Category: Tech News

New network GoMo launches in Ireland. #GoMo #eir

Competition in the telecoms world has heated up things a bit with a new player in town but there is a catch or two, It is belong to eir who have not had it easy over the last while and there is no shops and phones. It is all web based and similar to what is on offer elsewhere by the eir owner. eir also will have no hand on this when it comes to customer service and as we know customer service goes along way and it will in time tell just how good this is going to be assuming the uptake will be a big one.

The pricing on offer for the first 100,000 customers stands at 9.99 a month which is undercutting everyone else out there as it stands now but this move might just see others drop their price and there is nothing better than competition in my book but this whole thing just reminds me or the meteor/eir thing and ID mobile and ID mobile did not last too long.  This is a rolling plan something I am on with another network paying €25 a month for today

To join you just bring your number or sign up and you will pay €10 up front which is not bad and the data allowance is the one to watch as we now consume more data than ever before  and you get a whopping 80GB, So to cap off what is on offer it is all calls,sms your 80GB data and 10GB data of roaming but all this falls under the FUP policy and if you are outside the EU and roam you will be hit hard in the pocket paying big bucks there.

Usage outside of your inclusive allowances will be charged as follows:

  • Voicemail – Free
  • Additional Minutes – 30c/Min
  • SMS – 15c per SMS

See the roaming charges below. You can see more in the PRICING guide

Fair usage – 45,000 minutes and 10,000 SMS which being honest is fine most of us today use social media or Whats App for example to communicate, I think myself I get bout 5 text a week and send the same so no fear of going outside the limits or calls for that matter.

Is this a good deal? On paper yes once you dont roam outside the EU but you can see more at https://shop.gomo.ie/  I  will be back with a review on the service in a few weeks and just lets see how customer service works out.

Update – New fee €12.99

Update – Now 4 sims can be used on one account

 

 

Get creative this Christmas with FUJIFILM Imagine. #FUJIFILM #Imagine

When everyone on your Christmas gift list has it all already, then it’s time to think outside the box and get creative. Luckily, FUJIFILM Imagine has you covered, with tons of customisable and sentimental gifts ideas for loved ones who, on the face of it, are impossible to buy for.

SNAP. CREATE. GIFT

FUJIFILM Imagine know that photos locked away on your smart phone hold the secret to amazing Christmas gifts. Simply choose photos of your family and friends and use them to create personalised presents through the FUJIFILM Imagine mobile app, online, and on touch screen kiosks in store nationwide. With lots of quirky options, ideal for stocking fillers and secret santas, your creativity will know no bounds. Choose from personalised jigsaws, teddies, mugs, iPad covers and much, much more. Then, wrap it all up with personalised gift-wrapping paper to really bring a smile to their faces this festive season.

GET SEMTIMENTAL WITH PICTURE BOOKS AND CANVAS PRINTS

For those extra special people on the list, why not put together a scrap book full of memories close to both your hearts? Bring your digital photos to life by printing them in a luxury photo book that can be treasured forever. Photo books can be customised online with heartfelt text and an array of decorative backgrounds, borders, and embellishments. For the interior lover in your life, opt for eye catching framed canvases instead, perfect for adding to walls and displays.

Gift availability varies in-store – call in-store, visit www.fujifilmimagine.ie, or download the FUJIFILM Imagine App. You can collect in-store at selected FUJIFILM Imagine stores in Ireland or if you want to send it as a gift, worldwide delivery to an address of your choosing is available.

E-waste Day aims to increase recycling rates of electronics. #Recycling #Electronics #ewasteday

On October 14, International E-waste Day takes place for the second time, aiming to reduce the burden that e-waste places on the environment and save natural resources. More than 100 organizations from 44 countries stand behind the initiative to encourage recycling of e-waste.

Fifty million metric tonnes of e-waste is generated every globally year. Much of it is handled in an unsafe way, causing pollution, human health hazards and the loss of valuable finite resources. E-waste is the world’s fastest growing waste stream and most countries have difficulties handling these vast amounts of discarded products in a responsible and resource efficient way. In 2016, only 20 percent of electronic waste was recycled globally.

International E-waste Day puts a spotlight on the fact that, while the focus has been on collecting products, not enough effort has gone into building infrastructure for processing the waste or safely recovering used materials. This has led to a shortage of facilities where e-waste can be managed safely. Instead, e-waste is mixed with residual waste, where it is often incinerated, placed in landfill, or exported to developing countries. E-waste exporters generally choose destinations lacking effective legislation that regulates how e-waste should be handled.

In these countries, products are manually disassembled, burned in the open air or dissolved in acid by local laborers, including children, without adequate protective equipment — leading to severe health problems. Electronic products contain a number of toxic substances hazardous to human health, with documented risk to the brain nervous system, lungs and kidneys as well as links to certain cancers. Toxic residues can leak and contaminate the soil, air and water, affecting surrounding ecosystems where the local communities grow their food, hunt and fish. The hazardous substances are also spread to other continents through the air and the sea.

To prevent e-waste, the global sustainability certification TCO Certified has a circular approach to the production and consumption of IT products. By requiring that IT products are durable, repairable and upgradeable as well as recyclable, products can live longer and materials can be recovered.

“There is not one big solution to this problem — it’s all about taking many small steps in the right direction. For example, with TCO Certified, generation 8, the use of hazardous substances in IT products is reduced or eliminated, to enable recycling of materials when the product has reached the end of its usable life.” says Andreas Rehn, Development Manager at TCO Development, the organization behind TCO Certified.

He continues:

“TCO Certified also requires that important spare parts are made available and that batteries are replaceable so we don’t have to discard products just because the battery has lost its capacity.”

What you can do

  1. Use your products for as long as possible. This is the single most effective thing you can do to minimize e-waste and the negative effects on our planet.

  1. Choose products that are designed to enable a more circular model and can live multiple lives by being repaired, upgraded and refurbished.

  1. Consider if someone else might find the product useful when you no longer use it. Sell it ​​or donate to charity.

  1. Make sure the product is recycled in a safe and responsible way at the end of its usable life.

  2. See more

Groov-e introduces the Light Curve wake-up light and alarm clock.

Groov-e, a leading UK tech brand, today launches the Light Curve, a feature packed wake-up light and alarm clock. Designed to combat the sudden, startling awakening of a regular alarm clock, the Light Curve wakes sleepy heads with a natural, gradually brightening light that will help them feel calmer yet refreshed, alert and energised all day. The Light Curve is available now for £39.99 from www.groov-e.co.uk.

The Light Curve is perfect for those who struggle to get up in the mornings, especially during the winter when it’s cold and dark outside. Mimicking natural daylight, the Light Curve gets brighter over a course of 30 minutes until it’s at the optimum level to rouse users from their slumber. In conjunction with the sunrise, users also have the option to switch on one of eight alarm sounds or an FM radio station if they need a bit more encouragement to get out of bed.

Additionally, for those who have trouble going to sleep, the sunset stimulation can also mimic the end of daylight, gradually dimming over a period of time to help users relax and get ready for the land of nod.

For those who like to read or need the light on darker mornings to get ready, the Light Curve has 10 levels of brightness using its LED lamp. It also features seven coloured mood lighting options making it ideal for anyone who wants to create more of an atmosphere. Controlled by touch, the Light Curve is easy to set up and adjust.

Kunal Patel, Director, Groov-e said: “We’re really excited to add the Light Curve to our range and just in time for winter when it becomes even harder to get out of bed. There are so many health benefits to using light to gradually wake you not least boosting energy and mood. With the Light Curve, we’re giving people a good start to their day, even those who aren’t morning people.”

The Light Curve is £39.99 and available from www.groov-e.co.uk.

EDIFIER releases the TWS1 Bluetooth V5.0 True Wireless Stereo Earbuds. #TrueWireless #Edifier

Edifier® International, prominent designer and award-winning manufacturer of consumer audio electronics for both the lifestyle and multimedia markets launches the TWS1 – True Wireless Stereo Earbuds.

The Edifier TWS1 are a pair of classic entry-level true wireless Bluetooth earbuds that confront the three major complaints from true wireless earbuds consumers: bulky size, insufficient playback time and inadequate radio frequency range. The TWS1 earbuds are compact and ergonomically fit in the ear cavity for a secure, comfortable user experience. With up to eight hours of playback time on a single charge, multi-function tap controls and available at SRP £44.99 they’re the versatile and reliable true wireless earbuds.

With the same high standard users have come to expect from Edifier products, the TWS1 has been engineered with audio quality and durability in mind. LG scratch-proof material is used throughout the product to ensure prolonged durability while adding a touch of gloss that retains its lustre even through years of wear and tear. A semi-transparent design of earbud exterior allows for the light indicator inside the shell to shine through, meanwhile safeguarding the product from sweat or contact with water. The TWS1 is perfect therefore for the gym, running or simply listening to your music collection via Bluetooth.

In terms of audio performance, the TWS1 has been designed with materials and advanced functions not commonly applied for an entry-level headphone. For example, the TWS1 includes 6mm  bio-diaphragm units to provide rich sound details and an exceptionally better sound for the listener. The embedded silicon microphone is highly sensitive, picking up the user’s voice for a clearer call quality.

BUY HERE

Chargeasap launches INFINITY Cable – The world’s first truly universal USB Cable.

Sydney based consumer electronics brand, Chargeasap, the team behind five successful crowdfunding campaigns including UNO and X-Connect, the world’s most crowdfunded cable, is pleased to announce that it has launched INFINITY Cable on Kickstarter (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/asaptechnologies/infinity-cable); the world’s first cable capable of data transfer and charging on all Micro USB, Lightning and USB-C devices. With shipping in February 2020 and pledges starting at just $25/£20, the campaign will run until 22nd November.

The INFINITY Cable is the most powerful product from the cable specialists and is the one and only cable users will ever need instead of having to carry several for each device. INFINITY is capable of data transfer and charging for Micro USB, Lighting (Apple iPhone/iPad) USB Type-C and USB-C notebook connections including the Macbook Pro, meaning it works with virtually every modern USB device launched within the last 5 years. This latest innovation in magnetic cables offers unparalleled quality, convenience and aesthetics brought by a company who believe users should be the creators and innovators of products.

Unlike other cables from Chargeasap including the most recently launched UNO, the INFINITY Cable is power delivery (PD) compatible for USB-C up to 100W, allowing cross-device charge compatibility for a greater range of devices. This means users can charge their Android or Apple phones with their USB-C laptop power adapter with just one cable. Power delivery (PD) charging is a fast charging protocol to make use of the great functionality and universality and a common feature of current and future flagship devices.

The USB-C connector end allows a higher power input and output and enables INFINITY to be compatible with QC3.0, QC4.0 and Power Delivery. The cable is capable of two-way full speed USB 2.0 data transfer at 480 Mbps between any USB devices and features a reversible magnetic connection which means instant fit every single time. No more fumbling around to connect devices, even in the dark and the INFINITY offers a thicker and stronger magnet for optimum power.

Each INFINITY cable set features two N52 grade neodymium magnets which are the world’s strongest commercial grade magnets. Unlike poor market imitations, INFINITY is strong enough to hold an iPad Air which is 437g (0.96lb) without dropping the device. Additionally, Chargeasap has incorporated an innovative locking mechanism, giving the cable a stronger connection and longer lifespan. This stronger magnetic strength means it can support a heavier cable than ever before with a cable length of 1.2m (3.2ft) with a 2m (6.5ft) cable also available for purchase separately.

Similarly to UNO, INFINITY has a unique bevelled and concave magnetic connector design on both the tip end and cable head end, allowing it to connect correctly even if the tip is flipped 180° due to both the strong neodymium magnets having their polarity perfectly positioned.

The magnetic cable tips on the INFINITY are also just 10mm (0.39″) wide allowing them to fit perfectly into all Apple and Android devices.

Pricing

The INFINITY Magnetic Cable is available NOW on Kickstarter (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/asaptechnologies/infinity-cable); until 22nd November with shipping to start in February 2020.

Pledges start from $25/£20 for one INFINITY Cable with one magnetic tip

Extra magnetic tip are available for $10/£8 as well as an optional 2m cable available for $25/£20

@NeosSmartHome launches smartcam upgrade: NEOS BOOST. We check it out. #Security #Tech #NeosBoost

Neos, the UK’s first smart home insurance provider, has released a new upgrade plan, Neos Boost, to advance the capabilities of their award-winning indoor smart camera, the Neos SmartCam. One of the cheapest home security cameras on the market has just got better for a small price to pay and we have been asked to test this out over the last while prior release and give feedback on how the new features work as we have done so with similar products and it is nice to share and help in such things and be part of a community.

Since launching in January this year, the Neos SmartCam has sold over 75,000 cameras in the UK and figures are climbing fast. Its’ high-tech features for an unbeatable price of £24.99 RRP, have proven to be a firm favourite with consumers, and Neos Boost only further emphasises the company’s dedication to home safety and incident prevention. Check our video review below of the NEOS prior this upgrade.

Neos Boost allows customers to capture more key moments on their Neos SmartCam, with 5X longer video clips and up to 12 hours of daily recording time. Customers also get the capability to personalise their in-app notifications by setting Security Scheduling and Activity Zones.

Neos Boost is available for a competitive monthly fee of just £3.49 – with the first 30 days free. Customers can set up Neos Boost easily and quickly in the Neos app using Apple or Google pay. Neos remains totally committed to making new innovative technology available at affordable prices.

Neos Boost features:

  • Extended Clip Recording: Capture more of what matters most with video footage recording, upgraded from 12 seconds to 1 minute. Neos Boost also cuts time between clips providing up to 12 hours of Cloud storage each day.

  • Activity Zones: Select specific areas to monitor, such as windows, doors, or the baby’s cot, so you don’t get a notification every time the dog makes a guest appearance!

  • Security Scheduling: Monitor when it’s needed most; set your own schedule to arm and disarm your Neos SmartCam while you’re at home or away.

 

Since launching in 2017, Neos has worked closely with its customers to continuously develop its range of products and services, bringing the next generation of connected home solutions to UK households.

“We’re so excited to launch Neos Boost and offer our customers an even smarter way to look after their home,” commented Matt Poll, CEO and Co-Founder of Neos. “We’re constantly looking for ways that we can develop and improve our offering, and we consider all customer feedback to ensure we deliver what people really want.

With Neos Boost, customers can capture more of what matters and personalise their app experience, so they feel even more confident that their home is being looked after while they’re not there. Prevention is at the heart of everything we do, our smart technology alerts customers the moment anything unusual is detected in their homes to give them the best chance of catching threats early and prevent major problems. With Neos Boost we’re making it even easier for customers to actively look after their home.”

Belfast – HeightLight, the world’s first handheld laser height measurement device from Capaltec. #Capaltec #Equine #HeightLight

Today, Capaltec Ltd, Belfast-based technology company, announced the launch of HeightLight, the world’s first handheld laser height measurement device. HeightLight was unveiled at this year’s Horse of the Year Show at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, where it was exhibited amongst the world’s leading equine technology and innovation.

The idea for HeightLight came from County Tipperary pony breeder, Michael Grace, who saw an opportunity to bring equine measurement from the analogue age of measuring sticks and tapes into the digital age. Resulting in the founding of Belfast-based start-up Capaltec to bring this technology to market, HeightLight was developed over the past five years with investor and Invest NI support.

Speaking on the launch, Robert Park, CEO at Capaltec stated: “This is a world first innovation for the global equine market, bringing five years of extensive research and development to create an easy to use hand-held laser height measurement device. For too long, the industry has depended on inaccurate measurements for equine purchasing or competition.

“It may seem like a simple idea, but this type of innovation has never been utilised for height measurement, until now and we’re already seeing the huge demand for this product through our pre-sales. This is just the beginning of our journey with HeightLight, as this type of technology can be utilised for so many other industries such as medical, construction or DIY.”

HeightLight was specifically engineered and designed to bring accuracy and dependability to the process of measuring horses and ponies for passports, competition and sale. The device provides total precision measurement by combining triangulation technology with proven mathematical theory. Whereas approaching a horse or pony with a measuring stick or hand-measurements can result in an adverse reaction, the compact handheld HeightLight provides the means to measure without distress.

HeightLight comes complete with a carry case, wrist lanyard for use when measuring, 2 x AA batteries and a mini screwdriver for easy battery access. HeightLight has further multiplicity of use in the veterinarian, human health, construction and DIY sectors.

HeightLight is available to Pre Order for £200.00. To reserve a device or learn more, visit: www.heightlightstore.com.

Zurich Leverages Digital Voice Assistants to enhance Customer Experience. #Zurich #DigitalAsisstants

Zurich is the first Insurance Company in Ireland to leverage the capabilities of digital voice assistants, such as Google Home and Amazon Alexa, to enable parents to get a quick estimate of the likely cost of their children’s education.

Responding to an increasing number of people using digital voice assistants, with research showing half of online consumers globally now using the devices, Zurich Life is leveraging the technology in Ireland with the Zurich Ireland skill for Alexa and Google action.

By simply saying “Hey Google/Alexa, talk to Zurich Ireland” people can interact with Zurich’s secondary school and third-level cost of education calculators to find out how much money the calculators suggest to put aside to cover their children’s education. In addition to accessing the calculators via digital voice assistants, people can also view the most recent 2019 cost of education research on their mobile device. Most homes today have either Amazon or Google assistants in their homes today and the number of such is growing each year and in some cases more than one in each household for an example I have 4 in total at the minute.

 

 

Sean Carty, Head of Online and Digital, Zurich, said: “With a simple question said aloud, customers can take the first step towards planning for the cost of their children’s education. Our 2019 Cost of Education survey showed that the cost of secondary school rose 16% compared with last year, so it will be a key concern for parents.  We appreciate that parents have very busy lives, so by leveraging the technology available through digital voice assistants with our Cost of Education Calculators, we want to make it as convenient and easy as possible for them to interact with Zurich products and services and to take their first step in planning ahead for their children’s future.”