3 ways to make working from home easier

The pandemic ushered in a new and unprecedented era of home working, with most offices closing their doors. 

No matter what the future holds, this appears to be a trend that’s set to continue.

#1 Differentiate home from work

This is the most important tip, but perhaps one of the hardest to implement. Even though you’re working from home, you need to carefully divide your home/working environment. This has productivity and mental health benefits. Doing all your work in the main family rooms, with the television blaring and children playing, isn’t a good idea. You’ll find it harder to concentrate, tasks will take longer and stress will inevitably build. Similarly, when the working day comes to an end you need to be able to leave work behind and relax.

Try to design a home office that has your computer, files and an ergonomic office chair. This is your workroom. Ask that people only disturb you if it’s urgent and make sure that the whole household is aware of your office. When the day comes to an end you can close the door and leave work behind. This psychological differentiation means that work doesn’t saturate your home life, safeguarding mental health and providing a routine.

#2 Take scheduled breaks and find ways to relax

Since you’re already at home, the home/work balance can become blurred. Working hours tend to elongate and you can lose sight of taking time for yourself. Always schedule breaks and get away from the computer screen. It’s tempting to spend the break flicking through social media, but use it to go for a walk, exercise; even just stepping away and brewing a cup of coffee can make a big difference.

When the working day comes to an end, don’t dip back in. Instead, find ways to relax and destress. Treat working from home exactly as you would working at the office. Spend time with family and friends when the day ends, prepare dinner and generally do all that you can to maintain a healthy balance. Working from home encourages a certain amount of absorption, but don’t let your job come to dominate your family life.

#3 See if you can work a hybrid model

Many have relished the change to work from home, but for others, the lack of support and sensation of isolation has been less than appealing. Employers are flexible, and many are now offering some kind of hybrid model that fuses home with office work. Hybrid working takes many forms, but there are broadly three types.

The first and most common has you work a part of your week at home and then another portion in the office. This gives you a set routine and most employers will be flexible about the days. A similar model involves working one week in the office and another week at home. Finally, some companies will allow you to base yourself at home but keep the office open for enquiries, advice or simply as a place to go when you need some quiet.

 

Tech Review – Tronsmart Apollo Air Plus earbuds #Tronsmart #ApolloAirPlus

The tronsmart Apollo air Plus are near identical to the Apollo air we just recently checked out, They come with a nice sized case too and fits in any pocket giving you around 20 hours in total playtime with case and around 5 hours with one charge this is less when you use ANC and high volumes, there is wireless charging here which is great as I have adopted wireless charging around the house.

The earbuds are a comfortable fit but slight protrude from the ears with a long chamber but this is normal and there is others out there that stick out much more and this to be honest doesn’t bother me. For calls these are also good but it is the music and how it sounds is what is most important. When it comes to modes we have three options here and they are ideal for indoors outdoors and commutes and so on giving you ambient mode ANC on/off.

Tronsmart Apollo Air Plus techbuzzireland
Tronsmart Apollo Air Plus techbuzzireland

These really do get loud highs lows and mids are good, listening to music is great and also for films You Tube and Netflix etc they really shine in action movies with great direction and they give a near like headphone experience. The app as mentioned above really enhances the overall experince here with choices like 3d,deep bass,vocal,rock and much more to choose from you will see the full details in the video review. There is no lag latency to be noted either during my testing.

Controls are a breeze to use here given you might find them sensitive to begin with, everything is here from skip and reverse tracks .volume control and voice assistant and you can adjust the settings to your requirement in the app. There is no difference between the app set up here with the Apollo air all things remain identical throughout.

Features

  • 35dB full frequency hybrid active noise cancelling.
  • Industry-leading Qualcomm QCC3046 chip.
  • High-quality Qualcomm® aptX™ audio decoding.
  • Customized graphene driver for better sound quality.
  • Three modes switching designed for different usage scenarios.
  • Six mics with cVc 8.0 technology for crystal-clear calls.
  • TWS+ binaural synchronous transmission technology.
  • Bluetooth 5.2.
  • Ear detection
  • Wireless charging

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First look at the Edifier NeoBuds Pro – The First Hi-Res ANC Earbuds. #NeoBudsPro #Edifier

The latest from Edifier has landed and it is the all new NeoBuds Pro which is the latest product from the company which I have been a keen fan of and using their products some years now and they have set a high standard when it comes to sound and quality.

Edifier’s innovative research team conducted hundreds of tests that led to electronic-acoustic technology breakthroughs in the development of the NeoBuds Pro. The earbuds bring premium audio quality traditionally found in speakers and over-ear headphones to a more convenient, compact and wireless package. Its bi-amping with DSP-based active crossover technology ensures the dynamic driver and the armature driver are working in tandem to provide users with premium sound quality, deep bass, and crisp treble frequencies all with truly unique technological advancements.

A higher, more accurate sampling frequency, leading to higher sound quality and truer tones over traditional earphones, earned the Neobuds Pro a Hi-Res certification. The Neobuds Pro supports the LHDC+ACC codec transmitting 96kHz 24Bit HD audio over Bluetooth, to present a full and comprehensive range of sound with the truest, purest tones of each musical note and instrument.

Edifier TWS NB2 vs Edifier NeoBuds Pro techbuzzireland

The Neobuds Pro also has advanced noise-cancelling feature, which outperforms the previous TWS NB2 with deeper, smarter and a more upgraded algorithm. It offers the user a quieter environment to enhance the music listening experience while protecting the user’s hearing from the outside noise. We compare both of these in the unboxing below so if you have any questions feel free to ask in the usual spots while we take these on a test run…

Back them over at Indiegogo

 

What Do Organizations Need for an Affective API Governance?

Today, businesses have embraced the use of Applications Programming Interfaces (APIs) to meet the changing demands of their customers. Due to advancements in technology, customers are looking for customized services that are tailored to meet their requirements. Businesses know that it would be difficult to offer these services without implementing APIs, something that has led to the growth of the use of APIs.

However, this has brought with it a new need for shared standards and governance of APIs to complement the value of business data and the strategies used in the business platforms. However, getting the right approach to governance and standardization is a challenge for most organizations. Most of them get this wrong, meaning that their API strategy is likely to fail in one way or another in the future.

Organizations need to come up with directives that balance with the requirements of their developers. They need to figure out ways through which they can have data structures updated and implement API standards that conform to future customer requirements. In addition, they need to enforce all the required styles and make sure that they align with globally accepted standards such as open banking standards, GDRP, and FIHR.

Affective API Governance

There are a number of things that organizations need for effective API governance. The most important best practices in API governance include;

Using Abstract Designs to Manage APIs

Using abstract designs to manage APIs makes it easy for organizations to apply API governance. For instance, organizations that have their APIs held in the form of abstracted designs with all the required technical details such as headers and payloads placed in the right specifications find it easy to enforce governance policies.

Managing APIs with a Service Catalog

In other situations, some organizations hold their APIs together with all dependencies, lineage, mappings, and documentation aligned to the right taxonomies in a service catalog. This makes it easy for them to rationalize and visualize their APIs, as well as gaining control and insight into the people using their APIs, where the APIs are, how their (APIs) data flows, and the rate of data transfer. This aids the process of enforcing governance regulations.

Using a Single Set of Governance Rules

Organizations need to make sure that the set of rules they are enforcing on their APIs are globally accepted. They should desist from using any rules based on an individual project or set of APIs. Even though some organizations might feel like this forces them to only use a certain set of coding standards, it also means that they should adopt standards that meet the requirements of their business models. Finally, they need to make sure that all these rules are centrally located to ensure that everyone can easily access and implement them on their projects.

Applying Governance Throughout the API Lifecycle

When building APIs, some organizations tend to overlook some things in the early stages of an API lifecycle. These things become bigger in the later stages of the lifecycle, making such organizations think that API governance is responsible for bringing issues into development. 

However, organizations need to apply governance policies throughout the stages of the API lifecycle, starting from the first stage to the last stage. This will make sure that they are able to avoid these issues that might arise later, and in return, build applications faster and standardize all outputs.

API Versioning

When building APIs, organizations need to keep in mind that there might be times when they might need to add new features, modify the APIs, or even deprecate them. When this happens, they need to find a way through which they can let everything continue working without affecting the end users of applications implementing the APIs.

This is where API versioning comes in. Versioning ensures that users will keep using the APIs, depending on the version that they need. They can even use the later versions without compromising their data. In addition, versioning ensures that APIs are well documented and standardized.

API Governance Benefits Organizations

The pandemic has accelerated the rate of digital adoption among businesses the world over, making data one of the most important assets of any business. Looking at the continued rise of the importance of data, the ways through which such data is exposed becomes quite important as well. 

This means that things such as inconsistencies in code, data leaks, and poor system organization can affect the experience of developers negatively. In addition, APIs’ performance – keeping in mind that APIs depend on this data – will be affected directly. This can be avoided by making sure that organizations implement effective API governance.

What Is Bigcommerce? How It Can Help Your Business?

Choosing an online store platform is always a challenge for most businessmen. The seller can choose between free and paid CMS. Nevertheless, there is a great difference between the two. Free platforms hold an insufficient amount of pages, plugins and do not give FTP access. Of course, the best paid ecommerce platforms provide a lot more features.

Make a request

Have you decided to open an online store, like Depop but don’t know where to start?

First of all, it is necessary to pay special attention to the design of the website of the online store, because this is the face of the company. In addition, responsive design enables shoppers to shop from their mobile devices and tablets thanks to magento development.

The success of an online store depends on its technical implementation, which includes functionality and settings. Another important point is the usability of the place directory. The functions of computing results to the catalog and managing them should be easy plus convenient.

Free Ecommerce Platform vs Paid Ecommerce Platform

When it appears to building your online shop using a free e-commerce program, you usually require to be in charge of the entire setup process. Many paid e-commerce platforms offer to host and complete greatest of the setup process on your behalf. When comparing available and funded e-commerce platforms.

Among the advantages of paid platforms, we highlight:

  • All paid platforms offer aid and assistance for almost any issue,
  • Easy setup is possible for most managed ecommerce platforms, so you don’t demand to hire a developer to help with ideas that are challenging for you to figure out on your individual.
  • A sufficiently high level of security,

Pick from thousands of free website designs or themes. Keep in mind, however, that if you prefer a template for your property, many other stores may use this theme as well. That may be risky from a branding standpoint.

Cons of paid platforms:

  • You may be bound by a contract with a monthly fee of
  • $ 30 or more per month.
  • When it comes to site design and features, you have less flexibility.

Pros of free platforms:

  • They are free.
  • You don’t possess any obligations, so if the stage isn’t what you awaited, you can simply switch to something else.
  • Full control over your online shop.

Cons of free platforms:

  • You may run into problems when installing up or managing your e-commerce site,
  • Many free platforms require some technical knowledge, so you may want to hire developers to assist with updates or changes.
  • The security level is lower compared to paid solutions.

So, if you want easy and efficient integration, then a paid solution is the best option. Here’s a look at the top 5 paid ecommerce platforms for what they’ll be most suitable for. More info on https://elogic.co/services/bigcommerce-development/.

BigCommerce

BigCommerce was launched in 2009 and currently has over 55,000 online stores. BigCommerce is a major e-commerce software provider. This platform is suitable for both small and huge online shops. With its many plugins, this CMS is a great clarification for those who don’t need to mess with system. BigCommerce includes features like coupons, shipping, newsletters, taxes, analytics, and more. Unlike Shopify, BigCommerce does not charge additional selling prices. Every free also paid theme are mobile responsive. It may be integrated with Google Shopping, eBay and Facebook.

In supplement to the installation wizard, this CMS contains tutorial videos and detailed tutorials with visual presentations. The only drawback is the lack of free themes. While the competition has over 20 free designs, BigCommerce only provides 7. However, this platform has a broad spectrum of paid reports that can be customized to give a unique look and feel. This is perfect for those who need to begin a full-fledged online shop including do not want to integrate plugins and edit HTML / CSS. Aside from several businesses, BigCommerce brings tough competition to Shopify with nearly the equivalent price per month, but no additional cost.

First Look – Soul Emotion Max ANC headphones. #Headphones #Soul #Tech

Recently announced the Soul Emotion Max headphones and they have just landed here at TBI headquarters and off the bat these offer lots of features including multipoint technology which is a must have in today’s world. Light too these feel great on the head and comfortable and have replaceable cups with an extra set in the box and this is something you do not see everyday and is a win for the consumer..

Built for the modern consumer, EMOTION MAX allows wearers to effortlessly switch back and forth between Normal, Active Noise Cancellation and Audio Transparency mode, while Bluetooth Multipoint Technology empowers users to stream music, answer calls, and receive notifications from two separate devices at once. Not only can consumers expect SOUL’s signature precision sound, complete with a powerful 40mm driver and AptX and AAC codec, but they will have clear-sounding calls and voice communication with the built-in Qualcomm® CvC™ 8.0 (Clear Voice Capture). EMOTION MAX also boasts up to 38 hours of music, entertainment, and talk time (24 hours with ANC function on).

For now we have a first look and unboxing and any questions feel free to hit us up on our social and YouTube

visit www.SoulNation.com. For a limited time, all EMOTION MAX purchases will include a complimentary limited edition SOUL lanyard.

 

Tech Review – QuiteOn3 the worlds smallest noise cancelling earbuds to help with sleep #QuiteOn3 #Sleep #Tech

I have tested many earbuds over the years and seen how well the tech has got better in them and how they have gotten smaller in size and getting better features but these have to be the smallest earbuds fullstop nothing comes close to the size of them in my collection but these are not for your music experience they are to help block out the outside world when you need to get some sleep or even peace for that matter and they are half the size of the QuiteOn2, you can see both in the unboxing below for more and if this is the shape of things to come would you like your earbuds this size in general??

 

These are small no doubt about it and it is great to see how these have changed from their previous iteration and they do just as good a job you do not need any apps you do not listen to music with these it must be made clear you just take them out of the really fancy case they come in and pick the right tips and let them sit in your ears for 15 mins and they get the perfect seal.

Once in you can sit or lie back and forget about what is going on outside because you will not hear it and get along with you sleep or peace and that is how simple this is and how they work, the previous model you had an on/off switch which is gone this time which I liked and was good for testing but this is where some room wa smade to get these to the size they are now which is something else..

QuiteOn2 vs QuiteOn3 techbuzzireland

Some of the most common noises that interrupt sleep are low-frequency sounds from heating  systems, appliances, traffic, airplanes, snoring and noisy neighbors. QuietOn 3’s ANC technology  eliminates ambient sound by automatically generating opposite waveforms to nullify the low  frequencies, resulting in a much quieter and more peaceful environment for sleep.

QuiteOn3 buds and case open techbuzzireland
QuiteOn3 case and buds
QuiteOn3 case closed techbuzzireland
QuiteOn3 case open

To ensure maximum comfort, each pair of QuietOn 3 comes with four sizes of eartips. With no  wireless setup or connectivity required, and automatic charging in the included case, QuietOn 3  earbuds are always ready to pop in and provide more restful sleep.

The QuietOn 3 earbuds charge in the included carrying case, which contains its own battery to  guarantee a full-charge at all times. A single charge provides 28 hours of use, so the earbuds have  the power to last all day, or for several nights.

They might seem expensive for some over the traditional method of using cheaper earplugs but they are excellent and look cool and are some piece of tech that comes with a quality charging case too. At the end of the day the big question is do they work and the answer is yes..

 

BUY HERE

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Why More OEMs Are Sourcing Their Parts Online – And Why You Should Too

Ask any procurement team about the purchasing process, and they’ll probably describe a long, drawn out procedure that involves multiple spreadsheets or paper files, catalogues, price comparisons between vendors, problems with quality control and issues with communication across the company.

Reach out to a procurement team about how they source their component parts online, and they’ll tell you a completely different story. Streamlined procedures, straightforward price comparisons and millions of high-quality component parts at their fingertips. It’s hardly surprising that more OEMs than ever before are sourcing their component parts online. You’ll find a range of parts available here.

However, if your purchasing team is a little dubious about change, or perhaps they’re already convinced that their current way of procurement is the most practical, then it might be difficult to convince them to take advantage of online component purchasing. So, with this in mind, we’ve gathered some of the strongest reasons why more OEMs are sourcing their parts online – and why you should too.

Ease of Ordering

When you upload your BOM to an online marketplace such as Sourcengine, using their BOM tool you’ll be able to upload your entire Bill Of Materials within seconds. Alternatively, you can choose to search for specific components at a slower pace and with over 550 million parts available, you’re certain to find exactly what you need. So, rather than handing over specific parts of your BOM to individual suppliers, you’ll be able to upload the document in its entirety, saving your procurement team time and resources.

Price Comparison

Once you’ve uploaded your BOM, the price comparisons already begin. By setting your chosen criteria, whether it be a specific price range, from a particular supplier, brand or delivery schedule, you’ll be able to find the parts you need that match the requirements of your production line – and all done within a couple of seconds. No more sifting through endless catalogues, switching from one site to another or calling multiple vendors trying to locate a component part, just everything you need in one place.

Latest Deals

In addition to price comparisons, you’ll also have access to real-time data, which lists the latest data, deals and offers from over 3,000 vendors who sell the component parts you’re looking for on Sourcengine.

Quality Products

Your procurement team may entrust their BOM with vendors due to longevity and familiarity, even if the parts purchased are often plagued with problems and cause occasional issues along your assembly line. When you source parts online via a marketplace such as Sourcengine, you’ll have the protection of a 3-year warranty on all parts purchased, as well as peace of mind that every component part is tested, and meets all industry compliance and certifications.

Generous warranties

Buying from online parts sellers can provide access to generous warranties. For example, the likes of these Yaskawa components come with a full 12 month warranty. This can provide OEMs with the peace of mind that parts are high quality – and if they do fail they can be replaced freely. 

And Finally, Competitive Edge

Streamlining your procurement process won’t make things easier for your purchasing teams, it will give your entire OEM enterprise a competitive edge. With faster sourcing and comprehensive supply chain management, you’ll be able to source, assemble and deliver on all your contracts, exceeding all the expectations of your clients and manufacturing partners. Consider sourcing your components online today.

Tech Review – JBL Live Pro+ review #JBL #Tech

JBL have a nice new pair of TWS earbuds here and they certainly tick all the boxes after testing these out for a few days and in short they are a super pair of earbuds that deliver. Having tested the biggest range of true wireless earbuds in Ireland these are in my top 10 right now and that is no mean feat. You can see the unboxing experience over on our You Tube

With the new model here you get great adaptive ANC which is great and wireless charging, these are by no means new to the market but features that stand up the Airpods and Freebuds hype we constantly see, A familiar trend I might add but I dont buy it at all.. A familiar design language yet comfortable they fit well and with the right tips on they isolate pretty well. In the app you do get to check your best fit and you should do so to get the most out of them.. You will be asked to put on the earbuds to get this right from the start.

 

Controls are sensitive here but you will not have any issues missing a beat with the controls once you get use to them and again in the app you can personalise these to your taste, On the main homepage of the app you get your battery status ANC, ambient sound and smart Audio and video settings and all these allow you get more from the earbuds. We go through the app below anyway so you can see what you are in for and it is all good.

Sound is great here too, nice bass good separation, punchy and direction even great for movie watching and they work a treat for music Netflix and more and after my usual test loop I am well pleased with how these sound and they also have decent volume too which I like. If this is perhaps your first pair of true wireless you will be really impressed and if not and one who changes up every year or so you will be equally impressed if you don’t fall for the continuous praise for the the aforementioned.

 

  • JBL SIGNATURE SOUND: These wireless earphones provide the best audio solution for any device, Live Pro+ TWS headphones are small but powerful, with 11mm dynamic drivers for extraordinary JBL Signature Sound all day, every day.
  • ADAPTIVE NOISE CANCELLING: Zero distractions when it’s time to focus on your studies or get your groove on from these Bluetooth earbuds. And if you want to hear the world around you without removing your headphones, Smart Ambient sharpens the sounds of your surroundings.
  • CLEAR MICROPHONE: The Live Pro+ TWS wireless earbuds feature 3-mic technology, so you get perfect call quality. A feedback mic ensures wind suppression and environmental noise reduction, dual beamforming mics to capture your voice with crystal clarity.
  • UP TO 28H OF BATTERY LIFE AND WIRELESS CHARGING: These Bluetooth earphones feature to 7 hours of playback plus 21 in the case and JBL Live Pro+ TWS Speed Charge means your audio stays with you all day long. Power up super easily on the go with JBL Live Pro+ TWS Speed Charge and Qi-compatible wireless charging
  • HANDS-FREE HEY GOOGLE AND AMAZON ALEXA*: Get help from your preferred voice assistant using your voice or with a tap on the earbud. Activate ANC or Ambient Aware, check the battery life or power off your JBL Live Pro+ TWS simply with your voice with Hey Google. Use the all-new JBL App to easily set your preferred voice assistants.
  • *Android 6.0 or higher is required for full access to Alexa features when using this device

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