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.

Review – The EOZ AUDIO “ICON” True Wireless earbuds. #EOZ #ICON #Tech #Audio

The EOZ Audio ICON are the latest on offer from the company which have told me they have worked hard on to create this new product and the question you ask is have they done so. For the price segment and the features on offer they have certainly done it for me in all areas but there is one or two things that could be changed going forward and this not only applies to these.

They come with everything out of the box with USB-C charging which for many today is perfect and forward thinking,they have Bluetooth 5.0 for better connectivity and you will get around 30-40ft of this depending on your surroundings so this means you do not need to have your phone strapped on your hip either when in use at home or in the office.

 

They are light,slim and stylish though most see this format as doucehbag status and do not like the stem effect, Personally I could not care less once they sound good and these do across the board. You have good battery life and lots of features with simple taps to control these easily although some muscle memory might be required for some to hit the right spot.

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You can skip and reverse tracks with two taps,you can play and pause music and answer or hang up on calls, Most importantly they work individually so this means you can use one while another is charging should you need be,the other thing is calls come through both sides for that stereo effect and call quality is just brilliant here, In fact all voice on these are even if you watch Netflix or you tube for example people speaking is one area that these shine in,there is also no lag latency here either or lip sync to keep it simple.

The sound quality is great,good dynamic range and overall a good sound stage with good separation easily heard and direction which for me is important. My track playlist is on my YouTube channel which covers all genres. After putting nearly 40 hours into these for the money you cant go wrong it is that simple,Bass is not strong and there is no app and I would like to see more colours but this is a common trend with true wireless but there is others out there costing much more than these that do not offer so for the price you pay you cant complain at all. So are they worth the money?? DAAM yes..   I cant wait to see what the company have coming next.

BUY 

 

 

Review – The Poly Savi 8220 ANC wireless headphones. An office must have. #Poly #Office #Tech

An overkill for me personally in my office space but for anyone in an working environment this is a must have for multiple reasons. In Dublin today we now have more open space offices and units where multiple businesses work under one roof or even on the same floor and this headset is ideal for the likes too.

With multiple connectivity options and the option to use for conference calls this is an ideal way to connect and conduct seamless transfer between devices or add devices to the conversation, You can add up to 4 of the same headset for conference calls by simply joining in and you can also connect other devices via bluetooth and this all works fast and to the point.  You can connect to your mains switch if you have one or simply connect to your PC,tablet or smartphone which was my use case scenario and the quick one touch transfer works a treat for no loss of time or productivity.

The ANC works well too, Where I live it can be quite noisy sometime given I have a soundproof house I like the windows open for some air and this is my issue at home and using the ANC works a treat keeping the outside out where it belongs. Testing indoors with doors shut etc I was able to keep chit chat and TV out of the mix too with the ANC on so for an office space this is what you need to avoid distraction.

It will not win any awards for the music fan but it is good enough but it is not aimed at such or sold to perform as a proper pair or headphones would but they work and are loud enough too so you can use for both work and personal it is up to you, Many people I know do this in fact and this headset is fine, Where it shines is the call quality this is top of the class with crystal clear calls really enhanced too making it feel like a virtual reality experience with a VR headset with optics this does this with the voice clarity.

Read more here and check out the video below – BUY 

Very elaborate PayPal scam to be vigilant about. #Paypal #Scams

Over the last week I have been hammered with emails pertaining to PayPal and it has gotten way out of hand but this is a good scam with a good replica of PayPal itself throughout. I do have a PayPal account under my personal email account which is not in the public domain but nothing related to the email address for the site. Yes the tech email is out there and yes we get hammered with scams all the time offering the usual 5 billion dollars from Besnons desk and so on and much more but this is pretty much the norm these days for such people out there in the media with your public email available to all.

It has got that bad no I have a pain in my backside with the amount of emails I have got in the last week requesting payments and limiting my account and I have tried to block such and they keep coming and each time they have a different billing number I am now up to bill 28 plus I have had several emails claiming my account is restricted.

I have got in touch with PayPal over this and send them a full dialogue of what has been happening over the last week and awaited their response but they of course hit back with the standard affair of what you need to do and how to spot fakes which is fine but this time around this is more elaborate with secure encrypted pages showing and this is where people will get caught out and think all is fine and dandy when it is far from it.

I have left all image samples here for all to see what you need to look out for so you can see what we are dealing with and to keep an eye out for I am waiting for PayPal to come back to me with a report as I had a discussion with them today via Twitter. This might not be news to some folk out there but here is what you can look out for to get some idea of what we are dealing with.

PayPal have responded with the following and have also got back to me via email on this. You can also report and check what to watch out for HERE 

Hey! I completely understand your concern. Please forward the email’s to spoof@paypal.com. We continuously work to disable these emails and websites and review all submissions sent to spoof@paypal.com. We work to shut down fake websites, and our fraud teams work to identify and prevent fraud before it occurs. We also work with law enforcement around the world to stop online criminals.

Review – The BenQ W2700 World’s first 4K home theatre DLP projector featuring DCI-P3. #BenQ #Tech #Projector

Projectors are now a big thing and I have tried and tested quite a few now and also own some and plan to convert the entire house to just projectors in all the rooms, It takes away that central focus point in most houses and given the screen estate on offer it also saves on space but when we are talking about watching actual content on such devices how does this pan out? Well this will be different for everyone one due to the make and model of projector you have and what your own personal set up is like at home.

illuminated buttons
In action

You can sit this in your sitting room or you can fix it permanently on your ceiling it is up to you how you set things up and how and if you plan to move it around the house, size is another matter here that needs to be considered as they can come in all shapes and sizes,some can be quite large and some can be rather small but for now that is how it will be until the tech comes better to scale down on the size front here but again this is brand dependent and what you are willing to pay to own such equipment at home.

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For my personal use case this is for watching films,streaming and gaming and also perhaps looking at images, you have multiple connection choices here so there is no shortage on getting access to display your content to a bigger audience on a bigger display. You can use this in other situations such as presentations or in an office for example.

One example that is important for some is portability with a projector and one I recently reviewed was the GVI which is an excellent little projector but has less picture quality compared to the one we have tested out and you can see this in the video review below from a quality perspective but nonetheless it is still a great projector with lots of function built in without the need to have a smartphone connected all the time to use it.

Check our hands on footage sample and UI in the video below for more information and details on how this can easily replace your TV at home or even in the bedroom and see what to expect from the picture, The video might not do it justice as with any similar recording but from where I was sitting it is impressive stuff and worth looking at if it is quality and a true to life sound experience you are after with connectivity options.

 

BUY HERE 

 

Review – The IMOU BULLET outdoor security camera. #Security #IMOU #Tech

The IMOU bullet security camera is on the larger side to what we have tested over the last few years here but that in itself is not a bad thing as it alone is visible. This unit has two antennas sicking up on the sides and they are there for good reason which is WiFi connectivity and it works, Faster connecting via the app compared to others I use and tried this is a good thing. This is a wired camera though so you need to plan your final fixed position which might be a slight issue for some depending on where you have plugs and so on but you can get around this.

The results you get from this camera is good but I feel I have seen it all before from YALE similar design and the same UI on the app but it works and works well and fully featured so I cant complain and for the price you pay it is good in comparison to some others out there on offer, We have more cameras on the way too so stay tuned for that.

Below in the video I go through the app and you will get to see some clips, It is a simple set up and the app is easy to use.some cameras can be a nightmare to set up but this one is not and it has a simple easy UI to navigate, You will need to pay for a cloud service if you like but you get some free when you purchase first which is nice and will allow you to determine if it is worth it but you can use local storage via Micro Sd card.

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Features.

  • ACTIVE DETERRENCE: Keep threats away from what you care about. Thanks to the built-in motion activated spotlight & 110dB security siren, you can scare unwelcome guests away – before they enter your home. Built-in speaker & mic allows for interaction
  • INSTANT ALERTS: The Bullet Pro is like having your own personal guard. Alarm notifications are sent to your smartphone whenever it detects motion, helping you keep aware of what’s going on from anywhere. PIR detection also reduces any false alerts
  • STRONGER CONNECTION: Dual antennas & 2×2 MIMO technology help resist interference, even at long ranges. You can also opt for a wired connection, thanks to the built-in Ethernet Port. The IP67 rating means its fully weatherproof for outdoor conditions
  • CAPTURE EVERY DETAIL: With the 1080P Full HD sensor & cutting edge H.265 compression, you can enjoy crystal clear video without having to worry about storage space & network bandwidth. High-quality sensor & IR lights also ensure clear images at night
  • FLEXIBLE STORAGE: Images & videos can be stored locally on a Micro SD card (up to 128GB), a network video recorder (NVR) for larger storage requirements, or to the secure IMOU Cloud (new users can activate a free 7-day history – one month trial)

BUY 

Say goodbye to language barriers this festive season and hello to carefree travel with Pocketalk. #Travel #Tech

According to the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), 4.7 million passengers headed abroad over the last Christmas and New Year period, making it one of the most popular times to go away. With 2019/20 set to be just as busy, Pocketalk is the perfect travel companion to make the festive getaway easier. With more than 500,000 units already sold worldwide, Pocketalk empowers consumers, especially travellers, to converse quickly and easily with people in a multitude of languages.

Developed by Sourcenext®, the largest distributor and creator of software, hardware, and IoT products in Japan, and with the ability to translate 74 languages bidirectionally, Pocketalk makes communication much clearer and connection much easier for users at the mere push of a button. It utilises the most robust language engines and cutting-edge cloud technologies for highly accurate translations. The “Built-in Data” model with the embedded Global SIM is available with two years of all-you-can-use mobile data coverage in 133 countries. Pocketalk is available in several countries, including Japan, Germany, France, Italy and the USA.

 

Tomoaki Kojima, Managing Director of Sourcenext B.V., explains, “Pocketalk is the only translation device that enables a truly authentic communication experience by unlocking users’ personal communication skills. It provides a new and easy way to have a real conversation instantly with someone who speaks a different language. It’s one small gadget that bridges even the biggest language barrier especially when travelling abroad.”

For a more immersive experience of local people and their culture this Christmas season, travellers can overcome any language challenges with Pocketalk whilst travelling to foreign countries. The “Built-in Data” model is now available in four different colours including red, white, black and gold on Amazon for a Christmas Promotion price of £219 starting from now.

For more information, visit www.pocketalk.net

New Google built AI-powered singing challenge – FreddieMeter – rates how closely fans can mimic Freddie Mercury’s voice #FreddieChallenge

Fancy a challenge to see how good you can sing? Well this is something you can try out yourself or at home with your friends or family over the next few days and all you need is your smartphone or laptop to give it a go.

New Google built AI-powered singing challenge – FreddieMeter – rates how closely fans can mimic Freddie Mercury’s voice

Take on the #FreddieChallenge now in support of the Mercury Phoenix Trust

freddiemeter.withyoutube.com

“Bohemian Rhapsody” is considered one of the greatest rock songs of all time, so it’s no wonder the music video recently hit 1 billion views on YouTube. For decades, fans have belted out the song’s iconic lyrics alongside Freddie Mercury’s one-of-a-kind vocals, but how many can really sing it just like Freddie? YouTube, Google Creative Lab, and Google Research, working in partnership with Queen, Universal Music Group and Hollywood Records, have built a new AI experiment called FreddieMeter to find out!

Released in support of Mercury Phoenix Trust, a charity founded by Brian May, Roger Taylor and Jim Beach to raise awareness and funds for the fight against HIV/AIDS, and in honor of the 44th anniversary of the band’s first-ever live performance of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” at the Empire Theater, Liverpool, U.K in November 1975; FreddieMeter was created to let fans around the world determine how closely their singing matches the voice of Queen’s legendary frontman, Freddie Mercury.

 

FreddieMeter shows users how closely their voice matches Freddie Mercury’s legendary range by analyzing the singer’s pitch, timbre, and melody to assign them a score of 0 to 100. Queen fans, killer impressionists, and anyone who enjoys a little karaoke and are ready to step up to the challenge can get started by doing the following:

 

  1. SING: Pick one of four QUEEN songs on the microsite (Bohemian Rhapsody, Don’t Stop Me Now, Somebody to Love or We Are the Champions) and sing your heart out!
  1. SHARE: Get your score and share! Download the custom scorecard asset directly to your device, then share it on YouTube Stories, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
  1. CHALLENGE: Using the hashtag #FreddieChallenge on social channels, challenge three friends to see how they measure up.
  2. DONATE: Encourage a charitable donation to Mercury Phoenix Trust in your post → http://www.mercuryphoenixtrust.com/donate

 

Google Creative Lab and Google Research created FreddieMeter using new on-device machine learning models, and it’s been trained on Freddie’s isolated vocals as well as samples of people trying to sing like Freddie. FreddieMeter is trained on and optimized for individual singers and works on desktop, Android and iPhone devices and the audio doesn’t get uploaded to any servers to be analyzed, so all vocals stay totally private unless shared by the user.

FreddieMeter continues YouTube’s celebration of Queen’s music and “Bohemian Rhapsody’s” 1 billion views milestone, which coincided with the release of a newly remastered HD version of the video. The achievement made history with the anthem being the first pre-1990s video to reach one billion views on the platform.

In partnership with Universal Music Group and Hollywood Records, YouTube also recently launched ‘You Are The Champions,’ a unique campaign that gave fans an exclusive chance to become a part of Queen history with a starring role in brand-new, user-generated videos for three of the band’s most celebrated tracks – “A Kind of Magic,” “Don’t Stop Me Now” and the iconic “Bohemian Rhapsody.” The results were pulled from more than 10,000 submissions from more than 120 countries around the world, showing the depth and love for Queen and Freddie amongst their loyal global fanbase.

To take on the #FreddieChallenge now or find out more about FreddieMeter, visit freddiemeter.withyoutube.com

FUJIFILM to open two Wonder Photo Shops in Galway and Clare. #FUJIFILM #Photography

Everyone has special photographs they want to treasure forever, and now this is possible with the opening of two new worlds of wonder in Galway on Saturday, 30th November, and Ennis on Saturday, 7th December. Local Ennis Man, Niall Considine, in partnership with FUJIFILM, has announced the opening of two regional Wonder Photo Shops in Ireland just in time for Christmas. With so many services available, the Wonder Photo Shops in Galway and Ennis will offer everything from photo printing, personalised gifts and wall decorations, to a selection of frames and stationary. The Wonder Photo Shops will also carry the ever popular INSTAX cameras, which are on everyone’s gift list this Christmas.

 

“This is a very exciting time for photography fans in Ireland, as Wonder Photo Shop by FUJIFILM offers a wide range of products and services, making the concept of photo creation entertaining in a fun atmosphere”, said Kyran O’Kelly, general manager of FUJIFILM Ireland. He added, “On visiting, you are encouraged to explore the latest photo printing trends, gifting ideas, wall art concepts, cameras and film, and express your creativity by transforming treasured photo prints into beautiful creations”.

Niall Considine described the journey awaiting shoppers at the new Wonder Photo Shops, saying: “There are different areas designated for individual experiences, which are specifically designed to assist you on your creative journey. Have fun with photos by creating customised albums and prints, wall decorations and lots more. You can create an entire photo book by just using your mobile phone! There is also a photo gift area, where you can create one-of-a kind personalised gifts for family and friends this Christmas”.

FUJIFILM’s new Wonder Photo Shops will open in Galway’s Corbett Court Mall on Saturday 30th November, (open Monday-Thursday and Saturday from 9.15am to 6pm, Fridays from 9.15am to 8pm and Sundays from 1pm to 5.30pm), and in The Town Square in Ennis on Saturday 7th December (open Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 6pm).

For further information on FUJIFILM and its new Wonder Photo Shops, please visit fujigalway.ie / fujiennis.ie. @FujiEnnis @FujiGalway

Speak easy while travelling with Google Maps New Feature & the essential Maps features you need to know about. #GoogleMaps #Travel

Is there a day that goes by whether you’re walking, cycling, using public transport or driving that you don’t open Google Maps at least once? It’s the app that’s made travelling and getting around easier and this month a new feature will make travelling even easier.

When you’re in a foreign country where you don’t speak or read the language, getting around can still be difficult, especially when you need to speak with someone. Think about that anxiety-inducing time you tried to talk to a taxi driver, or that moment you tried to casually ask a passerby for directions.

To help, Google is bringing Google Maps and Google Translate closer together with a new translator feature that enables your phone to speak out a place’s name and address in the local lingo.  Simply tap the new speaker button next to the place name or address, and Google Maps will say it out loud, making your next trip that much simpler.

As well as speaking the local lingo  on your travels get to know the other Google Maps features that will help take the hassle out of your daily commute as well as your travels.

Go Handsfree Keep your focus on the road by using voice commands on Google Maps. Just say “OK Google, find petrol stations” or “ Show alternate routes” to get the information you need, hands free.

Wait time estimates and popular times: Use Google Maps to find out what the estimated wait times and popular times are at your favorite businesses so you can beat the crowds and save time.

Offline maps: No data? No problem. You can still find your way even if you have spotty reception or an expensive data plans. Whether you’re on a road trip or traveling abroad, you can download a map of an area so you can see directions and use turn by turn navigation even when you can’t get online.

Remember where you parked: After navigating somewhere, use Google Maps to save your parking location so you never have a “Dude where’s my car?” moment again.

Add detours to your route: We’ve all been there – you’re on your way to a birthday party and you’ve forgotten to buy a present. Cue panic – or not. With Google Maps you can easily search for places along your route while in navigation mode, so you can find the nearest store and get back on the road as quickly as possible.

Never miss your stop again: Use Google Maps to get transport navigation times, ETAs and a notification that tells you when to transfer or get off your bus or train, so you can stop worrying about missing your stop and start enjoying the sights.

Create lists so you can keep track of your favorite places and share them with friends.

Find things to do and places to eat based on your unique interests and preferences.