Month: August 2024

Harnessing the power of AI: a new era for business productivity and efficiency

The technology landscape is undergoing a seismic shift, comparable in impact to the rise of smartphones in the mid-00’s. While we’ve had a constant stream of technological advancements since then, none have had the same transformative impact as the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI isn’t just another tech trend or ‘phase’; it’s a fundamental reshaping of the way in which we live and work. Tara Gale, Client Solutions Country Lead, Dell Technologies tells us more

The transformational impact of AI has been recognised by Government in its National AI Strategy and National Digital Strategy which aims to have 75% of enterprises in Ireland using AI by 2030.

For businesses, embracing AI is no longer optional and empowering workforces to adopt it into everyday practices is crucial. But success really hinges on providing them with the tools they need to harness its full potential. Refreshing PC estates across organisations is essential for achieving this and this promises multiple benefits from enhanced productivity and efficiency to ensuring competitive advantage.

Analysts are predicting that with an AI-enabled PC, workers can benefit from tools that are more responsive to their needs than ever before. Technology providers too are promising that these devices represent a significant leap beyond traditional computing, offering a potent blend of processing power and intelligent features that can redefine and improve processes across organisations. A refresh cycle of this nature can offer workers an immediate, tangible benefit from incorporating AI into daily processes – all while leaders plan for more comprehensive AI strategies to drive long-term growth.

But despite the significant benefits that the devices have to offer, there is still hesitation among business leaders to fully invest. Looking into this more closely, we understand that there are numerous barriers to more widespread adoption.

Cost and investment justification

According to Dell Technologies’ latest Innovation Catalysts Study, the main barriers to adoption are uncertainty, cost concerns and the fact that established use cases are still in development. This has resulted in one in two Irish businesses struggling to keep pace with advancements in Generative AI (GenAI).

The novelty and rapid evolution of the technology can make long-term planning difficult, especially in cases where AI’s benefits aren’t immediately clear. This makes it difficult to justify the potentially substantial upfront investment without a clear and immediate return on investment (ROI).

At the same time, our own research has revealed a widespread awareness  that AI will play a transformative role in industries with 62% investing in AI-optimised technology to enhance the work experience. Businesses are accepting that integration of AI tools is soon to become inevitable and largely unavoidable. It also became apparent in our research that businesses in Ireland are broadly positive about the ability of AI-powered machines to significantly augment human capabilities.

As we look towards a future defined by AI, businesses must embrace change and seriously consider the transformative power of AI PCs to empower their workforce.

Enhancing Human Potential

AI-enabled PCs are not just about raw computing power. They are designed to amplify human ingenuity.

These devices act as intelligent partners that can streamline workflows, automate repetitive processes, and provide instant access to information. This allows more time for strategic thinking and creative problem solving, which are crucial for driving innovation and achieving business success in today’s competitive landscape.

Professionals can explore new ideas, experiment with different approaches, and actively develop cutting-edge solutions that drive competitive advantage. Increased productivity and efficiencies in this way lead to faster turnaround times, improve project outcomes and a better utilisation of the available resources.

Similarly, features such as Copilot+ embedded within AI PCs also provide instant access to information and insights that can help humans to make more informed decisions. It can quickly gather relevant data, analyse it, and present it in a clear and concise manner.

This empowers professionals to make smarter, data-driven decisions while mitigating risks and optimise outcomes.

Unprecedented Productivity Gains

Automating repetitive tasks and streamlining work also has the benefit of reducing the cognitive load on the workforce. This can lead to a reduction in stress levels and improved engagement for enhanced productivity and innovative thinking.

The seamless multitasking enabled by AI- PCs further empowers professionals to effortlessly juggle multiple tasks for uninterrupted productivity and enhanced focus.

AI-intensive tasks, such as image recognition, natural language processing, and machine learning are particularly beneficial for professionals who need to work on multiple projects or applications simultaneously. For example, a designer can simultaneously edit high-resolution images, run 3D rendering software, and communicate with clients via video conferencing, all without experiencing any lag or performance issues.

Maximising ROI with Enhanced Services

Knowing that return on investment after an AI PC refresh is a major concern, it’s imperative to prioritise a seamless transition that maximises value and minimises disruption.

Partners that facilitate connection to a wider ecosystem of software and expertise can be a huge support through the transition. They can assist with strategic planning and deployment, using their deep understanding of AI technologies and best practices to help organisations avoid common pitfalls and minimize any costly downtime.

Similarly, proactive monitoring and maintenance services provided by partners ensure optimal performance at all times. These services include regular software updates, hardware diagnostics, and remote support, ensuring that AI PCs are always operating at peak efficiency.

Dell Tech Forum 2024

The future of business lies in embracing AI, and AI PCs are essential to unlocking this future. By partnering with Dell, organisation can empower their workforce and fully harness the potential of AI PCs to drive business success.

The upcoming Dell Technologies Forum on October 8th in the Convention Centre Dublin will explore the transformative power of AI PCs, offering important and practical insights for organisations aiming to unlock the power of AI and enhance growth. Featuring a range of AI expert speakers and innovation specialists, the conference promises to help businesses across the country advance their AI journey and position themselves for future success.

To learn more and register for Dell Tech Forum, click here.

Tech Review – HiFiMan Svanar Wireless Jr earbuds

The HiFiMan Svanar Wireless Jr earbuds are lets say their entry level of the series to their product portfolio with an unusual shape and case to boot these are quite a different take on earbuds but worth it in the end.W

With the case having a different shape to most again their design elements stand out like their earbuds on looks alone and I like this, I am known for my liking to quirky looking cases and earbuds but this is great it takes you away from an industry norm and the stand out and grab attention.

Does this take away from the brands key element though? Not at all and with no companion app either these are certainly ones to look at if you are an audiophile on a budget as now they are on sale.

The earbuds themselves are on the larger side and really built well and look great, everyone’s ears are different and even I struggle to get them on but with the comply foam tips that changed and I got a snug secure fit giving nme decent passive noise isolation out of the box.

The sound here is magnificent giving there is no app at all here and just three settings on the earbuds to control the ANC transparency and High Fidelity, these are noticeable too and not to be ignored and also ensure on your smartphone you active LDAC as you will miss out. Movies music and gaming is excellent here too and you will  not be disappointed no matter the source used with these in your ears.

There is no lag latency either or tinny sound when maxed out the volume is loud the audio is crisp and clean picking up symbols and a slight hint of other background sounds no matter the genre.

HIFIMAN Topology Diaphragm The “Topology Diaphragm” refers to a diaphragm that features a special Nano particle coating applied to its surface. The result is a more natural and detailed sound than what is typically achieved with True Wireless earphones.

Call quality is also fine here with no issues and you also have a decent battery life on board which is up to 32hrs which will vary per user and their settings. The controls work well although missing volume control and have all the other features as expected such as call control, skip/reverse tracks and voice assistant.

Overall if you want high fidelity audio on a next level and the pricepoint these should be on your radar with the level of technology given here.

 

HiFIMan Svanar Wireless Jr

  • Warmth and Luxury-DSP Algorithm Optimization, Independent Amplifier and Topology Diaphragm HD Bluetooth→DSP Algorithm Optimization→ Amplifier Module→Topology Diaphragm
  • Independent Class AB Balanced Headphone Amplifier Module Output Spec: 10mW@32Q,THD+N: 0.019% Maximum Output: 50mW@32Q,THD+N: 1%
  • HIFIMAN Topology Diaphragm The “Topology Diaphragm” refers to a diaphragm that features a special Nano particle coating applied to its surface. The result is a more natural and detailed sound than what is typically achieved with True Wireless earphones. The idea behind the new Topology Diaphragm was inspired by Dr.Fang Bian’s Ph.D. thesis that states, “Different Nano materials have differing structures and each of those materials have its own properties.”Therefore, by carefully controlling the diaphragm surface structure we can yield different results that are superior in acoustic performance to a degree previously unobtainable.
  • Support LDAC HD Bluetooth Format; Lossless Sound Quality Transmission
  • ANC Deep Noise Cancellation: Immerse yourself in your own world of sound. The microphone accurately identifies noise, generating a reverse signal that reduces noise up to -35dB.
  • 8hrs Uninterrupted listening; 32hrs Including the battery life of the charging case. Earbuds may be charged up to three times before needing to recharge the battery case.
  • Charging case designed to accommodate most silicone tips, including larger sizes. Most true wireless earphones cannot be charged when using larger-size silicone tips. The Svanar Wireless increases the internal space of the charging case, so there is no need to replace the silicone tips repeatedly when charging the earbuds. Inbox comes with 8 pairs of silicone tips.
  • BUY 

Video Review

Data loss and ransomware attacks among top cloud cybersecurity risks

A new survey from leading Irish IT managed services provider Auxilion reveals that data loss/theft and ransomware/malware attacks were the cybersecurity concerns most cited by IT leaders when it comes to the cloud – at 30% respectively.

The research, carried out by Censuswide and involving IT decision-makers across large enterprises in the Republic of Ireland, found that 40% of respondents see IT security risks as a main concern associated with adopting and managing cloud computing.

A similar proportion (42%) said that the changing cybersecurity landscape was one of the biggest obstacles to the successful delivery of their IT strategy. Moreover, one in four (26%) IT leaders in Ireland do not think current laws and regulations are sufficient to protect privacy, access, and confidentiality in a cloud-based environment.

Adding to this, almost a quarter (24%) of IT decision-makers surveyed who are currently using the cloud do not think their own organisation has sufficient capabilities to manage cloud computing and more than a third of those respondents admitted to having little or no visibility of their workloads in the cloud (36%).

Despite this, some 83% consider cloud to be a more secure approach for their organisation. It appears that IT leaders are being proactive in this area with 83% also having a cloud security strategy in place and 73% currently using a technology partner to manage their cloud strategy and services.

The study also found that the shift to cloud is set to continue with nearly all respondents (96%) expecting to migrate more workloads, applications, and processes to the cloud over the next 12 months.

On October 9th, Auxilion, HPE and Zerto will be holding an event hosted by broadcaster Ivan Yates to discuss the increased need for robust data protection, cloud security, and business continuity capabilities.

Donal Sullivan, CTO, Auxilion, said: “While the cybersecurity landscape is constantly evolving, organisations are facing an even bigger uphill battle at the moment with the rise of threats enabled by Artificial Intelligence and the introduction of the European-wide NIS2 regulation in October.

“This means businesses not only need to be more proactive when it comes to securing their data and responding to incidents, they also need to ensure that they are meeting their compliance and regulatory obligations. This requires the right technologies and partners that can support security, mobility and scalability.

“The truth is that in this day and age, resilience and recovery are as important as detection and prevention when it comes to cybersecurity. Businesses which fail to recognise this and adapt their strategy could be at risk operationally, reputationally and financially.”

Chris Rogers, Senior Technology Evangelist, Zerto, said: “Rapid recovery from a cyber incident is more than a reactive measure – it’s a critical component of a resilient and forward-thinking business strategy. The ability to swiftly bounce back from disruptions not only minimises downtime but also safeguards reputation, customer trust, and bottom line.

“The real competitive edge lies in turning these challenges into opportunities for growth and innovation, and partnering with experts to unlock advanced cyber resilience capabilities can significantly accelerate an organization’s journey to cyber maturity.”

TCS to Fashion New Partner Landscape for Primark to Transform and Grow its Operations

(TCS), a global leader in IT services, consulting, and business solutions, has extended its partnership with Primark, a leading international fashion retailer across 17 countries in Europe and the US. Over the next five years, TCS will help transform Primark’s technology operations to support the retailer’s ambitious plans for global growth.

TCS has been working with Primark since 2016, establishing itself as a trusted partner to the retailer. As well as driving business-critical integration programmes and stabilising core platforms for the retailer, TCS has also improved cybersecurity capabilities, improving stability and reliability of processes and systems.

As part of this expanded partnership, TCS will help transform Primark’s technology operating environment to make it more resilient, reliable, and efficient. By supporting Primark’s transformation journey, TCS will help reduce time-to-market for the retailer, aligning with its strategies for future growth. TCS will help Primark adopt a more agile and product-based operating model by enabling automation through intelligent automation and DevOps technologies. This new operating model will integrate and optimise application development, testing and maintenance processes.

Andrew Brothers, Chief Information Officer, Primark, said, “To help support our ambitious growth plans we’re expanding our partnership with TCS to build a robust, resilient, and reliable IT operating environment to become a more efficient, technology-led global organization with the agility to quickly adapt to changing demands and requirements in a fast-paced industry. Working with TCS will provide us with the ongoing operational stability and accountability needed to support our business to scale. This will allow us to respond to market trends and customer preferences in a timely manner, ensuring that we continue to deliver quality products at the best value for our customers.”

Primark’s new operating model will also be aligned to business functions and driven by their priorities, providing Primark with a comprehensive, real-time view of its technology, business systems and processes to enhance overall performance and enable the agile ecosystem required to support the organisation’s rapid growth plans.

Shekar Krishnan, Vice President & Head of Retail – UK and Europe, TCS, said, “The fashion industry is continually modernising its entire value chain—from conceptualisation, to design, to production and retailing – with innovation-led initiatives to achieve environmental, social, and governance goals. We’re thrilled to support Primark’s mission to offer affordable fashion for everyone and its global vision for growth.” 

TCS works with 200 of the region’s best-known and most-loved businesses, including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Sainsbury’s, Nationwide, M&S, Asda and Boots. With its deep industry expertise and an employee strength of 23,000 people in the UK and Ireland, TCS holds a leadership position in software and IT services in the UK and Ireland market. Operating in Ireland since 2001, TCS services over 28 global and local clients from its Dublin headquarters and Global Delivery Centre based in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.

Review – ZAGG Luxe case for the Pixel 9/9 Pro

The latest Google Pixel series devices are on our review desk and we have the Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL and ZAGG has sent their new case for the Pixel 9/9Pro called Luxe.

Recently reviewed from ZAGG was their new Samsung Accessories for the Galaxy Flip and Fold devices which you should also check out if you are still on the fence between these devices.

With the Luxe case for the Pixel 9 series you get a clean case and to the point with drop protection and extra bumpers on the corners which is where a phone mostly lands.

There is a raised lip on the front meaning the device can be laid face down and the camera hump on the rear is also protected and enables you to lay the device rear down with not having to worry about the camera bar getting marked.

The case has nice tactile keys and work well and has ridges on the rear for additional grip, the case overall gives you decent grip anyway and feels more secure in the hand.

The Luxe case is also made with up to 100% post-consumer recycled content which is good to see and many manufacturers now adopt the same practice.

The case is also wireless charging compatible but has no MagSafe compatibility but I am sure these will come along at a later date.

ZAGG Luxe case for the Google Pixel 9/9Pro techbuzzireland

 

10ft│3m Drop Protection Luxe has been tested and proven to protect your phone from drops up to 10 feet (3 meters).

Strengthened with Graphene Graphene is harder than a diamond, yet more elastic than rubber, and up to 200x stronger than steel.

Lightweight Case The lightweight Luxe case fits comfortably in your hand or pocket.

Wireless Charging Compatible Compatible with most wireless chargers.

Slim Design The Luxe case won’t weigh you down and it fits easily in your pocket.

Antimicrobial Treatment Luxe contains an antimicrobial agent that protects the case by inhibiting the growth of odor-causing bacteria .

100% Recycled Content Luxe is made with up to 100% post-consumer recycled content .

Limited Lifetime Warranty ZAGG warrants the product against wear and damage during the lifetime of the device for which the product was purchased.

BUY

Video Review

Incase to Re-Launch Microsoft PC Accessory Portfolio Worldwide in Q4 2024

 Incase, a leading global design-driven carry and protection brand, announced it will re-launch products from the Microsoft accessories portfolio in Q4 2024. Onward Brands, the parent company of Incase, has licensed rights and associated intellectual property from the Microsoft accessories portfolio. The deal includes manufacturing components of well-known Microsoft accessories, ensuring that the products stay true to the favorites that consumers enjoy and trust.
The strategic partnership allows Incase to leverage Microsoft’s world-class product design and proven technology. Under the terms of the agreement, Incase will manufacture and distribute a broad suite of Microsoft accessory products including Keyboards, Mice, Webcams, Headsets and Speakers.
Best-selling products such as the Sculpt Ergonomic Keyboard, Modern Mobile Mouse, Wireless Desktop 850, and Modern Webcam will be marketed under the Incase brand as “Designed by Microsoft.” In addition to these existing products, Incase will debut a new ergonomic keyboard under the “Designed by Microsoft” designation.
“We are thrilled to license design and technology from the Microsoft accessory portfolio and to strategically expand our lineup of consumer tech solutions to include PC accessories,” said Marshall Clark, Onward General Manager, Productivity Business Unit. “Consumers can anticipate their favorite products back on shelves in 2024 under the Incase brand as we transition the portfolio.”
Onward Brands CEO Charlie Tebele added, “We look forward to building on the more than 30 years of outstanding product development that the Microsoft accessories business was well known for. With this product expansion, Onward will offer consumers the most comprehensive selection of accessories across our trusted brands.”
Brett Ostrum, CVP Microsoft Devices, commented, “Microsoft is excited to partner with Incase to bring Microsoft-designed PC accessories that our customers love to market.”
Incase products are available worldwide and at retailers including Amazon, and others, and online at www.incase.com. For additional information on Onward Brands, please visit www.onwardbrands.com.

Tech Review – Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6

Not my first time to use one of the latest Flip devices from Samsung but after several iterations now they have missed a few tricks the rest is mostly good after that and if you want a compact device that can expand some more well it would be the best of the latest bunch available here in Ireland anyway.

After testing out the mighty Z Fold6 it was a beast of a device and though the Flip6 is smaller but opens out onto a bigger canvas it is a flippin good phone with a better camera this time around.

The build quality  is excellent here and really has stepped up a gear like the Fold6 and the inner crease is not so notable if not at all depending on how you look at it and with light shining on it but yes much better and welcome, I have bought the last few of these foldable phones and like them but as mentioned about there could be some improvements overall but this time round there is plenty of those and again I will say the build quality is top notch. But i still suggest getting protection.

The Galaxy Z Flip6 has plenty of power under the hood this time starting off with a 4000 mAh battery which will see most average users through a day but for me not the case being a power user but it is no big deal as always have power at my fingertips at home or on the go and being a flip phone like the fold there is some compromises to be taken to get these devices thinner and therefore the battery and camera modules always take a it here.

The SnapDragon 8 Gen 3 keeps this device ticking over no matter what is thrown at it which is impressive and comes with more RAM this time at 12GB, moving from the Fold6 to the Flip6 was seamless for my daily tasks which is plenty on any given day but obviously the smaller screen here doing those was not as enjoyable as the bigger phone but still done the job.

Packed with AI like the Fold6 this has plenty to offer and again makes it a great productivity tool and for those who use their phones daily like me all day long productivity is key and with the features at hand here again but on a smaller scale it is still an option for those who want something smaller and pocketable.

We don’t really go on a spec buzz on reviews as they are out there but the next things is the camera and this time around it has improved greatly and you can check out the images and videos below for yourself to see what you think I was impressed and with flex mode again..

New 50MP Wide and 12MP Ultra-wide sensors provide an upgraded camera experience with clear and crisp details in pictures. The new 50MP sensor supports 2x optical zoom for noise-free photos, while offering AI zoom for an advanced shooting experience with up to 10x zoom. Nightography, enhanced with video HDR allows you to capture more brilliant videos — even in dim lighting — and goes further by partnering with popular social apps as well. The night capturing feature is now available in-app on Instagram, so you can take amazing photos at night and message or share them directly from within the app.

Overall for me the Flip6 still has a place in my heart but after using the Fold6 there is a big seperation between the two however both devices are great and have new improvements, the face unlock on the cover screen still has not improved and some of the accessibility and having to install a third party app to get the more functionality when it should have been just native or similar to the Fold but the workaround works well and it does keep you from opening your phone all the time which is what it is intended to do.

The price again remains a factor here but you are getting the best of the best and you have to pay to play as they say after that the choice is yours  it is a solid phone better battery better screens better built and looks good.

Samsung Z Fold 6 review

Unboxing and UI Walkthrough

Two-thirds of consumers in Ireland spent abroad this summer

Revolut, the European-licensed bank with more than 45 million customers worldwide and over 2.8 million in Ireland, has analysed which travel destinations have proven most popular this summer among its customers in Ireland — with their overseas spending trends assessed as part of a detailed analysis of the period 1st May – 31st July.

The data has revealed that (in order) Spain, Portugal, France, and Italy were Irish holidaymakers’ most popular holidays this summer — with the United States also among Revolut customers’ most sought-after destinations as per their overseas spending habits. Notably, more than half a million Revolut customers also spent money in the UK this summer.

Revolut customers’ preferred destination within mainland Europe was Spain (over 300,000 holidaymakers). This was followed by Portugal (more than 100,000 jetsetters) and just short of that, France. Elsewhere, over 85,000 Irish tourists spent money in Italy and close to 65,000 ventured to the United States.

Approximately two-thirds of Revolut’s 2.8 million customers in Ireland spent money abroad this summer — while the global financial app also recently identified a move toward the return of staycations among its Irish customers, resulting in a record July of domestic consumer spending.

Close to 1.5 million Revolut customers from across the world visited Ireland this summer too, with those from the United Kingdom, Poland, Spain, Romania, Italy, and France accounting for over 80% of those visiting the Emerald Isle.

Maurice Murphy, General Manager at Revolut Bank UAB – Ireland Branch, said: “Our customers in Ireland depend on Revolut for the best foreign exchange rates, and we know that those extra savings on every transaction can amount to a more enjoyable holiday. We’re continuing to bring customers new products and perks to make the experience of going away more seamless and stress-free. For instance, customers can now opt-in to earn RevPoints on their everyday spending, which can then be exchanged for airline miles via two popular loyalty programmes.”

European-licensed bank Revolut 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.

For more information, visit: www.revolut.ie

Tudia MergeGrip Case with MagSafe for the Google Pixel 9 Pro/XL

In a follow up from last weeks cases from Tudia we now have both MagSafe compatible cases in for review for the Google Pixel 9 Pro and PIxel 9 Pro XL which is great.

We have the last review here if you want to check that out for the standard cases and i think most will opt for MagSafe compatible cases and here they are.

All the keys work well and ports accessible and these also work with wireless charging which is a key factor for me but check out the video review of all three cases below for more.

Protected with ToughRhino dual layer protection you are in safe hands with Tudia cases which I stand over as I use them on any device they serve that I have.

 

Drop Protection : Certified military grade protection and ToughRhino Technology for dual layer protection against drops and scratches.
● Raised Edges Protection : Protects your camera and screen with raised lip and edges.
● Enhanced Grip : Non-slip textured design on both sides and back provide additional grip while holding your phone.
● Precise Design : Tactile and clicky buttons designed for stress-free usage.
● Seamless Access : Gesture tap and wireless charging compatible

https://techbuzzireland.com/?s=tudia+cases+review

BUY 

Video review