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.

Acer Announces New Swift 5 and Swift 3 notebooks #ACER #IFA20

Acer today announced the availability of the new Swift 5 and Swift 3 notebook models featuring new 11th Gen Intel® Core™ processors with Iris® Xe graphics.

The new Acer Swift 5 notebook is one of the industry’s first to be verified through Intel’s Project Athena innovation program, as Intel® Evo™ platform laptop design, and designed to deliver incredibly responsive mobile performance and immersive features that improve the overall experience, including instant wake, Intel Iris Xe graphics, vibrant displays and the latest in connectivity. In addition, it features an all-day battery that can be fast-charged, yielding four hours of use from only a 30-minute charge.

The Acer Swift 3 notebook designs are a part of Intel’s Project Athena innovation program and targeting verification, pending further tuning, to utilize the Intel Evo platform badge.

“The new Acer Swift notebook lines represent a substantial leap forward in performance, responsiveness and usability for our customers who are cultivating a unique blend of work, life and passion-projects on-the-go,” said James Lin, General Manager, Notebooks, IT Products Business, Acer Inc. “Acer took meticulous care to ensure that all aspects of the design were elevated to match the best-in-class experience the Intel® Evo™ platform provides to help our customers achieve more.”

Swift 5: Portable Sophistication with Antimicrobial Properties

The Acer Swift 5 (SF514-55) ultrathin-and-light notebook marries an uber-stylish design with the latest performance technology. Powered by 11th Gen Intel Core i5 and Intel Core i7 processors and verified to meet the requirements of an Intel Evo platform, the Swift 5 has the power and performance to seamlessly run multiple applications and provides up to 17 hours of battery life for all-day productivity. The Swift 5 can handle video, graphics and more on-the-go with new Intel Iris Xe graphics.

The impressive capabilities of the Swift 5 are matched by its sophisticated aesthetics. The premium magnesium-lithium and magnesium-aluminium chassis is durable yet lightweight; it weighs about 1 kg (2.29 lbs). The specially-designed hinge elevates the device when the screen is opened, which improves ergonomics while typing, provides better thermal performance and keeps the focus on the vibrant 14-inch Full HD display. Boasting a 340-nit brightness rating and covering 100% of the sRGB colour gamut, the display is surrounded by ultra-narrow bezels on all four sides, resulting in a 90% screen-to-body ratio and creating an immersive viewing experience and more compact form factor.

 

 

The Swift 5’s touchscreen display is covered with a layer of Antimicrobial Corning® Gorilla® Glass2, which has been specially formulated to reduce the growth of odour and stain-causing microorganisms. Additionally, users have the option to further include an antimicrobial solution2 on the touchpad, keyboard and all covers of the device.

Swift 3: Performance and Portability in Two Different Display Choices

Providing an ideal balance between performance and design, two models in the Acer Swift 3 line will be powered by new 11th Gen Intel Core i7 and Core i5 processors and are a part Intel’s Project Athena innovation program. The Swift 3 notebooks are currently targeting verification, pending further tuning, to utilize the Intel Evo platform badge.

The two new Swift 3 models have a sleek metal chassis, the latest technology including Intel Iris Xe graphics and Thunderbolt™ 4.4 Customers will also enjoy a fast and reliable Internet connection with WiFi 6 (Gig +).

The new Acer Swift 3 (SF313-53) maximizes viewing with a productivity-boosting and vibrant 13.5-inch display with 2256 x 1504 resolution and a 3:2 aspect ratio for 18% more vertical viewing and less need to scroll. In addition, the display covers 100 percent of the sRGB colour range and has a 400-nit brightness rating. The Swift 3 (SF313-53) provides up to 18 hours of battery life for more than all-day productivity.3 Plus, the lightweight and durable aluminium and magnesium-aluminium design makes the Swift 3 (SF313-53) easy to transport anywhere; it measures only 15.95 mm (0.63 inch) thin, weighing just 2.62 pounds (1.19kg).

Featuring a svelte and stylish design, the new Acer Swift 3 (SF314-59) has an aluminium chassis and a magnesium-aluminium palm rest. The Swift 3’s ultra-narrow 0.22-inch bezels enhance the compact frame and provide a screen-to-body ratio of up to 82.73 percent, keeping the focus on the vibrant images on the Full HD 14-inch display. Weighing just 2.65 pounds (1.2kg) and measuring just 15.95 mm (0.63 inch) thin, the Swift 3 is easy to carry by hand, and fits easily into a briefcase or book bag.

Both new Swift 3 models have a backlit keyboard, utilize fast and reliable SSD storage and support up to 16GB of LPDDR4X memory. In addition, they support Windows Hello via a fingerprint reader for easy and more secure logins.

Pricing and Availability

The Acer Swift 5 (SF514-55) with 11th Gen Intel Core processors and a 14-inch Full HD display will be available in North America in November starting at USD 999.99, EMEA in October starting at EUR 1,099, UK in November starting from £899.

The Acer Swift 3 (SF313-53) with 11th Gen Intel Core processors and a 13.5-inch 2K display will be available in North America in November starting at USD 799.99, and in EMEA in November starting at EUR 89, in UK in November starting from £799.99.

The Acer Swift 3 (SF314-59) with 11th Gen Intel Core processors and a 14-inch Full HD display will be available in North America in November starting at USD 699.99 and starting in EMEA in November at EUR 699.-.

Two-thirds of people have noticed rise in fake news since start of the pandemic. #FakeNews #Clickbait

 A new survey by Pure Telecom, Ireland’s high-speed broadband and telecoms provider, today announces the results of a survey which found that 67% of people in Ireland have noticed an increase in fake news being circulated online since the start of the pandemic. It comes amidst a sharp rise in online activity globally, with Pure Telecom reporting a 30% increase in internet traffic since mid-March when the first wave of restrictions was announced in Ireland. A pet hate of mine with fake news and clickbait this is a trend that needs to be addressed.

The survey, carried out by Censuswide on behalf of Pure Telecom, found that 56% of adults in Ireland are now consuming more online news since the outbreak of COVID-19. That percentage is significantly higher for Baby Boomers, with 67% saying they are now getting more of their news from online publications.

Social media use is also up considerably, with 53% saying they have been using social media platforms more. At 62%, Gen Y counts for the greatest increase in social media use. More than a quarter (26%) of adults in Ireland, meanwhile, have been listening to a greater number of podcasts.

 

Paul Connell, CEO, Pure Telecom

Paul Connell, CEO, Pure Telecom, said: “Our reliance on online services has been heightened since the start of the pandemic. We all want to get instant updates on the spread and containment of the virus and that has led to a significant increase in online news consumption. Usually, it’s the younger generations driving the move to digital, so it is interesting that the Baby Boomer generation has seen the biggest rise in online news consumption. Given the increased appetite for online news, our research highlights the importance of ensuring that we are all getting our information from reliable, trusted sources.

 

“The COVID-19 restrictions were – and are continuing to be – hard on us all, so it’s not surprising that more of us have been resorting to social media. It is allowing us to stay connected and maintain some sense of social activity and normality at a time that has been extremely stressful for everyone.

 

“While we all look forward to attending celebrations and gatherings again, it is clear that the online world is going to play an even greater role in our lives even after COVID-19. At Pure Telecom, we understand the central role that internet connectivity has played in the last six months and have been working round the clock to ensure we are keeping our customers connected online, and to each other, throughout.”

Review – The Sony Xperia L4. A decent mid ranger for the money. #Sony #XperiaL4 #Tech

Sony are back again with a familiar looking 21.9 aspect ratio device which makes it tall and thin and easy to use for a 6.2 inch phone which is considered big these days and comfortable too it is to use given the size in comparison to others out there due to its footprint.

Spec wise it is mid tier however it does perform well and for me being a power user I had no issues bar a few app crashes on the device during my test period. You have 3GB of RAM 64GB memory which can be expanded via micro sd with a Mediatek MT6762 chipset and a 3580mAh battery which will get you through the day. We have bluetooth 5.0 a HD+ LCD (1680×720) display which reminds me of the iPhone 11 but it is still decent,the camera array is a triple camera set up no sticking out like a sore thumb which i like and does not rock on a table. The rear is a 13mp 5mp and 2mp respectively and front camera is an 8MP.

On using the device I found the camera overall good for the price and indeed the whole phone it took anything well I threw at it being a power user as I had my main sim in it, multitasking was good and no issues there the snaps where fine but you get the occasional oversaturated /grainy images but did well mostly in daylight at night it is not bad depending on conditions but you can see the samples in the video below and decide for yourself. For the price you pay here you cant really complain being fair and it is a worthy contender in the mid tier market but I wish Sony would bring us some more colors to the fore than the traditional black variant and perhaps change their design language a little as we are seeing again the same repetitive design which gets confusing when in a shop and you see a line up of devices that look the same but this can be said for many manufacturers too.

You can pick up the L4 for 169 euro on eir or sim free for under 200 euro on Amazon or similar online retailers.

Sony sent us to review and no compensation was paid nor did they get a copy of this before you seen it or influenced me in any way.

 

Video Review – The Sony WF-1000XM3 True Wireless #Sony #Tech

A year old but better late than never and a pair of earbuds I wanted to check out myself they finally arrived after reading so many positive reviews I wanted to test these myself to see just how good they are. After a real hands on experience over the week and covering the biggest range of true Wireless earbuds in Ireland I am impressed and Sony have delivered here overall and I have to give them credit for it.

Rather than bore you with specs and the usual I will discuss the product below as they have aged somewhat now and people will ask are they a worthy purchase,given the new model will be out soon we will have to see the cost and these would be due a price cut, In my opinion they certainly are worth a purchase and now serve a place in my top 5 earbuds of choice.

Sony sent us these to review with no compensation,influence or copy approval and are seeing this the same time as you.

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Edifier launch the K815 headset.. #Edifier #WorkFromHome #Tech

The K815 is equipped with 40mm NdFeb drivers to produce a strong bass and clearer sound and developed with precisely adjusted sound pressure level. Ideal for working or learning from home or the workplace.

 

Edifier® International, prominent designer and award-winning manufacturer of consumer audio electronics for both the lifestyle and multimedia markets, has developed the K815 headphones. 
These over-ear headphones have been professionally developed to be used for online activity, including home working and educational purposes. The K815 are equipped with 40mm NdFeb drivers to produce a strong bass and clearer sound, ideal for hearing every important sound when engaging on online learning courses or having that zoom meeting with colleagues.
The precisely adjusted sound pressure levels ensure that the user’s hearing is protected, thus producing a safe, yet outstanding sound quality. These headphones are ideal for use by children due to these safeguarded measures. 
The on-ear microphone can be adjusted through 120°, and includes a highly sensitive, noise cancelling microphone, removing external noise for minimal interference on voice calls. The wire also has a built-in volume control for ease of use, allowing the user to make adjustments without turning away from their screen. 
The large black voice coil diaphragm units deliver outstanding sound quality, while the independent external sound cards provide crystal clear communication. The shielded wires and large magnetic rings also reduce interference when being used for calls.
Delivering on sound and style, the headphones feature a silver-plated siding on the ear cups. This striking detail is paired with a high gloss black or white finish for effortless style. The soft, cushioned headband and ear cups ensure comfortable fit for all-day wear. 

 

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.

Specifications:
Frequency response
20Hz – 20kHz
Impedance
40Ω
Sound pressure level
91+/-3dB
Sensitivity 
-42dB+/-3dB
Microphone direction
Single point
Connector
USB-A plug
Price & Availability:
The Edifier K815 is available for £44.95 on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Edifier-K815-Gaming-Headset-Microphone-White/dp/B076BW4D4Y

Review – The @AUKEYofficial EP-N5 true wireless earbuds. #Tech #Aukey #TWS

Recently we checked out the T21 true wireless from Aukey that delivered on price and features and the new EP-N5 just bring more to the table with ANC and cost around 60 euro and sound great too. Just like smartphones the days of buying phones costing over a grand are done and spending apple prices on earbuds is now following suit very quickly and it is a win for the consumer overall.

OK we are getting the typical all black approach here and they are boring looking just like may true wireless out there today but if they deliver on sound well it is something I can live with and anyone else on a budget too,they have a good seal out of the box touch controls, USB-C charging,dual mics, 10 mm drivers and you get up to 7 hours of battery life per charge and 35 with the case , using ANC though will reduce this by almost half  but it is the best way to use them.

When it comes to calls they are fine and sound clear and when it comes to music they are also well balanced and no distortion on high volume which is how I use them good bass and more than average highs lows and mids at the cost here if it your first pair of true wireless and you are not an audiophile you will not be dissapointed. Check out the video review for more below..

Features..

  • Advanced Active Noise Cancelation: With the advanced ANC technology, these earbuds detect and cancel a maximum 28dB of ambient noise so you can focus on your music. The 10mm dynamic drivers enhance bass and deliver incredible sound
  • 35-Hour Playtime & USB-C Quick Charge: The earbuds offer 7 hours of music and calls on a single charge with ANC off (4.5 hours with ANC on), while the charging case extends that to 35 hours. USB-C Quick Charge fully charges the charging case in 120 minutes
  • Dual Microphones: Each earbud has two microphones for improved voice pickup and background-noise suppression, which ensures that you’re heard clearly without interference
  • One-Step Pairing & IPX5 Water Resistance: The true wireless earbuds are ready when you are– just take them out of the charging case and they’ll automatically connect to your paired device. IPX5 water resistance makes them ideal for intense workouts and runs
  • Package Contents: AUKEY EP-N5 True Wireless Earbuds, Charging Case, Three Pairs of Ear-Tips (S/M/L), USB-C Cable, User Manual, Quick Start Guide, 45-Day Money-Back Guarantee and 24-Month Product Replacement Warranty

Aukey sent us these to review with no copy approval,compensation or influence and are seeing this review the same time as you.

BUY HERE

 

 

Review – The @AUKEYofficial 1080p Dual Dash Cam. #Aukey #Tech #Motoring #Dashcams

Dashcams are a must and a message I keep driving home to people and they should be part and parcel when you buy a new motor but it has not happened yet and this is why we have a huge market with plenty to pick from today,having reviewed countless models of them here today we have a dual dashcam that can be used on any vehicle, you can chose to use the second camera as an internal view or external view so either way you are covered..

A simple set up and simple UI is what makes this dashcam a win with no hardwiring required all the pieces required come in the box and it is just plug and play, We go through the UI in the video review below.. You do have a small screen to work with but works well under good lighting conditions, you can toggle between front and rear and have a dual display too which is handy albeit small, you can also turn off the screen but its best to have them on in case you might be watching something,there is 4 buttons on the front for navigation and setup and one button is for instant record which works well..

 

 

There is no app required here either so you can remove the SD card which you will need to buy and place it into a phone,tablet or PC to extract files but you can view them on the dashcam itself. This is a great simple to use dual dashcam that costs the same a single unit dashcams and is worth a look.. Check out the video review for more..

 

Features

  • Clear video: The DR02 D is a complete front and rear camera system that secures any road traffic accident. Sony Exmor sensors in both cameras can record super-sharp 1080p video (accompanied by optional audio in the car) and be well-suited for night driving too
  • Full 6-lane field of vision: The wide-angle lenses cover more and capture crucial peripheral action. 170 ° front and 152 ° rear viewing angles can monitor movement and other situations front, back or even to the side
  • Emergency recording & GPS supported: Thanks to the G-Sensor, emergency recording is automatically activated in the event of cornering or sudden braking and protects against data loss. When connecting the AUKEY GM-32 GPS antenna (sold separately), the dashcam can record the GPS coordinates and speed data in videos
  • Extreme temperature operation: Power supply via the included dual ports car charger and internal super capacitor. And the super capacitor can withstand extreme heat and cold (-30 ° C – 75 ° C) better than a battery and has a much longer service life
  • Parking mode: Triggered by motion detection, the dashcam automatically records the vehicle or the person in front of the dashcam. (requires continuous power supply). Scope of delivery: Dual dash cam (front and rear camera), dual ports car charger, 4m / 13ft USB mini-B cable, 7m / 20ft USB mini-B cable, two sticker holders, six 3M stickers, six cable clips, operating instructions, 24 -Monthly replacement guarantee and friendly customer service

BUY HERE

@QuietMark now accredits eight @meacouk products. #Meaco #QuietMark #Tech

Meaco is delighted that the MeacoDry20L ‘ABC’ Dehumidifier becomes the eighth Meaco product to have achieved the Quiet Mark accreditation. Meaco products are renowned for low noise levels. The company prioritises manufacturing products that are low in noise and low on energy consumption.

The ‘ABC’ 20L joins the smaller ‘ABC’ 10L and 12L models, the 12L Low Energy dehumidifier, and the company’s family of cooling fans as Quiet Mark accredited products. After extensive testing, the 20L was found to be one of the quietest products in its category. Quiet Mark is the international approval award programme associated with the UK Noise Abatement Society, and Meaco is the only  manufacturer to have achieved this award for its dehumidifiers.

With more people currently working from home, products that are “whisper” quiet can make for a better work/home lifestyle, helping to reduce stress, and noise levels are becoming an important feature when making a buying decision. Quiet Mark awarded products have each been tested and approved as one of the lowest noise performance products in their category. Recent consumer research by Quiet Mark confirmed that 76% of UK customers want quieter home appliances.

CHECK OUT OUR CORDLESS MEACO FAN 260C REVIEW 

Reaching these low noise levels have enabled customers to use the dehumidifiers in and around their bedroom and in particular for the fans to be used close up whether that be on a work desk, in the living room whilst watching TV or by the bed to improve sleep.

 

With news of the latest certification achievement Poppy Szkiler Founder and CEO of Quiet Mark said, “We are delighted these Meaco dehumidifiers have achieved Quiet Mark certification, providing acoustic performance which does not intrude, whilst delivering the core function of reducing humidity in summer and condensation in winter.”

 

Until recently smaller Meaco dehumidifiers, ideal for up to three-bedroom homes, held the Quiet Mark accreditation. Operating at 44dB (A), this latest award for the ABC 20L shows that you can have a larger model for use in larger homes, without compromising on noise level. The model is also energy efficient and the environmentally friendly R290 refrigerant means that it extracts more water from the air for less money.

Chris Michael, Meaco MD comments “We’re proud to receive the Quiet Mark accreditation for the latest Meaco product to undergo testing. We continually strive to produce quieter and more energy efficient machines and are determined to give our customers the best products available.”

The full range of Meaco Quiet Mark products is:

ABC 20L compressor dehumidifier 

ABC 10L compressor dehumidifier

ABC 12 L compressor dehumidifier

12L Low Energy Dehumidifier

1056 Air Circulator

1056 Pedestal Air Circulator

650 Air Circulator

360 Air Circulator

Survival-Horror Cult Hit “Song of Horror” Lurks Onto PS4 & Xbox One on October 29. #Gaming #Tech #SongOfHorror

Having kickstarted its movement to both refresh and honour the survival-horror genre last Halloween with the very first episode of Song of Horror on PC, Raiser Games and Protocol Games are utterly spooked to announce that the game will come to both PlayStation 4 and Xbox One as one single release on October 29th, 2020.

The release will comprise of all five episodes in one package, allowing console players to take on a thrilling paranormal story where the threat of The Presence, a dark entity that reacts to your way of playing, looms large throughout in one seamless flow, celebrating the first anniversary of the game’s debut – a title that’s been in development for more than six years in total.

Song of Horror sees players set out to investigate the mystery of the disappearance of famed but now elusive writer Sebastian P. Husher – a man who, along with his entire family, has vanished without a trace. Taking on any one of 13 different characters, Song of Horror is a Lovecraftian, third-person adventure that pays homage to the classic masterpieces of the survival-horror genre.

“We have been blown away by the reception Song of Horror has had on PC, and now’s the time to broaden the game’s base and reach out to console players,” says studio co-founder Carlos Grupeli. “The survival-horror genre has such a history on both PlayStation and Xbox that it feels only right to bring our little ode to all that has gone before to an audience that truly appreciates real scares.”

At its heart, Song of Horror is a non-combat adventure where the focus instead is on running and hiding, staying silent in the midst of all the terror to avoid triggering unnerving manifestations, capable of bringing the game’s line-up to the brink of insanity. With the game’s ever-present foe The Presence keeping players on their toes from start to finish, Song of Horror’s mission to keep you severely spooked is one it never lets up on.

Song of Horror features: –

  • A truly dynamic terror experience: its antagonist, the supernatural entity known only as The Presence, is controlled by an advanced AI (Artificial Intelligence) that reacts to your actions and decisions.
  • Experience unbearable fear as this otherworldly being responds to your way of playing and hunts you down in unexpected ways, offering a unique experience to every player and gameplay where tension builds up naturally instead of coming from scripted sequences.
  • Live this story through the eyes of a varied set of characters related to the story in their own way. Every character is different, and brings their unique point of view to the investigation, allowing them to approach clues and items differently.
  • Their actions and decisions will shape the world: some of them will know more or less of certain aspects of the story; some will be more effective against supernatural manifestations, but all of them can die if the Presence gets to them – and death can be permanent. If they die, you will have to pick the story up with another one, and continue the investigation so their deaths are not in vain.
  • A mysterious antique shop, a forgotten abbey, an abandoned mental hospital… Each location in Song of Horror is inspired by the classics of the genre. Explore and investigate these haunted places to gather clues and items that will help you solve challenging puzzles while enduring the agonizing tension of the game’s atmosphere.

Song of Horror will launch on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One as one single release on October 29th, 2020.