Month: February 2021

Urbanista Valentines Special. Treat that lady in your life. #ValentinesDay #Urbanista #Tech

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the Swedish lifestyle audio brand Urbanista, announces an attractive deal. This year, purchases of Urbanista London – Urbanista’s latest true wireless earphones with Active Noise Cancellation – will include a free Urbanista Sydney wireless speaker, ensuring that you can share all of your favourite music with your loved ones.

The discount will be automatically applied at checkout when both items are added to the shopping cart. The package is available for £129 / $149USD / SEK1499 /  EUR149 MSRP and will be available from now until 14th February at www.urbanista.com/valentinesday

Tech Review – The Zippo Heatbank 9s Hand warmer and portable charger. #Zippo #Heatbank9s

Zippo are a brand most folk would think “Lighters” and you would be right!! But think again they now have many other products on the market to cater for everyone. This handy little gadget does not light your smokes or fires however in turn will keep you warm and charge devices on the go and is very portable.

This can be used anyhwere and with a climate like Ireland with 4 seasons in one day it is a handy affordable kit to have both keeping you warm and keeping your devices topped up. How hot it gets is probably a question one would ask, It does not get so hot you cant hold it the max output temp is  120°F / 50°C  dual sided and has 6 settings to get that right temperature so you are in control, there is LEDs on the bottom side of it to show the status being blue or green ,the blue is both sides and the green is one side, the LEDs also give the battery status,one light being the lowest and so on.

When it come to charging devices it is a simple plug and go so for any usb capable device including iPhones you can charge them all and you can also charge tablets too. The beauty of this is it has a rechargeable 5,200 mAh lithium-ion battery. It is comfortble to hold to and the ideal shape to fit in your hand and this also comes in a range of colours too so there is something for everyone here rather than the standard Black variant we tend to see with many products on the market. This is a handy gadget to have and easy to reccommend..

FEATURES

  • Charges USB compatible devices including; mobile phones, Mp3 players, tablets, cameras, etc.
  • Dual sided heat up to 120°F / 50°C operating temperature with six (6) heat settings for adjustable and comfortable warmth
  • Battery and heat indicator lights
  • Rechargeable 5200 mah lithium-ion battery (included) for lasting reliable warmth – up to 9 hour run time

BENEFITS

  • Reusable, less waste versus disposable warmers
  • Perfect for staying warm inside offices or extended outdoor activities
  • Quickly shows the selected heat setting & battery charge remaining
  • Plenty of heat to keep your hands warm in cold weather
  • Lets you adjust the heat to your environment

BUY

 

Data breaches are increasing people’s exposure to cyber-crime. #CyberCrime

Thanks to cyber-attacks making regular headlines in the news, it’s no secret that massive data breaches are a significant threat to organisations. However, a new report from cyber security provider F-Secure highlights the rarely-discussed impact these attacks can have on people and families using online services.

According to the report, nearly 3 out of every 10 respondents to an F-Secure survey experienced some type of cyber-crime (such as malware/virus infections, unauthorised access to email or social media accounts, credit card fraud, cyber bullying, etc.) in the 12 months prior to answering.

However, cyber-crime was roughly three times more common among respondents using one or more online services that had been breached by attackers. 60% of respondents belonging to this group – called “The Walking Breached” in the report – experienced cyber-crime in the 12 months leading up to the survey, compared to just 22% of other respondents.

Cyber-crime was even more prevalent among The Walking Breached respondents with kids, with 7 out of 10 saying they experienced one or more crimes.

“Personal information stolen from organisations can easily end up being used against people and families through different types of identity theft, fraud, or other types of harm. And with more and more information being stored digitally, what criminals can do with people’s information keeps getting worse. So these attacks on companies can really end up hurting people and not just a business’ bottom line,” explained Laura Kankaala, a security consultant with F-Secure.

Stress and concern was the most common effect of cyber-crime, followed closely by loss of time – both of which affected about half of all cyber-crime victims surveyed. Certain losses due to cyber-crime were more common among The Walking Breached than other respondents: loss of money, personal information, and loss of control over personal information or accounts.

Notably, half of The Walking Breached that experienced cyber-crime prior to filling out the survey reused passwords, and nearly 7 out of 10 (69%) reused passwords with slight variations.

Entire industries have developed to help cyber criminals monetise people’s personal data. Account passwords and login credentials, for example, are often bought and sold. These industries fuel the risks of fraud and other crimes for people whose information has been stolen.

And in a new trend, attackers who use encryption to hold organizations’ data for ransom are now stealing that information and threatening to leak it, demonstrating the lengths criminals will go to profit from people’s data.* In one particularly severe incident involving the breach of a company operating psychotherapy clinics, an extortionist (or extortionists) threatened to release the personal information and therapy records of former patients unless those individuals paid a ransom.**

According to Kankaala, people rarely think about how valuable the information stored in online accounts really is until that information is gone or exposed.

“Recovering hacked or lost social media accounts can sometimes be really difficult and we tend to recognise the value of something only once it’s gone. These accounts are not ‘just social media’ or ‘just email’ – they hold records of our past, pictures we may have not stored anywhere else or conversations that are either private or something we’ll miss once they’ve been deleted,” said Kankaala.

The full report, The Walking Breached: How Data Breaches put People at Risk of Cyber Crime, is now available at https://blog.f-secure.com/the-walking-breached/.

*Source: https://blog.f-secure.com/podcast-ransomware-mikko/
**Source: https://www.politico.eu/article/cybercriminal-extorts-finnish-therapy-patients-in-shocking-attack-ransomware-blackmail-vastaamo/

Tournament favourite THE KING OF FIGHTERS 2002 UNLIMITED MATCH strikes PlayStation 4 digitally today #Gaming

SNK CORPORATION has announced today that THE KING OF FIGHTERS 2002 UNLIMITED MATCH (KOF 2002 UM) is now available to download on PlayStation®4 for £11.99/€14.99. A physical edition will arrive this spring. As the fully tuned up 2009 sequel to the critically acclaimed KOF 2002, KOF 2002 UM includes a bevy of new features on PlayStation®4, including a larger roster of 66 playable characters, a graphical overhaul, and redesigned abilities. The game’s online functionality is much smoother this time around thanks to the addition of rollback netcode.

Witness the unlimited matches that await with today’s launch trailer:

ONLINE FEATURES GALORE

◆ ROLLBACK NETCODE

KOF 2002 UM features updated rollback netcode that greatly reduces online lag during matches. Players are able to tweak settings in order to improve their online experiences.

◆ QOL ONLINE VERSUS FEATURES

KOF 2002 UM includes online features that allow players to study their matches and learn from their mistakes. These include the ability to rewatch one’s 10 most recent online matches, options that enable win/loss counters, and cooldowns to prevent rematching after a quick bout.

◆ 2 UNIQUE ONLINE MODES

Choose between “Rank Match,” where battle results are shared and ranked online, and “Player Match,” where fans can set their own versus battle settings. Fight to become the true King of Players on the international stage! The world is yours!

KOF 2002 IS FULLY TUNED UP!

◆ IMPRESSIVE ROSTER OF 66 PLAYABLE CHARACTERS!

In addition to the original cast of KOF 2002, a host of returning characters from previous instalments of “THE NESTS CHRONICLES,” hidden characters, and an exclusive character called “NAMELESS” join the tournament for the largest character roster in KOF history.

◆ REARRANGED GRAPHICS AND BGM

Every demo screen, cutscene, and winning screen has been completely overhauled. Furthermore, the game’s soundtrack has been remastered for even more intense matches.

◆ NUMEROUS NEW AND OLD MOVES ADDED

Along with the new moves and special moves specially created for this title, plenty of old moves return in KOF 2002 UM. Moreover, the game’s mechanics and characters’ abilities have been redesigned.

◆ LARGE UPGRADE OF MAX MODE AND MAX2

All the Desperation Moves in KOF 2002 UM can now be cancelled anytime via the “MAX Mode” system. The “MAX 2” ultimate moves are even more flashy and easier to use.

 

Top 6 TikTok Marketing Tips And Tricks You Should Apply. #TikTock

You have heard the buzz out TikTok, right?  Well, at least you are staying up to date with social medial marketing. It’s encouraging that you want to make something from your videos. But wait, getting into TikTok is one thing and hitting the ground running is another totally new thing. In particular, simple mistakes can cost you. They can castigate you to the bare minimum. So, what are these tips and tricks? How can you improve your marketing in TikTok? Well, keep reading to find out:

The Right Audience

Like any other digital marketing strategy, targeting the right audience is all you need to be successful in TikTok marketing. So, targeting the wrong audience can injure your TikTok marketing game. Therefore, it is quite practical to think of SMM panels as a viable solution for your marketing. particular, consider thinking about your audience. Have your audience in mind when rolling your marketing campaign. It’s important to remember that TikTok isn’t just an advertisement place. According to the stats, this is the platform where Gen Z resides. In fact, the Z Gen accounts for more than 60 percent of TikTok users. So, thinking about this generation is what you need to hit the ground running.

Be Exciting

The Z Gen is all about creativity. This generation prefers videos that are fun. So, not making your videos fun can cost you tremendously. Learn the style of marketing. For instance, similar content cannot be posted on Instagram and LinkedIn. They are different. Remember, TikTok is explicitly designed for entertainment. So, making the content as fun as possible is the key.

 

Pro Tip: To reach more followers, purchase your views from Tok Race.

User-Generated Content

Of course, you can easily upload videos to TikTok. But did you know that not all videos will make you trend? Well, that’s a sad reality. Achieving a high engagement rate goes beyond just uploading videos. Besides consistency, you need to leverage user-generated content. From here, consider repurposing this content. For instance, you can request your audience to create exciting videos. You can then share their videos through your profile. Besides lowering the cost of creating videos, these user-generated videos can boost your engagement rates. Plus, this technique is effective when it comes to gaining customer trust from your followers.

Work Influencers

Who told you that you can do it alone when it comes to TikTok marketing? Well, if you can, then do it. However, the chances of succeeding are lower. The trick lies in working with influencers. With influencers, you have experts who understand how to boost that marketing strategy of yours. So, not working with them can be counterproductive

Additional Mistakes

It’s also important to consider the following additional tips and tricks when doing TikTok marketing:

  • Confirm if your audience is subscribed with TikTok
  • Understand how TikTok Ads work
  • Don’t be too promotional in your videos
  • Embrace creativity
  • Dress well

The Bottom-Line

Use the above tips and tricks when doing TikTok marketing. From getting it right when targeting the audience to working with influencers—these are the tips and tricks you need to reap real goodies from TikTok. Purchase the right Instagram followers from Viral Race, follow these tips, and make your channel trend today!

IFA 2021: Back to Business – Global Brands can’t wait to unveil major innovations in September in Berlin

IFA, the world’s most significant trade show for consumer tech and home electronics strikes back again in 2021.
From 3 to 7 September, global brands present their innovations and inspiring industry insights.
“We are overwhelmed by the extremely strong commitment of our partners. This demonstrates the high interest of the industry in presenting their innovations to IFAs global media community live in Berlin. Together with our international retail partners, we want to prepare the recovery and rebound for the time after the lockdown”, says IFA Executive Director Jens Heithecker.

Amica International

Frank Trittel, General Manager:
We are well aware of the social and economic challenges that the Corona pandemic means worldwide, but we still miss the possibility to meet personally with people, exchange opinions and connect. The traditional IFA is the most important fair for us, so the AMICA Group will take part this year if it will be organized.

Beurer

Sebastian Kebbe, Director Marketing & Sales Europe,:
We are delighted to be back at IFA 2021! Especially in the current situation, it is particularly important to stay in the exchange. The trade fair is one of our most important platforms for international networking – whether live in Berlin or as a virtual event.

Europe Bissell

Vincent Huinck, Comercial Director:
We are BISSELL, floor cleaning experts since 1876. Meet us at IFA 2021!

BLAUPUNKT/ GIP Development SARL

Andrezej Cebrat, Managing Director:
BLAUPUNKT is delighted to be attending IFA 2021. We are excited to present new innovative products and to see everyone happy and healthy in Berlin.

Bleujour

Jean-Christophe Agobert, CEO:
For us as a manufacturer of mini PCs, the IFA is one of the most important trade fairs. We are proud to be a part of it again with our premium products for business and gaming.

Cellularline Group

Marco Cagnetta, Co-CEO:
IFA 2021 takes place. We´re on! Back to Next Normal: we are ready to announce our innovative solutions to create value for our consumers and to develop new market opportunities for our clients. Let’s meet in Berlin!

COLOP

Lisa Hölzl, Product manager:
We are looking forward to welcoming you again personally at IFA from 3-7 Sept. 2021! Visit us at the COLOP booth and try the COLOP e-mark out for yourself – the world’s first mobile printer of its kind!

Golla

Petri Kähkönen, CEO:
We’re looking forward to be part of IFA 2021 in Berlin. It will be revolution of hearts and minds. As visitors and exhibitors we can all say: “back in business, back in BERLIN”.

Hama

Jörg Hempen, Vice President International Sales:
Great to see all of you at IFA 2021! It will be fantastic to personally exchange news, discuss business, present exciting products and experience the wonderful world of Consumer Electronics at IFA 2021.

Insta360

Max Richter, Marketing Director:
We love coming to IFA each year and showing people how much fun you can have with an Insta360 camera. Can’t wait to share some new tech at IFA 2021! See you in Berlin!

Alfred Kärcher SE & Co. KG

Bernd Rützler, Executive Vice President Corporate Marketing & Brand Management:
IFA is the innovation show of the industry this year. Technological innovations are the magnet of this leading trade fair: We need them because, especially in uncertain times, it is all about becoming more powerful, more competitive and more efficient. We are therefore looking forward to meeting our customers and partners in person again this year in Berlin.

Metz Consumer Electronics

Dr. Norbert Kotzbauer, CEO:
We are very excited to see how the trade show year 2021 will shape up with IFA as the most important tech event and highlight for the CE industry. Let’s carry on and strive for excellence!

Miele Group

Dr. Reinhard Zinkann, Executive Director and Co-Proprietor:
IFA in Berlin is one of the most inspiring highlights in our diary every year. We are delighted to be taking part in 2021 and look forward to seeing each other again.

Schneider Electric

Christophe Melle, CMO Home & Distribution:
IFA is a significant platform for Schneider Electric to unveil major innovations, looking forward to the 2021 edition in Berlin.

Sudio

Johan Gawell, CEO:
The Sudio team is more excited than ever for this year’s IFA in Berlin! This year, Sudio will be presenting more cutting edge and innovative additions to our collection than ever before. With our exclusive new collaboration with the world renowned sound technology company Dirac, Sudio is bringing show stopping design and sound to this year’s IFA.

TP-Link Consumer and Enterprise BU

Pingji Li, GM:
As the leading global provider of consumer and business networking products, we´re looking forward to be part of IFA 2021 in Berlin with the latest networking offerings.

Zens Wireless Charging

Johan Plasmans, CEO:
The Global Brands Edition of #IFA21 is “a great opportunity to reconnect again”.
About IFA Berlin

IFA, the world’s most significant trade show for consumer and home electronics with a record number of new products being unveiled is the main market place for key retailers, buyers, and experts from the industry and the media. IFA 2021 takes place in Berlin from 3. – 7. September.

Tech Review – Anker 20W charger Powerport III Nano.. Cheaper than Apple and faster. #Anker #Tech

If anyone bought any of the new iPhones this year you will of course notice a charger missing which for paying the price you do is scabby being polite. Their argument does not bode well either stating there is plenty out there lying around the house which is true but this comes with a lightning to USB-C cable so you will need a charger with a USB-C connection to get power to your device if you are not one to use wireless charging, you can of course go for their overpriced clumsy magsafe charger.

Apple claims the smaller box this time round and claims less package waste but still want to fleece you for their own charger that is a rip-off and 5W which still has to ship and adds to more waste so Apple I do not buy it the public does not buy it and nor will people buy your more expensive crappy charger when there is better on offer costing less and charging your device faster such as the Anker 20W charger we have here today, and not only does this charge iPhone it charges all devices once you have compatible cables to match.

Over all this is a slight bit smaller than Apples offering chargers 3 times quicker and costs less so this is a win in anyone’s book from all angles and Anker is a well known solid established brand and you can be sure charging any phone will not be an issue or cause problems. This is a mid range charger you could say now as there is faster charging options out there today but charges your iPhone 3 times quicker so keep this in mind and for the iPhone 12 it takes about 1hr 20 mins and battery size of course will differ between devices.

BUY HERE

Tech Review – Kimafun Wireless Microphone KM-G102-3 #Kimafun #Tech

The Kimafun Wireless Microphone as stated on the box is a Wireless Microphone with a Lapel Clip Mic Voice Amplifier Mini Mic. This can be used for presenting lectures or meetings or use the  Headset Microphone for more active movement in e.g. an exercise class. The technology  used is  2.4G wireless transmission technology, given a 50-meter wireless connection ( albeit only practical of this range  in an area of no barrier between the transmitter and receiver.)

 Setup and use.

The Transmitter and receiver require to be charged initially with the supplied cables, Micro USB dual-head charging cable, charging both simultaneously. Once charged subject to the range used a fully charged battery power can work for approx. 6-8 hours of use.  The Transmitter and receiver are pre-pared and do not require any pairing, (as would be expected from Bluetooth technology) The Receiver is plugged into the power amplifier with the transmitter plugged into either type of microphone. There is no requirement for a technical nature to set up the equipment. Connecting to a smartphone using the y connector would require a little easy reading or to a Laptop.  The microphone is suitable for smartphones, laptops, desktops, PC,  or speakers.  Note when connecting to e.g., a speaker there is a requirement to have a minimum of 15w Power on the device to amply the sound as the microphone will only transmit the sound and not boost it.  If you use a  connection to an android phone you will have to check the setting on the recording app and change this to record from an external mic rather than the android internal mic.

 2.4G wireless transmission technology,

This frequency is known, as used in the typical home router, cordless phone, Bluetooth earpiece, baby monitor, etc. this allows for a stable, secure 50 Meter range wireless connection (if tested with no obstacles in between the transmitter or receiver) This has the advantage over the Bluetooth range and transmits clear sound, with no interference/echo.

Overall,

Setup is easy but there is the possibility to lose many of the accessories as the kit does not come with a carrier bag to protect the device. The audio quality is good where used e.g., Phone/camera voice recording, live broadcasting on Podcast, Skype/teams calling, Teaching, Audio/Video Recording on YouTube, professional audio devices. conference, speech, etc. The advantage of this gives excellent range, up to 50 M.  secure stable wireless connection. The material quality felt strong and sturdy and have no hesitation in recommending this for use as good quality sound at a reasonable price.

BUY HERE

 

 

Facebook Ireland releases online safety tips to help parents and young people stay safe online. #SaferInternetDay #SID2021

Ahead of Safer Internet Day on Tuesday 9th of February, Facebook Ireland releases online safety tips to help parents and young people stay safe online.

In Ireland, Facebook works with a number of safety experts including a partnership with the National Anti-Bullying Research and Resource Centre at Dublin City University on the FUSE programme which educates teachers, students and parents on bullying, cyberbullying, empathy, reporting and online safety. They also work with SpunOut.ie, Pieta House and Jigsaw to develop content policies, resources and safety guides such as the Facebook Safety Centre, Bullying Prevention Hub and Parent Portal.

Below are tips that have been developed with input from Irish safety partners:

1 – Start a conversation with your child early, before they are on social media

Research shows that children as young as six have access to smartphones or tablets. Start talking to your children about technology, before they hit 13 when they are allowed on social media. If your teen is on Facebook or Instagram, consider friending or following them.

2 – Be mindful of age restrictions

Facebook and Instagram require everyone to be 13 years old before they can create an account.  

3 – Let your teen know that the same rules apply online as apply offline

Just as you might tell your child to look both ways before crossing the street or to wear a helmet while riding their bike, teach them to think before they share online or accept a friend request from a stranger.

4 – Ask your teenager to teach you

Not on social media? Or, maybe you’re interested in trying a streaming music service? If there’s a service your teen is using, and you have no idea how it works – ask them to show you. The conversation can also serve as an opportunity to talk about issues of safety, privacy and security. This way you’re empowering them to show you how something works which is probably a nice novelty for them!

5- Identify and seize key moments

For example, when your child gets their first mobile phone, it’s a good time to set ground rules. When they are old enough to join Facebook, Instagram and other social media sites, it’s a good time to talk about safe sharing.

6- Help Them Manage Their Time Online

Try to be a good role model. The adage that children will “do as you do, not as you say” is as true online as it is offline. If you set time restrictions on when your teen can use social media or be online (for example no messaging  after 10:00 PM), follow the same rules.

7 – Help them to check and manage their privacy settings.

Once your teen has set up a social media account, they can use tools and settings to help them manage their accounts. Facebook and Instagram, have privacy settings to control who can friend them, who can see their posts, and if they share details such as their location by default.  Instagram offers many flexible tools to keep teens safe online including bullying filtering, caption warnings and sensitivity screens.  Teens can also restrict unwanted interactions on their profiles and easily report accounts, comments and posts for bullying.

8 – Tell them to report if they see something they are concerned about

As we would in real life, we should treat each other with empathy and respect on social media.  For that reason, we’ve developed a set of policies (Community Standards) that define what is and isn’t okay to share on our platforms. There is a link on nearly every Facebook and Instagram post for reporting abuse, bullying, harassment and other issues. Our global teams work 24/7 to review things you report and remove anything that violates our Community Standards. We aim to review the majority of reports within 24 hours.

9 – Make it a shared experience

You can enjoy capturing family moments with film or photo and have fun together editing, adding filters and using the augmented reality features like bunny ears! You could ask your teen what their favourite thing is to do online – perhaps it’s gaming, or talking to their friends, or sharing photos together. You could talk about what you like to do online, and this way you’re sharing technology together – a great conversation starter!

 10 – Trust yourself

Typically, you can adopt the same parenting style for your teen’s online activities as you do for their offline activities. If you find that your teen responds best to a negotiated agreement, create a contract that you can both sign. Or, maybe your teen just needs to know the basic rules.

Commenting on Safer Internet Day, Amy McArdle, Safety Policy Manager, EMEA, at Facebook said: “People come to Facebook to share their stories and connect with friends and family, but none of this is possible if people don’t feel safe on our apps. That’s why we’re always working to build a safer and more supportive community. We want to empower people, young and old, to make digitally safe decisions and give them the information they need to navigate an increasingly digital world. This is why we are sharing tips to help parents support their children in staying safe on our platforms.

 

Darran Heaney, Project Manager of FUSE said; “Young people, parents and teachers are relying more on smartphones and other digital devices for educational and social purposes. This highlights the need for online safety awareness. Education is a key part of the strategy to tackle online bullying and we are delighted to see the numbers of schools, teachers, students and parents taking part in FUSE increasing year on year.