Month: October 2024

EA SPORTS NHL 25 WITH ICE-Q NOW AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE

Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) sets a new standard in hockey authenticity with EA SPORTS™ NHL® 25, now available worldwide on PlayStation®5 and Xbox Series X|S. The new ICE-Q gameplay system gives players the time and space to control every inch of the ice, bringing a whole new level of hockey intelligence to EA SPORTS NHL. Plus, a revamped Franchise Mode, overhauled presentation with the all-new Grudge Match system as well as the integration of SAPIEN Technology improving character likenesses, NHL 25 is the truest representation of the sport.

“EA SPORTS NHL 25 brings an unparalleled level of intelligence to the franchise with the introduction of ICE-Q,” said Chris Haluke, Senior Producer for EA SPORTS NHL. “Whether it’s creating time and space in gameplay with ICE-Q or leading the front office with the revamped Franchise Mode, this year’s game offers a truly immersive NHL experience that will appeal to veterans of the game and Chel rookies alike.”

EA SPORTS NHL 25 launches today with an array of exciting new features:

  • ICE-Q is True Hockey Intelligence: Built on a new logic-driven animation system, ICE-Q responds to contextual events on the ice with unprecedented authenticity. Next-Gen Vision Control, Empowered AI and Reactive Actions provide the foundation of Chel’s gameplay overhaul, while Skill-Based One Timers create authentic gameplay tension as offensive excitement and expectation mix with defensive concern and anticipation. Learn more about the all new features in the deep dive trailer here and the blog post here.

  • Revamped Franchise Mode: Franchise Mode gets a revamp in NHL 25. Starting with the Franchise hub, streamlined navigation gives players access to new, relevant and easy-to-digest information. Contract clauses and trade protection now add to the authenticity, giving players insight into what happens during negotiations. Plus, new conversation functions enhance negotiations, making promises, waivers, and counters a faster, more intuitive process. Learn more about the revamped Franchise Mode in the deep dive trailer here and the blog post here.

  • Immersive Presentation Updates: Hockey is not only built different in NHL 25, it looks different. The new Grudge Match System tracks the history of matchups between teams across online and offline modes. In-game characters have received an impressive visual overhaul with the introduction of SAPIEN Technology, and the new Infinite Camera System completely revamps replays with increased variety and authenticity of angles. The Hypestage introduces a universal 3D platform that produces dynamic and immersive storytelling moments during key games and live events throughout the year. Learn more about the improved presentation with the blog post here.

  • Hockey Ultimate Team Innovations – The new Wildcard Mode implements unique rulesets per competition cycle — like different salary cap systems, having a specific number of players from a particular team or nation, and more. Plus, with the new HUT XP Progression System, all of the XP earned in Squad Battles, Rivals and Wild Card are combined into a single progression path. Learn more about the improvements to HUT in the deep dive trailer here and the blog post here.

  • New WOC Live Events Structure – An updated World of Chel Live Event Structure and schedule gives players a new way to take the ice. A new playlist structure keeps game mode selections feeling fresh, along with new competitive tournaments and rewards, metas, and design-driven themes, and the ability to view all current and past offerings in WOC.

These features and more are available now in EA SPORTS NHL 25, with more post-launch content to be announced soon.

Developed by EA Vancouver, EA SPORTS NHL 25 is rated E10+ and is now available globally on PlayStation®5 and Xbox Series X|S. Also available now, the EA SPORTS NHL 25 Deluxe Edition includes 4600 NHL Points, HUT NHL Player Pack, HUT “Hockey is Family” Objectives Choice Pack (x2, 82 OVR), HUT Cover Athlete Choice Pack (85 OVR, 1 of 8), HUT Wildcard Starter Choice Pack (84 OVR, 1 of 6), WOC Battle Pass XP Boost (x2), and Exclusive WOC Player Set. For more information on EA SPORTS NHL, visit https://www.ea.com/games/nhl/nhl-25.

See our gaming tech reviews

API Monitoring: The Unsung Hero of the Digital Economy

While APIs have become the lifeblood of modern applications, ensuring their optimal performance and reliability is often overlooked. This is where API monitoring comes into play. It’s the unsung hero that guarantees the smooth operation of your digital ecosystem.

The Critical Role of API Monitoring

Imagine your business as a high-performance car. The engine is powerful, but without a dashboard to monitor its vitals, you’re driving blind. API monitoring is that dashboard for your digital operations. It provides real-time visibility into the performance, availability, and overall health of your APIs.

By closely tracking API metrics, businesses can identify potential issues before they escalate into major problems. This proactive approach prevents service disruptions, maintains customer satisfaction, and safeguards revenue.

Key Benefits of API Monitoring

  • Improved Performance: By pinpointing performance bottlenecks, API monitoring helps optimize response times and enhance user experience.
  • Increased Reliability: Proactive identification and resolution of issues minimize downtime and service disruptions.
  • Enhanced Security: Anomaly detection can uncover suspicious activities, protecting your APIs and sensitive data.
  • Data-Driven Decision Making: Comprehensive performance metrics inform strategic decisions about API optimization and scaling.

The API Monitoring Landscape

The API monitoring market is rapidly expanding as businesses recognize the critical role it plays in digital success. While specific data points may vary, the overall trend is clear: API monitoring is a growing necessity.

  • Market Growth: Similar to the API management market, API monitoring is experiencing substantial growth driven by the increasing complexity of digital ecosystems.
  • Key Features: Robust API monitoring solutions offer a wide range of features, including performance metrics, error tracking, security alerts, and integration with other monitoring tools.

Conclusion: A Cornerstone of Digital Success

API monitoring is no longer a luxury; it’s a strategic imperative. By investing in a comprehensive API monitoring solution, businesses can ensure the reliability, performance, and security of their digital operations. It’s the foundation for delivering exceptional customer experiences and driving business growth in the digital age.

Consumer Alert: Budget 2025 energy credit announcement sparks new fraud attempts – Bank of Ireland

Bank of Ireland is warning customers to be very vigilant to a wave of new fraud attempts following the announcement of a range of new energy credits this week.

Fraudsters often use topical events that are the subject of a lot of media coverage and commentary – in this case, energy credits announced in the recent Budget – to defraud consumers.

Bank of Ireland is seeing cases where customers receive an SMS pretending to be from the Irish Government (Gov.ie) saying they are eligible for a discounted bill under the new energy credit. However, this is just the first step in a scam designed to get the consumer to hand over their personal banking details.

How it works:

 

  • The consumer receives a text – pretending to be from an official Government source – telling them they are eligible for an energy credit.
  • The consumer replies to this and provides their personal contact details.

  • The fraudster then calls the consumer and pretends to be from their bank. The fraudster informs the consumer that they responded to a fake text and that now their debit/credit card, PIN, and phone sim card are compromised. The fraudster says someone from the bank, or a courier is on their way to collect the consumers card, PIN, and phone sim card.
  • In some cases, the consumer is kept on the phone to the fraudster until the person from the ‘bank’ or courier company arrives at their house.
  • Once they have taken these, fraudsters can then use the card for high value items, using chip & PIN.
  • Unfortunately, because the consumer believes they have been speaking with their bank, it can take some time before they realise that they are the victim of a theft and report this to their actual bank.

Nicola Sadlier, Head of Fraud, Bank of Ireland said: “Fraudsters are like chameleons. They design their scams to blend in with what’s in the news. But like all their criminal activity, this is just another attempt to steal your money.  

“There are new fake texts in circulation from “GOV IE” telling consumers they are eligible for a discounted electricity bill. These are smishing texts, and when the customer responds, they get a call from the fraudster posing as a bank employee informing them that their debit/credit card, PIN and phone sim card have been compromised. The fact that this call is followed by a fraudster calling to the victim’s house to collect the “compromised” card and phone sim card is of particular concern. 

“Be extra vigilant.  Fraudsters want your personal information, even if it’s simply your phone number. Do not give it to them.”

Bank of Ireland’s advice to customers in response to the current activity:

  • Do not click on links or respond to any SMS text messages which are designed to appear as if sent by the bank or other businesses and service providers.
  • If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and don’t call back any number the caller may have given you.

Remember:

  • Bank of Ireland will never send you a text with a link to a website that asks you for your online banking login details or any One-Time Passcodes that we’ve sent to you.
  • Bank of Ireland will never, ever, call you and ask for your security credentials such as your full 365 PIN, card details, one-time codes, or codes from your Business On Line Approve App.
  • Where customers receive a text appearing to be from Bank of Ireland, the Check Your Text service (Security Zone – Bank of Ireland Group Website) is now available.
    • If you get a text that claims to be from Bank of Ireland but you are not sure if it’s genuine, here’s how to verify it:
    • Copy the text you wish to verify.
    • Paste into a new message.
    • Add the word CHECK before the text. (In the same text)
    • Send to 50365.
    • Alternatively send it to 365security@boi.com

If you think you may have given away any of your banking details, please call our 24/7 Freephone line 1800 946 764 immediately.

Ordú to create 10 new jobs as it secures €1.5M partnership with Lazenby Group

Ordú, a leading Galway-based provider of advanced online ordering systems for the food service industry, today announces a new €1.5 million investment in its partnership with Lazenby Group.

Over the next three years, this collaboration is forecasted to generate €9 million in additional revenues for Ordú. This investment will cover the recruitment and support of staff, including the creation of 10 new jobs in product development within the next 12 months, and the rollout of new technologies.

Established in 1963, Lazenby Group is a leading global kiosk manufacturer, serving various sectors with clients such as the NHS, Holiday Inn, Disney, Nestle, and Greggs. Known for its premium, high-quality and innovative solutions, including the industry-disruptive self-sanitising Safe-Touch™ kiosk technology, the company has set new benchmarks for hygiene and efficiency in retail, hospitality, healthcare, aviation, and more.

Lazenby Group sought a software partner to streamline its operations to enable growth plans across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Ordú was selected for its cutting-edge software and established market presence in Ireland and the UK. Additionally, targeting the pharmacy sector, where Ordú is also expanding into, was a key focus.

Moreover, Ordú’s software incorporates a smart upselling engine, driving a notable 20% increase in order value. By integrating Ordú’s software, Lazenby Group can expand its market reach significantly, with the capacity to manufacture and sell 3,500 kiosks annually, a significant increase from their previous annual sales of 2,000 kiosks.

Furthermore, this partnership facilitates the expansion of Ordú’s service offerings across various sectors including fast food, hospitality, pubs and restaurants, retail, and pharmacies. With an impressive client roster including Pita Pit Ireland, PG Chips, Four Lanterns, and CBE in Ireland and the UK, Ordú is positioned to introduce its technology to a much wider audience. The incorporation of Safe-Touch™ kiosks with self-sanitising kiosk technology marks a pioneering initiative in Ireland.

Ordú recently won silver in the Best in Retail and Consumer Goods category at the 2024 Digital Media Awards for its work in boosting operational efficiency for large retail businesses.

Andrew Dewdney, CEO of Ordú said: “Joining forces with Lazenby Group, a leader in kiosk technology, marks a pivotal moment in Ordú’s growth trajectory. Our partnership will not only elevate Ordú’s service portfolio but also introduce innovative solutions like Safe-Touch™ to our clientele, enhancing in-store customer experiences and upholding impeccable hygiene standards in the post-pandemic landscape. As we expand our team and merge our areas of expertise, we’re committed to enhancing our product and service capabilities, ensuring a seamless and safer digital journey for our valued customers.”

Steven McWilliam, Commercial Manager of Lazenby Group, said: “Ordú’s impressive customer base and industry expertise make them an obvious partner for us in Ireland. This collaboration holds tremendous potential and strengthens Lazenby Group’s foothold in the QSR hospitality sector. We are delighted to partner with an ambitious company like Ordú to bring our products to market. By streamlining our operations, this partnership enables Lazenby Group to deliver superior solutions, enriching our customers experience and driving revenue growth.”

Samsung Galaxy Ring Now Available in Ireland

The Samsung Galaxy Ring is now available here in Ireland finally some might say, the latest wearable ring to the market is ideal for those who want to keep track of their health in a minimal way and is very discreet and for those who do not like to wear smart watches or bracelets.

Coming in several colours Titanium Black, Titanium Silver, Titanium Gold there is something for everyone here who wants to try these out we will have a review soon so stay tuned for more in the coming weeks.

Key Features:

  • Its distinct concave surface adds a touch of style while maintaining durability.
  • With a 10ATM water resistance[ and Titanium Grade 5 you can confidently wear Galaxy Ring anywhere without worry.
  • Up to seven days battery life with quick charging case.
  • All data and insights integrated into Samsung Health
  • Powerful sleep AI algorithm to help you understand your sleep patterns and build better habits.
  • Sleep Score and snoring analysis, new sleep metrics such as movement during sleep, sleep latency, heart and respiratory rate provide a detailed and accurate analysis of sleep quality.
  • Cycle Tracking to better track your menstrual cycle through overnight skin temperature monitoring.
  • Galaxy AI generates a detailed health report that includes various health metrics like Sleep Coaching.
  • New Energy Score enhances your awareness of the ways your health influences your daily life, so you can utilise recommendations based on your current physical state to focus your daily efforts on making improvements.
  • Receive personalised to enhance your well-being with Wellness Tips
  • With Heart Rate Alert receive instant notifications regarding unusually high or low heart rates in real-time via the Samsung Health app
  • Find the location of your Galaxy Ring via your Galaxy smartphone with Find My Ring on Samsung Find.
  • Available At –  Samsung.com and online and in-store at Harvey Norman

See our latest Samsung Reviews

Microsoft launches new series of Dream Space TV

Microsoft has announced the launch of its latest Dream Space TV series, Code Green, aimed at providing teachers across Ireland with new STEM teaching resources to inspire young students to become sustainability champions in their schools and communities. The release of the Code Green series coincides with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Week 2024, a Government of Ireland led initiative, taking place from September 20th to 29th.

Developed by Microsoft, in collaboration with Irelands Knowledge Centre for Carbon, Climate and Community Action (IKC3) at Munster Technological University and supported by RTÉ Learn, Code Green provides hands-on educational resources designed to help young people understand the role they can play in creating a more sustainable future. Furthermore, students are given the opportunity to develop their STEM skills and are challenged to apply those to advance sustainability in their school community.

Aligned to the EU Green Deal 2050, each of the six freely available on-demand Microsoft Dream Space TV Code Green episodes focus on a different aspect of sustainability, from building eco-friendly vehicles and coding energy-saving programs to using AI tools to monitor biodiversity and creating sustainability plans for schools. The series is being rolled out on RTÉ Learn over a six-week period from September 27th.

Upon completion of the six episodes schools will have the opportunity to enter the Code Green challenge and submit an entry to participate in the Code Green Showcase event, which will take place at Microsoft’s campus in Leopardstown, Dublin in June 2025.

The Code Green resources being unveiled today align fully with the Government’s Second National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development and its priority of empowering and mobilising young people to upskill and take action for a more sustainable future. Each Code Green episode is designed for easy integration into the classroom, with detailed teacher guides, worksheets, and curriculum links to support the Irish primary curriculum.

Commenting on today’s announcement, James O’Connor, Microsoft Ireland Site Leader, and Corporate Vice-President of Microsoft Global Operations Service Centre, said: “We are delighted to be marking SDG Week 2024 by rolling out the new Microsoft Dream Space TV series – Code Green. With the help of the latest series available on RTE Learn, young people will have the opportunity to develop their STEM and AI skills and put them to the test to advance sustainability in their own school community.

“With digital technology transforming our lives, work, and education, it is crucial that every young person can engage in STEM and AI learning and think critically about the world around them. Through Microsoft Dream Space and its many initiatives, we are helping the next generation to develop the skills that are required amid the twin – digital and green – transitions.”

Dr. Helena McMahon, Director of Ireland’s Knowledge Centre for Carbon Climate and Community Action (IKC3), at Munster Technological University, said: “MTU is delighted to partner with Microsoft on the development and roll out of Code Green. The IKC3 and Microsoft Dream Space team collaboration has brought together the brightest of minds in programme design, sustainability, and STEM education. This new educational resource for teachers and students nationwide aligns with the EU Green Deal 2050 themes and supports our joint commitment to promote both STEM and sustainability education that build green and digital skills. We encourage every primary school throughout Munster and across the island of Ireland to join us in this exciting learning journey towards a more sustainable future.”

Speaking about the initiative, Suzanne Kelly, Group Head of Children’s & Young People’s Content at RTÉ, said: “RTÉ are thrilled to be once again teaming up with Microsoft Dream Space, this time to explore how technology can be a force for good in tackling climate change. The Dream Space team have developed engaging and free to use learning materials that will help students and schools to do just that and we’re proud to be helping to deliver these resources nationwide.”

This latest series of Microsoft Dream Space TV is the sixth to be produced and made freely available on RTÉ Learn, with previous episodes focusing on developing digital and AI skills through themes of inclusivity, sustainability, and health and wellbeing. Of the 300,000+ students that have already engaged in Microsoft Dream Space, more than 47,000 have done so by way of Microsoft Dream Space TV. Microsoft Dream Space TV is one of a number of initiatives that Microsoft is rolling out as it looks to provide every student across the island of Ireland – almost 1 million in total – with the opportunity to develop their STEM and AI skills.

The IKC3 Project at MTU is funded by the Higher Education Authority under the Human Capital Initiative.

To get started and learn more, visit aka.ms/CodeGreen or Code Green: The sustainability series from Dream Space TV (rte.ie).

Zens Office Charger Pro 3 review

The Zens Office Charger Pro 3 is the ultimate charging solution for iPhone 12 and up users who prioritize functionality, quality, and value. You can charge three devices simultaneously with Qi2 technology and not only this it also means less clutter and cables in your work area which is vital.

This also provides faster charging and also allows you to use this as another way of consuming media without having to hold your phone you could have your emails open or social for example on the device.

The positions are all fixed here which might be a slight caveat meaning the phone will only sit in one position but it seems ok to me but would have preferred to have more angle adjustment.

Given this charges three devices at one go it is a vital piece of kit to have it is portable however cant be taken apart which would have been great for travel but it is a desk charger after all but would like to see a portable travel version of this next time around but not knocking it at all this again is solid well built and looks clean sitting on your desk or even your bedside locker.

Need a beside locker charger check out the Zens Nightstand charger pro 2

Features

  • Works with most MagSafe cases (< 3 mm)
  • Made from high-grade zinc/alloy
  • 45W power adapter
  • 3 year warranty• Charges 3 devices wirelessly at the same time
    • New Qi2 technology supports 15W wireless magnetic charging
    • Supports 5W Apple Watch Fast Charge
    • The magnetic connection ensures a perfect positioning

See more wireless charger reviews

Zens Office Charger Pro 3

Video Review

 

 

AlphaTheta launches the HDJ-F10 professional wireless DJ headphones

AlphaTheta, a world-class manufacturer of DJ equipment, announces the release of the HDJ-F10 professional wireless DJ headphones.

Enhance your performances with ultra-low-latency SonicLink technology, engineered specifically for professional DJs to deliver wireless audio seamlessly to your ears. When using the HDJ-F10 headphones with the HP-TX01 transmitter – which can be connected to the DJ mixer –  you’ll enjoy freedom from cables so you can energise the crowd by dancing and moving around the DJ booth or stage without ever tangling or pulling on a wire.

You’ll hear everything loud and clear when you perform with the HDJ-F10 headphones. Their newly developed drivers produce high-resolution, powerful sound with a wide range. With enhanced earpads and housing structures, their sound insulation is outstanding too. And these headphones are built to withstand life on the road. They’re highly durable and have passed demanding tests so you can enjoy lasting durability and can be relied on to handle life in any environment.

With total versatility, you can sync the HDJ-F10 headphones to your phone or another device via a Bluetooth connection, and you can turn on the Noise Cancelling mode to help immerse yourself in the music as if you’re checking the sound of each track in the studio or simply shut out the background noise, even in a busy city. Turn on Transparency mode, and you can let external sounds in so you can continue having conversations with people around you while listening to music. These headphones offer the best experience for both onstage and everyday use by professional DJs, and you can buy them on their own or in the HDJ-F10-TX bundle, which includes the transmitter.

Featuring a long battery life, a fully charged HDJ-F10 headphones will offer 9 hours of use with SonicLink or 30 hours of use with Bluetooth – allowing you to enjoy music on the go for longer or for playing those extended DJ sets. Available now, the HDJ-F10 headphones can be bought for £369 or with the transmitter as a bundle for £469. The transmitter is priced at £109 separately. For more information, head to alphatheta.com.

F-Secure Adds Industry-Leading Scam Protection Capabilities to F-Secure Total

 F-Secure, a global leader in consumer cyber security, today announces that F-Secure Total, its online security application, will now host several new features specifically designed to protect consumers against scams by utilising AI. These new advanced features protect users against the most prevalent scams in the digital world, which consumers are exposed to while going about their daily lives.

The seven new features include:

  • Shopping Protection

  • SMS Scam Protection

  • Banking Protection

  • Browsing & Phishing Protection

  • Wi-Fi Protection

  • Cookie Popup Blocker

  • Ad Blocker

New AI integration means F-Secure Total users can now have scam SMS messages immediately deleted/flagged. Users also receive a pop-up warning on an unsecure site or see if they are entering a safe banking or payment site. This level of constant monitoring is unique to F-Secure Total.

Responding to one of the biggest consumer threats today

The suite of protection features has been developed as a response to the increasing number of scams faced by consumers. Research from the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA), of which F-Secure is a member, found that £119.6 billion ($159bn) was lost to scams in 2023 alone, with 73% of consumers now encountering a scam monthly. At the same time many consumers can find cyber security confusing and are unsure how best to protect themselves.

These industry leading features, along with a dedicated Scam Protection Engineering Team, mark the new direction for F-Secure as it sets out to be the number one provider of scam protection.

Timo Laaksonen, President and CEO at F-Secure says: “The biggest online threat to the modern-day consumer is scams. We have seen the issue increase year-on-year not only in volume but in credibility and effectiveness. As a company we are committed to providing a complete solution that keeps our customers safe across their digital lives. Thanks to AI we are now able to fight back against even the most sophisticated scams and provide safety across a number of areas. These new features are just the beginning for F-Secure as we continue to pioneer in scam protection.”

The new features will be rolled out on F-Secure Total throughout the rest of this year, and include:

Shopping Protection

A completely unique feature, F-Secure Total will now provide clear real-time reliability ratings for online stores and block malicious sites while users browse. Not only does this feature help prevent a potential scam, it also helps to improve awareness and to ensure users avoid questionable online stores.

Available now on desktop and mobile platforms.

SMS Scam Protection powered by AI

Many people are falling victim to SMS scams due to the use of advanced technology. F-Secure reports that SMS scams have ‘exploded’ into popularity in the last year.

AI can now create sophisticated, seamless and convincing scam messages. F-Secure has also used AI to create the unique SMS Scam Protection feature which analyses received text messages for potentially harmful intent. Bad messages are flagged or automatically sent into a junk folder preventing the user being put at risk.

Available for both iOS and Android by the end of this year.

Banking Protection

UK Finance’s Annual Fraud Report 2024 reported remote banking alone accounted for £152m in unauthorised fraud losses and F-Secure reports their sophistication is increasing at an alarming rate. The new Banking Protection feature, unique to F-Secure, visibly secures sessions on legitimate banking and payment sites and blocks untrusted connections, preventing session hijacking to keep users’ money safe.

Available on desktop and now also on mobile Chrome and Safari.

Browsing & Phishing Protection

Browsing protection works in the browser by preventing access to known malware and phishing sites.

Available on desktop and now also on mobile Chrome and Safari.

Wi-Fi Protection

Allowing users to enjoy public Wi-Fi hotspots with peace of mind, this feature safeguards personal information and issues alerts if it detects potential network risks, which could lead to theft of information like banking credentials, so the user can select another network or turn on VPN.

Available now on mobile platforms.

Cookie Popup Blocker

Protects user privacy by automatically rejecting non-essential cookies from common cookie consent providers. Users also encounter fewer cookie prompts.

Available now for Windows and Mac. Coming for Android and iOS at a later date.

Ad Blocker

As well as improving browsing experience, Ad Blocker decreases exposure to potential scams and fraud that utilise ads. It also enhances browsing experience and speeds up page loading by blocking advertising loading when accessed through desktop.

Available now on desktops and on iOS by the end of the year.

For more information about F-Secure, please visit https://www.f-secure.com/en/total/scam-protection.