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.
Game controllers are popular with gamers these days and also the rise of gaming phones which pack decent specs adding to the gameplay experience but game controllers cost a fraction of the price and enhance the experience too and are generally well received with gamers, not being a huge mobile gamer myself I do from time to time play some games and this has made life easier to game on your mobile and costs just 30 quid.
Coming in a small package this simply sits on the back of your smartphone and is so portable you could carry in your pocket easily it is powered by a battery that uses USB-C to charge it up and will last around 25-30 hours which is not bad and does not mean regular charging for the most.
There is a layer of rubber between the device and the unit itself for some cushioning and two sensors on the top half that rests on your screen, this controller does not have bluetooth like most or a cable to connect which is a bonus too and less to worry about and it is a simple slap it on your phone and play, then you will need to reconfigure the games which can be a bit daunting game dependent but I am no expert gamer so a little learning curve for me but once done the gaming experience changes for the best. On top you have buttons on each side which are tactile and nice to use and you also have some LED lights for status.
The F4 is compatible with all smartphones and will give up to 30 hours of gaming on a single charge. The buttons have been tested to ensure a lifespan of approximately 5 million clicks, The F4’s mechanical set up, you won’t get banned from your favourite game – it uses your physical movements to play your game.
Just Eat has announced that it is recruiting 700 additional couriers as the country enters a period of Level 5 restrictions. The new couriers will support the anticipated growth in online ordering in the period ahead, enabling restaurant owners across the country to deliver their food to more people, in more areas. The demand for couriers of late is on another level with thousands of jobs with the festive season approaching and big logistics firms already looking for hundreds of staff.
The investment in couriers is one of a package of measures developed to support the distressed restaurant sector and to help bring more food to more people throughout the country. Just Eat has also announced that this growing fleet will service expanded delivery areas in some key urban locations where independent restaurants have been most impacted by the latest set of restrictions. In addition, all restaurants that sign up to the platform in the next 2 weeks will enjoy a period of waived commission for their first 30 days on the platform.
The investments announced today build on a series of supports worth €1 million delivered in immediate response to the health crisis over the summer months. The focus by Just Eat has been on helping the traditional, local independent restaurant that wouldn’t previously have offered a delivery service to get online. While not replacing their traditional business model and sit-in offering, it does allow them to stay connected to customers and maintains some proportion of revenue during the period of forced closure.
Focused on reducing costs for those most at risk within the sector, Just Eat continues to help its new and existing restaurant partner base to trade efficiently during these difficult times with real-time business intelligence data providing valuable insights on menu offerings, opening times and geographic range.
Commenting on the announcement Amanda Roche-Kelly, Just Eat Ireland Managing Director said; “2020 has been an incredibly challenging year for everyone, but few have been hit harder than our partners in the restaurant sector, with these latest restrictions bringing huge uncertainty and worry for so many local independent business owners right across Ireland. As the market leader in the food delivery sector, we are committed to supporting our partners in the sector through the crisis which is why we are launching this additional package of support measures.
“For those restaurants who haven’t previously offered a delivery option, or are new to the Just Eat platform, we’re delighted to be in a position to help them get online and remain trading while their sit-in or outdoor dining options remain closed. Through our investment in the recruitment of drivers we’re both expanding our delivery within those key urban areas most impacted, but also our capacity to service the growing demand from our customers – helping our restaurant partners to deliver their much loved food to more and more people during these hugely difficult times.”
Commenting specifically on the plan to recruit 700 couriers Ms Roche-Kelly said: “We are delighted to be in a position to build our courier network at a time when many people have had to temporarily or permanently leave their jobs. We anticipate increased demand during the lockdown period and want to ramp up in order to ensure that we capture all those orders on behalf of our restaurant partners. With the additional fleet we can service more restaurants in more areas – reaching more hungry consumers.
“Anyone who is keen to join the Just Eat courier network as an independent contractor is encouraged to apply at https://couriers.just-eat.ie/application. We look forward to hearing from them.”
Effective immediately, Just Eat has also committed to an extension of the 14-day Courier Relief Payment for those who may become ill or need to self-isolate as a result of the virus. Equivalent to two-thirds of a courier’s average weekly earnings from the past 6 weeks, this Courier Relief Payment can be claimed weekly in addition to the COVID-19 illness benefit made available by the government for workers unable to make a living as a result of the virus.
Just Eat’s highest priority throughout this crisis is to protect the couriers it works with, its customers and restaurant partners. To date, Just Eat Takeaway.com has spent more than €30 million in support for restaurants worldwide and approximately €6 million in support for healthcare workers. The company will continue to explore introducing further support measures in the future, ensuring that its delivery courier network remains open and fully operational.
Chromecast with Google TV is a new affordable streaming device that turns your TV into a smart one that is if you do not already own one as they are popular now and most come by default this way anyway but still you can boost it up with this cool pebble shaped device that now comes with a remote you can talk too like any Google product these days and it works really well and does not require a high speed internet connection either to stream.
This time however if you are familiar with Chromecast you get Google TV thrown in and the UI is great similar to Apple Watch Now and the experience is smooth. This is 4K ready and the picture is fantastic especially if you have a 4K TV and you will see this in the video below how clear this is and it really is a stand out picture and also sports Dolby Vision.
When it comes to the product it is once again a HDMI connection that is hidden behind your TV but still requires its own power source and this is one thing perhaps needs changing going forward.
How it works is that it will base your favourites on your subscription services and kept simple which is great for newcomers to the platform and as mentioned has a really appealing look to it and simple enough to navigate through .You also get recommendations as you would say on You Tube based on what you have watched before, also you can bookmark movies for watching later and you can also continue to watch same as Netflix and this is cool as some services do not offer this.
The real fun though is using the remote control and it works rather well with a simple to use remote nicely designed buttons that are tactile and rather than searching you can just ask your remote and you have to quick launch buttons too for Netflix and You Tube, so that is me sold right there. The Assistant on the remote will also allow you to control your existing Google Devices at home and you can also pair them. You can also use your remote like you would your assistant and again seen in video..
If you have the last version you will ask if this one is worth the punt and the answer simply is yes, I have been a long time user of Chromecast and bring it everywhere with me and this will certainly be replacing the old model.. You can pick this up now for 68.65
10 Things to Know About Chromecast with Google TV
1. Hello, Chromecast with Google TV
The all-new Chromecast with Google TV does everything your favorite Chromecast does and more, with help from the new Google TV experience and Google Assistant. It brings together movies and shows from across your streaming apps and organizes them just for you. It comes in three beautiful colors inspired by real homes: snow, sunrise and sky.
2. New Chromecast design, now with more power
Chromecast keeps its compact and thin design that neatly plugs into your TV’s HDMI port and hides out of sight. Despite its size, Chromecast streams crystal clear movies in up to 4K HDR 60 fps. It also supports Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos to make your watching experience more immersive.
3. Chromecast, now with a remote
Our most requested feature is here. The new voice remote can control your TV or soundbar, change the volume, switch inputs, and more. The dedicated Google Assistant button lets you search your favorite shows, get answers, and more with just your voice. Plus it has dedicated buttons for the two of the most popular streaming services today, YouTube and Netflix.
4. Google TV – Your movies and shows. All in one place
Google TV organizes movies and TV shows from your favorite services into a single place. It’s easy to find what you want to watch across your apps, so you spend less time endlessly scrolling and more time enjoying content. Browse hundreds of thousands of movies and TV episodes through apps like YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, Prime Video and more.
9. Fill your home with music: multi-room audio
You can group Chromecast with other Nest speakers and displays in order to play synchronized music in multiple rooms. It works with your favorite audio apps, including YouTube Music, Spotify, and more. You can easily set up a speaker group in the Home app.
10. Relive your memories with Google Photos
Enjoy a slideshow of your pictures from your Google Photos library right on your TV when your Chromecast is not being used or simply ask, “Hey Google, show my photos from Hawaii”.
5. Find your next favorite. Based on your favorites.
Get personal recommendations based on what you’ve watched and what interests you, from across your subscriptions and content available to you. All you have to do is ask the Google Assistant, “What should I watch” to get a list of popular movies and shows. Google TV’s Watchlist lets you bookmark movies and shows you want to save for later.
6. Do more on your TV. Just ask Google.
Ask for a specific title or search by mood, genre, actor, and more. Just press and hold the Google Assistant button and say:
Show me sci-fi movies
Dim the lights
Show me the front door
Set thermostat to 18
7. Made with the environment in mind
Chromecast breathes life into existing TVs and is designed with recycled materials, it helps keep waste out of landfills. And 49% of its plastic mechanical parts are made with recycled plastic, so you can feel good about watching TV.
8. The Chromecast features you love
From the small screen to the big screen. Cast from thousands of compatible Android and iOS apps directly from your phone, laptop or tablet And mirror your Chrome browser tab to your TV, just look for the Cast icon in compatible apps.
The Edifier K815 over-ear headphones have been professionally developed to be used for online activity, including home working and educational purposes and they do this with simplicity in mind too with no buttons on the headset itself. Ideal for the likes of Zoom and Teams etc this headset is lightweight and also what I like has some bass built in although you can fine tune some more through your EQ on the desired device you might use, this is not limited to just laptops or your pc either you can plug into your smartphone or tablet if you have an adapter at hand too which makes it more versatile.
The headset is light a made with plastic with a gloss looking finish with a retractable mic and really soft padding on the cups which makes them a real comfortable experience even for long periods of use plus they do not clamp onto your head either and even testing for several hours on my end they did not sweat the ears either so overall a great experience to be had.
Using for music is also acceptable here with really nice bass to be found given they are not targeted for music they can be used in this manner and sound pretty good overall and can be use in tandem with work and a personal capacity and a great listening experience is possible, there is no music controls on the headset however you can either use your PC/Laptop or mobile to manually change tracks and so on…
Main Features:
Professionally developed for online learning with detachable, 120° adjustable, noise-cancelling microphone.
Highly tuned sound pressure levels to protect the user’s hearing.
The large black voice coil diaphragm unit delivering outstanding sounds.
Independent external sound cards and shielded wires with large magnetic rings for crystal clear and uninterrupted communications.
Adjustable headbands for comfortable fit.
3.5mm jack connection.
Edifier sent us these to review with no compensation or copy approval and are seeing this review the same time as you.
The Edifier K815 is available for £44.95 on Amazon:
The Pamu slide mini are the second pair on offer from their well received OG pair which today still serve me well and are a worthy purchase and a solid performer considering the price and they also came in a first I have seen with a case that offers wireless charging for your phone too which was a neat touch and not seen since from me from any other, there is charging cases with many TWS earbuds but none that offer wireless charging.
To keep this short these are pretty much identical to the previous pair and you can read that review HERE and they still deliver as a whole coming in cheaper and the fit on these again is great and something I liked from the OG and the design which again remains the same and the difference being a smaller case yet offering wireless charging for the earbuds but none for your smartphone etc.
Most companies will need to transport large sets of data at some point in their lifetimes. Whether you are upgrading your storage hardware or replacing a database, you will need to employ a reliable set of data migration tools to get the job done. But if you’re new to this sort of job, finding the right tools can be difficult. In our latest blog post, we’re offering a comprehensive guide to data migration as well as tips for finding the right tools for your organization.
We will review:
The basics of data migration
Different tools your company can use for data migration
Challenges and risks of data migration
Tips for successfully planning your data migration
Let’s get started!
What is Data Migration?
Data migration is a key focus for data storage professionals.
So, what is data migration exactly? The concept is actually quite simple. Data migration is the process of transferring data from one storage location to another. During this process, a company must prepare, extract, and even transform the data. Not to be confused with data replication, which occurs when someone copies data from one platform before sending it to another, data migration can be a long and tedious process.
Purpose of Data Migration Projects
There are a number of different reasons why a company needs to invest in a data migration project. They might be upgrading a server or launching a new application. If they acquired another company, they will need to transfer the data from the old company into their current one. Some other common types of data migrations include:
Performing storage migration for a technology refresh
Moving a database into cloud storage or some other platform
Transitioning data between different applications after switching software platforms
While transferring the data, the company wants to complete the process with no data loss. When possible, it will also want to minimise the amount of data that requires manipulation or recreation.
Data Migrations Tools Your Company Might Use
Self-scripted, on-premises, cloud-based, and more services can be used for data migration.
Data migration tools are not all built the same. There are a number of different data migration tools you can use to successfully complete your project. Smaller companies might prefer to use a self-scripted, “do-it-yourself” tool while larger ones might require extra assistance for developing a cloud-based program. The three main types of data migration tools include:
Self-scripted programs
On-premises tools
Cloud-based sources
Understanding the basics of these programs as well as the needs of your organisation can help you pick the right tools for your company. Make sure you weigh the key points of these programs against the key goals of the data migration project you’re organising. Another great tool you could use is Sharegate’s teams migration tool.
Self-scripted Programs
Self-scripted programs are best suited for small data migration projects. They are great for companies in need of a quick fix or who have a source-destination that isn’t supported by other tools. They also tend to be cheaper than the other programs listed.
However, you will need someone on your team with coding skills if you want to use a self-scripted program. Because your company’s need will be constantly changing, the increase in cost for using these self-scripted programs can seriously add up over time.
On-premises Tools
Certain compliance requirements prevent businesses from using cloud-based solutions for data migration. As a result, they turn to on-premises tools. On-premises programs are great for IT teams that can handle their management and upkeep.
Cloud-based Sources
If you have multiple destinations for your data, a cloud-based program might be the best fit for you. Cloud-based solutions are great for companies that need to scale up or down. If you are managing a geographically dispersed team, cloud-based programs are great for helping everyone stay in the loop.
Some people do have concerns over the security that cloud-based sources offer. As a result, you might need to take extra steps in ensuring the safety and security of your chosen program.
Challenges and Risks of Data Migration
Businesses rely on properly-run data management projects for the success of their overall operations.
Data migration does come with its own challenges and risks. You might be faced with data loss or compatibility issues that impede the process of your data migration. Poorly run projects can also cause your company to lose money in the long-run.
That’s why it’s crucial to select a tool that can handle the needs of your organization. Some companies try to save money by completing the process in-house. But if they don’t have enough time and resources to give their team to complete the migration, they are at risk of setting themselves up for failure. If necessary, you might need to recruit some outside help for planning the migration.
How to Build the Right Data Migration Strategy for Your Company
Make sure you find the right tools for your company.
When building a data migration strategy, you need to consider your company’s budget and unique needs. In general, you should include enough money in your budget to hire data migration consultants, this might mean you need financing through means likerevenue based loans. Planning out the strategy with these consultants can help set your organisation up for success. Make sure you consult with the end-users of this project as well. They might need help with understanding and managing the data.
If you’re planning a data migration project for your organisation, you need to find the right tools to help you pull it off. Some companies prefer to perform this process in-house, if for example they are preparing to move to an open banking system to help with finances. Others need extra assistance for such a large job. Whatever you decide, you need to review the basics of data migration. Familiarising yourself with them can help you find the right tools and expert assistance for your company.
DxO, a software developer that has developed a reputation in the photography industry and one of the global leaders in image processing technology, is announcing the immediate release of DxO DeepPRIME, an artificial intelligence technology dedicated to editing photos in RAW format. Trained with deep learning technology using the millions of photos DxO’s laboratories have analysed for more than 15 years, DxO DeepPRIME employs cutting-edge artificial intelligence and drastically improves digital noise reduction while also delivering more effective demosaicing. The resulting photo quality is spectacular, especially for photos taken in low light conditions, with small pixels, or with early-generation cameras.
“We’ve always thought that nothing could extract pertinent information from a noisy image better than the human brain,” explained Wolf Hauser, Scientific Director at DxO. “It is fascinating to see that AI is now even better at the job!”
DxO DeepPRIME: State-of-the-art Neural Networks
DxO DeepPRIME AI belongs to a class of neural networks call convolutional neural networks, the structure of which is directly inspired by neuroscientific research on the human brain. The computer is allowed to determine the values of millions of parameters within the network, hence the term automatic learning, based on a vast database of carefully chosen input and output example images.
DxO DeepPRIME is Trained Using a One-of-a-kind Database of Calibration Images
Since its founding in 2003, DxO has earned an international reputation after measuring and calibrating hundreds of cameras and thousands of lenses using a protocol that is more extensive than any other in the industry. Its laboratories have measured the amount of distortion, vignetting, chromatic aberrations, loss of sharpness, and digital noise present in RAW images for each equipment combination and every situation with an extraordinary level of precision. Such in-depth knowledge of the performance and defects of each piece of photography equipment, which now totals to more than 60,000 different combinations, has resulted in a database of several million thoroughly calibrated images, each one containing several thousands of characteristic points. This database ultimately provided the DxO DeepPRIME network with several billion samples to learn from.
Revolutionary Denoising and Demosaicing Performance
Based on these billions of datasets, the DxO DeepPRIME artificial intelligence technology taught itself the two fundamental operations for editing any RAW image file—demosaicing and denoising.
Demosaicing consists of recreating complete colours based on the pixels from a photo sensor that initially only receive one of three basic colours. Denoising involves correcting digital noise, which produces granulation and coloured dots that significantly degrade the quality of photos taken in low-light conditions. Using a traditional approach, these two operations are performed separately, with each one introducing artifacts that degrade the quality of the other. Through deep learning, DxO DeepPRIME uses a holistic approach that combines demosaicing and denoising in the same step, resulting in exceptional performance.
“There are a number of applications for DxO DeepPRIME,” explains Jérôme Ménière, CEO of DxO. “In the field of photography, DxO DeepPRIME creates new creative opportunities by helping expert photographers overcome digital noise or a lack of light. For amateur photographers, DxO DeepPRIME compensates the drawbacks of the smaller sensors on compact and bridge cameras, which can typically only take high-quality images in bright light. Lastly, it can also be used to breathe new life into photos taken by early-generation digital cameras.”
In addition to photography for the general public, DxO is also exploring ways to apply DxO DeepPRIME in the medical, surveillance, and automotive industry.
Availability
DxO DeepPRIME is immediately available to the general public through DxO PhotoLab 4, the latest version of DxO’s advanced photo-editing software that was announced today. A fully functional, one-month trial version of DxO PhotoLab 4 is available on the DxO website: https://www.dxo.com/dxo-photolab/download/.
As we go back into a complicated world of local lockdowns, households will find themselves increasingly relying on their digital devices for work and leisure. That’s why Dropbox has created a new plan specifically adapted for families, making it easy and safe to share content and manage passwords.
A recent study by Ofcom found that adults in the UK had become glued to their devices for more than 40 per cent of the waking day due to lockdown, highlighting the relevance of Dropbox’s family plan, which will enable six users to stay connected in one virtual family room, with 2,000 GB of space to share photos, videos, and even Google Docs.
Key features:
· The great digital declutter
o On the family plan, everyone has their own separate account for personal files, but everything can easily be shared with other family members
o You can also back up all of your Facebook photo libraries in a few clicks
· Dropbox Passwords
o Netflix, Amazon Spotify and Asos, on the family plan, all members can securely store their passwords with zero-knowledge encryption to ensure that all members and their devices are protected
· Dropbox Vault
o For your sensitive files, like bank statements or identity documents, Dropbox Vault provides an additional layer of security. You can also select one member of your family to access your vault in an emergency
· Computer backup
o Forget the worries of hard drive crashes or the hassle of manual data transfer, the computer backup feature automatically syncs documents on your devices into your Dropbox folder.
The service will cost £16.99 per month (£13.99 when you sign up to an annual subscription) and will offer something new and unique to families. Not everyone wants to jump on the social media gravy train and Dropbox has finally found a way to share and communicate digitally without the additional pressure or feeling of being on a digital stage.
A new study from PayPal reveals that one in four Irish consumers used or bought online services for the first time during the pandemic. Furthermore, some 76% bought products online during this period.
The study, conducted by Ipsos and involving 2,000 consumers in Ireland, found that a third (33%) of people plan to buy more products or services online going forward, compared to before COVID-19. Over half (51%) said they can buy everything online without any issues.
In terms of the most popular services purchased by Irish consumers, call/video call services took the top spot, followed by video on-demand subscriptions and music subscriptions. The most popular online product purchased during lockdown was clothing/shoes/accessories.
Some 86% of Irish consumers found benefits to buying online during the COVID-19 crisis. Home delivery availability was cited as the biggest advantage with almost two thirds (64%) of respondents selecting it. More than half (59%) cited no queues as a main benefit.
Access to shops and products from home and online being the only option to get the desired products were also among the top benefits, each being cited by 39% of people. Meanwhile, 21% of respondents said payment security was a main advantage.
Moreover, the survey found that a 59% of Irish consumers purchased something from abroad since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Maeve Dorman, VP Merchant Operations, PayPal EMEA
Maeve Dorman, VP Merchant Operations, PayPal EMEA, said: “Understandably, there has been a huge shift toward online purchasing in recent months, and our research shows that this will be a permanent change for a lot of people in Ireland. Digital has become the new normal for buying both goods and, increasingly, services – as well as many consumers buying online for the first time, there are those who have completely changed their behaviours when it comes to purchasing as a result of the pandemic.
“COVID-19 has clearly accelerated the evolution of commerce in Ireland, with people turning to online shopping and digital payments rather than the traditional cash and in-store experience. As a result of this growing preference for the convenience associated with online purchasing, many are also buying from international sellers.
“Irish businesses need to step up and ensure that they are able to deliver an online offering equipped with a simple checkout process and secure payment options, otherwise they will fail to capitalise on the opportunity during what is already an extremely challenging time. Having a digital platform is more important than ever in order to meet the growing domestic need for online access to products and services, and future-proof businesses by attracting building trust among existing and new customers. It also opens up a huge global opportunity for Irish businesses to grow at this time.”
