Month: September 2020

Could You be Sitting on a Gadget Goldmine? #Tech #Gadgets #CurrysPcWorld

Adjusting to the ‘new normal’ can be easier said than done and looking back at the good old days can be a nice reprieve from the realities of the pandemic. The past is very present in our culture, including in the TV shows we watch (such as Stranger Things and Hollywood), memorabilia we keep hold of from way back when, and the resurfacing of “Throwback Thursday” photos. It is clear we are a nostalgic nation.

A recent study by Currys PC World sent to us surveyed 2042 UK residents to unearth why the nation loves to reminisce on days gone by. From what decade we miss the most and how nostalgia makes us feel, to who yearns for the past the most, we reveal it all. Like me there is many collectors out there and I have one of the biggest collection of NOKIA devices in Europe and have other collectibles in mobile phones too but you could have something worth a few quid in your drawer and perhaps now might be a time to check, let us know what you have.

 

 

Old is the new “new”: Nostalgia can be your next side hustle 

Even in today’s digital age, vintage gadgets can remind us of a time when life was as simple as the technology in our phones, games consoles, and music devices. And thanks to this nostalgia, you can make money selling vintage technology, on the basis they are in working condition. When it comes to buying vintage gadgets, people are willing to spend more money on older generations of phones (34%), followed by music devices (32%) and gaming consoles (21%).

Those old mobiles sitting in your drawer gathering dust may also be gathering interest. Currys PC World looked at some of the classic mobile phones and found that the Motorola DynaTac has increased in value by 147% between 1983 and 2020. The original iPhone has also appreciated in value by 264% between 2003 and 2020. We wanted to know who is willing to pay the most for vintage gadgets and here’s what was found:

·         Over a fifth (21%) of top-tier earners are willing to pay more money for vintage record players than the latest technology

·         Women are willing to pay more (30%) for mid-generation phones than men (27%)

·         28% of mid-tier earners sell their items on to make more money

·         Over 1 in 10 people are willing to spend more money on mid-generation games consoles than the latest technology

·         35% of people aged 55+ are willing to pay out for mid-generation phones

The most nostalgic city in the U.K.  

The nation is full of idiosyncrasies and it turns out that opinions on nostalgia are no different, as how we reminisce differs from city to city across Britain. Londoners love the most up-to-date games consoles (33%) and are willing to pay a higher price for it. Whereas Bristol, Birmingham and Plymouth (13%) are willing to spend more on vintage games consoles. When it comes to the most missed decades, Belfast longs for the 80s the most (47%) but Leeds (30%) and Liverpool (38%) miss the 60s the most. Sheffield residents miss the 90s (26%)– the decade that Spice Girls found international stardom – the most.

·         Norwich residents are the most nostalgic in the U.K. (59%)

·         Newcastle residents are the least nostalgic (11%)

·         Southampton residents get the most stressed when thinking about the past (8%)

·         Plymouth is a city of technology hoarders, as 43% keep their vintage technology

·         30% of Edinburgh residents give their technology away

The battle of the sexes: Women are more nostalgic than men  

Reminiscing is a very personal experience and impacts some people more so than others. There are all sorts of things that can trigger nostalgia and bring on a whole host of emotions too. According to the research, it turns out that vintage games consoles are three times (14%) more likely to trigger nostalgia in men than women (4%), which could explain why they are almost twice as likely (12%) to buy them than women. Music, films and chatting to family are most likely to trigger feelings of nostalgia in women.

·         Music triggers nostalgia in women (60%) more than men (50%)

·         Men (6%) feel more stressed than women when reminiscing (3%)

·         Men are twice as likely (14%) to see nostalgia as an avoidance of the present than women (7%)

More information on the study can be found here: https://techtalk.currys.co.uk/gadgets/mobile-phones/nostalgia-why-britain-loves-to-look-back/

Methodology

Survey data was collected through Censuswide with 2042 participants across the U.K. All mobile phone value data was based on the original retail price and the highest asking price for a working model on eBay (25/05/2020). Mobile retail price data was sourced from:

·         https://www.knowyourmobile.com/phones/the-history-of-mobile-phones-from-1973-to-2008-the-handsets-that-made-it-all-happen-d58/

·         https://www.oldest.org/technology/cell-phones/

·         https://qz.com/1450916/how-much-every-apple-iphone-costs-today/

Whether it’s because of the music, the fashion or the simpler technology, looking back to a bygone era is a popular pastime for the nation. With the right SIM-free phone, it’s easy to enjoy the simplicity of the past without getting lockdown with expensive contracts.

Jabra launches the Speak 750. Powers Your Meetings from Anywhere with Seamless Premium Sound. #Jabra #Tech #JabraSpeak750

Jabra, the leader in personal sound as well as office solutions, announces the next model in its portfolio of professional speakerphone solutions – the Speak 750. The new addition to the Speak series is engineered to support conferencing needs in the ‘new normal’, elevating meeting room experiences no matter what shape they take. The premium audio system is able to pick up sounds seamlessly, allowing everyone in the room to speak and be heard simultaneously even while social distancing, while the portability of the device means it can turn any area into a meeting room within a matter of seconds.

Owing to full duplex (allowing natural communication in both directions), the Speak 750 ensures both sides of the conversation are being transmitted at the same time. This mean that conversations are able to flow as they would in person, helping elevate audio experience and mitigating any worries of missed important information. With fewer interruptions and better conversations businesses can enjoy more effective collaborations, while boosting UC adoption through enhancement of sound.

 

Plug-and-play for instant collaboration

According to research, 10% of the average 60-min meeting is being wasted on technical difficulties[1]. Thanks to the plug-and-play capabilities of the Speak 750, businesses can achieve connectivity instantly through plug-and-play to a laptop, smartphone or tablet via   USB and/or Bluetooth.

The Speak 750 is not limited to just one device either, as it can pair with up to eight devices and can connect to two devices at the same time – enabling peak connectivity at all times.

The versatility doesn’t stop there as the Speak 750 Microsoft Teams variant, certified for Microsoft Teams, has a dedicated Microsoft Teams button which allows instant connection to colleagues. Notifications alert users when it’s time to join a call or when someone is trying to reach them. Tapping the button takes users directly into an ongoing Microsoft Teams call so the connection to colleagues will always be just a click away.

The Speak 750 UC variant is compatible with all leading Unified Communications platforms and has a Smart Button that can be programmed for Siri, Google Assistant or Speed dial.

Nigel Dunn, Managing Director, Jabra EMEA North, said, “As the world of work changes, collaboration continues to remain a key priority for global businesses. The Jabra Speak 750 is suited to every meeting room scenario imaginable and takes flexible working to the next level – whether it’s a socially distanced call in an office room or a make-shift conference in your living room, the premium quality full duplex setting makes calls easy and collaboration simple.” 

 

Key features and specifications

  • Plug-and-play connectivity to PC Softphone/UC systems via USB cable or Bluetooth adaptor
  • Full duplex audio offers fewer interruptions, better conversations and a more effective collaboration
  • Easy Bluetooth connectivity to smartphones and tablets
  • Wireless range of up to 30 metres (between speakerphone and Bluetooth Adapter) – up to 10 metres (between speakerphone and smartphone/tablet)
  • For the Microsoft Teams variant, interact with the dedicated Microsoft Teams Button for seamless collaboration.
  • For the UC variant, integrate your smartphone digital assistant using, Siri or Google Assistant or customise your Speak 750 for speed dial using Jabra Direct Software
  • Seamless integration and call control with leading UC system’s/PC softphones
  • Hi-Fi grade speaker for outstanding voice, music and multimedia experience
  • Digital Signal Processing technology gives crystal clear sound without echoes or distorted sounds
  • Up to 11 hours battery life
  • Wireless linking option with an extra Speak 750 device for full stereo and true immersive sound for calls and music
  • Omni-directional microphone for 360⁰ pickup range

 

Pricing and availability: 

Available from authorised Jabra resellers. Jabra Speak 750: £255 MSRP

Find out more at www.jabra.co.uk/speak750

Review – The Creative Soundblaster G6. #Tech #Gaming #Creative #SoundblasterG6

The first impressions of the SoundBlasterx G6, was very sleek but looked strong as compared to previous reviews on the Creative SoundBlaster X3 & G3. This is compact not too big or too small unlike the SoundBlaster x3 which was very nice but a bit too big or the sound blaster g3 which was very small. This sound card is just the right size while still appealing and very sleek with a nice shine to the eye. Once taken out of the box it has a solid balance weight to it and consists of a metal case and a rubber bottom to ensure it is anti-slip on a lot of surfaces which is very handy.

The controls are 1 switch to control gain in your headset or speaker which can be set to low or high frequency. There is the SBX button which is mostly for the surround sound and gives an easier sound when listening to music. There is also a scout mode button which is commonly used for gameplay as it intensifies sounds and frequencies. This setting is not practical for listening to music as it starts to break up, while this mode is great for a game experience as the surround sound has an advantage in gameplay as the scout mode, which gives a better idea of where players are around you. If you hold down the scout mode button then the sound card will go into a direct mode and the scout mode button will flash it is almost the same as the SBX mode but a bit less of a surround sound blast from your headphones.

The SoundBlaster G6 has a button/volume wheel to select different modes for your headphone/ speaker it will select headphone mode or just mic mode if you hold it for more than 3 seconds same as the scout mode button.

 

The kit looked impressive out of the box but got further engaging as you turn it on, and the LED lights turn on which is great as a gamer/twitch or blogger for a camera show. This gave further excitement to the game card as you can also edited and select colors with the software download.

Package contents,

  • Sound BlasterX G6
  • 1 x Optical Cable
  • 1 x MicroUSB Cable
  • Quick Start Leaflet
  • Warranty Leaflets

7.1 HD External Console Gaming DAC Amp with Xamp Discrete Headphone Bi-amp for PS4™, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC

The creative Family:

Techbuzz Ireland has also a review of the above G3 sound card and more search CREATIVE on homepage.

Software.

https://www.soundblaster.com/blasterx/software/

Once downloaded this will open up your experience to the sound blasterX G6.  As the software has all your controls for different modes like the SoundBlaster X3 but with a lot more programs for music and gaming, movies, etc.

 

Setup.

In the case of the PS4, the set up was very easy and simple connect the micro USB cable to the G6 and into the PlayStation and everything is connected up ready to go but unfortunately, there is no Bluetooth mode which is not great when you compare it to the two previous reviews of the SoundBlaster G3 and SoundBlaster X3 which are also done by us here at techbuzz Ireland.

Without the Bluetooth which is a shame you can’t connect to your phone like the G3 and X3, but you can set your game card to whichever setting you want on the software. Once set up this software complements the experience from gaming to programs to music. The software allows the option to change your voice and set it to a deeper, higher pitch and more even chipmunk sounding. Once completed you save your settings and voice, which is plugged back into the PlayStation/other devices listed all the settings will be saved on the SoundBlaster G6 and will work through your mic and headset.

Software Dashboard…

The software adjusts the sound frequency to whichever game/movie and music you’re listening to and can also self-adjust your sound wave which is very handy. It can also be tested on your headset for the full surround sound once the test in the settings is clicked.  This gave off a voice that will be in different spots around the room which will give you an idea of how much better quality this will make your headset for the gaming experience. It also has a light control panel that you can switch and move around the light settings on your SoundBlaster G6 can be set to fade in and out, strobe and much more.

 

Sound settings

 

Software voice options/control

Lighting options

 Setup

Overall:

Overall, it is a really enjoyable sound card which can be customized with a lot of positives and great features. There are 1 or 2 niggles where your mic will repeat back to your headphone what you say is an echo but can easily be adjusted. The missing Bluetooth option is a real niggle for us which was a positive on the previous models used,  This has the result if you wish to change the e.g. Morph voice during a game, the unit has to be plugged in an e.g. laptop to reconfigure the software to your chosen setting. This would have been great to allow a change via your phone removing the requirement to disconnect and reconnect. ( These are slight personal niggles as was  annoying to  have to move cables ) The morph voice changer is a personal favorite allowing the type of voice to suit the occasion, The option to change the colors and flicker speed is as a positive with the option to turn off the led if required. Once set up correctly the customizable in terms of audio experience has superb options albeit control via the software, this gives a unique experience of gaming, As always, a delight of an audio experience from Creative.

 BUY HERE 

 

 

The Inseego 5G MiFi M2000 mobile hotspot for global markets #MiFi #5G #Inseego

Inseego Corp, a pioneer in 5G and intelligent IoT device-to-cloud solutions, today unveiled the first commercially available 5G MiFi® mobile hotspot built on second-generation 5G technology. The Inseego MiFi M2000 series mobile hotspot delivers blazing-fast speeds and seamless connectivity across 5G mmWave, sub-6 and 4G LTE networks.

 

“After leading the way with our first-generation 5G MiFi mobile hotspot last year, we’re raising the bar once again with our second-generation 5G MiFi M2000 series for mobile operator networks worldwide. We’re opening the door to many powerful new applications — across every industry,” said Inseego Chairman and CEO Dan Mondor. “Our customers are looking for sleek and compact devices built for productivity, performance and security from the ground up. The MiFi M2000 is a plug-and-play gateway allowing users to experience the power of 5G with their existing laptops, tablets and smartphones.”

 

Groundbreaking technology meets breakthrough performance

Combining the Qualcomm® Snapdragon® X55 5G Modem-RF System  with Inseego’s proprietary advanced RF technology design, the MiFi M2000 delivers data speeds over 2 Gbps* in mmWave bands and gigabit-plus* speeds in sub-6 GHz bands. It also supports new applications requiring the responsiveness and ultra-low latency that 5G technology enables.

 

With support for Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS**), which allows 5G to operate in 4G spectrum, the MiFi M2000 enables users to enjoy the benefits of 5G across a wide area. And seamless fallback to the most advanced 4G LTE (Cat 22), delivers the best available combination of 5G and 4G speed, performance, and coverage.

 

 

Stop the bottlenecks with Wi-Fi 6

The MiFi M2000 uses efficient, simultaneous, dual-band Wi-Fi 6 technology which offers greater capacity and up to 4x faster speeds for connected devices compared to Wi-Fi 5. This empowers users to connect more devices at the same time, without compromising performance or sacrificing battery life. It securely connects up to 30 devices over Wi-Fi along with the option for a direct tethered connection using the USB-C port.

 

Advanced device management

Mobile device management empowers IT departments to manage devices out in the field with tools such as device settings configuration, GPS location, and device logs.

 

Enterprise-grade security

Designed and developed in the USA, the Inseego MiFi M2000 series provides multiple layers of protection with the latest WPA 3 Wi-Fi security protocol, advanced encryption, hacker prevention, password protection, Guest Wi-Fi network, VPN pass-through and Open VPN.

 

All-day power

Do more without worrying about battery life. The removable battery delivers connectivity all day* long and is designed with the Qualcomm Quick Charge™ technology so users can recharge rapidly. Road warriors can enjoy peace of mind when it comes to keeping their devices connected no matter where they go since the MiFi M2000 can also be used as a battery bank to charge a phone, tablet or other connected device. An 8500mAh accessory battery (sold separately) provides added power.

 

Turn any Wi-Fi enabled device into a 5G powerhouse, easily

With a large 2.4” touchscreen color display and simple menus supporting multiple languages, the plug-and-play MiFi 2000 makes it easy to connect laptops, smartphones and tablets and other Wi-Fi enabled devices, view important information and protect data.

 

Light and compact

Sleek and portable, the lightweight MiFi M2000 fits easily into a pocket, purse or backpack.

  • Weight: 210g (7.4oz)
  • Dimensions: 150 x 70 x 17.9mm (5.9 x 2.8 x 0.7in)

 

Push the boundaries with 5G

From data-hungry consumers to remote workers to cutting-edge enterprise applications, the MiFi M2000 provides ultra-fast, secure, reliable 5G connectivity for a world of exciting new applications that demand low latency and exponential capacity in the areas of  healthcare, emergency response, manufacturing, education, entertainment and other areas, including:

 

  • work-from-home employees, travelers, satellite offices, kiosks and other business needs
  • educators and students needing secure and reliable internet access for distance learning
  • government employees and financial institutions requiring maximum security and privacy – both now and in the future
  • enterprise networks (including private LTE/5G networks in the CBRS band)

 

Availability

The Inseego MiFi M2000 series will be coming to market through mobile network operators in select markets in North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific.

Review – The Groov-e sports buds. #TWS #Tech

If you are in the market for an affordable pair of true wireless these are something to check out, Lightweight well built and sturdy these will not fall out of your ears and are comfortable from the get go. Aimed at the sports minded these have all the features you would expect to find from a pair of true wireless earbuds with IPX4 rating these can be used in the gym and with the ear hooks they will not budge even for the more intensive workouts or jogging.

Controls are simple to use with clicky buttons which I prefer but do mind mind touch sensitive options either,the controls work well and caused no issues all the features required are present and we go through these in the video review below. Sound is quite balanced across the board not mind blowing but decent overall and for the price they come in at you cant complain. Call quality is great too,Sports earbuds tend to be more on the expensive side but with these you cant go wrong and are also ideal for the commuter and with the 1800 mAh battery capacity can also be used as a power bank for other devices.

BUY 

 

Review – The @AUKEYofficial Mini Bedside RGB Lamp. #Aukey #Tech #RGB

If you are looking for a simple beside lamp that has some RGB this is one to check that is affordable and easy to use with not set up or app needed to control it, small light and robust it is ideal for a bedside locked or even a shelf in you kitchen or bedroom and it just blends in well and sets the right move with the colour tuning.

 

The lamp comes with a touch sensitive area on top and a power switch on the underside with a rubber ring if you want to leave sat on table it can also be hanged anywhere and comes with to magnet rings inside the box and it does hang perfectly straight, You can control the light options too by the multifunction switch underneath which also provides the power on/off you also get a carabiner in the box too and overall it is a simple minimalistic product that sets a nice tone to any room and requires no tech knowledge to make full use of it, I have several lights in the house that come with apps to do similar functions as this light does where this one just uses  touch sensitive area for dimming and brightening and even more you get an IP65 rating to take it with you on camping events or similar.

 

  • MOOD CHANGE: this brightening RGB lamp always ensures a comfortable atmosphere. The RGB mode or the continuously adjustable brightness of the white and yellow light mode can be set manually via the fast-reacting touch control (color temperature: 2700K – 6500K)
  • PORTABLE AND IP65: With the included carabiner you can hang the AUKEY mini table lamp anywhere or just take it with you. It is also possible on a magnetic metal plate on the wall. Thanks to the IP65 water and dust resistance, this lamp can even float on water
  • 200 HOURS OF OPERATING TIME: The built-in 2200 mAh high-performance battery offers 5 hours of continuous operation at maximum brightness, and 200 hours at dimmest brightness (charging using the included micro USB cable)
  • SCOPE OF DELIVERY: AUKEY mini RGB lamp, micro USB cable, two round metal plates, carabiner, user manual, 24-month replacement guarantee and friendly customer service

Aukey sent us this to review and are seeing this the same time as you with no copy approval,influence  or compensation paid..

BUY HERE

Review – The Google Pixel 4a, A phone for everyone. #Pixel4a #Google #Tech

Having put  the Pixel 4a through its paces the last couple of weeks I can safely say this is a phone for all,even power users, given the size of the phone which is something much smaller than I typically use I have got use to using it, shot hours of video reviews on it and it has not let me down once bar the odd freeze which can happen to any phone, One has to question the constant One Plus promos but when it comes to the best bang for your buck the Pixel 4A WINS..

I did a first impressions some time back so I wont be boring you with the specs we all know about now but there is some shortcuts taken to get the device to this price it will go on sale for which are not bad but some might get in the way but for a cohesive phone you can forgive the shortcomings and look at the overall package on offer here with the Pixel 4a.

 

You have no face unlock,no wireless charging,one size for all and no wide camera or telephoto but does it matter?? With the shots the pixel devices take and are known for most people use their devices to take snaps and you can be guaranteed a great shot almost every time with this device and it has been a trend on the pixel devices for some time now. Given they have the obvious looking camera hump on the rear it has ONE LENS not a set up like a spider looking at you on the back which is getting a bit silly looking now these days.You also have no SD card expansion but you get massive storage here (128GB) for your troubles which at this price again is not seen too often.

 

When it comes to multitasking it worked a treat from my heavy usage and I used this as my daily driver fully loaded with my usual apps which is quite a few being a tech enthusiast but for the average user you will see a day but for a power user you will need to look for a charge in the evening,my phone typically goes on around 7am and by 6pm on a good day I would need to be looking to charge the device but its not an issue as I have power banks and alway near a plug. Battery life does vary day to day but overall for the size of the battery it aint that bad but it is something to consider especially if you are a power user but as mentioned this can be easily overcome depending on your usage and your personal needs, My daily routine changes all the time and some days I might not be so heavy on the device and would shift to evenings instead but having said that I am a power user in general..

Join the list HERE to purchase

 

 

Groov-e launches new affordable true wireless MusicBuds. #TWS #Tech #TrueWireless #MusicBuds

Groov-e, a leading UK tech brand, today launches its latest product, MusicBuds. These sleek True Wireless Earphones combine hassle free listening with clear, powerful audio.

 

Freeing users from wires or neckbands the MusicBuds feature a unique Bluetooth feature that provides true stereo sound quality. Combined with advanced Bluetooth 5.0 technology, the MusicBuds provide exceptional clear sound and a powerful bass meaning there is no longer a compromise for audio for those looking for wireless earphones.

 

Users can control music by pushing gently on the earbuds, enabling them to play and pause, skip forward and back through tracks, alter the volume and even activate Siri or Google voice assistant. Being able to just speak a command such as play favourite music, dial and answer calls or even ask for the weather forecast makes life even easier. The MusicBuds also feature a built-in mic for clear hands-free calls.

 

Stylish and ultralight, the MusicBuds are comfortable to wear for extended periods of time. They are the ideal option for working or exercising. Extra earbuds ensure users get the perfect and most secure fit. To pair, simply take the MusicBuds out of the charging case and they will automatically connect to the selected smart device (after being paired the first time).

 

The MusicBuds provide up to four hours of music playback from a single charge – and an additional seven hours using the portable intelligent charging case.

 

Kunal Patel, Director, Groov-e said: “Over the years we’ve seen some great Bluetooth innovation, but they’ve often meant a compromise of audio quality or a hefty price tag. The MusicBuds combine wireless features with great sound but at a price that’s more accessible. We are sure people will love listening to their favourite tracks when out and about with their MusicBuds”. 

 

The Groov-e MusicBuds are £24.99, available from www.groov-e.co.uk

Poor broadband is impeding 51% of people from performing their work at home. #WFH #Broadband

As a nation continues to work from home, with many not seeing a return to office life until sometime in 2021, if at all, it would seem our while technical abilities as a nation are standing to us, poor broadband in areas throughout the country is letting us down. In the latest Taxpayer Sentiment survey conducted by tax refund specialists Taxback.com, 51% of over 2,500 respondents from all over Ireland said they had experienced technical issues due to poor quality broadband in their home since lockdown was first implemented back in March.

Speaking of the findings, Marian Ryan, Consumer Tax Manager at Taxback.com,

“Many of the working population have had to adapt to a new way of working, with the lockdown resulting in 34% of the workforce having to work from home and 12% increasing their number of hours remote working from home[1] since April. This has led to an increase in the use of technology for work, with far more video conferencing and online meetings and training being used now than ever before in many workplaces. As we no longer have the office IT department on hand, or even a colleague who we deem a bit more tech savvy than ourselves to ask questions of when our tech lets us down, we were interested to get a glimpse into how the nation was coping with this adjustment.”

 

 

The Taxback.com survey sought to gain insight into how differing levels of broadband provision around the country is impacting people’s experience of working from home. Respondents were asked the following:

Have you experienced technical issues due to poor quality broadband in your home since the start of lockdown?

  • Yes – I live in a rural location – 20%
  • Yes – I live in a small city or town – 17%
  • Yes – I live in a major city – 14%

  • No – I live in a small city or town – 21%
  • No – I live in a major city – 16%
  • No – I live in a rural location – 12%

Ms. Ryan commented,

“One area that is really letting many of us down at the moment is poor quality broadband services, which the pandemic has brought into sharp focus. The results are split almost 50:50 between those who say they have experienced issues and those who haven’t, but what is interesting is the breakdown of where those who experience issues are located. 37% of those who reported issues were located in rural areas and towns, and a further 14% were located in major cities. Unsurprisingly, it’s our colleagues who live outside the major cities who are most likely to suffer. This shows just how the unequal distribution of broadband around the country works to facilitate and create opportunity for some, but not for others. The ability to work or learn from home effectively is very much determined by where you live.”

 

The survey also asked the following question: The lockdown has led to an increase in the use of technology for work, with more mobile conferencing and video software etc. being used – people have had to adapt to using new tech that they may not have been using before – how tech savvy do you think you are?

 

  • I have enough to get by – 45%
  • I have the basics but should learn more – 26%
  • Very savvy I’m a tech whizz – 18%
  • I have upskilled during this time – 6%
  • I’m not savvy at all – a total technophobe – 5%

Ms. Ryan commented,

“Working from home has meant that more of us have had to get through the tech obstacles that we all too often avoid or ignore because we have another space to go to with better infrastructure or services. On the whole however, it seems Ireland has a pretty technologically minded workforce, with survey results revealing that the majority (45%) of people feel they have enough IT skills to get by, and 26% of us feeling ‘we have the basics, but need to learn more’. Up to 18% believe that they have excellent IT skills and deem themselves a ‘tech whizz’, and only 5% felt they were ‘total technophobes’. Interestingly, 6% of respondents said that they had upskilled during the lockdown period.”

 

Ms. Ryan concluded,

“Our communications infrastructure around the country is the big challenge, and this is not something that an individual can, or can even be expected to, tackle themselves. But from a wider standpoint, it gives weight to the argument that rural and local economies will continue to suffer if we can’t put the structures and systems in place to allow business to carry out fairly basic, but very necessary, functions like operating online. The need for quality rural and regional broadband is clearer than ever in light of Covid-19, and the National Broadband Plan, which is currently in Phase 1 of its roll out, will go a long way to tackling and hopefully reversing this inequality into the coming years.”

1 – https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/er/elec19/employmentandlifeeffectsofcovid-19/infographic/

Also stay tuned for some tech we have in right now that can assist you working from home..