Month: January 2021

Jabra announces new additions to Elite 85t. #Jabra #Elite85t #CES2021

Jabra, leaders in personal sound and office solutions, announces the availability of the Elite 85t ANC earbuds in four new colours: Gold/Beige, Copper/Black, Black and Grey. The Jabra Elite 85t launched in October of 2020 in Titanium/Black and is part of the newly announced ANC range added to Jabra’s award-winning compact true wireless portfolio. You can check out our Elite 85t review HERE

Users now have the opportunity to enjoy outstanding call quality, adjustable Jabra Advanced ANCTM, and the immaculate sound quality of the Elite 85t in a colour that best represents them. Whether they’re wanting to add some glamor to their commute in Gold/Beige, enjoy a podcast in Grey or belt out their favourite songs in all Black – the Jabra Elite 85t has an option for everyone.

Impeccable call quality, sound and fit

 The flexible working trend is set to continue during 2021, and with that comes a demand for the ability to take calls anywhere. The Jabra Elite 85t earbuds bring outstanding call quality for the user and the person on the other end, thanks to the 6-mic technology (three on each earbud, two on the outside, one on the inside).

The microphones on the inside and outside of the earbuds are used to provide Jabra Advanced ANCTM, which goes beyond an on/off solution. Users are offered a more personalised experience with the dual slider which goes from full ANC to full HearThrough, and anywhere in between.

The 12mm speakers allow the Jabra Elite 85t to produce a big sound and powerful bass, while still enhancing comfort and relieving ear pressure with its semi-open design. Jabra has also adapted the ear gels to an oval shape providing a better sealing in the ear, while ensuring they stay in place. This means the tower of the Elite 85t does not sit as deeply within the ear, giving users a more comfortable earbud and a good seal. With ANC on, the earbuds boast a battery life of up to 5.5 hours, with up to 25 hours in the compact charging case and are Qi-qualified – for wireless charging.

 

Calum MacDougall, Senior Vice President at Jabra, said: “We want to provide customers with more choice as we deliver products that are engineered for purpose. So, we are very excited to announce the availability of our advanced ANC Elite 85t earbuds in four new colours. Our customers now have the option to enjoy the sleek design and sound in many more styles.” 

 ANC for all 

Jabra’s ANC capabilities extend beyond the Elite 85t. The award-winning Elite 75t, both Active and non-Active variants, now also comes with ANC as a standard. Existing owners of a product in the Elite 75t family are also able to enjoy ANC via a free upgrade in the Jabra  Sound+ app. Jabra is the first company to deliver ANC on an existing true wireless product line, creating one of the broadest true wireless ANC line-ups in the market.

The Elite 85t is engineered to defy the boundaries of how much noise can be removed in a set of true wireless earbuds, with Jabra’s most advanced and powerful ANC technology. The level of noise-cancelling goes further than Jabra’s standard ANC offerings (featured in the 75t range), which does not have a dedicated ANC chip. Users can enjoy the premium ANC to its fullest extent, by adjusting between full ANC to create a private quiet space, and at the other end of the spectrum, to use the HearThrough feature for full transparency, letting in your surroundings, and creating a personalised ANC experience.

Jabra Elite 85t key features and specifications:

  • Compact design and oval silicon EarGels™ for a secure seal and comfortable fit
  • Dedicated ANC chip which is more efficient in removing surrounding noises
  • Adjustable ANC with dual sliders for full ANC or full HearThrough
  • 6-microphone call technology for superior calls wherever you are
  • 4-microphone ANC using mics on the inside and outside of the earbuds
  • 12mm speakers for big sound and powerful bass
  • Semi-open design with natural hear through
  • IPX4-rated durability and 2-year warranty* against dust and water
  • Up to 5.5 hours battery on a single charge and up to 25 with the charging case with ANC on, 7 hours battery on a single charge and 31 hours with ANC off
  • Qi-certified, for wireless charging, and compatible with all Qi-certified chargers
  • Customisable equaliser in the Sound+ App makes your music sound even better
  • Voice assistant enabled. Elite 85t works with Siri® and Google Assistant™.
  • ‘MyControls’ to define button settings and MySound for individualised sound
  • Bluetooth 5.1

Jabra Elite 85t Pricing and Availability

Jabra Elite 85t is available in selected retailers, MSRP (£219.99). The earbuds are available in Titanium/Black, Gold/Beige, Copper/Black, Black and Grey.

 

Find out more about Jabra at www.jabra.com/elite85t

Skullcandy has launches new earbuds in the affordable true wireless category, called Jib True. #Skullcandy #JibTrue #Tech

Skullcandy Inc., the original lifestyle audio brand, announced today  the launch of its latest True Wireless earbud Jib True.  

Now more than ever, people are looking for simple, feature-rich earbuds for use at home or on the go AND  that won’t break the bank, making Jib True the new essential earbud for all your listening needs. With these  easy-to-use earbuds and quality sound performance, Jib True makes it possible for anyone to get into true  wireless. 

Jib True offers a total of 22 hours of battery life with 6 hours in the bud and an additional 16 hours in the case,  and comes loaded with all must-have audio features and controls such as call, track and volume control,  activate assistant, dual mics, solo bud use and more. With an IPX4 rating, Jib True is sweat and water  resistant and has a comfortable, noise isolating fit that ensures an amazing Skullcandy audio experience. 

“We’re so excited to be bringing this incredible update to our Jib franchise,” said Jessica Klodnicki, CMO of  Skullcandy. “For those looking to try out true wireless earbuds for the first time and at an affordable price,  Jib True is it. We’ve packed it with all the essential, must-have features, and we can’t wait for people to start  listening without anything holding them back!”  

With Bluetooth® capabilities and a wide range of useful features such as the ability to use either bud solo,  dual microphones for calls, auto on and easy connectivity, Jib True allows users to truly experience freedom  without wires. True Wireless has been made simple with these new earbuds that will allow you to get your day  going without skipping a beat.  

Jib True exclusive will be available for purchase on http://www.skullcandy.co.uk/jib-true-wireless-earbuds for £39.99.  

Features 22 Hours Total Battery  IPX4 Sweat and Water Resistant  Use Either Bud Solo  Dual Microphones  Noise-Isolating Fit  Call, Track and Volume Control 

 

 

ClearOne Enhances “The New Normal” Hybrid Work and Learning Environment with New Entry-Level and High-End Cameras

Ushering in the new year with a commitment to make true-to-life video collaboration possible for everyone, ClearOne (NASDAQ: CLRO), a global provider of audio and visual communications solutions, today announced the immediate availability of two new powerful cameras that enhance the ease and visual quality of online collaboration beyond the capabilities of integrated laptop and PC cameras.

With the new ClearOne UNITE® 10, the company’s most affordable camera ever, and the feature-rich ClearOne UNITE 50 4K AF that includes Auto-Framing technology for automatic single- or multi-person capture, everyone can take on the new year with the confidence provided by stunning video that puts them in the best possible light.

“A new year presents all of us with the opportunity to improve the way we come across to our teammates in an online work or learning environment,” ClearOne Chair and CEO Zee Hakimoglu said. “During the pandemic, we recognized that millions of people were expected to use video collaboration tools, for the first time, and the rapid societal shift to home-based and remote work left a lot of people desiring higher quality video solutions to ensure they make a good impression and enjoy reliable, clear and efficient communication.”

For users who want to upgrade from the basic camera included in their laptop or PC, ClearOne has lowered the barrier of entry with its most affordable webcam ever, the UNITE 10. The small, powerful webcam supports up to 1080p video quality and offers autofocus.

The UNITE 10 can capture five-megapixel images with a field of view up to 87 degrees, while major competitors at this price point only achieve 78-degree field of view. The UNITE 10 attaches any PC or laptop with a simple mounting bracket, and a 1.5m USB-A cable ensures simple connection to most modern computers. The UNITE 10 is also available to dealers and distributors in 20 packs for commercial sale.

The new UNITE 50 4K AF camera is a major upgrade over traditional webcams and introduces ClearOne’s new Auto-Framing technology that automatically frames meeting participants to maximize screen use through intelligent image algorithms and ePTZ automation (electronic pan, tilt and zoom).  With 4K video quality at 30 Hz, auto-focus capability, 4x digital zoom, more than 8 megapixels of total resolution and an ultra-wide 110-degree field of view, the UNITE 50 4K AF ePTZ is equally capable of delivering incredible image quality from a home office as it is at capturing all participants in an office boardroom.

The UNITE 50 4K AF is an ideal choice for managers or executives who require the absolute best remote video presentation available and also want a solution that can be used for in-office meetings. The camera can be controlled through an IR remote, further simplifying use and enabling real-time control of pan, tilt and zoom to provide greater control when capturing multi-person meeting environments. A standard damping mount ensures fast, easy installation, while an included USB 3.0 cable provides both power and video.

Both new ClearOne cameras enable life-like video quality to web-based conferencing applications including ClearOne’s COLLABORATE® Space, WebEx™, Google Meet, Zoom™, GoToMeeting™, and Microsoft® Teams.

ClearOne’s COLLABORATE Space is a powerful, award-winning collaboration tool that delivers a full suite of audio, video conferencing, web conferencing, and meeting tools in a persistent space.  COLLABORATE Space comes with everything needed for online meetings, including messaging, integrated file sharing, whiteboarding, annotation, meeting minutes, scheduling, and more.

To download a free COLLABORATE Space lifetime subscription with unlimited video meeting time, click here.

“Whether a student wants their instructor and classmates to see them more clearly or an office manager needs a multi-purpose camera with the benefit of artificial intelligence framing functions, ClearOne’s newest products of 2021 are accommodating ‘the new normal’ with HD quality and accessibility for any budget,” Hakimoglu added.

To learn more about UNITE 10, click here. To learn more about UNITE 50 4K AF, click here.

Edifier expands gaming and audio selection with new high quality wireless headphones and speakers. #CES2021 #Edifier

Edifier, the award-winning manufacturer of premium sound systems and bookshelf speakers, introduced its newest audio and gaming products, TWS NB2 Pro, GM5 and D12, at CES today. 

“With consumer needs changing in an instant, we strive to be just as flexible without cutting any corners on quality,” said Stanley Wen, Edifier’s CTO. “We continue to bring our users the unmatched audio experience in a more convenient, travel and budget-friendly package for gaming, music and video enjoyment. Our newest products highlight Edifier’s attention to aesthetic and ergonomic design detail matched with superior sound quality and affordability.”

TWS NB2 Pro

Distinct from other noise cancellation headphones on the market and re-envisioned from its predecessor, the TWS NB, the TWS NB2 Pro boasts innovative immersive analog noise-canceling technology offering over-ear noise-canceling headphone technology in a stylish low-profile true wireless earphone package. Through extensive testing, all components of the earphones are certified to block medium to low environmental frequencies while giving the user a completely balanced sound with no outside interruptions. The user can also enable the ambient sound function to be aware of their surroundings while still enjoying their music. With its unmatched audio quality, Bluetooth 5.0 and IP54 rating, the TWS NB2 Pro is equipped to be your most reliable companion on your busiest days. 

Thanks to the Qualcomm low power-consumption chipset and small high-capacity lithium battery, users can take advantage of the seven-hour playback with the active noise cancellation on or nine hours with it off. There is also the added security of knowing that the travel-friendly charging case gives an additional 23-hour playback time. The TWS NB2 Pro also utilizes fast charging, which allows for a two-hour play-back time with only a 15-minute charge. With the seamless and sleek design of the earphone and charging case, comfort, style, and great technology are at the user’s disposal. TWS NB2 Pro will launch in March 2021 with a retail price of $99.

GM5

With the GM5’s eight-hour playback time and additional 32 hours via its portable charging case, combined with Qualcomm AptX low-latency technology, level after level can be completed without any lagging or low battery notifications for gamers, streamers, or mobile show bingers. With mobile gaming and video streaming being top of mind, countless trials and tests were conducted to ensure that the truly wireless earbuds would meet the true gamer’s specific needs.

With its environmental noise-cancelling technology (ENC) and four microphones, mobile gaming and on-call communication is now truly portable and allows you to clearly communicate from anywhere, regardless of environmental background noise. With two different audio profiles, your listening experience is enhanced and modified to further immerse yourself in your game, video, or music. When coming back to the real world, simply pause by removing an earbud or switch from dual to single earbud mode in one swift motion. GM5 will launch in March 2021 with a retail price of $79.*

D12

Edifier’s D12 Bluetooth speakers allow users to create their own personal sound oasis no matter where they are. The speaker’s acoustic structure, which features Bluetooth V5.0, provides a pure, undistorted, high-quality sound in a portable package with a solid frame in a stylish wood grain finish. Made with 4 sound units, the D12 speakers offer beautifully balanced sound with high-low frequency separation and deeper tones not previously found in traditional desktop speakers. Boasting a 20W*2 bass and a 15W*2 treble, every song will be heard as the artist intended, creating a pure auditory experience. D12 will launch on February 20, 2021 with a retail price of $99.

All UK availability and pricing to be confirmed.

For more information on earbuds, headsets, speakers, and other Edifier products, please visit Edifier.com.

CLCKR Debuts Innovative Prong & 3M Smartphone Car Mounts for Safe Usage While on the Go

CLCKR, the mobile phone accessory company, has launched two new mobile phone car mounts for CES 2021: the Prong and the 3M mount. Both car mounts make it safe and easy for drivers to take hands-free calls or easily view GPS directions while  on the road. 

 

 Prong CLCKR Car Mount 

The Prong & The 3M Car Mounts 

CLCKR’s Prong Car Mount securely attaches to most standard air vents on a vehicle’s dashboard — allowing drivers to quickly view their device for GPS directions. The mount uses a simple yet  effective magnetic design featuring an innovative money-style silver clip which slides onto the user’s  existing CLCKR case or Universal grip and stays securely in place until removed. The CLCKR clip then  magnetically attaches to the mount clipped onto the vehicle’s air vent. This new, slim design  eliminates the need for sticky or bulky magnets and offers the user a removable solution. The Prong  Mount will retail for £16.99. 

For vehicles without traditional air vents, the CLCKR 3M Car Mount features a heavy-duty sticky side  that allows the mount to be securely attached to the dashboard, without leaving behind any sticky  residue. 

Phil Mullholland, CLCKR Brand Director, comments: “With today’s on-the-go mentality, smartphone  users need to be able to make hands-free calls from their device safely and easily. The Prong Car  Mounts are the perfect way to do just this thanks to our innovative magnetic clip. Featuring a first to-market design, the removable clip makes the Prong Mount compatible with all current CLCKRs so  CLCKR fans can easily begin using the mount with their existing cases and Universal grips.”

 The Car Mounts will be available in February 2021. https://www.clckr.com/eu/

 

Tech Review – TCL 10 PRO. #TCL10PRO #Tech

TCL like OPPO are new brands to the Irish market with mobile phones and both alike are something for the competition to look out for with what these brands have to offer for your hard earned cash. Earlier this year we checked out the TCL 10L and is a bargain for the money and one of the best budget priced phones out there right now offering great real estate on the screen and ideal for media consumption.

The TCL 10- PRO just ups the game here in all avenues which at the time of posting this is available for 399 euros which is simply another bargain should you wish to pick up a new smartphone.. The device was first priced at €499 with an Android TV thrown in but does not seem to be available now but shop around regardless.

The look and build quality of this device is one of my personal favourites, great almost bezel less screen and a smooth feel with no rough corners like some devices have, ie the corners can feel uncomfortable but not here on this phone it has a seamless smoothness all-round.. There is a small bezel top and bottom which is fine as the display on this device is fantastic and drops over the edge, You can change the screen settings with the Nxtvision app to your desire so it is worth checking this out as everyone eyes differ, the screen and how if drops arounds the sides is stunning..

Next thing you will notice is the camera array on the back,(64MP, 16MP, 5MP and 2MP ) again done well by not being a silly raised hump and it is flush with the rear of the device which means no rocking on a flat surface, I was pleased with the results the camera and video performance here and one thing some reviews need to note is to stop comparing to 1000 euro plus phones it is not the same cost just like many other devices out there and in some departments will not match up to such devices, this is a mid ranged priced phone and should be compared the same and stop using Apple/Samsung as a benchmark this is as bad as comparing ten year old Lumia devices which some still do today it is a moot point and just a yawnfest being honest. Comparing phones?? Just compare in the same price bracket and be done with it. For your money you are getting a capable shooter and video here lets just leave it at that.

Below are some video and camera samples of the device and you be the judge of how they fair out..

Multitasking on this device is a breeze. First up you have a sidebar/edgebar that offers you the options to add apps, contacts and even a ruler which is really handy this is great for quick access however you can also customise your own folders too and your home screen to make things even faster the choice is yours it is a great tool though overall for those who need to be productive, this bar can be turned off and this compared to others I have tried seen no accidental launches and works well.

For web browsing, social media emails and so on this worked really well for me giving it my daily abuse which is plenty compared to your average user as I would have more use case scenarios than most and it worked a treat for me with that huge display it was easy to work between apps switch screens and of course dual screen options this worked well with my workflow which also includes docs etc etc.

Who is this phone for? This phone is for anyone who is not fussy about specs given it has decent specs on board and want to save some money rather than go spend silly money on phones forced on you by shops or some media blue ticks stating otherwise there is just too much Apple and Samsung fawning these days not forgetting one trick ponies Huawei with a camera and no play store which nothing but positive reviews are seen consistently written by the same people which is another story for another day which has become evidently clear. The cost to performance ratio has come down on phones a while now and I have said it before there is NO NEED to spend over a grand on phone when there is plenty of competition out there like the Pixel A devices for example who are at the top of the game with photography which slightly edges this device in some scenarios but not on others for screen size for example giving you a better media experience.

Now on sale at THREE and Harvey Norman for €399

 

 

Sennheiser’s new HD 250BT headphones deliver a thrilling on-the-go audio experience. #Headphones #Tech

Sennheiser’s new HD 250BT headphones deliver a thrilling audio experience with dynamic bass, state-of-the-art Bluetooth connectivity and a durable design that is built to take on life’s adventures. Boasting a 25-hour battery life and advanced codec support at an affordable price, the new HD 250BT lets listeners enjoy Sennheiser’s superior audio anytime and anywhere.

Sennheiser’s new HD 250BT headphones are equipped with the audio specialist’s famed transducer technology. Support for high-quality audio codecs such as AAC and aptXTM as well as rock-solid Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity ensure remarkable wireless audio quality with dynamic bass for music enjoyment on the go. For listeners seeking to personalise their audio experience, the Sennheiser Smart Control app’s intuitive equaliser makes it possible to tailor the sound experience according to individual taste. Meanwhile, aptX™ Low Latency perfectly synchronises audio with on-screen action while watching videos.

Sennheiser’s new HD 250BT headphones deliver a thrilling on-the-go audio experience at an affordable price

“With remarkable performance and advanced features at an accessible price point, our new HD 250BT truly punches above its weight to enhance the everyday audio experience,” said Jermo Köhnke, Product Manager at Sennheiser. “These entry-level headphones offer a host of premium features that deliver a nightclub-worthy sound experience – wherever you are.”

Whether listening to music on the road for hours at a time, watching videos or taking calls via the built-in microphone, the HD 250BT’s outstanding 25-hour battery life ensures the headphones keep pace with the busiest lifestyles. Featuring a rugged design, soft, noise-isolating ear pads and intuitive controls, the HD 250BT is built to take on life’s adventures.

The Sennheiser HD 250BT is available in selected markets for £59.99 GBP / €69.00 EUR (MSRP).

Address pal not so much a pal now. #AddressPal #AnPost

The Virtual shipping address scene has changed rather quickly over the last month or so but no not all is lost just yet as discussed here before. With Brexit done there is plenty of things to consider when shopping from the UK where things will be now more expensive for consumers which is not good for the consumer or indeed Amazon. There is an extensive guide you can find HERE which explains what the new costs are when purchasing items from the UK but having said that we are not limited to shopping from the UK either. However shopping on other Amazon sites like FR and DE has seemed to gone up plus more delivery charges and with electrical goods a different plug so you need to be aware of what you are buying and if electrical goods have the option to use both two pin/ three pin plugs I am sure you have plenty at home.

With Parcel motel what I can see happening is setting up a base in other EU countries and this will work for the likes of Amazon DE/FR going forward and it is said UPS hope to get this sorted as soon as possible and it will be better for business for both Amazon and the consumer going forward and you can also think about the infrastructure of lockers here in Ireland which perhaps are all paid for now they where not cheap and I am sure they will not want them sitting there doing nothing as do the buildings they are attached to so lets think about the other possibility of Amazon lockers which again is up in the air…It is also said that AMAZON are seeking more premises here in Ireland to hold inventory but I am sure we will hear about this soon..

Address pal have just announced they are introducing new fees which are on the hefty side. You can see their terms and conditions here and shipping arrangements  here

You will now be hit with the €3.50 admin fee plus €6.50 on top to be delivered to your home which will not bode well for customers and An Post see this as a filler due to other Virtual address companies get their house in order as reported in the Indo today, Note that some services are suspended which means as mentioned above they are working on resolving this by most likely using an EU option instead. Still a tough pill to swallow for the new charges and ones An Post might regret.

Another thing to watch out for is how you shop online,just because the website may have an Irish store does not mean the product is here in Ireland,You may have noticed time to time shopping online you land on a web page and your given the option to change to ie. Dig deeper here and see where they are actually based..

Check out if you have a package or not with An Post with all the scams now here is how to check..

 

 

Lenbrook International Appoints OLEX Communications as its Exclusive PR Agency of Record in North America and the United Kingdom

Lenbrook International announces changes to its public relations team effective January 6, 2021, as consumer electronics veteran Peter Hoagland retires after representing Lenbrook’s North American distribution business, Lenbrook Americas, for nearly ten years as an independent PR consultant. Hoagland has been instrumental in building a strong market presence for NAD Electronics, PSB Speakers, Bluesound, and DALI Loudspeakers amongst specialist audiophile press in North America. 

“Peter has been respected colleague of Lenbrook’s in the audio industry since the early 1980s when we first met him – his reputation is unparalleled,” remarked Stephen Baker, Senior Director of Sales for Lenbrook Americas. “I speak for the entire senior leadership team at Lenbrook when I say that his professionalism and upbeat attitude will be missed, and that we will reflect on how very fortunate we’ve been to have had his marketing and PR expertise working for our brands over the past decade.” 

Peter Hoagland retires after decades working in the consumer electronics industry, leading the marketing efforts for a number of high-end audio brands as an in-house resource, as well as in a consulting capacity. Hoagland joined Lenbrook’s extended marketing team as an independent PR consultant in 2011, representing NAD Electronics, PSB Speakers, Bluesound, and DALI Loudspeakers. He ends his career with an accomplished track record for building deep relationships with specialist media and enhancing brand reputations.

With Hoagland’s retirement, Lenbrook International will continue the work it started at the beginning of the pandemic to consolidate its global PR operations, bringing oversight of Lenbrook Americas’ PR operations under its purview. For over three years now, OLEX Communications has represented Lenbrook’s own brands in the United Kingdom, helping to grow brand awareness with consumer lifestyle and gadget and tech audiences. Earlier in the year, OLEX Communications was appointed in the US to complement Hoagland’s specialist audiophile work, covering lifestyle and gadget and tech publications, and to grow the market presence of the new Bluesound Professional brand within the commercial integration media landscape. Now, OLEX Communications will become the exclusive public relations agency of record representing Lenbrook International brands in the UK and Lenbrook Americas’ brands in North America, across all media verticals.

“It has been a pleasure working with Peter on our distribution business over the years and I have nothing but the utmost respect for him and the tireless work he has invested into our brands in Canada and the United States,” says June Ip, Vice President of Marketing for Lenbrook International. “Fortunately, we have a reliable and knowledgeable partner in OLEX Communications that can take on the work that Peter leaves behind.”