Last night, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings delivered a keynote address at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Francine Stock of the BBC hosted the interview, discussing the future of internet TV in an increasingly mobile landscape. Check out some highlights from the discussion below..
Content is in the midst a period of disruption and change. Acquisitions abound, as content has taken on the role as one of the primary assets for consumer engagement and loyalty in the digital economy. Netflix is synonymous with this new production, delivery and personalized engagement model.
Reed Hastings co-founded Netflix in 1997. In January, Netflix reported over 93 million subscribers worldwide, including more than 47 million in the United States Reed is an active educational philanthropist and served on the California State Board of Education from 2000 to 2004. He is currently on the board of several educational organizations including CCSA, DreamBox Learning, KIPP, and Pahara, and the Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley. Reed is also a board member of Facebook, and was on the board of Microsoft from 2007 to 2012.
X-Doria, a leading manufacturer of fashion-forward accessories, today introduces the latest editions to its hugely successful Defense case range with the Defense Lux Wood. The new cases feature a luxurious and stylish wood effect to outfit and protect the new iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. The Defense Lux Wood cases are available from Amazon for £34.99.
The new cases feature the same characteristics as the existing Defense Lux range with a simple snap-on construction design, engineered with a soft inner rubber layer, impact resistant polycarbonate backing, and machined with an aluminum outer frame. The aluminum outer frame protects the perimeter of the iPhone, while inside, the soft rubber wraps around the phone protecting it from up to 6’6” drops on concrete, exceeding military drop test standards – MIL-STD-810G. There is also a raised front lip of over 1mm for added protection to keep the screen off tables and other flat surfaces.
Not only does the Defense Lux Wood offer a supreme level of protection for the iPhone, it also compliments accessories such as watches, beads or bands with a simple and elegant natural design. The buttons for volume and lock the case are made from anodized aluminum and there are wide openings on ports and switches to ensure easy access for charging.
The X-Doria Defense Lux collection also features four other stylish designs for iPhone 7 and 7 Plus including soft black leather, rose gold grey, luxurious faux carbon fibre and blue gold, each designed with distinct aesthetics that appeal to various personalities and styles as shown below.
The full Defense Lux range is available for purchase from www.amazon.co.uk
With 52 keys you can assign a task too, its for the corporate folk. BUT a 4.5 inch screen…
Blackberry has had some really decent phones over the last two years such as the oddly shaped Passport which I actually love and the Priv. You just cant beat those keys full stop and with their new device which is a mash of both the price better be right here which Blackberry have failed to address for some time. it is tipped to be around €500.Dubbed as the Mercury the company have announced the KEYone.. This time around its no Alcatel looking device they have went back to their old looks….
The device has lots to offer such as a 3505 mAh battery USB-C, Dis convenience key, rubber backed finish which is excellent, Android 7.1 out of the box and the space bar doubles as a fingerprint scanner. I think this one will be on my list this year…
Samsung are present at MWC but forget about a Galaxy S8 announcement.
Samsung have a new Gear VR headset which looks much the same as last years iteration and it comes in Black again which is not so bad. Also this time round they have a controller to go along with the unit which means stuff… Stuff being expanding the ecosystem. This device is compatible just as before and you would also think the S8 coming in a few weeks time..
“At Samsung, we are focused on setting and exceeding the standard for VR experiences, making them even more accessible and delivering the highest in quality,” said Younghee Lee, Executive Vice President of Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics. “The Gear VR with Controller expands our VR ecosystem to help consumers get more engaged and immersed in VR content – whether it’s games or videos.”
The new Gear VR with Controller offers 42mm lenses with 101-degree FOV (Field of View) and advanced distortion correction technology to minimize motion sickness. The Samsung Gear VR with Controller will support both micro USB and USB Type-C port with a converter in-box. Additionally, the Gear VR will have a strap on the headset to hold the Controller when it is not in use.
So that means when I get my S8 soon I will have to check this lad out perhaps Samsung might just bundle this with the phone on launch.. The price though but I would expect it to be a bit higher than previous due to the extras here..
Nokia is back and back with a bang along with the old favourite the Nokia 3310.. But… No high end some hoped for the Nokia 8, This is again why do not write rumours because in some cases its information thats not true and it gets annoying reading daily updates like “this phone will have this” etc.. You get my point.. With the Android market saturated can Nokia come back and reign champions again?? Time will tell and they have a good chance if they get the logistics right and dont follow rules of old such as selected markets only…..
Today Nokia made a few announcements which will certainly be of interest to mobile users out there today with the announcement of the Nokia 6 GOING GLOBAL also it will have special edition “Arte” costing €299 they also brought back an updated version of the much loved Nokia 3310. Not only that SNAKE is back and can be found in Facebook Messenger right NOW..
The #Nokia6 began its life in china and had some remarkable stats to show on entering the toughest market out there today.. Some thought this was a wrong move but as they said at the event they have set the bar high this time.
The Nokia 6 as mentioned will be now available globally in Q2 the standard phone which is the one that was first launched will cost you €229 and the Arte Edition will be €299..The Nokia 6 is carved out of one solid block and takes 55 minutes to manufacture just one device..
Specs
Clean and clutter-free Android Nougat with regular updates
The latest generation Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 processor designed for excellent battery life and improved graphics performance
3 GB of RAM
The full set of Google services, including Google Photos and Google Play
Loads of space with 32 GB mass storage and MicroSD card support up to 128 GB
Convenient fingerprint sensor
Bright full-HD sculpted Corning Gorilla Glass display with wide color reproduction
16 MP camera on the back, 8 MP on the front
Immersive sound with Dolby Atmos and dual speakers
Available as both single SIM and dual SIM variants
The Nokia 5
The Nokia 5 device announced today and a more affordable phone looks nice and comes in at cheaper price tag of €189 and its got good specs and a great build quality to boot..
Clean and clutter-free Android Nougat with regular updates
Latest generation Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 processor designed for excellent battery life and improved graphics
NFC for easy sharing of your content
A MicroSD card slot with support up to 128 GB
16 GB storage for all your stuff
Seamless metal body that fits perfectly in your hand
Convenient fingerprint sensor
Bright fully-laminated and polarized 5.2” sculpted Corning Gorilla Glass HD display
13 MP autofocus camera on the back, 8 MP camera on the front
Available as both single SIM and dual SIM variants
The Nokia 3
The Nokia 3 is an even more affordable device so Nokia has all pockets catered for here. The Nokia 3 comes in at just €139 and it looks great too, All of the phones announced today sporting the latest version of Android look great in fact and have a great build quality and all come in at an affordable price too so lets look at the Nokia 3
Clean and clutter-free Android Nougat with regular updates
Google Photos for easy photo storage and sharing
Plenty of sensors to give you a full experience, including accelerometer, gyroscope and NFC for sharing
Fast downloads and uninterrupted music and video streaming with LTE 4G connectivity
16 GB storage for all your photos, plus a MicroSD card slot with support up to 128 GB
Beautiful polycarbonate body
A precision-machined aluminium frame
See everything clearly with the polarized, sculpted 5” Corning Gorilla Glass display
8 MP camera with autofocus both on the back and the front
Available as both single SIM and dual SIM variants
Finally the Nokia 3310 rebooted..
The Nokia 3310 IS BACK.. This time is more modern looking and its got a colour screen to boot and of course it comes with snake, The 3310 will also come in a variety of colours and is set to cost round €49 which is pretty good,this will sell by the truck load when its launched.. Given it has a small 2.4 inch screen thats polarised this will not bother anyone but it will be fun using a phone with such a small screen today, I still have my original Nokia 3310 and booted it up last week and it was fun.. Already I have seen some in the media having harsh words for this device saying that its a throwaway device and that feature phones are dying, This is rubbish.. I would consider spending €10 -€20 a throwaway device not €50..
Feature phones are cheap devices and they mostly suit merging market which is still a thing and a device like this would be great for a back up device or a device to bring with you on a night out or a trip perhaps which is what I often do at times using a cheap phone… It could be also great for the older generation who want something simple and again it would make a great gift..
The phone is said to have a months standby time and comes with a micro USB port for charging so you can stop looking for your old chargers now. I have lots if you need any btw. The 3310 comes in 4 colours and there was no mention of swappable fascias as before which some had hoped for….
2G connectivity for calling and texting
All-new UI with nods to the original
Awesome battery life, with up to 22 hours talk time
FM radio and MP3 player for music
16 MB storage plus a MicroSD card slot with support up to 32 GB
Beautiful push buttons and iconic, shaped design
2 MP camera with LED flash for simple snaps
Headphone jack for your tunes
2.4” curved window with polarized layer for better readability in sunlight
Available as both single SIM and dual SIM variants
If you have any questions fire away and check out my interview with Nokiasome years ago.. Yes I still have a huge collection which has grown since this interview so now the collection will keep growing.. Also see MY TOP PICKSfrom the old times..
Each Wednesday the Tech Show is live from 8-9pm on http://www.charityradio.ie and we now have podcasts if you missed out available on Mixcloud, Charity Radio on demand is a new service on offer featuring all of the regular shows so tune in there of catch us on the TuneIn app anywhere in the world…
If you have a new app or tech product and want to be featured or come in for a live interview do get in touch with us and we will arrange the rest.
You can listen to our last show with the @tecdr right HERE.
Following the huge success of its Lifestyle and Christmas case ranges, FLAVR, the new fashion brand from global mobile accessories and connected devices specialist, STRAX GmbH, today introduces its super fashionable spring/summer collection of transparent cases. The new cases, including designs such as Hibiscus, Coral Snake and Humming Birds will be available for iPhone and Samsung devices from 31st March at shopflavr.com and selected retailers, priced at £14.99
FLAVR have spent a considerable amount of time researching the current hot fashion trends of tropical greens and botanical prints alongside vibrant tattoo motifs to ensure the cases appeal to the fashion conscious who love to stand out from the crowd. The cases have been manufactured to enhance the iPhones looks by leaving the iconic apple logo and text clear to be viewed together under the case with a discreet FLAVR logo featured on the case.
Upon conception, FLAVR conducted a RangeLens test survey of the new case range in conjunction with SOUNDOUT and discovered that the cases scored extremely well suggesting the entire range will be extremely strong sellers. Some of the comments from those surveyed included “gorgeous contrasting colours”, “fun, quirky and cute”, “eye catching” and “brightens up a phone into a fashion accessory.” Complete with bright and unique packaging, the FLAVR cases are at the forefront of this season’s fashion and are sure to turn the iPhone into a perfect accessory for any occasion.
The Spring/Summer collection includes the following designs: Hibiscus, Cherry Blossom, Poppy, Roses, Tiger, Coral Snake, Banana Leaves and Hummingbirds. FLAVR cases are available for £14.99 from shopflavr.com and selected retailers from the end of March
There is plenty of image editing apps out there today or we can easily photo-shop images to dress them up to our own needs. Of late there is lots of new apps that allow you to edit your face to make you look better too which is kind of pointless because people know what you look like so there is no point in hiding or airbrushing yourself to please others. This new app however is fun and puts you in the limelight by way of movie posters and it fun Not only for adults your kids too…
How many times have you tried to morph your face onto the poster of your favourite movie only to have it looking completely fake and out of place? Worry not because there’s a rescue for all you Bollywood lovers out there –
Dooperstar has come to save you! It’s a new uber cool app that allows fans to add their pictures in the movie poster as the actor or actress in just one simple click. Yup, just ONE click. None of those photoshop troubles or struggles.
Dooperstar uses advanced computing and machine learning techniques, and guess what? There’s absolutely no editing required.
I have tried it myself with my daugther and its a bit of fun and whats better is you can share your creations via social media or Whats App and email…
– Pick from hundreds of movies posters, TV series and popular ads
– Take your picture and get instant result
– Share with friends & family
The app is easy to use you just have to select a poster from the gallery and point the front facing camera at your face and get it centred as best you can and press click,the rest is done by the app,its that simple. You can sign in too via the app via Google Plus or Facebook and submit ideas,send feedback and rate the app…
The app is free right now on Android and coming to iOS and Windows Phone soon,You may have to wait for your region as its a phased rollout..Also they promise to add new posters each week.
The Hepburn Mk II is a DAB Radio and Bluetooth speaker that has a vintage looks and modern functionality with British design and engineering. You can play the standard radio, charge your phone, connect your phone. This unit became the focal point of visitors, they observed the vintage look and complimented, as this would not be out of place in the 80s. 90s, 2000s or today. Anecdotally the young generation liked the vintage look and feel. As a rule, the younger generation lean towards internet and mobile radio with the older generation staying with if it any broke why change regarding the Analogue radio.
In the box
⦁ Power Adapter with plugs for UK and mainland Europe – User Manual
General Specification:
⦁ DC power supply: 5V/2A
⦁ Battery life: 76hrs Standby
⦁ LCD Screen
⦁ Warranty: 3 Years, this is great to see a 3-year warranty with this product.
⦁ Tuner DAB reception: (BAND III 5A-13F), DAB+ reception: (BAND III 5A-13F)
⦁ FM reception: (87.5MHz-108MHz): No AM reception, No. of presets: 10 FM / 10 DAB+
⦁ Connectivity Bluetooth compatible, 3.5mm Aux-in: Yes, USB Port, Headphone socket:
⦁ Product Information width (mm): 314 height: 166, depth: 94, weight (kg): 1.5
Colours available
Bluetooth:
You can setup up your Android / iPhone etc. via Bluetooth to connect to the Hepburn Mk II. The set-up connection is easy and straightforward. You can then change tracks and adjust volume, play what’s on your phone via the Radio. If using Spotify / equivalent on your phone, this can be played on the Hepburn Mk II but the artist or track does not come up on the radio display. Sound quality is good and works with in the Bluetooth range of 10 meters. This functionally is great to use when you want to play your own track list around the house.
Alarm:
This is a useful feature if the Radio is placed in the Kitchen, Count Down Timer (Cooking Timer) The timer can be set at one minute intervals up to 99 minutes in the future. There is a Dual Alarm which can be set for active day: Daily, Once, Weekends or Weekdays with the Alarm source: DAB, FM or buzzer
App:
The free app “viewquest” has Installs of 1,000 – 5,000 with a rating of 2.9 out of 5, with 27 comments. This can turn your smartphone or tablet into a remote control for your Hepburn Mk II. The Quest App allows you to switch sources between Bluetooth, Dab/DAB+, FM and Auxiliary, DAB/DAB+, FM: adjust volume, channels and presents, display RadioVIS information etc. This is quite nice allowing channel changes etc. without leaving your chair.
Battery:
This is the only annoying part of the radio, this does not come with a Rechargeable Battery Pack (optional) as not required unless out and about. When you are setting up the radio initially, you set up the functionality, time, preset radio stations etc. If you unplug the radio to move from room to room, these setting are lost.
You can get a Rechargeable VQ Battery Pack getting 76hrs life between charges, with around 25 hrs continuous playback which is very good. This can be purchased initially or via https://www.myvq.co.uk/shop/large-battery.html £19.99 . If planning on using the radio out and about on the go, this may be worth getting.
If DAB radio is new to you…..
Traditionally radio programmes were broadcast on different frequencies via AM and FM, and the radio had to be tuned into each frequency, as needed. This used up a large amount of spectrum for a relatively small number of stations, limiting listening choice. DAB is a digital radio broadcasting system that through the application of multiplexing and compression combines multiple audio streams onto a relatively narrow band centred on a single broadcast frequency called a DAB ensemble.
Looking at other countries Norway has become the first country in the world to start phasing out the FM radio signal in favour of Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB). In the ROI, a DAB Radio is the only receiver at present that can receive all RTÉ’s transmitted radio content. RTE has a 54% population coverage and is available in Cork and Limerick cities and the greater Dublin area. The UK currently has the world’s largest digital radio network, with over 150 transmitters across the country and 415 DAB services. The UK radio industry is working toward a Digital Radio Switchover whilst the government intends to migrate the clear majority of AM & FM analogue services to digital between 2016 & 2019. Over half of all UK households now have a DAB radio, analogue radio is now declining.
Caution:
If purchasing this product, check if there is DAB coverage in your area, In the UK coverage has been found to be excellent while on occasions driving with a DAB car radio, this has resulted in some spots where the signal drops and no sound from the radio. I would suggest Purchase from a location, easily to return if no DAB coverage, while all the other functions will work. If in doubt you can check with http://www.myvq.co.uk/support.html, UK Hepburn Support on – 0333 1234 601 on coverage / use etc.
This radio has classic visuals of the past with modern technology to give creative sound and functionality. Thumbs up! This can be purchased / viewed at https://www.myvq.co.uk/shop/hepburn-mkii.html £129.99
