Category: Tech News

TCL Communication unveils its latest Alcatel 1 & 3 Series and tablet at Mobile World Congress 2019 #Alcatel #MWC19

TCL Communication is introducing its latest Alcatel mobile devices, including the Alcatel 3, Alcatel 3L and Alcatel 1S smartphones, as well as the Alcatel 3T 10 at Mobile World Congress 2019. Designed with premium, nature-inspired finishes and equipped with the latest TCL-made Full View Displays, these recent additions to TCL’s Alcatel mobility portfolio continue the company’s commitment to making great products accessible to customers around the world. Each of these new Alcatel devices also comes preloaded with Google Assistant™, helping you get things done quickly throughout the day, such as managing tasks, planning your day, enjoying entertainment or controlling your home’s IoT devices.

“While we’re entering an exciting era of innovation in the smartphone market with the introduction of 5G connectivity and new concepts thanks to flexible displays, we cannot lose sight of consumers who are just looking for great technology at an affordable price,” said Peter Lee, General Manager of Global Sales and Marketing at TCL Communication. “This is why we continue to enhance and expand our Alcatel smartphone and tablet lineup, ensuring customers who want the latest mobility experiences can have them regardless of their budget.”

Alcatel 3 – Democratizing the latest smartphone innovations and designs

Featuring TCL’s latest 5.9-inch 19.5:9 HD+  Super Full View Display with a slim mini notch providing an 88 percent screen-to-body ratio[1], Alcatel 3 offers an ideal experience  for viewing photos, streaming content, gaming or browsing the web. It is powered by a Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ octa-core chipset and paired with up to 4GB RAM for a smooth user experience and 64GB built-in storage along with microSD expansion for all your favourite content. A 3500mAh battery provides the power to run it all, keeping you going throughout the day while on the go.

To ensure you get the most out of your pictures, Alcatel 3 features 13+5MP dual cameras with real-time bokeh and 8MP front-facing camera. The dual cameras capture portrait-like shots and offer post-shot refocus, empowering you to create images that look exactly as imagined. It also uses AI Imaging Scene Detection, which intelligently identifies up to 21 different scenarios in real-time and provides the best settings, optimum contrast, saturation, brightness, sharpness and resolution to get the perfect shot.The secondary camera Google Lens™, which helps you search what you see, get things done faster and learn more about the world around you, comes included. Alcatel’s Face Key provides security and instant access with a scan of your face. The Alcatel 3 also lets you create fun AR emojis of yourself for sharing with friends and family. A fingerprint sensor on the back gives an extra layer of protection and launches customizable apps with a tap.

The Alcatel 3 will be available starting in Q2 for €159 EUR (3+32GB version) and €189 EUR (4+64GB version) and will come in gleaming Gradient Black Blue and Gradient Blue Purple.

Alcatel 3L – Enjoy the moment on a Super Full View Display

Alcatel 3L provides an immersive display for sharing and keeping in touch, a dual camera that captures memories vividly and smooth performance to make life run easier. A TCL-built 5.9-inch HD+ Super Full View Display and slim mini notch create an expansive viewing experience with 88 percent screen-to-body ratio for incredibly crisp detail. It is designed with contoured 2.5D front glass and and spectrum engraving that highlights the device’s overall design. Alcatel 3L is equipped with a Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ quad-core chipset and long-lasting 3500mAh battery, making life easy with high-level performance you won’t have to think twice about.

Like Alcatel 3, Alcatel 3L comes with a 13+5MP dual rear camera and 8MP front-facing camera, along with AI scene detection, bokeh blur and refocus capabilities to enhance your photo-taking experience. Additionally, It comes with Android™ 8.1 Oreo™ pre-installed (upgradeable to Android™ 9.0 Pie in Q2 2019). Google Lens™ is also included in the Alcatel 3L camera software which helps you find products online, copy and paste text, learn more about landmarks, add events to their calendar, look up movie posters, identify popular plants and animals and more in real-time.

Also available in Q2, the Alcatel 3L will start at €139 EUR, and will come in Anthracite black and Metallic blue color options.

Alcatel 1S – The best in essential smartphone experiences

The accessibly-priced Alcatel 1S packs a punch with premium features and software. Featuring Android™ 9.0 Pie, an octa-core processor, TCL-built 5.5-inch 18:9 HD+ Full View Display , 3GB of RAM and 32GB of onboard storage with microSD expansion, Alcatel 1S brings a smooth user experience. It helps you stay on the move all day with its 3,060mAh battery.

Alcatel 1S is equipped with a dual rear 13MP+2MP camera with real-time bokeh and AI scene detection that lets you capture what inspires you. The built-in rear fingerprint sensor and Face Key facial recognition software provide protection and convenience. It also comes with 2.5D front glass which provides a sleek contour and a comfortable grip.

This newest Alcatel 1 Series smartphone will be available starting at €109 EUR starting in Q2 2019 in Black, Blue, Rose and Gold brushed metallic finish.

Alcatel 3T 10 – Create a hands-free home with a smart 2-in-1 system

With the Alcatel 3T 10 tablet, dual front speakers and a 10-inch HD screen immerse you in a world of cinematic entertainment. Escape into your favorite movies, music, games thanks to the tablet’s long-lasting 4,080mAh battery. Powered by Android™ 9.0 Pie and with Google Assistant™ pre-installed, Alcatel 3T 10 is always at your call so you can multitask and relax with ease. Offering DSP voice recognition up to three meters away, Alcatel 3T 10 provides hands-free audio control to play movies or music, answer questions and more.

The Alcatel 3T 10 also features an optional lightweight Audio Station accessory that can be connected to the tablet to achieve powerful, deep sound with up to seven hours of non-stop music on the go. Additionally when connected to the Alcatel 3T10, an on-screen hub gives you all the information you need in a glance with instant access to the tablet’s most used apps, photos, calendar, music and weather forecast. The Audio Station comes with a 3.5mm auxiliary port, Micro-USB and microSD card reader so you can play audio from any external media players.

The Alcatel 3T 10 will be available later this year starting €179 EUR and will also be available at that time as a bundle with the Audio Station starting at €229 EUR.

Technology and fashion unite as the wearable market matures. #Mastercard #Tech #Fashion

As the technology that powers wearables gets smarter, fashion brands are driving the next evolution of the wearable market. Currently one in five adults wears a smart watch or fitness strap and by 2020, the wearable tech market will be worth 30 billion euros globally – proving the market is one to watch.

To date, technical features have led the race, with most devices competing solely on battery life and capabilities. But technology is no stranger to fashion; from smart fabrics, models wearing Google Glass on the runway, to fashion designer Adam Selman sporting the next generation of payment enabled dresses on the catwalk – wearable tech is increasingly claiming its place in fashion.

“With fashion shows taking place in New York, London and Milan this month and Mobile World Congress Barcelona about to get underway, there’s no better time to talk about the future of wearables. In the fashion world, trends such as athleisure remain steadfast. Meanwhile, technology is getting faster and smaller, speaking to those same consumers seeking minimalist and seamless, but well-designed options. Now technology and fashion brands need to work together to end consumer confusion over whether devices are fashion accessories, tech hardware or fitness tools.” said Jorn Lambert, Executive Vice President, Digital Solutions Mastercard.

Fashion and technology both act as extensions of oneself and for wearable technology to be attractive to consumers it must appeal to both. Be it a diamond cuff, a metallic watch, or gold-plated ring, smart jewellery that allows consumers to unlock new goods while looking good is essential to the next stage of wearable technology’s growth. It’s a promising way for brands to enter a new market and reach new, connected and digitally native customers – wearables are multi-use, but cheaper than most mobile devices.

For technology providers, the challenge is making processes as smooth and unobtrusive as possible to empower fashion brands to design wearables that first and foremost look like high-end accessories. One of the first companies to enter this area was Sony with their smart watch strap – Wena™. The “Wear Electronics Naturally” strap is designed to make everyday activities easier to do by incorporating speedy contactless payment, advanced fitness tracking and direct link-ups for phone notifications – all into a luxury timepiece design.

Making the payment process as easy as a tap or a swipe means payment-enabled wearables will be the next phase of consumer desire for practicality infused with ‘Insta-ready’ looks. Indeed, payment-enabled wearables are already available in 21 EU countries and over 30 different devices.

Audeara’s full-fidelity headphone with a built-in hearing test price reduced £199/$249 in time for #WorldHearingDay #Headphones

Audeara is the world’s first headphone offering an in-built hearing test to protect users’ ears, delivering a supreme, catered sound like no other. The headphones can prevent hearing loss by making the sound better rather than louder, which prevents the ongoing cycle of hearing damage.

Audeara headphones can be used to test and retest hearing over a lifetime and adapt music to the users’ individual needs. They sharpen music, not making it louder to improve the experience and provide perfect sound. 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 is used to adjust the sound signal. They adjust the right ear differently from the left, making sure each part of the signal reaches each music lover’s brain in a way that the artist and audiologist would love!

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO):

 

  • 1.1 billion young people (between the ages of 12–35 years) are at risk of hearing loss due to exposure to noise in recreational settings.
  • Over 43 million people between the ages of 12–35 years live with disabling hearing loss due to different causes.
  • Among teenagers and young adults aged 12–35 years in middle to high-income countries, nearly 50% are exposed to unsafe levels of sound from the use of personal audio devices and around 40% are exposed to potentially damaging sound levels at clubs, discotheques and bars.

The audiology experts are now offering its genius headphones at an even better price –from today reduced from £299.99/$379.99 to £199.99/$249.99!

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: 66 hours
– Bluetooth function only: 45.5 hours
– Noise cancelling + Bluetooth function: 25.5 hours

NEXT On Tour Dublin.. Tuesday March 12th.. #Nutanix #Tech #Cloud #IoT #CCD #nexttour

Nutanix, a global leader in enterprise cloud computing, today announces the details and speakers for its .NEXT On Tour conference in Dublin. The event, dedicated to innovation in emerging cloud technologies, will take place from 9am to 5pm on Tuesday, 12th March, 2019, at the Convention Centre Dublin.

Nutanix’s .NEXT On Tour is specifically designed to provide attendees with insights on the latest developments and trends in emerging hybrid-cloud technologies. This will be the first time .NEXT On Tour has come to Ireland and those in attendance will have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of hybrid cloud, hyperconvergence, IoT, and cloud automation.

Nutanix .NEXT On Tour Dublin

Furthermore, the conference will explore how these trends can reduce costs and complexities for organisations – with a number of real-world examples of customers who are transforming their businesses on show.

David McWilliams, economist, author and broadcaster, will provide a guest speech on the day. Other speakers include Binny Gill, Global CTO Cloud Services at Nutanix, and newly-appointed Nutanix Country Manager & Regional Director for Ireland, Fergal O’Sullivan, with further contributions from Nutanix partners including Rubrik, Veritas and Cloudian.

Through a series of talks, demos and networking breaks, attendees will leave equipped with a straightforward, actionable roadmap to support their journey to the enterprise cloud, including:

  • Cost analysis tools to determine whether hyperconvergence is right for them;
  • A step-by-step guide on how to modernize their data centre;
  • A better understanding of how to combat emerging data centre security threats;
  • Blueprints for automating the delivery of applications across any cloud system;
  • Deep insights on how best to manage out-of-control public cloud expenses.

Speaking about the event, Fergal O’Sullivan, Country Manager & Regional Director for Ireland, Nutanix, said: “The pace of innovation in emerging cloud and hybrid-cloud technologies is making it  more challenging for IT practitioners to keep up. The .NEXT On Tour Dublin conference will provide Irish businesses and data centres with a clear path to determining and implementing the best-fitting enterprise cloud solution for their business. With fantastic opportunities for networking and some really interesting guest speeches, we are thrilled to bring the .NEXT On Tour event to Ireland and to help attendees make their business future-ready.”

For more details and to register for the event, please visit Nutanix .NEXT On Tour Dublin.

Google Doodle to Honour Steve Irwin on his 57th Birthday. #GoogleDoodle #SteveIrwin #Crikey

Google is honouring Aussie icon Steve Irwin with a dedicated Google Doodle tomorrow, Friday 22 February, which would have been Steve’s 57th birthday. 

The Doodle will run for 24 hours from midnight on Google homepages around the world including Ireland, Australia, the US, Europe, Asia, Middle East and South America (from 12:01AM on February 22 in each country).

The Doodle features an animated slideshow illustrating Steve’s journey as a zookeeper, conservationist and father. A guest blog post from Steve’s wife Dr. Terri Irwin is also available, in which she remembers the achievements of – and life with – the Aussie icon.

There is a dedicated Google Assistant prompt to mark the day, as well as a host of wildlife and conservation-related Google Trends data.

Virgin Media Announces Free Movies Weekend. #Movies #TV #VMDIFF19 #Virgin

To celebrate the Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival, Ireland’s premier film event, Virgin TV customers will be able to get FREE Virgin Movies on demand for the weekend!  You can watch up to ten top titles across the weekend from Friday 22nd February – Sunday 24th February. No excuses for saying you will be bored now!!

Over the past seventeen years, the festival has showcased the work of Ireland’s very talented producers, directors, screenwriters and actors. Today, Virgin Media wants to bring our customers a little closer to all the action and is gifting a whole weekend of top class Irish and world cinema for free.

Building up a repertoire of top notch entertainment, Virgin Media TV customers can settle in with some popcorn and select our premiere offering – The Little Stranger; or switch across to some of the Oscar Nominations BlackkKlansman or First Man; and let’s not forget our Superheroes – Antman & the Wasp, Venom and Once Upon a Deadpool.

There will also be Blockbusters on offer with – Mission Impossible, Fall Out, The Equalizer 2, The Predator, Mile 22, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom – available across the weekend.  Viewers will also be able to select from a range of Critically Acclaimed  titles including – Black ’47, Yardie, American Animals, Mandy The Happy Prince, On Chesil Beach and Making the Grade.

Paul Higgins, Director of Consumer at Virgin Media, said: “We love surprising our customers and for an exclusive weekend in February, we’re inviting all our TV customers to experience a FREE Movie Weekend on us. Virgin TV customers can sample and explore from our On Demand service which contains a wide range of popular films and fan favourites that are sure to appeal to all tastes.”

Moobox introduces its ProXT 1080p outdoor wire-free, full HD security camera system with PIR motion sensor #Moobox #Security

Smart home security specialist, brand Moobox is today pleased to announce the availability of its ProXT 1080p wireless, weatherproof, outdoor security system with PIR camera and DVR/Hub. The ProXT, a fuss free, all-in-one Cloud CCTV system is available for just £117.77 from  Amazon  with no additional monthly costs to pay.

Comprising of a cordless and weatherproof (IP65 rating) 1080p HD Wi-Fi home security camera with a 120° wide angle lens, 2 way audio, PIR motion sensor and infra-red night vision to 16 feet as well as a DVR, the ProXT security system is set apart from other outdoor security cameras. The Moobox ProXT cam has a rechargeable battery so can be installed virtually anywhere, so there’s no wiring holes to drill and thanks to the extremely low power consumption, the battery delivers up to 4 months usage running on one charge.

With the PIR motion sensor, as soon as movement occurs, the Hub records 10, 15 or 30 second video clips to the built-in DVR (pre-installed with a free 16Gb micro SD card) and also sends copies of those clips to the Moobox cloud servers. Unlike many other smart security systems on the market, Moobox has no subscription fees or extra charges with free seven days rolling cloud storage, meaning movement notifications are instantly sent to a user’s phone, so they are instantly aware when something happens. Together with the DVR, this allows for potentially weeks and weeks of footage.

The free MooboxCam app (for iOS and Android only) lets Moobox users install the Moobox system in just a few clicks. Using the app, it is possible to view live, playback clips from the cloud account or Moobox DVR, control, manage and schedule PIR activation, control video stream quality, enable 2-way talkback, take live snapshots and select video recording duration as well as much more. The app is also backed up by a dedicated UK based tech support team and users can click “Help” in the Moobox Cam app to get one-to-one support when required.

If more than one camera is required, the included DVR/hub is able to support up to four Moobox cameras which are available for just £64.99 each. For further cameras, multiple hubs can be added to a single Moobox account to grow a home security system to 5 or more cameras.

#VirginMedia Celebrates Excellence in Consumer Value at 2019 bonkers.ie National Consumer Awards

Virgin Media today announced that it has won two awards at the 2019 bonkers.ie National Consumer Awards for ‘Best Bill Pay Mobile Phone Plan’ and ‘Best Value Bundle (tripleplay / quadplay)’. The judges gave Virgin Media’s mobile phone team a massive call out for our transparent nature,  generous limits and consumer allowances.  Our value bundle was selected as overall winner and praised for our simple pricing, great speeds, great deals and customer loyalty incentives. As a customer myself with Virgin the last 6 months and to date they have been great with service and support..

bonkers.ie Awards, The Mansion House, Dublin – 07-02-19
Pic shows from left to right;David Kerr, Founder and CEO of bonkers.ie, and Best Value Bundle Winners Paul Higgins and Karen Faughnan and of Virgin Media.

The bonkers.ie National Consumer Awards are all about celebrating companies that provide exceptional value and service to customers in Ireland.  This year, celebrations took place at the Mansion House and a little magic from the host Keith Barry provided the right mix for the 15 award categories to be presented across a variety of sectors such as communications, banking, energy and insurance.

“Virgin Media stood out amongst their competitors”, said David Kerr, MD of bonkers.ie.  “Virgin Media received terrific feedback from the judging panel in terms of transparency for their mobile plan offering, and delivering bundles that deliver real value to consumers. The Bonkers Awards set the standards for Industry to be recognised for their excellence in consumer value but also to celebrate companies, such as Virgin Media, who bring that to life.”

“This is our second year to receive these awards and from such a respected consumer champion is always a great honour,” said Paul Higgins, Director of Consumer at Virgin Media.  “Add to that the fact that the primary evaluation is delivering excellence in consumer value  – which is the most important factor for any business – and that we received a perfect recipient in both categories, brings these awards to a whole new level. As always, we plan to continue to improve and keep this momentum going forward with our customer offerings.”

CELLO 22” Smart Full HD Traveller TV with Satellite Tuner announced. #Motorhome #CELLO #TV

British TV manufacturer Cello has announced a world first for campers, motorhome owners and lorry drivers across the UK – the Cello Traveller TV, a 22” portable Smart television. Weighing just 2.4kg, this 12v power cable TV is perfect for users wanting a versatile viewing experience outside the home. 
 
With a 22-inch screen and built-in Wi-Fi connections, watching your favourite programme or film couldn’t be easier. Cello customers can now stream from over 1000 apps, including Netflix, Amazon and BBC iPlayer, using various hotspots. 
 
Key features include: 

·         Full HD screen 

·         2.4kg weight for light portability 

·         12v power cable 

·         Wi-Fi and mobile hotspot capabilities  

·         Headphone jack 

·         An interactive recording system, so you never miss a programme 

·         Additional accessories – remote control with batteries, satellite tuner and 12/240V DC adapters 

 
Brian Palmer, CEO at Cello Electronics, commented: “Cello is unquestionably the market leader in creating specialised viewing experiences for niche audiences. And the Traveller TV was created in response to an increase in customer demand. A true world first at only 2.4kg, this TV is extremely light, and its Full HD screen means motorhome owners, glampers and lorry drivers can now enjoy their screen time outside of the home, without having to compromise on quality.”  
 
Priced affordably at £199.99 the new Cello Traveller TV is available from the first week of February 2019 from a range of retailers including Amazon, eBay, CPC, TV Village and HB Products.