Review – STM Goods 13″ Chapter laptop brief bag. #tech #techbag #stmgoods

I have been using STM bags some two years now and still use them all today they offer many types of bag for all kinds of tech folk covering all aspects and needs for users, Today we will check out the smaller bag which us suitable for 13 inch laptops but having said that being on the small side they still offer much more and many compartments to suit most people’s needs,this bag for example would be for the light traveller or casual type or perhaps press events not requiring much endurance during the day which would mean you would carry much more than this can handle.

The 13 inch Chapter would perhaps get you through a heavy day with extra cables,headphones, portable charging bricks and more but its best to keep thing to a minimum for easy access,less hassle fumbling about looking for bits and holding just the right amount for your needs with such a bag.

Features

  • Protective suspended tech cell keeps your laptop away from impact zones
  • Zip pockets for cables, chargers, and more
  • Rear luggage pass-through strap
  • Padded double handle for comfortable hand carry
  • Adjustable, removable shoulder strap
  • Constructed of lightweight, water resistant fabric

This bag can be used over the shoulder or carried by hand with the two straps which are perfectly comforted with padding so either way it will not be a chore nor would it be too heavy once you keep things as suggested above its also very portable and will easily fit under seats in your car for example or if you are on a short flight to the UK for example it can be easily stowed away not taking up much space.

The bag is also durable and from using these bags still on an almost daily basis I can stand by my claim, With our rubbish weather they see more rain than sun and also they are easy to maintain with a wipe of cloth or you can machine wash, this would only apply to brighter colours though.

Another good feature on these bags are the zippers,these tend to bust over time but mine have not and they get some abuse and use and still as new and these reverse coil zippers are ideal as they keep dirt and water out so for those who are new to such the teeth are not visible this is how all bags should be..

One of the top features is suspended protection as all STM bags have and this is a feature you will one day thank if you drop you bag with an expensive piece of kit inside. With the extra padding and suspended corners these features are a must have which many traditional bags don’t include.

Check out the video below and if you have any questions feel free to ask below or on social media.

BUY HERE

Review – Sudio NIVÅ earphones. #sudiosweden #earbuds #earphones

Sudio have sent us their latest earphones to check out and like all their products these come well presented and offer great value for money with their build quality and to top it off sound quality at a good price with a premium look to them, The Sudio NIVÅ offer this too so lets check em out.

Unboxing the Sudio NIVÅ

Key specs 

  • Play time: 3.5h per charge
  • Portable case: Holds +4 charges
  • Earphones battery: 55mAh
  • Case battery: 500 mAh
  • Bluetooth version: 4.2
  • Range: 10 m
  • Driver: Dynamic
  • Siri function

These in-ear buds in the past where something I was not a huge fan of and prefered overheads but over the last two years I now like these kind of earbuds, For some though they still can’t adapt to them due to their ear shape or buds that come with it. The NIVA comes with three sets here which will find most people’s ears and the ones that came attached done it for me. Though this would vary per person and what they use them for.

 

In the box we get the usual suspects but the stand out part aside the buds themselves is the case they come in which is shaped like a disc or small tub which looks contemporary  if you will sporting a leather strap,easy to open lip and 4 small LED lights which act as a battery indicator.

Once opened you are presented with the earphones which mine are White with a rose gold button atop and these make them stand out and rose gold is now very popular and a trend with tech products.

The charge case gives you an extra 4 charges on the go which is excellent for the battery anxiety type so for commuters or fitness folk this is plenty to keep you going during a heavy day at the office or gym.

Pairing was easy and when i say that it is something I am use to but for newbies with a first experience of this type of earphone is just like pairing two sets first time as both are separate and when paired you will hear them saying right and left channels connected in each side there is also a small LED light on each tide for connectivity status etc.If you want just one side connected just do the usual as you would to set up by holding down the button and having your bluetooth menu at the ready on your device, I for example would use one for around the house or office for calls etc.

Sound quality here is great as expected though not LOUD which is my personal taste,there is no Volume control on these either but that’s no a major issue considered their size the only options on these is to play/pause,skip tracks and take calls this applies to both sides not just one.

The sound then aside from that is good though I did find some tracks tinny on lower volumes but you can adjust with your mobile phone to change the equalizer to your own taste and then all was fine but not as loud as some of their other products but that is my ears telling me that everyone has different experiences. Some might find the lack of volume control a boon but it means less fiddling with something so small and you can always use your device to do so which naitively I do more than the headphone itself so it was no issue for me being honest.

Sound overall with Bass, Mid range and treble is generally good all round and well balanced and crisp and noise isolation is also quite good with the tight fit, In saying tight fit I do not mean they are sqaushed into your ears they fit nice with the right buds as mentioned before. For the price they offer plenty for the average user though for the audiophile they might consider higher priced options like Jabra which have a range of similar earbuds for a better thump in sound overall but you cant complain here with the design quality and looks and what they offer in a package as a whole.

You can get a reader discount of 15% from Sudio using the code TECHBUZZIRELAND15 and you also get FREE shipping. Head HERE for that

 

 

Jurassic World Comes Alive. #VR #AR #APPS #JurassicWorld

Bringing the virtual world into the real world is rapidly growing in popularity with the global market predicted to be worth approximately £100 billion by 2021. Augmented reality (AR) is undoubtedly one of the most exciting technological innovations around and games like Pokémon GO have inspired more developments in this sector.

Recently Jurassic World Alive was released in the UK and brings monster hunting to a whole new level. Instead of searching for cute creatures, players are tasked with saving dinosaurs from extinction by collecting DNA samples and creating new hybrid species in a lab. The game, developed for both android and IOS, is loosely based on Pokémon Go and only time will tell if it will have the same global success.

Will Jurassic World Alive Become The Most Downloaded App?

A recent survey conducted by mobile app agency, The App Developers showed that Social Media & Communications Apps are the most popular type of app downloaded (31%), with entertainment apps (Games, Streaming & Music Apps) are not far behind (27%). However, when looking at the top grossing mobile apps in the UK, 8 out of the top ten apps are games.  

Jurassic World Alive is free to download, but does contain in-app-purchases. The survey found that this was a good approach as 74% only download free apps with 68% saying they don’t make in-app purchases. Jurassic World Alive, like many gaming apps, offers ways of getting around making in-app purchases and the survey found that 38% would watch “unskippable” ads and 33% would answer survey questions to continue playing for free.

AR Technology Used in Apps  

34% of app users are 18 – 34, and since the release of Pokémon GO by Niantic, AR technology has become more popular. Other franchises have picked up on Niantic’s success and Jurassic Park Alive produced by Ludia, is only the second game to join this trend. Many more AR games are predicated to be released into the marketplace, such as Harry Potter: Wizards Unite, and the App Developers could see this happening.

The App Developers, explain: “Both VR and AR technology have been around for a while now; but have still not really exploded into the public consciousness. 2018 and the next couple of years are expected to see a big change in this. Part of the problem with VR has been the low number of quality apps being developed, but this is now turning into a huge growth market. Particularly now developers and businesses are starting to see the potential”.

About The App Developers

The App Developers are an award-winning mobile led design & development agency, working with corporates & start-ups across multiple sectors. All products are created adopting a user-first methodology, and solutions are designed taking an expert think-tank approach to business pain points and objectives.  Everything is built with ROI in mind. The App Developers have worked with brands such as Fujifilm, Exxonmobil, Sainsbury’s, Walkers & many emerging and disruptive start-ups.

Survey Methodology

The App Developers surveyed over 300 men and women within the UK between 07/02/2018 – 12/02/2018 to discover their thoughts and opinions on mobile apps. Respondents were asked 10 questions regarding which apps they use the most, whether they spend money downloading apps or in-app purchases and if they are concerned about apps using their data for marketing. The App Developers then analysed the results.

Soul Electronics Presents new Transform Wireless Over-Ear Headphones #Headphones

In-ears certainly offer a lot of freedom when enjoying music, but in terms of comfort they are not always a pleasure for everyone. And if they don’t fit properly, the sound soon suffers as well. Fitness and lifestyle focused people who are looking for well-balanced comfort and sound should listen closely, because Californian audio-experts Soul Electronics now introduce their new Transform Wireless headphones. In the past Soul already worked with athletes such as Usain Bolt and NBA-star Dennis Schröder, using this experience to create an uncompromising sound with highest wireless wearing comfort.

Soul Signature Sound

The speakers of these headphones range from 20Hz – 20kHz and have been developed according to the proven Soul Signature recipe. This sound ensures the right balance of powerful bass and clear mids and highs. Thanks to Bluetooth 4.0 the over-ears connect to a smartphone in just one second. By a range of 10 m and up to 18 hours playtime the Transform Wireless guarantee an almost unlimited musical enjoyment – whether in sports or in leisure time.

Clean and comfortable

Over-Ears while running or workout in the gym? Sounds brave at first. But times of sweaty headphones have now come to an end: The earpads are removable and washable and the specially designed headband is also breathable due to its small air holes. The materials used for these over-ears make them almost as light as a feather with only 155 grams. Nevertheless they are rock solid and guarantee a perfect hold and wearing comfort. The Transform Wireless headphones are available at 99,90 GBP. Further information about all Soul Electronics products is available on www.soulelectronics.com.

Brian Cody delivers leadership talks at Dell EMCin Limerick #DellLEMC

The all-Ireland winning Kilkenny hurling coach Brian Cody has given his insights on leadership to members of the Mid-West business community at the Dell EMC campus in as part of the Limerick Chamber Regional Leaders’ programme. The programme is being delivered by Limerick Chamber in collaboration with Dell EMC and the University of Limerick.

Brian Cody’s was the second in a series of leadership talks this year that have been hosted at the Dell EMC campus in Limerick. The programme aims to equip future leaders from across the Mid-West with the skills and network of mentors they can learn from. Each of the inspirational talks from speakers within the world of business and sport are private sessions for the over 150 participants who have signed up for the programme.

As the manager of the Kilkenny hurling team since 1998, Brian Cody knows what it takes to be a true leader and to motivate and inspire a team to realize their goals. His successful career to date includes coaching his native county to eleven All-Ireland hurling championship titles and a famous four-in-a-row from 2006 and 2009.

At the Limerick Chambers Regional Leaders Programme in Dell EMC was Denis Kelly, Dell EMC, Special guest speaker Brian Cody, Kilkenny hurling manager, Grainne Greehy, Director of Policy with Limerick Chamber, Dr James Ring, CEO Limerick Chamber and Dave griffin, Business Development Director at Dell

Speaking to the audience Brian Cody commented: “Each person has their own instinctive style of leadership. However, irrespective of their natural leadership style, good leaders must have true confidence in their own ability and in making tough decisions that empower long-term success. In showing a belief in themselves, business leaders can inspire a team to deliver results.” 

The Kilkenny hurling manager delivered an hour-long talk to the attendees with an open question and answer session held at the end of the event.

Denis Kelly, Site Leader, Dell EMC Limerick: “At Dell EMC we are focused on empowering the next generation of leaders who have the skills to not only fulfil their own potential, but to drive transformation into the future. This is a key aspect of our commitment to leave a legacy of good within the Mid-West.

“By working with the Limerick Chamber and the University of Limerick on this innovative programme, we can help support sustainable growth and development in Limerick and the surrounding region. In recent months, we’ve had some incredible speakers as part of the initiative. Widely acknowledged as the greatest manager in the history of the game, Brian Cody provided insights into an imaginative approach to leadership that has fuelled success both on and off the pitch. Through his motivational talk, Brian has proven to be a key inspiration for all those present.” 

Dr. James Ring, CEO, Limerick Chamber, said: “The Regional Leaders’ Programme is growing from strength to strength, offering the unique opportunity to share experiences and learning amongst the business community in the Mid-West. Brian Cody’s leadership insights were indispensable to our participants and have left our budding leaders inspired and ambitious to grow their own business.”

More information about the Limerick Chamber Regional Leaders Programme is available at www.limerickchamber.ie.

Adonit Launches its Mini 4 Precision Disc Stylus. #ADONIT #Stylus

Designed with mobile in mind, the stylish Adonit Mini 4 is a pocket-sized stylus for use with any touchscreen and requires no batteries or setup. 

Leading stylus manufacturer, Adonit, is pleased to announce the availability of the Mini 4 – the latest release in the range of Mini styluses. A pocket-sized stylus for use with any touchscreen, the Mini 4 is available for £22.25 from Amazon with Prime delivery.

The Mini 4 is the perfect stylus for using with smartphones on-the-go and is compatible with all touchscreen devices. Designed with mobile in mind, it is small enough to fit into daily life and requires no batteries or setup. To use the stylus, simply touch the tip to the screen and start writing with the dampening tip providing a natural pen to paper feel. Using a non-removable transparent disc, the Mini 4 delivers a fine line and unmatched precision and the PET material prevents any harm or damage to the glass screen.

Since the launch of the Mini range in 2013, the line has been awarded for its innovative product design and user experience in multiple iF Design Awards, a globally recognised trademark for excellence in design. The new split barrel design of the Mini 4 continues this trend and allows users to untwist at the colour seam to reveal the disc, flip it around and twist closed to securely attach. The smooth brushed metal barrel body is available in Dark Grey, Olive Green, Royal Blue and Orange to blend practicality and on-trend design for the ideal modern smartphone accessory.

Able to be used with many apps, the Mini 4 makes life more convenient whether in a lecture hall, sketching new designs at home or noting down inspiration when on the go. Apps such as PowerPoint, OneNote and Sketchpad allow for versatile use whether being creative or note taking and is ideal for students, creatives and fashionistas.

Jasper Li, CTO for Adonit comments, “There is always room for improvement when creating the next design concept. We took into mind how consumers want to interact with their devices and how our styluses could boost their experience. It was a natural evolution to continue to build upon and reenergize the Mini line.”

The Mini 4 is a powerful and pocket-sized tool built to withstand daily use and features Adonit’s laser cut clip to allow users to easily take the stylus with them wherever they go. The new split barrel design also keeps the disc tip securely in place and protected when travelling combining a high quality and design with accuracy.

Adonit Mini 4 is available in Olive Green, Royal Blue, Orange, and Dark Grey for £22.25 from Amazon and Adonit.

See more on Facebook and Instagram @ AdonitEurope.

10 Years of Video Pro X: MAGIX publishes the largest update in the history of the video software.

On the occasion of the software’s 10 year anniversary, MAGIX Software is introducing the largest update for Video Pro X ever to the market. The anniversary version of the professional video editing program includes numerous new functions and improvements for significantly more power, productivity, and design flexibility.

FOCUS ON PERFORMANCE

The most recent update from MAGIX had already put a strong focus on increased performance. However, the new version introduces the largest performance leap ever. For the first time, HEVC/H.265 video export can now be rendered with the NVIDIA GPU’s encoder. This makes export speeds possible, which were inconceivable in the past. Also new to the latest version is the comprehensive AVX optimization in the internal image processing and the 3-way colour correction resulting in faster image processing and much more precise output quality during colour conversion. Additionally, the output of 4K source videos into FullHD quality has been optimized by reducing high-frequency image components. This results in fewer bit errors during the conversion of high-resolution recordings.

 

MORE PRODUCTIVE WORKFLOWS

With the new Video Pro X, MAGIX pushes ahead with its workflow optimization strategy. The latest improvements include the new time-saving J-L cut and the intuitive “Move object content” mouse mode. With J-L edits, video and audio tracks can now be modified individually without losing the advantages of working with grouping. For video editors who work regularly with overlapping objects, such as spoken audio spanning several scenes in documentaries and interviews, work will become noticeably easier, and object content can now be moved more flexibly. From now on, users can intuitively select and adjust image content from video objects with a click of the mouse while maintaining the editing rhythm.

 

NEW EFFECTS AREA & OPTIMIZED CREATIVE TOOLS

The Video Pro X effects area has been enhanced and is now more clearly organized and user friendly than ever. Users can quickly navigate to the effects they want and control plugins much more intuitively meaning the creative workflow stays uninterrupted. Chroma Keying has also been optimized in response to customer feedback. A new algorithm supports the ability to recognize and extract objects. 360° editing was also improved. 360° image stabilization, a set of spectacular 360° transitions, and special 360° effects from HitFilm now supplement the Video Pro X 360° editing package. And now even stereoscopic videos can be processed by Video Pro X.

“10 years of development have been invested in the new Video Pro X. We would like to introduce the largest update in the history of Video Pro X as a way to say thank you to our loyal customers. Without the continuous feedback from the Video Pro X community, the software would by far not be as sophisticated and powerful as it is today,” says Florian Liepold, Product Owner Video Pro X at MAGIX.

 

 

Video Pro X comes with a year of Update Service free of charge. So, users who now decide to purchase the software will automatically receive any upcoming updates. For example, the flexible anchor point positioning, an intelligent function that helps to individually select the object focus – for maximum design flexibility while scaling and rotating.

All new Video Pro X features at a glance:

 

  • Accelerated export with NVIDIA NVENC support
  • Optimized workflow including J-L cuts
  • New effects area and In-App Store
  • Precise chroma keying
  • Improved Full HD output quality
  • Complete 360° package, including HitFilm effects
  • AVX-optimized algorithms
  • OpenFX interface with multithreading
  • HEIF image import for optimal support of iOS devices
  • Includes Update Service for 1 full year of all new features

Prices and availability:  Video Pro X – £299.00

 

Review – The Sphero Mini #kids #tech #coding

The Sphero mini looks like a ball, the size of a pin-pong ball roughly. This is made of a sturdy plastic Removing the cover of the ball looks like a robotic electronic ball within the ball.  This is a small app-enabled robotic ball with a gyroscope, accelerometer, and LED lights that glow in millions of colours. The ball can rotate allowing Driving, Gaming, Java Coding in a small size. The ball is controlled to shoot through space, race through a tunnel, or destroy a polygon of bricks.

 

Contents:

Sphero SPRK+

– Inductive Charging Base with USB cable

– Maze tape

– 360º protractor

– Sticker sheet

– Quick Start Guide to get you rolling

 

Sphero Mini

– Micro USB charging cord

– 3 Mini traffic cones

– 6 Mini bowling pins

 

 

Features:

  • Drive – Drive Mini several ways with the Sphero Mini app – Joystick, Tilt, Slingshot, or Face Drive.
  • Face Drive – Face Drive is a feature that uses your facial expressions to drive the ball.
  • Gaming – Sphero Mini can be used with the app as a video game controller.
  • Coding – Download the Sphero Edu app and program your Sphero Mini bot using JavaScript.
  • Interchangeable Shells – Colourful, interchangeable shells allow you to switch one out to suit your mood.

 

 

Charging:

The charging is done by unscrewing the ball and plug in the USB changer lead supplied. The charger looks great with bright lights but impractical to leave overnight in a bedroom room due to the Christmas tree effect of the lights.   Charging time takes one hour with approx. 45 minutes of use.

Programming:

The Sphero mini allows programming with JavaScript using the Sphero Edu app allowing additional features or tricks developed. This could be a great introduction to Programming for a junior member that may want to develop their skills. This does not require Programming but available option if required.  The app works as a traditional app connected via Bluetooth, this was connected to an iPhone 6 which was easy to setup.

Practical use:

The ball has a speed listed of Top speed 1 Meter per sec (2.2 mph) with the option of slow, fast. This speed is fast in a confined area and takes time and practice to become familiar with the controls.  The Sphero mini allows a face drive feature that uses facial recognition technology to drive the ball. The app allows updated features of games played.

Traditional games of bowling can be placed with the supplied six mini bowling pins and three mini traffic cones.  The interchangeable shells allow additional excitement with the unit. This is a fun product, that the user has the option to learn via the java programming or use straight from the app, or use face technology via Smile, frown, tilt your head left and right to control the unit.

Price:  Amazon    £49.99  See more HERE

Review – Sony Xperia XZ2 #Sony #Xperia

The 5.7-inch Xperia XZ2 is a Sony flagship smartphone in liquid black. The Aluminium frame looks good with a curved back, smooth to touch with rounded edges packing a good camera. This phone is designed to take a knock or 2 been able to withstand IP rated as “dust tight” and protected against powerful jets of water been water resistant.

The Corning Gorilla Glass 5, gives good protection against drops, surviving 1.6-meter, shoulder-height drops onto hard, rough surfaces up to 80% of the time. The phone comes with a large sealed battery and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 Mobile Platform3 for increased speed.

The Qnovo Adaptive Charging monitors your battery’s health when it’s plugged in and adjusts current levels to ensure the battery isn’t overworked. The battery care charges the phone to 90%, waits, then charges to 100% just before your wake-up time.

3D Creator:

This is a great app on the phone, which take a few minutes to understand and review. This is a software that lets you create three-dimensional captures of objects. This allows selfie, face, food and head scan, and free form (the tutorial must be read before you can use).

The result of the 3D Creator gives a professional looking video in minutes which could only be dreamed of in a Spielberg movie, (possible the Sony experience at work here). There is an option for 3D printing which is exhilarating to view. This is a WOW feature!

Annoyance – There are very few features on this smartphone that I can criticize or dislike while (minor gripes) the liquid black Aluminium frame leaves fingerprints over the phone but it is trend. The shiny smooth texture could tend to slide off a smooth table as no grip on the smart phone and if using the device with no case as in our case it will rock if you are trying to text etc, The smartphone is a bit chubby, and rocks which I would not have expected. There is no 3.5mm audio jack which is a trend following in Apple and others footsteps. The Software trend in accepting the T&C repeatedly with apps requiring access to non-relevant features is annoying.

https://youtu.be/R6P4UsvziJA

Conclusion:

The smartphone is a Sony flagship phone with all the featured expected from Sony, the 19MP Motion Eye camera, Front Camera: 5MP Video Recording: 4K video recording camera. The experience of Sony on the audio, loud clear stereo speaker system. This has a great battery life with software featured to enhance battery life and performance. This was far longer than many other phones used in the past. The unit comes with a 64gb Universal Flash Storage but can be expanded to up to 400GB with a micro SD.

This was tried with a 64GB SD card which worked as any card, which I believe would be the same as the 400GB SD card (SD card in the range of €180) The speed of the phone was impressive with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 Processor, while the 4GB RAM seems low for their flagship phone with many other phones having 6 GB ram. The option of a dual sim phone is great option allowing a work sim and personal sim to be used simultaneously, (many of the networks may restrict this). The Sony PS4 has links to the Xperia XZ2 allowing features to be enhanced. The build quality as expected from Sony is great, water resistance, and has good protection against drops.

Sony has here also listened to its fans a taken that boxy look away which lasted several generations of their devices this rounded look is nice be it a tad on the bulky side but it fits well in the hand and stands out, Black would not be my first choice if I was to buy one howevera case make all the difference.

SONY XPERIAXZ2 LAUNCH WITH COMMENTRY

Overall the Xperia XZ2 will not disappoint from the Sony range.

https://www.sonymobile.com/ie

Also see our guest review by LiamBurke

Additional text and images by Jim