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.
STM Goods, a leading designer of innovative bags, cases, and accessories for consumer electronic devices, today announced the arrival of the newest addition to the company’s “best-in-class” line of protective cases for digital devices. The new Dux Grip combines the superior protection of a Dux case with an attached handle to bring maximum comfort to carrying and displaying your 7th generation iPad.
“Dux Grip makes working with an iPad even smarter,” said Ethan Nyholm, CEO and co-founder of STM Goods. “This innovative new product combines rugged protection, state-of-the-art ergonomics, and all the exceptional benefits expected from our flagship Dux cases.”
Dux Grip stands apart from all other handle cases with the addition of an innovative removable 360-degree swivel handle that serves double duty—as an easy-to-grasp handle for your device and a convenient stand for viewing it. The handle can be held in multiple ways for flexibility and personalized comfort. Dux Grip not only safeguards your device from the rigours of everyday use, it also reduces strain on the hand and wrist in a way no other protective handle case does.
In addition, Dux Grip features a removable, adjustable shoulder strap plus a wrist loop for additional security; storage for the Apple Pencil or Logitech Crayon; and a transparent back that is ideal for asset tagging or user customization, integrated storage to accommodate a writing tool.
The new Dux Grip is making its public introduction at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. The world’s preeminent exhibition of new products and technologies returns to the entertainment capital of the world from January 7-10, 2020. STM Goods will be at Booth #31558 in the Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall 3.
Sonarworks, the award-winning audio-tech specialists, announce SoundID – enabling personalised audio perfected for each listener across any device in 2020.
An early demonstration of SoundID will be debuted at CES, and starting today Beta version will be available on the iOS App Store and Google Play Store, ahead of the full roll-out in Q2 2020. Headphone manufacturer 1MORE will also be showcasing SoundID integration at CES, ahead of further 1MORE hardware and software integration in 2020.
This transformative SoundID technology has been developed by the same Sonarworks team that is behind the precision audio software used by Grammy-Award winning producers in over 45,000 professional recording studios in the world. Based on the biggest ever research into sound preferences – a 39,000 sample size – Sonarworks have developed a unique method of analysing and augmenting sound using machine learning and big data based sound preference and hearing tests. By comparison, conventional audio-tech companies would develop their software solutions based on a pool of a few hundred respondents.
SoundID solves a long-standing problem in the audio-tech space. Until now, manufacturers have applied a ‘one size fits all’ approach regardless of the many variables – hardware options, audio formats, while not taking into account the variable of the end user – all of whom hear differently and have their individual preferences.
Subsequently audio manufacturers have targeted sound profiles that are favoured by less than 20% of the overall market as the latest identifiable group. By contrast, SoundID enabled audio is favoured by over 78% of listeners in blind testing.
SoundID will transform the way listeners enjoy audio – a quick one-time in-app hearing test that includes age, musical preferences, and hardware configuration will create your SoundID profile. That profile will eventually be automatically enabled across all your devices – including portables, creating a seamless listening experience for the end-user that is individually perfected every time.
Martins Popelis, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer at Sonarworks, said: In 2012 we transformed the professional audio market with our products that are now used wider as a key tool of the creation process. Now, we are putting a stake in the ground to do the same in the consumer audio sector. Bespoke audio personalised to each listener is now a reality with Sonarworks’ SoundID. Audio profiles have been an issue for the market for decades, having to target the preferences for less than 20% of the market. Now we have a seamless experience in SoundID that is measurably better than the current products on the market.
Withings, pioneer of the digital health movement and connected analog watches, unveils ScanWatch, the world’s first clinically validated hybrid smartwatch to detect both risk of arrhythmia (AFib) and sleep apnea – all from the wrist! Developed by cardiologists and sleep experts, it is Withings’ most medically advanced wearable to date, helping users and their physicians monitor overall health with a smartwatch that identifies highly prevalent, yet largely underdiagnosed cardiovascular and sleep issues early.
“ScanWatch is our most ambitious medical tracker and purposely designed to detect the early presence of AFib and sleep apnea – two related issues that are extremely common yet largely undiagnosed, despite their known impact on multiple health conditions,” said Mathieu Letombe, CEO of Withings. “Worn throughout the day and night, ScanWatch provides an early warning system, collecting and sharing critical health data with users and their physicians.”
As a current Withings user of several of their products this is the new line up below and the one on the right hand side will be my pick from them.
With an impressive 30-day battery life, ScanWatch shares the elegant analog look of previous Withings’ hybrid watches with a number of enhanced design elements. It features a larger digital display than previous models as well as improved navigation through a newly created crown dial. It is slated to be available in Europe and the United States in Q2 2020 for €249/£229/$249 (38mm), €299/£279/$299 (42mm), pending CE and FDA-clearance.
In-depth Cardiovascular Health Monitoring
AFib is the main form of irregular heart rhythm that is often underdiagnosed as it can be intermittent and easily missed if symptoms are not occurring during infrequent doctors’ visit. ScanWatch can detect if a user has AFib or if their heart rhythm is slow, high or normal thanks to its ability to take a medical grade electrocardiogram (ECG) on-demand as well as its proactive heart scanning feature.
Since AFib symptoms are irregular or may not even be known to users, ScanWatch offers a new early warning detection capability. Through its embedded PPG sensor, the device has the ability to continuously monitor heart rate, which allows it to alert users to a potential issue even if they don’t feel palpitations. When ScanWatch detects an irregular heartbeat through its heart rate sensor, it will prompt the user via the watch display to take an ECG reading.
When users do experience symptoms or have been alerted of an abnormal heart rate, they can easily take an ECG, in just 30 seconds, through three built-in electrodes by simply touching both sides of the bezel.
During the measurement, users can see the live electrocardiogram displayed on the watch screen or in the accompanying Health Mate app. Once the reading is complete, the results can be viewed both directly on the watch screen and in the app. A history of all recordings, their associated classifications and any noted comments or symptoms are stored in the app. All data collected can easily be shared with a doctor or healthcare professional.
Sleep Apnea Detection
One billion people are estimated to suffer from mild to severe sleep apnea, a serious condition that can lead to major cardiovascular issues. However 8 out 10 people don’t know they have it.1 For the first time, ScanWatch is able to detect the presence of night sleep apnea episodes through an SpO2 sensor that emits and absorbs a light wave passing through blood vessels. All night long, it measures oxygen saturation levels to identify when levels are inadequate due to breathing disturbances such as sleep apnea.
In addition, ScanWatch provides sophisticated sleep monitoring and analysis of sleep patterns, including the length, depth and quality of sleep. Each morning, users can access their Sleep Score in the Health Mate app that is based on sleep duration, depth regularity and interruptions. Additionally, like Withings other activity and sleep trackers, ScanWatch has a Smart Wake-up capability that wakes users with vibration alarms at the most optimal time in their sleep cycle.
Enhanced Display Design and Features
In keeping with Withings’ reputation for elegant style, ScanWatch’s high-end craftsmanship includes a waterproof, 316L stainless steel case and sapphire glass watch face. Its face shows the time as well as a sub-dial that shows the percentage of daily step goals achieved, which are set and managed within the Health Mate app.
The PMOLED display shows important health and sports data such as daily and previous day steps and sleep score as well as calories, distance and heart rate. Users can scroll through each screen thanks to a newly designed digital crown on the side of the watch. The digital crown also allows users to launch an ECG record and SPO2 measurement, start workout modes and deactivate/set alarms. The watch’s display shows smartphone notifications, which appear along with a discrete vibration.
Like all Withings devices, it connects to the dedicated Health Mate app that provides data and
insights, as well as the ability to schedule activity reminders and set goals. Health Mate
connects with more than 100 third-party apps such as Apple Health, Google Fit, Strava, or
MyFitnessPal to help people manage their health and wellness from multiple sources.
Activity & Workout Tracking:
ScanWatch, like all of Withings trackers, is a sophisticated activity monitor able to track
parameters such as steps, calories, elevation, workout routes (via connected GPS) and can
automatically recognize more than 30 daily activities such as walking, running, swimming and
cycling.
In addition, it offers Fitness Level assessments through an indicator called VO2 Max, which
measures the heart and muscles ability to convert oxygen into energy during physical exercise.
This fitness metric will help users to optimize their training, increase performance and achieve
long-term fitness objectives.
CES & Availability
Demonstrations of ScanWatch, which has been honored with three CES Innovation awards, will
be available during CES January 7-10, 2020 at the Sands Expo Center, Hall A-D booth #44831.
Airthings, a global authority in indoor air quality and producer of the best-selling digital radon detectors for homeowners, is excited to officially launch the brand’s newest product, Airthings Hub, at CES 2020. Airthings Hub is the first-ever consumer hub offering from Airthings and will serve as the heartbeat for the brand’s Wave family of products. In 2018, Airthings reinvented Radon monitoring with the world-renowned, award-winning Wave Plus, just recently named in TIME Magazine’s list of 100 Best Inventions, and in 2019, the brand made indoor air quality (IAQ) monitoring easier than ever with Wave Mini. For the first time, Airthings will showcase what can be accomplished by bringing these devices online using the Airthings Hub, debuting January 7-11, 2020 at Airthings Booth #40646 in the Smart Home area of the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas.
Have you ever stopped to think about how much time you spend indoors or what the air quality actually is like inside your home? Airthings Hub is the answer to centralise and elevate the valuable data from Airthings’ industry-leading Wave family of products and take them to the next level. Thanks to the Airthings Hub, families can make round-the-clock IAQ monitoring a simple, everyday routine, achieving peace-of-mind about the air quality in their home 24 hours a day – even when they aren’t there.
Through the Airthings app, you can now receive clear indications when dangerous pollutants like radon, the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers, reach threatening levels; prompting immediate action and potentially saving lives. Even pet owners can utilize Airthings Hub to monitor for unhealthy pollutants like VOCs to improve their air quality remotely, assuring a safe environment for their furry friends during the workday or when traveling.
“With more people than ever relying on smart home ecosystems to provide them with the critical information they need to live healthy and productive lives, we felt it was crucial to deliver a Hub that will simplify the process of indoor air quality monitoring and make it an essential aspect of our customers’ everyday routines,” said Oyvind Birkenes, CEO of Airthings. “In order to truly gain an understanding of your home’s IAQ and threats like Radon and VOCs, regular monitoring is necessary. Our goal is to educate people everywhere about how air quality can impact their daily lives on both a short-term and long-term scale. By helping people track their air quality in real-time, even when they’re not at home, Airthings Hub will empower customers to breathe easy by keeping tabs on their air quality no matter the time or the location.”
The beauty of Airthings Hub is that it can seamlessly integrate Airthings products into any existing smart home for a truly connected and streamlined experience. Airthings Hub can be integrated with Google, Alexa and IFTTT, offering a new layer to home automation. Use your live indoor air quality data to control fans, purifiers, humidifiers and more, to optimize the indoor environment, make the most of your smart home and keep your loved ones safe and healthy. Additionally, all Airthings devices are battery-operated, come with a free app and dashboard and are Bluetooth-enabled, for use with or without the Hub.
Airthings Hub will be available for pre-order throughout Europe and the US beginning January 6 with an MSRP of $79.99 USD/ £69 GBP. The product is compatible with Airthings Wave (2nd generation), Wave Plus, and Wave Mini devices. To find more information on the Airthings Hub, indoor air quality and why long-term monitoring is important, visit the Airthings website at airthings.com.
Dublin is named as one of the most forward-looking in Europe, ranking particularly highly on sustainability measures.
HomeToGo, the world’s largest accommodation search engine, has conducted it’sannual report into the most forward-looking cities in Europe. As we are at the turn of a new decade, this study reveals which tech-focused, sustainable and connected metropolis’ are likely to be relevant in the coming years.
The index assesses 29 cities around Europe, rating them across three core pillars – technology, sustainability and connectivity– to come up with an overall score.
Zurich achieved the highest scores overall. The Swiss finance capital has the highest proportion of technology-led companies out of any cities in the ranking.
Progressive Scandinavia features heavily in the study, with three countries, Denmark, Sweden and Norway making the toplist.
The United Kingdom is the country with the largest number of forward-looking cities – with six in the final list. London was the most sustainable city in the ranking with a score of 74%
These are the top five most forward-looking cities in Europe for 2020:
Rank
City
Technology
Sustainability
Internet Connectivity
Average Score
1
Zurich, Switzerland
47%
68%
92%
69.6%
2
Stockholm, Sweden
32%
72%
96%
66.6%
3
Copenhagen, Denmark
35%
66%
96%
65.6%
4
Oslo, Finland
34%
67%
96%
65.5%
5
Munich, Germany
36%
67%
92%
65%
Please refer here for more information and the full study:
I have been using the Sony Xperia 5 for some time now and overall the device passes the test but still this phone is not going to be for everyone, I will not bore you with specs as we all know them by now but you can read them all here as well as purchase the device sim free. Which brings me to the first thing,the price,the phone is expensive and with the market offering the same or better specs cheaper it is a hard sell for anyone looking to buy a new phone but the Sony fans will like it.
I go through the device features and UI below if you have not seen it yet.
The build quality of the phone is nice with a glass front and back and it is a heavy phone which does not bother me I will give it that and the new tall display is again not going to be for everyone but it has grown on me given it can get in the way sometimes depending on what you are doing and being a power user it bugged me but you get over it and the tall display can work to your benefit too like watching movies and so on or You Tube, Yes you get black bars and can pinch and zoom the screen and loose a bit of content but it is no huge deal,for using social media for example you gain here with more on your feed at one glance and this works in several instances when reading text and emails and more.
The display itself is nice at 6.1 inches and OLED but not 4K but again this is not a huge deal we cant really tell the difference so again not a huge problem for me but for the price some will argue that. It is great for watching Netflix and You Tube which is what I mostly do on any phone I get and many folk are the same and you will not be disappointed here at all in fairness and you have good screen estate too…
You have your vertical 3 camera setup on the rear which is the standard until now we see the new 4 camera set up on the back squared off which is getting boring now with many manufacturers following suit which is of course expected and a trend but the camera and video is probably what people buy a phone for these days now and overall it does quite well but I found at times it did take grainy dull images especially in daylight which was odd but again this can happen any smartphone. Then again you could blame the person using it.
This device has all the keys on one side which is fine and easy to access and having a tall screen is not an issue for reach as you can reduce it down as seen in video above. The fingerprint sensor is placed on the left with the volume keys below and above and the power key below and there is a groove to let you find this easy by thumb memory given it is hard to see as all the keys are black and on the small side, You can use your pin/pattern and face unlock of course which for some is less secure but it is my preferred method to open my device which is convenient and lets remember that word because it is just that and nothing more,each to their own on that one.
When it comes to power this has it and that is one thing I will also praise it for and for multitasking you will fly through no worries at all here and if you are a power user you will love it and for someone like me who spends too much time on phone due to work and other things switching between countless tabs and apps open at any given time it was fast and no lag at all and as mentioned earlier you have more information at a glance on the screen which means for me I can work faster.
On speaking of working, over the last while I have shot every video review from this phone and in this respect it worked well but again sometimes giving me a dull look in some conditions,mostly at home of course where light at the time of video was low in my house but you can see clips of the device with the camera and images and judge for yourself what you think, I am no camera expert nor claim to be one but overall the results mostly good even in low light outdoors it impressed for the most.
The biggest annoyance on the phone for me was side sense which I had to turn off, Now that maybe down to my meat hook hands and having no case, I usually have a case on all my phones but none here from my usual suppliers who just dont make cases for Sony but it had to be turned off. Given that you have one handed mode which many people seem to forget and moan about how tall the phone is and even forget to mention it, I found this of great benefit sometimes and a great feature to have on a phone of its calibre.
Sound quality is great from the speakers here too which really immerse you into what you are watching and this goes with headphone or true wireless earbuds and you also have the dynamic vibration present once again as in previous devices.
Need a job in IT or Tech? Click the image below.
Shortcomings at this price range is no wireless charging but it is not uncommon either and you have no headphone jack,again an argument for another time but overall it performs well for a daily driver and fine for a heavy user,battery life is not the best out there but this charges very and I mean very quick with the mains charger so it is up to you from there if you think it is worth its asking price.
The Sony Xperia 5 is now widely available in Ireland and online and prices vary.
Welcome to 2020 folks and this is our first product to come this year with lots more to come and an even bigger range of products later on, We will be mostly now posting to You Tube with reviews and giving you a real “hands on” experience and not a stock image look or REVIEW at the products we actually have this is how we differ.
First up is home security and this new camera is from Banggood, The XIAOMI Mijia IMILAB H.265 1080P 360° Night Version Smart AI IP Camera Home Baby Monitor Pan-tilt Webcam.
This camera comes with an array of features at an affordable price which for the consumer is great,the home security market in general is now coming down with pricing which is a win and you still get really good features for your money which is important.
Check out the unboxing below for the first look and stay tuned for a review soon and if you have any questions feel free to ask. Check out the link below for all the details from BANGGOOD
Edifier, prominent designer and award-winning manufacturer of consumer audio electronics for both the lifestyle and multimedia markets, announces the addition of the TWS NB, TWS6, GM6 and G7, to its ever-expanding audio and gaming accessory lineup.
The Edifier TWS NB headset has been designed to fill a gap in the market place. With its sleek, truly wireless earphone design, the TWS NB combines Active Noise Cancelling technology, which is usually found in over ear headphones, with affordability to give a fully noise-free, immersive listening experience. Equipped with a Knowles tri-frequency balanced armature driver, the TWS6 delivers a rich and powerful, all-encompassing sound in a compact and elegant design. In terms of gaming, the GM6 offers a truly portable mobile gaming experience with the security of listening to every sound in tandem with the visuals, while the G7 brings high quality, surround sound audio in a heat regulating, easy-to-use and stylish headset.
“There is an ever-growing need for premium audio devices, and we wanted to be able to provide these at an affordable cost without compromising audio quality” said Stanley Wen, Edifier’s CTO. “We are bringing our users an unrivalled audio experience in a more convenient and travel friendly package for everyone’s gaming, music and video enjoyment needs. Now, great audio can be with you wherever you go.”
TWS NB
Distinct from other noise cancellation headphones on the market, the Edifier TWS NB is based on analog noise cancelling technology, which has an extremely high standard for acoustic components and brings over-ear noise canceling headphone technology to a mini, truly wireless earphone package. With extensive testing, all components of the earphones are certified to block medium to low environmental frequencies while giving the user a completely balanced sound with no outside interruptions. Complete with unmatched audio quality and Bluetooth 5.0, the TWS NB is equipped to be your companion on your busiest days. Environmental monitoring function can be enabled by a single tap to make you aware of your surroundings while crossing a busy street.
Thanks to the Qualcomm low power-consumption chipset, users can take advantage of the five-hour playback with the active noise cancellation on or 11 hours with it off. There is also the added security of knowing that the travel friendly charging case gives an additional 10- or 22-hour of playback time. The TWS NB also utilizes lightning-fast charging, which allows your device to be fully charged in one hour. With the seamless and sleek design of the earphone and charging case, comfort, style and great technology are at the user’s disposal.
TWS6
The TWS6 is designed for audio lovers who are in need of a durable, ultra-light and compact earbud which offers impeccable sound quality. The design of the TWS6 is the epitome of small but mighty. Paired with an electroacoustics structure, the earphones create an outstanding sound experience while still maintaining a slim and travel friendly size. Organize any purse, pocket or travel compartment with the earphone’s wireless and credit-card sized charging case. With its credit-card sized charging case, the TWS6 easily fits into any pocket or travel bag.
With the LG scratch-resistant finish, you know that your earphones will stay in tip top condition. This finish has the added bonus of being environmentally friendly as it avoids the need of paint, electroplating and post-production surface treatments.
GM6
With the GM6’s 10-hour playback time combined with Qualcomm AptX low-latency technology, level after level can be completed without any lagging or low battery notifications for gamers. With mobile gaming being top of mind, countless trials and tests were made to ensure that the truly wireless earbuds would meet the specific needs for gamers.
With its environmental noise canceling technology (ENC) and dual microphones, mobile gaming is now truly portable as you can clearly communicate with any team member while playing in any area such as a moderately noisy coffee shop or a crowded bus. With 3 different audio profiles, your listening experience is enhanced and modified to further engulf yourself in the game, video or even podcast. When coming back to the real world, simply pause by taking off an earbud.
G7
While being Hi-res audio certificated, the G7 elevates your PC and console gaming dude in part by the headset’s advanced acoustic customization feature. While playing first person shooter or online battle arena games, the headset’s smart technology will identify and adjust its audio levels to bring out key audio profiles that is needed in that moment, giving the user a competitive edge in gameplay simply by enhanced audio cues.
Comfort is critical when it comes to extended game play, especially for professional gamers. The G7 is made with an ice-sense gel earmuff to regulate heat, ensuring consistent temperatures during extended gameplay sessions. Furthermore, know that teammates will clearly hear every word with the headset’s ENC technology in its retractable microphone. When finished, the headset can easily be tucked away when not in use making gaming setups organized and always ready for the next game.
Price & Availability:
At a suggested retail price of $119 for the TWS NB and G7, $99 for TWS6 and $79 for the GM6, all headsets are available to purchase in 2020, at Edifier.com with availability on Amazon following thereafter. For more information on the headsets and other Edifier products, please visit Edifier.com.
Fantastic New Year’s offers across TV, Broadband and Mobile for both new and existing customers
Virgin Media are kicking off 2020 with their amazing new ‘Leave Nothing Behind’ Sale. New Virgin Media customers can get 250Mb broadband, Mix TV (with Virgin Media Sport) & Home Phone for only €55 a month for 12 months. New Virgin Media broadband customers can also sign up exclusively online for Naked Broadband (including TV Anywhere Sports Pass with Virgin Media Sport & eir Sport 1) from just €35 a month for 6 months.
Looking for a new mobile plan for the new year? Virgin Mobile has you covered. Everyone can try Virgin Mobile for FREE!
Virgin Media customers can try the Virgin Mobile Unlimited plan including unlimited 4G data, calls and texts for 4 months for FREE and even if you’re not a Virgin Media Broadband or TV customer, you can try the Virgin Mobile Unlimited plan for 2 months FREE all on just a 30 day contract.
If you want a great smartphone offer, check these out:
Apple iPhone Xs 64GB plus the Virgin Mobile Unlimited Plan available exclusively online with savings of €50, now from €149 upfront and €40 a month for the first 4 months and €65 thereafter OR Samsung S Series range plus the Virgin Mobile Unlimited Plan, starting from FREE upfront and €30 a month for four months and €55 thereafterOR why not Save €49 with the Apple iPhone 7 plus the Virgin Mobile Unlimited Plan, now from FREE upfront and €20 a month for the first 4 months and €45 thereafter.
To top it all off, customers can get a FREE Samsung Galaxy Watch Active when buying a Samsung Galaxy S10+ or Galaxy S10 until January 29th.
Paul Higgins, Director of Consumer at Virgin Media said: “The new year is here and so too are some exciting connectivity, entertainment & mobile offers for both new and existing Virgin Media customers in our ‘Leave Nothing Behind’ sale. When Virgin Media has a sale, we never skimp on the stuff people want or the price. We offer Ireland’s fastest broadband network, sport as standard and total entertainment, as well as peace of mind with a 12 month contract –all at a fantastic price.
“Our New Year mobile offers now allow EVERYONE to try Virgin Mobile for free and give customers the chance to pick up some of the best smartphones on the market at fantastic prices.”
