Month: September 2022

EnerMech invests €9.2 million in first Irish facility to support growth in new markets and announces the creation of 170 new jobs in Athlone

EnerMech has today officially opened its first facility in Ireland, creating approximately 170 jobs opportunities over the next three years. The base cements the integrated solutions specialist’s commitment to the area and its growth drive across new sectors and geographies.

Bringing its five decades of engineering and manufacturing experience to bear, EnerMech has already delivered several campaigns from the site, including providing its services to a large semiconductor project for a world-leading North American company.

Located in IDA Ireland’s Business and Technology Park in Athlone, the company has been delivering its range of specialist services from the base for the past year. This project is supported by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland.

Tánaiste & Minister for Enterprise Trade & Employment, Leo Varadkar said: “I’m really pleased to welcome EnerMech to Ireland and in particular Athlone, which is a fantastic choice of location for this substantial investment. These 170 new jobs will be a real boost, and really underline Ireland’s growth as an international advanced manufacturing hub. EnerMech has a remarkable 50 years of experience with a global presence in 23 countries. We will continue to work hard to create the right environment to attract such world-class companies to all parts of the country. I wish the team all the very best and trust they will be very happy in their new community.”

Minister of Trade Promotion, Digital & Company Regulation Dara Calleary TD said: I’m delighted that EnerMech have chosen Ireland for this expansion which will create 170 jobs over the next three years. EnerMech’s new facility in Athlone is well positioned to serve the thriving engineering, biopharma and MedTech clusters in the region and beyond. These roles, across a range of specialist engineering disciplines, will provide a fantastic opportunity for the highly skilled and talented workforce our country has to offer. I wish the team every continued success in this new chapter.”

Building on the long-term sustainability of its business in the region, the company now employs over 110 employees locally, including five local apprentices on the Pipefitting Apprentice Scheme, delivering a broad spectrum of capabilities across specialist engineering disciplines to support project construction and deli very. These numbers are expected to rise to a further 60 full-time job opportunities including a further 10 apprentice openings in the near future.

In addition to growth in core markets, the move further supports the company’s global diversification drive as it eyes expansion in infrastructure, renewables, power, energy, and hi-tech industrial sectors, a key growth area for EnerMech across the globe. The Ireland base is another step forward for the company in this goal, as the facility is home to the company’s first ISO-certified cleanroom. This additional capability supports high purity welding and pipework manufacture, a key element in the semi-conductor, pharmaceutical and food industries.

Christian Brown, Chief Executive Officer at EnerMech, said: “The launch celebrations mark the end of a successful first year for EnerMech in Ireland. Our new facility opens a number of doors for us as we look to deliver more projects from this base as well as build on our existing work across a diverse mix of end markets.

“This healthy mix of business progression demonstrates our multi-discipline capabilities are being more widely recognised and valued in new ways across the board.

“Coming together with IDA Ireland the Irish government, and clients to officially launch the site is a proud moment for the company and staff.”

CEO of IDA Ireland, Martin Shanahan said: “The establishment by EnerMech, a global integrated solutions specialist, in Athlone is terrific news for the Midlands region and beyond.  This investment is strongly aligned to IDA Ireland’s strategic pillars of Impact and Regional Development.  I wish EnerMech every success with this investment.”

Tech Review – STM Goods MagLoop MagSafe accessory for iPhone

With iPhone season here there is plenty of accessoires now available for your iPhone with MagSafe, the next product in for review which is the STM Goods Mag Loop offers a stylish way to hold your iPhone, have it sat on your desk and if you happen to be thirsty open a bottle of beer to. Sounds like an easy sell to me and it sure is after checking it out and who doesn’t want a cold one after a hard days work.

Unlike other offerings out there this just sticks on to the back of your iPhone that is MagSafe compatible and has no adhesive pads which can be messy and can be easily removed and replaced in a second, it has a hard outer ring and softer ring built in and makes for another way to hold your device safely too so it has several functions and makes it a nice little handy accessories to have at your disposal for your iPhone. See the video below for more.

Features

3-in-1 loops for multiple functionality including
finger loop, kickstand, and bottle opener.

Dimensions:
0.9 x 6.5 x 5.8 cm / 0.3 x 2.5 x 2.3 in

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Tech Review – STM Goods MagPod for iPhone with MagSafe

When it comes to iPhone there is more accessories than meets the eye and no shortage of them no matter the size shape or form there is plenty to pick from these days more so than Android devices it seems to be too. There is no doubt that we love our accessories and some more than others but some are more useful than others and can be handy tools for your home/office or even creators and this gadget from STM Goods kinda covers all that in a neat little package too and fits in your pocket or travel bag and will certainly be a useful tool to have for your iPhone.

The MagPod is a great idea and can be used in several ways and what’s more it is not one of those that have a fixed position like many similar products out there and has a nice rotating top that can be fixed in any position. This in effect can be used for a selfie tool or a simple holder to have your device at hand beside your workstation to keep an eye on other things going on like social media and emails etc.

MagPod keeps your phone above the mess, and just where you want it. Ever gone to put your phone down but didn’t want it getting wet, dirty, or lost in the clutter, or wished you had a better angle to view it from? MagPod to the rescue. A brilliantly engineered and beautifully designed stand for your MagSafe iPhone. The MagPod provides a convenient place for your phone to land, whether on your desk, in your kitchen, on your bathroom counter, or nestled on your nightstand.

What I like about this is its size and how it stows away which is handy and how it is constructed with a tripod on the bottom that simply opens and closes with no hassle and it is also robust too with a nice finish to it too. You can have it at multiple angles so it is easy for anyone to use and anyone to set up to get that desired final position that suits you best. With the 90 degree ball and socket joint it is a breeze to maneuver. Check the video below for more and see how useful this guy is for you at home or in the office and keeping your phone out of the way on your table and more.

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Tile’s Bluetooth trackers are the ultimate back-to-school companion

With the new academic year just back for most now, Tile Bluetooth trackers help ensure the return to school/college goes as smoothly as possible.

Easy to use, Tile ensures vital student essentials never go missing – whether it’s rucksacks, blazers, keys, water bottles, pencil cases or workbooks. Tile’s varied range – Mate, Slim, Pro and Sticker – guarantees there’s a model to suit every busy student, and keep all their important items findable.

To set up a Tile Bluetooth tracker, simply download the free Tile app – which enables you to ring your things if they’re close by. You can also use Tile in reverse to call your phone if it’s misplaced – even when it’s on silent. If your items are truly lost, the Tile app lets you check where they were last seen on a map.

Tile Pro
Tile sticker

 

 

 

Digital Tourism Campaign Targets North American Market

A digital tourism marketing campaign offering a 5-day getaway break to County Clare has attracted more than 34,000 entries from across the United States and Canada.

Hosted by the Cliffs of Moher Experience and supported by Tourism Ireland, Aer Lingus and Clare tourism operators, the ‘Epic Trip’ competition targeted the North American market and reached an audience of 3.4 million people via Cliffs of Moher Experience social media channels and through targeted Google ad placements.

The winning couple, Peggy and Daniel Haukup from Wichita in Kansas, arrived in Ireland this morning. Their prize includes Aer Lingus direct scheduled return flights from the USA with AVIS car hire and a five-night stay in County Clare with attractions and activities included.

“The success of this digital marketing campaign is the result of a collaborative effort involving Aer Lingus and Tourism Ireland and is evidence that an inter-agency digital marketing campaign,” stated Geraldine Enright, Director of the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience.

“The campaign is funded by Tourism Ireland through the Industry Market Access Programme (IMAP), which has been established to support the tourism industry on the island of Ireland to recover swiftly from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic,” she explained. “The Programme has a particular focus on supporting sales focused activities in key overseas markets such as the North American market, which our campaign specifically targeted.”

Ms. Enright said that targeting the North American visitor market following two years of declining international visitors to Ireland is central to ongoing recovery of the Irish tourism sector.

She continued, “Visitor numbers this summer are down across the Irish tourism sector compared to 2019 and therefore, a key focus this autumn and winter must be on tapping into the considerable North American visitor market to ensure that we recover some of the ground lost due to the pandemic. Our digital marketing campaign is evidence that Ireland as a tourism destination remains a significant draw for people in Canada and the United States.”

The winning couple’s prize includes visits to the world-famous Cliffs of Moher, Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Aillwee Cave, Doolin, Ballyvaughan, Lahinch, Ennis, Burren Smokehouse and the Wild Honey Inn in Lisdoonvarna, a guided tour of the Burren with the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark Geologist Dr. Eamon Doyle, and a trip to the base of the Cliffs of Moher and the Aran Islands on board Garrihy’s Doolin2Aran Ferries.

According to Melanie Lennon, Sales & Marketing Manager, Cliffs of Moher Experience, “In conjunction with Tourism Ireland and local tourism providers, we curated a packaged holiday that incorporates the best of what Clare has to offer in terms of attractions, activities and our food produce.”

Ms. Lennon added, “Our focus has been on promoting what the wider North Clare region has to offer beyond the Cliffs of Moher tapping into our key objectives in the Cliffs of Moher Strategy 2030, which include delivering economic benefits to the wider tourism economy.  The support shown by the local sector throughout this campaign is very encouraging and underlines the importance of and benefits associated with the sector working together.”

The Cliffs of Moher Experience is Ireland’s most visited natural attraction, a Signature Discovery Point on the Wild Atlantic Way, a main Geosite of the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Geopark, and a Special Protection Area (SPA) under Natura 2000 designation. The visitor attraction is a wholly owned tourism asset of Clare County Council.

Visit www.cliffsofmoher.ie for more.

What Are the Factors Affecting Gold Prices?

Gold is one of the precious metals whose value increases when stored for some time, which is why the investment portfolio of many traders contain it. Investors need to consider some factors such as a Live Gold Price that can influence the price of gold before adding the asset to their portfolios. 

Investing in gold is safe for you if you will withhold it for a long time, however, if you are a short investor, knowing how gold works is paramount before moving into the market. Just like every other investment, gold trading is risky, which implies that there is the possibility of investors making losses or gains. If you want to invest in gold, you need to know the factors influencing its price, as explained in this guide.

5 Factors Influencing the Gold Price

Below are some of the factors influencing gold trading and its price:

  1. Supply and demand
  2. Inflation
  3. Currency movement
  4. Investment demand
  5. Uncertainty 

Supply And Demand

The law of demand and supply affects all goods or services such that when the price of a good or service is high, the quantity demanded is low, and when the price is high, the quantity supplied is high too. This means that the market value of gold depends on the interaction between supply and demand, the value of gold rises when there is more demand. However, when the supply of gold increases, the price of gold reduces. The government reserves of a country affect the gold supply, which will fall when RBI decides to purchase more gold. However, there will be an increase in the gold price if there is no change in demand.

Inflation

When the price of goods and services increases, it will affect gold trading and its market price. Although it is not absolute, most times, the price of gold seems to increase when there is a high inflation rate, but when the rate is low, it weighs on gold. There is an expansion of the supply of money by federal reserves whenever the country’s economy is experiencing growth and expansion due to inflation. Due to the expansion, which makes the value of the money circulating dilute, it becomes more costly to purchase gold. Recently, there has been no major increase in the value of gold due to the lack of inflation. Also, the lending rates do not increase since there is no inflation, thus holding the gold price.

Currency Movements

Another significant factor impacting gold prices is currency volatility, particularly the movement of the U.S. dollar. Since other currencies and products worldwide rise in value as the dollar falls, a declining U.S. dollar has a propensity to drive up gold prices. On the other hand, a stronger U.S. economy frequently makes the U.S. dollar strong. Since gold and the U.S. dollar have an antagonistic relationship, the price of gold reduces when such happens. The increase in gold value as of 2016 is a result of a declining U.S. currency.

Investment Demand

Gold trading can occur in several ways, with exchange-traded funds (ETF) being one of the most popular ways to invest in gold. ETFs can be owned and traded not only by private organizations but also by mining firms. They operate similarly to trusts and stocks because their trading occurs on exchanges. The market price of gold becomes affected by the fluctuations in the price of the exchange-traded funds when in demand since the investment entities have large gold holdings. There is a continuous market expansion for ETFs, and they are relatively prevalent, particularly in America.

Uncertainty

Uncertainty is another factor that affects gold trading since the possibility of predicting future events becomes hard, and many investors prefer to be safe rather than take risks. The economy’s condition has a little negative effect on the price of gold. Thus, many investors invest in it to avoid losses during inflation. Although it might be challenging to quantify the effects of uncertainty, it can affect market prices. The expectation is that the value of gold will increase during a recession, whereas other investments like bonds, equities, and real estate are likely to crash. Other uncertain events that can disrupt the market prices are political instability and war.

Conclusion

Despite gold being the precious metal with the most stability in price, its price is not free from change. Some of the factors responsible for its price change are discussed above, and every investor needs to know them before starting gold trading—understanding how precious metals like gold function is a prerequisite for becoming a good all-around investor.

Irish Developers WarDucks Edging Closer to Release of AR Game that Spurred €3.3 million funding

Ireland is a common sight in entertainment, particularly within the modern rise of fantasy movies and TV series. In gaming, however, there isn’t a large contingent of developers, studios, or even games set in Ireland. There are many within certain genres, but not an overly large count overall.

This is despite the presence of massive companies with strong ties to gaming, with Microsoft Ireland being the prime example of this. Still, there are some working their way up, with WarDucks being one of the more exciting up-and-coming prospects. As specialists in virtual reality games, the studio received a hefty sum in funding to spur their next augmented reality project.

Bringing the battles against Kaiju to the real world

WarDucks rose to prominence through their mostly PlayStation VR creations. Rollercoaster Legends, Rollercoaster Legends II: Thor’s Hammer, and Sneaky Bears all topped charts on the platform, while Sneak Bears Rollercoaster on Samsung Gear VR was a top seller. A few years ago, however, the South Dublin-based studio decided to make their next game with an AR core design.

The 2013-founded company has clearly impressed with its creations to date, with the development of their leap into AR receiving a hefty sum of €3.3 million in funding. The money was raised from EQT Ventures, Suir Valley Ventures, and some other investors. Helping the appeal of WarDucks has been the presence of gaming veterans who have worked on several smash-hit titles.

John Romero (Doom and Quake), Lawrence Schick (The Elder Scrolls Online), and Doug Kaufman (Civilization II) are all playing key roles in the development of the upcoming location-based AR mobile game. The game, which we now know to be Edge of Earth: Epic Monster War, is still in development, but a recent update proves that the first 4X Strategy title on mobile to use the real world is gradually closing in on a full launch.

Gameplay footage has emerged online for the in-development WarDuck game, showcasing the virtual base-building on the real-world map, monster combat, and the familiar time-based base-building mechanics. In mid-August of this year, the team launched live testing for the game in Ireland, the UK, and the Philippines, garnering over 1,000 downloads on the Play Store to help development. It’s currently on version 0.6.2.

More gaming in an Irish setting

 

Edge of Earth allows anyone in the world to make their surroundings the setting of a futuristic battle against monsters on Earth. Players in Dublin will be able to set up bases and defend the capital against the monsters that seek to destroy the city. So, for some, it can be classed as another game that uses Ireland as its setting or theme, made even better by it coming from WarDucks.

Other popular games that have placed Ireland into their virtual worlds in a more story and theme-driven way include the Assassin’s Creed Valhalla DLC Wrath of the Druids, which takes your Viking adventure from Britain to Ireland, as well as the Aground DLC map for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 – a battleground on the Irish coast.

Of course, the most common use of the Irish theme and setting in gaming takes a more mythological approach, with creatures like the fabled leprechaun front and centre. In the online casino world, for example, Irish games with depictions of lucky charms and leprechauns always do well with players. Right now, it’s the progressive jackpot game Charms & Clovers that sits among the most popular of its type.

If the live testing goes well, Ireland can look forward to the full release of WarDucks’ intriguing real-world AR game, which might just raise the prestige of the Dublin developers by yet another tier. Until then, there are some other Irish-associated games to delve into, with Project Cars 2 and Tomb Raider Chronicles worth adding to the list.

Pocketalk Introduces Mobile App for Conversational Translations Wherever You Go

Pocketalk, a leader in real-time language translation technology, today introduces Pocketalk App, its first mobile app, which enables use of a phone or tablet for fast, reliable, and affordable two-way translation. The cloud-based Pocketalk App translates 82 languages, supporting a global need for accessible translation solutions. Easy to download on any iOS or Android device for £2.50 monthly or £25.50 annually, it provides subscribers access to the most accurate conversational translations whenever they use the app on their phone or tablet. First time users of the Pocketalk App will receive a free three-day trial that can be activated once the app is downloaded.

“There’s never been a greater need for accurate, fast, and accessible translations that bridge the language divide,” said Noriyuki Matsuda, Founder and CEO, Pocketalk. “The Pocketalk App contributes to a deeper understanding of people and different cultures, all at one’s fingertips, and meets a need for people to more easily communicate with each other anywhere in the world.”

Translations for Everyday Conversations

The Pocketalk App gives people freedom to speak with more confidence during multiple language conversations, knowing the person they’re speaking to will more clearly understand them, bridging language gaps when it’s needed most. The app lends itself to casual, spontaneous everyday conversations, and is the ideal companion for traveling abroad, for helping build stronger connections with relatives who may only speak their native language, for chatting with international friends or colleagues, and for informal exchanges at happy hour or the grocery store.

The Pocketalk App is a complement to Pocketalk’s existing suite of language translation products, including Pocketalk S and the HIPAA and GDPR compliant Pocketalk Plus that have proven success strengthening communication for travel, education, healthcare and logistics.

Once downloaded on a preferred mobile device or tablet, the Pocketalk App creates new potential for on-the-go conversations and translation support whenever multiple languages are being spoken.

Pocketalk App in Action

Once the Pocketalk App is downloaded on a phone or device, select the language you want to speak in and language you’d like to translate to. Then, hold down the “translate” on your screen and speak to activate. As you speak, the app will translate to text in the language you’ve asked it to translate to. Additional app features include:

  • One-button translation for simpler translations in fewer steps
  • Text-to-translate camera, which allows your phone or tablet camera to instantly recognise and translate digital text, written words, and signs
  • Conversion feature, which computes exchanges for currency, length, width and temperature

The Pocketalk App is available for purchase in the App store and Google Play for £2.50 monthly or £25.50 annually and provides subscribers a connection anywhere they go in the world. The free three-day trial can be activated following the initial app download. For more information and to view a product demo, visit Pocketalk.com.

Tech Review – Gravastar Venus Wireless speaker

Gravastar is a brand that gives us superior tech goods not made with cheap plastics and recently we reviewed their other speaker which is several times the size of this on the Gravastar Mars Pro but don’t let that think this one which is much smaller does not pack a punch.

Once again built with zinc alloy this one again is one to have sat in your living room or bedside locker for show as well as audio and it also has and RGB ring on the front which makes it stand out, the colours can be changed too and you have go physical buttons up top which controls all the functions on this cool little gadget. It is that small it can be portable too if you wish to bring it on your travels.

Venus, a smart and dexterous warrior of GravaStar, full of passion and energy. He fights together in a troop, coordinating and striking enemies down as one.

There is rubber footing underneath the three feet that keep it stable and it will not move anyway due to the build quality and weight unlike speakers traditionally housed in plastic or wood. There is just a cool futuristic design here overall and really a nice piece to have.

When it comes to sound again this packs a punch for its size you will see below in the video review just how loud it gets and how it functions so check out the video below for a real hands on look. highs lows and mids are fine nice bass and overall a great audio experience to be had here whilst looking really cool.

Features

Materials: Zinc Alloy
Product dimensions: 2.8″H x 2.4″L x 3.2″W
Weight: 1.0 lbs
Full-range subwoofer drivers
Bluetooth: 5.0
6RGB lights
True Wireless Stereo
Battery life: up to 10 hours
Output Power: 10W
Transmission Range: 10M
Power Supply: 5V/1A
Charging time: ＜2Hrs

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Video Link