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.
First up with our home connected devices is the Terraillon R-LINK wireless body composition scales which is really a nice solid piece. We will do an unboxing and walkthrough first then over the coming weeks we will check it out and if you have any questions about it fire away below or on social media.
Features…
R-Link is the thinnest scale in the world with only 12,5 mm height. It analyses your weight, BMI and your body composition (body fat and water, muscle and bone masses). It connects to the free Wellness Coach app where you can monitor your progress and get free advice to reach your goals.
Body composition analyser
R-Link analyses your weight, your Body Mass Index and your body composition : body fat, muscle mass, body water and bone mass. Especially useful when you follow your weight in order to lose the bad kilos (fat) while maintaining muscle mass.
Thinnest scale in the world
Terraillon innove with the Slim technology: thanks to the feet directly integrated in the platform and the fusion of the glass and the metal, R-Link presents a height of only 12.5 mm. You can now store more easily the thinnest scale in the world.
Wellness Coach App
R-Link connects to the Terraillon Wellness Coach app available on iOS and Android. Set your goals and get free advice scientifically validated to reach them.
Smart connectivity
R-Link can be connected with 8 smartphones and / or tablets simultaneously. Handy if each member of the family has his own smartphone.
Design
Get a better weighing comfort thanks to the large metallic platform. The large backlit LCD screen provides you a better readability.
If you are looking for a cheap phone to have handy or in you glove compartment for emergencies the NOKIA 150 is now just €29.99 on Vodafone. This is good value for those who wnt something simple or just to have a device for calls and text with a stellar battery life and it does offer some extras on top so you will not be completely bored regardless. This commands up to €70 approx sim free on some sites and for this price its a pretty good deal,thats if you are not waiting to buy the retro NOKIA 3310 which is also available but more expensive in around the €60-€70 mark be it from an operator or buying sim free..
Avaya today announces that David Flood is stepping up as head of the sales leadership team in Ireland, strengthening its position in both the UK and EMEA. David, who takes over as the Regional Sales Lead for Avaya Ireland from the departing Jason Flynn, brings over 22 years of experience to the role.
David joined Avaya in 2009 and has held multiple regional and global sales management roles, focused primarily on System Integrators and Solution Providers (SI/SP), including IBM, CSC, Vodafone, BT and Capita. In his time with Avaya, David successfully led the transformation of Avaya’s global SI/SP and built a strong track record in defining and executing go to market models that create sustained partnership, customer success and revenue growth.
Avaya Ireland works with the country’s leading banks, emergency services, education institutions, government departments and global technology and pharmaceutical companies. The country’s largest operators, including BT, eir and Vodafone, are Avaya partners, along with a community of channel partners that includes Capstone, Maintel, Eyrco, Damovo and Rainbow Communications.
Galway is also home to Avaya’s global R&D team for contact center technology. The team is responsible for architecture and development of Avaya’s contact center solutions, including the flagship next-generation technology, Avaya Oceana.
Ronald Rubens, Vice President Europe North, Avaya says.. “As the new regional sales lead for Ireland, David’s focus will be to continue building exceptional customer experiences and to help customers achieve their digitisation goals and address critical challenges within their businesses. David brings exceptional value and experience to the table, so I have the utmost confidence he will drive our business in Ireland to even greater success.”
David Flood, RSL, Avaya, Ireland says.. “Having worked with our customers and partners in Ireland for many years, it is a privilege for me to progress into this new position. I am looking forward to helping more customers in their journey toward digital transformation and cloud adoption using Avaya’s leading-edge software and services.”
Smart security systems will lead the Smart Home revolution – 37% of the population would buy one if money were no object
Smart TV’s, laptops and tablets are already being used to introduce smart technology in the home
AO.com predict Smart Home technology will spread out of the living room via home security and heating, to embrace many areas of the home
Home security is a top priority for homeowners investing in Smart Home technology, a new census reveals. This also runs with our current run of posts and products we are now testing in house here with affordable home security products,stay tuned for those reviews soon…
The research, provided by OnePoll and commissioned by online electrical retailer AO.com shows that if money was no object, UK residents would invest in a smart security system for their home (37%). This beats products such as virtual digital assistants, which only 1 in 8 of the population would buy (12%), robot lawnmowers (18%) and remote controlled heating for the whole house (29%).
Of the 2,000 respondents, 68% see positive factors in owning smart technology such as ‘convenience’ and ‘saving time’. 18-24 year olds believe that this form of technology could benefit the elderly, whilst 25-34 and 45-54 year olds think that a Smart Home would help save money in the long run
Smart Homes start in the living room
39% of respondents said they currently own a smart TV and a further 15% say they will buy one in the next 12 months, with 75% believing they will have a smart TV in the future. 38% of 18-24 years olds that don’t own a smart TV said they don’t feel the need to buy one, as they already own a plug in or accessory to make a standard TV smart.
Our viewing habits are also changing, as 32% ofthe nation don’t frequently consume live TV and instead opt for on demand services, subscriptions or streaming, which increases the demand for smart TVs or accessories. 5% of the population now watch TV while commuting, with this figure rising to 11% in London.
Top smart products the UK plans to buy in the next 12 months
The most desired Smart Home products, (listed below) shows that whilst we’re not quite ready for advanced Smart Home technology such as robot vacuum cleaners and lawnmowers, we are happy to embrace smart products such as laptops, tablets and smart TVs.
Laptop (17%)
Tablet (17%)
Smart TV/4K/OLED (15%)
Smart TV accessory (11%)
Turn on heating remotely (9%)
Virtual digital assistant (5%)
We love being connected
Over 1 in 3 people aged below 35 could not cope without access to their phone, laptop or tablet for more than 3 hours, with the majority of this age group not being able to last 8 hours. 29% of 18 to 24 year olds would rather leave the house with their mobile phone than their spouse, children or money.
Commenting on the census results, Andrew Kirkcaldy, Group Brand Director at AO.com said:
“The research suggests that the Smart Home revolution has already started with Smart TV’s and audio, and we haven’t even noticed it. For many homes, smart home security and heating will take this technology out of the living room, leading to a Smart Home that will help save us money and time, while making our lives easier”
Founded in 2016 by Mark Walsh CEO of Rocket Horse Ltd, the Kwizzbit platform and the technology behind the game are being developed into an interactive solution for other markets.
Following his previous success with the successful pub game, Rock and Roll Bingo, Mark gained key insight into customer findings and feedback and used his learning experiences to develop Kwizzbit. Kwizzbit has also been validated by business partners John Sheard and Steve Saul, who add their experience in quiz and business development, technical expertise and project management to the mix.
Commenting on the launch of KwizzBit, Director Mark Walsh commented:
“We’re thrilled at how well the digital platform was received by attendees at the KwizzBit launch event. The feedback was overwhelming and players seemed to be having a great time competing for the fastest finger first title. KwizzBit is the next generation of the pub quiz, bringing the traditional quiz format into the digital age and we have seen significant interest from several other sectors too. The software provides a great platform for marketing, learning and development. The launch event was the first steeping stone in allowing us to gain the necessary feedback from players and showcase how fantastic this software works within a pub environment.
“Restoring the Great British Pub is a passion of mine and I’m delighted that KwizzBit, which only requires a mobile phone to play, is becoming noticed for the exciting opportunities it provides the industry with.”
A multi-faceted online quiz platform, Kwizzbit provides a unique cloud-based solution which customers can access on their smart phones. Having attracted attention from a variety of sectors, Kwizzbit has ambitious plans to roll out the game through pubs and clubs across the UK Kwizzbit enables hosts and venues to deliver a unique interactive quiz through an internet browser and broadcast to people’s smartphones and tablets creating a game show format in a real-time quiz environment. Originally intended to transform the traditional pub quiz, Kwizzbit is currently being tried and tested with several pub chains and has already been part if a major industry showcase.
Currently based in Leeds, West Yorkshire, Kwizzbit is set to deliver interactivity for a variety of purposes including audience participation during conferences and events, as a learning tool for training and development and the next generation of interactive marketing.
There has been talk about the current Nokia 3310 been somewhat not sufficient enough but after all its more of a nostalgic affair rather than offering the mods and cons but then again there is plenty of things to do on the Nokia 3310 as is to keep people occupied and for me it’s quite a nice little phone and is ideal for going away and forgetting the news and your social media and of course emails, You can make calls and send sms which is adequate for those who just want a break from it all..
Funnily enough some people have said they would abstain from the current Nokia 3310 due to it being 2.5G and having the fear that the networks will be switching 2.5G off soon,but we already asked and it wont happen for quite some time yet..
Three Ireland today may have let something slip on this 3G version many await although its been heard that Three will not stock the current 2.5G model until September and are focussing on the current Nokia 3,5 and 6 which the 5 and 6 are exclusive to the network but when you think about this tweet they posted today it kind of makes sense about the 3G version and not even bother with the 2.5G model, What do you think??
A unique new fuelling app has launched today. It has been created to simplify nutrition-based performance for cycling, running and other endurance activities.
Using a science-backed, peer-reviewed formula for carbohydrate intake, endur8 calculates the optimum fuel consumption for an individual using their personal data and endur8’s proprietary algorithm. Tailored to their personal profile and the demands of their specific sport or course, whether cycling, running or other endurance activities, it then alerts the user when to fuel and by how much.
endur8 has today launched a unique nutrition app that alerts endurance athletes exactly when to refuel during training and competition.
Using a science-backed, peer-reviewed formula for carbohydrate intake, endur8 calculates the optimum fuel consumption for an individual using their personal data and endur8’s proprietary algorithm. Tailored to their personal profile and the demands of their specific sport or course, whether cycling, running or other endurance activities, it then alerts the user when to fuel and by how much.
Aimed at endurance athletes of all standards, from beginner through to elite, the endur8 app not only gives users the tools to fuel correctly but it also stores and applies data for training and event use. It is available on iOS at launch and shortly afterwards on Android.
“Knowing exactly when to take on fuel is crucial to success as an endurance athlete,” commented Daniel Slight, co-founder at endur8. “We created endur8 to boost an athlete’s training and refine their race performance. Performance nutrition is incredibly complex and cannot be left to guesswork, so we designed endur8 to simplify and manage nutrition intake, enabling the athlete to focus solely on their personal performance, safe in the knowledge that endur8 will tell them when it’s time to take on fuel.”
Before a training session or event, the user inputs their profile data, nutritional preferences and chosen discipline – from running, cycling or triathlon – and uploads or designs their training or competition route or course via endur8’s web-based interface. endur8 then uses Google’s mapping software to incorporate factors such as changes in gradient and calculates when they will need to refuel at the optimal times, based on the user’s predicted pace or time to complete their training or event.
Full functionality of the app will be available on iOS from launch and athletes will be able to receive alerts on their iPhone in the form of visual (on screen), audio (voice command) and vibration alerts. They will shortly be able to receive fuelling prompts via the Apple Watch or via their Fitbit or Garmin devices. The app also works alongside other existing training and monitoring apps, meaning it will send push notifications even when running in the background.
Users can log workouts, store performance information, and access event-focused and distance-oriented training programmes, enabling them to record and monitor changes in performance, times and nutritional variants. endur8 works for endurance athletes at all levels, whether they are an aspiring athlete looking for guidance on when to fuel, an intermediate athlete who needs to take the guesswork out of refuelling or an elite athlete needing to draw on the latest in performance nutrition research.
The app’s use of Google Maps, GPS location technology and endur8’s proprietary algorithm enables it to precisely identify the changing demands of training courses and race routes – such as elevations or user behaviours on different roads – and in so doing it adapts the nutritional intake alerts to match the individual and the course.
Specific features – including a dark background for the app and reduced API calls – extends battery life and is suitable for even the longest training session or event. Additional features – to be added shortly – will include access to professional coaches for tips and training insight, and the ability to follow other endur8 athletes who’ve reaped the rewards for their training programmes and race planning.
Whilst endur8 works alongside existing apps, it’s been specifically designed to be a very different tool. It serves to instantly inform and assist the user and, as local training routes are ‘drawn’, built into the system and shared by individuals, it will benefit whole communities of runners and cyclists.
The app is available now on iPhone 5 and above for a free 30 day trial on the App Store and soon on Google Play.
Once the trial is over, users can choose from the following plans:
The Every Athlete – Plan your events for free. Calculate your nutritional needs and receive ‘in event’ alerts at the optimum time to refuel during your race.
Nutrition Planner – Upload training routes and nutrition alerts for every training session for just £6.49 per quarter or £19.99 per year.
Ubiquiti Labs, the consumer technology arm of wireless networking company Ubiquiti Networks, Inc. today announced the availability of its AmpliFi HD Mesh Wi-Fi products in the United Kingdom. AmpliFi HD is designed to solve many of the widely-recognised challenges of the connected home, including dead zones, slow connections, and difficulties in setting up and configuring a router.
AmpliFi HD Wi-Fi stands out in its category through a unique combination of form and function. Designed from the outside in, AmpliFi is meant to be a showcase piece for the modern home. The central routing device camouflages an advanced antenna design as a stunning desktop piece featuring a glowing base LED and a smart LCD display. The router connects to adjustable MeshPoints that distribute Wi-Fi throughout the home. To reduce clutter, the MeshPoints can seamlessly be installed into any open electrical socket without any cables.
AmpliFi HD offers plug-and-play setup through an app that directly links AmpliFi devices to a smartphone via Bluetooth LE. With a simple, intuitive setup, users can manage their new network, monitor ISP speeds, invite guests, create family profiles, oversee network security, and access 24/7, live, in-app support. The system utilises 802.11AC Wi-Fi technology, powering up to 5.45 Gbps of aggregate wireless throughput along with breakthrough coverage performance through 3×3 antennas.
Ben Moore, Vice President of Business Development at Ubiquiti Networks commented: “AmpliFi HD Mesh Wi-Fi solutions quickly gained popularity in the United States due to their sleek industrial design, plug-and-play installation, and superior performance. We are excited to now make them available to customers in the United Kingdom.”
Moore continued:“As our homes get smarter, there’s an increasing need for reliable and fast Wi-Fi in every corner. AmpliFi HD leveragesUbiquiti’s advanced and proven technology that powers over 38 million Wi-Fi radios for enterprise and service provider networks around the globe. The system provides unmatched performance and coverage, delivering fast internet bandwidth throughout the entire home and supports a large number of Wi-Fi devices at the same time.”
AmpliFi HD features unlimited scalability and is fully customisable for any home no matter the square footage. Customers can, for example, buy the standalone AmpliFi HD Router first and add the AmpliFi HD MeshPoints later for increased coverage. The AmpliFi HD MeshPoints are also the first of its kind that work with any third-party Wi-Fi router to create a mesh Wi-Fi system.
AmpliFi HD products are available now in the United Kingdom from Scan Computers on scan.co.uk and on Amazon.co.uk with additional retailers to follow in the coming months. Visit www.amplifi.com for more information.
Veative – is an educational VR company and they launched their all-in-one VR solution at the show. It comes complete with a wireless controller and a built-in mobile device – eliminating the need for a separate mobile phone or need to purchase a controller.
They’ve adapted VR technology and designed it specifically for use in educational and training environments. Its modules are interactive, easy to use, and enable student-centered learning, that reinforces any science or mathematics curriculum. They launched 300 modules across Biology, Maths and Physics for secondary school.
We will unbox the prodcut today and check out how it works and then share our thoughts,check out the image gallery and unboxing below and if you have any questions do not hesitate to ask.
More than just ‘virtual tours’ – Veative delivers 3D Models, 360 Videos, simulations and assessments.
Mapped to curriculums – Veative’s high-quality, interactive and practical content and tools slot into any curriculum to support teachers in delivering more engaging and effective lessons.
Integration – Veative VR modules can work with HoloLens and Google cardboard meaning that they can be bought separately.
Teacher conrol – Veative puts control in the hands of teachers. Teachers can control student screens, install/uninstall and launch VR modules remotely on student devices.
