One of my favourite TV shows Dragons Den sadly came to its season finale last night with some great ideas,throughout the series there has been great inventions and ideas and it seems our talent pool is getting better and with what appears to be a turn in our economy it certainly welcome and we should see some more great exports from Ireland with goods. My Name is TED is an idea I like although it may seem expensive for some there is a market out there for the like. You could compare this to the smartphone industry from mid tier to high end,Offering luxury Lifestyle Leather bags and more you will pay a price heading towards top brands and so on but on a comparison level slightly cheaper but what is different here it is Irish and Artisan.
This also has an interesting backstory to it too with Ted Carbury loosing the use of his right hand side he still found a way to make creations and support his family of 11. These multifunctional or crossover bags can cater for more than just one need or a persons choice with multiple uses and for the tech fans and business folk alike out there they also offer built in charging and more,charging is still a problem and we as a nation are still suffering with battery anxiety.
These products are made with the best materials with the best people on board and for some it may only attract a niche market,With the outstanding quality here too the longevity of the products would not be an issue either,with multi-purpose functionality too they can cater for many in more ways than one and to top it off they look great too.
Unique 11 is a new social gaming platform for sports fans. And we have Steve Mc Comb here today to tell us all about the idea and how it came about…Over to you Steven….
My name is Steven McComb, I am the founder and Managing Director of Unique 11 – a new social gaming platform for sports fans. My background is in web development and I gave up my job of almost 7 years in February to go full time with the Unique 11 project. The driving force for me was the opportunity to take part in the Propel Programme, an accelerator programme for start-ups run by InvestNI.
We had launched the first full public version of our site at the start of recently finished English Premier League season and we received some encouraging progress with users signing up from 35 different countries. We have players from Scandinavia, Asia, the US, and of course the UK and Ireland. At our peak times during the season we reached 100,000 visits a month. Spotting an opportunity to capitalise on the hype surrounding Northern Ireland qualifying for their first major tournament in 30 years, I was able to secure a partnership with the Irish FA and we’ve teamed up to supply a customised Northern Ireland version of our online game available to play now at www.gawafantasyfootball.com. We also approached the FAI but unfortunately they were not interested in providing a similar gaming experience for their fans.
I’ve been lucky enough to team up with my brother Andrew and former work colleague Adam Young who do a great job looking after the creative direction of the business. As a massive football fan myself and getting to work alongside my brother means I’m arguably one of the lucky few to actually be doing their dream job.
We are being blessed lately with the good weather and most of us will frequent some watering holes over the coming days if not done already,Since the weekend when the great weather has started the beer gardens have been jammed with folks out having a well entitled pint,except for me due to my little ones communion day.. I did feel a bit left out..
Anyhow there is a web app which also works on your mobile phone which works simply by typing info the respective feilds to tell you exactly where is the best place to enjoy your Pint In The Sun but to get most of the shade too there is a slider on the end of the page which you drag to your required time of day, on testing is can be a bit laggy at times but it does what it says on the tin and finds the local pubs from using the search option.. Enjoy your pint sensibly..
MDM, short for Mobile Device Management, is one of those things most people don’t realize they need. When used wisely, though, MDM – meaning mainly web-based apps for admins to control how mobile devices work – is your ultimate chaos prevention tool. And it’s free, too!
Why everyone should use MDM
If you don’t believe it, try imagining what would happen if an IT manager had to apply settings manually on every computer in his company, blind to trends and problems that a central control panel would make obvious. Just like IT managers don’t use an “Excel only” approach to keeping inventory anymore, mobile devices have now graduated to a level where they need to be controlled and kept track of.
What about if the data on company, or personal smartphones and tablets, today’s powerful personal computers with cameras, microphones and other sensors, was leaked to malicious outsiders? Most of us understand why company PCs shouldn’t have all kinds of random software installed, so the prospect of living without any say over what goes on work phones does feel less than comfortable.
This is exactly why people do need MDM, and why we’ve put together this quick-start guide on getting up and running with Miradore Online, a free MDM product from a Finnish company. Miradore’s MDM offering comes with a slick user interface and lots of free features in the basic plan for unlimited devices. You’re just a few clicks away from better control over phones and tablets, including at-a-glance reports of all your devices and detailed reports on installed apps.
Step 1: Requirements
To get started, check that you have a suitable device. Miradore Online supports iOS 4 or later, Android 2.3.3 or later and Windows Phone 8 and 8.1. You can have a mixed environment with all three platforms. You also need a computer with a modern web browser.
If you can choose which kind of device to try it out in first, Android is the easiest. iOS requires an extra step when adding the first device, for security. But since you don’t have to do this for every device, it might be a good idea to get to it.
To add Apple devices to Miradore’s free MDM, you will need an Apple ID. If you have an account that’s used to administer Apple issues for many users in you company or home, that’s probably the one to choose.
Step 2: Sign up for Miradore Online
You’ll find the sign up form for Miradore Online at miradore.com by clicking Get Started you can also reach the sign up form directly from https://online.miradore.com. For a service like this, it’s a good idea to add real contact information and to understand the terms of use. In this case, it’s worth pointing out that Miradore’s services are operated within the EU, under local Finnish legislation. Finland’s privacy laws are even noted in the media for their exceptional strength.
Please remember to pick a strong password. Miradore Online is a powerful service that’s intended for controlling and locating mobile devices.
Step 3: Add devices
After the quick signup form, you’re ready to take control of your IT surroundings. Pick the kind of device you’re going to add. If you’re using Android or Windows Phone, go ahead and skip to step 5 for inviting a user.
Step 4: Give Miradore permission to control Apple devices
Say what you want about Apple, but they’re really serious about who gets to touch iOS devices. To be able to add remote management capabilities to an iPad, iPhone or iPod touch, you will need Apple’s blessing in the form of a certificate signed by both Apple and Miradore. This is a mixed bag, but luckily, you don’t have to do it for every device. The upside is that Apple gives Mobile Device Management tools like Miradore Online broad, controlled capabilities for device management access to iOS devices.
At this point, Miradore Online will give you a file to download, csr.txt, a Certificate Signing request. Download and save this file, but keep it private unless you really know this stuff. Click the link presented to open Apple’s portal for Push Certificate creation. Please sign in with your preferred Apple Account and move forward with the Certificate creation tool. Accept the terms and follow the instructions on the screen, using the csr.txt file you just downloaded.
When you’re done inputting the CSR, you will be able to download a certificate called something like “MDM_ Miradore Oy_Certificate.pem”. Keep this certificate private to you and Miradore. In fact, now return to the Miradore site and upload the .pem certificate file as instructed.
Step 5: Invite yourself
We’re back to where we left off to get Apple’s blessing. At this point, both Android and iOS administrators will be able to invite the first user, probably you. It’s very straightforward and happens over e-mail or SMS. Either way, the user will receive a link to click on. If you don’t like waiting for e-mail (or wading through a packed inbox), go the SMS route.
Step 6: Enroll the first device to Miradore Online
Now, grab the device you wanted to enroll with the message you just sent. Just click the link in the SMS or e-mail and you will be presented with a screen like this one in your device’s browser. Assuming you’re presented with the right option, agree to continue, or pick another option.
Your browser will now download a management profile and your device will attempt to install it. On our iPhone, it looks like this. The Install button lets you get on with the process. You will be asked for one more confirmation to agree to trust the management system.
Now, there you have it. If you go back to the web browser on your computer, you’ll notice that the system soon recognizes that a phone has been added. Press Next to move on to some easy options or Skip to just start exploring your new management environment.
Step 7: Start taking control
If you pressed Next in the previous screen, you will be presented with some options for going forward. Setting a passcode is a really good way to start if you don’t have one. Even a simple PIN goes a long way to make sure nobody’s going to snoop through your photos, messages or e-mails.
If you choose Show device at this point, you will be taken to an information-rich view of the first item in your managed inventory. The view looks like the picture below.
Our suggestion is that you take a quick look through the information Miradore Online has on your phone within the tabs pointed at by the first arrow. A good starting point is the Applications view where you can prevent the device from using up all the data plans within your organization. Notice that location tracking needs to be activated if you want it on.
Moving on to the second arrow, the drop down menu under the profile icon, you’re given the option to go and fill out some profile information. It probably makes sense to do that at this point. On the My Settings page, scroll down and press Edit.
In the final step below, we’ll take a glance at the Dashboard, the place where all the magic will happen from now on.
8. Add devices and stay in the driver’s seat
We’re getting to the point where you will have to explore your new command center for your organization’s mobile computing. Before we let you go, let’s have a quick look at the main dashboard for Miradore Online, the place where you arrive every time you sign in.
To get more out the system, such as nice reports, go ahead and add more devices through Users or Welcome view.
There you have it: a quick walkthrough of setting up a modern Mobile Device Management system – for free. Other options on the market function similarly, by hooking into specific frameworks in Android and iOS phones to allow control over company property.
Nevertheless, we think Miradore Online is a great option to explore if you find yourself feeling out of control over your devices. Thanks to its friendly freemium model, you can go a long way to integrate it with your home or business life before having to budget for the competitively priced paid plans.
As the header suggests this new idea was created by Patrick Ryan which enables users to Print mobile,camera and Instagram photos on canvas and now there is an app to boot and Patrick from thecanvasworks.ie tells us more below..
My name is Patrick Ryan and I’m the founder of The Canvas Works. We are one of Ireland’s leading photo to canvas and photo printing retailers and we’re based in Kinsale, Cork. I spent ten years working in the advertising industry before setting up the business back in 2006.
We aim to be the easiest way to transform your mobile and camera photos into beautiful canvas and framed prints. Nowdays, with the advent of powerful mobile phone cameras and the explosion in the growth of photo sharing social media sites like Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat, people are taking and sharing photos like never before.
But the best photos often sit in the phone or lie up in the cloud somewhere, looked at only via a screen. The Canvas Works is all about getting your photos off your phone and onto your wall. We think photos mean more when they’re printed and believe that if you make it easy, affordable and convenient to print photos, customers will do it. There’s still nothing like seeing your photos printed in the real world.
Our site was rebuilt from the ground up about 18 months ago on the Shopify platform. They’re a Canadian ecommerce platform aimed as SME’s all over the world. Since launching on the site, we’ve doubled our business and have been a featured “Shopify Success Story” https://www.shopify.com/success-stories/the-canvas-works
When it came to developing our app, we were also keen to leverage the power of the Shopify platform. This meant we could build the app natively but run the checkout through Shopify, thus allowing us to manage sales, CRM, marketing and administration centrally through our Shopify admin panel.
Customers using the app can choose from canvas prints, framed prints, wood mounts or photo prints. We offer a full range of sizes as well as collage prints using multi shot selections. We’ve worked very hard on simplfying image selection, cropping and filtering. The app uses the Adobe Creative Cloud SDK for image editing – one of the world’s most powerful and feature-rich editing components. Once the customer is happy with their editing choices, they’ll see a real life render of their image as a canvas or framed print – thus avoiding any confusion over sizes.
Our focus now is on refining the app, adding new products and rolling out on Android in the coming months. We’re offering free shipping on all orders in Ireland and worldwide on orders over €50.
You’re prepared for all sorts of things in your office, from the mundane (do we have enough supplies) to the worrisome (how well is data backed up). But what about disasters of the natural kind—such as hurricanes? If you live in a hurricane-prone area, it’s essential that you think about what you can do to make your office hurricane-ready.
First, understand that not all hurricanes are the same. The wind speed and the storm surge potential determine the category of the hurricane, which can range from 1 to 5. An a Watch differs from a Warning—the former indicates potential, the latter indicates likelihood.
Next, before a hurricane is even a possibility, you must create a series of helpful steps that employees and you can take. Those include an evacuation plan as well as designated responsible employees and a contact system. Your hurricane plan should be written and communicated, and indicate tasks for each person as well as how data will be protected. You should always have a hurricane disaster kit on hand with essential you may need, as well as supplies that can help protect your physical space.
Both before and after a hurricane hits, there are additional steps to follow to ensure that both people and property stay as safe and unharmed as possible—follow the direction of federal and local authorities, for example, and documenting damage. Especially if a hurricane hits while people are at work, you must try to do whatever you can to help ensure their protection. All the steps you take beforehand are a good start, but following proper hurricane-related protocol is a must, too.
This graphic offers helpful, easy-to-understand steps to take to get ready for a hurricane and deal with its aftermath.
There is an array of internet speed tests available today but now Netflix is launching fast.com, a simple-to-use website to help you see how fast your Internet connection is, whether on mobile or broadband, anywhere in the world. And like the Netflix service, it’s ad free with a streamlined design that is quick and easy to understand.
David Fullagar says..
We all want a faster, better Internet, yet Internet speeds vary greatly and can be affected by other users on your network or congestion with your Internet service provider. When you’re experiencing streaming issues, fast.com allows you to check the download speeds you’re getting from your Internet service provider. Using Netflix servers, fast.com works like other globally available tools including speedtest.net, and the results should be similar in most cases.
This consumer speed test is different than our Netflix ISP Speed Index. Fast.com measures your personal Internet connection at any given time. The speed index measures average monthly speeds of actual Netflix streams during prime time hours.
Like the cellular data controls we recently introduced, fast.com is another tool consumers can use for greater insight and control of their Internet service. Fast.com works in any country, and it is free for everyone — whether a Netflix member or not. Give it a try at fast.com.
Staying connected in the air is something that everyone wants these days, and even now some airlines are offering wi-fi in flight services but some can be costly,As we are now using our devices more so than ever before the thoughts of not being able to communicate on that long or short haul flight if no Wi-Fi is available is unbearable for some.
Today good news though has been announced and it wont be long before all flights offer Wi-Fi the way things are going.. IAG chief executive Willie Walsh has just announced that the service will be available on 90pc of the group’s long-haul aircraft by 2019.
The Independent reports
Aer Lingus already has a wifi service on its Airbus A330 long-haul aircraft, but the four Boeing 757 jets it leases for some transatlantic services will now also be equipped.
IAG will also fit the wifi service – being provided by Chicago firm Gogo – on 118 British Airways long-haul aircraft, and 15 Iberia aircraft.
The wifi will allow passengers to stream services such as Netflix on their own devices while on board and is promised to be as fast as consumers are now typically used to in their own homes.
The in-flight wifi service being deployed by IAG uses satellite technology.
Tesco Mobile which is an MVNO are having a hard time of it over on the hugely resourceful and popular boards.ie website right now due to a query from a user of the Tesco Mobile service when a user and category mod spurious was contacted by a friend with the following. Just for transparency purposes we spoke to the original poster last night about this and agreed to let us post this and agreed to keep the user that’s having the problem anonymous.
Was contacted by a very upset friend today who has recently been very ill and is still in the ‘attending hospital appointments’ phase.
Her doctor and some other friends informed her they were having difficulty contacting her on her Tesco Mobile PAYG. She got on to Tesco mobile who told her her account had been randomly selected ‘for security purposes’ and until she sent them a scan of her passport they would not reconnect her. She explained to a person named ‘Con’ (appropriately enough) in Customer Service in Waterford that she often gets short notice of an available slot for treatment and has to be ready to go. He refused to let her speak to someone higher up the line. She has had no notice of any of this in writing.
Subsequently spurious replied with legitimate questions in the opening post..
Can you tell me …
a) is this a scam or actually something Tesco Mobile do? Cut paying customers off for no reason?
b) can she be reconnected IMMEDIATELY pending the sending of the passport scan?
c) She owes Tesco no money whatsoever as she is PAYG, what justification is there for treating her like this?
Tesco then replied with the following and what seems to be a repetitive copy and paste format continued throughout the thread with no conclusion to date,this is going on 24hrs now..
Hi spurious,
I’m sorry to hear of the inconvenience caused by this. In order to maintain the security of all of our customers, we do regularly perform routine security checks. Once the customer in question has provided the proofs requested by our Security department, we can have the account unsuspended promptly, but we can only discuss exact information regarding this matter with the account holder.
As I have already advised, such procedures are carried out to maintain the security of all Tesco Mobile customers, both prepay and billpay. Suspension due to a general security check would not be a supervisor issue, and our Customer Security team are a back office team who do not speak directly with customers. Our Customer Care representatives are trained in dealing with and advising on such issues.
If the customer wishes to contact us directly to discuss her account further, we can be PMed on our Tesco Mobile: Reps page by clicking here – LINK!
Regards,
Shauna
Speaking to the actual account holder is perfectly fine and its a legal obligation for data protection purposes but apparently Tesco Mobile can just cut you off and then you need to provide information such as a passport or some form of ID,In my many years as a mobile customer across many networks not once have I heard or have had this requirement brought to my attention nor have I ever been asked…
Tesco under their terms and conditions which are outline below on HOW they can disconnect your service……in bold would be most relevant to the original post..
1.3.4 How we can suspend or limit the Services
We may suspend or restrict your use of the Services immediately if:
1.3.4.1 You do any of the things listed above which would allow us to end our Agreement;
1.3.4.2 You breach our Agreement (for example, you fail to pay us any Charges when due);
1.3.4.3 You breach any legal requirements which may apply to your use of the Services;
1.3.4.4 You tell us that your Mobile Phone or SIM Card has been lost or stolen;
1.3.4.5 We need to carry out repairs, maintenance or improvements to the Services (and we will try to restore the Services as soon as we can);
1.3.4.6 We are told to by the Government, the emergency services or any other competent or lawful authority;
1.3.4.7 You are abusive, make threats, repeatedly cause a nuisance or annoyance or otherwise act illegally towards our staff or property, or that of our agents; or
1.3.4.8 You do anything or permit anyone else to do anything which we reasonably think adversely impacts Tesco Mobile; or
1.3.4.9 It appears to us that there is an unusual use of the Tesco Mobile Service (for example, the volume or destination of calls increases significantly).
1.3.4.10 Where more than one user is set up under an Account, we may suspend use by any or all of those users.
User 8-10 below also points out some valid replies to the above…
How can the destination of calls increase? Is this saying that there is a limit in number of phone numbers you can contact off it? Or number of countries you can call? And if you increase the number of numbers or number of countries you call over this threshold you can be suspended?
Volume of calls maybe, though I don’t see how that would affect the network with a single handset, and I don’t see how it affects PAYG as presumeably they can’t keep calling forever or their credit will be used up.
But an increase in call destinations sounds very vague – interested if Tesco Mobile reps can help the understanding of this – is it the number of different phones you can call on PAYG limited? And what does ‘increased significantly’ mean?
For instance I generally use my work phone for nearly everything but call some relatives from my personal one. So that is the single call destination that I have, so I maybe call 2/3 destinations (different numbers) in a month.
Then if next month I’m using my personal phone for work and I call 200 different numbers in a month off it – that’s a significant increase in call destination – would I be cut off because of this? What is the threshold for the destination increase?
That sums up this case pretty much for now,have you ever had anything happen like this,As mentioned I personally have never heard this happen before myself and the answers seem pretty vague and there is a lack of total transparency here..To be fair the reps here can only do so much but this is something that needs clearing up..
