How To Buy The Ideal Gaming Gear In A Budget: 6 Pieces Of Advice

When it comes to gaming, there are so many different accessories that you can add to your gaming rig to add to your experience. From VR headsets down to the mousepad, there are different things you should consider, as well as prioritise, especially if you are working with a budget. Here are some pieces of advice to help you when buying your gear.

Start With The Basics

Before you even go into the specs of your computer and buy all the gear that you have, one of the most important things you need to consider is the space you have to work with when setting up your gaming hub and station. The first thing that you need to consider is the desk itself. If you already have a desk, that is great, but if you don’t or if you feel that you don’t have a desk large enough, consider your needs. Desks will range from size and shape, from small office and study desks to huge gaming stations that are curved or L-shaped and can house all your peripherals and accessories. Do you want an entire desktop with multiple screens and plenty of storage space, or are you going to be okay with a small desk and a laptop for your gaming needs? These are important questions to ask yourself to save you from having to set up on your dining table.

 

What Types Of Gaming Are You Prioritising?

When you are looking to get different gear, you want to consider what games you are going to be playing. There are different genres of games, from racing and vehicle simulation games to shooters to strategy. All of these games will have different setups when it comes to how you play and prioritise different peripherals. The PC enthusiasts at laptopblogger.com/gaming-laptops-under-1500/ understand the desire to own all the accessories available, but you should consider what it is you need to prioritise for the games you want to play. This is important, especially in competitive settings where you want every edge you can get over your opponent. 

 

Do You Prefer Controllers Or Mouse And Keyboard?

Even if you are not playing in a competitive scene, but you are playing the majority of your games to enjoy the single-player experience, there is other gear you want to consider. Your own preference will play a role in how much you spend on your peripherals, and if you are transitioning to computer gaming from consoles, you might prefer the use of a controller. You have to consider the input, but most computers have the ability to connect a variety of controllers to your liking. A controller could also end up saving you money versus spending on a high-end keyboard and mouse. This all boils down to your taste and preference, and there is no wrong choice in this manner.

 

Invest On A Good Pair Of Headphones

One thing you need to consider when you are gaming is your audio. If you are playing off of a laptop, one of the best investments you can make is on your headphones. The speakers on a laptop won’t usually be a priority, and you will often have to fight against the noise coming from the fans. Do yourself a favor and invest in a good pair of headphones to give you the best auditory experience possible while gaming.

 

 

Stay On Budget

If you only have a certain budget, you don’t have to worry. There are plenty of things that you can do to play all the games you want without breaking the bank. If you have your eye on certain gear, keep it in mind and always be on the lookout for discounts and sales. There are always alternatives to the items you want to buy, whether it is keyboards, mice, or headphones, and plenty of the better options may be cheaper if you are willing to do some research.

 

Comfort

One of the key factors when you are buying gear around your gaming set, is comfort. If you are looking at a gaming chair, for example, you don’t need to go out and buy the most expensive one just because your favorite streamer uses the same chair. There are many options that prioritize your comfort and even your posture. Even some office chairs have been tested and are both comparable or even better than some gaming chairs. Prioritize what is comfortable to you, and this will go a long way to keeping your set for a long gaming session.

 

Every gamer is different, from the games they play to the different play styles of the same game. It is important to consider these variables when setting up your gaming environment and understand that you don’t have to have the exact same gaming setup as everyone else does in order to enjoy your hobby.

Microsoft Celebrates 3 Year Anniversary of DreamSpace with Virtual Event to Mark Girls in ICT Day #ICTDay

Microsoft Ireland today marked the three-year anniversary of its digital learning experience, DreamSpace, by hosting a special Girls in ICT Day virtual event. Over 600 students from 22 girls’ primary schools across the island of Ireland participated in the virtual event, which was hosted in partnership with W5, Belfast’s award-winning science and discovery centre.

Students from 5th and 6th class at St Patricks GNS Ringsend were some of those who tuned in to the virtual session where students had the opportunity to engage in STEM learning activities including designing and testing their own bridges and coding their own Arcade games. These activities, like all DreamSpace experiences, aim to help foster critical thinking, problem-solving and creativity skills. The celebratory DreamSpace event sought to inspire primary school girls about the opportunities unlocked by science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

Over the past year Microsoft Ireland’s DreamSpace experience has adapted and evolved to meet the needs and requirements of students, teachers and parents as together everyone navigated the uncertainty of remote learning. Microsoft’s DreamSpace Digital Education Programme provided the education sector with a suite of new supports designed to meet all needs. The Virtual DreamSpace experience has continued successfully during the pandemic with the company hosting two schools a day on a guided DreamSpace experience from the safety of their classroom. Microsoft DreamSpace TV was another resource developed and introduced by the Microsoft Ireland education team over the past year and has enabled students, whilst at school or at home, to engage with a STEAM learning journey focused on computational thinking, creativity and problem-solving. And finally, DreamSpace Teacher has provided targeted supports to empower teachers to deliver their own DreamSpace experience in the classroom or by way of independent learning modules for students.

The positive impact of this extended DreamSpace programme has been proven through research undertaken by Maynooth University in partnership with Microsoft. The research looked at teachers and students who had engaged with a DreamSpace experience and found that 90% of teachers believe that DreamSpace has had a positive impact on students and led them to be more positively disposed to pursuing a career in STEM. This same research found that 87% of teachers were more confident in teaching technology in the classroom following the introduction of new materials like DreamSpace TV.

Cathriona Hallahan, Managing Director, Microsoft Ireland, said: “When we opened the doors of DreamSpace three years ago we never could have imagined the impact it would have. Up until last year, hundreds of students would visit our campus in One Microsoft Place to engage with the digital experience and gain an understanding of how technology could shape their future. The demand for school visits was so high that as a company we were always exploring new ways to expand our reach and in 2019 we were delighted to partner with W5 to help bring the DreamSpace experience to students in Northern Ireland. It wasn’t until the pandemic hit and the world responded at speed to the need to embrace technology that we realised we had an opportunity to engage far more students than we could have thought possible.”

 “Over the past year our education team have evolved the DreamSpace experience so every school – irrespective of their location – can take part. We couldn’t think of a more fitting way to celebrate the third anniversary of DreamSpace than with this special virtual event and it was great to see so many schools participating. I’d like to thank everyone who is part of our special DreamSpace family for making it the success that it is today. Every student that has visited or engaged in a session, every teacher who has provided feedback to help us improve the experience further, and all the parents who so enthusiastically engaged with us over the past year. Each year brings something new at DreamSpace and we’re looking forward to another exciting year ahead.”

Anne Smith, Principal at St Patricks GNS Ringsend said: “We were delighted to have the opportunity to join the virtual event with the Microsoft and W5 team. The students all really enjoyed the session and they’re already asking about when we can sign up for another event or visit DreamSpace. It’s great to have events like this available to schools which help us bring technology into the classroom in a fun way for the students.”

Microsoft first opened DreamSpace following a €5m investment at its campus in Leopardstown in 2018. At that time, the company committed to engaging 100,000 primary and Transition Year students and their teachers over four years in the experience helping to shift their perception about the role technology will play in their future. In 2019, Microsoft expanded the reach of DreamSpace to schools in Northern Ireland through a partnership with W5, Belfast’s award-winning science and discovery centre. Since the launch of DreamSpace, over 60,000 students from primary and post-primary schools and over 3,000 teachers have engaged in the STEM experience that is designed to help develop critical, collaborative and problem-solving skills that will help students to participate fully in today’s digital world.

For more information about DreamSpace, log onto www.microsoft.com/dreamspace. For live updates from the Microsoft Education team follow them on Twitter @MS_eduIRL.

emporia Ireland launches ‘talking’ mobile phone for blind and partially sighted older people @NCBI_sightloss #emporiaTALKactive

emporia, which has been making phones for retirees for 30 years, has launched its first mobile specifically adapted for visually impaired seniors. It will be sold in Ireland exclusively by the charity NCBI.

The TALKactive phone is an adaptation of emporia’s ACTIVEglam phone, which launched in the UK and Ireland last year, with additional spoken menus, buttons and SMS text to assist users with sight loss.

A voice assist function reads text messages aloud and helps the user to respond by speaking the letter keys and providing the option to read back the typed message before sending. When receiving calls, voice assist will read unknown numbers, or announce the name of the contact saved in the phone book.

Large illuminated buttons with a defined pressure point make typing easier, while large on-screen text aids the partially sighted. An extra strong vibrate function alerts users to incoming calls and messages.

The clamshell design offers greater control over the handset: opening and closing the phone can be set to auto answer or end a call. The volume button located on the phone’s exterior is adapted to speak the time and battery level aloud when the phone is closed.

Priced affordably at €150.00, TALKactive includes a 2MP camera. It also comes with a charging cradle so users don’t have to waste time inserting the USB-C cable into the charger port.

The TALKactive comes with a set of uncomplicated, well-written user instructions available in large print, braille or audio, produced by emporia and NCBI.

As with all emporia phones, it is compatible with hearing aids, has extra loud and clear sound, and an emergency button located on the rear of the phone for extra peace of mind. If pressed, up to five emergency numbers will receive an SMS and be dialled automatically in sequence.

Chris Millington, managing director of emporia UK & Ireland, says: “Although smartphones have accessibility functions, the majority of blind or partially sighted users are older and unaccustomed to touchscreen technology prior to losing sight. Designed with much care and consideration, and tested by older users with sight loss during the development phase, the TALKactive offers simplicity and affordability and is vastly easier to handle for a majority of retirees who haven’t grown up with mobile technology at their fingertips.”

Kyran O’Mahoney, chief technology officer at NCBI, says:“Technology is a key enabler for people with sight loss and this talking feature will be a great help to many service users. It is so important to help people stay connected. NCBI is proud to be a supplier.

Be sure to stay tuned for our full review soon..

SEE MORE

Review – The NotiOne Go tracker. #tracking #NotiOne #Tech

The NotiOne go is a locket type device which is light and waterproof allowing it to be attached to a variety of areas to find the location. This can be used for children, elderly people, keys, Pets, bicycles, ensuring when something gets lost or misplaced this can be found via the Bluetooth app on the phone or Crowd surfing from someone else with the app.  The NotiOne go communicates via Bluetooth Low Energy which operates in the 2.4 GHz band which remains in sleep mode constantly except for when a connection is initiated with the reduction in the battery drain on your phone.

 

Contents:

  •         Locator notiOne tracker
  •         1x CR2032 Battery included
  •         strong attachment
  •         manual

 

Product highlights:

  •                     Free app on the device
  •                     Find a location on the map
  •                     The ability to check location history for 30 days
  •                     The find my phone feature
  •                     Waterproof
  •                     Emits a loud sound
  •                     Power battery efficient
  •                     Has a large radius of action
  •                     Range: up to 90 m

 

Power:

This comes with a CR2032 battery supplied (These batteries can be purchased easily and cheaply in e.g. 2 euro’s sores or equivalent )   which last up to 1 year. Video online how to replace the battery – https://notione.com/en/faq

Warranty:   2 years

 

Setup & Use:

Download the notiOne app available from the Google Play or App Store as standard.  The app installed without issues connecting directly on an android phone to the notiOne go! This notiOne go! was  then connected to  Keys,  The app then allows the viewing of the location of the Keys and 0n a map over the last 30 days or ring the keys from the App, The option to visually see the location of the Keys was also possible

The App got a rating of 4.1 out of 5 in the play store from 1,356, Unfortunately, I would give the app 2 out of 5. The low score is the app albeit it has  1 million users of notiOne applications and applications cooperating with the notiOne system in Poland, The app has numerous links, words which are not in English and the standard message we all get to rate the app was again in Polish. This can be very annoying, as no option to default to English and keep in English.  the App should work 100% in English.  The app does work just a niggle for me.

 

 

Business:

There is an option for Business to purchase these in bulk with the company logo on the device, this is a nice touch for a marketing campaign which is a great improvement on the tradition pens, a diary that is given to staff.

Overall:

TechBuzz has reviewed a variety of these types of product in the last year which works on a similar principle. Many other brands offer a similar service but require a subscription service for advanced  features, location history, battery replacement etc,  notiOne go provide this as a standard without paying a monthly subscription which is a real positive. The location history, maps etc work well, the ring option to the notiOne go!  is quite low making it difficult to hear but the find nearby option gives a visual of getting closer to or further away from the app. The Polish videos/words are a personal niggle but do not affect the operation of the core purpose of the device which does its job. The numbers of users in Poland over 1 million would ensure if my keys were lost these there is a good possibility, they would be picked up and the location to be transmitted to me. In the UK & Ireland, I suspect the numbers of users would be less and the crowd surfing ability to find my keys would be diminished. Overall, the no subscription and the ease to change the battery is a winner.

https://notione.com/en/shop                     €22

 

Tech Review – PaMu Quite mini. All you need and more for the price. #PaMuQuiteMini #Tech

The Pamu Quite mini come off the back of the previous model the Pamu Quite which we reviewed last year and once again they deliver on value for money and give Huawei and their much lauded freebuds and others a real run for their money. Coming with wireless charging Bluetooth 5.2 and IPX4 rating, gaming mode, up to 40db of noise reduction and a really great app you simply cant go wrong here for the price and they are also plenty aloud.

The design is familiar with a really comfortable fit and this time the case is smaller than the previous case which had a circular finish with a really cool LED ring around the top illuminating when charging, this time you get a really cool LED on the front that looks like the infamous LED light on kitt and then turns blue when fully charged. You also get type C USB charging here which is most welcome too.

Another point to note is that these can be used on their own too which is something you do not see to often with even more expensive earbuds on the market today and this is a plus for many people and with the app you can customise each side so if you have both in you can set them up the best way that suits you and if using on their own again you can set up to your needs which is excellent.

When it comes to sound these really give a great punch with a decent volume level nice bass and punchy with highs lows and mids and for watching films and Netflix etc you will not be disappointed as I found during my usual test cycle and I was left impressed yet again by these earbuds. The better build quality here also makes these a more robust pair of earbuds than others at this price point.

Over all for the money the cost to performance ratio has gotten so good it makes you wonder how some companies can charge so much for their earbuds when a pair like this has just about it all for less than half the price. Check out the video below for more and stay tuned for our PaMu NANO review soon.

BUY HERE

Tech Review – Tile Performance pack. #Tile #Tech

We have covered many of tiles products here on site before but now they have a new performance pack in their line up, Nothing else has changed bar the looks which are really nice and not forgetting the worlds biggest lost and found community. In this pack you get a Tile slim for your wallet and Pro for whatever you might want to attach it to like gym bag or handbag for example and these has a fresh new look that stand out.

TILE STICKER REVIEW

TILEMATE REVIEW

TILE RANGE REVIEW

The tile slim can fit into any wallet and is a credit card size but this can also be used on flat surfaces too and your own imagination can be used where to place it, the tile pro can be attached to anything too and can be hidden a bit better and has a 400 metre range which is rather impressive and this also comes with a user replaceable battery..

The most important thing here too is their app which is simple to use and get set up very quickly, check out the video below and search TILE for the other products we have reviewed on site.. These are worth the price to pay and ideal for those with escooters or bikes as they are hot right now getting stolen

BUY HERE 

 

Tech Review – notiOne GPS tracker #notiOne #GPS #Tracking

Over the last few weeks we have been testing the notiOne locator which will help you find your location not only in the vicinity, but almost anywhere. notiOne increases the safety of children and the elderly, secures dogs and cats against loss, and protects keys, wallet and bicycle against loss or theft and of course vehicles so if you have a vehicle it is more suited to this as I find it too big for the likes of keys and wallets etc you can of course place it in a bag but for motoring it is a much better suited product and their smaller tracker more suited to the smaller items. the tracker is waterproof so ideal for the likes of bikes and motorbikes.. Bikes are real target of late so do not let your bike go astray.

Set up is easy and takes a few minutes you need to download their app which is available on both Android and iOS and has been tested on both for my thoughts, the UI is simple to follow and imagine using google maps on your phone you get a similar experince when tracking an object if you will.

Weight and size

The small size (97 x 25 x 31 mm) and weight (100 g) of the locator will allow for discreet installation, e.g. in a car or motorcycle, attaching it to a pet’s harness, or securing luggage.

Working time

The battery lasts for several days of continuous operation with the basic settings. You charge the device via a cable with a USB type C (attached to the device) for a minimum of 3 hours.

No extra cost

When buying notiOne locators, the only cost is always the cost of the device. notiOne GPS is no exception. You buy once and enjoy a fully functional device with no additional fees imposed.

You can choose from two versions of the notiOne GPS device: the basic version and the PLUS version.

NotiOne GPS locator

The basic version of notiOne GPS updates its position every 5 minutes while it is in motion. When it isn’t moving, it sends an update every 6 hours.

You can also check the location history for the last 30 days on your phone .

NotiOne GPS PLUS tracker

This variant is the possibility of advanced device configuration, that is:

  • defining the frequency of position updating when the device is in motion (every 10 sec, 1 min, 10 min, 60 min),
  • define the frequency of position update when the device is at rest (every 6h, every 12h, every 24h),
  • theft alert , i.e. a notification when the device starts moving,
  • foreign roaming, i.e. locating the facility also outside Poland.

Accordingly, you can also adjust the battery life. More frequent updating of the location is associated with higher battery consumption, less frequent extends the operating time of the device.

The premiere gift

The great news is that the first notiOne GPS users will receive a PLUS package for several months, regardless of which version they purchase initially. Hurry up and take advantage of this premiere offer ! If you like additional features, you will be able to buy them from the application level at any time.

BUY HERE 

 

As Ireland begins to re-open, Explore Ireland with Google Maps and Local Guides. #Travel #Ireland #GoogleMaps

As the country re-opens this week, now is the time to re-discover Ireland with the help of Google Maps and its community of Local Guides. We all know Google Maps can help us find the best directions but the app has more uses than just directions.

With help from Local Guides you can also use the wisdom of local experts to find hidden gems close to home you may never have known existed or to get to know an area before you visit. Local Guides is a passionate community of users who share reviews, photos and local knowledge about places around the world and every day make more than 20 million contributions from reviews to photography of local places on Google Maps.

Dana Singh is a local guide based in Dublin that’s an active member of the Local Guides community who not only uses other Local Guides reviews to help plan her own day trips and holidays but likes to give back to this online community by sharing reviews and images of everywhere she visits. She’s uploaded over 1,000 images to help people plan their own trips and they’ve been viewed millions of times by other users. Her images and first-hand knowledge of everything from beauty spots to local businesses helps other users every day whether its visiting a local business or a trip further afield. Dana is also passionate about helping local businesses and has connected with many businesses in her community to help them update their business listings, making sure Google Maps users can easily find them and plan their visit with up to date business information and images.

Local Guides goes beyond navigation to help people explore the world around them and the hidden gems in our local communities – what better way to discover Ireland than with the help of local knowledge. If you want to get to know a particular area you plan on visiting you can follow a top local guide in the area to see all of their reviews to get to know the area better before you visit or closer to home you might find a Local Guide who regularly reviews restaurants and you can easily follow them to get reviews before your next takeaway or planning ahead with a reservation in June. Local Guides can also prove helpful for those who need accessibility information before a visit , many Local Guides include accessibility information such as parking, terrain and how much walking is involved as part of reviews  to help those for whom this information is crucial for.

In the Explore tab you can easily explore any area in Ireland and find; local cafes, restaurants and bars now doing a take-away service, newly reopened galleries and museums and, if you can face another walk, the best beaches, landmarks or parks to visit. Then in preparation for the summer of staycation-ing ahead keep track of all your favourite places or spots you want to visit using Lists which you can keep to yourself or share with friends.

Civilization-building game ‘Before We Leave’ launches today on Steam. #Gaming #Building #BeforeWeLeave

Balancing Monkey Games, in partnership with independent games label and developer, Team17, has today brought its non-violent, civilization-building title Before We Leave on Steam. Set in a world rebuilding after an apocalypse and ripe for exploring and recivilizing, Before We Leave launches on Steam with brand-new content, including scenarios and weather that affects fatigue, crop growth, and movement speed; in-game performance updates; as well as the multiple waves of content first released on Epic Games Store during the past year when it was exclusive to the platform.

The new scenarios and weather update are also available to players on Epic Games Store.

The game’s Steam launch comes with a slew of incredible content updates that have been added to the game since it first launched a year ago. This includes

  • The Kraken Comes: An update bringing submarines, trading ships, the Kraken guardian, and underground shelters.
  • Over & Under: An update rolling out new overlays for better experiences, new UI and UX, new languages, and more.
  • Paving the Way: A visual upgrade, new roads, new resources, new type of Warehouse, new effects, and more.
  • Biomes & Beasties: Three new island biomes, new visuals, inclusion of animals, discoverable secrets, and more.

Before We Leave is available to purchase on Steam and the Epic Games Store for $19.99/€17.99/£15.99.