Science & Technology

By September 15, 2015 Read More →

Videoconferencing – Where do you Want to Talk?

shutterstock_151167128The concept of video conferencing was once the sole domain of science fiction as you are no doubt aware, but things have changed considerably since the days of old, and with good reason. Technology has marched forward at a considerable pace, and with smart devices at everyone’s disposal, it should be no surprise that companies like the BlueJeans are taking clear advantage of it. There are a few things that you must understand about the new video conferencing software, particularly how it will help you to connect to your employees or co-workers better.

We’ve Come this Far

How far have we come with video conferencing exactly? What changes have been made? Do you remember software like Netmeeting? Do you remember how difficult it could be to arrange a meeting with that software? Yes it was lightweight and it did come pre-installed on every machine from Windows 98 all the way to Windows XP, but it did have its share of limitations, for example the ability to run solely on Windows which created compatibility issues. For many years companies have dreamed of having the ability to connect anywhere regardless of the device or operating system. Just imagine being able to video conference through a web browser back in the nineties – that would definitely take the cake. These days, believe it or not, web browsers are very much able to perform tasks such as chat, video conferencing, file transfers, etc. The changes in web browsers have given them so much more capability than the HTML display application they used to be. Now, a web browser can be your portal to the world, at least with the right plugins.

What Device do you Want?

The most important question right now, is where do you want to chat from? Where do you want your employees to chat from? Holding a conference has never been easier, and the available software supports a number of different platforms. Whether you want to bring a smartphone to the table, or perhaps want to chat from your computer, all you need to do is click a button. The video conferencing software today even supports Google Hangouts, meaning you never have to install any software – it just works.

Imagine a scenario where you have several employees out of the office and you need to hold an emergency meeting. In the old days you would need to coral everyone into one place, which can be quite inconvenient, and it can be bad for business. There are several commodities in business that cannot be measured tangibly but are critical nonetheless:

  • Money
  • Employees
  • Time

Notice how we have bolded the last point: time. When they say that time is money, they aren’t kidding. Without time you would be unable to complete even the most basic of tasks, and the more time you waste, the less you will be able to accomplish. The more time your employees spend in the office having meetings, the less time they will be spending with clients, and that’s really bad for business. That being said, now would be a great time to start looking into a better video conferencing software. Remember, videoconferencing is not necessarily JUST for contacting foreign investors or customers in other states, though it is most certainly useful for that. Conferencing software can be focused on employees as well as outside contacts, and the newest software can save more time than you realize.

So long as everyone in your office has a compatible device and a good connection, they will be able to participate in your meetings, and soon enough, you will have a much higher level of productivity. It might seem like a small change, but a good software for online conferencing like Blue Jeans UK can literally change the way you do business, and that’s definitely worth looking into.

Go to the Cloud

Author Stream recently published a paper outlining some of the benefits of cloud computing, and particularly, moving video services to the cloud. Rather than relying on software that is installed locally, make sure that you find a company who can provide you with a cloud solution.

The cloud is an amazing innovation, and a great way to save money according to Tech Target, though not new by any means. In terms of video conferencing, it means that you will not have to deal with the administration of the software, and it means that you will not have to worry about compatibility issues. A piece of software served from another location will be compatible with all browsers and all operating systems across the board. Going to the cloud is one of the best things that you could possibly do for your company. Start looking into the benefits of taking your video to the cloud and it won’t be long before you’re saving both time and money.

 

Posted in: Apps & Games, Editorial, Science & Technology
By September 12, 2015 Read More →

Panasonic go Curved for OLED #VieraVIPClub

P1020281For the last number of years televisions have been getting smarter and more technology has been added in to make a more attractive option for the consumer. Seen as something of a giant smartphone we have seen 3D displays, cameras and Skype integration, planners, social media taking a central position of the specifications list. Panasonic have been trying to keep up with the competition but developing a user friendly front end with an app system for their Viera range. This year it’s all change.

In a commendable effort Panasonic are focusing their expertise on picture quality and leaving other bells and whistles to 3rd parties. Announcing two Viera televisions at IFA 2015 in Berlin this year Panasonic are pushing to be second to none when it comes to image quality. A position they are easily going to achieve.

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Roving around the competitions at IFA it seems a lot of the other companies are interesting in two things, 98” behemoths or degrading the quality of the previous model to make their new line look all the more impressive, some companies more obviously than others. Panasonic opted to hang their latest panel beside a top end master screen used by Hollywood professionals for precise colour representation. A … move however an impressive one as the screen holds up to the superior picture of the master screen and help illustrate just how close you can get to an uber expensive professional master screen for the living room.

Leaving the smart end of the TV’s front end to Mozilla and their delicious Firefox OS Panasonic have put all of their efforts into the screen technology and getting the most out of the panel. The result is a mesmerizing curved OLED 4K Pro display dubbed CZ950. This is a real step forward for Panasonic having moved away from the Plasma and into the OLED field. Working with veteran Hollywood colourist Mike Sowa Panasonic are confident they have gotten their palette as close to the director original intention as a display can.

hiding inside the beautiful panel chassis is the magic processor that makes it all possible, the 4K Studio Master Pro processor. This is the mastermind behind the picture representation on the panel. Combined with the tuning from Hollywood experts the panel to creates the best picture quality and colour palette.

OLED creates an amazing black level due to the lack of a back light. Each Organic pixel LED light up on it’s own allowing the processor to control each and every pixel leading to unparalleled colour reproduction. This is the first 4K television to have the THX 4K certification, meaing the boffin’s at George Lucas’s THX labs have applied over 600 tests for colour accuracy and the panel has passed. 

To compliment the panel’s success Panasonic have gone the extra mile and designed a television that is beautiful when turned off. The rear of the panel is draped in a luxurious suede-like material called Alcantara. Additionally the screen is a mere few millimeters thick.

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Panasonic Viera TX-65CZ950V is a sight to behold, combining amazing picture quality, stylish looks and a massive picture in a small footprint this is the high end TV people have been looking for an certainly deserves a place at the top of the league. We will see this in store on October in the UK with RRP of £7,999.

Posted in: News, Science & Technology, TV & Home Cinema
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By September 12, 2015 Read More →

Garmin combine Satnav and Dashcam in the nüviCam

image001Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. has launched the nüviCam, the first portable navigation device (PND) to feature a built-in dash cam and advanced alerts to enhance driver awareness on the road. Thanks to the integrated dash cam that continuously records and automatically saves files on impact, the nüviCam offers the protection of having an eyewitness that records exactly where and when events occurred.

One of the most comprehensive sat navs to ever hit the roads, the nüviCam offers the latest in premium driver-assist features typically found only in luxury vehicles. For example, Forward Collision Warning2 alerts drivers if they’re driving too close to the car ahead; Lane Departure Warning2 alerts will appear and sound if the driver drifts off the road or into oncoming traffic; and Garmin Real Vision™ takes the guess work out of deciphering hard-to-see house numbers by displaying the camera view along with a bright arrow to direct drivers where to go when approaching select destinations.

“The nüviCam goes beyond helping drivers get from Point A to Point B,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin Vice President of worldwide sales. “The intuitive driver-assist features not only lessen the stress of getting you to your destination, but the nüviCam also provides peace of mind in knowing that your commute is being recorded and can be referenced should you need it.”

The nüviCam features a 6-inch pinch-to-zoom glass display with a high-definition dash cam built in to the back of the device. When powered on, the integrated dash cam continuously records on the included microSD card, and if an incident occurs, the device’s Incident Detection will automatically save files on impact. GPS records exactly where and when events occur and drivers can play back the video on the device or from a computer using garmin.com/dashcamplayer. There’s also a Snapshot feature on the nüviCam that allows drivers to capture still images in or outside of the vehicle if desired. The included magnetic mount enables the device to be easily and quickly secured or removed from the vehicle.
Other navigation features offered with safety and convenience in mind include voice-activated navigation that allows drivers to speak commands to the device while their hands stay safely on the wheel, and Bluetooth® wireless technology for hands-free calling (requires Bluetooth-enabled smartphone sold separately). Smartphone Link, a free mobile app that connects nüviCam with a compatible iPhone® or Android™ smartphone, can also provide real-time data services3, such as weather or safety cameras to the sat nav. Drivers can even pair the nüviCam with the Garmin BC™ 30 Wireless Backup Camera (sold separately) to see what’s behind their vehicle when they reverse.

To make sure drivers never miss a turn, the nüviCam utilises Active Lane Guidance, which uses a combination of voice prompts and visual cues to prepare users to drive through an exit or interchange with confidence. “Up Ahead” appears alongside the driving map and constantly informs of nearby services, including restaurants, fuel stations and rest areas, and spoken Garmin Real Directions™ guides drivers like a friend would, using recognisable landmarks, buildings and traffic lights. Additional features included are speed limit warnings, school zone warnings, PhotoReal Junction View, Bird’s Eye Junction View and preloaded Foursquare® data that adds millions of new and popular points of interest like restaurants, shops and more.

The nüviCam comes preloaded with detailed maps of Europe and free lifetime map4 updates are included to ensure the most up-to-date maps, points of interest and navigation information is available. This sat nav also features Garmin Digital Traffic via DAB, the best and fastest traffic solution available from Garmin, for the life of the device.

The nüviCam is the latest from Garmin’s consumer automotive segment, the leading worldwide provider of portable navigation devices for automobiles, motorcycles and trucks. Garmin’s user-friendly navigation solutions have innovative features that provide time- and fuel-saving benefits to meet the demands of everyday driving.

The Garmin nüviCam has a suggested retail price of £309.99. For more information, visit www.garmin.com/nuvi.

Posted in: GPS/Sat Nav, Press Releases, Science & Technology
By September 11, 2015 Read More →

38 year-old Eutelsat poised to disrupt the mobile banking solutions market.

Demand for high-speed internet soars

Today’s consumers expect access to high-speed internet everywhere they go. They want to use their internet connected devices to get the information they need, whether they are meeting with friends and family at a coffeeshop, taking a vacation during the holidays, or camping at a remote location.

Before they decide where to spend their time outside of their homes, they first check whether the place they are going offers access to the internet. They want the ability to upload pictures and videos faster. They want to be able to download documents faster. And they want to watch videos at high-definition resolutions without buffering.

Because of that, businesses and public places that do not offer a way for consumers to connect to internet are having a hard time attracting customers. And they are losing business to those that make it possible for customers to connect anytime.

And it’s not just consumers that expect high-speed internet at the places they frequent.

Employees demand access to high-speed internet at the workplace too. The business applications they use everyday to get their jobs done and communicate with their colleagues are increasingly hosted on cloud-based servers, which can only be accessed through the internet. Employees feel unproductive without high-speed internet. And they are demanding better internet connectivity at work as a result.

 

Eutelsat delivers affordable high-speed internet

Eutelsat, a French-based satellite provider, has helped businesses meet the challenge of delivering high-speed internet to customers and employees since 1977, across all seven continents.

As one of the leading business internet providers in Europe, Eutelsat’s satellite services are used across a wide range industries, including automotive, banking, energy and utility, public and private safety, media, and tourism industries.

Several businesses count on Eutelsat to deliver fast broadband internet access to their customers and employees, making it one of the most trusted and reliable telecommunications companies in every country they operate in.

Tourists who stay at Recreatiepark Slot Cranendonck, a popular campsite in the Netherlands, are able to access the internet from 99% of the campsite after the campsite operators installed four small Eutelsat satellite dishes.

Installing the satellites has become a competitive advantage for Recreatiepark Slot Cranendonck because tourists choose to stay there instead of other campsites, who don’t have easy and high-speed internet access.

The broadband internet service also serves as an additional source of revenue for the campsite because customers don’t mind buying access codes to connect to the network. That makes it possible for the operators to cover the costs of installation and expand the service to other campsites they manage.

 

Eutelsat is ready to serve the underbanked

Due to the success Eutelsat has had with its toowayTM Business solutions in other industries, executives believe there’s an opportunity for more growth in the banking sector, specifically mobile banking solutions.

Africa and many remote rural areas across every continent lack access to banking outlets and cash machines because these locations don’t have the infrastructure needed to deliver these services. Eutelsat’s KA-SAT satellites have the capacity to provide the secure and reliable broadband connectivity financial institutions need to reach the underbanked.

As one of the world’s leading satellite operators, with 38 years of experience commercializing capacity on 35 KA-SAT satellites across many industries and every continent, Eutelsat brings their market expertise to the banking sector as demand for high-speed internet soars in remote rural areas.

 

Summary

One of the world’s leading business internet providers that delivers global coverage for broadcast, data and broadband markets eyes the mobile banking solutions markets. Eutelsat wants to partner with banks to serve the underbanked everywhere.

Posted in: Editorial, Science & Technology
By September 2, 2015 Read More →

MiHome works to cut your household bills

MIHO029As energy prices rise and the complexity of home heating controls increases, homeowners will welcome an entirely new range of easy-to-use energy saving products that could help to reduce energy bills by as much as 20%1 in a simple yet effective way. Makers of superior energy saving products and devices, Energenie, have introduced the MiHome range of adapters and monitors, allowing greater control over heating, lighting and electrical appliances that is truly accessible to everyone.

Working remotely through either an iOS and Android app or a PC, users can simply scan the Gateway with their phone and immediately begin using the central hub of the system to control the full range of easy-to-use retrofit actuators. The modularity of the system means that users can add products as and when they want, in the knowledge it will be compatible with existing products in the home, and provide a strategic and cost-effective way to gauge energy use and expenditure.

The Mi|Home range can monitor the energy usage of individual sockets, groups or scenes in real-time or over time to see which devices consume the most power and should be turned off. Its Smart features mean users can easily set timers and programmes to fit Mi|Home into their schedule, while geofencing enables control of the products from a remote location and IFTTT means triggers can be anything from the weather to Facebook.  

Oliver Tadd, commercial director at Energenie: said: “MiHome gives consumers back control over their energy consumption. Once the devices have been installed, it allows households to change their energy usage as well as shifting their behaviour towards consuming less energy.

“Through the Internet of Things, the devices can be linked to other devices in the home and applications within them talk to each other.

“With low installation costs and the best value entry model considered cost-effective given it’s a modular system, households can choose elements from a range of devices depending on the need.

“For example, zoned-controlled heating when it’s cool in the morning, or lighting in rooms that are only occupied at night. The devices could even be used to turn your washing machine on, or your oven off, straight from an iphone or PC when you are out of the house.”

The complete MiHome range comprises:

  • MiHome heating – for zoned heating control
  • MiHome Light – integrated control of wall and ceiling light
  • MiHome Socket – integrated control of devices and appliances
  • MiHome Adapter Plus – manage devices and record consumption.
  • MiHome Home Adapter – control devices and appliances
  • MiHome Home Monitor – live energy recording
  • MiHome meter – energy data for your whole house

Entry level model costs start from £70 and are available to buy from https://energenie4u.co.uk/catalogue/category/Home-Automation

Posted in: Gadgets, News, Press Releases, Science & Technology
By August 19, 2015 Read More →

Google will sort your home WiFi with the Onhub

CaptureRestarting you router is a given these days, with the amount of conflicts an traffic the router is contractually having to deal with it is no wonder it just gives up after a while. It will then take the flack from the owner as they stomp across and hit a button to get things going again. It’s happened to us all and those Router Gremlins are a real pain in the backside. Thankfully it looks like companies that know what they are doing are promising to tackle this head on and produce better results than the currently generation of WiFi access points and routers.

Google is presenting the Onhub, a $200 router that promises the world and we can only cross our fingers and hope it delivers.

Specced out like so:

  • made by TP-Link
  • IPQ8064 Dual Core 1.4GHz (same SoC as the R7500 Nighthawk from Netgear)
  • 1GB DDR3L RAM
  • 4GB internal storage, 8MB “NOR flash”
  • one USB3.0 port
  • built-in 3W speaker
  • Bluetooth 4.0
  • ZigBee/Thread 802.15.4 conformance (?????)
  • AC1900 tier
  • 13 antennas: 3×3 for 2.4GHz 802.11b/g/n, 3×3 for 5GHz 802.11a/n/ac, 1×1 auxiliary 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
  • gigabit WAN port, and only one gigabit LAN port

Stay tuned for an ASUS take on things. Their RT-AC87 model looks to be doing something similar.

 

We’re streaming and sharing in new ways our old routers were never built to handle. Meet OnHub, a new router from Google built for all the ways you Wi-Fi. 

Posted in: Gadgets, News, Science & Technology
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By August 18, 2015 Read More →

Might the UK have an Electric Highway?

55d2850e04d0aElectric Motorways that allow electric cars to charge whilst on the move are to be tested in the UK this year. The 18-month scheme, announced by Highways England, will “test how the technology would work safely and effectively on the country’s motorways and major A roads. The concept of wirelessly charging technology under the road is used to power buses in Korea. However, these tests in Britain are said to be the first of their kind. 

The potential to recharge low emission vehicles on the move offers exciting possibilities. The government is already committing £500 million over the next five years to keep Britain at the forefront of this technology, which will help boost jobs and growth in the sector. As this study shows, we continue to explore options on how to improve journeys and make low-emission vehicles accessible to families and businesses.

Transport Minister Andrew Jones

If successful, the new roads will mean that electric cars could be driven for long distances without the need to stop and charge their batteries. Although, it’ll require Highways England to install plug-in charging points every 20 miles on the motorway network, something which they’ve committed to doing. The days of autonomous electric cars could be here sooner rather than later.

Posted in: News, Science & Technology
By August 17, 2015 Read More →

The Next Nexus in pictures

34X2EwFThe internet is rife with rumours about what is happening with the next Nexus incarnation. The most solid news is that there will be two Google-branded smartphones which will be made by LG and Huawei. These should be here in October or early November will ship with a new version of Android. @evleaks aka Evan Blass, one of the most reliable tipsters and all round good sod stated “Huawei Nexus sounds impressive so far: 5.7″ QHD w/ metal body, SD820 SoC, fingerprint reader. Ships Q4.” Similarly @onleaks touched on LG’s offering having a metal body, measuring approximately 147x73x8-9.8mm with a 5.2in screen, Front Facing Speakers,Fingerprint Sensor on the Back and USB Type-C.

An image slipped out this morning of the back of a phone carrying the Nexus branding. With the circular ring of Motorola and an interesting Nokia Lumia style camera housing. In addition this looks to be a plastic back with a dual LED flash. Some friendly folks on Reddit decided to do a little photo-shopping to clean up the image for a more handsome viewing experience below.

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Posted in: News, Phones, Rumours, Science & Technology
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By August 5, 2015 Read More →

Creative launch pro gaming audio gear

LS_BlasterX_H5_Mood ShotCreative Technology Ltd today announced at Gamescom 2015 the Sound BlasterX Gaming Series, a new line of gaming audio peripherals designed for today’s generation of discerning gamers.

Gaming content in this day and age encompasses immensely compelling graphics, expansive environments and incredibly detailed audio, akin to a full cinematic experience, delivered on multiple platforms, from mobile, to consoles and PCs. Famous for pioneering gaming audio on PCs and launching the multimedia revolution with the Sound Blaster line of sound cards, Creative continues to innovate and improve the gaming audio experience for today’s gamers. The Sound BlasterX line is committed to upgrading a user from “good enough” audio to the full cinematic experience that discerning gamers of today are looking for, wherever they are playing. The series is comprised of circumaural (over-the-ear) and in-ear headsets, and an external USB sound card with a built-in amplifier to provide gamers with a durable, complete, high-performance, high-definition gaming audio solution that is built to last.

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Each product in the Sound BlasterX series is designed to deliver pristine aural performance and maximum comfort while levelling up a gamer’s overall experience by producing sound on par with today’s advanced graphics and game storytelling.

“Think about when you go to the movies – you go for the big screen, sometimes the 3D element, and cinematic sound. Movies wouldn’t be the same without perfectly timed sound effects, and that’s what many of today’s gamers are missing out on with their overall experience – the nuances that will determine win or lose – and they might not even realize it by settling for basic audio solutions. The graphics and storylines of today’s games are the best they have ever been and for audio details to match that requires something much more than basic motherboard audio or run-of-the-mill gaming headsets. With Sound BlasterX, we have a renewed focus on building gaming audio products that last and are designed to elevate gaming audio to complement the astounding graphics found in today’s games. We’re taking gaming from a desktop experience, to a cinematic experience. Once you hear the difference a BlasterX product makes in your games, there’s no going back to mediocre basic audio,” said Low Long Chye, General Manager of Audio at Creative.

Product_BlasterX_G5

The Sound BlasterX Gaming Series comprises of:

  • Sound BlasterX H7 – the ultimate HD 7.1 Surround USB circumaural gaming headset
  • Sound BlasterX H5 – the professional-grade analog circumaural gaming headset
  • Sound BlasterX P5 –  a miniature yet powerful high-performance in-ear gaming headset  
  • Sound BlasterX G5 – a 7.1 HD audio external sound card with built-in headphone amplifier

With this line of peripherals, Sound BlasterX offers a range of high-performance cross-platform gaming audio solutions for gamers – whether on PCs, mobile devices or consoles.

“As gamers, we’re extremely excited about the all new the Sound BlasterX Pro-Gaming Series,” said Jason Bass, COO of compLexity Gaming. “When we tested the products, we were amazed by the performance, build quality, how comfortable they were, and most of all, their signature sound. In fact, the team felt that the headsets resembled studio monitors. The headsets delivered amazingly accurate audio and were so comfortable that we felt as if we were wearing nothing at all.”

 The gaming headsets are tuned to enhance the listening experience and not to overwhelm. The entire Sound BlasterX range allows gamers to experience an amazing level of detail while being immersed in the gaming experience for extended hours without listening fatigue. The Sound BlasterX series of products offer a best in class audio solution for gamers with different usage preferences. Audio quality and clarity, comfort and durability are important no matter what level gamers are gaming at and the Sound BlasterX series cater to both the pro and casual gamers.

Product_BlasterX_P5

The Sound BlasterX Gaming Series also comes with the BlasterX Acoustic Engine software for PC that allows gamers to customize their audio profile to the game genres that they are playing. It is designed to intelligently decrease distractions and enhance essential audio details in games, giving gamers an added advantage.

The recently launched Sound Blaster X7 with its companion E-MU XM7 professional speakers, offers an ultra high-end gaming audio solution that completes the Sound BlasterX Gaming Series. This biggest, baddest, boldest Sound Blaster delivers an astounding 24-bit/192kHz high resolution audiophile experience for the ultimate gamer.

More details of the Sound BlasterX H7 and Sound BlasterX H5, the Sound BlasterX P5, and the Sound BlasterX G5 will be announced in separate press releases.

Pricing and Availability

The Sound BlasterX gaming series is priced as follows:

  • Sound BlasterX H7 – GBP129.99
  • Sound BlasterX H5 – GBP99.99
  • Sound BlasterX P5 – GBP59.99
  • Sound BlasterX G5 – GBP119.99
Posted in: Headphones, MP3 Players & Accessories, News, Press Releases, Science & Technology
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By July 31, 2015 Read More →

The Canon camera with an ISO of 4,000,000

aoeinopkgkx09pchnjuaCanon has recently announced a new multi-purpose camera known as the ME20F-SH. This specificaly designed camera has a novel featuring allowing the user to capture full HD colour video in pitch black conditions using an ISO of 4,000,000. An ISO of this scale is off the chart for current cameras, utilising a full-frame 35mm CMOS sensor packing just 2.26 megapixels. In addition to this the camera also increases the size of each pixel up to 19μm (5.5x larger than a high-end DSLR) to allow more light to be captured.

The potential for Security, a wild life photographer, explorer and even deep sea diving is extreme. This will allow shooting in persistently dark conditions.

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Posted in: Cameras, News, Science & Technology
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