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.
The Zenfone 7 Pro has landed and by all means packs some mighty specks and also sports 5G however the flip camera is one thing people are interested in and a different take than your typical punch hole in display camera and is very James Bondish if you will. Under the hood though this device packs some power too which is important and sports a 5000 mAh battery with quick charge, a 6.67-inch all-screen 90 Hz / 1 ms AMOLED NanoEdge notchless display has a Delta-E < 1 colour accuracy, delivering ultra smooth visuals and stunning colour fidelity. The display also supports HDR10+ for true-to-life visuals. ZenFone 7 Pro is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Plus 5G Mobile Platform, providing users with premium performance and blazing-fast connection speeds via 5G connectivity.
The Flip Camera with a triple front and rear camera system, which includes a 64 MP Sony IMX686 wide-angle main camera, a Sony IMX363 ultrawide-angle camera, and a telephoto camera. Both the wide-angle and ultrawide-angle cameras support optical image stabilisation which provides optimal focusing and blur-free photos and videos. ZenFone 7 can record up to 8K video and include professional-level video-recording features such as HyperSteady, Wind Filter and Mic Focus.
Any questions hit us up whilst we test this beast out and stay tuned for more cool handsets and more REAL hands on tech reviews.
If you are working as a freelance graphic designer for corporate clients, you know the importance of having the right tools in your arsenal. Creating high-quality illustrations, logos, and other visual material requires graphic design apps and hardware that can meet the demands of complex projects. In a field where you can capitalize on your skills and build a stable career in the creative production industry, investing in reliable tools defines your capacity to compete and succeed.
In order to thrive as a professional graphic designer, here’s a list of the best tools you should be using.
Graphics Tablet
Whether you are creating a logo or coming up with a design for a poster, you will need a graphics tablet that helps you translate concepts into products that sell. When it comes to choosing a graphics tablet, go for something that is durable and responsive at a price you can afford. If you are looking for high-end products that allow for higher resolutions, consider getting an iPad Pro with the Apple Pencil or a Wacom Cintiq 22. Despite being expensive, these tools can do a very good job turning out high-quality work.
Mac or PC
Of course, as a graphics designer, you will need the right hardware that matches the demands of every project you take. Choose a desktop computer that can handle intensive processing. You might be thinking of getting an iMac Pro with its 8-core 3.2GHz Intel Zeon processor, but you can find more affordable (and equally powerful) tools in the PC sector. You only need to choose computers with high processing speeds, upgraded graphics cards, and with enough memory to boot.
Hard Drive
If you are working on long-term projects, you are bound to produce multiple versions of a single output before your clients decide which of these versions to use. For this, purchasing a hard drive makes all the difference when it comes to storing large files. You might want to consider using a solid state drive (SSD). It is faster than your standard hard disk drive (HDD), but it has a hefty price tag that aptly justifies the benefits. You might as well opt for an HDD that churns out a high transfer speed. At any rate, you will need to conduct routine maintenance and fix problems like a Photoshop scratch disk full issue that often gets on the nerves of creatives.
Monitor
When it comes to purchasing a monitor, you will need to be very meticulous when it comes to resolution, colour accuracy, and pricing. Then again, it’s best if you are willing to pay more for a monitor that has all the right features, like the LG Ultrafine 4K which works well for both PC and Mac users. The size and resolution should give you an extra boost during intensive design projects.
You already have the right skills, so you might as well pair them with the right tools. Investing in the best hardware can help give you the edge you need to thrive as a creative.
FREE NOW, Ireland’s largest taxi app, has welcomed the Minister for Transport’s commitment to legislate for e-scooters in 2021.
Minister Eamon Ryan said this week in the Dáil that he intends to legislate for e-scooters in 2021 as outlined in the Programme for Government by identifying and developing appropriate amendments to primary legislation, and that his officials have commenced work on drafting the necessary changes. This has been an ongoing issue for escooter users for some time now and needs to be addressed quicker in my opinion however we wont be constantly banging the same drum on it a keep posting it day in day out.
The Minister’s comments come following the launch of a new Mobility Series, led by FREE NOW, which brings industry leaders together to push key issues and opportunities for Ireland relating to sustainable mobility. The first event in the series earlier this month focused on e-scooters in the Covid-19 world, and the steps that need to be taken in order for Ireland to catch up with its European neighbours to offer more diverse transport options across the country.
Chair of the Mobility Series, Fiona Brady, Head of Operations at FREE NOW said: “We are extremely pleased to see the Minister’s commitment to legislate for e-scooters next year. We are very open to working with the Minister and his departmental officials to help develop the necessary legislation as expediently as possible, drawing from our extensive experience inputting into policy where we provide this service in other countries ”
“The legislation, and clarification on vehicle classification, will allow for the safe operation and interaction of e-scooters with other road users. E-scooters allow for a socially-distanced way of getting around that is very suited to the public transport challenges of the pandemic, as well as offering a more environmentally-friendly, affordable way to travel that reduces carbon emissions and traffic congestion. A recent survey of our customers found that almost 70% of those interviewed are now more environmentally-aware when making decisions on how to travel since the pandemic began. We want to see E-scooters available for use from next Summer.”
Other members of the Mobility Series focused on e-scooters included Zipp, Zeus Scooters and CoMO UK. The next event in the Mobility Series will be held at the beginning of November and will focus on electric vehicles
Videography includes production and post-production. We are in the digital- world, where high-quality cameras are available for creating professional and personal videos. With excellent footage, you can create short films with a superior soundtrack using video editing software.
Years ago, editing videos required expensive equipment and software. Today, we have a lot of free editing tools for professionals with little or no expertise. There are many open-source video editing tools with flagship set features and a robust framework that delivers the output equal to a Hollywood movie. Fully featured video editors are polished and well organized with brawny capabilities. If you have little interest in creating and editing videos, then that software is for your hunger minds.
For Beginners, we recommend free editing software before choosing paid versions. Most free editing softwares have almost all features present in the paid versions and limit the users to some advanced techniques that only professional and experienced persons require.
So which free video editing software to use?
There are lots of free editing software suitable for desktop for creating promotional videos. Here is the compilation of the best video editing software across the web.
Adobe Premiere Pro CC.
Adobe Premiere Pro CC has various tools to create videos, edit them, and fine-tune them without pressure. It is an easy and elaborate tool to collaborate with multiple people. Premiere Pro works on all platforms and does more than basic video editing. It integrates with Adobe, and you can get many latest features from the Adobe store for your editing jobs. The key features of the software are 3D editing and Multi-cam editing. All the top professionals use it for creating videos from commercials to YouTube. Its integration with Adobe enables you to access Adobe after effects to adobe stock.
Features:
Creative cloud library.
Multiple video types and formats.
Lumetri color tool.
Motion graphic templates.
VR video and audio editing.
360- degree VR footage.
Multiple user interfaces.
Multi-cam support.
It provides a sharable link and enables direct publishing.
Graphics and Tilting enabled videos.
Transitions effects and labels.
Video trimming during playback.
Premiere Pro CC provides a high degree of precision and control for trimming and editing the videos. The auto-sync mode can handle multi-angle shots and can be imported from any source. The latest features of the 14.4 release have an auto-detect option to detect the cuts and add edits to the video. With a limited-time free trial software, you can learn the basics used in the professional editing tools.
Moviemaker 10
Moviemaker is a simple free video editing software suitable for Windows applications. If you want to learn the basics and make quick edits, then you can use this tool. The free version contains pictures and video editing tools with many auto modes. The animation’s tabs are simple to add titles and music. You can download this from the Microsoft store to your system. The photos and videos stored in the default pictures are chosen and arranged in the app for customization.
Features:
Auto preview.
Transition Overlays.
Great stabilization.
Voice over and audio features with timeline narration.
Video trimming.
Title customization.
The benefit of movie maker 10 is its automatic preview, user-friendliness, and simple controls. It has both basic features and workflow elements made for professional editors. It has excellent customer service and supports smartphones and desktops. If you want to create business videos for small and medium businesses, movie maker 10 is the right choice.
InVideo
InVideo.io is the best tool for beginners and professionals. It is an excellent choice for publishers, agencies, marketers, and individuals who want to create and edit videos without previous editing experience in minutes. You can make an excellent presentation and all types of engaging videos with optimum quality using this tool.
Large corporations, agencies, and small businesses use their templates and editing tools for creating marketing and news videos for social media.
Features:
Big library of templates.
It has high- definition video exports.
Image and video library.
Multi-language support.
Excellent 24/7 customer care.
ON – screen editing.
AI-enabled video assistant.
Shareable links.
InVideo’s online platform helps you create videos to reflect your branding with more than 35,000 ready- to- use templates, a million videos, and 3 million footages. It has almost every feature required for creating a video, such as drag and drop, image animation, text- to –speech conversion, auto-preview, voice-overs addition, adding team members, and advanced editing options.
Corel Videostudio Ultimate
Corel VideoStudio Ultimate is a reliable video editor with optimum features to guide beginners in creating high-quality videos. It is one of the software that can edit 4k, 360 – degree video editing options and powerful features required by an intuitive video editor. It is simple to use. All you need is to select a template and add your media to it. While playing the video, you can add the soundtrack and other effects. It also has a screen recorder to record both the webcam and screen simultaneously.
Features:
4K display.
It has video masking and blending options.
Creative content and titles addition.
It has editing tools and shortcuts.
360- degree VR footage.
Painting creator.
Enhanced User Interface ( UI).
Multi-cam addition.
Stop-motion creator.
It has lens correction for equirectangular videos and dual fisheye.
Corel is a good choice for beginners and is easy to use. The software was developed as a non-linear editing tool with excellent customer support. They listen to the suggestion from the customers for improvements. 360- degrees VR support has rabbit hole effects, transitions and filters, tiny planet effects, and 360- degree title effects. This software runs on Windows only.
CONCLUSION:
Video content holds the top-notch in social media. If you want to hone your brand, you need excellent videos. There are many intro makers for YouTube videos like this one here, Instagram, and Twitter accounts in the market. Among those, I prefer InVideo for beginners and intermediates. InVideo understands the requirement of the customer’s uploads new features and provides extensive customer support.
Edifier recently launched a new pair of True Wireless called the X3 and these come in at a really affordable price but what can you get for this money these days as the cost performance ratio has come down in the last few months on TWS earbuds? Well after testing these Edifier has another hit on their hands with how these sound and as for their price you cant miss these even for a second pair of earbuds and certainly one to throw into the xmas stocking this year as TWS are the thing and there is no need to spend silly money on Apple products.
The X3 are the newest offering in the TWS range from Edifier. Featuring the latest Bluetooth v5.0, the Qualcomm chipset delivers a faster, more stable signal transmission and low input latency. This technology keeps interference to a minimum, even with a transmission distance of 10m. The low power consumption also provides 6 hours of playback, with an additional 18 hours using the sleek charging case before mains power is required.
The microphone, with CVC V8.0 noise cancellation technology, is guaranteed to deliver a clearer sound during calls. It automatically reduces background and environmental noise to pick up the user’s voice accurately and ensure high clarity audio transmission with richer details.
Having been fine-tuned by a professional team, the high-fidelity aptX audio decoding technology delivers CD-quality sound performance in each range. Deep bass and tri-frequency balance are achieved across all music genres.
One-step pairing assures fuss-free usage, meaning the earbuds automatically pair to each other and the last paired device for a faster connection when removed from the charging case. The touch control on each earbud also offers easy access to various functions, including play/pause, next/last song and answer/hang up on calls. The voice assistant can also be activated by triple tapping either earbud.
Main Features:
High-Fidelity Apt X and tuned by a professional acoustic team.
Bluetooth V5.0 with Qualcomm Chipset to provide a better signal transmission.
Lower power consumption for 6 hours playback time and extra 18 hours with charge case.
CVC 8.0 Noise Cancelling Isolation Microphone.
Ergonomic, compact design with IPX5 rating.
One-Step Pairing for a faster connection.
The X3 is available from Amazon at £32.99 – Check out the video review for more.
Edifier sent us these to review with no compensation or copy approval..
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:
