Month: December 2018

Review – Jabra Elite Active 65t Copper Red #Jabra #Tech #EliteActive65t

The Jabra Elite Active 65t in Copper Red are probably the best looking in-ears about and stand out  from the industry norm when it comes to colour, I own several pairs of in-ears like this and these easily stand out on the collection and on the street as people have been asking me anytime I wear them outside and this is something I like.. They stand out..

The presentation as always with Jabra is good and again something I am always liking and you can check out the unboxing video below for a detailed look at what we are dealing with here.

At first these where a little uncomfortable like the previous pair and this is after trying several buds but after a few minutes they settle and after this its all good more or less. The pairing process is same as before and we have audio giving us status however it took me two attempts to pair both sides this time around but after this there was no drop out on switching to and from these earbuds as at the minute I am testing several so that is a good thing as some report only one side being picked up but there could be several reasons for that.

On the buds we have simple controls and again on first use they might hurt at first but like I said after a while they settle and all is good. The left side controls your volume and you can also skip tracks by holding down there is two little raised humps either side of the logo and the right side is for call management and playback.

One thing I like with these is if you remove one the music stops and is quite handy and on putting the earbud back in the music continues again,handy little feature this. If you are one to take commutes you get a charging case which is also in Copper Red and again be prepared eyes looking in wonder, the charging case gives you two full charges which would be around 4-4.5 hours of non stop music. The case itself flips open on top like previous versions and its charged via micro USB and sports and LED on the rear and one in top for status.

For those who run or train they do not fall out of ears as they are tight-fitting and are good at noise isolation but there is the Jabra Sound plus app which is really great and during my test period I got an update. I have touched on this app before but it really is a must if you have these earbuds or others from Jabra that is compatible, You can also use your voice assist but something I don’t bother with to be honest..

If you want to enjoy music it is better via this app with an array of features including Hear Through and caller ID and so on. The call experience was fine here but it’s the music that people want to know about. I feel most audiophiles would be happy overall with the performance if not too picky and for me all music attributes were reproduced well and great clarity too and this is down to the app and the app is FREE. If you like bass it is there and probably a favourite aspect many people are interested in.

These earbuds are IP56 rated so they can take a rain shower and sweat which is important for some and for a place like Ireland where the weather is never good they should last some time but it is advisable to take care of them regardless which is something I do with all my headphones and earphones just don’t take things for granted.

Overall I think these are a worthy purchase especially in this colourway if you want something different and that stands out. Some might say at the higher end of the scale when it comes to pricing but what you get is a good solid product that is ideal for those on the go and who workout or jog, Jabra are a long time in this business and deliver on all aspects.

See Jabra for more Info

Amazon

 

Review – Volt Electronics – The Battery Share Cable. More than just a cable! Now on #Kickstarter #StartUp

In 2018 we are still messing around between USB-C and micro usb cables to either charge or transfer data between devices and having multiple cables about the house is annoying and messy especially for me given the amount of tech I have and mobile phones and I normally carry two phones with me every day though try to avoid it but it never works out that way. However most houses today have more than one phone or tablet lets be honest.But this year we seen something new when it comes to charging a device via another device wirelessly with Huawei but if this tech passes on through other devices is something time will tell.

What if all this could be done with just ONE cable though….. Well you now can with battery share cable which is now live on kickstarter and we have been testing this out over the last few days and its a great idea,simple no mess and one cable to suit all. Not only that you can charge other tech items via your PC or wall plug as well as transfer data if your device supports USB OTG.

The idea came about by two guys from Switzerland called Benjamin Helmy and Janis Sollberger pictured below and they said..

“Everything started as we sat in our favourite bar… After one or two beers we came up with the idea, how cool it would be, if you could charge phone with another one. This Idea really packed us, and after some months of researching and experimenting we actually ended up with a very ugly but working prototype of such a cable”.

With this new cable from volt electronics you can not only charge your phone traditionally like your are used to it with a socket or a power bank, but you can phone your device with another device. You can not only charge your phone, electronic devices like music speakers or head phones can also be charged or taken electricity from with our cable. All these possibilities are available with still being able to use it to synchronise your phone with your computer or even exchange data between two connected phones.

The Battery Share Cable unites 3 important functions into just one cable.

  • Data Transfer between your phone and computers and phones that support the OTG function
  • Charging with the USB plug through a power adapter in a socket
  • Charging from other electronic devices which have a micro USB plug or the new USB C

The cable comes in two lengths on Android and it works well and you can do many things at once with just the one cable with no mess and no tangles and a clever implementation of USB-C and Micro USB connectivity and USB-A.

The lads go on to say…

“The most of us experienced the following situation. You’re spending the night out with your Friends and suddenly you notice it. Your phone is low on battery. Today we rely on our phones more than ever. We use it for bank transactions, transportation, reservations etc. So it becomes a major inconvenience if it’s shut down by low battery. There are ways to prevent this situation. Powerbanks for example. But honestly… you just end up forgetting to charge that thing or even forget it at home.

Of course you could charge your phone at home before going out in the first place. But sometimes there is no time left for that or you simply overestimated your battery percentage. We developed a simple Solution for this problem. From now on you just need to take our Cable with you anywhere you go. It definitely weighs less than a powerbank and almost needs no space. this cable you can charge your phone with the most other electronic devices. Simply connect your phone with another one and it slowly starts charging”.

Think this is something you could do with??? Head over HERE to support the guys on Kickstarter NOW..

First look an unboxing .The Amazon #Echodot and #EchoPlus 3rd Gen #Amazon #Tech

More new tech has arrived and plenty more to come but today we have got the all new Amazon ho dot and Echo Plus 3rd Gen. Both packaging and so on is the same as before with detailed info and the products themselves are slight upgrade to versions of old but both look really well and complement each other and these are a popular tech item today and also ideal gifts for the tech fan in your life.

We will be testing these out over the festive season so if you have any questions feel free to ask below or on our social channels. These are now widely available in Ireland and you can read up some more HERE 

 

 

ActaFun is a new activities booking platform in Ireland. #IrishBiz #Actafun #Activity #Booking

This platform allows for online booking of these gathered activities in less than 3 minutes on an easy to use website, instead of spending hours on Google looking for what to do, then having to pay a deposit through the phone – which is not secure process and most people feel uncomfortable giving their card details to strangers through the phone. Their story is interesting, unusual and somewhat funny.

“We are very active but it was too time-consuming to find fun things to do with friends in our spare times.” I built something that I really needed, I just felt like activities and fun things to do should be easy to find and booked with no hassle” said Steven.

With a small team of 6, ActaFun’s vision is to bring people together and do fun, challenging and memorable activities. Doing activities with colleagues, friends and families always bring something new to chat about, its amazing! Our current users are young professional, groups of friends, tourists and families usually between 22 – 40 who are booking activities on ActaFun.

Users are Booking activities such as Paintballing, Go Karting, FootGolf, Falconry, Rock Climbing, Ghost bus, comedy bus and many more in less than 3 minutes. “ You can book an activity for 2 people or for 30 people, as long as the time is available on the site.” said Steven. ActaFun Partners up with activity providers and makes sure all activities on the website are been booked at the best prices, with no booking fees for users. They are bringing on more activities on a daily basis.

While building the platform they created a Facebook group just to add value to people, they organise monthly group activities allowing random people to join. This group was very popular during the summer, “We plan to do more indoor activities such as Ice Skating, Rock climbing and Escape VR while it’s cold outside” said Steven

The website has the benefit of growing activity providers sales during off-peak times, it increases providers sales and reduces staff time been wasted on unnecessary tasks. 

ActaFun currently has 1 angel investor and are open to more investments offers while planning to Launch their app by the first week of December and scale to Barcelona & Madrid in March 2019. They plan to scale to Barcelona and Madrid because they are large cities, Full of local activities with a massive demand for fun activities. “ but our headquarters will always be in Ireland. I am a proud Irish, “Well,  Afro – Irish” says Steven

SEE MORE https://actafun.com/#!/

The S-Charge – A must-have battery case for the popular Nintendo Switch. #Nintendo #Gaming

The S-Charge has been devised based on user feedback, allowing them to never worry about losing charge and maintain the optimum gaming experience for up to 12 hours.Perfect as a last-minute stocking filler or the latest addition to any avid gamer’s arsenal

The ultimate accessory for non-stop gaming fun on the Nintendo Switch has arrived – S-Charge. Incorporating a high capacity battery, improved kickstand and two game card slots, the S-Charge is an extension to your existing device that easily clasps around it.

The creators of the S-Charge, InDemand Design, launched the product on crowdfunding platform, Indiegogo, achieving its fundraising goal in 48 hours of going live. The campaign was supported by over 4,000 backers making it the best-selling crowdfunded Nintendo Switch accessory. With more than 5,000 units sold across 60 countries, the S-Charge has gone from strength to strength with the aim of being a must-have for all gamers.

Aiming to limit the number of accessories when on the move, the S-Charge is portable, slim-line and lightweight and can not only charge the Nintendo but also other devices. The 10,000mAh battery offers up to 12 hours of additional power which means that users can stay entertained when travelling, commuting or having a long gaming session at home – even when playing the most power hungry games. Here is how the Switch performs when playing the most popular games:

  • The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild: 10 hours 40mins
  • Mario Kart 8: 10 hours 45 mins
  • Mario Odessey: 10 hours 55mins
  • Diablo: 11 hours 20mins
  • Splatoon 2: 10 hours 15mins
  • Fortnite: 10 hours 35 mins

The S-Charge also has an improved kickstand which offers greater stability and can be used in multiple angles to change the way you play. As the charging port has been moved to the right-hand side of the case, the S-Charge is one of the only ways to charge while playing in table top mode.

No need for extra carrying cases, the S-Charge not only protects the Nintendo Switch™ but also has slots for 2 extra game cards to bring along with you on the go. The S-Charge has been built to combat the problems of overheating and potential warping of the device. A bundle version is available with two free screen protectors and a hardshell carry case at an RRP of £64.99 from Amazon, John Lewis and Currys.

Sign PDF and Use AI with the New Able2Extract Professional 14. #PDF #AI #Digital

Some time ago, we showed you how to convert PDF to Word using Able2Extract Professional 12, a PDF solution renowned for its conversion capabilities. And now, the latest iteration of the software, Able2Extract Professional 14, is out. It brings novel and compelling features such as PDF signatures and PDF to Excel conversion templates that utilize Artificial Intelligence.   

Let’s take a closer look and inspect what these new implementations bring to the table.

Electronic and Digital Signatures

To start off, Able2Extract Professional can now sign PDF files with electronic and digital signatures.

An electronic signature is basically an image that you insert into a page. You can add it to a PDF by typing it in, drawing it or by inserting a signature image.

Adding an electronic signature using Able2Extract Professional 14 can be done in a couple of clicks. First, you need to open the signatures panel located just below the annotations. Then click on the Choose signature option. There you can apply existing signatures, if any, or create new ones using the appropriate options. Finally, click on the Sign button and insert your signature to the PDF page.

Digital or cryptographic signatures, unlike electronic ones, leave a digital footprint. Essentially, these signatures are coded, and they carry information about the signer that can be inspected by the viewer of the signed PDF document.

For instance, if you receive a PDF contract that was signed with a valid digital signature, you can verify the authenticity of the signature and detect if any changes were made to the document after it was signed.

To add a digital signature with Able2Extract Professional 14, you have to check the Digitally Sign the Document option in the Signature window and specify the digital certificate. From there, click on the Sign button and insert the signature to PDF.

AI-powered PDF to Excel Conversion

As we already explained in our previous article, Able2Extract Professional is the go-to tool for PDF to Excel conversion because it enables users to customize the conversion output to their specific needs.

Now, with the newly added Smart and Master conversion templates it got even better. The latest version is equipped with a Machine Learning engine that can significantly speed up individual and batch PDF to Excel conversion.

These functionalities can prove to be very useful if you work with a lot of PDF documents that don’t have consistent table data. For instance, two monthly reports can have tables with the same structures, but the tables might not be of the same size or even on the same page.

You can input 5-10 samples of the relevant table structures you need and train a Smart template to locate and extract relevant data from PDF tables no matter where the table sits in the document.

The same training process applies to Master (Batch conversion) templates, as well. You can create specific document categories and corresponding conversion templates and let Able2Extract Professional do the rest. It will identify each PDF file in the queue and automatically apply the matching conversion template.

To sum it up, with these new functionalities, Able2Extract Professional 14 looks like a worthy successor to the previous version. If you want to try out the new features, you can download a trial version and test it out for 7 days.

Irish VR Team Launch Titanic Experience for PlayStation. #VR #Playstation #RMSTitanic

Irish virtual/ augmented reality (VR/AR) software firm, Immersive VR Education’s (IVRE), virtual reality Titanic experience has launched on Sony’s PlayStation. Titanic VR puts players aboard the doomed vessel the night it hit an iceberg and sank in April 1912. The Titanic experience is already available on PC, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and Windows Mixed Reality.

 All aboard the RMS Titanic…

The project began its life through a Kickstarter campaign in early 2017, which raised over €57,000, with the intention of bringing the game to market on PCs and PlayStation VR, Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. Its first phase test reviews in 2017 consolidated the company’s steadfast belief in the project’s direction, and its release to market now, after an exhaustive 2-year process, is a source of great pride for the entire team.  

 Speaking of the game’s release, David Whelan, CEO of VR Education Holdings PLC, commented:

 “Titanic VR is a factually animated VR experience that tells the tragic story of the sinking of RMS Titanic as witnessed by survivors. As well as creating a realistic VR experience that tells the story of the tragedy in a compelling way, the game will also serve as a valuable resource for discovering more about the stricken ship, through a realistic exploration experience, using detailed maps and 3D models of the historic wreck site. We have used motion capture, face-scanning technology and professional voice actors to immerse users in the story and to enable them to relate to the people involved. In developing this, we wanted to create an accurate portrayal of events, so it is not only educational, but also emotional and very engaging.”

 

 

The game shares two different types of educational VR experience that bring history to life.

  • Six hours of educational gameplay, where players are tasked with navigating the wreck using their submersible and ROV.  It features eight dive missions and seven lab missions.
  • The second element is a fully immersive, historically accurate, animated experience which tells the story of the evacuation to lifeboats, based on the eye witness testimonies of survivors as the tragedy unfolded in 1912. 

 

Players can:

  • Recover various artefacts and items from the seabed and complete missions based on their recovery.
  • Choose to undertake the missions or to simply explore, admire and learn about the sheer majesty and scale of the doomed vessel.
  • Check out all hidden passageways and areas inside the wreck.
  • Navigate around and inside the wreck using their submersible and ROV, completing missions such as rescuing a lost ROV, creating a photo mosaic, placing research equipment, and working with a world-famous Director.
  • Clean and preserve recovered artefacts, upgrade the ROV, and learn all there is to know about this awe-inspiring wreck.

 

IVRE has been praised for the game’s intricate and authentic build and design process. Some highlights from the project include:

  • It is the largest animated virtual cast of characters ever based on real people inside a single VR experience.
  • It took more than 8,800 working hours to create.
  • The sinking animation is based on first-hand eye witness testimony.
  • See more http://www.vreducationholdings.com/

Apple AirPlay 2 Arrives December 11, 2018, to Bluesound. #Apple #Airplay2 #Bluesound

Bluesound, a leading developer and manufacturer of wireless multi-room music systems, today announced that all Generation 2i streaming music players will receive a much-anticipated software update that will enable Apple AirPlay 2, allowing users to stream audio from their iPhone, iPad or Mac computer to Bluesound.

On December 11th, all Bluesound customers will be prompted to update their players to the latest version of BluOS, Bluesound’s award-winning, proprietary hi-res multiroom platform. For customers with Bluesound’s newest Generation 2i players, the software update will enable AirPlay 2. Gen 2i users can then stream music services, podcasts, audiobooks, movies, games, YouTube audio, TV sound and stored music from their iPhone, iPad, or Mac computer to any Bluesound Gen 2i player on the same WiFi network. The integration also gives Apple Music listeners the ability to control playback on their Bluesound Gen 2i using Siri voice control.

From streaming music to a NODE 2i in a hi-fi system to driving the latest Netflix movie soundtrack to a PULSE SOUNDBAR 2i, AirPlay 2 seamlessly integrates the power of iOS devices with the high-fidelity audio performance of Bluesound. Multiple Bluesound Gen 2i players can synchronously play the same stream, or users can opt to push different content to individual players around the home.

The good news continues for Bluesound Gen 2i users with older Bluesound products in their home network. Using the BluOS Controller app, previous generation Bluesound players can be grouped with a new Gen 2i unit, allowing them to play the same AirPlay 2 streamed content.

With AirPlay 2, Bluesound Gen 2i has become the ideal solution for Apple users looking for premium sound quality and seamless multi-room convenience.

See https://www.bluesound.com/

YouTube Rewind: What Was Ireland Watching on YouTube in 2018? #YouTube #Ireland

YouTube today announced YouTube Rewind 2018, the annual list of Ireland’s top trending videos and music videos for the past year, offering an insight into what caught our interest and imaginations these past few months. We also post on you and if you are not following us you can do so HERE where we bring you hands on tech videos every week.

At the top of the list is this year’s ‘person who broke the internet’, 12-year-old Mason Ramsey, who performed an a cappella version of the Hank Williams country and western classic ‘Lovesick Blues’ for customers of the Harrisburg, Illinois branch of Walmart. The video became a viral hit almost overnight, making young Mason an instant celebrity: soon afterwards he appeared on talk shows, met movie stars, signed a record deal with Atlantic Records and released his first single … all within a month of appearing on YouTube.

Three amateur Irish musicians dot the list this year, with 12-year-old Cork busker Allie Sherlock appearing on the immensely popular Ellen show in the US; Westmeath’s Fr. Ray Kelly giving a stirring rendition of REM’s ‘Everybody Hurts’ on Britain’s Got Talent; and a version of Send In the Clowns by 81-year-old Evelyn Williams from Tallaght ensuring there was not a dry eye in the house on Ireland’s Got Talent. Rounding off the list was our first Eurovision finalist for five years, Ryan O’Shaughnessy, and his emotive song ‘Together’.

Both unity and division were also evident in 2018’s list: Kylie Jenner and her boyfriend Travis Scott introduced the world to their daughter Stormi via the moving video ‘To Our Daughter’, while vlogger David Dobrik had somewhat less positive news in ‘We Broke Up’, a video with actress Liza Koshy in which they announce their tearful split to the world.

Finally, 2018’s version of “The Dress” was the “Yanny vs. Laurel” debate, which was solved using science by the AsapSCIENCE YouTube channel (spoiler: it’s laurel); Carpool Karaoke kept its perennial spot in the Top 10 with Ariana Grande’s energetic appearance on the show earlier this year; and before we beat the All Blacks last month, Irish rugby fans couldn’t get enough of Johnny Sexton’s epic last-minute drop-goal to secure the rugby Grand Slam for Ireland.

YouTube was also pleased to announce the Irish launch this year of both YouTube Music, the company’s new streaming music service that allows ad-free and offline access to YouTube’s extensive music catalogue, and YouTube Premium, which gives similarly ad-free and offline access to YouTube’s entire video content, including its exclusive YouTube Originals productions. The services are priced at €9.99 and €11.99 per month respectively – visit YouTube.com for more.

Top 10 YouTube Videos in Ireland 2018 (excluding major label music videos)

  1. Walmart Yodelling Kid
  2. Kylie Jenner: To Our Daughter
  3. 12-Year-Old Irish Busker Brings Her Amazing Talents to Ellen
  4. Britain’s Got Talent 2018 – Ireland’s Father Ray Kelly Sings a Version of REM’s ‘Everybody Hurts’
  5. Do You Hear “Yanny” or “Laurel”? (SOLVED with SCIENCE)
  6. “We Broke Up”
  7. Ariana Grande Carpool Karaoke
  8. Eurovision 2018 – Ireland’s Ryan O’Shaughnessy Sings ‘Together’
  9. Rugby Six Nations 2018 – Sexton kicks incredible 45m drop kick to win the match
  10. Ireland’s Got Talent 2018 – 81-year-old Evelyn stuns the judges