Category: Tech

How you can start filming with a drone professionally for under $500 #drones #filming #tech

Guest Post by Paul Archer. – No matter if you haven’t yet even put your hands onto a drone controller, considering the safety of quadcopter technology these days, you can start faster than ever.

The amazing videos you have seen online with super smooth footage and pro-looking following and orbiting techniques may seem amazing, and probably were hard and expensive to do just a few years ago.

However, since technology evolved at an alarming rate, cheaper drones with more advanced features have appeared out of nowhere. Not long ago you had to spend thousands of dollars on big drone rigs that would carry big cameras that could barely shoot in 1080p. Even in more recent history, the Phantom series, although revolutionary was quite pricey and well over $1000 for a capable 4k drone with not many features to brag about.

Drones have become much more portable

Gone are the days where we were amazed by the fact that a 4k drone could fit in a car trunk. Nowadays I can carry my DJI Mavic Air in my pocket.

And we’re talking about a quadcopter that can record in 4k, with a stabilized 3 axis gimbal and lots of proximity sensors.

The revolution has started with the DJI Mavic Pro. The original foldable drone that sold like crazy and made DJI the giant that it is now.

Still a good drone to this day, it’s an absolutely great buy for people looking to make money with filming services even in 2019.

The big difference was that it came with a foldable design and that meant you could simply fit it in a very small backpack while at the same time have the same footprint when flying, which helped with the wind.

What $500 drones can deliver professional results?

This question would have remained unanswered just 2 or 3 years ago, but right now I could easily make a top 5 with my best drones under $500 and I can confidently say they can be used for shooting high quality grade footage and photos.

Let me quickly overview 2 of them and what they could mean for you, even as a beginner pilot.

Xiaomi Fimi X8

A drone released in 2019, comes with a similar foldable frame to the Mavic series, yet at a much lower price.

What are the main advantages?

  • 4k camera
  • 3 axis gimbal
  • Foldable design
  • Follow me functions
  • Other flight modes like Orbit, Waypoints and more
  • Automatic return to home
  • Precise GPS flying
  • 30minute flight time
  • 5km range

The Xiaomi Fimi x8 is one of my favorites because, even if it was more expensive in the past nowadays it only costs under $500 and that’s absolutely amazing for the results you’re being given.

Just check the video down below with how well this drone can actually record footage:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pftkyWYB5xU

If you’re a photographer, the 12mp camera stills that can be shot in DNG RAW format will be more than sufficient for most uses.

DJI Spark

A drone that has been in the marketplace for a while now, it’s more than welcome on our list as a still very relevant and capable quadcopter.

It doesn’t have the foldable format, but instead it’s very small by itself. A less invasive drone, with very smart features and obstacle avoidance embedded in it.

What are the main advantages?

  • 2 axis gimbal
  • 1080p camera
  • Electronic image stabilization
  • Quick shots (that can easily make videos seem professional even without trying)
  • Automatic return to home
  • Precise GPS
  • 15 minute flight time
  • 3 km range

It’s more than a capable drone, it’s very easy to launch from your hand even and thanks to the obstacle avoidance sensors in front, you can take some more risky shots.

Why it’s easier to learn how to fly a done with GPS

More expensive drones are actually more suitable for beginners, as you can simply remove your hands from the joysticks and it will hover in place.This means you can try all the controls one by one without having to constantly adjust for wind direction or simply the drone drifting.

Besides that, there’s also the return to home technology that will return the drone back to you if for example it lost signal or the battery is getting low. I do recommend learning with a small $20 at first just to get the hang of it and carefully checking the instruction manuals, but overall, you can go straight flying with such a drone without much hassle.

Make sure you check flight regulations in your country

Depending on the weight of the drone, most countries have regulations to keep you from doing stupid stuff.It’s pretty obvious you shouldn’t fly near airports and military bases, but with bigger drones you actually might have to register them.Drones like the DJI Spark might be under the weight limit so it could provide an advantage when it comes to this.

As a conclusion, don’t be scared of trying to fly more expensive drones and start a business. You can expand your talent as a videographer and photographer to great heights, literally by simply investing $500 in what is going to be an extremely capable camera drone.

Get a 15% discount off your new pair of @sudiosweden headphones/earphones #sudio #sudiomoments

If you are big Headphones/Earphones and now True Wireless fan like me and you are in the market for something new check out Sudio Sweden who have some really nice products on offer, Sudio Sweden given us a discount offer and we have teamed up with them again and they have kindly given our readers another 15% discount on all purchases all you need to do is enter (techbuzzirelandsudio) at the checkout. Check out their all new Sudio Tolv earbuds which come in Several colours and these look really and come with a stylish charge case which gives you some charge on the go too..

Check out their website HERE and don’t  forget to use the code techbuzzirelandsudio at the checkout. Check out the Sudio Tolv HERE and watch out for our review soon.

The Evolution of Car Infotainment Systems (Infographic) #Motoring #Infotainment

Many modern cars are fitted with state-of-the-art infotainment centres that provide app integration and WiFi connectivity, showing just how far in-car entertainment has come over the decades. From the first manual radios in the 1920s through 8-track players, cassettes and CD players, car infotainment has continued to evolve drastically throughout the decades. Who knows what capabilities the vehicles of the 2020s will have?

Dressekie is the owner of Woodstock Motors, a family-run car repair and car service business based in London and shares this infographic with us.

SJCAM Announce Live Streaming Feature #SJCAM #LiveStreaming

SJCAM, the action camera manufacturer, is pleased to announce that the new live streaming feature will be available from May.

The range of SJCAM action cameras are great tools for capturing truly immersive videos – creating high quality footage of your adventures. With the added option of Live Streaming, you can interact with your friends and fans using your SJCAM better than ever before.

The new Live Streaming feature will be very easy to operate. Using the app you simply select whether you wish to stream with Facebook or YouTube and choose the WiFi network. This allows a QR code to be created on your phone. Using the camera to then select the Live Streaming mode, the window with the QR scanner will open – scan the QR code and start your live stream straight away!

When your live stream is complete the video will be saved on your channel ready to be watched again any time you want.

Once the QR code for live streaming is created all you need to do is save it ready for the next time you want to live stream.

The new live streaming feature will be available for selected cameras on release – the SJ8 Pro, SJ8 Plus, Krypton, Aktyn and the new SJ9 series. To use the Live Stream feature both the camera firmware and SJCAM app need to be updated to the latest version.

About SJCAM:

Founded in 2011, SJCAM has gained worldwide recognition for their action cameras. With a focus on producing high quality products, and providing excellent customer support, SJCAM is fully committed to creating awesome action cameras. They recently made innovative changes into their SJ8 Series range including dual microphones, 6-axis gyro stabilization, 8x digital zoom and a 2.33 inch IPS display, proving their commitment to create fantastic products that fit into action packed lives. www.sjcam.com

Netflix is bringing studio quality sound to your TV. #Netflix #Audio #TV

Some of the most iconic moments in TV and film are defined by their score. Without its beautiful theme music, would The Crown be as majestic? Would the eeriness of Stranger Things come across in the same way? I have become a netflix addict of late and this is a welcome move and look forward to seeing the capabilities here as Audio makes a huge difference in my book.

 Often the subtlety of sound may go unnoticed, but it can have a profound impact on the atmosphere of a scene and fundamentally change how a viewer responds to it. The magical combination of sight and sound brings viewers closer to the story, and that’s why we support creative technologies and features like 4K, HDR, Dolby Atmos® and Netflix Calibrated Mode.

 Netflix is excited to announce a new feature, high-quality audio, which takes sound quality to another level.  We gave it this straightforward name because it fits: high-quality audio delivers audio that sounds closer to what creators hear in the studio, so every little detail is captured for a richer, more intense experience. Additionally, if you have bandwidth or device limitations, we’ve made the feature adaptive so that we will deliver the best possible audio to match your capabilities. This is similar to what we already do for video.

The Member Experience

Most TV devices that support 5.1 or Dolby Atmos are capable of receiving better sound. Depending on your device and bandwidth capabilities, the bitrate you receive may vary:

5.1: From 192 kbps (good) up to 640 kbps (great/perceptually transparent)

Dolby Atmos: From 448 kbps up to 768 kbps (Dolby Atmos is available for members subscribed to the Premium plan)

Read more HERE

Forget the Fold – @ABIresearch Biometrics and Ultrasound Technologies Are Better Bets for Full-Display Smartphones

The foldable phone has got off to a bad start..well for Samsung anyway and we have yet to see what Huawei has to offer when it finally gets into the hands of the public domain. Samsung however can be praised for making the first attempt which has been years in the making and they have done the right thing by holding off on sending out units to customers. Going forward is the foldable screen a thing, A new form factor and something to consider? Some research from ABI Research draws some conclusions on this very topic..

In the vigorous pursuit of full-display smartphones, vendors are either increasing screen-to-body size ratios or offering a foldable or flexible screen.  However, considering the recent debacle with foldable screens, full-display smartphones will initially be best realized through improved biometric technologies, ultrasound, and gesture control. ABI Research, a market-foresight advisory firm providing strategic guidance on the most compelling transformative technologies, forecasted that camera-based recognition will be a dominant smartphone biometric technology, reaching 487 million shipments in 2023, followed by in-display fingerprint scanners with nearly 228 shipments in 2023.

“Many of these technologies allow vendors to develop smartphones with larger overall screen sizes by reducing the need for sensors, buttons, and other features on the front screen,” said Stephanie Tomsett, a Research Analyst at ABI Research. “They allow devices to have minimal bezels, thereby creating a relatively smaller form factor for an increase in display size, which can also be achieved, eventually, through the use of foldable screens.”

With many new interfaces developing, the use of in-display fingerprint scanners removes the need for an additional sensor or button on the front of the device, putting the technology behind the screen. Camera notches and punch-holes, such as Samsung’s O, U, and V Infinity Displays, also add to the increase in screen real estate on the front of the device, while sound technologies such as LG’s Crystal Sound OLED use the display as a speaker, removing the need to house speakers on the front of the device. The use of ultrasound gesture control technologies does not require additional sensors to be on the front of the device.

Vendors are keen to develop new technologies and ways in which to increase the smartphone screen-to-body size ratio, driving toward designs with complete glass front displays while keeping form factor size to a minimum. As this next wave of innovation approaches, the market is braced to provide more immersive experiences based on touch and touch-less UI experiences. Rumors suggest that Apple is working toward creating a smartphone with no holes, speakers, or grilles, utilizing many of these technologies, which is similar in concept to a device that Meizu has developed. There will be a requirement for significant investment in these underpinning technologies, and many companies have patents in place that will further aid this push toward a full front, immersive screen experience. Apple has a patent for an iPhone that allows the screen to be a speaker, Samsung has a patent for a smartphone that allows the screen to be a camera, and LG has a patent for a smartphone outlining a full screen, all display device. However, with any number of options, including foldable displays, open to vendors, there is some debate as to how these options can be used in tandem, and whether some will be become obsolete due to their lack of utility, excessive added costs, or delivery of poor user experiences.

“Vendors looking to develop bezel-less screens need to be aware of the issues and challenges surrounding the technology. In particular, the bezels help to provide protection for the sides of the smartphone, so alternative methods of protection need to be found. They also prevent accidental interaction with the side of the screen, so responsiveness technologies need to be explored to ensure that consumers do not become frustrated with unwanted interactions,” concluded Tomsett.

These findings are from ABI Research’s New Smartphone, Tablet, and Wearable Form Factors and Technologies application analysis report. This report is part of the company’s Smartphones and Wearables research service, which includes research, data, and executive foresights. Based on extensive primary interviews, application analysis reports present in-depth analyses of key market trends and factors for a specific application, which could focus on an individual market or geography.

 

WARNING – Postal scam to beware of offering millions. #Scams #Post #Letters

We are no strangers to getting those emails from the captains desk or some poor unfortunate dude who has inherited millions and wants to share some of the wealth via your inbox or text sometimes via whatsapp but this is a new on me and something you need to watch out for especially the elderly or for those who are not tech savvy or up to date on such incidents. We read and here about it every day its still an issue and sadly some fall for these scams.

This is a new one sent via post with Royal Mail with the usual modus operandi seeking to hand over vast amounts of money but not contacted prior as seen in the letter,this time around they provide contact information so you can negotiate the terms in private.Anyhow be careful and pass it on and bin it straight away..

Have you got one of these or know anyone that did?

‘Groov-e’ wireless headphones available as affordable Apple and Beats alternatives #Headphones #Earphones #Tech

With Apple’s AirPod 2 now in the shops and Beats announcing the availability of the Powerbeats Pro from May, there’s never been more choice for music lovers that are looking to tune in and be tangle free when browsing Spotify, YouTube and Netflix.

An ideal present for Father’s Day or just anyone looking for affordable Bluetooth headphones with impressive stereo audio quality, Groov-e’s range of headsets offer easy listening whether at the gym, commuting or relaxing on the sofa.

Groov-e Playbuds 

 

An affordable alternative, these true wireless headphones allow users to be free from any cables or neckbands and offer an uncompromised, completely wireless sound with impressive stereo audio quality. A sleek, compact and minimalistic design ensures that users are able to connect the Playbuds seamlessly with any smart- device that’s up to 10 metres away. Boasting Bluetooth V4.1 technology as well as three hours of listening time and 20 hours on standby, users simply place the Airbuds inside the carry case when the battery is low. The portable case, which doubles up as a charger, will then provide an additional seven hours of music playback, allowing users to stay connected for non-stop listening on the go.

SEE OUR REVIEW

Groov-e Connect

Designed with the active user in mind, the Connect Wireless earphones offer users a flexible, lightweight neckband design with integrated earbuds, Bluetooth connectivity, nine hours of battery life and brilliant sound quality. At £29.99, the Connect Wireless earphones are the perfect option for those on a budget.

The flexible neckband helps for a comfortable and secure fit whilst control buttons that are conveniently located on the neckband ensure that control is at your fingertips when answering calls or flicking through playlists. Additionally,  the earbuds feature convenient magnetic ends making it easy to attach them together and store when not in use.

Groov-e Kidz Bluetooth headphones..

Not to forget little ears too, these Bluetooth headphones provide a great listening experience without the kids getting caught up in the wires. Suitable for all Bluetooth-enabled audio/video devices including smartphone, tablet, laptop and portable DVD the Kidz offer up to 7.5 playtime plus an optional 3.5 mm headphone jack means they can continue to be used even when the battery dies. The comfortable fit means that kids will gladly wear them whilst they catch up on YouTube or travel in the car over the May Bank Holiday breaks. SEE OUR REVIEW

See https://www.groov-e.co.uk/

@Cowboy_HQ takes to the streets in a bid to transform the urban commute with new smart electric bike #ebike

Belgian start-up Cowboy, designer and developer of the award-winning smart electric bike has today announced its plans for European expansion with its innovative way to ease traffic, reduce emissions and bring cycling to the modern world.

With traffic congestion plaguing built up areas across the globe, electric bikes are proving to be the fastest means of transportation, beating cars and public transport. Cowboy’s vision is to elevate the daily commute to the next level in terms of speed, comfort and freedom of movement around cities. Cowboy enhances the riding experience by unifying intelligent technology, sleek design and meticulous customer service.

Founded in Brussels in 2017 Cowboy has raised ten million EUR to date from international investors (including Index Ventures, Tiger Global and Hardware Club) in its Series A round in autumn 2018 and quickly sold out its entire stock of bikes in Belgium last year. Today Cowboy announces its latest model as it sets it sights on European expansion in 2019.

“We have just reached a milestone of 1 million kilometers ridden on Cowboy equating to a saving of 112,944 kg CO2 : a great moment for us to embark on the European expansion“, says Cowboy’s co-founder and CEO Adrien Roose. “We see fantastic potential across the European market for electric bikes with customer demand increasing as cities continue to grow, traffic grinds to a halt and we look for ways to cut our carbon footprint”.

At the heart of Cowboy is the user experience enabled by technology at every step, from purchasing and riding the bike to customer support and service.

Design meets tech

Cowboy was designed to embody the founders’ vision of a sleek, light and agile bike, using high-quality components and customised assembly. With its clean design the bike weighs just 16 kg and comes with a light and compact removable battery with a range of up to 70 km. The bike intuitively reacts to the riders’ needs from the moment they begin to pedal: the automatic motor assistance senses when the rider needs more power and adjusts accordingly, without the need to switch gears. The integrated front and back lights illuminate the path for safety, with back lights increasing intensity while braking.

Full connectivity

The bike is controlled via the Cowboy app available for iOs and Android and uses Bluetooth to provide the owner with a safe digital key to activate the bike. A live dashboard keeps the rider informed of the status of the ride in terms of speed, duration, distance and battery level. The app also allows users to turn the front light on and off and has an integrated navigation system. If the bike is stolen, the ‘Find My Bike’ function in the app helps to locate it via GPS thanks to the built-in SIM card.

Continuous customer support along the way

From the test drive to the daily commute, Cowboy riders have constant access to the customer support. Cowboy will sell directly to consumers via cowboy.com, cutting out the middleman. The remote diagnostic system sends push notifications to alert the rider about any maintenance needs, e.g. if brake-pads need replacing or when the tires need inspection.

By pairing smart design and innovative tech Cowboy follows the basic principle of making the daily journey as comfortable and intuitive as possible for the rider.

“We started Cowboy with the vision to build the most exciting bike for the urban commute”, Adrien Roose comments. “By eliminating the three main hurdles associated with electric bikes – high cost, poor design and redundant technology – we’ve created an electric bike that is both exciting and practical and set to become a mainstream mode of transport. Cowboy allows urban dwellers freedom from the constraints and stress associated with the daily commute without a huge price tag or technology that will age fast”.

Cowboy retails at EUR 1,990 and will be available for purchase in the UK later this year.

Learn more here.