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 Nextbase 122 Dashcam. Affordable that works. #Dashcams #Tech #Nextbase

There is a wide variety of dashcams on the market today to suit all pockets be it cheap and cheerful and 4K options but in this field you typically get what you pay for but again this differs per brand. With Nextbase you get a good product no matter the price even if it is at the lower end which this one fits into.

Setup is as simple as ever however this one is not touch screen has a simple UI with a watered down software version of its superior yet easy to use and navigate, You can check out all this detailed in the video below and how to setup.

As mentioned this is not a touch based dashcam it is all manually controlled with simple well marked keys and easy UI ,You have your power key menu and mode on the left and behind those on the side your Micro SD card slot and on the right you have your up/down and OK key which is used to select a menu and navigate through it. An in typical Nextbase style you have the nextbase button which turns red to start recording footage on the go which you can then find on the device or when plugged into your PC to access files to share or save,there is no app compatibility here so no fussing around in that department. You also get intelligent parking mode to notify you of any bumps etc whilst you have been away from your vehicle,this is a handy feature.

DAYTIME FOOTAGE

Overall if you are new to dashcams you will find your way around with ease to use this, Given the quality is down to 720 footage here it is still good and reliable footage which can be used in any case given catching something special or just catching an accident on the fly once you hit the record button the file is saved and you have your footage at hand, this is on the cheaper end but a more reliable well known brand and it is worth the spend over sub 50 euro cameras because of the quality and assurance you have the footage and it does not get corrupted as is often the case in cheaper dashcams.

The 122 fully establishes itself as the standard entry-level Dash Cam, with improved 720p HD recording on a 5 layer glass lens and a 120° viewing angle, making it ideal for the younger or first-time driver. With free cloud video storage at mynextbase.com, be assured your footage is protected to a secure location. Our eyes on the road, your mind on the journey.

Key features: 720p HD resolution at 30 fps, 2” high-resolution screen, 120° viewing angle, free cloud video storage at mynextbase.com

BUY HERE 

 

Bag a FREE pair of JBL TUNE 120 truly wireless in-ear headphones, RRP €99, for Virgin Mobile customers this Red Friday and Cyber Monday

Are you ready to be moved? Get a FREE pair of JBL TUNE 120 truly wireless in-ear headphones, RRP €99, this Red Friday and Cyber Monday with selected smartphones. We have reviewed these recently and they are a great pair of true wireless, see our review HERE

What’s the deal?

If you purchase a Samsung Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10+, Note 10,  Note 10+ an Apple iPhone Xr, iPhone 8 or a Huawei P30 Pro, you’ll also receive a FREE pair of JBL TUNE 120 truly wireless in-ear headphones, RRP €99.  

And….don’t forget that you also get to avail of our Virgin Mobile unlimited plan which is just €5 a month for the first 5 months when bought before midnight on Cyber Monday.

Get that RED Friday feeling – check it out on www.virginmedia.ie

First look and “hands on” at the Sony Xperia5 #Sony #Tech #Xperia5

The Sony Xperia 5 has dropped in just in time for Christmas to check out which follows the same design language as the previous Xperia 10 with the tall and thin shape that might not be for all but this design is growing on me but I can see why it is not for all.

Today we check out the Sony Xperia 5 and have a look at the device and see what comes with it and we will have a review in a week or two so check out the video below,the Xperia 5 is now widely available and you can see more HERE

 

Tappit signs international sports partnerships in Ireland, Middle East & New Zealand. #Tappit #Payments #Events

Tappit, the global payment ecosystem for events, sports stadia and venues, has secured three new sporting partnerships across the Middle East, Ireland and New Zealand, confirming its place as a leading cashless payment provider for hospitality and sporting events.

The company has today announced a new partnership with Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, whereby the Circuit will use Tappit’s technology to create and introduce its own event currency, YAS PAY. The new currency will be first used to make the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which runs between 28 November and 1 December, a cashless event.

Fans will use the currency to purchase food and beverages, while Tappit’s technology provides the Circuit with customer insights and data through YAS PAY, that will help it to enhance its fan experience at future sporting events.

Based on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Yas Marina Circuit is considered one of the most technologically-advanced Formula 1® circuits in the world and a home for motorsports in the Middle East. It encourages the growth of sporting culture in the UAE and prides itself on being the centre for motorsports excellence in the Middle East.

Tappit has also signed a three-year partnership with the Heineken Kinsale Rugby 7s in Ireland to make its events 100 percent cashless across food vendors, bars and merchandise. They will also use Tappit for event ticketing, integrating it with Eventbrite and using Tappit’s technology for ticket scanning at the event itself.

In New Zealand, Tappit has partnered with Village Cashless to provide cashless technology at its events. Village Cashless will first use it at the HSBC New Zealand Sevens on 25 and 26 January 2020 in Hamilton.

Jason Thomas CEO, Tappit said: “These exciting deals prove that there is a huge global appetite for cashless technologies and the business benefits of working with Tappit are felt by both organisers and fans alike. By improving the fan experience through safer, faster transactions and equipping organisers with customer insights and data unavailable through other payment methods, we make it possible for organisers to really understand their audience, improve the experience and make their events even more successful.” 

For more information about Tappit, please visit: https://tappit.com/

FREE Google Homes and Google Home Minis for new Virgin Media customers this Red Friday and Cyber Monday

The biggest shopping season of the year is already in full swing and the deals are already online.

There’s less than a month for shoppers to find deals before Christmas, so why not get in get in early. Here’s why?  Get a Google Home or a Google Home mini FREE with Virgin Media this Red Friday!

What’s the deal?

New Virgin Media Broadband customers will get a FREE Google Home mini, worth €59.

Customers signing up to Virgin Media Broadband with TV & home phone will receive a Google Home, worth €99.

What’s in the plan? 

Broadband and a FREE gift of a Google Home mini.

Broadband, TV, home phone and a FREE gift of a Google Home.

Get that RED Friday feeling – check it out on www.virginmedia.ie

Review – AirFly Pro bluetooth transmitter, Great for travel purposes and more. #Travel #Tech #AirflyPro

AirFly Pro is a new gadget on the market which is ideal mainly for those who travel but it is not restricted to those people only as it can serve others once there is a free audio port available so you are not limited by any means, It can be used on an aeroplane for example or in your car you could also use your laptop or phone.

The idea behind this is to share your audio to more than one device so there is a caveat behind it to an extend being the other person connected has to listen to what you do which might not be for all but for example if you are on a flight or long train journey or in the car two people connected can listen to the same thing as you generally would with your headphones. These will work with any bluetooth headphones and not just for Apple Airpods.

You have the ability to stream your audio as you would at home once you have audio in ports so it can also be useful at home,I would listen to music at home myself but it is another option and again two can tango here. This can be also connected to games consoles which is great.

The product itself looks great and is pocket able and well built and easy to use and comes with USB-C charging which is great to see and you also get a little travel bag to store it in which is nice but you can also attach it to your key ring if you like but I would suggest using the travel bag given.  Over the few days testing I have had no drop outs which is promising.

  • Connect two pair of headphones to share music, movies and more.
  • New 16+ hour battery lasts as long as your longest coast-to-coast flight.
  • Use as an AUX IN adapter for your car, boat or non-Bluetooth speaker.

BUY 

Review The Twelve South Hi Rise 2 in 1 Wireless Charger. Premium but worth it. #Tech

I have countless wireless chargers here in the house but still I find the uptake rather slow here in Ireland, It is convenient yet a slower charge but no messing with cables and saving wearing your port down what have you to lose with your phone charging overnight??

Presentation to begin with here is the best I have seen in such an accessory in a long time and that alone for me is a great start with any product this comes in a quality material box and also comes with some branded stickers inside and we get USB-C out of the gate.

 

Like I say this is premium and there is a difference between such and cheap wireless chargers and for me having a good look is worth every penny and in this case this you get quality materials on top and no cheap plastic housing or anything like it.

This is made with Leather and Chrome and it has some weight to it which is a good thing you can feel the quality throughout. This is an upright charger so you cant have your device in landscape mode to consume media but you can still do all the things you need to do in portrait mode so no loss there, the phone will not move or budge once placed on the unit and look good doing so.

There is a nice trick up this units sleeve too with the removable oval piece which can be place flat on any surface giving you some flexibility too and not only that you can charge your Airpods or any other QI enabled device. The charge rate is up to 10-Watts but this is the norm however like I said most cheaper alternatives give you just 5-Watts and you can of course leave your case on your smartphone too which is ideal.

The question here is it worth the price, For me it is and owning multiple wireless chargers most of which are cheap and cheerful or ones that came with devices of old this will stand out and look good at any office desk or bedside locker unlike others on the market, After that it is up to you but this looks good has got a superb build and is multi functional and portable.

  • Elegant chrome and leather stand holds phone upright and visible on your desk
  • HiRise Wireless transforms to a desktop charger for the latest AirPods
  • Remove Power Disc to create a portable wireless charging pad for travel
  • Fast wireless charging up to 10-watts, even through most phone cases
  • Includes a 1.5-meter USB-C to USB-A removable power cable
  • Works with Qi wireless charging phones, including iPhone, Galaxy, and more

BUY 

Best mobile phone deal in Virgin’s new RED Friday and Cyber Monday 2019 deals.

Want to save money before the Christmas shopping spree? Virgin Mobile’s ‘Red Friday’ 545 offer is here – offering unlimited 4G Data, calls and texts for as little as €5 for 5 months on a 30 day contract!

What’s the deal?

Virgin Mobile Unlimited Plan €5 a month for 5 months on a 30 day contract.  Just €25 after offer.

What’s new?

This is the first time non-Virgin Media customers have been able to get this 545 offer.

When’s it available?

Now until 2nd of December.

What’s in the plan? 

Unlimited 4G data, calls and texts. get that RED Friday feeling – check it out on www.virginmedia.ie

New Motif iOS App Makes It Easier Than Ever to Create Personalised Photo Books On-the-Go #Motif #Apps

Motif, the Apple-approved personalised photo book app, has announced the launch of its free iOS app – bringing its top-rated photo app extension for the macOS desktop to the estimated 1 billion+ iPhones and iPads currently in use. This app is available globally in 32 countries, including the United Kingdom and Ireland, and can be translated into 5 languages. The Motif app syncs directly with the iOS Photos app library, making it quick, easy, and convenient for iOS users to create beautiful, personalised photo books with a professional feel, straight from the photos already stored on their device. You can avail of our exclusive code below if you wish to check it out.

Launched in July 2018 as a native macOS extension, Motif quickly earned the highest rating for an Apple Photos Extension in the Mac App Store. The platform is beloved by Mac users for bringing their photos to life with advanced technology, intuitive editing tools, and easy-to-use personalisation. Now, Motif on iOS joins its desktop counterpart just in time for Christmas, putting the ease of creating gorgeous photo books at every user’s fingertips on the go.

The Motif iOS app is designed to be user-friendly. Clear and easily accessible views provide direct access to page editing, image and text editing, and overall book organisation in just a few taps. Whether choosing an overall design theme for the book or specific layouts for a page or spread, Motif presents all options with images in place and in context. A simple three-step wizard guides you through the photo book process in a snap. Key features include:

  • Syncs directly with your photo library: No need to export or upload photos; Motif works locally with the images and albums in the Photos app on your device, so there’s no need to spend time exporting or uploading your pictures anywhere else. Motif’s machine learning algorithms create memories from your photos that highlight your recent vacations, family events, and other favourite moments that can be made into a personalised photo book in seconds.
  • Finds your best pictures for you: Motif’s smart technology combs through thousands of photos so you don’t have to, analysing images for overall quality and similarity to identify duplicates and recommend the very best ones. This includes checking images for focus, clarity, people, faces, image orientation, panoramas, and more; it even weeds out unwanted images such as screenshots.
  • Automatically lays out your book: Motif auto-flows your selected images into more than 80 professionally designed layouts, picking the best combinations of vertical and horizontal compositions, while correctly centring and cropping to fit the layouts. Or, create your own mix and give it a personal touch.
  • Delivers photo-first quality: Motif is a photo-first brand, so every book features clean themes and a premium, professional look. Users can type or dictate text, and customise the pages with pops of colour, patterns and professionally designed themes.

“One year after the successful launch of Motif, we knew the natural next step would be an expansion to iOS, to bring this functionality to the full ecosystem of iPhone and iPad users,” said Craig Bauer, Global Managing Director of Motif. “Millions of people now have access to the simple functionality and advanced technology that Motif delivers to create the most beautiful, professional-looking photo products available.”

Find the new Motif app in the iOS App Store, available in the UK and Europe. The app is free; pricing for photo books starts at £6.99 for a soft cover photo book and £17.99 for a hard cover photo book. For more information, visit www.motifphotos.com.

Get a 20% discount with the code TechBuzzIrelandMotif