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.

Tinybop continues growth with international Android launch. #TinyBop #Apps #Education

Tinybop, Inc., makers of award-winning educational apps loved by millions of kids around the world, today announces its international launch on Android as it continues to expand to meet a growing audience. The launch represents a significant step in Tinybop’s growth, as Tinybop iOS apps have had millions of downloads, across 143 countries, since the launch of its flagship app, The Human Body, in 2012.

 

Tinybop apps now available on Google Play include Weather, Homes, The Earth, Simple Machines, and Skyscrapers, from the award-winning Explorer’s Library series. Space will be available later this summer. Tinybop anticipates launching additional Explorer’s Library apps and apps from its second series, Digital Toys on Android at a later date. Tinybop Explorer’s Library apps will be available on Google Play exclusively through a new subscription service. Parents can install any available Tinybop apps for a free 7-day trial. After this period, parents will be billed an annual subscription fee to access all Tinybop Explorer’s Library apps, currently available and forthcoming on Google Play, for £8.99 per year. To subscribe to Tinybop Explorer’s Library apps on Google Play, parents must first download the Tinybop Explorer’s Pass app, which acts as a portal to downloading Tinybop apps on a device.

 

 

 

Tinybop’s founder and CEO Raul Gutierrez, explains, “Over the years we’ve been asked about our plans for Android. We’re now pleased to offer our apps on Google Play with a low-cost subscription. At less than £1/month and with a free 7-day trial, we hope to make our pocket-sized science lab an easy option for parents looking for the best for their kids.”

 

Tinybop’s award-winning constellation of apps currently consists of two growing series available on iOS, The Explorer’s Library and Digital Toys. The Explorer’s Library comprises nine inspirational and interactive sandbox apps for kids, and is designed to teach STEM fundamentals and foster lifelong learning about the world. The Explorer’s Library apps teach science literacy by encouraging a child’s natural tendency to learn by observing, questioning, and experimenting.

It covers a broad range of topics, including: anatomy in The Human Body, botany in Plants, geography in Homes, physics in Simple Machines, geology in The Earth, meteorology in Weather, engineering in Skyscrapers, astronomy in Space, and zoology in Mammals. Digital Toys currently consists of five open-ended building apps that empower kids to create and play with whatever they can imagine. The apps in this series — The Robot Factory, The Monsters, The Everything Machine, The Infinite Arcade, and Me — encourage kids to build their own worlds and stories.

Augmented, virtual, annotated, mixed… A “$37 Billion reality” by 2027 #IDTechEx #VR #AR #MR

Augmented, virtual, annotated, mixed… A “$37 Billion reality” by 2027 By Dr Harry Zervos, Principal Analyst, IDTechEx

Augmented and virtual reality headsets are by now a reality (pun intended), and they bring about a paradigm shift in form factor for portable electronics. Despite a level of uncertainty about the terminology used to describe each device, with some developers introducing terms such as Mixed Reality (shown in the picture below), Annotated Reality, Augmented Virtuality and many others,  the new report on the topic by IDTechEx Research.

“Augmented, Mixed and Virtual Reality 2017-2027: Technologies, Forecasts, Players”finds that the market for AR, VR, and “everything in between” headsets is already approaching $3.4 Billion in 2017 and is expected to reach over 10 times that by 2027 (for more information, please visit www.IDTechEx.com/glasses).

 

A revealing disagreement in terminology
The disagreement in terminology reveals several interesting points, one of the most important ones being that despite the fact that different companies will take a different approach to categorizing devices, is in essence a difference in how much of the real world is coming through a specific headset. A pure VR headset blocks out reality completely, while an AR one will only superimpose additional information, without obstructing the wearer’s view of the real world at all. What the future is bringing is a spectrum of eye-worn devices with varying amounts of reality and virtuality thrown in; for instance, a VR headset with a front facing camera can instantly become an AR headset, as it allows the wearer a full view of the real world, albeit through a display.

 

 

Virtual, augmented and all other types of headsets are in essence categorized based on how much of the real world is allowed through any specific headset; the amount of reality and virtuality will define where a device sits in the spectrum of virtual (VR), mixed (MR), augmented (AR) and any other sort of reality. Image source: IDTechEx

 

PC VR to propel market forward in the short term

In its newly launched report on the topic, IDTechEx categorizes headsets according to whether devices are tethered to an external computer or not (PC or standalone AR &VR) or whether they make use of the display and/or electronics of a mobile device such as a smartphone (e.g. mobile VR).

 

IDTechEx forecasts the value of the market for AR & VR headsets to 2027 is expected to grow to almost $37 Billion by 2027. The sustained growth of the market will be propelled forward in the short term by the growth of PC VR, as depicted in the forecasts below. As expected, the high volume of mobile VR will not contribute significantly to total revenues due to the low unit value. From 2021 onwards, growth will be transferred to stand alone AR, propelled forward by the launch of high performing headsets and reduced power consumption that will lead to longer battery life and independence from the grid. Standalone VR will also make its mark, although its exact value proposition is not fully clear or even distinctly separate from standalone AR; in standalone VR, the challenge of adequate energy storage that will allow longer times between charging is magnified due to the requirements for running a high endGPU computer along with a high resolution display. In fact, both energy storage and displays for AR & VR applications are both extensively discussed in the report, given how critical these components are for future generations of headsets.

 

 

Source: IDTechEx Report “Augmented, Mixed and Virtual Reality 2017-2027: Technologies, Forecasts, Players – Headsets, components and enabling technologies for future AR, MR, & VR devices”

 

In addition to batteries and displays, the report additionally includes insight on the research and development efforts on othercomponents that will become part of the next wave of devices and the improvements and benefits that they will bring. They include haptics, optical engines, but also the development of focus tunable displays, foveated rendering and other concepts that aim to improve the user experience in augmented and virtual reality systems.

 

For more information on the report please see www.IDTechEx.com/glasses or contact research@IDTechEx.com.

More charges for the mobile customer in Ireland. Directory Enquiries. #meteormobile #eir

As we are already aware there is plenty of changes going on in the mobile scene right now and with changes due to come into effect next month it seems we are being duped, However recently Three Ireland recently reversed their desicion to make changes but others have not and now its the turn of the MVNOs to do so.. It seems now according to a post on FACEBOOK there is more in store..

Here is a list of what we know so far when it comes to changes

 

Now it has emerged that 11890.11811 and 11818 calls are set to be hiked next month begining on 11/07/2017.  Currently the charges are €1.25 and €2.50 respectively which will see an nominal increase from next month….One now has to ask with the rest follow suit to recoup cash..

eir recently applied these changes which are seen below

 

  • For 11811, the rate per-minute will change from €1.88 to €2.69. The set-up fee that applies from the beginning of the call will remain at €2.74
  • For 11818, the rate per-minute will change from €1.25 to €1.79. The set-up fee which includes the first 30 seconds of the call will remain at €2.74.

It is a wonder people use these services today when you can Google a number for free but people do use them and now its going to hit them in the pocket…

 

CURRENT RATE 

NEW PRICING  

 

Review – The all new @WatchOvers Assure GPS watch phone review. #Kids #GPS #Tech

This is the second installment from the Irish company and we have spend a few days testing it out.. It does what it says on the tin..

First up its much cheaper than the previous offering which will suit more peoples pockets and again its trimmed down from the bulky version so we are off to a good start and once again presentation is excellent which is an important factor on any prodcut in my opinion.So lets check out the contents and how its presented first..

 

Inside of course is our Micro USB to USB cable for charging and a handy booklet that will guide you on setting up the device which takes a few minutes and once this is sdone its easy from here on in.. Check out the unboxing below for more details on the watch as we take a walk around the device itself….

 

 

There is some dofferences between new and old and all for the better which is highlighted below…

 

  • Location data is sent every 1 minute instead of every 20 minutes which along with its location algorithm, improves the location and the Geo-fencing.
  • The watch has a sim card slot on the side. It would be supplied with a sim card fitted but the customers have the option to use their own sim.
  • It is slim at only 13mm so fits better under a shirt sleeve and looks more like an ordinary digital watch.
  • The strap is longer, which is better to also suit elderly wearers.
  • Multi repeat alarms in the app will allow for setting several watch alarms per day for reminders for elderly to take medicine and other similar uses.
  • There are also additional features such as silent mode for during school hours, remotely power on and off, voice messaging, shake 2 watches together for kids to share voice message contacts, allowing kids to send voice messages to each other.

 

 

You will need to firstly charge up the unit,download the app then register this is simple and take little time so ensure all this has been completed there is an app for both Android and iOS Platforms so anyone sporting other devices such as Windows Phone can turn away right now and due to the market share its completly understandable…

 

The app itself is simple to navigate through with a simple UI with the abilitiy to leave messages, track your childs movements set geofence parametres its got all you need should something happen and the from the childs side of things its a simple press to call the important contact required if there is a time in need, Quality on voice is also excellent from the device as my child had quite alot of fun ringing me and showing off to her freinds in school and parents and teachers alike where impressed on how simple this works and how the watch is more on the discreet side not shouting out that it is more than just a timepiece..

 

 

The watch for me has two geofence parametres set one for home and school and one for a releation where she would often stay with so i based my judgement on these settings all worked fine and anytime something went wrong ie,going outside a set zone I was notifed The ability to leave your child a message is also excellent but fear not about the constant calls from your child as over time the novelty will wear off,but my child still loves it and feels secure with it and I feel secure with her having it on,The only caveat here though is another item to charge in the house as for me personally I have lots of devices on charge all day and plugs are taken up everywhere but it just me and because of What I do for living.

 

 

 

There is however a cost obviously to have the watch run due to having data and calls however this is not an expensive price to pay if it gives you the added protection for your child looking at the costs its nothing really and somethng I would not gripe about even though you would need to sign up a new contract which in fairness is not alot these days and for the needs of this watch Our Watch came with a Spanish Sim but you can use your own if like or buy a prepay sim,these needs will vary by person bit again as mentioned its not much to consider…

Going forward I think their next model should be touch based and perhaps two sizes available kids just like adults come in all shapes and sizes and in my own case and like several others in her class she is on the small size,other than that this is an excellent product well thought out. Battery life though varies an it does need to be charged daily which is annoying but so does most smartwatches today. There is also good technical support should you run into issues with these guys so thats a big bonus rather than fend for yourself….

The product is not only specific for kids this is also a fantastic idea for eldelry people to have so keeo that in mind. If you have any questions about this feel free to ask ….

Note.. You can buy a sim direct from the company or get your own either is at an additonal cost to the owner.

BUY HERE

Blackboard Ally Helps Make Course Content More Accessible for Students. #Blackboard #Ally 

Blackboard Inc., a leading education technology company for teaching, learning and student engagement, has announced general availability of Blackboard Ally, its accessibility solution that helps make course content more accessible for all learners.  

Blackboard Ally integrates with an institution’s existing learning management system (LMS) and automatically runs course materials through an accessibility checklist that looks for common accessibility issues. The solution generates a range of more accessible alternatives for the instructor’s original content including Semantic HTML, audio, ePub, and electronic Braille. It provides educators with guidance for improving accessibility of their course materials, while also supplying reporting on the current state of content accessibility at both the course and institutional level. Over 30 institutions are already using the solution to help make content more accessible for their students.

“We recognize that providing access to accessible content can be a significant challenge for both instructors and institutions,” said Nicolaas Matthijs, Product Manager of Blackboard Ally. “The goal with Blackboard Ally is to increase awareness of course content accessibility and provide support for teaching students of all learning styles and abilities.”

As a part of Blackboard’s commitment to accessibility, it will make Blackboard Ally available in all major LMS platforms. The solution is currently available in the latest release of Blackboard Learn with the Original experience, as well as Canvas. It will also be available in the MoodleRooms 3.2 release later this year, as well as additional platforms in the future. 

In addition, to mark the sixth Global Accessibility Awareness Day, Blackboard hosted a series of free global webinars covering trending topics on digital access in education presented by its accessibility experts and leading academics. 

Irish Digital Agency #Engage announce new partnership with Avensia Storefront. 

Avensia Storefront welcomes Engage as a new implementation partner.

Providing out-of-box ecommerce solution for Microsoft Dynamics AX.


Engage, one of the UK and Ireland’s leading ecommerce digital agencies has just announced it will complement its product offerings with a strategic partnership with Avensia Storefront to provide an out-of-box ecommerce solution for Microsoft Dynamics AX and Dynamics 365. The solution enables retailers, manufacturers or anyone selling online the ability to monitor and control customer interactions through the purchase cycle and costs 40% less than similar solutions.


In addition to offering the only content management and ecommerce platform featured in both the Gartner Magic Quadrants for Digital Commerce and Web Content Management (Episerver), Engage will now add Avensia Storefront to provide a complete offering for Microsoft Dynamics AX and Dynamics 365users, which combines Episerver’s CMS and ecommerce platform, with Microsoft Dynamics’ end-to-end omni-channel retail system.  





“The power of Avensia Storefront along with Engage’s strengths in ecommerce-focused web design and development and complex integrations are a great match. Our partnership with Engage provides a great opportunity to bring our scalable, cost-efficient solution to more Dynamics AX customers across the UK and Ireland,” says Jörgen Bertilsson, VP Global Business Development at Avensia.


Working with Engage, an Episerver Premium Solution Partner, ecommerce companies can quickly and easily implement Avensia Storefront. Engage offers Storefront users not only deep technical expertise in the Microsoft stack, but also strategic guidance in user experience and digital strategy to enable retailers to sell more with an authentic ecommerce story.

“Our partnership with Avensia allows us to bring an industry-leading ecommerce solution to UK and Ireland based Dynamics AX users. We’re excited to help expand the Storefront customer base and to share our experiences around digital strategy and Episerver development with these Dynamics AX customers,” said Stephen Leathem, Commercial Director of Engage.

Unboxing – Jabra Speak 710 Premium portable speakerphone #Jabra #JabraSpeak710 #Tech

The good guys at Jabra have just sent us over the all new Jabra Speak 710 Premium portable speakerphone. On first impressions I am very impressed but the fact that you can link two together just makes the experince even better and the sound quality is quite amazing..

The product itself is very robust,has a really cool design and when you turn it on it looks like a spaceship,this is not a bad thing and the effects look really great when the speaker comes to life you will understand more when you see it in action below in the video..

We just took a quick look at the speaker itself and a quick demo of what it has to offer and if you have any questions in the meantime whislt we take some time to review it feel free to ask below or get me on social which is all linked on the top right or down the left sidebar..

See more about the Jabra Speak 710 right HERE 

 

 

Specs rundown..

  • Jabra Speak 710 – Jabra Link 370 USB adapter – Quick Start Guide – Neoprene pouch – Warranty leaflet
  • Speakerphone weight
    298 g
  • Connectivity
    USB 2.0 & Bluetooth® – USB cord ~ 100 cm
  • Certifications
    Microsoft (Skype for Business)
    Cisco (Cisco 7800 series, Cisco 8800 series, Cisco Jabber, Cisco VXME eLux – HP ThinPro – SUSE, DX series)
    Avaya (Avaya Communicator, Avaya One-X Agent, Avaya One-X Communicator)
    Mitel (Mitel 68XX series, BluStar, MiVoice)
    Unify (Unify OpenScape series)
    Alcatel-Lucent (ALU Open Touch 8xxx, ALU OpenTouch Conversation, ALU PIMphony, IP Desktop Softphone)
    Citrix (HDX RealTime Optimisation Pack)
  • Bluetooth® standard
    Bluetooth® 4.2 – Bluetooth® Low Energy (BTLE)
  • Bluetooth Core
    Class 1, Version 4.0, HFP 1.6, HSP 1.2, A2DP
  • Wireless range
    Up to 30 m
  • Paired devices
    Personal use up to 8 & shared use up to 900
  • Supported Bluetooth® profiles
    Headset profile v1.2 , hands free profile v1.6, A2DP v1.2, AVRCP v1.5
  • PC USB Bluetooth dongle (Jabra Link 370)
    USB BT audio device/HID dongle. Bluetooth® 4.2 – Bluetooth® Low Energy (BTLE)
  • Peak output power
    10 watt
  • Charging Interface
    Micro USB
  • Microphone Type
    Omni-directional
  • Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR)
    +70 dB
  • Talk-time
    Up to 15 hours
  • Charging power & time
    USB 5 V/500 mA – Charging time 3 h
  • Standby time
    Power safe after 15 min/Standby 480 days

Review – Ghostek waterproof wireless earblade headphones. #Headphones #Bluetooth

With an unsual shape and different from the norm our friends at mobile fun have sent these in for testing and we will check them out and tell you what we thought about them..

Simple and sleek you could say with an unusal look on the ears but futursitic one might say the Ghostek come packaged in a simple manner,nothing to extravogant nor nothing undesribale sure most of discard of the packaging anyway but here is what to expect when you get it delivered….. Contents included….

 

 

The Main Features 

Ghostek’s EarBlade’s Amazing Sound Lets You Listen To Your Beats While Working Out
IP66 Water Resistant Lets You Run & Sweat As Much As You Want Without Skipping a Beat
The Ghostek EarBlade’s Come With Bluetooth 4.1 Technology Which Provides Crisp Clear Sound
Connect the EarBlade’s to Virtually Any Bluetooth Enabled Device from A Distance of 30-Feet
The Ear Hook Is Flexible & Curves to Your Ear to Sit Comfortably & Securely
EarBlade’s Have an Aerodynamic Design to Reduce the Drag on Your Performance
Easily Control the Volume of Your Calls & Music, Answer & End Calls, Hold or Reject Calls, Switch Songs or Call Waiting All From the EarBlades without Touching Your Device
1-Year Limited Exchange Warranty Direct from Ghostek

 

 

 

Looks..

They look odd if im honest but futuristic to an extent something in the lines of star trek and thats not a bad thing and again its something different than whats considered the norm so for me thats fine I like different things to what others have and not be part of a particular fan brigade…

 

 

Comfort.

They are comofrtable like any headphone similar and also compact and can be easily tucked away in a shirt pocket for exapmle or even your trousers or whatever you wear thats if you dont fancy them danlgling around your neck whislt not in use after some time wering them you will actually forget they are there but I am not the type to like something around my neck for a long period of time but as I said you would over time forgt about them and probably wonder where they are and have that blonde moment after rooting around and there they are …. You get two sets of ear tips to suit your ears and one comes fitted ,I however am not a fan of these but felt comfortable enough with these on and using the smaller sized tips.

Controls

Minimal and simple what more do you need. All buttons placed on one side which is the right side with two small buttons to navigate volume,calls and tracks its easy to get the idea of how this works and again like most present similar headsets on the market..There is Micro USB charging and again on the same side at the end of the earpiece which is nicely discreet and has a good closure on the flap to keep it sealed. There is also an indicator light on the same side which shows charge and power status…

 

 

 

Sound quality 

Not bad but not loud for me however as most know Im the one that likes it loud even though its probably not the best thing for my ears but overall the sound is fine crisp and clear and for the average person you will be perfectly fine but the real audiophiles would notice the lack of whoomp in them, Given I have around 20 pairs of headphones/earphones I found them on the low side but this does not qualify me as an audio expert neither..

 

Build quality

They are tough I will giveem that, Flexible,robust and do not foroget waterproof.. These will take a hammering in fact and are well made all round ,they are sealed pretty good and are light and very maliable they can twist and turn no matter what way you like and remain solid…..

 

Overall for the money you will get a decent waterproof pair of headphones that look different to the norm so I would not be complaining if I had them bought as a gift or if you wanted a spare pair lying aorund they do the job,stand out and are now priced well at €48 at the time of review..

BUY HERE   

 

 

The 6 steps you can take to protect against harmful hackers. #WannaCry #Ransomware #Hacking

Since it first struck on Friday May 12th, the WannaCry ransomware attack has spread to more than 150 countries worldwide, with upwards of 10,000 organisations and 200,000 people directly affected. Ransomware involves hackers capturing crucial files and demanding the payment of a sum of money by a set date for the resumption of access to the files. If the user doesn’t produce the predetermined money on time, they are threatened with permanent deletion of the files. It’s an unenviable situation, to put it mildly.Bitcoin seems to be the thing though but overall we need to be more savvy and be on the look out..

 

Our friends over at http://www.exigentnetworks.ie/solutions/ip-telephony/  have sent this uselful infographic over for you to check out. Enjoy….