Month: May 2021

Hiring an App Development Company? Here are Some Tips

In this modern-day world, brands and entrepreneurs are taking their marketing operations beyond websites and getting on the App Development train like Big shots brands. Introducing an app to a brand’s public presence is no doubt a game-changer, as it avails users the opportunity to easily access that brand right there on their mobile device.

Irrespective of how amazing building an app is, a lot of brands and companies still get it wrong. And they end up creating apps that they and their clients won’t enjoy using.

For you not to end up like this set of brands and companies, and to ensure that you hire the best app development company that will understand your brand’s goals, here are a few tips for you.

 

Tips for Hiring an App Development Company

1. Operating System

Before you hire an app development company, you must find out the operating system (OS) that their apps work well with. It is not untrue that some apps can only work with iOS, some with Windows OS, and come with Android OS. So, this is why you must inquire what Operating System their apps can work with, as this will help you decide if you can hire them or not.

2. Portfolio

Most of the time, the reason people hire the services of some service companies is as a result of their portfolio – their past jobs, expertise, skills, etc. In the same vein, one of the best ways to hire a good company that develops mobile applications is by checking out their past jobs to have a feel of what they offer and how good their services are.

3. Communication

How often do they communicate with their clients? Do they carry their clients along every step of the way or do their thing without asking for your occasional inputs. Asking these questions will help you rate the communication skills of your prospective app development company. You need an app development company that will update you regularly on each stage of the development.

4. Opt for an all-round company

 

App development entails different segments such as graphics designing, prototyping, content creation, coding, etc. Some app development companies have a team that comprises personnel who do these jobs.

 

On the other hand, some companies focus on coding only and outsource the other segments to other companies. The best app development company should be one that has a team of professionals that do all these things in-house, and not one that outsources to freelancers.

5. Ask for referrals

Referral from friends and family cannot be underestimated. When you want to hire an App Development Company, you should ask for a referral from your friends and family members. This step will help you hire a trusted and verified company.

6. Post-development Services

App development is not a one-time thing. It is a continuous project that would warrant that your app development company checks on the app and upgrades it from time to time. To hire the best App Development Company, you have to ensure that it offers post-development Services.

7. App Security

This is an aspect of App Development that a lot of brands overlook. When building an app, you must build an app that is secured digitally as there are lots of new apps that are replicas of existing ones. To ensure that the template and concept of your app are not duplicated by another company, you need to hire the services of an app development company that follows strict security measures.

8. Testimonial from clients

Another way to ensure that you hire nothing but the best App Development Company is by reading the testimonials of the clients that they have worked with. There is no better way to do that than by reading reviews and feedback shared by other brands and companies that have hired the services of the app development company. Also, if you want to go a step further, you can contact these clients in person to verify what you have read.

9. Cost

Another important tip that you should know is cost. In all that you do, ensure that you look out for an app development company whose quote fits your budget. It is one thing to want to hire an app development company, it is another to find one that will give you the best for a fee that you can afford!!!

Hiring the services of the right app development company is an important factor that you can’t take for granted. Hence, it is essential that you take your time, and apply these above-mentioned tips so you don’t lose your money to substandard companies.

Amazon Introduces Upgraded Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 5. #EchoShow8 #EchoShow5

Amazon has introduced its newest generation of Echo Show devices—the new Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 5. Echo Show is the fastest-growing family of Echo devices, and the new models feature more powerful cameras for better video calling.

“Customers love using Echo Show to stay in touch and in the past year have made nearly three times the number of video calls globally than the year prior,” said Eric Saarnio, Vice President, Amazon Devices EU. “With these new Echo Show devices, we focused on creating experiences that would add even more value to our customers — bringing a powerful camera and digital pan and zoom capabilities to the new Echo Show 8, upgrading the Echo Show 5 camera, and adding the ability to securely access the built-in camera to check in on home when you’re away.”

Echo Show 8—Featuring a 13-megapixel, wide-angle camera that keeps you centred in frame—still just £119.99
The new Echo Show 8 has a vibrant 8-inch HD screen with adaptive colour display; a powerful, 13-megapixel camera with a built-in camera cover; a new octa-core processor; and dual stereo speakers for clear, balanced sound. The upgraded camera automatically pans and zooms while you’re on video calls, so everyone stays centred in the frame. Just ask to make video calls via Alexa or create a group of up to seven family members and simply say, “Alexa, call my Family Group” to join a group call.

With dual stereo speakers and an HD display, Echo Show 8 delivers an immersive entertainment experience. Simply ask to browse TV series or films from streaming services* like Prime Video and Netflix or ask Alexa to play your favourite music from music services* like Amazon Music, Apple Music, or Spotify. You can also follow step-by-step recipe videos with BBC Good Food. Alexa will also now show you music playlists or station recommendations based on the Amazon Music or Spotify song playing, making it easier to discover your next favourite artist or song. 

echo show 8 white
echo show 8 black

Echo Show 8 also helps put your memories on display. You can use Amazon Photos to turn your home screen into a digital frame. Plus, if you’re a Prime member, you have unlimited, full-resolution cloud photo storage with Amazon Photos—and the adaptive colour display on Echo Show 8 makes your photos look great in any light.

You can manage your smart home by controlling compatible devices like lights bulbs, thermostats, and more using the interactive display or your voice. You can also securely access a live feed on Echo Show 8 from your account on the Alexa app or other Echo Show devices to monitor your home anytime— look around and get peace of mind whenever you want.

Echo Show 5—Compact design, improved camera, even more colours—now only £74.99

With its compact, 5.5-inch display, Echo Show 5 fits easily in any room of your house; and with three colours to choose from—Charcoal, Glacier White, and the new Deep Sea Blue—it seamlessly blends into your home décor. You can ease into the day with a customised morning routine that turns compatible lights on and an alarm that plays your favourite song. You can also catch up on the day’s news and sports highlights; set alarms and timers, check your calendar; or stream music or series – all just using your voice.

Echo Show 5 has an upgraded HD camera with double the pixels, making it perfect for a quick video call or to Drop In on the kitchen to see if dinner is ready. You can also securely access the built-in camera on Echo Show through the Alexa app to check in on home if you’re out of town, or just to see if the dog is on the couch.

echo show 5
echo show 5

Built with Privacy in Mind

Echo Show devices are designed with multiple layers of privacy protection, including microphone and camera controls and the ability to view and delete your voice recordings. All new generation devices also come with built-in covers for the camera. To learn more about the features that provide transparency and control over your Alexa experience, visit the Alexa Privacy Hub: http://www.amazon.co.uk/alexaprivacy.

Pricing & Availability

Echo Show 8 (www.amazon.co.uk/echoshow8) is available in Charcoal and Glacier White and Echo Show 5 (www.amazon.co.uk/echoshow5) is available in Charcoal, Glacier White, and Deep Sea Blue. We focused on minimising the impact of our new Echo Show devices on the environment by using 100% post-consumer recycled fabric. All of the devices announced today will receive the Climate Pledge Friendly badge on Amazon.co.uk, as part of a programme that makes it easier for customers to discover and shop for more sustainable products.

Pre-orders start today from Amazon.co.uk. Devices will begin shipping next month and will also be available at Argos, Currys PC World, John Lewis and Very.co.uk.

How To Buy The Ideal Gaming Gear In A Budget: 6 Pieces Of Advice

When it comes to gaming, there are so many different accessories that you can add to your gaming rig to add to your experience. From VR headsets down to the mousepad, there are different things you should consider, as well as prioritise, especially if you are working with a budget. Here are some pieces of advice to help you when buying your gear.

Start With The Basics

Before you even go into the specs of your computer and buy all the gear that you have, one of the most important things you need to consider is the space you have to work with when setting up your gaming hub and station. The first thing that you need to consider is the desk itself. If you already have a desk, that is great, but if you don’t or if you feel that you don’t have a desk large enough, consider your needs. Desks will range from size and shape, from small office and study desks to huge gaming stations that are curved or L-shaped and can house all your peripherals and accessories. Do you want an entire desktop with multiple screens and plenty of storage space, or are you going to be okay with a small desk and a laptop for your gaming needs? These are important questions to ask yourself to save you from having to set up on your dining table.

 

What Types Of Gaming Are You Prioritising?

When you are looking to get different gear, you want to consider what games you are going to be playing. There are different genres of games, from racing and vehicle simulation games to shooters to strategy. All of these games will have different setups when it comes to how you play and prioritise different peripherals. The PC enthusiasts at laptopblogger.com/gaming-laptops-under-1500/ understand the desire to own all the accessories available, but you should consider what it is you need to prioritise for the games you want to play. This is important, especially in competitive settings where you want every edge you can get over your opponent. 

 

Do You Prefer Controllers Or Mouse And Keyboard?

Even if you are not playing in a competitive scene, but you are playing the majority of your games to enjoy the single-player experience, there is other gear you want to consider. Your own preference will play a role in how much you spend on your peripherals, and if you are transitioning to computer gaming from consoles, you might prefer the use of a controller. You have to consider the input, but most computers have the ability to connect a variety of controllers to your liking. A controller could also end up saving you money versus spending on a high-end keyboard and mouse. This all boils down to your taste and preference, and there is no wrong choice in this manner.

 

Invest On A Good Pair Of Headphones

One thing you need to consider when you are gaming is your audio. If you are playing off of a laptop, one of the best investments you can make is on your headphones. The speakers on a laptop won’t usually be a priority, and you will often have to fight against the noise coming from the fans. Do yourself a favor and invest in a good pair of headphones to give you the best auditory experience possible while gaming.

 

 

Stay On Budget

If you only have a certain budget, you don’t have to worry. There are plenty of things that you can do to play all the games you want without breaking the bank. If you have your eye on certain gear, keep it in mind and always be on the lookout for discounts and sales. There are always alternatives to the items you want to buy, whether it is keyboards, mice, or headphones, and plenty of the better options may be cheaper if you are willing to do some research.

 

Comfort

One of the key factors when you are buying gear around your gaming set, is comfort. If you are looking at a gaming chair, for example, you don’t need to go out and buy the most expensive one just because your favorite streamer uses the same chair. There are many options that prioritize your comfort and even your posture. Even some office chairs have been tested and are both comparable or even better than some gaming chairs. Prioritize what is comfortable to you, and this will go a long way to keeping your set for a long gaming session.

 

Every gamer is different, from the games they play to the different play styles of the same game. It is important to consider these variables when setting up your gaming environment and understand that you don’t have to have the exact same gaming setup as everyone else does in order to enjoy your hobby.

Microsoft Celebrates 3 Year Anniversary of DreamSpace with Virtual Event to Mark Girls in ICT Day #ICTDay

Microsoft Ireland today marked the three-year anniversary of its digital learning experience, DreamSpace, by hosting a special Girls in ICT Day virtual event. Over 600 students from 22 girls’ primary schools across the island of Ireland participated in the virtual event, which was hosted in partnership with W5, Belfast’s award-winning science and discovery centre.

Students from 5th and 6th class at St Patricks GNS Ringsend were some of those who tuned in to the virtual session where students had the opportunity to engage in STEM learning activities including designing and testing their own bridges and coding their own Arcade games. These activities, like all DreamSpace experiences, aim to help foster critical thinking, problem-solving and creativity skills. The celebratory DreamSpace event sought to inspire primary school girls about the opportunities unlocked by science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

Over the past year Microsoft Ireland’s DreamSpace experience has adapted and evolved to meet the needs and requirements of students, teachers and parents as together everyone navigated the uncertainty of remote learning. Microsoft’s DreamSpace Digital Education Programme provided the education sector with a suite of new supports designed to meet all needs. The Virtual DreamSpace experience has continued successfully during the pandemic with the company hosting two schools a day on a guided DreamSpace experience from the safety of their classroom. Microsoft DreamSpace TV was another resource developed and introduced by the Microsoft Ireland education team over the past year and has enabled students, whilst at school or at home, to engage with a STEAM learning journey focused on computational thinking, creativity and problem-solving. And finally, DreamSpace Teacher has provided targeted supports to empower teachers to deliver their own DreamSpace experience in the classroom or by way of independent learning modules for students.

The positive impact of this extended DreamSpace programme has been proven through research undertaken by Maynooth University in partnership with Microsoft. The research looked at teachers and students who had engaged with a DreamSpace experience and found that 90% of teachers believe that DreamSpace has had a positive impact on students and led them to be more positively disposed to pursuing a career in STEM. This same research found that 87% of teachers were more confident in teaching technology in the classroom following the introduction of new materials like DreamSpace TV.

Cathriona Hallahan, Managing Director, Microsoft Ireland, said: “When we opened the doors of DreamSpace three years ago we never could have imagined the impact it would have. Up until last year, hundreds of students would visit our campus in One Microsoft Place to engage with the digital experience and gain an understanding of how technology could shape their future. The demand for school visits was so high that as a company we were always exploring new ways to expand our reach and in 2019 we were delighted to partner with W5 to help bring the DreamSpace experience to students in Northern Ireland. It wasn’t until the pandemic hit and the world responded at speed to the need to embrace technology that we realised we had an opportunity to engage far more students than we could have thought possible.”

 “Over the past year our education team have evolved the DreamSpace experience so every school – irrespective of their location – can take part. We couldn’t think of a more fitting way to celebrate the third anniversary of DreamSpace than with this special virtual event and it was great to see so many schools participating. I’d like to thank everyone who is part of our special DreamSpace family for making it the success that it is today. Every student that has visited or engaged in a session, every teacher who has provided feedback to help us improve the experience further, and all the parents who so enthusiastically engaged with us over the past year. Each year brings something new at DreamSpace and we’re looking forward to another exciting year ahead.”

Anne Smith, Principal at St Patricks GNS Ringsend said: “We were delighted to have the opportunity to join the virtual event with the Microsoft and W5 team. The students all really enjoyed the session and they’re already asking about when we can sign up for another event or visit DreamSpace. It’s great to have events like this available to schools which help us bring technology into the classroom in a fun way for the students.”

Microsoft first opened DreamSpace following a €5m investment at its campus in Leopardstown in 2018. At that time, the company committed to engaging 100,000 primary and Transition Year students and their teachers over four years in the experience helping to shift their perception about the role technology will play in their future. In 2019, Microsoft expanded the reach of DreamSpace to schools in Northern Ireland through a partnership with W5, Belfast’s award-winning science and discovery centre. Since the launch of DreamSpace, over 60,000 students from primary and post-primary schools and over 3,000 teachers have engaged in the STEM experience that is designed to help develop critical, collaborative and problem-solving skills that will help students to participate fully in today’s digital world.

For more information about DreamSpace, log onto www.microsoft.com/dreamspace. For live updates from the Microsoft Education team follow them on Twitter @MS_eduIRL.

emporia Ireland launches ‘talking’ mobile phone for blind and partially sighted older people @NCBI_sightloss #emporiaTALKactive

emporia, which has been making phones for retirees for 30 years, has launched its first mobile specifically adapted for visually impaired seniors. It will be sold in Ireland exclusively by the charity NCBI.

The TALKactive phone is an adaptation of emporia’s ACTIVEglam phone, which launched in the UK and Ireland last year, with additional spoken menus, buttons and SMS text to assist users with sight loss.

A voice assist function reads text messages aloud and helps the user to respond by speaking the letter keys and providing the option to read back the typed message before sending. When receiving calls, voice assist will read unknown numbers, or announce the name of the contact saved in the phone book.

Large illuminated buttons with a defined pressure point make typing easier, while large on-screen text aids the partially sighted. An extra strong vibrate function alerts users to incoming calls and messages.

The clamshell design offers greater control over the handset: opening and closing the phone can be set to auto answer or end a call. The volume button located on the phone’s exterior is adapted to speak the time and battery level aloud when the phone is closed.

Priced affordably at €150.00, TALKactive includes a 2MP camera. It also comes with a charging cradle so users don’t have to waste time inserting the USB-C cable into the charger port.

The TALKactive comes with a set of uncomplicated, well-written user instructions available in large print, braille or audio, produced by emporia and NCBI.

As with all emporia phones, it is compatible with hearing aids, has extra loud and clear sound, and an emergency button located on the rear of the phone for extra peace of mind. If pressed, up to five emergency numbers will receive an SMS and be dialled automatically in sequence.

Chris Millington, managing director of emporia UK & Ireland, says: “Although smartphones have accessibility functions, the majority of blind or partially sighted users are older and unaccustomed to touchscreen technology prior to losing sight. Designed with much care and consideration, and tested by older users with sight loss during the development phase, the TALKactive offers simplicity and affordability and is vastly easier to handle for a majority of retirees who haven’t grown up with mobile technology at their fingertips.”

Kyran O’Mahoney, chief technology officer at NCBI, says:“Technology is a key enabler for people with sight loss and this talking feature will be a great help to many service users. It is so important to help people stay connected. NCBI is proud to be a supplier.

Be sure to stay tuned for our full review soon..

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Review – The NotiOne Go tracker. #tracking #NotiOne #Tech

The NotiOne go is a locket type device which is light and waterproof allowing it to be attached to a variety of areas to find the location. This can be used for children, elderly people, keys, Pets, bicycles, ensuring when something gets lost or misplaced this can be found via the Bluetooth app on the phone or Crowd surfing from someone else with the app.  The NotiOne go communicates via Bluetooth Low Energy which operates in the 2.4 GHz band which remains in sleep mode constantly except for when a connection is initiated with the reduction in the battery drain on your phone.

 

Contents:

  •         Locator notiOne tracker
  •         1x CR2032 Battery included
  •         strong attachment
  •         manual

 

Product highlights:

  •                     Free app on the device
  •                     Find a location on the map
  •                     The ability to check location history for 30 days
  •                     The find my phone feature
  •                     Waterproof
  •                     Emits a loud sound
  •                     Power battery efficient
  •                     Has a large radius of action
  •                     Range: up to 90 m

 

Power:

This comes with a CR2032 battery supplied (These batteries can be purchased easily and cheaply in e.g. 2 euro’s sores or equivalent )   which last up to 1 year. Video online how to replace the battery – https://notione.com/en/faq

Warranty:   2 years

 

Setup & Use:

Download the notiOne app available from the Google Play or App Store as standard.  The app installed without issues connecting directly on an android phone to the notiOne go! This notiOne go! was  then connected to  Keys,  The app then allows the viewing of the location of the Keys and 0n a map over the last 30 days or ring the keys from the App, The option to visually see the location of the Keys was also possible

The App got a rating of 4.1 out of 5 in the play store from 1,356, Unfortunately, I would give the app 2 out of 5. The low score is the app albeit it has  1 million users of notiOne applications and applications cooperating with the notiOne system in Poland, The app has numerous links, words which are not in English and the standard message we all get to rate the app was again in Polish. This can be very annoying, as no option to default to English and keep in English.  the App should work 100% in English.  The app does work just a niggle for me.

 

 

Business:

There is an option for Business to purchase these in bulk with the company logo on the device, this is a nice touch for a marketing campaign which is a great improvement on the tradition pens, a diary that is given to staff.

Overall:

TechBuzz has reviewed a variety of these types of product in the last year which works on a similar principle. Many other brands offer a similar service but require a subscription service for advanced  features, location history, battery replacement etc,  notiOne go provide this as a standard without paying a monthly subscription which is a real positive. The location history, maps etc work well, the ring option to the notiOne go!  is quite low making it difficult to hear but the find nearby option gives a visual of getting closer to or further away from the app. The Polish videos/words are a personal niggle but do not affect the operation of the core purpose of the device which does its job. The numbers of users in Poland over 1 million would ensure if my keys were lost these there is a good possibility, they would be picked up and the location to be transmitted to me. In the UK & Ireland, I suspect the numbers of users would be less and the crowd surfing ability to find my keys would be diminished. Overall, the no subscription and the ease to change the battery is a winner.

https://notione.com/en/shop                     €22

 

Tech Review – PaMu Quite mini. All you need and more for the price. #PaMuQuiteMini #Tech

The Pamu Quite mini come off the back of the previous model the Pamu Quite which we reviewed last year and once again they deliver on value for money and give Huawei and their much lauded freebuds and others a real run for their money. Coming with wireless charging Bluetooth 5.2 and IPX4 rating, gaming mode, up to 40db of noise reduction and a really great app you simply cant go wrong here for the price and they are also plenty aloud.

The design is familiar with a really comfortable fit and this time the case is smaller than the previous case which had a circular finish with a really cool LED ring around the top illuminating when charging, this time you get a really cool LED on the front that looks like the infamous LED light on kitt and then turns blue when fully charged. You also get type C USB charging here which is most welcome too.

Another point to note is that these can be used on their own too which is something you do not see to often with even more expensive earbuds on the market today and this is a plus for many people and with the app you can customise each side so if you have both in you can set them up the best way that suits you and if using on their own again you can set up to your needs which is excellent.

When it comes to sound these really give a great punch with a decent volume level nice bass and punchy with highs lows and mids and for watching films and Netflix etc you will not be disappointed as I found during my usual test cycle and I was left impressed yet again by these earbuds. The better build quality here also makes these a more robust pair of earbuds than others at this price point.

Over all for the money the cost to performance ratio has gotten so good it makes you wonder how some companies can charge so much for their earbuds when a pair like this has just about it all for less than half the price. Check out the video below for more and stay tuned for our PaMu NANO review soon.

BUY HERE

Tech Review – Tile Performance pack. #Tile #Tech

We have covered many of tiles products here on site before but now they have a new performance pack in their line up, Nothing else has changed bar the looks which are really nice and not forgetting the worlds biggest lost and found community. In this pack you get a Tile slim for your wallet and Pro for whatever you might want to attach it to like gym bag or handbag for example and these has a fresh new look that stand out.

TILE STICKER REVIEW

TILEMATE REVIEW

TILE RANGE REVIEW

The tile slim can fit into any wallet and is a credit card size but this can also be used on flat surfaces too and your own imagination can be used where to place it, the tile pro can be attached to anything too and can be hidden a bit better and has a 400 metre range which is rather impressive and this also comes with a user replaceable battery..

The most important thing here too is their app which is simple to use and get set up very quickly, check out the video below and search TILE for the other products we have reviewed on site.. These are worth the price to pay and ideal for those with escooters or bikes as they are hot right now getting stolen

BUY HERE 

 

Tech Review – notiOne GPS tracker #notiOne #GPS #Tracking

Over the last few weeks we have been testing the notiOne locator which will help you find your location not only in the vicinity, but almost anywhere. notiOne increases the safety of children and the elderly, secures dogs and cats against loss, and protects keys, wallet and bicycle against loss or theft and of course vehicles so if you have a vehicle it is more suited to this as I find it too big for the likes of keys and wallets etc you can of course place it in a bag but for motoring it is a much better suited product and their smaller tracker more suited to the smaller items. the tracker is waterproof so ideal for the likes of bikes and motorbikes.. Bikes are real target of late so do not let your bike go astray.

Set up is easy and takes a few minutes you need to download their app which is available on both Android and iOS and has been tested on both for my thoughts, the UI is simple to follow and imagine using google maps on your phone you get a similar experince when tracking an object if you will.

Weight and size

The small size (97 x 25 x 31 mm) and weight (100 g) of the locator will allow for discreet installation, e.g. in a car or motorcycle, attaching it to a pet’s harness, or securing luggage.

Working time

The battery lasts for several days of continuous operation with the basic settings. You charge the device via a cable with a USB type C (attached to the device) for a minimum of 3 hours.

No extra cost

When buying notiOne locators, the only cost is always the cost of the device. notiOne GPS is no exception. You buy once and enjoy a fully functional device with no additional fees imposed.

You can choose from two versions of the notiOne GPS device: the basic version and the PLUS version.

NotiOne GPS locator

The basic version of notiOne GPS updates its position every 5 minutes while it is in motion. When it isn’t moving, it sends an update every 6 hours.

You can also check the location history for the last 30 days on your phone .

NotiOne GPS PLUS tracker

This variant is the possibility of advanced device configuration, that is:

  • defining the frequency of position updating when the device is in motion (every 10 sec, 1 min, 10 min, 60 min),
  • define the frequency of position update when the device is at rest (every 6h, every 12h, every 24h),
  • theft alert , i.e. a notification when the device starts moving,
  • foreign roaming, i.e. locating the facility also outside Poland.

Accordingly, you can also adjust the battery life. More frequent updating of the location is associated with higher battery consumption, less frequent extends the operating time of the device.

The premiere gift

The great news is that the first notiOne GPS users will receive a PLUS package for several months, regardless of which version they purchase initially. Hurry up and take advantage of this premiere offer ! If you like additional features, you will be able to buy them from the application level at any time.

BUY HERE