Month: January 2017

Review – Samsung Galaxy S 7 Edge Evo Wallet from @Tech21Official #Review #Cases

Been a while since we checked out a case for the S 7 Edge so here is a new one we just received from Tech21.Com.

This is called the Evo Wallet and has all the features you would expect to find on a good case today. Even down to the presentation this case will certainly suit anyone hunting for a new case for the pricey S 7 Edge.

 

The packaging to begin with is quite nice and comes with plenty of information on both side and then you slide out the case via the tab on the side so overall presentation is good here an hats up for that, I hate lousy packaging. Also what is worth noting is the is a lifetime warranty which is excellent and not something you see everyday…

 

Click to enlarge images 

 

 

The case comes with all the requirements for today’s need with protection and functionality alongside serving the purpose its set out to do. Its got a good coating to begin with and adds that much more grip,this is throughout the case,even on its sides which is excellent as you know the device is slippy when naked and as I always say CASE UP..

 

 

There is a nice magnetic closure on the back which not only works fine it looks great too giving it that premium and robust look though not adding much bulk to the device,after some use you will not notice the difference, However these fold over cases are not for everyone as the same flip cases, Some prefer just back and sides protection having immediate access to the screen and so on but again we all have our own needs, Having said that there is a notification area atop so you will see any missed notifications there via the flashing LED. Buttons also worked fine throughout and the camera area is well protected so the case can be placed back down with nothing to worry about.

 

 

There is also a credit card slot built in here too and I know there is alot who like to don these kind of cases these days, personally I am not one of these but I do make exceptions for nice cases minus my credit cards. Not only do we have the wallet feature we can turn the device on its side and enjoy media consumption too without having to remove the case and just let it sit there, We all use our devices now more than ever for media consumption and having this feature is a welcome move for anyone.Also note ports. All are accessible and the speaker is not covered either, no snagging of cable’s and so on and a wide variety of cables seemed to work fine. Depending on case sometimes all cables may not fit depending on manufacturer and would have a thicker housing particularly with micro USB. 

 

 

Overall this case will suit anyone no matter how fussy,its got the protection where needed with good solid corners yet the material is soft around the edges with no hindrance to the keys which is important and not forgetting the camera protection too, It looks good and feels good to hold and offers good protection on the front for the screen as that is the most expensive worry should you drop it,there is a lip around the top and bottom and adequate side protection keeping in mind with a double edge its limited as to how high on the sides it goes, Regardless you can still access the Apps Edge if you use it or simply disable it..

You can buy the case in either Pink or Black over at tech21.com and check out their other huge range of cases available.. Thanks again to the guys there for sending this over for us to check out…

 

VIDEO REVIEW

 

 

KTI calls for submissions for 2017 Impact Awards. #KTI2017 #ImpactAwards

Awards celebrate achievements of knowledge transfer across Irish research base celebrate top performers in collaborative research, licensing and new spin-out companies..

 

Knowledge Transfer Ireland has opened its call for submissions for entries to its annual 2017 Impact Awards. This annual competition hosted by Knowledge Transfer Ireland showcases and celebrates successes in knowledge transfer carried out in Irish publicly funded research organisations over the last year. The awards recognise and commend some of the top performances in the areas of collaborative research, consultancy, licensing and the development of spin-out companies.

 

 

 

The accolades also recognise the work of the people behind successful knowledge transfer and celebrate those responsible for building the knowledge transfer framework in Ireland.  That is, the teams and individuals based in Technology Transfer and Industry Liaison Offices in third level institutions and public research organisations around the country.

 

Alison Campbell

 

Speaking about the call for submissions, Dr Alison Campbell, Director of Knowledge Transfer Ireland said, “I am delighted once again to open the call for submissions for the KTI Impact Awards 2017.  Last year we received entries about some truly impressive projects that were the successful result of industry and research working together. It also provided us with an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of innovative leaders in the growing field of knowledge transfer. I have no doubt that this will year we will receive nominations of equally high calibre.”  

 

Technology Transfer Offices and Industry Liaison Offices based at higher education institutes around the country have until Friday 3rd February submit applications across six categories of knowledge transfer.   Submissions will be evaluated by an international judging panel representing both academia and industry, who will convene in Dublin on Tuesday 7th March.   A shortlist of finalists will be revealed on 9th March 2017 and the winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in Royal Hospital Kilmainham in Dublin on Thursday 30th March.

 

 

#Review – Urbanista Seattle bluetooth wireless headphones with touch control. #urbanistalife

Over the last few days we have been trying out the latest instalment from Urbanista, This time round its the Urbanista Seattle Wireless Headphones.

Off the bat they look plain so to speak but the do sport some cool features we are all not custom to right now but will be pretty much the norm in the next year or two. They have just one physical switch and the rest then works by touch control via gestures which is pretty cool and for a pair of headphones costing circa €99 this is a nice feature to see. These come in a corded version from around €55

 

They come in several colours

 

Packaging and contents.

This company topically always have good packaging which is nice, I prefer to see an effort going into a product and that starts with the exterior. Urbanista shine in this department with the retail box giving lots of information on the outside and then when opened its presented quite well and looks premium. Inside we get the headphones themselves set in a moulded plastic and the the usual array of cables we would expect to find, The Micro USB to USB charging cable and the 3.5mm headphone cable. However this cable is not the typcial one we find but a better textured lace like one and it looks good, Also inside is the usual manuals I doubt anyone reads these days..

 

Contents
Box left
Back
Presentation
Front

 

Connectivity and battery life

These will work with more or less and smartphone or tablet supporting Andriod, iOS devices and Windows Phone so there will no shortage of device compatibility here, The battery life as stated is around 12 hours which seemed consistent throughout the testing process so easily a full day for anyone, especially those on a long commute to work, Also you can go wired too should you run out of juice sometime.

 

Build quality

The look plain and perhaps a tad cheap but overall the passed my expectations. They are fold-able first of all which is probably a requirement today for storage reasons but there is no travel bag included in the package,perhaps this is something for them to think about in the future as it is now becoming the norm. they are plastic all round but very light which is good and to be fair I think they will survive quite a few knocks. The headband is flexible with a rubberised cushion underneath and it was comfortable for me during my testing. The cups are VERY comfortable and more comfortable than what they may look. Very soft,not clamping your ears blocking external sound pretty well too.. Cups are clearly marked as you can see on the images and video. You can adjust the arms either side but thats all you get on the adjustment side of things. Given that as mentioned they dont clamp onto your head and are comfortable as a whole..

 

Folded
Front view
Overview
Overview
Left
Right
Top view

 

Controls and connections

Not bad at first look.. In fact just one switch to power on and connect via Bluetooth. We do have the usual’s like the 3.5mm headphone socket and the Micro USB port for charging. The rest is hidden under the same side mind you so all is on the one cup so we dont have to fiddle between both,this is a good idea. There is soft touch controls which allow you to use gestures to do the rest, You can tap to answer calls and play and pause,slide horizontally to skip tracks and slide horizontally to adjust the volume,this may take a while to get the hang of it but after a few minutes suing it you should be fine since most of us are custom to the physical keys we see on headphones, Overall its a good idea and how everything is place on one side rather than both..

 

Overall thoughts

Look.. They do look probably a bit plain but for the price you pay the sound is good and its clear with highs,mids and lows sounding good, Lets not forget the comfort hear and the external noise almost completely blocked with the soft cups. They are robust,light and have plain design but overall they are a good purchase at the price-point and probably on par or better than some offerings out there today.

You can purchase these from Urbanista direct or on Amazon. Any questions fire away on here or on social and check out our video below. Talk to you soon in our next review coming soon.

Dont forget to follow our Brand New Facebook page.  

 

 

Win 1 of 2 @STEALTH_VR Headsets. Just RT and reply with #StealthVR #VR see more on

We have teamed up with the good guys over at Stealth VR and have two Virtual Reality Headsets to give away. We will have one for our Twitter followers and on our new Facebook page. This competition is open to anyone in Ireland and the UK..

 

 

The rules are simple and are as follows and applies to both Facebook and Twitter..  

  • You must reside in Ireland or the UK
  • Reply with the hash tags #StealthVR #VR  and #VirtualReality on both Facebook AND Twitter 

We have tried and tested this headset out ourselves and for the price these currently sell at they are pretty good offering great comfort and a great VR experience.. You can check out our full review over HERE or just watch the video review below..The Stealth VR headset can be purchased from Smyths Toys here in Ireland costing €39.99 and its also available from Smyths Toys UK and Tesco UK , to check those out see HERE

The competition will close on the 18TH January and the winners will be announced LIVE  on the #techshow. Good luck to all.

Note-  There is no prize alternative or cash equivalent this headset works with compatible Android and iOS devices. We will cover the cost postage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

4G+ Now rolling out on Meteor Mobile. #data #mobile #4G #LTE

Over the weekend I noticed a little change to the indicator on the top of some of my phones. Some time ago I was on the 3 network and its when I seen it last. I have since moved to Meteor Mobile, The 4G+ was showing on my devices which was a new one on me… Good to see nonetheless.. So i went on a little ramble around to see how consistent it was and it seemed pretty consistent around the greater Dublin area…

 

 

Not letting my curiosity getting the better of me I did ask the folks in Meteor about this and here is what they told me…. They also confirmed on Twitter this morning…

 

Thanks for getting in touch. 4G plus is a new feature which is currently being rolled out on the network, Currently it can only be availed of in certain areas but we are constantly working to improve the network.

Thanks for your feedback.

Have you noticed it yet, As mentioned about its just rolling out tell us if you have it and how you find it in your area.

 

 

HMD Global – Nokia launches the Nokia 6, Its China bound though. #Nokia #Nokia6

Out of the blue HMD Global -Nokia have unexpectedly announced a new mobile phone out of the blue on a Sunday morning called the Nokia 6. The unfortunate news though it its just China bound.Yes you heard me correctly China bound. The device has a 1920×1080 HD screen features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 processor, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of on-board storage alongside microSD support, a 16-megapixel rear-camera, 8-megapixel front-camera, and 3,000mAh battery.

 

  • Nokia 6 will be available exclusively in China through JD.com. Available in early 2017, Nokia 6 is 1699 CNY
  • New design philosophy embraces much-loved Nokia phone hallmarks of quality, superior craftsmanship and relentless focus on the consumer experience
  • Nokia 6 marks the first step for the Nokia brand into Android smartphones with more to come in H1 2017

 

 

In their press release HMD Global say..

 

The decision by HMD to launch its first Android smartphone into China is a reflection of the desire to meet the real world needs of consumers in different markets around the world. With over 552 million smartphone users in China in 2016, a figure that is predicted to grow to more than 593 million users by 20171, it is a strategically important market where premium design and quality is highly valued by consumers.

 

With the arrival of Nokia 6, consumers will see superior craftsmanship and design quality in action. It takes 55 minutes to machine a single Nokia 6 from a solid block of 6000 series aluminium. It then receives two separate anodising processes, taking over ten hours to complete, with each phone being polished no less than five times. The end result is an aluminium unibody with the highest level of visual and structural quality.

Delivering quality to the core, the Nokia 6 display has a bright hybrid in-cell 5.5” screen with full HD resolution and incredible colour reproduction wrapped in 2.5D Gorilla Glass. The display stack is laminated together with a polarizer layer enabling excellent sunlight readability and slim form. The build is completed with the latest generation Qualcomm Snapdragon™ 430 processor with X6 LTE modem designed for excellent battery life and superior graphics performance.

 

 

The Nokia 6 has 4GB RAM and 64GB storage with which to run the latest version of Android Nougat and is packed with entertainment to bring to life the latest that Android has to offer. The dual amplifiers deliver a 6dB louder sound than a regular amp, giving higher voice, deeper bass and unmatched clarity. Dolby Atmos creates powerful, moving audio that seems to flow all around users. The Nokia 6 packs a 16MP phase detection auto focus rear camera for sharp detailed pictures, and an 8MP front camera. The f/2.0 aperture lenses and exclusive camera UI with automatic scene detection make it easy to take great shots every time.

 

 

We all knew Nokia are back in the game in the mobile business but did you expect a China bound model on its second device, Great news as it is we now knew Nokia are back in the business again.. Tell us your thoughts on this new device and its launch status. Regardless this is welcome news and we know there is more to come this year and for any true Nokia fan its news thats more than welcome..  VIA   SOURCE 1   SOURCE 2 

 

 

TrackR unveils its “pixel” and “wallet 2.0” products at CES. #TrackR #CES2017

Today, TrackR, a leader in personal item management innovations, unveiled two new products ahead of CES 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The new portfolio includes a smaller and lighter form factor and a wallet-thin credit card sized form factor.

 

“Our goal at TrackR is to offload the task of remembering where items are to computers, so people can take care of more important things,” said Chris Herbert, CEO and Co-Founder of TrackR. “The more things people can track, the more people who have the app, the less expensive and more integrated we can have TrackR devices – all of these contribute to making it easier and faster for people to find the stuff they need. We’ll do that for you so you can clear that headspace and time for higher-level tasks.”

 

• TrackR pixel

Which comes in nine fashionable colors and starts at a lower price point, allowing consumers to track all of their items at home and on the go. TrackR pixel can quickly locate items in a similar way to TrackR bravo, but is smaller, lighter, and has an LED light that turns on when it is activated to make finding items in the dark even easier. At just 26mm in diameter and 5mm thick (about two 10p coins stacked) it is one of the smallest item trackers on the market.

Cast your mind back a few weeks ago when we reviewed the TrackR a small price to pay for a small item that can help you in many ways,see our review HERE. I still use mine today and it works perfectly even trying out some random tests it has not let me down…. We will have our thoughts too on these soon….

 

 

 

• TrackR wallet 2.0 

One of the thinnest trackers on the market at just 2mm, or about the thickness of two credit cards. Shaped just like a credit card, TrackR wallet 2.0 uses new carbon fiber technology to achieve this remarkable thinness while maintaining all of the functionality of TrackR bravo, including replaceable CR2016 batteries.

 

Both of these products work with TrackR atlas, a Bluetooth, Wi-Fi wall plug that makes keeping track of tagged items in the home a breeze. TrackR atlas runs on the TrackR cloud-based platform to create a floorplan of your home and detect any tagged item within. Consumers build the floor plan on the app and can see the specific rooms the tagged items are in, set alerts for when an item enters or leaves a given room, and get a history of where items have been. TrackR atlas will integrate with Amazon Alexa-enabled devices so consumers will be able to ask Alexa where an item is and have her direct them to the correct room in their house. Plus, TrackR atlas will work with other Bluetooth devices, including other trackers.

TrackR pixel is available for pre-order now for $24.99 and will begin shipping in Spring 2017. TrackR wallet 2.0 is available for pre-order now for $29.99 and will be available in late Spring 2017. TrackR atlas is available for pre-order now for $39.99 and will begin shipping in Spring 2017.

Honor surprised everyone with the $250 6X during #CES2017. #Honor #6X #Android

The Huawei sub-brand Honor, has made a name of itself thanks to affordable yet impressive offerings like, last year Honor 8.

But what we weren’t expecting was seeing a redefining of “Budget Smartphone” with the presentation of their Honor 6X at CES.

This is not the first time we talk about this phone here, and you can see every little detail on the link above.

What was a complete surprise besides the official U.S announcement was the price tag.

Although we made some rough calculations on how would it cost to bring the phone over Europe or America there’s always some kind of extras that made to the final price. But this time Honor maintained the ridiculously low price tag leaving it on the under $300 budget.

$250

That’s all you need to keep your hands on this excellent phone that packs almost anything you may ask.

With pre-orders available since January 4th and official sales on January 15th in the U.S and being already from now in Europe, the phone saves a good place among the best budget phones of 2017.

Just head over the link above to see all the spec sheet and all the goodies the phone has.

And later tell us:

Will you get yourself or a friend the new best “Bang for the Buck” available? Will you consider it has a backup phone?

Tell us everything below in the comment or join us on Twitter

 

Casio announces new smartwatch with Android Wear 2.0. #CES2017 #Smartwach #Android #Casio 

We still have more news from CES2017 although there’s no the same amount of smartphones as before, we knew we could find some wearable tech.

When Google announced Android Wear 2.0 we weren’t sure about which company will show out of the ordinary, but Casio made an interesting presentation by giving us the second gen of their previous rugged Smartwatch, enter the WSD-F20 or :

Pro Trek

As its predecessor, comes with MIL-STD-810G rating, which means that is capable of withstand almost anything you’re willing to do with it.

After all, is specifically made for outdoors adventurers.

The same impressive and interesting Dual-Layer Display makes a comeback with more faces to choose and an additional GPS Sensor (something we miss on the previous generation) that offer low power consumption and Offline and Colored maps to use even if you phone ran out of battery.

It will come with Casio’s apps to track and keep control on your activities, but we a new one call Location and Traveler that became available thanks to the new components.

But there’ll be more apps to expect thanks to Android Wear 2.0 (also compatible with iOS despite some limitations)

There’s only one flaw, and is that is only going to be available on April 21st and we still have no information about pricing, but we can assume it’ll be pretty close to previous offers.

What are your thoughts on the new iteration from Casio? Adding that GPS will make you decide for this model over other options out there?

Let us know in the comment section below or joint the conversation on twitter with more #CES2017 coverage.

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