Month: May 2018

Park secrets: Kerb is a new app set to change parking in Ireland. #Parking #Ireland #App

If you’ve ever had a parking ticket, been towed or even just been late because you couldn’t find a space, you’ll know that parking can be stressful – and expensive. That’s changing – thanks to a pioneering new app from Down Under called Kerb, which has already solved a lot of parking problems for thousands Australian and New Zealanders.

So how does it work? It’s a bit like ‘Airbnb for Parking’: homeowners or businesses can rent out their spare spaces to make extra cash – and drivers can use the app to park more easily AND more cheaply. But unlike Airbnb, councils love Kerb because it reduces congestion and environmental impact by getting cars off roads, makes use of existing infrastructure – and means more money for locals to spend in the economy.

A Kerb parking space will save the average commuter anywhere between €10 and €40 a day, depending on where they park. Those who park with Kerb use the extra cash on anything from house deposits to holidays, or their kids’ school or university fees. The app isn’t just for parking cars either – Kerb is also for renting and leasing spaces for motorbikes, boats, trucks – even helicopters…

You might be thinking you’ve heard of parking apps before. And you’d be right, but Kerb is different. That’s because it also offers a car park management solution – Kerb Bays – which lets churches and schools use their car park to fundraise, allows universities and shopping malls to better manage their parking, and businesses put their car parking spaces to work and generate extra cash. Residential committees even use Kerb to monitor visitor parking spaces and manage the allocation of parking spaces in apartment buildings.

Kerb leaser, Dee Marshman says, “I have founded KERB to be an awesome way to make use of my car space when I’m not parking my car there! The app is user-friendly and makes the whole process super-easy. The staff at KERB have great communication, too! There’s no downside to using KERB and I recommend it to all of my friends!”

Kerb launched in October 2016 and is live across Australia, New Zealand and will be rolling out in 16 languages later this year. “We’re really excited about the benefits that Kerb is going to have for Irish users”, says co-founder Rob Brown. “The app allows you to list an entire car park up in minutes, and each individual bay can be customised by availability, price and vehicle type.”

If you’re envious of your neighbours paying off their mortgage earlier or going on great holidays because they list their home on Airbnb – this could be your easier, greener way to cash in on the sharing economy!

Facts

  • https://kerb.works/
  • Kerb was launched in 2016 by Rob Brown (one of Australia most prominent marketers), and Matt Salmon (a highly regarded technologist and app developer).
  • Kerb allows leasers to list an entire car park up in minutes: each individual bay can be customised by availability, price and vehicle type.
  • Currently leasers approve booking requests. With Kerb Bays, leasers have the option to apply instant book to all your bays.
  • If leasers prefer long-term users in some car parks, they have the option for the user to pay by the week as a direct debit. The user is then provided to give notice to end the lease.
  • Kerb allows leasers to add their own terms to the app, which the user must accept when they click to book.
  • Registration is collected on all bookings – other documents can be collected if required.
  • Car park access – provided boom gates or doors are online, Kerb should be able to trigger them open via a button on the app which appears to the user when they book. There are other devices like GSM openers which can also be integrated with.
  • Kerb is happy to provide signage for any bays listed on Kerb, free of charge.
  • Kerb will be available around the world and is already in Australia, New Zealand, and just arrived in the UK and Ireland.

Review – Ecovacs Robotics DEEBOT-OZMO 610. #ecovacs #robotics #tech

This product is marketed as “aims to provide innovative products that assist consumers with their daily household chores, leading to a more comfortable and enjoyable life.” The robotic vacuum cleaner looks solid, surrounded by a soft bumper with rugged wheels. The unit came with a variety of accessories; side brush, remote control, water reservoir.

Box Contains:

1x Floor cleaning robot DEEBOT OZMO 610, 1x OZMO water tank, 2x Washable and reusable microfiber cleaning cloths, 4x Side brushes, 2x Dust filter, 1x Direct suction attachment, 1x Manual, 1x Cleaning tools, 1x Charging dock.

Features:

  • Smart Cleaning Path with less missing
  • OZMO mopping system for superior cleaning
  • V-shaped main brush for more lifting
  • Selective cleaning modes for various messes
  • App Control DEEBOT, anytime, anywhere
  • Stair Safety Technology
  • Auto Start at One Touch

Specifications:

Noise Level: The noise level, 65 dB is too loud to have running in the same room if you are sleeping but when the unit was used downstairs during the night with the doors closed the sound was not heard.

Battery Charging:

The DM88-BYD, 3000mAH battery gives 110 minutes of run time on a full charge. This takes approx. 4 hours to fully recharge. There is the option to have the unit return to the charging dock via the remote, alternative when the units battery power gets low, DEEBOT automatically returns to its docking station, by itself. The location is memorised, and cleaning continues from where it left off. There does not appear at present an option to purchase a replacement battery (which may be required after 3 / 4 years use).

Mopping System:

The Ecovacs Deebot OZMO 610 robot vacuum has a reservoir that holds 300 milliliters of water, which is managed by a smart water pump that prevents leaks from occurring. There is small suite of sensors to ensure that the vacuum mop mode only runs on hard floors, and it keeps the microfiber mop pad from becoming saturated and subsequently ineffective. There is a smart cleaning pad with interchangeable suction inlet, allowing different floor type cleaned.

Obstacle Detection Technology / Stair Safety Technology:

The DEEBOT- 0zmo 610 can manoeuvre to conquer difficult locations between chairs / tables / stair drops with ease using multiple sensors that distinguishes the dangers. The heavy-duty wheels can climb 0.6-inch thresholds. The unit has a bumper rail with infrared anti-collision sensors to avoid obstacles. The stair safety technology has anti-drop sensors to clean around stairs without the risk of falling. This unit is low enough to clean under some sofas, which in the past had to be manually pulled out, cleaned, washed and then pushed back in place.

The Brand:

ECOVACS ROBOTICS has been around since before 2006 refocusing on research and development, design, manufacture and the sales of robotic home appliances. Their R&D team has over 100 engineers and specialists hold 345 trademarks and over 1,000 patents in China and overseas.

Warranty: One-year manufacturer’s warranty, this is one gripe with this unit as the build quality and design should affirm a 3-year warranty within Europe, rather than a 1 year.

Compare models:

Setup – first use.

The unit requires minimum knowledge to setup; this required a few accessories fitted to the unit (a quick start guide supplied). This unit has an auto start, one touch of a button and simple start button which allows you to instantly start the clean. Press once, then DEEBOT immediately gets to work. The unit can also be controlled via the supplied remote,

1 – Auto cleaning mode – for everyday use

2 – Spot cleaning 1-5 minutes (highly concentrated dirt)

3 – Edge cleaning mode (Clean the edges and corners in a room)

App – Programming the Robot

The Deebot can be programmed weekly to clean multiple times per day at specific times using the Ecovacs app. The Ecovacs app has got 2.5 out of 5 stars. The main reasons for dropping stars is “App invasive permissions / lack of push notification” (to tell you if the vacuum needs assistance). The app allows control of the DEEBOT, anytime, anywhere ensuring when you return from home the house has been cleaned in advance.

Maintenance:

The maintenance on the unit is basic and requires no technical knowledge. The brushes can be removed. Removal of the reservoir, cleaning cloth, etc. are easy to remove and clean under a tap as required. The Ecovacs accessories are freely available on Amazon at reasonable prices (except the battery).

Industry Norm:

Any of the main manufacturers that currently do a SWOT analysis on the market should see this versatile technology as the key threat to their business. This technology only used for a week, leaves traditional vacuum cleaners in the dust. This technology is not a ‘should I get one or not?’ question, it’s what model I should get? You would still need a basic vacuum cleaner for stairs, cobwebs on the ceiling, dust on the skirting board, etc. (The ECOVACS ROBOTICS DEEBOT R98 would work for all areas). The features of this technology can still be done manually, while the same can be said for a dishwasher, but why waste time and energy doing work that can be automated.

This robotic vacuum cleaner is like using Sky+, satellite navigation or VR glasses for the first time – WOW. The DEEBOT- 0zmo 610 works and it’s hard to go back to traditional methods once used.

The DEEBOT- 0zmo 610 does what the marketing team states; ‘provide innovative products that assist consumers with their daily household chores, leading to a more comfortable and enjoyable life’. Does it clean as well as a traditional cleaner / mop & bucket? This works and makes life easier and unless the floors are tested with a microscope I found no issues on DEEBOT- OZMO 610 cleaning ability. This is a major thumbs up for this product and a product / technology highly recommended.

ECOVACS ROBOTICS DEEBOT OZMO 610 – Floor cleaning robot with systematic cleaning, OZMO mopping function and vacuuming in one path and App. https://www.amazon.co.uk/ECOVACS-ROBOTICS-DEEBOT-OZMO-610/dp/B0758Q39P3

Price: £288.60

WeatherKit is your pocket weatherman. #Apps #Weather #IndieDev #Android #iOS

There is plenty of weather apps out there today and we have covered many over the last two years here and I always like to see something new, WeatherKit is an updated version of the App called Aerium which we featured before by Indie Dev Raul, Check it out below the app is available on both the Android and iOS platforms. It has a really nice minimalistic design and looks great.

 

Features

5-day forecast
During our beta, we heard lots of voices saying that we should support at least 5 days of weather forecast. To do so, we invested heavily into how we can make that experience as seamless as possible and our whole team is stoked with the result. Did someone say hourly forecasts? They’re next.

· RainAlert
We love RainAlert only because sometimes it’s invisible. It was designed to only get in your way when you need it more. 

· Subscriptions
To provide you with the best weather data, we’re using the best weather API’s available – and boy, they’re not cheap. We’re a small indie team committed to this project and to the people using it, without turning a profit. In all fairness, we’d love to push the limits on the affordability and in this update, we added multiple Pro subscriptions. You can subscribe to our monthly or yearly plan, or get the best deal available and buy the lifetime in-app purchase.

· Interface & Experience
We updated the on boarding alongside with the interface for a better user experience. You’ll notice major changes to the swipe-up weather card, both in smoothness and content. It’s a small redesign with a focus on accessibility.

 

Blinkers launch the complete smart lighting system for cyclists. #Cycling #Cyclists

Designed to make communication easier between cyclists and other road users, it aims to keep people safe on the roads and bring a bit of smart tech to your hobby or daily commute. Something like this should be mandatory on bikes anyway. 

Velohub, a Swiss start-up based in Zürich that specialises in developing smart technology for cyclists, is today pleased to announce the launch of its first product, Blinkers. Blinkers is a new smart lighting system that makes the urban cyclist visible, predictable and respected by everyone else on the road. The smart lighting system including front, rear and laser lighting is available to buy from www.blinkers.bike with prices starting from £89/€99/$120

 

Cycle use has been increasing in the UK with 1.9 million people cycling every day and more people cycling at least once a week. With so many bikes and 71% riding on roads, safety is paramount as cyclists are among the most vulnerable users of the road. Using two wheels to balance, no chassis to protect them and only able to communicate by hand with other vehicles, they are often left in risky situations particularly when riding in a busy city. With cars and bikes always struggling to share the road together, the concept behind Blinkers is to allow cyclists to communicate with fellow road users more efficiently and become a more natural part of the road.

 

Along with communication benefits, Blinkers aims to be the next generation of bike lights by giving cyclists the ability to use extra safety functionalities including turning indicators, brake lights and laser projection with a simple remote control. With two-thirds of cyclists’ injuries or fatalities occurring at, or near, a road junction with T-junctions and roundabouts being the most commonly involved, the benefits of turning indicators is clear and a safety precaution that should prevent confusion and give all road users peace of mind.

 Blinkers smart lighting works in many of the same ways that road users are already familiar with, allowing a smooth transition for all on the road. The Blinkers indicate the direction of the turn the cyclist is taking, by blinking to the right or to the left, with the rear Blinker using a red light that becomes more intense when the cyclist is braking. The laser set allows users to project half a circle on the ground, which will increase visibility during the night and to give cars a better understanding of the cyclists’ positioning on the road and the space the cyclist requires. All of these features are controlled by a wireless remote control on the handlebar of the bike to make the communication and use as simple as possible.

The lights can be charged by USB and are designed to be used for approximately 20 hours. They can be put on any bike with universal attachments on the handlebar, the saddle and the rack. Blinkers can be easily removed from the bike due to a magnetic system, so that users can take them off whenever the bike is locked or left unattended. The system works with radiofrequency and a light on the remote control indicates when the Blinkers should be charged so that cyclists will be aware of when the battery is running low.

 

Previously, Blinkers was on Kickstarter in June 2016 and gained support from over 500 backers, including from within the UK, raising over €50,000. The feedback from both backers and beta testers was overwhelmingly positive with one backer, Elaine, commenting: “How come this kind of product hasn’t come out before? I am so looking forward to receiving mine, roads here in the UK are everything but safe”. Beta testing of the Blinkers solution confirmed that cyclists found it easy to use and intuitive.

Blinkers are available in the 4 different packages from £89/€99/$120 for the rear light without laser, to £175/€199/$240 for a complete safety solution (the rear and front light with laser), shipping included from www.blinkers.bike.

Unboxing and first look. The Conbrov T17 worlds smallest dashcam. #Dashcams #Motoring #tech

Dashcams are a must and something I will nag people to get and let’s be honest they are a worthy investment. Of course there is the rule of thumb you get what you pay for but there is good and bad in this category when it comes to price just like any other tech item but with the insurance situation here in Ireland alone as a population we could reduce costs and make it an embedded thought in people’s heads thata people use these things now and have people with a mindset wondering should an incident arise or a fraudulent attempt occur did the occupant have a .. dashcam installed..

 

We have got this new dashcam in claiming to the worlds smallest from Conbrov,small and discreet it is which is a good thing can it live up to its name when it comes to quality overall?? The fear people have is that smash and grab factor by default and someone will smash a window to grab the dashcam yet alone a sat nav system or some fool that leaves a laptop bag or purse on the passenger seat which is an easy target for some lousy opportunist as they or known or an organised criminal gang these things do happen even in the most unlikely places.Small is good but small needs to work so we have a quick look here at small then we will give the results..

Buy HERE Or on Amazon

The Nokia 2 and 7 Plus now on sale with Power City. #Nokia2 #Nokia7Plus #Ireland

Its the last place I would have expected to see these phones but yes they are there.

The Nokia 7 Plus is starting to pop up in many outlets now apart from our operators which is a good thing to see. Some places however are commanding a higher price that what Nokia are offering for but Power City are now selling the new 7 PLUS  for €399.95 and the NOkia 2 for €119.95 both sim free, It is good to see Irish grown stores get in on the act and you can check out the deal below. They also have a live stock check so you can check your local store if you are looking for one today..

https://powercity.ie/product/9013101

NOKIA 7PLUS 

NOKIA 2

https://powercity.ie/product/9009289

Netflix Recommended Smart TVs for 2018. #SmartTV #Tech #Netflix

Picking a new TV can be a challenge for many it does not only come down to budget it comes down to ones personal requirements. For sure I could recommend one and have done many times and there are some really good deals out there right now but Netflix have done some research of their own in this department so check out what they have to offer.

When you see the “Netflix Recommended TV” logo, it means that device has passed rigorous testing to ensure great performance and easy access to Netflix and other services. This means the TV:

  • Starts up instantly and gets to Netflix (or other internet TV services) within just a few seconds.
  • Allows users to move quickly and easily between apps
  • Comes with the latest version of Netflix
  • Can support newer, more immersive Netflix browsing experiences, like video previews

In order to receive the designation, the TV must meet 5 out of 7 criteria (listed here).

What’s more, all of the models designated include a Netflix button on the remote control which means viewers can start watching instantly with the press of a single button. Magic. And our stopwatches come in handy, because we make sure you can power on your TV and start watching in just a matter of seconds.

Here is the first wave of 2018 Netflix Recommended TVs:

  • LG  4K UHD TVs with webOS 4.0
  • Sony  W800F / WF800 series Android TVs

We test all TVs that carry Netflix and will continue to report new designations throughout the year as new devices become available or get updated. Timing of availability for Netflix Recommended TVs will vary by market, and not all models will be available in all regions.  For more information, you can go to our Netflix Recommended TV website.

Stop Your Smartphone Addiction with Social Fever App. #Apps #Addiction #Mobile

With emerging smartphone addiction people are glued to their smartphone devices like never before. While smartphones are considered to be one of the best inventions of all time it is not immune to common problems usually associated with largely used technologies. Here, it has not only given a medium to people to communicate and stay connected with their near and dear ones but it is also full of other apps & services. In fact, you unbox your smartphone bundled with a lot of apps & services that come pre-installed on your device. While some of these apps you use rest remain idle on your device.

Time to Intervene: Well, the time has come when we should stay vigilant to issues arising due to addiction to smartphones & social media accounts. Here, we should limit phone usage to save our time and to reduce smartphone dependence. To do this, Systweak Software offers you one effective tool in the form of Social Fever.

Features of the App

Track Goals: Under Track Goals option, the app helps you set individual goals for yourself and further track them. Using this option, you can reduce your smartphone dependency considerably. In this option, you need to go to individual app to set maximum time you want to spend on it. You can set your goals under tracking module and further track them when needed. You can use this effective feature to track time spent on phone efficiently.

App Usage: You can use this one of the best apps that track phone usage to monitor and limit phone usage significantly. Under app usage option, you can instantly view the information related to app usage. Further, it displays the total time spent on the specific app from tracking module.

History: It displays information related to the total time you have spent on different apps in last 7 days. Here, you will find history in a geographical format for easy understanding.

Interest: App not only allows you to track and limit your smartphone usage but it also helps you know how much time you have saved to spend your favorite activity. Under Interest, you need to set interest for yourself.

Ear Health: Under this feature, app will send you alerts when you spend long hours using earphones on your device. This feature is meant to reduce over usage of ear/headphones to keep your ear health intact. Using this app, that track phone usage also helps you keep your health well.

Eye Health: Like ear health, the app also helps you keep your eyes in good condition in addition to limit phone usage. Here, the app will send you warnings when you spend a long time on your smartphone starring at the device screen. You can use this feature to relax your eyes and mind.

Other features

  • To view app usage in real-time use Show App Tracking feature. Here, it will display a time tracker with selected app to help you know the time you have spent on any app.
  • You can change daily delivery report time by heading to app settings. Here, default time you get reports is 22:00 hours.
  • To view and manage daily goals click on “Show daily report” option. It will help you track time spent on phone effortlessly.
  • To clear tracking, history click on “Clear History” option.
  • To change interest, you have set click on “Show Interest” option.

The Verdict of the App: Social Fever offers an intuitive solution to deal with smartphone addiction. Using this smart solution, you not only manage to track and limit phone usage but you also save lot of your valuable time. This powerful tool offers lot of useful features to offer improved user experience. We can recommend you try this app to get best results in no time.

 

First look and unboxing, FOCAL LISTEN wireless premium headphones. #headphones #tech

Another day a new pair of cans have arrived,this time from FOCAL. These come in several colours and are quite nice and its good to see a step away from the industry norm with nice fresh colours, Given ours are Black check out the colours on offer which really look nice. If you have any questions in the meantime feel free to ask while we test these out over the coming week or so and stay tuned for a full review soon.

 

Listen Wireless are Focal’s closed-back wireless headphones, equipped with Bluetooth® 4.1 wireless technology aptX compatible. Listen Wireless and its Chic edition guarantee superior sound performance, close to CD quality. Focal engineers have been very careful to keep our DNA in these headphones. Innovative 3/4″ (40mm) Titanium/Mylar drivers guarantee superior sound performance. Excellent isolation is created by the closed design and broad ear cushions.

 

 

 

The heat-sensitive memory foam ear cushions offer optimum comfort. Listen Wireless integrate a double microphone system: ‘Clear Voice Capture’, which offer superior voice rendering during phone calls. With 20 hours of battery life and just 3 hours of charge, Listen Wireless really takes your music everywhere, in total freedom.

See more HERE