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.
VOI Technology, the Swedish urban-mobility company and European market leader, has welcomed the publication today of the Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021 by Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan TD.
E-scooters – a new class of powered personal transporters (PPTs), including e-scooters, will be created, and the Minister will be able to provide for the use of these vehicles in public places under existing regulatory powers.
The company said the move, and the resulting passage of the legislation, has the potential to revolutionise how people get around Irish towns and cities, reducing congestion and helping tackle emissions.
Richard Corbett, Vice President, Market Development with Voi
Richard Corbett, Vice President, Market Development with Voi said;
“Ireland is one of the few European countries yet to develop micro-mobility options like e-scooters and e-bikes. As market leaders, we know the huge benefits their development can bring- fewer car journeys, less congestion, cleaner air and better functioning towns and cities.
“Our number one priority is safety, and we look forward to working with local authorities throughout Ireland as they roll out their shared e-scooters across Ireland in the coming months once the legislation has been approved by the Oireachtas”.
The next product in from Google is the Nest indoor cam wired, again like its Nest Cam Floodlight this requires a socket which most houses today have lots of, this one is less complicated that the outdoor one and comes with a nice long cable so you can be a bit picky if required where to place the camera which is small and compact and looks well if I do say so.
This camera has some limitations though as to how much it can move as it is fixed having said that it can be mounted on a wall to so the choice is yours on where to place it and again you can move it around the house if required..
People might often ask why do we need indoor cameras and I have heard so called security experts stating there is no need for them on Irish radio before which is utter rubbish and let me tell you why this is rubbish.
Firstly they can be used to protect your home should someone get by the rest of your set-up, Secondly you can use them to monitor elderly parents and so on and I know some that do and lastly you can use them to monitor your pets at home should you be out for a few hours or even if you are out for a short period and something happens or the pet get disturbed for example you are a click away to see what is going on so for me that statement still is a laughable one at best.
The indoor cam comes with all the same features as you would expect and we go through these with sample footage in our video review below and show you around the app and also how it looks like on your mest hub, this is a simple plug and play set up and you will be up and running in less that 5 minutes and your camera is good to go, you should familiarise yourself with the app and get to grips with what is on offer and the settings that are inside but we have you covered there.
Finally it is not another camera you need to keep charging as it is powered by your home socket which is another benefit and therefore nothing to worry about keeping an eye on the battery, the wireless cameras do give you plenty of notice too so there is nothing to worry about in the grand scheme of things overall and if like you you are invested in Google hardwear this is another addition you should think about adding to your home, the only caveat with this and the other google cameras is there is no pan and tilt options but in their next iteration this might be something for them to include going forward but other than that it is fine as is once placed in the best place for you that gives you the best coverage.
Click the link below to pick up the new indoor wired cam and check out some more there and check out our hands on review below.
Rewind to the beginning of the millennium and video games like Paper Mario, The Legend of Zelda and Counter Strike could be found in many households across Ireland. These games were usually played on a PlayStation, or a computer monitor where the experience was limited by the quality of the tech it was played on.
Back then, no one would have thought that come 2021, we would be able to play online casino games using a Virtual Reality headset to make it seem like the player is standing inside the casino. Gaming has come a long way over the past two decades, yet the digital revolution continues to transform the gaming experience.
Below, we’ll take a look at how digital technology is transforming online casino games like blackjack.
An increasingly competitive industry
As of 2018, there were over 2,800 active online casino sites operating around the world. Considering the online market is globally accessible, this creates a huge amount of pressure for players to choose which casino to play at, but even more pressure for online casino players to win and retain customers.
As a result, the industry has become highly competitive with online casinos constantly looking for ways to innovate in order to keep players coming back for more. From generous sign-up bonuses to free spins and mini bonus games, each provider is battling it out on the online stage, and online blackjack is no exception to this.
The innovation of online blackjack and other popular casino games
Today, it’s no longer enough to offer a standard popular casino game like blackjack or roulette. Instead, providers must come up with new ways to make the gaming experience more interactive and entertaining than other providers.
Online blackjack is one of those games where technology has transformed the gaming experience to offer some of the following benefits:
More variety – Some of the best online casinos offer many different varieties of blackjack with differing stakes to cater to every players’ needs.
Bonuses – Online casinos often offer generous sign up bonuses or offer free cash to encourage new players to test out a site without having to commit. This is something you wouldn’t find in a brick and mortar casino and is ideal for newer players.
Accessibility – Playing blackjack, slots or roulette online means players can access their favourite game from anywhere with a decent Wi-Fi connection, at any time of day or night. There’s no need to plan ahead, simply open the app to play while on the morning commute or simply from the comfort of your sofa one evening at home.
Security – As technology has developed, so too have online transactions. It’s now safer than ever to make payment transfers online. What’s more, transfers are usually quick and relatively easy, whether withdrawing money or depositing it.
The future of online gaming
While we’ve already seen a dramatic uptake in the number of online casino players in recent years, technology continues to innovate the online gaming experience. Below are some of the technologies we will see emerging over the next few years to come.
Cloud hosting
Just like the movie industry has transitioned to online streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime, the gaming industry is now doing the same with the likes of Google Stadia, Amazon Luna and Xbox Cloud Gaming services.
Games hosted on cloud platforms look exactly like a game that has been downloaded to a console, only they’re more easy to access from anywhere in the world and on a variety of different devices, they have a faster streaming speed and they don’t require players to create masses of memory available on their hardware to save the game.
Social gaming
One thing we’ve learnt from the past year is that people need to be able to connect in different ways. Many games now offer multiplayer modes where players can join live games together and compete with other players from across the world. Games like COD and FIFA are excellent examples of this, even enabling players to chat while they’re playing.
Online games are also becoming better integrated with social media, in which aspects like screenshot or recording mode are becoming more common so that players can live stream or share their game on platforms like YouTube or Twitch.
More ways to make payments
Not only are online payments becoming safer, but they’re also becoming much more user friendly. Online wallets like PayPal mean that players can make a withdrawal or deposit within seconds, without having to enter lots of payment card details, while options like crypto payments are becoming much more common.
Crypto payments enable players to pay with crypto currency like Bitcoin. As cryptocurrencies rely on blockchain technology rather than a centralised bank, the payment method is much more anonymous. They’re also much faster compared to traditional payment options that require approval from the bank.
Overall, the online casino industry has come an incredibly long way since the days of Zelda and Mario Kart. As technologies have become more affordable and accessible to countries around the world, more and more people are opting to play their favourite casino games online.
These games are continuing to innovate; becoming more interactive for players in the way video games offer entertainment. While we’re already benefiting from the likes of VR technology, social gaming and themes slots, there’s no sign of the innovation slowing down any time soon.
Technology is on the rise, and every domain is influenced in one way or another. Individuals are using it to achieve their personal and corporate goals. The current development in technology shows there is a positive trajectory on how people employ innovation to achieve their goals. Statistics are clear; if you are not using technology, chances are you will not stay for a long time in the market. People have turned online, and everything is completed through the current innovations. Businesses have taken a new trend, and the education sector is not left behind. The deal is technology and innovations are ruling the world.
Unfortunately, we are so engrossed in technological trends that we have forgotten some aspects that affect many people. Technology is here to stay. However, some individuals are still failing in their innovation efforts. Consider essaypro reviewto assist you to know that not all companies that come up with good intentions succeed. Some that are using the best technologies still fail to achieve their goals. This represents a significant number of individuals who are still struggling with innovation.
Many people are suffering from their undertakings, while some do not know the causes of innovation failure. It is necessary to dig deep to understand why some things happen. You might not be there yet, but things are happening; you can equally get yourself there. And this is the reason why you must understand these four elements that can easily ruin your experience in trying to employ technology in your doings. Some reasons include:
Wrong Judgements
Sometimes people make wrong choices on the innovations to be employed. Just because others are using it and are successful does not imply that you will also succeed—the choice of technologyand the purpose matters to its success. Besides, incorrect choices temper with the prioritizing of approaches and the alternatives in the expertise usage. Anyone who wishes to excel in using technology must find the right fit and prioritize it. Lack planmodernization makes individuals to get it wrong because of a lapse in decision-making and insufficient information. Sometimes people work with opinions instead of having facts about how various technologies work.
Absence of Market Alignment
Products and inventions fail because of a lack of proper market placement. Anything that must stand in the market must provide actual consumer value or be unique from present products. Companies that know their consumers come up with improvements that set them apart. Anything you develop or use must be centered on the clients to inspire their enthusiasm. Innovations can only be successful if they are centered on understanding the needs of clients profoundly. There are several causes why innovations fail. Among the notable aspects in this section includes:
The excessive emphasis on technology
Insufficient consumer information
Lack of indulgent of consumer desires
Little or no time for client scrutiny
It’s common knowledge that visualization is essential when it comes to innovations. However, many individuals still fail to understand the importance of showcasing their projects this way in advance and leave out this factor when planning their approach. People will rather click for space videos that explain a project than read lengthy technical documents. Visualization is essential in making customers understand the value of your product and how it can help them out. It also helps to make sure that all stakeholders have an understanding of what you are working on from the very start, which reduces miscommunication further down the line.
Slow Structures
A lethargic course with extensive decision-making sequences hinders innovation. This leads to a communication problem that makes a viable technology fail or reduce its efficiency. Borrowing from startups, you realize that the procedures are less multifaceted with no lethargic pyramids that make the process fast because of their sizes. Each person knows everybody and their functions when the internal networks are well intertwined. This fosters collaboration which enhances the processes. Therefore, if you wish to succeed, work on your structures.
The Bottom Line
Using technology in anything you do is the best approach. But sometimes, innovation fails because of its implementation. This requires that one be aware of the weaknesses and address them before finding a way to enhance products or services. Management is critical to ensuring innovation succeeds. Poor management will undoubtedly make you lag in what you wish to achieve. Sites like Topswriting.com can assist you in learning what you must do to achieve success. Technology has taken hold of everything, and that is what we know. But we rarely look at the reasons why others struggle. Nothing comes easy. Even using the widespread technology to do what you wish will somewhat be hectic. Understanding some aspects that make people struggle in innovation puts you on the right front to overcome some issues. This article will undoubtedly assist you in knowing the areas where you must focus on avoiding sinking when using technology. Also, learn from others, understand your customers and think about how best to employ technology to meet your needs. Do not forget to engage or seek support experts if you wish to thrive in technology.
The Puro Sound Labs BT2200 come equipped with a volume restrictor of 85 dB to limit output that a child cannot go above. The 40 mm dynamic driver combining with 82% noise isolation renders sounds more clearly, with the dynamic range from 20Hz to 20kHz and less than 1% harmonic distortion. This studio grade audio quality together with the Puro Balanced Response® ensures the headphones deliver an amazing listening experience with clear, crisp vocals and full, dynamic bass all within 85 dB volume limit.
The BT2200 is made with high quality materials to help prevent the possibility of allergies whilst using the headphones in the wireless mode stops the dangers of possible cable entanglement and tripping.
The ultra-lightweight design allows children to enjoy their favourite tunes without pressure to head or ears. An adjustable headband completes the natural, fine-tuned fit whilst the protein leather ear cups offers the optimal in comfort.
Controls are limited here however these are for kids use not adults so we have to take that into account here but it is an easy headset to use with raised buttons for ease of use and all kept on one side, you can play and pause music and change the volume and that is where it ends so skip and reverse tracks not present which is not a huge deal from a kids perspective.
The battery life is around 19-20 hours which is good for a kids headset and you can get a few days easily however it depends on how many hours a day but you will get at least two days of heavy use. Overall these a a really premium looking headset with great sound and great for kids with the added protection of their hearing which is vital.
Urbanista, the Swedish lifestyle audio brand, announces Urbanista Lisbon, their most compact true wireless earbuds to date are available now, in a range of five playful colours. Priced at £49,90 / €49,90 / $49,90 / 499 SEK / 499 NOK / 399 DKK MSRP, Lisbon combines functionality with personality and delivers an impressive sound for its size.
We take a first look today at the new earbuds from the company and in the meantime if you have any questions feel free to ask while we them out, they come in a really nice range of colours too and look really well..
Starting a business is an exciting yet risky adventure — it can easily become the best decision of your life or the worst. Considering the veritable number of businesses in the world today, it is hard to stake your money and passion on one. Also, you never know which would be lucrative or fruitless.
So, if you are looking to start a small business but can’t seem to make a decision, we’ve compiled a list of the most profitable businesses worth starting in 2021. Take a long and good look at this list and weigh the options that best suit your interests, financial capability, and dreams!
5 Most Profitable Small Business Ideas in 2021
IT Support
It is no secret that the world runs and thrives on technology! In a world where technology rules supreme, the IT industry is in high demand. As a result, it is one of the most lucrative industries today. Starting an IT company can be your gateway to acquiring wealth and success. Though it has its ups and downs, you can navigate the steep road with the right mindset and business know-how.
Digital Marketing
With more and more businesses embracing online marketing and selling, the demand for digital marketing services has gone through the roof. You can consider this a great business opportunity and set up a digital marketing agency to meet the ever-increasing demands of online small businesses. You can help these businesses establish a strong online presence and expand their clientele/consumer base through services like copywriting, web design, content creation, and a host of others.
Delivery Services
Thanks to the pandemic, most people are confined to the four walls of their homes. It has become something of a luxury to run errands or pick up your favorite meal at your favorite restaurant. Enter delivery services; the knight that delivers everything deliverable to the populace. That said, the delivery industry has witnessed a staggering growth, propelled by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In good truth, online food delivery services alone are projected to grow by over $104 billion in 2023. You don’t want to miss this lucrative business opportunity. You can establish a delivery service within your vicinity for delivering groceries, food, medications, and other essentials.
Cleaning Services
Here comes another industry that experienced exponential growth owing to the Covid-19 pandemic. On the surface, a cleaning company might appear uninteresting and mediocre profit-wise, but it offers much more than what meets the eye. Cleaners are in high demand, as evidenced by the billowing advertisements for them.
Best of all, you don’t need to break a bank to start this business. You only need a bright, positive and optimistic attitude, and some cleaning supplies. However, note that the cleaning industry is as competitive as it gets, so you have to be as creative and strategic as possible to make your business stand out.
Personal Training
These days, fitness enthusiasts don’t need to make the daily commute to the gym to be in shape. The fitness industry has moved a large percentage of its operations from gyms to online and outdoors. The current obsession with remote work has contributed to this shift.
And given the importance of exercise, becoming a personal trainer can bode well for your career growth and finances. Breaking into the personal training field is quite simple. You only need to take a certification exam, and you are qualified. In some instances, you only need to be a self-trained fitness aficionado!
The Bottom Line
These five small businesses are the equivalent of profitable and low-risk! You can narrow down the list to your interests and budget and start something great and life-changing. Find more details and guide about small business opportunities on the Biz Op website.
BlueParrott, a leader in wireless headset technology, and part of the GN Audio family alongside sister brand Jabra, announced the launch of the new S650-XT and B650-XT headsets, built for the modern-day trucker. The S650-XT and B650-XT Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) wireless headsets are engineered to give you a superior call and sound performance both on and off the road. Designed for truck drivers, these headsets offer a durable form factor to withstand the most challenging environments, including new stereo to mono convertibility with the S650-XT.
Convertible Stereo-Mono Sound
The S650-XT is the first convertible headset from BlueParrott with stereo to mono sound. With the push of a button, the S650-XT is engineered to allow drivers to convert from an immersive 2-earcup stereo experience to a mono headset. Designed for drivers who need safe, hands-free communication while trucking, but also want an immersive media experience when pulled over after a long haul, the S650-XT delivers the flexibility to do so.
Hear and Be Heard on the motorway
Equipped with powerful ANC, the BlueParrott S650-XT and B650-XT headsets work to remove ambient noise from your surroundings, giving your ears a rest and leaving you free to immerse yourself in whatever, or whoever, you’re listening to. The ultra-noise-cancelling microphones remove an industry-leading 96% of background noise from your end of the call. Even in the middle of a busy motorway, with the windows down and music blaring, the person you talk to will hear you loud and clear.
With up to 36 hours of talk time, the S650-XT and B650-XT headsets allow you to stay connected even on the longest of trucking routes. And with up to 300 ft / 100 m of wireless range, drivers are given the flexibility to leave their phones behind and get out to stretch their legs or check their truck without worrying about the connection dropping.
A Durable Design and Personalised Experience
On the road you don’t always have time to tuck your headset away carefully, which is why the S650-XT and B650-XT are built to withstand a bit of rough treatment. IP54-rated protection from dust and water makes these sturdy headsets the ideal cab companion. Additionally, ergonomically designed with soft, flexible ear cushions and an adjustable headband, the headsets provide a comfortable fit from the first mile to the last.
Beyond the customisable fit, both headsets also provide personalised programming with the BlueParrott Button™ for instant access to your most-used feature, keeping your hands and eyes on the road. For safe, hands-free communication behind the wheel, the S650-XT and B650-XT also allow drivers to use their voice to activate the headset, control calls, GPS directions, music, voice assistants and more.
“Life on the road can be very noisy and it is essential for those who work in loud and high-mobility environments to be able to take calls and perform their jobs in a safe and comfortable manner,” said Yves Dupuis, SVP for the BlueParrott brand. “With the S650-XT we have developed BlueParrott’s first ever convertible headset, giving drivers the flexibility they need on the road to transition from a mono sound experience while driving to stereo so they can enjoy everything from movies to music and more. Both the S650-XT and B650-XT provide the first-class noise cancellation, call quality, durability and personalisation that those in the trucking industry need to stay safely connected while on the road.”
BlueParrott S650-XT key features and specifications:
2-in-1 convertible from stereo to mono sound
96% noise-cancelling mic
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
Up to 36 hours of talk time
IP54-rated durability
Customisable BlueParrott Button™
Hands-free voice control
One-year warranty
BlueParrott B650-XT key features and specifications:
96% noise-cancelling mic for clear calls
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
Up to 36 hours of talk time
IP54-rated durability
Customisable BlueParrott Button™
Hands-free voice control
One-year warranty
Pricing and Availability The BlueParrott S650-XT and B650-XT wireless headsets will be available for pre-order on BlueParrott.co.uk from November 1st, in-store and online at Amazon at the end of the month. The headsets will retail for S650-XT at £229.99 GBP and B650-XT at £199.99 GBP.
I go through many earbuds here, in fact the most true wireless earbuds in Ireland for any tech review site here and every now and them something different comes along and I genuinely say to myself “these are something different” and this is the case for the new Skullcandy Push Active Skull-iQ which I have been testing a while now and you will get to see why in our full real hands on video review below, for context we like to show you more than stock images and show you the products we review so you get a better idea of what you are getting.
So what makes these different you may ask me, Well there is two things here that make these different apart from their great sound and we will go into this as we go on here in the review..
Build and design.
These come in a larger than usual case which is fine with me and it stands out once opened up with a nice bright Orange and Black look to it, the case is nice to hold, might be to big for some but overall it is a solid case to protect your earbuds and the magnets inside are strong too and the earbuds will not fall out. These also come with an IP55 rating which is Sweat and Water Resistance.
Skullcandy Push Active Skull-iQ techbuzzireland
Comfort and fit
These also fit really well too and have over ear hooks that goes around the ear and will not fall out of your ears,even for the most active folk and can be worn jogging or in the gym, there is one button on each side for controls but they have a new trick up their sleeve and buttons do not have to be used at all and you can just say “Hey Skullcandy” to do what you need them to do, more on this in the video below you need to see this in action.
Sound
At the price you pay here you get great sound however no ANC but this is fine with the really secure fit you will not hear much going on outside anyway unless outdoors in a noisy environment, with my ususal test loop they performed really well, highs lows and mids are fine and a good balance overall and then you have the app to play around with too with the EQ settings and also edit the button controls too which is excellent.
Hey Skullcandy
Users can simply say, “Hey Skullcandy” to initiate seamless voice control. They can then give commands to play or pause content, accept or reject calls, turn on Stay-Aware Mode for enhanced safety and even launch Spotify. Through a partnership with the world’s most popular audio streaming subscription service, Skullcandy is the first to provide voice-activated Spotify Tap™ access. A simple, “Hey Skullcandy, Spotify” voice command enables the most frictionless way to access music and podcasts, or users can press a button on their earbuds to activate. Skull-iQ also makes it easy to issue audio commands directly to a device’s personal voice assistant without any additional setup. These game-changing convenience features are ideal for anyone seeking added flexibility, but especially important for active lifestyle users engaged in activities like snowboarding, mountain biking, skateboarding and more.
As they say above this is the one of the new features I really like and it works well as you will see in our video review below and not only this you can use your earbuds as a remote shutter for your phones camera and this is something else I really like and something that will be very handy for people out there..
Conclusion
These are a super pair of earbuds for the price you pay and the features you get, there is some exclusions like auto play and pause and no wireless charging however this is fine there is fast charge and with the features aside that these are something for the more active folk or anyone in fact to consider looking at.
Push Active True Wireless Earbuds – £69.99 MSRP.
Skull-iQ Smart Feature Technology – Issue simple, hands-free voice commands to take calls, change tracks, adjust volume, turn on Stay-Aware Mode, activate device assistant, launch Spotify Tap, and more. • Over-the-Air Updates – Update earbuds via the Skullcandy App to add new features for enhanced functionality and added value.
Premium Audio Quality – Experience supreme sound thanks to expertly-tuned acoustic drivers, dual noise-reducing microphones for natural and clear call quality and a noise-isolating fit.
Up to 44 Hours of Battery Life – Listen longer with 10 hours of battery life in the earbuds and 34 hours in the charging case.
USB-C Rapid Charging Case – For 10 minutes spent in the case, receive 2 hours of battery life. • True Wireless via Bluetooth® 5.2.
Auto On/Connect – Enjoy automatic turn on and pairing with the last device used.
IP55 Sweat and Water Resistance – Go on any adventure without missing a beat.
Built-in Tile™ Finding Technology – If an earbud is misplaced, simply ‘ring’ it from the Tile app.
For more information on Skull-iQ Smart Feature Technology as well as Push Active True Wireless Earbuds, visit http://www.skullcandy.co.uk
See the video below for more context and how they work.
