Month: December 2018

Review – GoXtreme Rebel action cam. #Tech #Cams #Video

The GOXTREME REBEL came in a box with an abundant of accessories, the 2″ (5cm) display on the camera came with an external waterproof closures that seals the camera from water.  The housing is waterproof but allows the buttons to be pressed manually.  The waterproof closures felt strong and sturdy while a bit fiddle to open and close. The GOXTREME REBEL is designed for water and mud in a body that can be mounted to helmets, bikes, tripods and more. It also comes with a case that is waterproof to 30 metres.

Included Accessories:

  • Waterproof case
  • Shield
  • Bike mount
  • Helmet mounts
  • Switch support
  • Tripod adaptor
  • Battery
  • USB Cable
  • User manual

Note the unit came with no MicroSD card, this is required to be formatted. The Rebel can support microSD cards up to 32GB. The MicroSD card would require to be a class6. Or if using a 4K action cams minimum U3 class10 micro SD cards are required. The Recording times are depending on resolution.

 GoXtreme Rebel specs

  • Display: 2”/5cm
  • Waterproof case: up to 30m
  • Video resolution: 1080p 30fps by interpolation, 720p 30fps, WVGA 30fps, VGA 30fps
  • Still image resolution: 16MP, 12MP, 10MP, 8MP, 5MP, 2MP by interpolation
  • Memory: micro SD card support up to 32GB, minimum Class 10 (not included)
  • Wide angle: 140° fixed
  • Microphone: built-in
  • Wi-Fi function
  • Time-lapse video: 1, 2, 5, 10, 30, 60 second intervals
  • Continuous shot: single photo, 3, 5, 10, 20 second timer
  • Motion detection
  • Anti-shaking

Setup:

The setup requires the battery to be fitted and charged via a standard USB cable, the purchased MicroSD card required to be formatted. The camera required fitting into the supplied Waterproof case. The fitting into the case is fiddley requiring concentration and referring to the manual for setup. The Video recordings have a maximum time limit of 22 mins after which time the camera will automatically stop recording. Further recording must then be restarted manually. The Rebel can record 720p high definition or interpolated 1080p Full HD video at 30fps. It can also capture 16-megapixel stills. On the back is a 2-inch display, and there’s also built-in Wi-Fi for using your phone as a remote control. There is no touch screen on the display, nor zoom functions

Note: If intending to use at the theatre, / concert the stewards request Camcorders & GoXtreme not to be used, while those with excellent camera phones continue to record.

GoPlus Cam app:

The free app had installations 500.000+ with a 3.50 out of 3,883 in total, Note the WIFI setup required the manual to be read to setup, setting up on an iPhone 6 resulted in a difficulty in not connecting initially but then worked with this phone. Once the app was set up, the phone could live view the camera and start recording etc as required. The phone had full control of the camera functions and settings.

Conclusion:

The out of box experience was solid with a alot of loose accessories with the potential of easily getting lost. The price range of the product was a surprise with the expectation of hundreds of euro but inexpensive as compared to many other units with a great variety of accessories supplied. The quality is acceptable, but poor when moving quickly or turning dropping from the headline of full HD. The camera picture of 16MP is good, the waterproof closures seals the camera up to 30m which ensures if the camera got a knock or two, it continues to work. The Wi-Fi reduced the need for a touch screen, but this would a nice touch and a zoom option. Overall this is budget action camera but with an abundance of accessories, withstand water and mud with the option to mount to helmets, bikes, tripods etc.  This was a excellent surprise in the price range.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/GoXtreme-20149-Rebel/dp/B07F2K1QLB

 

Review – Brainwavz Zeta in-ear wired headphones. #Brainwavz #Zeta #Headphones #Tech

If you are on a budget and want something simple or even a gift to buy these are an ideal choice considered the cost which will set you back around €15-20 euro. The Brainwavz Zeta are a simple paired of wired headphones that look good and come with the extras to boot. The sound overall is quite good with all attributes in music reproduced well and are solid overall with performance. The in-line remote is one of simplicity but lacks functionality overall but nonetheless you get one and it can be useful

 

The quality here is great but not overly loud which is how I like my music. These are a simple plug and play with no app and no fuss and cost effective but the sound as I said is good and much better and clearer than any others I have tried in this price range, These are also comfortable to wear,These will work with and Audio device that sports 3.5mm or if you have an adaptor at hand. Check out the video below and if you have any questions feel free to ask below or on social. For the money here you can’t go wrong.

Specs 

  1. Drivers : Dynamic, 10 mm
  2. Rated Impedance : 16Ω
  3. Frequency Range : 20 Hz ~ 20 kHz
  4. Sensitivity : 103 dB at 1 mW
  5. Rated Input Power : 3 mW
  6. Cable : 1.3 m Y-Cord
  7. Plug : 3.5 mm, Gold plated

BUY HERE

 

Irish Software Firm Launch Virtual Reality Learning Tool – ENGAGE #VR #IVRE #Nokia #Intel

IVRE Announces Partnerships with Nokia, Intel, Oxford & Shenandoah Universities

Immersive VR Education (IVRE), the Virtual Reality software and technology group based in Waterford, have today announced the official launch of their online virtual social learning and presentation tool ENGAGE, which provides a platform for creating, sharing and delivering proprietary and third-party VR content for educational and corporate training purposes.

ENGAGE is a powerful virtual reality collaboration and creation tool, allowing educators and corporate trainers to host meetings, classes, private tutorials, training sessions and presentations with people from all over the world, participating in a safe, virtual, multi-user environment.

It is designed to either complement and enhance classroom teaching, or for use in a standalone environment, providing distance learners with access and opportunities to connect level with their fellow students.

Speaking of the launch, David Whelan, CEO & Co-founder of IVRE,

“ENGAGE has been in production for over 2 years – it has gone through rigorous development & testing phases and is now fully functional and ready for use around the globe. We have already partnered with Shenandoah University in the U.S. and Nokia to roll out this platform to students and staff. We are also working with leading professors from Oxford University to provide content on the ENGAGE platform, and Intel are currently promoting ENGAGE throughout the US as part of their Tech Learning Lab initiative which will be touring Europe and the UK in the coming months.

 It is our mission as a company to be at the forefront of mainstreaming VR technology in education. ENGAGE is at the cutting edge of this technology’s usage in the education sector.  It is uniquely placed to do two things. Firstly, help educators visualise how the technology can positively impact their profession and their ability to influence students’ participation and performance and secondly, become synonymous with the application of the technology, through its platform and content, in the ‘learning space’ which can be applied anywhere – whether it is in an interactive museum, a second level school, a university, or a work setting.”

Initial partnerships with Nokia Corporation and Shenandoah University

Both Nokia Corporation, the multinational telecommunications, information technology, and consumer electronics company, and Shenandoah University, the private liberal arts university located in Winchester, Virginia in the United States, have signed up as partners to use the ENGAGE platform for training and education purposes respectively.

Commenting on these partnerships Mr. Whelan,

“The full release of ENGAGE is a transformational moment in our history and is the result of many years of hard work, cutting edge research and innovation. Being aligned to global leaders like these institutions demonstrates the potential and need for the platform.

 People today all over the world say let’s SKYPE when talking about online communications and meetings. In the future we want people to say let’s ENGAGE and enter VR to communicate in a more natural way.”

How to ENGAGE?

There is a free version of ENGAGE available to allow users to download and consume content. The paid version of the platform provides users with additional features for content creation and network capabilities. Students can use a VR headset to participate from wherever they are in the world, or can enjoy the platform through the desktop application.

There are just 3 simple steps to registration and set-up and the IVRE team are there to provide guidance on every step of the way.

Users can share their content on the ENGAGE platform for other users to enjoy.

ENGAGE has a selection of virtual presenter screens that allow users to stream in documents and media from OneDrive, Google Docs and Dropbox.  They can stream in PowerPoints, Videos, Audio and a range of different documents using a media playback system. ENGAGE also supports YouTube video playback in 2D, 3D and 360 formats.

Using ENGAGE’s virtual objects and virtual environments library, teachers can create specialised lessons which aim to improve learning retention and class interaction. Live lessons can be recorded, then reviewed and shared privately with others in a virtual classroom or uploaded to the ENGAGE platform for anyone to watch anywhere.

For example, why teach Marine Biology in a classroom when you can treat students to a virtual lesson on the seabed? Imagine how much more powerful the learning experience could be when discussing the challenges of planetary environments from the surface of Mars? Stand with a class of students in the middle of the Masai Mara during the migration season to observe the majesty of nature and the importance of protecting our natural world. It really doesn’t have to be complex to remove the very real challenges of remote learning by bringing students virtually together in an ENGAGE meeting room.

Mr. Whelan spoke of their dedication to transforming the delivery methods of education and corporate training by utilising VR technologies to deliver fully immersive virtual learning experiences,

“Our ENGAGE platform aims to fully immerse the user into their learning experience, in order to increase learning retention and engagement. It will allow people to receive the best education, from the best educators from around the world, all from the comfort of their own home using virtual reality.”

Lifesize Creates Lifelike Video Conferencing Experience with First and Only Global 4K Video Calling Solution #4K #Video #Cloud

Lifesize, a global innovator of video collaboration and meeting productivity solutions, today announced the release of its new global cloud service architecture and Icon 700 conference room solution. The complete video conferencing solution represents the flagship technology in a new line of next-generation Lifesize offerings. Designed with industry-first 4K video conferencing capabilities, the solution offers full-motion 4K content sharing and an unparalleled quality experience.

 

“Today’s businesses and their employees rely on video conferencing for their mission-critical communications,” said Craig Malloy, CEO of Lifesize. “Our goal with our next generation of Lifesize solutions was to challenge the status quo of ‘good enough’ quality and create a better-than-in-person meeting experience that eliminates the stress, time and money waste associated with commuting to and from meetings. Whether connecting face to face with your customers, making an introductory call with a new client or strengthening your internal global communication culture, these new offerings will help people present their absolute best selves in every conversation.”

The 4K global cloud service architecture and the Icon 700 conference room solution with full-motion 4K content sharing, and premium audio clarity, delivers the absolute best video conferencing experience on the market. Priced at $7,499, the Icon 700 offers a future-proof 4K solution for the price of competing 720p solutions. Highlights of the new solution include:

  • First-ever 4K video conferencing with full-motion content sharing in 4K
  • Native integration with easy-to-use cloud service designed for live 4K video
  • Ultra-wideband Opus audio for exceptional audio clarity optimised for human speech
  • The industry’s highest quality for multiparty calls and recordings

“The company that introduced the first HD-capable video conferencing system is now taking things to the next level,” says Ira M. Weinstein, managing partner at analyst firm Recon Research. “At a time when many solutions are sacrificing quality of experience in favour of cost, Lifesize is taking the opposite tact by providing full-motion 4K video and content sharing. The combination of these latest offerings and the company’s field-proven cloud service will pave the way for new use cases where the combination of ease of use and high resolution are a must.”

For more information about the new line of Lifesize 4K solutions, visit www.lifesize.com.

Review – The ROCCAT Leadr Wireless RGB gaming mouse. #ROCCAT #Gaming #Tech

The box is striking, stands out which fits in with the gaming environment, the mouse is wireless with the key features listed on the box. The visual look of the mouse is different to your standard mouse having a variety of additional buttons. The initial feel on the mouse was hassle-free comfortable in the hand to move around.  The mouse came with a charging dock, the mouse clicked onto the dock easily while the Click sound was like a high power engine purr.

 

Contents:

  • ROCCAT® Leadr –
  • Wireless Multi-Button RGB Gaming Mouse
  • Quick-Installation Guide
  • Docking/transmission Stand
  • 1×micro USB to USB cable

 

Features:

  • ROCCAT® Owl-Eye optical sensor unrelenting pointer precision with 12000dpi
  • Next-gen button layout featuring X-Celerator analogue paddle + Fin Switch
  • Unrivalled wireless optics  zero lag: 1000Hz polling + 20h battery
  • Charging dock & top-up cable charging dock with status LEDs
  • ROCCAT® Easy-Shift[+]™ button duplicator technology
  • Two-level RGB illumination  customizable light system, 16.8m colours
  • 14 ergonomic mouse buttons programmable + solid 2D Titan Wheel
  • 32-Bit Processor for rapid macro execution
  • ROCCAT® Swarm powered comprehensive driver & software suite

 

Setup:

The setup was easy,  plug in the  USB connector to the ROCCAT® Leadr charging dock, update to the latest version of the software on www.roccat.org. Power on the mouse and pair the device by holding the pairing buttons on the dock and mouse at the same time. The option was available to use the mouse wireless or connect via the USB cable.  The 14 fully-programmable mice take a little longer to set up but advantageous for gaming or where constant repetition is required.  The setup used the ROCCAT Swarm Software which is available for Windows/android on https://en.roccat.org/Support/Product/Leadr /

ROCCAT mouse range comparison

 

 

Manufacturer:

The Roccat was founded in Germany in 2007, they are a hardware manufacturer of high-end gaming peripherals and accessories.

Practical use: Positive

The facility to allow the player to change the functions of the buttons is advantageous for games. For example, any of the buttons can be changed to control or shift. This makes it very easy for the player to just simply press a button on the mouse. This makes play a lot faster and greater entertaining as a result. The mouse runs smoothly over any flat surface which makes it easy-going to use on a variety of surfaces, the ability to use it wirelessly or wired is a big advantage for a gamer or for any use.   The wireless mode was extremely responsive and seems to be instant.  The mouse response ensured an advantage gamer experience ensuring not been vanquished on an online game.  This is far superior to a traditional mouse. In terms of style and design, its multiple lights and the illuminated logo look cool.

 

Practical use: Negative

The mouse size doesn’t suit smaller hand sizes which may make it more difficult for those with small hands and younger players. The cost of the mouse is expensive as compared to other mice. The Swarm Software is not the easiest software to set up for advanced use.  The lights while a bonus on a gaming environment would look out of place in an office if use for a dual purpose as the LED lights cannot be turned off.

 

Conclusion:

Overall the Roccat LeadR is a fantastic and comfortable mouse with well-distributed buttons that are good for mostly gaming but can be used for other uses besides gaming.  The freedom of the wireless mouse is a huge bonus with a cool docking station provided. The docking stands looks and felt cool saving the need to attach a cable at any stage to their mouse.  (The Click sound of the mouse to the Docking station was like listening to a purr of the high powered engine, the sound does nothing but feels gratifying.) There is the option to use the USB cable if required.  The main difference in this wireless mouse as compared to other non-gaming mouse is the 2.4GHz data transmission which has practically zero lag, and latency which gives lightning-fast input to a challenging game scenario.  The ROCCAT® Leadr mouse with its wireless high speed, enhanced functionality is a requisite to the exceptional gaming experience.

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Roccat-ROC-11-852-Wireless-Owl-Eye-Multi-Button/dp/B06XYHLZRJ

Review – ROCCAT Khan AIMO: Hi-Res 7.1 RGB Surround Sound Gaming Headset #Gaming #Headphones #ROCCAT

The Roccat Khan Aimo 7.1 Hi-Resolution RGB Gaming headset at first look was striking, eye-catching with the white headset and black box. The box contained oodles of logos and information on the front but lost the actual ROCCAT Khan AIMO logo with the colours, the box was large for the size of the headset but compact, not overly packed with manuals and documents.

Box Contents:

  • Roccat Khan Aimo 7.1 Hi-Resolution RGB Gaming (white Addition)
  • Information Document.
  • Quick instalment Guide

Roccat Khan Aimo 7.1 performance

The performance of the Roccat Khan Aimo 7.1 Hi-Resolution RGB Gaming headset was great-sounding

audio with smooth transitions of sound during gameplay and on your computer when listening to music. The Acoustics was very clear, excellent beat, pulse and blocks out most outside noises, the microphone was remarkable as compared to other headsets when players were talking, it was easier to hear the user.  The ROCCAT Khan AIMO is a comfortable fit after hours of gameplay, were most headsets would start to give of headaches, or hurt the top of your head due to no cushion at the top whereas this headset is particularly comfortable. When playing audio at a high level, practically no sound could be heard sitting beside the earphone.

 Range comparison,  https://en.roccat.org/Headsets

Positives:

  • Very comfortable during gameplay
  • Clear and smooth sound transactions during gameplay
  • The mic is not too long or too short like some gaming headsets where they must constantly be adjusted.
  • The mic is very clear when talking to other players on the headset.
  • Easy setup
  • Noise cancellation is very good even in very noisy places.

Negatives

  • USB connection rather than a normal AUX cord connection. (No adapter supplied)
  • Buttons don’t work on consoles like the PS4 and Xbox.
  • Expensive without the dual option to connect to Gamers, phones, tablets

 

Overall

These are a distinguished set of headphones that have a lot of handy features, excellent noise block out, clear and comfort that brings the best possible gaming headset experience. However, they should just be for PC gamers as the buttons don’t work on consoles like the PS4 and Xbox, this is a disappointment and as are only USB, not AUX jack, with no a USB adapter supplied. They are a well-made headphone set with memory foam headband and earpads. they have strong steel sliders and felt like a reliable headset with a flashy looking design with lights.

These headphones would suit the likes of a PC gaming streamer, that require a flashy set of headphones, this is ideal for those that use the video camera on the gaming experience. Again, the noise cancellation is superb, they are not ideal for an office job on the phone because of the lights even though they are quite comfortable the lights are glitzy and would constantly distract other workers. The earphone has Hi-Res audio, premium hardware, excellent noise cancellation, extremely comfortable for extended listening.  This ROCCAT Khan AIMO allows you to get immersed in an environment blocking out a nosy environment with comfort for hours.

A welcome indulgence of audio balance.

 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Roccat-Surround-Illumination-Real-Voice-Microphone/dp/B078RM7GHM/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1543766618&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=roccat+khan+aimo&psc=1

Google Releases its Irish ‘Year in Search’ Results. #Google #Ireland #Search

As 2018 comes to a close, the annual Google Year in Search results provide a telling snapshot of what caught the interest of the Irish over the last 12 months. We are a bunch of nosey and inquisitive fcukers and just like to know what is going on and use Google to do the rest.. Not only for just random search on news but “How to….” is a very interesting topic to and reveals what have been looking for this year.

The FIFA World Cup was Ireland’s top-trending Google search for 2018, despite Ireland’s absence in the tournament, with soccer’s quadrennial competition trending most strongly in our searches for 2018. Staying with sports, the epic Ireland vs New Zealand match last month – which saw us overcome the world’s best team for the first time at home – was our 7th overall top trending search in this year (coming 2nd in sports searches overall). But in terms of quantity, golf tournaments took three of the top 10 spots in sport, horse racing took two spots, and tennis and MMA shared one spot each.

Musical tastes were reflected in the appearance of Avicii as our second top-trending topic for 2018. The electronic dance musician – famous for the song “Wake Me Up” – sadly passed away in April of this year, and his popularity on this island was reflected in our increased Googling of his name at that time. Dolores O’Riordan, the Irish icon and former lead singer of The Cranberries, was another musical notary that also passed too early this year – she was our 5th top-trending Google search in 2018. Finally, the perennial curiosity that is Eurovision was our 6th top-trending musical topic overall, driven no doubt by Ireland’s first inclusion in the final for five years.

Ireland’s ambivalent approach to healthy eating was reflected in our food-related searches this year: searches for healthy “Operation Transformation” recipes were closely followed by our less healthy interest in cake recipes. Perhaps guilty feelings lead to “healthy dinner recipes” coming 3rd in the rankings, before cravings set in again with “bread recipes” occupying 4th spot. Interestingly, “vegan recipes” made their first appearance in Google’s top trending search list, perhaps indicating a move away from an Ireland raised on black pudding and rashers.

Politically, we were inspired to ask “how to register to vote” (1st in the “how to…” list) as well as “what is blasphemy?”, “what is the backstop?” and “what is the 8th amendment?” (1st, 3rd & 5th in the “what is…?” list” respectively). But the seriousness of politics this year was mitigated by our love for escapist films, with the musical melodrama A Star Is Born taking top spot in the movie rankings, and also registering as the only movie to appear in the overall top ten list. Comic book adaptations take four of the top ten movie spots, hinting at a juggernaut of a trend that doesn’t show signs of slowing, with musicals occupying three spots and drama/thrillers rounding off the list, including the Irish Famine-based movie Black 47 in fourth spot.

Finally, former actress and now new Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, made an unsurprising appearance in the top list this year, coming in at third place, while Google’s “How to…?” list gives an interesting insight into the minutiae of our lives in Ireland over the past year. We asked “how to build an igloo” and “how to bleed radiators” in response to February’s Beast from the East, but also “how to get rid of fruit flies” during the summer’s heatwave. The perennial “how to lose weight” was in third spot and our tech worries centred around “how to get old snapchat back” and “how to turn off automatic updates” … perhaps, in terms of technology at least, the Irish have shown that we don’t like change?

Budding Irish scientists to reach for stars at European Space Agency. #IRC #ESA #Space

The Irish Research Council has announced today that two young Irish scientists have won a national competition to train at the European Space Agency (ESA). The coveted positions are part of an ongoing partnership between the Irish Research Council and ESA, which hosts Irish trainees at its centres across Europe.

As part of the programme, the researchers will work on cutting-edge projects and gain practical experience in high-tech space activities such as: space science; Earth observation; telecommunications; navigation; mission control and operations; and human spaceflight.

Following a national competitive process, the two top-ranking candidates who were selected to join the traineeship programme at the European Space Astronomy Centre in Madrid, Spain are:

  • Amy Joyce from Clonmel, County Tipperary: Amy has a master’s degree in experimental physics from the National University of Ireland, Galway. She will work on developing tools for mission cross calibration and will also learn about the scientific uses of x-ray satellites and the challenges and procedures of operating a space mission.
  • Cillian Murphy, from Dundrum, County Dublin: Cillian has a master’s degree in space and science technology from University College Dublin. He will work on the Gaia Mission to assist in completing an astrometric survey of stars, using spacecraft observation. He is also a future Analog Astronaut candidate with the Austrian Space Forum (OeWF).

Commenting on the announcement today, Minister of State for Training, Skills and Innovation, John Halligan TD, said: “This is a unique opportunity for Amy and Cillian to train with the best and to develop their skills at the European Space Agency.

“Supporting a pipeline of talent plays an integral role in taking Ireland forward in its contribution to space research, development and innovation and ensures that we are continuing to contribute and collaborate on an international level.”

Peter Brown, Director of the Irish Research Council also welcomed the announcement, saying: “The Irish Research Council and the European Space Agency first partnered in 2016 with the aim to give Irish-based science and engineering graduates a chance to make their mark in the field of space exploration.

“This traineeship offers the life-changing opportunity to pursue a career in Europe’s gateway to space. The Council is committed to supporting the development of Europe’s space capability and ensuring that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world. We are delighted to support both Amy and Cillian on this project and look forward to continuing to collaborate with ESA on this initiative.”

Forecasting the unpredictable: details of DIAS earthquake event announced. #DIAS #Geophysics #Earthquakes

The Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS) will hold a special lecture this Wednesday (12.12.18) exploring the unpredictable nature of earthquakes.

Special guest, Professor John McCloskey, Chair in Natural Hazards Science, The University of Edinburgh, will speak at this Statutory Public Lecture on Wednesday, 12th December, from 6.30pm to 7.30pm at the Schrodinger Theatre, Fitzgerald Building, School of Physics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2.

Announcing details of the event, Director of the School of Geophysics at DIAS, Professor Chris Bean said: “From Zhang Heng’s development of the first seismoscope during the Han dynasty, to Dubliner Robert Mallet’s experiments on Killiney Beach in the nineteenth century, scientists have persisted in trying to understand earthquakes and to use this understanding to reduce their catastrophic effects largely through ‘earthquake prediction’.

“However, earthquakes have killed almost a million people already this century, and the goal of earthquake prediction is probably farther away than we could have ever anticipated. In this lecture we will hear why prediction is so illusive but we will also hear that all is not lost and that there is ‘another way’.

“Although lacking the timing precision of a prediction, new developments in earthquake-weather forecasts allow us to estimate how big the largest earthquakes are likely to be – and where (but not precisely when) they are likely to occur. This lecture we explore how this knowledge can be used in a preventative manner today, and in the planning of cities that are yet to be built.”

This Statutory Public Lecture: ‘Forecasting the Unpredictable: Earthquake science in a crowded world’ is free to attend and pre-registration is not required. Further details available at:https://www.dias.ie/2018/11/28/dias-2018-statutory-public-lecture-of-the-school-of-cosmic-physics/