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.
Recently Garmin announced a few new devices to their portfolio and one of them has dropped in to check out and we have a review of another member of the Garmin family dropping this week so stay tuned for that, the Drivesmart 76 is the middle of the trio announced last week and is a 7 inch slab that offers you more more than just navigation.
The new Garmin DriveSmart series comes loaded with road trip-ready functionality to help bring driving freedom to every trip. Drivers can depend on TripadvisorÒ traveller ratings to recommend restaurants, hotels and attractions along the way. In addition, all Garmin DriveSmart sat-navs arrive preloaded with millions of popular points of interest from Foursquare.
Garmin DriveSmart 66, 76, and 86 series
The Garmin DriveSmart 66, 76, and 86 sat-navs boast a legacy of industry-leading features, including:
Access to real-time traffic, photoLive traffic cameras, weather and fuel prices when the sat-nav is paired with a driver’s compatible smartphone using the Garmin Drive app
Alexa Built-in3 enables asking for music, listening to audiobooks, hearing the latest news and more (on Alexa-version only, available in English and German languages)
Built-in Wi-FiÒ allows for easy map and software updates without the need for a computer
A USB-C vehicle power cable equipped with two USB ports (on Alexa versions only) to charge the compatible Garmin sat-nav and a second device
Available now, the new Garmin DriveSmart 66, 76 and 86 series has suggested retail prices ranging from £189.99 to £319.99.
Any questions of course feel free to ask below or on our You Tube channel and we will gladly answer all comments as we always do so check out the unboxing and first look below and stay tuned for the full real hands on review soon..
PSB Speakers, long renowned for excellence in loudspeaker and headphone design, upgraded its award-winning premium wireless noise cancelling headphone with the launch of the PSB M4U 8 MKII (US$399 / €449 / £349 / CDN$499 MSRP). Built for comfort and purity of sound, the M4U 8 MKII features the latest innovations in headphone technology. Pre-orders begin October 20th, with product availability and delivery commencing in November 2021.
PSB’s award-winning wireless active noise cancelling headphones are reborn as the M4U 8 MKII with exciting feature upgrades. Enhanced battery life and the latest noise cancelling technology improve the mobile listening experience, while personalisation by Audiodo Personal Sound™ compensates for each listener’s unique hearing abilities, allowing the listener to fully experience PSB Speakers’ renowned sonic signature. At work or on-the-move, PSB headphones are designed for comfortable and noise-free extended listening.
PSB M4U 8 MKII
Personalised Audio Experience
Most headphone designs assume that everyone who wears them will listen the same way, but in reality no two ears hear the same, even if they are attached to the same person. The M4U 8 MKII features Personal Sound by Audiodo™, which measures a listener’s unique hearing abilities and corrects for anomalies from hearing damage, physiological irregularities, and even psychoacoustic perceptions. The quick and effective Audiodo hearing calibration – available in the dedicated PSB Headphones app – produces an incredibly precise model of an individual’s sense of hearing, fully revealing PSB’s true-to-nature sonic signature, purely and noise-free. Available only in the latest generation of the M4U 8s, the launch of the MKII represents the first time that the Audiodo technology can be found in a HiFi headphone.
Immersive RoomFeelTM Technology
Created to deliver the clear, natural sound of a live performance, the next generation of PSB’s exclusive RoomFeel™ technology adds layers of true-to-life realism to all recordings. Using decades of research knowledge in acoustic design, RoomFeel was carefully developed to produce ‘room gain’ – the energy and clarity that a room adds when listening to high-quality loudspeakers, resulting in a truly stunning musical experience. Designed for on-the-move listening, RoomFeel brings the most accurate sound directly through the M4U 8 MKII.
Technology & Comfort Rich
The M4U 8 MKII connects wirelessly to music, games, shows, and meetings via Bluetooth® aptX™ HD – the 24-bit high-definition version of the universal wireless technology. There are also two different wired modes of operation: 3.5mm wired connection, or via USB-C from the computer, recharging the batteries while listening. Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is remarkably sophisticated and effective, utilising four digital microphones to cut down on analogue-to-digital conversion error in audio processing. There is also an Active Mode and a Passive Mode. Listen all day and all night with up to 25 hours of run time in Active Mode. With a wired Passive Mode feature, it becomes easy to manage battery life.
The unique two-way adjustable ear pads are gyro-suspended for optimal ergonomics and supreme comfort – ensuring long listening periods remain fatigue free. Super soft ear pads and lightweight design make the headphones “disappear”, leaving only rich, detailed sound. The expandable headband also easily adjusts for a more customised fit. Nothing will stand between users and what they want to listen to.
“PSB entered the headphone category almost 10 years ago with the original M4U 2, showing the world that high-performance audio was possible in a noise cancelling headphone at a time when it was one or the other – audio quality, or noise cancelling performance,” comments Matt Simmonds, PSB Headphones Product Manager. “The M4U 8 MKII is now our 3rd generation of noise cancelling headphones, appealing to the practical sensibilities of customers who want the best audio performance, but need wireless, feature-rich headphones for an on-the-go lifestyle. The M4U 8 MKII achieves the perfect balance.”
Key Features of the PSB M4U 8 MKII
– Bluetooth HD wireless connection with aptX™ HD and Qualcomm® cVc™ technology
– Separate Active Noise Cancelling (ANC), Active, and Passive Modes
– All-digital ANC with digital MEMS microphones decreases audio conversion error
– PSB’s latest RoomFeel™ technology with greater detail and better imaging
– Personal Sound by Audiodo™ through the PSB Headphones app
– Access additional features, settings, and over-the-air updates using the
PSB Headphones app
– NFC pairing for supported devices
– Over-ear, amplified, closed back design
– Physical controls for volume, playback, and mode selection
– Unique dual 3.5mm input connections (left or right side)
– Tangle-free cords for analogue wired and USB-C connection
– 1/4” stereo and dual-input flight adapters
– Runs on included rechargeable battery power
– Up to 25 hrs battery playtime in Active Mode
– Gyro-suspended ear pads
– Carry case and easy folding for travel and storage
The iconic Nokia 6310 makes its return, 20 years on from original release
HMD Global, the home of Nokia phones, announces the launch of the brand-new Nokia 6310. The device takes on the original and iconic silhouette of the Nokia 6310, with the trademark long battery life, a built-to-last tough body and the 90s classic, Snake!
The Nokia 6310 is a phone that represents 20 years of time passing with subtle changes like modern features including bigger buttons, a zoomed in menu, and wireless FM radio. That yearning for nostalgia makes the new Nokia 6310 the perfect tonic.
The new handset is refreshed and reinvented, making screen time more effortless and enjoyable than ever before. With larger push buttons and an ample display, you can read messages, connect with loved ones, or find your desired apps with ease and speed.
With the Nokia 6310, it is all fun and games; you can listen to your favourite news channels, sports games, or music stations on the go with reliable connectivity or play an intense game of Snake! This handset can help you make the most out of your downtime, whether you are catching up with friends or relaxing after a long day at work.
Nokia 6310 techbuzzireland
The Nokia 6310 has a battery life that can last for up to weeks between charges, so you can now stay in touch with your loved ones and spend less time worrying about where you left the charger. With its long-lasting battery, the Nokia 6310 has dependability at its core.
Redesigned and refreshed for a better experience, the Nokia 6310 is built to last, so you can keep it for longer. With durability at the forefront, this phone has a tough polycarbonate shell, strong enough to take on the knocks and bumps of everyday life.
Adam Ferguson, Head of Product Marketing at HMD Global, the home of Nokia phones, said:“ ‘They don’t make them like they used to’ is a phrase we’ve disowned. We still bring that signature build quality to all our devices. We recently launched the new Nokia XR20, a life-proof smartphone that in my eyes, is a modern day Nokia 3310 in a smartphone and now the Nokia 6310 is back and better than ever.
“For all feature phone lovers, it’s the original and iconic model and whilst its 2.8-inch curved window screen may be new, it still retains its familiar design and functionality. As one of the trailblazers in making mobile go mainstream in 2001, it’s no surprise to see its impact 20 years on. It’s a legacy that the new Nokia 6310 will continue way into the next 20 years.”
Pricing and availability
The Nokia 6310 is available in Ireland now in Black and Yellow priced at €59.99 and available to buy from Nokia.com
Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan TD and Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton TD have today announced the publication of the Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021. The wide-ranging bill set-outs to deliver on key legislative commitments in the Programme for Government, including the creation of a new class of powered personal transporters (PPTs), including e-scooters, and that the Minister will be able to provide for the use of these vehicles in public places under existing regulatory powers.
Charlie Gleeson, CEO and Founder of Zipp Mobility, the Irish micromobility operator headquartered at NovaUCD said, “We welcome today’s announcement by Ministers Ryan and Naughton of the publication of the Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021 which will be introduced into the Dáil in the coming weeks. This is an exciting and long-awaited development which will allow for the regulation of e-scooters and also e-bikes in Ireland.”
“Zipp is currently operating scooter-sharing services in several cities across the UK and Poland and we’re looking forward to introducing our ‘mobility done right’ e-scooter service across Ireland once the new Bill passes into law. Zipp was founded with the objective of bringing sustainable scooter-sharing services to Ireland and we are delighted that we are one step closer to doing this.”
Since its establishment in 2019, Zipp has raised €2.1 million in funding and become a significant player in the European scooter-sharing market with operations in the UK and Poland. The company plans to launch in several Irish cities including Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford once the new Bill is passed into law and the company is also planning to begin operations in Portugal and Spain in early 2022.
Zipp Mobility is Ireland’s leading micromobility provider bringing a more sustainable scooter sharing model to cities in the UK, Ireland and further afield. www.zippmobility.com
Commenting on the Irish government’s decision to legalise the use of e-scooters on public roads today, Steve Pyer, UK & Ireland Country Manager at Spin, said: “We welcome the government’s decision to make e-scooters legal for use in Ireland. Responsible e-scooter programme operators like Spin have shown how e-scooter sharing schemes can be run in a way that promotes safe and responsible use that respects the needs of all road users. With experience of running such projects across the US, the UK and Europe, Spin is ready to help people in towns and cities across Ireland to learn how e-scooter use can bring benefits for them and for the economy in their own localities”.
“Just last month, we organised e-scooter safety demonstration events in both Dublin and Cork where we showed how the latest e-scooter models can be set to sound an alarm once they are illegally ridden on a foot path. The same technology also encourages users to make sure that they park a scooter in a designated area, again through to the use of an audible alarm that sounds until the scooter is parked where it should be”.
“The great opportunity for the roll out of e-scooter services in Ireland is that the authorities here can learn from the best practices in running such services in cities and university campuses across the globe. We look forward to working with our partners in Ireland on bringing the benefits of e-scooter use to as many people as possible across the country”.
Finally the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro are here, the completely redesigned Google phones, are here. My Pixel 5 has been my daily driver since launch date and it actually has shot most of my videos on You Tube and I still use it today and find it hard to put down, it is a year old now and seems to be on the small side compared to newer devices I am using but I am glad to see we have two new options from Google now to play with over the coming weeks, and of course we will have our hands on reviews soon a more in the coming days. Another huge talking point is the new Tensor SoC, Google’s first-ever processor, and shipping with Android 12, both phones are fast, smart, secure and designed to adapt to you.
Pixel 6 is an outstanding all-around phone and it starts at only €649. If you want all the advanced capabilities and upgraded finishes, Pixel 6 Pro is the right phone for you, starting at €899.
Powering the new Pixel lineup is Google Tensor, a mobile system on a chip designed specifically around Google’s industry-leading AI. Google Tensor enables entirely new capabilities for your smartphone, and makes Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro more helpful and more personal.
Distinct design
Pixel has a bold new design this year with a cohesive look across the software on the inside and the hardware on the outside. The first thing you’ll notice is the Camera Bar, giving the phone a clean, symmetrical design that puts the camera front-and-center.
Pixel 6 has a distinctive graphic and vibrant look. The matte black metal band complements the expressive, versatile color options. Pixel 6 Pro was inspired by the finishes you see in luxury jewelry and watches. It’s made with a polished metal unibody and transitions into gorgeous curved glass in colors that complement the metallic frames.
Speaking of color, Android 12 brings a full redesign to the OS, with Material You.
Android 12 on Pixel 6
Android 12 builds on the best features of Android so your phone can really be your phone: It can adapt to you, it’s secure by default and private by design. And Android 12 looks especially stunning on Pixel 6.
When you choose your wallpaper, your entire UI will update to reflect that choice. Everything will feel more responsive and smoother. At a Glance, which shows up on the home and lock screen, has a fresh new look and some new capabilities. Here, you’ll find what you need, right when you need it — like your boarding pass the day of your flight or stats from your current workout.
And Pixel 6 is again the highest rated phone for security. It includes the next generation Titan M2TM, which works with Tensor security core to protect your sensitive user data, PINs and passwords. We’ve also extended our support window to at least five years of security updates, so your phone has the most up-to-date protection.
New Pixel, new camera
Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro have the most advanced cameras we’ve ever built. The entire camera experience is improved from the hardware to Pixel’s revolutionary computational photography.
Both Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro have a new 1/1.3 inch sensor on the back. This primary sensor now captures up to 150% more light (compared to Pixel 5’s primary camera), meaning you’re going to get photos and videos with even greater detail and richer color. Both phones also have completely new ultrawide lenses with larger sensors, so photos look great when you want to fit more in your shot.
Pixel 6 Pro also has an amazing telephoto lens with 4x optical zoom and up to 20x zoom with an improved version of Pixel’s Super Res Zoom. There’s also an upgraded ultrawide front camera that records 4K video. You can make use of that wider front camera in Snapchat’s new ultrawide selfie feature. Plus, for instant Snapchat access, the new Quick Tap to Snap feature is coming exclusively to Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro later this year.
Magic Eraser makes distractions in your photos disappear, just like that. With a few taps in Google Photos, remove strangers and unwanted objects.
Motion Mode features options like Action Pan and Long Exposure, which bring movement to your shots. You can use Action Pan to take photos of your kids riding their scooter or landing crazy skateboarding tricks against a stylish blurred background. Or create beautiful long exposure shots where your subject is moving, like waterfalls or vibrant city scenes.
Another significant advancement in photography across Pixel and Google Photos is Real Tone. Going back decades, cameras have been designed to photograph light skin — a bias that’s crept into many of our modern digital imaging products and algorithms. Our teams have been working directly with photographers, cinematographers and colorists who are celebrated for their beautiful and accurate imagery of communities of color. We asked them to test our cameras and editing tools and provide honest feedback, which helped make our camera and auto enhancement features more equitable.
Smarts and speech
Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro also have improved speech recognition and language understanding models, so it can make everyday tasks easier. For instance, you can now use your voice to quickly type, edit, and send messages with Assistant voice typing in Messages, Gmail and more. Let Google Assistant help with adding punctuation, making corrections, inserting emojis and sending your messages – hands-free.
You might find yourself occasionally trying to decide if you have time to call a business now, or if you should call later to avoid waiting on hold. Now, Wait Times and Direct My Call, available in the U.S. and in English, make that decision easier: Before you even place your call to a toll-free business number, you’ll see the current and expected hour-by-hour Wait Times for the rest of the week.
And when you call the business, Direct My Call helps you get to the right place. Powered by Duplex technology, Google Assistant transcribes the automated message and menu options for you in real-time and displays them on your screen for you to see and tap. For more information about these advancements in calling assistance, please see their blog post.
Finally, Live Translate enables you to message with people in different languages, including English, French, German, Italian and Japanese. It works by detecting whether a message in your chat apps, like WhatsApp or Snapchat, is different from your language, and if so, automatically offers you a translation. All of this detection and processing happens entirely on-device within Private Compute Core, so no data ever leaves the device, and it works even without network connectivity. With support for Interpreter mode, you’ll also be able to take turns translating what is said in up to 48 languages. Activate Assistant and say “Be my interpreter.”
One more thing: When you get an incoming call, just say “accept” or “decline” without having to use “Hey Google” every time by enabling Quick phrases. You can also “stop” and “snooze” alarms and timers.
Google is also launching a new collection of specially designed cases for Pixel 6, so you can protect your phone in style.
Pixel Pass, an easy subscription that delivers the best of Google. Starting at $45 per month for U.S. customers, Pixel Pass gives you a brand new Pixel 6 along with Google One, YouTube Premium and YouTube Music Premium, Google Play Pass and Preferred Care. Pixel Pass with Pixel 6 Pro starts at only $55 per month. After two years, you’ll have the option to upgrade to a new Pixel.
As mentioned earlier stay tuned for more hands on the new devices coming your way…
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.
