Month: September 2016

Aftershock VR headset and app review. Nepals untold water story #VirtualReality #AftershockVR

We have been trying out the Aftershock VR documentary with their very own headset and its an eye opener,Cast your mind back to 2015 when the country had two huge earthquakes in as many months. Many of us on earth will probably never see one but for the majority it is something we see on the news. Put yourself in that position,9000 people lost their lives,things like this should make you think and not take life for granted..

I have been reviewing VR apps sometime now and this is not something that most of us are custom to in the VR space ,for the most its games and roller-coasters and so on but there is some interesting documentaries  out there which you should go check out and look outside the box for a change you never know how surprised you will be with what you can learn…

 

 

 

The experience is also excellent on this headset and you really need to sport some headphones,sit back and enjoy and most importantly learn something this goes on for quite a while and not the typical short burst we are mostly see on documentaries.There is much to learn and see here..

AftershockVR / WaterAid takes you on a special journey with a guy called Krishna Sunuwar (The only plumber) in Kharelthok, Find yourself amidst the rubble of homes damaged in the devastating 2015 earthquakes and discover what it takes to repair the community’s vital water supply.

 

 

The headset itself is pretty good and you can order one free which is a nice idea and is simple to construct like any other and some padding here for the device is quite nice where the device sits and its also held closed with velcro, You will construct in seconds, All you need to do is download the app which is quite big and be sure to use your wi-fi to do so. The app is on Android and iOS and coming soon to Oculus.

Get the apps below

Watch the trailer

 

 

Review – Edifier M3280BT Multimedia Bluetooth system. #Edifier

To date I have really only tested small portable Bluetooth speakers which in itself is fine and they all do a good job to be fair some obviously being better than others of course and not forgetting the price bracket but this is not always testament to quality some have been surprisingly better than others when it came to price… Again those have been portable,this one we have in is not so portable,in facts its huge so does it fair out when it comes to size?? You be the judge..

The box it came in was a giveaway from the off when it arrived and inside was packed well with plenty of corrugated cardboard to fit the piece snug inside as you would expect being so big also there was bubble wrap so for shipping purposes etc its well protected and arrived in one piece….. In the box aside from the gigantic subwoofer and satellite speakers is some cables and instructions and its a simple set up from here on in…

 

 

Build Quality 

Rather good to be honest its tough and solid and looks well and not cheap,The woofer is a big solid block with a nice finish to it and the satellite speakers look great resting on circular platforms underneath which are slightly taller than the subwoofer itself due to their individual platforms… The stands are made from plastic with that aluminium look to them,Both these and the subwoofer is topped off with a nice cloth which does not seem cheap or easy to tear…

 

Controls

There is only one speaker here that does this which is the right one,there is a Blue indicator light on the front and they are marked Left and Right so you wont mix up the connections, On the back of the right speaker houses the headphone jack,bass and treble toggle and there is also a mute button and volume toggles pointing inward which are big and covered in rubber,they are easy to navigate…

 

Connectivity 

Apart from the Bluetooth setup which is simply just like pairing any other bluetooth device we have some options provided on the rear along with the main power switch too which would have been better place atop particularly if you have it permanently fixed in your house wherever the location is… On the rear we have DUAL RCA inputs and 3.5mm to RCA cable supplied which is nice… Again the right speaker will screw into the R Speaker output and cable from the left obliviously on the left standard socket.. You can plug your phone or tablet in too via the 3.5mm cable..

 

 

 

 

Sound

Sound is great,its loud as you would expect,with the easy to configure controls on the right speaker you can quickly adjust to your specific taste it takes seconds to figure that out and you will be pleased with how it sounds overall its pretty good considered the price and the build quality throughout the entire product,listen to the sample below which I had to carefully select due to you tubes algorithms and silencing or removing videos due to copyright protection which is fair enough…

 

 

FEATURES

  • Bluetooth audio input option for Bluetooth enabled devices
  • Dual RCA inputs for connectivity to multiple audio sources
  • 3.5mm headphone output port
  • 61/2 inch bass driver, 70mm mid-range drivers, all magnetically shielded
  • Separate bass and treble adjustment controls….

Overall thoughts.

This costs around €60-70 euros,for the price you are paying it is a worthy package,well built and looks good, However consider its size 24.2 x 28.8 x 23.2 cm  6 Kg in weight. Its not something easy to move around like your portable speakers would be but again its not hard to move it either and the set up is so simple and not confusing,it will take some space but you can move the speakers about or even get extra long cables to enhance sound on a wider scale. For me its a good well built product and for the home it can be quite useful indeed with its connection types.

 

BUY ON AMAZON     EDIFIER.COM  

 

VIDEO REVIEW

Wireless officially launch their brand flagship store in Athlone and their new website www.wirelessphones.ie

Wireless officially launch their brand flagship store in Athlone and their new website www.wirelessphones.ie today Thursday 15th September 2016. Over the last few months, blood, sweat and tears have gone into making this one of the best Irish tech launches of 2016. Wireless is an easy solution to never ending hikes in smart device pricing. We deliver smart deals on smartphones and tablets. Wireless is an Irish-owned company with just one ambition: to provide people with graded sim smartphones and tablets aka price everyone can afford, even students (yes we care about you furry, broke, little animals!)

 

 

 

Wireless Managing Directors, twins John & Michael Conway, and the Wireless team had been working on this this well kept secret for months before they told their friends, family and existing staff what was really going on. “It wasn’t easy to keep it from the women in our lives (girlfriend’s and more importantly mammy!) but we managed to pull it off and it made it all that bit more enjoyable”. The boys are thrilled to finally see all their hard work come to fruition.

 

What was this well kept secret you ask? Well… The boys already have a hugely successful pre-existing repair company in the midlands called ‘Fix My i’ with two shops based in Mullingar and Tullamore. They employ 10 staff members between the two shops and business is booming! What the twins didn’t tell their staff was that they were opening a brand new flagship store in Athlone and that eventually they were going to rebrand both shops in Tullamore and Mullingar as ‘Wireless’ with Fix My i still existing in the background of the business.

 

 

John says: “Wireless was pretty simple really. I opened a repair shop called Fix My i to repair broken smartphones and tablets in 2013. That repair shop did really well. My twin brother Mike came home from Australia and we brainstormed how we could expand the business. We started selling refurbished and repaired devices as good as new for a fraction of the cost of a brand new model. Turns out this was pretty lucrative. Athlone seemed like the perfect opportunity to test out this new flagship store. Our location on Sean Costello street is perfect right between the two shopping centres opposite Eddie Rockets. We’ve also created a partnership with AIT allowing us to welcome thousands of students – and of course we have discounts!”

We love our smartphones and tablets. They have pictures of our dogs, girlfriends, boyfriends, (notice order of preference!) favourite places, favourite memories. They house our unlimited hours of playlists from ‘Soppy breakup songs’ to ‘Pure buzz tunes’ to ‘Please God, don’t let people find out I listen to High School Musical!’

 

 

 

Having been in the smart device industry for several years now, we know how horribly overpriced it can be. Wireless are here to bring things back down a peg or two. Together with our sister companies Fix My i and Screen Hero which launched early last year, we are going to transform and revolutionise the smartphone and tablet industries one step at a time.

 

We are committed to providing outstanding customer service to each and every customer. Based across three locations in Athlone, Mullingar and Tullamore, our friendly, fun staff will provide the service you require, with some laughs along the way.

The twins have an array of special guests in store today including iRadio’s Ray Shah and the iRadio Opel Adams iTeam, the GAA funny man and Facebook sensation Rory O’Connor of Rory’s Stories and a representative from Otterbox Ireland. Promised to be a fun-filled, action packed day with plenty of giveaways, Wireless are open from 12 noon to 8pm on Thursday 15th September.

Express yourself with these funky new phone case designs from #FLAVR #iPhone #Samsung

FLAVR, the new fashion brand from global mobile accessories and connected devices specialist, STRAX GmbH, today launches a brand new range of hot, bold and eclectic phones cases for iPhone 5/5SE, 6/6S, 7, 7 Plus and Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge.

 

 

The cases are designed to appeal to those who love to stand out from the crowd and want a phone case that reflects their unique style and personality. For the dog lovers, there is the characteristic pug case, which is guaranteed to raise a smile whilst the lips or pineapples are certain to brighten up anyone’s phone. For others, there is the option of diamond rings, cactuses or nail varnish to spruce up their beloved device.

 

Priced at just £9.99 complete with bright and unique packaging, the FLAVR cases are certain to bring out the sunshine this summer even if the weather has different ideas. Why not express your personality AND protect your phone at the same time!!

The FLAVR cases are available for £9.99 from Carphone Warehouse

 

 

Happy Birthday Tinder – Infographic. Tinder turns 4. #Tinder #Apps 

It was four years ago this month that an app named Tinder first made an appearance in the App Store and, since then, the dynamic of online dating has shifted considerably. While long-standing dating websites focused on using a wide range of information to find your ideal match, Tinder replicated the more realistic scenario of making the call based on the person’s image, along with some minor nuggets of information, similar to trying to pick someone up in a bar. This simplified approach has worked a treat with 40 million people who have downloaded the app since it first became available in 2012.  Tinder is due to turn 4 years old today the 12th of September. Tinder has really become a phenomenon in online dating check out some more..

 

This infographic by Carvaka (https://carvakasextoys.co.uk/) tells the story of Tinder from its foundations in a California university through to the billion-dollar enterprise that it is today. The company has had a brief but eventful history, not least with co-founder Sean Rad being deposed as CEO in late 2014 before returning to the role within a matter of months. Tinder has also been targeted by naysayers who believe that it is taking a shallow approach to dating, but considering how successful the business has become, dissenting voices won’t bother its powerbrokers in the slightest.
Every single day, there are 1.6 billion swipes worldwide on Tinder, 26 million of which will end up in a match. Also, contrary to its common perception as a platform for mostly hook-ups, 80% of its users are actively seeking a long-term relationship. Even the move into freemium monetisation hasn’t stalled its progress; it was introduced almost a year ago and had one million subscribers in less than six months, with that figure set to hit two million by the end of 2016.
Tinder’s popularity shows no sign of abating. If anything, the introduction of features such as Tinder Social, where you can see your friends’ social plans for a particular night, proves that this hugely successful dating app is very much on a winning streak. Check out the info graphic below for a cool guide on Tinder’s impressive four years of existence.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mio MiVue 688 dashcam review. #Motoring #Dashcams

Over the last few years dashcams have become hugely popular and some insurance companies encourage you to use them.. They are handy for in other ways such as catching thing on film that you might not to expect to happen and this proves so with the amount of footage of things popping up on you tube for example but the reason they are designed for is for your protection namely with car accidents. This is something perhaps that will come standard in vehicles someday and will assist in the decline in insurance prices because as of now in Ireland we are being fleeced with insurance quotes due to the rise in claims. Such products would help in this situation and most people have that do have them just have one in their front window.. Think of the difference having one fitted front and back as standard, this would change things for sure..

 

The Mio MiVue 688 is a nice example,there is plenty out there with starting prices from €20 and up but the saying you get what you pay for should be took into consideration here,this particular model costs about €150 which might seem expensive for some but quality is key here rather than say a Black and White one that records and so on this model is full colour with 1080p HD Recording at 30fps with a Sony sensor on board and we have GPS which is nice….

 

The packaging comes as you would expect,boxed,plenty of info on the external and some nice pictures to complement what is inside..

Inside you then find the unit itself with a window mount by means of a suction cup and a cable to charge the unit in your vehicle of choice,it uses the old USB so the charger is proprietary to the unit,not todays standard which is micro USB. You charge via the cigarette lighter which again is now being phased out by USB ports which from what i have seen so far offer poor charging and just a trickle. Im sure there is better out there depending on the manufacturer.. There was no Micro Sd card nor separate cable to hook up to your PC or Laptop,would have been a nice addition though..  Of course there is the tonne of literature to accompany the product which YOU WILL need to read..Not like the ones we get with our phones or tablets and toss them back on the box..

 

The build quality is excellent and robust so it would handle a drop or two should you happen to drop it perhaps if you are switching cars there is a few buttons on the right hand side and one on the left which is the power key, these are all labelled within the user manual i mentioned earlier which you will need to read… Underneath is the micro sd slot,you will need one with large memory if you are going to be a heavy user,It would not read 64MB cards but anything over that it did.. On the back there is also a speaker grille, One thing here which seems old fashioned here is the connection port,you get the charger in the box so if it gets lost or damaged you will have to find another this should have been micro USB plus there was no cable provided in box to make transfer process easy so you will need card readers or if your laptop has this function built in..

 

 

Before using the unit insert your sd card then mount it to the window or where suits you best,the unit is small and not cumbersome and does not obstruct line of view,You will be given a safety warning when turned on first which would be expected after that you can then go through the settings and select what operation you require,If your card is low on memory a warning will pop up and tell you some recordings will be overwritten…Big card folks the bigger the better if you are a heavy user,keep that in mind… You can use without card but time and speed is all you will get,having used it speed was consistent with cars own speedometer

 

 

Quality on screen is good and reproduces the visuals quite well, The mounting is also solid it did not fall off the window once fitted, I tried this in two vehicles and again no problem, Features on the unit then to note from here are Safety camera warnings,this varies by region though GPS tracking,Lane departure warnings, Wide angle viewing 140 degrees, 3 axis sensor that records direction and force,Parking mode,Photo mode,Speed alarms and Add new safety camera.. Sound recording and file playback… Its not a touch screen folks but the keys on the sides are tactile and easy to follow onscreen instructions should be no issue…

 

 

Overall thoughts..

Its an idea kit to have in your car these days due to the rise in insurance costs,there is now a rear view camera available from the company which again helps. Its compact and easy enough to follow instructions though a touch screen version would be nice these days due to the way most in car tech is now becoming. What I personally didnt like was there was no transfer cable included in box and that it uses USB mini B which is old,some continuity would be nice with what we are all use to these days akin to smartphones and tablets etc….However its not an major gripe to fault it nor should it swing your mind to opt out of purchasing one…..

See Mio.com for more products..

 

 

 

 

Great News – @HayfeverRelief app is now on Android. #HayFever #Pollen #Apps

A few months ago a really handy app called Hay Fever Relief App landed on iOS sadly leaving out Android users (this happens with lots of apps due to the OS popularity) but fear not no more the app is now on Android and every bit as good as the iOS version and its also FREE. The app is available right now so hit up that play store and get it today…

 

How can this new app help?

  • 20 Million people in Ireland and the UK suffer from hay fever.
  • Using the App, sufferers can determine the severity of their hay fever and get immediate and specific treatment advice.
  • Instant Pollen Count information wherever you live or plan to travel.
  • This summer take control of hay fever and enjoy – not endure – those sunny days.

 

 

Description

 

Using Hay Fever Relief App you can enter your hay fever symptoms and be offered an immediate treatment plan.

The App can also deal with all problems associated with hay fever: Sinusitis, sinus infection problems & asthma.

Explore nose, sinuses, ears and eyes to find out what happens during a pollen allergy attack.

Check the pollen count in your country on the information section. You’ll also discover self-help tips, alternative medicines and guides to the treatments. You’ll soon understand why some hay fever treatments work and other (good) treatments don’t work.

The information in this App is based on Dr. Paul Carson’s 30+ years of dealing with hay fever and allergy patients. He has published many popular self-help books on allergies and hay fever.

The hay fever advice given includes the following solutions: Hay fever tablets, hay fever medication and hay fever remedies.

 

Britain’s number one impact protection brand #GEAR4 launches new line of #iPhone 7 & 7 Plus cases with D3O® technology

The D3O® impact technology used in the cases is the same material found in American football helmets, combat uniforms and protective gear worn by pro athletes (including Usain Bolt) and extreme sportsmen, such as Olympic ski teams. D3O® has a unique molecular structure; in standard conditions the molecules flow freely allowing the material to remain soft and flexible, but on impact lock together to absorb and dissipate the impact energy, which means your device stays safe when dropped. GEAR4 are the first to use an injection moulded grade of D3O® technology to deliver increased impact protection per cubic millimetre than other leading materials.

 

 

GEAR4 designers combined this unique technology with designs that enhance the elegant form of the iPhone to deliver an unprecedented level of protection while still honoring the design of the device itself. All of the new GEAR4 cases for iPhone 7 and 7 Plus are available at GEAR4.com and Carphone Warehouse.

 

The Piccadilly

The Piccadilly case is the perfect choice if you desire protection but want your phone to remain as close to the original look as possible. Offering the world’s first Metallic D3O® technology to perfectly colour match your iPhone, GEAR4 designers have perfectly tuned the colour match to appear as an extension of your phone whilst offering the best protection possible. GEAR4 is the first case brand to use INJECTABLE D3O®, delivering more impact protection per cubic millimetre than other leading materials. These ultra-slim, ultra-modern, ultra-protective cases can make an impact and still blend with contemporary life.

 

 

Piccadilly is scratch-protected with UV coating and offers easy access to all ports. Available in Gold, Rose Gold, Silver and Black for iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus.

RRP £29.99 (Images available here)

 

The Mayfair

A nod to modern luxury, the Mayfair is made from beautifully crafted genuine fine leather for an extra touch of extravagance. The ideal choice for blending business and leisure, the Mayfair features the same integrated D3O® technology to protect your device while preserving it’s simple, chic look.

 

 

Mayfair is scratch-resistant and available in black or brown leather, featuring slim fitting protection.

RRP £39.99 (Images available here)

 

The Soho     

Make a sleek statement with Soho’s transparent case and Apple colour-matched D3O® technology for protection that honours the original design of the iPhone. Featuring a TPU bumper, the Soho comes in Gold, Rose Gold, Silver and Black. It is available for iPhone 7 and 7 Plus.

 

 

RRP £34.99 (Images available here)

 

The Carnaby

A new design for the iPhone 7, the Carnaby offers protection without the bulk and features a mesh of colour matched D3O® on the back to add further protection, with style.

 

 

It is also available for iPhone 7 Plus, and both cases are scratch resistant. Available in Gold, Rose Gold and Silver.

RRP £34.99 (Images available here)

 

The Oxford Bookcase

GEAR4’s multi-tasker, the Oxford mobile wallet features slots for credit cards and also a convenient stand for viewing videos in landscape. It’s unique clip closure design keeps your valuables safe. Function doesn’t compromise form on the Oxford, as it features the same D3O® smart material that offers the highest performance impact protection.

 

 

The Oxford comes in Gold, Rose Gold, Silver and Black. It is also available for iPhone 7 Plus.

RRP £34.99 (Images available here)

 

All GEAR4 cases for iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are available at www.gear4.com.

Motorola Verve Rider+ Headphones Review. Waterproof and Sweat proof. #VerveLife

If you are looking for some new headphones these might be worth a shot, The design on these first of all is cool and also the luminous colour makes them stand out too but overall they are not cumbersome,lightweight and not expensive with plenty of features to boot…Ideal for sports fans these are something to consider on your next purchase and you do not need to be a sports fan either due to their stylish looks and the option to leave them on even when not in use plus they sport magnets to subtly keep the buds from dangling should they be not in use..

Check out the image gallery and video below for a close up look at the Motorola Verve Rider+

 

The presentation is good to start with with a nice box and then how its presented when opened which is neat and easy to get going after you connect it with your preferred device via Bluetooth,there is also a HUBBLE app to go with too… Inside the packaging we get some cable and different sized buds which is nice to see as everyone’s ears are different I think most folk will be catered for here.. For me its always hard to find a right fit with such buds.. You will also get instructions in a nice box but will probably not read them, Most of us dont..

 

The Build Quality and functions

They are robust and flexible, the band flexes well and has a nice grippy feel to it on the outside and the underside is smooth,then moving onto the ends which traditionally would house buds are imitation mics if you will but they house the mechanics behind the headset.  The left side Just has a call answer button indicated on the outside with a clicky button. The right side has all the action. This features the power on/off – volume – Micro USB port and led indicators and finally a play and pause button which is again indicated ,These will take a few moments to adjust yourself too as with any new set of headphones,Once you are done with that you will become custom where to touch and when…

 

 

Pairing

The pairing process is simple as you would hope to expect here its just like any other pairing process with audible notifications to ensure you know you are connected not only that there is an indicator there too and you will feel the unit vibrate,you cant go wrong here…

 

 

 

Keys and buttons

Keys and buttons all function well with that clicky feel to them so you know you are actually pressing something,unlike some options out there the buttons are flat and blind navigating does not bode well with users,with these once you become custom as I said before you will be happy.

 

Charging and Bluetooth range 

Charging is quick with Micro USB and reporting battery life is said to be about 12hrs which seems consistent enough so you can charge them overnight and be sure you will get a day out of them without worry, The Bluetooth distance here is something rather different to the norm with what most people are custom to is about 30ft Not the case here these boys can reach about 150ft from its connection source which is quite good and having tried using this in a normal capacity I could walk to the end of my garden and still be connected with no loss of sound or quality,this is good for those who have big back gardens or indeed front and can stay connected to your device without having the need to carry it with you which is excellent in my opinion…

Sound quality.

On calls its excellent crisp and clear, sometimes I experienced a little echo effect, listening to music and watching videos again is great with a nice bass to them which you can of course adjust yourself should you wish,The volume level is also good and loud,some headsets do not have that maximum loudness I like, Probably something I should not be doing but you do get warned on your device if its going max. Overall sound repro was good as a whole.

Overall I was happy with these and cant really complain I even like the loud colour scheme here but then again I did like colours that stood out which reminds me on my Nokia Lumia days, Black was boring where the yellows and greens where the ones that stood out,Just like them they stand out and perform well…

 

See vervelife for more