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.
There is several apps available now to keep an eye on the ISS and of course we can just login to You Tube to do the same thing but this new app offer all this in one app with a few extras and think its worth a mention.. Within the app you can also keep up to speed with their Twitter and Facebook news and get some additional information to boot.The app is free on both Android and iOS..
Description
Incredible live views from the International Space Station. Watch LIVE as the station circles the earth.
The ISS orbits the earth once every 90 minutes. Half of the time is spent on the night side of the planet. During this time, or when transmission drops, pre-recorded footage will be shown to ensure that breaks are kept to a minimum.
At all other times you will see the LIVE view from the space station itself!
This is our second outing with Groove-e this week and this time around its the Motion Sports Bluetooth Wireless Headphones (GV-BT-300) that also have a built in mic..
This is a nice little package and again like the Fusion well presented with info detailed front and back and comes in a nice box that opens out again displaying the product..Like I said before presentation is something I like to see which leaves the consumer thinking they have put an effort in…With these you also get a carrying case which is great plus the usual cable requirement and instructions.
Build quality
Light very light.. They dont look a million dollars but they do a good job. Constructed well these would take a few knocks should the happen to fall off or if you drop them. They fit nice and snug around the ears and you will forget they are there in no time. Padding on the cups is quite minimal though with a thin layer between. You can remove this and all the glory is revealed which reminds me of yesteryear for some reason. See image below… Though in fairness overall they are lightweight and comfy..
Functions
They do just what you want them too. They have a volume toggle,mic, and micro USB charging port. Everything is placed on one side too which is great and to turn them on/off and pair you tap the outer silver disc which changes colour when paired,switched on and off. They is again no audible notification here but short beeps to distinguish the status. Overall like the fusion they are simple to use with all functions kept to one side which is good.
Sound Quality
Honestly they are just OK. They are not loud.. Having said that like the fusion they offer a good sound all round with no distortion on max volumes they again have no real deep bass but sound in general for highs,mids and lows was accurate and crisp so I can complain though as those know me for my love of loud cans and so on for the average user they should fit the bill… Calls where fine too and they where crisp and clear I must note even though I just tried with around 4/5 calls when testing,
Overall thoughts
They do the job and not expensive so for those who are just starting a fitness craze or if you do not want to go head first with and expensive pair to try out first these would fit the bill. They are actually discreet looking to and as I said after a few minutes you will forget they are there, They also stay put and didnt fall off this is down to the simple design and they nestle comfortably on the ears and when not in use fold back up into a neat package you can put in its carry case and again not bulky and small and can fit in any pocket..
Specifications: Bluetooth Version 4.1
Bluetooth Profile A2DP 1.2 / AVRCP 1.4 / HSP 1.2 / HFP 1.6
Receiving Distance 10M (open area)
Loudspeaker Output 15mW
Driver Unit 30mm
Impedance 16ohms
Frequency Response 110Hz – 20Kh
See http://www.groov-e.co.uk/ for more products,there is lots to see…
Another week and another pair of headphones drop in to techbuzz headquarters. This time around we have a set of cans called the Groov-e fusion wired or wireless headphones. Packed with all the features you will need for someone on the go these have what you will need, 10 hrs playback, 40 MM drivers Soft pads and folding design just to start with..
Front
Open
Rear
Build quality
They do look a tad cheap if im honest but perhaps this is just the colour and Gold it is in this case. But having said that they perform well all around so we can forgive that Gold look. The headband is comfortable with leather and padding on the band which is great and one thing that did concern me where the joints are but they seem sturdy enough as you will see in the video. They do have adjustments each side to suit your needs and the cups swivel which again is a good point though this is common today but some still leave this little option out, Again the swivel do act as a function to store them in a neater fashion. The cups themselves have a really soft leather housing and a nice soft padding underneath with complements the leather well,they are comfortable and do not clamp onto your head.
Functions
We have just what we need.. We have all the physical buttons on one side whilst the other remains naked and boring. You can forgive this though because all functions are on one cup which is probably the best. We have one key to power on and off and to answer,end and we can also reject calls or pick the last dialled number so if you have a regular number on tap this is great. The keys are easy to navigate blindly and find. We also have an LED indicator for Bluetooth pairing and power status so this is handy to have,There is no audio notifications but just beeps which is fine your phone or tablet will tell you when the headphones are connected. Also on the same side we have a mic, calls here are OK too and where clear enough. Also there is the charge port. We dont need to elaborate on that its simple, Just plug and charge, Last but not least is the 3.5mm cable which you will connect to your chosen device this acts as a back up should you run dry on the headphones themselves quality here was fine and inline with a wireless connection.
Sound Quality
Surprisingly good considered the price, They are not going to WOW you by any-means or have a super bass too them but overall they sounded quite well as a whole and better than I thought, They are loud enough but those who know me with my cans I like really loud these do not hit that sweet spot for me but they are up there, Given having headphones to loud is not a good thing but for the average person you will be fine, the quality throughout was good with highs,mid and lows well balanced and not really any distortion when maxed out..
Overall conclusion
Good for the price I must admit given the cheap look, Good build quality,comfortable all the features the average person will need with decent sound all round. Any questions hit me up on social or comment below. Thanks and stay tuned for the next review coming soon of the Groov-e Motion..
These can be purchased in Tesco and on Amazon. Prices subject to change now circa £20 – €28
Tesco Mobile Ireland now offers quite a few Alcatel handsets currently offering around 7 handsets and some bundles with tablets and accessories including VR headsets. They will now be offering another model which is coming soon according to their website. The new model is the Shine Lite. Alcatel are a budget friendly device and offer a decent enough spec for its price..
Glass meets metal for an elegantly seamless combination that genuinely shines. Curved 2.5D glass surrounding the metal body on both sides makes for a comfortable grip. Enjoy vibrant images and video on the striking 5” display and sees clear and brilliant colours shine through in stunning HD, even in direct sunlight.
5” IPS LCD Display
13MP Rear Camera
5MP Selfie Camera
16GB Internal Memory
Up to 128GB External Memory
Seetesco for more. No prices or specific date has been announced as yet.
Over the last year the VR – Virtual Reality game has exploded and will probably continue to do so in the coming year, However another thing to watch out for is Augmented Reality. For now we shall stick to VR. We have tried and tested some 20 headsets to date or HMDs (Head Mounted Displays). We can of course opt for the cheap Google Cardboard or similar which we have covered quite a few off too if you dont want to go all out on the expense just yet but most people by now would have had some contact with either. The VR BOX is a common offering today and we see quite alot of them in retail but perhaps re-branded but thats no issue here unless we see some outlandish prices which we have done..
The VR BOX is a simple cheap effective way to begin the VR journey if you will after those flimsy cardboard units we see,saying flimsy does not mean they are weak by any means,most of what we have tried have been solid and last but only for so long they just look flimsy..
Packaging
Front view
Close up
The benefit of HMDs is you are hands free not having to hold the unit to your face because for long usage your arms get tired so with this type you have a nice headband to take the weight away and sit back and enjoy the experience. The VR BOX is basic though yet offers what you need to start off. Its got great padding and good head support too with adjustable elasticated bands so there is no issue here when it comes to comfort or adjusting to suit your needs or perhaps anyone else in your group when sharing the experience.
Strapping
Multifunctional controls
Adjusting focus is another are here where its kept simple but moving the multipurpose toggles placed atop of the headset it takes seconds to adjust and its a simple process,unlike real cardboard units where you have no focal adjustment at all this is where a headset like this will benefit you more..
There is also quite a bit of breathing space for the phone itself too from the sides that also act as port inputs should you need to charge the phone or if you are using wired headphones for example, This is good because at time you can get carried away then you hear that dreaded “Low Battery Warning” they have this covered on the VR BOX. I like that most though for the best experience i normally go wireless all round but again not everyone has wireless buds or cans then again they can suffer low battery warning too.. You get the idea.
Left
Right
The headset is a tad on the bulky side but we have to start somewhere however its not heavy which is good, I have tried some that have been heavy and with long periods of usage can become annoying but thankfully this is not the case here its very light….
Retainer
Retainer in full
Slides in and out
AR or camera viewer
Simplicity is key here and this headset offers that with nice straps and cushioning and all the other options I have mentioned but check out the video below for a review. This kind of headset is a good way to begin the VR experience before you try the really immersive stuff on more expensive offerings like gear VR which though is the best priced option available offering real immersion and after that you may fork out hundreds for the PSVR if you happen to own a PS4. Beyond that its supercomputers and expensive hardware. The choice is yours.
Cushioning
View with AR/Camera viewer
Cushioning
Head over to HERE and check them out there and see what else thy have to offer in the meantime.. Any questions fire away below or get me on social.. Thanks for reading… And thanks again to Mobile For sending this over to check out, just search VR in our search bar for the countless reviews to date on other options available.
iPad owners can now take advantage of D3O® shock absorbing technology to ensure their device has the ultimate protection
Following the hugely successful introduction of GEAR4’s military grade D3O phone cases last year, iPad owners can now give their beloved device the same level of protection. The D30 technology is used by the U.S Military, American Footballers and Olympic ski teams and offers the ultimate impact protection with the most advanced shock absorbing technology.
GEAR4, the UK’s number one trusted impact protection case brand, today launches its new Buckingham iPad TPU flip case range, featuring D3O – the most advanced shock absorbing technology for enhanced impact protection. The Buckingham case, linked to GEAR4’s British roots, combines modern forms and materials to deliver the ultimate combination of sleek protection. The case is available for iPad mini 4, Air2/Pro 9.7 inch and Pro 12.9 inch.
The D3O impact technology used in the Buckingham case is in fact so trusted worldwide that it is the same material found in the U.S military combat uniforms, American football helmets and protective gear worn by pro athletes (including Usain Bolt) and extreme sportsmen, such as Olympic ski teams. With these kind of endorsements, iPad owners can rest assured that they have the most technologically advanced casing available on the market.
D3O has a unique molecular structure; in standard conditions the molecules flow freely allowing the material to remain soft and flexible, but on impact lock together to absorb and dissipate the impact energy, which means your device stays safe when dropped. GEAR4 are the first to use an injection moulded grade of D3O technology to deliver more impact protection per cubic millimetre than other leading materials.
GEAR4 designers combined this unique technology with a functional design featuring a standing option to work in landscape at a desk, table or on a lap and four slots for business or payment cards. There are also two larger slots for important documents and its unique clip closure ensures the device, as well as valuable items, are kept safe whilst not in use.
The Buckingham is available in black with orange, blue and grey trim from www.gear4.com and Carphone Warehouse
Been a while since we checked out a case for the S 7 Edge so here is a new one we just received from Tech21.Com.
This is called the Evo Wallet and has all the features you would expect to find on a good case today. Even down to the presentation this case will certainly suit anyone hunting for a new case for the pricey S 7 Edge.
The packaging to begin with is quite nice and comes with plenty of information on both side and then you slide out the case via the tab on the side so overall presentation is good here an hats up for that, I hate lousy packaging. Also what is worth noting is the is a lifetime warranty which is excellent and not something you see everyday…
Click to enlarge images
The case comes with all the requirements for today’s need with protection and functionality alongside serving the purpose its set out to do. Its got a good coating to begin with and adds that much more grip,this is throughout the case,even on its sides which is excellent as you know the device is slippy when naked and as I always say CASE UP..
There is a nice magnetic closure on the back which not only works fine it looks great too giving it that premium and robust look though not adding much bulk to the device,after some use you will not notice the difference, However these fold over cases are not for everyone as the same flip cases, Some prefer just back and sides protection having immediate access to the screen and so on but again we all have our own needs, Having said that there is a notification area atop so you will see any missed notifications there via the flashing LED. Buttons also worked fine throughout and the camera area is well protected so the case can be placed back down with nothing to worry about.
There is also a credit card slot built in here too and I know there is alot who like to don these kind of cases these days, personally I am not one of these but I do make exceptions for nice cases minus my credit cards. Not only do we have the wallet feature we can turn the device on its side and enjoy media consumption too without having to remove the case and just let it sit there, We all use our devices now more than ever for media consumption and having this feature is a welcome move for anyone.Also note ports. All are accessible and the speaker is not covered either, no snagging of cable’s and so on and a wide variety of cables seemed to work fine. Depending on case sometimes all cables may not fit depending on manufacturer and would have a thicker housing particularly with micro USB.
Overall this case will suit anyone no matter how fussy,its got the protection where needed with good solid corners yet the material is soft around the edges with no hindrance to the keys which is important and not forgetting the camera protection too, It looks good and feels good to hold and offers good protection on the front for the screen as that is the most expensive worry should you drop it,there is a lip around the top and bottom and adequate side protection keeping in mind with a double edge its limited as to how high on the sides it goes, Regardless you can still access the Apps Edge if you use it or simply disable it..
You can buy the case in either Pink or Black over at tech21.comand check out their other huge range of cases available.. Thanks again to the guys there for sending this over for us to check out…
Awards celebrate achievements of knowledge transfer across Irish research base celebrate top performers in collaborative research, licensing and new spin-out companies..
Knowledge Transfer Ireland has opened its call for submissions for entries to its annual 2017 Impact Awards. This annual competition hosted by Knowledge Transfer Ireland showcases and celebrates successes in knowledge transfer carried out in Irish publicly funded research organisations over the last year. The awards recognise and commend some of the top performances in the areas of collaborative research, consultancy, licensing and the development of spin-out companies.
The accolades also recognise the work of the people behind successful knowledge transfer and celebrate those responsible for building the knowledge transfer framework in Ireland. That is, the teams and individuals based in Technology Transfer and Industry Liaison Offices in third level institutions and public research organisations around the country.
Alison Campbell
Speaking about the call for submissions, Dr Alison Campbell, Director of Knowledge Transfer Ireland said, “I am delighted once again to open the call for submissions for the KTI Impact Awards 2017. Last year we received entries about some truly impressive projects that were the successful result of industry and research working together. It also provided us with an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of innovative leaders in the growing field of knowledge transfer. I have no doubt that this will year we will receive nominations of equally high calibre.”
Technology Transfer Offices and Industry Liaison Offices based at higher education institutes around the country have until Friday 3rd February submit applications across six categories of knowledge transfer. Submissions will be evaluated by an international judging panel representing both academia and industry, who will convene in Dublin on Tuesday 7th March. A shortlist of finalists will be revealed on 9th March 2017 and the winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in Royal Hospital Kilmainham in Dublin on Thursday 30th March.
Over the last few days we have been trying out the latest instalment from Urbanista, This time round its the Urbanista Seattle Wireless Headphones.
Off the bat they look plain so to speak but the do sport some cool features we are all not custom to right now but will be pretty much the norm in the next year or two. They have just one physical switch and the rest then works by touch control via gestures which is pretty cool and for a pair of headphones costing circa €99 this is a nice feature to see. These come in a corded version from around €55
They come in several colours
Packaging and contents.
This company topically always have good packaging which is nice, I prefer to see an effort going into a product and that starts with the exterior. Urbanista shine in this department with the retail box giving lots of information on the outside and then when opened its presented quite well and looks premium. Inside we get the headphones themselves set in a moulded plastic and the the usual array of cables we would expect to find, The Micro USB to USB charging cable and the 3.5mm headphone cable. However this cable is not the typcial one we find but a better textured lace like one and it looks good, Also inside is the usual manuals I doubt anyone reads these days..
Contents
Box left
Back
Presentation
Front
Connectivity and battery life
These will work with more or less and smartphone or tablet supporting Andriod, iOS devices and Windows Phone so there will no shortage of device compatibility here, The battery life as stated is around 12 hours which seemed consistent throughout the testing process so easily a full day for anyone, especially those on a long commute to work, Also you can go wired too should you run out of juice sometime.
Build quality
The look plain and perhaps a tad cheap but overall the passed my expectations. They are fold-able first of all which is probably a requirement today for storage reasons but there is no travel bag included in the package,perhaps this is something for them to think about in the future as it is now becoming the norm. they are plastic all round but very light which is good and to be fair I think they will survive quite a few knocks. The headband is flexible with a rubberised cushion underneath and it was comfortable for me during my testing. The cups are VERY comfortable and more comfortable than what they may look. Very soft,not clamping your ears blocking external sound pretty well too.. Cups are clearly marked as you can see on the images and video. You can adjust the arms either side but thats all you get on the adjustment side of things. Given that as mentioned they dont clamp onto your head and are comfortable as a whole..
Folded
Front view
Overview
Overview
Left
Right
Top view
Controls and connections
Not bad at first look.. In fact just one switch to power on and connect via Bluetooth. We do have the usual’s like the 3.5mm headphone socket and the Micro USB port for charging. The rest is hidden under the same side mind you so all is on the one cup so we dont have to fiddle between both,this is a good idea. There is soft touch controls which allow you to use gestures to do the rest, You can tap to answer calls and play and pause,slide horizontally to skip tracks and slide horizontally to adjust the volume,this may take a while to get the hang of it but after a few minutes suing it you should be fine since most of us are custom to the physical keys we see on headphones, Overall its a good idea and how everything is place on one side rather than both..
Overall thoughts
Look.. They do look probably a bit plain but for the price you pay the sound is good and its clear with highs,mids and lows sounding good, Lets not forget the comfort hear and the external noise almost completely blocked with the soft cups. They are robust,light and have plain design but overall they are a good purchase at the price-point and probably on par or better than some offerings out there today.
You can purchase these from Urbanistadirect or on Amazon.Any questions fire away on here or on social and check out our video below. Talk to you soon in our next review coming soon.
