Month: May 2024

Age Friendly Ireland Convention Addresses Technological Challenges Faced by Older People

Up to 200 older people from across Ireland have gathered in Kilkenny for the Age Friendly Ireland National Older People’s Councils (OPC) Convention, addressing the pressing issue of the technology gap experienced by older demographics. The national annual convention at the Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel — held today and tomorrow (9 May and 10 May) — will tackle concerns surrounding online banking, a cashless society, and automated customer service helplines; offering potential solutions to bridge this divide.

The event, attended by Minister Mary Butler, TD, Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People at the Department of Health, the Older People’s Councils and 31 local authority representatives, will feature discussions from panel speakers including;

  • Áine Flynn, Director of the Decision Support Service and Mark Harrington, National Manager, Healthy Age Friendly Homes.
  • Garret Doocey, Assistant Secretary from the Department of Transport with responsibility for Land Transport, Investment and Public Transport Policy will be discussing transport supports such as the travel assistance scheme, JAM card, Wayfinding centre and accessibility improvements to bus shelters, buses, age-friendly car parking and Age Friendly train stations.
  • Philip Hogan, CEO of Cliffrun Media, a Dublin-based technology company specialising in technology solutions for older individuals such as the ACORN Age-Friendly Smart Tablet, will be demonstrating technology that supports ageing.
  • Diarmuid Angland, a Department of Finance specialist, who is leading the development of a National Payments Strategy, will outline the meaning of digital inclusion and the implications of a cashless society.

The convention will include seven workshops, panel discussions and the opportunity to network and share learnings.

Hosted by the Kilkenny Age Friendly Programme and Kilkenny County Council in partnership with Age Friendly Ireland in Meath County Council, this year’s theme, Ageing with Independence, underscores Age Friendly Ireland’s commitment to building environments conducive to the well-being of older adults. There are approximately 806,300* people aged 65 and over living in Ireland.

Speaking at the convention, Kieran Kehoe, Chief Executive of Meath County Council and host to Age Friendly Ireland Shared Service said: “This is the only conference of its type in Ireland that harnesses the collective voice of older people and brings that wisdom directly into local government, and to the multiple stakeholders involved in the Age Friendly strategic response to demographic change. There is a huge value for local government officials having this direct connection to the citizen voice.”

Catherine McGuigan, Chief Officer of the Age Friendly Ireland Shared Service emphasised the vital role of open dialogue among older individuals, local authorities, and the Government. She said: “Older people are not a homogenous group, and it is essential that we hear from the collective voice so that older people themselves can co-design solutions to challenges. Over the past 15 years, they have done exactly that — and thousands of innovative initiatives have been implemented based on their recommendations. That’s the core principle that underpins everything we do in Age Friendly Ireland and the key reason why we hold this annual convention”.

Ms McGuigan added that there are technological solutions to support independence as we age such as telecare which includes personal alarms, pendants/watches with 24-hour monitoring and smart home packages.

Speaking on behalf of the Older People’s Councils, Ita Healy, Chair of the National Network of Older People’s Councils said: “New policies are forthcoming that will tackle some of our concerns, including the National Payments Strategy, which aims to resolve the issue of services not accepting cash payments. Support for choice in payment is widespread.

“Safeguarding is an issue when payments can only be made online and older people must rely on neighbours, friends and family members to make their payments and access their personal information. At the recent NGO forum meeting, the safeguarding element was flagged especially for domestic abuse victims as cash is often essential for them to get away from their situation. People in all walks of life need the choice to use cash when and where they want to”.

Hosted in Kilkenny for the first time in its 15-year history, Lar Power, Chief Executive of Kilkenny County Council said: “We are delighted to host this year’s National Older People’s Convention in Kilkenny, there is immense work being done by the Kilkenny Older People’s Council to further the mission of making Ireland a great place to grow old. I would encourage anyone who wants to have their voice heard to join their Older People’s Council. It’s an opportunity to engage with your local authority and to remind them about agreed programmes of work.”

Anne Marie Shortall, Age Friendly Kilkenny Programme Manager added: “In Kilkenny, we strive to make our county a place where older people are valued for their wisdom, experience and contributions to an inclusive society and community. Our programme is ambitious but so too is the need to change how we think about ageing and how we collaborate to deliver improvements in supports and services for older people. This annual gathering provides an opportunity for the national shared service to collaborate on how best to broach this change.”

Convention attendees called for older people to join their local Older People’s Council to ensure their voice is part of the conversation as the population ages. For more information on Age Friendly Ireland visit agefriendlyireland.ie.

Creative announces the latest Next-Gen audio profile with Super X-Fi Gen4

Building on the foundation of its award-winning Super X-Fi Headphone Holography, Creative Technology will be unveiling the all-new Super X-Fi Gen4 audio profile. This latest release boasts significant enhancements in dynamic range, clarity, and spatial awareness. The Super X-Fi Gen4 isn’t just raising the bar; it’s redefining the standard for immersive audio experiences. With this latest update, users can enjoy an expanded dynamic range, delivering richer, more detailed audio reproduction. Coupled with improved clarity, users can indulge in crystal-clear sound that captures every subtle nuance, while the refined sense of space offers a more expansive and lifelike soundstage.

Super X-Fi technology elevates the audio experience for users by recreating the immersive soundstage of high-end surround speaker systems within headphones, further personalized  by the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for a remarkably natural listening experience. Since its debut at CES 2019, users and critics have been impressed by the realism of personalized audio, which is tailored according to their anthropometric profiles. From immersing in the heart-pounding action of a blockbuster movie to feeling the raw energy of a live concert or delving into the captivating world of gaming, Super X-Fi can bring it all to life with breath-taking detail and precision.

Super X-Fi For Speakers

Originally engineered for headphones, Super X-Fi has elevated personal audio to new heights with its personalized spatial holographic experience. Now, this innovative technology is poised to transform the home entertainment landscape by bringing the same revolutionary experience to speaker systems. The debut of Super X-Fi for speakers brings a new dimension to home entertainment, effortlessly turning any living space into a vibrant concert hall or theatre. With every note, beat, and sound resonating with captivating realism and depth, users can expect an immersive listening journey, mirroring the satisfaction long enjoyed by Super X-Fi headphone users.

Super X-Fi Gen4 will be rolled out worldwide in June, with users simply needing to configure and download their new profiles through the SXFI APP.

Expanding Super X-Fi Ecosystem

Soon, Creative Technology will unveil the integration of Super X-Fi technology across its upcoming product line-up, spanning from True Wireless Stereo (TWS) earbuds to premium headphones and speakers. This expansion will enable users to seamlessly tap into the world of Super X-Fi across their preferred streaming platforms like Netflix, YouTube, and Spotify, even on compact earbuds and speakers—a pioneering feat for Super X-Fi technology.

“Our user community has played a pivotal role in shaping the evolution of Super X-Fi, providing valuable insights and data that have refined our AI engine. With Super X-Fi Gen4, we’re advancing further, delivering an even more immersive listening experience that breaks free from the limitations of flat and lacklustre audio. Moreover, we are also thrilled to announce the upcoming integration of Super X-Fi technology across our product line-up, offering users seamless access to spatial audio no matter where they are,” said Lee Teck Chee, Chief Technology Officer at Creative and inventor of Super X-Fi.

For more information on Super X-Fi technology and products, visit sxfi.com.

Tech Review – MIXX StreamBuds Ultra Mini true wireless earbuds

The MIXX StreamBuds Ultra Mini true wireless earbuds are one of their latest earbuds to hit the shelves and have much more to offer than the StreamBuds Solo 1 we recently reviewed here and this time they have access to their app which offers more features.

OK so first thing to note is the packaging which is well presented again and hard to open but joking aside they do give a good presentation to start off with which for me means a lot and it only gets better from there.

The charge case is certainly one that gets a thumbs up for me with a weighty feel to it and also an LED display so you know where you stand with your battery life, this is nothing new however looks well on this case and it good to see, the case have MIXX on top to and the build quality of the case is excellent and has a secure lid and magnets inside to keep the buds secure and the case is made with Zinc Alloy.

These buds have a small stem on them which I prefer and a similar footprint on the earbuds themselves to the Solo 1 so if you are moving from one to the other here there is no real difference when it comes to the feel of them. They are also super light.

Controls
The earbuds have controls which you can take control of via their MIXX Control app which has a nice UI and is simple to use which is a great start and when you open the app first it looks really well with a tiled approach. It is simple to navigate and we go though this in the video review below to show you the features.
Find it:
The App has another useful function which may prove invaluable to many who are constantly misplacing earbuds. Just use ‘find it’ and it will show the last location the Ultra Mini earbuds picked up signal and by pressing the ‘click to play’ button it will produce a noise to help find them.
Clear Voice:
‘Beam-forming’ technology is used to focus the four 4 built-in microphones which pick up more of the voice and less of the surrounding noise, making phone calls sound much clearer. Ideal in a noisy environment, a busy office or for a conference call from home and in my testing the calls do sound great both ends also working with Zoom and Teams.
Sound

The sound is crisp and sharp and overall decent for the price you pay there is no lag latency and no tinny sound when maxed out, they are loud enough for me and overall the audio was good, highs lows and mids fine and all genres tested had no issues to report and anyone that just wants to have a decent pair of earbuds that will not break the bank and a cool case will be happy, they have no ANC on board which is the only gripe for me but other than that they are a worthy pair of earbuds to put on your list.

MIXX Control App

 

Product Features:
  • Robust zinc alloy charge case
  • Customise sound settings with the mixx control app
  • Touch sensor controls – play, pause and more
  • Digital display screen showing battery
  • Hands free calling
  • 6 Hours battery time on single charge
  • 24 Hours total play time with charge case
  • 15 Minute quick charge – 15 mins = 2 hours of play time

BUY

Video Review

New, cheaper iPad? QDOS has your protection covered

Anyone buying a new, regular iPad, should remember to think about case and screen protection too. QDOS has both – just in time for summer trips abroad to ensure possible breakage doesn’t add to the holiday cost!

As well as Apple announcing new versions of the iPad Air and iPad Pro this week, the tech giant has also massively dropped the price of the regular iPad, so if you’re looking to spend less on an iPad, you’ll now be saving about £150.

What’s more, QDOS has you covered for your iPad protection with its range of MUSE folio cases and screen protection.

All the QDOS products boast sleek design, cool colours and resistant materials.

MUSE Folio cases for iPad 10th generation

Price: £49.99

Available: QDOS website

Product details:

  • Premium multi-angle folio case
  • Transparent back and stylish woven, water-resistant front cover
  • Tri-fold design can easily fold into different positions to create a perfect stand for reading, viewing, typing or making FaceTime calls
  • Optimal protection: shock absorbent edges, polycarbonate, rigid back and microfiber inner lining to prevent scrapes and scratches
  • Crystal clear back allows you to display your iPad whilst also protecting from damage
  • MUSE automatically wakes your iPad when opened, and puts it to sleep when closed, helping preserve battery life
  • Built-in Apple Pencil holder, keeping it secure on the move and conveniently charged.

Optiguard GLASS PROTECT iPad screen saver

Price: £39.99

Available: QDOS website

Product details:

  • 0.3mm thin, premium Japanese tempered glass screen protection
  • Easy-Applicator tool (design registered) for perfect, hassle-free installation, made from recycled materials
  • Full glue guarantees a secure adhesion between the tempered glass screen protector and your iPad
  • 9H scratch and impact resistance
  • Case-friendly design covers the display’s live area
  • Oleophobic coating repels fingerprints and oily residue
  • Super-smooth, super-responsive touch sensitivity.

Amazon to launch Irish website in 2025

Amazon announced that it will launch a new dedicated store in Ireland, Amazon.ie, in 2025 to enhance the retail experience for new and existing customers. While many people in Ireland already shop on Amazon stores in other countries, the new Ireland store will offer a localized shopping experience offering customers what they value most—a wide selection of over 100 million products including even more from Irish businesses, low prices, and fast and convenient delivery and returns.

The store follows the launch of Amazon’s first Fulfillment Center in Dublin in 2022, which created 500 new jobs and has provided faster delivery for customers across the country seven days a week, including One-Day Delivery on hundreds of thousands of products. Customers will also be able to browse products with clearer, local pricing, and without additional customs charges.
“The launch of Amazon.ie will be great news for Irish customers and we’re looking forward to opening its virtual doors in 2025,” said John Boumphrey, Ireland & UK country manager at Amazon. “This underscores our continued commitment to Ireland, and will bring a wide selection of great value products with fast delivery to Irish customers, as well as provide great opportunities for small- and medium-sized Irish businesses to reach a bigger audience at home and abroad.”

Over 1,000 small- and medium-sized Irish businesses already sell on Amazon and genereated over €150 million in export sales in 2022 alone. From 2020 to 2022, Amazon has invested over €20 billion to help European small- and medium-sized businesses reach new customers across the European Single Market and international export markets, achieving more than €8 billion in export sales in 2022. The new store will also be supported by the new five-year agreement that An Post and Amazon announced last year which will lead to more convenient and faster deliveries and returns.

Amazon already has a rich history in Ireland, and employs around 6,500 people in Cork, Dublin, and Drogheda in a diverse range of roles including data engineers, operations management, and finance—supporting an additional 9,000 jobs in the wider Irish economy. Amazon has invested more than €17 billion in Ireland since 2020, and Amazon Web Services (AWS) investment in cloud infrastructure has expanded Ireland’s economic output by almost €11.4 billion over the last decade. Earlier this year, Amazon released LOL: Last One Laughing Ireland —its first Irish Originals production, which was filmed entirely in Ireland. Prime members in Ireland will also be able to watch UEFA Champions League football on Prime Video starting from next season.

“We already serve customers across Ireland, support more than 1,000 local businesses who sell on Amazon, and are a significant employer in Ireland,” said Darragh Kelly, Ireland general manager for Customer Fulfillment at Amazon. “Our teams across the country are so excited about this next chapter in our story here, and are looking forward to delivering for our customers through our new Irish store in 2025.”

 

 

 

 

Xencelabs launches portable Pen Display 16 – Industry First 16-Inch 4K OLED Pen Display for digital artists

Xencelabs, the global provider of digital drawing solutions and new choice for creative professionals, today announces the Xencelabs Pen Display 16, its new pen-on-screen solution for creative content professionals in media and entertainment, industrial and graphic design, and others. The Xencelabs Pen Display 16’s footprint, quality build, value-added features, and attractive pricing also make it an ideal choice for educators and students in art and design programs, from animation and game development to 3D design and visual effects.

Inspiration is Everywhere. Create Where, When and How You Want

Designed with portability and convenience in mind, the Xencelabs Pen Display 16 will go wherever you want to take it. Slim at just .47 inches (12mm) and very light, 2.67 lbs (1.21kg), the profile and weight allow the device to be easily transported or conveniently placed on a desk.  “The Xencelabs Pen Display 16 is easily transported between work and home,” says Michael Thompson, Head of Product for Xencelabs. “If home is where you work, the display can go wherever creativity takes you – your favorite café or to a client presentation. For users who might have limited desk space or would like to add a conveniently sized pen display to their workflow, look no further than the Xencelabs Pen Display 16. It is the ideal multi-tasking companion to a primary display or work setting where multiple displays are being used,” continues Thompson. Virtual Tablet, an innovative, time-saving feature within the Xencelabs driver, enables users to control multiple displays with the Xencelabs pen. Xencelabs’ new pen display is also ideally suited for educational purposes. Faculty, students and IT personnel will appreciate the limited desk space the unit occupies, as well as the robust styling, easy set up and intuitive driver. Additionally, the product would fit extremely well with student loaner programs, whereby students would be allowed to take the Xencelabs Pen Display 16 from classroom to home and back for assignments, exams, or other projects.

The Xencelabs Pen Display 16 will connect to any compatible PC, Mac or Linux laptop device via a single USB-C to USB-C cable. A 10-bit hub is included for those wanting to or required to connect through HDMI or Display Port. Naturally, Xencelabs provides all the necessary cables in the box.

The Xencelabs Mobile Easel is a stand designed for portability. It ships with the Xencelabs Pen Display 16 and provides two drawing angles, 18.3° and 32° respectively. Flexibility is one of the hallmarks of the Xencelabs Pen Display 16 and the number of ways you can use the device is a testament to Xencelabs’ product design philosophy.

This coming summer, the Xencelabs Desktop Easel will be available as an optional purchase. The stand provides a wide range of tilt angles as well as rotation. The Desktop Easel provides a standard VESA mount for attaching to articulating arms. In keeping with the focus on mobility, the Desktop Easel has a quick release mechanism to enable artists to switch between desktop operation and mobile environments. No screwdrivers or other tools are needed. Xencelabs also includes a smartly designed protective carrying case that can house the Xencelabs Pen Display 16, accessories, cabling, and the user’s laptop.

OLED Display for Stunning Image Quality

By offering a 4K OLED pen display, Xencelabs is answering the call from creative users wanting the colours from their drawings and paintings to be more vivid and realistic. “Pen Display color continues to be of major importance to creatives,” says Thompson. “After working with dozens of artists, we chose an OLED display to deliver remarkable vibrance, brightness and contrast levels. The OLED display also provides an absence of visual artifacts such as backlight bleeding and blooming pixels. Most importantly, the Xencelabs Pen Display 16’s OLED design provides near perfect black levels and artists delight in the devices ability to create lifelike colours against a true black background.”

In addition, the Xencelabs Pen Display 16’s edge-to-edge, super-AG etched glass surface offers a seamless and natural drawing experience that feels just like a real pen on paper or paintbrush on canvas. Artists working in studio or classroom environments with high amounts of ambient light will appreciate the pen display’s uncanny ability to reduce glare. Supporting up to 1.07 billion colors, the pen display features five factory-calibrated colour spaces: Adobe® RGB (98%), P3-DCS (98%), sRGB (99%), Rec 2020 and Rec 709. The display’s aluminium back housing ensures rapid heat dissipation without any disruptive fan noise.

Fluid, Accurate, Responsive Pen Performance

The Xencelabs Pen Display 16 comes with two pressure-sensitive pens to meet with the ergonomic or style needs of the artist. The 3-Button pen has a wider barrel with three customisable buttons for placing commonly used keyboard shortcuts directly on the pen. The Thin Pen is for those who are looking for the feel and effects produced by a real pencil or thinner brush. It has two buttons for convenient customisation. Both pens come with a pressure-sensitive eraser. “Our pens are designed to the highest standards and digitally replicate the natural feel and feedback one would get using a real pen or brush,” states Thompson. “Incredibly responsive and smooth pen pressure curves are easily adjusted with the Xencelabs driver to align with various drawing styles.”

Quick Keys, other Accessories

Quick Keys, Xencelabs’ hand-held remote for creating software application specific shortcuts to boost productivity, ships with the Xencelabs Pen Display 16 Bundle. This super user-friendly device provides five customisable groups of eight keys for a total of 40 shortcuts per application. Each of the eight keys have an OLED display that shows the user-defined name of the shortcut. Additionally, the Quick Keys colour-coded dial delivers up to four customised application tasks such as zoom, rotate, pan, and brush size. Quick Keys works up to 53 hours on a single charge.

Two Options for Artists and Designers

Xencelabs is offering two options to customers – the Xencelabs Pen Display 16 Bundle and the Xencelabs Pen Display 16 Essentials. The Bundle comes with the Pen Display 16, Mobile Easel stand, two pens, cables, driver, Quick Keys, and protective carrying case. Customers will receive other valuable items, including an elegantly designed and functional pen case that contains the pens, extra nibs (standard and felt), nib remover and Quick Keys dongle. A drawing glove and screen cleaning cloth round out Xencelabs’ incredible Xencelabs Pen Display 16 Bundle for digital content creators who are serious about the tools they use for art and design.

The Essentials is a wonderful option for those who are on-the-go and know they will be connecting the display to their laptop via the single USB-C to USB-C cable and do not require all the items that ship in the Bundle version. The budget-friendly Xencelabs Pen Display 16 Essentials, ideal for schools and individuals alike, ships with the Pen Display 16, two pens and elegant pen case, single USB-C to USB-C cable, carrying case, drawing glove and cleaning cloth. Accessories for the Xencelabs Pen Display 16, such as the Quick Keys, cables, and stand, are available to purchase separately on the Xencelabs eStore.

See Jason Chatfield’s, past President of the National Cartoonists Society and professional cartoonist/illustrator, review of the Xencelabs Pen Display 16 here.

Pricing and Availability

The Xencelabs Pen Display 16 Bundle (£1199 – MSRP) is available now and Xencelabs Pen Display 16 Essentials (£969 – MSRP) will be available at the end of May at the Xencelabs eStore, Amazon and local Distribution.

The Nokia 3210 is back for its 25th anniversary

It’s the mobile phone that defined a generation. And now, 25 years on from its original release, the legendary Nokia 3210 is back in Scuba Blue, Grunge Black and Y2K Gold– brought to you by European mobile innovator, Human Mobile Devices (HMD), makers of Nokia phones.

‘Dumbphones’ are making a comeback as people look to return to simpler times. In 2023 Human Mobile Devices (HMD) saw sales of the iconic Nokia 2660 Flip phone, double; and HMD expects further feature phone market growth in 2024.

The devices offer a solution for a digital detox in a world where almost four in ten (38%) of 16-24 years olds worry they spend too much time on their smartphone. 1

Lars Silberbauer, CMO of Human Mobile Devices (HMD), comments: “The Nokia 3210, a cultural icon,  is back at the pinnacle of global dumbphone boom as consumers look to balance their screen time usage with a digital detox.  The Nokia 3210 has simplicity at its core, allowing consumers to be totally present. Forget dumbphone, this is 2024’s fun phone.”

A quarter of a century ago the Nokia 3210 was launched. It quickly became a smash hit, and it connected hundreds of millions of people. For 2024 it’s back. Only this time the focus is very much on disconnecting people from their screens.

Ben Wood, Founder, Mobile Phone Museum comments: “The original Nokia 3210 has a special place in many consumers’ hearts as one of the best-selling mobile phones of all time. It’s the perfect product to reimage for the modern era given its strong heritage and iconic design.”

“The Nokia 3210 is considered one of the most significant handsets Nokia ever developed and was loved by many for whom it was their first mobile phone. This modern twist on a design classic in its silver jubilee year is bound to grab people’s attention.”

The relaunch of a phone icon, the Nokia 3210 feeds into the increasing popularity and continued resurgence of feature phones as growing numbers of young people switch off and embrace the digital detox movement.

And where the Nokia 3210’s concerned, those wanting to take a break from social media, the internet and endless apps (whether that be for a day, a weekend, or indefinitely), can now do so in serious late nineties / early noughties style.

Updated for a new generation, the reimagined Nokia 3210 boasts a sleek retro design. It comes

loaded with all the essential features you’d expect from the OG feature phone, including a 2MP camera with flash (and torch!) and a long-lasting 1450 mAh2  battery that won’t die on you when you’re partying hard this summer. Because it’s 2024, this time round the Nokia 3210’s got 4G too for crystal-clear calls.

Just as it was back in the heady days of the early 2000s, the Nokia 3210 is set to be the must have lifestyle and accessory this festival season, and festival goers won’t just be choosing it for its robustness and no-nonsense functionality. They’ll be doing so to make a serious style statement too.

The trend for all things Y2K continues to go from strength to strength, and what’s more, and in keeping with all things late nineties and early noughties, the 3210 is only available in three bold colour-ways redolent of the era; Scuba Blue, Y2K Gold and Grunge Black.

And finally… the Nokia 3210 just wouldn’t be the Nokia 3210 if it didn’t have Snake – so that’s back too. Get your thumbs at the ready, tell all your mates, and see if you can’t just go get yourself a high score.

The Nokia 3210 – keeping it simple:

  1. Design: back to 1999 retro design for a ‘nostalgia trip’ user experience
  2. Powerful: a long-lasting 1450 mAh 2  battery keeps going for days with up to nine and a half hours of chat
  3. Retro gaming: comes with snake – hit a new high score
  4. Camera: snap away Y2K style with a 2MP Camera
  5. Trimmings: a flash torch
  6. €79 Get yours now at https://www.hmd.com/en_ie/nokia-3210

Tech Review – JBL Go 4 Bluetooth Speaker

The JBL Go 4 speaker is a small portable and lightweight speaker that you can carry anywhere with you and is IP67 waterproof and dustproof which makes it ideal for the beach or pool to get the tunes going.

This comes in several colours which is nice and we have been testing the Red one out which stands out in the crowd  but do check out the available colours which are nice and good to see rather than the boring speaker colours out there today.

The build quality is also top notch here with a familiar design and looks to their product range keeping them noticeable.

There is an app as seen below which allows you toggle between the EQ setting which gives you more punch and a boost once the boost switch is activated you cant toggle between the EQ settings you can also of course customise your EQ to your needs. You can manage calls skip and reverse tracks and higher and lower the volume with the Three raised keys up on top of the speaker

When it comes to sound being a small speaker it packs a punch and not tinny when maxed out nor is there any lag latency noted when watching videos either it will easily give good audio to a large room and even fine for a back or front garden  party it does a great job and overall anyone that picks one up will be satisfied with the price it comes in at.

 

 

Features

  • Powerful sound: The JBL Go 4 is about to become your everyday grab-and-go speaker, with a compact design that fits in the palm of your hand, delivering loud, clear JBL Pro Sound and rich, punchy bass
  • Keep the good times rolling: Don’t worry about running out of battery because this speaker has up to 7 hours of playtime on a single charge; a tap on PlaytimeBoost gets you an additional 2 hours
  • Your music anywhere: This sturdy little speaker is IP67 waterproof and dustproof so it can handle almost any environment, from a poolside party to a picnic by the sea
  • Multi-speaker connection: Pair two GO 4 speakers for superb stereo audio or wirelessly connect multiple compatible JBL speakers using Auracast for even bigger JBL Pro Sound
  • Items delivered: 1 x JBL Go 4 speaker, 1 x USB-C cable, 1 x quick start guide, 1 x warranty & safety sheet, in red

BUY ON Amazon

Buy from JBL 

Video Review

Cloud v Cloud Collaboration Battle Intensifies As Evolve IP Races Ahead

Five million more users are set to join the cloud collaboration bandwagon over the coming years as the race to win new customers intensifies.

That was one of many key findings from the Evolve IP (EMEA) Partner Day which attracted over 150 people from across Europe to the Williams Formula 1 Experience Centre near Oxford.

The audience heard how the carrier-grade cloud collaboration specialist is in pole position in an increasingly ‘cloud provider v cloud provider’ battle – where traditional on-premise alternatives are being overtaken in a world of super-charged UCaaS solutions, driven by AI.

By 2028 cloud communication adoption is estimated to rise to 15.9m from 10.9m users this year, reaching 88.3% penetration in a market worth £1.86bn.

Will To Win

Paul Harrison, Evolve IP’s EMEA Managing Director, opened the annual event and highlighted how the company and industry in general share many synergies with Formula 1 racing.

“We’re not afraid to push the boundaries, drive forward and adapt just like F1, based on a best-of-breed ecosystem of partners that keep innovating too.  The investment, the drive and the passion to be the best, beat the best and strive to achieve is very similar to all of you here today and the team at Evolve IP. We want to win. We want to be the best. Just like a race team we’re evolving all the time and never stop, nor does the competition.”

He emphasised how Evolve IP’s international network is live in 57 countries, providing resellers with a one-stop shop central resource.  It is also an ethical and sustainable company with a carbon neutral vision to inspire others to join them on the journey.

Harrison pointed out how there are currently 107 UK cloud providers, where Evolve IP is part of a dominant top 10 holding over 60% market share. The audience also heard how ‘second-generation’ users are making up more and more of the market switching from a competitor’s solution rather than coming from on-premise PBX migrations.

Which specialist has the best UCaaS solutions will prove crucial in the future, as the race to win new customers increases in a ‘cloud v cloud provider’ battle. His views were inspired by research from market analysts the Cavell Group, who outlined during a presentation how millions more users are on the way – and why developing market maturity means differentiating from other cloud solutions is becoming more important.

Marriage

Evolve IP’s UK Sales Director, Jamie Hughes, highlighted the importance of collaborative partnerships which he described as ‘a bit like a marriage’ based on being agile and addressing different needs.

“We’re listening, improving and investing in our team all the time,” he remarked and revealed how retail, hospitality, education and healthcare plus an ‘untapped’ Cisco opportunity is where the company is targeting growth.

Guest speakers from Cisco and Dubber discussed how AI will ‘super-charge’ communications whilst panel discussions focused on the challenges and opportunities ahead, plus where existing partners are winning big.

Evolve IP Solutions Director, Scott Rixon, presented a Live Technology Newsletter featuring the company’s latest Anywhere Portal developments, plus why a sustainable supply chain should start with the end point, such as a Jabra headset with replaceable parts.

Paul Harrison Evolve IP MD (EMEA) with UK Sales Director Jamie Hughes

Various Webex improvements to enhance the meeting experience were also discussed during the day alongside PCI compliance, enhanced training and Fixed Mobile Convergence trends.

Pit Stop Challenge

Exhibition stands from key sponsors were combined with a heritage museum tour, racing simulators, giant Scalextric track and a pit stop challenge, where teams battled against the clock to change all four tyres of a Grand Prix car.

The action-packed event ended with an awards ceremony and more networking, fun and games including a magician. It was supported by technology partners Akixi, iTel, Dubber, Enghouse Interactive, Broadsource, Snom, PromptVoice, PRD Intelligence, Jabra, Yealink, Tango Networks, Mondago and The Institute of Telecommunications Professionals. 

Harrison concluded: “Formula 1 and Evolve IP are both striving to lead from the front. It was a very rewarding day and we’d like to extend a big thank you to all our partners and suppliers, including visitors from the Netherlands, who we hope are now in pole position to drive their businesses further forward with our support.”