Belfast-based ANGOKA, cyber security experts in land and air mobility, has landed at Farnborough Air Show, the world-leading annual aviation industry exhibition. The ANGOKA delegation is demonstrating its latest technologies which protect connected and automated drones and aircraft from cyber intrusions, hack attacks and other unplanned events to an international audience.
Yuri Andersson says he is grateful to InvestNI for the opportunity. “We are here to display ANGOKA’s cybersecurity technology for machine-to-machine communication, an essential factor without which the safe operation of future uncrewed aircraft is impossible.”
“Our communication device for drones combines secure terrestrial and non-terrestrial 5G will be demonstrated and we will also show how ANGOKA’s solution can secure remote operation of vehicles, including a live hack,” says Mr Andersson.
ANGOKA is a major player in the UK Government’s Future Flight programme and is pressing for new regulations which will allow faster development of the drone sector.
“We’re constantly working to keep the skies safe through the highest standards of cybersecurity. We are seeing increasing demand for wider adoption of varied drone use across different industries, which requires Beyond Visual Line of Sight operation. It is essential to maintain a secure communication to ensure the safety of that operation.” he says.
Teen-Turn, an EU wide digital impact organisation of the year, connects girls from underrepresented communities with women who are STEM role models at Ireland’s leading companies for summer work placements called “Teenturnships” in order to tackle the deficit of young women in STEM.
This year, Teen-Turn’s program commenced with 81 girls being introduced to their mentors. These mentors are accomplished women who are STEM professionals, including engineers, data scientists, cybersecurity and AI specialists, and senior managers from prominent companies such as Dell, BNY Mellon, Hostelworld, BD, Aptiv, Bearing Point, and Trane Technologies Thermoking.
The participating girls, from DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools), rural, and underserved schools across Ireland, will engage in a two-week immersive experience in August. During this period, they will work on STEM projects under the guidance of their women-in-STEM mentors, gaining firsthand experience.
Teen-Turn believes that more girls, from areas where third level education is uncommon, exploring and gaining an interest in STEM will lead to more women earning STEM qualifications, therefore meeting a demand for skills that is outpacing supply.
Throughout the program, participants will learn from their mentors and engage in various activities each workday. Additionally, they will document and share their experiences through blogging, providing insights into their journey and the impact of the program.
A new name has officially entered the UK connectivity arena, promising to shake-up the sector and ‘raise the game’ of integrated network communications.
Sona Business is a wholesale internet, cloud and hosted UC solution provider backed by a 12-year international pedigree. The ambitious company is opening flagship offices in Hull to spearheaded UK activities led by experienced industry professional and new UKPartner Manager John McKindland.
The privately owned business was started byfounders Sonia Harjani and Walter Perris, with global operations centred from Dubai and Rotterdam – supported by data centres across Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
High Calibre
“Sona is on a mission to shake-up the market and forge a strong UK presence based on high calibre connectivity and speed of service through a personal touch. Our core areas are connectivity, communication, cloud and mobility,” Sonia explained.
Sona’s wide-ranging portfolio includes hosted UC,SD-WAN and private cloud services, offering ‘last mile’ access and data connections across the UK and Europe. Sona enjoys a strong market presence in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland, supported by a 24/7/365 Global Network Operations Centre.
Sonia added: “There’s a lot of untapped resource and potential based on exceptional network infrastructure. Everything is in place to make a much bigger market impact and provide customers with unrivalled levels of product andservice.”
Sona provides real-time data, video and voice communication solutions over IP based on the brands of EziData, EziMobile, EziPBX, EziRoam, EziSIP, EziSMS and EziTalk.
“The UK has taken great strides forward in recent years but in many ways they are still lagging behind the rest of Europe in terms of network performance. We want to raise the game and provide more choice,” Walter emphasised.
Sona Business Founders Walter Perris and Sonia Harjani
“We are a complete one-stop-shop with a global reach. Equally the short lines of communication with after-sales, helps us stand out from the competition. We are reachable, caring and professional. In many ways we hold the same importance as a utility provider and recognise that speed of service really matters.”
Building Blocks
He concluded: “We are an ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certified company, and our vision is to become the leading provider of advanced IP communications solutions to businesses around the world. We are committed to providing cutting edge technology services to make sure our clients are connected on a secure and extensive network.”
John boasts almost four decades of industry experience which spans military telecoms, hardware manufacturers, networks and distribution.
He pointed out: “I needed a role to challenge me from the ground up. To launch a very established product set into the UK to a select number of partners, brick by brick; a bit like a Lego set. It’s an ideal scenario for me.
“We are a very nimble and adaptable business with high levels of availability. We’re always there when customers need us. Delivering faster, more cost effective and profitable services. The future is bright and we’re all looking forward to putting Sona firmly on the UK map.”
Evolve IP has launched a new Fixed Mobile Convergence [FMC] mobile solution, which seamlessly combines desk phone functionality within a personal mobile device, to further accelerate its ‘work from anywhere’ strategy.
The leading UCaaS collaborations provider has announced Anywhere Mobile which uses innovative eSIM technology, designed to streamline business communication into one personal device in a ‘best of both worlds’ scenario.
Powered by technology partner, Tango Networks, the service enables Evolve IP EMEA partners to have flexibility in device usage and encourages a BYOD (bring your own device) culture across a host of industries. Thisdrives efficiencies and convenience by turning any employee’s personal mobile phone into a fully-featured business extension.
Making Business Mobile
Evolve IP Solutions Director, Scott Rixon says the new addition gives a business direct control over a second line on an employee’s phone, whilst personal communications remain private and secure. All business communications use the existing UC platform and business number.
“This represents a major step forward and offers a host of benefits to organisations and their staff,” he explained. “For example, it allows employees to use the mobile phones they like and are familiar with. It’s about working smarter and more effectively in an increasingly mobile-driven world. As it’s a full extension the presence of a user is visible, and the calls can be recorded and fully reported with reports and on dashboards. This should be thought of as just another way to take a call, supporting all our platform features.”
Anywhere Mobile is simple to use and requires no special apps, phone clients or training. It supports eSIM and physical SIMs. Furthermore, a business can reduce administrative overheads by eliminating personal phone expenses, according to Rixon.
“They can prevent employees from making business calls with personal numbers and retain business contacts when employees leave. Routing calls correctly means having proper call treatment, fewer missed calls and ultimately higher customer satisfaction.”
Work Anywhere Technologies
He says Anywhere Mobile offers the best of both worlds with added cost savings and convenience.
Rixon concluded: “This is another innovative addition to our Anywhere UCaaS Solutions. Anywhere Mobile is the latest UC solution we are excited to be offering to partners across EMEA after seeing a clear demand and understanding that mobile services should sit within the essential part of any UC offering. Empowering teams to have the tools that allow them to work anywhere.”
Lee Essex, SVP Global Sales and Marketing, Tango Networks, is equally enthusiastic and emphasised: “We are thrilled to partner with and support Evolve IP with their launch of Anywhere Mobile. As leaders in fixed mobile convergence, we want to work with fellow leaders in UCaaS. Evolve IP continue to show themselves as innovators in both technology and their approach to delivering customer focused outcomes. This collaboration underscores our joint commitment to delivering seamless communication solutions on a global scale.”
To learn more, resellers can register to attend a webinar on August 7th by clicking here.
eir, Ireland’s leading telecommunications company, and Nokia today announced the extension of its IP collaboration to support the evolving needs and expectations of its customers with access to world-class technology and connectivity solutions.
The agreement will see eir introduce the latest 400/800GE IP backbone for larger capacity to meet future traffic growth and Nokia’s 7750 Service Router, powered by Nokia’s in-house routing silicon, FP5, for greater flexibility, power efficiency and security. This move will support eir’s commitment to provide the most reliable and unparalleled connectivity and service to every corner of Ireland.
Fergal McCann, Chief Technology Officer at eir, said: “This announcement further supports our strategy to ‘Connect for a Better Ireland’, enabling access to the latest technology and fastest speeds and to grow our network capacity to meet continued customer and traffic growth. eir is delighted to continue to grow its collaboration with Nokia for IP Network Infrastructure delivering future-proof and highly reliable network technology for our customers.”
Phil Siveter
Phil Siveter, CEO, UK and Ireland at Nokia, said: “eir has been a strategic customer for Nokia’s Network Infrastructure business for many years with our IP collaboration starting more than 15 years ago. We are delighted to extend our reach to include our latest IP routing technology and solutions to further support eir’s commitment to the quality of its services across Ireland now and in the future.”
The Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 is the second generation of the Elite 8 Active keeping with the tone of the World’s toughest earbuds with a new feature in terms of a plug & play LE Audio smart case for streaming anywhere allowing connection via using the USB-C/3.5mm cable provided. The case and earbud are solid with an Earbud weight of (each earbud)5g with an IP rating (Headset) IP68 water resistant in fresh water to a maximum depth of 1.5 metres for up to 30 minutes and are protected from dust and an IP rating (charging case) of IP54. This is to a Military Standard (MIL-STD-810h) ensuring a knock or 2 or in contract with liquid should be ok. The earbuds are manufactured using a springy silicone coating.
This model is available in Olive, Coral, Navy, and Black.
Accessories supplied
Features
Fully sweatproof, waterproof & workout-proof
Secure in-ear fit for the toughest workouts
Stream spatial sound from equipment & more
Immersive spatial sound answered by Dolby
Natural Hear Through enhanced awareness when you want it
Adaptive Hybrid ANC auto-filters unwanted noise, even in the windiest environments
Battery life
Setup and use
The headphones on opening allow for connection to Bluetooth directly while getting the most out of the JabraSound+ is the better option.The earbuds deliver excellent sound quality with customizable EQ settings through the Jabra Sound+ app. The app has received an impressive 4.5 out of 5 rating from over 199,000 reviews and 5 million downloads. The app also allows users to adjust call settings, HearThrough, and Sidetone to their preferences.
Smart Case
One of the standout features of the Elite 8 Active Gen 2 is the plug-and-play smart case that allows for audio streaming from any device with a 3.5mm or USB-C output. This versatile case makes it possible to enjoy spatial audio on gym equipment or even your TV at home.
Warranty
Jabra offers a 2-year warranty against failure from dust and water with app registration, providing peace of mind for users. The warranty can be easily registered through the Jabra Sound+ app.
Conclusion.
The Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 is of excellent build quality using the same formula in design as the previous Elite 8 Active having excellent IP rating for water and dust to military standards. The software JabraSound+ has received excellent reviews and again can’t fault this. The Audio quality is great allowing for customisation of the audio experience or tailored to your style. The Adaptive Hybrid ANC auto-filters are good while the app default is to have the Wind environments turned off (possibly to save battery ) which I feel would be the best turned off as a regularly walking making calls and listening to a variety of music. (With this function turned off – wind distortion on calls is very annoying for the other end of the call. Picking up unwanted noise)
In conclusion, the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 is an excellent choice for those seeking durable, high-performance earbuds for their workouts and active lifestyles. The addition of the smart case and impressive battery life make them a top contender in the market.
It’s worth noting that Techbuzz Ireland previously reviewed the original Jabra Elite 8 Active, which can be found at
The HONOR 200 Pro has been my main device the last couple of months and it is a device to behold if you are into photography, not only does it look good if feels good in the hand and grabs peoples attention and is one of my favourite devices this year so far.
We have gone over the specs before here so I will not waste time on that as most just read past it anyway but we also have done a detailed walkthrough of the phone here too so you can get some idea of what to expect if you have not picked this glorious phone up yet.
If you need a case for this beast you can check out the only one we could get so far here and then we will talk about this phone some more.
The design of the phone is nice and sits well in the hand despite the big hump on the rear this one looks better and gets resolved with a case for any table rock for those who like to use on a flat surface and the matte glass finish looks stunning with the curved edges and corners so no stabbing the palm of your hand here like other devices.
Most people who know me asked about the device when seen in hand or out for lunch all liked the design and colour of the phone and that large display not knowing what else was going on under the hood.
There is a big 5200mAh battery which will be music to people’s ears and that battery has held out well after several weeks of real world use and not a few days and with my workload and way too many apps it has been a solid day and a half phone most last a day, so for the average user you will easily get two days with 100w wired and 66w wireless charging on offer.
When it comes to use as a daily driver for me this sailed through everything without a hitch and as mentioned loaded to the gills with apps and my daily workflow so for those who want a powerhouse with a big display this is where it is at.
The display then is another topic which for me is also nice on this phone being a 120Hz Oled and is excellent for consuming media indoors and outdoors which for me is important.
Camera
Side
Back of phone
The camera. Here is where the fun starts and it is one of if not the best camera on a phone so far this year especially when it comes to portrait mode and partnered with Studio Harcourt it is a powerful camera and in fact a daily driver for my Video reviews and people have noticed this even when it comes to sound but it is portraits here and they have the lead here without question.
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The HONOR 200 Pro takes portrait photography to new heights with the powerful AI-enhanced HONOR AI Portrait Engine. With a rich history of photographing legends from Roger Federer to the esteemed Queen Rania of Jordan, Studio Harcourt is synonymous with timeless portraits that showcase a symphony of visual storytelling through the skillful use of light and shadows. In collaboration with Studio Harcourt, the HONOR AI Portrait Engine distilled Studio Harcourt’s craftsmanship and understanding of shadow and light expression, empowering users to capture unique, distinctive portraits on their smartphones effortlessly.
Enhanced Hardware Performance for Seamless Connectivity
The HONOR 200 Pro is packed with a large 5200mAh Silicon-carbon battery that enables up to 61 hours of continuous music streaming on a single charge. To maximize user productivity, the HONOR 200 Pro features powerful supercharge capabilities. With lightning-fast 100W Wired HONOR SuperCharge and 66W Wireless HONOR SuperCharge, users can charge their device fully in only 41 minute making it the ideal device for busy users who are always on the go. The HONOR 200 Pro also provides an impressive 12GB memory and large 512GB storage drive, which allows users to store and access their data without limitations, guaranteeing a seamless and hassle-free experience.
Equipped with the robust Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 Mobile Platform, the HONOR 200 Pro achieves a CPU clock speed of up to 3GHz, guaranteeing seamless graphics rendering and real-time responsiveness. Featuring MagicOS 8.0, the HONOR 200 Pro offers an intelligent user experience enriched with a range of AI-powered smart functionalities. MagicOS 8.0 also offers flagship features such as Magic Portal, Magic Capsule and Magic Ring on the HONOR 200 Pro that streamline user digital interactions.
Overall this phone for me is top notch and not focussing on AI gung ho like others but does offer some features it is a powerhouse of a phone, a tool for work and a camera that sends a message on how portrait photography is done on mobile.
Revolut, the European-licensed bank with more than 45 million customers worldwide, and over 2.8 million in Ireland, has crunched the numbers on Irish consumer spending over the last month, with the app’s own data revealing that two bumper weekends, a rise in tourism, and the start of the school holidays all saw spending rise.
Revolut’s consumer spending analysis tracked 55.6 million card payments in June, indicating several real-world spending trends by Ireland’s Revolut account holders. The total amount spent with Revolut has grown by over 15% (YoY increase) when comparing June 2024 with June 2023, which also accounts for the 16.5% rise in Revolut customers in Ireland in that time.
As part of its 2023 Annual Report, Revolut highlighted how its customer balances had grown across the board in Ireland by more than 50% (2022 vs 2023) and over 26% (2023 vs 2024 YTD, i.e. June). A growing number of consumers across the country are choosing from Revolut’s broad array of products, which are offered at competitive rates and provide a top-quality customer journey.
With spending on taxis, buses, and general commuter transport rising by more than 12%, 12.5%, and 4.25% respectively (MoM increases), it was clear that the June Bank Holiday, along with the final weekend of the month (which saw the Taylor Swift concerts, GAA quarter-finals, and Dublin Pride) drove a spending hike. Customers in Ireland headed for bars, cafes, restaurants, and nightclubs more often, with spending collectively rising by more than 10% (MoM increase).
Domestic and international tourism was also a factor in Ireland’s increased Revolut spending, with June being a popular time to visit the country. There was an 11% jump (MoM increase) in hotel spending, up more than 13% compared to last June. Meanwhile, spending in souvenir shops (16% MoM increase) and tourist attractions (17% MoM increase) shot up. Car rentals also skyrocketed 35% (YoY increase), as excited holidaymakers made their way around Ireland.
With some schools signing off for summer in early June, spending on children’s activities rose. The mid-month release of Disney’s ‘Inside Out 2’ can be attributed to the over 34% rise (MoM increase) in spending in cinemas. Amusement parks (26% MoM increase) and aquariums (19% MoM increase) also proved popular in June for those with kids.
Maurice Murphy, General Manager at Revolut Bank UAB – Ireland Branch, said: “The 15% rise in the amount of money customers are spending with us each month is notable. While we have continued to innovate at pace for the benefit of the Irish market, we’re also doing more to become people’s primary bank. Our customers are encouraged by what they see, and we will continue to encourage more to see Revolut as the bank they go to first time, every time. Overall, the bumper month of June provided a visible uplift to a variety of economic sectors.”
Revolut, a European-licensed bank, was recently recognised by financial comparison site Bonkers.ie as ‘Ireland’s Best Consumer Business’ and ‘provider of the Best Current Account’, while the company ranked 9th as part of the Ireland RepTrak® 2024 study earlier this year.
Coillte, Ireland’s semi-state forestry company and leading provider of outdoor recreation, has announced an exciting new pilot programme in partnership with Irish start-up HiiKER, creators of an innovative hiking app. This initiative will offer a new and innovative way for local and visiting outdoor enthusiasts to experience Coillte forests by offering walkers and hikers real-time forest and walking trail insights before and during their visits.
Launching this summer, the pilot programme will introduce advanced features to HiiKER’s “Parks and Recreation” functionality. New enhancements include trail distances, accessibility reports and difficulty levels. Users will also benefit from real-time updates on trail busyness, parking availability, food options and toilet facilities. The HiiKer app will, for the first time, give visitors a real sense of the various activities available in Coillte’s forests and improve the overall visitor experience.
This new technology will be piloted in seven Coillte forests across the country including: Cruagh Woods, Ticknock, and Tibradden Woods in Dublin, as well as Donadea Forest Park in Kildare, Portumna Forest Park in Galway, Farran Forest Park in Cork and Dromore Forest in Kerry. Visitors to these forests will be the first to experience the enhanced capabilities offered by HiiKER.
HiiKER, is an Irish start up founded by Paul Finlay in Co. Meath. The app has helped over 1 million hikers to plan and navigate their hiking adventures all around the world. The app curates the best hikes on the planet, along with important points of interest to help users to plan the perfect hike. Most importantly, it works with the most notable map developers and cartographers to bring a wealth of verified route information to the public.
HiiKER on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 – techbuzzireland
Coillte and HiiKER will pilot the technology over a six-month period, utilising Coillte’s extensive expertise. The collaboration will yield valuable insights into forest and trail usage, allowing Coillte to make data-driven decisions to further enhance the visitor experience for all.
Daithi de Forge, Head of Recreation at Coillte said “Coillte forests attract an average of 18 million visits annually and we are delighted to partner with HiiKER on this pilot which aims to enhance the walking and hiking experience across several of our beautiful forests. This innovative programme supports our commitment to enhancing the recreational, social and wellbeing benefits from our forests and to making them more accessible and enjoyable for all.
“By integrating Coillte’s extensive knowledge of the natural environment with HiiKER’s cutting-edge technology, we aim to provide visitors with an enriched, informed and seamless experience when they visit our forests.
Paul Finlay, HiiKER CEOadded, “We are excited to join forces with Coillte to launch this innovative pilot programme that will transform the way people explore Ireland’s forests. Our new HiiKER Parks and Recreation functionality and Coillte’s extensive database of recreational maps and data, enables the public to explore Coillte forests like never before. We’re encouraging everyone to download the app for free and start exploring these forests today.”
Download HiiKER from the Appstore or Google Playstore and search for one of the pilot forests.
