Leading real hands on tech review site in Ireland with technology, business news and more. Jim O Brien Tech.
Author: Jim O Brien/CEO
CEO and expert in transport and Mobile tech. A fan 20 years, mobile consultant, Nokia Mobile expert, Former Nokia/Microsoft VIP,Multiple forum tech supporter with worldwide top ranking,Working in the background on mobile technology, Weekly radio show, Featured on the RTE consumer show, Cavan TV and on TRT WORLD. Award winning Technology reviewer and blogger. Security and logisitcs Professional.
One to look for given the quiet time with VR of late,this is quite good and for those who are into all things space and with the talk of travelling to Mars sometime in the future it will give you an insight. The app is quite large so ensure you use your Wi-Fi to download. Lockheed also have an app they launched in April 2016 called Explore Mars and just like that app this one is well presented and looks great to and again a really nice app to have stored on your device. I have tried the app out and it really is nice and if you are into something like this its a must have and its free to download on both Android and iOS right now. You can use any compatible Head Mounted or Google Cardboard headset then hop out of the capsule and go on a journey and collect items that have to be returned
FEATURES:
– Walk the surface of Mars and explore the landing sites for InSight, Viking and Curiosity
– Experience dust storms at the Northern Crater
– Observe InSight and Viking as they gather information about Mars
– Visit one of the famous Viking landers that landed more than 40 years ago
– Follow Curiosity as it navigates the red surface collecting samples
At techbuzz we like to hear your thoughts on your shiny new tech and we welcome guest reviews on site and today one of our long time readers Liam Burke has sent us his thoughts on his own Sony Xperia XZ1 compact we too will be sharing our thoughts on this and the compact version in the coming weeks. Liam is also very helpful on forums too with mobile phones with tech support. We also have both devices in house to check out and you can see the unboxings below and first look..
Coming from the Xperia Z5 Compact the Xperia XZ1 Compact is a great upgrade, keeping the same size screen as the Xperia Z5 Compact but lighter. I love the form factor of the Xperia XZ1 compact, it fits perfectly in the hand it feels like a premium handset with its unibody that is made from glass fiber woven plastic, which is both strong and lightweight and its rounded edges it feels very ergonomic.
The fingerprint scanner on the side of the phone is a great feature as it is super easy to unlock the phone with the added security of using your fingerprints. Android 8.0 Oreo is running on the phone out of the box which adds improvements over Nougat, I didnt find any lag in the phone when I was using it.
It improves on all aspects from the Xperia Z5 Compact.
Even though the 2,700 mAh battery is the same capacity as the Xperia Z5 Compact, the latest Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 835 optimizes the battery and I was able to get 2 days usage out of the handset. The front of the phone has Corning Gorilla Glass 5 for added protection with scratch resistance as well as having stereo speakers and a led for notifications. I found the 4.6 inch 720p HD display bright and vibrant the phone does a great job of reproducing colours as its using the technology thats in Sony Bravia TVs for the image processing. Its rated IP68 water-resistant so it can withstand an immersion in fresh water (up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes) so you dont need to worry about it getting wet in the rainy Irish weather.
Camera Tech
Rear Camera:
Xperia XZ1 Compact also features Sony’s latest 19 MegaPixel Motion Eye camera that has the capability to shoot super slow motion video at 960fps.
The rear of phone has a Laser to help with Autofocus and the predictive hybrid autofocus which helps you get ultra-fast focusing even in low light conditions, I found this really useful to as I was able to capture shots of people at the right time, instead of being just a second too late. Burst mode is a great feature as it shoots at 10 fps while always autofocusing on each shot, you can take pictures of someone/something in action and select the best shot. Having a dedicated camera button is a great feature for a camera phone, the camera app launches up really fast so it makes it easier to get the right shot.
Front Camera:
It has a 120 degree wide angle 8 MegaPixel camera for even better selfies, the camera has an option for group or single person selfie on the main camera screen, so you take great selfies.
The screen also flashes just before taking your selfie to brighten up low light selfies.
The high five feature is really handy so you don’t need to touch the phone screen, the camera recognizes that your doing a high five and automatically takes a selfie without you having to press the capture button.
Create 3D scans using the 3D creator tool which gives you the option to scan four modes: Head, Face, Food and Freeform Then you share these scans on Social Media, create 3D stickers or as avatars and even print them on 3D printers.
For Music.
The Xperia XZ1 Compact has Hi-Res audio support, improved Stereo speakers from the Xperia Z5 compact with 50% more sound pressure , Enhanced Bluetooth Streaming with Bluetooth 5.0.
Digital Noise Cancelling with up to 98% exterior noise reduction, I used my MDR-NC31E headphones and its great for cancelling background noise and with the Hi-Res audio the sound was excellent.
The sound during calls and playing music from the front speakers is improved over the speakers on the Xperia Z5 Compact.
Other Features:
Updated Xperia Home launcher with app shortcuts that allows you to bring a context menu of app shortcuts when you long pressing on a compatible app,
So the Google Drive app can show options for uploading, scanning or searching your files without having to go into the app.
Micro-sd support, so no need to worry about storage issues. USB Type-C with increased data speed transfer and also its reversible so no fiddling with the cable to connect it.
Another nifty feature is that you can charge other devices from the phone too.
Playstation 4 Remote Play compatible so you can connect to your PS4 in your home.
Smart Cleaner is a handy Xperia app that cleans up unused apps.
There are only a few differences between the Xperia XZ1 Compact and its bigger brother the Xperia XZ1 besides the HDR screen and higher internal battery and memory.
Our new Sony devices have arrived and we will have today a quick unboxing and walkaround of both devices side by size and talk some little about them. It has been a while since I have used Sony as my daily driver but the last experience was great and hope that experience continues with the new offerings at hand here today and I look forward to testing them out and their capabilities. These are now available to buy in Ireland so you should check with your provider and if you have any questions in the interim feel free to ask while we take these two devices on a test run for the next fortnight.
The Xperia XZ1 Compact may be small, but it packs a powerful punch. With the latest Sony innovation, a Motion Eye camera with Super slow motion and a premium audio experience – everything becomes wow.
The Xperia XZ1 Compact Motion EyeTM camera with Super slow motion and Predictive Capture lets you see moments you’ve never seen before.
With a 120° field of view,you can fit more people and scenery into the shot. Switch from super-wide to wide in a single click.
There has been rumours of the China bound device for some weeks now but its finally official. This one also is the first device from HMD Global to sport a glass back and it will also come in White in two versions with a 4GB RAM and a 6GB RAM model to pick from. The device is set to go on sale next week costing around €300 – €350 respectively. And an added bonus here to take in is it will come with BOTHIE which is only available on the current flagship the Nokia 8.
On launching the Nokia 7 Juho Sarvikas, Chief Product Officer, HMD Global said….
“To some people, a smartphone is purely functional, to others it’s a vital luxury accessory, a cannot-live-without partner that reflects so much of their personal style and lifestyle. Nokia 7 is a design-led style-icon that doesn’t compromise on functionality. We’ve packed in our latest innovations, like Dual-Sight, which gave rise to the Bothie phenomenon – a culturally relevant feature that has captured the imaginations of content creators around the world. Unique capabilities and iconic style encapsulate Nokia 7.”
Exterior
Corning gorilla glass fuselage
7000 series aluminum alloy frame
16 million pixel Zeiss lens, f1.8 aperture, 80 wide angle camera
Front 1.4um pixels, f2.0 aperture, ~ 84 wide-angle camera
5.2-inch full HD display
internal
Monthly real-time updates, safer native Android system
High-pass Xiao Long 630 eight-core processor
Nokia OZO captures and plays back audio technology
4GB or 6GB RAM
64GB 1 storage space and support for expandable storage 2(up to 128GB)
Cheap and cheerful,look good and do the job for €19.99 you can’t go wrong really..
The Urbanista brand is a company naming tech after cities around the world and the tech comes in all flavours and colours which mostly move away from the typical industry standard look and especially colour,there is a wide variety and they all look nice in their own way albeit it some may look to clean but that’s how they roll and their products are good on a whole.
San Francisco Latte Machiatto
The colour is appealing to me don’t ask why it just is and they look really nice to boot they are your typical earphone with the bells an whistles you would expect to find on any really and they look well with a flat cable provided I prefer this over your typical rounded cable which tends to get knotted up easily and if you want that “tangle free” cable,here is where it’s at…
The earbuds however are what is now seen as “the norm” with that Apple look to them which many a brand have taken onboard and these types or buds are normally down on my list of choice but they fit nicely and are shaped for that ergonomic fit. They come with an inline remote which is quite handy too and this allows allows you to take calls, pause and play your tunes or skip between tracks simply and effectively.
The sound is quite good given their price point and users indoors in particular will enjoy the experience however once outdoors that experience drops somewhat as any similar earbud would but in general the sound reproduction is good and does not sound tinny as you would normally find on cheaper earphones,needless to say these would suit me indoors rather than outdoors and it’s where I will continue to use them.
Overall the presentation of the package is good,simple and the product is robust and light and the tangle free element is a bonus, For the price they command it’s a good deal compared to similar alternatives out there today and with the selection of stand out colours that they have on offer they are worth checking out if you are the average joe just wanting something to do a good job at an affordable price point.
With over 20 years experience in the transport industry and mobile coms I’ve seen changes and we’re not done yet. Online shopping has boomed over the last few years and will continue to do so but this comes with problems especially with clothes. Why you ask? There is several reasons such as size and the colour settings on your PC/Laptop which can give you a false impression of the actual colour of the item itself.
I have been caught out with this myself with phone cases strangely enough and I am to only blame myself and the saying is true its better to see in the hand than via your screen and many a time I have dissed something I did see on-screen until I held it personally so nobody is exempt from this behaviour and perhaps its a thought you might want to take heed of before jumping onto your PC/LAPTOP before all these annual sales come knocking on the doors.. but lets be honest we cant resist a good deal and personally I shop more so online for personal use but not for clothes,Its the one thing I like to do a phsyically go into a store,see,feel and try on..
Now we are in an era where some companies allow FREE RETURNS using certain vendors to do so this app works in a similar way as reverse logistics can be a bit of a pain in the ass in general for some and turn out to be more hassle than its worth but this is what you signed up for when you shop online particularly from the UK and another bode for Irish shoppers is that many companies will not ship to Ireland which today by default I still find unbelievable but there is ways around this again by using other methods like Address Pal and Parcel Motel to give two examples of popular options here in Ireland.
The biggest problem with online returns is clothing and its for size and colour, yes we do have genuine faulty goods across the board too but I can categorically tell you one of the main issues is clothing,nothing else comes near it when it comes to returns. For the reviews so far on the app I think it will be more hassle than its worth in the long run unless they are prepared to keep at it,the app has been updated today so time will tell just how convenient the app/service is itself or if it’s a inconvenience to the company in the long run.. You can also avail of a drop off point to a local post office..
How does ReturnPal work? its an extension of return my shopping
A. Address Collection – A Postal Operative will collect the package from the postal address provided
B. Post Office drop off – You simply bring the item to the Post Office and present the 2D barcode code generated in the app to the Post Office clerk when dropping off their package.
Then all you need to do is select the retailer you wish to return the item to from the drop down retailer list, or manually input their details.
Within the app you then need to provide payment (if applicable)
A. by using a Credit or Debit card, or
B. through a PayPal account
Features.
There’s a whole range of innovative features for you discover:
• 2D barcode: No printed labels required! Use a 2D barcode for all returns.
• Notifications: Get track and trace alerts on your delivery.
• Transactions: Displays all your transactions (current and past) in one place.
• Settings: Need help? You’ll find Settings, FAQs, T&C and the Contact Us section.
An Irish start-up is aiming to create 1,000 jobs in the south-east region by encouraging employers to hire remote workers. Abodoo, the online portal for remote and flexible careers, announced this target today following an event for regional business-leaders in Gorey last night.
Abodoo is headquartered in Gorey, and has attracted support from open eir and the IDA. It launched in Ireland last month, with plans to launch in the UK in the coming months and to expand globally next year.
Denis Naughten TD, Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment delivered a guest address at Abodoo’s recent event at The Hatch Lab, Gorey via live video link from Dublin.
Commenting today, Vanessa Tierney, co-founder of Abodoo, said: “We have set the ambitious goal of getting one thousand people employed across the south-east region through the Abodoo platform.
“We anticipate this will be a combination of skilled people who are currently unemployed but want to return to work, and people in employment who no longer want the exhausting commute to Dublin.
“We will achieve this goal by encouraging up to 100 companies to hire an average of 10 skilled remote workers each. These will be people living in the south-east region, who can either work from home or from a co-working hub like the Hatch Lab in Gorey, where we are based ourselves.
“We are working with our partners, open eir and the IDA, to identify suitable employers and demonstrate to them the benefits of hiring remote workers.”
Co-founder of Abodoo, Vanessa Tierney, pictured speaking at their recent event on remote working in The Hatch Lab, Gorey.
Cost Savings
Ms. Tierney said an increase in remote working would lead to significant cost-savings for government, employers and workers themselves.
“One of the biggest savings is in relation to transport, and this has knock-on benefits for the environment,” she said. “Remote workers save, on average, between €2,000 and €7,000 and hundreds of hours of travel time per year – just by removing their daily commute. One thousand new remote workers in the south-east would equate to a saving of 235 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year.
“The business case for remote working is also strong: companies will save an average of €11,000 per remote employee, and 91 per cent of companies that facilitate remote working experience increased productivity. Companies that promote remote working also report an increase in staff retention of over 50 per cent; and a reduction in absenteeism of 63 per cent.”
Pictured speaking at Abodoo’s recent event on remote working in The Hatch Lab, Gorey was Brendan Mc Donald, IDA Regional Manager, South-East Region.
Ms. Tierney said Abodoo is seeking expressions of interest now from employers interested in hiring skilled remote workers in the south-east region. Employers and those seeking flexible careers can register at www.abodoo.com.
The Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS) School of Cosmic Physics will tomorrow (19.10.17) host Professor Giovanna Tinetti of University College London for a public lecture on the exoplanets of the Milky Way. The lecture, entitled ‘Brave New Worlds: The Planets in our Galaxy’ will take place at 6.30pm in Theatre C (O’Connor Theatre – Room H2.22), Science Hub, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4.
Over the past 20 years, over 3,500 exoplanets – i.e. planets that orbit stars other than our Sun – have been discovered in distant planetary systems of the Milky Way. Tomorrow’s lecture will explore these exoplanets and the Earth’s place in our galaxy and, ultimately, in the universe.
AMI is set to run a seminar to help Irish organisations understand the legal requirements of the impending General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the run up to the legislation coming into force.
Pearse Ryan, partner with Arthur Cox Solicitors; Paul Hearns, editor of TechPro magazine; and Steve Mellings, CEO of the Asset Disposal and Information Security Alliance (ADISA); will speak at the event and provide information on companies’ obligations in the face of GDPR.
See the full press release below..
AMI,Ireland’s leading secure IT retirement company, will host a seminar on Thursday, November 23rd in the Fitzwilliam Hotel in Dublin, to help Irish organisations understand the legal requirements of the impending General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The event is open to business and IT professionals eager to identify their obligations in the face of the new legislation, which is now just seven months away.
GDPR is set to come into force in less than eight months’ time, and will have a dramatic effect on how organisations collect and process data. As well as this, companies will have to place renewed focus on ensuring the secure disposal of end of life IT equipment, to prevent sensitive information falling into the wrong hands.
Compliance is not optional and failure to comply with regulatory changes stemming from the legislation will have serious consequences for businesses. Those who fail to demonstrate compliance could find themselves liable to fines of up to 4% of global turnover or €20M, depending on which is greater.
At the event, a number of industry experts will guide attendees through the legal requirements of GDPR and highlight the steps that they need to take to avoid significant fines. Firstly, Pearse Ryan, partner at Arthur Cox solicitors, will instruct attendees on their legal obligations under GDPR, and highlight the steps that they need to take to work towards compliance.
Pearse specialises in the areas of information technology (including IT disputes), sourcing, outsourcing, cyber-security, computer security/fraud, e-commerce and intellectual property (with an emphasis on IT related matters), making him ideally placed to provide an overview of the legal aspects of the incoming legislation.
Steve Mellings, CEO of the Asset Disposal and Information Security Alliance, will also speak at the event. He will focus on helping companies to understand their relationship with their data processor, i.e. the company responsible for processing their data. Understanding this relationship is a crucial element of GDPR. Steve has over 15 years’ experience in asset retirement working with industry, global manufacturers and personally helping to write and implement asset disposal policies for some of the largest organisations in the world.
Finally, Paul Hearns, editor of TechPro Magazine, will present the results of a recent survey carried out by TechPro in association with AMI. The survey sought to identify the potential blind-spots in Irish organisations’ information security strategies in advance of GDPR, and the results reveal some fascinating findings. AMI will also launch a whitepaper highlighting the results of the survey and all event attendees will receive a copy. Coming from a development and security background, Paul has broad experience of enterprise IT and will also host the event.
Event attendees will have the opportunity to network with senior IT decision-makers and GDPR experts, and gain valuable insights into how to prepare for the coming regulation. For more information and to register for the event visit:https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/gdpr-seminar-registration-38386541178. Refreshments will be provided on the day.
