First look at the Urbanista Chicago Sport wireless headphones #headphones #urbanistalife

Today we checkout a new pair of headphones from Urbanista. We have checked out all their headphones to date and they are impressive and well priced to boot. Their range also comes in an array of colours to pick from which are in some cases unique. Check out the unboxing below and as always if you have any questions feel free to ask..

Chicago is the latest addition to its wireless sports earphone range. A collaboration of refined sound and elegant lightweight design, the Chicago is the athlete’s perfect sidekick with 7 hours battery life and phenomenal audio. Equipped with two types of unique GoFit buds that offer increased sound isolation or more environmental awareness.

BUY HERE

Review – My thoughts on the Nokia 8110 4G, We all need to take a break. #Nokia #8110

The Nokia 8110 is another nostalgic device HMD and Nokia gave us some months back but many people do simply not get the gist of such a device. It is not a smartphone as such but gives us some access to the web and it might get WhatsApp soon.

I have seen reviews with people saying it does not have Instagram of all things and other features you find in a smartphone which we are all custom to today. GET OVER IT people it is not designed or intended to be a fully fledged smartphone.

This device like the NOKIA 3310 from last year is aimed to keep things simple and help you tone down on social media and more it has become a real problem now with people having their heads buried in their phone on the bus,train or walking down the road but that’s fine.. Go into a coffee shop or restaurant where people once did to talk to each other and what do you see?? Yes the same fucking thing that’s become a huge problem.

It’s not all that bad though. The 8110 has a camera it has internet connectivity and it has TWITTER and other internet features on it yet the typing is a problem at first but you will quickly rememeber how it was in the NOKIA 3310 days

The 8110 does offer quite a bit when it comes to basic needs and still is a useable phone other than calls and sms but I like how getting things are slow compared to modern phones and its good to keep us away from the typical smartphones we have today which are fast great for multitasking.

 

 

The design is great keeping it to its original device dubbed the matrix phone back in 1996 but smaller more compact but with a bigger low res screen. The build is tough and should take a few knocks if you have not hopped it off a wall already being one of the snowflakes not understanding the purpose of the phone.

There is only one button on the 8110 which is enough and this powers it on the rest is hidden under the slider portion which gives us a nice flat keyboard with a dpad control panel that works very easily.

 

 

So what does it have.. You can make calls, text, there is a game store albeit limited for now,there is a camera,snake, YouTube, Assistant, A music player, Browser,email, Clock, Video player, Google, Maps,Calender, Note,Calculator , Recorder, FM Radio, Unit converter and wait for it “TWITTER” which is on the app store social page.

Another handy feature of the 8110 is it has a Wi-Fi hotspot so if you are stuck for a signal being a 4G device you can connect to this for an internet connection.

The main thing here is how you will need to revert back to the old texting format to get things done which in fairness is not that hard and you will fly along but the difference here is it is much slower than we are now custom to and the same applies to loading times which is faster than I was expecting but that’s how it is and for me it a good deterrent keeps me off the phone more than on it given I spend much of my working day on a phone constantly and a laptop.

I spoke to TRT WORLD about the Nokia 8110 during the year see that clip – HERE 

The screen is too small but thats not the point the camera is not mind-blowing but again not the point of this device but they are there to tide you over and get the job done, You can take videos and pictures and look at a screen and look on the web but it’s not the same experience you would get from a standard phone which is great.

I can understand to a point though with some criticism of the 8110 like why bother at all putting these features on it. However to pick some items NOT on the phone comparing to what is on it is simply nothing more than a baby that dropped their soother out of the pram because it did not have X and Y and has A and B. You do not understand the market this is aimed at and need to re-evaluate yourself.

 

For me the 8110 is a new lease of life like the 3110.. I can have calls and text at any time and should I need some more its there if I need it. I use my main smartphone during the day because I need it and to swap over to the 8110 I am free of constant notifications and the urge to pick it up and go looking for things,the phone just sits on the table or couch and I wait for it to get a call or text rather than me posting things on social and checking notifications from all my social accounts.

The battery is also great I only have to charge it once a while with my current usage and perhaps that will change as I am now trying to keep a phone out of my hand more than before and I can check my messages etc once a day and get back to having a life other than having me head stuck in a small screen.. The Nokia 8110 might be seen as a nostalgic tug on the heartstrings by some like the 3310 was but its a nice form factor and has plenty to keep you going without the fuss and its easy to use and will keep you from social and perhaps talk to your family,friends and collauges face to face for a change.

The Nokia 8110 4G is available nationwide and we will have updates on any new news on the device. In short its a great phone with enough to keep you going and keep you with your head up rather than buried in your phones screen and perhaps you might just talk to someone face to face for a while because currently things have gone to far and we no longer communicate face to face… Take a break people…

New Irish app aims revive the postcard #Postaselfie #Apps #Selfie

The mobile phone has become so powerful today it has replaced many things over the years and it is having an effect now on laptops and camera sales which are in decline some time and there is no sign of this slowing down as the mobile phone will continue to eat away at things we currently use today. You can look at that as being a bad thing and a good thing..

An effort to revive the old printed image format is also a thing today with Polaroid and FUJIFILM for examples with cameras on sale today but they have been re-designed for the digital age today and offer users to print off images but there is a cost behind it. When was the last time you sent a disposable camera or SD card into a shop to be processed and when did you last send a postcard though?

OK we can transfer our images to a laptop and that’s all grand and dandy or we can continue to post them on social media including your latest meal which being honest has got too annoying these days and everyone knows everything about everyone which I get but really we need to give it a rest and put the god dam phone away some more.

This new app is here for a similar reason and that is to revive the postcard.. When did you last send one?? I for one can’t remember and I bet a good deal of you don’t either.. Fear not though you can use your smartphone for this app not only to send images to family and friends but you can send a postcard too guys.. Aint that great!!! There is people out there that might still do and for the older folks that have no interest in powerful smartphones they love to recieve the humble postcard. Now is your chance to change things.

How does it work..

Post A Selfie couldn’t be easier to use. Simply take your photo or choose a photo from your library. Edit mode allows you to perfect your shot. Crop, customise or add a personalised message. Once you are happy, simply add the recipients address and send! The history tab keeps track of past postcards you have sent and you can even keep a record of your favorite shots.

OK so there is a cost but look at the brighter side..You dont have to go to a store to find a card, You dont have to settle for the postcards on offer in the said store, You dont have to queue in the store to pay for it. Also the cost involved. This app alows you to use your own images so you can customise it all by yourself from your mobile phone with no hassle and all done there and then without having to go looking eslewhere.. You can use it anywhere in the world too..

We have 10 FREE POSTCARDS to give away right now on Android head to our Twitter page and retweet and reply with #postaselfie and winner picked next FRIDAY.

Check it out and download HERE

Bluesound Unveils Gen 2i: the Next Generation of Streaming, High-Res Wireless Audio.

Bluesound, the leader in wireless, high-res, multi-room music systems, announced Bluesound Generation 2i (Gen 2i), building on the success of the brand’s previous platform. Gen 2i continues to strengthen the Bluesound line with dual-band Wi-Fi 5, Apple AirPlay 2 support, upgraded Bluetooth codecs, improved amplification and acoustics, and more, while maintaining value for consumers with minimal changes to retail pricing.

Bluesound’s new models are: NODE 2i (US$499 / £499 MSRP), POWERNODE 2i (US$799 / £799), VAULT 2i (US$1199 / £1099), PULSE 2i (US$799 / £749), PULSE MINI 2i (US$499 / £499), PULSE FLEX 2i (US$299 / £299), and PULSE SOUNDBAR 2i (US$799 / £799 in Black, US$899 / £899 in White). There are no changes being made to the PULSE SUB. As before, all Gen 2i models will be offered in a choice of Black or White finishes. All models are available now, with the exception of the PULSE SOUNDBAR 2i, which will follow in November.

All Bluesound models feature BluOS™, an award-winning, music management system that connects, organizes, and controls your music. Choose music from your favorite streaming service or from a music library connected to your home network. Bluesound integrates all these sources and sends the music to every room in the home. Featuring a family of dedicated multi-room, wireless streaming digital music players, Bluesound delivers a compelling high-resolution wireless digital music system with an audiophile-grade feature set.

New features common to all Bluesound Gen 2i models are as follows:

Apple AirPlay 2 Support

All Bluesound Gen 2i models are designed to support AirPlay 2, which will be delivered to Gen 2i owners via an upcoming software update.  With AirPlay 2, Gen 2i owners can stream just about any sound from their iPhone, iPad, or Mac to their Bluesound system — all in sync. Customers can stream music, books, and podcasts from their favorite Apps, or watch videos on their Apple device while streaming the audio through to their Gen 2i Player – imagine watching Netflix or YouTube on an iPad while filling the room with premium sound from a Bluesound system.

AirPlay 2 also gives users more options for control, including using Siri voice assistance. Once you add your Gen 2i Player to the Apple Home App on your iPhone or iPad, Apple Music subscribers can use their iOS device or HomePod to say things like: “Hey Siri, play smooth jazz in the Living Room” or “Hey Siri, turn it up in the Kitchen.”

By grouping a Gen 2i Player with older Bluesound Players in the BluOS App, existing customers can add AirPlay 2 compatibility to their entire BluOS system.

AirPlay 2 will be available for Gen 2i Players in an upcoming software release.

TWO-WAY BLUETOOTH

Gen 2i contains Bluesound’s most advanced take on Bluetooth to date – two-way Bluetooth, featuring both Receive and Transmit functionality. Receive capability allows users to wirelessly stream from their device to a Bluesound Player just like they’re used to doing with Gen 2. The Transmit capability means the user can now use their Bluesound Gen 2i Player as a source, sending what they are listening to via Bluetooth to a pair of wireless headphones. One exception: Bluesound PULSE FLEX 2i only supports the Receive functionality via Bluetooth.

aptX HD BLUETOOTH 

While Bluesound has improved the Bluetooth connectivity in Gen 2i, engineers also made sure that audio quality improvements are part of the Gen 2i Bluetooth story. The advanced Qualcomm CSR8675 chip used in these new products also supports aptX HD Bluetooth wireless audio. aptX HD is an enhanced codec that supports 24-bit audio over Bluetooth and has been engineered to improve the signal-to-noise ratio, resulting in lower background noise. With the ability to support streams up to 24bit/48kHz, a customer streaming from an aptX HD compatible device to a Gen 2i Player is actually able to listen to better-than-CD quality, wirelessly. It all fits into the Bluesound story – modern wireless convenience without sacrificing quality. Note that the PULSE FLEX 2i only supports aptX Bluetooth.

DUAL-BAND WI-FI 

Bluesound has also upgraded the Wi-Fi chipset technology in its Bluesound Players to the latest and greatest Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) dual-band offering. Best-in-class products deserve best-in-class connection; with the new Wi-Fi chip onboard, Gen 2i owners can take advantage of the less noisy 5 GHz band if needed. This results in faster connection times and fewer interruptions from other network traffic.

PULSE FAMILY AMPLIFICATION

Who doesn’t like more power? All-new, custom-designed digital amplifiers in Bluesound’s  PULSE 2i and PULSE MINI 2i effectively double the available power used to drive these speakers. The difference is dramatic with improved bass response and more powerful sonic soundscapes as the new norm in Gen 2i.

New driver configurations in the PULSE 2i, PULSE MINI 2i, and PULSE FLEX 2i complement the upgraded amplification; the PULSE 2i and PULSE MINI 2i in particular now function as true stereo speakers.

Users also have better control over their audio settings with the PULSE 2i and PULSE MINI 2i. Popular DSP settings like Wide Mode, Late Night, and Dialog, much-loved and much-used in the Bluesound PULSE SOUNDBAR, are now available to these updated Gen 2i speakers.

The innovative mix of amp upgrades, driver re-configurations, and updated DSP settings breathes fresh life into the PULSE speaker lineup and reflects Bluesound’s commitment to creating the best wireless, multi-room home audio experience available.

The POWERNODE 2i now features two TOSLINK/3.5mm Optical and Analog inputs while the PULSE SOUNDBAR 2i now includes HDMI (ARC and eARC). These provide improved connectivity and flexibility.

“Ever since Bluesound’s exciting debut five years ago, we have listened to the marketplace and worked hard to make significant improvements throughout the line.” explained Matt Simmonds, Bluesound’s Product Manager. “Gen 2i represents another leap forward with major technological enhancements that make this generation of Bluesound products even more compelling. Best of all, Gen 2i is compatible with existing Bluesound systems.”

BluOS 3.0

All BluOS users, including Bluesound users, will receive a prompt to update their Players and their app on October 1, 2018. Updating to BluOS 3.0, all BluOS users will gain access to new music services like SOUNDMACHINE and Taihe Music Zone (China only) and an easier guided set-up process. As well, the release will include the plumbing for BluOS’s first voice integration, Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant, with the corresponding library of skills to launch soon.

BluOS 3.0 also contains specific support for Gen 2i features like two-way Bluetooth with aptX HD, and enhanced audio EQ settings including wide mode and deep bass. Software updates to support AirPlay 2 will come in a later release.

Key Features of Bluesound Gen 2i:

1. AirPlay 2 Support (coming soon via software update)
2. Two-Way Bluetooth
3. aptX HD Bluetooth
4. Dual Band Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
5. PULSE Family Amplification – more power and enhanced driver complement
6. Addition of HDMI ARC/eARC in the PULSE SOUNDBAR 2i

Further Information: 
Follow Bluesound on: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

The Nokia 8110 4G lands on Tesco Mobile. #Nokia #8110 #Ireland

The Nokia 8110 4G has just landed on Tesco Mobile for €79.99 The 8110 is the refreshed matrix phone if you will and has some features to keep you going but without the fuss of full access to social media and so on and it also has a smaller screen a camera just in case you happen to see something.

Key features

  • 2.4″ Display
  • 2MP Rear Camera
  • 4GB Internal Memory
  • Up to 32GB External Memory
  • 1500mAh Battery

Like the 3310 this device cuts out latest options available on smartphones today and will keep you off your phone and actually interact with people face to face.It does has a catchy look and with the possibility of whats app coming soon it might be just enough to replace your current handset and you can once again enjoy life without your head buried in a screen all day.

BUY HERE

 

Unboxing and first look – The August SWB200 smart health and fitness tracker. #health #tech #fitness

When it comes to fitness trackers there is an array of them out there but when it comes to features and price there is some limitations, Smartwatches can do all the things a fitness tracker can do but their inflated prices do them no justice and people are buying fitness trackers these days and today there is a new one on the market priced very well. Check out the unboxing below before we take it for a test run and if you have any questions in the meantime feel free to ask below or on all or social channels listed above and below.

 

August International, a UK based consumer electronics company with a vision to inspire smart innovation, today announced the launch of the SWB200 smart activity tracker. Packed full of features, this sleek, app-enabled wristband accurately tracks a user’s daily activity including steps, distance, heart rate, blood oxygen and calories burnt. It also monitors sleep, providing information on quality, duration as well as the stages of sleep, all for £54.95.  BUY HERE http://www.augustint.com/en/productmsg-292-326.html

Review – Groov-e DJ Style kids wireless headphones. #kids #headphones

When it comes to kids there is not much headphones on sale targeted just at kids, Mostly on offer is a generic set of earphones or headphones which is often bland. Groov-e however have created a pair for kids which is a great idea and not expensive either.

These are a simple design and built tough enough to last and have eye-catching colours with a silver trim on the outer side of the cup. The slider extensions are a simple execution to keep things simple as kids being kids anything more advanced would be an overkill here. The two toned Blue version we have has nice soft leather cups and don’t clamp onto your head making them comfortable for kids and long periods of use.

Build quality is robust and as I mentioned earlier its all kept simple with not having more expensive mechanisms in place here for movement on the cups and slider arrangement.  These are durable and also easy to maintain and a quick  wipe of a damp cloth will wipe away any marks they might pick up.

Sound is not bad considered their target and price-point. Given these are targeted at kids I did expect poor sound but was pleased to say it’s not bad at all and my child who is almost 10 reports the same and loves to wear these. From my own initial listening my ears are more trained to pick up the usual genres lows.mids and highs and they are OK but for kids they would not see a difference here although my daughter has a habit and privilege of trying out all my headphones she thinks they sound great and gives me the thumbs she knows the difference between woeful and good but looking at a bigger picture would all kids like them??

Well then yes most kids would not have access to as many as my child to be fair and kids will certainly enjoy them and will be pleased with overall feel,look and comfort and simplicity here.There is 3 buttons on one side which keeps things simple which is good and these buttons are raised making navigation easy.

The great thing built into these headphones are the option to share. We have an extra 3.5mm headphone port for another person to join in on what you are listening to which is really a good idea especially for kids who share the same interest in music and whatever the owner might be watching or tuned into on their tablet or phone.

BUY HERE

 

Review – The Groov-e Elite Wireless headphones with ANC. #Headphones #Tech

I have been reviewing Groov-e products some time now and they make really good products at affordable prices for all ages including kids which is a nice touch.  Today we will be checking out the Elite wireless with ANC (Active Noise Cancellation)

Out of the box alongside the presentation these looked and felt good in the hand with simple controls to use too and also a very good carry case which some manufacturers today still seem to leave out not matter what price-point they fall under.

Design and Build.

These are built rather well and as a whole very comfortable to wear too even for long periods. With solid joints these should last some time as these areas are typically weak areas depending on how they are executed in which in the Elites case is good.There is a nice leather band underneath the headband itself which gives you more comfort for long-term use, the sliding mechanisms on both sides are again robust and lock into place pretty well and will not shift as you move around. The leather cups are really comfortable too and isolate much of the noise without even having to use the ANC but of course the ANC is a must have feature these days and just tops it off by muting outside noise altogether.

Functions and controls.

All placed again on one side which is preferable which is the left with a big square button on the outer ear for ANC which you really can’t miss and I like this idea as having the ANC alongside other buttons which is a case we see quite often the idea of having it placed on the outside here is a better option and leaves all the other dedicated buttons to on their own and less fumbling about.

The Groov-e Elite Wireless Headphones with Active Noise Cancelling take your audio experience to another level. Featuring 40mm Neodymium drivers for premium sound, crystal-clear audio is supported by Active Noise Cancelling, which will block out external noise and give you an immersive experience. Even with brilliant sound and ANC, you don’t have to compromise on flexibility as these on-ear headphones also offer over 10 hours of wireless playback. Just connect to any Bluetooth-enabled device and go! The combination of high frequency drivers and acoustic engineering allow for crystal clear sound wherever you are.

The skip pause and play buttons all work well and are easy to navigate with tactile buttons raise high enough and after a few minutes use you will be fine navigating these blindly. The power key here is the centre key of the trio and you also get womans voice telling you of your status here which does not sound too robotic, The ANC button changes colour from Green to Blue or a mixture of both which looks cool. The MIC,USB and 3.5 MM headphone jack is also present on the same side and as I said it keeps everything simple.

Sound and call quality.

Sound here is actually again better than I would expect at this pricepoint its great, its loud clear and really good bass which they call “Super Bass” and it dleivers, All genres lows,mids and highs where good and again phone calls crisp and clearat both ends so I was well pleased in this department really impressed for its price point.

Overall I cant fault these headphones however the only thing with some headphones with long term use or excessive use which I fall under they will tend to sweat sometimes but again this is a factor that would surround you be it the temperature or your activity with these on but it was not as frequent as some headphones with leather pads would be, Other than that I can certainly recommened these without hesitation with what you get for the money.

BUY HERE 

 

 

 

Infographic. Happy Birthday Google. #Google #Infographic #GoogleIs20

Here’s a scan for the development privileged insights of one of the world’s most energizing youthful organizations — an organization from which each organization can learn.

Google’s story is a recognizable one: Two Stanford doctoral understudies, Sergey Brin and Larry Page, built up an arrangement of calculations that in 1998 started a good lord jump in Web-seek execution. Essentially, they transformed pursuit into a fame challenge. Notwithstanding checking an expression’s appearance on a Web page, as different motors did, it evaluated significance by tallying the number and significance of different pages that connected to that page.

Like its internet searcher, Google is an organization overbuilt to be more grounded than it must be. Its lavishness of ability permits it vital adaptability — the capacity to analyze, to attempt numerous things without a moment’s delay. “Adaptability is costly,” says Craig Silverstein, a 30-year-old specialist who dropped his quest for a Stanford PhD to wind up Google’s first worker. “In any case, we feel that adaptability gives you a superior item. Is it accurate to say that we are correct? I believe we’re correct. More imperative, that is the kind of organization I need to work for.”

What’s more, the kind of organization that each organization can gain from. What takes after, at that point, is our push to “google” Google: to look for the development insider facts of one of the world’s most energizing development organizations. Like the rationale of the internet searcher itself, our hunt was profound and vote based.

Therefore, here is an infographic presents by Fullestop where we can see all about GOOGLE and also wishes a very Happy Birthday to GOOGLE.