We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
A VERY GOOD morning everyone, and welcome to this Thursday’s commuting liveblog.
Christine Bohan here, bringing you all the latest in traffic, travel, weather, and whatever else you’re having on your commute to work.
I’ll be here until 9am, so stick with me for all the traffic news across the country as and when it happens.
First things first: the weather.
It’s fairly wet out there this morning across large parts of the country. Dublin City Council Traffic Management centrehas warned commuters to slow down and take care.
It’s not all bad though: Met Éireann says the rain will start to clear later today with the magic words – good sunny spells – popping up later in the afternoon.
In other words: bring your rain coat with you now, but hopefully you won’t need it coming home.
Here’s the rainfall radar from Met Éireann showing how the country looks right now:
AA Roadwatch says that the Kildare/Nurney Road is closed at Walterstown Cross after a crash and diversions are in place in the area.
In the comments, Trevor Beale has a word of warning for people coming in on motorways this morning:
There’s been a crash in Cork city, close to the Clarion Hotel.
AA Roadwatch / TwitterCORK: Multi-vehicle crash at the jct of Eamon de Valera Bridge and Albert Quay. https://t.co/xIOpAblVS1
— The AA Ireland (@aaroadwatch) March 24, 2016
Speaking of getting around, if you’re thinking of attending any of the 1916 commemorations this weekend, my helpful colleague Daragh Brophy has put together this piece on everything that will be happening around the capital city this weekend.
Around half a million people are expected in Dublin on Sunday morning/afternoon alone, and there will be extra Dart, Luas and Dublin Bus services to cater for the surge in demand.
AA Roadwatch is warning that horses are loose in Galway on Bothar na dTreabh:
AA Roadwatch / TwitterGALWAY: Horses loose on Bothar na dTreabh between Kirwan R/A & Tuam Rd Jct. Take care in the area. Gardai en route. https://t.co/qvBPcgxUj8
— The AA Ireland (@aaroadwatch) March 24, 2016
In Dublin, traffic in Drumcondra is heavy at the moment approaching the Archbishop’s Palace:
LiveDriveis also warning that the North Quays are already very busy, estimating that it is taking 30 minutes to drive from one end to the other.
The biggest stories this morning:
Got any information about how traffic is moving where you are? Let us know in the comments, mail me at christine@thejournal.ie, or tweet @thejournal_ie.
O’Connell Street in Dublin looks unusually quiet right now:
Not everywhere is quiet though: You can get a glimpse of how busy the North Quays are from the Dublin City Council traffic cameras:
LiveDrive reports that there has been a crash on the M50 southbound slip road towards the N7 at the Red Cow.
One Twitter user at the scene says that it happened on the right lane but that there is debris spread across both lanes.
Live Drive / TwitterM50: Collision on the slip from the M50 southbound to the N7 outbound in the right lane
— LiveDrive (@LiveDrive) March 24, 2016
Drivers in Cork should take extra care on the N20 Cork-Limerick Road: AA Roadwatch says there’s a fuel spill between Mallow and Buttevant.
Some helpful driving tips from An Garda Síochána on Twitter last night. Morto for the driver who tried to get away with this:
An Garda Síochána / TwitterI don't give a monkeys uncle if you invented the first solar powered truck, ye can't be doing that lads pic.twitter.com/0hVxBQFIvB
— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) March 23, 2016
One for the Waterfordians: AA Roadwatch says that Conduit Lane is closed due to an unspecified incident. Motorists have been advised to use a different route instead.
Some news from New Zealand in the last hour:
The country has voted to keep its current flag, after a referendum to introduce an alternative flag was rejected by 56.6% of voters to 43.1%.
The New Zealand prime minister John Key had led the charge for the alternative flag, saying that the existing flag is a colonial relic. He was gracious in defeat:
John Key / TwitterNew Zealand has voted to retain our current flag. I encourage all NZers to use it, embrace it and, more importantly, be proud of it.
— John Key (@RtHon_JohnKey) March 24, 2016
AA Roadwatch is warning about three separate fuel spills in Dublin, Westmeath and Offaly, so take care if you’re approaching any of these roads:
AA Roadwatch / TwitterDUBLIN: Reports of a fuel spill at e'bound on ramp to N7 at J4 Rathcoole. Motorway services are at the scene. https://t.co/qvBPcgxUj8
— The AA Ireland (@aaroadwatch) March 24, 2016
AA Roadwatch / TwitterWESTMEATH: Reports of a fuel spill eastbound on the M6 Galway/ Dublin between J5 Tullamore and J4 Tyrellspass. https://t.co/xIOpAblVS1
— The AA Ireland (@aaroadwatch) March 24, 2016
AA Roadwatch / TwitterOFFALY: Reports of a fuel spill eastbound on the M6 Galway/ Dublin Rd between J7 Moate West and J6 Moate East. https://t.co/xIOpAblVS1
— The AA Ireland (@aaroadwatch) March 24, 2016
LiveDrive says that the collision on the M50 sliproad at the Red Cow has now been cleared. There are still delays in the area.
Separately, there’s been a crash at Ballymount.
Live Drive / TwitterBallymount: Collision on Bothar Katherine Tynon outbound, traffic has to enter the inbound lane to pass
— LiveDrive (@LiveDrive) March 24, 2016
Ok folks, that’s about it for today. Hope you’ve all made it to wherever you need to be this morning. If you’re heading into a four-day weekend, have a good one.
So it’ll basically be an iPod nano with a strap attached… But twice the price
Not just ANY strap. It’ll be an iStrap.
I’d say its a load of bull. Who wants to charge their watch twice a day?
Nail on the head.
I can’t wait to point and laugh at anybody wearing an iWatch.
Don’t forget that Sony did this about 5 years ago…….so look out Sony, apple gonna sue your ass…….Steve Jobs thought of it while on the toilet 6 years ago
Nah me and countless other kids thought of it way back in the 80′s.
Meh, I haven’t worn a watch since the 1990′s and don’t intend to start again now. Unless it can do something a smartphone can’t there seems little point really. That won’t stop the fanboys queuing up for them though.
What an awful product. It’s an Apple so there are people, mostly hipsters, who will buy it. I can’t wait for the day Apple is finally crushed. 75% of all phone activations are now Android.
Would hipsters not avoid apple products? I thought hipsters hate anything popular? I’m so confused
You need help, ask your grandmother an apple a day keeps the doctor away but I’d say it’s too late in your case.
Hipsters see the watch as outdated. Ergo they will embrace it and ruin it for the rest of us watch wearers.
They’re already working on their timepiece infringement case they’re taking against Rolex
What a ridiculous idea,I have liberated myself from apple,and switched to android.
Liberated?
Apple make great products, I have been using a G4 Dual Powermac in my home studio for over 10 years, bought it second hand, it was made in 1998 and is as solid as a rock…..unlike windows.
Sent from my iPhone!
Your brainwashed Julian. You have obviously never ventured too far into modern technology if you think your 14 year old mac is still “solid”. Your studio sounds great.
Yay! Something else to break and or get stolen!
There is a Sony Smart watch already available and Samsung tried this before and failed.
Theres already a very good Sony Smart watch- this is not an original idea, just Apple sticking an “i” on it so the apple addicts will pay 5x the price for it. l changed to Android this year and would never go back, apple are very restrictive, over priced and have lost their creativity.
What about an iHat with a screen in the brim that folds down in front of your eyes?
The battery, a printer, the headphones and whatever else could all be built in and people would start walking into walls as well as crashing their cars!
Not that far fetched.
There have been some advances in projected touchscreen technology. If the watch could project a screen onto a wall or other surface, with all off the swipe, pinch, slide functionality enabled, you’d be looking at mobile computing without the restrictions of a small screen.
Throw in 4G technology and cloud storage and you don’t even need to much memory. You could even virtualize the running of your apps. This would keeping the memory and processing requirements down to the minimum to manage the touch screen, and would allow space to be kept for the projection requirements.
No offence rob but you are a complete idiot
I’m really hoping this isn’t true. I have a shed load of Apple kit, imac’s, macbook pros, ipad , iphones etc so I’m not a hater but if this occurs the behemoth that is Apple will wipe out Pebble who have come from nowhere, reached out on kickstarter, invigorated a community and innovated in the area. For Apple to just sweep in and steal (as they have done since IOS5) the drive created by the little guy to make mass profit would be yet another negative development for competition in the consumer electronics sector. Come on the underdog.
Watch straps for the iPod Nano have been available for quite a while now and personally I don’t think they look too bad. The idea of buying an actual “iWatch” does sound stupid but if you already have an iPod Nano the strap isn’t that much of an outlay. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XexrkV7SBkA
I had one and it was great for jogging and the gym looked great too. Not so great as a watch because it takes a second or 2 to switch on. Also, its not watetproof. Mine died cause i got caught jogging in a light shower with no pockets.
The only reason 75% of phone activations are Android is because its literally hundreds of types of Android Phone against ONE type of iphone. That being said, I think Apple are going to have to really pull rabbits out of hats to make the iPhone 6 in any way desireable. As for the watch, I can’t imagine it will do much other than tell the time, the current temperature and link by bluetooth to the phone in your pocket, and show the same notifications as get on it. I don’t find that particularly desireable in any way.. so maybe Apple will surprise us with something interesting… have nothing against Android, and really all I have against Apple is there bloody useless itunes program! Personally I think they should come up with some kinetic iphone that charges itself as its used. Now wouldn’t that be useful?
Heard new product is gonna be a Hoover called i suck :)
Talk about a world of distractions. Having an iPhone is bad enough but I’ll never get any study done with an iWatch. I like being able to check the time without squinting at yet another screen thanks.
More likely an ipod that can be worn on the wrist with wireless headphones or something.
Nobody still wears watches do they?
Ok i will try again. Hopefully it wont be deleted this time.
I cant see a straight bloke wearing this gadget because he would be a laughing stock.
Is that PC enough.
Bizarre comment
Or the new apple toilet called the
i-can
Surprised they don’t have this out already it wouldnt have all the features just notifications etc.. and most importantly the ability to switch what your listening to or check progress time in a fitness app. Sony already have the smart watch cost less than 100 euro and it links to your experia phone brilliantly… Really good product in my opinion
Apple disrupts telling the time. Didn’t Nokia or somebody do this before? Can’t see why Apple would bother when one of their accessory people can make it.
What the iWatch could look like.
I still don’t get the whole ‘kick apple users’ thing Derek/Dessie.
Apple products :-
~ Generally are more stylish
~ Generally have higher specs than similar products
~ Usually last longer than similar products
and of course
~ Cost more!
So, if you want a class leading product that looks great, works great, will last for a long time and you have the money…. Buy an Apple product.
If not, then buy something else, but FFS, don’t keep ranting about fanboi’s and hipsters.
Apple may not always be the first to invent something but whatever they do (tv excluded) usually leads to a tech step forward which has to be a good thing right?
Already got the strap for the nano and turned on the clock to be the main screen! Works fine! Just too lazy to charge my watch!!! Doesn’t seem right!
For what it will cost I hope there’s a button on it for when I am just about to get a parking ticket that says … Beam me up Scotty I’m in trouble :)
There’s a watch called an I’m Watch which does this. it’s about €350. A watch has advantages over a phone especially if you are travelling or at the races :)
Who would want to be seen wareing on of these remember the digital watch where are they now or the calculator watch gone and forgotten
You could easily have an analog clock display instead of a digital one.
As others have said, most of this has been done before, but there are some useful potential features.
- Check messages/mail/SMS received without taking your phone out of your pocket.
- Change the song you are listening to.
- See who is ringing and answer (assuming using headphones as handsfree)
- Localised alerts e.g. Pedestrian access ahead closed, 50% off instore, we have that cd/dvd/game on your wishlist available instore, expect rain etc
- Sat nav for walking, check your watch and an arrow points you in the direction,
I think this is the most logical argument here, I like the idea of the location based marketing potential. Rumours are Apple are looking to acquire FourSquare so something as portable as an iWatch could make sense.
Also, GPS watches are quite a lucrative market with the likes of Garmin making them, if the money is there to be made, why not give it a go?
Looks like a copy of Motorola’s motoactv.
After a few weeks you’d end up with eyes like Peter Lorres
imagine an imore? everything apple has done into one device. an hologram type device that is integrated into a small little key ring. activate it and out jumps some annoying 3d spokeperson / cartoon of your choice. you get the idea. maybe i should patent now so i can sue apple for infringement! i admire the way apple has developed / reinvented themselves. but honestly i just cannot stand the impractical software and its functions. had an imac, g4, iphone 3 & 4, ipod. never again. truly android from here on in.
Any chance that Apple will set up a manufacturing plant for the iClog here! Come on IDA, go meet Tim Cook or invite him to the Gathering!
As a self confessed Apple fan I have to say this is ridiculous!! I have an iPhone and an iPad but I’d be mortified to wear one of these, iDump this idea please Apple!
What the iWatch could look like……..
I think no one here read the article properly, “Intel came up with the concept and Apple is now “interested” in building it out.”
I first seen one of these watch phones few years back and always wondered if you could use it in prison and nobody would notice ..just a random taught lol
Use precise geolocation data. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Store and/or access information on a device. Personalised advertising and content, advertising and content measurement, audience research and services development.
These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work.
These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.
These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then these services may not function properly.
These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we will not be able to monitor our performance.
Cookies, device or similar online identifiers (e.g. login-based identifiers, randomly assigned identifiers, network based identifiers) together with other information (e.g. browser type and information, language, screen size, supported technologies etc.) can be stored or read on your device to recognise it each time it connects to an app or to a website, for one or several of the purposes presented here.
Advertising presented to you on this service can be based on limited data, such as the website or app you are using, your non-precise location, your device type or which content you are (or have been) interacting with (for example, to limit the number of times an ad is presented to you).
Information about your activity on this service (such as forms you submit, content you look at) can be stored and combined with other information about you (for example, information from your previous activity on this service and other websites or apps) or similar users. This is then used to build or improve a profile about you (that might include possible interests and personal aspects). Your profile can be used (also later) to present advertising that appears more relevant based on your possible interests by this and other entities.
Advertising presented to you on this service can be based on your advertising profiles, which can reflect your activity on this service or other websites or apps (like the forms you submit, content you look at), possible interests and personal aspects.
Information about your activity on this service (for instance, forms you submit, non-advertising content you look at) can be stored and combined with other information about you (such as your previous activity on this service or other websites or apps) or similar users. This is then used to build or improve a profile about you (which might for example include possible interests and personal aspects). Your profile can be used (also later) to present content that appears more relevant based on your possible interests, such as by adapting the order in which content is shown to you, so that it is even easier for you to find content that matches your interests.
Content presented to you on this service can be based on your content personalisation profiles, which can reflect your activity on this or other services (for instance, the forms you submit, content you look at), possible interests and personal aspects. This can for example be used to adapt the order in which content is shown to you, so that it is even easier for you to find (non-advertising) content that matches your interests.
Information regarding which advertising is presented to you and how you interact with it can be used to determine how well an advert has worked for you or other users and whether the goals of the advertising were reached. For instance, whether you saw an ad, whether you clicked on it, whether it led you to buy a product or visit a website, etc. This is very helpful to understand the relevance of advertising campaigns.
Information regarding which content is presented to you and how you interact with it can be used to determine whether the (non-advertising) content e.g. reached its intended audience and matched your interests. For instance, whether you read an article, watch a video, listen to a podcast or look at a product description, how long you spent on this service and the web pages you visit etc. This is very helpful to understand the relevance of (non-advertising) content that is shown to you.
Reports can be generated based on the combination of data sets (like user profiles, statistics, market research, analytics data) regarding your interactions and those of other users with advertising or (non-advertising) content to identify common characteristics (for instance, to determine which target audiences are more receptive to an ad campaign or to certain contents).
Information about your activity on this service, such as your interaction with ads or content, can be very helpful to improve products and services and to build new products and services based on user interactions, the type of audience, etc. This specific purpose does not include the development or improvement of user profiles and identifiers.
Content presented to you on this service can be based on limited data, such as the website or app you are using, your non-precise location, your device type, or which content you are (or have been) interacting with (for example, to limit the number of times a video or an article is presented to you).
With your acceptance, your precise location (within a radius of less than 500 metres) may be used in support of the purposes explained in this notice.
With your acceptance, certain characteristics specific to your device might be requested and used to distinguish it from other devices (such as the installed fonts or plugins, the resolution of your screen) in support of the purposes explained in this notice.
Your data can be used to monitor for and prevent unusual and possibly fraudulent activity (for example, regarding advertising, ad clicks by bots), and ensure systems and processes work properly and securely. It can also be used to correct any problems you, the publisher or the advertiser may encounter in the delivery of content and ads and in your interaction with them.
Certain information (like an IP address or device capabilities) is used to ensure the technical compatibility of the content or advertising, and to facilitate the transmission of the content or ad to your device.
Information about your activity on this service may be matched and combined with other information relating to you and originating from various sources (for instance your activity on a separate online service, your use of a loyalty card in-store, or your answers to a survey), in support of the purposes explained in this notice.
In support of the purposes explained in this notice, your device might be considered as likely linked to other devices that belong to you or your household (for instance because you are logged in to the same service on both your phone and your computer, or because you may use the same Internet connection on both devices).
Your device might be distinguished from other devices based on information it automatically sends when accessing the Internet (for instance, the IP address of your Internet connection or the type of browser you are using) in support of the purposes exposed in this notice.
The choices you make regarding the purposes and entities listed in this notice are saved and made available to those entities in the form of digital signals (such as a string of characters). This is necessary in order to enable both this service and those entities to respect such choices.
have your say