Charging solutions and mounts for your car are plentyful these days and come in all sorts and size and of course options which is good for the cinsumer,Wireless charging is another matter and something you should perhaps invest in. You will probably ask why.. Two things. First is saving on cables and second is saving your charge port.
Using wireless charging has still not taken off so much here but is on the up and you should be thinking of it, the ease of use by just dropping your phone on a charging block is not hard to get into the habit of and once adopted you will never look back and the same applies here to the product here from Quntis..
With a simple installation and set up once fixed to the windscreen you are good to go and inserting and removing the device is simple too,the telescopic arm also gives you reach options and is a great idea and can be used im all vehicles, once it is in place it will not move and makes it easily accessable and great for the likes of navigation. Wireless charging does has its drawbacks with speed but this is improving over time.
The Quntis model has held up with its charge for me and is ideal for any motorist and is not expensive to buy nor difficult to set up in your vehicle. This unit can support up to 10W charging and depends on your device but offers the standard 5w charging for other devices. Overall it is a very flexible mount with ways of making it the right fit for any vehicle.
Bluetooth speakers come in all sort of configurations which is great for choice but one with built in capabilties for conference calls is something different with a smaller variety on offer. Anker have such a solution which comes in a well built and designed product via the portable conference speakerphone. The name is in the product being portable this can be used anywhere and is portable and not a fixed solution we tend to see on many offices today this can be brought anywhere with you in your tech pack and it is smaller but delivers on its output with sound.
Instant set up.. If on the go or at home this can be set up super fast with bluetooth and no drivers os required of connected to a pc via USB which is great On my testing I used on PC and mobile and the bluetooth connection is just great with no lag or disconnecting issues thanks to bluetooth 5.0 while we are in a state of lockdown here it has been a valuable kit here in the house to use doing my daily duties and keeps the phone out of my hand keeping me free to use both hands for typing and working which is a bonus.
The call quality is excellent and can be heard in a large room easily with its 360 degree coverage and the 6 mics makes this an ideal kit for small office type or meetings and today especially ideal for teams of small groups of 6-8 for example or more makes it the perfect kit do get work done in a closed environment or even outdoors..
The build quality is excellent too and the simple controls on board which does not complicate things. Up top we have a navi pad area that has an status LED ring around it that controls your calls,volume etc and you also have a mute feature you can also use some fucntions to control music if you use it for this too which is possibleand why not, another bonus is you can charge your mobile phone form the device. The best thing is this is compatible with all conference services like zoom..
There is a power on/off key on the front and a bluetooth connection button which keeps the design minimal but offers maximum features via the navi pad up top of the device. The housing of the unit is also has a premium look and will blend in anywhere at home of the office or even and outside environment.
Is this a product to reccomend? Well yes especially today in the current crisis and the fact it is portable with a 24hr battery life it is easy to do so and is not expensive either and ideal for anyone really and can be used for a personal speaker to and you can charge your device so it offers several features that are beneficial to it users, See below in the video how it works and sounds.
Features
Omni-Directional Voice Pickup: 6 microphones arranged in a 360° array pick up voices up anywhere in rooms for up to 8 people.
Smart Voice Enhancement: A custom DSP algorithm offers real-time echo cancellation up to 70 dB, de-reverberation, and reduces background noise by 20db to ensure your voice is picked-up without distracting noises.
Optimized Clarity and Volume: PowerConf Bluetooth speakerphone automatically balances the sound of your voice to make up for differences in volume and distance from the speakerphone.
Instant Setup and Universal Compatibility: Connect to your phone via Bluetooth or to your computer with a USB-C cable with no need to install drivers. PowerConf Bluetooth speakerphone is compatible with all popular online conferencing services.
24 Hours of Call Time: PowerConf Bluetooth speakerphone has a built-in 6,700mAh battery to power days of calls. Integrated Anker PowerIQ technology allows you to charge other devices via PowerConf at optimized speeds.
PNY Technologies, the European leader in components and accessories, is today announcing the launch of its All-In-One USB-C Mini Portable Dock. This multifunctional all-in-one solution combines nine connection ports to allow USB, USB-C, HDMI, VGA, RJ45 inputs and outputs, as well as a SD and microSD slots.
Whilst more laptops and tablets are coming to the market equipped with Type-C, they usually only have one connection port. However, very often users need to be able to use various peripherals, which is a struggle with the one connection port. The PNY All-In-One USB-C Mini Portable Dock meets users’ needs by offering a flexible and portable multifunctional tool that’s capable of maximizing the potential of their work environment, no matter where they are. With an integrated foldable cable, it provides an ideal all-in-one compact solution to allow users to be more efficient and overcome any connectivity issues on both USB-C Macs and Windows compatible laptops.
The nine connection ports mean users can read their memory cards, connect a monitor and any other peripherals. Enjoy high-speed transfer up to 5Gbps, 4K high definition picture or video in HDMI or display in VGA, and wired reliable network access at speed up to 1 Gbps. Supporting Power delivery up to 100W pass-through charging, you can power your laptop while accessing the other functions of the dock. (Charger not included).
Additionally, the ergonomic design of the All-In-One USB-C Mini Portable Dock, enables users to create a working environment at home that’s as efficient as at the office. There’s no need for messy wires taking up desk space or running out of ports on your device – all you need is one cable connection from your laptop. Thanks to its simple, compact design and its soft touch finish, the PNY All-In-One USB-C Mini Portable Dock is easy to transport, making it ideal for mobile users whose work requires multiple connections in different locations. You can always have the right connection in the office or working from home.
Marlène Joseph, product manager at PNY says: “We are very proud to launch a product that meets the ergonomic and practical needs that users are looking for in their workspace. The crisis we are currently going through has shown us that it is possible to work from home and be productive if we are equipped with the right tools. With the All-In-One USB-C Mini Portable Dockeveryone can have a functional and all-in-one tool to optimize their work environment and easily stay connected.”
PNY All-In-One USB-C Mini Portable Dock specifications:
Input/Output
1 x USB-C input (connect to a Type-C host PC)
2 x USB-C (Data & Power Delivery Charging)
2 x USB-A 3.1 (up to 5Gbps data transfer, one BC 1.2 up to 1.5A downstream charging, one up to 900mA)
1 x HDMI – screens & projectors
1 x VGA – screens and projectors
1 x RJ45 – 10/100/1000Mbps Ethernet performance
1 x SD slot
1 x microSD slot
Resolutions
– HDMI : Max 4Kx2k@30Hz
– VGA : Max 1920×1200@60Hz
Power supply: Type-C PD Charging: Max 100W(20V/5A)
Product size: 12 x 7 x 1,4 cm
PNY All-In-One USB-C Mini Portable Dock is available from Amazon at the end of June 2020 and at a RRP of 89,99€ / £79.99.
Esri Ireland, the market leader in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), is today launching an interactive StoryMap on The History of Pride in Ireland. Based on Esri’s digital mapping platform, the map allows users to explore the major historic places and dates which have helped lead to positive change and progress for members of the LGBTQ+ community across Ireland.
The timeline of the Irish Pride movement encompasses foundational events as far back as June 1974, when 10 people marched to the British Embassy in Dublin to protest against the criminalisation of homosexuality. The map provides information on the first official Pride Week in the city in 1979, through large scale LGBTQ+ protests in the 1980s and up to the same-sex marriage referendum in 2015.
Esri Ireland launches interactive StoryMap of the History of Pride in Ireland.
The StoryMap blends together maps, images, text, embedded videos and tweets, and links to further articles and information to present a comprehensive history of the Pride movement. Today, it has grown into one of the biggest festivals celebrated in Ireland, with tens of thousands attending the 40th anniversary of the very first Pride Festival last year.
Due to COVID- 19, this year’s festival was moved to a digital format, with the StoryMap providing all the relevant links for anyone wishing to learn more about the virtual parade and concert set to take place on Sunday, June 28th 2020. The StoryMap is available to view at: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/df083b34c03f4f52ac166adcb60a871a
Google Arts & Culture launch a collection of interactive games that make art, culture and history accessible in a fun and educational way
Google have today launched ‘Play with Arts & Culture’, a collection of five interactive games that allow people to indulge in arts and culture with friends and family across the globe from the comfort of their own home. The games aim to make art, culture and history accessible in a fun and educational way and are an engaging way to get inspired and play while learning more about arts and culture.
It’s time to have some fun while immersing yourself in the history of the world’s culture and art! Whether you want to solve artistic jigsaw puzzles together with family and friends using PUZZLE PARTY, discover more art through unexpected pairings in VISUAL CROSSWORDS, compare cultural moments in time on WHAT CAME FIRST, color your way through the palettes of famous paintings in the ART COLORING BOOK, or get cultured playing CULTURAL CROSSWORDS now you can all from the comfort of your couch.
Google Arts & Culture puts the treasures, stories and knowledge of over 2,000 cultural institutions from 80 countries at your fingertips. It’s an immersive way to explore art, history, wonders of the world and stories about cultural heritage from Van Gogh’s bedroom paintings, Mandela’s prison cell to Ancient Temples, Dinosaurs, Indian Railways or Food in Japan. Google has been an innovation partner for cultural institutions since 2011 working together on developing and applying technologies that help to preserve and share culture in new ways.
The Google Arts & Culture app is free and available on the web, on iOS and Android.
There is a wide variety of phone accessories available today and choice which is important for consumers and some can be expensive whilst others not but combining a good stand and case built in one is a hard find that will last, CLCKR is a company that offers both be it the stand on its own or both the case and stand as one unit and these are a must have accessory for your smartphone for two reasons, One being protection and Two the ability to consume media uninterupted and without the need to remove your case.
CLCKR has a range of products to address this. Recently we checked out the phone stand and grip case which is your typical phone case but with the stand built in too and has been solid so far for me and has not had any signs of wear and tear so it is a durable product..
This case we have today is carbon fibre and looks really well and not only that very light,robust and ads virtually no bulk to you iPhone. There is a small lip around the front so the device can be placed face down as well as rear down, the keys work a treat and no issues there and again this case is ideal for consuming media in portrait or landscape mode. All cutouts are present so no issues with cables or speaker port being blocked and overall it is a worthy investment for your phone.. Check out the video below for more.
Options.
The brand-new range includes phone cases with an in-built CLCKR stand and grip are available for iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro Max and iPhone 11 Pro, as well as a universal CLCKR stand and grip that fixes directly to the device. All the cases are drop tested up to 2.2m and are compatible with QI certified wireless chargers.
Protect Your Phone in Style – Available in two colours, Black and Navy Blue, the phone cases or universal stands are available in a choice of four materials:
Carbon Fibre – A stylish and modern effect which also gives extra grip and protection for your device. Priced at £34.99
Saffiano – Made using a PU Saffiano material, the crosshatch effect gives this case a sleek, smart and classy feel. Priced at £29.99
Perforated – Boastingcircular perforations give the perfect mix of edgy and sporty and is ideal for everyday use. Priced at £34.99
Studio – The clear design of the case allows you to show off the colour of your device whilst the CLCKR is made from a soft PU material for comfort when using. Priced at £24.99
The Amazon echo is another addition to the Echo family ( 3rd generation ), which were released in 2014 and grown in models offerings. On a basic level, the Alexa is voice-controlled assistant that allows you to talk to the Alexa assistant for general queries from the time, weather, set timers alternative it could be classed as a glorified speaker. Whether voice assistance / a hands-free speaker this comes out on its own when used to control a smart home. It performs useful tasks such as setting alarms, finding out the weather, and controlling smart devices etc.
On a basic level other than the physical size of the Echo, compared to the Dot or Echo flex is the audio quality with the Amazon echo using Dolby sound which is not available on the lower models, The Amazon Echo is almost identical to the second-gen Echo Plus which was reviewed at TechBuzz inhttps://techbuzzireland.com/2019/01/16/review-amazon-echo-plus-2nd-gen-amazon-iot-tech-alexa/. The Echo 3rd generation is physically larger than then echo dot / Amazon Echo Flex which increased its price but has a larger speaker which is noticeable in a large room.
Contents:
Echo (3rd generation),
Power adaptor (30.0W)
Quick Start Guide.
Amazon Echo (3rd-gen): Specs
148 x 99mm
3in subwoofer & 0.8in tweeter
3.5mm audio input
Bluetooth
Far-field beamforming microphones
Available in four colours
Warranty: 1 year, which is on all the range which is a disappointment.
Amazon echo flex :
The Amazon echo flex has similar features as the Echo (3rd generation), but can be plugged directly into a plug socket with a built-in USB-A port, to charge your phone. The echo flex is marketed towards been used in another room allowing access to you information, weather, traffic, control your smart home: turn on lights, adjust thermostats, lock doors and more, with compatible connected devices. This has audio output but not designed to listen to music, As with the Echo, this is designed privacy: built with multiple layers of privacy protection and control, including a Microphone Off button that electronically disconnects the microphones. ( If the Echo range was 100% secure, this feature should not be required ) The Amazon echo flex has the advantage of no trailing power wire or needs for an adapter. The two Fairfield mics can pick up your voice even when there’s noise, and the speaker is loud enough to hear Alexa most of the time.
Setup: (this is the same for the range of the Amazon Echo)
The setup was standard, plug in the Echo device wait for the blue ring which covers the top of the cylinder around 45 seconds. Then the unit is paired with the wifi/smartphone easily and quickly.
Amazon Alexa app:
The Amazon Alexa App is setup using your Amazon account, (similar to Google Gmail account for Android) The allows personalized feature, including stop-start a resume from previous actions. the app allows control of Alexa-enabled devices, eg smart lights, locks and thermostats at home. The app connected allowed to connect to music services Amazon Music, Pandora, Spotify, TuneIn, and iHeartRadio. As linked into your amazon account, ‘if you order a parcel from Amazon Alexa knows the status of your parcel and can advise via green light, e.g. you parcel is out for delivery today, you can even ask what’s in the parcel. ( This may be a worry if ordering a present for a family member to keep as a surprise )
Music can be transferred directly via Bluetooth to the Amazon Echo using a subscription service e.g. Amazon Prime membership which has access to about 2 million songs, Spotify free version does not work while the paid version does connect direct
Smart home:
The key benefits of the smart speaker are the connection to a range of smart devices from a range of providers that support to Alexa. At TechBuzz we have connected these to a variety of compatible products to include, Tapo Mini, Tile Sticker and Robus via the skills section in the Amazon app. The range of Manufacturers that can connect to Alexa’s skills is growing and includes to name a few include Nest, Philips Hue, Logitech, Ecobee, Belkin, TP-Link, and Samsung SmartThings families of products.
TechBuzz Ireland has reviewed numerous Amazon models over the last few years and the demo model returned, we can’t give a live demo in the comparison of the older models of the Alexa, This model looks very similar to the second-gen Echo Plus in terms of size and output.
Privacy Features
The Echo has privacy features which has wake word technology, streaming indicators, microphone off button, the ability to view and delete your voice recordings. These are concerns raised by many that use this technology. This concern has been raised by The Revenue Commissioners which have issued guidance to its own staff working remotely warning them about having a smart speaker nearby. The potential of cybercriminals accessing your data is always a possibility but on the odds of this occurring at present is minimal having a firewall, antivirus etc helps to decrease the possibility.
Compare:
Conclusion:
The Amazon Echo 3rd generation is an ideal premium speaker when connected to a paid subscription, allowing all the features of voice commands to provide 360 spherical sounds in the vocal, chorus, piano, guitar, and great bass. The Amazon echo flex does not have the audio experience but has the same features to use your voice control in the smart home: turn on lights, adjust thermostats, with compatible connected devices. The smart home option is the future without having to hardwire cables through a property, the cost of compatible devices has reduced and the number of products has increased in choice and features.
Amazon Echo 3rd generation would be the first choice of model with the echo flex used in a smaller room or bedroom. The echo flex provides value for money and no trailing cables, contains the fairfield mics to control your smart home but not recommended to listen to the radio station or music playlist. Both the Amazon Echo 3rd generation & Amazon echo flex are the future. The decision is not to get an Amazon Echo, it’s what’s the budget would allow and your preference in terms of music requirement. Great features and affordable when used as part of a smart home, Highly recommended,
UPS, a global leader in logistics, global packaging experts Sealed Air (SEE), Smurfit Kappa and top UK distributor Macfarlane Packaging are today launching a new range of packaging specially designed for shipping individual bottles of spirits and wine, to help producers in the UK and Ireland expand their markets and reach new customers.
“Ecommerce presents a huge opportunity for drinks producers wanting to grow their businesses, as a fifth of alcohol consumers in key export markets are already purchasing their favourite brands online,” said Mark Vale, President, UPS UK & Ireland. “We designed this new packaging to simplify the process and bring peace of mind that these fragile products will arrive safely at their destination. By combining this specialised packaging with UPS’s smart global logistics network, brokerage expertise and service coverage, distillers can focus on their passion and sharing their savoir-faire with the world.”
With alcohol e-sales in the UK and Ireland experiencing double digit growth this packaging addresses the challenge of how to safely pack and ship individual bottles that come in a range of shapes and sizes. It has been developed and tested by UPS, in partnership with leading packaging companies Smurfit Kappa and Sealed Air, and is distributed by Macfarlane Packaging. Alcohol producers shipping with UPS benefit from damage cover when they use this UPS Approved packaging.
“At the moment, people are ordering more goods from online retailers so that they can stay at home,” said Laurel Granville, Marketing Director, Macfarlane Packaging. “There is a growing demand for bottle packs as there is a need to effectively pack and distribute these products without damage. At Macfarlane, we offer our clients the most innovative and environmentally friendly protective packaging options for their businesses and we are proud to work with UPS to offer this pack to ecommerce customers.”
There are four customisable versions of the new one-bottle packs that can accommodate most of the wine and spirits bottles on the market. The packaging is also fully recyclable. It features the Korrvu®Retention technology by Sealed Air that allows the bottle to be suspended in transparent film, the pack can be used for display in a shop or bar, or sent to family or friends as a gift.
UPS also provides a direct-to-consumer wine shipping export service from selected countries in Europe to destinations in 60 countries across North America, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Africa, in addition to its global business-to-business alcohol shipping services.
For more information on the new packaging, visit ups.com/spiritspack. To download UPS’s full guide to shipping alcohol, visit the UPS website.
Creative Technology today announced the launch of the Creative SXFI TRIO, triple-driver USB-C in-ear headphones, designed to deliver high-quality holographic audio with all-day comfort on Android phones, PCs and laptops.
Implemented with the latest Super X-Fi Gen2 technology, users can expect greater accuracy in personalisation and a better all-round audio experience. Powered by the same triple-driver system as the well-received Aurvana Trio and fitted with a custom-designed Kevlar USB-C cable, SXFI TRIO sets to exceed expectations with balanced, accurate, and natural-sounding digital audio for users on the go.
Wired for Pristine Digital Audio
SXFI TRIO delivers pristine digital audio and great performance powered by an in-house tuned, hybrid triple-driver system. Each of the three drivers (two precision balanced armature drivers for detailed mids and highs, and a bio-cellulose driver for powerful yet clean bass) plays an important part to achieve maximum audio fidelity. Yielding up to 100 dB SNR and 0.008% IMD, SXFI TRIO offers users exceptional audio clarity with balanced and accurate audio that is natural sounding.
Intricately designed and engineered, SXFI TRIO is also fitted with a custom-designed, Kevlar-reinforced cable for exceptional tensile strength, and wrapped in an aluminium and copper shield for higher durability. Its all-round superior quality makes it perfect for use on mobile devices while on the go.
The cream of the features crop is the critically-acclaimed Super X-Fi technology, which is incorporated through an attached in-line SXFI WIRE, which is a 40% smaller version of the already finger-sized SXFI AMP, the first-ever Super X-Fi product and an icon in its own right. Users can enjoy holographic audio which is personalized for an all-natural surround audio experience, that can rival a high-end 7.1 surround sound system.
Work-Learn-Play from Home All Day
SXFI TRIO truly sets itself apart with a new level of audio realism for calls, and makes video calls with family and friends more intimate. It’s also excellent for long calls, where the spatialisation of Super X-Fi eliminates the fatigue associated with conventional headphones.
As such, SXFI TRIO is the perfect companion to Work-Learn-Play from home with, instead of bulky headphones.
SXFI TRIO’s angled earbuds are intricately designed and fine-tuned for long-lasting comfort, and it comes with 6 pairs of different silicone ear tip sizes, so it will be a breeze to find the perfect fit.
Creative’s CEO Sim Wong Hoo said, “The SXFI TRIO is an all-rounder, ideal for all day in all places. It’s a miniaturised wonder. The triple-driver performance can rival high-end, bulky headphones; with Super X-Fi integrated, I believe it will be very hard to match. Moreover, you are getting two products for the price of one, because it basically integrates the SXFI AMP and the Aurvana Trio into one – their combined price is twice that of SXFI TRIO.”
Pricing and Availability
SXFI TRIO is priced at £124.99 and is available at Creative.com.
