Loot Crate is a fan-commerce product box and essentially a subscription based service which has just launched in Europe. Loot Crate is the first of its kind, offering a curated collection of items from the best pop culture franchises delivered to your door every month. Loot ranges from gaming, collectables, apparel, tech gadgets, art, and other epic gear.
A typical crate includes 5-7 items, with fan products ranging from Marvel, Disney, Lucas Entertainment, DC Entertainment, WWE, Sanrio, the Halo franchise, and the Gears of War franchise. Crates vary from more general ‘core’ items to specific genres such as gaming and anime.
Loot Crate Key Facts:
Has shipped 10 million crates since 2012
Over 650K subscribers in 35 countries
Inc Magazine’s fastest growing private company in 2016
US based and expanding its operations with a new UK HQ servicing customers in UK + EU
Main demographic is 18-34 males
20 percent of customers are international/ outside of the US
30 percent of subscribers are female
Half a million fans watch the Loot Crate Facebook Live videos each month
Loot Crate has 2.5 million Facebook followers and 594,000 Twitter followers
Did you know that phishing scams are the leading cause of cybercrime?
A report by tech security company PhishMe last year found a staggering 91 per cent of all cyberattacks in 2016 were triggered by a phishing email.
And the number of these bogus email attacks aimed at duping recipients into divulging personal or confidential information such as passwords or bank account details is rising at an alarming rate.
To combat this growing concern, tech giants such as Google, Facebook and Salesforce have introduced a new security device to their employees – and now it is available to billions of their users.
Introducing Yubico’s YubiKey
The YubiKey security key by Yubico eradicates the dangers of phishing attacks by adding an extra layer of login security to a range of leading websites such as Google, Facebook, YouTube, Dropbox, Salesforce and many more.
By employing two-factor authentication (2FA), the hack-proof USB stick works by requiring users to activate it after inputting a username and password to gain access to personal accounts. Without a password AND a YubiKey, access is denied, preventing anyone who does not have both from logging in.
Unlike two-step verification, which involves sending a temporary login code to a user’s mobile phone via text, the waterproof YubiKey, which is already used in 160 countries, removes the need for transmissions that can easily be intercepted by tech-savvy cybercriminals.
Having been adopted by staff at multinational corporations such as Facebook and Google, the compact YubiKey, which weighs just 3g and offers options for both computer system and smartphone protection, is now available to UK consumers from just £17.50.
What would you do if the hard drive inside your computer crashed and you lost all of your precious data? Your spreadsheets, documents, photos, personal information, emails, videos and more? What would you do if you lost your unencrypted USB flash drive or hard drive, would your whole world come tumbling down knowing that someone out there holds all that precious information – and how much would you be prepared to risk if it was your company and it was your customer’s details? Would you be able to pay a fine to the ICO of up to £500,000?
“Encryption isn’t just for the tech-savvy. Personal data such as financial documents, passwords and family photographs and videos are precious and as consumers, we should all be as aware as businesses when it comes to keeping data safe. Mark World BackUp Day by backing up and protecting your precious and confidential data as disasters such as hard drive crashes as well as loss and theft of USB drives does happen and can lead to serious consequences..” Says John Michael, CEO, iStorage Limited
These are nightmare scenarios that we all do not want to face and with 2016 labelled as ‘the year of the data hack’ from TopTechNews, The Guardian, IT Security News and more, iStorage Limited, manufacturers of PIN authenticated hardware encrypted portable data storage drives, shares tips on how to avoid such disasters, just in time for World BackUp Day on 31st March!
Tip 1: Back Up Your Data: In a modern world where users rely heavily on their personal items being stored on mobile phones, laptops and computers, there’s never been more importance placed on backing up! World BackUp Day reminds users to keep additional copies of the information that you don’t want to lose whether it’s your own personal information or company data that you are working with. Backing up your data gives you peace of mind that you won’t have lost the only copy of your data.
Tip 2: Use a Secure Drive:
We’ve all heard the stories of people commuting and working on their laptops, and losing the USB drive that they were working on. Risking the loss of personal or company information, enduring panic and endless nights worrying where that information could end up, can all be prevented by taking precautions by using a secure drive like the iStoragedatAshur® PRO USB 3.0 flash drive. This PIN authenticated hardware encrypted flash drive is only accessible by a 7-15 digit alphanumeric PIN meaning that if the flash drive happened to be lost or stolen, data or information would not be accessible unless the correct PIN was entered.
Tip 3: Avoid common passwords:
A recent Reader’s Digest article identified the most common passwords of 2016 being ‘123456’, ‘qwerty’, ‘111111’ and ‘password’. Prevent yourself from being an ‘easy target’ for fraudsters by helping yourself and creating personal and memorable passwords. Another word of advice is to create a series of passwords so that you do not have a ‘one password fits all’ scenario – make it harder or near impossible for someone to hack you and don’t give easy access to other accounts by using the same password across several sites!
Tip 4: Seek additional security features:
What do you look for when seeking a secure flash drive? Do your research and look at what additional security features are available. At a time when data security is extremely high on the agenda for all businesses due to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) becoming law throughout all EU countries in May 2018, users can rest assured that all data stored on iStorage portable data storage drives are encrypted to military grade standards. Meaning if the device is lost or stolen, and an unauthorised user attempts to use it, the storage device remains in lockdown, with a Brute Force Self Destruct Feature being deployed after 10 unsuccessful consecutive attempts of entering the PIN.
Tip 5: Make life easier with cross platform compatibility
Unlike software based encrypted hard drives, where the password is entered via a keyboard, iStorage products are completely platform independent, working across all operating systems including Windows, MAC OS, Linux, Thin Clients, Embedded Systems and medical equipment without the need for any drivers or software, making them adaptable for all industries.
So if there’s one thing to take away from ‘2016’s Year of the Data Hack’ stories, it’s to backup and protect your data to a trusted, secure and easy to use portable data storage device and iStorage offers the perfect solutions.
To celebrate World BackUp Day, and to encourage users to protect their data and back up regularly, iStorage is offering their diskAshur DT – an OS and Platform independent USB 3.0 Desktop Hard Drive featuring XTS-AES 256-bit Hardware Encryption (no software required) + free nero BackItUp software (worth £39.99).
iStorage diskAshur DT is available from 1TB – 8TB with prices starting at £179.99 for 1TB – £479.99 for an 8TB. To take advantage of the offer or find out more information, please see: www.istorageuk.com/product/diskashur-dt
For more information on the award-winning iStorage range or to find out how to protect yours or your organisation’s confidential data in preparation for World BackUp Day or GDPR, please visit www.istorage-uk.com
A couple of weeks back we heard the rumor that Samsung was going to sell again the Note7 devices they had returned due defective hardware.
The Korean giant itself said that was not true soon afterwards, but we received an official press release saying otherwise.
Apparently the deal consist on different scenarios where you could actually get a Note7 as a refurbished unit or even “rent” one where available.
Devices that cannot be given back to customers, will be recycle in an environmental way and the elements that can’t go for that process will be used for test samples.
Yet its still to be seen where they’re going to be available and what exactly they meant by “rent” a device.
Samsung share no information regarding prices or markets that could find the devices in store. But as soon as we have more information we will let you now if you would be actually able to get one.
But if it’s possible, would you get yourself a Note7 again? Would you go for the upcoming S8 or wait for Note8?
Let us know below in the comments or join us over Twitter
Earlier this year Samsung announced the 2017 update to the Galaxy A series.
We already covered everything you need to know about the devices, they are Awesome mid-to-high end smartphones.
Almost like a S7 in new form, the only downside we found was the price, a bit high considering you could get a proper S6 or even an S7 for almost the same price.
Well, looking down the market we discover that Samsung without any fanfare lower the prices of the Galaxy A5 and A3
Originally, the first one was price at €430 while the A3 was at €330.
But now, the Koreans quietly cut those prices to make them even more affordable.
The A5 is €370, while the A3 is at €310. This new price tags makes these awesome devices a complete bargain.
If you were not sure before now is your time to get your hands on any off the two or even the A7 if you prefer a bigger display.
But do you think is strictly related with the S8 announcement?
Own either laptop,PC or iPad you could be forced to pay the annual fee of €160. Where did they get that 11 inches from?
Yes I said “FORCED” which to begin with should not be an option regardless. Already this week we heard Dee Forbes speaking on radio telling us that we just pay 40c a day and its great value well the sentiment was read completely different on social media after comments made by the new chief in Montrose, Yet this again is another move to generate more revenue as reported by the Independent this morning… RTE are strapped for cash
There is already much speak about paying the annual licence fee as it is and if it is actually value for money and also mentioned on the Sean O Rourke show was the broadcasting charge which Dee Forbes said herself was MOOTED…Having said that she did say she did request a hike which would see us pay double the price but that was quickly toned later on that morning..
The Broadcasting Act 2009 does have a wide take on what is actually a TV set but portable sets such as tablets does not fall under this act and here is where the change is about to happen,but have they clearly thought this out? As is the is plenty of licence fee evaders but how will they actually police this given the current status is anything over 11 inches will be forced to foot the bill…
Most people today would have tablets from 7 -10 inch for arguments sake and these are capable of streaming and not only that we all own mobile phones ranging from 4 inch to 6 inches in size today but there is bigger out there pushing tablet size or phablets as they are better known… We now access more content than before via our portable devices which I myself do and carry on my person all the time, Is the inspector going to frisk me in the coming months? I think not… but items billed for the fee can be easily concealed and again proving who owns it… As it stands anything over 11 inches will have to foot the bill but down the road you can see where this is going…
Clients to be empowered with more choices and greater flexibility to achieve teaching and learning success
Blackboard Inc. announced today its offering of the software as a service (SaaS) deployment of Blackboard Learn and the optional Ultra Experience in Europe. Clients who choose to use the new SaaS solution will be deployed via the Amazon Web Services EU region in Frankfurt, Germany. The offering will give European institutions a third local deployment option in addition to the self-hosted and managed-hosted delivery models already available.
Blackboard Learn deployed as SaaS will offer the Original experience of Blackboard Learn 9.1, including user interface, workflows and features. Clients can decide to move to this new delivery model with confidence, as their academics, staff and students will continue to use the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) they are already familiar with. This will also allow for a variety of improvements for clients, including reduced costs related to change management processes, fewer disruptions, and continuing benefits from investments already made on online curriculum developments, training and technology adoption programmes.
“With the launch of the SaaS deployment and the Ultra experience in the U.S. and Australia, we are excited to bring these options to Europe,” said Lee Blakemore, President of Blackboard International. “European institutions and organisations will have greater choice in how they want to deploy their Virtual Learning Environment. If they opt to transition to the SaaS delivery model, they will be able to leverage the robust and scalable cloud infrastructure provided by Amazon Web Services while utilising the most complete and flexible VLE on the market.”
In addition to benefits such as zero downtime updates, fast roll out of new features, and quicker delivery of fixes, institutions opting for the SaaS deployment will also have the option to access the Ultra experience of Blackboard Learn with a simplified and mobile-friendly interface, streamlined workflows with easier access to the most common functionalities needed to manage courses, and a personalised experience specifically designed for students and teachers that brings aggregated and actionable information to a user’s view. Moreover, the Original and Ultra experiences can be run simultaneously via the SaaS model, allowing institutions to evaluate and transition to the Ultra experience according to their own needs and schedules.
The all new budget device is now available to order today for €224.99
If you need a new phone and dont want to fork out a fortune you can now order the G5 from Argos and the price is quite attractive compared to some prices I have seen which command near €300 which is a complete joke and upward again for the Dual Sim Variant, The device can be ordered from the 28th.. You can order now though cheaper from the UK such as Unlocked Mobiles..
The G series has been quite popular over the last few years and this one should do well too considered its specs on board and for the price albeit higher than whats on offer vs some UK on-line sellers.
The Moto G comes with a refined metal design, all-day battery life and a fast-focusing camera for beautiful photos. Free yourself with an all-day battery and rapid charging. Take beautiful photos even in bright light with a fast-focusing 13 MP camera. Stay entertained on the go with a fast 1.4 GHz octa-core processor. Unlock your phone using only your fingerprint.
With an all-day 2800 mAh battery, go from morning to night without plugging in. And when it’s time to power up, don’t slow down. The included 10W rapid charger gives your Moto G hours of power in just minutes.
Audeara, the world’s first full fidelity headphones with an in built hearing test to protect users ears, delivering a supreme, catered sound like no other headphone, is currently live on Kickstarter. An instant hit, it reached its funding target within the first 15 hours and has now more than doubled its original target!
Everyone has a degree of hearing loss. Not just as a result of every loud gig they’ve been to, every busy street they’ve walked down, or every police siren that’s ever gone past but also damage can be sustained purely by listening to their headphones too loud. More and more young people have some loss of hearing, an increasing number with the same hearing health aged 30 that people would usually associate with a 60 year old.
Audeara headphones can be used to test and retest hearing over a lifetime and adapt music to the users’ individual needs. They make music better, not louder, and provide perfect sound, always. The first time the headphones are worn, the user undertakes a hearing test – the results of which, are subsequently stored in the headphones themselves. The headphones use this hearing profile to adjust the sound signal as it passes through them. They adjust the right ear differently from the left, making sure each part of the signal reaches the user’s brain in a way that’s heard as a perfect reflection of the intended signal.
What makes the Audeara headphones especially powerful is that all the technology is inside the headphones themselves. After the first test, the app isn’t required again unless the user wants to retest. This means headphones are no longer passive magnets for signal conversion, instead, they’re sophisticated tools for personalised sound reproduction.
The Technology
Audeara headphones use a software interface from a smartphone application to send Bluetooth commands to the on-board printed circuit board (PCB). This allows the headphones themselves to generate the tones and maintains consistency across all Bluetooth devices.
The headphones are calibrated and the profile is used as the baseline for accurate audiogram testing. After the user performs the audiogram, a modulation table is applied. This adjusts all incoming musical signals to the user’s requirements. Using an attenuation model, rather than increasing gain, ensures maximisation of the overall signal intensity, without distortion.
With the modulation table stored in the on-board PCB, the user only has to test once for the headphones to apply that table to any Bluetooth signal source. The user can, however, test multiple times, and the software application stores numerous profiles that are then uploaded and stored as the active profile.
The result of the audiogram is displayed for the user, perfect for long-term tracking of any hearing loss, and also as an educational tool in preventing long-term hearing impairment. If the user’s hearing profile shows significant impairment an alert will be shown, which suggests they seek more specialist advice and analysis.
The Audeara Headphones are currently available to backers from just £155 on the Early Bird Special (RRP: £310) on Kickstarter, widely available in July 2017.
The Audeara app will be available to download from Google Play and the App store.
Features
Low-latency, high-fidelity Bluetooth.
High-quality 40mm Mylar speakers.
Adjustable headband and soft over-ear cushion.
Rotatable design for easy storage in a slim, hard carry case when traveling.
Built-in lithium-ion battery, rechargeable via Micro-USB jack.
The headphones can be used as a common wired headphone with 3.5mm port.
Advanced, active noise cancelling design effectively reduces noise by up to 85%.
Specifications
Bluetooth & ANC
Speakers: 40mm Mylar
Audio impedance: 32Ohm
Charging time: approx 3.0 hours
Charging: micro USB
Operating range: ≥10 m
Connection: 3.5mm jack
Working time :
– Noise cancelling function only: 30 hours
– Bluetooth function only: 15 hours
– Noise cancelling + Bluetooth function: 12 hours
