Sony has announced today that thanks to a recent firmware update, Amazon Alexa-enabled devices can now control Sony 4K HDR BRAVIA TV models with Android. Alexa is now getting popular here in Ireland alongside similar products which are slowly trickling in,other than that we have to import them.
With this update users can ask Alexa to perform basic TV functions such as controlling the TV power, volume, play/pause/stop/fast forward controls, switch inputs and change channels. Voice control is a natural way to interact with technology in the home, and now owners of Amazon Echo, Echo Plus, Echo Show, and Echo Dot and a Sony 4K HDR televisions with Android can simply ask “Alexa, turn on my Living Room TV” or “Alexa, change channel to BBC One HD on my living room TV.”
“This is a great example of Sony’s commitment to delivering a wide range of innovative technologies to our customers.” said Mike Somerset, TV Marketing Manager, Sony UK. “Through our award winning BRAVIA range with the Android platform we are able to offer compatibility to consumers who have an Amazon Echo, Echo Plus, Echo Show and Echo Dot device in their home to use their devices to interact with the home entertainment experiences made possible by Sony BRAVIA.”
An Amazon Alexa-enabled device connected to one of Sony’s 4K HDR televisions with Android TV enables an easy path to joining the world voice-enables home automation and connected devices.
Selected models of Sony’s Android TVs will become compatible with Amazon Alexa via a firmware update available in November.
Space, telescopes, meteors, earthquakes and other geohazards will form part of the exciting line-up of the Dublin Institute for Advanced Sciences (DIAS) School of Cosmic Physics 2017 Science Week programme.
Science Week takes place nationwide from 12th to 19th November and the DIAS School of Cosmic Physics is offering a schedule of free interactive events and outreach activities led by their researchers.
Events and activities taking place at DIAS School of Cosmic Physics during Science Week include:
Daily talks on massive stars, meteors and space travel for primary and secondary school students from Dr Jonathan Mackey and other DIAS Researchers at Dunsink Observatory.
Talks on meteors for groups from the Irish Girl Guides and secondary school students, from DIAS Astronomy & Astrophysics PhD Candidate, Sam Green at Dunsink Observatory.
All of the public events will be offered on a ‘first come, first served’ basis and members of the public are encouraged to book early.
Announcing details of their Science Week programme today, Dr Eucharia Meehan, Director of DIAS, said: “We’re delighted to announce our programme of events for this year’s Science Week.
“Science Week is an ideal opportunity for the public to engage with the work of our researchers and this year we have some exciting talks from researchers in the School of Cosmic Physics.
“We would encourage anyone with a curiosity about science, space and the natural world to explore with the Dublin Institute for Advanced Sciences this Science Week.”
First up this week is a first look at the Xtorm Fast charging FREEDOM wireless Qi charging pad the XW202. This is comaptible with the latest iPhone X and 8 and many of the later high end Samsung devices. Wireless charging has been slow to take off here and maybe now with Apple joining in things might change where it will not cost you an arm and a leg for such accessories like what Apple charge its customers. This is a simple to use product and no technical skills are required especially if you are new to the idea and how it works,its simply just drop your compatible phone on the pad and thats it.
The Fast Charging pad is the perfect solution for safely charging smartphones that support Qi technology, such as the iPhone 8, iPhone X and Samsung Galaxy S models, without using a cable. The Charging Pad Freedom’s high 10W output is unique and is combined with the stylish design.
Stylish and compact Interesting leather details and a compact design give the Charging Pad a stylish look. This means that the Charging Pad Freedom doesn’t take up much space on a desk or table and is ideal for daily use at home or in the office.
This is a wireless charger after all and all you need is a compatible phone to throw on top this though it looks well and is robust with leather to boot on top,the underside is grippy and very solid so it wont slip in a hurry as seen in video and the ring on top again is rubberised material to stop the device from moving or slipping off if for example you have your device on vibrate,Its a clean yet effective execution of a wireless charger that looks well and has the higher output of 10W which would be a quicker way to charge over the standard lower output models we tend to see on the market.
The Xtorm XW202 Wireless Fast Charging Pad (Qi) Freedom is €39,- incl. VAT. The Power Bank is available from various (online) stores and Xtorm.eu. Xtorm offers two years guarantee and unlimited helpdesk support on all its products.
I have been using the Sony Xperia XZ1 around two weeks as a daily driver and my thoughts will be now shared focusing on daily activies and general use, check out our two other reviews on the XZ1 compact by Liam Burke and the XZ1 Compact by Brendan Lahert
I have not used a Sony device full time in around 2 years due to the same design and incremental upgrades in that period,but this device for me is probably a better experience due to not using their last entries to the market though some might feel this is again an incemental upgrade to its older brother,given I have played around with them all using a device daily as your daily driver gives you the real feel for it and you can see where it shines througout.
UNBOXING
Build quality on this device is excellent it must be said,its solid all round yet has a slippery back but this can be amended with a nice TPU gel case giving you extra protection. One thing I like here on this the device is how the power button/fingerprint sensor is recessed and not raised which we are use to seeing on devices or again often they can be flush with the siderail on the phone this stops accidental hits and more manufacturers should do this. This just leaves you with the volume toggle on the right and nothing else whislt on the left we just have the sim card and sd card tray which is level with the device.
The phone itself looks good and coming with Android 8.0 OREO out of the is a bonus too giving you the latest refinements on Android,this latest version of Android is pretty fast indeed and with the XZ1 running on a snapdragon 835 chipset its showed no signs of lagging throughout the test period, Coming with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage with the option to pop in an SD card you are covered with memory especially if you are one to take lots of photos.
The skin on top of 8.0 is though getting old and has its good an bad points but from using Sony devices before it was easy to navigate I do think they need to change their UI its becoming stale just like Apple and needs refinement but having said that it works fine and thats a good thing.
The screen is also great though at 5.2 inches we have a big chin and forehead which I dont like as more devices now are trying to loose this look Sony just like others are not waking up to the current trend but its only a minor caveat overall, the 1080p LCD panels might turn some off but in fairness to me its fine,colours do stand out..
The camera is good, No I am not an image expert either but I can tell whats good and bad for a point and shoot camera which is what many people desire this camera will not let you down in the right setting but low light again is something that needs to be looked at but this goes for multiple devices on the market no matter what they claim to do before launch its real life testing that gives the results. The camera on the XZ1 is quite good overall with a 19MP camera it shoots great videos and takes really good snaps,check out the images and video below..
1 / 21
For general usage such as social media web browsing and email this thing flies along with no lag at all you can zip between apps easily and have many a tabs open in the browser and the same for multiple apps open at one time,this is something I like with a phone like this to be able to speedily move from one thing to another with no slow process as I find with some phones I am testing now this simply along brilliantly,effortlessly infact, its a powerhouse here and overall the device is powerful. The battery which is non remeveable is 2700mAh which is quite small today is not bad, I do however have to charge at some time in the day but I am a poweruser,the average person would easily see over a day and with USB- C charging and quick charging 3.0 on board we can top up quickly, We really need to get over the micro USB thing and do it quickly USB-C was something I did not like to begin with but eventually got the message and its of more benefit for all.
The XZ1 is IP68 certified ( Dust and water resistant) which is now becoming the standard so if you happen to drop in the loo or the pool you are covered but I would still act quick regardless if it was dropped.
2 / 12
Sound and audio is also quite a pleasant experience here on the XZ1,there is a good bang from the speakers and also great sound from headphones,obviously this would depend on the headphones you would use but Sony always have been good in this department.
Overall looking at this device from an average users point of view you cant go wrong though the price is a little much outright i think, There are things to keep in mind, It has great build quality and is solid asides the slippy backing, It has big bezels but these are beneficial here when holding the device,the camera is great in daylight though the placement of the camera is a bit too near the corner and you can get your fingers in some shots,Battery is good but could have been better and the same goes for its industrial design which is now boring. Other than that I would happily let these caveats go and use this device full time wheras the compact version is simply just too small for me to use, this device is a performer overall and for anyone considering it given its price tag I would certaily recommend it goes into their shopping cart. If you get it on bill for a good discounted price and are happy with current plans well then just buy it.
The Nokia 3310 3G variant is now available at MVNO tesco mobile for a tidy price of €59.99 this is not to be confused with the 2G variant people complained about considering it was more a nostalgic offering which was first made available some months ago and until the fans screamed for a 3G version HMD Global delivered the 3G version of the retro a few weeks ago which has been available on some of our networks here.This is coming in at the same price as the former at €59.99 which would be seen as good value, check it out below or head to Tesco Mobile for more.
The Nokia 3 is now reduced to €99.99 with eir. This device has been on sale some weeks now and we a running into the festive season we are begining to see some discounts from the networks with their Christmas ranges, The Nokia 3 would be ideal for someone for their first smartphone using the Android OS and this will get the latest updated including Oreo in the coming weeks so you will be up to date no matter what.
Blink is the wirefree, home security and HD video monitoring system that’s simple to install and runs on two standard AA lithium batteries for two years. Blink video security provides a watchful eye and one-click connection to the home through the free Blink Home Monitor app for iOS and Android devices, allowing customers the ultimate peace of mind when they are away. We have tried and tested their last offering which still serves me well today and is 100% reliable and efficient which does not require an expert or registered electrician to install. This time of year would be also a great idea to get some form of security installed at home or office if you have yet not done so and this is also affordable.. Check out our review HERE of Blink for home..
In response to customer demand for a weatherproof model, Blink is launching the Blink XT, suitable for outdoor use in all seasons. The Blink XT works with Blink’s indoor models, so current users can integrate seamlessly with existing systems, but can also be used independently with the Blink Sync module, the base station sync module hub.
“We are thrilled to announce our affordable outdoor camera so Blink customers and new users alike can protect their entire home, inside and out,” comments Peter Besen, Blink CEO. “The Blink XT demonstrates our commitment to developing integrated products that serve the home protection needs of consumers by fitting perfectly into their lifestyles.”
The Blink XT detects motion, and immediately sends a push notification alert and an HD quality video to a user’s smartphone. The system can be armed/disarmed remotely, and live video can be watched anytime from anywhere. The Blink XT includes configurable 5-60 second clip length, IFTTT and Amazon Alexa integration, a two-year battery life, weatherproof technology, infrared night vision and 1080p HD video quality. Priced at £149.99 inc VAT for the XT camera and sync module, it is the most affordable outdoor camera on the market, with no monthly contract or storage fees.
Blink’s free online storage, with no contracts or monthly fees, allows users to manage their clips the way they like to, save locally, share or enable automatic management.
Key features:
Two-year battery life – With two off-the-shelf AA lithium batteries, Blink XT cameras will last two years versus other battery-operated cameras that have a battery life of only a few months.
1080p full HD video – Blink XT is the only battery-operated camera to offer 1080p support for crystal clear full HD video. Customers can select between the 720 HD default or 1080p.
Weatherproof technology – Blink XT is IP-65 rated to ensure that the water-resistant unit delivers clear, HD quality video no matter the conditions.
Infrared night vision – Allows for round-the-clock surveillance, day or night.
Blink units can be purchased on amazon.co.uk or directly through the brand’s website at blinkforhome.co.uk
Pricing:
1 Blink XT outdoor camera system: £149.99
2 Blink XT outdoor camera system: £239.99
3 Blink XT outdoor camera system: £329.99
5 Blink XT outdoor camera system: £499.99
Blink XT Add-on outdoor camera: £119.99
Additional Blink sync unit £89.99
All pricing includes VAT and all systems include a Blink sync unit
The Sony Xperia Compact is smaller than the usual phablet used but comes with a few features and often forgotten advantages, Texting is a big plus, as I’m use to a phablet you can text with 1 hand on the Xperia XZ1 Compact as compared to the to a larger screen. This model is heavier than expected at 143g, but this is a compromise as supplied with a large battery of 2700 mAh battery, this is the same battery as used in a larger model, the small phone size at 129 x 65 x 9.3 mm (4.6″ Display) has an excellent battery life.
See side by side images of the XZ1 and XZ1 Compact and unboxing HERE
The charger is the standard newer type C, the battery life rating has 108h endurance rating, as compared to the iphone 8 with 66h endurance rating. When the battery was at 87% this showed battery life of 3 days 5 hours which is not bad for a smart phone.
The physical phone fits snugly into your hand but the corners of the phone are sharp, harsh and straight, the phone is built solid. The material is a plastic type feels solid, resilient to wear and tear. A great feature on new phone is the water resistance (IP68 certified – dust/water proof over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes) which is a great bonus for any one that had to use a bag of rice to fix a water damaged phone. This also comes with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 to help if the phone gets a drop or two onto the floor.
The phone setup is easy (not requiring the usual proprietary pin) to insert the Nano sim. (The sim adapter in the photo is not required) There is trendy menus with Visual aids, in terms of Magnification, font size, talkback, screen reader primarily for blindness and low vision. There is help guides to get to know the phone through an introduction considering your old previous phone with the option to transfer your stuff over.
Unfortunately, the Out of box experience is not as good as it should be from Sony as their Legal department need to talk to their Marketing department in that you have to agree to lots and lots T&C e.g. Allow camera / Video & TV/ Music / support to access this device location or some other feature for the setup menus. (which 99% of us never read or reject)
Processor Under the hood: Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 Mobile Platform This may be just a number but is the same processor as used in the Samsung Galaxy Note8 which has a 6.3 inches screen as compare to the 4.6″ display for the Sony Xperia G8441. The internal memory 4GB is possible the only let down while the Note 8 has 6GB, the iPhone 8 has 2GB Ram.
A concern on the internal memory was the 32GB internal storage as 28% of this was used mainly by the system. A recommendation would be to get a good quality microSD, up to 256 GB, (not from eBay) to ensure the phone does not lag when getting low on memory from the quality of photo / music / programs / video etc.
Specifications: SIM CAPABILITY: Single SIM; Nano SIM
• MEMORY AND STORAGE: 4GB RAM; 32GB UFS internal memory; microSD support (up to 256GB)
WEIGHT: 143g
DIMENSIONS: 129 x 65 x 9.3 mm
DISPLAY: 4.6″ HD Display; TRILUMINOS Display for mobile; X-Reality™ for mobile; Dynamic Contrast Enhancer
MAIN CAMERA: 19MP Motion Eye Camera; 1/2.3” Exmor RS for mobile memory-stacked sensor; 960 fps Super slow-motion video; 25mm wide Sony’s award-winning G Lens F2.0; Predictive Capture (motion/smile); Autofocus burst
FRONT CAMERA: 8MP; 1/4” Exmor R for mobile image sensor; 18mm super wide angle for 120 degrees field of view (adjustable)
SOUND: High-Resolution Audio (LPCM, FLAC, ALAC, DSD); DSEE HX; Digital Noise Cancelling; Stereo speaker with S-Force Front Surround
PROCESSOR: Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 Mobile Platform
DURABILITY: Water resistant (IP65/68); Corning Gorilla Glass 5
3D CREATOR
Note: The Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact did not come with a set of ear phones in the box which varies as many users prefer to get a unique model for themselves.
Without a doubt Sony are known for the LCD, Cameras & music, this phone incorporates the learnings in this area, with the good display, an excellent camera 19-megapixel camera with face scanning & 8-megapixel wide-selfie. On paper this looks good but even better when used to take pictures, Picture quality was excellent and the zoom quality after the picture was taken was excellent. The pictures taken viewed on a 46” LCD had excellent colour. This won’t compare to an SLR camera in terms of Sensor size, autofocus system and image-stabilization system. As a phone with a camera in terms of photo quality, performance, features and design for everyday photos you can’t go wrong.
Music Quality as expected from Sony has a collection of sophisticated, premium audio technologies to ensure premium sounds weather via the Jack plug or Bluetooth headphones. The signal strength and call quality in comparison to a variety of other phones cannot be faulted.
Sony has built in an array of additional features in terms of Motion Eye camera and its Super slow-motion video. Sony Xperia G8441 gives a super-wide angle when taking selfies with a 120-degree field of view getting more into the picture with a single frame. Predictive Capture principle which has been around for over 10 years in their camera range which detects the unexpected, capturing motion and smiles before you even click. Again, when taking fast action shots, the software helps to prevent the usual blur we come to expect. 3D scanning is another feature of the Sony Xperia G8441 while unsure if this will be a gimmick or a once of Party piece or will revolutionise the future. The fingerprint scanner is nothing amazing just works while good the fingerprint is taken on various sides of the fingers to ensure when you half touch the sensor it picks up the fingerprint.
The Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact is smooth to operate, no lag in menus when multitasking. If you want a compact reliable phone with an excellent battery, music and camera that can be taken in to the wars and back with an array of nifty features, certainly the Sony Xperia G8441 (Xperia XZ1 Compact) will fit the task and look good along the way.
GoBag 2 is the ultimate bag for regular travellers who want to fit in as much as they can whilst only having to take a carry-on bag. With modular Velcro system and a built-in vacuum compression bag, it squeezes every bit of air out of soft gear such as clothing and towels to make more room for everything else whilst keeping important travel items such as your phone and passport close at hand. It has features galore and is incredibly durable, waterproof and certainly built to last. We have featured several bags here over the last two years and its nice to check out what is new to market especially when you have a bag full of goodies like we do this is something for you tech travellers can look into right now.
Following the successful launch of the original GoBag in 2015 on crowd-funding platform Kickstarter, with almost 2,500 backers from all over the world, the team are back with the new and improved GoBag 2 launching on Kickstarter today (7th November 2017) After struggling to find a suitable bag to take as a carry-on on cheap flights across Europe, the GoBag was conceived.
The GoBag 2’s design is an incredible fusion of travel bag design and dry-bag technology. The sturdy bag has a modular system powered by Velcro that allows the bag to be customised for each trip’s needs, and the built-in vacuum compression bag squeezes every bit of air out of soft gear such as clothing and towels to make more room for everything else.
The fully removable Max Pack dry bag stored within GoBag 2 is a welded bag made from TPU coated nylon which can be compressed by hand (or with a vacuum using the check valve if serious space-saving is needed) to free up oh-so precious interior space. Its carry-on size means no waiting around to check in your luggage, no delays at the luggage carousel, no lost baggage and no exorbitant checked baggage fees. To top it all off, it is built to last with everything housed within a weather-resistant coated nylon fabric that can take a beating and keep coming back for more. So whether you are traveling on business, for a family holiday or an adventure of a lifetime, you can carry less, but experience much more – #PackSmallThinkBig.
Hypalon is placed over areas of maximum wear like the base, offering the ultimate in abrasion protection and GoBag is constructed from TPU Coated Ballistic Nylon, a waterproof material used to make inflatable power boats. The Full Edge Zip, which runs along the outer edge of the front and side panels, is a 2.5 metre long, durable YKK zip and the pull strings from high tensile strength para cord – no flimsy plastic zips here!
With six different ways to open your bag, items are easily accessible so no need to dig around at the bottom again. There is even a new secret pocket at the side of the GoBag 2 which is perfect for storing passports, tickets or any other valuables. In addition, it features an integrated wash bag, no more wasting time at airport security as liquids and pastes are easily to hand and stored together. The wash bag can be easily removed from its Velcro attachment allowing travellers to move speedily through the airport and the 15 inch laptop pocket has a quick release pull so your laptop is easily accessible whenever you need it.
