Month: November 2023

Roll by ADP, the revolutionary payroll and HR app, launches in Ireland

ADP has announced the expansion of its chat-based mobile payroll solution, Roll by ADP, to the Irish market. The innovative payroll and HR app serves as an intuitive advisor for small business owners, offering payroll insights and support tailored specifically for Ireland.

Roll by ADP is fast, affordable and flexible. Thanks to its natural, conversational experience, there’s no training needed. Businesses can get set up on the app in minutes and run payroll anytime, anywhere in under 60 seconds. Roll allows small businesses to pay employees easily and quickly, whether they’re full or part-time, permanent, temps or casual staff. The app provides on-the-go HR and payroll support, offering a direct integration with Revenue and ensuring payroll taxes are calculated and reported correctly.

The launch marks Roll’s first venture beyond the United States, where it’s already established as a trusted solution helping small businesses streamline their payroll processes and enhancing business efficiency. Roll by ADP is designed for small businesses and backed by the leaders in payroll.

Roll is effortless to use, with capabilities such as:

  • Intelligent Assistant – Small business owners in Ireland can now seek guidance on managing and expanding their business through a chat-based, intuitive conversation on their mobile device. They can directly ask Roll for help writing job descriptions, conducting interviews, paying their employees’ taxes to Revenue, and more.
  • Swift set-up and hassle-free HR and payroll support – The app guides busy entrepreneurs in Ireland through the do-it-yourself set-up, cutting out time-consuming tasks through chat-based interactions on their device.
  • Security and privacy – All Roll Ireland data is safeguarded in a secure cloud environment and hosted in the European Union. Roll uses the latest in-app security protocols and benefits from the ongoing oversight of ADP experts to protect the employee data of Irish small businesses.

Roberto Masiero, SVP of Product Development and Innovation at ADP, and founder of Roll, emphasised, “We built Roll with the goal of giving small business owners a tool that would make their lives easier. To reduce the time they have to spend on payroll, so that they can focus on growing their business. Roll acts like an intuitive assistant, reminding them of important tasks and providing valuable guidance in a safe and secure way.”

Roll™ by ADP® is now available to small businesses across Ireland. To learn more:  RollbyADP.com/en-ie.

Malware ‘Meal Kits’ Are Helping Attackers Steal Businesses’ Lunch, HP Finds

HP Ireland issued its quarterly HP Wolf Security Threat Insights Report, showing that thriving cybercriminal marketplaces are offering low-level attackers the tools needed to bypass detection and infect users.

Based on data from millions of endpoints running HP Wolf Security, key findings include:

  • Houdini’s Last Act: A new campaign targeted businesses with fake shipping documents concealing JavaScript malware. Its obscure code allowed the malware to slip past email defences and reach endpoints. The analysed attack delivered Houdini, a 10-year-old malware. This shows that, with the right pre-packaged tools from cybercrime marketplaces, hackers can still use vintage malware effectively by abusing the scripting features built into operating systems.
  • Cybercriminals Deploy “Jekyll and Hyde” Attacks: HP discovered a separate campaign launching two threads when a user opens a malicious scanned invoice designed to trick users. The “Jekyll” thread opens a decoy invoice copied from a legitimate online template, reducing suspicion, while the “Hyde” runs the malware in the background. This attack would be easy for threat actors to carry out, as pre-packaged kits to carry out this type of hacking have been advertised on forums for around €62 / $65 per month.

HP also identified attackers are hazing aspiring cybercriminals by hosting fake malware building kits on code sharing platforms like GitHub. These malicious code repositories trick wannabe threat actors into infecting their own machines. One popular malware kit, XWorm, is advertised on underground markets for as much as €474 / $500, driving resource-strapped cybercriminals to buy fake versions.

By isolating threats that have evaded detection tools on PCs – but still allowing malware to detonate safely – HP Wolf Security has specific insight into the latest techniques used by cybercriminals in the fast-changing cybercrime landscape. To date, HP Wolf Security customers have clicked on over 30 billion email attachments, web pages, and downloaded files with no reported breaches.

The report details how cybercriminals continue to diversify attack methods to bypass security policies and detection tools. Other findings include:

  • Archives were the most popular malware delivery type for the sixth quarter running, used in 36% of cases analysed by HP.
  • Despite being disabled by default, macro-enabled Excel add-in threats (.xlam) rose to the 7th most popular file extension abused by attackers in Q3, up from 46th place in Q2. Q3 also saw malware campaigns abusing PowerPoint add-ins.
  • At least 12% of email threats identified by HP Sure Click bypassed one or more email gateway scanners in both Q3, and Q2.
  • Q3 saw an increase in attacks using exploits in Excel (91%) and Word (68%) formats.
  • There was a 5%-point rise in PDF threats isolated by HP Wolf Security compared to Q2.
  • The top threat vectors in Q3 were email (80%) and downloads from browsers (11%).

Val Gabriel, Managing Director of HP Ireland, comments: “This quarter’s report has found that threat actors can easily and inexpensively purchase pre-packaged, user-friendly malware ‘meal kits’. We have found that these kits infect systems with a single click. So, instead of creating their own tools to breach security systems, low-level cybercriminals can now access kits that use living-off-the-land tactics. These stealthy in-memory attacks are often harder to detect due to security tool exclusions for admin use, like automation.

“While the tools for crafting stealthy attacks are readily available, threat actors still rely on the user clicking in order to infect systems,” continues Val Gabriel. “To neutralise the risk of falling victim to pre-packaged malware kits, businesses should isolate any high-risk activities, like opening email attachments, link clicks, and downloads, as doing so, significantly minimises the potential of a breach by reducing the attack surface.”

HP Wolf Security runs risky tasks in isolated, hardware-enforced virtual machines running on the endpoint to protect users, without impacting their productivity. It also captures detailed traces of attempted infections. HP’s application isolation technology mitigates threats that slip past other security tools and provides unique insights into intrusion techniques and threat actor behaviour.

About the data

This data was gathered from consenting HP Wolf Security customers from July-September 2023.

Tech Review – SOUNDPEATS Air4 Pro In-ear aptX Lossless Wireless Earbuds

The SOUNDPEATS Air4 Pro In-ear aptX Lossless Wireless Earbuds is one of the next latest pair of earbuds on offer from the brand we have been testing products with for some time now and continue to deliver great audio experiences at affordable prices which as I always say is great for the consumer with choice and SOUNDPEATS has plenty of choice on their store no matter what budget you might have.

The Air4 Pro might look familiar if you are fan of the brand but they are clean stylish and comfortable to wear at all times and have a nice finish to them as all their earbuds do with a two tone copper accents and glossy Black housing. They have a small stem and of course tips and ensure you pick the right ones to get the best fit and sound and do the adaptive EQ test.

OK so how do these sound them with a pro name attached then are they worthy of the PRO moniker tech companies slap on their products? Ohh yes there is a notable difference here with the Air 4 Pro, The 13mm drives gives great ANC and in fact I tested this beside several noisey items in the house such as my air fryer  and it wiped it out completely which was unexpected and for the rest of my test items they just vanished into the mist with sound, Super ANC to get things going here.

Volume is plenty aloud really great bass to be seen here too and if you like bass your in for a treat however there is also the option to use the Soundpeats App to customise things around to suit your needs and the app works well as always with a suite of options to toy around with but the bass is just brilliant here full stop and mixed with the ANC power and volume you can forget what is going on around you which is what I want when listening to my tunes, lets not forget you have normal mode and transparency mode here too and again works great..Also this time around we have in-ear detection built in which some previous models lacked. Call quality also seemed fine both ends during my testing and overall a good conversation to be had and clear.

SOUNDPEATS APP Air 4 Pro – techbuzzireland

Overall with the audio quality these are not to be sniffed at by any means, highs lows and mids fine, not lag latency not tinny sounds when maxed out and for me one of their best pair of earbuds yet I have test, ohh we have more to show you soon so stay tuned for those reviews soon.

Soundpeats Air 4 Pro earbuds – techbuzzireland

Features 

    • Snapdragon Sound with aptX Lossless
    • 13mm Dynamic Driver for Immersive Sound
    • Adaptive ANC Tech & Triple Mics Noise-Cancellation
    • 88ms Low Latency Game Mode
    • Total 26 Hrs Playtime & App Control

BUY

Video Review

Shure Black Friday Deals for content creators

Black Friday is almost here, and Shure has prepared special deals for all content creators and music lovers looking to upgrade their audio!

Trusted by the most acclaimed professionals in recording, performance, podcasting, and streaming, Shure has been setting the standard for extraordinary audio for nearly a century. Now they can enhance their equipment with a selection of Shure’s professional-grade listening products and microphones with instant savings from Black Friday and during the holiday season.

Shure products with special deals include:

Shure AONIC 40 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones in White – From £255 to £135 RRP *

All offers will be available at shure.com and selected retailers.

*AONIC 40 discount will start on Black Friday onwards.

WhatsApp API: A Powerful Messaging API Integration

Discover what the WhatsApp API is, the benefits it offers and how you can use it effectively to give seamless, highly personalised digital experiences to your clients.

In the ever-evolving e-commerce environment, companies continuously seek efficient methods to communicate with their consumers and increase sales. With a growing number of messaging applications, the WhatsApp API has become a crucial company resource.

What is WhatsApp API?

WhatsApp API, also called WhatsApp Business API, is a powerful programming interface that enables businesses to receive and respond to limitless WhatsApp messages smoothly. WhatsApp API was launched in August 2018 to give medium and big companies a personalised solution for increasing their consumer interaction using WhatsApp.

You can send and receive texts, set up automated replies and talk to people on the renowned messaging app WhatsApp with the WhatsApp API. Therefore, WhatsApp API is a safe and effective way to connect with your audience and make the whole experience better for your customers.

Why WhatsApp API is Important for Your Business

Let’s look at the top benefits of employing a whatsapp api for your business.

Order Monitoring and Alerts

Businesses that deal with e-commerce use the API to provide their clients with real-time information, delivery alerts and order tracking. That improves transparency and maintains client interest throughout the buying process.

Automated Services

A fundamental benefit of the WhatsApp API is its capacity to facilitate the integration of chatbots. It is possible to program chatbots to deliver automated customer service. That not only simplifies the workload of customer service representatives but also offers immediate responses to customer inquiries. Enhanced user experience and increased customer satisfaction result from this.

Improved Data Privacy and Security

In today’s digital world, security and data privacy are crucial. End-to-end encryption, which the WhatsApp API offers, guarantees the security and confidentiality of every communication sent and received between companies and their clients. That gives companies and clients peace of mind that their private data is secure.

Product Suggestion

Based on what buyers have bought, WhatsApp API can be used to recommend products to them. Businesses can make personalised suggestions to customers by looking at their data. That leads to more involvement and more sales. Companies can also use the WhatsApp API to inform customers about new goods and services.

Set Appointments

Your calendar may be linked with the WhatsApp API. Without making any phone calls or email threads, you may automatically schedule appointments for each client. You may use automatic messages to inform your clients when your sales staff will be accessible again, even if they are not present at a particular moment. Businesses may save their employees and clients much time using the WhatsApp API.

How WhatsApp API Works

Installing the WhatsApp API differs from installing the phone’s ordinary messaging app. Additionally, connecting to an ordinary API is more complicated than just inputting a key. Since WhatsApp requires end-to-end encryption, its keys are constantly updated to guarantee that it offers the security it claims.

However, the WhatsApp API client must be hosted on the server of each business. To streamline message automation and monitor client experiences across channels, organisations may also link WhatsApp with their internal solutions, such as customer relationship management (CRM) and customer care systems.

All of this requires significant effort from your IT and development teams. Although users may utilise Facebook’s support materials to guide them through the process, in-house developers are responsible for configuring, integrating and maintaining the API. For the API to remain compliant and up to date with WhatsApp’s regulations, regular deployment and monitoring will be necessary.

Final Thoughts

Improve your company’s communication strategy and customer engagement with the help of WhatsApp’s API. Reaching a global audience, automating processes and engaging in conversational commerce are all ways that contemporary businesses are trying to gain an advantage. Don’t wait any longer to provide your business with the advantage of the WhatsApp API. Provide your business with the resources to adapt to the rapidly evolving digital landscape and stay ahead of the competition.

Source

WhatsApp to launch customer-business chat feature

 

Top 10 Must-Have Android Apps for Students: Enhancing Learning and Productivity

In today’s ever-evolving world, technology has become a crucial ally in pursuing educational goals. From note-taking to time management and study aids, the Android app ecosystem has opened up a world of possibilities for students. With a smartphone, you can transform your Android device into a powerful learning tool. This article will explore the top ten must-have Android apps for students, helping you enhance your learning experience and boost productivity.  more efficient and enjoyable. Keep on reading to find out why they should come in handy.Whether you are working towards a degree or simply looking to improve your current study habits, these apps can help you stay organized and on track. This article will explore the top ten must-have Android apps for students, helping you enhance your learning experience and boost productivity. Whether in high school, college, or pursuing advanced degrees, these apps are designed to make your educational journey more

1. My Study Life

First on the is My Study Life, which functions as your dedicated academic assistant. It ensures that your schedule is well-organized and assignments are manageable. This app lets you coordinate your classes, assignments, exams, and revision materials in one centralized location. 

You can even set reminders for impending deadlines, access daily and weekly schedules, and seamlessly synchronize your data across various devices. With My Study Life at your disposal, you can say goodbye to the turmoil of balancing different course requirements and say hello to a more structured and stress-free academic journey. There may be times when assignments appear overwhelming, but this app makes it easier to handle them, even when you need to buy definition essay for a particularly challenging task.

2. Evernote

Second is Evernote, which, as many, is the ultimate digital notebook for students. It lets you jot down notes, create to-do lists, and organize everything in one place. Whether it’s class notes, research findings, or project ideas, you can access them from your Android device anytime, anywhere. 

The app also enables you to attach files, record voice notes, and clip web articles for future reference. With the help of this app, you can say goodbye to misplaced paper notes and welcome the convenience of having all your information neatly organized on your smartphone.

3. Google Drive

Google Drive is another game-changer for students. It offers 15 GB of free storage, allowing you to store and access documents, presentations, and spreadsheets on the go. What makes it even better is the seamless collaboration features. You can work on group projects in real time, share files with classmates, and edit documents offline. With these features, you’re always on top of your coursework, whether you have an internet connection or not.

4. Forest 

We all know that procrastination may be the biggest enemy to many students. Forest will help you get over this hurdle. It encourages users to focus by encouraging them to plant virtual trees. You can set a timer to how long you wish to be free of distractions. A virtual tree is then planted as the clock counts down. You can see your virtual tree withering if you stop using the app and go to social media. The simple but effective method will boost your productivity by avoiding the temptation of distractions.

5. Quizlet

Studying can be a daunting task, but Quizlet makes it more manageable. With this app, you can create flashcards and study sets to master subjects and improve memory retention. What’s even more valuable is the vast library of user-generated study materials covering a wide range of topics. Whether you need to memorize vocabulary, historical dates, or scientific formulas, Quizlet covers you. Moreover, you can use quizzes and games to make studying engaging and fun.

6. Duolingo

Duolingo is an excellent app for students who want to learn a new language or enhance their language skills. With its gamified approach to language learning, Duolingo makes studying a foreign language enjoyable and accessible. The app covers a variety of languages, and its bite-sized lessons fit perfectly into your busy schedule. Learning a foreign language can open new doors to exciting opportunities, and Duolingo simplifies the process.

7. Trello 

Trello is the go-to app for students who need to keep track of multiple tasks and projects. Its intuitive card-based system allows you to create boards for different courses or assignments. You can add to-do lists, due dates, and details for each task, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks. Trello also supports collaboration, making it an ideal choice for group projects where everyone can see and contribute to the project’s progress.

8. Khan Academy 

Khan Academy is another treasure trove of free educational content. It covers various subjects, from mathematics and science to history and the arts. With its Android app, you can access thousands of video lessons and practice exercises that can help you better understand complex topics and prepare for exams. Whether you need additional explanations or want to learn something entirely new, Khan Academy is your virtual tutor at your fingertips.

9. Wolfram Alpha 

Wolfram Alpha can do more than just search. It’s an advanced computational engine capable of solving complex problems in mathematics, providing detailed scientific information and offering insights into many different subjects. Wolfram Alpha provides step-by -step instructions and answers for those who need assistance with math, physics or economics. The tool is invaluable for students pursuing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) subjects.

10. Slack 

Slack is a must-have Android app that turbocharges learning and productivity. It’s not just another messaging app; it’s a powerhouse for streamlined communication. You can create channels for each subject or project, making it super easy to organize group discussions. Share files, exchange ideas, and keep everything in one place. 

With its sleek interface and seamless integration of other apps, Slack becomes your study group’s virtual hangout. It’s the go-to platform for quick feedback, ongoing discussions, and collective brainstorming sessions. Whether collaborating on group projects or seeking instant support from classmates, Slack ensures you’re always in sync and connected, enhancing your overall learning experience and productivity.

Conclusion

The Android app ecosystem offers various tools to make your student life more efficient and enjoyable. From organizing your schedule and managing tasks to enhancing your learning and collaboration, these top ten Android apps are here to support you throughout your educational journey. So, why not give them a try and experience the convenience of having your digital toolkit to boost your learning and productivity? With these apps in your pocket, you can tackle education challenges and reach your academic goals.

Skullcandy Unveils Limited-Edition Acid Snow Camo Collection to Mark 20th Anniversary

In celebration of its 20th anniversary, Skullcandy announced today the limited-edition Acid Snow Camo collection. Designed exclusively for boardsport retailers and Skullcandy.com, the collection is a key part of Skullcandy’s strategy to return to the brand’s roots. Acid Snow Camo features the bright color and uncontrolled chaos of retro Skullcandy with a ‘90s skate spin and includes Crusher ANC 2 Sensory Bass Headphones, Dime 3 True Wireless Earbuds and Kilo Wireless Bluetooth Speakers, available now on Skullcandy.com and at select boardsport retailers. 

“Twenty years ago, Skullcandy arrived on the scene as the original lifestyle audio brand and we’ve been serving the action sports community ever since,” said Justin Regan, VP of Marketing at Skullcandy. “We’re celebrating this milestone with the launch of our new Acid Snow Camo collection, dialing up the creativity and delivering an extra dimension of fun to the lifestyle.” 

With this launch, Skullcandy is also announcing a new athlete roster across skate, snow, and surf, including globally-recognized athletes Nora Vasconcellos, Louie Lopez, Anna Gasser, and Red Gerard.

Tech specs tied to each Acid Snow Camo product include: 

Acid Snow Camo Crusher ANC 2 Headphones –  £219.99 MSRP

  • Up to 60 Hours of Battery Life (ANC off) – And up to 50 hours of battery life with ANC turned on
  • Rapid Charge – 10 minutes of charging gives you up to 4 hours of playtime
  • Adjustable Sensory Bass – Skullcandy’s patented bass technology is responsible for the experiential bass for ‘Music You Can Feel’
  • Adjustable 4-Mic Active Noise Canceling – ​​Actively monitors the surrounding environment to filter out external noise, maintaining crisp audio quality
  • Skull-iQ Smart Feature Technology® – Issue simple, hands-free voice commands to take calls, change tracks, adjust volume, turn on and adjust Stay-Aware Mode, activate your device’s assistant, launch Spotify Tap, Take Photo and more
    • Multi-Assistants Feature – Enable additional hands-free voice services, including “Alexa” and “Hey iHeart”, to connect directly to your favorite brands
    • Over-the-Air Updates – Update headphones via the Skull-iQ App to add new features for enhanced functionality and to extend the life of the headphones
  • Personal Sound – Tune your audio experience to your unique hearing ability by taking a real-time audio test to create a Personal Sound Profile for optimized audio levels
  • Multipoint Pairing – Seamlessly pair to multiple devices at once, regardless of platform or manufacturer
  • Clear Voice Smart Mic – Experience a reduction in background noise to ensure calls are crystal clear
  • Preset & Custom EQ Modes – Choose one of the preset EQ modes or create your own custom EQ
  • Customizable Button Functions – Personalize your headphones by customizing your on-board button controls
  • Auto On/Connect – Enjoy automatic connection and pairing with the last device used
  • Built-In Tile Finding Technology – If headphone is misplaced, simply “ring” it from the Tile app
  • Durable, Lightweight Design – All-day comfort with asymmetrical, ergonomic earcups

 

Acid Snow Camo Dime 3 True Wireless Earbuds –  £44.99 MSRP

  • 20 Hours of Battery Life + Rapid Charge – Listen longer with 8 hours of battery life in the earbuds and 12 hours in the charging case
  • IPX4 Sweat and Water Resistance – Go on any adventure fearlessly without missing a beat
  • Multipoint Pairing – Seamlessly pair to multiple devices at once, regardless of platform or manufacturer
  • Skullcandy Supreme Sound – Unique audio-tuning process enables users to maximize the depth and detail of each sound
  • Stay-Aware Mode – Hear what’s going on around you without having to remove an earbud
  • Built-In Tile™ Finding Technology – If earbuds is misplaced, simply “ring” it from the Tile app
  • Clear Voice Smart Mic – Experience a reduction in background noise to ensure calls are crystal
  • clear
  • Preset EQ Modes – Select between your preferred EQ mode: Music, Bass Boost or Podcast
  • Call, Volume and Media Controls – Take calls, adjust volume controls and activate native device assistants (Google, Siri, etc.) without ever touching a phone
  • Integrated Lanyard Loop – Rely on secure portability that protects the charge case and buds from drops
  • Noise-Isolating Fit – Ergonomically redesigned ear gels for all day comfort
  • Microphones in Each Bud – Use either bud solo without losing the ability to take calls

Acid Snow Camo Kilo™ Wireless Bluetooth Speaker – £44.99 MSRP

  • Up to 24 Hours Battery Life
  • IPX7 Waterproof – Fully waterproof design means this Bluetooth speaker is able to withstand full immersion down to 3 feet for up to 30 minutes. Acoustically transparent waterproof fabric mesh is engineered to maximize the passthrough of high frequency audio waves, keeping the speaker’s sound bright and crystal clear. 
  • Rugged & Durable – Seamless mesh fabric material and rugged housing ensures speaker’s durability for fearless entertainment.
  • Clip it Anywhere – Included aluminum anodized carabiner along with allows you to attach the speaker’s built-in nylon strap easily to your bag or bike.
  • Wireless Bluetooth® 5.3 Streaming – Advanced Bluetooth® 5.3 chip, ensures stable transmission up to 33 ft (10m) long range.
  • True Wireless Stereo – Create an immersive stereo sound experience by connecting two Kilo™ speakers to each other wirelessly.
  • Downward Firing Passive Radiator – Surface resonating passive radiator with contoured foot for maximum bass.
  • USB-CTM Input Charging – USB-CTM charging provides a reliable, fast charge to your speaker.


For more information visit skullcandy.co.uk 

Sound from Ultrasound: Audio Pioneer xMEMS’ New Silicon Speaker Reinvents How Humans Experience Sound

xMEMS Labs, pioneers in solid-state, all-silicon micro speakers, today announced a revolutionary breakthrough in sound reproduction, changing the way mass-market, true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds create ultra high-quality, high-resolution sound experiences across all audio frequencies.

With the introduction of its groundbreaking new Cypress solid-state MEMS speaker, xMEMS engineers have replaced legacy push-air sound reproduction with the company’s ultrasonic amplitude modulation transduction principle. Ultrasonic modulation turns ultrasonic air pulses into rich, detailed, bass-heavy, high-fidelity sound, representing the first no-compromise alternative to the moving-coil concept for high-volume consumer active noise canceling (ANC) earbud micro speakers.

“By shifting to a sound from ultrasound principle, the xMEMS Cypress micro speaker can now officially replace traditional coil-and-magnet speakers in active noise canceling earbuds,” said Mike Housholder, Vice President, Marketing & Business Development for xMEMS. “Cypress maintains all of the benefits of xMEMS’ existing speakers, while being 40x louder in low frequencies, achieving a key requirement for ANC earbuds.”

How Cypress Creates the World’s Best Audio Experience 

Legacy coil speakers generate sound in the audible band, which is intrinsically inefficient. Cypress takes advantage of the characteristics unique to MEMS—speed, precision, and uniformity—to produce high-resolution audio more efficiently.

Sound from ultrasound has been a research topic since the 1960s but has never achieved the acoustic performance required for broad commercial appeal, until xMEMS’ Cypress.

As an air pulse generator, Cypress comprises: a modulator to generate an amplitude-modulated ultrasonic wave (carrier) that faithfully follows the amplitude of the intended audio signal; and a demodulator to synchronously demodulate the ultrasonic wave, transferring the acoustic energy down to the baseband, producing the intended audible sound as a result.

The sound envelope of ultrasonic pulses is an exact acoustic copy of the source signal, meaning across all frequencies, Cypress is more faithful to the original recording than current speaker technologies. As a result of its superior resolution in the time domain, Cypress can more accurately reproduce today’s advanced sound formats, including high-resolution and spatial audio.

“Cypress not only revolutionizes how sound can be reproduced from an electric signal, but it also redefines how it should be reproduced,” said Jemm Liang, xMEMS CTO.

 

Based on Proven Innovation in MEMS Design

Cypress leverages the same production-proven MEMS platform used for all existing xMEMS products and exploits all the benefits of xMEMS’ established solid-state speaker designs when compared to legacy coil architectures, including:

  • Faster mechanical response for unrivaled detail, clarity, and separation
  • Near-zero phase shift for the most accurate, unaltered sound reproduction
  • Superior part-to-part phase consistency for unparalleled spatial imaging accuracy
  • Rigid silicon diaphragms eliminate speaker breakup for unmatched mid/treble clarity
  • Non-magnetic, for lower weight and reduced electromagnetic interference
  • Superior quality, reliability and part-to-part uniformity from the solid-state semiconductor process

Now Cypress, in a 6.3 x 6.5 x 1.65mm package (9mm-diagonal), brings the added and significant benefit of being 40x louder in low frequencies compared to xMEMS’ prior generation speakers, providing stronger, deeper bass that is consistent with the best 10-12mm legacy coil speakers, including sound pressure levels (SPL) greater than 140dB as low as 20Hz.

MEMS and Ultrasonic Modulation Ideal for ANC Performance

This additional low frequency SPL is most critical for ANC earbuds. With Cypress, xMEMS brings unique advantages over legacy coil to further improve ANC applications. Cypress’ faster electrical-to-acoustic conversion can contribute to wider ANC bandwidth (i.e., extension of ANC to cancel higher frequency noise sources, like a crying baby). Plus, Cypress’ near-constant electrical-to-acoustic conversion time (group delay), can reduce DSP filter complexity which, in turn, leads to shorter DSP latency, rounding errors, and power consumption when processing ANC.

Availability

Full-function Cypress prototype silicon is now sampling to select early customers. Production-candidate samples of Cypress and the companion Alta controller/amplifier ASIC will sample in June 2024. Mass production is planned for late-2024.

xMEMS will demonstrate Cypress by appointment only January 9-12 at CES 2024 in Las Vegas, NV.

For more information about xMEMS and its solid-state fidelity solutions, visit xmems.com.

Google Ireland host Kinia Educator TechFest

Google Ireland is hosting the Kinia Educator TechFest, a unique event that brings educators
together with the aim of increasing access to digital and STEM skills for young people, on Tuesday, November 14th.
This marks the second year of the event, which focuses on future skills, diversity, equity and access to digital learning
for young people across Ireland.

The event, which will take place in The Foundry at Google’s Dublin HQ, is open to all teachers, youth workers and
those in Ireland working with children in a teaching or youth development role through either English or Irish.
Organised by Kinia, an education non-profit charity and social enterprise, the event will feature panel discussions,
keynote speakers, industry professionals, educators, and youth representatives, covering themes which include:
“Addressing the skills gap,” “AI – the future and impact on education” and “Building inclusive careers and
learning pathways”.

Keynote speakers at this year’s event include ICT professional and entrepreneur Victoria Nxumalo, founder of AI
Ireland Mark Kelly, and founder and CEO of Mint-Tek Siobhán Ní Chofaigh. Educators attending the event can also
take part in two free skills-building workshops focused on the areas of AI, VR, green technology, smart energy, MoJo,
robotics and podcasting.

The event will also feature the launch of the updated Kinia Academy, an online community learning space, which will
enable educators to learn at their own pace while taking part in funded training opportunities with Kinia.
Marianne Checkley, CEO of Kinia, said “Educators in all youth settings work incredibly hard to make sure that no
young person is left behind in an increasingly complex and digital future. We want to celebrate their commitment to
professional development and creative learning at this event, inspiring the next wave of technology skills and giving
them a space to connect with peers and learn from other experiences.”
Victoria Nxumalo, founder and executive director of girls In STEM Trust, said: “The future of work will form the
basis of a great discussion at this year’s event. It will also be immensely interesting to explore the skills both educators
and young people will need to equip themselves with in preparation for jobs that will inevitably exist over the next few
years as AI and other 4IR technologies continue to evolve.”
For more information about the event, please visit: https://kinia-educator-techfest.zohobackstage.eu/event