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
Kodi, the open source media player that’s taking the world by storm. It’s been only 3 years since Kodi upped its game but its popularity seems to be multiplying on a day-to-day basis. If you’re new to the glittering world of Kodi and want to know more about what makes this media player a cut above the rest then this is the post you wouldn’t want to miss for the world.
What Is Kodi?
Kodi is one of the most famous and open source media center offering a rich collection of repositories and third party add-ons for livestreaming sports events, movies, TV shows and more.
Due to the popularity, there are people who tend to stream copyrighted content on Kodi device. But XBMC Foundation, the owner of Kodi project, doesn’t encourage people to indulge in violation of copyright laws.
Why Is Kodi So Popular?
Kodi is a popular media center, because it’s free and open source software, available for online streaming lovers. With its popularity increasing with each passing day, the number of Kodi users is also showing a tremendous increase. With easy-to-use repositories and one-click add-on installation process, Kodi is having a bright future ahead.
What Is Kodi Compatibility With?
When it comes to compatibility, Kodi is super compatible with all the major platforms and smart devices. Yes, it works fittingly well with any device or platform you intend to use, including Windows, Linux, Mac, iOS, Android, Amazon FireTV, Raspberry Pi, We Tek Play, Chromebox, CompuLab Utilite, Intel NUC, ODROID, Razor Forge TV etc. Kodi’s flexibility and compatibility makes it a popular choice for all and sundry. That’s an incredible range of devices for Kodi!
What’s The Legality Status Of Kodi Today?
Using Kodi is not illegal at all. There are many third party add-ons available for Kodi users, which are deemed illegal in relation to the violation of international copyright law. Most of the users tend to use these add-ons to stream their favorite programs on Kodi.
XBMC Foundation – the organization behind Kodi – does not support any illegal streaming service and has advised the Kodi users not to indulge in any copyright violations.
EPL And Court Order Step In The Ring
A recent court order that allows EPL to track illegal streaming of soccer matches on Kodi boxes has triggered a furore amongst the Kodi lovers. This is first such instance of court order issued for preventing illegal streaming of EPL matches on Kodi / IPTV Boxes.
According to BBC News, “For the first time this will enable the Premier League to disrupt and prevent the illegal streaming of our matches via IPTV, so-called Kodi, boxes,” said a representative of EPL body.
Up till now there is no major impact of court order. Only a few of individual illegal streaming videos of EPL have been targeted and taken down. The spokesman wants a swift action against illegal streams in a “precise manner.” Let’s see what happens. We can only wait and watch.
Are People Stuck? Or Is There A Workaround?
Kodi enjoys a remarkable position in the international market. Many people will still want to use the open source software and livestream their favorite programs any way. Despite the legal hurdles, the number of Kodi users has seen a tremendous increase. And that’s the real testimony to Kodi’s popularity.
If you are one of the Kodi geeks who want to live stream programs right from their homes, it’s better to use a fast, reliable and affordable Kodi VPN, as a perfect solution. It will provide you with ultimate buffer-free streaming experience without any hiccups like never before.
About Brad Haddin…
Brad Haddin is an avid tech blogger who loves to research and write about the various technological trends and innovations. I am a regular contributor on other sites also and have had my work published over places like Creately, YFS Magazine, Geek Time and Grand Apps.
Brad has been working in the IT industry for the past 7 years. Currently works for a US-based Online Security Firm, and blogs in his spare time.
We were expecting a new colour option when we first saw OP teaser a blue dated invite, and that’s “somewhat” what we got yesterday with the Colette Edition. To the disappointment of fans around the world we got a blue box. Yes a Blue Box folks and that did not go down well on social..
I said “somewhat” because, it’s a new colour, yes, but not an actual new option.
But only 250 phones will be made, that you can’t buy online.
The only way to get one, will be be in Paris on March the 21st when the store open at 11am local time. So what we have here is a new phone no spec bump An in-store only option that will not be on sale online which is kind of bad form..Big hype for nothing really..
If you want to know the difference between this All-Black version and the other two colour variants, First is of course the “stealth” look and second will be the logo on the back.
Yep, that’s pretty much the selling point of this Colette Edition, inside you’ll find the exact same internals as before on the 128GB models.
And those Two “extras” will cost you €479 plus the ticket to Paris if you’re not there.
But if you are, Will you get one? What do you think of this “Special Edition” device.. Let us know..
As is, owners of the OP3 owners feel shafted with the OP3T launched not so long after but the hype over this model leaves a lot to be desired. Hey if the phone was Blue, it would have went down better….
Fashionable, UK manufactured bean bag will hold iPads, tablets and e-readers at the perfect angle on any surface
With more and more of us, both young and old, now regularly working on, playing on, surfing on and socialising on our iPads or tablets, it is more important than ever, that we can do so in comfort. Awarded ‘Highly Commended’ in the 2016 Gift of the Year Awards, iBeani is a stylish bean bag, specifically designed to hold tablets, books or e-readers on any surface at the perfect angle avoiding joint and muscular pain associated with RSI type injuries.
Whilst other tablet stands will only work on flat surfaces, the iBeani is able to shift its shape to support and keep your device in the position you want, wherever you are. The iBeani is not just restricted to tablets either, it holds books, can be used as a travel pillow and can even act as a steady camera mount. On the train, plane on the sofa or bed or on a kitchen worktop, the iBeani works everywhere!
The iBeani is manufactured entirely in the UK from carefully selected quality fabrics to ensure customers get the highest quality and durable product possible. There are 42 different variations of the iBeani with different materials and designs such as Harris Tweed tartan, Herringbone Grey, colourful Spring designs such as Floral Plum and Van Gogh Sunflowers and even some for all animal lovers out there including Bees, Paw Prints, Cool Cats and Hound Dogs. More designs are coming soon to appeal to men, women and children of all ages.
For just £24.99 from www.ibeani.co.uk the iBeani is a great household accessory or gift.
How does the iBeani differ from other iPad and Tablet Stands?
Handmade in the UK: Unlike most competitors, ALL iBeani products are manufactured in the UK. Meaning they support local companies and suppliers, and everyone involved is paid at least UK minimum wage. Each bean bag is lovingly made by hand.
You can use the iBeani bean bag anywhere: On a desk, on your lap, in bed, on the sofa, in the car or on a plane! Unlike other stands, which require hard level surfaces, the iBeani can be used wherever you need to us your tablet.
You can change the angle: Depending on where or how you are sat (or slumped!), you may need your tablet to be angled differently. With the iBeani you can easily change the angle to whatever you need.
Fits any device: The iBeani bean-bag will fit any tablet device of any size, and any way round.
Comfy: Whether resting on your lap or at a desk, the iBeani is adaptable to ensure you have a comfortable experience, with as little strain as possible, avoiding the risks of iPad RSI & iPad Shoulder.
Social: The iBeani allows you to get the perfect angle to prop-up your tablet so you can share photos, videos, music or anything with friends and family. It’s also perfect for using with Skype or other video chat services too. Simply put your tablet on the iBeani, get the best angle for your camera and then chat away – gesticulating with both hands as much as you want!
Multi-use: The iBeani has many additional uses! Use it as a book stand for the kitchen or office, a steady camera stand when videoing or using long-exposures, or even use it as a handy travel pillow!
Be it Instagram or Facebook they are all copying Snapchat.
Viber is a hugely popular messaging app with some 800 million users now and I do use it from time to time myself but still opt to use Whats App but some just wont move and I find Viber a bit heavy.That being said its a good app overall and its now brought a familiar feature we have seen before which allows you to chat in secret,Sure with end to end encryption you would think you already are chatting privately.
With Secret Chats, you can set a self-destruct timer for every message in the conversation. Messages in a secret chat can’t be forwarded and screenshots are either totally unavailable or alerted to you by an instant notification in the chat screen. As always, your communications will continue to be protected by Viber’s end-to-end encryption.
To start a secret chat is simple you will first need to update your app if you have not both on Android and iOS.. You will be given a prompt anyway if you are not updated to the latest version and if you decide to want to chat with someone you can suggest an update which sends that user a message to do so..
1. Open your Chats screen
2. Tap the button to compose a new chat
3. Select the New secret chat button at the top
4. Add up to 199 contacts to your new secret chat
5. Tap Done
5. A new secret chat will open
6. Tap the timer and set time limit
Time limit
Once the time limit you set runs out messages sent in the chat will disappear entirely. This means no trace will be left on your phone or any recipient’s phone.
