Jim O Brien/CEO - techbuzzireland.com

Back to school/college gadgets and accessories. #BackToSchool #Tech

It is back to school/college time again and time to check out new gadgets that are affordable for doing so, with tech being used more today in both school and college here is a few items that might tickle your fancy that are affordable and ideal for your needs.

Groov-e Kidz wireless headphones

Price: £24.99

Available from: Groov-e, Currys, Amazon, Tesco

The Groov-e Kidz Bluetooth headphones are suited for use with all devices, these headphones even include a built-in audio-sharing port so siblings/friends can enjoy watching/listening at the same time. Ideal for homework, remote learning or watching educational videos as well as group learning projects. The Kidz headphones offer up to 7.5 hours wireless playtime however the optional 3.5mm headphone jack means they can continue to be used for even longer. Available in blue or pink.

Groov-e Light Curve

Price: £39.99

Available from: Argos, Amazon

If getting them to go to sleep at night or get up in the morning is a hassle after the summer holidays, Groov-e Light Curve can help you get them back into a good sleep pattern.

The Light Curve is an alarm and radio with additional sunrise and sunset simulation functions and mood lighting options. The light, which mimics natural daylight, will come on at the selected time, starting off gently and gradually getting brighter until it’s at the optimum level to help rouse sleepy-heads up.

If they have trouble going to sleep, the sunset stimulation mimics the end of the daylight, helping them ease into a relaxing light as they head into slumber.

If they like to read in bed or don’t like to sleep in full darkness, the Light Curve has 10 levels of brightness using its LED lamp. One of the seven coloured mood lighting options can be selected.

Twelve South Compass Pro
Price: £54.99
Available from Amazon, Very

This sturdy, all-metal folding stand from Twelve South allows creative students to use iPad Pro in three different ways while on the move – ideal for college and university students.

Flipping down the secondary leg turns it into typing/sketching mode – ideal for sketching with Apple Pencil.

Using Compass Pro in portrait mode is ideal for students who use video for study and leisure.

Alternatively Compass Pro can be combined with a wireless keyboard desktop mode to use iPad Pro as a screen – perfect for use in classrooms, libraries, cafes and more.

Groov-e Apollo wireless charger, speaker and desk lamp

Price: £29.99

Available from Argos, Currys, Amazon

The Apollo lamp is a firm favourite for uni students and secondary school pupils, as not only does it serve as a desk lamp with three different light settings, it is also a wireless charging platform for smartphones. What’s more, it even has a built-in Bluetooth speaker so they can listen to their favourite tunes while studying/doing homework! Available in black or white.

Twelve South HoverBar Duo
Price: £79
Available from Amazon, Very

HoverBar Duo is an adjustable iPad and iPhone holder that allows you to position the devices in new ways. Ideal for students who are also streamers/vloggers, podcasters and influencers, the flexible arm has a clamp on the end so it can be attached to a number of different surfaces, allowing creators to position their gadgets at eye level height for recording.

HoverBar Duo is also ideal for teens and students to watch their favourite shows in their bedroom and for remote/online learning and lectures.

The adjustability of the HoverBar Duo also means that students could position their iPad right next to their iMac, external monitor or MacBook to serve as a second, or even third display. Even better, add a wireless keyboard and mouse to create a super comfortable mini desktop setup ideal for studying.

Evernote
Price: Basic (free), Premium (£4.99 per month), Business (£10.99 per month)
Available from: Apple App Store or Google Play

Evernote automatically saves notes online and makes them available on all devices so you can access them anywhere, anytime. Ideal for students who do a mix of online and in-person studying or like a change of scenery.

The document scanning function is also useful for copying from text books and the Search Handwriting feature identifies words in handwritten pieces.

F-Secure FREEDOME VPN

From just £2.08 per month

Available from F-Secure

Essential for students planning to study from cafes or anywhere with public WiFi; F-Secure FREEDOME is an intuitive online privacy and security VPN that lets you stay invisible to online trackers, protects data on public Wi-Fi and changes virtual location. FREEDOME now automatically activates when the app detects a user’s phone connecting to a public network.

In addition to typical VPN capabilities, FREEDOME supports browsing protection, anti-phishing, anti-tracking and Tracker Mapper, protecting users from harmful sites, trackers and apps that want to forward personal data without you knowing about it.

Pocketalk S

Price: £249
Available from Amazon

The Pocketalk S language translator is perfect for students who are taking their studies abroad. It can translate 82 languages bi-directionally at the touch of a button and has a text-to-translate camera which instantly recognises and translates text, the written word and signs – ideal if you need help reading menus or are trying to find your way around a new city. By utilising the best translation engines from around the world, Pocketalk S provides consistently accurate translation and creates the best experience by picking up localised dialects and slang. It also comes with a complementary 2-year mobile data plan that provides coverage in over 130 countries/regions so you don’t need to rely on Wi-Fi or Roaming data.

DIESEL Launches New Wireless Earbuds With Telecom Lifestyle Fashion

Telecom Lifestyle Fashion (TLF), the licensing specialist owned by STRAX AB, has partnered with the Italian fashion brand Diesel, to launch a brand-new set of wireless headphones and enter the highly competitive market

Called the Diesel True Wireless earbuds, the devices provide for a stylish, enhanced way of listening to music and taking phone calls on the go. With bold hues and premium sound quality, the partnership will launch in August 2021. Both black and red colour variations—all with silver logo details – will be available worldwide across multiple distribution channels, including diesel.com, Amazon, and recognised fashion, telecom and electronics retailers.

Diesel TWS have a total battery life and playback time of 32 hours (their case double-functions as a charging portal). LED lights indicate the remaining power supply. The multi-functional button on the earbuds allows for a seamless switch between music and answering and ending phone calls.

The case is compatible with wireless charging, and the earbuds function on Bluetooth 5.0. In order to optimise mobility, the earbuds are sweat and splash-resistant, and they are equipped with voice assist. As noted, the case and earbuds are finished with a silver-coloured metallic Diesel logo.

“Diesel is a globally recognised fashion brand with a distinct identity and a demographically diverse fanbase. We are excited to launch mobile tech accessories under the Diesel brand and we have no doubt we will see strong demand,” says Morsin Otmani, CEO & Co-Founder at Telecom Lifestyle Fashion.

Otter assistant now available for Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and Cisco Webex. #OtterAssistant

Today Otter.ai announced the launch of Otter Assistant for Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and Cisco Webex for Otter Business Plan users. After an initial one-time user permission, Otter Assistant automatically joins calendared meetings to record, take notes, and share transcripts with meeting participants so users can focus on collaborating and connecting in meetings knowing Otter is automatically transcribing it, or they can skip meetings altogether and catch up on notes afterward.

Otter.ai launched Otter Assistant for Zoom in May and now by expanding the frictionless experience of Otter Assistant to professionals also using Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and Cisco Webex users do not have to worry about what video platform they use, or if their meetings are transcribed and shared, or where their notes are stored—Otter Assistant has you covered with notes stored, accessible, and searchable all in one central place.

“With more companies adapting to a hybrid work model where professionals work and take meetings in-office, at home, and on mobile, many are looking to Otter as a tool to improve team communication and collaboration,” says Sam Liang, co-founder & CEO of Otter.ai. “We’re excited to make using Otter even easier and more accessible no matter where or how people conduct and participate in meetings.”

Otter Assistant is the AI note-taking tool that does not require a complicated setup process, seamlessly integrating with the user’s calendar so that it joins meetings on time even if you’re running late or can’t make the meeting. During the meeting, it will generate real-time, secure, shareable, and searchable notes and audio recordings with industry-leading accuracy. Users can highlight, add images, comments or questions, search by keywords or name, and review the transcript and audio during and after the meeting, empowering professionals to be more productive and engaged in meetings without the stress of trying to accurately capture and document information.

Users can access all of their notes, regardless of video conferencing platform, through Otter.ai’s web app or mobile apps on iOS and Android.

Otter Business starts as low as $20 per user per month and includes:

Otter Assistant to automatically join, record, and share meeting notes
Real-time annotation features to add highlights, comments, and images
Custom vocabulary for names, jargon, and acronyms within teams
Shared speaker identification across the Otter Business team
Advanced search and multiple export options
Centralized data & billing
Two-factor authentication (US & Canada)

Creative Launches the Chat USB, the Ideal WFH Audio Companion

Creative Technology today announced the launch of the Creative Chat USB, a convenient USB-C on-ear headset that is fit for all-day audio enjoyment and works even better for conference calls. The latest headset comes with a built-in noise-cancelling boom mic and swivel-to-mute function along with SmartComms Kit’s auto-mute and two-way noise cancellation features that make online calls a breeze for users. From webinar presentations to conference calls, the Creative Chat USB offers quality audio and effective noise-cancelling capabilities that works to prioritize voice pickup over unwanted background noises, so users can truly focus on what matters most, the conversation.

With a simple plug-and-play setup, users can be ever-ready for any conference call with the Creative Chat USB.

Built with a pair of 40 mm Neodymium drivers, the Creative Chat USB has been intricately designed to deliver excellent audio performance that precedes its price by offering a much bigger audio bang for the buck. So, be it for work calls or entertainment, users can expect nothing but high-quality and crystal-clear audio playback all day.

The Creative Chat USB is also easy to set up with convenient compatibility across various popular conference apps such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams. Coupled with nifty smart features and improved call quality, the Creative Chat USB has all the makings of the perfect audio companion for any online calls.

Pricing and Availability

Creative Chat USB is attractively priced at £44.99, $49.99 in the US and €49.99 in Europe and is available at Creative.com.

For more information, visit creative.com/chatusb.

Best All-in-one Video Conferencing Solutions

General speaking, managers and business owners will understand the importance of having efficient, cost-efficient communication within the company as well as with outside parties. Employees need to work together to achieve the same goal in an increasingly competitive business world.

Collaboration between different departments should be encouraged and incorporated into every company’s corporate culture. Therefore, it is important for businesses to have the best possible video conferencing equipment.

However, budget constraints mean that communication and collaboration costs among your team members should be kept as low as possible. Your company should have a clear, efficient, and cost-effective communication system, regardless of whether your employees work remotely or in other offices.

If you are looking for integrated web conferencing capabilities? Below is a list of some of the most advanced video conferencing hardware from Joyusing, including audio, speakerphone and video. They can be integrated into meeting rooms and are easy to use because they are intended to function together.

Joyusing Video Conferencing Equipment: video conference camera

Joyusing is a well-known brand in the teleconferencing hardware industry, because of its innovative designs and creation of high-quality audio-visual systems for teleconferencing.

H210 Video Conference Camera

H210 is a kind of our latest video conferencing equipment, integrating with HD camera, microphone, speaker, and DSP (digital signal processing) chip together. With compact & portable design, easy to install, fast to setup, H210 is ideal for small video conferencing. Compatible with to Windows7/8/10, Android, Apple and many different operating systems, supporting ZOOM, SKYPE, Microsoft Team, Meet, GoToMeeting, Cisco, etc.

1080p HD camera,microphone,speaker, DSP chip
3M pickup radius, 90° horizontal field of view
Intuitive plug-and-play USB, easy and fast setup
Owing to DSP, purifying the background noise greatly is feasible

The hardware is specifically designed for conferencing. It can be used for online meetings and video conferencing. This web conferencing solution is compact and easy to use. Its compact design doesn’t affect its performance.

Although many companies will place more importance on form than function, it is a good idea to have a video conference camera that can do both. This all-in-one solution for video conferencing includes a 90-degree camera, built-in omnidirectional microphone and a speaker. It allows businesses to hold online video conferencing meetings in anywhere you want.

Joyusing Video Conferencing Equipment: Webcam

The above video conferencing solutions combine audio and video into one system. However, some companies need a dedicated video capability to use in their conference rooms.

N1088 Webcam

Each conference room has its own dimensions and is unique. If your conference room requires a budget 4k webcam, you can take Joyusing N1088 into your consideration. The N1088 is a 4K Ultra HD auto focus webcam with a built-in noise reduction microphone for professional video and audio. Benefit from the latest developed six layers of high-gloss optical glass, the webcam works out a resolution of 3840*2160. The device supports full HD video communication without latency, allowing you to enjoy hassle-free communication.

Ultra HD 4K image sensor
Built-in noise-cancelling microphone
Premium autofocus function
90° diagonal field of view
Compatible with Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 8,
Windows 10, Linux, Mac OS , Chrome, Android

Joyusing Video Conferencing Equipment: Speakerphone

If you need dedicated speakerphone hardware to use with Zoom (or your other video conferencing software of choice), below is the Joyusing hot sale and the best video conferencing microphones on the market. The microphone is compatible with many web-based conferencing software. It produces high-quality audio for your audiences, so your online meetings will not be interrupted by poor sound quality.

CS16 USB Conferencing speakerphone

This high-quality online speakerphone is ideal for meeting with clients. As a professional-grade USB conference speakerphone, CS16 supports Bluetooth and 2.4G

wireless. It is born with powerful functions and user-friendly designs. With built-in 4 microphone arrays and a acquisition distance of 5 meters (16ft), it is ideal for small and medium-sized meeting rooms. Instant set-up by using the 3 meters USB cable to connect to the video conferencing terminal. With an optional extended microphone, the conversation area can be expanded to a radius of 7meters (23ft).

48K ultra-wide-band enhance voice pickup with real-time echo cancellation
Universal compatibility to various software video conferencing and network conferencing
Applicable for online meetings up to 15 attendees in an area up to 40m
Perfect standby time and portability for conference in any scenarios
Intelligent mixing microphone and dynamic noise suppression deliver quality conversation.

Conclusion

From all above, you may have a basic understanding of industry-leading video conferencing software with high-quality hardware, you can improve the communication experience for your employees and consultants. The all-in-one conferencing solution is ideal for businesses that needs a complete online meeting solution. If you need audio or video, you can choose the speakerphone or video camera hardware listed in this article. Every business can find the right product for their needs in the video conference equipment market.

First look – Google Nest Doorbell. #Google #NestDoorbell

The all new Google Nest doorbell has arrived and is now going to be part of my new home security set up, having a wireless system makes more sense these days and the technology has improved hugely over the last few years as I have been using wireless security cameras in my home and having one ecosystem makes more sense rather than several mixed in together and it also cause clutter with extra hubs and so on.. The new offering from Google is of course wireless and easy to install too and can easily replace your existing system at home with less hassle especially if you have a wired set up that does limit the abilities and flexibility of the products.

Check out the unboxing and first look whilst we check this out over the coming weeks and we will have footage and more on this and the new nest cam too. Any questions you know what to do..

BUY

First look – New Indoor and Outdoor Google nest cam. #Google #Security #Nestcam

Google recently announced some new products and these are most welcome in my book, I am a keen Google product user and this makes thing much more seamless for me all round, as a keen security fan I have many security cameras in my home and will now be moving completely over to the Google platform with the new products.

The new next cam can be used indoors and outdoors and it operates via battery rather than being wired which is a nuisance today and limits the product portability factor for me, not that there is anything wrong with wired cameras but wireless in 2021 should be the thing same as USB-C and hopefully all future smartwatches.

Today we check out the new camera with a quick unboxing and tour of the device and we will have a full review in the coming weeks with footage from the camera and everything else that goes with it so stay tuned for that..

You can buy today from Google

Essential travel gadgets for your next trip

Following the loosening of travel restrictions, airlines and tour operators have reported a surge in ticket sales. Although some people remain cautious due to the possibility of last minute changes to the traffic-light status, Eurostar has seen an increase in bookings to several European countries including France, Germany, Austria and Norway. EasyJet has also reported an increase in bookings to the Balearics and Canary Islands, Italy, Greece and Portugal since the government’s announcement.

Whether trying to make the most of the last few weeks of the summer holidays, fit in a short break, book a getaway for later this year or even 2022, or find the perfect Christmas gift for travel mad friends and family, here are eight helpful gadgets that will make that long awaited trip even more relaxing and enjoyable.

Pocketalk S

Price: £249

Available from www.amazon.co.uk

The Pocketalk S language translator is the perfect travel companion. It can translate 82 languages bi-directionally at the touch of a button and has a text-to-translate camera which instantly recognises and translates text, the written word and signs – ideal if you need help reading menus or are trying to find your way around a new city. By utilising the best translation engines from around the world, Pocketalk S provides consistently accurate translation and creates the best experience by picking up localised dialects and slang. It also comes with a complementary 2-year mobile data plan that provides coverage in over 130 countries/regions so you don’t need to rely on Wi-Fi.

Groov-e Kidz Headphones

Price: £24.99

Available from: www.groov-e.co.uk

For long car or plane journeys headphones for the tablet or phone are essential. These Bluetooth headphones provide a great listening experience without the kids getting caught up in the wires. Suitable for all Bluetooth-enabled audio/video devices including smartphone, tablet, laptop and portable DVD the Kidz offer up to 7.5 playtime plus an optional 3.5 mm headphone jack means they can continue to be used even when the battery dies. The comfortable fit means that kids will gladly wear them for them whilst they catch up on YouTube. Available in bold blue or vibrant pink.

Groov-e Wave ll

Price: £19.99

Available from: www.groov-e.co.uk

Proving big sound comes in small packages the Wave II Bluetooth speaker means compromising on power for portability is a thing of the past. Ideal to take camping or to have for around the pool, the Wave II boasts a powerful spec in a compact size. The 6W speaker combined with an eight-hour playtime means the tunes will play all day. A handy carabiner clip means you can attach the Wave II to your tent, clothes, belt or bag knowing it will securely stay in place. There’s no need to panic if a spontaneous water fight breaks out as the Wave II is IPX4 water resistant or in simple terms: splash proof.

Groov-e Wireless Charger

Price: £24.99

Available from: www.groove.co.uk

Keep your gadgets charged wherever your travels take you with this wireless charging power bank from Groov-e. You have the option of wireless charging or USB and USB Type-C output so most phones, tablets, e-readers and cameras are covered. The 8000 mAH capacity offers multiple device charges.

Twelve South AirFly Pro

£49.99

Available from www.amazon.co.uk

A must have if you’re flying somewhere, the AirFly Pro is a Bluetooth adaptor that allows AirPods or other wireless headphones to be used in situations where only wired headphone jacks are available i.e. with the inflight entertainment system. Having to use the uncomfortable wired headphones airlines provide is now a thing of the past as AirFly Pro will allow up-to two users to easily connect their wireless headphones via Bluetooth, to the media system.

Twelve South Compass Pro

Price: £49.99

Available from www.amazon.co.uk

This sturdy, all-metal folding stand from Twelve South allows you to use iPad Pro more creatively while on the move. Use it to dock iPad Pro on your tray table on planes and trains so you can comfortably enjoy TV shows, movies and games. Compact and lightweight, it folds away for easy transportation.

Twelve South PlugBug Duo

Price: £49.99

Available from www.amazon.co.uk

Simple yet incredibly practical, PlugBug Duo keeps USB-powered devices charged in more than 150 countries. It also adds two USB ports to a MacBook Power adapter so users can charge three devices at once. With PlugBug Duo, users can keep all their devices charged, wherever they may roam.

Twelve South BookBook for Kindle Paperwhite
Price: £49.99
Available from www.amazon.co.uk

The BookBook for Kindle Paperwhite is a vintage inspired, one-of-a-kind case designed to protect Amazon’s latest e-reader. Enhancing the joy of reading, BookBook transforms the Kindle Paperwhite into what looks and feels like an elegant, leather-bound hardcover book. Made from hand-distressed, genuine leather which is different and unique on every BookBook, the case even features an integrated folding kickstand that props up the Kindle Paperwhite for hands-free reading on trains, planes or by the pool.

Dell unveils new portable and video conferencing monitors to support those working from home. #Dell #WFH

Dell has today announced three new additions to its monitor line: the Dell 14 Portable Monitor (C1422H) and the Dell 24 and 27 Video Conferencing Monitors (S2422HZ and S2722DZ).

Dell 14 Portable Monitor

Built to be the ultimate laptop companion, Dell’s first ever 14” portable monitor delivers dual-screen productivity to work, present and collaborate anywhere. For professionals working in the office, at home or on the go, users will appreciate the monitor’s lightweight design, weighing less than a pound and a half and less than a quarter-inch thick at its slimmest, making it extremely easy to travel with. Featuring FHD resolution, 16:9 aspect ratio with IPS technology, this monitor offers easy plug and play with USB-C connectivity. Simply press the quick access buttons to adjust brightness (up to 300 nits) and ComfortView feature that reduces harmful blue light emissions.

The sleek yet practical design complements all workstyles and productivity demands with a small continuous tilt stand that bends from 10 to 90 degrees. It also features Energy Star and EPEAT GOLD certification.

Dell 24 and 27 Video Conferencing Monitor

Hanging out virtually with friends, family and co-workers has never been easier with the new 27-inch QHD / 23.8-inch FHD monitors made for video calls. For an easy out-of-box experience, these monitors come with a built-in 5MP privacy pop-up camera, noise-cancelling microphones and dual 5W speakers. The pop-up camera stays hidden until users are ready for video chatting, plus you’ll enjoy amazing video clarity and crystal-clear sound.

These beautifully designed monitors feature Dell’s TÜV-certified ComfortView Plus – an always-on low blue light reduction technology that optimizes eye comfort while retaining color accuracy. Other features include the convenience of USB-C connectivity, AMD FreeSync technology and 75Hz refresh rate for leisure gaming.

Pricing and availability

The Dell 14 Portable Monitor will be available worldwide from August 31^st, starting at €230 ex. VAT.
The Dell 24 Video Conferencing Monitor will be available worldwide from October 1^st, 2021, with pricing to announced upon release.
The Dell 27 Video Conferencing Monitor will be available worldwide from October 1^st, 2021, with pricing to announced upon release.

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: