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.

xDroid introduces the first truly gamified RC car. #gamified #AR #Coding #tech #kickstarter

xDroid bring the fun and excitement of video racing games to the real world,they enhance RC cars with interactive elements from video racing games, creating a completely new gaming experience. Making xDroid the first truly gamified RC car. In contrast to Augmented Reality, it brings the fun off the screen to the physical world and make it social.

The rush, the adrenaline, the dynamics of video racing games has now arrived in the real world. xDroid is introducing the first truly gamified remote controlled car. Destruction derby, capture the flag, drift and many more — with xDroid you can now play your favorite racing video games outside in the physical world.

All you need is the xDroid rc car, the interactive checkpoints “xPoints” and the xDroid app. The virtual vehicle is replaced by the 1:16 smartphone controlled xDroid — equipped with precise sensors, a high performance engine with 4 wheels-drive and a robust suspension system. If you want you can also upgrade your existing rc car with the xCore. Bonuses, scores and power-ups, just like in video games, can be collected by covering the xPoints.

In contrast to augmented reality like Pokemon Go, where the real world gets a digital overlay on the screen, xDroid wants to bring the fun off the screen. “With xDroid we take away video games from the screen and put them into the real world. We enhance rc cars with interactive game elements, to maximise the gaming experience.” explains CTO Roman Khazankin.

 

The xDroid app, available for iOS and Android, is the heart of the ecosystem, providing games, controller and a social gaming platform in one. It connects via an innovative Wi-Fi mesh network to xDroids and xPoints. It controls the xDroid with incomparable accuracy and gives you audio and haptic feedback during the game.

You can play xDroid in different modes, which makes it fun from young to old:

  • Single-player: Master your driving skills in the free drive or stunt mode.
  • Multiplayer: Capture the flag, destruction derby, domination, gold digger, catch up, and many more coming up
  • Parent-child: Delegate only partial control to your kid, this makes xDroid fun for even the smallest kids.
  • Droid mode: Learn coding with our graphical coding language and let your car drive autonomously.

In the future players will be able to create their own game modes and share them with other gamers. “We are not only creating a product, but are building a strong and motivated community.” says CEO Victor Rodionov.

Support them over here on KICKSTARTER

 

 

First look and unboxing, The Nokia 7 Plus. #Nokia7Plus #Ireland

Our Nokia 7 Plus has just arrived in the Black Copper colour, Today is just a quick unboxing and tour of the device which we seen recently at the Irish launch event in both flavours and many seem to like the white ceramic version which is really nice.  You can search the site for all details on availability of the Nokia 7 Plus in Ireland and stay tuned for more, One thing I have seen been asked quite often about this device and a radio on board,there is no radio folks. Any other questions in the meantime feel free to ask below or on social media.. Thanks…

 

 

Irish company Metabolomic Diagnostics wins EU funding of €2 Million for pregnancy screening test. #Biotech

Great news for Irish and Cork company, Metabolomic Diagnostics. Their preeclampsia screening test has won €2 million from EU Horizon 2020 SME funding. This is  huge boost as one of only 3 companies in Ireland to get this funding. Enterprise Ireland have backed MD as well as other VCs.

Full statement below

Having been ranked among the top innovations in Europe, Metabolomic Diagnostics is set to receive €2 million in EU Funding under the Horizon 2020 SME Instrument, which received a total of 1280 applications from all over Europe.

One of only 3 Irish companies to receive this funding, the Cork-based biotech company will use the award to commercialise its breakthrough product, PrePsia™.  PrePsia™ is a simple blood test taken in early pregnancy, which can identify whether a woman may develop Preterm Preeclampsia.  Preeclampsia is one of the biggest risks that women face during a pregnancy, claiming the lives of 75,000 mothers and 500,000 babies annually; survivors of the disease have a lifelong increased risk of developing a range of health problems.

PrePsia™ has the potential to transform prenatal care by allowing clinicians to administer effective treatments early that can dramatically reduce the incidence of the disease thus improving pregnancy outcomes whilst lowering healthcare costs for treating the disease.  The EU has clearly recognised the value of PrePsia™ which has worldwide applicability, with the award of this significant funding.

Charles Garvey, CEO of Metabolomic Diagnostics said, “This award will be used to accelerate our go-to-market strategy. We plan to market the product next year, and now with this support from EU, we believe that PrePsia™ has the potential to become part of pregnancy screening programs worldwide. The award is recognition by the European Union of the huge progress we have made to date and the enormous societal benefit that our innovative test will bring to expectant mothers and their babies all over the world.”

Metabolomic Diagnostics has previously been supported by the EU through FP7 funding, as well as private investors, SOSV, Enterprise Equity AIB Seed Capital Fund and Enterprise Ireland.

Sean Burke, Horizon 2020 National Delegate, Enterprise Ireland: “The success of Irish companies in winning significant Horizon 2020 SME Instrument funding has its foundation in Enterprise Ireland supports which are focused on nurturing and developing the innovative solutions and capabilities of our SMEs. This is an excellent win for the team at Metabolomic Diagnostics and we look forward to working closely with the company in the future.”

Magik Book startup creates smart paper catalogue that connects to digital devices. #AI #Digital

Magik Book uses patented tech to bridge physical and digital in a unique type of augmented reality

Magik Book, the first ever physical catalogue book that links to digital devices, has been launched by the Portugal-based startup of the same name. As Magik Book’s pages are turned, the smartphone or tablet responds with synchronized videos, animations, music, images, interactive models and more.
Aiming to replace standard paper catalogues, Magik Book is designed as a marketing tool for luxury products for use in showrooms, stores, at events, or to send to customers. The product is well-suited to car manufacturers, jewelers, hotel chains, and other high-end brands.
Magik Book is bound by a case which folds out into a stand, angling the device in the direction of the user and with the book itself laid flat. A custom-built app shows content tailored to each page of the book, offering an augmented reality experience with the physical object in the hands of the customer.

“Even in the digital age, people have strong relationships with real-life objects – not least books. That was the concept that drove the creation of Magik Book,” said Hugo Ribeiro, CEO and founder of Magik Book.
“Magik Book combines physical and digital, traditional and contemporary, setting itself apart as a marketing solution and offering brands a real opportunity to stand out in a crowded market. Integrating both elements makes for a more personal and memorable customer experience.”
Magik Book uses the company’s patented advanced magnetic field technology, which takes advantage of the compass and other sensors within digital devices. The tech requires no batteries or pairing, and is compatible across iOS and Android devices.
Apps are tailor-made to each client and can include media such as panoramic photos, interactive videos, or digital product modelling but can also facilitate sales, for example through a click-to-buy option or an email update registration.
Magik Book blurs the line between traditional marketing methods and more modern marketing technology, also known as martech. The latter is worth an estimated $34bn.
The company also today announces the launch of an online platform – the Magik Book Creator – on which small to medium-sized businesses can design their own catalogue and upload digital content to synchronize to each page. The tool will enable brands to custom-build their own Magik Book experience and will allow for smaller orders.

 

New LUMIX FT7: The Ultimate Rugged Camera for you Outdoor Adventures. #LUMIX #cameras #Tech #4K

With 4K video and 4 waterproof/shockproof protection launching in July for €449.99 the FT7 LUMIX is one to watch and also comes in several colours, orange, blue and black.

Announcement below.

The Lumix FT7 is waterproof (up to 31m / 102ft), shockproof (to 2m/6.6ft), freeze proof (to -10°C), dustproof and pressure resistant (to 100kg/220lbf) making it the perfect rugged companion for all your extreme experiences.
With a 20.4-megapixel high-sensitivity sensor which is joined by a 28mm wide angle 4.6x (28-128mm equivalent) optical zoom lens, the FT7 also features Power O.I.S (Optical Image Stabilisation) to help keep your shots steady even during rocky activities.
New for the FT7 is a 0.2-inch 1,170k-dot equivalent Live View Finder for composing your images when screen use is impractical. Use the LVF to compose your shots in strong sunlight, with the added bonus of saving and extending battery life in harsh conditions – such as the cold. Meanwhile, the 3.0-inch rear monitor boasts the highest-in-class 1,040k-dot resolution and uses tough, tempered-glass.
Never miss an opportunity with full-resolution high-speed burst shooting at 10fps*, which is coupled with Light Speed AF. What’s more, all your incredible exploits can be captured in stunningly smooth, high-resolution 4K Video. When 10fps isn’t enough, use 4K Photo to grab even fleeting moments by shooting at 30fps in 8-megapixel equivalent resolution, extracting the best frame from a 4K burst to save as a photo.
When you want to share the thrills and spills with those back at home, you can do that easily with Wi-Fi connectivity giving you the option to upload your photos and videos to Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp and more. Images can also be GPS geo-tagged to ensure you always remember exactly where your adventures took place. Don’t worry about running out of juice while on the go, as the FT7 supports USB charging for instant power from battery packs when wall charging is out of bounds.
For something extra special, take advantage of special modes such as time-lapse shooting, 22 creative filters and panorama mode, which can capture both horizontal and vertical images. The FT7 can even help with your night-time escapades, such as rock climbing or cave walking, as it can be used as a torch light, without the camera function being activated.
Other super-handy tools on board the FT7 include a compass and altimeter – making it ideal for a huge range of outdoor activities, including fishing, camping, diving, snorkelling, surfing, snowboarding, skiing and mountain climbing. This is a camera that is ready to capture the moments when you’d normally have to leave your other devices behind.
It’s not just thrill-seekers that will appreciate the FT7 – use it on your beach holidays, ensuring all those special memories are captured by a camera which isn’t fazed by sand, water and anything else you and your family want to chuck at it.

Guest Review – The Sony Xperia XZ2 by Liam Burke. #Sony #Xperia #XZ2 #Tech

Sony has changed its design in the new Xperia XZ2 family to what they call “Ambient flow” instead of the “Loop Surface” design from previous Xperia’s like the XZ1 Series. I liked the old design but the new design gives the phone a more curved rear surface allowing it to fit in your hand more naturally. I did find the phone slippy so its worth getting a case for the phone.
It feels very premium and solid with the metal frame and Corning Gorilla Glass5 making it look very sleek. It took me around a day to get used to the placement of the rear fingerprint scanner as on the previous Xperia’s it was on the side of the phone. Its great Sony has kept the dedicated camera button as it has on other Xperia’s, on the side is the power button and volume rocker, which were both easily used when the phone is in your hand.


I didn’t think that the phone would fit so well in the hand as it does as it weights 198g and its thickness 11.1mm but it feels comfortable in the hand. On the top of the phone is a microphone and a tray for the Nano Sim Card and Micro SD, its handy that no pin is needed to remove the tray, there is also a LED for notifications above the screen.
At the bottom is another microphone and the USB-C port as there is no headphone jack Sony have bundled and USB-C headphone adapter in the box. The Xperia XZ2 is rated for IP65/68 so its water-resistant and dust-proof, so no need to worry about getting it wet in the odd shower of rain we get in Ireland.

SCREEN
The Xperia XZ2 has a Full HD+ 1080p IPS LCD HDR screen with a 18:9 aspect ratio and increased its screen size to 5.7 inches from the previous Xperia XZ1 so that 13% larger (2160 x 1080 pixels which gives a pixel density of 424 ppi), you can watch HDR video content from YouTube.
Again Sony bring their Bravia Television technology to their Xperia devices to improve the screens display with TRILUMINOS and X-Reality features as well as being able to convert non-HDR content to near HDR.
The screen gave quiet good viewing angles and even in direct sunlight the screen was viewable without any problems, theres plenty of options in the Display settings like White balance and Colour gamut and contrast allowing you to tweak the display to the way you like. Sony had also added a neat feature called Night Light which cuts down on blue light so it should make it easier to fall asleep at night.
AUDIO
Sony brings plenty of their audio tech to the Xperia XZ2 like DSEE HX, LDAC Hi-Res Audio, ClearAudio+ and S-Force Front Surround Sound. It also has something Sony call Dynamic Vibration System which gives the Xperia XZ2 a rumble feedback like you would find in a PlayStation controller when there is audio playing either in music or watching movies or games. I found the feature most useful when playing games as it adds to the overall gameplay.
As I mentioned above Sony have followed other phone makes and have removed the headphone jack so you will need to use the included adapter if using wired headphones, it’s a pity the Xperia XZ2 doesn’t support wired digital noise cancelling headphones like the MDR-NC31EM or MDR-NC750. The Xperia XZ2 Stereo speakers which Sony say are 20% louder compared to the Xperia XZ1 and the Stereo Speakers are definitely a step up in loudness.

CAMERA
The Xperia XZ1 and XZ2 have a 19Mp Motion Eye single-lens cameras, but Sony has made some enhancements in the Xperia XZ2 with its new image signal processor which Sony developed with Qualcomm. The rear camera is 25 mm wide with Sony G Lens F2.0 with laser aufofocus. Like all Xperia’s when you open the camera app its default mode is the Superior Auto mode which tries to automatically recognize the scene the camera is looking at and apply the correct settings for it.
There is a manual mode when you can change settings like ISO, White Balance, Exposure, Shutter Speed and Auto Focus. I found the Auto mode quite good at quickly selecting the correct scene when opening the camera app and taking good quality photos, it gave good color reproduction and keeps the images sharp in the situations that I used the camera.
The Camera apps section where you can have AR effects in your photos, or ‘Bokeh’ app which puts the subject in focus and background out of focus.
For videos there are plenty of options on how you want to record your videos, like color and brightness, Video resolution, Object tracking and Steadyshot. I found Steadyshot very good at keeping the video smooth even when your moving.

The Xperia XZ2 can record in 4K HDR, the videos recorded with these settings did keep a lot of detail and color compared to videos recorded in HD. The Xperia XZ2 supports Full HD slow motion video recording at 960fps, in practice I found it a bit tricky to get slow motion videos, as it does take a bit of practice. Xperia XZ2 Slow Motion


BATTERY
The Xperia XZ2 made some improvements in the battery department increasing its capacity to 3180mAh (compared to 2700 mAh in the Xperia XZ1). The Xperia XZ2 also supports Qi Wireless charging (Qi Mid 9w) as well as Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0.
As we keep our smartphones for longer now Sony have a feature called Battery Care which learns you charging routine and instead of charging the phone quickly it slow charges the phone which increases the lifespan of the phones battery. I was getting 2 days of usage from a full charge with “Stamina mode” enabled.
PERFORMANCE
The Xperia XZ2 runs Android Oreo 8.0 out of the box, while I used the phone it was very smooth as its running Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 845 with 4GB of RAM and 64 internal storage. I had no issues when switching between different apps. Sony has a light skin on Android so they should be quick enough to release patches as they are following Googles A/B (Seamless) System Updates. Bluetooth 5.0 is supported.
They also have carried on their 3D creator app from the Xperia XZ1 which allows you to create 3D scans and make avatars from them it’s a pretty nifty app. Aligning with the PlayStation brand the Xperia XZ2 allows PS4 Remote Play so you can connect to your PS4 in your home, you also get a 12 month free PlayStation plus subscription included with the Xperia XZ2 which is a nice extra.
Full Specs – https://www.sonymobile.com/ie/products/phones/xperia-xz2/
Available to buy:- From Vodafone :- from Free on Billpay http://shop.vodafone.ie/shop/phones/sony-xperia-xz2-bill-pay-black And on Prepay 649€ http://shop.vodafone.ie/shop/phones/sony-xperia-xz2-pay-as-you-go-black
From Eir :- from 149€ on billpay https://www.eir.ie/store/mobile/phones/bill-pay/sony-xperia-xz2/

Three Billpay from 139€

https://www.three.ie/online/voice/contract/sony-xperia-xz2/?src=p

Three Prepay 639€

https://www.three.ie/online/voice/prepay/sony-xperia-xz2/?src=p

From Sony Direct https://estore.sonymobile.com/ie/sony-xperia-xz2-liquid-silver-uk-ie-309139/

See more from Liam HERE

Park secrets: Kerb is a new app set to change parking in Ireland. #Parking #Ireland #App

If you’ve ever had a parking ticket, been towed or even just been late because you couldn’t find a space, you’ll know that parking can be stressful – and expensive. That’s changing – thanks to a pioneering new app from Down Under called Kerb, which has already solved a lot of parking problems for thousands Australian and New Zealanders.

So how does it work? It’s a bit like ‘Airbnb for Parking’: homeowners or businesses can rent out their spare spaces to make extra cash – and drivers can use the app to park more easily AND more cheaply. But unlike Airbnb, councils love Kerb because it reduces congestion and environmental impact by getting cars off roads, makes use of existing infrastructure – and means more money for locals to spend in the economy.

A Kerb parking space will save the average commuter anywhere between €10 and €40 a day, depending on where they park. Those who park with Kerb use the extra cash on anything from house deposits to holidays, or their kids’ school or university fees. The app isn’t just for parking cars either – Kerb is also for renting and leasing spaces for motorbikes, boats, trucks – even helicopters…

You might be thinking you’ve heard of parking apps before. And you’d be right, but Kerb is different. That’s because it also offers a car park management solution – Kerb Bays – which lets churches and schools use their car park to fundraise, allows universities and shopping malls to better manage their parking, and businesses put their car parking spaces to work and generate extra cash. Residential committees even use Kerb to monitor visitor parking spaces and manage the allocation of parking spaces in apartment buildings.

Kerb leaser, Dee Marshman says, “I have founded KERB to be an awesome way to make use of my car space when I’m not parking my car there! The app is user-friendly and makes the whole process super-easy. The staff at KERB have great communication, too! There’s no downside to using KERB and I recommend it to all of my friends!”

Kerb launched in October 2016 and is live across Australia, New Zealand and will be rolling out in 16 languages later this year. “We’re really excited about the benefits that Kerb is going to have for Irish users”, says co-founder Rob Brown. “The app allows you to list an entire car park up in minutes, and each individual bay can be customised by availability, price and vehicle type.”

If you’re envious of your neighbours paying off their mortgage earlier or going on great holidays because they list their home on Airbnb – this could be your easier, greener way to cash in on the sharing economy!

Facts

  • https://kerb.works/
  • Kerb was launched in 2016 by Rob Brown (one of Australia most prominent marketers), and Matt Salmon (a highly regarded technologist and app developer).
  • Kerb allows leasers to list an entire car park up in minutes: each individual bay can be customised by availability, price and vehicle type.
  • Currently leasers approve booking requests. With Kerb Bays, leasers have the option to apply instant book to all your bays.
  • If leasers prefer long-term users in some car parks, they have the option for the user to pay by the week as a direct debit. The user is then provided to give notice to end the lease.
  • Kerb allows leasers to add their own terms to the app, which the user must accept when they click to book.
  • Registration is collected on all bookings – other documents can be collected if required.
  • Car park access – provided boom gates or doors are online, Kerb should be able to trigger them open via a button on the app which appears to the user when they book. There are other devices like GSM openers which can also be integrated with.
  • Kerb is happy to provide signage for any bays listed on Kerb, free of charge.
  • Kerb will be available around the world and is already in Australia, New Zealand, and just arrived in the UK and Ireland.

WeatherKit is your pocket weatherman. #Apps #Weather #IndieDev #Android #iOS

There is plenty of weather apps out there today and we have covered many over the last two years here and I always like to see something new, WeatherKit is an updated version of the App called Aerium which we featured before by Indie Dev Raul, Check it out below the app is available on both the Android and iOS platforms. It has a really nice minimalistic design and looks great.

 

Features

5-day forecast
During our beta, we heard lots of voices saying that we should support at least 5 days of weather forecast. To do so, we invested heavily into how we can make that experience as seamless as possible and our whole team is stoked with the result. Did someone say hourly forecasts? They’re next.

· RainAlert
We love RainAlert only because sometimes it’s invisible. It was designed to only get in your way when you need it more. 

· Subscriptions
To provide you with the best weather data, we’re using the best weather API’s available – and boy, they’re not cheap. We’re a small indie team committed to this project and to the people using it, without turning a profit. In all fairness, we’d love to push the limits on the affordability and in this update, we added multiple Pro subscriptions. You can subscribe to our monthly or yearly plan, or get the best deal available and buy the lifetime in-app purchase.

· Interface & Experience
We updated the on boarding alongside with the interface for a better user experience. You’ll notice major changes to the swipe-up weather card, both in smoothness and content. It’s a small redesign with a focus on accessibility.

 

Blinkers launch the complete smart lighting system for cyclists. #Cycling #Cyclists

Designed to make communication easier between cyclists and other road users, it aims to keep people safe on the roads and bring a bit of smart tech to your hobby or daily commute. Something like this should be mandatory on bikes anyway. 

Velohub, a Swiss start-up based in Zürich that specialises in developing smart technology for cyclists, is today pleased to announce the launch of its first product, Blinkers. Blinkers is a new smart lighting system that makes the urban cyclist visible, predictable and respected by everyone else on the road. The smart lighting system including front, rear and laser lighting is available to buy from www.blinkers.bike with prices starting from £89/€99/$120

 

Cycle use has been increasing in the UK with 1.9 million people cycling every day and more people cycling at least once a week. With so many bikes and 71% riding on roads, safety is paramount as cyclists are among the most vulnerable users of the road. Using two wheels to balance, no chassis to protect them and only able to communicate by hand with other vehicles, they are often left in risky situations particularly when riding in a busy city. With cars and bikes always struggling to share the road together, the concept behind Blinkers is to allow cyclists to communicate with fellow road users more efficiently and become a more natural part of the road.

 

Along with communication benefits, Blinkers aims to be the next generation of bike lights by giving cyclists the ability to use extra safety functionalities including turning indicators, brake lights and laser projection with a simple remote control. With two-thirds of cyclists’ injuries or fatalities occurring at, or near, a road junction with T-junctions and roundabouts being the most commonly involved, the benefits of turning indicators is clear and a safety precaution that should prevent confusion and give all road users peace of mind.

 Blinkers smart lighting works in many of the same ways that road users are already familiar with, allowing a smooth transition for all on the road. The Blinkers indicate the direction of the turn the cyclist is taking, by blinking to the right or to the left, with the rear Blinker using a red light that becomes more intense when the cyclist is braking. The laser set allows users to project half a circle on the ground, which will increase visibility during the night and to give cars a better understanding of the cyclists’ positioning on the road and the space the cyclist requires. All of these features are controlled by a wireless remote control on the handlebar of the bike to make the communication and use as simple as possible.

The lights can be charged by USB and are designed to be used for approximately 20 hours. They can be put on any bike with universal attachments on the handlebar, the saddle and the rack. Blinkers can be easily removed from the bike due to a magnetic system, so that users can take them off whenever the bike is locked or left unattended. The system works with radiofrequency and a light on the remote control indicates when the Blinkers should be charged so that cyclists will be aware of when the battery is running low.

 

Previously, Blinkers was on Kickstarter in June 2016 and gained support from over 500 backers, including from within the UK, raising over €50,000. The feedback from both backers and beta testers was overwhelmingly positive with one backer, Elaine, commenting: “How come this kind of product hasn’t come out before? I am so looking forward to receiving mine, roads here in the UK are everything but safe”. Beta testing of the Blinkers solution confirmed that cyclists found it easy to use and intuitive.

Blinkers are available in the 4 different packages from £89/€99/$120 for the rear light without laser, to £175/€199/$240 for a complete safety solution (the rear and front light with laser), shipping included from www.blinkers.bike.