Category: Tech

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 

 

How many working days will you need to buy the new iPhone? #iPhone #iPhoneXS

On 12th of September Apple Inc. introduced their latest products, including the most expensive smartphone in the company’s history—iPhone XS Max.

The Analysis Department of Picodi decided to check how many days Irish people and citizens from other countries have to work to afford the novelty from Apple. The results of our research are based on iPhone XS 64Gb prices in various countries and official statistic data about average wages in each of them.

You could suppose that the best average wage/price ratio would be in the US—the most important market of Apple. However, it turns out that the ones who would be able to afford Apple’s newest product the fastest are people in the developed countries and the UAE. For example, an average Swiss would have to work 5.1 days, the citizens of Luxembourg—less than 7 days, and Norwegians—7 and a half day. Among the countries where you have to work the least amount of days are also United Arab Emirates—money earned for 7.6 days are enough to buy the newest iPhone. In the US, on the other hand, one would have to work 8.4 days.

It’s already known that in Ireland the latest iPhone will cost 1179 EUR. Under the assumption that average gross wage in Ireland—according to data from Central Statistics Office—amounts to 744.08 euro per week, it would take 10 days for an average Irish man to earn enough to buy the new iPhone. Of course, assuming that the other living costs would be zero.

The longest time to afford the iPhone XS would have to work the Filipinos—over 156 days. It won’t be so easy also in Pakistan—with the local earnings and prices an average Pakistani would have to work over 88 days.

 

Methodology

This analysis was based on the official prices of iPhone XS 64 GB in 42 countries and publicly available data about average wages in those countries for the year 2017 or the last period accessible.

#Biometric payments to take centre stage in Ireland, as 1 in 4 online sales will require further security next year

With new EU regulations coming into place next September 14th, Mastercard is predicting a significant increase in the use of biometric technology to authenticate who is paying.

With regards to card payments, currently just 1-2% per cent of online transactions in Ireland require cardholder authentication, through 3D Secure, to complete a transaction (mostly likely using a password), but this is set to rise to up to 25% or 1 in 4 payments from next autumn.

The European rules aim to tackle online fraud, by increasing the number of transactions subject to two factors of authentication by the payer, known as “Strong Customer Authentication” (SCA).Authentication for online payments and account access will be based on the use of two or more different factors in the future:

  • Something you know, such as a password
  • Something you have, such as a phone, or card
  • Something you are, such as a fingerprint
Phone with fingerprint sensor and face unlock. More phones today have biometrics built in even at cheaper pricepoints which will help.. 

This will mostly impact card payments made over the internet – be it a desktop or mobile purchase. It will also apply to some contactless transactions, as a periodic check to ensure the card is being used by its rightful owner. However, in store chip and pin transactions are already compliant and use two factors.

Although the heightened security measures are designed to protect consumers and retailers from being defrauded, Mastercard is working with banks and the rest of the industry to ensure they are implemented without ‘disrupting’ the convenience of payments for consumers.

 Sonya Geelon, Country Manager, Mastercard in Ireland said: “The use of passwords to authenticate someone is significantly outdated, with people forgetting them and retailers facing abandoned shopping baskets. In payments technology this is something we’re closing in on as we move from cash to card, password to thumbprint, and beyond to innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence. It’s far easier to authenticate with a thumbprint or a selfie, and it’s safer too.”

Mastercard has been leading the advancement of biometric technology in payments for years with a focus on improving both consumer experience and security online and offline.

Identity Check is one such example. This is an authentication solution that enables individuals to use biometric identifiers, such as fingerprint, iris and facial recognition to verify their identity using a mobile device during online shopping and banking activities. This solution dramatically speeds up the digital checkout time, improves security and reduces cart abandonment rates.

With this approach, Mastercard will help banks not only to comply with requirements set out in the new PSD2 legislation, but also to go further in optimising the checkout experience of their customers.

Speck Unveils a New Line of Protective Cases For iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR

Speck has just released its line of cases for iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR which includes the all-new Presidio Pro, Presidio Ultra and Presidio Stay Clear. The entire line of cases for the new iPhones is Speck’s largest ever for a device launch, and features a wide range of fresh, fall colors and new patterns. If you have not tried this companies cases you should do they are really great and you can search for multiple reviews we have carried out here on site.

Presidio Pro is the new standard in all-around device protection, incorporating an antimicrobial treatment that inhibits the growth of bacteria on the case, in addition to Speck’s trademark 3 metre protection and raised bezel screen protection. The modern feel of the scratch-resistant, soft-touch exterior keeps the case looking newer, longer. Ridges of Speck’s proprietary IMPACTIUM™ rubber on the inside perimeter compress on impact to absorb and disperse shock.

Presidio ULTRA, Speck’s 2-in-1 ultra protective case now features a Presidio Pro as the base of the case. The removable ULTRA bumper protects the ports against dust and dirt, while defending the device against drops of up to 4,6 metres. With Presidio Ultra, users can customize the level of protection when they need it most.

Presidio Stay Clear is designed to show off the beauty of the iPhone. The case has a newly developed coating that provides a superior level of protection against yellowing and discoloration, to keep your case looking clearer, longer. It not only resists discoloration from the sun’s UV rays, but also oils that are in makeup, lotions and substances that cases often come into contact with. The inner layer of each Presidio Stay Clear case is made of IMPACTIUM Clear, a proprietary shock-absorbing material that helps protect against drops of up to 2,4 metres.

The full Speck Presidio line for iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR includes:

  • Presidio Pro (£19.95 – £24.95) — Protective, slim case with antimicrobial protection tested to withstand drops of up to 3 metres
  • Presidio Stay Clear (£19.95 – £24.95) — Features a new innovative coating that resists UV-yellowing and discoloration caused by lotions and other oils
  • Presidio Ultra (£34.95) — Rugged, slim case with 4,6 metre drop protection and 360 degree port coverage
  • Presidio Grip (£19.95 –  £24.95) — Speck’s iconic angled grip geometry offers a tactile hold perfect for any device
  • Presidio Sport (£24.95 – £29.95) — Anti-microbial finish and 360-degree port protection perfect for gym-goers and fitness enthusiasts
  • Presidio Clear + Print (£24.95) — Embedded designs won’t fade or scratch
  • Presidio Clear + Glitter (£24.95 –  £29.95) — Glitter crystals embedded in the case add sparkle that won’t flake off
  • Presidio Folio (£24.95 – £29.95) — Functional, stylish folio case with a secure card slot and hands-free viewing stand
  • Presidio Folio Leather (£34.95) — Bonded leather exterior for an elegant look

The complete lineup for iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR   is available now at speckproducts.co.uk

Stress free commuting: How Brits manage to do so! #Jabra #Commuting #Tech

September, the time of year when the summer holidays come to an end and millions of Brits restart their daily commute back to work. The 16 per cent of individuals who find commuting a constant cause of stress, might want to gain advice from their co-commuters who try to stay relaxed during the journey. Some tips included listening to their favourite music or audio book, or using technology, like voice activation, to make calls and stay energised (43 per cent). However, since only 5 per cent are open to chatting with co-commuters, you are likely to face a lack of response if you make conversation…

These insights into the behaviour of British commuters came to light following research from Jabra. Whilst commuting to work, most people listen to music (37 per cent) but surprisingly, only 7 per cent check emails or work documents. The likelihood of this, is people still see their journey to work as personal time and not a time to be thinking about work.

Despite all best efforts to make the daily commute as comfortable as possible, there are still several annoyances commuters have to deal with. The top five frustrations consisted of delays (29 per cent), crowded public transportation (11 per cent), the costs (8 per cent), wasted time and lack of productivity (8 per cent) and the constant noise levels (7 per cent). In particular, the generation of 18–34 year olds considers the lack of productivity irritating. In comparison to other parts of the country, Londoners get more aggravated by all the noises around them (14 per cent) – which is presumably not unexpected for a buzzing metropole like the capital.

Steven Evans, Managing Director, Retail and Online, Jabra EMEA North: Jabra said: “The research shows that when people are not using their commute to sleep or simply stare out of the window, technology driven activities, like making calls, reading an audio book or listening to music and podcasts, are essential for making the journey bearable.”

“Six in ten consumers are interested in using voice activation to control their smartphones – a feature we see as a major future driver for the adoption of this kind of wireless on-the-go communication. Together with Active Noise-Cancellation (ANC), voice activation is one of the key technologies in headsets that adds value to one’s commuting time by making it both more relaxing, productive and socially enriching.” 

Features such as voice activation, ANC and superior sound quality can be found in Jabra audio devices, with the Elite series and the Talk range providing the perfect commuter accessory. For more information, please visit www.jabra.co.uk.

The laws regulating Drones by @GetTrik_ @PaeNatwilai ‏ #Drones #Tech #Laws

The nations all over the globe in collaboration with aviation bodies are setting up policies to standardise drone flight by civilians. The drones in most of the countries will henceforth be part of civil air traffic management. That is to say the operation of drones will adhere to laid laws. The drones are of various sizes as well as types and this greatly influence their operation and ownership. There are drones the size of small birds or much smaller like coins and can fly in the space in near-invisibility. This has provoked many companies, organisations and countries in the sense that their privacy and secrets are on the brink. This article addresses basic regulations or laws that have been put in place across nations to regulate the drones.

 

Fly only registered drones

The nations have made it a mandatory for their citizens in possession of drones weighing more than 250g to register them. The law however exempts those drones with the least weight and tiniest in size. It takes one only $5 dollars to register a drone. The fee is relatively affordable and millions of citizens have registered their drones. The registration will be done by elders as per individual nations for instance in American states, should be 13 years and above. This has real change the traditional a receipt of purchase is all that one needed to be in ownership of a drone. Registration will also entail labeling so as to help authorities in the tracking of drones both in case of mishandling or a theft.

The effect of this law has been expressed through few drone-aircraft and many light drones being owned by individuals to evade registration requirements.

Do drones possess flight and operation liberty?

Are you planning on flying a done either for commercial or recreation reasons? Where are you going to do the flying? These are some of basic, safety precaution questions someone has to ask himself or herself before setting out to fly the drone. This is important because some regions are out of bound for drones to fly around or over. These places are set aside for special events and include;

  • Densely populated and residential areas.
  • Airports
  • Military bases and prisons.
  • Emergency/ rescue workers

The list is long. Sincerely speaking it is very hard to keep this law by yourself or manually. That is why the drones are to be fitted with what is termed as a geo-fence. This will automatically recognise and alert the operator when they approach restricted areas. The law has affected the manufacturers too. They have had to expand, re-renovate drones by integrating more programs and settings such as geo-fencing.

Why kids are forbidden to operate drones.

The nations through their intelligence, have realised that most of the incidents of drones crashing are caused by kids. Thus they have barred kids from not just operating but also owning a drone. However, the law has a lenience in that, the underage can own the drone indirectly. Thats if they it registered under the name of elder their elder relatives or guardians. Under the same law of restricted ownership and operation, not any skilled operator will be legible to fly the drone but only the one tested and certified. This will in addition comprise regular renewal of pilot licenses. All this steps shows how drones are being handled as serious gadget capable of causing hazard.

Is any time drone time?

Many parties worthy recording take place both at night and day. Also some activities that call for the aid of drones occur late in the evening or at night in the dark. Unfortunately according to the law, those Parties and activities happening at night might not be filmed or involve drones. UAVs are entitled to operate during day time and 30 minutes before six and darkness sets in. This due to the fact that the visual degree of the operator is key in drone operation. For exemptions to be applicable, the drones will need being fitted with light to enhance the operator’s visual ability.

How high can a drone fly?

It has been made clear by most of the nations that drones are no equivalent for manned crafts. Thus the drone have a certain height or altitude that they can be flown past which it is a punishable offence. The allowed height is not greater than 400 ft. also this goes hand in hand with the acceptable speed which is not more than 100 miles per hour.

  Conclusion

The drone laws are inevitably here. Although some countries are quite forgiving to offenders, it won’t go on for long thus citizens need to adjust and accept living by them. Also more restrictions on drone technology is anticipated in the future.

Author

Pae Natwilai, is the founder of TRIK, a former oil and gas inspection and maintenance engineer, who was named as one of the rising stars in the Forbes 30 under 30. Twitter – @GetTrik_

Give the gift or memories this Christmas with FUJIFILM IMAGINE #Tech #FUJIFILM #Cameras

With countless products on offer and fad trends coming and going, it can be a struggle to find a timeless gift for someone special at Christmas. This festive season why not give the gift of memories with sentimental presents that will be treasured long after the glow of the holiday season has passed. FUJIFILM’s range of Christmas gifting options do just that, helping us to capture new memories and cherish old ones, making it the one-stop-shop for Christmas 2018… Yes folks put away the god dam smartphones and take real photos.

SNAP. CREATE. GIFT with FUJIFILM Imagine

We keep thousands of pictures on our smart-phones, yet we rarely print any, so what better gift this Christmas for the ones you love than cherished memories that they will get to keep forever. FUJIFILM Imagine has the perfect selection of personalised gifts for those most special to you; simply choose a favourite photo and create incredible gifts through the FUJIFILM Imagine mobile app, online and touch screen kiosks in store nationwide. Choose from quirky options including personalised jigsaws and teddies, mugs and mouse mats for your office Secret Santa, t-shirts, photobooks and more. Then wrap it all up with personalised gift wrapping paper to create a unique and memorable gift this Christmas.

Guarantee smiles on Christmas morning and give the gift of cherished memories with printed presents from FUJIFILM Imagine.

INTERIOR GOALS with SQUARE Printing

The perfect choice for any interiors or Instagram lover this season, FUJIFILM’s new SQUARE printing service is the one-stop-destination for printing in trendy square format and bringing Instagram and social media feeds to life!

For DIY gift lovers, order SQUARE format prints of your favourite photos for scrapbooking gifts or choose from unique SQUARE presents like Photo Books and Montage Frames. For the interiors lover in your life, opt for eye catching Photo Blocks, perfect for adding to gallery walls and displays. SQUARE printing is available now at FUJIFILM kiosks nationwide.

FUJIFILM Imagine and SQUARE printing services and gifts are available nationwide. Prices start from as little as €9.99 and may vary from retailer to retailer. Gift availability varies instore – call instore, visit www.fujifilmimagine.ie or download the FUJIFILM Imagine App.

Lenco – DIR 200 internet DAB radio & BTL-450 Bluetooth tower speaker now available in the UK.

Lenco, the Hi-Fi and consumer electronics company famed for its Swiss design and high quality product ranges over the last seventy years, is pleased to announce the availability of its DIR-200 Internet/DAB+ radio and BTL-450 Bluetooth tower speaker via Amazon in the UK market.

 

Tune in all over the world with the Lenco DIR-200 DAB+ Internet Radio with PLL FM Radio. When connected to the internet, the DIR-200 can receive radio stations and Podcasts from all over the world making it effortless to tune into something new, or simply tune into a favourite FM station with the PLL FM Radio. It is also compatible with a UPnP multimedia server.

With 34W RMS speakers, complete with Bluetooth connectivity, USB playback and AUX input, the DIR-200 can connect and playback music from smartphones or other devices.

The DIR-200 can also be used as an alarm clock, with dual alarm function and sleep timer. The DIR-200 also has an in-built USB charging port for your smartphone or other device, as well as a 3.2” TFT LCD Colour Display.  Buy on Amazon HERE

The Lenco BTL-450 is a premium Bluetooth speaker tower, backed by the award winning & best-selling heritage of previous generations. This latest innovation still features impressive room-filling Hi-Fi audio performance but now also boasts integrated lighting technology.

The BTL-450 can be connected easily via Bluetooth, USB, 3.5mm aux-in or SD card playback. Once connected, users can listen to any of their music or any other content from the likes of; Apple Music, Amazon Music, Deezer, iTunes, Spotify, Tune In or any other services. There is also a handy built-in FM radio with auto-scan and a USB port to charge mobile devices.

The BTL-450 is an audio powerhouse featuring rich room-filling sound performance. The 2.1 Channel speaker tower delivers a total output of 60 Watts which is loud enough for even the most raucous party. The sheer quality of sound this tower delivers is further enhanced with the built-in subwoofer to provide deep and powerful bass. The front speaker grille of the tower features integrated LED Lights which offer 8 colour modes and 3 lighting effects to change the mood of a room to suit or energise a house party. All light modes are easily and innovatively managed via the remote control.

Buy HERE

Have yourself a sound Christmas with Jabra. #Jabra #Christmas #Tech

It is now that time of year when we will start seeing Christmas lines of tech either been announced or listed with manufacturers. It is early but this is how things are these days and yes we will see lots more between now and the big day from everyone. Jabra are the first in with us on the tech scene with what they have to offer its customers and here is a look at the range available today..

Cosy winter nights in, family gatherings by the fireplace, and copious amounts of delicious food – everyone’s favourite time of the year is back again. Are you looking to be ‘nice’ this holiday season and pick out the perfect gift for your beloved partner? Or maybe you’re tapping into the ‘naughty’ by using Christmas as an opportunity to treat yourself this year? Whatever the case may be, ‘tis the season to get festive with Jabra!

Jabra Elite 65t

The Jabra Elite 65t’s 4-microphone technology promises a superior sound quality, with conversations as great as music. The true wireless stability helps reduce call and music dropouts, so you never have to worry about getting disconnected as you go about your day.

With up to five hours of battery life, which extends to 15 hours with the charging case, the Jabra Elite 65t provides power to last the day.It comes in a stunningly luxurious Gold Beige colour, making it a perfect gift for those that like the prettier things in life. In the mood for something more classic? Something a bit more eye-catching? The Elite 65t also comes in Titanium Black and Copper Black. See our review HERE


Jabra Elite 65e

The Jabra Elite 65e is engineered to take you through your day as you switch between calls and music on-the-move, making it the perfect gift for the corporate superstar in your family!

By combining active noise cancellation from four microphones with passive noise cancellation from the oval-shaped earbuds and snug-fitting Jabra EarGels™, the Elite 65e is powerful enough to make even the busiest of cafés sound as quiet as a library.The Elite 65e comes in two exciting colours – Titanium Black and Copper Black – that can be the newest, most stylish addition to your arsenal as you go about your daily life shuttling to and from work. See our review HERE


Jabra Elite Active 65t

These look hot..

Nothing says holiday season more than the Jabra Elite Active 65t in a fiery red, copper tone that’s sure to turn heads. The Elite Active 65t is the perfect gift for active lifestyles. The secure fitting earbuds promise a snug fit and a dependable in-ear stability, so you’ll never have to compromise on your active lifestyle while enjoying quality music and call experience.

With a 2-year warranty against sweat and dust, the Jabra Elite Active 65t provides up to 5 hours of battery life from a single charge, and up to 15 hours in total with the pocket-friendly charging case, taking you from start to finish as you go through your day.


Jabra Elite 45e

The Jabra Elite 45e is a crowd-favourite, engineered for the best wireless calls and music experience.

Gift your loved ones the ability to hear music the way they want to – the Elite 45e comes with an adjustable equaliser, which allows you customise your music settings to suit your preferences. The advanced 2-microphone technology promises to deliver superior wireless call performance, removing noise from calls to ensure your conversations are always clear. Be it in the festive Gold Beige, or in the timeless Titanium Black, the Jabra Elite 45e makes the perfect gift as you celebrate the most wonderful time of the year!

The Jabra Elite 65t RRP £149.99, Jabra Elite Active 65t RRP £169.99 and Jabra Elite 45e RRP £89.99 are available in selected retailers.