Tag: #tech

Tech Review – Sensei 3-in-1 Wireless charging station

Own multiple devices that support wireless charging? Modern and on-trend, this 3-in-1 Charging Stand for your smart tech allows you to charge and organise 3 devices at the same time for ultimate convenience. The fast-charge wireless charging pad for Qi-enabled mobile phones accompanies two other charging stations, perfect for your other smart devices, also includes a type C cable so no additional wires are needed!

There is several charging powers here and once more this saves you on having messy cables all around the same spot keeping it clear and clutter free and no tangled cables, check the video review for more below.. This would fall under a generic make and can be found on Amazon, Check out the video review for the full details it is a simple to use kit with no setup required.

Video Review

Tech Review – Auna Line A 100 2.0 tower speakers

Over the last few weeks I had some changes to the sound system in my sitting room and we got something different which is tower speakers, these speakers come in different colours and spec and also look great in the house, they can be moved around to even though they are on the large size but no matter where you place them you are going to get superb sound which is what you want when gaming or watching movies.

The speakers also give out a total of 160 watts which is loud,so loud in fact the floor and couch rattles akin to what you pay 20 quid for with a seat in your local cinema, these speakers bring the cinema experience to you sitting room or gaming set up and you will not be dissapointed, the style though may not be for all but for a change we went with the towers and I like them and they look well beside the main couch you can place them anywhere as mentioned but for the best experince you should perhaps place them centre of the room.

The system is excellent when it comes to use case, you have got a USB port MIcro Sd card slot and optical connections which is all you need, streaming music from your phone is great and when in use in other scenarios the sound is excellent overall..

The compact auna Line 100 A 2.0 features an 8″ (20 cm) OneSide Subwoofer, a 4″ (10 cm) midrange, and a 1″ (2.5 cm) tweeter per speaker. Musical content is reproduced with a power of 40 watts RMS / 80 maximum. The basic features include an SD slot and a USB port for reliable playback of MP3s. The Bluetooth function is capable of wirelessly connecting music to the speakers via a smartphone. A stereo audio input completes the connection repertoire of the stylish floor-standing speakers. The OneSide Subwoofer provides remarkably full bass and room-filling sounds. A clear LED display with smooth push buttons and an included remote control make handling of the line 100 A particularly comfortable. The floor-standing speakers, with their small footprint, take up very little space and fit easily into any living environment thanks to their clear design with a low-vibration bass reflex cabinet.

Check out the video review below and see what the sound is like but I can tell you it is great and worth the purchase..

 

Top features

  • Powerful sound: 2.0 speaker system with 80 watts of total power for high music enjoyment
  • Room-filling sounds: OneSide Subwoofer for remarkably full bass
  • Wireless: Bluetooth function for music streaming via smartphone, tablet or PC
  • Versatile playback options: including USB port, SD slot and stereo audio input
  • Simple operation: thanks to LED display with smooth push buttons
  • Elegant design: slim shape blends perfectly into any living environment

This package was purchased by TBI and we have no affiliation with the company no input or payment was received..

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VIDEO

Cyber resilience and its role in delivering digital public services

By George Maybury, Public Sector Director, Dell Technologies Ireland

The moves underway to digitally transform public sector services today will directly impact the long-term wellbeing of citizens and protect the economies of the future.

However, in realising the true potential of a new, efficient public sector, we must seize the opportunities of our data-driven era not only by preparing for innovative technologies, but also confronting the rising threats of cyber and ransomware attacks head on.

With the greater focus on cybersecurity in the newly published National Digital Strategy and plans to strengthen the National Cyber Security Centre by collaborating with technology leaders in the private and public sector, Ireland has the opportunity to power digital government services that are citizen-centric and above all cyber secure.

Vulnerabilities

Cyberattacks occur every 11 seconds and costed €9.6bn to the Irish economy in 2020 alone.  But the human cost is immeasurable. From healthcare organisations taking care of patients with eHealth services, to virtually connected classrooms at all levels, our public sector today heavily relies on digital technologies to operate. That’s why, with an increased dependence on data, cyberattacks can be catastrophic for those who carry on providing the services that we as citizens rely on.

Preventative cyber technology is constantly evolving with new innovations to protect data and keep pace with ever-evolving cyber threats. However, a collaborative approach between the public and private sector in Ireland can help to maximise the cyber resiliency of digital public services as range of such services expand.

As organisations come together to mount more robust, joint defences against cyberattacks, so too should the brightest cyber experts, CIOs, and public sector leaders. Representing a large scale, global security issue, ransomware is everyone’s problem and could hinder progress in Ireland if not dealt with decisively.

Protecting data

Data is quickly becoming the lifeblood of public sector organisations in Ireland as they look to digitalise and enhance the services they provide to citizens. But accelerated digital transformations have created increasing complexities – and data protection must evolve to meet new demands.

We have witnessed this trend in the past two years. While remote access to social services, supported by always-on digital platforms, boosted accessibility and streamlined efficiencies, it also significantly expanded the amount of data that the public sector is handling.

With Dell Technologies Data Paradox survey highlighting how 75% of organisations experienced an increase in data demand in the past three years, it is more important than ever that key decision makers place intrinsic security around this data and at the heart of their digital strategies. Retaining trust in the digital innovations that underpin future economies and social well-being is critical to sustaining progress. This starts with holistic cyber security.

As public sector organisations in Ireland look to reinforce cyber resiliency, focusing on their most critical data is key – from court records with accompanying images and digital classroom attendants sheets, to object data from diagnostic systems and health surveys. Placing this critical data in a vault will help ensure it is isolated, can’t be modified and can be quickly recovered in the event of an attack – enabling healthcare services to get up and running quickly again.

As part of our cyber product offering at Dell Technologies, we have developed a cyber vault. This provides the ultimate protection for critical healthcare data. It delivers a fast, easy-to-deploy public cloud vault that moves critical data away from the attack and isolates it within a secure, automated operational air gap. Our vault solution can be a building block for cyber resilience in this critical era of digital transformation across societies and economies.

Better together

Protecting data requires a ‘people, process, and best of breed technology solutions’ approach. While there is no antidote or 100% fail-proof approach, enlisting a cyber strategy that focuses on all three areas is critical.

Cyber security is evolving quickly to keep pace with cyber criminals and that means cyber strategies should be constantly evolving, too – with stress tests and ongoing assessments to ensure they are fit for purpose. Planning and preparation are vital. This is not a journey that public services providers can travel alone.

But the risks of not acting now far outweigh the short-term cost of investing in tighter cyber strategies. Progress is at stake. It is underpinned by technology innovations that require patient trust, continuity, and reliability.

Take the potential for Digital Twin technology, which is the focus of one of the modules of the ‘Digital Futures in Healthcare’ programme that Dell Technologies developed with the HSE. A digital twin is the digital copy of an asset. By running simulations on this digital asset,  IT scientists and researchers can study it and predict real world outcomes based on changes in its digital operating conditions.

This innovation is transforming the sector and enabling healthcare institutions to meet pressing challenges – from personalising healthcare to combatting patient wait times. The powerful combination of the digital twin, IoT, AI, and data analytics will boost patient outcomes and hospital performance.

But this must be supported by stringent cyber security to evolve with the trust of patients and healthcare providers – and remain operational in the event of a ransomware attack.

Ransomware is a global challenge, and open, multistakeholder approaches across sectors will help organisations in Ireland ramp up defences. The nature of healthcare makes it particularly vulnerable, and the stakes are high as it powers global and national resilience beyond the pandemic.

Securing the viability of public sector innovations with first-class cyber strategies will benefit everyone, everywhere. As we look to transform our digital public services for the benefit of teachers, our justice system, local authorities, patients and healthcare workers, prioritising cyber security and resilience will become more than a hot topic – it’s a lifeline.

Tech Review – The Konftel C2070 conferencing system

The Konftel C2070 came in a complete kit which comprised of a conference speaker ( Konftel 70)  and a 4K video resolution Camera ( Konftel Cam20) with a Konftel OCC Hub which connects the kit to the laptop by one USB cable to provide Audio and video, this is suitable for a Huddle to Medium room size. 

 

Specification:

SPEAKERPHONE

  • Product name: Konftel 70
  • Technology: OmniSound® with support for HD audio, full duplex, automatic echo cancellation and noise suppression
  • Microphone: 4 digital MEMS microphones. Beamforming audio pick-up.
  • Connectivity: USB 2.0 micro-B, Bluetooth 4.2 Class 1 (HFP/HSP/A2DP), 
  • NFC for easy pairing

 CAMERA

  • Product name: Konftel Cam20
  • Resolution: 4K Ultra HD/30 fps
  • Zoom: 8x digital zoom
  • Focus: Auto
  • Field of view: 123°
  • Wall bracket: Included
  • Remote control: Included
  • Mounting: 1/4″-20 UNC

HUB

  • Product name: Konftel OCC Hub
  • USB: 3.0
  • Driver: DisplayLink

UNBOXING THE KONFTEL C2070

 

Setup:

The setup is easy, follow the quick guide instructions as given or connect the wires as shown visibly on the Konftel OCC Hub, one connected, connect the Yellow USB direct to a Laptop, On windows 10 and above the drivers are downloaded within a minute or 2 and ready to use the kit.  As with all connections when using various conference software, Teams, Zoom, and video meet initial set up is important to ensure the correct speaker, and the camera is connected as the default. Again if using e.g. Google meet the mute button does not change the icon on the screen. The Camera can be configured via the 8x digital zoom to ensure the whole room is captured or specific teams as required. The remote ( supplied with batteries ) works instantly for slow or fast zoom. 

Konftel 70 Layout

Once set up the colour options are great to see when the volume is increased or decreased or red to view on mute on a call.The Konftel OCC Hub has a spare HDMI socket to allow the use of a dual monitor which is great as an extra within the hub.

Demo recording:

We have tried this with our colleagues for a podcast using the  Konftel 70  (recording after  1 minute into this podcast ) situated on the desk to give an idea of the audio mic picking up the conversation to an iPad recording.  Red Rhino Radio #Episode three with Actor, professional body piercer and Martial artist Baz Black

Overall:

This is great to have all the kit supplied by one manufacturer to ensure no compatibility issues are observed, all the kit is connected via one hub. The kit came with all the required accessories, cables, remote, battery to ensure easy setup.  Konftel experience from 1988 knows the disappointment of setting up a kit only to find additional cables or accessories are required, 5 minutes before an important conference call.  Konftel got the complete kit spot on. 

The speaker is large and has an excellent audio mic quality throughout the room, this has superseded many other units in terms of blocking out unwanted audio distortion with the typical keypad typing minimised on tests. The speaker has its internal battery to allow direct connection to e.g. a phone /laptop via Bluetooth to ensure ease of use when setting up quickly as required no cables. This in theory can be used as a speaker for your music albeit a bit of an overkill for this use.

Overall for ease of setup, quality audio and the zoom option of the camera, with the multipurpose option of the speaker as part of the kit or stand-alone kit, this is a remarkable option for any conference room or makeshift conference call. 

BUY

Video LInk

Is Zero Trust Security Necessary For You?

Once Google adopted Zero Trust Security into its network, it began to gain interest from the tech community. Zero trust is recognized as a reliable network security method to prevent data breaches. The model implements a policy that treats each user as a potential threat until authentication. 

An effective cyber security model limits the risk of exposure and implements potent contingencies. All of these factors are taken into account with Zero Trust network access. Assuming a constant threat keeps the system vigilant in identifying potential threats and securing the network. 

How Does Zero Trust Work?

The Zero Trust principle has become a standard practice in tech. It works to offer network and cloud security; it is based on two safety principles that dictate its structure. This model does not take security for granted at any stage. It varies from traditional security models in two ways:

Constant Vigilance 

Newer models have always taken a more trustworthy approach in maintaining security. Devices already in the network do not come under scrutiny. Instead, they have access to any data contained within the network with verification. Without endpoint security, a network would be left vulnerable to internal attacks.

Zero Trust does not assume a device or user is safe simply based on its user history or network access. Instead, it automatically assumes any device seeking access is a potential threat and treats it as such. Access is also always limited to what is needed, limiting exposure. 

Data Collection   

User access, unlike traditional models, is not based on one-off verification. Zero Trust security continuously monitors every access request. It analyzes risk exposure for every device to minimize the impact of data breaches. This entire process requires collecting and updating device data.

Before authenticating a device, the process involves monitoring endpoints, perimeter networks, and enterprise zones. It also collects and continuously assesses user identity, credentials, authentication protocols, and risk assessment data. A supportive IT infrastructure maintains network security by analyzing this data.

How is Zero Trust Necessary For You

With Zero Trust security, your network is protected at every step. Security is never taken for granted, which reduces the risk of a breach. As it becomes a standard for data security, it has highlighted the internal risks posed by traditional security models. Without Zero Trust, increasing security threats leave your network vulnerable. Here’s why Zero Trust is no longer optional:

Internal threats

Having internal access used to be the basis of trusting a user or device on the network. While some of the greatest threats come from outside sources, they should not automatically overlook potential internal threats. Zero Trust uses a “trust no one” policy that takes this factor into account. 

Risks of Cloud 

Cloud-based networks are becoming more commonplace with WFH policies starting with the pandemic. Cloud security has become imperative as employees are spread out over more expansive geographical areas rather than working from a single location. 

Traditional models based on perimeter security cannot cater to this aspect. Moving from the private data center to the public cloud requires a shared responsibility model. Zero Trust considers the involvement of other parties when implementing security. 

Need for Limiting Access

Not everyone involved with the organization needs access to its entire network. Traditional models cannot limit data or segregate users based on their access authentication. Corporations deal with many external parties, such as contractors, who need access to only a tiny data segment.

Trust dimensions in Zero Trust security limit access to data based on the user’s needs. Instead of allowing total access that increases risk, this approach protects the company from unnecessary network access. 

Increasing External Attacks  

The world of cybersecurity has been undergoing rapid expansion in recent years. At the same time, cyberattacks have been on the rise. Especially with the move to e-commerce during the pandemic, businesses have become victims of increasing attacks and are open to greater risk of an attack.

New threats call for a new and aggressive approach to cybersecurity. This is provided by Zero Trust security that does not automatically trust any device and stays more vigilant in network protection.  

Conclusion

With expanding online networks and databases, and company operations moving to cloud-based networks, cybersecurity has become an increasing concern. With this in mind, Zero Trust has now come to define the standard of security to protect organizations from malicious attacks. 

Without Zero Trust, organizations leave themselves vulnerable to internal and external threats. A robust and vigilant approach is the best practice in limiting exposure and preparing contingencies. Zero Trust is not only necessary but vital for network security. 

 

Tech Review – Dottir Sports headphones.

Over the last while I have been testing out the Dottir Sports headphones which have had features specifically selected by two training partners and competitors — both two-time winners of the title “World’s Fittest Woman” at the CrossFit Games Katrin Davidsdottir and Annie Thorisdottir, On first appearance many said they look like Apple rivals but then realised by the branding they are not and again they are cheaper than said rival product which many still pay a hefty price for in my book. If you missed the first look see the video here 

Design Build and Fit

These are probably the best fitting hooked headphones I have tried in some time , they fit really well they give a good seal and will not fall off no matter what exercise you do and you can take that to the bank. They are not heavy you would almost forget they are there after a while and overall comfortable to wear too even for long periods.

They are well built and I do like the colour however the longevity of it holding up is another matter but they are easy to clean,on each side you have buttons which are raised and easy to use even blindly but when putting the headphones on you may accidently hit on them which is no huge deal to be honest but it does take two hands to fit them right but after a while the one handed approach is good if you are a user of such styled headphones which there is plenty of out there in the market aimed at fitness folk.

The housing is plastic with a matt finish to them and looks well in the colour we tested which is White and there is an Ash Grey option too which is nice, more colours would be nice and we might see that change down the road as we do with many brands out there now.

Controls

The controls are simple to use as mentioned and you also have a touch area too that you tap to execute play and pause and your voice controls, all of this we demonstrate in the video review below so do check it out, you have all the usual features there too such as volume control and skip/reverse tracks etc.

Sound

These unfortunately do not have an app to change the EQ but you can use one on your phone if you wish but they tend to be via third party apps and are not great but the thing is they sound pretty good out of the box as is with nice bass and volume and all testing that I normally do came back to be fine across the board, they also have auto play and pause, you have also got ANC whilst not the best I have heard it is fine and you also have transparency mode if you want to hear what is going on around you especially if you are out jogging on dark evenings etc.. Calls are fine and clear for the few I took whilst testing and that was both ends.

They do a great job overall to be fair and they are ideal for the fitness type and gym gurus and also come with an IPX7 rating with decent battery and the charge case is really cool to and also their choice of packaging is nice to see going forward with the environment in mind.

Dottir Audio headphones techbuzzireland

Specs

SOUND
Powerful 13mm dynamic drivers that provide strong bass and precision across the frequency curve.

Pump out amazing sound to keep you pumped throughout your workout. Up to 35dB noise reduction Hybrid ANC

DESIGN In-ear headphones/ IPX7 waterproof and ergonomic design for athletes/ Magnetic earbuds with in-ear detection for auto play and pause

Weight: 9.32g each earbud. Metal finish charging case for added durability

Compact sports true wireless headphone charging case

CONNECTIVITY
Bluetooth 5.2 with Qualcomm 3040 chipset/ Bluetooth range over 10 meters (33 feet)

Compatible with iOS and Android, as well as laptops and tablets/ Audio codecs: SBC, PCM, AAC, APTX, APTX HD

POWER

Up to 72 hours of listening time (12 hours in earbuds and 5 full charges in the charging case). USB-C charge connector

Wireless charging compatible

CONTROLS

Volume Controls/ Multi-function button/ Three microphones on each headset for improved ANC and voice clarity/ Built in voice-assistant

BUY 

Video Link

 

First Look – realme GT 2 unboxing and walkthrough

Several phone are in for review to start the year and we are starting with the realme GT2, there is a pro version too and this one we have is in Paper Green there is two other colours available which is Paper White and Steel Black and also come in 8/128 and 12/256 storage options starting at 549.00.

The realme comes with UI 3.0 and  features a world first 120Hz E4 2K AMOLED LTP O2.0 Display 2K Snapdragon 888 5G Processor and Stainless Steel Vapor Cooling Plus, and GT Mode 3.0. It has a super cool finish on the rear and feels good to hold, it is a bio based polymer smartphone in collaboration with Naoto Fukasawa, in the box we get a case thrown in for good measure so you are covered out of the box and no need to shop for a case.

The camera set up is also quite tasty looking and I look forward to checking out the capabilities here we have 150 degree first ultrawide lens 50MP / 40X ultra macro lens and a 50 MP main camera with OIS so this will be interesting, there is alot going on here and nice stats thrown at us so let’s see how real life usage goes. 

Today is a first look and walkthrough of the new device and if you have any questions feel free to ask as always and we will have a full hands on review later on in the month with image and video samples and more.

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Video Link

Compu b rebrands as Select in Ireland & the UK and launches new Discovery Hub service for customers

Compu b, the Apple Premium Reseller and leading technology sales and repair service provider for the consumer, business and education sectors in Ireland is rebranding to Select. The move will bring the company’s 6 stores in Ireland, and its 23 Stormfront stores across the UK under the same brand identity delivering an elevated experience and providing a complete Apple solution for consumer retail, business and education customers locally.

Select has also invested over €1 million in its online offering with the launch of its new website, selectonline.com for the Irish and UK markets, ensuring that customers can access technical support and training as well as retail services and repair services at any time.

The Irish-owned company employs over 330 highly trained Apple experts across Ireland and the UK, supporting over 4 million customers per year and managing over 120,000 repairs annually across its customer base. Select is a trusted Apple supplier to financial institutions, primary and second-level schools, third-level institutions, airline groups, healthcare companies, semi-state bodies, the public sector, technology companies and FMCG organisations, supporting businesses of all sizes and sectors, from start-ups to enterprise companies.

Central to Select’s enhanced offering will be the Discovery Hubs service, which is now available to all customers in their local stores. Select’s Discovery Hubs are a one-stop service for businesses, education customers and consumers.  A dedicated slot or slots can be booked for groups of employees at a Discovery Hub with a Select expert who can provide full onboarding, troubleshooting, technical and training support to help them get the most out of their Apple products.

Customers and employers can continue to avail of this service any time they require it and will be of particular benefit for businesses implementing a hybrid working model with employees working from home and requiring local support.

“We have invested over €3 million in delivering our in-store Discovery Hubs service. Select is a trusted partner for all our customers, giving them peace of mind that they are in the hands of Apple Experts and importantly providing this expertise locally. In addition to this investment, we recently opened our new two-storey flagship store on South King Street, in the heart of Dublin’s main shopping district.” said Ciaran McCormack, Managing Director. 

“Group sales this year will be over €130+ million as we continue to invest in providing market differentiating services for our customers across our portfolio of offerings, keeping easy, local access to expertise for our customers at the core of our business model”, Ciaran continued. 

Select is now one of the largest Apple Authorised Service Providers across Ireland & the UK and offers technical expertise which is market leading. As an Apple Premium Reseller, Select provides both instore and online access to the full suite of Apple products and accessories, including iPhone, Mac, iPad, Apple Watch and Beats, along with other leading premium brands such as Native Union, Therabody, Sony, Urbanista, Joby, Eufy, Incipo, and Click & Grow.

Select has Ireland’s only team of dedicated Apple Education Specialists (AAES). The company has 25 years of experience in delivering teaching and training solutions, led by a dedicated team of Apple Professional Learning Specialists, offering a suite of digital technology to unlock student potential and foster their creativity. Working in partnership with primary and second-level schools and leading educational institutions in Ireland (such as Trinity College Dublin, Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh and The Law Society of Ireland) Select introduce the latest Apple technologies into the teaching and learning arena, integrating devices into the syllabus and supporting the teachers and lecturers and professionals through bespoke training and learning.

Tech Review – Edifier W820NB wireless headphones with ANC

Over the last few weeks we have been testing some headphones at all price points which is great for the consumer and the latest from Edifier which come in under the 100 euro mark have been on my ears for two weeks now and it is time to talk about them and if they are worth your money and with Edifier we never expect a poor performance and indeed that is the case here again with their latest cans..

These are plain and to the point built mostly of plastic light and comfortable and comfort here is great even for long periods of use and as with all my headphones they get tested for hours as it suits me here in the house to try out everything they have to offer be it for work or leisure.

The controls on the headphones are all one one side here too which make it simple for the user with raised buttons, now they do look cheap but are easy to use blindly and tactile and do a great job every time you press them and this is something people prefer this over swiping or touch based headphones so overall you cant really complain.

Both side have the old ratchet arm extensions which solid and will not move once on your head, also there was no clamping feeling noted here during my time with them, this is something that can happen even with more expensive headphones but not the case here at all. The cups are soft and plush as is the headband so overall a really comfortable pair of headphones. Battery life is also decent enough here at this pricepoint and again this will differ between people and how they use them with volume levels and ANC etc, you can toggle between ANC modes and also a gaming mode in the app.

When it comes to sound these do a great job, to make it to the point they are decently loud, deliver on highs lows and mids with a nice bit of bass thrown in and for music movies and more anyone will be pleased with the listening experience that is not a real audiophile, coming from someone who has tested most of the companies products for the price they sound good is my point and you also get access to their Edifier Connect app which enhances the experience even more even though there could be more options in the app. Check the video review for more on the headphones and the app.

Edifier W820NB and Edifier Connect app

Main Features:

  • Hi-Res Audio standard for a rich listening experience
  • Active noise cancellation technology isolates unwanted noise
  • Ambient sound mode allows you to hear environmental sounds such as traffic or flight announcements
  • Built-in microphone with DNN (deep neural network) noise cancellation for clear phone calls
  • Large driver with titanium diaphragm delivers crystal-clear sound
  • Low latency for game mode gives players an immersive gaming experience
  • Up to 49 hours continuous playback
  • Lightweight headset assures comfortable fit

BUY

Video Link