Month: September 2019

Pack more with Pacum – the most powerful, multi-functional, handheld vacuum in the world. #Pacum #Travel #Tech

Hong Kong based travel technology expert, Masterspace, is today pleased to announce the full availability of its revolutionary and extremely powerful handheld vacuum – Pacum. Following a hugely successful Kickstarter and Indiegogo campaign with 5,101 backers and over $270,000 USD raised, the essential travel gadget is available now on the Masterspace website for GBP £49/USD $59.99.

With strict luggage sizes and ever increasing charges on most airlines and only a small amount of space in most family cars, nowadays luggage space is at a premium. The ability to fit as many necessary travel items into your bag as possible is a must for most travellers today.

Pacum is the most powerful, multi-functional, handheld vacuum & air pumping device in the world. For its size, it packs a mighty punch with capabilities of compressing items 25% more than other competitive vacuums and four times faster.

Using a USB Type-C connector and a power input equal to 5v/2a or above (the common output for portable power bank or wall charge point), Pacum can produce up to 65Kpa or 9.4Psi which is much a more powerful suction than a traditional vacuum cleaner, allowing it to compress a large clothing vacuum bag in 90 seconds.  Whilst Pacum comes with its own vacuum bags & accessories, it also is equipped with a “Padaptor”, to ensure the majority existing vacuum bags owned are also compatible with Pacum including food bags. All included, the moisture, water and dustproof Pacum bags are not only ideal for enhancing luggage space, they are also great to keep odour and bacteria at bay by placing used clothing in them for the return trip so it can be emptied directly into the washing machine.

Pacum is one of the most versatile multi-functional travel devices on the market. Not only can it take the air out, it can also PUMP AIR IN! Inflatables at the pool or beach no longer have to be a lung busting pain. Simply change to Inflation mode and Pacum will also blow them up in minutes. Pacum, can also be used around the home or garage as required throughout the year to pump up footballs or basketballs.

Henry Lee, Co-founder, Masterspace, commented, “No matter where people are going, it could be flying somewhere for a family vacation, traveling on business, going on a camping trip, or even just heading to the beach, there are always items that need to be packed, and it is always a struggle  to fit them all in. That’s why we made Pacum with an intelligent design that’s very easy to use!”

As well as inflation mode, Pacum also features an Eco mode for smaller vacuum bags (giving a maximum run time) and boost mode which allows the device to be used intensively for a shorter period. Using both modes, Pacum will stop automatically when the bag is fully compressed and thanks to a super silent compressor, it only makes 60 decibels of noise, similar to that of an air conditioning unit.

Functions and features

  • Panel lights indicate the function setting
  • 2 pump modes. “Eco-mode” & “Boost”
  • Pacum stops automatically
  • Double packing capacity in just over 1 minute
  • Height:86mm width:43mm depth:43mm Weight : 145g

Pacum is available now on the Masterspace website for GBP £49/USD $59.99 including shipping

Review – The Tonies toniebox a great idea for kids and parents. #Tonies #Tech #Kids

This is aimed at kids more so but it is also great for parents alike and a great tool using technology,this is a simple product executed well and its robust an easy product to set up and use be it with your smartphone or laptop.It is a new audio experience..

The idea works on storytelling and there is many character to pick from plus you get a creative tonie in the box and this is where it shines as it allows you to create your own story and not only that you can create messages for loved ones too and it works again via your smartphone or laptop and can be synced you can also use both to adjust some settings on the toniebox.

It is a simple well executed idea which can only improve with time and more options to add as time goes on, the current characters in the Tonie-Family already include some well-known faces such as The Gruffalo, Stick Man, Little Red Riding Hood and The Snowman,  and whilst Creative-Tonies allow users to upload up to 90 minutes of their own audio content.

Portability also plays a roll here which allows you to take this anywhere once it is kept charged you can of course you bring the charger with you but the main thing here is you are not stuck to a power outlet to use it..

If your child is into reading or audiobooks this is a great idea and I can certainly recommend it and my only gripe with the product is that it has its own proprietary charger so if you loose it you are done.

Visitors to the tonies Facebook page via the mobile app can access the feature whether they have a Toniebox or not. Once the AR is activated, an animated Baloo or Simba Tonie will appear on screen and users will be able to preview an exclusive audio sample as well as having a glimpse of the characters in 3D on the box before they go on sale.  It allows you to super-impose the new Disney tonies onto the tonie box, so that you can trial it without buying it which is pretty cool.

BUY – Tonies and Tonieboxes are available to purchase from selected toy retailers, bookshops and via the tonies® website www.tonies.com/shop.

Review – The House Of Marley No bounds bluetooth speaker. #Bluetooth #Speakers

I own quite many bluetooth speakers and it is always nice to see what is on offer, Design language can vary from square typed to round or odd shapes but this speaker has overall a quite nice design that actually reminds me of the Echo dot which is a good thing by the way..It is slightly bigger for those who want to know.

With its nice rounded shape with a cork base rubberized sides and material on top it has more than just your standard speaker has and it is also made with recyclable materials and for each speaker you buy the company plants a tree which is welcome with the talk of climate change.

Ease of set up and use is another key factor with the speaker although hard to see due to the colour you have 5 buttons in total. Power/On/Off – Bluetooth pairing – Volume up/down and Play and pause and all work fine to the touch without hassle and have good feedback. On the underside you have a rubber stopper going around the base to keep it still and that it does even with our testing a max volume it did not budge where some previous speakers we test did tend to ramble off and this is good.

The name “No Bounds” means you can put this anywhere and indeed you can be it a flat surface or hang it onto whatever you like with the carabiner clip provided and it still sounds good hanging from several areas I tested, Also to add to the freedom you can bring it to the pool or beach or a picnic and not worry about it getting wet with its IP67 rating which is a real bonus and we dipped into water just to see and yes it survived the test.

 

The sound quality is quite good for its size and it has good base too but no EQ app which is fine,many bluetooth speakers do not have such an app so it is not a caveat. The sound is loud and clear and there is good clarity and also taking a phone call is good it has a deep sound overall you could say but it will not disappoint, you can hear in the video review below on how it sounds.

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Battery life is around 10 hours which again is good and on par with the claim and I was very happy with it as a whole and the price you pay for it which is around €45 at the time of press, Not only that these come in several colours and which all are nice and stand out and look well, You cant go wrong.

BUY 

Urbanista Welcomes New Sports, True Wireless and Speakers to it’s line-up. #Urbanista #Tech

Urbanista, a leading developer and manufacturer of lifestyle audio products, welcomes four new portable products to it’s line up. We have been testing their products some years now and they have stood the test of time so lets have a look at what is new to their line-up.

Meet Paris – Designed for the Modern Music Lover

Combining an in-ear wearing style that provides a secure fit and crystal clear, isolated sound with comfort, simplicity and reliability. Paris is a true wireless headphone designed for life in motion, to complement your on-the-go lifestyle, no matter where your journey takes you. Priced at £99 MSRP, Paris is available in four colours and boasts full compatibility with Android, Windows and iOS devices.

Paris provides a strong passive noise cancelling audio experience with its in-ear bud wearing style that blocks out the outside world, allowing you to hear and feel all the details of your music, even at lower volumes. Whilst being comfortable and lightweight for long wearing periods, Paris is the perfect travel companion.

Key Features of Paris: • Four unique colours: Midnight Black (Black) Fluffy Cloud (White), Rose Gold (Pink), Olive Green (Green) • Volume and music control • Wireless charging • Voice control (Siri, Google Assistant) • Full Android, iOS and Windows compatibility • 5 hours’ playtime • 20 hours’ total playtime • Passive noise cancelling with in-ear bud design • Bluetooth 5.0 connection • Stereo phone calls • Slim, colour matched charging case provides 3 additional full charges

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Paris is available from 1st November online: http://www.urbanista.com

Meet Athens – Geared to Help Push you Through That Extra Mile

Athens is created for those looking to hit the gym, track or trails – take your workout to the next level. IP67 waterproof rating, 32 hours total playtime, the latest in Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity and sound specifically geared for performance. Athens is packed with features for a quest in breaking personal records, no matter what your sport. Priced at £119 MRSP, Athens is available in Midnight Black (Black) and boasts full compatibility with Android, iOS and Windows devices.

Stay Connected

A reliable 5.0 Bluetooth connection to your iOS or Android device means seamless pairing and allows you to access your voice control assistant at the touch of a button. Whilst on the go, the built-in microphone allows you to make or receive stereo phone calls, adjust the volume, play, stop, and skip tracks. Want to temporarily listen in to the outside world or soak up the noise of the cheering crowds? Athens offers total freedom enabling you to use the left or right earbud independently, whilst still being able to make and receive calls with the built-in microphone in each ear-bud. For convenience, you can also independently charge the ear-bud not in use.

 

Anders Andreen, CEO of Urbanista, comments; “Athens was born out of inspiration from the birthplace of the Olympic games. With durability, water resistance and a powerful bass response, we designed Athens for anyone looking to push their own sporting limits. Our true wireless sports headphones won’t hold you back.”

Key Features of Athens: • IP67 rated – fully waterproof • Bluetooth 5.0 connection • 32 hours’ total playtime • 8 hours play time • Volume and music control • Voice control (Siri, Google Assistant) • Stereo phone calls • Slim, colour matched charging case provides 2 additional charges • Full android, iOS and windows compatibility

Athens is available from 1st October online: http://www.urbanista.com

Meet Brisbane – Power-up and Play Longer

With 2 x 10 watts of power, Brisbane takes its music seriously for a portable speaker. A deep and responsive bass, easily create an ambience that’s designed to give you the best Bluetooth wireless music experience, topped with a total of 10 hours’ play time. Available in Midnight Black (Black) or Fluffy Cloud (White) and priced at £99, Brisbane boasts a timeless sleek design with a seamless silhouette and effortless volume control adjustments.

 

Key Features of Brisbane: – Total Playtime: 10 hours – Connect two speakers using Bluetooth 5.0 – Water-resistant (IPX5) – Volume Controls – Driver unit: 52 mm – Driver Power: 2 x 10W – Compatible with Android and iOS devices – Micro USB charging.

Brisbane is available from 15th of September online: http://www.urbanista.com

 

 

 

‘Weather it’s right or wrong’ – 1 in 3 believe poor weather is the biggest cause of bad Wi-Fi. #Weather #VirginMedia

Research carried out by Virgin Media Ireland shows that a reliable internet connection is equality as important as speed for Irish consumers. While younger generations are likely to choose speed over reliability, the opposite is true among older generations.  

Our obsession with the Irish weather also extends itself into our Wi-Fi theories; with 1 in 3 believing poor weather conditions has the greatest impact on the performance of Wi-Fi at home. We all know my take on the weather as I am a fan and what the media puts out sometimes puts fear in us with clickbait headlines

 The survey was completed among 1,000 adults by Coyne Research for Virgin Media Ireland. It asked people questions related to Wi-Fi at home:

·        88% have experienced problems with their Wi-Fi at home

·        51% believe reliability is more important than broadband speed for home Wi-Fi

·        51% also believe that rebooting their modem will help improve their Wi-Fi at home.

·        Only 8% know that “Wi-Fi” is a made up word, with 62% incorrectly believing it stands for “Wireless Frequency”.

 Paul Higgins, Director of Consumer at Virgin Media Ireland said “In recent years, the focus around Wi-Fi has been on the speed of service but, here in Virgin Media, we want to improve not just our in-home broadband speeds but also the reliability of our WiFi Hub to ensure the best connection possible, no matter how many devices are connected.”

“As these results show, consumers are now equally as focused on the need for a reliable connection, and with the recent launch of our new ‘Smart WiFi’ features, we have it covered.   

 “With Virgin Media’s ultrafast broadband connectivity  and our new summer sale offer for just €55 per month, football fans can stream multiple matches in confidence while other family members never need to worry about gaming, streaming or video chatting at the same time.”

Virgin Media Ireland recently unveiled ground breaking upgrades to their In-Home WiFi Hub that will add to their status as the nation’s leading broadband provider, with the revolutionary technology activated in all customers’ WiFi hubs automatically.

The development will provide all Virgin Broadband customers with Ireland’s fastest widely available broadband speeds in more areas of their home.

Channel Optimisation is a game-changing addition to the Virgin Media modem that will automatically change WiFi channels. The system chooses channels with the least amount of interference ensuring the best connectivity and fastest service is obtained by all devices being used in the home.

Airtime Fairness is a second addition that will ensure equal allocation of airtime to connected devices an ensure they achieve their highest possible speeds.

Review – Baseus Superlative Multifunctional HUB USB-C #Baseus #Tech

Baseus, is an innovative digital accessory brand has announced the launch of new products into the UK market. We have some in house here and we are in the process of going through them.  Since 2009 Baseus has been researching, developing and designing sleek and innovative products aimed at users who want fashion forward tech accessories. Their products are now available in the UK too for those whom want to purchase high quality goods.

The multifunctional hub range will meet every need of almost all USB C devices. Portable and compact, making it convenient to take with you when you are on the go. Ranging from a hub with built in wireless iWatch charging, to the 7 in 1 USB C hub, there are 5 in the range. Our model is one which most people would adhere to but with wireless products on the rise it is great to see Wireless charging built into such and a great idea and again less cables to worry about especially on the go or even in the office or at home and also it is a very portable piece to have in your tech bag or even for your average PC/Laptop user giving you more flexibility.

This model looks and feels good with a subtle LED light on the top which looks well and with an Aluminium alloy frame and tempered glass panel this will look great hooked up to any PC. There are many similar products out there that do the same thing mostly made with plastic and simply wont last long but this will last and look good doing it.

See on BASEUS

BUY ON AMAZON

Expleo Women in Business – Great Expectations. #WomenInTech #Expleo

Expleo, the technology partner for innovative companies, today announces its ‘Great Expectations’ event – an exclusive evening focused on enabling gender balance in the workplace and supporting employees in fulfilling their potential. The event, which will feature speakers representing a wide range of industries, will explore how individuals can achieve their career goals and how businesses can foster talent, improve productivity and ensure gender equality in their organisation.

Taking place in Expleo’s Dublin offices, Great Expectations is open to all professionals – from recent graduates, to team leaders and senior management – who are focused on enabling a more equal workforce.

Pictured announcing the Expleo Women in Business ‘Great Expectations’ event are (l-r): Lorraine Donnelly, Business Analyst, Expleo; Andrea Delisimunovic, Technical Engineer, Expleo; Michelle Hart, Senior Technical Engineer, Expleo; Bríd O’Carroll, Director of People Services, Ire, UK & SA, Expleo and Marian Flanagan, Project Coordinator, Expleo

Speakers include Declan Goodman, who has over 15 years of experience in leadership coaching. He will give individual attendees advice on how to showcase their potential in order to move to the next level of their career. Kate Brady, Chief Administrative Officer, IFDS Europe, will focus on the value of mentorship and will delve into how to recognise and nurture potential in colleagues and team members.

Finally, Mairead McIlkenny, Director of Market Operations, Facebook who has over 15 years’ experience leading global teams in the payments and technology sector, will examine gender balance on an organisational level. She will be sharing examples on how organisations of any size can improve their gender ratios.

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Speaking about the event, Siobhán Smith, Marketing Manager, Expleo Ireland, said: “Better gender balance has a positive effect on all aspects of an organisation – from company culture to business productivity. And while Ireland has made significant improvements to close gender imbalances, there is always more to be done.

“The aim of this event is to educate professionals at every level on how they can turn expectations into reality. Our speakers will draw on their own personal experiences to provide practical advice on how organisations can encourage others to put their best foot forward and succeed so businesses can drive change.”

When:                  5:30-8:30pm, 11th September 2019

Where:                 Expleo, 30 North Wall Quay, North Wall, Dublin 1, Ireland

Admission:         Free

Tickets to the event are free but places are limited. All interested parties should visit https://expleogroup.com/expleo-women-in-technology/ to register.

Allied Irish Bank Selects ncino’s Cloud-based Bank Operating System to Power its Digital Transformation Strategy

nCino, the worldwide leader in cloud banking, today announced Allied Irish Banks (AIB) will be adopting nCino’s Bank Operating System to grow the bank’s core business, beginning with its Asset Finance division. AIB is partnering with nCino to fuel its growth strategy and provide an enhanced digital experience to its full range of customers across the bank.

As one of Ireland’s ‘Big Four’ banks, operating the full range of financial and banking services across The Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom and globally, AIB maintains more than €143 billion in assets. AIB’s first implementation of nCino will be utilizing the Equipment Leasing and Finance Solution for its Asset Finance Group.The bank will also be adopting nCino’s Customer Engagement solution, as well as the Partner Portal functionality. These features will streamline operations across the bank and enhance visibility, providing a seamless customer experience and improved workflow functionality for employees.

Accenture will be acting as the systems implementation partner. nCino and Accenture have been working together in the U.S. since 2014 and, in February 2019,expanded the scope of their alliance to include EMEA and Asia-Pacific.

“It is more important than ever before to deliver an outstanding experience to our customers, which makes this the right time for AIB to enhance its digital functions and grow its competitive edge. This initial implementation is part of an ongoing process as AIB continues to develop its offerings across the business to meet changing customer needs and match developments in the Irish economy,” said Pullen Daniel, Managing Director at nCino.

“We’re very excited to be working with AIB as we share their customer-first philosophy. There’s great potential to scale their use of nCino as they continue to expand and grow their competitive advantage as a leader in Ireland.”

Peter Swan, Head of Credit Transformation at Allied Irish Banks added, “It’s important to us to put our customers first, at the same time, however, our employees also expect to have the best technology in order to provide the best services. Using nCino will give both our employees and customers a holistic view throughout all stages of the process. nCino is a fast-moving, innovative company and we selected them in order to bring greater visibility and transparency into our organization, improve and streamline workflow, and ultimately provide an enhanced customer experience. We’re very excited for the future, especially given that the scalability in the nCino product suite means that we will be able to expand usage into new lines of business in the future.”

Billy O’Connell, a managing director in Accenture’s Banking practice in Ireland, said, “Financial services and fintechs are moving past the disruptive phase, and the value of collaboration between players is clear. This latest implementation with AIB is a testament to the strength of nCino, Accenture and AIB as not only leaders in their industries, but also as organizations that understand the value of cooperation. We’re very pleased to be playing a major role in this deployment and look forward to the continued success of our expanded partnership with nCino.”

A cloud-based solution, nCino empowers bank employees and leaders with insight into their organisation through an end-to-end solution combining customer relationship management (CRM), loan origination, workflow, account opening, onboarding, enterprise content management and instant reporting capabilities. nCino integrates with a bank’s core and transactional systems, while replacing point solutions and manual-based processes.

Review – The MINIX NEO portable SSD storage hub with versatile adapter. #MINIX #NEO #Storage

The MINIX NEO SSD storgae hub with adapter is a first that combines both for those who are not custom to using such,typically we get adapters that have all the ports we need bit none have storage built in but this one changes this and it is certainly welcome and not expensive either with the configurations at hand, You can decide between a 120GB version and a 240GB version only loosing out on 50 MBs of read and right speed on the cheaper 120 GB model.

These are also not a cheap build by any means they look good and have an LED on the top to let you know you are connected, Advertised as an addition to your MAC BOOK these will also work on Windows laptops with a USB-C connection however you can pick up pass through adapters if your laptop has no USB-C as one of mine does not and I have tested on both and they work just fine.

Underneath there is 4 rubber stoppers to keep it form moving not that it will go far with the built in cable provided which is just the right length too. These are ideal for travelling or on the go people who upload or move content around they are very light and the look more premuim than cheap too.

The transfer speed is noticeable and they also work with mobile phones with USB-C ports which most have today which is another bonus for storage or file transfer on the move. Overall this is an ideal product to have in your bag if you want extra connectivity and storage options on the go and looking premium too.

More information about the brand new MINIX NEO Storage and the complete MINIX portfolio is available at http://minix.com.hk/.