ve been using two different rooms in our apartment as a podcast studio.

    Reducing echoes in the home with acoustics

    Clap your hands together in the middle of the room and listen to the echo of the sound. Do it in different rooms and listen to the differences. In the bathroom, for example, the echo is often more noticeable because there are no soft surfaces to absorb the sound.

    Unpleasant echoes make for a less comfortable living environment. Instead of poor acoustics, it’s easy to blame the source of the sound: children, the television, family hobbies or a neighbour. So if you notice that the echo in a room is particularly disturbing, you can start with these tips:

    Absorb the sound with soft textiles

    Imagine that sound is light emanating from your hands in all directions. Where does it bounce and where does it collect? For example, two hard surfaces facing each other will reflect the sound, making it feel louder. Soft carpets, rugs, tapestries or softer building materials will reduce sound echo.

    Soft materials and curtains absorb echoes.

    Suck out the sound with furniture

    Your interior design choices can have a big impact on the acoustics of your home. Soft furniture such as sofas, chairs or armchairs absorb sound and improve acoustics. Glass tables, glass boards and other hard materials reflect sound and make the situation worse.

    Create uneven surfaces in your home

    Uneven surfaces disperse sound and dampen echoes. Create a variety of uneven surfaces in your home. For example, a bookshelf is an excellent acoustic element because books are naturally of different sizes and form a random and uneven surface. Minimalist interior design, on the other hand, requires different solutions, as there are no everyday objects available to create acoustic surfaces.

    Interior products to improve acoustics

    Here are a few different products that can give you ideas for improving acoustics with small interior design choices:

    • Rugs
    • Pillows and blankets
    • Curtains
    • Acoustic elements (lighting fixtures, for example)
    • Acoustic panels

    Home acoustics with acoustic panels: panels for ceilings and walls

    Acoustic panels have had the biggest impact in our home: a dozen acoustic panels have been installed on the ceiling of our study and bedroom, effectively dampening echoes. Opposite them, there is a wide bed in one room and a carpet that covers almost the entire floor in the other, so the sound doesn’t echo.

    Curtained acoustic panels add a touch of flair and acoustics.
    Curtained acoustic panels add a touch of flair and acoustics.

    Acoustic tiles on the ceiling of a room are a long-term and permanent solution. We’re used to texture and geometry in the ceiling, but it’s worth trying to design the right panelling for your home.

    The acoustic panels shown in the picture are Parafon Royal 60x120x3 cm. They are installed with a thin layer of mounting adhesive. Here are some tips for those considering acoustic panels:

    • Use mounting adhesive. At first we tried taping but the panels came down before long.
    • Accept that the ones with mounting adhesive will stick in place. We installed fabric-covered panels on the wall, which we later wanted to move. The paint came off with the adhesive and there were holes behind the panels.
    • Call a professional to install. Installing panels on the ceiling is both a painstaking and precise job. The easiest way is to get a professional to install the panels. He has the skills and the tools.
    • Do not accept broken acoustic panels. The downside of panels is that they take a hit reasonably easily. Do not install a panel on the ceiling if the corner is bumped or if the inside is peeking out from the edge. The panel is difficult to get off after installation and a bad-looking panel will haunt your thoughts as well as your eyes.
    • With fabric upholstery, you can decorate and accentuate at the same time. We upholstered a few Royal Parafon panels ourselves with Marimekko fabric and we have liked the result. Pre-patterned acoustic panels are also available.

    These tips to make your home more cosy

    Use the tips in this article to improve the acoustics of your home. I recommend walking around your home giving yourself a round of applause, so you can see where the acoustics need to be improved. The echoes reduce the comfort of living, especially in large and high spaces.

    Also share your own tips for improving acoustics in the comments!

  • Average Calculator: How to Find the Average

    Average Calculator: How to Find the Average

    The average is obtained by adding up the numbers in a set and dividing by the number of numbers in the set. For example, the average of the numbers (9, 5, 10 and 6) is 7.5. Here are the steps to calculate the average:

    • Add up the numbers in the set: 9 + 5 + 10 + 6 = 30
    • Count the number of numbers in the set: 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 4 numbers
    • Divide the sum by the count of items: 30 / 4 = 7.5

    You can calculate the average using the Average Calculator below.

    Average Calculator: Find the Average Easily

    With this simple calculator you can calculate the average of the numbers. Write your number in the text box and separate them with a comma (,). If your numbers contain decimals, use a period as a separator (for example, 3.5).

    Average:

    Calculation formula (sum of items/number of items = average):

     

    Figures in ascending order:

    What is the average for?

    Averaging can be a good way to estimate the average value of numbers of approximately the same size. This is particularly useful when numbers are selected from a predefined set, for example in Finnish school grades (numbers 4–10) or other grading systems.

    Calculating the average of grades

    Select the subjects for which you want to calculate the average. For example, you can calculate the average of all the grades on your certificate or just the average of the STEM subjects.

    Example: averages of the human body

    In large populations, human bodies can be compared using averages. For example, you can calculate the average height of Finns.

    Note, however, that the average is not always very descriptive. Children and adults are of different sizes, so the average for all Finns does not reflect children or adults, but something in between.

    When is the average not a good benchmark?

    The average is heavily skewed by numbers that are different from the rest of the set. Imagine a situation where Bill Gates visits the University of Oulu. If you calculate the average wealth of the people in the lecture hall, it is far too high and does not reflect the thickness of the average participant’s wallet.

    A better reference point than the mean is often the median, i.e. the middle value.

  • Best Dog Sweater Knitting Patterns

    Best Dog Sweater Knitting Patterns

    Small dogs, in particular, require a little extra warmth during the colder months of Finland – namely autumn, winter, and midsummer. This post has a variety of dog knitting patterns for various skill levels, from simple to difficult.

    If you’re interested in knitting patterns in English, have a look at:

    You can also purchase knitting instructions in Finnish (it’s not that difficult to learn!) from Aalho’s store and have them sent straight to your e-mail address.

    Here is a selection of our Nappi’s wardrobe:

    How to knit a credit card for a small dog

    This sleeveless dog sweater pattern is available on Etsy.

    This Icelandic dog sweater pattern is available on Etsy.

    Beautiful Christmas knit for a small dog

    Popular Dog Knitting Patterns at the Aalho Store

    The popularity of Icelandic knitted sweaters has continued for several years and will continue. We’ve also seen a huge demand for the stylish, gray Archipelago Sweater. It’s breathable and warm – and makes any dog look like an experienced seafarer.

    How to knit a credit card for a small dog

    Why buy a knitting pattern from Aalho?

    • Clear instructions with images
    • Easy to print in A4 format
    • You can also read instructions on your tablet or phone
    • Designed and tested: Nappi is the best test audience

    How to Identify a Good Knitting Pattern for Dogs?

    We’ve discovered that a great knitted sweater is, of course, stylish, but most importantly, dog-friendly. You can ensure that the design fits your dog by knitting the garment yourself.

    The durability and washability of a good sweater are two additional characteristics. These are based on the yarn’s properties. The yarn used in our instructions is Icelandic, which also stands up well to harness usage.

    The shape of the back part of the sweater is also significant: Aalho’s designs emphasize the rounded rear, which doesn’t roll up and stays in place even when playing.

    What Kind of Yarn for Knitted Dog Sweaters Should You Use?

    An average of about 100 g of yarn goes into a small dog’s knit. Our instructions use e.g. these yarns:

    • Wool, 100% Finnish wool, 100g, 180 tex x 2
    • Istex Lettlopi, 100% Icelandic sheep wool, 50 g

    Tips for Sizing the Sweater

    Our model, Nappi has a chest size of 36 centimeters and a back length of 30 centimeters.

    Modifying the sweater according to the instructions in the leaflet can make the garment smaller or larger, depending on the dog’s body structure.

    Beginner’s Knitting Guide: First Time as a Stylist?

    Knitting for dogs is an excellent way to get started with a new pastime. At least our Nappi has never complained about the style or colors of their sweaters, and she’s always thrilled about them. To get started you need:

    • Knitting patterns
    • Needles (according to handwriting and instructions)
    • Yarn (usually about 100g)
    • Time (about 4-8 hours or 2–3 evenings)

    If you’re interested in getting started with some Nordic designs for your dog, check out the Icelandic Sweater knitting instructions:

    Buy the knitting pattern on Etsy

  • Knitting Pattern: A Warm Icelandic Sweater for Dogs

    Knitting Pattern: A Warm Icelandic Sweater for Dogs

    Nappi the toy poodle recently got a stylish Icelandic sweater for the cold days of autumn. It was the most recent iteration of our dog sweater knitting patterns. In addition to the Icelandic pattern, it comes with a comfy collar and a curved hem that doesn’t roll up but stays in place.

    This knitting pattern is also available if you want to make your own. The downloadable pdf has all the information you need to get started on making this stylish Scandi-style sweater for your furry friend.

    Buy this knitting pattern on Etsy or buy from the All Good Great shop.

    • US and UK
    • Inches and cms
    • Difficulty: intermediate

    Icelandic Sweater Inspiration for Dogs

    Nappi has a full collection of sweaters both based on our own designs and patterns picked up from popular Icelandic knitting patterns.

    Islantilaisneule villakoiralle

    The colors in this sweater represent the Nordic winter sunsets with their deep purples and smoky blues. Wearing it Nappi is reminded of her ancestral days of running with the wolves.

    The light brown Icelandic sweater pictured below is inspired by the windy days of the Scandinavian autumn.

    What You Need for This Knitted Sweater for Dogs

    The knitted sweater is fairly simple. It works best for smaller dogs. Nappi’s chest circumference is 36 centimeters and her back is c. 30 cm long.

    The yarn used for the sweater is 100% Icelandic wool, called Léttlopi. For the sweater, you’ll need 4 x 50 gram balls.

    As you can see in the picture, the sweater fits nicely around the neck and front paws. The shape of the back covers the back without rolling up.

    Icelandic Knitting Patterns for Dogs

    Icelandic knitting patterns have been really popular in the last few years. Despite their intricate details, they’re easy to knit and won’t go out of fashion for the next… few hundred years.

    If you’d like to start working on one, get the knitting pattern on Etsy and start make it your own!

  • Hands-On Review: Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit

    Hands-On Review: Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit

    Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit, released for Nintendo Switch in 2020, combines the ambiance of old Mario Kart games with the possibilities of new technology. With the game, you can race on tracks built into your own home by means of augmented reality. In this article, we’ll go through what it actually feels like. Is it any good?

    Summary: Mario Kart Home Circuit in a Nutshell

    No need to race circles around it. Home Circuit is more fun than I initially imagined. The go-karts are fast, augmented reality is a fun addition, and the game itself is entertaining.

    We liked:

    • Remote-controlled go-kart responds quickly
    • It’s easy to set up
    • The tracks are fun if you put a little effort into them
    • Driving is fun and earning faster go-karts is rewarding

    We didn’t like:

    • The distance of the Switch from the go-kart has to be quit short, otherwise the game gets laggy
    • With one Switch you can only play in single player mode: for a two-player game, both should have their own Switch and their own go-kart
    • Pets may take offense

    What Exactly is Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit?

    Home Circuit is a Mario Kart race on tracks built in your own home. The game on Switch itself is free, but to play you need a remote-controlled Luigi or Mario gokart and gates made of cardboard to build the track. The car with accessories costs about 120 €.

    The go-kart has a camera that streams video to the Switch screen. Effects, other competitors, and everything else that Mario Kart tracks usually have are added to the screen. The go-kart reacts to changes in the game by stopping, slowing down or accelerating.

    The video below gives you a good idea of ​​what driving is like.

    How Fast Are Mario Kart’s Go-Karts?

    Before buying, I mainly wondered what driving actually feels like. When I opened the package, I was surprised by the size of the remote-controlled car: it’s 20 cm long and 11 cm wide, which is bigger than I imagined.

    The go-karts have four different speeds (50, 100, 150 and 200 cc), the first two of which can be chosen right from the start. The other two must be unlocked by getting a trophy in at least 5 or 10 races.

    The charm of speed in Mario Kart

    If you follow the cars in real life, they will move quite slowly. However, the pace on the Switch screen is quite different and even at the slowest pace quite challenging. At 150 cc, the car’s battery lasts about 90 minutes, according to Nintendo.

    At faster speeds, the car also starts to move faster also in real life. You can feel the speed. Winning enough cups to unlock the faster go-karts is worth it. In this Reddit thread someone calculated the speeds:

    • 50cc = 0.54 m / s or 1.9 km / h
    • 100cc = 0.78 m / s or 2.8 km / h
    • 150cc = 0.99 m / s or 3.6 km / h
    • 200cc = 1.18 m / s or 4.3 km / h

    Thus, at top speeds, the car goes doubly as faster as at its slowest.

    Tips for Building Tracks in the Home Circuit

    At first, I made a very simple figure 8 in the kitchen, drove a few laps, and was ready to conclude that the Home Circuit was a reasonably boring game. The car worked just fine, it was nice to see my apartment from a new perspective, but driving was confusing in a small space.

    Radan huolellinen suunnittelu kannattaa

    You get the most out of the Home Circuit by accepting the fact that building tracks is as important as racing. The game comes with four gates, which is enough to make all kinds of tracks. The game got exciting as soon as I built a track that went under the kitchen table and under a row of bookshelves – then between the cardboard boxes stacked on the hallway rug and back to the long straight finish line in the kitchen.

    Space is Needed to Feel the Speed

    I wouldn’t buy this game for a very small apartment. It’s true that the range of the Switch is only about 5 meters according to the box, but the floor plan of the apartment and the available squares are what makes the difference.

    The best tracks can be built in an apartment with a hard, flat floor (parquet or laminate) and a spacious floor plan. For example, our kitchen-living room has enough space for a complex and zig-zaggy track, even though the apartment is otherwise just an ordinary 3-bedroom apartment.

    Low Carpets Are Not a Problem

    The go-kart does surprisingly well on low and tightly-knit carpets. Going over, the car jumps, but it doesn’t slow down the pace that much. Heavier, thicker carpets will be a problem, though. As well as hair and anything extra you’ve got hidden under the bed.

    Build Your Own Track from Stuff Around the Home

    Beating my own personal bests in the time trial mode proved to be the most exciting game mode. I found myself enjoying the challenge of getting better at one track – especially if I had put effort into making it challenging.

    Use anything and everything you have lying around: dog toys, boxes, chairs, books… If you build the track so that it passes underneath the sofa, for example, use colored lights to add extra punch.

    Is Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit Worth It?

    The go-kart costs about 120 euros, which is fairly expensive. Or cheap. Depending on how far in the future you’re currently living in.

    The augmented reality works really well and the game is definitely enjoyable. It’s also a whole new, almost magical way to experience your own home.

    If I had had something like this as a kid, I would’ve been building tracks from sun-up to sun-down. Making the tracks adds a nice real-world flavor to the game. Also, from the point of view of anyone not playing, a car speeding around the house is more interesting than a go-kart only moving on the TV.

    However, the game requires certain conditions: enough space and a suitable floor. For a studio or a small room, I wouldn’t necessarily buy the game because good tracks require space and the signal deteriorates quickly if there’s even a thin wall in between. That said, with a little ingenuity, you can make small spaces work too.

    Home Circuit is fun, challenging and novel. The occasional hiccups don’t interfere with the joy of Mario Kart from the days of yore.

  • Where Can You Get Disney+ Gift Cards in Finland?

    Where Can You Get Disney+ Gift Cards in Finland?

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    The short answer to the question is: There are currently no Disney Plus (Disney +) gift cards available in Finland. Online search results look fairly suspicious and we do not recommend trying them out.

    Disney Plus gift cards are available in the United States, but you can’t use them in Finland.

    Disney Plus as a Gift?

    If you want to give away a Disney Plus gift card, you could create a Disney account normally and share its login information with the gift recipient. Charges will go to your card, but the account will be used by someone else.

    This is neither the easiest nor the most secure way, but the only way currently to pay for someone else’s Disney streaming service in Finland.

    In this situation, it doesn’t make sense to use your own email or especially your own passwords. We recommend that you create a new Google Account just for the gift.

    Also be mentally prepared to solve connectivity issues, login issues, payment issues, bad TV series issues, and that’s-not-my-favorite-actor issues.

    What Are the Other Options?

    Although gift cards are not yet available on Disney+, you can give a Netflix gift card as a gift. The same series or movies are not available on all platforms, so donating an alternative service may not make sense.

    Other gift cards for streaming services (such as HBO Nordic, Elisa Entertainment or Viaplay) are also not readily available in Finland currently.

    How Much Does Disney Plus Cost per Month?

    Disney Plus can be purchased for a month or a year at a time. It costs € 8.99 per month and € 89.90 per year.