This is a really nice deal and would actually make an ideal Christmas gift, The Withings Activite Steel is now going for just €99.95 with a free strap and free shipping to boot. These currently go for around €150 with none of the extras so it is something to consider plus the bonus free strap..
These are not smartwatches as such but activity trackers and they do look really nice too,there is a good selection of colours to pick from too. To get the deal you will need to enter the code HELLOSTEEL
This is a first for me..However I am familiar with such. An e-reader!! Never had interest in them due to having alternative options available on my phones/tablets in-house here so this is new territory for me and we have this interesting device to check out for a few weeks and its called the Kobo Aura One.. We will unbox it and check it out first and drop some images and leave you with some specs to chew on and in the interim if you have any questions do not hesitate to ask….
Features:
Waterproof from the inside out with HZO Protection™ IPX8 – up to 60 mins in 2 metres of water
Screen:
7.8” HD Carta E Ink touchscreen, 1872 x 1404 resolution 300 dpi
Weight:
230 g
Size:
195.1 x 138.5 x 6.9 mm
Storage:
8 GB on-board memory, holds up to 6,000 eBooks
Front-light:
ComfortLight PRO – Reduces blue-light exposure and protects your eyes for the best nighttime reading experience.
Customizability:
TypeGenius: 11 different fonts and over 50 font styles
Exclusive font weight and sharpness settings
Thats a wrap on this for now while we spend some time with it and you can ask any questions below or on social and you can check out the KOBO AURA ONE right here for more in the meantime.
Check out our new FACEBOOK PAGE for tech news and prizes.
Nearly seven in ten Irish adults find retro audio devices the most appealing way to consume music, powering one third of consumer technology spend
Almost half of us view making mixtapes as one of our favourite childhood memories
Over a third of us still make mixtapes now with digital playlists accounting for a third of total music listening time*
While the evolution of hi spec technology continues, Technology brand Bush has revealed that Ireland’s affection for classic audio still reigns supreme, with nearly seven in ten Irish adults finding retro style audio technology to be most appealing to them. More of us are feeling nostalgic about the way we play music, and technology we play it on, including record players, cassette machines and boom boxes.
The 21st century vinyl revival has been well documented in recent years, with combined sales of physical and digital sales steadily decreasing since 2005 as total vinyl album sales skyrocket – from 857,000 copies in 2005 to more than 9 million copies in 2014..
Technology brand Bush, spoke to over 500 Irish adults to understand how Irish people’s spending habits for audio technology products have, or indeed haven’t, changed over the years with the revival of retro technology.
Moreover, Bush has found that the more the ‘tech-volution’ moves on, the more we indulge in the beauty of the process of listening to music in the ‘old school’ way. Almost half (45%) of us call out making mixtapes as one of our favourite memories. And it appears that the love of the process continues, with over a third (32%) of us continuing to make our own mixtapes today. The process of music compilation doesn’t just stop with cassette players either – it’s run into the way we consume music using even the highest spec technology, with playlists on music apps such as Spotify accounting for a third of the total listening time across all demographics.
Andrea Derrick, Bush Brand Controller, commented: “Bush was founded in 1932 and has been much loved by generations of music lovers. Today the Bush range includes more cutting edge technology – from flat screen TVs to sound bars – but classic audio still sits at the heart of what we offer and it’s clear from our research that Irish music lovers are continuing to look for a wider range of retro options over and above our best-selling vinyl players.”
While cassettes and players are the current retro audio zeitgeist, the popularity of other vintage equipment such as speakers, receivers, boom boxes and hi-fis signals the enduring allure of retro audio for music lovers, which continues to be demonstrated in popular culture.
Most recently, singer-songwriter Bon Iver created global hype for his third studio album by playing the entirety of the new record for the first time from 11 small boom boxes, each placed in different locations across the globe and played at the exact same time. The boom boxes were installed with instructions to ‘flip over to Side B’ when the music stopped.
Other pop culture icons are also favouring the retro approach, including rap superstar Drake, who has released five mixtape compilations to date alongside his other typical single and album releases and Chance The Rapper, whose three albums have all famously been mixtapes. This year Eminem honoured the release of his seminal The Marshall Mathers LP with a cassette re-release of the iconic album amongst other collectibles.
Matt Mason, Editor of Q Magazine, commented: “Mixtapes being released by artists today don’t really bear much relation to the mixtape we used to make. Increasingly they’re full of original material by the artists who are putting them out. One of the biggest of recent month’s, Drake’s If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late, was completely new material by Drake himself. Artist-curated or artist-inspired playlists can be fascinating and extremely useful for the music fan by providing genuine insight into their favourite artist’s tastes and influences as well as introducing them to bands and acts they’ve not heard before, aiding their own musical discoveries.
“Digital media has made discovering and listening to music a lot easier but I think some people still love the rituals of playing vinyl and tapes, having a tangible product to hold and sleeve art to pore over. It’s not just nostalgia – some artists even like recording onto vinyl or tape, believing it gives their music a unique warmth. What’s crucial is that retro audio can work in tandem with new audio: you can compile and perfect your mixtape on digital media before burning it onto a cassette or CD. The end result is the same but the process has been made much easier by new technology.”
With mixtapes and retro audio leading the way in how Ireland consumes music, Bush offers a range of retro options to suit the modern day consumer, including: Bush Classic Turntable, Bush Classic Retro DAB Radio and Bush Wooden DAB radio.
Travelling is a nuisance especially when going away for a few days and you need to take good stock of what your needs are and ensure you have enough supplies be it with clothes and food. For me though the most important requirements are my tech needs. I carry alot of tech and perhaps too much but for attending events and doing presentations and with work, I do need something to put it in and something that is sufficient not cumbersome and can carry everything in one unit..
Mostly I do use a shoulder bag but it does not cut it when it comes to spaces to store things in order as with a laptop bag depending on the type you are limited with compartment space especially for all the little bits and pieces like USB keys and cables etc.. I have been trying out this bag from STM bags for the last few days and given it is a smaller bag for my needs it packs quite alot into it with plenty of pockets and compartments it would be ideal for someone who carries a limited amount of tech with them..
STM’s cushioned back panel design features 3D foam cores with soft mesh and a central air channel to provide extra ventilation and comfort where you need it most.
First thing to notice it it has good padding which is important should you drop the bag or have a habit of just slinging the bag down,something I must admit I do at times and forgetting the expensive cargo on board but the accident can happen when you drop it,it happens to us all….Padding all round and corners included this is quite good and with extra padding on the back with a hardened wall if you will ensure the the back does protect the equipment you might have inside,Given this bag is rather on the small size for me I was limited as to what I can carry ,but it still takes quite a bit,especially the small bits n bobs…
Water resistant fabric for years of durable transport
Front overflow pocket for quick, easy access to travel docs, reading materials, etc.
Stretch side pockets for a water bottle or umbrella
Contoured main zipper allows easy access and storage of your digital and daily essentials
Dedicated internal pocket for cables, chargers and accessories
External quick access fleece lined pocket for sunglasses or phone
Elastic power pocket for stowing your laptop’s charging bricks and cords
There is plenty of compartments on this bag which for me is vital,I can store cables,pens,charging devices USB cables devices and more and I know exactly where they are when needed so bag makers,compartments are a requirement but not too many.. Again externally this bag hosts more compartments which can either hold drinks bottles or cans and perhaps magazines and papers or similar too with a compartment with no pocket they just slip in which is good. Three zips also available a the front which can be all tied together if you will for some extra safety for me its a must because pickpockets lurk and with the three zippers locked together I know im ok and would feel anyone making an attempt to gain access. As mentioned in video the front compartments are always kept free or with magazines,the non valuable items…
IMAGE GALLERY
PACKED
Internal
Front
Handle
Back view
Straps
Front
Internal pockets
Slingshot
Zips
Contents
Packed
Overall this bag would suit anyone to be honest and perhaps just the right size,Preferably I like the shoulder bag type but would not let that discourage me due to its build quality,comfort and protection level. It is robust tough and with the sling tech built in you can drop it safely knowing the goods will be protected inside,something which I have done on a few occasions is just drop my bag and end up with damaged goods unfortunately.. The bag is not cheap but considered the goods carried which would vary per person for me its a worthy spend due to what its intended purpose is for, This bag comes in several colours – Black – Frost Grey – Steel and Moroccan Blue so there is a choice there to pick from,the bag will cost you $79.95 and you can see the full range over at STM
Check out the video below and you have any questions fire away in the comments or get us on social media @techbuzzireland and we have a brand new FACEBOOK PAGE… Come check us out there..
Note,contents may vary depending on the situation at hand this is selection of goods that I personally use and different combinations of goods with similar capacity are at hand. Goods chosen for this review are a random section. .
Swedish lifestyle brand, Urbanista, today launches the new Berlin range, the latest in its beautifully designed portfolio of Bluetooth wireless earphones. With a sleek Scandinavian design and comfortable fit, the Berlin is the ideal choice for those looking for an easy to use earphone to fit in with their busy lifestyle.
Berlin brings wireless sound to the masses with a simplistic, easy to use design
Available in white, black, rose gold and blue petroleum, the Berlin has a unique construction with soft silicon ear buds and a flat cable which gives users an ergonomic and tangle free fit. The earphones offer a playtime of up to 4 hours and the hands-free microphone means users can easily take phone calls without having to reach for their phone.
Whether it’s between meetings, relaxing on a plane or commuting on a crowded bus or train, the Berlin earphones are the perfect everyday companion. Compact, easy to use and easy to enjoy!
If you have missed it the Xperia Ear is a new earbud if you will that was recently launched and its now up for pre-order and due to dispatch sometime in November.. Take note though this is not a PAIR of earbuds but just ONE which is set to rival the likes of the Apples air-pods or the Jabra Sports Elite both of which come in pairs.. Xperia Ear which is a personal assistant you can send and receive messages, check your schedule, search, navigate, and more. All without picking up your phone which is handy to say the least.
However the price might not favour some coming in at €199 but if you are a Sony fan you can claw back €50 if you intend to purchase a new smartphone.. The offer ends on November 13th so if it is something you had in mind and want a new phone later on head over and check out the offer HERE
Black Duck, a global leader in automated solutions for securing and managing open source software, today announced the formation of its Belfast-based Open Source Security Research Group during an event at Invest Northern Ireland’s headquarters in Belfast.
Black Duck worked closely with Invest NI on the initiative, and Black Duck said it expects to add almost 60 jobs in Northern Ireland over the next four years.
COSRI is based at Black Duck’s Massachusetts headquarters. The Northern Ireland group will play a major role in COSRI’s research work by analyzing open source security issues and attack patterns, and by providing customers with actionable information on vulnerabilities, corrective actions to reduce risk and strategies for effective, secure use of open source.
Black Duck CEO Lou Shipley attended the event and said “Since creating COSRI earlier this year, we have been increasing our strategic investments in open source security research and innovation worldwide. Northern Ireland has the depth of security research talent to meet many of our needs in the near term and in the future.
“Invest NI very quickly proved to us that Northern Ireland had both the high-quality tech professionals to meet our open source security research needs and an impressive array of cybersecurity-focused businesses that will continue to attract more attractive candidates to the region. Invest NI’s guidance and support played a vital role in making this engagement happen. They will be a key strategic ally as we scale our research activities, grow our business and support Black Duck customers in the UK and Europe,” said Shipley.
Simon Hamilton, Northern Ireland’s Minister for the Economy, praised Black Duck’s investment and said “Our local software industry is fueled by a pool of high-quality software engineers working in a range of leading technology disciplines. In recent years Northern Ireland has made significant investments in cybersecurity research and in growing computer science student numbers at both Queen’s and Ulster universities. We also have a growing cluster of world-class companies involved in cybersecurity, making Northern Ireland a very attractive location for projects of this type.”
Use of open source software is ubiquitous worldwide and it is an essential component in application development today, often comprising 50 percent of the code in an application. The rapid growth in open source usage has created significant security and management challenges.
Shipley noted that open source use will continue to grow because of its economic, productivity and innovation benefits. “Our intent is to support that growth by helping organizations use more open source more securely.”
The courier industry is a cut throat business today and with a myriad of well established options available across the land and having worked in the industry for some 20 years myself it is not going to change anytime soon and with the huge increase in eCommerce over the last few years there is now a strain showing and pressure mounting on companies with Christmas and Brexit online sales already are increasing now and it will be interesting to see how companies will cope with the huge volume expected this Xmas season…Once was what was inherently a B2B (Business to Business) industry its changed and now has now evolved into a B2C (Business to Customer) business too thanks to the eCommerce boom. Also you have the other known service C2C (Customer to Customer) Envoy have entered the market perhaps just at the right time here to avail of the pickings available in the industry but they do have a partnership with known carriers called GLS whom have multiple hubs across the country like its competitors Nightline,Fastway and DPD etc.. The company offers similar services to what it is on offer by others..The standard service offers two-day delivery if you book before 4pm..
Envoy are an Irish company dedicated to creating a premium delivery service accessible to SMEs and consumers. They offer the first real alternative to the the post office for parcels, packages and registered post, with some key advantages.Anyone with access to a computer or a smartphone can use our simple site to arrange to have a parcel collected from any location in Ireland and delivered to anywhere in Europe.
How it works..
Choose the weight of parcel you want delivered.
Enter collection and delivery locations.
Confirm your order and enter your payment details (one time only!)
Standard service offers two-day delivery. If you book before 4pm (and usually after), the driver will arrive with a pre-printed label to collect your parcel the following working day, with delivery the day after that. For your peace of mind, all of our deliveries are signed for.
Envoy deliver to 35 countries around Europe, offering great rates such as €20 (+ VAT) to send up to 20kg to the UK.
Delivery is a key component of online selling, whether through Adverts.ie, eBay or any custom platform. With Envoy you have access to a low-cost, door-to-door delivery service with transparent pricing and reliable two-day turnaround. You also get that all-important signature as proof of delivery. For those returning goods bought online, within Ireland, the UK or anywhere in Europe, we can take the hassle out of the process. Envoy will collect the item you want returned and deliver it to any Returns Department or store in Europe.
We also have a business solution, called Envoy Enterprise. If you send a lot of parcels or if you need next day delivery, our bespoke solution allows you to book deliveries, print custom labels and have your parcels collected that day. Simply pay for your labels as you book them. Similarly, our Registered Post solution collects and delivers your registered items. We’re cheaper than the Post Office that you no longer have to visit.
Conor also tells is what’s on the roadmap . .
An app is one of the enhancements we’re currently working on! You can still book via smartphone in the interim.
Also on the roadmap are other features to make our service even better:
* Parcelshops for pick-up and drop-off. * Collection/delivery from anywhere in Europe. * API integration.
From realms all across Skylands, the greatest young warriors, Spyro, Eruptor, Stealth Elf, Jet-Vac and Pop Fizz, are trained at Skylanders Academy to protect the universe from evil-doers. Skylanders Academy, based on the video game franchise from Activision Blizzard available on Netflix from 28 October.
Based on Activision Blizzard’s record-breaking video game franchise, the show follows the heroic adventures of Spyro, Eruptor, Stealth Elf, Jet-Vac and Pop Fizz as they travel the vast Skylands universe, protecting it from evil-doers.
As darkness begins to threaten the balance of peace in the Skylands, Master Eon is forced to assemble a ragtag group of heroes to protect the universe from evil-doers Kaos and the Doom Raiders. Using their unique blend of personalities and elemental-based super powers, Spyro and his fellow Skylanders are called upon to set aside egos as they come together to maintain harmony and balance in the land. Jam-packed with humour, heart and memorable moments, Skylanders Academy promises to keep viewers on the edge of their seats with epic action for kids of all ages.
Led by showrunner Eric Rogers (Dodgeball), the series features the voices of Justin Long (Ask Me Anything) as Spyro; Ashley Tisdale (High School Musical) as Stealth Elf; Jonathan Banks (Breaking Bad) as Eruptor; and Norm MacDonald (Saturday Night Live) as Glumshanks. Additional voice talent includes Susan Sarandon, Daniel Wu, Parker Posey, James Hetfield, Catherine O’Hara, Chris Diamantopoulos, Bobcat Goldthwait, Diamond Minecart and Harland Williams, among others.
Netflix members worldwide will be able to join in the adventure and humour of learning the “Skylander way” starting this Autumn. Season 1 launches exclusively on Netflix October 28, with Season 2 landing in late 2017.
