Month: February 2021

Dalata records one million guest interactions on new contactless platform from Granite Digital. #GraniteDigital #Dalata #Hotels

Granite Digital, Ireland’s leading full-service digital agency, today announces that it has delivered Ireland’s first fully contactless hotel guest services platform for Dalata Hotel Group, which has already reached one million guest interactions. Developed in collaboration with Dublin-based hotel booking software provider P3 Hotels, the innovative web portal is transforming the hotel guest experience, as hotels continue to adapt to operating under COVID-19 restrictions.

Dalata is Ireland’s largest hotel operator with two leading brands – Maldron Hotels and Clayton Hotels – as well as managing a portfolio of further partner hotels. The group has implemented the contactless solution across its 44 owned, leased and operated hotel locations in Ireland and the UK. Many guests will utilise the platform within it’s first 12 months.

The digital platform is designed to aid social distancing and COVID-19 safety protocols in hotels by enabling contactless check-in, check-out and hotel services, as well as securely and seamlessly facilitating the track and trace process for all visitors. Physical interaction is minimised, with hotel patrons accessing the platform through a link in their check-in email and using pick-up and drop-off boxes for room keys on arrival and departure.

Robert Carpenter, Co-Founder, Granite Digital and Stephen McNally, Deputy Chief Executive, Dalata Hotel Group

From the web-based portal, guests can browse hotel information and services, order in-room click-and-collect dining, reserve breakfast and dinner slots and book swimming and gym sessions. The portal also facilitates instant messaging so guests can order additional towels, toiletries, all linen supplies and cleaning services.

To guard against the spread of COVID-19, Dalata is also operating a revised cleaning regime for each hotel room and public space across its locations. It is working with global certification leader Bureau Veritas to ensure compliance and best practice with regards all health and safety measures in the hospitality sector. In combination with its newly launched digital platform, Dalata is seeking to offer guests peace of mind as well as a transformed visitor experience – leveraging technology to deliver convenience and more responsive services.

Stephen McNally, Deputy CEO, Dalata Hotel Group, said: “This new platform is now operating really well across the Dalata Hotel Group, and guest reaction has been excellent. The software is a landmark development for the hospitality sector in Ireland. It is the result of deep consultation with our innovative technology partners Granite Digital & P3 to develop a platform that can not only help achieve compliance with COVID-19 measures, but also revolutionise guest interactions for a more connected world.”

“The health and safety of our valued guests is paramount and the online platform is a cornerstone of our thorough approach to creating a clean and safe environment in each of our hotels. Looking to the future, we wanted to put digital at the heart of the guest experience so visitors can enjoy the same level of information, interactivity and responsiveness that they are accustomed to in other sectors. This platform helps us to do exactly that.” 

 Robert Carpenter, Co-Founder, Granite Digital, said: “Both the Maldron and Clayton Hotel brands are highly regarded and well-known in Ireland and increasingly growing in strength in the UK. It was fantastic to work with a true leader in hospitality who was so open to applying innovative ideas to address the significant challenges posed by COVID-19.

 “The clever application of digital technologies to traditional sectors and processes can be the key to unlocking these challenges and carrying Irish businesses through this crisis and beyond. By moving quickly to bring this platform to the market and rolling it out to all of its hotels, Dalata has demonstrated the almost instantly transformative impact that customised digital solutions can have.”

NEW EDIFIER D12 Speaker – Compact Bluetooth speaker with 4 sound units for clear, balanced sound with high-low frequency separation and deeper tones

Edifier International, prominent designer and award-winning manufacturer of consumer audio electronics for both the lifestyle and multimedia markets announces the new D12 multimedia speaker system.

The D12 delivers outstanding sound. Featuring   2 x 4-inch woofers for optimum bass response and naturally fine-tuned sound produced from 2 x 19mm silk dome tweeter this compact speaker outperforms many other speakers in its class. Although it is an integrated speaker, the D12 is designed with two independent cavities to avoid phase interference between the left and right channels giving a sound that is more exact.

If you want crystal clear audio that catches every tiny nuance in your music, then the D12 is well worth hearing. A total of 70 watts (RMS) of distortion-free power output makes sure you get crystal clear and uncompromising sound everywhere in the room.

The D12 has versatile connectivity options. There are Bluetooth 5.0, RCA, AUX inputs available with a Line-out port for an extra subwoofer or active speakers to be connected to multiple audio devices at the same time.

With a quality wooden enclosure that reduces acoustic resonance, the D12 compliments any room’s décor.

Additional Features:

Easy set up

Unlike many other complicated speakers, you don’t have to struggle to set it up, and it won’t take up too much space. Place it wherever you want, such as your living room, study room, dining room, or bedroom, just connect to the power supply, and it’s ready to use.


Easy Operation  – The Three top-mounted knobs (Bass dial, treble dial, volume control/input  selector) allow for simple, accurate control of the treble, bass, and volume/input.

Wireless Remote Control included

Audio Source Indicator – The Audio source indicator clearly shows input mode.

Price & Availability: The D12 is available from Amazon, K & B Audio, Tech4.co.uk and other online stockists at  SRP £79.99

Electric Ireland launches new ‘Home Electric+’ electricity plans for customers with Smart Meters installed. #brightertogether

Electric Ireland customers who have had a Smart Meter installed as part of The National Smart Metering Programme will experience the benefits of Smart Meter technology for the first time when they choose one of Electric Ireland’s customer focused ‘Home Electric+’ plans. 

 The National Smart Metering Programme will ultimately see ESB Networks replace 2.4 million electricity meters with next generation Smart Meters. As part of the programme, all households in Ireland will receive a Smart Meter and once installed, they will be able to experience the benefits of the new technology.

Approximately 250,000 of all households in Ireland have had a Smart Meter installed over the last 18 months.

 Electric Ireland is today launching a range of unique plans for their customers who have had a Smart Meter installed. Customers who avail of these plans can, over time, better understand their energy usage, lower their overall consumption (particularly at peak times) and in turn reduce the costs of their electricity bills and carbon footprint. Electric Ireland’s free ‘Home Electric+’ plans all have the following benefits:

  • Personalised insights on electricity usage via an online account portal (insights build incrementally over time).
  • Monthly emails that communicate which appliances are using the most electricity (available after 4 months data).
  • A monthly billing option and bill prediction alerts (billing is currently bi-monthly). 
  • Regular reviews to ensure that they are on the right plan.
  • Eliminates need for manual reads and estimated bills.

Electric Ireland’s ‘Home Electric+’ plans will enable customers to save money by availing of cheaper electricity at different times of the day – options include:

  • ‘Home Electric+ Night Boost’ offers a cheaper electricity rate at night (11p.m.-8a.m.) and a super cheap “boost” period from 2-4 a.m. when customers can charge their Electric Vehicles for just over 5c per kwh.
  • ‘Home Electric+ Weekender’ offers Saturday or Sunday electricity for free.
  • ‘Home Electric+ SST (Standard Smart Tariff)’ offers Day/Night/Peak rates giving increased flexibility and control over their home usage.

 

Marguerite Sayers, Executive Director, Electric Ireland, said:  “As Ireland’s leading energy provider, Electric Ireland is committed to providing our customers with transparency so that they can better understand what is driving their electricity usage. The introduction of our new Smart Meter offerings is a landmark day for us and our customers. Less consumption of energy at peak times means reduced carbon emissions, as well as reduced bills for households and businesses. Customers can use the insights we provide to discover how and when they use electricity so that they can change their usage patterns to make savings.”

 She added: “At Electric Ireland we also see Smart Meters at the forefront of enabling our customers to make positive changes in addressing climate action. We are delighted to bring this service to our customers at a time when reducing household costs is of upmost importance. From today, Electric Ireland customers can start availing of the benefits of our Smart Metering services and we are here to support them on that journey. Not only will Smart Meter customers see the end of estimated bills, but they can also now choose a new, innovative and free plan to suit their individual needs, while continuing to enjoy their enduring discount rate of up to 8.5% on gas and electricity.”

The new Smart Meter plans are inspired by research results from the Electric Ireland Brighter Energy Research Tracker*, which highlighted a recent significant increase in customers’ desire to make positive energy usage changes, and an expectation that their energy company should play a key role in supporting them on the move towards a low carbon future. Smart Meters are well placed to help deliver on this customer ambition: 82% of consumers want to reduce the amount of energy they use and 87% indicated they would look to their energy provider to offer real-time, digestible information on their energy usage and efficiency. And for Electric Ireland customers, this will be delivered through personalised insights available via the suite of free ‘Home Electric+’ plans.

 Smart Meter plans are available from today to Electric Ireland residential customers that have had a smart meter installed in their home. Smart meters have been installed in parts of the following locations: Dublin (North, South, Central), Sligo, Limerick, Cork City, Bandon, Portlaoise, Navan and Drogheda. These customers would have received a communication from ESB Networks when the Smart Meter was installed.

 Smart Meter services are the latest solution to be introduced as part of Electric Ireland’s Brighter Together Energy Programme. Launched in 2020, the programme is designed to support homes, businesses and communities to maximise energy efficiency and collectively contribute towards a low carbon future. The National Smart Metering Programme will eventually see up to 1.3 million Electric Ireland customers avail of Smart Meter technology and services by 2024. Electric Ireland will support its customers on their Smart Meter journey with educational content on its ‘We’re Brighter Together Hub’.  There will also be on-going direct communications with customers as their Smart Meters are installed, ensuring they are aware of the best-in-class benefits of the programme for their homes and businesses.

 To be part of the change and to find out more visit: electricireland.ie/smart-meters

Irish Software Engineers Adopt Latest Tools To Streamline App Development

Irish software engineers are adopting the latest tools to streamline web app development. According to recent reports, over 75% of digital agencies identify poor app design as one of their most significant weaknesses. With growing demand throughout the industry, it is essential to improve design and development procedures. Importantly, this starts with investing in the right resources. As a software development enterprise manager, you need to integrate the latest innovative tools to streamline your web app development. This way, you can build professional, high functioning applications for your clients. Read on to learn about the latest tools Irish software engineers are adopting to streamline web app development. 

Web Development Frameworks

First, many software engineering firms in Ireland are adopting web development frameworks to streamline their development procedures. Typically, these tools serve as the starting point to develop dynamic web applications. With many frameworks, you can easily create front-end applications without complex plugins. This is because these tools often include well-designed templates, MVC architecture, and code generation features. In addition, many expressions are similar to code snippets. For example, they are commonly enclosed within brackets and do not use any loops or conditional statements. Furthermore, many web development frameworks include integrated tutorials or have published online courses. With these resources, you can efficiently learn how to use them. Definitely, Irish programmers are using web frameworks to simplify the build process. 

Centralized Repositories

In addition, Irish development professionals are also installing centralized repositories to streamline their web application developments. For example, Golang development teams are increasingly integrating GoProxy. Notably, these public centralized repositories are available to developers across the globe. Additionally, you can use these tools to host your open-source Go modules. Often, these are available in publicly accessible version control system (VCS) project repositories. Many of these, such as JFrog GoCenter are available to Golang developers for free. Of course, many developers around the world are learning Golang for its simple syntax and these increasingly accessible resources. Undoubtedly, Irish developers are installing centralized repositories to streamline module hosting.

Next, application development enterprises in Ireland are also using advanced code editors to increase coding efficiency. Many code editors include well-designed features and quick, high-performing user interfaces. For example, many of these systems can leverage various keyboard shortcuts. Indeed, this allows developers to perform simultaneous editing. Often, you can make the same changes to multiple selected areas at once. In addition, these editors allow you to navigate to your files, symbols, and lines with ease. When you’re spending full work days using a code editor, shaving seconds off your basic programming procedures adds up. For this improved efficiency, Irish developers are implementing advanced code editor tech to make working a happier and healthier experience. 

Source – Freepix

Frontend & Backend Tools

Moreover, Irish web app developers also use frontend and backend tools. Many backend tools include frameworks, database management systems, and API collaboration platforms. These innovative tools support some of the top web design trends for success. Importantly, many databases can provide multi-user access, easy set up procedures, and little maintenance. In addition, API collaboration platforms are designed to streamline communication, so you can create APIs faster. On the other hand, many developers use front end tools to streamline their programming processes. For example, some frameworks use JSX, which allows you to quote HTML and tag syntax to render sub components. Many frontend tools are also built with low-code interfaces for a more intuitive drag and drop interface. 

Prototyping Tools

Furthermore, software engineering agencies in Ireland are also using prototyping tools for their web app development projects. These are great tools to improve customer interaction and collaboration across your UI and UX design teams. For example, some high-fidelity prototyping tools include multi-player editing, easy sharing, and inline commenting features to boost collaboration. In addition, many components are reusable, so your team can get client approval faster. Of course, the best prototyping tools offer preview modes as well. With many low-code options available, this is a great solution to increase efficiency on your design teams. In short, many Irish developers are adopting prototyping tools, especially for UX and UI design techniques. 

Irish software engineers are adopting the latest tools to streamline web app development. First, web development frameworks are an essential starting point for any web application. Next, code editors are great resources to increase programming efficiency. In addition, centralized repositories are often easily accessible, especially for Golang teams. Moreover, frontend and backend tools are key building blocks for any project. Furthermore, install a prototyping tool to increase your design team’s efficiency. Consider these points to learn about the latest tools Irish software engineers are adopting to streamline web app development.

Realising the Potential of Edge for Irish Businesses. #Dell #EdgeComputing

By John O’Donoghue, Dell Technologies Ireland

Edge computing is quickly emerging as the next “big thing” in technology. From mobile devices and cell towers to refrigerators and industrial control systems, the data being generated at the edge by these platforms has enormous value for businesses across Ireland.

Telecommunications carriers, to take one example, are building innovative “micro towers” to drive a broad range of innovative 5G networking services. Similar to small data centres, these micro towers house hyperconverged computing platforms that can deliver experiences such as augmented and virtual reality to every end user accessing a 5G network.

Another example is SK Telecom, which has partnered with Dell Technologies to accelerate its 5G wireless network rollout using a multi-access edge computing (MEC) architecture. This partnership has enabled SK Telecom to decrease application latency on its network services to under 10 milliseconds.

Edge computing technology concept. Blue integrated circuit with icons. Futuristic tech of data processing.

In fact, edge computing platforms will be employed to further automate every business process imaginable using machine and deep learning algorithms deployed at the very edge of the network. Instead of waiting for data to be analysed by an application residing in the cloud or local data centre, algorithms will optimise business processes in real time based on events as they occur.

The shift towards edge computing is also driving a sea change in application development. The emergence of Edge Native Applications allows for applications to be built and deployed on edge devices for processing data at low latency.

Everything from connected cars to augmented and virtual reality applications will depend on the ability to process and analyse data in real time at the network edge. In fact, just about every instance of digital business transformation, both in Ireland and farther afield, will soon be driven by edge computing platforms capable of processing data in real time. Gartner estimates that by 2025, 75% of enterprise-generated data will be created and processed outside the traditional, centralized data center or cloud.

This will result in significant change for firms of all sizes in Ireland who have adopted new technologies at pace over the past year. However, business leaders who fail to recognise the opportunities in edge computing are at risk of finding themselves lagging behind their more innovative rivals as digital transformation accelerates even further. As a means of establishing a competitive advantage, edge computing can increase efficiency, generate new revenue streams, improve customer experiences, and build businesses and organisations to rebuild and recover.

The technology is not without its challenges. The total cost of ownership for all these platforms is staggering. Furthermore, finding the IT expertise required to manage edge computing platforms at scale requires access to IT automation frameworks that most businesses in Ireland are not in a position to build and support on their own. The level of expertise required first to define and maintain edge computing platform standards and then to make those platforms part of the extended enterprise requires a strategic partner dedicated not only to achieving a specific business outcome but also to minimising possible risks.

At Dell Technologies, we’ve already invested in edge computing platforms with a number of long-time global partners ranging from AT&T to SAP. It has been our privilege to provide IT platforms that millions of businesses across the world rely on every day.

As edge computing evolves, Dell Technologies will continue to be there every step of the way. Some examples of the innovative business outcomes we’re already enabling include:

  • McLaren Racing, a division of McLaren Group, is taking advantage of edge computing platforms from Dell Technologies to analyse nearly 100GB of data in real time that is captured by more than 200 sensors embedded in its race cars. More than 100,000 data points per second are streaming from each McLaren car per second to determine when to make a tire change, evaluate track safety, and even when to make gear changes during the race.
  • Manufacturing giant Emerson uses Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to help its customers gather data insights from sensors embedded in their digital valve controllers. Emerson and Dell Technologies have developed a wireless valve monitoring solution that collects information from digital valve controllers and sends it through a Dell Edge Gateway to the cloud. The Dell Edge Gateway aggregates, analyses, secures, processes and shares sensor data at the edge and also sends it to a Microsoft Azure-based cloud platform.
  • Olivetti provides small and medium-sized manufacturers with an IoT-based plug-and-play solution to make their machines and plants smarter, and their operations more efficient. Together, Olivetti, Dell Technologies and Alleantia have developed a turnkey solution that enables the digital transformation of production processes into Industry 4.0 logic. The solution takes data from the production line or machines and makes it immediately available through multiple interfaces. The processor performs near real-time data and event processing before distributing information to the customer’s applications either directly or via a secure Olivetti cloud-based infrastructure.

Edge computing isn’t simply the latest example of an overly hyped IT trend, but rather represents a profound transformation of how companies do business in Ireland that may soon eclipse the cloud in terms of strategic importance.

Tech Review – Quntis 30W USB- C fast charger for Apple and Android devices. #Tech

Need a new affordable charging brick for your phone and dont even get the charger in the box Check out the Quntis 30w fast charger, This is slated for iOS devices but works on Android too and it is listed in their spec sheet, this is a compact charging block with a good long cable on tow to give you more flexibility not on that you get your devices charged quicker too and up to two hours in some cases, this works quite well on both Android and iOS devices as I have of course tested both.

Not only does this supply faster charging you can also do data transfer too up to 480 mps, Quntis Type-C to lightning cable supports fast data transfer of up to 480 Mbps. 1GB large files will transfer in 25s. Quntis 30W USB C Charger Plug with USB-C to Lightning Cable 2m provides a much more faster charging speed for your iPhone and iPad, eg. iPhone 11 can be charged from 0% to 50% in only 0.5h, 2.5 times faster than 5V/1A adapter. 2.5Hrs Full Charge for MacBook 12″, 3Hrs full charge for Nintendo Switch (With USB C to C Cable)

Check the video for a closer look and you can purchase on Amazon, Note you can buy this on the UK and DE store but if DE you get the two pin option like all tech purchased from DE.

Quntis sent us this sample and are seeing this review the same time as you.

Quntis 30w fast charger: 10% off UQuntis01 (store: Ulinek) End date: 01/31/2022

Tech Review – ProLab Mouse. A new way to control technology. #Prolab #Tech

We are all fond of and use to the standard mouse and remote control and we all have some in the house the thing is though they cost money and they are often lost but how about one gadget to control all your bluetooth devices give presentations and do everything these other gadgets do well there is now a new product on kickstarter called the ProLab mouse and having used it over the last few days it is a neat gadget to own and some might argue it is a solution to a problem we do not have but if you are a multidevice user it is not the case and can be quite handy is is more effective than one might think when you begin to see how it can be used and given its size and the price it is a must for those like me who have multiple gadgets in the house and especially projectors. Selfie fans can also rejoice here and so is smart phone users as this can make life so easy if you want to use your smartphone as a companion device beside your workspace.

The Future of Smart Controllers – ProLab explains..

There’s nothing like the ProLab Mouse. Without question, we’ve designed the smallest and most advanced control hub in the world. Weighing just 8g (.3 oz), the ProLab Mouse puts full control of your smart devices right at your fingertips. This valuable tool for work and play is a combination of an air mouse, a keyboard and a remote PPT/camera /media controller. Using Bluetooth technology, the ProLab Mouse instantly connects to most laptops, tablets, and smartphones. This allows you to control music, videos, web navigation, and more. Change settings at the touch of a button, and enjoy digital control with no limits.

The ProLab Mouse is ultra-compact, weighing only 8g and is no larger than a Bluetooth earphone. It is also easy to hold and even easier to use. With its 360-degree rotated trackball and four clicker buttons, it only takes one hand to control dozens of different functions. Once you hold the ProLab Mouse, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it.

The ProLab Mouse features three different easy-to-use modes: Air Mouse Mode, Media Mode, and Keyboard Mode. A single touch of the Side Button allows you to easily switch from one mode to the next.

SPECS

Battery Life: 15 Hours

Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 4.2

Bluetooth connection distance: 10m

Input Voltage: DC-5V 500mA

Weight: 8g / 0.3 oz

Dimensions: 29*29*13.5mm / 1.14*1.14*0.53in

Compatibility: iOS, iPad OS, Android, Windows, MacOS, ChromeOS, Linux and more

Check out the video below for more and do support them on KICKSTARTER any questions feel free to ask, I have been using this for a bit and find it very useful and it really is an all in one hub control unit..

Tech Review – Aukey 1080p webcam. #Tech #Webcams #Aukey

Since this covid lark began things also started changing for many workers in Ireland and that is working from home, this was already happening though over the last two years and the pandemic only accelerated it. For me it has been the same, gradually over the last three years I left a company I worked for as a contractor for 18 years and found a niche in the industry

I do know of plenty of people that do work from home and have done so for years, long before this situation arrived but the likes of zoom and teams was not needed, we had skype and other means to do business over the phone or via your pc/laptop but now with teams and zoom being hugely popular I chose teams to be my means of contact when I require to speak to more than one person since some people are from strategically placed business in Ireland it is impossible to get all in one place at one time given we do have the rights to travel for essential purposes but me being me I decided to use tech to make life easier for all and get the same job done without moving.

Lets be up front most of our built in webcams are rubbish and you will see why here I have several laptops and they are all brutal with the built in webcam and you will see the difference by using an external webcam and not only that you are not so restricted either as it can be moved anywhere within the cables confines and the picture and audio is also better too, there is people out there who worry about what they look like on the likes of zoom and so on and need to stop this. I did hear a radio topic on this the other day and it is not right worrying how you look on these platforms, If that is you external webcams are for you and we have some in to check out, the one here today is the AUKEY 1080P webcam and it is a simple plug and play and job done, no software no nothing just plug it in and switch to it on whatever platform you are using..

  • 1080P High Resolution: With a 1/3 inch CMOS image sensor, the webcam with a resolution of 1920*1080p delivers clear video for video chatting and video recording, provides good performance even in dimly lit rooms (≤ 5 lux)
  • Built-in stereo microphone: the two digital microphones provide clear, natural sound and significantly reduce background noise
  • Plug & Play: Thanks to USB Video Class (UVC) you do not need to install any drivers or software, simply connect to the USB port of your device
  • Compatible with Windows XP/2000/2003/Vista/7/8/10, Mac OS 10.6 and Android 5.0 or above, works with Smart TV, Android TV Box, Skype, MSN, FaceTime, Facebook Messenger, Youtube, Yahoo Messenger etc.
  • Box contents: Aukey PC-LM1E webcam 1080p, instruction manual (English language not guaranteed)

BUY HERE

Tech Review – Vantrue N2S dual dashcam. #Motoring #Vantrue #Tech #Dashcams

I have tested a huge range of dashcams here in Ireland the most from any tech site anyway and this is the first time to test out the brand VANTRUE and today we have the N2S dual dashcam which is ideal for any driver and particularly those who carry passengers ie taxi men etc. But yes anyone can use this dashcam and everyone should have a dashcam.

First thing here to note is you will need to buy an SD card and do not cheap out here either you will need a class 10 card up to 256GB, the more storage the better due to the options on this cam the higher the setting the better the quality the more space it takes up however it does not overwrite protected files your normal recorded files are like any other dashcam but it is better to be safe than sorry buying cheap SD cards go and buy a good branded one rather than something cheap of Amazon.

The dashcam has plenty of features but no app which is shame but still it works really well and simple to use we go through all this on the video review anyway so you will be able to navigate through it. So we have two cameras in operation here that can be set to a resolution your prefer.

In Dual Recording mode:1440P+1080P(30FPS); 1080P+1080P
(30FPS): 1080P+720P(30FPS); 720P+1080P(30FPS); 720P+720P(30FPS); IN SINGLE FRONT CAM RECORDING mode, 2592x1520P(30FPS);
2560x1440P(30FPS); 1920x1080P(30FPS); 1280x720P(30FPS)
Other features included are loop recording, time lapse, parked recording inside and out with sensors, heat and cold resistance, wide angle, GPS player which you will need to download.
Set up is easy we go through this in the video review, you have some buttons up top for navigation and an emergency key to record on the back so once hit file is recorded and protected. You can adjust both the inside camera to your needs so it is not a fixed camera like the front but there is a ball and socket joint to get the angle you prefer this will work in any vehicle.
Once it is set up that is it job done just leave it there and let it do its job.
Overall this is a great dashcam coming in much cheaper than its rivals minus the app it is not a touch screen either but the controls work well and it is easy to use and the menu structure is not exhausted either by sub menus galore..