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.

#Jabra – The Jabra Halo Smart unboxing and review. #Tech #WirelessHeadphones

We have had quite a few Jabra wireless headsets and headphones here and I am pleased to say they all have served me well and still do actually,given I have one or two boxed away for storage purposes I often find myself going back to an old pair depending on my needs and so on.

The latest wireless headphones are called the Jabra Halo Smart and smart indeed they are,Not only that they are lightweight and come with some really nice features and they are robust and can handle a good few drops,lets be honest we all drop our headphones from time to time…

Presentation of the Jabra Halo Smart was also good,presented in a nice yellow box,with catchy writing inside we are presented with the headset in another box again also well presented and typical from Jabra.

 

The packaging

1 / 7

The headphones are light,overall it is a small package and the design well thought out with a nice headband which sits around your neck only to find after a few minutes you think you have lost them,they are that light and that comfortable.With all the tech built into the headband it gives way to leaving the rest of the headset streamlined and snug with a small cable either side not long and tangle free for the user with small ear buds. In-ears are not for everyone it must be said but this time around and from a previous pair I had called the Jabra Sport Pace  they actually seem to have nailed the  comfort element and for me they did not fall out like other manufacturers offer,perhaps maybe its my ears but typically with many I have tried they would not last 5 minutes in ear which is why I prefer the overear type headphones which offers a different experience anyway but having said that they stay in and that is important for me..

 

Image Gallery 

Contents
headband top viewHeadband inside view
Headband inside view
Controls
Speaker and voice activation
overview of earbud
Right
Left
Neckband
Full extended cables
2 / 10

 

 

Connecting to your mobile phone is simple as always with Jabra products,the wait is not too long to pair up unlike some devices,Some devices to take a while to connect which I have tried in the past and once connected all is good to go,After disconnecting from your mobile re-connection is again swift with no issues,If only everything worked in tandem like this, A fine example would be my car it can take up to 30 seconds to connect most morning with my phone which is annoying.

 

Indicators

Again with Jabra there is nice clear audio alerts when a connection is made and again when lost, When the device is connected you will see a blue light flash too just in case you have not the headset on you and want to watch the old-fashioned way and when disconnecting there is a single red flash…With that whilst charging you will see the red LED constantly on and when lying idle you will see a continuous flashing yellow light this will let you know you have left the headset on and is a nice reminder to switch them off..

Controls

The controls are small but this is commonplace for almost any headset but like any other you do get custom to their whereabouts rather quick you may give an accidental press here and there and yes it is annoying but this goes for anything similar so dont say there is genius button locators out there when there is not its trial and error then you naturally become custom,the buttons have good feedback and when press hard enough,not too hard you can feel the shape,there is only three so its not really an issue.. The mic is also placed in a clever spot if the headphones are not in use and you get a call for example you just plug them in and the call answers,Also the voice assistance feature is excellent and when pressed you can user your digital assistant depending on the platform you are using.

Durable and light

The headset is durable with the daily usage pulling them apart they seem robust,this is after a weeks usage some have not lasted even two days but this can be down to quality control or the user being a bit rough but overall they seem quite solid and with the cables being only a short length they should not get tangled,they sit nicely on your chest and again like the headset itself you will not notice they are there… The earbuds seems robust too and are comfortable as mentioned before this is one issue I find with buds of this nature,how they fit and how long they last in ear.These passed both..

Overall conclusion they are comfortable.light easy to use, battery life is excellent,great sound quality and durable.

Check them out over on Jabra UK  

 

Video review and walk-around

 

Mozo – Review – iPhone 6 Plus black walnut back case #Mozo #Review #tech

Another Mozo review to check out this time round its for the iPhone 6 Plus and the black walnut finished case from the Mozo Timeless collection,Keeping with the tradition this case is similar to the iPhone 6 case we checked out recently 

This case again is fantastic looking an really gives the iPhone 6 plus a better look than having it naked,the finish on the back is also excellent and is made from natural wood and to the touch it really feels great and looks fantastic..

Without adding any bulk to your device you will feel real comfortable holding your device and there is also additional grip on the back of the case which is welcome and also around the edges,With a lip around the entire front of the screen you can safely place your device face down,although with this device it does look much better this way as opposed to face up you will see why once you install one of these cases.

 

Keys and ports 

(Click to enlarge) 

Bottom
Power key
Keys
Left view

Access to the keys and ports too where no issue at all providing easy key-presses and again easy access for the ports,The speaker too also has ample space provided not muffling sound. With the cuts outs on the sides and back complementing the cut out around the camera area this really looks nice all round and giving the iPhone 6 Plus a fresh look with nice lines all round and not only that you will loose that COLD FEEL effect on picking up your device and it feels very premium indeed….

 

Mozo have been known for giving us nice cases for the Lumia 650 and better than the manufacturer has provided and its great to see them branch out and offer consumers something different and unique with top quality to boot,We do hope they expand even more and see more of their lines expand as they really have got something to offer with quality and looks..

 

Overview 

(Click to enlarge)

 

Top view
Back view
Bottom
Top front
Left view
Camera area

 

Features 

 

Designed to be your life-style statement.

The Mozo timeless collection has a new member – back cover case for your iphone 6s handset!

This cover, made of natural wood, has every feature that nordic style can offer: pure feeling, warm touch and high-quality look.

Fitted design with smooth finish. Wood touch gives a comfortable grip to hold on.

  • Natural wood
  • Quality design and attention to detail
  • Premium finish with microfiber inside
  • Protects your device from bumps and scratches
  • BUY HERE  

#Fashion #Apps – #Frockadvisor Over 120 of the best boutiques in Ireland and the UK.

Fashion fans can pick from over 120 of the best boutiques in Ireland and the UK which means there is plenty of choice under one roof without the need to look elsewhere and it can be all done from your mobile phone or iPad without having to leave your house… Also to note their team is constantly looking for the best in new boutiques to keep their curated range at its finest.. The app has just got a new update..

Discover thousands of new brands stocked in some of world’s best independent boutiques united on one platform and create your own personal wish list of the products and style icons you love. frockadvisor’s mission is to help you find something different, by exposing them to the best of indie fashion around the globe.

 

 

Features:

• Share photos of fashion you love and want right now.
• Follow boutiques and other fashion fans.
• Engage in ‘fotocons’ – photo conversations with your fashion community.
• Connect directly with your favourite boutiques for personalised offers and products.
• Buy fashion items offered by boutiques directly through the app

 

 

#VirtualReality – @MergeVR unboxing and review. #VR #MergeVR

I am a VR head its safe to say,Since the launch of Gear VR I have taken quite an interest in the platform and its something thats interesting and with the ability to see things in a different perspective sure why is it not interesting.. To get that real immersive feeling you need the right tools, At a consumer level Merge VR have pulled it off in every way not only with looks but in all departments.

The consumer wins here you may ask why… Well lets look at Oculus,HTC and the likes you pay big money for the base product and that does not end there you need the hard-wear to back it up,we will need to purchase a laptop or PC that could fly a rocket into space to get the full functional experience of these headsets which again are cumbersome and heavy and over a long period of time your head will hurt. However there are new OEMs to the market with their own headset such as LG but Samsung still win the more favourable and immersive race at a consumer level price which can reach the masses,but the content lacks,to be fair it does all round in the VR race…Yes I have tried HTC Vive and Oculus here at some events they are indeed great but they will not have mass market appeal and the cost is for now too much…

Google-cardboard is one example of how they have mass market appeal,its cheap and cheerful but the overall experience  is not overwhelming but it does give you an insight as to where we are going in the future,there is a multitude of offerings out there with many variations of cardboard viewers and now its a thing for companies to make their own and pass on to the consumer.. Not a bad thing especially for marketing as we now see many companies using VR as a tool to sell their product..

This MERGE VR headset though is unique in every aspect,from the design the thought put into it its looks and its feel,All of the headsets and viewers we see are solid be it either laminated cardboard or a universal type headset which are flooding the market now that is made of solid plastic and whats become the norm just black or white or both,This headset is which is uni bodied is made of foam,its soft to the touch with some components in the mix but when it comes to comfort you are in for a treat.

 

The packaging

3 / 8

We also have access to BOTH sides of the device be it for your USB cables,power cables and headphones,Yes you can argue we can use bluetooth headphones but hey not everyone has them and again for charging you can get caught out,i have several times and this issue is eradicated with the ability to charge while playing..

Also we have a removable piece on the front which allows the user to maintain camera functionality should you need it this is a clever idea and of course you do not have to use this but its there nonetheless I like the idea alot. We have tried several devices in the headset and they all fit comfortably and feel very secure which is important and with the protection here on this headset it is safe to say should you drop it your device will be fine whereas with other headsets I dont think the result will be the same,see the clip below..   ENOUGH SAID…

 

 

Using the headset is also a great experience,the level of comfort is great compared to what I have tried and some I own but remember we are progressing here in the industry so things will change I still like the other headsets I have they are early products and Merge VR have caught onto something before anyone else with their product and you cant blame them for that.. When it comes to long periods of use it remained comfortable since I test many apps and have featured them all here I spend a bit of time trying them out and my experience here was one of comfort and not one of constantly wiping the lens to see what I am doing which is annoying..Its soft on the face and the headbands are also comfortable too..

Like with many headsets we dont need a separate power source your mobile phone is you power so before use you would want to charge it but like the smartphone we now have quick-charging with this headset should you run low on juice you have access to charge it up and keep a power supply which is great,nothing worse than being in the middle of a good video or coaster ride and your battery dies….

 

The product 

Top view
Front view
Air vent
Right side
Left side
Lens
Inside strap
Headband
Removable window
Top front phone slot
Device ports access
Device ports
Headset and Web
4 / 13

 

To get set up on this is quite simple with a webpage to type into your browser on your device,you do not need to use this particular page and surf for material yourself but this page has some amount of content to check out,Pin the page to your homescreen or place in a folder on your device,If you are interested in VR you should already have a folder called VR or similar. The page you need to check out is https://www.vrstart.com/ or just copy from here and away you go its that simple,the page is nicely presented matching the headset colour, Within the page you can pick from featured content,categories,A-Z,Popular or Paid content..

Overall this headset is fantastic all round for any age group due to its comfort level,functionality and safety it has it all and we would like to thank the guys at Merge VR for sending us this over again..

 

Order by clicking the image below

VIDEO REVIEW

 

#Mozo – Review – Light Wood finish case for the Microsoft Lumia 650 #Tech

Mozo have kindly sent us over the Light Wood finish case for the Microsoft Lumia 650,this makes a nice addition to its range giving your device a nice unique finish which not only feels good but looks great too it also enhances the devices looks all over especially from the back. With the case too we also got a screen protector which was a nice bonus and sets you up to go keeping your screen protected..

The case as mentioned does have a fantastic look and finish and feels really smooth on the back this however makes it a tad slippy but its a small price to pay considered the bog standard case that comes with the Lumia 650, Also to note on these covers the Mozo branding is not present so for fans this may or may not be a problem but having said that I cant see it being an issue although some folks like to sport a brand where possible so you can understand their point of view..

 

Image Gallery 

Packaging
Side view B
Side view A
Bottom view
Left side
Top
Right side
Camera area
5 / 8

On the inside of the case all is present as you would expect to find on the original case that come with the Lumia 650 which is the NFC contacts so no loss of function here as you could expect to find from other third party case makers,again another strong point with Mozo they keep it real and keep it good.. Overall the case is excellent looks well and resembles our previous review with the Black finish case which you can see over HERE 

Features

  • Replaces the original back cover of your Microsoft Lumia 650.
  • NFC components integrated
  • Super thin Wood like textured design
  • Premium look and feel
  • Protects against scratches

Buy HERE 

 

Video Review

 

#Mozo – Review – Candy cover stripes case for the Microsoft Lumia 650 #tech

Moving onto now another case from Mozo,This time a bit more funky with some candy stripes thrown in and its the Candy covers stripes case for the Microsoft Lumia 650.

Following on the same lines as being sleek and a fine smooth finish the candy case just looks simplistic and adds some jazz to your device,Probably more aimed at the female audience it would still be fine for males to sport a more vibrant looking case than say a plain one.The case does look well and feels smooth all over and this time round we have a Mozo logo down on the bottom right hand side,so for branding fans you are sorted!!

Again Mozo have included the NFC components so no loss of functionality here again so for NFC fans its a bonus,As mentioned before some third party case makers do leave out NFC components but its not particular to the Lumia 650 either..

 

Image Gallery 

Packaging
Mozo logo
Camera area 1
Camera area 2
Top view
Keys - Right side
Bottom view
Left side
6 / 8

Features

Joyful and playful look for your Lumia 650! A new Candy Cover is designed to give a slick and premium feel without adding any extra thickness to your device.

  • Replaces the original back cover of your Microsoft Lumia 650.
  • NFC components integrated
  • Super thin unique and colorful design
  • Premium look and feel

Buy HERE 

Video Review

 

#Zolt is a news summarizer app that gives you bite-size summaries of the news. #News

There is a stack of news apps about today and perhaps maybe too many,though these days people prefer the summarizer or aggregated type which pulls in news articles and leaves us for less need of multiple news apps on our mobile device wasting screen space and memory,given we can place such in folders and have less clutter on our home screen its the storage element that will benefit in the long run,For me at one stage I would  have had around 20 news apps which now has been dwindled down to just 2/3 local news apps and the rest are the likes of this app called Zolt, Even recently I have began using a new app which covers technology news which to date has been working well and cut short more apps from my device,check out Tech World

 

Rush Sadiwala founder of Zolt explains…

Zolt was created to solution to the problem of ‘too much information, not enough time’. Founder, Rush Sadiwala, worked in investment management and private equity for six years prior to forming Zolt in November 2015. He was inspired to create Zolt after his repeated experiences of being bombarded with reams and reams of information only to realize that the core facts could be captured in a few sentences. 

At Zolt we wanted to build something that would allow you to get quickly updated about a large number of stories whilst giving you the ability to also drill down and get into the details whenever needed. By reading the stories for you and cutting the fluff, Zolt saves its users to consume more information in less time. 

 

 

Nice transition effects and its well presented too with a clear menu structure to boot,With the ability to hand pick your own topics and search through a big catalogue of topics this app is really nice and the UI is clean and its also a very smoothly running app..

Personalized News, All Stories, Top Stories, National, Business, Politics, Sports, Technology, Startups, Entertainment, Viral, International, Science & Health, Lifestyle

News Sources

New York Times, CNN, Huffington Post, Reuters, USA Today, The Telegraph, Politico, Mashable, TechCrunch, The Next Web, MarketWatch, Forbes, The WSJ, The Verge, BBC, YouTube, NASA, Nat Geo, Discovery, Inc, Entrepreneur, Entertainment Weekly, Lifehacker, Buzzfeed, Harper’s Bazaar, ESPN, Yahoo Sports and more.

MOZO – Review – iPhone 6 back cover cases leather and oak. #Tech #Mozo

Mozo have sent us over a range of cases recently and this time round we have some new iPhone 6 cases to check out,This time round we take a look at both the Leather and Oak cases which certainly look pleasing the eye.For those who are not familiar with Mozo they began their range with Microsoft Lumia devices and now have spread their wings to more manufacturers which is welcome news because they make really nice cases and are priced well alongside competition in the market,its a big market too…

 

Oak,Power key
Leather back
Leather,keys
Leather camera area
Bottom view
Oak top view
Oak top view
Oak back
Oak back,bottom
Oak back keys on left
Oak back,camera area
7 / 12

 

With attention to detail these cases look more than you pay for them,Feeling good in the hand and adding protection all around the device including a lip around the entire front  of your device you will be protected from the elements and getting an additional quality look too,there is no bulk here to be concerned about either and all keys are easily accessible with no issues pressing any keys,Also all ports are accessible too with no issues here and the speaker is also not covered so no sound loss or muffled experience here when left sat on table or in pocket. With the lovely  rose/rose gold trim that surrounds the case and also around the camera area this gives the cases a bit of an extra BLING look to it but not overdoing it,even for me and the hatred of gold I think it compliments the chosen finishes here on both cases,With the leather probably most suiting the ladies and the wooden finish oak look for men I think thy have done a nice job here,but male or female can decide for themselves on what set-up to go for,either way they both look great.

Check them out below at Mozo Accessories and watch out for more coming soon..

 

iPhone 6 light oak case features

This cover, made of natural wood, has every feature that nordic style can offer: pure feeling, warm touch and high-quality look.

Fitted design with smooth finish. Wood touch gives a comfortable grip to hold on.

  • Natural wood
  • Quality design and attention to detail
  • Premium finish with microfiber inside
  • Protects your device from bumps and scratches
  • Buy HERE

 

 

 

iPhone 6  White leather case features

Premium product with thoughtfully selected materials to guarantee an outstanding look and feel.

  • Genuine leather
  • Quality design and attention to detail
  • Premium finish with microfiber inside
  • Protects your device from bumps and scratches
  • Buy HERE  

 

 

#TechWorld – Read Everything About Technology in One app. by @SidTechWorld

There is plenty of news aggregators out there today and have been around quite a while and some also have vanished  into the wilderness never to be seen again and you will probably say Oh No here is another news app,They are welcome though as some offer more than others and some of course offer less,Also the content provided is another important matter for some trying to keep their feed lean.. And also people like choice too which is important…

Siddhant Jain..

The founder of TechWorldSid whom is a technology lover and also writes about tech and sports a You-Tube channel..

Sid Tells us..

I HOPE THROUGH MY APP, CHANNEL AND WEBSITE, TECH LOVERS GET THE LATEST NEWS ABOUT TECHNOLOGY AND PEOPLE WHO HAVE PROBLEMS IN USING THESE TECHNOLOGIES, FIND SOLUTIONS TO THEIR PROBLEM.

 

 

Sid also goes on to say..

Through Sid Tech he wants to share with you his opinions and solutions for Technology and for this he has created 4 mediums.  His latest attempt to provide quality tech support to you is through developing an app by the name Tech World, where you will find latest news about technology from the best available sources. You can find all of his work in this website – techworldsid.com

Sid is continually adding content to the app as its a work in progress and it is shaping up nicely indeed,With a nice clean UI you can just scroll down the page or select from the list of content providers in the list which is present right now which is been updated as we speak.. Currently present now on the app is tech sites like The Verge,Igyaan,CNET
Windows Central,Android Central and of course Sid Tech.

 

 

Within the app you can also check out some settings which enables you to sync,change display and presentation,message store,notification settings which includes the option to turn them on or off,select tone,vibrate and so on.. You can also leave feedback which is good to see..

 

Check it out below by clicking the store icon,you will like it…