Author: Jim O Brien/CEO

CEO and expert in transport and Mobile tech. A fan 20 years, mobile consultant, Nokia Mobile expert, Former Nokia/Microsoft VIP,Multiple forum tech supporter with worldwide top ranking,Working in the background on mobile technology, Weekly radio show, Featured on the RTE consumer show, Cavan TV and on TRT WORLD. Award winning Technology reviewer and blogger. Security and logisitcs Professional.

CROSS launch the world’s first trackable pen with #TrackR technology. #CROSS

Lost pens and misplaced mobile phones might just be a thing of the past, after a revolutionary new product was revealed by one of stationery’s most forward thinking brands.

CROSS Pens, the revolutionary fine writing instruments brand, has developed its new CROSS Peerless TrackR, which could spell an end to the frustration associated with misplacing a treasured pen.

 

 

The CROSS Peerless TrackR works when paired with a state-of-the-art app. It then uses Bluetooth* and Crowd Locate technology to keep people in touch with their faithful writing tools while on the move.

If the pen falls from the pocket of a business suit or is left in a meeting on the other side of the world, the device can alert the owner to its last known location using the TrackR app.

 

When the pen’s Bluetooth connection is disconnected from its paired mobile phone, TrackR’s Crowd Locate community will automatically start searching for your pen. If one of the millions of TrackR app users walks by your missing pen while running the app, you’ll receive a confidential update with your pen’s last known location

Furthermore, the pen can even help people find their misplaced mobile phones. Following a simple button press on the cap, the pen can alert people to their device’s whereabouts, even when left in silent mode.

 

 

Available in both carbon black and head-turning quartz blue, the Peerless TrackR boasts the latest Bluetooth technology and is powered by two replaceable CR1220 batteries.

Nicola Shepherd, Marketing Director, EMEA at A.T. Cross, said: “We believe that the Peerless TrackR is a ground-breaking product, unlike anything else currently on the market.

“We know that a barrier to purchase a beautiful pen is the fear of losing it. Pens often assume sentimental value and are highly valued. Not only this, but they are a highly personal and important style accessory. With this in mind, we think that the Peerless TrackR will be one of our most successful products, as it clearly addresses a consumer need and will resonate with a great number of people.”

CROSS has also unveiled an accompanying pen pouch that features a TrackR bravo device, to keep valuables and stationery essentials at hand, whatever the adventure.

 

The stylish pouch, which is detailed with an instantly recognisable yellow zip, houses the TrackR bravo device inside an integrated pocket.

The TrackR bravo can ring your phone just like the Peerless TrackR, making it a fashionable yet functional accessory on-the-go or at your desk.

The CROSS Peerless TrackR (RRP £215) and CROSS Pouch (RRP £35) will be available in April 2017 from all fine stationery stockists or at Cross.com/TrackR.

Chris Herbert, CEO and co founder, TrackR, commented; “We’re ecstatic to continue expanding our works with TrackR program by partnering with well-known brands worldwide such as CROSS. The new Peerless TrackR Pen is another leap forward in effortless tracking, giving people peace of mind by relying on technology to remember where all our important items are located for us.”

Artificial Intelligence to Have Dramatic Impact on Business by 2020. #AI #TCS

Artificial Intelligence to Have Dramatic Impact on Business by 2020, According to Tata Consultancy Services Global Trend Study

  • Majority of Companies see AI as Essential to Competitiveness, Consider it Transformative and View the Technology as Important or Highly Important to Remaining Competitive in 2020
  • 68% of Companies use AI for IT Functions, but 70% Believe AI’s Greatest Impact by 2020 Will be in Functions Outside of IT such as Marketing, Customer Service, Finance, and HR
  • Companies with the Greatest Financial Improvements from AI Investments Expect Three Times as Many New AI-Related Roles by 2020 as Compared to Companies With Smallest Improvements

 

Tata Consultancy Services a leading global IT services, consulting and business solutions organization, today unveiled its Global Trend Study titled, “Getting Smarter by the Day: How AI is Elevating the Performance of Global Companies.” Focused on the current and future impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the study polled 835 executives across 13 global industry sectors in four regions of the world, finding that 84% of companies see the use of AI as “essential” to competitiveness, with a further 50% seeing the technology as “transformative.”

 

Widespread AI adoption expected across job functions

Exploring the views and actions of decision makers from global companies with average revenues of $20 billion, the study revealed AI is spreading across almost all areas of a company. The biggest adopters of AI today are, not surprisingly, IT departments, with two-thirds (67%) of survey respondents using AI to detect security intrusions, user issues and deliver automation. However, by 2020, almost a third (32%) of companies believe AI’s greatest impact will be in sales, marketing or customer service, while one in five (20%) see AI’s impact being largest in non-customer facing corporate functions, including finance, strategic planning, corporate development, and HR.

 

Companies participated from a range of industries, including automotive, banking and financial services, energy, healthcare, life sciences, industrial manufacturing, and retail. This cross-sector level of insight highlighted AI’s workplace impact as an important supplemental force for the next few years. Examples include guiding customer service representatives to more quickly resolve customer problems and anticipate future purchases, quickly and securely reconciling mass overnight transactions for financial institutions, or giving time back to HR professionals by managing the time consuming on-boarding processes for new hires.

 

 

As for the ongoing debate regarding AI’s impact on jobs, business executives in the study estimated net reductions in each function by 2020 of between 4% and 7%. However, companies with the biggest revenue and cost improvements from AI see the need for at least three times as many new jobs in each function by 2020 because of AI, as compared to companies with the smallest AI-related revenue and cost improvements. AI is already being used to automate certain processes and drive efficiencies, help employees be more productive and devote more time to more strategic business needs, and create new work and services that were not possible in the past.

 

“As companies begin to gain a better understanding of AI’s application for business, they will realize the significant impact of this transformative force. This is reflected in our Global Trend Study, which shows that forward-thinking companies are beginning to make major AI investments,” said K Ananth Krishnan, Chief Technology Officer of TCS. “Given the increasing digital disruption across every industry and the public sector, AI should become a key and integrated component of an organization’s strategy.”

 

AI investments and returns rising; North America and Europe lead the charge

As AI becomes a mainstream technology, financial investments in AI are set to rise, as 7% of companies each earmarked at least $250 million toward AI in 2016 and 2% already plan to invest more than $1 billion by 2020 – likely looking to gain a competitive advantage as early adopters.

 

The Global Trend Study revealed a clear correlation between investments in AI and business impact. The companies that realized the greatest AI-related revenue improvements and cost reductions spent five times more on the technology than the companies with the lowest AI-related revenue and cost improvements. In turn, leaders generated average revenue increases of 16% from AI initiatives in 2015 versus 2014, whereas laggards saw a modest 5% revenue growth. At a regional level, North American companies were the leading investors in AI in 2015, with an average per-company spend of $80 million, followed by Europe with $73 million, Asia-Pacific with $55 million and Latin America with $51 million.

 

Cyber security top of mind when adopting AI

Executives participating in the Global Trend Study across all regions and sectors rated the top four factors as most important to AI gaining widespread acceptance and driving business benefits. Almost seven out of 10 (68%) companies currently use AI to detect and prevent potential hacks and security threats to their systems. And moving forward, the other key factors include developing cognitive systems that continually learn, have the ability to make reliable and safe decisions based on masses of data, and gain the confidence of managers to trust what AI is advising them to do.

 

About The 2016 Global Trends Study

The seventh annual Global Trends Study from TCS surveyed 835 leading executives from companies in four global regions, with an individual mean annual turnover of $20bn. The four regions surveyed were North America (including Canada), Europe (UK, Germany, France, Denmark and Switzerland), Asia-Pacific (India, China, Australia, and Japan) and Latin America (Brazil and Mexico). The study was concluded in June 2016. For more information, or to download the study, go to http://sites.tcs.com/artificial-intelligence/

Learn how to play the piano with #SKOOVE app now on #iPad #piano #apps

The Berlin-based company behind the freemium piano-learning platform, has launched on iPad.

 

Previously only available via web browser, Skoove is bringing the most effective and complete way of learning the piano, to iPad, combining professional and conventional musical training to beginners, through to advanced players. Skoove teaches the player all elements of piano learning, including technique, improvisation and music theory, all available via the app.

 

 

 

 Having already provided over 200,000 lessons to players in over 187 countries, the new interactive app allows players to learn and play the piano in the comfort of their own home. Without having to attend lessons and cutting the costs of expensive one-on-one tuition provided by private tutors, Skoove is making the steps to achieving proficiency in piano-playing even easier.

 

Skoove Features

 

Pitch detection and instant feedback

  • Skoove’s virtual guide takes the learner through every lesson, while providing real-time feedback, which listens to the player via the iPad’s in-built microphone. The note that is played is highlighted on-screen as Skoove gently guides users to play the melody correctly and confidently, until they are ready to move onto the next step. If an incorrect note is played, Skoove will show users where they are making mistakes, and encourage them until they are ready to move onto the next step, adapting to the needs of each player.

 

 

Music Theory

  • Easy-to-follow, real-time sheet music is clear and simple to understand, meaning that beginners can pick up and read sheet music from lesson one. Skoove regularly adds more courses that contain a distinctive mix of popular songs, as well as the classical pieces, and music theory tips and techniques.

 

Composition and improvisation

  • Skoove also provides the students with the opportunity to develop their love of music further, teaching a vast array of skills essential to any musician, such as composition and improvisation, enabling users to create their own masterpieces as they learn.

 

 

Skoove is available worldwide in English and German. Beginners, refreshers, and intermediate players can try it out with free lessons and then upgrade to Skoove Premium to enjoy full access, one-on-one learning support, and exclusive content with new lessons and music theory tips. Skoove Premium currently starts at £8.25 (UK), $9.95 (US.), and €9.95 (Europe) per month, based on a yearly subscription.

 

Skoove is available to download for free on the App Store here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/skoove-learn-piano/id1160668178?ls=1&mt=8, with premium options available.

 

 

Award winning #iBeani holds your #tablet,book or e-reader so you don’t have to!

Fashionable, UK manufactured bean bag will hold iPads, tablets and e-readers at the perfect angle on any surface

 

With more and more of us, both young and old, now regularly working on, playing on, surfing on and socialising on our iPads or tablets, it is more important than ever, that we can do so in comfort. Awarded ‘Highly Commended’ in the 2016 Gift of the Year Awards, iBeani is a stylish bean bag, specifically designed to hold tablets, books or e-readers on any surface at the perfect angle avoiding joint and muscular pain associated with RSI type injuries.

 

 

Whilst other tablet stands will only work on flat surfaces, the iBeani is able to shift its shape to support and keep your device in the position you want, wherever you are. The iBeani is not just restricted to tablets either, it holds books, can be used as a travel pillow and can even act as a steady camera mount.  On the train, plane on the sofa or bed or on a kitchen worktop, the iBeani works everywhere!

 

 

The iBeani is manufactured entirely in the UK from carefully selected quality fabrics to ensure customers get the highest quality and durable product possible. There are 42 different variations of the iBeani with different materials and designs such as Harris Tweed tartan, Herringbone Grey, colourful Spring designs such as Floral Plum and Van Gogh Sunflowers and even some for all animal lovers out there including Bees, Paw Prints, Cool Cats and Hound Dogs. More designs are coming soon to appeal to men, women and children of all ages.

For just £24.99 from www.ibeani.co.uk the iBeani is a great household accessory or gift.

 

 

How does the iBeani differ from other iPad and Tablet Stands?

  • Handmade in the UK: Unlike most competitors, ALL iBeani products are manufactured in the UK. Meaning they support local companies and suppliers, and everyone involved is paid at least UK minimum wage. Each bean bag is lovingly made by hand.
  • You can use the iBeani bean bag anywhere: On a desk, on your lap, in bed, on the sofa, in the car or on a plane! Unlike other stands, which require hard level surfaces, the iBeani can be used wherever you need to us your tablet.
  • You can change the angle: Depending on where or how you are sat (or slumped!), you may need your tablet to be angled differently. With the iBeani you can easily change the angle to whatever you need.
  • Fits any device: The iBeani bean-bag will fit any tablet device of any size, and any way round.
  • Comfy: Whether resting on your lap or at a desk, the iBeani is adaptable to ensure you have a comfortable experience, with as little strain as possible, avoiding the risks of iPad RSI & iPad Shoulder.
  • Social: The iBeani allows you to get the perfect angle to prop-up your tablet so you can share photos, videos, music or anything with friends and family. It’s also perfect for using with Skype or other video chat services too. Simply put your tablet on the iBeani, get the best angle for your camera and then chat away – gesticulating with both hands as much as you want!
  • Multi-use: The iBeani has many additional uses! Use it as a book stand for the kitchen or office, a steady camera stand when videoing or using long-exposures, or even use it as a handy travel pillow!

 

@Chargys1 is an Irish company that aims to fix battery anxiety and help charity

Chargys are giving users of smartphones freedom from low battery anxiety.

Managing Director Jonathan Madden tells us more…

Current charging solutions require either a fixed location (cable and plug) or planning ahead (rechargeable power bank). A Chargy releases you from these constraints. Now you can just grab a little boost from your nearest shop/bar/train or bus station, whilst on the go. No more unnecessary and lets be honest ridiculous worry.

 

 

 

Trialled in select locations across the country, the Chargys have proven their worth over the past two months.

 

100% of funds raised from the recycling of Chargys goes to our official partners. The Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation.   They provide direct funding to the families of children with brain damage.

 

They come in two types colour coded for simplicity. Green for Android with a micro USB connector and Red for iPhone with a lightening connector.

To use simply remove the power saver tab and insert the Chargy into your phone. The power is delivered over approximately one hour after which the phone will vibrate to let you know the charging is complete. All our retailers accept back used Chargys. We then collect and recycle. 100% of the funds raised from this process are donated to the Jack and Jill children’s foundation.

We believe the incentive to help the Jack and Jill foundation combined with competitions we run on our social media pages will ensure that users recycle the used Chargys.

Bryan Larkin my co founder is in sales and I Jonathan Madden am in I.T. which allows for gives us some very complimentary skills. Between us we are putting every spare minute and penny into Chargys. We know Chargys will help people so we are dedicated to it.

 

 

Bryan first had the idea after a night out in Loughrea county Galway. He was to call home, 12 miles away if he needed a lift. It turned out he needed that lift but his phone was dead. It only took about 3 hours to get home. Giving him lots of time to ponder solutions.

This is quite a funny story to us but there is a serious side also. Walking on a rural Irish road late at night is very dangerous and a Chargy could have helped avoid that.

Chargys cost €5 each on either Android or iOS or you can buy a pack of 5 again on both platforms at €22.50 with free shipping.

I have discussed battery anxiety here several times and tried out multiple portable powerbanks over the last two years but this is a genuinely great idea as a whole,not only helping the consumer with great product that is easily identifiable but proceeds go to charity too which is fantastic so everybody wins here with a good pricepoint, Watch out for these everywhere folks….

See more at http://www.chargys.ie/

 

 

 

 

Viber copies snapchat with “Secret Chat” feature. #Viber #Messaging

Be it Instagram or Facebook they are all copying Snapchat.

Viber is a hugely popular messaging app with some 800 million users now and I do use it from time to time myself but still opt to use Whats App but some just wont move and I find Viber a bit heavy.That being said its a good app overall and its now brought a familiar feature we have seen before which allows you to chat in secret,Sure with end to end encryption you would think you already are chatting privately.

 

With Secret Chats, you can set a self-destruct timer for every message in the conversation. Messages in a secret chat can’t be forwarded and screenshots are either totally unavailable or alerted to you by an instant notification in the chat screen. As always, your communications will continue to be protected by Viber’s end-to-end encryption.

 

 

To start a secret chat is simple you will first need to update your app if you have not both on Android and iOS.. You will be given a prompt anyway if you are not updated to the latest version and if you decide to want to chat with someone you can suggest an update which sends that user a message to do so..

1.  Open your Chats screen
2.  Tap the button to compose a new chat
3.  Select the New secret chat button at the top

4.  Add up to 199 contacts to your new secret chat
5.  Tap Done
5.  A new secret chat will open
6.  Tap the timer and set time limit

 

Time limit

Once the time limit you set runs out messages sent in the chat will disappear entirely. This means no trace will be left on your phone or any recipient’s phone.

Source

 

Come into studio for our LIVE #TechShow get seen and heard. #Irish #Radio

If you have a new app.product or tech startup we are now open to have guests come into studio for our weekly tech show which has grown in the last year. We have our show on Wednesday nights from 8-9PM and its based in Walkinstown Co Dublin..

 

 

Our show runs for One Hour so its a NON RUSHED experience where you can talk about your product or start up.. If you would like to come in just get in touch with us here or our station http://www.charityradio.ie/  or email hello@charityradio.ie


	


	
	






	
	

		
	

		
The launch of callbrix.com (@Callbrix) ‘ the entrepreneurs’ call kit’ in Ireland #startup
	


	

		
After some success in the UK, Red Squared Ltd are pleased to announce the launch of www.callbrix.com ‘ the entrepreneurs’ call kit’ in Ireland.


Avant-Garde Technology 


CallBrix is an innovative cloud phone solution for startups or expanding businesses. When selecting business services an entrepreneur has three concerns: Will it be reliable?; How much will it cost?; And, can it easily adapt and scale? Existing phone solutions address the first concern but, in our opinion, fall short with pricing and flexibility.




CallBrix is different, it offers an extensible solution; designed to adapt with your business’ size and/or requirements. Kick-start using CallBrix for free, and only pay as you grow (for the monthly cost of two pints you can equip a small office). Its simple ‘elastic pricing‘ model coupled with a unique ‘snap and build’ web technology makes configuration child’s play. With just a few clicks you can make adjustments to your complete phone infrastructure and budget.


And that’s not all folks…There is no contract period either! Start and stop the service whenever, wherever!. You will not be tied to any broadband/phone provider. This makes it easy to have remote workers, (even in different countries).


You see, this is a solution designed for startups and entrepeneurs from the ground up.




Real-Time Chop n’ Change 


Grow your CallBrix platform in a matter of minutes, like you would a building made out of Lego™ blocks. Needing no special hardware, your call tool kit is in the cloud enabling you to do everything using just a web browser. Simply slide the call capacity bar ‘on the fly’ to increase call volume then ‘drag and drop’ any new features, phone numbers, or extensions onto your workspace and connect together. It really is that easy! To achieve the same configuration results using other systems is costly, confusing and time consuming. The CallBrix method of ‘snap and build’ gives you total control over your call flow design without the need of a middleman to set things up for you. The result is a simple call diagram allowing you to configure only what you require, and even better, to pay only for the capacity you need. … Did we mention it’s super fun too 🙂




Sales Intelligence


DIY marketing campaigns at a fraction of the cost. CallBrix understands the importance of call analytics to optimise your sales process. Counters are in place to automatically collect data for every phone number and additional counters can be included wherever you wish, using our simple ‘snap and build’ technology. The result is beautiful call graphs with powerful, comparative analysis displaying data from anywhere in your calls’ flow.




Beat Brexit Blues


If you are looking to spread Brexit risk by having a presence in other markets, such as France, Germany or US (supporting 50 countries). CallBrix can help you achieve this in two ways. The first, by enabling you to work from anywhere. Employers can pool teleworking talent from abroad with local knowledge and language. And the second, by offering international numbers. Now your customers can call local numbers that will be diverted free of charge to you in whichever country you are in. The state-of-the-art platform allows you a ‘global presence’ with a centralised system that speeds up efficiency and  promotes customer satisfaction.


Find out more @ http://www.callbrix.com.


Some of their happy customers

https://storebox.co.uk

http://www.ugg.com/eu/

http://www.racingpost.com/

https://lovespace.co.uk/

https://www.padlocks.co.uk/

http://myvolts.co.uk/


About callbrix.


Red Squared Ltd is a small Irish company based in Dublin. One of the first companies to bring

VoIP(Voice Over IP) to the Irish market. Since 2005 we have been developing voice applications to help the small and micro business market in the UK and Ireland.

	


	
	






	
	

		
KTI Annual Impact Award finalists include ground-breaking new technologies #KTI2017
	


	

		
Record number of entrants,International judging panel looked at industry engagement and commercialisation of research across 7 categories


 


Knowledge Transfer Ireland (KTI) today announced the shortlist of finalists for the annual KTI Impact Awards, which will be held in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham on Thursday 30th March. The awards recognise and celebrate excellence in knowledge transfer carried out in Irish Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) and publicly funded research organisations across 7 categories.


KTI is the national office that helps business to benefit from access to Irish expertise and technology by making it simple to connect and engage with the research base in Ireland. The KTI Impact Awards recognise excellence in industry engagement and commercialisation of research and they pay tribute to the businesses and research performing organisations involved in knowledge transfer.


 



Entrants included 7 universities, 4 Institutes of Technology and a number of other research performing organisations from around the country. Finalists included a wide variety of projects with economic and societal benefits. For example, Teagasc’s new technology licensed to Ornua will transform cheese-making manufacturing, opening up significant export markets in the Middle East. DCU collaborated with Intel and Croke Park on an Internet of Things “Smart Stadium” initiative which has been expanded to include Microsoft and over 30 SME’s. One of the University of Limerick shortlisted entries, was the license of technology to UK based Crescent Ops Ltd that has led to the development of a new low cost fingernail test for bone fragility which enables the more effective diagnosis of osteoporosis.


 


The judging panel made up of international and Irish experts looked at industry engagement and commercialisation of research across the following categories;



 


Speaking about the shortlist of finalists Director of Knowledge Transfer Ireland Dr Alison Campbell said,


“The Impact Awards are about acknowledging and celebrating Ireland’s knowledge transfer and research commercialisation successes and the people who make them happen – the on-the-ground staff in technology transfer offices and industry liaison offices around the country.  This year we received a record number of entries across seven categories from Universities, Institutes of Technology and similar research organisations.  The judging panel, made up of Irish and international experts in the field, commented on this high standard of submissions.  The calibre of submissions reflects the long term investment to support knowledge transfer and to strengthen the technology transfer profession.  Ireland is now home to the highest number of RTTP (Registered Technology Transfer Professionals) per capita in the world”.


Photo credits MAXWELLPHOTOGRAPHY.IE


 


Pictured at the announcement of the shortlist of finalists for the Knowledge Transfer Impact Awards to be held in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham on Thursday 30th March were (L-R) KTI Director Alison Campbell, Guest speaker and Senior Partner at Katawave Aidan McCullen and Journalist and Broadcaster Richard Curran.  The awards recognise top performance in industry engagement and commercialisation of research and celebrate the achievements of businesses and research performing organisations involved in knowledge transfer across six categories .