John Reilly

REVIEW: Asus ROG Xbox Ally When Asus and Xbox announced their first handheld gaming collaboration, the ROG Xbox Ally, I was genuinely intrigued. This was my first proper foray into handheld PC gaming and after a few weeks o…

Here's what we thought of the new Asus ROG Xbox Ally. @xbox.com @asusrog.bsky.social #XboxAlly

REVIEW: Google Pixel Watch 4 Google’s Pixel Watch series has always been a showcase for what Wear OS can do, and the Pixel Watch 4 continues that tradition. It does not completely reinvent the formula, but it smooths out the …

"The Google Pixel Watch 4 is not a major leap forward, but it is a confident and polished refinement of what came before."

Here's our review of the new Google Pixel Watch 4. #PixelWatch4

REVIEW: Ghost of Yotei – A Brutal Yet Beautiful Successor Sucker Punch Productions has returned to feudal Japan with Ghost of Yotei, a PlayStation 5 exclusive that aims to build on the foundations laid by the critically acclaimed Ghost of Tsushima. With …

"Atsu’s story is compelling, the combat system is fluid and improvisational, and the world is drenched in atmosphere."

Here's our full review of Sucker Punch's 'Ghost of Yotei', exclusively on PlayStation 5. #ghostofyotei

REVIEW: HONOR Magic V5 Foldable phones used to be all about novelty. An impressive technical trick at first, then a compromise once you lived with them for a few weeks. Having used the HONOR Magic V5  for the last numbe…

"The HONOR Magic V5 feels like a foldable that finally works as an everyday phone without compromise."

Here's our full review of the new HONOR Magic V5. #HONORMagicV5

Google unveils new Pixel 10 series, Pixel Watch 4 and Buds 2a Google has officially taken the wraps off its next-generation Pixel hardware, headlined by the new Pixel 10 smartphone series, a redesigned Pixel Watch 4, and upgraded Pixel Buds 2a earbuds. The l…

The brand new Google Pixel line up has been unveiled with 4 new phones, a new smartwatch and a series earbuds. #MadeByGoogle #Pixel10

ALSO IN FOR REVIEW: The new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7:
🪟 4.1" external 'Flex Window' (more widgets + apps)
🔋 4300mAh – biggest Flip battery yet
⚙️ Exynos 2500 + Galaxy AI
📸 50MP + 12MP cam w/ HDR10+
🗓 Full review coming soon
#GalaxyZFlip7

IN FOR REVIEW: The brand new HONOR Magic V5:

📱 4.1mm unfolded, 8.8mm folded
💧 IP58/IP59 certified
📺 7.95" OLED LTPO, 5000 nits
⚙️ Snapdragon 8 Elite + 16GB RAM
🔋 5820mAh battery
📸 50MP + 64MP + 50MP rear
🗓 Full review coming soon

#HonorMagicV5

REVIEW: Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Hideo Kojima has long been known for making games that don’t always line up with expectations. He mixes the mental with the profound, and almost always divides opinion. Death Stranding 2: On…

"Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is a sequel that doesn’t shy away from its weirdness — and that’s exactly what makes it memorable."

Here's our review of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, exclusively on PS5. #DeathStranding2OntheBeach 🎮

OnePlus launches OnePlus Pad 3 OnePlus has officially launched the OnePlus Pad 3, its latest flagship Android tablet. Set to go on sale on 19th June, the Pad 3 aims to be one of the best high-end Android tablets in 2025, with a…

The brand new OnePlus Pad 3 is official. Read all about it here. #OnePlusPad3

We're reviewing Death Stranding 2: On the Beach on PS5 Pro. Let's go! 🎉💥 @playstation.com #DeathStranding2 @hideokojimaen.bsky.kojimaproductions.jp

The Google Pixel 9a is official – Starting at €559 Google has unveiled the Pixel 9a, the latest addition to its smartphone line-up. Designed as a more affordable alternative to the flagship models, the Pixel 9a retains many of the key features ass…

The brand new Google Pixel 9a is official and arrives in Ireland next month. #Pixel9a

I've been really enjoying my time with the new Xiaomi 15 Ultra due to how good the camera system is. With 4 different lenses and huge image sensors, the quality of the photos from Xiaomi's latest flagship really is in another league. #Xiaomi15Ultra

Just out of the official launch of the new Xiaomi 15 Ultra and Xiaomi 15 in Barcelona - the Xiaomi 15 Ultra (€1,599!) in particular packs an extremely impressive camera system. Our full review is coming to @theeffectdotnet.bsky.social soon. #Xiaomi15Series

REVIEW: OnePlus Watch 3 The OnePlus Watch 3 follows in the footsteps of the Watch 2, which set a new standard for battery life on a Wear OS smartwatch. This time, OnePlus is doubling down on health-tracking features whil…

"The OnePlus Watch 3 refines what made its predecessor great, offering strong battery life, an improved display, and additional health features."

Here's our review of the OnePlus Watch 3. #OnePlusWatch3

Eir has just launched their new WiFi 7 'Home Gateway' compatible router - said to be twice as fast as WiFi 6, and can support up to 200 devices. #WiFi7

Sky Launches Sky Glass TV Gen 2 & Announces New Sky Glass Air | TheEffectDotNet Sky has launched its second-generation Sky Glass TV, now featuring an upgraded 4K HDR display and improved sound system. The new model builds on the previou ...

Sky has launched its second-generation Sky Glass TV, now featuring an upgraded 4K HDR display and improved sound system. #skyglass

HONOR Magic7 Pro Announced - launches February in Ireland | TheEffectDotNet HONOR has officially launched the Magic7 Pro and it's making its way to Ireland in just a few weeks, following its debut in China last year. Below is a ...

The HONOR Magic7 Pro has finally made its EU debut and is making its way to Ireland next month. #Magic7Pro

I think if consumers are willing to try offerings from the likes of OPPO, HONOR and Xiaomi, experience the improvements they can get with the likes of much improved battery life and charging speeds, two things which improve overall usability and user satisfaction, they could make some waves!

Phone season 2025 is already heating up and OPPO are out of the traps with an impressive return to Ireland in the form of their new OPPO Find X8 Pro! Read the full review below!

REVIEW: OnePlus Pad 2 | TheEffectDotNet The OnePlus Pad 2 enters a competitive market where tablets need to balance performance, usability, and affordability. Aiming to provide a high-quality expe ...

"The OnePlus Pad 2 strikes a good balance between style, functionality, and affordability."

Here's our full review of the OnePlus Pad 2. #OnePlusPad2

REVIEW: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle | TheEffectDotNet Few franchises are as iconic as Indiana Jones. The whip-cracking archaeologist has captured the love of audiences for decades with daring escapes, ancient m ...

"This is a game that celebrates the joy of discovery, the thrill of danger, and the power of storytelling."

Here's our review of Machinegames Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. #IndianaJonesAndTheGreatCircle

Great to see OPPO re-enter the Irish market and, going by early online impressions, the Find X8 Pro packs some pretty decent camera specs. Looking forward to testing this one out! #OPPOFindX8Pro

Getting very Christmassy in Dublin, you love to see it!🎄 🌟 🎅

UCD Students Win 'Red Bull Basement' National Tech & Innovation Competition | TheEffectDotNet Commerce students Oisín Mallon and Oisín Walsh from University College Dublin (UCD) have been crowned the 2024 Red Bull Basement National Champions, earning ...

Commerce students Oisín Mallon and Oisín Walsh from University College Dublin (UCD) have been crowned the 2024 Red Bull Basement National Champions, earning the opportunity to represent Ireland at the global finals in Tokyo next month. #RedBullBasement

PS5 Pro: The review John Reilly of TheEffect.net joins Jess to give his review of the PS5 Pro. What makes it different and when does the extra power kick in?

I had a great chat with Jess Kelly for this week's #TechTalk on Newstalk about the new PS5 Pro, what it brings to the table and is it worth its €799 price tag! Be sure to give it a listen! #PS5Pro

Actor and comedian Jon Kenny, ‘an entertainer to his core’, dies aged 66 Limerick native, who formed D’Unbelievables with Pat Shortt, treated for cancer a number times since 2000

Sad to hear of the passing of one Ireland's best comedians, Jon Kenny. His 90s sketches and films with Pat Shortt were some of the funniest pieces of comedy to come out of Ireland. RIP 😔

I had a blast getting to test out the new @sonyplaystation.bsky.social PS5 Pro - it's definitely not cheap but it packs some seriously impressive power. #PS5Pro

REVIEW: Metro Awakening VR (PS VR2) | TheEffectDotNet When it comes to VR gaming, few game franchises are better suited to deliver heart-pounding immersion than the Metro series. Known for its oppressive atmosp ...

"For those who appreciate high-stakes survival gameplay with a relentless atmosphere, Metro Awakening VR is a must-play."

Here's our review for Vertigo Games' Metro Awakening on PS VR2. #metroawakening #gaming #vr #PSVR2

IN FOR REVIEW: The brand new PS5 Pro is here and we can't wait to test it out! Keep an eye on our site for our full review very soon. #PS5Pro #gaming #raytracing #hdr #60fps #PSSR