Review – If you lost it you can find it with #TrackR bravo. If applied correctly. #GPS

Tracking has become a huge thing these days and has been a long time, It became a big thing in logistics with the placement of vehicles,and the same can be said within the security industry be it cash in transit vans or even regular van drivers its now become a standard not just purely for safety purposes but also to get a time stamp for a future stop or drop off point and also it is use with government bodies within their vehicles and yes people themselves do wear personal tracking devices I have tried and tested some myself but thats something we will not be discussing now.

When it comes to personal belongings there has been alternative options out there for many years but being a new technology as such to personal items via a standalone product they have been big,some stupidly big and made no sense then smaller ones came about with are small tidy and not so cumbersome and most importantly no so noticeable..  The first one come to mind is something Nokia brought us some years ago called the treasure tag,there was two of them the WS-2 and WS-10  which we reviewed back then…

 

This is when things got interesting for finding personal things like car keys,house keys a gym bag,handbag perhaps or whatever suited you best. The thing here is though they are noticeable and if someone did happen to steal or you just misplaced the item if this was seen some may not know what it was which is a good thing other would and would ditch it straight away,thats where this new product has a caveat as it got good promotion on the internet and for example people attach them to the underside of the saddles on their bike and a thief would just have to look and remove it, Concealing such items are a better idea lets just say the inner lining of a gym bag or purse and there is plenty of ways to conceal such an item such as TrackR which we are looking at today..

 

 

 

 

TrackR is a relatively new product on the market its much smaller and easy to conceal,if you have the brains to do it and not just stick it anywhere and will work even within your wallet depending on its size,this comes in a simple small package with plenty of instructions and the selling points clearly marked out on the reverse of the packaging,also we get a chin ring which personally i would ditch and a double sided sticky pad which again I would ditch,this is an item i would conceal with no need for anything else… Sadly there is no spare battery which would have been nice,but you can pick one handy enough at a car motor factors for example or even a watch shop..

So next thing now is to download the app to your device be it Android or iOS then you need to add a new TrackR device.. Pair the device,you will get an audio alert from the unit and register and your done,When you register you become par of the hundreds of thousands of TrackR members which is crowd sourced so if you loose and item and it becomes within 100ft. You will be notified of the items last know location…

 

 

When you are all paired up and registered you are good to go now all you need to do is select what you want to track,there is a default list then presented to you and you can chose what you want to assign the TrackR too..So I have assigned my wallet to the TrackR in this instance..One thing to point out here which is good if you forget your mobile phone you will be notified via TrackR this is called a separation alert. On your device you will be shown a map of your location and how many others are local and in my instance where I was testing the unit there was 758 users which seems rather impressive…

 

 

 

Does this work?? Well yes it does and even through a leather wallet stuffed with coins and so on which is comforting and I will add its not just dumped in a pocket I have carefully tore the stitching to place it behind the lining so its not there for anyone to pick it up and see the piece in a coin pocket which would be just discarded…

Now without sounding harsh I want you to watch the video below and then tell me what you think of the placement of the TrackR,be it only for advertising purposes this is 2016 I have worked in the security/personnel protection and reconnaissance business before and one thing I need to point out is DO NOT LET OTHERS SEE IT… Why you might ask, Well as I said its 2016 be it a case of criminality you can kiss your goods goodbye these guys are a step ahead  and will dispose of it immediately like I said before CONCEAL it do not flaunt it it defeats the purpose of having it…. Overall it is a great product that works flawlessly executed badly by how its advertised especially on the bag and bike as seen in the video..Perhaps that might sound harsh but as I have stated I have worked in areas where these would be highly effective due to its size they are ideal for many things yet alone personal goods…

Download the Android app HERE 

Download the iOS app HERE  

 

See more over at TrackR.com and you can purchase there and they are reasonably priced and if applied correctly ARE EFFECTIVE…

 

 

 

Make Safe & Sensible Use of Your Satnav – Infographic. #Satnav #Motoring #GPS

Neil Tohill is the Director of an Irish company called Southside Motor Factors. He regularly writes about the motoring industry and has created this infographic about best practice for using a satnav/GPS navigation device while driving. We have some more satnav reviews to come and another thing to keep in mind is dashcams as we have said before,we have some of them to come too very soon, Check out the infographic below and tell us what you think…

 

 

 

 

Satnavs can undoubtedly be massively helpful driving aids, especially for those who spend a lot of time on the road and frequently drive in unfamiliar territories. However, many drivers have a tendency to trust in their satnav too much. More than 1 in 10 drivers under the age of 24 have narrowly avoided a crash because of a distraction from their satnav, for example, while there have been horror stories of drivers being drastically misrouted because they failed to check that the destination they typed into their satnav was the correct one.

Need to find out more ?  Head to soutshidemotorfactors

 

 

Samsung announces  “Galaxy Beta Program” for Android 7.0 on Galaxy S7/S7 EDGE. #Android #GalaxyS7

It was a matter of “when” instead of “If” that the guys at Samsung started trying to fix all those little details they always have had during they reign.

They are now letting users have a taste of what the upcoming versions of Android for Galaxy will feel like.

  Android 7.0 Nougat is the latest instalment of the Android ecosystem, and as far as today only two 2016 phones have it.

And something that has always been an issue with Samsung is timely updates, but this time they seem to have a different strategy to make updates faster by letting userw get involve.

The program is available since November 9th to users residing in the U.S., U.K. and Korea, with China soon to join.

Some things you need to have in mind:

For the U.K, the beta program is only available to users of S7 and S7 edge who have a non-operator locked device or have purchased an open market version.

Galaxy S7 edge Olympic Games Limited Edition and Galaxy S7 edge Injustice Edition are excluded from the program.

So if you happen to have a locked carrier version of the phone or one of those extremely rare and expensive “Special Editions” you’re so “special” that you can’t participated in something for the normal S7 user.

All you need to do to join the program is download the Galaxy Beta Program  or the Samsung Members apps.

So run as fast as you can to get your taste of Nougat and the Grace UX found on the Note7 with all those little tweaks to the AOD and other small things that will make your phone feel like new again.

Source

 

Review – Wraps wristband headphones CORE high fidelity. #wearyoursound #Wraps

This is now the third set of wristband headphones from wraps and each get better,given the last ones where a funky colour this time around there is some changes to the internals.. Also to note the packaging has changed slightly too and overall things have improved on both occasions. This time round we check out the wraps CORE high fidelity…

Packaging and presentation changed 

On opening the package,some slight changes inside, we are presented with the goods you can pretty much just put on your wrist immediately,depending on your wrist size,this will take the hassle out of wrapping them first time but its a simple process either way and no different than before,this is our third pair now and again wrapping them is a simple process and again it it a very handy idea too having your headphones on your wrist and not only that its fashion built in too so they the look good and even as I said in my previous review I did not think I would see myself wearing them but I have been and they are very convenient indeed…

There is a few changes,cosmetic (Metal housing instead of plastic) and internally,the headphone jack and buds themselves and then the sound.Also some slight change to the cable compared to the last instalment but overall this remains much the same even down to the overall length… See images below for those changes…

 

I am no sound expert but these sounded much better than the last two pair I have tried out and this is due to the material used this time around and its paid off in volumes,pun intended.. I did notice better volume level and testing them on a wide range of tones and videos compared to old they are much better much clearer and very crisp indeed and no sign of distortion when at full volume,which I prefer to listen to my music,overall I was impressed with the difference,there is a difference in price but its worth it, If you have previously owned a pair and a fan then you need to hear them to see for yourself… The build quality too is improved with the external build,Given that this build and the last builds are light and would survive plenty of drops regardless though the new CORE model would be extra tough on the housing… When it comes to calls and handling and other functions all is same as before and worked fine only difference is better clarity.The additional noise isolation tips that come this time are also a welcome addition..

 

 

Styled in the latest smartphone / tablet ‘Space Grey’ colour matched with a black faux leather bracelet.

Featuring upgraded Titanium speakers that are expertly tuned to resonate clear, high-fidelity sound throughout the audio spectrum.

Also included is a set of Noise Isolating Foam Tips for a superior fit that blocks out unwanted background noise.

Last but not least, a universal one button microphone lets you play or pause your music and answer calls on the go!

  • Black Coloured Faux Leather
  • Space Grey Coloured Tips and Connector
  • Built-in Headset Microphone
  • Includes S, M & L Silicon Tips
  • 20Hz – 20kHz Frequency Response
  • 10mm Dynamic Speakers
  • 3.5mm Gold Plated Jack
  • 80dB/1mW Sensitivity
  • 16 Ohms Impedance

BUY HERE  

 

 

 

The HP ELITE X3 gets a price cut. STILL too expensive. #HP #EliteX3

Only 3 weeks ago the HP Elite X3 went on sale in Ireland via the HPshop and was commanding a rather ridiculous €907 price tag which included VAT and shipping..Given the market this is aimed at it will be an uphill struggle to sell this device for anything over €500 now with the current market share as is an a year decline for the last few years its going to be a hard sell end of story… Even given the specs it commands this is Apple territory pricing and the only way to get it is to buy it outright as NO networks sell nor will they which again is smothering any potential…

Now the device is listed at €694 plus VAT and shipping costs and brings the total to €865.98 which saves you a little but for me this is still way to high for a Windows10 powered device in which the market is shedding users whom are moving to either Android or iOS.. Not to be totally against the device it is certainly one nice looking phone with a quality build but the price is a huge caveat for me.

 

 

Want to buy it? Apparently they have now 385 in stock.. Apparently!!!   Buy it HERE  

Are VPN connections only useful to bypass geo-blocks? By @IPAddressGuide #VPN

Guest Post by Thomas Stein.   Are VPN connections only useful to bypass geo-blocks??

I first heard about VPN services and VPN connections back in 2012. It was Summer Olympics in London and I wanted to watch the Hungarians win their gold medals on Hungarian TV online.

Unfortunately I lived outside Hungary at that moment and could not access the Hungarian TV station to watch their live streams from the Summer Olympics. It wasn’t an error with the feed, it was simply a so called geo-block (geographical block) causing the problem. As I visited the website of the Hungarian TV station they checked my IP address. Discovering that I was located outside Hungary they gave me an error message telling me that this stream was unavailable for me.

Luckily my brain quickly understood that there was a way to bypass this geo-block, by getting myself an IP address in Hungary. I quickly found out that a VPN connection was the solution for me, and thus I got myself a VPN subscription and got myself a Hungarian IP address. A few minutes later I was watching Hungarian TV online from outside Hungary.

That was four years ago and I still have my VPN subscription. But, is a VPN only useful for those in need of bypassing geo-blocks?

Is a VPN only useful for those in need of bypassing geo-blocks?

There is little doubt about the fact that a high percentage of the users signing up for VPN services do it for this purpose. But, there are those who actually use their VPN subscription for much more than just streaming content online (which would normally be unavailable). Here I will give you some of the main reasons for using a VPN besides bypassing geo-blocks.

 

 

 

 

 

Some of the most important arguments used by VPN users for using a VPN

  • A VPN connection will encrypt your online activity. There are different levels of encryption used depending on which VPN protocol you use, but any VPN encryption method is way better than no encryption. This will make it way harder for any intruder to get hold of your confidential information.
  • If your VPN provider has a no-log policy any movement you do online will be untraceable back to you. People who check your IP address to do you any harm will not get your actual IP address, but only see the IP address provided to you by your VPN provider.
  • With a VPN subscription you can get access to cheaper flight tickets and similar products. Lots of airlines give users different prices depending on their location. Use your VPN to get an IP address in another nation and do a search on the airfares again. If you are lucky you can save lots of dollars on airfares and lots of similar services.
  • Almost all Torrent sites advise their users to use a VPN. As more and more Torrent sites are observed and downloads discovered by local ISP’s (and reported), using a VPN can keep your tracks covered and let you download content safely online.
  • It is crucial to encrypt your movements online in this world packed with free WiFi Hotspots using unencrypted networks.
  • VPN applications often come with extra functions such as DDoS protection and built-in firewalls to keep you safe online.
  • Some ISP’s set a limit to your streaming speeds. When you visit certain domains they limit your download speed. Using a VPN will let you bypass such streaming speed regulations.

As you will see from this list a VPN is about much more than only bypassing geo-blocks. Do you have any other reason for using a VPN? I would love to have you write even more reasons to use a VPN.

 

This article is written by Thomas Stein, the creator of  http://www.ipaddressguide.org/  On his website he writes about geo-blocks, streaming services like Netflix and NOW TV, tech news and about Internet security.

Come check out our new FACEBOOK PAGE for prizes and tech news

Venturer Upgrades Its Affordable 2 in 1 Mini Windows10 Notebooks. #BravoWin S #EliteWin S

The new S range has a stylish new build, new colours and much more storage capacity so an ideal gift for this Christmas. A great first computer for kids or students or even for your own use!

 

The BravoWin S and EliteWin S feature a new stylish outer design, with luxurious soft touch feel and vastly increased storage space

Following the hugely successful launch of its BravoWin and EliteWin 2-in-1 affordable notebooks in the UK earlier this year, premium audio and video manufacturer Venturer is pleased to announce the next models in the series; the BravoWin S and EliteWin S. Both Mini Notebooks have a stylish new build with a tactile soft touch feel exterior and more storage capacity than the earlier models. The BravoWin S is available in an attractive shade of blue and the EliteWin S in a sleek gun metal colour and both will be available to purchase from Amazon in December.

 

 

Easy to use and incredibly durable, the new Venturer 2-in-1 Mini Notebooks are ideal as a first computer for students heading to secondary school, college, university or even home use. Like the earlier models, the new 2-in-1 Mini Notebooks are equipped with Windows 10 and Office 365 or Office Mobile (model dependant) and both models now have increased memory space. While BravoWin S has 64GB Flash memory, EliteWin S has a total 96GB of memory (32GB Flash memory plus a 64GB Micro SD Card included free of charge), vastly improving its storage capacity.

 

With the new sleek soft touch, light weight design with soft curved edges, and long battery life, the BravoWin S 10KR or EliteWin S 11KT are ideal for work or entertainment on the go with up to 8 hours usage whilst travelling.

 

Unlike other more expensive tablets on the market, the Venturer convertible notebooks are equipped with a detachable smart keyboard that has a pressure sensing trackpad which clips on magnetically so it can be used as a stand-alone tablet or quickly transformed into a working laptop, making it easier to type, work and surf the internet.

 

 

 

With an Intel Atom Core Quad Core processor with an impressive 64GB and 96GB memory for the BravoWin S and EliteWin S respectively, the new models offer a quick and responsive user experience. Both have the ability to access the internet within seconds and an expandable storage space for photos, videos, music and work files. The 2MP dual cameras at the front and rear allow you to take photos or videos, skype your friends or make a conference call at work, producing good quality images and videos.

The BravoWin S 10KR has a 10.1” 1280 x 800 display and comes with all the key software from Office Mobile you require, including Word, Excel, Powerpoint and OneNote.  The EliteWin S 11KT has a larger 11.6” screen with 1366 x 768 display and is fully loaded with the latest Windows 10 software and a month’s free trial of Office 365  (Word, Outlook, Excel and Powerpoint) making it an ideal laptop for any school or office environment.

With headphone, micro and regular USB ports to attach or charge other devices and an HDMI output allowing you to easily connect to your TV for an enhanced viewing experience, the Venturer tablets have all the necessary outputs for a great multimedia experience.

 

 

Priced at only £199.99 and £249.99, the new Venturer Mini Notebooks are the ideal choices for those looking for the flexibility of a tablet and laptop combined, for a lightweight device that easily fits into a schoolbag or work satchel but with the quality, reliability and durability for work, for play, for every day.

Keep an eye out for Venturer’s other 2-in-1 notebook models designed specifically for business users due to be launched in early 2017.

 

The Venturer BravoWin S 10KR is available in Blue from Amazon in December RRP £199.99

The Venturer EliteWin S 11KT is available in Gun Metal from Amazon in December RRP £249.99

My Kingdom Books – Worlds first #AugmentedReality book based on your childs name. #AR #Books

I have never been a huge fan of reading books.. Not that I cant read its just finding the time to do so but there is plenty around the house as my 8 Year Old daughter likes to read and also likes to colour and draw things which at times i find myself embroiled in.. She has books that play tunes when you open a page or the front cover which at this time of year we see more of them and then there is the pop up books we are all custom too… Technology has moved on and when My Kingdom Books got in touch with me I was intrigued to say the least at their product they wanted me to try out. A book with Augmented Reality……… I said give me that,this is something new and something that looked good on paper..Turns out this is the first of its kind and after testing it out I am impressed and I am sure you kids will be too…

 

THE BOOK 

 

So.. The package arrived.. An A4 page book sideways if you will with a nice heavy textured cover and back and the pages inside are not cheap either,nice heavy pages that will last, and I was like…Hmm how does this work.. Then there was an introductory slip telling me I need to download an app… So I started waving my phone at the pages  and nothing was happening.. Perhaps just worn out,its been busy here and we still are it dawned on me.. I first looked through the entire book to get a glimpse of the story and then said to myself “lets give this a try” I was still at this point wondering what possibly could happen here but once I open the app and filled in the information which is simple.. You just add your childs name then pick the male or female cartoon character face and then the magic begins.  Given I have used apps in the past with Augmented reality such as say City Lens” for example which is an app that when you hold your device up in the air in a street it will give you information on your screen and another app such as flight radar offers the same experience but to planes in the sky. Quite useful if thats your thing.. This however is something you will enjoy,especially if you have not dabbled with the technology before and your kids will simply love this. With my child who is surrounded with technology was not expecting what she seen and need I say no more she was hooked…

 

 

So what happens then… Well simply as I mentioned you get the app fill in the deets and then point it at the page.. This in effect brings the book to life to put it simply.. Wait till you try it but we have a demo video below to check out..So press “Start” and point at the page on the right with your camera and,you will be instructed to do so should you have issues anyway. Watch the page come to live with characters pop up on your phones screen and more..The story is read out aloud for you so you let the book tell the story via your mobile phone and watch the Augmented Reality before your eyes,it will simply use your camera to create a 3 dimensional image on your mobile phone,You will need to be in a bright space for this to have the best effect and from here on it is a repeat process page by page. The book is personalised so when you insert the child’s name its custom to your child throughout the experience. Having tried this on a few devices as it was passed around,the bigger the screen the better to get the full extent of the animation..

 

 

When you get to the end of the book you will have a challenge to colour in the last page, This then finishes off with the option to colour in the last page and with a subsequent app you can see some more… Check out the video below and the links you need are required….Once again we would like to thanks the guys for sending this over for us to check it… We can safely say its highly recommended….

See mykingdomsbooks.com for more.

Download the My Kingdoms Books app on Android  HERE and iOS HERE 

Download Live Colour HERE  

 

 

 

Bargain Alert. #Withings Activite Steel with free strap and postage for €99.95

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

 

  • Activity tracking: steps, distance, swim (Water resistant 50ATM), running and calories burned
  • Sleep monitoring: sleep cycle analysis (light and deep sleep) silent alarm
  • Automatic synchronisation – Follow your data on your smartphone
  • Stainless Steel case with silicone strap.
  • No charging – battery lasts up to 8 months.
  • Available on iOS and Android

BUY HERE