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.
Groov-e, a leading UK tech brand, continues to expand its range of wireless charging products with the launch of the Athena, a sleek and stylish alarm clock featuring wireless charging and a night light.
Athena is the perfect bedside companion, conveniently combining all the essential functionality you’d expect in an alarm clock with wireless charging technology. Users simply place their wireless charging compatible device on top of the Athena and wake to a full battery every morning. Athena makes cluttered bedside tables and hunting down cables at the end of the day a thing of the past.
Controlled by touch, the Athena alarm clock also features a gentle night light with three settings that allow users to choose the brightness level that best suits them. This is ideal for those who need different levels of light throughout the night to aid getting up for the toilet, tending to infants or pets or because they don’t like to sleep in total darkness.
The Athena’s handy alarm clock and calendar display means that even when waking up sleepy it’s easy to know what time and day it is. The brightness of the easy-to-read LCD screen can also be easily altered ensuring users get an undisturbed night’s sleep.
Kunal Patel, Director, Groov-e said: “We’ve had so much success with our first two wireless charging products the Apollo and Ares and we are thrilled to introduce the Athena to our line-up. Athena is the perfect addition to any bedroom or study providing great features for us all.”
Plantronics, Inc. (“Poly” – formerly Plantronics and Polycom) (NYSE: PLT), a global communications company that powers meaningful human connection and collaboration, today announced the next generation of the company’s lineup of popular Savi wireless headsets. The enhanced Savi Office and UC Series will offer more wearing styles, plus features to help with working in noisy office environments.
“People will always need the ability to focus,” said Tamara Lane, director of product marketing, personal solutions, of Poly. “Open offices facilitate collaboration which is great for group problem-solving, but we all have our moments when we need to focus independently. The challenge is staying in the zone despite the buzz around you. We’ve updated our Savi 8200 Office and UC Series headsets to better address these needs.”
Poly’s expertise in enterprise-grade headset solutions enable maximum productivity – whether you connect to your desk phone, PC, mobile device or a combination of devices – regardless of the type of work environment you are in. The new Savi 8200 wireless headset models allow you to escape distraction with the following features:
Close Conversation Limiting and ANC
The new Savi 8200 Office and UC Series includes a unique close conversation limiting feature. That means that everyone on the call will hear only the person talking into the headset, without interfering background noise from neighbouring co-workers. The Savi 8220 also includes active noise cancelling (ANC) to block out office noise. These features help everyone on the call focus on the business at hand. Poly is the first enterprise headset company to offer a DECT™ headset with ANC.
Office Mobility
Savi headsets are great for “corridor warriors” who prefer (or need) to walk and talk while on a call. The Savi 8200 family of devices enjoy a wireless office range of up to 180 feet (55 meters). If users are in an unblocked line of sight from the base, that range extends up to 590 feet (180 meters), giving people the freedom to roam. The Savi 7200 Office headset has a range of up to 394 feet (120 meters), for when people really need to work while away from their desk phone. The Savi 8245 adds unlimited talk-time: users can charge a second battery that comes with the purchase while the headset is in use. If the battery starts to run low, users can do a “hot swap” during a call without missing a beat.
Diverse Wearing Styles and Multiple-Device Connectivity
With the new Savi line, businesses now have access to a variety of wearing styles to suit different preferences, including stereo (Savi 8220), mono (Savi 8210) or convertible (Savi 8240/8245). The Savi 7200 Office Series includes a newly designed over-the-head DECT headset for traditional and IP desk phone use. The Savi 8200 Office base also features multi-device connectivity and easy call merging with support for desk phones, mobile devices and PCs. The Savi 8200 UC Series includes a DECT mini USB adapter compatible with PCs/Macs or desk phones supporting USB audio.
DECT – Enhanced Security
These new Savi headsets continue to lead the industry in security. Poly remains the only headset manufacturer to have its entire DECT portfolio certified for security by the DECT Forum, the international association of the wireless home and enterprise communication industry.
Remote Management for IT
Adding the Plantronics Manager Pro software-as-a-service (sold separately) to a purchase allows IT teams to track every Savi 8200 Office or Savi 8200 UC Series product to help streamline the management of headset deployments, including device firmware updates and policy compliance.
Pricing and Availability
For more information on styles, pricing and availability, please visit:
Having a dash cam should be mandatory in this day and age especially with our cartel insurance industry to crack down on fraudulent claims and so on which come to think my policy is up for renewal very soon which I cant wait to see if I get another hike. By now it should be a standard in vehicles as it is not expensive to install or for manufacturers to make their own but I have been saying that years now but no change.
The 522 GW is part of the new Nextbase line up and we also have the rear camera mount too which covers both sides and ideal and easy to install which is important. This rear camera can be also used as an inward camera or pointing out the back window, The main camera will be applied to your windscreen with a sticky pad and the same applies to the rear which just attaches itself with a cable extension into the side of the front unit.
You will need a different sd card to begin with and this was a spot of bother here trying to find one that works you will need a U3 class ten card as this is 4K and cards below will not allow you record footage, some cards will but you will not be able to use the rear camera and you will get 1080p clips on a lower rated cards so you need to get the right card to have full functionality on the unit for clips front and rear,the set up is different as you would find on other dashcams and here is the following even when set up with the right card installed.
There is different settings on the camera when both front and rear in use
Front – 1440p @30fps Rear – 720p @30fps
Front – 1080p @60fps Rear – 720p @30fps
Front – 1080p @30fps Rear – 1080p @30fps
SET UP GUIDE
The UI on the GW522 is easy to navigate and is all touch which is great with easy to follow set up as seen above in the video and the menu seems to be narrowed down a bit better than previous models in the older lineup you can pick your own settings or leave at default it is pretty much ready to plug and play on opening the box but you might want to change some options to suit your region but this is easy and takes two minutes to go through the whole menu setup.
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After that it is pretty much up to you how to use it, you more or less just leave it there and let it do its thing or you can interact with the App and Amazon Alexa but the app is a bit frustrating at times and prefers a home WiFi connection to work I could not set on my phone to use the features like download clips on the fly which is handy but when you are connected to the WiFi things seem ok and you will see below what I mean in the Video.
However when I did manage to get the Bluetooth connection working (after a few attempts later on)it opens a new way to transfer files on the fly,This is excellent for grabbing footage on the go and for sharing download speeds as you would expect are network dependent on the go, typical file was around 110MB and you can see from above the result and you get a map built in which is cool.
Once up and running all is good though the same applies when you connect to your pc with the provided cable file transfer is simple and viewing files is the same,you get high and low res options and saved clips will be in the protected folder these are the important files no doubt that you have saved or it could be a combination of both as mentioned before with clips automatically saving from bumps or audio but I found if you turn off the audio and turn down the sensor you should be fine having space taken up on your sd card and then having to look for them.
Footage comes out great no doubt even at night time with both front and rear cams, I had to upload clips separate because my phone would not allow it due to 4K to make just the one video so I kept these seperate so it is easier for you to decide what you need to see.
Overall this 522GW is a simple and effective camera to use and anyone will be able to install this and manage,there is a walk-through guide above if you are stuck for menu and set up purposes. The design here too is also nice and looks current and sleek and brings a fresh look to their line up which was needed having said that their is nothing wrong with the older models it is just nice to see the company bring a fresh design to the table. These are not cheap by some peoples standards as we can now buy dashcams for little or nothing but the saying is true you get what you pay for so in short I would have no problem recommending this to anyone if you want to be sure your footage is safe and you car, I tested the rear camera pointing out but as mentioned you can use inward too so you have choice.
The problem with the cheap dashcams you often find in garages and euro stores are not worth the punt in my book due to them breaking to easily ,not functioning all the time and footage being destroyed by corrupting you sd card or else the cheap sd card you get with them.
Key Features: 1440p HD resolution at 30 fps, Inbuilt Polarising Filter, 3” HD IPS touch screen, 140° viewing angle, 10Hz GPS Module, Bluetooth 4.2 , Wi-Fi via MyNextbase Connect and PC/Mac software – MyNextbase Play
Note- For this product a U3 class microSD card is required.
Forget the hassle of dealing with wires, and enjoy a fuller range of motion when you listen to your music. Stream from your phone or tablet with barely a hitch, and untether your listening experience without sacrificing sound quality. With the jump to TrueWireless™ Stereo Plus and Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX, listeners get an audio experience that blows similarly priced earbuds out of the water. The TWS5 will impress from the first song on your playlist to the last thanks to a composite bio cellulose design that provides faster sound response and quality that rivals larger headphones.
Equipped with a Qualcomm QCC3026 chipset, the Bluetooth connection consumes less power compared to other true wireless products: – with 8 hours of playback, and another 24 hours available with the magnetic charging case, you get playback that can last you well over a day.
Over the last few weeks there have been multiple scams doing the rounds mostly involving cost traps be it by calling someone back or people claiming to be form eircom to fix a problem at home, Facebook however of late has had multiple scams reported but little action being done by Facebook itself or the companies involved, Dunnes stores today have got back to us on the matter which is good to see but people need to be warned about these and steer clear.
We have yet to hear from Lidl on the matter despite reporting it to them on social media. Lidl are usually proactive on social media about such incidences. Facebook have a part to play here too in my book verifying such bullshit which I have said before and it seems nothing has changed, Some people are reporting that they have been victim to premium rate message charges over these voucher scams which are not true. Dunnes was also recently hit with a voucher scam by prizejack.
Both scams use the same tactic citing an anniversary offering a €750 voucher.
Liberty Insurance knows advances in technology mean that it’s never been easier or more affordable to secure your home, that’s why they’ve brought you these tips on how to use smart technology to improve home security.
The devices remain pretty much the same but now alarms, locks, sensors and cameras are connected by Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, can be monitored and controlled remotely by apps and any data like audio or video can be stored in the cloud to be viewed later. And now with the internet of things, they can all be controlled from an automated hub like Amazon Echo, Google Home or Hive. With a little DIY know-how, you can protect your home and not break the bank doing it.
Cameras
Camera technology has advanced at an unbridled pace since the introduction of the smartphone and that affordable tech can be found in the home security camera. Even some of the most basic camera kits come with High-Definition and night-vision capability and can record onto a hard drive or to the cloud via Wi-Fi. And with an app, you can even check in on your home when you’re lying on a beach in the Costas.
Cameras can be mounted externally, internally and even on out buildings. However, there is one obvious weakness to a Wi-Fi only set up and that is your Wi-Fi itself. If the Wi-Fi goes down and the modem is not rebooted, then your cameras won’t have anywhere to send their video. Hard-wiring your cameras into a hard-drive is an obvious solution but would almost certainly require a professional to install the system.
Video Doorbells & Smart Locks
Once the preserve of the very wealthy, video door-bells are becoming more and more commonplace as they become more affordable. With Wi-Fi and an app, you can now see who is calling at your front door without having to leave the comfort of your armchair. Indeed, you can instruct delivery drivers to leave parcels at your door while you are in work through the face-time function on the app. They come with HD and night vision and recording also.
Some video-doorbells connect to a smart lock which allows you to remotely open the lock so a child or workman can enter your house while you are not at home.
Smart locks not connected to a video doorbell use a variety of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth that connect with your phone to lock and unlock, but you can also choose from a wide range of touch screen and fingerprint locks also.
Window & Door Sensors
A smart window or door sensor will send a notification to your phone of when the window or door is opened. They also come with alarms and can be programmed to suit your needs and some even come with small tiny cameras.
Smart lights
Smart lights are a great way of making it look like your home is occupied when you’re not there. You can switch on and off lights to make it look people are entering and leaving rooms. If you have cameras and monitor something suspicious outside your home, or even if you just hear something, you can switch on your external lights from your phone to discourage any threats.
Automated Hubs
You can connect all your security devices to an automated hub like Amazon. Google or Apple, but, remember to match the right device with the right hub. They don’t all speak the same language, so if you have Alexa, get smart devices that pair well with Amazon Echo.
One of the advantages of using a hub is that you can monitor your security in real-time on your smart tv, phone. tablet or laptop. If you’re lying in bed and you’ve been alerted to something inside or outside your home, you can set off the alarm, turn on the lights and call the police without having to go downstairs and possibly confront someone.
Liberty Insurance wants to help make Irish homes safer. Visit their website for more tips on keeping your home secure or to get a home insurance quote today. Liberty Insurance also offers car insurance plans with breakdown assistance and home start.
Most of us are familiar with home security systems but what about one with no camera? Well here it is and it does more than just monitor your property security wise again with NO CAMERA so privacy is another less concern as many folk are these days.
The MINUT POINT is a simple to install system and it is also small and non intrusive, You would in fact forget it is not there and better again it is wireless, You just remove the sticky tape from the metal support plate and stick it on the ceiling then attach your point and hey presto you are more or less done.
Next thing to do is activate and sync it with the app that is on both Android and Apple, We tested this on the Android platform. The app is great and simple to use and navigate,we go through this in the video below.. But here is some samples of the app below and how easy it is to follow
It will take a week for the mould result to come back to get an accurate reading and this is a good indicator to have in your home and something to watch it as mould is not a good thing by any means, I have just moved into a new house so all is good so far but now I can keep an eye on it.
Asides that there is temperature, humidity,noise level and path light too so who needs those weather apps???
How it works is simple, As opposed to the typical camera set up this does not have one which I love, I have enough cameras here as is but it is what it is but privacy is a huge concern for me and probably just about anyone else in this day and age. This little gadget is smarter than you think and can monitor more than just noise… I go into more detail in video review.
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During my review period Minut launched Minut Plus.. The information is below. Then skip to the video review and we take a look at the app. This is really a great product especially for those who are concerned about privacy and we will have more from Minut on that topic very soon so stay tune for that. Is this a product I would co-sign?? Yes easily… If you have any questions feel free to ask as we have spent enough time with the product to assist and as always we help out people with questions after our reviews on all our social channels which is becoming more prevalent with people especially having set up issues and so on,We are here to help with all tech reviewed here and more..
Installing mode
What is Minut Plus?
It’s a $7.99/€7.99/£6.99/79 SEK* month service that enables customers to add friends and family to help monitor their home, manage multiple properties and have access to unlimited sensor data history.
Customers will have the option to stay on a basic plan with no monthly cost, or to upgrade to Minut Plus and enjoy the benefit of creating smart neighborhood watch networks. Your chosen friends, family, or neighbors, will be notified in the event of motion detection, broken windows, or an alarm sound in your home when you’re away so you can help each other out when needed. Accessing all historical sensor data will provide valuable insight into the dynamics of the home environment over time.
Our goal when making the distinction between Minut Plus and the basic plan was to keep things simple and allow customers usage of the service to grow over time, and upgrading when they feel that it represents good value, rather than a requirement as part of the purchase.
Why a Monthly Plan?
Minut never stands still. We are continually improving our operations, services and products for our customers. Above all, we always want to be a straightforward and honest business that’s trusted by our customers, community and partners.
The decision to implement the Minut Plus plan came from our desire to sustainably fund development and maintenance without selling your right to privacy to the highest bidder. The only way we can see this working in the long term is to have a monthly plan for those who get the most value from the service. We hope you agree and feel that we’ve made the right choice.
What does this mean for you?
We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the support of our early customers and we don’t want to change a service that so many of you have come to rely on. Because of that, we’re not going to make any changes to your current account setup. You will be able to keep your account the way it is today, i.e. you will be able to keep the number of users and homes. If you wish to add more users or homes to your account from now on, you will need to upgrade to Minut Plus.
If you are using Minut for multiple short stay properties and have questions, please contact shortstay@minut.com.
If you choose to upgrade to Minut Plus we will give you a one year free trial. The deadline to activate your one year free trial is 31st of December 2019. After this date, a 30 day free trial will apply. When your one year free trial ends, you will be charged monthly. You have the option to cancel your Minut Plus plan at any point.
Perfect for every home
Bedroom – If you live in shared house, you can now monitor your private space.
Apartment – Easy to install, affordable and movable. The perfect solution for renters and owners.
House – Easily install and connect multiple devices to ensure your home and family are safe.
Short term rentals – A discreet, light-weight device that makes remote monitoring easy and effective.
How to upgrade to Minut Plus:
Android user: 1. Open Point app 2. Visit Profile settings 3. Tap Upgrade plan 4. Proceed to checkout 5. Enter card details 6. Start plan 7. Subscribe to Minut Plus
iOS user:
1. Visit https://my.minut.com
2. Login with your Minut account
3. Tap get Plus
4. Proceed to checkout
5. Enter card details
6. Start plan
7. Subscribe to Minut Plus
I am on a big true wireless earbud run at the minute and have tested countless pairs and many more on the way, The latest to hit my ears is from HIFIMAN and out of the gate they stand out from the rest with some cool specs on offer and fully featured too.
These come well presented and all the bits and pieces you expect to get with such a package and best of all is the case they come in which is different and really nice with their branding on top and it looks really well,premium and it is robust with USB-C charging and this is all a good start.
I am always up for something that looks different an these do just that and when you open the box they stand out and light up and do not look like earbuds at all and many folk who have seen them said “what the fcuk are they?” which I found funny only to tell them they are true wireless earbuds. People then say NO.. I say here put them on and then they hear the sound quality and feel and impressed.
Now the strange thing with these is they took time to break in which is a first for me but did not bother me as I test erabuds out for around 40 HRS before I share my thoughts and these took 20 hours to break in and yes they got better with that break in period..
They sit comfortably in the ears too and are well built and the earbuds look premium too and wont move once the correct tips for you are used. My only gripe which I will mention now is that there is no app to accompany them for an EQ which can be forgiven if you want crystal clear audio and sound. The sound is well balanced sharp and crisp is best describing them and overall a good listening experience. Phone calls are also great and the volume is plenty aloud which is just how I like my earbuds and the do isolate some of the external noise once fitted correctly.
Controls are easy to use with the usual one,two or three taps scenario which I go through in the review video below. These offer sweat and dust resistant so will be fine for most and have a bluetooth range of up to 490ft of connectivity, I did not get a measure tape out and get a number but they are not far off from my test results, Battery life is also good offering up to 38.5 hours which is on par with their claims and overall I was happy with them and these are now one of my grab and go pairs out of my collection when I am on the move or just lying in bed listening to music and watching YouTube as I do every evening.
The Amazon Echo Show 5 has dropped in for review and something I have been looking forward to for some time. Compact it is which is ideal for your bedside locker which is where it will be going replacing my Echo dot. What I like about this off the bat is it has a screen which is much better than an audio response only from your dot an admittedly i often feel like an idiot talking to these things as I have several including Google home in my house at least with this I see something this time around.
We will be testing this for a while so if you have questions feel free to ask as usual on our social channels. Read more on the Echo Show HERE
Echo Show 5 is available in Charcoal and Sandstone for €89.99. You can also choose to purchase a magnetic stand that lets you tilt the device to adjust the viewing and camera angles for only €19.99. www.amazon.co.uk/echoshow5
