Month: January 2017

The top 5 things you need to know about #Circle. #Mobile #Payments #CirclePay

Social payments are very much an emerging trend in Ireland; paying friends and family via a text with no need to exchange a long list of bank details makes life just that little bit easier. Like a lot of tech trends, China is already a huge user of social payments, and the rest of the world is following suit. We can look to China to see what is perhaps to come, which is interesting. Over there, there’s barely a need for a bank card anymore, let alone cash! Will we see that in Ireland some day? Maybe!

For those of us only just making the transition though, we’ve been talking to Circle, which launched its social payments app in Ireland in October last year, to find out more. So, to keep it simple (much like the app itself!) here are the top five things you want to know about Circle…

  1. Easy to set up.

First things first, it’s FREE! It’s also really simple to download; just search ‘Circle Pay’ in the App Store or Google Play, or visit: www.circle.com/signup. To sign up, use your email address or phone number. Then, instead of spending ten minutes typing in and triple checking every number on your debit card, all you have to do it scan it and it’ll register the details. The reassuring thing here is that this isn’t a photo that’s saved; the details are recorded in the same way they would be if you’d put them in manually – i.e. ‘VISA **** 1234’.

  1. Fingerprint protection.

No one else has your fingerprint so if you add yours to the app login, you’ve that as guarantee that nobody else can use it to secretly pay themselves! In addition to the fingerprint protection though, you also set a secure PIN, the app requires two-device verification, and it’s all protected as Circle has FCA authorisation – so don’t worry if you’re behind the times and your phone doesn’t have touch ID, you’re still safe and secure!

  1. It’s free wherever you are in the world.

Yes, it’s free to download, but is there a charge for sending and receiving money? No. Great, isn’t it? You can even send money to a friend or family member in the UK or US and the money will be exchanged into GBP or USD for free. There are also no limits. So, if you wanted to pay your mum back that €3,000 she lent you for your car, you can do it all in one hit.

 

  1. Friend owes you? Request it back!

We all have that one friend that’s enjoying their evening in the pub, the beers are flowing and it’s all fun and games, but then – oh, it’s their round – where have they gone?! Suddenly needed to get home, did they? Hmm…well, with Circle, you and your other mates can request what they owe! Fill a text with beer emojis and ask for that €5 to be repaid! All they have to do is click accept and you can have that final pint on them. It’s a great way of calling them on their cheeky behaviour and it might just make them re-think skipping out next time.

  1. Make money by inviting your friends to join.

No, you didn’t misread that! If you invite your friends to join, when they sign up and make a transaction of at least €25, you’ll receive €5 free credit! Invite all your friends and your friends and you could start to make some serious money…although I guess that depends on how popular you are!

 

Download the apps below..

 

Amazon UK and US offering the Samsung Gear VR at great prices. #VR #VirtualReality

If you have not delved into the world of VR proper yet and sport comaptible devices the Samsung Gear VR is now going on the cheap and its a worthy investment if you have not got one when purchasing the devices. The Gear VR 2015/2016 is now discounted on Amazon UK and the US too. If you have a parcel motel account it would be advisable to use this for shipping..

 

 

Both the 2015 and 2016 models are available on the cheap and there is not much difference between the two so perhaps for first timers the older version could be a viable purchase or just hop right in and buy the newer 2016 model. They are the best out there offering a real immersive experience right now without having to fork out hundreds on other options that require super computers to run them…

Buy from the links below…

 

AMAZON UK  

AMAZON US  

 

 

The HP Elite x3 now costs €958 Have they lost the plot? #HP #Windows10 #EliteX3

The HP Elite x3 launched here some months ago but only online. No network will touch this device for multiple reasons being A the price and B its running on a dying OS. You could probably included the demographic here too considered the devices intended market. We all knew that the Windows Phone platform has had it rough and even with Windows 10 things are not improving even with universal apps. Market share also is basically a handful of users compared to its rival operating systems. As a Windows Phone user I say this with regret but lets face it who in their right mind would pay that for such a phone..You can of course if you decide to buy it check out UK pricing which is not much better and still way overpriced  

 

 

 

The Device is nice in fairness with a sturdy build but thats probably all it has going for it and you can if you want to drag out the excuse you can claim your VAT back will cost you €799 but this price still is just making an already hard sell even harder. We are talking iPhone prices here again something that is typically overpriced Disagree?? Tell us why…

Update.26/01/2017. It’s gone up again.. 

Source

 

 

Earth from Space. Live views from the International Space Station #ISS #Space #NASA

There is several apps available now to keep an eye on the ISS and of course we can just login to You Tube to do the same thing but this new app offer all this in one app with a few extras and think its worth a mention.. Within the app you can also keep up to speed with their Twitter and Facebook news and get some additional information to boot.The app is free on both Android and iOS..

 

 

Description

Incredible live views from the International Space Station. Watch LIVE as the station circles the earth.

The ISS orbits the earth once every 90 minutes. Half of the time is spent on the night side of the planet. During this time, or when transmission drops, pre-recorded footage will be shown to ensure that breaks are kept to a minimum.

At all other times you will see the LIVE view from the space station itself!

 

Review – Groov-e Motion Sports Bluetooth Wireless Headphones. #Review @totalgroov_et

This is our second outing with Groove-e this week and this time around its the Motion Sports Bluetooth Wireless Headphones (GV-BT-300) that also have a built in mic..

This is a nice little package and again like the Fusion well presented with info detailed front and back and comes in a nice box that opens out again displaying the product..Like I said before presentation is something I like to see which leaves the consumer thinking they have put an effort in…With these you also get a carrying case which is great plus the usual cable requirement and instructions.

 

Build quality

Light very light.. They dont look a million dollars but they do a good job. Constructed well these would take a few knocks should the happen to fall off or if you drop them. They fit nice and snug around the ears and you will forget they are there in no time. Padding on the cups is quite minimal though with a thin layer between. You can remove this and all the glory is revealed which reminds me of yesteryear for some reason. See image below… Though in fairness overall they are lightweight and comfy..

 

 

Functions

They do just what you want them too. They have a volume toggle,mic, and micro USB charging port. Everything is placed on one side too which is great and to turn them on/off and pair you tap the outer silver disc which changes colour when paired,switched on and off. They is again no audible notification here but short beeps to distinguish the status. Overall like the fusion they are simple to use with all functions kept to one side which is good.

 

 

Sound Quality

Honestly they are just OK. They are not loud.. Having said that like the fusion they offer a good sound all round with no distortion on max volumes they again have no real deep bass but sound in general for highs,mids and lows was accurate and crisp so I can complain though as those know me for my love of loud cans and so on for the average user they should fit the bill… Calls where fine too and they where crisp and clear I must note even though I just tried with around 4/5 calls when testing,

 

Overall thoughts

They do the job and not expensive so for those who are just starting a fitness craze or if you do not want to go head first with and expensive pair to try out first these would fit the bill. They are actually discreet looking to and as I said after a few minutes you will forget they are there, They also stay put and didnt fall off this is down to the simple design and they nestle comfortably on the ears and when not in use fold back up into a neat package you can put in its carry case and again not bulky and small and can fit in any pocket..

 

Specifications:
Bluetooth Version 4.1
Bluetooth Profile A2DP 1.2 / AVRCP 1.4 / HSP 1.2 / HFP 1.6
Receiving Distance 10M (open area)
Loudspeaker Output 15mW
Driver Unit 30mm
Impedance 16ohms
Frequency Response 110Hz – 20Kh

 

See http://www.groov-e.co.uk/ for more products,there is lots to see…

 

 

Review – Groov-e Fusion Bluetooth Wireless Headphones. #Headphones @totalgroov_e

Another week and another pair of headphones drop in to techbuzz headquarters. This time around we have a set of cans called the Groov-e fusion wired or wireless headphones. Packed with all the features you will need for someone on the go these have what you will need, 10 hrs playback, 40 MM drivers Soft pads and folding design just to start with..

 

Front
Open
Rear

 

Build quality 

They do look a tad cheap if im honest but perhaps this is just the colour and Gold it is in this case. But having said that they perform well all around so we can forgive that Gold look. The headband is comfortable with leather and padding on the band which is great and one thing that did concern me where the joints are but they seem sturdy enough as you will see in the video. They do have adjustments each side to suit your needs and the cups swivel which again is a good point though this is common today but some still leave this little option out, Again the swivel do act as a function to store them in a neater fashion. The cups themselves have a really soft leather housing and a nice soft padding underneath with complements the leather well,they are comfortable and do not clamp onto your head.

 

 

 

Functions

We have just what we need.. We have all the physical buttons on one side whilst the other remains naked and boring. You can forgive this though because all functions are on one cup which is probably the best. We have one key to power on and off and to answer,end and we can also reject calls or pick the last dialled number so if you have a regular number on tap this is great. The keys are easy to navigate blindly and find. We also have an LED indicator for Bluetooth pairing and power status so this is handy to have,There is no audio notifications but just beeps which is fine your phone or tablet will tell you when the headphones are connected. Also on the same side we have a mic, calls here are OK too and where clear enough. Also there is the charge port. We dont need to elaborate on that its simple, Just plug and charge, Last but not least is the 3.5mm cable which you will connect to your chosen device this acts as a back up should you run dry on the headphones themselves quality here was fine and inline with a wireless connection.

 

 

Sound Quality

Surprisingly good considered the price, They are not going to WOW you by any-means or have a super bass too them but overall they sounded quite well as a whole and better than I thought, They are loud enough but those who know me with my cans I like really loud these do not hit that sweet spot for me but they are up there, Given having headphones to loud is not a good thing but for the average person you will be fine, the quality throughout was good with highs,mid and lows well balanced and not really any distortion when maxed out..

 

Overall conclusion

Good for the price I must admit given the cheap look, Good build quality,comfortable all the features the average person will need with decent sound all round. Any questions hit me up on social or comment below. Thanks and stay tuned for the next review coming soon of the Groov-e Motion..

These can be purchased in Tesco and on Amazon.   Prices subject to change now circa £20 – €28

 

 

 

 

 

Tesco Mobile to expand its Alcatel handset portfolio with the #Alcatel Shine Lite.

Tesco Mobile Ireland now offers quite a few Alcatel handsets currently offering around 7 handsets and some bundles with tablets and accessories including VR headsets. They will now be offering another model which is coming soon according to their website. The new model is the Shine Lite. Alcatel are a budget friendly device and offer a decent enough spec for its price..

 

 

 

Glass meets metal for an elegantly seamless combination that genuinely shines. Curved 2.5D glass surrounding the metal body on both sides makes for a comfortable grip. Enjoy vibrant images and video on the striking 5” display and sees clear and brilliant colours shine through in stunning HD, even in direct sunlight.

 

  • 5” IPS LCD Display
  • 13MP Rear Camera
  • 5MP Selfie Camera
  • 16GB Internal Memory
  • Up to 128GB External Memory

 

See tesco for more.  No prices or specific date has been announced as yet.

#Review -The VR BOX – #VirtualReality #VR from Mobile Fun. (@mobilefun)

Over the last year the VR – Virtual Reality game has exploded and will probably continue to do so in the coming year, However another thing to watch out for is Augmented Reality. For now we shall stick to VR. We have tried and tested some 20 headsets to date or HMDs (Head Mounted Displays). We can of course opt for the cheap Google Cardboard or similar which we have covered quite a few off too if you dont want to go all out on the expense just yet but most people by now would have had some contact with either. The VR BOX is a common offering today and we see quite alot of them in retail but perhaps re-branded but thats no issue here unless we see some outlandish prices which we have done..

 

The VR BOX is a simple cheap effective way to begin the VR journey if you will after those flimsy cardboard units we see,saying flimsy does not mean they are weak by any means,most of what we have tried have been solid and last but only for so long they just look flimsy..

 

Packaging
Front view
Close up

 

The benefit of HMDs is you are hands free not having to hold the unit to your face because for long usage your arms get tired so with this type you have a nice headband to take the weight away and sit back and enjoy the experience. The VR BOX is basic though yet offers what you need to start off. Its got great padding and good head support too with adjustable elasticated bands so there is no issue here when it comes to comfort or adjusting to suit your needs or perhaps anyone else in your group when sharing the experience.

 

Strapping
Multifunctional controls

 

Adjusting focus is another are here where its kept simple but moving the multipurpose toggles placed atop of the headset it takes seconds to adjust and its a simple process,unlike real cardboard units where you have no focal adjustment at all this is where a headset like this will benefit  you more..

There is also quite a bit of breathing space for the phone itself too from the sides that also act as port inputs should you need to charge the phone or if you are using wired headphones for example, This is good because at time you can get carried away then you hear that dreaded “Low Battery Warning” they have this covered on the VR BOX. I like that most though for the best experience i normally go wireless all round but again not everyone has wireless buds or cans then again they can suffer low battery warning too.. You get the idea.

 

Left
Right

 

 

The headset is a tad on the bulky side but we have to start somewhere however its not heavy which is good, I have tried some that have been heavy and with long periods of usage can become annoying but thankfully this is not the case here its very light….

 

Retainer
Retainer in full
Slides in and out
AR or camera viewer

 

 

Simplicity is key here and this headset offers that with nice straps and cushioning and all the other options I have mentioned but check out the video below for a review. This kind of headset is a good way to begin the VR experience before you try the really immersive stuff on more expensive offerings like gear VR which though is the best priced option available offering real immersion and after that you may fork out hundreds for the PSVR if you happen to own a PS4. Beyond that its supercomputers and expensive hardware. The choice is yours.

 

Cushioning
View with AR/Camera viewer
Cushioning

 

Head over to HERE and check them out there and see what else thy have to offer in the meantime.. Any questions fire away below or get me on social.. Thanks for reading… And thanks again to Mobile For sending this over to check out, just search VR in our search bar for the countless reviews to date on other options available.

 

VIDEO REVIEW

 

 

#GEAR4 – Military grade D30 technology protection for #iPad. The Buckingham ultra-protective flip case. 

iPad owners can now take advantage of D3O® shock absorbing technology to ensure their device has the ultimate protection

Following the hugely successful introduction of GEAR4’s military grade D3O phone cases last year, iPad owners can now give their beloved device the same level of protection. The D30 technology is used by the U.S Military, American Footballers and Olympic ski teams and offers the ultimate impact protection with the most advanced shock absorbing technology.

 

GEAR4, the UK’s number one trusted impact protection case brand, today launches its new Buckingham iPad TPU flip case range, featuring D3O – the most advanced shock absorbing technology for enhanced impact protection. The Buckingham case, linked to GEAR4’s British roots, combines modern forms and materials to deliver the ultimate combination of sleek protection. The case is available for iPad mini 4, Air2/Pro 9.7 inch and Pro 12.9 inch.

 

 

The D3O impact technology used in the Buckingham case is in fact so trusted worldwide that it is the same material found in the U.S military combat uniforms, American football helmets and protective gear worn by pro athletes (including Usain Bolt) and extreme sportsmen, such as Olympic ski teams. With these kind of endorsements, iPad owners can rest assured that they have the most technologically advanced casing available on the market.

 

 

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 more impact protection per cubic millimetre than other leading materials.

GEAR4 designers combined this unique technology with a functional design featuring a standing option to work in landscape at a desk, table or on a lap and four slots for business or payment cards. There are also two larger slots for important documents and its unique clip closure ensures the device, as well as valuable items, are kept safe whilst not in use.

The Buckingham is available in black with orange, blue and grey trim from www.gear4.com and Carphone Warehouse

Buckingham – iPad Air2/ 9.7″ Pro RRP – £59.99

Buckingham – iPad 12.9″ Pro RRP – £59.99

Buckingham – iPad Mini 4 RRP – £49.99