XPLORA announces #XPLORAGO #Kids #Tech #Elderly #Pets #Cycling

XPLORA (www.myxplora.com), the Norwegian company known for its range of best-selling smartwatches for children, is today announcing its newest product the XPLORA GO ahead of Mobile World Congress in Barcelona next week. The XPLORA GO is a single device that can be relied upon by people of all ages, with five different everyday use cases: children, elderly, pets, bikes and assets (such as suitcases, bags, laptops etc.).

The device will be available to purchase from April 2019 at www.myxplora.com, Amazon, and selected retailers from £69.99 and emulates a typical XPLORA smartwatch face, with additional accessories/covers available to purchase in different bundles starting at £17.99. Connected to the new XPLORA mobile app, the XPLORA GO comes preloaded with different interfaces for each function, which can be accessed and selected with a simple swipe on the screen. Each XPLORA GO comes with core standard features, including GPS and location tracking, geofenceable areas, an SOS button, WiFi connectivity and mobile connectivity.

XPLORA Founder and Chief Brand Officer Sten Kirkbak, and CEO Jesus Llamazares, will be at Mobile World Congress if you had plans to attend. They would love to meet for a quick chat at Hall 8.0, Stand H37. You will also be able to try out the XPLORA products on the stand including its range of smartwatches for children and adults, as well as its accessories such as hover shoes, speakers, cameras and chargers. Watch out for our review soon here on techbuzzireland.com

Earlier this month, XPLORA announced a first-of-its-kind collaboration with Sony Interactive Entertainment Spain to develop the very first video game that syncs with a smartwatch and enables children to turn physical activity into in-game perks such as level-ups, new powers, and new characters that are redeemable in the upcoming PlayStation®4 title ‘Aces of the Multiverse’.

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

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

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

Nutanix .NEXT On Tour Dublin

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Review – The Nokia 7.1. For the money you cant really complain. #Nokia7 @sarvikas @nokiamobile

We are now into 2019 and Nokia now have quite a slew of devices on the market with an odd naming structure that in some cases overlap even with the timely gap between predecessors I have seen some instances in store with two devices from the same series and then you have plus models on top of that.. In short they need to deal with this. The 7.1 also falls into that and is the upgrade to the 7 plus.. BUT IS IT??

The 7.1 looks great from any angle with the chamfered edges and rounded corners and glass front and rear it feels good to hold in the hand, A little on the small size for my taste but I got to like it quickly though I think the 7 plus was a better sized device but the 7.1 looks better as a whole but that is my personal view

With cost to performance ratio coming down in price now on smartphones Nokia and HMD are well placed here but again its a saturated market and competition is tough but design is one factor to step back and look at and this is nice in this case but just dont keep repeating it like Samsung and others have over the years and from an aesthetics point of view it is not good to have a portfolio of devices all looking the same.

Main features below. I wont bore you with specs..

Out of the box the 7.1 will meet most peoples needs but for a power users like me the battery let me down, Remember I am a power user there is a difference between that and your average user this is big when it comes to comes to battery drain and I have alot going on on my phones which is annoying sometimes. I would not get a full day on one charger but we have USB-C and fast charging,which is great but no wireless charging which is not so great despite the glass back on this phone…

The camera is what everyone talks about on Nokia phones and with ZEISS optics and an array of settings to play with you are covered overall even low light is not too shabby compared to others in this price range but overall you can in short point and shoot and get results which is what people want without the need to be messing about with settings even though there is many here to try out do most people actually use them?? If you do they are there and they can improve your photography game if that is your thing. See samples below of all options…

When it comes to multitasking I was happy with how it handled things with multiple pages open and switching between apps all was fine and smooth, Web browsing, social and emails all a breeze but I did see some freezing particularly on Twitter however this is common on several phones including the 7 plus and 8. Screen freeze was present on a few occasions but a quick lock/unlock addressed this. Gaming was fine I am not a massive gamer but for the heavier games I did notice some lag here and there but for your average game you will be fine.

I loaded up my SD card which is full of photos,videos and games and music and I did notice a small slowdown in performance. I am an old school person who has a few sd cards copied and full of stuff I like to use and look back on and never have much need for them these days but there is quite an amount of material on these and it did hamper performance slightly.Like I say I am a power user and have more than your average needs than the typical user would have.

NEED A CASE FOR YOUR NOKIA 7.1 CHECK OUT OUR MOZO CASE REVIEWS

With specs on board here at the pricepoint you cant complain really for what you get, The screen is great for media consumption,the speaker is decent and for the most the battery will last and it fits that sweet point in general. For point and shoot folk you are on a winner and photos are great with the right conditions and no over saturated or grainy images. I think the 7 plus was perhaps better overall but this comes in cheaper than last years but lets see how it gets on after a longer period of use and lets hope that we have not a repeat situation like the Nokia 7 plus we had last year and seems to be an issue. Also I have noticed issues with bluetooth connectivity with my car that is keeps disconnecting and having to pair it back up and the same on some headphones or earphones.The support forum lacks help which i have tried to address and is something that needs to change and for me it is a gripe I personally have that needs to change compared to the former NSD forum. There’s a certain level of ignorance which needs addressing when it comes to support and more and I’m not the only one to point this out.

Would I recommend this phone?? Yes if you are on a budget this is an easy recommendation for the price and what you get for your hard earned cash you get value for money. With the likes of Xiaomi around and other players in the market there is marginally better but the issue at hand for them is availability in stores here and support and you are left to do your business online and returns are a problem and time consuming. The 7.1 is priced well against its competition here in Ireland giving you a well built phone and specs though.

Argos now sell cases for Nokia Devices

The 7.1 is now widely available in Ireland but your best deal is through your operator starting at €269, Argos at €229 sim free and most likely that price will drop soon enough with more new handsets coming at MWC 2019.

Review – The HyperX Pulsefire Core (RGB Gaming Mouse) #Gaming #HyperX #RGB

The HyperX Pulsefire Core delivers the essentials for gamers looking for a solid, comfortable, wired RGB gaming mouse. The Pixart 3327 optical sensor gives players precise, smooth tracking with no hardware acceleration, and has native DPI settings of up to 6200 DPI. The Pulsefire Core mouse has textured side grips for a comfortable, non-slip grip and its symmetrical shape is suitable for both palm and claw grips. Customise lighting, DPI settings and macros for 7 programmable buttons with HyperX NGenuity software and set your mouse up just the way you want it. The large skates on Pulsefire Core help deliver accurate aiming by giving you a smooth, controlled glide as you move the mouse around your mat.

 

Features

  • Pixart 3327 optical sensor with native DPI of up to 6,200
  • Comfortable symmetric design
  • Seven programmable buttons
  • Easy customisation with HyperX NGenuity software
  • Large mouse skates for smooth, controlled gliding

 

Specifications

Mouse

Ergonomics:                            Symmetrical

Sensor:                                    Pixart PAW3327

Resolution:                              Up to 6,200 DPI

DPI presets:                             800 / 1600 / 2400 / 3200 DPI

Speed:                                     220 IPS

Acceleration:                           30G

Buttons:                                   7

Left/right buttons durability:  20 million clicks

Backlight:                                RGB (16,777,216 colours)

Light effects:                           1 lighting zone and 4 brightness levels1

On-board memory:                 1 profile

Connection type:                     USB 2.0

Polling rate:                             1000Hz

USB data format:                    16 bits/axis

Cable type:                              Braided

Weight (without cable):          87g

Weight (with cable):               123g

Dimensions    

Length:                                    119.30mm

Height :                                   41.30mm

Width:                                     63.90mm

Cable length:                           1.8m

 

Key Features

  • Pixart 3327 optical sensor                                                                                         

The solid Pixart 3327 sensor provides precise tracking without hardware acceleration and supports native DPI settings of up to 6200.

  • Seven programmable buttons Pulsefire Core features seven programmable buttons with switches that provide crisp tactile feedback and are rated for 20 million clicks.
  • Easy customisation with HyperX NGenuity software                                                         

Create macros, customise RGB lighting and DPI and save it to the Pulsefire onboard memory

  • Customisable RGB lighting                                                                                                    

Add a personalised touch of RGB style to your setup.

Overall view

The HyperX Pulsefire Core  RGB Gaming Mouse is a precise smooth moving and comfortable mouse. This mouse is a fast mouse with allot of advanced features.  This can be used in an office as the lights are not that distracting with the option of selected any colour using the software. The 7 controllable buttons is ideal for any type of gamer and even better for streamers and professional gamers as the mouse does have a bit of flash to catch their audiences eye as they play and stream. The 2 year warranty and the technical support is also a plus.  This mouse would be better for higher up gamers as it is still a bit pricey for a mouse at €49.99.

BUY 

 

Review – HyperX Alloy Core RGB keyboard. #HyperX #Keyboard #Tech #RGB #Gaming

The keyboard is crafted with a durable, reinforced plastic frame; the Alloy Core RGB was constructed for stability and reliability for gamers who want a keyboard that will last and not move in the process of gaming. The soft-touch keys have a tactile feel, yet keys are tuned to be quiet. The keyboard is spill resistant, tested to withstand 120ml of liquid, so beverage accidents while gaming are not a worry to gamers and gaming anymore.

Featuring HyperX’s signature radiant light bar and smooth, dynamic RGB lighting effects, the HyperX Alloy Core RGB is ideal for gamers looking to enhance their keyboard’s style and performance. The keyboard has six different lighting effects and three brightness levels. This allows a high attention viewing with a keyboard that can balance both brilliance and budget.

 

Negatives

  • Must download software before able to work on pc/Laptop
  • If typing normal E.g. (Word or excel) the lights on can be very distracting if the flashing element is on.
  • Not suitable for an office as the lights would distract other workers and possibly the worker himself/herself.
  • Not suitable for people with dyslexia/learning difficulties as 3 out of the 6 functions have red in them, this makes it difficult for people with the disability to read and see.
  • Not wireless.

 Positives

  • Smooth and reliable keyboard
  • Very cool and flashy
  • Very easy to use once the software is installed
  • Very good for gaming purposes with an easy layout which can be edited.
  • Locking the keyboard without having to lock your whole system.
  • Very resistant to wear and tear as the keyboard letters and numbers are lights so it is more difficult for them to rub off like standard keyboards would.
  • Spill resistant which is a big thing among games both pro and armature
  • 2 year warranty

 

 

Overall view

This keyboard is comfortable to use on the wrist and smooth to type on. The keyboard is sturdy and will not move when typing or gaming due to weight and grip.  This would not break easily with the reinforced plastic as some gamers have a high tempo use. The HyperX Alloy Core RGB keyboard is visually appealing and eye catching which is great for gamers who like to stream online and show off their devices and Pcs and how good they look. The one button press to change the colours makes the keyboard versatile in its use allowing an easy visual variety. The keyboard would be perfect for a new pro gamer who does not want to break the bank.  The braided cable looks and felt strong while catching viewers’ attention. The five zones colours would suit many gamers with a PC, the spill proof is a bonus ensuring long lasting gaming from a solid multimedia keyboard.

Price:     £49.99  –BUY HERE

HyperX Announces Official Sponsorship of ESL Katowice Royale – Featuring Fortnite #HyperX #Gaming

 HyperX, the gaming division of Kingston Technology Company, Inc., and brand leader in gaming and esports, today announced it is the official peripheral, memory and SSD partner of the inaugural ESL Katowice Royale – Featuring Fortnite. All tournament PCs and PlayStation®4 gaming stations will be equipped with HyperX peripherals, including gaming headsets, keyboards, mice, mousepads, memory, and SSDs. The HyperX esports Truck will also be onsite in Katowice, Poland, entertaining fans on the mobile esports stage for the first time in the history of the global circuit.

“We have a longstanding relationship with HyperX and are thrilled that they are partnering with us for ESL’s first international Fortnite competition,” said Paul Brewer, SVP of Brand Partnerships, ESL North America. “As the official peripheral and memory partner, HyperX will be able to showcase their world-class gaming experiences for players and fans alike.”

The first-ever ESL Katowice Royale – Featuring Fortnite, taking place at the IEM Katowice Expo 2019 across two weekends, will showcase 200 of the world’s best Fortnite players and influencers. Players will battle it out for the lion’s share of a $100,000 USD prize pool at the Polish Edition on February 23-24 and a $500,000 USD prize pool at the International Edition, taking place on March 1-3. HyperX sponsored team Navi will be one of the teams competing.

While fans will have the opportunity to spectate the competition, they will also be able to try their Fortnite skills through integrated competitions in the free-to-play area. Systems will be equipped with HyperX peripherals, including gaming headsets, keyboards, mice and mousepads. ESL Katowice Royale – Featuring Fortnite will offer every participant of the free-to-play area the chance to win material prizes worth more than $50,000 USD.

“HyperX values its relationship with ESL, and we are excited to be part of history by sponsoring the company’s first Fortnite integration at the IEM Expo this year,” said Paul Leaman, vice president, HyperX EMEA. “By providing our peripheral products onsite, we hope to emphasize the benefit of using top-of-the-line equipment to enhance gaming.”

Additionally, HyperX will exhibit products within the IEM Expo, the leading esports-centric tradeshow, located adjacent to the Spodek Arena. For a chance to try out the newest HyperX peripherals and experience the award-winning HyperX Cloud headsets, fans can stop by the HyperX booth.

The HyperX esports truck, an 18-wheeler truck that converts into a full-size five on five player mobile gaming stage, will be onsite hosting gaming competitions, giveaways, listening stations showcasing HyperX’s latest products, Polish influencers, Cosplay competitions, and more.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Panasonic announces the new LUMIX FZ1000 II #Panasonic #LUMIX #Photography

The brand new FZ1000 II is a camera for every occasion. Boasting a large 1-inch sensor and a 16x optical LEICA certified zoom lens, it is the perfect bridge camera for photo enthusiasts. Taking high-quality photographs in a wide range of different conditions is easy with advanced specifications designed to help you get the best shot. When speed is of the essence, the FZ1000 II has you covered, while 4K Photo and Video give you added flexibility. Use either the free-angle rear screen, or the high-resolution Live View Finder (LVF) to compose your shots.

Key Features

The FZ1000 II is equipped with all the best specifications you need to help you get your shot.

At the heart of the camera is a large 1-inch 20.1-megapixel High Sensitivity CMOS sensor, which boasts a high signal to noise ratio – in other words, it’s the ideal choice for capturing clear images, even in low light conditions. The 16x optical LEICA zoom lens gives you a 35mm camera equivalent of 25-400mm, making it perfect for everything from scenic photography to distant subjects. The newly added Zoom Compose Assist assures, that you do not lose your subject when it suddenly leaves the frame. An aperture range of f/2.8-4.0 is available for creating beautifully blurred backgrounds, while a new minimum aperture of f/11 is useful for highly detailed landscape shots. Additional specifications include the following:

  • 5-axis Hybrid O.I.S.+ (Optical Image Stabilizer) to compensate for handshake to achieve blur-free images at every focal length.
  • Photo Styles for creative , including the newly added L.Monochrome D mode for enhanced monochrome images.
  • Bluetooth Low Energy (4.2) and Wi-Fi connectivity (IEEE802.11b/g/n) for instant sharing via Panasonic Image App.
  • Long-Life Battery with AC- or USB Power Charging on the Go.

Capture every moment with LUMIX FZ1000 II

  • Fast operation and Light Speed autofocus
  • High-speed burst shooting
  • 4K Photo and video to capture the fastest movements.

To complement the high sensitivity sensor, the FZ1000 II has been equipped with a quick start-up time and an ultrafast autofocus of approximately 0.09 seconds. A burst rate of 12fps (AFS), plus a high-speed (electronic) shutter sporting 1/16000 seconds round off this package.

LUMIX’s famous 4K Photo capabilities help you get the shot in difficult situations. Fleeting moments can be captured at a stunning 30 frames per second, giving you the option to choose the best frame later. A newly added Auto Marking feature helps you to find the right shot quickly and easily.

Other exciting 4K Photo functions include Post Focus, Focus Stacking and the ability to combine multiple images for a fun “stromotion” effect.

Video enthusiasts can record stunningly smooth, high-resolution QFHD in 3840×2160 pixel resolution at 30/25/24p.

Perfect design

The ergonomics of the FZ1000 II have been designed to make it a comfortable shooting experience. A high-speed and high-precision 0.39-inch OLED Live View Finder has a 2,360k-dot resolution and 0.74x magnification. The eyepoint of 20mm allows for high visibility – even for photographers wearing glasses. Meanwhile, the 3.0-inch, 1,250k-dot free-angle rear monitor includes touch-control and can rotate 180 degrees to the side and 270 degrees up and down for shooting from every conceivable angle. Intuitive controls, including a front/rear dual dial system and a total of 13 function buttons puts everything you need at your fingertips.

The Panasonic LUMIX FZ1000 II has a recommended retail price of £769.99 (UK) / €849.99 (Ireland) and will be available from the end of March 2019.

For more information visit www.panasonic.co.uk.