eir, Ireland’s superfast broadband network, has revealed its ‘2022 Year in Data’, an annual snapshot of home broadband and mobile data usage across its national customer base across the year. Showcasing when, where and how we use our data, the ‘2022 Year in Data’ highlights some interesting trends across the last 12 months including:
Fixed Broadband
Total broadband data usage in 2022 dropped slightly versus 2021, with 4,400 PB in 2022 vs 4,500 PB in 2021 as Covid restrictions lifted.
For the first five months of the year, data in 2022 was lower than in the same months in 2021 as customers returned to normal post Covid.
Fibre-to-the-Home broadband data increased by 37% in 2022 at 1,500 Petabytes (PB), up from 1,100 PB in 2021.
On average, each household used just under 6,000 Gigabytes (GB) across the 12-month period, this is equivalent to 8 hours of video per day.
The record high in data usage in 2022 so far was 15.9 PB on Sunday 4th December.
Lowest data usage for fixed broadband in 2022 was on Wednesday 4th May at 9.3 PB.
Surges in eir TV traffic occurred at several moments in the year including the 2022 FIFA World Cup Final on Sunday December 20th, the RTE Late Late Toy Show on Friday 25th, the GAA All Ireland Finals on July 17th and 24th.
On average, Sunday was the highest data usage day of the week across 2022.
Weather incidents such as Storm Eunice in February saw a surge in usage as households spent more time at home.
The total broadband usage across the network (4,400PB) is the equivalent of 220 billion hours gaming, or 13 billion hours of video chat, or 2 billion hours film streaming or 678 billion songs streamed.
Mobile Data
12 million minutes of mobile voice calls were recorded on Christmas Eve, making it the busiest day for mobile conversation as people shared festive wishes with friends and family.
Tuesday, December 27th was the busiest day for mobile data usage, as customers streamed video and music services.
The equivalent of five million movie downloads took place across the mobile network over the festive period, December 24th – 28th, an increase of over 40% on the same period in 2021 as customers streamed entertainment on the go.
Traffic doubled across eir’s 5G network versus the same period in 2021. 5G, is the fifth generation of mobile technology that is up to 100 times faster than 4G, providing faster connectivity speeds, ultra-low latency and greater bandwidth, excellent gaming and video streaming experiences.
Commenting on eir’s ‘2022 Year in Data’, CEO Oliver Loomes: “At eir, we provide our customers with access to world leading technologies and the highest-quality connectivity. The ‘2022 Year in Data’ report provides interesting insights into how our customers use eir’s services, helping us to continuously innovate to ensure that we are constantly delivering what they need, when they need it and helping them connect throughout the year. To this end, eir is investing €250 million per annum in our network to improve speed, coverage and resilience,with 5G already available to over 530 cities and towns and full fibre broadband made available to more than 900,000 homes and businesses across the country. We are well on our way to our ultimate target of 1.9 million homes and businesses across Ireland connected with full fibre superfast broadband.”
Jabra has had quite a few sets of earbuds this year and the 5t is no different and in fact after testing no different to the Elite 5 we recently tested so what we have here is the same earbuds more or less but packaged with a wireless charger.
The Jabra Connect 5t true wireless earbuds are optimized for use in any environment – working from home, office, or on the go. These earbuds have 6-mic call technology for clear virtual meetings or mobile phone calls, Hybrid ANC for better focus, and are comfortable for all day use. The Bluetooth Multipoint lets you stay connected to two devices, like a laptop and a smartphone, at the same time which makes it a seamless process for those working on more than one device at a time like I would for instance.
Design is familiar here and in line with the current portfolio of earbuds which we have recently reviewed which for me is fine, if you are a current user of Jabras line this will fit in well and no learning curves or muscle memory to use the earbuds, we have the SoundPlus app to enhance the listening experience and again this is excellent as expected, as mentioned above the ANC works a treat whilst not the best they are excellent for calls and the most important feature I guess is the audio experience.
Highs lows and mids are fine and the volume is loud enough even for me, we have SBC AAC and aptX codex here which the later people look for these days and for a mid priced pair of earbuds that is good. For music movies and more they do a great job and very centred, on my usual test loop they pass my test which is hours of music videos and movies and I cant complain and for the price paid nor should you. Call also again fine as always with Jabra and if using multiple devices the seamless switching over is a super feature and then we have wireless charging which I have adopted along time ago so they just work for me and perfect for those in a similar environment and in fact can be paired to up to 6 devices
Check the video review for more and check out the app.
Features
Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
6-microphone call technology with wind noise suppression
Powerful 6mm speakers for goosebump-inducing, heart-racing, soaring sound
Customizable EQ and Spotify Tap Playback
Up to 7 hours play time with ANC on (up to 28 hours with wireless charging case)
Qualcomm® aptX™ Audio
Google Assistant and Alexa Built In for hands-free assistance on-the-go
Easy pairing with Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair
Bluetooth Multipoint keeps you connected to two devices at once
The HHOGene Gpods are a first of its kind and it is what we like to do here and recently we have reviewed another brand which had a similar first of its kind product with their outer casing and sci-fi based and it gave consumers something different over the industry standard today which is boring but it is what it is and it is hard to come up with new ideas keeping the cost down and giving someone totally different. As is we have most manufactures of earbuds etc giving us a refreshed model each year with some design hues kept from previous iterations and it works for most and is fine with me being honest it is how the tech cycle works.
Yes we do get these random new products into market they either succeeded or fail and go on to make more products and again we have worked with companies before that have succeeded still today with new products each year and so on. We have worked with many kickstarter and indiegogo tech products and this latest one is something to take note of..
The presentation is great to start with as you would have seen here in the full unboxing experience so that gets a thumbs up to start with so how does it go after that is what people want to know and how they sound as well as look..
These are comfortable to wear and fit really well in the ears with small stems however the stems is where it is at with how they work and are controlled via an app which allows you to pick from a selection of colours or even create your own we go through all that in the video review below anyway..
Yes they are comfortable to wear with a good seal and as always ensure you have the right tips to get the best results. So how do they sound and is a light show enough to attract the buyers?
So lets talk about the app, the app is really well done it has to be said and again we look at this below in the review in detail and it has many features, there is some features lacking that hopefully can be added later such as an EQ setting and volume control however after that it is quite good and gives you a preview also of shell types and can adjust some settings for the controls, there is no voice assistant access present as yet.
Artificial Intelligence with algorithmic capabilities allow for arranging photos and analysing the colour ratios found in stored photo images. Colours for each pixel point in an image are sorted in order to calculate colour blocks. These blocks are transformed into light which is then projected in colorful style from each earbud.
How do they sound then. These are powered by 10 mm drivers, they are balanced well with some bass thrown in but with no EQ you cant control the music to your requirements but they sound good out of the box and this can be addressed with third party apps but I find them useless being honest, there is no volume control or voice assistant access and limited controls all of which can be changed by software which i would like to see but for a pair of earbuds thy sound good and overall do a good job and by no means sound cheap. The ANC is ok and there is many more settings to customise them to an extent. Battery life is around 3 hours even with the light show on and again this could be also used as a safety feature in the dark mornings and evenings. You also have fast charge where 10 mins will give you two hours use.
Overall here this is something new giving a complete new aesthetic look to earbuds which have become boring looking now and it is a new design that could and most likely will be repeated by others, combining great looks and a decent audio experience I hope to see more in the future from the company and some updates on their app.
With bargain hunting becoming more of a necessity than a trend this year, understanding that customers are keen to upgrade while still trying to be frugal, Tesco Mobile Ireland has unveiled great savings on both prepay and bill pay handsets so savvy shoppers can enjoy the benefits of their Black Friday purchases all year round!
With lots to love and less to spend, the Tesco Mobile Black Friday sale is the one to watch. Whether you’ve saved up for a new handset, starting your Christmas shopping early, or are just hoping to stay connected for less, these unmissable Black Friday bargains will deliver great value price plans and savings of up to €350 on all your favourite smartphone brands.
Available now online and in Tesco Mobile Phone shops nationwide until 28th November, this is your chance to reap the benefits of Supermarket Mobile!
Black Friday Bill Pay offers exclusive to new Tesco Mobile Customers**
Not only are existing Tesco Mobile customers enjoying bargains this Black Friday, but new customers can benefit from exclusive offers when they switch, including massive savings on the iPhone 11 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE when you switch to Tesco Mobile.
Apple iPhone 11 Free on €30 Save €299.99. Was €299.99
The beloved iPhone is the hottest product on sale this Black Friday, and this model packs a punch. The dual‑camera system captures more of what you see and love. An all‑day battery life lets you do more and charge less, so you don’t have to worry about searching for the nearest socket.
Free Galaxy Buds + Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G €49.99 on €30 Save €350.00. Was €399.99
Introducing the latest in the Samsung Galaxy FE family, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE. The Everyday epic adventure continues with a pro-grade camera, fast processor, a huge 4,500mAh all-day battery and an incredibly immersive 120hz 6.4″ display.
Black Friday Bill Pay special offers from Tesco Mobile
Including the very best Android and Apple handsets, existing Tesco Mobile bill pay customers will enjoy great Black Friday bargains from as little as €30 per month, including 50GB of 4G data with 500 texts, 500 minutes and60 Clubcard points** Plus the €40 plan now includes unlimited data.
OPPO Reno 8 now FREE on €30 monthly plan Was €199.99. Save €199.99
Powered all day, shoot through the night with the OPPO Reno8. In bright light or after dark, the flagship Sony IMX 709 & IMX 766 camera sensors will capture clear and crisp photos. The Reno8 offers endless possibilities with its 50MP triple rear camera and 32MP flagship selfie shooter.
Realme GT2 now Free on €40 monthly plan Was €149.99. Save €149.99
With the Realme GT2, you can choose between a 30, 60, 90 or 120 Hz screen depending on what you need, as well as an amazing touch sample rate of 1000 Hz so you are one step ahead of the competition. After 12 months of research and development and more than 1000 hours of colour testing, Realme has developed this visually impressive design that mimics paper.
Black Friday Pay as You Go Offers from Tesco Mobile
Featuring a wide variety of handset options, the Prepay Data Plus Plan connects customers with unlimited data for just €15 per month. Available online or in select Tesco stores nationwide, this special Prepay Data Plus Plan also includes 500 any network texts and 500 any network minutes, as well as unlimited Tesco Mobile calls and texts as standard.
For Tesco Clubcard customers, there are even more savings to be had with Tesco Mobile. C
Level up with the Redmi 10’s exquisite and premium design enclosed in a sleek and lightweight body. Experience smooth and comfortable viewing with a 90Hz and 1080p display and effortless photography with the 50MP Quad-cam and gallery features.
Get up to 3 days of smooth experience supported by a massive 5000mAh battery, together with an Octa-Core power processor. Capture high-res photos and bokeh portraits with 13MP AI triple cameras. Portraits get better exposure under shadows or bright light with HDR and AI Face Tracking cameras of both rear & front.
The sleek and comfortable Samsung Galaxy A04s boasts a stunning curved screen to make navigation as seamless as possible. The 50MP camera brings photos to life and has a treasure trove of photography features to choose from to get the perfect shot. With a long-life battery and AI power management, users are equipped with long-lasting power for every and all adventures.
Check out all these great Tesco Mobile Black Friday deals and more on www.tescomobile.ie
Here are the biggest features for Apple Watch Series 8 you should know about.
In addition to all the advantages of an Apple Watch, the series 8 smartwatch is all about the sensors. While the watch may look almost similar to the previous models on the outside, the inside could well save your life.
From the new body temperature sensor that can help track fevers and ovulation, to the new crash detection technology that can automatically call emergency services in the event of a car wreck, the Apple Watch Series 8 offers great features designed to help keep you safe and well. If that was enough to grab your attention, read on below, as we’ll explain some of the best features of the Apple Watch Series 8 in details.
1. skin temperature sensor
One of the biggest features on Apple Watch Series 8 is the skin temperature sensor, which is being promoted as a tool for cycle and fertility tracking. Changes to wrist temperature have been proven accurate indicators of probable ovulation.
Besides providing basic body-temp information, the watch can also draw on its readings and those of other sensors to provide a more holistic image of the wearer’s health. This permits things like better cycle and ovulation tracking, as well as new health-tracking alerts that may catch brewing health concerns earlier.
According to Apple’s support page, anyone can use the temperature sensor to track the metric (outside of using advanced cycle tracking) by using Apple Watch sleep tracking.
2. Low Power Mode
The new Apple Watch Series 8 will last up to 18 hours on a single charge. But borrowing a feature from the iPhone and iPad, the Apple Watch Series 8 low power mode will disable some services, while attempting to maintain operations as close as possible to its normal mode. With low power mode enabled, you can get up to a whopping 36 hours of usage with the Apple Watch Series 8. It doesn’t truly double the Apple Watch’s battery life, but if you frequently forget your charger or you often go on short trips without, this could be a life-saver.
3. Crash Detection
The Apple Watch Series 8 includes a new feature known as Crash Detection, also found on its latest iPhone 14 lineup. This safety feature on Apple Watch Series 8 is capable of detecting car crashes. The user will be asked by the watch if they wish to contact emergency services. If they don’t respond within 10 seconds, the watch will automatically notify the user’s emergency contacts and send them their precise location.
To accomplish this, the Apple Watch Series 8 is bundled with two new motion sensors inside, along with updated gyroscopes and accelerometers. These together makes it possible for the watch to identify exact moment the crash happens.
Conclusion
Apple has introduced a few new features in the Apple Watch Series 8 to make it an improvement over the previous models. Apple Watch Series 8 could feel like Series 7 for the vast majority of people with only two new features – the temperature sensor with advanced cycle tracking and crash detection. But if you’re planning to upgrade from Series 3, 4, or SE, you get a larger display, always-on screen, faster charging, and all of the latest and greatest health features.
What do you think about the Apple Watch Series 8? What are your favorite features? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Black Friday is almost here and Jabra have a super sale on, Enjoy tuning into your favourite podcast, workout soundtrack or dial into work calls with ease with Jabra’s Elite range of earbuds, equipped with ANC. Check out the deals below.
Jabra Elite 7 Active (Black, Mint, Navy Blue) – The ultimate fitness companion, built to withstand even the toughest workouts
The typical router as supplied by your ISP (contrary to their marketing literature), may be of basic quality and give a reasonable Wi-Fi range, but if a few of these are placed in the same areas, as your router, there may be congestion on certain frequency ranges and poor broadband speed or coverage. (Depending on the router and technical experience the frequency range may be changed but may require some specialised knowledge) The Halo H80X is a specialised kit to increase the range and allow a repeater of the signal.
Note: the Halo can only forward the signal going into the building, if the signal is poor at the junction box or default router to Halo, this will not increase this, while if the signal is good coming into the building, in theory, this should spread the signal evenly throughout the building ensuring no black spots or poor coverage in parts of the building. Albeit coverage may depend on the type of construction within the building, large thick concrete walls or tinfoil-backed walls or fireproof doors will diminish signal quality. The Halo will certainly improve this signal, allowing the option to place close to black spots to improve the broadband experience. The location of the Halo is also a key factor in terms of range and quality of the signal, this should be placed as far as practical in an open space away from large metal items or e.g., book cabinet which would diminish the speed dramatically, the app gives a guideline on the best locations for the Halo. The Kit came with a clear specifications called out on the packaging giving full detail of what the kit could do.
Package Contents see unboxing below for more
2-pack
2× Halo H80X Units
1× RJ45 Ethernet Cable
2× Power Adapters
Quick Installation Guide
Note this comes in a 2 or 3 pack Kit, this review has been using the 2-pack kit, The 3 pack could be used to extend the range further.
Features:
Dual Band WiFi 6 Speeds up to 3000 Mbps – 2402 Mbps on 5 GHz and 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz.†
Seamless Roaming with One Unified Network – Halo units work together to automatically switch between Halos as you move around your home with a single unified WiFi name and password.‡
Whole Home Coverage – Blanket up to 5,000 ft² (460 m²) with high-speed WiFi, eliminating WiFi dead zones at your home.†
Connect over 150 Devices – Provide fast and stable connections over 150 devices.†
Easily Mange Your Home Network – Use the MERCUSYS App to quickly set up and manage your WiFi. You can also manage your kids’ online time and contents.
Full Gigabit Ports – 3× Gigabit ports per Halo unit for lightning-fast wired connections.**
Reset Button:
The one option I always like in a product is the option to reset the system to ensure if issues on the setup etc, you can start from scratch,
Press 1 second to reset Halo to factory default settings.
Setup:
The first impression of the instruction guide was disappointing in that there is a manual included, there is one page of instructions in English, this shows a QR code, scanning allowed the app to be downloaded, but this did not give any circuit diagram for network connection. There was a help option, albeit the setup is logical, but would benefit from a basic diagram option to connect the devices.
Suggested setup option via Mercusys support links
1. Turn off the modem, and remove the backup battery if it has one.
2. Connect the modem to either Ethernet port on the router.
3. Power on the router, and wait for it to start.
4. Turn on the modem.
Login the web interface
1.Connect to the main router wirelessly using the default SSID (network name) printed on the main router’s label.
2.Open a web browser and enter the default domain name http://mwlogin.net in the address field to access the web management page.
3.A login window will appear. Create a login password when prompted.
Tips: For subsequent login, use the password you set.
App setup – MERCUSYS app
The app has over 100K+ downloads with a 3.3 star rating out of 5, the setup is standard for app given the functionality.
Android app setting –
There is a variety of different options within the functionality of the app this includes a very useful feature of network optimization. If the unit is used in a highly congested area with a lot of neighbour’s routers on the same frequency the network optimization can pick the best frequency and update as required, this works but does not tell you what frequency it is changed to. Alternatively, if required to blacklist a particular unit, a device can be easily achieved. A very useful feature is the parental controls this allows to prevent access to example over 18 sites or configure individual sites blocked, e.g., Facebook if not be required. This has options as used for a junior person, it may also be used for a child, preteen, or adult blocking social networking downloads blocked. If used in an office environment there is a website category with specific websites that can be blocked, most staff that work in a commercial environment will be aware certain sites are blocked by their local IT department. This can be achieved within the app by updating the website and blocking specific sites example Facebook. Or whatever sites are deemed inappropriate for staff, again for younger generations it could also be used to block specific areas that are not required.
Reporting features are available to give an idea of how much data is being used which can give an indication that may assist in security implications. Within the advanced features, there is a variety of technical settings that configures by specialised, teams. One feature which is quite useful is the LED, the LED can be turned off or set for a night mode to switch off at night-time if the unit is used in a bedroom.
The app has an option to easily see what devices are connected, for example, smartphones, home network laptops etc this is very handy to visually see if something is connected which should not be connected or unexpected, this is similar to having a review of your credit card bills to ensure everything looks in place having a look at your own network to see what’s connected is possibly good practise now and again.
Within the Wi-Fi settings on the app 2.4 GHz 5 giga Hertz functionality can be turned off and, on, the guest, the network can be enabled or disabled. The main network name can be changed, or the password can easily be updated
Compare mobile app (android) vs web link
Typically I would expect to be able to do the same function on the app as the website, ( http://mwlogin.net ) The web login has minimal practical use, in that changes, etc cannot be made only view the setting, Any changes to the network etc allow the guest network to be turned on, parental controls etc is required to be done via the mobile app. This may result in a lot of wasted time if searching on the web link for functionality.
The web link does allow the software to be updated via e.g., a memory stick or via the web.
Results:
As part of this techbuzz review, the H80X was set up as above. A speed test was done from various rooms in the house, with all doors closed and no other internet surfing etc turned on
In each room a windows laptop was connected to the initial network and a speed test was run 3 times, Download, Upload speed and latency were tested, the average rate was logged, in the same room the connection was changed to the Mercusys Ax3000 Halo H80X ( network called techbuzz ) and again the speed was tested an averaged from 3 readings, this was done in the rooms below.
Techbuzz speed tests comparison from ISP router to Mercusys Ax3000 Halo H80X (network called techbuzz)
Analysis of the data:
Within the same room as the router (Classed as the Sitting room)
Tested location
Standard internet provider router
Techbuzz – Mercusys Ax3000 Halo H80X
Download (Mbps)
Upload (Mbps)
Latency (ms)
Download (Mbps)
Upload (Mbps)
Latency (ms)
Sitting room (router placed)
270
51
13
360
50
14
The data showed an improvement from 270 Mbps to 360 on the Halo H80X which I believe is down to the app optimisation frequency picking out the best network frequencies or uncongested frequency.
There was no coverage from the ISP router in the indication the Halo expanded the coverage
Downstairs utility room
Not connect
Not connect
Not connect
11
14
16
The furthest room has the biggest increase in broadband speed going from initially 12 Mbps to 190 Mbps, and half the latency which would benefit gamers,
Upstairs furthest bedroom
12
4.1
32
190
47
16
Additional Test done:
As part of the testing, a windows laptop was connected to the Halo and walked to his furthest part of the drive until reduced coverage. subsequently walked to the back of the garden where the Halo in front would not have coverage, this worked seamlessly on the handover from one Halo to the next without any drop our loss in signal
Conclusion:
With the Halo a few minor niggles in terms of the lack of network diagrams, the colour of the White box with a black plug, (I would prefer from aesthetics to have all white or all back colours) The Web app is of little practical use.
Overall, the kit comes with many useful features in terms of, Dual frequency, security, Parental controls, and network optimisation but more importantly for anyone with blackspots / poor Wi-Fi coverage this kit does exactly as described and what it is designed to do as seen on the test results carried out by Techbuzz in a consistence manner and comparison to the ISP equipment.
Technology continues to advance and poor coverage can be fixed by the non-technical with this kit that works as broadband should, a Must for those with Wi-fi blackspots.
Another day a new pair of earbuds here at TBI where we cover the biggest range of earbuds in Ireland and you see them in our hands, yes stock image reviews does not cut it nor have context but we give you all this here and these earbuds have lots to show off including changeable shells and they also light up and can be controlled with an app these are super cool but how will they sound and is aesthetics enough to give them a free pass, Well we will find out soon with our full review and we cant wait to get testing these new earbuds from HHOGene and they are their new GPods.
A unique software system allows full control of emanating light. Dimness, brightness, rhythm response, shades, and colours are at beck and call through digital technology built into all GPods.
Artificial Intelligence（AI）with algorithmic capabilities allow for arranging photos and analysing the colour ratios found in stored photo images. Colours for each pixel point in an image are sorted in order to calculate colour blocks. These blocks are transformed into light which is then projected in colourful style from each earbud.
The JBL Tune Flex is the last pair so far in for review and at the budget end of the spectrum with price here is where one will ask about performance and features, as I have said many times here on site and in my videos this department has changed rather swiftly with the cost to performance ratio getting better things are now better for the consumer and the same applies again here in short for JBL with the Tune Flex.
With having the most earbuds reviewed in Ireland on site and by that I mean hands on you see them and we also do a video review rather than stock images with little context we test our earbuds check out the apps when available as some earbuds still do not have apps but in some cases do not require on we have a good feel and taste for the audio for the price be it high or low and as mentioned this applies now to earbuds in the sub 100 euro department and we have actually had some in to check out in recent times and the competition is just getting better and that means better value for the consumer.
I usually do not fob off one brand against another in my reviews as we like to stick the the product in question but there is good value to be had under the 100 euro price point these days and the days of spending up to 300 euro on earbuds is long gone for me unless you are a brand loyalist which I am not and like to see what is out there for all prices which we do… Yes we have more earbuds of course in and coming soon.. Even recently JBL announced probably the best looking phone case coming soon and it did cause a stir as to why and what features will be on offer but again we have an example of JBL Tour Pro 2 upping the game here bringing something new to the table and even after checking out the latest pairs of earbuds they have all the market covered when it comes to prices and what is on offer.
The JBL Tour Pro 2 earbuds which I seriously can’t wait to see.
So back to the Tune Flex. OK so we will not keep you here much longer but do watch the video for more, We have gone over their app multiple times but here is some of what is inside in case you missed it from out previous reviews and again it is good and delivers and lets you be in control rather than having a default option you have an EQ so all the bells and whistles are here in their app even at this price point.
Features
JBL Pure Bass Sound
Active Noise Cancelling (2-Mic) with Smart Ambient
4 microphones for crisp, clear calls
JBL sound fit – open ear and sealing ear tips
3 sizes of sealing ear tips
Up to 8H in the earbuds + 24H in the case with ANC off
Speed charge
IPX4 splash proof certified
Hands-Free Voice Control with Google Assistant
Customisable all-access touch control through the JBL Headphones App
