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.
Microsoft Corp. has announced an ambitious goal and a new plan to reduce and ultimately remove its carbon footprint. By 2030 Microsoft will be carbon negative, and by 2050 Microsoft will remove from the environment all the carbon the company has emitted either directly or by electrical consumption since it was founded in 1975.
At an event at its Redmond campus, Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella, President Brad Smith, Chief Financial Officer Amy Hood, and Chief Environmental Officer Lucas Joppa announced the company’s new goals and a detailed plan to become carbon negative.
Microsoft President Brad Smith, Chief Financial Officer Amy Hood and CEO Satya Nadella preparing to announce Microsoft’s plan to be carbon negative by 2030. (Jan. 15, 2020/Photo by Brian Smale)
“While the world will need to reach net zero, those of us who can afford to move faster and go further should do so. That’s why today we are announcing an ambitious goal and a new plan to reduce and ultimately remove Microsoft’s carbon footprint,” said Microsoft President Brad Smith. “By 2030 Microsoft will be carbon negative, and by 2050 Microsoft will remove from the environment all the carbon the company has emitted either directly or by electrical consumption since it was founded in 1975.”
The Official Microsoft Blog has more information about the company’s bold goal and detailed plan to remove its carbon footprint: https://blogs.microsoft.com/?p=52558785.
The company announced an aggressive program to cut carbon emissions by more than half by 2030, both for our direct emissions and for our entire supply and value chain. This includes driving down our own direct emissions and emissions related to the energy we use to near zero by the middle of this decade. It also announced a new initiative to use Microsoft technology to help our suppliers and customers around the world reduce their own carbon footprints and a new $1 billion climate innovation fund to accelerate the global development of carbon reduction, capture and removal technologies.
Beginning next year, the company will also make carbon reduction an explicit aspect of our procurement processes for our supply chain. A new annual Environmental Sustainability Report will detail Microsoft’s carbon impact and reduction journey. And lastly, the company will use its voice and advocacy to support public policy that will accelerate carbon reduction and removal opportunities.
Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.
GDPR is a word we here so much of these days and loosely thrown about for both good and bad but is anyone paying attention be it at any level? Most likely some but not all and according to the news there is lots going on but little action for now but dont let that fool you or get somewhat relaxed when it comes to securing your data and there is ready made products there at hand, Secure Drive is one such company who have jumped in leaps and bounds since they launched and we have tested there Bluetooth Drive recently and today is a smaller tool in the form of a USB key.
This comes in two forms, One with just the keypad and a BT version and several storage formats so there is something for everyone here and at several fair pricepoints,regardless of what one you pick you are safe,your data is safe therefore clients or personal information is safe, both again an cross platform compatible so this means no software or app required which is great.
There is not a whole lot you can say for a simple product like a USB key but there is much to say regarding how secure the product is and if it is worth the spend, Some perhaps see such as too expensive but look at it this way if your data gets out on your own merit or if you happen to leak data belong to your company you are in serious trouble.
OS/Host Independent. Works with any device with a USB port
Hardware Encryption – AES256-bit XTS
Interior Parts Covered in Epoxy – No intact media removal for hackers
User Authentication via on-board Alphanumeric Keypad (7-15 Digit PIN)
Admin/User Mode, Read-Only Mode, Auto-Lock
Preloaded with DriveSecurity® ESET Antivirus (1 Year License Included)
Built in battery for convenient Pre-plug PIN entry
4GB, 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, 64GB and 128GB options
3 Year Limited Warranty
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Still not bothered?? Well you should because down the road when GDPR fines start getting issued out you will and you need to be safe and secure, given its size it has the tools YOU need to protect you and your company or your own personal material,it is simple to set up and use and fast data transfer there is no excuse so check out this company’s products today.
Suffering from battery anxiety? Yes it is still a thing.. Given today we have now fast charging plugs and power banks we still tend to suffer and wait to the last minute to get that quick charge in before we go out or simply just forget altogether. There is thousands of accessories at our hands and it is a huge business today despite the technology now becoming a standard in our phones and other tech products like fast charge plugs and so on.
Juice is a company that is a well know brand here in Ireland and the UK and they have you covered when it comes to accessories for your tech good mostly being smartphones but they can also help you out with more like tablets and laptops with a wide range of goods at their disposal and priced fair.
Today we take a look at a power bank and fast charging plug which if these are items you dont own perhaps its time to pick them up and then you have no excuse to have that battery anxiety fear sit over your head.
The 15,000mAh power bank comes in several options and offer from 1-5 charges so there is something for everyone here all priced accordingly, You should go for the biggest one to cover yourself and you can also loan it to someone on the go too as it will fit easily in your travel bag or coat pocket.
Portable charger for mobile charges an average smartphone from 0-50% in only fifty minutes and 5 charges of an average smartphone. 2.4 Amp max output to charge tablets and mobiles. 15000mAh/55.5Wh portable power bank. Charge 2 devices via the USB-A and USB Type-C ports. Digital display to check remaining energy levels. Input 1: Micro USB DC5V/2A. Input 2: Type C DC5V/2A. Output 1: USB A DC 5V/2.1A (max). Output 2: Type C DC 5V/2.4A (max). Total Output: DC 5V/2.4A (max). CE certified.
Fast charging plugs are now a more common sight with new smartphones and so on but not standard and this plug can close that gap on its own with intelligent tech built in to deliver the right amount of power to the devices it is connected to and there is no need to worry about anything either. With a USC-C and A port you are covered to charge anything including laptops.
Charge 2 devices at once via the USB-C port and USB-A port. Sure Grip band to help pull out of wall sockets. Input: 110-240V. USB-A port output: 5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/1. 5A; USB-C port output: 5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/1. 5A, 18W Max Output. Compatibility: All mobiles, tablets and laptops and USB-A devices including mobiles and tablets when using a USB-A cable. Super smart and safe detects your device and delivers the optimum charge. Built with over current, over voltage, overload and short circuit protection. CE certified.
The Dell G Series laptop, that Dell will make available online in mid-April, will be the first to feature 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen™ 4000 H-Series Mobile Processors. These two AMD chips work seamlessly together to optimize performance by automatically and intelligently shifting power between the Ryzen™ processor and Radeon™ GPU as needed, giving gamers exactly what they want at each moment of gameplay. The new “Game Shift” macro key will allow one key quick launch of game-ready settings for enhanced performance that reduces latency and sharpens images for fast, immersive gaming.
The thin, sleek redesigned G5 15 SE features a modern “fighter plane” look wrapped in am=n iridescent silver finish with metallic accents. Along with a 15.6” FHD display panel, the new G5 15 SE has an optional blazing 144Hz refresh rate, optional 4-zone RGB keyboard with WASD and optional 68WHr battery.
The new Alienware 25 Gaming Monitor (AW2521HF) was also announced at CES and will be become available online in mid-March. With a 240Hz refresh rate, Alienware 25 is twice as fast as most gaming monitors on the market and is coupled with a true 1ms gray-to-gray response time1 that ensures every pixel is frame-ready, thanks to the new fast IPS technology. AMD FreeSync™ Premium technology2 and NVIDIA G-SYNC® Compatibility provides a smooth gaming experience with virtually no screen tearing or blurring. This monitor starts at $499.99 USD and will be available from March 11th.
Matt McGowan, Director of Dell Gaming, Dell Technologies said: “We’re really excited to unveil these two new products that showcase our continued commitment to gaming innovations. The new redesigned Dell G5 15 SE Special Edition is the latest product in Dell’s G Series portfolio for new and price-conscious gamers. Fans of Alienware can now game on the Alienware 25 Gaming Monitor in the iconic Legend ID, that was built using feedback from our community as well as eSports players from Team Liquid. With the G5 15 SE laptop and the Alienware 23 Monitor, players will get top tier gaming performances and will be easily able to keep everything within their field of vision, letting them be truly immersed in the game.”
Applications on mobile phones have fundamentally changed every aspect of our lives. This is true from the moment we wake up thanks to our alarm app to staying on top of our finances through mobile banking apps. The truth is technology has seamlessly integrated its way into our day-to-day activities, improving and streamlining them. We use mobile apps so frequently we use them without even thinking about them, a lot like breathing.
Truth be told, it’s hard to believe that mobile apps stores have been around for less than a decade. Currently, there are 4.42 million apps available on the Apple and Google apps stores combined. App revenue made in 2019 so far has already reached $462 Billion with a principal projection for growth in the coming years.
(A periodic graph provided by Statista outlining the growth of mobile app revenue over form 2014 to 2023).
The graph above provided by Statista shows a clear indication of mobile app revenue throughout the years. Form the introduction of apps back in 2014, and in comparison to today, we can see a significant 364 billion dollars increase in revenue generated by mobile apps. This is set to rapidly increase by 2023 by about 473.5 billion, which is almost double the current income. These staggering figures give evidence of how far apps have come and their future potential.
When considering how mobile apps have changed our lives, it’s essential to consider the factors that have lead to their growth. Firstly, apps are popular because users love the ease and convince they provide. By merely downloading apps to their smartphones users were given the ability to use their devices like never before. Secondly, users always have their smartphones on them, which is the key factor that makes apps convenient. These two factors together drove the expansion of mobile apps in comparison to desktop applications.
Social apps
Mobile apps have transformed the way we work and communicate. Social apps have fundamentally changed the way we interact with one another. Through social media apps like Instagram, we can communicate through pictures and with people from around the world. Prior to this, we were faced with limitations in the ability to communicate with others from around the globe. Apps have transformed communication from traditional antiqued ways and fast-forwarded them into today’s world. Thanks to apps like Skype and Face Time we can now communicate in real-time video and audio communication virtually no matter their location.
As businesses seek to capitalize on this transformative power of social media, strategies for boosting your Instagram followers have become essential. With a larger audience, brands can enhance their visibility and engagement, making it easier to connect with customers and promote their products or services. Engaging with users through compelling content and targeted campaigns can lead to organic growth, but sometimes, businesses may also consider additional methods to accelerate this process. By utilizing trusted services that specialize in social media growth, companies can quickly enhance their follower count and establish a robust presence on platforms like Instagram, further integrating into the modern communication landscape.
Work apps
Mobile apps have offered us more than social media capabilities. They have given us a new way of working. Either through apps designed to be used in workplace environments or apps that are specifically tailored to be used for a specialist sector. Apps can bridge the gap between complex matters and problem-solving. They open up the opportunity to learn and share knowledge in work-based environments while streamlining processes. Performace tracking apps are also widely used in the working environment to measure and help improve services creating better working environments and helping an organisation reach their goals.
Play apps
Mobile gaming apps have also come a long way. Not only are more complex and advanced technologies being brought to entertainment and gaming apps, but the integration of technology such as AR and VR has seen the face of mobile gaming change. A great example of this is the Pokemon Go app which uses Augmented reality (AR) to hunt for Pokemons. In the past gaming was focused on consoles and its games. But now, thanks to apps, gaming is centred around apps and their capabilities which turn our smartphones into portable gaming devices.
Health and other apps
Wearable devices have increased over the past few years and so have health monitoring apps which help users keep fit and stay in shape. Consumers have become more health-conscious and so apps in this sector have increased to feed the demand. The introduction of mobile apps has also seen a rise in navigation apps and online buying apps such as Amazon and eBay. Apps have also given logistic companies the means to use mobile technology to track shipments and delivery drivers in real-time. Instead of physically going shopping, many opt to shop online now, which has impacted our lives and the economy.
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The future of mobile apps
The rapid adoption and seamless integration of apps into our lives make imagining life without apps impossible. It is clear that apps will remain hugely popular, even for years to come. It is hard to currently pinpoint what kind of technology will overthrow apps from their current throne.
Guest post by Yasmita Kumar – I am a writer and I have been writing about various topics over the years. The topics I enjoy covering in my writing are predominantly based on Technology as a whole and the impact it can have on our lives and how they are implemented and used in different industries
Shopping online has increased Year on Year for the last several years and now is king, No matter what part of the world you are from it is the way most of tend to shop rather than go into a store which has its own caveats and the biggest problem for retailers is returns and having worked in the logistics industry for over 25 years since the inception of eCommerce these two things are a problem and it is down to colour and size in most instances, Free returns is also another issue which we will probably see phased out as it is costing money.
This applies to the world over but there is many other statistics to enjoy which LiftnGift has sent us over so check it out below. Many people here in Ireland always say shop local which is fine but if you can get the same thing half price on the internet with 24/48 delivery why would you??
Written by Alastair Lockwood, eye health specialist and ophthalmologist at Feel Good Contacts
We already know that the overuse of computers and smartphones can cause significant strain to our eyes, but with changes to work and daily life meaning we are now more reliant on screens than ever before (such as the one you’re looking at right now), it’s integral you take precautions to protect yourself once you have put your smart device away.
For tech lovers, taking care of your eyes is even more important to combat the hours spent on your phone, computer screen or console. Optometrists are finding an increasing number of tech-related eye strains in patients, demonstrating the threat devices pose to our long term eye health.
To maximise your health and maintain your vision as close to 20/20 in the upcoming year, we have compiled tips, nutritional advice and guidance on how to really see better in 2020.
Take regular breaks from your computer screen
Using a computer too frequently can cause computer vision syndrome (CVS), where the eyes become tired, dry and even strained from the glare. To prevent this, employees are advised to blink regularly during the day when working on a computer to avoid dry eyes.
Taking regular breaks is imperative when sitting in front of a screen, where the famous 20-20-20 rule can come in handy. Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break from your screen to look at something 20 feet away. This vital break will give your eyes a chance to rest and is an effective way to reduce eye strain.
Adjust your technical environment
Having a high-quality resolution and adequately bright screen can significantly ease the pressure on your eyes to focus on the computer. Working with a dull screen or glare forces eyes to strain more, making it important to regularly check the screen brightness and resolutions of your equipment.
Employees should request anti-glare screens from their employer, reducing the everyday strain on their eyes. Sufficient lighting is required around desks for equal brightness since shadows and light glare can cause eye fatigue. Computer screens should rest at least 25 inches away.
A clean environment with minimal dust is important will cause less irritation. Artificial tears can help supplement your natural tear film.
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Reduce smoking intake
Smoking exposes your eyes to high levels of oxidative stress and has been linked to the risk of cataracts, glaucoma, diabetes and dry eye syndrome. Quitting smoking at any stage of life can be beneficial, reducing the risk of developing eye threatening conditions.
Go on 20-minute walks, four times a week
Exercising regularly is a recommended way to keep your eyes in check. Exercising will lower the pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure), helping to protect retinal ganglion cells. It may help in glaucoma patients, but autoregulation, ie independent of exercise is the main control here for blood flow.
Try to sleep for 7-9 hours a day
For most people, sleeping is the one period during the day when their eyes are not required to focus. During sleep, the eyes are rehydrated with a supply of natural tears, a process which requires a minimum of 5 hours to replenish.
If sleeping is an issue, taking the above steps of exercising regularly are helpful tips to tackle this. Relaxing in bed without using a screen can also help, as well as hot baths, light yoga or reading a book. If your sleep issue persists, visit a doctor to assess if there are any underlying issues to your sleeping patterns.
Eat a balanced diet
To maintain healthy eyes, eating foods rich in vitamins c and e, omega-3 fatty acids, lutein and zinc are highly recommended. Kale, spinach, salmon, tuna, eggs, nuts, beans, oranges and oysters are some of the many foods crucial to this balanced diet.
Change your eye makeup regularly
With the eye-watering prices of high-end makeup, it is not uncommon for consumers to continue using their eye makeup until it completely runs out. Liquid and cream eye makeups do, however, collect bacteria which can harbour in brushes, lids or the product itself. Eye makeup and mascara should be replaced every 3 months to minimise the risk of infections and products should never be shared with others.
Wear sunglasses with the correct protection
Although sunglasses make an excellent accessory in the summer, their importance for eye protection should not be underestimated. Fast fashion retailers do not always produce sunglasses with the correct materials to avoid harmful ultraviolet (UV) light. This makes it imperative for consumers to ensure they purchase glasses which cover both UVA and UVB protection.
Get your eyes checked regularly
Regular eye examinations are crucial to spotting sight loss or damage before it worsens. Optometrists can help detect conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration which can lead to sight loss, so visiting your optician is an important step in maintaining good eye health.
The roundup
To tackle the increasing use of screens in our daily lives, try out these eye health tips to keep your vision as close to 20/20 as you can. Perhaps thought of eating salmon every day and cutting out coffee might not be your ideal news, so trying a balanced approach with work, exercise and food habits may be just the trick to improve your eyesight for the year ahead.
The Aukey T10 True Wireless are a new pair of true wireless to consider if you are in the market for a new pair. Here we test countless pairs and what you get for the money here is good and they also look great and have a unique charging case which I really like. Not only this you get wireless charging and USB-C charging too and these are often features left out of more expensive earbuds and it is what people like and for the price this is good having these features out of the box.
The fit is great and they hold down really well and do not budge, coming with the extra wings and tips you are sure to find the right size for you to get that all important seal you need to get the best sound from your earbuds and once you have got this these shine and are loud and if you are into fitness you need not worry about them falling out either they have a really great fit and to top it off you have got IPX5 water rating.
Build quality is also great here and the feel too and they do not stick out too much either compared to some earbuds out there they look good and feel good and if that is what you want this is what you get here with a clean look and finish.
When it comes to battery life these are also up there with offering 24hrs charge off the case and around 7 hours on one charge which is at the higher end of battery life with earbuds off one charge so for those who commute these are ideal and better than some others out there including headphones and this is great considered the size of them packing in this much battery life. Also lets not forget the unique case you get here which I have not seen on any other earbuds yet that crossed my review table and this case offers protection with the swivel top ensuring your buds do not fall out given they already have a good magnet holding them in as you will see in the video.
When it comes to sound they do quite well,they have no aptx though and use 6mm graphene drivers that do quite well overall considering, I did find the music rather close however but not a huge deal,decent dynamic range and there is a good level of bass here for the bass lovers, Everything else was well balanced with nothing crossing into each other,good on instruments, vocals and all the usual genres and sound stages I usually test. When it comes to You Tube and Netflix again they pass the test but again I found things close rather than being more distant or with direction but at full volume they will be a treat for anyone.
An important thing to note is there is no lag latency here on both You Tube or Netflix which is always a plus for anyone and after a long period of testing over the Christmas these got a good long run and more so than others I have tested and I was more than pleased at the overall result here. With the Bluetooth 5.0 connection I had no issues here either given the average 30-40 ft distance test and they remained connected and for call quality again they are fine a clear both ends. One thing to keep in mind is they cant be used independently but you can use the right side on its own but not the left,again this is quite common but needs to be pointed out. Having said that they can be used on their own once opposite side is not placed in the charging case.,there is also no auto pause on music when either side is removed from your ear.
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For the money you cant complain,there is no aptx and no app but again this is common with true wireless but you get wireless charging, USB- C charging ,great battery life, an IPX5 rating and they look great and come with a really cool case and I can easily recommend these to check out rather than waste your money on Airpods.
Last year HMD and Nokia announced a slew of devices but not all available here and certainly not in bricks and mortar and the 7.2 has been the main focus over the last few months, Currently we can get the 7.2 and the cute detox 2720 flip and the builder type Nokia 800 we reviewed and most of the range be it on store or online. Until now the Nokia 6.2 has been seen nowhere but now you can pick one up if you have been waiting for it via Littlewoods Ireland.
The Nokia 6.2 was not scheduled to launch into the Irish market like many other devices such as the Nokia 9 Pureview but was obtainable by other means as expected. Prices do vary if you shop around and on a quick search Littlewoods is at the higher end, No Surprise there.
Get more for your money with the stylish Nokia 6.2.
With its deluxe display, triple-lens camera and polymer composite body that’s twice as strong as polycarbonate and half the weight of aluminium, the Nokia 6.2 gives you incredible value for money.
STUNNING SCREEN
At 8.3 mm thick, it feels wonderfully comfortable in your hand, while the 6.3 inch, Full HD+ 2280 x 1080-resolution PureDisplay screen with HDR 10 support is sharp and crisp, bringing out the best in your web surfing, photos and video.
TRIPLE LENS CAMERA
We love the triple-lens camera with always-on HDR at the back, which features a 16 MP f/1.8 sensor working in partnership with a 5 MP depth sensor and 8 MP wide angle sensor. They all shoot at the same time and then combine the images for beautifully vivid, lifelike photos. You can also shoot 4K video at 30 frames per second. There’s a 8 megapixel camera at the front too for superior selfies and video chats.
