Jim O Brien/CEO - techbuzzireland.com

Review – Soul Transform Wireless headphones. #tech #headphones

If you want something that’s light,sounds good and does not sweat your head or ears these are the go-to headphones right now.

I go through and use headphones quite alot be it for testing and personal use and the common theme particularly with fitness most will give you the sweaty ears and head treatment which is annoying and for the most part unavoidable with leather cupped cans. These Soul Transform seem to avoid this due to the design and materials used and another factor to include is how light they are.

Build quality here is great alongside looking good with a flexible band and strong joints these should last some time, Joints are an issue with many headphones but how they are executed is the issue but these are executed well and are robust and I can see them lasting.

Battery life is 18 hours and this lived up the manufacturers claims by multiple charge tests so this is a good USP here for not only those who will use these for fitness but those who have long commutes, You don’t need to be a fitness head to just use these anyone can. They also come with a carry bag which is great.

The headband has a typical plastic top but its got three areas cut out for breathing and on the underside another layer of rubber which is well vented to allow your head to breathe. The cups impressive,light and as soul have claimed “times of sweaty headphones have now come to an end: The earpads are removable and washable and the specially designed headband is also breathable due to its small air holes. The materials used for these over-ears make them almost as light as a feather with only 155 grams”.

The speakers of these headphones range from 20Hz – 20kHz and have been developed according to the proven Soul Signature recipe. This sound ensures the right balance of powerful bass and clear mids and highs. Thanks to Bluetooth 4.0 the over-ears connect to a smartphone in just one second. Trying all genres lows,mids and highs these sound great and also have good bass which many folks like to have these days but again you can adjust via your smartphones media player. Also to take note call quality is as you would find on your smartphone and was crisp and clear.

Controls are all on one side which makes life easy with raised easy to navigate controls keeping things simple and these work well too and I have had no issue here with them at all. Also on the same side (R) we have a mic LED light, 3.5mm port and micro usb charge port. This set up is best as having controls and ports divided between two cups is annoying but that’s my POV.

Would I recommend these? Yes especially for those into fitness. Not only that anyone that has long commutes and prefers something light and that has good sound these are ideal. They come in two colours Black and Red but perhaps more will come along in the coming weeks which would be nice and give the consumer a choice.

BUY HERE

Review – Blitzwolf TV Soundbar and Bluetooth Speaker #Blitzwolf #Speaker #Soundbar

Most TV sets today come with speakers built in but depending on what direction they are firing is another matter and also how they really are. Some sets come with speakers top and bottom or on the side but now with bezels getting smaller following the trend of smartphones we tend to see them underneath which in my opinion is a but pointless.There is however options to fix this via soundbars which are a good idea once executed well.

Soundbars come in several sizes and have some great functionality and some are just rubbish.. This one we tried out falls about midway but for the money its good value. Given there is no display on board here this a dealbreaker for some however it is simple to use and you get a simple to use remote, Yes another remote but it is what it is. There is an LED built into the front panel which will give you a status and you get a beep when you switch source. The lenght of this unit is on par with other offerings out there.

This soundbar comes with mutiple scources to pick from and incudes USB which is great if you have tunes stored on one. Most will use the HDMI ARC option though.It is simple to set up and get going once you have a power source and this makes it more portable around the house if you want to switch rooms for example.

On testing on two TVs here it sound fairly well but will not rival more expensive ones with a 60W max output. I found the volume decent enough and sound reproduction good. One thing I did notice it sounded much louder as a standalone bluetooth speaker and really packed a punch here. Its not an ideal size to have a bluetooth speaker but with the performance in this department it is something worth considering as its flat and can be tucked into a corner or left sat on your table for example and it will certainly fill the room with decent audio.

Overall for the money we are talking here it is worth a punt given its plain looks and lacking a display but the fucntionality and easy to use remote and buttons on the speaker its worth the money if its your first time to use such equipment or if you have not tried one before this is a good place to start. The only issue for me was cable managment on the rear but this depends on where you plan to let is sit permanently or if you want to move it around, HDMI and power cables will limit you to your set up depending on where that is, In my own house which will would have been placed over the fireplace for example the cables pushed it away from wall leaving it leaning a bit too much over the ledge but thats my set up in house which there is nothing I can aboutbut just and idea if you have a wall mounted TV.

BUY HERE – Official Site: https://goo.gl/F9KeX5

Banggood Page: https://goo.gl/kv6Rfe

Top recognition for Irish-based scale-up success story. #Fleetmatics #VerizonConnect

Ireland’s first tech scale-up success story Fleetmatics (now known as Verizon Connect) has been named by Berg Insights as the global leader in fleet management solutions. It’s a good news story for the 250 people who work with the company at its Networks Operations Centre here in south Dublin. Fleetmatics was co-founded by Peter Mitchell, who now serves as the CTO for the company globally.

Verizon Connect has been identified as the leading provider of fleet management solutions globally, according to the Fleet Management in the Americas – 8th Edition report

Fleet management solutions are defined as vehicle-based systems that incorporate data logging, satellite positioning and data communications to a back-office application. The 300-page Berg Insight report covers both Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and aftermarket players in-depth.

“Our strategic research provides expert commentary and unique intelligence on the fleet management market,” said Johan Fagerberg, director of Berg Insight. “Verizon Connect is the clear leader in the fleet telematics space both from a global perspective and in the Americas specifically, and is setting the pace in delivering leading mobile technology platforms and solutions.”

“We are committed to revolutionizing the way people, vehicles and things move through the world, and this report recognizes our leadership in a dynamic market,” said Jay Jaffin, chief marketing officer at Verizon Connect. “We maintain our top position by putting our customers first – helping them to improve safety, efficiency and productivity while lowering costs. At Verizon Connect, innovation, automation and connected data all come together to guide a connected world on the go.”

Verizon Connect offers a full suite of fleet and mobile workforce management solutions, serving commercial customers of any size.

Withings is back with the Multi-Sport Hybrid smartwatch. #Withings #Fitness #Tech

There is a story to Withings for those in the dark and that is they made fitness and activity trackers then one day Nokia Health bought them and then recently Withings Co – Founder bought the company back more or less last May and now if you want to get a NOKIA branded fitness tracker you perhaps are running out of time because when the current stock runs out you will be out of luck.

I was actually a fan of Withings fitness trackers before but to get here in Ireland was a difficult process and then the price I just could not justify the price no matter how good the watch looked but then when Nokia bought them out I got one and still use it today and have missed out on the HR which is another matter for discussion and I also own one of the scales too. You can still in fact buy the older Withings branded trackers today if you look around which leaves a question worth asking… Are they worth the money with Nokia or Withings branding..I will let you decide…

Moving on Withings is back with a really nice looking watch I must say and again the same is on offer with face colour and the option to buy straps but here is where the problems begin for fitness trackers come smartwatches and thats the price they come in at..

The new watch and straps do look great and eye-catching with a blend of old and new that complement each other well but are you going to buy one is the question.. They certainly come in cheaper than your average high-end smartwatch/fitness tracker on offer but with limitations and they will do what they are set out to do but with competition out there now with fitness and activity trackers for under 150 or less it will be good to see though mostly they look like a band wrapped around your wrist but this new offering stands out with a fresh new look… I just might pick one up….

Steel HR Sport is a hybrid smartwatch specifically designed for your workout, featuring heart rate monitoring, multi-sport tracking, connected GPS and a Fitness Level assessment via VO2 Max estimation. All of these advanced features are housed in a classic timepiece that goes the distance with water resistance up to 50m, a long-life battery of up to 25 days, and a durable stainless steel case.

If you have any questions about the transaction you can read HERE

BUY HERE

Keep moving with the August SWB200 smart activity and fitness tracker. #Fitness #Tech

When it comes to fitness trackers there is an array of them out there but when it comes to features and price there is some limitations, Smartwatches can do all the things a fitness tracker can do but their inflated prices do them no justice and people are buying fitness trackers these days and today there is a new one on the market priced very well.

August International, a UK based consumer electronics company with a vision to inspire smart innovation, today announced the launch of the SWB200 smart activity tracker. Packed full of features, this sleek, app-enabled wristband accurately tracks a user’s daily activity including steps, distance, heart rate, blood oxygen and calories burnt. It also monitors sleep, providing information on quality, duration as well as the stages of sleep, all for £54.95.

Splash and dust proof and with an impressive 30-day battery life and OLED display, the August SWB200 is perfect for everyday use and is the ideal solution for anyone wanting to get into shape or simply have a better understanding of their overall health and fitness.

The August SWB200 works in conjunction with the dedicated ‘August Pulse’ app allowing users to keep track of all the data their lifestyle generates. Compatible with iOS and Android, the wristband simply connects to the app via Bluetooth to wirelessly sync all the information. The app enables users to configure reminders for getting active or upcoming appointments and set alarms. It also monitors daily targets and progress for steps, distance and calories burnt as well as manually measures heart rate and blood pressure and reviews sleep history.

Aside from its activity and fitness tracking abilities, the August SWB200 keeps users connected by alerting them to alarms, calls and texts as well as notifications from a range of apps including Facebook, Twitter and What’s App. It will also send alerts for long periods of inactivity, such as sitting, to help encourage people to move more. Additionally, the August SWB200 has a clever ‘Search Wristband’ function causing the device to vibrate so it can be located easily in the event it’s misplaced. The August SWB200 can also be used as a remote photo taker – by simply rotating or shaking it, users can control their smartphone and take photos.

Sleek and lightweight, the August SWB200 has an OLED display and adjustable flexible strap that is comfortable to wear for long periods of time. Ideal for any active individual, whether they are step counting or trail running, it is splash and dustproof. Its impressive 30-day battery life ensures the device will last around a month per charge meaning it’s always ready for use.

The August SWB200 RRP at £54.95 and more information can be found on http://www.augustint.com/en/productmsg-292-326.html

Review – Sudio VASA headphones. Also grab a 15% discount #tech #headphones #sudio

After testing several headphones from sudio I was looking forward to see what the VASA had to offer at a great price and build quality how did I find them..

There is no escaping the fact I love headphones and earphones alike and have a rather large collection which gives me a great choice and it is a good position to be in for choice but I have been testing Sudio products some time now and they have been impressive for the price-point they come in at ..

Presentation again is excellent and is something I like to see in a product and it is a benefit for all not just the company. Check out the unboxing video below for the whole package experience.

Build Quality

These are not winged nor come with tips and are the least personal favourite of mine to wear but its all down to build quality and sound with me in general,these are built well aluminium housing making them solid but light they also look well with the polished finish to them. Another point here is the flat cable which is less likely to get tangled compared to the typical round cable we still often see. The design and look is also current and they come in several colours so you have choice. The inline control panel also is excellent with tactile buttons easy to navigate and looks great in fact overall they look premium.

Inside the packaging as seen in the video you get a carry case which is a plus and you also get a clip and extra buds which are always welcome.

Sound

Not their loudest this time around but punchy enough. I found them quite a bit lower in terms of volume maxed out compared to others from their range but you have to consider the price hear and then again I am use to having it loud but that’s my ears but on this occasion they did not get as loud as I expected. Overall though the sound was crisp and clear with all mids lows and highs but lacked true bass which many of us like but having them maxed out or using an EQ on your device can fix the bass problem but having it on max volume, This might not be again for everyone but my personal thoughts and taste but overall they perform well. And for those wondering about phone calls they where fine with good clarity.

Being wired means no charging something extra is another way to look at things here though wireless is now as popular as wired as we all seem to be complaining about no headphone jacks on mobile phones today and this is a longstanding argument over which provides the better sound “Wireless or Wired”.

Overall these are a good pair of headphones for the money in fairness minus the two things I spoke about that did not suit me but that is me so for the average user whom would not notice certain aspects in audio you cant really go wrong as you will get a crisp clear experience of your music with these and look good doing so with the premium look and build quality.

Driver & specifications:

Type: 10,2 mm Dynamic Speaker
Sensiivity: 113dB SPL @ 1 kHz
Impedance: 32 Ohm @ 1kHz
Frequency response: 18 Hz – 23 kHz

Housing: Composite, Aluminium
Finish: High polished metal parts
Model: In-ear
Weight: 22 grams

Dont forget You can also grab a free set of cosaters which I have done a quick video on HERE and you can get yourself a 15% discount HERE.

BUY HERE

Bitcoin will lose 50% of its market share to Ethereum in five years. #Bitcoin #ethereum #cyrptocurrency

Bitcoin will lose 50 per cent of its cryptocurrency market share to Ethereum within five years, states an influential tech expert and business analyst.

The comments from Ian Mcloed, from Thomas Crown Art, the world’s leading art-tech agency that he established with renowned art dealer, Stephen Howes, comes as Ethereum, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, began a price recovery on Friday after being hit hard with a major sell-off in recent weeks.

Bitcoin – the biggest digital currency – had also been in decline, but it bounced back quicker than its nearest competitor.Indeed, Ethereum had crashed 85 per cent overall this year.

However, Ethereum is regained ground late last week, jumping almost 14 per cent after its most recent plunge, only find itself trading again 10 per cent lower once more in the past 24 hours.

What is happening? And what does the future hold for Ethereum?

Mr Mcloed observes: “Turbulence is a regular, and sometimes welcome, feature of the crypto sector. Therefore, the Ethereum rebound was, and is, inevitable. “But not only do we think it will rebound considerably before the end of 2018, I believe that over the longer time it will significantly dent Bitcoin’s dominance.

“In fact, I think we can expect Bitcoin to lose 50 per cent of its cryptocurrency market share to Ethereum, its nearest rival, within five years.”

Why is he so confident? “Simply, Ethereum offers more uses and solutions than Bitcoin, and it’s backed with superior blockchain technology,” says Mr Mcloed.

“This is why we use Ethereum’s blockchain in our art business. It has allowed us to create a system to use artworks as a literal store of value; it becomes a cryptocurrency wallet.

“It also solves authenticity and provenance issues – essential in the world of art. All our works of art are logged on the Ethereum’s blockchain with a unique ‘smART’ contract.”

Last month, Stephen Howes explained: “Using this cutting-edge technology, the art world can eradicate one of its biggest and most expensive problems – forgery – and can protect artists, galleries, and private owners and collectors.”

Ian Mcloed concludes: “Whilst there will continue to be peaks and troughs in the wider cryptocurrency market, due to its inherent strong core values, Ethereum will steadily increase in value in the next few years and beyond.

“Unless Bitcoin does more now to tackle scalability issues, and improves the technology it runs on, we cannot see how it can catch up with Ethereum over the next five years or so, when the crypto market will be even more mainstream.

“Ethereum is already light years ahead of Bitcoin in everything but price – and this gap will become increasingly apparent as more and more investors jump into crypto. ”

Google give over €500,000 to support Camara and Foróige to double TechSpace sites in youth clubs across Ireland #Google #Camara #Foróige

Camara Education Ireland, the Irish NGO which runs the national TechSpace network, has received a €530,000 grant from Google.org, the philanthropic arm of Google, to deliver computer science training, equipment, and ongoing support to over 300 youth workers and 48 senior managers in 60 Foróige youth groups around the country.

Camara Education’s TechSpace program inspires young people to get creative with technology, and to gain new skills through ‘learning by doing’. With around 400,000 young people engaged with the youth sector every year, the partnership between Camara and Foróige is designed to have a major impact on how technology is used in youth groups across the country. 60 new TechSpace sites – double the existing number – will be established in Foróige youth groups, including in Ringsend and Pearse Street, adjacent to Google’s EMEA headquarters. The youth groups will also receive a total of 360 computers to support the project’s implementation.

Google to give over €500,000 to support Camara and Foróige initiative. Camara Education Ireland, the Irish NGO which runs the national TechSpace network, has received a €530,000 grant from Google.org, the philanthropic arm of Google, to deliver computer science training, equipment, and ongoing support to over 300 youth workers and 48 senior managers in 60 Foróige youth groups around the country.
Pictured are Sam McMahon, aged 17, Katherine Zappone TD, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Sean Campbell, CEO of Foróige, Marianne Checkley, CEO of Camara Ireland, Shane Nolan, Community Outreach Lead for Google Ireland.
*Picture by Shane O’Neill, SON Photographic*

The funding from Google.org will enable Camara to develop and deliver training and support in 2019 to 300 youth workers and 48 senior managers to facilitate Computer Science activities through the TechSpace programme. Youth workers will also be offered a bursary to complete a Level 8 National University of Ireland Certificate in ‘Digital Creativity in Youth Settings’ which will include a module in Computer Science education. This is a special purpose program run in partnership with Maynooth University, designed to significantly impact the adoption of technology in the youth sector. Additionally the project will create a Computer Science in Youth Work Toolkit to be made available to youth workers nationwide, containing best practices, activity guidelines and resources.

Speaking at the launch of the programme yesterday in Foroige The Big Picture Youth Club, Tallaght, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Katherine Zappone said, “Opportunities for creativity are hugely beneficial to young people. It allows them to express themselves in fun and innovative ways. Creativity in technology has the additional benefit of allowing young people to develop skills in problem solving and critical analysis. I welcome this wonderful initiative and look forward to seeing the TechSpace programme grow across the country.”

Shane Nolan, Director of New Business Sales for EMEA and Community Outreach Lead for Google Ireland said, “We are delighted to be supporting this innovative partnership between Camara and Foróige. There’s a great buzz of excitement around Computer Science these days, with its introduction for the first time as a Leaving Certificate subject earlier this month, and potentially soon to be available at other stages in the school curriculum. More than ever, it is critical that all students have access to Computer Science education – both in and out of school. Computer science education is a pathway to innovation, to creativity and to exciting career opportunities in the 21st century, and Google believes that all students deserve these opportunities. ”

Marianne Checkley, CEO of Camara Ireland, commented, “We are really proud to be part of this innovative project that expands the use of technology as a catalyst for youth development. Digital media and new technologies can be wonderful tools to ignite young people’s curiosity, creativity and confidence. Used effectively they can enhance social awareness and contribute to an ability to engage as active citizens. They can also help to build young people’s sense of agency and enable them to develop new knowledge and skills, and provide platforms for their voices to be heard. ”

Seán Campbell, CEO of Foróige, said “This exciting initiative will make it possible for over 3,000 young people across Ireland to develop a suite of computer science skills that will set them on the pathway for success in the 21^st Century. It will challenge young people to harness their innate interest in technology for the betterment of their own lives, their communities and society. In many ways, computer science has become as important as reading, writing and maths, making this partnership between Camara Ireland, Foróige and Google hugely important.”

ISP Airwire in Ireland Boosts Network Speeds With RADWIN’s JET PtMP. #Radwin #Airwire

RADWIN (http://www.radwin.com), the global wireless broadband provider, today announced that Airwire, an ISP in the west of Ireland, has deployed RADWIN’s JET Point-to-Multipoint Beamforming solutions to connect towns and rural communities across Ireland.

Martin List-Petersen, CTO, Airwire: “We serve residential and business customers such as SOHOs that heavily depend on quality broadband services. 80% of our customers reside in rural Ireland and our aim is to provide them with similar speeds as delivered to customers in urban areas. With the AIR subscriber units we deliver 50 Mbps to customers willing to pay a premium price to get faster speeds, much higher than what our legacy network delivers. This also allows us to offload customers from our legacy network and improve service to all subscribers as there is less contention on the legacy network.”

Concluded List-Petersen: “What we appreciate about JET is that it operates in challenging environments and delivers fiber-quality broadband. This includes rural areas where heavy vegetation poses obstacles to direct line-of-sight, and in towns where the noise level is high due to multiple ISPs all working in the same area. Another major plus is that RADWIN’s professional support services are simply outstanding. From our experience, just buying a product is never going to do it in this business because issues always crop up, it’s unavoidable. Proper support after purchasing the product is a crucial component, and RADWIN’s support team makes all the difference.”

Raymond Forado, RADWIN GM Europe: “Our JET solutions are the optimal choice for service providers seeking to deliver high-speed services to underserved areas. Our mission is to provide people living in rural areas with high speed broadband that is as good as what’s available in urban areas.”

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