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Where are the Best Deals? – Black Friday Ireland 2015

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Where are the Best Deals? – Black Friday Ireland 2015

Black Friday in Ireland has grown in recent years and while many retailers outlined their intent to stay away from this modern phenomenon, there are still plenty of places to get some mad deals this year. Also, don’t let the Friday be deceiving, this is likely to be around for most of next week.

Amazon\Ebay

The two online selling behemoths are certain to have some cracking deals throughout the next few days. Don’t forget, if you see s great deal but they only deliver to the UK and not Ireland, you can get free UK delivery, even to the Republic of Ireland, by using Parcel Motel.

Argos

Nerf Rotofury GIFTo be fair, Argos has fairly good deals all year round, but we’re taking a punt on Argos doing something silly this year! They’ve already had some build up price drops in recent weeks and look likely to spread the savings out over a period longer than just the Friday! In fact, you can expect to see savings from as early as tomorrow, as Argos launch their 12 days of deals. Particularly interesting will be the Toshiba C50D for €254.99, Alba 8 inch tablet for €69.99 or what our inner child really wants. A Nerf gun for €25.49.

Carphone Warehouse

Carphone Warehouse have been known to have a few gems in the past, with this year looking unlikely to be different. With TVs and Games consoles starting at €99.99 and wearables, tablets and phones starting from €39.99, you might want to be keeping an eye on their site next week.

Currys PC World

Sure why limit yourself to one day of shopping madness. Currys PC World have a Black Tag event running for the entire week of Black Friday 2015. No details on deals as of yet, but you can sign up for more information over on their website now.

Harvey Norman

The suspense kills us a little sometimes, but no details coming from Harvey Norman just yet as to what their big Black Friday 2015 deals are going to be. You can however sign up to get what the inside line on what are to be cracking offers here.

HMV

HMV has been through the ringer in recent years, but they are back better than ever. They’ve been extremely quite when it comes to Black Friday this year, but last year saw savings of up to 60%. All we’re saying is don’t forget them.

Gamestop

It’s worth a look into Gamestop, but we’re taking a punt on this one. If you’re looking to shop gaming this Black Friday, be sure you check out Argos first. They’ve had some cracking deals lately.

Think we’ve missed somewhere? Spotted a great deal locally somewhere? Let us know in the comments below.

November Highlights on Kickstarter and Indiegogo

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November Highlights on Kickstarter and Indiegogo

Crowdsourcing has become the first port of call for young technology companies to fund their new devices and to test the waters to see if there new product will be popular amongst the masses. We’re rounding up the biggest tech projects from November on Kickstarter and Indiegogo.

Kickstarter

Starforce PI Electronic Tabletop Mini-Arcade

 

Okay, off the bat, they really need to work on that name, but the product is solid. The French company utilises the power of the Raspberry Pi, something along the lines of the MINI EMU that we showed you a few months back.

The key development with the Starforce PI is the fact it’s an all in one device. Not only does the device come with authentic arcade gaming controls, but held inside is a battery pack which provides up to 5 hours untethered gaming.  The on-board power coupled with magnified screen and arcade controls, mean this is the perfect all-in-one retro gaming solution, currently supporting the likes SNES, NES and Genesis ROMS with a view to expanding the range in the future.

The €199 price tag means this is, in the words of the creators, “by no means a cheap system”. Considering the gamepads and emulators can be got for next to nothing, this one is really for hardcore gamers.

Monkey

Monkey is really a niche device as it only caters to the needs of those who live in an apartment block with intercoms.

Monkey is a fine example of disruptive technology, that is technology that challenges how we perceive the adoption of connecting our world. Rather than change all the locks to be smart locks, Monkey provides a much more cost effective way; a simple chip your fit to your intercom.

Once this is fitted, you can open the door controlled by your intercom as if you were pushing the button yourself. This can be triggered by an app on your smartphone, time windows or by your location – imagine the door that opens just when you approach. A handy little idea that shows how the world of smart tech is constantly adapting and improvising.

Cast

We’ve already shown you how tech like Showbox can create a nice little grey area in the law. A whole different shade of grey now comes in the hemispherical shape of Cast, the home entertainment hub.

If you’ve ever had friends around to watch some sport at your place, you know the craic that’s to be had, but what if you couldn’t make it over? Well Cast aims to provide you with a digital couch so to speak. Basically, if your friend has a Cast device and Sky Sports, they can share what they are watching with you, hence legal grey area. Cast claims that it’s the same as inviting friends around, but we’re not convinced. We’re even less convinced by the eventual RRP of €299, as it’s hard to imagine who would pay that to do other people favours? Maybe that’s us being cynical.

Indiegogo

Silent Partner

Silent Partner Snoring SolutionQuiet month on the “relevant tech” front over on Indiegogo, but quiet nights are also a priority! If you’ve ever been in the same room with someone snoring, you’ll agree this is the best €60 you’ve ever spent.

The Silent Partner is rather genius really. Rather than going down the traditional path of trying to stop snoring outright, Silent Partner utilises Active Noise Cancellation technology to detect and counter irritating snoring noises, creating a silent zone around the snorer’s head! Bonkers idea, but apparently it works

How Tech Reacted to Paris Attacks

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How Tech Reacted to Paris Attacks

France has been left reeling and in a state of emergency following the deadliest terrorist attacks in Europe since the 2004 Madrid bombings. Paris is a multicultural captital and a huge tourism hub, meaning people from all around the world were there last night. With that in mind, we’ve taken a look at how the technology world reacted to the tragedy to put families minds at rest where possible.

Twitter – #PorteOuverte

Twitter has perhaps had the most heart-warming and uplifting effect on the events in Paris, though not directly themselves. Showing the sheer power of social media, the hashtag #PorteOuverte began trending almost immediately after the attacks.

The hashtag which means “open door” in French, spread on Twitter as a state of emergency was announced, meaning people simply had to get off the streets. The porte ouverte announcement was Parisians inviting people in need to seek refuge in their homes. It has also been used to offer refuge for those who may be stranded internationally due to flight cancellations.

This trend truly shows the good of human nature shining through the darkest abilities of man.

Facebook

A couple of hours after the Paris attacks, Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook, condemned the attacks, stating “violence like this has no place in any city or country in the world”. In the same post, Zuckerberg announced that Facebook Safety Check had been activated for Paris.

Paris Facebook Safety Check

Launched in October 2014, Safety Check allows users to mark themselves as safe, search friends in the area and mark their friends as safe. For people in the area, the Facebook app will send a push-notification to users, prompting them to let friends know that they’re safe. This is the modern day social media powered equivalent of calling an embassy for updates.

This is the fifth time Safety Check has been activated in 2015, including the Nepal earthquake and Chilean earthquake in April and September respectively. It is the first time Safety Check has been activated for a non-natural event.

Google

As getting in touch with loved ones is a priority following attacks such as those seen in Paris, Google removed one barrier to doing so. Also only a few hours after the attacks, via their Twitter account, Google announced free international calls to France via Google Hangouts.

Samsung

S6 Edge Saves Life ParisWhile Samsung haven’t done anything specifically, they are directly responsible for saving one life in the Paris attacks. Speaking in French below, the man stated he would have been hit in the head were it not for his Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge taking the hit. The man witnessed a terrorist near the Stade de France activating an explosive device, bursting into flames. This knocked the man to the ground, with the events leaving the man with a grazed ribcage and injured foot. Speaking to news reporters, the man stated that his head would have been “in pieces” were it not for his handset.

Uber

Uber Paris AttacksInitially reports emerged that Uber had been suspended in Paris, but it then emerged demand had simply outweighed supply. Uber issued a notification to its customers stating “Attacks are underway in Paris and its surroundings. The Prefecture of Police of Paris has asked that you stay safely inside. Do not travel unless absolutely necessary. Nearly all the drivers are busy. Uber France”. It is unclear if Uber drivers were involved in the “open door” hashtag or not, but reports on Twitter suggest that Parisian Taxi drivers were offers free rides to people to evacuate them from the epicentre of the Paris attacks.

  Our thoughts are with the people of Paris.

Goos3D Plays Fallout 4

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Goos3D Plays Fallout 4

We waited for so long, only to be told it would land in a few short months. A few of the longest months ever later, and Fallout 4 is set to launch! Oh happy day! Right from launch, we’ll be streaming the first ten minutes of gaming live and updating on Twitter every time we play.

Feel free to give out and tell us we’re missing shit!

You can view below and follow us on Twitter for updates of when we’re live.

Watch live video from goos3d_ie on www.twitch.tv

YouTube now supports Virtual Reality

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YouTube now supports Virtual Reality

At the recent Web Summit, it was made abundantly clear that the likes what we consider futuristic technology, is in fact much closer than we may think. One fine example of this is virtual reality, which is now supported by YouTube.

Google Cardboard GIFYou’d be forgiven for thinking virtual reality may be here, but the headsets are far too expensive. Not the case. Sure enough the heavy hitters like Oculus Rift are pretty pricey for people to jump on the bandwagon, but thanks to Google and the common smartphone, everyone can experience virtual reality (VR) for under €30.

The Google Cardboard programme came about as a result of Google I/O in 2014, with the story appearing to surround Google’s desire to make Oculus Rift look over priced. Whatever the reason it was created, Google Cardboard is the easiest and cheapest way to get a VR experience in your own home. Once you have the cardboard device, you simply slot your smartphone into it and the apps do the rest of the work. Simples!

Which leads us onto apps; the reason we’re here. YouTube now fully supports virtual reality, meaning any video at all can be watched through these headsets.

We highly recommend getting your hands on one of these VR headsets as there are more and more services going to be available through these in the coming months, with YouTube sure to be a catalyst for adoption. The New York Time has just given a set of VR headsets to each of its readers to enjoy their selection of VR videos.

5 Best uses of VR so far…

google cardboard app5. Google Cardboard App

The app that started it all! The Google Cardboard app will demonstrate how the product works, bringing you on a Google Maps tour and other bits and bobs. This is an great way to get up and running.

zerolight4. Selling stuff

We recently caught up with the guys from Zerolight who specialist in creating fully customisable 3D renders of cars so that you canenjoy an immersive experience of your car before you order. Imagine being able to see that horrible red and blue combination mistake before you order it!

Real estate agents are already experimenting with this kind of stuff too, with only the cost of video capture standing between VR and wide spread adoption. With 3D printing and GoPro cameras making leaps and bounds and reducing these costs, it’s only a matter of time till this becomes the normal way of going about buying a house.

3. Interactive media

As mentioned above, the New York Times have got the ball rolling on this one. Telling harrowing stories from around the world through an immersive medium such as VR could change the way we absorb the news on a daily basis.

2. Porn

Classic tech rules apply. As soon as something is developed, we will find a way of using it for sex. Point of view pornography is already enjoying the move to virtual reality. Better still, the Google Cardboard device only needs one hand to use, so you know…that’s practical.

One of the most viral things to come from the advent of VR so far is this video clip of eldery people watching VR porn.

1. Gaming

This one is pretty obvious, but gaming is the central focus for the likes of Oculus. However, this cheaper and adoptable Google Cardboard platform is not without charm. Simply play Sisters and you’ll quickly see how immersive VR gaming can be.

App of the Week: Balls.ie

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App of the Week: Balls.ie

The Irish online media landscape has exploded in recent years with various sites catering to various different tastes. If sports is your primary interest then Balls.ie are the guys you’ll need to follow.

Founded in 2010, Balls.ie have “carved out a niche in the Irish media landscape by delivering a new type of sports coverage”. Balls.ie bring you the latest news using modern mediums such as gif or Twitter. In a hilarious recent example, they compared the Twitter accounts of Chelsea and Stoke who were live tweeting updates on their Premier League clash. This is typical of the site, providing news while having a bit of craic at the same time.

balls.ie

To expand their base a bit more and to provide a better mobile experience, Balls.ie recently released an Android and iOS app, making it even easier to keep up to date with the latest sporting action, although claims that it will improve your life 110% seem to be based in speculation.

We’re going to turn back the clock a bit here, but this is by far our favourite post over the years.

Balls.ie Ireland’s EA FIFA World Cup 2014 Odyssey from TheGaffer on Vimeo.

Fallout 4: PipBoy App

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Fallout 4: PipBoy App

Immersion in games is set to increase with the advent of virtual reality, but Bethesda are trying relatively new waters too with the Fallout 4 PipBoy app which is now available on Android and iOS with a version planned for Windows Mobile soon too.

For those of you unfamiliar with the game, the main character of Fallout wears a data and communication device on his arm known as a PipBoy. The PipBoy contains info on your missions, maps, what you’re carrying and radio stations from the area your character is in.

As if we needed more excitement ahead of a game launch we’ve covered a few times already, Bethesda have only gone a created an app that syncs up with your gaming platform, meaning you can have your very own PipBoy. We’ve run through the main features below with the PipBoy in demo mode, but it’s a free app so if your interested just go download it!

If you’ve got a mate with a 3D printer, maybe talk nicely to him about helping out with this effort we’ve found on Instructable.

 

The Digital Bra

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The Digital Bra

In excess of 85% of women currently wear a bra that doesn’t fit properly, which naturally causes discomfort and can lead to medical or self esteem issues. Judy and Tiny van Niekerk of The Digital Bra spoke with us at the recent Web Summit in Dublin, about her startup currently featured on Kickstarter, which aims to tackle this problem.

With a philosophy that every woman’s shape and size is as unique as their fingerprints. Currently, choosing a bra is based upon 3 measurements, which often leads to the incorrect choice being made, a choice that leads to bras being to big and not offering enough support or too tight, cutting into the skin. The Digital Bra seeks to remove that decision making process for women.

Aimed at the 85% of women who choose the incorrect bra size, the digital bra uses your smartphone’s camera to scan your body shape, taking in over 120 measurements instead of the 3 noted during traditional measuring. These measurements are then sent to the team at The Digital Bra who will in return offer you a best suiting choice of garmets which can ship to you within 2-3 weeks, bearing in mind they are hand made.

the digital bra irisThe use of technology does not stop with the measurement process. Xstatic is a material containing 99.99% silver. This material is micro-bacterial which reduces the number of times the garment must be wash while also remaining odor resistant. The material also regulates temperature ensuring further improvements to the comfort. Van Niekerk believes that while the bra is extremely comfortable and functional, the “pastel colours” chosen by the team ensure the Digital Bra remains a “beautiful, attractive and sexy bra”.

the digital braGiven the importance of protecting data in a connected world, we raised our concerns with The Digital Bra’s team about women needing to pose naked in front of the camera. Rest assured, the images are never captured or saved images. Instead, the 2D cameras are used to capture a 3D “mesh” file. It is this mesh file which is shared with the garment making team, ensuring your privacy is safe at all times.

Given the requirement to have a friend or partner assist with the capture of the measurements, we queried “would women be too self conscious to have someone helping?”. “We’ve spoken with plenty of women, particularly those in their thirties and they are just so tired of their bra not fitting, they don’t care what they have to do to get a comfortable bra!”

The Digital Bra is currently in the Kickstarter phase, meaning you can get on board and pick up a discounted Digital Bra.

Web Summit: What will drive adoption for home automation?

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Web Summit: What will drive adoption for home automation?

On the final day of Web Summit, the Machine Summit stage attempted to solve the modern day mystery; what will drive adoption for home automation.

Protecting data

What will drive adoption for home automation?

As we pointed out on day one of this year’s Web Summit, protecting the data created by connected devices is of the utmost importance. George Yianni, Head of Technology with Philips and particularly focused on their Hue lighting systems, describes their approach to data as almost being hygienic. “The fears I have about the explosion in connected products is that one will do something wrong” Yianni outlined, before adding that “the vast majority take data capture and usage extraordinarily seriously”. His on stage colleague, Logitech’s Bracken Darrell provided a poignant comparison between current anxieties and the unlikelihood that twenty years ago many would have believed our credit card details would be stored in a hackable cloud.

The physical space

Chair of the talk, Andy O’Donoghue joked about Ireland’s buoyant housing market, before asking if the actual building process was something of interest to the home automation industry. Yianni described the stance of Philips as focusing on the consumer and selling individual solutions, but did find the “commitment” of some construction jobs now going ahead with no light switches as brave, considering there would be “no way back” for these adopters. 

What will drive adoption for home automation?

From here, the conversation was clearly getting to the crux of the issue. Home automation technology would have to push past simply being a cool gadget to being a meaningful service in the home. Mike Harris, founder of Zonoff, gave the example of smart locks being able to allow access to emergency responders when necessary. The panel nodded together that this could be considered a life or death development, considering the large percentage of over 70 year olds who die from falls in the home.

Is the best interface no interface?

This question stems from a term bandied about earlier in another talk that “no interface is the best interface”. While minimal interface usage is preferred, end users are unlikely to have programming ability and while every effort to utilise sensors, locations and trends, users will always require some place to input their requests.

What will drive adoption for home automation?

It becomes increasingly clear from listening to several speakers over the course of Web Summit that a certain degree of data bartering must occur between IoT services and end users. Online shopping requires some of our most sensitive data to be shared online, but we barely give it a second thought. Yet the idea of using a device such as the August Smart Lock to allow a courier to drop something to our home when we’re away is something we’re far from comfortable with.

However, if the bartering of data to service can weigh in tip of the consumer, such as the convenience of cheap prices online and products delivered to your home, people will user the service. In order to drive the adoption of home automation, technology must come with a feeling of “how did I ever live without it”.

Irish Startup ClubApp at Web Summit

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Irish Startup ClubApp at Web Summit

We’ve been trawling the 2015 Web Summit looking for our favourite Irish startup and have stumbled upon ClubApp.

If you follow sports, you’ve probably had a few sneaky looks at Livescore while at mass or work. ClubApp provides a similar, though much better looking, live scoring system for major leagues, but goes a step further to provide a medium through which smaller teams can also receive a top level of coverage.

Speaking with Goos3D at Web Summit 2015, ClubApp CTO, Pratheesh Chambeth highlighted the importance of ensuring the app remains simple to use but good looking. Chambeth outlined how each club can have two admins who look after live scoring and event updates in games, with the app already gathering a particularly strong following in Cork and Kilkenny. He continued to let us in on some updates hopefully planned for January launch which could bring coverage of local GAA to a whole new level.

ClubApp TVAn existing feature, ClubApp TV, provides a match data centre made available in Super HD through a web-app. Just imagine this on in your local for those who couldn’t make it to the game and no televised coverage was available. “Whenever there is a big Cork City match, Soho (a bar in cork) puts ClubApp TV on for their customers to follow the game”. Chambeth continued to outline hopes that a January release could see those who update scores and game events also provide live video coverage. Just to give some context, this means the lads who moved to Australia from Kilmoyley, Co. Kerry could watch their old parish playing a small minor hurling game thanks to the ClubApp.

But the lads of Kilmoyley wouldn’t be the first to use ClubApp to keep track of events back home when their away. Padraig Harrington has given the app his seal of approval for keeping up to speed with home when on tour.

We might be guilty of some classic blue sky thinking there, but should the masses take to using ClubApp, it could change how we interact with, and absorb information relating to, our local teams. You can download the ClubApp for all platforms, allowing you to track or provide live match data for your club now.

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