Month: December 2017

What’s in store for enterprise messaging in 2018? #AI #AR #VR & #IoT top of the list.

The past few years have been transformative for enterprise messaging. Organizations across the world are embracing team communication and collaboration platforms such as Flock and realizing efficiency gains.  Flock’s CEO Bhavin Turakhia shares his predictions for the year ahead.

Plus, with distributed teams becoming more common, enterprise messengers have become virtual meeting grounds and office spaces for teams everywhere. And with the launch and availability of APIs for almost every service, it’s become much more easier for enterprises to use and customize messaging apps. Bots have also become a key component of messaging platforms – both for personal use and in the enterprise.

All this however, is just the preamble to the sea of change that is upon us. I see the year ahead bringing in even more changes and improvements to the way we communicate and work together.

New technologies – AI, AR, VR and IoT

New technologies such as artificial intelligence, augmented reality, virtual reality and the internet of things promise to usher in new ways of communication in the workplace. Meetings in a virtual room, AI-enabled data analysis within messaging platforms, bots that do more than send notifications, and IoT-based automatic attendance systems – the potential is unlimited.

Customer-centric development

A side-effect of the Uber-isation of apps and services is that customer retention is more important now than ever. Product development is now shifting towards a customer-led approach, where customer feedback is key to the development of new features. Companies are spending more effort on enabling customer success to retain users. This is a trend that will continue to influence the enterprise messaging space in 2018 and beyond. Put simply, customer-centric enterprise messengers are more likely to succeed.

Third-party integrations

Efficiency is a magic word for any enterprise, and one of the ways enterprise messengers are increasing efficiency is by integrating third-party apps and services within the messaging tool. This saves customers the hassle of switching between multiple apps at work, and gives them time that can be put to better use. For example, one of the most popular apps in Flock is Shared To-Dos, which allows users to create and assign tasks to team members, and track their completion. It’s really a simple idea that reduces the usual runaround between a company’s messaging and task management tools, and gives users time to do more.

Custom integrations for enterprises are going to be bigger and better in 2018, giving users more out-of-the-box functionality in their enterprise messaging tools.

Process and workflow automation

SOPs are the daily drivers of almost every function in a business. Consider the processes we follow for expense reimbursements, or for hiring and induction – there is a certain method to the madness, and these processes often require repetitive human intervention at multiple stages. Process and workflow automation aims to solve the problem of repetitive human effort in such use cases.

Enterprise communication platforms that can integrate with existing HR and Finance systems, and automate some processes will lead to jumps in efficiency and productivity for the entire organization.

The adoption of AI and a host of technologies such as AR, VR and IoT, customer-centric development, better third-party integrations and process/workflow automation are key trends to look out for. I expect them to make a big difference to the evolution of enterprise messaging, leading to better communication and collaboration in the workplace.

Ultimately, the best enterprise messengers will adopt these new technologies, making life simpler for teams working on the next great thing.

Nokia 3 December update hits Ireland. #Nokia #Nokia3

Updates are rolling out fast of late with HMD and Now the Nokia 5 and 6 are legible for Android Oreo in betalabs but you need to sign up for this and you will be notifed by email, Still waiting on my Nokia 5 to get it and also the latest update for the flagship Nokia 8.

The DECEMBER update has just hit my Nokia 3 so go and check your device to see if its available and rememeber updates are phased out but do keep checking in. If you need to check you just go to  Settings – About – System updates and you will be told then if its available but try two or three times as this has happened to me before and the update came through. This update is 466 MB

Review – The BT Smart Home Cam 100. #home #security #tech #smarthome

CCTV security DIY style. The BT Smart Home Cam 100 comes packed with a camera & charger and instructions. The BT history of products includes a very clear pictures & instructions of the setup. The manual or pull out instructions are easy to use, simple but effective to set up. The Home Cam 100 has an all-black body small enough not to look out of place in a home / office with the option to wall mount vertically with screw holes in the base with a ball joint to allow movement. The Home Cam 100 may look inconspicuous during the day but clearly visible in the dark with the Night vision IR Led clearly visible.

UNBOXING GALLERY

 

1 / 15

Contents:

  • Smart Home Cam 100
  • Power Adaptor  
  • User Guide

Weights and dimensions Camera:

  • 146g, 14.2(H) x 6.82(W) x 8.13(D) cm Power supply: 95.5g, 6.7(L) x 4.95(W) x 6.48(H) cm

Camera spec:

  • Focal length: 3mm, F2.0, digital focusing • Sensor: 3Mp 1/3-Inch CMOS digital image sensor
  • Viewing Angle: Horizontal 78 degrees, Vertical 45 degrees, Diagonal: 90 degrees

Key features:

  • HD quality video
  • Night vision
  • Motion detection alerts
  • Push notification when motion detected
  • Record clips to your Android device
  • Easy 3 step set-ups
  • Auto-login
  • Safe and secure
  • Premium plans to automatically record images and video when you’re not there

Note:

The BT Smart Home Cam 100 has no built-in storage, SD card or memory card reader, there is an option to automatically record video clips to the cloud when motion is detected. This requires a premium subscription that costs £6.99 for 30 days. If you use your phone / tablet to view or record motion there is no subscription required, when stored on your phone / tablet. You have the option via the app to click and save an image or video to your device.

 

Video image quality:

Supported resolutions: 720P, VGA 640×360 and QVGA 320×180 • Supported frame rates: Up to 10fps for 720P, 30fps for VGA 640×360 and QVGA 320×180 • Video encoding: H.264 • Multiple independent video streams (i.e. two different resolution / frame rate)

 

Hacked / tampered:

There is little chance of been hacked with the security options Security / Wireless connection Standards: Wi-Fi 802.11b / g / n • Security: WEP / WPA / WPA2 • Operating channels: 2.4GHz Ch. 1-13

Warranty:

This is a let down from a major brand that is recognised for its quality and support with a 1 Manufacturer Warranty.

Support:

A comprehensive support is available via FAQ on the website / app or on the phone via

0808 1000225

 

Setup:

The setup is straightforward but are required to follow the instructions step by step. This involves downloading The BT Home Cam app, (but do not open the app) connect the wi-fi to the camera.  Then the app is enabled which connects to the camera, setting up an account with your user name, email password.  There are no technical skills required for this but does require the clear instructions followed. In the event of an error / mistake there is a reset button on the camera which is great to see.

The BT Smart Home Cam 100 works via wi-fi. There is no wiring the camera to your router, no CD, laptop required for the setup. When the camera is setup within range of your router’s wi-fi signal you can place it anywhere within your premises. If the unit required to be placed a further distance, there is a wi-fi extenders options available while the latency may increase.

Once setup is complete you flip the switch on the back of the camera to ‘Network’ so it will connect to your router and be accessible through the app. A pair of indicator LEDs show the camera’s status, such as when it’s establishing a wireless connection.

Login via  https://myhomecam.bt.com/app/c/login.html  or via phone  the app.

 

The app:

The BT Home Cam app is free to download with 3 out of 5 recommend from 90 reviews listed as 5,000 – 10,000 installs. The BT Home Cam app can be used with iOS or Android to manage your camera and video settings remotely. This can be setup to invite family / friends to access your video stream in case you can’t access the system.  The App can link several cameras from a location / multiple location.  Alerts are sent to your phone / tablet if motion is detected, these events can be viewed or stored as required on your device.

THE APP

2 / 15

Picture Quality:

There is no minimum connection speed advised on the documentation, noting you are using the upload wi-fi speed not the download speed for the connection. The video quality depends on the bandwidth of your connection, especially when using over a mobile network. The camera will usually auto-adjust to the optimum bandwidth, if using from a poor 4G signal area you may have to lower resolution or lower frame rate, by changing your camera settings.

The Quality as stated may have quality issues when viewed on a 46’’ screen but viewed on your standard smartphone / tablet, this will not show up any quality issues. Night time viewing using the Night vision IR LED of 4pcs, 850nm resulted in an ordinary picture especially in a dark room. Their can be a latency when externally checking the camera remotely using the same wi-fi within the same premises is minimal.

Motion detection:

The camera set up as has motion detection setup which is designed to trigger on any movement, this sends an alert to your phone to view the recording. This is ideal is leaving your home/ office unattended.

This unit is not a professional type CCTV system and does not allow the more advanced features in terms of motion-detection zones, blocking out specific area, but has the motion-detection which acts like trip wires, so motion is detected when someone crosses the borders of a camera view. There is minimal setup required using the local Wi-Fi, with no cable runs nor technical skills required. The quality of the video day & night is sufficient to capture movement in a room bright or dark. The storage options ensure should the camera become damaged / tampered with, the storage is secure off site on the cloud or your device. This is a great option to give peace of mind for security in your home / office without breaking the bank.

www.shop.bt.com  

 

Review – The BT Video Baby Monitor 6000 #home #baby #tech #parenting

If you are planning on a new arrival getting a Baby Monitor is not an option, the choice becomes, what brand, what features in terms of audio, range, video temperature display and the cost.  The BT Video Baby Monitor 6000 has all the required features. It has the video, sound level lights and a variety of other features.

The setup is as straightforward as you can get, No App to download, no wi-fi to configure. BT have included a user guide very clearly laid which can be read in less than 5 minutes. The unit does not have any elaborate setup, plug in and use with the user guide as a backup in terms of how to change the screen brightness, Lullabies, talking to your baby, pan / tilt and zoom option.

What’s in the box?  

The Audio baby monitor 6000 comes with,

  • A parent unit
  • A video monitor for the babies’ room,
  • Two main power adaptors,
  • User guide to give a step by step guide to walk you through the set-up process.

WHATS IN THE BOX

3 / 9

Monitor features:

  • Digital signal.
  • Up to 250m range and out of range indicator.
  • 1 parent unit included – portable.
  • 2-way talk – allows you to reassure and comfort from another room.
  • 5 lullabies.
  • Temperature display – for added peace of mind.

Video features:

  • 5-inch colour screen.
  • Wall mountable camera.
  • Pan, tilt and zoom function.
  • Remote control included.
  • Features infra-red night vision so you can see your baby in the dark.

Power features:

  • Baby unit: yes.
  • Parent unit: yes.
  • Power saving mode.
  • Low battery indicator.
  • Parent unit includes mains adaptor – batteries required for parent unit 1 x Li-Ion (included).
  • Baby unit includes mains adaptor – Li-Ion (not included).

 

The initial charge takes 12 hours to charge with a battery life of 4 hours on a single charge. A quick charge of 30 minutes will give the option of a shorter duration.

The chargers supplied x 2 look propriety looking chargers rated as 5V – 1000mA standard 220V, checking an Android phone charger had a rating of 5v and 3.1 amp.  The connection was the standard android MicroUSB (as compared to     USB – C is on the latest phones which is reversible) The monitor charger was replaced overnight with a high rated phone charger which would indicate if stuck your normal phone charger would work as a backup to the charger supplied.

Operational use:

The parent unit that resembles a tablet has a large screen of 5 inches giving a clear picture. The menu is straight forward easy to follow. The pan tilt was very responsive with the right to left doing about 260 degrees, up and down had less of an angle movement, while the bracket could be mounted anywhere to accommodate a view of any part of the room. Access to the pan tilt was one button press and then given the options of up down etc the zoom has a magnification of 2.

Night vision in a completely dark room was impressive been clearly able to see the surroundings. The IR lights from the camera were not a visible distraction in a dark room. Power off to on was seconds, very fast. Sound quality via the audio was excellent and via the side bar, which allows 2 ways talking via the units.  There is a choice of 5 lullaby which can easily be switched off or on from the main controller. Temperature in the room is clearly visible on the parent unit. Signal strength and battery charging was clearly visible.  The visual sound level lights work well when you want to be alerted in any cries or sudden silence.

 

 

If the video monitor gets disconnected for any reason the parent’s unit beeps a warning indication which camera is the problem. This has the advantaged of IP based cameras system without the security concerns / know how to setup.

If thinking do you require a camera to view a sleeping child, wait till the sounds goes quiet and you only option is to check by entering the child room to confirm all ok, the camera saves the work in this. Having no camera option is like going back to terrestrial TV after using Sky plus or setting off to an unknown destination with an AZ instead of a sat navigation, you will get there with both but for an easy life having the camera with the pan tilt zoom option is a huge plus.

If cost is not your major priority, then the BT Video Baby Monitor 6000 would have all the features required. If Bond had a baby this would be the option supplied by techie sidekick Q.

You don’t need to be a hi-tech boffin to use this monitor as set up takes seconds, no connection to the local Wi-Fi, or downloading an app, plug in and use. An Argos review of this product gave 4.6 out of 5, I would go higher than this score if the warranty increased from its current 1-year warranty, this is a product when sleep becomes a distance memory, the BT Video Baby Monitor 6000 provided the technology to help, a BT winner.

https://www.shop.bt.com/products/bt-video-baby-monitor-6000-088306-CQPX.html  £119.98

Christmas Gifts from @SOULElectronics offer Style, Sportiness and Simply an Impressive Sound

We have been testing out some of SOUL Electronics goods over the last two weeks and reviews go live this week and we are impressed with them and not only this the price point here is really competitive in this market and it is crowded but this means choice.  Watch out for our thoughts this week..

SOUL Electronics is one of the world leaders in consumer electronics with a focus on high-quality headphones and Bluetooth speakers that combine powerful sound with stylish design and perfect features for daily workout – at fair prices.

Within the scope of the development of these products, SOUL has also worked closely with famous athletes and musicians, such as Hip-hop legend and Grammy winner Ludacris, sprint superstar Usain Bolt and German NBA legionnaire Dennis Schröder. SOUL headphones are also perfect for those who are looking for a spontaneous Christmas gift and are among others available on Amazon.co.uk and HMV.co.uk.

X-Shock Pure Wireless In-Ears

Weighing only 6 grams each, these in-ears are ergonomically designed and boast a sweat- and waterproof outer shell. Thanks to their Bluetooth 4.2. technology the X-Shock earphones have a range of up to 10 meters. The mobile charging station also offers convincing performance: It not only charges the X-Shock in-ears in 1.5 hours, but also serves as a power bank for the smartphone. In combination with the integrated remote control for easily answering incoming calls, the X-Shock in-ears provide ultimate comfort and flexibility – in the office as well as during workout in the gym or jogging in the park.

X-TRA Over-Ears

Sound meets comfort meets functionality with the SOUL X-TRA headphones: These sports over-ears use LED lights for better visibility for those who like to exercise outdoors, especially in dark winter nights. They weigh less than 200 grams, have removable and washable ear pods to keep them hygienic and are lightweight enough to sit over the user’s ear comfortably during activity.

 Prime Wireless In-Ears

These earphones are rather a fashion accessory, since a handy magnetic clip allows them to transition conveniently into a necklace that is perfect for all-day wear. They are made of high density metal, providing a distinct weight and texture for a more premium look and feel. Despite their compact size, these in-ears boast advanced drivers for warm, deep low bass and clear mids and highs. The Prime Wireless come in a stylish leather carrying case and feature 6 hours battery life, a mic for hands free calls and a remote for volume and playlist control.

RUN FREE PRO HD Bluetooth Earphones

The secure fit of these wireless in-ears can be individually adjusted thanks to the interchangeable ear lock system. They are water and sweat resistant due to their special Nano-coating, and their Wind Noise Reduction function maintains the clear and pumping Bluetooth 4.0 sound without being affected by strong wind noises – for instance during jogging or cycling. Along with up to 12 hours of battery life, this means extended workout sessions in- or outdoors.

 

 ST-XS True Wireless Earphones

Boasting two powerful 6mm dynamic neodymium drivers, these sweat-proof and only 4 grams light Bluetooth in-ears deliver balanced deep low bass and clear mids and highs. Their sweat-proof design ensures a secure and comfortable fit without any wires and hence without any interruptions. Offering up to 10 hours of playtime, the ST-XS also come with a charging carrying case that delivers four full charges – perfect for extensive workout or just for relaxed music entertainment on Christmas holidays.

Play the @libertygames Remote-Control Arcade Claw Machine via Webcam #Gaming #Arcade

From Monday the 18th to Friday the 22nd of December Liberty Games are giving money to a great charity, but they need you to help them. Its simple free and can be done from your home or office..

They have hooked up an arcade claw machine to the internet with a Raspberry Pi. With a simple control interface and a livestreaming webcam, you can play it right now, wherever you are.

And it’s for a great cause. For every toy successfully grabbed and placed in the prize box, they will make a donation to St Mungo’s, a London homeless charity.

To play the game, view the prizes and find out the technical details of how they did it head over HERE

Review – The @noreve leather cover for the Nokia 8 #Noreve #Nokia8

The famous red box has arrived and this time we have a custom made case from our friends at noreve 

This case is simple yet gives your phone a really nice look given its one colour and plain but its professional looking,feels good in hand and also protects your device giving easy access to all ports and then there is no need to remove the cover for anything.

Check out the image gallery below and video review and if there is any questions you would like answered feel free to do so and we will leave a link as to where you can buy this fantastic case from and you can even customise your own case.

4 / 14

This Nokia 8 cover is a reference in the accessories market, and more specifically that of protections. The Noreve expertise, recognized for decades, is once again highlighted through this Nokia 8 holder. Featuring a very classic look, its back structure perfectly marries the phone’s shapes. Designed to the last millimeter, it covers the corners and edges and is resistant to shocks thanks to its robustness. The back of your phone will not be exposed to scratches and stripes. Thin enough, this case fits easily into your pocket.

 

You will appreciate the quality finishes our craftsmen offer, designing entirely this case in a traditional way. Our customization module allows you to create a case that is unique and exclusive. If you want to keep your Nokia smartphone screen free as to use it quickly while partially protecting it, this cover is your best choice.

BUY HERE 

 

 

Which Dating Website is Right for You? – This Visual Asset will help. #Dating #Dates

Not all dating sites are created equal. Just as the goals of online dating users vary, the sites catering to this market boast distinct characteristics. Websites and apps such as Tinder are geared towards those who want to dive head-first into the dating game and seek short-term gratification. Others like Match.com and eHarmony are better suited to people who are serious about online dating and crave a lasting relationship with someone who is compatible with them.

These sites ask for plenty of information to be submitted, but if you’re intent on finding ‘the one’, you’ll happily take the time to go through the rigorous setup process. 

Martin Commins whom is the Managing Director of an Irish online ring search site called Commins & Co has sent us this useful Visual Asset to help you out.

 

Festive hacks: How to nail working from home this Christmas. #Christmas #Work

As Christmas is nearly upon us, and with the “working from home” culture on the rise, Flock has compiled some top tips for those planning to work from the comfort of their home over the Christmas break.

With Christmas around the corner, most employees will be looking forward to a break from the office. While some will be busy wrapping presents (and fretting over cooking the turkey perfectly!) new research shows that 70% of people will be using this time at home to catch up and get ahead for the next year

#1: Know your team

You may be working with a skeleton team over Christmas. So, if you’re working from home, ensure you know who’s working and when. Make sure you have their contact details and working dates, and if possible, add them on your work’s instant messaging app for quick and easy communication.

#2: Plan your time

For many of us, working from home seems like the perfect opportunity to get our heads down and tick items off our to-do lists. But in reality, the lack of a structured work day and other distractions (read excitable children, day-time TV, and pile of laundry) may make this less feasible. To stay on track, plan your time, or even set appointments in your online calendar to make it easier to stay on track.

#3: Follow the 5-minute rule

This tip is super simple. If you have a task that you know will take less than five minutes, make the most of being away from immediate distractions that are in abundance at the office (e.g., your colleagues or the biscuit tin) and get it done now!

#4: Take a break

From time to time, all of us are tempted to work through our lunch breaks. But studies show that letting work eat into your lunch time is counter-productive, and that scheduling a break will instead improve your work quality and ability to concentrate!

#5: Schedule meetings

Coordinating and setting up a meeting can be tough, and this becomes so much more difficult if you’re not working from the office! But with most modern work messenger apps such as Flock, scheduling meetings even when working remotely has been made far easier. You can easily schedule an efficient video or voice call, ultimately cutting the time wasted on all the back and forth that can occur via email. Scheduling meetings also adds an element of structure to your day. So, if your skeleton team is spread across geographical locations, you can schedule a quick daily stand up via a video call.

#6: Ensure you have the right tools

Do you get anxious about transparency, access to work documents, and being a part of work-related discussions? Don’t worry, the fear of missing out is real! Research shows that nearly half of us  find it hard to relax when we don’t have access to work emails. That’s why it’s important to choose tech tools that help you stay connected even on the go. If you’re keen to stay online, make sure you download your messaging app to your phone so that you can monitor activity and have files at your fingertips while you’re out and about during your Christmas break.