Our homes are becoming more connected and with gadgets being made available to replace existing items in our house its now even easier to move to a smarter connected home alongside the wide variety of ready made product which we can buy in most stores or online today. Replacing existing items in our home is not as tough as one would expect and starting with the likes of bulbs and switches and so which he have covered here in the past we today have a new product to market to replace your typical switch and socket and combined with an app for Android and iOS its very easy to do and does not require much tech know how to get going.
Before we install our kit here we wanted to give you a quick unboxing of what is on offer and an idea of what it entails and what these new prodcuts can do for you and if you want to move to a more connected home. A product like this can also connect to Amazon Alexa and Google Home and IFTTT (If this then that) If you have not checked IFTTT out you need to. But dont just rush into the connected world and familiarise yourself with the product first and then move on at your own pace if you are new to this kind of technology.
Lightwave offer a range of products in their own ecosystem to get your home more connected and smart and please check out over at https://lightwaverf.com/
Monday, 16 October Was Day The Irish Watched The Most Netflix
2017 brought a lot of learning and also, A LOT of watching. Netflix members around the world watched more than 140 million hours per day (that’s a little more one billion hours per week in case you were wondering). The most popular1 of which fell on Monday, 16 October in Ireland – the day Hurricane Ophelia struck – schools and businesses closed and everyone needed a comfort binge during the official duvet day.
Even Antarctica got in on the watching action, where someone binged through Shameless (talk about Netflix and chill). Not to be outdone, Mexico takes the top spot for having the most members to watch Netflix every-single-day (#goals).
The ones we’re still scratching our heads about, the person who watched Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl 365 days in a row (streamin’ me timbers?) while an Irish Netflix member watched “Just Go With It” 308 times during 2017. Impressive feats, especially as the average member watched around 60 movies on Netflix this year.
There’s much to say about what we watched, but how we watched was also intriguing. Though bingeing was standard in 2017, not all series were enjoyed in the same way – there were those we devoured, those we savoured, those we cheated on, and those that brought us together…
The Shows We Devoured in 2017
Globally we took an escape from reality in 2017 by devouring (watching more than two hours per day) sci-fi series likes of 3%,Travelers and The OA. The question of ‘whodunit’ (and didn’t do it) in The Keepers and The Confession Tapes also had us watching with might. While members in Ireland devoured crime dramas like Ingobernable,Marvel’s Iron Fist and Marvel’s The Defenders
Ingobernable
Greenleaf
The Mist
13 Reasons Why
Marvel’s Iron Fist
Marvel’s The Defenders
One Day at a Time
Santa Clarita Diet
Riverdale
Frontier
The Shows We Savoured in 2017
We needed a laugh this year and Irish members found that solace by savouring (watching less than two hours per day) comedies like You Me Her, ASOUE, GLOW and Big Mouth. We also took care to enjoy the splendour of The Crown (it is a visual feast fit for a queen after all).
The Crown
Ozark
El Chapo
Jack Whitehall: Travels with My Father
The Confession Tapes
ASOUE
GLOW
Big Mouth
Neo Yokio
You Me Her
The Shows That Got Us Cheating in 2017
We couldn’t resist the thrill of a thrill and shamelessly watched ahead of our significant others on Narcos, Ozark, Black Mirror and more (don’t tell Marty).
Narcos
13 Reasons Why
Stranger Things
Orange is the New Black
Sense8
Black Mirror
Marvel’s The Defenders
Marvel’s Iron Fist
Ozark
MINDHUNTER
The Shows That Brought Us Together in 2017
Whether for the adventure, Chief Hopper or bromance (#DadSteve), Netflix members ranked Stranger Things as the top show to watch together as a family. Nostalgia also scored top points for family watching via Star Trek: Discovery, Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life and Fuller House.
Stranger Things
13 Reasons Why
A Series of Unfortunate Events
Star Trek Discovery
Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life
Riverdale
Fuller House
Chef’s Table
Atypical
Anne with E
Methodology:
Popularity based on the average daily viewing hours per member between November 1, 2016 and November 1, 2017 Series viewed less than two hours per day were identified as ‘savored.’ Series viewed more than two hours per day were identified as ‘devoured.’ Data was inclusive of new show or new season launches of Netflix originals from November 1, 2016 – November 1, 2017 only. Additional information on the Netflix Binge Scale here.
Based on more than 60,000 survey responses from Netflix members between October 24-30, 2017. The sample is representative of an adult population who watch TV shows as a couple in 32 countries. The survey included new show or new season launches of Netflix originals from November 1, 2016 – November 1, 2017 only.
Based on more than 60,000 survey responses from Netflix members between October 24-30, 2017. The sample is representative of an adult population who watch TV shows with their family in 32 countries. The survey included new show or new season launches of Netflix originals from November 1, 2016 – November 1, 2017 only.
The second case in for review is the Carbon Fibre Design Case, this is a more robust case than the one for the Nokia 8 we just checked out, Different materials of course but the design language identical giving this Nokia 5 case protection mostly at the corners. This again is a snap on cover and should last some time and its not as flexible as the Carbon Fibre Soft Case for the Nokia 8. Once again this case has been sent over to us from the good folks at Mobile Fun who have a great range of cases for all your Nokia devices and more. Any questions hit us up in the comments or on social media, Check out the image gallery and Video below.
For many years, Nokia has been a household name in phones and accessories. This means you can be sure of the highest possible standards across both the design and production process, resulting in a case that feels great, protects your device exceptionally and looks stylish to boot.
Professional carbon fibre-effect design
This sleek, smooth case brings a touch of professional chic to your Nokia 5. With a slim body and carbon fibre-style motif, this eye-catching case is a must have if you want to add some understated class to your Nokia 5.
Slim profile preserves the elegant contours of your phone
The Nokia carbon fibre case is made from incredibly slim polycarbonate (PC), which clips effortlessly onto your device. Covering the back and the sides of your Nokia 5, the case provides excellent protection against day-to-day bumps and scrapes. This stylish case wraps around your phone, providing slimline protection. This case is designed so that it preserves the slender form of your Nokia 5 without adding any unnecessary bulk.
Reinforced corners for added drop protection
Thanks to the reinforced corners on this carbon fibre case, if the phone is dropped the impact will disperse through the case rather than your device bearing the brunt of the shock. This keeps your phone safe for longer and also ensures the case itself is less likely to be damaged.
Superior shock and scratch resistance
This case won’t just augment the aesthetic of your Nokia 5. Solid and high-quality construction means this case also offers excellent protection from surface damage – scrapes, scratches and knocks – while also offering shock absorption thanks to reinforced edges.
Designed to give access to all ports and functions for easy use
Although this case offers fantastic protection from scrapes and drops, it doesn’t compromise on usability in doing so. All buttons, cameras, speakers and ports of the Nokia 5 are readily accessible, so you’ll never have to take your phone out of its case in order to use it.
Two new cases have arrived for our shiny Nokia 5 and 8 and today we will start off with the Nokia 8 Soft Touch Case, effectively a snap on which reminds me of the Lumia 1520 case its a simple clean nice job with a nice texture on the back side with the Nokia Logo present it will offer a decent enough level of protection for your device mainly aiming at the corners. Our case is Black in colour and can be purchased in several colours which Mobile Fun UK have kindly sent us. Check out the video and image gallery below and if you have any quesitons fire away.
2 / 9
Official Nokia case
Lightweight case adds no extra bulk to your Nokia 8
Sturdy, yet soft material offers comfortable grip
Slightly raised bezel protects the device’s screen
Access all your phone’s features and ports so you can leave the case on at all times
This Soft Touch Case in Black colour has been designed and manufactured by Nokia, so you can be assured of high standard materials used, which guarantee a perfect fit for your shiny new Nokia 8.
Lightweight case adds no extra bulk to your Nokia 8
This case is designed to be extremely slim and lightweight while remaining strong – you can be assured that this case will add virtually no extra bulk to your Nokia 8 smartphone, so it will still fit in your pocket with ease.
Sturdy, yet soft material offers comfortable grip
Each official Nokia 8 Soft Touch case is manufactured from a sturdy, yet naturally soft and non-slip material which not only absorbs some of the force on the impact, but also offers a comfortable and secure grip.
Slightly raised bezel protects the device’s screen
Despite focusing on protecting the sides and the back of your Nokia 8, this case also features slightly raised bezel edges, which prevents the phone from touching the surface while upside down. It eliminates the friction between the screen and the surface’s imperfections, meaning you can expect much more less scratches.
Access all your phone’s features and ports so you can leave the case on at all times
There is no need to remove this slim fitting case to access all of your phone’s features. With all of the required cut-outs, you can control all of your device’s buttons, while leaving the camera free to take stunning photos without any hesitation – the official Nokia 8 Soft Touch Case is purposely designed to allow you to use all of your phone’s features even with the case on.
Designed specifically for the Nokia 8
This case has been designed specifically for Nokia 8, so you can be sure of an easy access to all ports and features, as well as a perfect fit.
With Looparoid, MAGIX delivers a free Android app to create breathtaking photo stories that can be downloaded straight from the Google Play Store. Entertaining animated GIFs from photos are created in seconds.Looparoid is now available for free in the Google Play Store and is compatible with Android 5.0 version and higher.
With Looparoid, MAGIX delivers a free Android app to create breathtaking photo stories that can be downloaded straight from the Google Play Store. Entertaining animated GIFs from photos are created in seconds.
Whether it’s your last vacation, home improvement project or dinner with friends: Looparoid can bring up to 8 images together to create one story. It’s super simple to use: The user selects their favorite photos, picks a fitting frame in a Polaroid style and then adds a title – and it’s done! In no time at all, the completed Looparoid can be shared instantly via messenger.
“A million photos are created every day and there’s a story behind each one. With Looparoid, we want to inspire people to tell these stories”, says Max Herberger, Looparoid product owner. “Using the app’s selection of frames and effects, any user can create a Looparoid that fits their own unique photo story. In addition, we’ve paid a lot of attention to simple, intuitive operation, so that creating Looparoids is just as fun as looking at them.”
Looparoid is the result of years of experience in the development of user-friendly desktop and mobile apps for photo and video editing from the MAGIX team. Continued development and innovative functions for Looparoid have already been planned for the immediate future.
Looparoid is now available for free in the Google Play Storeand is compatible with Android 5.0 version and higher.
From online gaming, to mobile apps and wearable tech, technology is used at almost every touch point in people’s day-to-day lives. However, the downside of living in this hyper-connected society means that people are also extremely vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Our friends at Sophos has this important report to share with us.
This year’s Malware Report from Sophos reveals just how malware is being weaved into this everyday technology, and how, year on year, we are seeing cybercriminals become more intelligent in their attacks, making it increasingly important for consumers to be wary of the dangers out there.
Whilst many consumers may live in denial that an attack like this will ever affect them, Sophos’ research revealed the opposite. James Burchell, Security Specialist at Sophos, reviews the most prominent risks from 2017, and what we can expect in 2018.
Ransomware is on every platform – don’t assume your mobile and tablets are safe
This year, WannaCry shook the world as the cyber hi-jack accounted for more than 45% of all ransomware tracked, closely followed by Cerber at 44.2%, according to Sophos’ most recentMalware Report.
In September alone, 30.4 percent of malicious Android malware processed by SophosLabs was ransomware. Sophos expects this to jump to approximately 45 percent in October. The majority of these attacks have targeted Windows users, but the number of attacks on other platforms is increasing, including those targeting Android, Macs and Linux.
Ransomware attacks have shifted in focus in the past two years, towards industries which are most likely to pay up, such as healthcare, government, critical infrastructure, and small businesses. Due to it being one of the most lucrative industries from ransomware payments or selling medical records, Healthcare has been a big target in 2017 and will without a doubt continue that way into 2018.
Malware is hiding in Android Apps
When reviewing Google Play, Sophos found that the number of different threats had doubled since last year. One type of malware, dubbed ‘GhostClicker’, sat in Google Play for almost a year, disguising itself as part of the service library. It then request device administration permission, and actively simulated click-on advertisements as it delivered to earn revenue.
One of the more sobering finds was Lipizzan, spyware that infected up to 100 devices. Although this doesn’t sound like a large number, it seems this was a targeted, precision malware, which was designed to monitor phone activity and extracting data from popular apps including email, SMS, location, and voice calls, and media.
Malware such as this is showing no sign of reducing in the future, as cyber criminals know it works. Therefore, in order to combat being a victim of Android malware, Sophos would suggest consumers:
Stick to Google Play – Although it isn’t perfect, it puts plenty of effort into preventing malware arriving in the first place
Avoid apps with a low reputation – Be especially wary of this when using a work phone
Patch early, patch often – Check the vendors attitude to updates
Online gaming is being used to spread Ransomware and Malware
In terms of online gaming, fake copies of the popular game, ‘King of Glory’ were used to spread ransomware this year. The warning screen used mimicked the one used during the WannaCry outbreak, directing individual to pay the ransom through the China-based Wechat, Alipay and QQ payment methods.
The number of malicious apps has risen steadily in the last four years, peaking at nearly 3.5 million in 2017, therefore we are likely to see this rise further in 2018, including more deceptive online gaming traps.
Data breaches– they are not going away
The downside of living in this hyper-connected society means that people are extremely vulnerable to cyber-attacks, as shown in the past few weeks with the Uber Hack, which affected 2.7 million riders and drivers. Sadly, we don’t see these data breaches diminishing in 2018, and with GDPR coming into effect in May it will only continue to be a hot topic and something we are continuing to see.
2018 and beyond
It’s impossible to predict what will happen in 2018, however it’s a fair bet that Android and Windows will continue to be heavily targeted with ransomware and other Malware. Email will also remain the primary attack vector threatening corporate cyber security, especially in the case of targeted attacks.
Four trends that stood out in 2017, and will likely dominate 2018 are:
A ransomware surge fueled by RaaS and amplified by the resurgence of worms;
An explosion of Android malware on Google Play and elsewhere;
Continued efforts to infect Mac computers; and
Ongoing Windows threats, fueled by do-it-yourself exploit kits that make it easy to target Microsoft Office vulnerabilities.
The wait is finally over, Nokia Steel HR brings a new level of Health tracking: Heart rate monitoring with style, ease and unsurpassed battery life. Pre-orders where available and snapped up now its available to buy from mutiple outlets.
Nokia announces the launch of Nokia Steel HR, a connected healthy watch with fully featured activity tracking, heart rate monitoring and smartphone notifications. Continuing to spearhead the unique category of beautifully designed trackers within fashionable timepieces, the Nokia Steel HR marries classic French design with advanced heart rate monitoring and a 25-day battery life.
The Nokia Steel HR can automatically measure continuous heart rate during workouts, average heart rate during the day at the click of a button, and night heart rate while sleeping, whilst also offering a dynamic digital screen that displays your overall health data and smartphone notifications. In addition, the watch now features new tracking capabilities with automatic activity recognition for up to 10 new activities, from tennis to weight lifting and dance.
Seamless, Modern Design
The Nokia Steel HR has all the features of a stylish analog watch that users actually want to wear: French design, stainless steel casing, chrome hands, and modern silicone straps. In addition, the Nokia Steel HR is available in two sizes: 36mm and 40mm. The standard 36mm case comes with a 18mm strap and is available in black and white. The new 40mm case is available in black and comes with a 20mm strap.
The Nokia Steel HR features hand dials that show the time and a sub-dial that shows the percentage of personal daily activity goal achieved. The activity goal (e.g. 10,000 steps) is set within the free Nokia Health Mate application (available on iOS and Android) and keeps users up to date on their progress. The Nokia Steel HR also boasts a new dynamic digital screen at the top of the watch face, which displays health data and smartphone notifications.
Users can choose the information they would like to be shown on this screen through a multifunctional button on the side of the watch. This button allows users to navigate through data options including calories burned, daily steps, distance, sleep duration and smart alarm, and to receive notifications for calls, texts and event reminders.
The Nokia Steel HR is powered by a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 25 days, offering the best battery life for a heart monitoring activity tracker. After approximately 25 days of heart rate monitoring, The Nokia Steel HR will transition to power save mode, giving users an additional 20 days of battery life. In power save mode, the Nokia Steel HR will continue to track basic activity, including steps and swims.
Holistic Approach to Heart Rate Monitoring
The Nokia Steel HR goes beyond tracking steps by providing users with a more detailed look into their overall health and fitness performance. This is accomplished through a technology called photoplethysmography (PPG), which monitors heart rate using green LED lights to detect variation in the level of blood in the wrist. The Nokia Steel HR’s heart -rate algorithm has been developed to provide accurate measurements, especially during workouts when it’s used most.
During a workout session, users can launch a continuous heart rate session simply by pushing the multifunctional button on the watch. Moreover, the Nokia Steel HR will automatically initiate continuous heart rate while running. During exercise, seeing real-time heart rate at a glance can help optimize workout intensity and can motivate the user to improve performance. Post-workout, the user will then be able to view maximum heart rate, calories burned, and a “time in zone” graph directly within free Nokia Health Mate App.
On a daily basis, users can visualize how much time was spent in each heart rate zone, providing a holistic picture of their activity output. At night, Steel HR also automatically monitors the user’s pulse while sleeping to provide night heart rate – a key metric to assess overall health over time.
Holistic Approach to Heart Rate Monitoring
The Nokia Steel HR goes beyond tracking steps by providing users with a more detailed look into their overall health and fitness performance. This is accomplished through a technology called photoplethysmography (PPG), which monitors heart rate using green LED lights to detect variation in the level of blood in the wrist. The Nokia Steel HR’s heart -rate algorithm has been developed to provide accurate measurements, especially during workouts when it’s used most.
During a workout session, users can launch a continuous heart rate session simply by pushing the multifunctional button on the watch. Moreover, the Nokia Steel HR will automatically initiate continuous heart rate while running. During exercise, seeing real-time heart rate at a glance can help optimize workout intensity and can motivate the user to improve performance. Post-workout, the user will then be able to view maximum heart rate, calories burned, and a “time in zone” graph directly within free Nokia Health Mate App.
CHECK OUT THE LIMITED EDITION NOKIA STEEL
On a daily basis, users can visualize how much time was spent in each heart rate zone, providing a holistic picture of their activity output. At night, Steel HR also automatically monitors the user’s pulse while sleeping to provide night heart rate – a key metric to assess overall health over time.
The Nokia Steel HR connects to the free, Nokia Health Mate iOS and Android application. Acting as a powerful resource to manage many aspects of everyday health, Nokia Health Mate provides detailed information about activity including heart rate summaries, a daily timeline, personalized advice, and advanced food-logging capabilities. Nokia Health Mate also boasts a range of new tailored and targeted wellness programmes to help you on your journey in achieving your health goals.
It even allows users to share their data and challenge friends via “in app” interactive leaderboards and through social media channels. Nokia Health Mate also integrates with over 150 top health and fitness apps to further add to the 360° wellness experience.
Availability
Fully available at retailers (John Lewis, Curry’s, PC World and Dixons Travel. RRP £179.95 for Steel HR 40mm, and £169.95 for Steel HR 36mm and at nokiahealth.com
We are huge earphone and headphone fans here and have countless reviews on site and these will continue to be featured on site. SoulElectronics have kindly sent us over three of their products to check out including their latest SOUL ST – XS which are pretty cool indeed. All three of the products sent are well presented, have great build quality and their package consists of all the needs required for users with extra buds,and pouches to store the equipment and they sound good to on inital testing.
Check out the unboxing below and if you have any questions during our review period feel free to ask below or on our social channels. Stay tuned for more reviews coming your way soon. TechBuzzIreland brings you more product reviews, hands on and video than any other independent tech site in Ireland.
Traditional heating works by setting the temperature by using a thermostat to maintain a room temperature, regardless of whether the room is used constantly or only occasionally. A spare bedroom, children’s playroom, conservatory, office workspace or shed may have infrequent use, but in the colder weather still need warming up.
The new MeacoHeat Motion heaters with their unique motion detection sensors, can be used as stand-alone heaters for these spaces, as they will only switch on when a person walks into the room. When they leave the room they will switch off, saving money on heating bills as well as being kinder to the environment.
There are two models in the range available in either red, black or white, and their small stylish design means they will look good in any room in the house. MeacoHeat Motion use a safe PTC ceramic technology to offer fast start-up time with almost instant heat. A thermal cut out and tilt safety switch ensure that if they are accidentally knocked over that they switch off. A fan option means they can be used all year, adding warmth in the summer months on a chill day, but becoming a fan to cool a room in hotter weather.
The smaller model, 1.8kW has two outputs levels to save energy, a 1-7 hour off timer and a fan only mode for summer use.
The larger 2.0Kw adds oscillation to the specification to distribute the heat evenly through a 70° arc. A three level thermostat replaces the off timer to provide another level of control.
Safety-conscious, economical and stylish, MeacoHeat Motion heaters are perfect for filling in with some extra heat where it’s needed, or warming up a cold space fast.
