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 – Garmin Dashcam 55… #Garmin #Dashcams #Motoring

Last year we checked out the Garmin 65w dashcam and this version we have today is the Garmin 55 1440p Dashcam much is the the same to be honest bar a few minute differences although I think this one looks better with the copper tint around the lens.It gives it a bit of bling..

55 VS 65W FRONT
55 VS 65WREAR

The build quality again here is great to begin with and its a robust unit, On the front we have a small screen which is 2.0 inches which is the smallest screen we have tested but its clear and readable which is important and notifications are loud and visible,more on that later. On the right side we have 4 circular buttons which are easy to navigate,even when not looking. On the display beside the sceen these buttons are indexed with power on/off/back which is the top one and then consecutively UP-DOWN and take shot with the bottom key,this autosaves to your SD card. The unit does not come with an SD card which is a bummer but thats how it is.

Features.

  • Small and inconspicuous when mounted on windscreen and easy to mount.
  • High-quality 3.7 megapixel camera with 1440p video capture; works even in low-light conditions
  • Forward collision and lane departure warnings plus alerts for nearby red light cameras and speed cameras
  • Includes lifetime safety camera updates
  • GPS-enabled with automatic incident detection (G-Sensor) saves video footage on impact to show when and where events happened
  • Voice control allows you to start/stop audio recording, take a still picture and more, all with your voice.

The set up is easy here as before with a simple UI you can see this set up and how easy it is below.

Keeping in mind with voice control it is pretty sensitive I had to turn it off sometimes as if you are in conversation or listening to the radio for example it tends to pick up sound bites and save clips and videos accidentally. Another thing is sensitivity around safety settings these can be adjusted too or turned off, You will know after a period of time what is right for you when it keeps giving you alerts constantly and it will probably annoy you but like I said you can switch on/off…

Video quality on the 55 version is great and there is some samples above and below in different times of the day, Viewing the image on the 2.0 screen is also clear and on par with many competitors out there, You will need to decide where is best to place it and on set up you will also see an option to calibrate for a high,medium or low vehicle setting such as truck,van or a car and then left right or centre, People have their own favoured position so the ability to place it where you like is good and it can be concealed better..

With this Garmin 55 just like the 65w you can more or less plug in and go out of the box which makes life easy however it is best to navigate the options at hand such as WI-FI for example as the unit has this built-in but requires an app to transfer the data, I find these apps in general poor,many other brands suffered connectivity and transfer issues so I just transfer direct to PC. Also you have the ability to share to social media platforms if you wish..

The only notable difference between the 55 and the 65w is it has a wider-angle, 180-degree lens and better camera unit the 55 is cheaper but there is not much at loss here when it comes to features between the two they both have it all really. The Dash Cam 55 sports a 3.7 megapixel camera and captures in 1440p or 1080p with 720p res footage.

Data is continuously recorded and can’t be manipulated and this combined with travelapse and a built in G sensor you will have all the info at hand should you have a bump..All cars should be fitted with dashcams as a standard in my opinion as it would rule out fraudulent claims and have proof at hand there and then and it would also speed up the process. Be it the 55 or 65w either of these two will keep you safe so spend a few quid and invest in a quality product..

Garmin 65w review

Garmin 55 to buy. 

Review – STM Goods 13″ Chapter laptop brief bag. #tech #techbag #stmgoods

I have been using STM bags some two years now and still use them all today they offer many types of bag for all kinds of tech folk covering all aspects and needs for users, Today we will check out the smaller bag which us suitable for 13 inch laptops but having said that being on the small side they still offer much more and many compartments to suit most people’s needs,this bag for example would be for the light traveller or casual type or perhaps press events not requiring much endurance during the day which would mean you would carry much more than this can handle.

The 13 inch Chapter would perhaps get you through a heavy day with extra cables,headphones, portable charging bricks and more but its best to keep thing to a minimum for easy access,less hassle fumbling about looking for bits and holding just the right amount for your needs with such a bag.

Features

  • Protective suspended tech cell keeps your laptop away from impact zones
  • Zip pockets for cables, chargers, and more
  • Rear luggage pass-through strap
  • Padded double handle for comfortable hand carry
  • Adjustable, removable shoulder strap
  • Constructed of lightweight, water resistant fabric

This bag can be used over the shoulder or carried by hand with the two straps which are perfectly comforted with padding so either way it will not be a chore nor would it be too heavy once you keep things as suggested above its also very portable and will easily fit under seats in your car for example or if you are on a short flight to the UK for example it can be easily stowed away not taking up much space.

The bag is also durable and from using these bags still on an almost daily basis I can stand by my claim, With our rubbish weather they see more rain than sun and also they are easy to maintain with a wipe of cloth or you can machine wash, this would only apply to brighter colours though.

Another good feature on these bags are the zippers,these tend to bust over time but mine have not and they get some abuse and use and still as new and these reverse coil zippers are ideal as they keep dirt and water out so for those who are new to such the teeth are not visible this is how all bags should be..

One of the top features is suspended protection as all STM bags have and this is a feature you will one day thank if you drop you bag with an expensive piece of kit inside. With the extra padding and suspended corners these features are a must have which many traditional bags don’t include.

Check out the video below and if you have any questions feel free to ask below or on social media.

BUY HERE

Review – Sudio NIVÅ earphones. #sudiosweden #earbuds #earphones

Sudio have sent us their latest earphones to check out and like all their products these come well presented and offer great value for money with their build quality and to top it off sound quality at a good price with a premium look to them, The Sudio NIVÅ offer this too so lets check em out.

Unboxing the Sudio NIVÅ

Key specs 

  • Play time: 3.5h per charge
  • Portable case: Holds +4 charges
  • Earphones battery: 55mAh
  • Case battery: 500 mAh
  • Bluetooth version: 4.2
  • Range: 10 m
  • Driver: Dynamic
  • Siri function

These in-ear buds in the past where something I was not a huge fan of and prefered overheads but over the last two years I now like these kind of earbuds, For some though they still can’t adapt to them due to their ear shape or buds that come with it. The NIVA comes with three sets here which will find most people’s ears and the ones that came attached done it for me. Though this would vary per person and what they use them for.

 

In the box we get the usual suspects but the stand out part aside the buds themselves is the case they come in which is shaped like a disc or small tub which looks contemporary  if you will sporting a leather strap,easy to open lip and 4 small LED lights which act as a battery indicator.

Once opened you are presented with the earphones which mine are White with a rose gold button atop and these make them stand out and rose gold is now very popular and a trend with tech products.

The charge case gives you an extra 4 charges on the go which is excellent for the battery anxiety type so for commuters or fitness folk this is plenty to keep you going during a heavy day at the office or gym.

Pairing was easy and when i say that it is something I am use to but for newbies with a first experience of this type of earphone is just like pairing two sets first time as both are separate and when paired you will hear them saying right and left channels connected in each side there is also a small LED light on each tide for connectivity status etc.If you want just one side connected just do the usual as you would to set up by holding down the button and having your bluetooth menu at the ready on your device, I for example would use one for around the house or office for calls etc.

Sound quality here is great as expected though not LOUD which is my personal taste,there is no Volume control on these either but that’s no a major issue considered their size the only options on these is to play/pause,skip tracks and take calls this applies to both sides not just one.

The sound then aside from that is good though I did find some tracks tinny on lower volumes but you can adjust with your mobile phone to change the equalizer to your own taste and then all was fine but not as loud as some of their other products but that is my ears telling me that everyone has different experiences. Some might find the lack of volume control a boon but it means less fiddling with something so small and you can always use your device to do so which naitively I do more than the headphone itself so it was no issue for me being honest.

Sound overall with Bass, Mid range and treble is generally good all round and well balanced and crisp and noise isolation is also quite good with the tight fit, In saying tight fit I do not mean they are sqaushed into your ears they fit nice with the right buds as mentioned before. For the price they offer plenty for the average user though for the audiophile they might consider higher priced options like Jabra which have a range of similar earbuds for a better thump in sound overall but you cant complain here with the design quality and looks and what they offer in a package as a whole.

You can get a reader discount of 15% from Sudio using the code TECHBUZZIRELAND15 and you also get FREE shipping. Head HERE for that

 

 

Jurassic World Comes Alive. #VR #AR #APPS #JurassicWorld

Bringing the virtual world into the real world is rapidly growing in popularity with the global market predicted to be worth approximately £100 billion by 2021. Augmented reality (AR) is undoubtedly one of the most exciting technological innovations around and games like Pokémon GO have inspired more developments in this sector.

Recently Jurassic World Alive was released in the UK and brings monster hunting to a whole new level. Instead of searching for cute creatures, players are tasked with saving dinosaurs from extinction by collecting DNA samples and creating new hybrid species in a lab. The game, developed for both android and IOS, is loosely based on Pokémon Go and only time will tell if it will have the same global success.

Will Jurassic World Alive Become The Most Downloaded App?

A recent survey conducted by mobile app agency, The App Developers showed that Social Media & Communications Apps are the most popular type of app downloaded (31%), with entertainment apps (Games, Streaming & Music Apps) are not far behind (27%). However, when looking at the top grossing mobile apps in the UK, 8 out of the top ten apps are games.  

Jurassic World Alive is free to download, but does contain in-app-purchases. The survey found that this was a good approach as 74% only download free apps with 68% saying they don’t make in-app purchases. Jurassic World Alive, like many gaming apps, offers ways of getting around making in-app purchases and the survey found that 38% would watch “unskippable” ads and 33% would answer survey questions to continue playing for free.

AR Technology Used in Apps  

34% of app users are 18 – 34, and since the release of Pokémon GO by Niantic, AR technology has become more popular. Other franchises have picked up on Niantic’s success and Jurassic Park Alive produced by Ludia, is only the second game to join this trend. Many more AR games are predicated to be released into the marketplace, such as Harry Potter: Wizards Unite, and the App Developers could see this happening.

The App Developers, explain: “Both VR and AR technology have been around for a while now; but have still not really exploded into the public consciousness. 2018 and the next couple of years are expected to see a big change in this. Part of the problem with VR has been the low number of quality apps being developed, but this is now turning into a huge growth market. Particularly now developers and businesses are starting to see the potential”.

About The App Developers

The App Developers are an award-winning mobile led design & development agency, working with corporates & start-ups across multiple sectors. All products are created adopting a user-first methodology, and solutions are designed taking an expert think-tank approach to business pain points and objectives.  Everything is built with ROI in mind. The App Developers have worked with brands such as Fujifilm, Exxonmobil, Sainsbury’s, Walkers & many emerging and disruptive start-ups.

Survey Methodology

The App Developers surveyed over 300 men and women within the UK between 07/02/2018 – 12/02/2018 to discover their thoughts and opinions on mobile apps. Respondents were asked 10 questions regarding which apps they use the most, whether they spend money downloading apps or in-app purchases and if they are concerned about apps using their data for marketing. The App Developers then analysed the results.

Soul Electronics Presents new Transform Wireless Over-Ear Headphones #Headphones

In-ears certainly offer a lot of freedom when enjoying music, but in terms of comfort they are not always a pleasure for everyone. And if they don’t fit properly, the sound soon suffers as well. Fitness and lifestyle focused people who are looking for well-balanced comfort and sound should listen closely, because Californian audio-experts Soul Electronics now introduce their new Transform Wireless headphones. In the past Soul already worked with athletes such as Usain Bolt and NBA-star Dennis Schröder, using this experience to create an uncompromising sound with highest wireless wearing comfort.

Soul Signature Sound

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. By a range of 10 m and up to 18 hours playtime the Transform Wireless guarantee an almost unlimited musical enjoyment – whether in sports or in leisure time.

Clean and comfortable

Over-Ears while running or workout in the gym? Sounds brave at first. But 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. Nevertheless they are rock solid and guarantee a perfect hold and wearing comfort. The Transform Wireless headphones are available at 99,90 GBP. Further information about all Soul Electronics products is available on www.soulelectronics.com.

Brian Cody delivers leadership talks at Dell EMCin Limerick #DellLEMC

The all-Ireland winning Kilkenny hurling coach Brian Cody has given his insights on leadership to members of the Mid-West business community at the Dell EMC campus in as part of the Limerick Chamber Regional Leaders’ programme. The programme is being delivered by Limerick Chamber in collaboration with Dell EMC and the University of Limerick.

Brian Cody’s was the second in a series of leadership talks this year that have been hosted at the Dell EMC campus in Limerick. The programme aims to equip future leaders from across the Mid-West with the skills and network of mentors they can learn from. Each of the inspirational talks from speakers within the world of business and sport are private sessions for the over 150 participants who have signed up for the programme.

As the manager of the Kilkenny hurling team since 1998, Brian Cody knows what it takes to be a true leader and to motivate and inspire a team to realize their goals. His successful career to date includes coaching his native county to eleven All-Ireland hurling championship titles and a famous four-in-a-row from 2006 and 2009.

At the Limerick Chambers Regional Leaders Programme in Dell EMC was Denis Kelly, Dell EMC, Special guest speaker Brian Cody, Kilkenny hurling manager, Grainne Greehy, Director of Policy with Limerick Chamber, Dr James Ring, CEO Limerick Chamber and Dave griffin, Business Development Director at Dell

Speaking to the audience Brian Cody commented: “Each person has their own instinctive style of leadership. However, irrespective of their natural leadership style, good leaders must have true confidence in their own ability and in making tough decisions that empower long-term success. In showing a belief in themselves, business leaders can inspire a team to deliver results.” 

The Kilkenny hurling manager delivered an hour-long talk to the attendees with an open question and answer session held at the end of the event.

Denis Kelly, Site Leader, Dell EMC Limerick: “At Dell EMC we are focused on empowering the next generation of leaders who have the skills to not only fulfil their own potential, but to drive transformation into the future. This is a key aspect of our commitment to leave a legacy of good within the Mid-West.

“By working with the Limerick Chamber and the University of Limerick on this innovative programme, we can help support sustainable growth and development in Limerick and the surrounding region. In recent months, we’ve had some incredible speakers as part of the initiative. Widely acknowledged as the greatest manager in the history of the game, Brian Cody provided insights into an imaginative approach to leadership that has fuelled success both on and off the pitch. Through his motivational talk, Brian has proven to be a key inspiration for all those present.” 

Dr. James Ring, CEO, Limerick Chamber, said: “The Regional Leaders’ Programme is growing from strength to strength, offering the unique opportunity to share experiences and learning amongst the business community in the Mid-West. Brian Cody’s leadership insights were indispensable to our participants and have left our budding leaders inspired and ambitious to grow their own business.”

More information about the Limerick Chamber Regional Leaders Programme is available at www.limerickchamber.ie.

Adonit Launches its Mini 4 Precision Disc Stylus. #ADONIT #Stylus

Designed with mobile in mind, the stylish Adonit Mini 4 is a pocket-sized stylus for use with any touchscreen and requires no batteries or setup. 

Leading stylus manufacturer, Adonit, is pleased to announce the availability of the Mini 4 – the latest release in the range of Mini styluses. A pocket-sized stylus for use with any touchscreen, the Mini 4 is available for £22.25 from Amazon with Prime delivery.

The Mini 4 is the perfect stylus for using with smartphones on-the-go and is compatible with all touchscreen devices. Designed with mobile in mind, it is small enough to fit into daily life and requires no batteries or setup. To use the stylus, simply touch the tip to the screen and start writing with the dampening tip providing a natural pen to paper feel. Using a non-removable transparent disc, the Mini 4 delivers a fine line and unmatched precision and the PET material prevents any harm or damage to the glass screen.

Since the launch of the Mini range in 2013, the line has been awarded for its innovative product design and user experience in multiple iF Design Awards, a globally recognised trademark for excellence in design. The new split barrel design of the Mini 4 continues this trend and allows users to untwist at the colour seam to reveal the disc, flip it around and twist closed to securely attach. The smooth brushed metal barrel body is available in Dark Grey, Olive Green, Royal Blue and Orange to blend practicality and on-trend design for the ideal modern smartphone accessory.

Able to be used with many apps, the Mini 4 makes life more convenient whether in a lecture hall, sketching new designs at home or noting down inspiration when on the go. Apps such as PowerPoint, OneNote and Sketchpad allow for versatile use whether being creative or note taking and is ideal for students, creatives and fashionistas.

Jasper Li, CTO for Adonit comments, “There is always room for improvement when creating the next design concept. We took into mind how consumers want to interact with their devices and how our styluses could boost their experience. It was a natural evolution to continue to build upon and reenergize the Mini line.”

The Mini 4 is a powerful and pocket-sized tool built to withstand daily use and features Adonit’s laser cut clip to allow users to easily take the stylus with them wherever they go. The new split barrel design also keeps the disc tip securely in place and protected when travelling combining a high quality and design with accuracy.

Adonit Mini 4 is available in Olive Green, Royal Blue, Orange, and Dark Grey for £22.25 from Amazon and Adonit.

See more on Facebook and Instagram @ AdonitEurope.

10 Years of Video Pro X: MAGIX publishes the largest update in the history of the video software.

On the occasion of the software’s 10 year anniversary, MAGIX Software is introducing the largest update for Video Pro X ever to the market. The anniversary version of the professional video editing program includes numerous new functions and improvements for significantly more power, productivity, and design flexibility.

FOCUS ON PERFORMANCE

The most recent update from MAGIX had already put a strong focus on increased performance. However, the new version introduces the largest performance leap ever. For the first time, HEVC/H.265 video export can now be rendered with the NVIDIA GPU’s encoder. This makes export speeds possible, which were inconceivable in the past. Also new to the latest version is the comprehensive AVX optimization in the internal image processing and the 3-way colour correction resulting in faster image processing and much more precise output quality during colour conversion. Additionally, the output of 4K source videos into FullHD quality has been optimized by reducing high-frequency image components. This results in fewer bit errors during the conversion of high-resolution recordings.

 

MORE PRODUCTIVE WORKFLOWS

With the new Video Pro X, MAGIX pushes ahead with its workflow optimization strategy. The latest improvements include the new time-saving J-L cut and the intuitive “Move object content” mouse mode. With J-L edits, video and audio tracks can now be modified individually without losing the advantages of working with grouping. For video editors who work regularly with overlapping objects, such as spoken audio spanning several scenes in documentaries and interviews, work will become noticeably easier, and object content can now be moved more flexibly. From now on, users can intuitively select and adjust image content from video objects with a click of the mouse while maintaining the editing rhythm.

 

NEW EFFECTS AREA & OPTIMIZED CREATIVE TOOLS

The Video Pro X effects area has been enhanced and is now more clearly organized and user friendly than ever. Users can quickly navigate to the effects they want and control plugins much more intuitively meaning the creative workflow stays uninterrupted. Chroma Keying has also been optimized in response to customer feedback. A new algorithm supports the ability to recognize and extract objects. 360° editing was also improved. 360° image stabilization, a set of spectacular 360° transitions, and special 360° effects from HitFilm now supplement the Video Pro X 360° editing package. And now even stereoscopic videos can be processed by Video Pro X.

“10 years of development have been invested in the new Video Pro X. We would like to introduce the largest update in the history of Video Pro X as a way to say thank you to our loyal customers. Without the continuous feedback from the Video Pro X community, the software would by far not be as sophisticated and powerful as it is today,” says Florian Liepold, Product Owner Video Pro X at MAGIX.

 

 

Video Pro X comes with a year of Update Service free of charge. So, users who now decide to purchase the software will automatically receive any upcoming updates. For example, the flexible anchor point positioning, an intelligent function that helps to individually select the object focus – for maximum design flexibility while scaling and rotating.

All new Video Pro X features at a glance:

 

  • Accelerated export with NVIDIA NVENC support
  • Optimized workflow including J-L cuts
  • New effects area and In-App Store
  • Precise chroma keying
  • Improved Full HD output quality
  • Complete 360° package, including HitFilm effects
  • AVX-optimized algorithms
  • OpenFX interface with multithreading
  • HEIF image import for optimal support of iOS devices
  • Includes Update Service for 1 full year of all new features

Prices and availability:  Video Pro X – £299.00

 

Nokia 1 now on sale with Vodafone Ireland #Nokia1 #Ireland

The NOKIA 1 can now be purchased from Vodafone today in either Red or Dark Blue and it is now available on their site for  €79.99 This is the entry level device available from Nokia and HMD Global which is also priced near the Nokia 2 and Nokia 3 which are also available from Vodafone.

Check out the deal below and check out the special offer with free flights.

 

Watch now – and later

Nokia 1 comes with YouTube Go, designed to run faster and use less data while you view videos and stream. You can choose the playback quality and even download videos to watch offline later.

Make it yours

Personalize your phone to match your style or mood. Xpress-on covers are quick and easy to swap out and come in a variety of vibrant colors to choose from.

Get more done

Smooth to use, Nokia 1 is full of possibilities. Enjoy 4G connectivity for streaming and surfing, and easily switch between SIM cards thanks to Dual SIM. Or take advantage of the MicroSD storage card slot to expand storage up to 128 GB.

All the apps you need

Nokia 1 doesn’t hold back. A powerful experience in Nokia’s most affordable package, with all your favorite apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, YouTube, Google Maps and many more, literally at your fingertips. You won’t miss a beat.

BUY ON VODAFONE