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.
Ditch the console?? Perhaps not but for some this is the way forward and less hassle also less space taken up and right now you can pre-order with some value on top..
You can now pre-order the Stadia Founder’s Edition at the Google Store – a limited number are available, so if you want to be one of the “founders,” be sure to get it before it’s gone. The Founder’s Edition packs nearly €300 of value into just €129.99 and includes:
A Chromecast Ultra
A limited-edition Night Blue Stadia Controller
Three months of Stadia Pro (more on that below)
A three month Buddy Pass to bring one friend along for the ride
Dibs on selecting a Stadia Name
The Founder’s Edition gives our first set of fans the highest quality gaming experience—you’ll get Stadia Pro and the ability to play your favourite games across multiple screens (for those of you with a 4K TV and Stadia Pro, you’ll get up to 4K HDR resolution at 60 frames per second with 5.1 surround sound). Stadia Pro will include free content, as well as discounts on titles you buy. The first free tile is “Destiny 2,” and it comes with the base game, all previous add-ons, the upcoming Shadowkeep expansion and the annual pass. And after your free 3-month subscription ends, Stadia Pro is only €9.99 per month.
If you want to pick up an extra controller for multiplayer games, for your laptop, or just to keep a spare in your backpack, they come in three colours—Just Black, Clearly White or Wasabi—for €69.99.
You’ll be able to access Stadia at launch this November in 14 countries: Ireland, U.S., Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, U.K.—and we’re working to expand to additional countries in 2020.
And if you don’t need 4K quality resolution, you can still play your favourite games on virtually any screen with instant access and no downloads, updates, or patches. Coming in 2020, Stadia Base is how you will play games you purchase in up to 1080p resolution and 60 frames per second without an active subscription to Stadia Pro. Stadia Founder’s Edition is the first way to get Stadia in November. Visit stadia.com/faq See the Google blog more more and regional news
DxO, one of the most innovative companies in the photography and image editing industry, has announced the release of the Nik Collection 2 by DxO, a major upgrade to the famous plugin suite for Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom Classic, and Elements. After bringing the Nik Collection back to the market with the software’s first stable version with customer support in June 2018, DxO is expanding the plugin suite with over 40 new creative presets and high-resolution monitor support for Windows. In addition, the Nik Collection 2 now comes with DxO PhotoLab 2.3 ESSENTIAL Edition, DxO’s recently released advanced RAW photo editing software.
Choose From More Than 40 New “En Vogue” Styles To Create Unique Images With A Single Click.
The Nik Collection 2, which has gained a significant following for its high-quality, creative filters, has added 42 new “En Vogue” presets to its original set of 156: 10 new recipes for Color Efex Pro, 10 new black and white presets to Silver Efex Pro, 12 new HDR presets to HDR Efex Pro, and 10 new tool combinations to Analog Efex Pro.
The latest filters in the Nik Collection 2 will take your photos’ emotional impact to the next level. For example, “Blue Monday,” which is available in Color Efex Pro, combines the fresh look of subtle Varitone coloring, the visual interest of cross processing, and the softness of slightly desaturated effect. “More Silver,” which is available in Silver Efex Pro, pairs the crispness of silver toning with a fine grain, resulting in black and white photographs that feature a level of balanced contrast typically achieved through darkroom techniques. Photographers who would like to add a bit of nostalgia to their images can turn to “Burned Edges,” in Analog Efex Pro to reproduce the burned-edge, vignetting, toning, and framing effects typical of old-fashioned analog cameras.
The “En Vogue” series was created in collaboration with Dan Hughes, a highly respected lecturer of photography at Rochester Institute of Technology and a former instructor with Nik Software. “I was honored to be a part of the expansion of the Nik Collection by DxO,” he said. “The plugin suite has helped promote the art of photography, and the addition of new effects has significantly increased its potential by offering all photographers new creative opportunities.”
Improved High Resolution Display With Windows
To better meet users’ needs, the Nik Collection 2 now supports high-resolution monitors (HiDPI) with Windows. The graphic elements of the Color Efex Pro, Silver Efex Pro, HDR Efex Pro, and Analog Efex Pro plugin interface have been improved to ensure flawless readability when viewed through high- resolution monitors—just like with the macOS version.
All The Potential Of RAW Files Within An Optimized Workflow
DxO’s recent surveys of Nik Collection customers revealed that nearly all users work in RAW. To help them harness the full power of this file format, the Nik Collection 2 by DxO now comes with DxO PhotoLab 2.3 ESSENTIAL Edition, DxO’s advanced and multiple award-winning photo editing software. The software has been adapted to offer users direct access to the plugins from their workspace via a dedicated button and drop-down menu. After the image is edited in DxO PhotoLab 2, it can be quickly converted and sent to one of the Nik Collection plugins, where the photo can be further altered and enhanced with creative effects.
“By offering our advanced photo editing solution along with the Nik Collection 2, we are giving users access to DxO’s powerful and high-quality RAW treatment technology as well as its unparalleled optical corrections, which were developed over fifteen years of measurements and analyses conducted in its laboratory,” said Jean-Marc Alexia, VP Product Strategy and Marketing with DxO. “DxO also offers high- quality de-noising capabilities, smart exposure optimization with DxO Smart Lighting, and U Point local adjustment technology, which is now available for use with RAW images.”
Dxo PhotoLab 2.3: Support For New Cameras
As well as providing access to Nik plugins directly from the software’s workspace, DxO PhotoLab 2 continues to support new equipment. In addition to adding support for Leica M 10-D and M 10-P, Nikon D3500, Panasonic Lumix DC-S1, DC-S1R, LX100 II, Sony A6400, and DSC-RX100 VA, DxO PhotoLab 2.3 can now process files from Canon EOS RP and Olympus OM-D E-M1 X. It has also added more than 500 new optical modules to its library, bringing its total number of camera/lens combinations to 47,500.
To read the full list of all devices supported by DxO PhotoLab 2.3, visit: https://www.dxo.com/en/dxo- photolab/supported-cameras/
Price And Availability:
The Nik Collection 2 by DxO is now available for download on the DxO website (https://shop.dxo.com/en/photo-software/dxo-nikcollection) for £86,99 instead of £125, and £49.99 instead of £69 for the upgrade until June 30, 2019.
The ESSENTIAL and ELITE editions from DxO PhotoLab 2.3 are now available for download on the DxO website (https://shop.dxo.com/en/photo-software/dxo-photolab) for £112 and £169, respectively. DxO PhotoLab 2 users can download this upgrade for free.
SJCAM recently launched an array of action cams and today we check out the Totem model which features a 2” LCD touch screen and a 166° A+ HD wide angle lens, external microphone and image stabilization (Gyro). With up to 80 minutes of battery life, Totem will record 4K at 24fps (interpolated), 2K at 30fps, 1080p at 60fps or 30fps and 720p at 120/60/30 fps. The field of view can be set to wide, middle or narrow, making sure you get the footage you want. RRP £119.99
We will be testing this out over the coming weeks so if you have any questions feel free to ask us below or on our social channels, Check out what you get on the TOTEM 4K as we dive into the UI so you don’t have too..
Recently we checked out Skullcandy PUSH and VENUE which came in a superb colour and they have really good audio as I expected and you can see those reviews linked below you should check them out if you want a great audio experience with an affordable price.
Today we check out the all new INDY which are the dubbed pencil styled true wireless similar to iPods and the Urbanista Stockholm we just reviewed. With simple controls and ease of use I hope they sound as good as I always expect from Skullcandy and to date have not let me down. Any questions hit us up as always and we will gladly answer..
Groov-e, a leading UK tech brand, today introduces its newest true wireless headphones, the SoundBuds. Boasting the latest technology, the SoundBuds, at just £59.99, include a ‘touch to talk’ feature which gives users access to their AI assistant without opening the phone. Simply press a button on the side of the headphones and speak directly with Siri, Google Assistant or Alexa. Using voice commands users can cue music, ask for directions, set calendar events and make phone calls quickly and easily when on-the-go.
Allowing users to be free from any cables or neckbands, the SoundBuds offer uncompromised, completely wireless sound with impressive stereo audio quality. A sleek, compact and minimalistic design makes the SoundBuds perfect for anyone, whether they’re commuting, exercising or taking calls from the office.
Featuring Bluetooth V5 technology, users are able to connect the SoundBuds seamlessly with any smart-device that’s up to 10 metres away. They deliver up to four-hours of battery life from a single charge, and up to 14 hours in total with the pocket friendly charging case. Perfect for on-the-go and completely hassle free, the SoundBuds automatically turn on and connect to each other once taken out of their charging case, or just use one at a time for a mono version on calls.
Comfortable and lightweight, the SoundBuds come with extra earbuds to ensure users get the perfect fit. Featuring a built-in mic and on-earbud controls, users have the power to answer or reject incoming calls or switch their music without a wire or device in sight.
Kunal Patel, Director, Groov-e said: “With our latest launch we are proving that you don’t need to spend a fortune to have a quality pair of true wireless headphones. With the SoundBuds coming in at £60, this offers a step up to our Playbuds, packed with technology such as our voice assistant guide and Bluetooth 5.0.”
The SoundBuds true wireless earphones are available now from www.groov-e.co.uk for £59.99
There’s good news for Virgin Media customers today as ComReg has just announced its latest update on complaints received. However for eir its a disaster which is no surprise.
Virgin Media officially has the lowest rate of complaints compared to all competitors. Eir being particularly far behind with a ComReg complaint rate 50 times worse than Virgin Media’s. I have had my own issues with eir over the last year and customer service is a word they need to look up because it was a harrowing experience ( not only for me but for countless others which was widely seen on social and in the media) and only recently sorted after multiple spats on social media been fed the same scripted rubbish time and time again. As a virgin customer having moved from eir I can say they act fast and are quite good on social media.
Every other operator saw an increase in complaints, while Virgin Media has improved again with 0.028 in Q1 /19 compared to 0.040 in Q4 /18.
The research also looked at the length of time complaints remained open with each operator. Once again, Virgin Media topped the scoreboard with no contacts open for greater than 20 days.
Michael McCarthy, Vice President of Customer at Virgin Media,“We’re very encouraged by these results. We are delighted our investment in customer service is delivering ongoing improvements in overall service delivery and satisfaction ratings. Features like our new ‘Smart WiFi’ updates to our Customer’s WiFi Hubs will also help improve our customers’ in-home broadband experience even more.”
If you are one like me who likes to travel and commute you need the best gear to go with it and of course you need the best audio experience to enhance your trip as I for one would not be seen with below par earbuds or headphones and the same applies to what I carry my goods in as our tech travel packs can be quite expensive and you only want the best to secure it.
World running day is almost upon us too and here is a selection below of some ideas of what you can kit yourself out with for those commutes and travel plans.
For your audio experience the Jabra Elite Active 65t and the Elite Active 45e’s, two awesome sets of true wireless earbuds, offering superior sound quality for music and calls on the go. These I have personally used tried and tested and can easily recommend both there is something to suit everyone’s pocket.
For your storage worries, Fear not we have Targus bags, the Work+Play is perfect for transporting your gym gear and your laptop between, home, work and the gym so that you are always equipped with the stuff you need to keep active or to run to work.
For those who don’t want to run, the Newport Tote bag is the ultimate commuting companion, a stylish bag that is designed to cradle your laptop, alongside personal belongings so that you can walk to work in style this summer.
An Irish schoolboy has made it to the global final of the annual Google Science Fair, the annual online science competition open to students between the ages of 13 and 18 from around the world.
Fionn Ferreira (18) from Ballydehob in West Cork will be flown to Google international headquarters in Mountain View, California, this July to compete in the largest science fair in the world. An alumnus of the BT Young Scientist Exhibition, Fionn is a student at Schull Community College who is about to sit his Leaving cert in June.
His project titled “An investigation into the removal of microplastics from water using ferrofluids” posits a novel way to filter microplastics from water by using magnets. It is one of 20 global finalists chosen from a shortlist of 100 regional entries competing for the top prize of a $50,000 bursary, with category winners each receiving $15,000 grants and exclusive STEM-related experiences.
The Google Science Fair has been running annually since 2011 and is held in partnership with Virgin Galactic, LEGO Education, National Geographic, and Scientific American.
In addition to becoming a finalist in one of the most prestigious STEM competitions for students, the 18 year old polymath is also about to undergo his Leaving Cert this June. Not content with an already busy schedule, Fionn also works as a curator at the Schull Planetarium, has won 12 science fair awards, speaks three languages fluently, plays the trumpet at orchestra level, and has even had a minor planet named after him by the MIT Lincoln Laboratory.
Speaking about the announcement, Fionn Ferreira said, “It’s an incredible honour to reach the global final of the Google Science Fair. My project came about as I was constantly hearing about plastic pollution on the news, and as I live by the sea in West Cork I was also seeing the real effects on our beaches every day. I discovered to my dismay that at present no screening or filtering for microplastics takes place in any European wastewater treatment centres, so I started looking around for a solution.
“Seeing that there was none I decided to investigate further, eventually finding a way to use ferrofluid, a magnetic liquid which sticks to the plastic allowing it to be removed using magnets. I was inspired by an article I read about how non-toxic iron oxide powder can be used to clean up oil spills by making a ferrofluid from the spilled oil. So to adapt this for microplastics I used a mixture of magnetite (iron oxide) and waste vegetable oil, and the resulting ferrofluid sticks to and attracts plastic particles. After over 1,000 tests I have proved that my method would remove 87% or higher of microplastics in sample tests.
“I can’t wait to get to Google HQ in California to talk about my project, and I look forward to applying my findings and contributing towards a solution in tacking microplastics in our oceans worldwide.”
Read more about “An investigation into the removal of microplastics from water using ferrofluids” here.
Read more about Fionn via his personal website here. Read more about the Google Science Fair here.
I am a long time user and fan of Jabra products and when they announced the 85h I was eagerly waiting to see what was on offer here to see if there is any competition to the Bose QC 35s and Sony WH1000MX3s which are the rave these days and having tried them both Jabra are giving them a good run for their money and something else for the consumer to think about when they are looking for their next set of noise cancelling headphones.
First up if you missed it check out the unboxing experience below and the great presentation on offer from Jabra.
Before I go any further YOU NEED TO USE THE SOUND PLUS APP. This app is excellent and I have been using it some time now and this underpins the excellence with your Jabra experience as a whole and I have said it many times all manufacturers need their own EQ app at least to enhance the experience and you can see more on the app in the review below.
The colour I have may not be the best for some as it easily gets dirty but the materials used makes them easy to clean which has water resistance then again you have a protective case to keep them out of harms way when not in use which as always is a bonus and something all manufacturers need to consider as part of the package.
Build quality is great and I do expect a few years of life out of these once they are treated right ,Ok they are plastic but so are most headphones at this price point and this also keeps the weight down. Comfort is great and can be worn for hours I would wear mine easily two hours a day and no issues here with discomfort or sweat I actually use my cans for watching You Tube and listening to music for long periods in the evening or during the day when wandering around the house and put them to the test and this goes for and earbuds or headphones I use its not your typical 30/60 mins try em out situation and give a score.
The cups are really soft and sink onto your ears and block put much of the outside world without ANC turned on and the soft underside of the headband adds to the comfort levels and after a while you would almost forget they are on your head this is a win win. I also like the slider mechanism to lengthen the arms this is cool and does not have that clicky sound you get on many headphones.
The fabric material is nice and complements the leather and looks well and almost has a two tone effect.
The cups as I said cover the ears nicely and the headphones do not clamp on your head and the controls are easy to use and kept simple compared to what you find on earbuds these days. On the left side is the ANC button if you will which turns ANC on/off gives you the hear through option this can also be done in the soundplus app..
On the right we have a bit more action with the Assistant button be it siri or Google this works every time and we also have our USB-C charge port,3.5 mm jack and an indicator LED for status, On the outside of the cup we have controls for volume,call answer/reject play/pause and these also have on ear detection which is great and a feature again needs to be seen more often. Another great feature is how they power on/off which is a simple twist of the cups.. You can also skip tracks and restart but no skip back to previous track.
You now also get plenty of voice commands here with a better sounding voice than older models this I like as it’s not robotic and kind of easy on the ears.. YKWIM..
Battery life is on par with what Jabra claim (36 hours) which is pretty good and call quality is again excellent which is always a feature of Jabra products I have used these extensively over the last while and more so than other headphones putting in some 60 hours before I came to my conclusion and call shine on this a I did take quite a few and another thing to note there is no lag latency( for those that do not know, the lips do not fall behind the visual) on calls or consuming media such as you tube or netflix
The sound, I guess this is the vital bit. Lets just say this…. Its top notch and plenty aloud and as I said with the soundplus app you can make it your own, When listening to all genres,highs,lows and mids they excel and with the bass and treble you are in for a treat end of story Bose and Sony have met their match here with the audio experience and then with SmartSound which uses AI to get your surroundings this is also a great feature and has worked all the time for me and you also get the voice command to let you know you have changed environment.
All in all the Jabra 85h are a win coming in at a good price and cheaper than its main competitors. I am huge headphone and earphone fan but don’t claim to be an audiophile expert but I can honestly say from testing countless pairs of both now over the years and owning a huge collection these will not disappoint you if you can shell out the price, You have to pay to play as they say and these will play music to your ears in one the best audio experiences out there. With the ANC turned on they shine..
Key features of the Jabra Elite 85h
SmartSound: Audio that automatically adapts to your surroundings
One-click access: Voice Assistant access at the push of a button
Four colour variations: Black, Titanium Black, Gold Beige and Navy
Battery: Up to 36-hour battery with ANC activated and 41 hours without ANC
Microphones: 8 microphones in total. 6 dedicated for calls, 4 for ANC and 2 hybrid mics for both calls and ANC.
Speakers: 40 mm custom-engineered speakers
Durability: Unique IP52 dust and rain resistance, backed by a 2-year warranty against water and dust
Personalise: Jabra Sound+ app for SmartSound features, including customised settings
