Tag: Google

Tech Review – dbrand Google Pixel 8a Grip case and Skins

dbrand is a well known case and skins company who are very reputable and have a fantastic way of putting words to things even on social media which is great in my book they say it as they see just like me and move along swiftly often leaving a bitter taste in some people’s mouths that rightly deserve it and if you do not follow them on X you are missing out.

They have kindly sent me their newest Grip case and some skins for the all new Google Pixel 8a which I was delighted to receive after some email tennis which at first I thought was a wind up!..

It was not a wind up after all and I fucking love it that they have chosen a quite colourful character from Ireland to check out what they have to offer and we will get into it now as I have said enough..

OK so presentation is great with the Black box that opens out presenting you with some facts a cloth the grip case and skins more should do this as presentation is key but some will say it is only a case, that it maybe but first impressions last.

The first thing you will notice on taking out the Grip case is just how grippy it is and as a well season case reviewer this is the grippiest case I have held and you can be sure you will not drop this one with its textured microdots then along the sides you have got grip strips adding to the gripping power.

The buttons are tactile and work really well nice and clicky with good travel and work as expected with precision each time there is also some ridges on the volume keys on the case. A feature also not seen before is a chamfered lip and crescent arc which just makes life easier using the case over others, your fingers will love it.

All the cutouts are perfect for your ports and the camera area is well protected too, there is raised ridges on the back for the skins to be applied should you wish to install, I suggest you do as it will stop your case getting scratched.

Skins for the Pixel 8a

The back of the case is smooth to the finish but this is where the skins come in to spruce the look up and with a big range of eye catching colors you are not short of choice and the range I had to pick from was great and something for everyone here.

Yes you can still charge your phone wirelessly with no issues and I tested on several wireless chargers at home and one in my car so it works do not worry.

Overall the grippiest case I have tested with super cool skins and you should get so watch the flaming video below for the hands on experience and buy one.

BUY 

Video Review

 

Google I/O wrap up note

A year ago on the I/O stage Goolge first shared  plans for Gemini, a family of natively multimodal AI models that could reason across text, images, video, code, and more. When we launched the Gemini era in December 2023, it marked a big step in turning any input into any output — an “I/O” for a new generation.

Google I/O showed how Google is fully in the Gemini era, showcasing AI innovations across products, research, and infrastructure, and how it brings us close to our ultimate goal of making AI helpful for everyone. Sundar Blog Post.

All Google products with more than two billion users are built with Gemini. Today we shared how that helps us to create new experiences and make our products even more helpful:

  • Expanding AI Overviews in Search. With a new customised Gemini model — capable of multi-step reasoning, planning and multimodality — combined with best-in-class Search you’ll soon be able to ask complex, multi-step questions, customise search results, and even ask questions with videos [Blog Post]

  • Introducing Ask Photos. Over six billion photos are uploaded every day to Google Photos. With Gemini’s multimodal capabilities, we’re redefining how you can search your photos and videos. Want to find a specific memory or recall information hidden in your gallery? Just Ask Photos. [Blog Post]

  • New ways to engage with Gemini in Workspace. Gemini’s capabilities will expand to more users and integrate into the side panel of Gmail, Docs, Drive, Slides, and Sheets. Gemini features will also be added to the Gmail mobile app. [Blog Post]

  • Gemini for Android. We’re building AI right into the Android operating system. Students can now get homework help by circling problems with Circle to Search. And Gemini’s overlay will provide dynamic suggestions related to what’s on your screen — summarise a PDF or “ask this video” — while TalkBack with Gemini will be capable of even more detailed image descriptions. [Blog Post]

We’re also bringing Gemini 1.5 Pro to Gemini Advanced subscribers in more than 35 languages, along with a 1 million token context window — the longest of any widely available consumer chatbot in the world. This means it can understand more information than ever before,  like a 1500-page PDF and soon, 30,000 lines of code and an hour-long video.

  • Gemini Advanced subscribers will also soon get access to Live, a new mobile conversational experience. With Live, you can talk to Gemini and choose from different natural-sounding voices. You can speak at your own pace and even interrupt with questions, making conversations more intuitive. [Blog Post]

All of this work is underpinned by our technical leadership in building the world’s most advanced AI.

And we’re looking ahead too, to the next models: we shared more details about Gemini 1.5 Flash, a more cost-efficient model built based on user feedback, with lower latencies; and Project Astra, our vision for the next generation of AI assistants, a responsive agent that can understand and react to the context of conversations. [Blog Post]

We’ve also been working closely with the creative community to explore how generative AI can best support the creative process, and to make sure our AI tools are as useful as possible at each stage:

  • Today, we’re introducing Veo, our most capable model for generating high-definition video, and Imagen 3, our highest quality text-to-image model. We’re also sharing new demo recordings — with global artists — created with our Music AI Sandbox. [Blog Post]

Of course, these advancements in AI are only made possible by truly cutting-edge infrastructure technology. Training state-of-the-art models requires a lot of computing power.

  • Today we unveiled the 6th generation of our TPUs, called Trillium, which delivers a 4.7x improvement in compute performance per chip over the previous generation, TPU v5e, and which we’ll make available to Cloud customers later this year. [Blog Post]

Bold innovation must be underpinned by responsible innovation. So we’re developing a cutting-edge technique we call AI-assisted red teaming, that draws on Google DeepMind’s gaming breakthroughs like AlphaGo and expanding our technical watermarking innovations like SynthID in two new modalities — text and video —  so AI-generated content is easier to identify. [Blog Post]

By using the power of Gemini, we plan to make AI useful for everyone. Google’s mission is to organise the world’s information across every input, making it accessible via any output, and combining the world’s information, with the information in YOUR world, in a way that’s truly useful for you. Gemini will help us towards that goal.

Tech Review – TUDIA MergeGrip case for the Google Pixel 8a

It is Google Pixel 8a time and it is time to begin checking out some cases and first up it Tudia Products and their DualShield  MergeGrip case in several colours for the all new Pixel 8a.

I actually still have one of their cases on my Pixel 8 Pro and you can see the reviews for those cases here. Nothing has changed to the structure of the dual layered cases which is fine as they are a case I can vouch for as I use them all the time and have done for some time now, being dual layered gives you optimal protection and the softer TPU which is always a favourite of mine ensures full protection all round.

You have additional grip here with a textured back and grips on the sides and there is a nice lip on the front giving your screen some protection the raised camera bar on the back is also protected really well which will stop it getting marked as it is prone to them so with your new Tudia case on deck here your phone is in safe hands.

The cases also work with wireless charging which is great meaning there is no need to remove the case to charge your phone and if like me and have wireless chargers all over the house it is a win.

Overall you can’t go wrong with these cases and as mentioned I am a long time user and can certainly with ease recommend them to people no matter what device they have. Check out the Pixel 8a first look here too and check out the video review below.

 

Features

  • [Compatibility] Case compatible with Google Pixel 8a (2024) Only
  • [Drop Protection] Certified military grade protection and ToughRhino Technology for dual layer protection against drops and scratches
  • [Raised Edges Protection] Protects your camera and screen with raised lip and edges
  • [Enhanced Grip] Non-slip textured design on both sides and back provide additional grip while holding your phone
  • [Precise Design] Tactile and clicky buttons designed for stress-free usage
  • [Seamless Access] Gesture tap and wireless charging compatible

BUY

Video Review

Tech Review – Official Google Pixel 8a case BAY

Next up in our case reviews is the Official Google Pixel 8a case in BAY to match the colour of our device which we have a first impressions of here.

Again the case comes in familiar packaging and kept simple. The case is made with stain resistant silicone and has been drop tested by Google.

The case according to Google is made with 38% recycled plastics and will not interfere with calls USB or wireless charging or audio and also has has a polycarbonate shell made with 75% recycled plastic and gives you a better grip.

There is a small lip on the front of the device and the camera bar on back is protected though dust might gather in the corners the keys are tactile and work well and finally with the color itself it is hard to see how long the color lasts with dirt and fading but we will report in a few weeks.

 

BUY

Video Review

Google Pixel 8a announced

The Google Pixel 8a is here! Powered by their latest Google Tensor G3 chip, it’s equipped with many of the same must-have AI features as Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, like Best Take, Audio Magic Eraser and more. Designed to capture amazing photos, save you time and keep you and your loved ones safe, the Pixel 8a offers unbeatable value starting at €559.

Fun colours and a fresh design
The refined A-Series design feels even better in your hands with rounded edges, a matte back and a polished aluminium frame. Its durable design — which has an IP67 rating — can handle slips, spills and dust, making Pixel 8a the most durable A-Series phone yet. Plus, its new Actua display is 40% brighter than Pixel 7a’s, and the faster 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling smooth.

There’s two new A-series colours: Aloe (a limited-edition colour!) and Bay. Or choose from one of the neutral colour options: Obsidian or Porcelain.. And for the first time ever, there’s a larger storage capacity option at 256 GB, giving you more space for your favourite content.

Amazing photography, made simple
Ranked the best smartphone camera in its category, Pixel 8a features a powerful dual rear camera with a 64-megapixel main lens and a 13-megapixel ultrawide lens. It comes equipped with a 13-megapixel front facing camera as well, with a large field of view to fit even more into your shots. Thanks to Google Tensor G3, Pixel 8a is packed with AI-powered tools to make the most out of your photos and videos:
● Best Take lets you create the group shot you want. uChoose what you think is the best expression for everyone in a series of photos.
● Magic Editor lets you reposition and resize subjects or use presets to make the background
pop — all with just a few taps.
● Audio Magic Eraser easily removes distracting sounds in your videos— like wind, crowds and
other noises — for crisp and clear audio.

Pixel 8a also includes Super Res Zoom up to 8x and features such as Magic Eraser, Night Sight and Photo Unblur. Like every Pixel, Pixel 8a includes Real Tone, to accurately represent everyone’s skin tone in photos and now in videos.

Google AI makes it even easier to get things done
Pixel 8a was designed to help you get more things checked off your to-do list with ease. With features built to help you save time, you can spend more time doing things that matter to you most. Circle to Search is also on Pixel 8a, so you no longer have to switch apps to find the information you are looking for — saving you time. Just use your finger to draw a circle, scribble, or tap an image, text or video to search for what you’re looking at. And AI-powered Pixel Call Assist features — like Call Screen,
Direct My Call, Hold for Me, Clear Calling and more — are all included on the Pixel 8a too.

Want to plan a trip? Maps help you discover hidden gems and create the perfect itinerary. Immerse yourself in your future destination with Immersive View — virtually explore before you even step foot somewhere! And once you arrive, Lens is your window to the world. Snap a photo of a historical landmark to unlock its secrets, or translate a restaurant menu in a flash.

Google Pixel’s At a Glance widget will keep you on track, putting essential information directly on your lock screen. See upcoming events, weather, travel updates, and timely reminders without even unlocking your phone.

Pixel 8a will also introduce Audio Emojis, making your phone calls more expressive and engaging than before. With Audio Emojis, just tap on an emoji to trigger an audio reaction and visual effect. Try using a hand- clap emoji to applaud a job well done or the laughing emoji after telling your best joke.

Next level security
Safety and security are always a top priority. Similar to the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, this phone is built with the latest Google Tensor G3 chip, making it the fastest and most secure Pixel A-Series phone to date. It works with the certified Titan M2 security chip and built-in VPN for additional protection so it’s even more resilient against threats.

And Pixel 8a will be safe and secure thanks to seven years of software support, including security
updates and Android upgrades. Plus you’ll benefit from all the new features and improvements in
ongoing Feature Drops..

Get the Pixel 8a, plus more Pixel devices today The Pixel 8a starts at €559 for the 128GB version and 619 for the 256GB model and pre-orders begin today. Watch out for our review soon.

Chipolo announces the rollout of new Point trackers, exclusively compatible with the new Googles Find My Device Chipolo’s collaboration with Google ensures that Android users can easily keep track of their everyday items

Award-winning company Chipolo has announced that the much-awaited Chipolo ONE Point item trackers and the Chipolo CARD Point wallet finders, exclusively designed to work with the new Google Find My Device, will be available to users from May 27th onwards on chipolo.net, and from July onwards on Amazon and select retail stores.

After much anticipation, Chipolo is excited to roll out its Point Trackers, which are amongst the first finders in the market compatible with unwanted tracking alerts across both Android and iOS to help protect you from unwanted tracking. 

Teaming up with Google, Chipolo is transforming the way Android users track their everyday items. By leveraging a new crowdsourced network of over a billion Android devices, users will be able to effortlessly locate their keys, wallets, luggage, and bags. 

Standout capabilities of Chipolo’s new trackers that are compatible  with the new Google Find My Device  include:

 

  • Locate your everyday items: You can check the location of your items like keys, wallets, bags and see the distance in Google’s Find My Device app. 

  • Ring to find nearby: You can easily locate your Chipolo finder by playing a sound if it is nearby.

  • Fast Pair: The adding of Chipolo to the Find My Device app is seamless. Simply press the button on Chipolo and a pop-up on your Android phone will guide you through the setup process.

  • Sharing: Share your Chipolo with your loved ones and track your shared items.

 

Thanks to the hardware features of Chipolo’s Point trackers, the finding experience with Google’s Find My Device is even better. Additional benefits and features include:

 

  • Loud Sound: With a 120dB (Chipolo ONE Point) and 105dB (Chipolo CARD Point) ring, finding misplaced items is easy, even if they are hiding in pockets or inside backpacks.

  • Long Battery Life: The ONE Point has a 1-year battery life and a replaceable battery, while CARD Point has an impressive 2-year battery life and renewal program available.

  • Water resistance: With an IPX5 rating, the trackers are splashproof against rain and drizzle.

  • Designed to fit: Chipolo ONE Point attaches directly to the keyring without any accessories, while Chipolo CARD Points’ thin design (0.90in/2,4 mm) fits perfectly to wallets. 

  • Color: Off White

Primož Zelenšek, CEO and co-founder of Chipolo, said: “Having started over ten years ago as a small business between friends, we are proud to continue growing steadily, maintaining our leading position in the market, as Chipolo joins the Find My Device network. Thanks to Google’s expansive Find My Device network and Chipolo’s expert item-tracking capabilities, we are excited to bring Android users an advanced finding experience. 

“Find My Device is a truly unique experience for Android users thanks to our open ecosystem that gives people the freedom of choice and a crowdsourced network of over a billion devices to help find your lost everyday items and devices no matter where they are,” said Erik Kay, Vice President of Engineering at Google. “We are proud to work with partners to help make finding your belongings simple and seamless on Android.”

The new Chipolo ONE Point and the Chipolo CARD Point are available for pre-order here with shipment after May 27th.And watch out for our reviews soon. 

Google Ireland opens the doors to its first dedicated Accessibility Discovery Centre to drive R&D in accessible technology

Google is opening a dedicated accessibility space  where Google engineers, researchers and wider product teams will focus on driving new innovation in accessible technology to help to remove some of the barriers that people with disabilities face everyday.

The ‘Accessibility Discovery Centre’ has been built in consultation with local partners including Spinal Injuries Ireland, ADHD Ireland, the National Disability Authority, Fighting Blindness  and Google’s internal Disability Alliance employee resource group. Not only a workshop for research and product development, the centre will be a space for cross-industry learning, sharing information and building greater understanding and empathy among the accessibility community.

The centre will also facilitate tours to increase awareness of the power of technology to empower those with disabilities. These tours will include real life examples of new technologies empowering people with disabilities via a series of interactive zones and gaming zones that bring to life the ways people with disabilities interact with technology. The opening is also an acknowledgement that there is much more to do to meet people’s ever changing needs, allowing Google to learn from and partner with accessibility and disability communities to keep improving and innovating for users.

Christopher Patnoe, Accessibility and Disability Inclusion, Google, said,  “The Accessibility Discovery Centre isn’t just a place where we will build better products and services – it’s also a medium through which we can engage more effectively with different disability communities to better understand and address their needs. The new space can break down barriers and will ultimately change lives for the better. Today’s event marks the beginning of that exciting journey that will first understand the myriad problems that exist and then address them in an inclusive manner.”

Sinead Burke, CEO, Tilting the Lens said, “As the CEO of Tilting the Lens, a global accessibility consultancy, our value is not merely in guidance and advice, but in creating meaningful connections. Over the past year, we have been fortunate to bring our clients together at Google’s Accessibility Discovery Centre in London, where they have been energised by the advancements in accessible technology and ambitious to implement better practices in accessibility. As an Irish-based company, we’re excited to leverage Google’s global influence through their newest Accessibility Discovery Centre at home.”

Dr Gerald Craddock Chief Officer at The Centre for Excellence in Universal Design at the National Disability Authority commented: “The Centre for Excellence in Universal Design (CEUD) welcome the launch of the Accessible Discovery Centre (ADC), a great initiative by Google in creating an innovative space for co-designing and learning on accessibility with the disability communities in Ireland.  These elements are the bedrock of Universal Design which is enshrined in legislation in Ireland and we readily recognise the value of this new initiative.  The ADC will provide a ‘discovery’ space for everyone as well as demonstrating new and inclusive technologies.”

Among the first events to take place at the new space will be regular readouts with accessibility and disability communities. Developers will also be given the resources they need to integrate accessibility into products from the beginning of their processes.

This is Google’s first Accessibility Discovery Centre in the EU and builds on years of investment and innovation in helpful technology that can improve the lives of people with disabilities.

Google announces 21 winners of the second annual You’re the Business competition

Google, Enterprise Ireland (EI) and the Local Enterprise Offices (LEO) are today announcing that they have selected 21 SME’s from across Ireland to secure a truly unique, money- can’t-buy prize as part of the You’re The Business campaign. Now in its second year, You’re the Business is a training and mentoring programme that aims to accelerate Irish SME growth through digitalisation.

In addition to the training, You’re the Business features a competition element to recognise and reward

SMEs that have demonstrated a commitment to digital at different stages of their growth journey – from

those who have launched a website, through to those who are just starting to export. Entrants were asked to submit a video no longer than 2 minutes in duration, detailing what their business means to them and an example of how they have used digital to drive / grow / enhance their business.

Winners will receive a digital support package from Google which includes €1,000 Google ads credit, as

well as one on one consultations with experts that will help them to further develop and grow their

business. The selected businesses are invited to attend a celebratory event at Google’s The Foundry

later this year.

An additional prize of a video creation kit was awarded to Jasmine Feehan, founder Dóchas Design Studio, for demonstrating great efforts in promoting their business online. Speaking about the competition, Jasmine said:

“I entered the You’re the Business Competition with hopes of expanding my digital expertise, growing my business online and advertising outside of social media. Developing the Dóchas Design Studio website and social media channels has allowed me to give a real sense of personality and brand identity to the business online. Without having a brick and mortar store, becoming familiar with website development and social media marketing has been essential to the success of Dóchas Design Studio and growing an online community.”

Speaking about their win, Sofie Rooney, co-owner and founder of winning SME Chimac, the Dublin-based Korean fusion chicken and sauce company, said:

“We’re so delighted to be a winner of this year’s Google You’re The Business competition. Whether it’s promoting our restaurant to potential customers, or reaching new markets with our Korean inspired sauces, Chimac has always used digital media as a targeted tool that enables us to speak directly with existing and potential customers  As we move into 2024, Google’s support package of advertising funds and expert mentorship will play a key role in our strategic planning and marketing strategy.”

Cera Ward, Managing Director of Google Ireland said:

“In Ireland, over 90% of all enterprises stand within the SME bracket. SMEs like Chimac and those we are celebrating today are an integral part of the economy generating employment and providing services across the country. Business owners know that in order to reach Irish consumers, 90% of whom are active online, they need to ensure their online presence is at its best.  You’re the Business helps SMEs to do just that, through training that is available on our dedicated site. We’;ve been proud to partner with Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices in the delivery of the You’re the Business programme and I want to congratulate Chimac, Dóchas Design Studio and all the winners announced today, I look forward to seeing how they use this prize to support continued growth.”

Richard Murphy, head of LEO Support and Coordination Unit at Enterprise Ireland said:

“The role of digital in the evolution and growth of any SME has never been so keenly felt than over the past number of years. Companies have had to become more agile and digitally adept to survive and thrive. Opening up and sharing Google’s expertise in digital with SMEs across Ireland is a huge step forward in helping these companies to maximise their online presence and growth potential. Many congratulations to the winners announced today. We wish them continued success and look forward to supporting them as they grow both here in Ireland and hopefully internationally in the years to come.”

The foundation of You’re the Business is a digital upskill program. It is a Google initiative developed in

partnership with EI and the LEOs that delivers on-demand training online, e-learning courses, and tools

and other resources to SMEs in Ireland to help them upskill digitally.

For further information on the winners and the You’re The Business initiative, please visit: g.co/yourethebusiness

Winning SMEs:

The next chapter of Google’s Gemini era

Today, Google made a series of announcements marking the next chapter of our Gemini era — with new names, new products and new ways to experience their most capable AI.

Gemini is evolving to be more than just AI models. It supports an entire ecosystem — from the products that billions of people use every day, to the APIs and platforms helping developers and businesses innovate.

The news below.

A new name for Bard 

Our mission with Bard has always been to give users direct access to our AI models, and Gemini represents our most capable family of models. To reflect this, Bard will now simply be known as Gemini.

Gemini — Advanced 

You can already chat with Gemini with our Pro 1.0 model in over 40 languages and more than 230 countries and territories. And now, we’re launching Gemini Advanced to help people easily collaborate with the best of Google AI.

Gemini Advanced will give users in more than 150 countries and territories access to Ultra 1.0, our largest and most capable state-of-the-art AI model, better at highly complex tasks like coding, logical reasoning, following nuanced instructions and collaborating on creative projects. It’s currently available in English, and we’ll expand to more languages over time.

Introducing a new subscription for the Gemini era

Gemini Advanced is available as part of our brand new Google One AI Premium Plan for $19.99/month, starting with a two-month trial at no cost. This plan gives the best of Google AI and our latest advancements, along with all the benefits of the existing Google One Premium plan, such as 2TB of storage. In addition, AI Premium subscribers will soon be able to use Gemini in Gmail, Docs, Slides, Sheets and more.

Building next-gen AI boldly and responsibly

We continue to take a bold and responsible approach to bringing this technology to the world. And, to mitigate issues like unsafe content or bias, we’ve built safety into our products in accordance with our AI Principles. Before launching Gemini Advanced, we conducted extensive trust and safety checks. You can find more detail in our updated Gemini Technical Report.