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.

TCL Communication prepares new smartphone launch and future tech devices showcase at #IFA2019 #Tech

TCL Communication will announce the first TCL-branded smartphone for global markets and showcase their newest display innovations at a media event on 5 September in Berlin, Germany, ahead of IFA 2019. Apart from the smartphone, TCL brings fresh updates to its foldable display concept devices with the first commercial launch set for release in 2020, as well as the world premiere of the company’s Project Archery wearable display that brings a 100-inch cinematic viewing experience to a device about the size of most sunglasses.

“What we have planned for IFA 2019 is an exciting glimpse into the future of TCL Communication – it comprises smartphones, 5G devices and entire new categories including the debut of our Project Archery wearable display,” said Stefan Streit, General Manager, Global Marketing at TCL Communication. “As one of the leading display manufacturers in the world, TCL will focus on bringing our multimedia expertise to our mobile products. More importantly, together with our TCL sister companies, we’re going beyond just mobility and looking ahead with a complete end-to-end consumer electronics brand supported by an entire ecosystem of TCL devices.”

All these new TCL mobile devices are using displays from TCL sister company, CSOT, with the forthcoming TCL-branded smartphone featuring the company’s Dotch™ display first revealed at Mobile World Congress 2019 earlier this year in Barcelona. The new foldable smartphone concepts from TCL will also introduce an all-new ButterflyHinge system to compliment the company’s proprietary DragonHinge™ technology.

“We see our new line of TCL mobile products as the hub of our growing portfolio of consumer electronics, creating more engaging experiences for our customers in and out of the home,” said Shane Lee, General Manager, Global Product Center at TCL Communication. “By continuing to leverage TCL’s vertical integration and product ecosystem, we’re able to focus on innovating and creating a true flagship mobile brand under TCL, while at the same time delivering the accessibility and quality our customers around the world have come to expect from us.”

To see all the latest mobile devices from TCL Communication at IFA 2019, please visit our booth at Hall 21, Stand 102 – Messe Berlin.

Warning – French callback scam number to watch out for. #Scams

This evening I got a call from an odd number which is nothing new these days to be honest but as always I check them out and have my call recorder at the ready to try catch the scammers which I have done in the past. The number in question is 0033891060951 and is simply a cost trap.

This time around it seems to be originating in France as I called the number back and then done a little search and low and behold it is a callback scam to try rob you of your credit. So what you need to do is either block it now and nip it on the bud and tell your friends and family and beware DO NOT CALL IT BACK or any number that looks like it.

 

First look at the TP-Link Kasa Spot home indoor security camera. #TPLink #KasaSpot #Security

Next up in our security season is a cheap camera by all means now available on Amazon for £29.99 and this one is from TP-Link called the Kasa Spot which is a nice neat camera that can be placed anywhere and is not intrusive as it is small in comparison to others on the market, this is a wired indoor camera it must be noted but comes with plenty of features on board to keep your home safe. If you have any questions feel free to ask here or on any of our social handles and head to You Tube for more..

  • Sharp and clear 1080p full-HD video

  • Crisp two-way audio for seamless communication

  • Wide angle view 130 degrees – Set it up in a corner and get a full view of your room

  • Night vision up to 20 feet

  • Automatic alerts when your Spot detects motion or sound – No need to check your Kasa Spot throughout the day

  • Configure up to 4 customizable zones for more meaningful alerts at no extra cost

  • Up to 30 days of cloud storage

The KC100 from £29.99 from Amazon.

Essential tech from Groov-e to help get kids back-to-school smoothly. #Tech #BackToSchool

September and the start of the new school year are just around the corner. Come next week, some perhaps back already whether they like it or not, parents all over the UK and Ireland will be back to early mornings, packed lunches, school runs and homework. Those wanting a bit of extra help to ease that back-to-school stress and ensure family life runs smoothly, should check out this selection of new affordable tech from Groov-e.

Groov-e Apollo

Price: £29.99 Available from: www.groov-e.co.uk

Perfect for students of any age – whether they’re doing homework on their computer, reading books before bed or chilling after a busy day in lectures – the Apollo is a stylish LED lamp, wireless charger and Bluetooth speaker in one.

Lightweight, flexible and USB powered, the touch-controlled Apollo can be used anywhere. To give a compatible mobile device some extra juice simply place it on the base of the lamp for safe charging with no messy cables. Simply connect to the Apollo via Bluetooth and users can hear their favourite tunes around the room through the built-in 3W speaker.

The Apollo provides a warm LED light with three colour settings making it a must-have for any desk or bedside table.

Groov-e Athena

Price: £34.99 – Available from: www.groov-e.co.uk

The sleek and stylish Athena will help to make sure the kids are never late for school and that university students don’t miss any early lectures! More than just an alarm clock, features include:

  • Wireless charging – putting an end to fiddly cables, simply place a compatible mobile device on top of the Athena for quick and easy, wireless charging whilst asleep.
  • Nightlight – with three brightness settings, users are able to choose the level of light they require through the night. Ideal for children who prefer to not sleep completely in the dark.
  • Calendar display – even if users wake up sleepy they can be sure to know what day it is.

The Athena is a handy alarm clock that provides users with all the essential night time functionality they need in one handy product.

Groov-e Light Curve

Price: £39.99 – Available from: www.groov-e.co.uk

Waking up is often hard for many of us, especially at the start of term, but with the Light Curve wake-up light, alarm and radio, users can start their day a little easier.

The light, which mimics natural daylight, will come on at the selected time, starting off gently and gradually getting brighter until it’s at the optimum level to help rouse sleepy-heads up. When it’s actually time to get out of bed and get ready for school, a chosen alarm sound or radio station will also be activated to help users wake fully.

Additionally, for those who have trouble going to sleep, the sunset stimulation mimics the end of the daylight, helping users ease into a relaxing light as they head into slumber.

For those who like to read or need the light on darker mornings to get ready, the Light Curve has 10 levels of brightness using its LED lamp. And for those who want to create more of an atmosphere, one of the seven coloured mood lighting options can be selected.

AEROVATE 2019 – GECAS launches new aviation innovation competition. #Aviation #GECAS

GECAS, a world-leading aviation lessor and financier, is looking for the next generation of aviation innovators in an exciting new competition, Aerovate 2019.

Aerovate challenges third-level students to foster ideas that will revolutionize the world of aviation, and that have the potential to develop into a real-life business opportunity.

The winner or winning team will receive €5,000, as well as the possibility of further developing their idea through an internship with GECAS. There will also be two runners-up prizes of €1,000, on offer.

Speaking at the launch, Cronan Enright, Chief Marketing Officer, GECAS said,

“The aviation industry is synonymous with change and development. It’s hard to predict what it will look like in ten years’ time or envisage the innovations to come. However, just as the first aviation pioneers did, we must also continue to look to the future and nurture this culture of innovation.

 “Therefore, we are looking for people to think outside of the box and would encourage all ideas that are original and creative, and most importantly, propel the aviation industry into the future.”


Pictured L-R Brian Nash, Ballyneety Co Limerick, Jane Doohan, Dundalk and Padraig Cronin, Mallow Co Cork, all CoOp students from the University of Limerick .Pic Arthur Ellis.

The competition is open to individuals and groups of up to four people. To enter, students must submit their ideas through written and video format before a shortlist of the top five entries is invited to present to an expert panel of judges at the GECAS offices in Shannon.

The closing date for entries is midnight, Friday 27th September. For more information and to submit an entry, please visit https://www.gecas.aero/vate/

Groov-e is set to charge up autumn with its next generation lamps. #Tech #Lamps #Apollo #Ares

 Groov-e, a leading UK tech brand, has today announced it is expanding its best-selling audio range to include wireless charging lamps available from September.

The Ares and Apollo have been designed to offer consumers a multi- functional lamp with wireless charging to aid modern life. Apollo and Ares are the latest products to launch as Groov-e continues to create affordable tech solutions.

Apollo – £29.99

Apollo is a stylish desk lamp that is a tech triple threat by providing wireless charging, three light modes and a Bluetooth speaker – all in one.

Wireless charging with the Apollo is designed to be as easy as possible. Users simply place compatible devices on the 5w charging pad to start powering up the battery immediately.

Apollo’s light utilises three LED modes; warm, warm white and cool white enabling the user to tailor the light tone as required. Whilst, a dimmer function means the brightness can be adjusted up or down too.For those that like tunes before bed or to get them through the working day – Apollo also has an integrated Bluetooth speaker.

Apollo’s flexible arm means users can adjust the light to their preferred angle and it’s powered by USB so it can be used anywhere.

Ares – £44.99

With a sleek, modern design, the Ares is more than just a lamp. Featuring a wireless charging pad, users can quickly and easily recharge wireless charging enabled devices by simply placing them on the base of the lamp.

Lighting can really help workers throughout the day, especially during the darker months. The Ares has three different LED modes including warm, warm white and cool lighting as well as a dimmer function with five different brightness options. Controlled by touch, the Ares has a light setting to suit whatever mood the user in.

The Ares is portable with its fold up design, making it ideal to use not just in the office but also in other rooms around the home. It can also act as a personal assistant for workers in the office providing a handy clock, calendar and temperature display to help them keep track during busy times.

Kunal Patel, Director, Groov-e said: “Over the years we have had great success with our audio range and we are thrilled to be expanding into a new area of the tech world.

“We know that wireless charging is something that most of us want to utilise but we’ve taken it one step further and made multi functional lamps that support modern, busy lives. We are excited about this next chapter for Groov-e and look forward to adding more products to our range very soon.”

Apollo and Ares available from www.groov-e.co.uk

First look and unboxing. – The Garmin DriveSmart 65 sat nav with Amazon Alexa. #Garmin

Nope it aint a dashcam this time around it is a sat nav with plenty of features to keep you occupied on your travels to boot and it even has eircode. This comes in a tablet form obviously and is in line with built in systems with cars today to make for easy viewing. There is a few configurations available giving you options such as built in dash-cam which is cool and you can see the line-up here.

We will be taking this on a test drive so if you have any questions in the interim feel free to ask here or on our social media. Check the unboxing and UI walk though below in two separate videos.

  • Premium GPS sat-nav with a 6.95” edge-to-edge, high-resolution display
  • Alexa built-in; ask Alexa to play music from Amazon Music and more
  • Use Alexa to create to-do lists, check your calendar, news, weather and traffic, control smart home devices and play interactive games
  • Ask Garmin voice control for directions, points of interest (POIs) along the route and more
  • Built-in Wi-Fi connectivity for easy map updates of Europe and software updates
  • Server-based route calculation for instant route calculation while connected with the Drive app
  • Use your smartphone’s Bluetooth or an AUX cable (sold separately) to stream Alexa responses, including music, through your vehicle’s speakers

BUY HERE 

Set up and UI walk through.

First look at Arlo Ultra+4K Wire-Free security camera. #Arlo #Security #Tech

We have tested out several products of the range on offer from Arlo and today we have their latest models in their home security lineup .We currently still use last years model which is a great addition to any home combined with their doorbell and chime. There is some differences to note between this model and last years including the base station which you can see in the video below.

Again a simple installation process is all that is required and no fussing with wires and so on and then you use their app to set up the camera to your needs as there is lots on offer this time around we will go through this in the full review soon.

  • Wire-free and weather-resistant design, works with Alexa and includes 1-year of Arlo smart premier service with rolling 30 day cloud recordings (up to 10 cameras)
  • 4K and HDR zoom in to see sharp details with Arlo ultra’s 4K and HDR advanced image quality technology
  • Enhanced night vision: See what’s lurking with colour night vision allowing you to see video in colour rather than traditional black and white
  • Integrated spotlight: Light up the night and ward off unwelcome guests using Arlo ultra’s integrated spotlight
  • 180 Degree diagonal field of view: See more with a wider angle lens that has auto image correction reducing the fish eye effect
  • Noise canceling technology: Listen and speak to visitors with crystal clear, full 2-way audio that reduces wind and noise
  • Auto zoom and tracking: Auto-focus on moving objects with clarity and detail; works with apple watch, google home hub, amazon alexa

BUY 

Nokia 2.2 hits Ireland and UK with Littlewoods. Cheaper than Nokia store. #Nokia2

Recently the device went on sale through the Nokia website with a free case included and a price tag of €119 Now Littlewoods Ireland and UK have the device on offer and probably a first timer here on launch it is cheaper than the Nokia store itself at €104.99.

The Nokia 2.2 comes with Google Assistant and AI technology and will get regular updates as part of the Android One programme and is said to get Android Q at a later stage this year. The 2.2 comes with a 13 megapixel real camera and a 5MP front facing camera, 3000mAh battery and 2GB RAM. At the time of posting this the Dual Sim variant is on offer so again this might suit those who carry two sims and it would be an ideal holiday phone which would allow you buy a local sim.

BUY