Sony today announced Xperia L4 – adding a new entry model to its portfolio of entertainment-focused smartphones.
21:9 Wide display for sleek design and increased productivity
New for Sony’s L series, Xperia L4 benefits from a sleek 6.2” 21:9 Wide display that delivers a slender style and fits perfectly in your hand. The 21:9 ratio allows you to see more at once and scroll less, plus together with Sony’s multi-window UI you can launch and enjoy using two apps simultaneously in easy-viewing sizes for both windows. Furthering the ease of use is the Side sense function which provides easy access to your favourite apps.
Widen your photography skills
Xperia L4 is the first product in Sony’s L series to feature a triple camera, offering 13MP main lens, 5MP ultra-wide lens and 2MP depth camera, so you can channel your inner creativity and capture high quality, artistic photos and benefits from a beautiful bokeh effect.
Always get the full picture by switching between the two angles, wide and ultra-wide, offering you the option to capture beautiful landscapes, as well as effortless portraits and everything-in-between.
Camera creativity is also enhanced by the 21:9 display, allowing you to capture videos and images in the dramatic 21:9 aspect ratio.
A battery built for life
The high-capacity 3,580mAh battery with fast charging will easily see you through a busy day, so you can do more of what you love.
Sony’s Xperia Adaptive Charging monitors your phone as it charges, ensuring that the battery isn’t overworked and stays healthy for longer.
Availability
Xperia L4 is available in a choice of two colours, Black and Blue and will be available in select markets from Spring 2020 onwards.
With a wide option of sat nav equipment out there today we are not stuck for choice when it comes to getting around, Be it using our mobile phones which is popular or built in kits in our cars there is still a market for standalone products and again a huge variety to pick from. Tom Tom would be more familiar in the UK market more so than here and from having tested and worked on several mapping instances I look forward to seeing how this kit works out..
I have been a huge mapping fan for years and have been involved in several mapping projects over the years and a rather large one last year and will continue to keep at it as I have a keen interest in maps and the tech behind it and what is to come down the road. Today we check out the Tom Tom Go Premium and take a quick first look and tour and will have a full review soon.. As usual any questions feel free to hit us up.
Features include:
Wi-Fi® Updates for both World maps and software
Lifetime* Traffic and Speed Cameras via built-in SIM
Last Mile Navigation and Find My Car
IFTTT Integration – syncing agendas, connecting to smart home devices, interacting with virtual assistants and sending notifications
Tranya is a relatively new company to the audio market and has a wide range of products for consumers to buy at an affordable price. In fact their range is all under the €100 mark and it is good to see. They have sent us their very latest product to hit the market which is the B530 PRO true wireless earbuds which we cant wait to test over the next while..
The B530 pro has all you would expect to find for a pair of true wireless at this price and we will be going over all the features and finding out if they are worth your money so stay tuned for a review and check out the unboxing below and you can fire away with any questions as we go a full real hands on like we do with all our tech.
Equinix, Inc. the global interconnection and data centre company, today announced a partnership with Irish telecommunications service provider, AirSpeed Telecom. The joint cloud offering comes as results of an independent survey commissioned by Equinix, finds 38% of Irish IT decision-makers believe the volume of data breaches will increase with the widespread rollout of remote working solutions. The survey also shows 31% of businesses in Ireland cannot fully support employee remote working because of latency issues. Equinix’s collaboration with AirSpeed Telecom addresses these concerns with the launch of AirSpeed Cloud Connectivity.
As digital transformation takes hold in Ireland and across the world, flexible working gives employees choice on how, when and where they work – increasing productivity, job satisfaction and improving business performance. As demand from employees for flexible working increases, businesses are under pressure to ensure they have the right technology, network speed and security to support it.
Pictured announcing Equinix’s partnership with AirSpeed Telecom to provide a secure cloud solution for businesses are (L-R): Charles O’Reilly, General Manager, AirSpeed Telecom; and Kevin O’Connor, Channel Manager, Equinix
To facilitate the rise of flexible working in Ireland, and as part of its ongoing strategy to offer enhanced end-to-end solutions, Equinix partner, AirSpeed Telecom, now provides Equinix’s cloud platform, Equinix Cloud Exchange Fabric™ (ECX Fabric®), as ‘AirSpeed Cloud Connectivity’. It will offer businesses across Ireland, fast, secure and reliable connectivity to streamline cloud migration and increase business performance.
AirSpeed Cloud Connectivity allows businesses to privately and seamlessly interconnect with the world’s largest cloud providers such as Microsoft Azure (ExpressRoute), Oracle Cloud Infrastructure and Google Cloud. As Equinix offers direct access to the highest concentration of major cloud provider onramps in the world, it allows businesses to choose the cloud services that best fit their, and their employees’, ever-changing business requirements.
Highlights/Key Facts
By offering a cloud solution, AirSpeed Telecom is answering the growing trend for businesses to move from traditional IT infrastructure to cloud-based services. Independent research commissioned by Equinix found cloud is now the number one driver of channel engagement in Ireland, with almost half (45%) of IT decision-makers using the channel to access cloud-based services.
Equinix’s third annual Global Interconnection Index (GXI) shows the need to connect to multiple clouds and IT services represents the fastest-growing use of interconnection bandwidth – in other words, the bandwidth required for businesses to privately connect to clouds, enterprises and networks – is growing at an expected 112% CAGR by 2022.
Available in 37+ locations across five continents, AirSpeed Cloud Connectivity, through ECX Fabric, now provides businesses with a multinational presence to support cloud connectivity across the world.
Through ECX Fabric, AirSpeed Cloud Connectivity enables enterprises to make significant cost savings and enhance productivity by eliminating the costly overheads associated with traditional IT infrastructure. It also offers organisations a selection of bandwidths to support their business needs – ensuring they only pay for what they need.
AirSpeed Cloud Connectivity, through ECX Fabric, uses integrated APIs and allows organisations to establish on-demand virtual connections in near real time.
The cloud solution delivers bandwidth ranging from 10Mbs to 10Gbs to ensure businesses can easily access 145+ cloud service providers via a fast, secure and reliable dedicated private line, therefore supporting a variety of use cases in addition to remote working, such as business continuity and disaster recovery.
Quotes
Charles O’Reilly, General Manager, AirSpeed Telecom:
“As cloud services continue to grow and facilitate the strategic needs and direction for more and more organisations, AirSpeed Cloud Connectivity has been designed to provide fully managed, secure and reliable access to the cloud. Reliance on the cloud, and the benefits it will deliver, continues to expand; and throughout that journey businesses can rely on AirSpeed every step of the way.”
Kevin O’Connor, Channel Manager, Equinix:
“Our research shows Ireland’s IT decision-makers are cautious of the impact remote working will have on cybersecurity – and rightly so. Organisations must ensure that in their efforts to modernise their business, they are also considering the security risks in doing so. Remote working is all about employee satisfaction and boosting productivity. Organisations who experience latency issues won’t be able to reap the benefits of remote working, as it will slow down workloads and frustrate users. Having direct access to the world’s leading cloud service providers is therefore essential in removing these hurdles.”
Twelve South today introduces the Curve SE notebook stand in matte white. The ultimate partnership of style and functionality, not only does it perfectly match clean modern office spaces and the aesthetics of many Apple accessories such as the Magic Mouse and Magic Keyboard, it also has an improved ergonomic design. With the Curve SE, users no longer have to hunch over and tilt their head downwards towards a screen, they can easily elevate their MacBook to a healthier, more comfortable height, relieving neck and shoulder strain in the process.
Offering multiple uses, the Curve SE can be paired with a full-sized keyboard and mouse for a convenient desktop setup or used with a monitor for dual screen functionality. Its minimal design uses a single piece of aluminum which allows for 70% of the base to be exposed for optimal cooling. Anti-slip silicone pads and bent arms keep the laptop in place and prevent scratches.
Andrew Green, founder & designer at Twelve South comments; “While others may chase the latest colour of MacBook, we continue to look for better ways to integrate your work tools into your work space. Desktop accessories – especially MacBook stands – are inherently home decor. They should match your room, your style, your desk and complement (not copy) your MacBook. Our latest solution, while deceptively simple, is a beautiful matte white MacBook stand we call Curve SE.”
The Twelve South Curve SE is available now for £49.99 at Amazon.co.uk. It’s also available in black.
Globalstar Europe Satellite Services Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Globalstar Inc. (NYSE MKT: GSAT) and the leader in satellite messaging and emergency notification technologies, today introduced its new mapping software, SPOT Mapping. This new platform gives adventurers and lone workers enhanced location insights, including granular detail about terrain to aid navigation, and, for the first time, weather forecast overlays.
SPOT Mapping makes it easier than ever for SPOT owners to plan and track their trips, with dynamic intelligence about local conditions, and allows them to share their journey details with friends, family and colleagues. Users can now view maps with satellite, road and terrain options with far more detail than previously available. The new mapping platform is viewable on any mobile device, and users can either view maps in Live mode for real-time tracking or in History mode to review previous trips.
The entry-level SPOT Basic Mapping service is included in the SPOT Basic service plan. It enables users to post their waypoints; set an alert for check-in or custom messages; share maps with up to three additional people, store up to 10 contacts, and store up to three years of position history.
Premium Mapping pricing starts at 24 Euros (£20) including VAT annually and features weather mapping layers, geofencing and two-way messaging to/from SPOT X, the latest addition to the SPOT family, launched in 2019. The premium service also allows users to share maps with up to 10 people, store up to 25 contacts, and hold up to five years of position history.
Enterprise-level subscriptions start at 45 euros (£38) + VAT per year with unlimited sharing and contacts, as well as features including the ability to customise maps and add customised icons.
“With a choice of devices to suit different types of adventurer and lone workers, SPOT devices are being used by individuals and groups exploring remote regions of Europe from the Alps to the Nordic tundra. With this new mapping software, users now have the information at their fingertips to plan routes accurately and even check the local weather,” commented Karim Kabir, CEO of VarioTek, a German SPOT reseller.
“Having listened carefully to SPOT users about their mapping needs, we have worked diligently to bring them an enhanced mapping experience,” said Dave Kagan, CEO of Globalstar. “SPOT has been used to trigger more than 7,000 rescues worldwide, and now, with our new mapping platform, it will keep outdoor adventurers more informed than ever, resulting in safer journeys into the wild, and more peace of mind for friends, family and colleagues.”
SPOT Mapping is now available for all existing SPOT customers including SPOT X, SPOT Gen 3, SPOT Trace, and legacy SPOT products.
Powered by the Globalstar Satellite Network, with its worldwide fleet of spacecraft in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), the SPOT family of satellite messengers provides affordable messaging and tracking for outdoor enthusiasts and remote workers. SPOT devices with a one-touch SOS button have a direct connection to the GEOS International Emergency Response Coordination Center.
Future Shock has today announced their plans to expand and move their virtual reality centre to a much larger location, to tackle growing demand and open up new target markets. Known for being Dublin’s first virtual reality arcade, having opened in October 2017, the expansion will enable the addition of VR escape rooms (via an exclusive license with Ubisoft), an esports gaming centre, educational school tours and large sized corporate group events.
Moving to a brand new facility custom designed from the ground up for their specific needs, the new location will become a world class entertainment centre for the local and wider Dublin community. Being located in The Arena Centre, Tallaght offers ease of access with free parking while also still being accessible from the Luas line. They expansion comes with a description change to ‘tech entertainment centre’ compared to the original ‘VR arcade’ title. This is to reflect the increased product offerings available, such as augmented reality educational courses and non VR entertainment options. The facility size will increase from 1900 sq ft to over 4600 sq ft with expected guest numbers of 25,000 per year.
Commenting on the expansion, Future Shock founder Conor Gannon said “Our new centre will offer us the ability to hit strong growth targets and go after new markets that were never available to us previously due to size limitations. The educational market is a major untapped market as there is no facility in the country that can offer such cutting edge technology to a large student group. The ability to tie in our content with the students curriculum can be a major learning aid for the student, as virtual reality has been shown to in some studies to achieve a 125% increase in an exams pass rate (90% pass rate with VR lessons, 40% pass rate without)
We haven’t forgotten our entertainment roots however, and will be implementing a strong expansion on this side of the business also. As well as expanding our standard VR options, we’ll be introducing a much more sophisticated free roam VR system, a premium VR escape room experience and a more traditional gaming centre with a focus on esports.
Commenting from Ubisoft Dusseldorf, Patrick Fedler, the chief customer officer of Ubisoft Escape Games had this to say; “We are delighted to hear of Future Shock’s expansion, they have shown a consistently excellent customer experience throughout their time running our content and we’re eager to see them bring our team focused escape experiences to a new audience”
Construction has already begun on the new facility, with an opening scheduled for April of this year. More info can be found on their website at http://www.futureshock.ie
After its successful introduction in Japan at the end of 2019 and in the US at CES 2020, Sourcenext’s new generation Pocketalk hits European shores. Pocketalk is a portable, AI-powered instant voice translation device that has the ability to translate 74 languages bi-directionally. The new Pocketalk S model is now available for purchase online at the recently launched Pocketalk webshop and will be exclusively in retail at SMARTECH, Selfridges and Amazon from 21 February with more stores coming after mid-March 2020.
Pocketalk S is a multi-sensory, two-way translation device designed for easy naturally flowing conversations, even in noisy environments. With a sleek design encompassing a large touchscreen, two high-quality speakers, noise-cancelling microphones and a text-to-translate camera, Pocketalk S is able to create connections across 74 different languages in over 130 countries and regions. By utilising the best translation engines from around the world, Pocketalk provides a consistently accurate translation for deciphering public transportation signs, menus, and creates the best experience by picking up localised dialects and slang. For even more ease of mind, Pocketalk S also includes a complimentary two-year data plan.
Key updates include:
Smaller size: lighter and more compact for easier travel
Larger screen: 16% larger touch surface for additional clarity
Camera: instantly recognises and translates text, the written word and signs, because language shouldn’t be limited to just verbal communication
Conversion: computes exchanges for currency, length, width and temperature
Faster: increased software processing speed for more immediate translations
More connected: with support for a wider mobile band, users will notice a stronger data signal across the world
One-button translation: for simple translations in fewer steps
“The new Pocketalk S has been incredibly well received. It was voted Best Accessory of CES 2020 by Business Insider as well as Best Family Tech by PARENTS magazine last month. With more than 600,000 units sold worldwide, it gives Pocketalk a deep understanding of the marketplace and where to innovate. Launching Pocketalk S in Europe, after Japan and the United States, is the natural next step toward our mission of bringing people closer together, and with Pocketalk S, we are providing the most dependable, thoughtful, all-encompassing device to form meaningful connections without language as a barrier,” says Tomoaki Kojima, Managing Director of Sourcenext B.V.
Pocketalk S is available in four different colours, gold, black, white and red at an RRP of £259.00 The Pocketalk S has been available on Amazon UK now. Shipment will commence as of 21 February 2020.
Sydney based consumer electronics brand, Chargeasap, known for its incredibly successful crowdfunding campaigns including Infinity UNO and X-Connect cables, is pleased to announce its latest innovation, Flash, a 20,000mAh powerbank, is now on Indiegogo. The world’s most powerful, most versatile and fastest charging powerbank, the pledges start at $139/£107 for early bird or $149/£115 thereafter (Full RRP $299/£230). The 60 day campaign will run until 27th March with shipping expected to start April 2020.
The Flash powerbank is able to charge up to 4 devices simultaneously with a total of 150W output charging. With super-fast charging, it supports Apple Fast Charge with a full charge in just 1hr 10 min (20,000mAh) or 80% (16,000mAh) in only 35 minutes making it 10 x faster than traditional powerbanks.
It has enough power to charge an iPhone 11 four times in just 35 minutes! Key to the appeal of the Flash, it can support and charge a variety of everyday gadget essentials making it extremely versatile. It is able to charge devices including 100W Power Delivery 3.0 devices (such as MacBook Pro 16”) as well as smartphones and even an Apple Watch (2.5W); it is truly the only powerbank needed. Supporting Apple Fast Charge, Huawei Supercharge, Oppo Flash Charge, Vivo Flash Charge, 10W Wireless Fast Charge and Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0, it is compatible with most brands and devices unique fast charge technologies.
Chargeasap is able to achieve the world’s fastest charging powerbank through incorporating Tesla™’s revolutionary graphene composite battery technology. Using four 21700 Tesla™ Lithium Polymer Graphene Composite Battery Cells manufactured by Panasonic, they have 20% higher energy density than its predecessor. Not only fast and powerful, the Graphene technology also makes it the world’s safest powerbank by allowing it to fast charge at low temperatures compared to standard batteries. Flash will never go above 50°C (122°F) unlike competitor powerbanks which can reach 75°C (167°F) ensuring it is safer and also longer lasting. With a battery life cycle up to four times longer than standard batteries, users can rest assured that they are getting a high quality and durable device. Even after five years of daily use, the Flash’s battery will still perform well and Chargeasap is so confident in Flash it offers a 2 year warranty, making it a totally risk-free purchase, double the industry standard of 1 year.
Flash has not only 1 x 100W USB-C Power Delivery Port but also 2 specially designed USB-A ports to support all major brands’ fast charge technology including Apple, Samsung, Huawei, Oppo and Vivo. This means that it can power a large laptop, midsized laptop or the iPad Pro. The fourth wireless output, features two coils (10W Fast Charge and 2.5W). The addition of this wireless pad and the 2.5W allows it to charge an Apple Watch making it an ideal accessory for any Apple Watch user to avoid having to take multiple chargers and enable the use of just a single one to power all devices.
To add additional convenience, pass through charging is also featured on both of the USB-A ports on the Flash and 10W wireless pad to allow for charging of up to 3 devices whilst also charging Flash itself. Not only will it charge smartphones and laptops, it is also compatible with all USB devices including GoPro’s, headphones, Nintendo Switches, speakers and more, so, no matter the device, users can feel confident that it will never run out of charge on adventures, when out and about or even at home.
Thanks to the 20,000mAh battery capacity, there are also no concerns when travelling. With some airlines, such as Air Asia, now specifying that the maximum international airline safe capacity is 20,000mAh (reduced from 27,000mAh), Flash can be taken on any travels without any worries that it may be confiscated at customs. Flash offers true peace of mind with its multi charging and fast charging capabilities and weighing only 470g it is the essential travelling partner.
Manufactured with aircraft grade aluminium with anodised finished and available in Black or Space Grey, it is available on Indiegogo from 28th January. With prices beginning at $139/£107, it is the ideal powerbank for gadget lovers. After the Indiegogo campaign concludes, the RRP will be $299/£230.
Specs
Capacity: 20,000mAh / 74Whr
Interface:
Max 100W USB-C Power Delivery Input/Output
Max 40W USB-A Huawei Super Charge 22.5W, Oppo, Oneplus VOOC Flash Charge SVOOC Super Flash charging 40W, Vivo VOOC 22.5W
