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.

TrueEQ is a new social networking site where users create and nurture more authentic relationships

For those who feel socially isolated, there’s now a positive way to make more meaningful connections. TrueEQ is a new social networking site where users create and nurture more authentic relationships and reframe how they think about themselves and their place in the world. This app could be the start of a transformative new year!

“TrueEQ is rooted in emotional intelligence,” explains creator Brandon Bishop. “It is for compassionate people who prioritize self-awareness and emotional growth over idealized status and appearance. This foundation enables people to connect on a deeper emotional level, away from the noise and distractions of traditional social media.”

Bishop anticipates this will start a positive movement. “This new platform isn’t a dating app. Nor is it just about meeting like-minded people. It’s about becoming the best version of yourself.”

What is emotional intelligence?

Emotional intelligence (EQ) is a skillset that helps people understand and manage their emotions. Its four pillars are:

· Self-awareness: Understanding emotions. Self-awareness involves an individual’s recognition of their feelings, and how they impact their actions and decisions.

· Social awareness: Tuning into others’ emotions. This is about seeing beyond words, tuning into body language, tone, and other subtle cues that reveal deeper feelings.

· Self-management: Mastering your emotions. This is the art of regulating emotional responses in ways that serve relationships rather than harm them.

· Relationship management: Building emotionally intelligent bonds. This is about handling conflict with care, communicating openly, and fostering trust.

“Research consistently shows that individuals with high emotional intelligence are better equipped to manage their emotions, understand the feelings of others, and build strong, empathetic relationships in both personal and professional settings,” says Bishop.

For Bishop, this is a passion project

Bishop, who holds a master’s in secondary education from the University of Missouri, knows firsthand how painful and isolating shallow relationships can be. He grew up with parents who were emotionally unavailable. From a young age, he tried to fill the void with friendships that consistently deteriorated. He began to understand that true self-worth comes from within. The idea of creating a platform where he can teach users how to have safe and authentic interactions took hold.

“TrueEQ is about building connections that uplift and transform. Whether individuals are looking for a friend, partner, or colleague, this new platform can help them find people who truly care, listen, and support them on their emotional journey.”

How the TrueEQ community platform works:

All new users to the free platform will take a 15-question, multiple-choice quiz to assess their strength in each of the four EQ categories. Don’t worry. These results are not shared with anyone.

A proprietary heart meter visually represents each user’s EQ to encourage growth and self-reflection. EQ scores and interests will be used to create connection suggestions.

“People want to surround themselves with communities that are supportive and encouraging,” Bishop observes. “This platform isn’t about posting pictures of your last meal or items you’re selling. It’s designed to unite people who want more meaningful connections and are willing to develop stronger EQ skills.”

This will become a platform for lifelong learning and personal growth Bishop intends to expand the societal impact of this new platform by collaborating with scientific researchers and educators who can contribute content to support the brand’s mission. He also envisions partnering with corporate trainers, therapists, educational institutions, and others to develop TrueEQ training materials and certification programs.

“TrueEQ focuses on creating connections based on emotional depth and empathy. These skills can be valuable in the workplace, our educational system, and in high-stress occupations such as healthcare and first responders. This platform is transformative for anyone wanting more meaningful connections and wanting to get better at handling conflict with care, communicating openly, and fostering trust.” Visit https://trueeq.app/ to access the platform on your desktop or mobile browser. For additional convenience, dedicated apps are available on both the Apple Store and Google Play Store.

Apple Vision Pro and Steam Deck gets Expanded GeForce NOW Support

Apple Vision Pro, Meta Quest 3, and Steam Deck now have expanded GeForce NOW support.  Several games are also set to join the cloud, as data centres powered by GeForce RTX launch. 

Cloud Gaming is Set to be Huge in 2025

Cloud gaming isn’t anything new, but with that said, it’s a huge focus for tech giants, like Nvidia, Steam, and Apple as we move into 2025. The cloud aims to provide more accessible experiences, without compromising offerings. The iGaming market is a prime example of how this could be possible, with the right advancements. For example, when you play slots at Paddy Power, you will notice that they offer hundreds of games, with many different variants; everything from classic slots to niche-themed games like KingFisher and Big Stack Lumberjack. These games are playable from a desktop PC or mobile device, and as a result, offer great accessibility to the vast world of online casino entertainment.

To play games like this, you don’t need to download or install software, and you can access them through a website browser or app. GeForce NOW has the same aim but with a focus on bringing additional niches into the fold. Games, including FPS, RPGs, and strategy games tend to be much bigger and have more intensive operating requirements. This makes it hard for them to be integrated into the cloud and offered on a huge scale. 

With that said, Nvidia is looking to change this. By expanding the support for the GeForce NOW platform, it becomes possible to offer games across different devices, ensuring that there are no limitations to the games people can play, or where they can play them. GeForce NOW essentially turns any device into a fully-fledged GeForce RTX gaming PC, and with cloud integration, it’s certainly an exciting concept when you look at current market trends.

Steam Libraries and the New GeForce NOW Announcement

The announcement was made at the CES trade show. NVIDIA has also announced that they want to bring cloud gaming to popular handheld devices as well. By partnering with Meta, Apple, and ByteDance, they have been able to expand their selection to Apple Vision spatial computers, Pico Virtual and mixed-reality devices. Meta Quest 3 now has full support with no essential features missed out. This includes NVIDIA DLSS and ray tracing.

As well as announcing this, they have also said that they are going to be launching a GeForce RTX-powered data center. This is going to be located in India, expanding the reach of the company while helping the company to grow its extensive library. Right now, there are over 2100 games supported, with several new titles arriving at the end of the year. Of course, bringing games to devices like this has not been without its challenges. Intensive games tend to drain the battery on devices more, but by making progress in cloud technology, issues like this have been eliminated, while paving the way for new and exciting advancements that are set to change the world of gaming as we know it.

AKASO Seemor-200 Night Vision Goggles Review

The AKASO Seemor-200 Night Vision Goggles is a cool piece of kit if you are into wildlife and if you are a beginner and fresh to getting a new set-up you are covered here as there is several options at hand to pick and they also have a range of accessories to pick from all in the one place and as many tech guys know this is one stop shopping and for me the best way to go.

We have the basic pack here but thankfully I have plenty of tripods and other accessories you will need a good class ten card to get this up and running correctly and will  not work without the micro SD card inside. I feel here on board storage would have been a better option overall here but SD cards are not that expensive now and going forward if there is a new model they should have on board storage and going out getting cards is a pain and yes I have to do it all the time and not just nitpicking here when the hardware can support it with its size it happens quite often when reviewing tech.

The build quality is excellent it is robust and there is a big screen one side and two binocular lenses on the other and yes on first look I thought you look through that end and everyone else did being honest and no I am not making excuses,see the video review on that.

There is an array of buttons on top left and right all of which are tactile and then green led lights which look cool.

The UI is simple to work with we go through this below and then there is also an app which allows you to work remotely to an extent within parameters allowed which is handy rather than you sitting there with your face focused on the device at all times, the app is simple to use allowing you to take a photo or video and there is a gallery.

With the app access this makes life handy you can either take photos and record from your phone and download them directly which means no fussing around with the SD card you can also remove it and put into you pc/laptop etc if you wish but the direct download works well in my opinion and does not take long to download.

 

Note – The full-color mode doesn’t work in complete darkness; it requires some minimal ambient light to function properly. This can be moonlight, environmental light, or any other subtle light source.

  • Advanced Night Vision Goggles】- Powered by revolutionary AI-ISP technology, Seemor comprehensively improves image quality, resulting in stunning full-color images with lossless dynamics, even in ultra-low light conditions. Seemor reproduces color with 99% accuracy, making it a game-changer in low-light circumstance
  • 【1000M Clear Vision & 16x Digital Zoom 】- A superb zoom lens that achieves the furthest goal. Rotate the barrel to capture crystal-clear images with 16x digital zoom, from centimeters to 1000 meters. Whether you’re on a camping trip or watching wildlife, you’ll see every detail, even in the darkest conditions
  • 【4K Ultra HD Image Quality】- Redefine the clarity with the AKASO Seemor-200 NVG. Experience ultra HD night observation with Next-Gen 4K image quality, which allows you to distinguish every detail. 7 infrared modes are also alternatives to Full-Color mode
  • 【Stay Powered Up Longer】- Stay powered with 2 rechargeable batteries with a charger, providing up to 8 hours of continuous use. Seemor ensures you won’t miss any crucial moments during your outdoor activities, no more worrying about battery life
  • 【Built Tough for Any Adventure】- These night vision goggles are IPX5 waterproof, making them ideal for any weather conditions. The built-in 6-axis gyroscope and compass ensure stability and accuracy, stay on track and stable no matter where you are

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Video Review

70 Irish Girl Guides to compete in FIRST LEGO League Challenge Regional at DCU

Excitement is growing as 14 teams from across Ireland get ready to compete in the Irish Girl Guides FIRST LEGO League Challenge Regional, taking place on Saturday 1st March at Dublin City University (DCU). This event is an important step in the season as teams compete for a chance to make it to the Ireland Final in April.

This year, a talented group of girls from 11 Guide and Senior Branch Units will showcase their skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), while testing their creativity and teamwork. The competition will include a robot game, a research project, and demonstrations of FIRST® LEGO® League Core Values.

 

The teams competing in the Regional Tournament are:

  • Deep Blue Divas – Mosney Guides (8 team members)
  • Mako Mermaids – Boherbue Guides (7 team members)
  • Merlin Dolphins – St. Nicholas & Merlin Wood Guides (4 team members)
  • The Squashed Squids – Macalla Guides (4 team members)
  • Pretty Pearls – St. Brendan’s Guides (4 team members)
  • The Gills – St. Brendan’s Guides (4 team members)
  • The Guiding I’s – St. Brendan’s Guides (3 team members)
  • The Winnie Fish – St. Brendan’s Guides (4 team members)
  • Awesome Octonauts – Dilse Senior Branch (6 team members)
  • Athlone Senior Branch – (5 team members)
  • The Octonauts – Lucan Guides (4 team members)
  • Coral Creators – North Longford Senior Branch (5 team members)
  • Super SB Sealions – Villierstown Senior Branch (5 team members)
  • Tiddles the Turtle – Lily Guides (7 team members)

 

The FIRST LEGO League Challenge encourages participants to tackle real-world problems through innovation, creativity, and critical thinking. The theme for this year’s SUBMERGED℠ Season is focused on exploring the depths of the ocean and learning how to protect our seas. Teams have been working on building robotic models, coding their designs, and preparing their research projects all about life under the water.

“Through the FIRST LEGO League Challenge, Irish Girl Guides is helping to inspire the next generation of STEM leaders,” said Katie Keogh, Irish Girl Guides LEGO Representative and the Mosney Unit Brownies and Guides Leader, “We are so proud of the hard work, creativity, and dedication these girls have shown. This event is a great chance for them to learn new skills, show off their achievements, and follow their passions in a fun, supportive environment.”

The Regional Tournament is an important part of the journey, as it determines which teams will move on to the Ireland Final. The day will be full of energy, learning, and friendly competition, with parents, Leaders, and volunteers cheering on the teams. The competition will end with a showcase where teams will present their projects and celebrate their hard work.

Supported by the Research Ireland Discover Programme, FIRST® LEGO® League is organised by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) in partnership with Irish delivery partner, CreativeHUT. 

Prestigious accolade for Ecofil at the National Green Awards

Ecofil, a member of the ERG group and Ireland’s leading indoor and outdoor water solutions company has been nominated in three categories at the annual National Green Awards which have taken place this week.

The categories included the ‘Green Small Organisation of the Year’, which recognises small Irish businesses that integrate strong environmental practices into their strategy and operations, ‘The Sustainable Water Achievement Award’, which honours Irish organisations for innovative efforts in water conservation or quality improvement, and ‘The Green Technology Award’, which recognises established companies for proven technologies or processes that positively impact the environment.

The awards evening, the largest to date, attracted entries from some of the biggest national and international companies.

Jimmy Guerin, Director. Ecofil, said, “We were delighted to be selected as a finalist for the National Green Small Organisation of the Year. Our recently launched Iconic-V bottle filling station was also shortlisted for the Sustainable Water Achievement and Green Technology awards. Being recognised by the judges in these highly competitive categories is a fantastic endorsement of our product and a testament to the dedication of our design and manufacturing team.”

The Iconic-V is being rolled out across Ireland and will launch into European markets in Q2 2025.

As three-time winners of the National Green Awards, Ecofil remains committed to a greener environment and looks forward to participating in these prestigious awards for years to come.

Launched in 2008, the Green Awards recognise the extraordinary contribution and commitment that companies now make to growing a greener future in Irish business. The Green Awards is a leading platform for sustainability intelligence, leadership, and innovation in best green practices in Ireland.

Minister Lawless announces €23.6 million Research Ireland Frontiers for the Future funding

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD has today announced €23.6 million to support 23 research projects focused on tackling challenges in AI, healthcare, agriculture, energy, and transport.

The Research Ireland Frontiers for the Future Programme funds high-risk, high-reward research programmes and innovative, collaborative research with the potential to deliver economic and societal impact.

Announcing the awards, Minister Lawless said: “The Research Ireland Frontiers for the Future programme supports the development of world-class research across a range of disciplines. The awardees – spanning 9 research institutions nationwide – have brought forward novel and innovative ideas with strong potential to deliver impactful solutions for major challenges facing society today. The programme itself promotes gender balance and provides opportunities for emerging investigators returning to research. I look forward to seeing the awardees’ progress over the coming years.”

Welcoming the announcement, Celine Fitzgerald, Interim Chief Executive of Research Ireland, commented: “Our Frontiers for the Future Programme is driven by feedback from the research community and represents a strong commitment to developing future talent in key areas. These 23 awards will fund a total of 86 research positions, comprising Postdocs, PhDs, Research Assistants and support staff. I’m very pleased with the opportunities that this targeted investment is creating, and greatly encouraged that crucial research on pressing issues will be facilitated as a result.”
Examples of the initiatives being funded include:

 

  • AI for diagnostic imaging, with a focus on cardiac MRI (Dublin City University);
  • Investigating long-term effects of COVID-19 on children’s gut bacteria, social skills, and language development (RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences);
  • Mining micro-organisms living in seaweed to identify novel compounds with strong potential for crop improvement (Technological University of the Shannon);
  • Machine Learning to tackle complex issues using varied and sensitive data whilst ensuring data privacy and clear communication (University of Limerick).

The Frontiers for the Future awardees are from the following research bodies: RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin City University, Trinity College Dublin, Teagasc, Technological University of the Shannon, University College Dublin, University College Cork, University of Galway, and University of Limerick.

HSE launches HSE Health App

The Department of Health and HSE have just launched the first version of the HSE Health App. It is one of the first initiatives delivered as part of Digital for Care, Ireland’s health and social care digital framework. Anyone aged 16 and over can download the app for free from Google Play or the App Store. However first phase functionality will be most useful for expectant mothers. 

This first phase functionality allows people to carry a digital list of self-declared medications and see a list of medicines received through the Drugs Payment Scheme or Medical Card Scheme. It allows them to store their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), medical card, Long-term Illness card (LTI), Drugs Payment Scheme card (DPS) and GP Visit card. It provides access to flu and COVID-19 vaccination records and allows the user to easily find information about HSE services, such as EDs and Injury Units. It further allows those involved to view maternity service appointments (for expectant mothers).

According to HSE CEO, Bernard Gloster, there has been “much progress made in modernising the data capabilities and digital technologies of our health service in recent years. The launch of the first version of the new HSE Health App represents the next step forward in our digital transformation journey, as we seek to harness the power of data and innovation to help improve access to care for patients and enhance efficiencies across services.

“Through utilisation and ongoing development of digital tools, such as the new HSE Health App, we see a future where our patients and the people who care for them are empowered and better informed about their care. I will continue to ensure that we prioritise providing increased access for patients to their data allowing them to interact with our health services to improve their experiences.”

Damien McCallion, HSE Chief Technology and Transformation Officer added that “anyone who wishes to, can use the first version of the HSE Health App. This is just the beginning – the app is an evolving programme of work, with new services and features planned each year, including expanding the appointment functionality for all public hospital appointments. This is a challenging undertaking but a key priority to deliver for everyone under our care.The app is one aspect of the digitisation of the health service and a major priority as we face new challenges and ensure we can provide the health service the country needs and deserves.” 

The app development team has consulted with a number of organisations representing disabled people and worked with a Patient Advisory Group to understand the needs of a wide range of individuals. This has ensured their needs are heard and they are involved in the design process. The app has also been tested with users who rely on assistive technology, and audited to ensure it reaches HSE and European standards for accessibility. Work is ongoing with users of the app to identify and implement improvements so new features and functionality can be added.

Future app features will be guided by ongoing research and engagement with patients, staff, and the public. For now, the HSE Health App is available in English and Irish – other languages are being explored for future versions. 

A verified MyGovID is needed to access personal health information. If the user does not have a verified MyGovID, they will still be able to use the app to find information about health conditions and HSE services.

For more information see hse.ie/health-app   

WHOOP World First Study: Ozempic Impact On Your Overall Health

WHOOP, the human performance company, has released groundbreaking research into the effects of GLP-1 therapies (eg. Ozempic), offering fresh insights into how these widely used weight-loss medications impact not only body weight but also heart health.
A study conducted by the WHOOP  tracked data from 132 members undertaking GLP-1 therapies over a 12 week period to understand the impact these therapies have on our overall health.
Key Findings from the Study:
  • Meaningful Weight Loss: 90% of participants lost at least 5% of their body weight over the 12-week study, with an average weight loss of 10% per member logged. This surpassed typical results from traditional pharmaceutical trials.
  • Changes in Heart Health: GLP-1 therapies led to an increase in resting heart rate (RHR) by 3 beats per minute and a reduction in heart rate variability (HRV) by 6 milliseconds. These metrics in turn contribute to long-term cardiovascular health.
  • Increase in Physical Activity: Overall participants increased their weekly exercise by an average of 30 minutes. Interestingly, those who were more active experienced fewer negative health side effects (such as nausea, heartburn, and headaches), suggesting that physical activity plays a vital role in counteracting some of the physiological effects of GLP-1 medications.
This study is the first to demonstrate how 24/7 wearable technologies like WHOOP can support individuals using GLP-1 therapies by helping monitor and adjust physical activity levels for healthier outcomes. While GLP-1 medications can be transformative for weight management, the data collected by WHOOP suggests that combining therapy with regular exercise may help reduce potential cardiovascular side effects and preserve our heart health.
A spokesperson from WHOOP explains “At WHOOP, we empower our members to track how lifestyle choices and external factors impact their overall performance, providing a holistic approach to health and performance. Our Journal feature integrates GLP-1 tracking, offering members a clear view of how their medications, physical activity, and other habits interact, promoting smarter decisions for optimal results when it comes to your overall health. We’re excited to see how this research impacts overall behaviour and understanding of weight loss therapies moving forward.” 
WHOOP continues to integrate lifestyle choice tracking into its unique platform, offering personalised insights that allow members to understand not just how their bodies perform, but why they experience changes. This enables members to make informed decisions to optimise their health and performance.
For more information about WHOOP technologies and their groundbreaking studies into human performance and optimisation, please visit www.whoop.com.
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Designer Maximilian Raynor debuts dress made from Equinix data centre materials

Equinix, the world’s digital infrastructure company, recently collaborated with fashion designer Maximilian Raynor to bring the internet to life at his debut 2025 London Fashion Week show. The opening exhibition of the show saw ‘The Personification of the Internet’ come to life as a dress – encapsulating the physical reality of the hidden networks that power our digital lives.

The dress, made from 3.6kms of cabling used at Equinix data centres, weighed in at 25kg and took 640 hours to make. It highlighted that the internet doesn’t reside in an invisible “cloud”; instead it relies on physical infrastructure that is all around us. It served as a powerful reminder of the intricate and unseen forces behind the intelligent age we live in.

Speaking on his collaboration with Equinix, Maximilian Raynor said: “As a designer, you don’t need access to the finest materials to create something beautiful. Often, the most unconventional materials, paired with a make-do-and-mend approach to design, can achieve really exciting outcomes. Working with these materials and discovering a new technique to bring them to life has been a joy.”

Bruce Owen, EMEA President at Equinix, explained: “By bridging the gap between the physical and virtual, we wanted to create something tangible that highlights the thousands of connections Equinix fosters to support economies and societies daily.

“The design pays tribute to the physical infrastructure that constitutes the internet. Rather than being an inexplicable force, it is a complex, intricate network of cables traversing land and sea, with physical connections housed in Equinix data centres worldwide.

“This campaign is a light hearted exploration of an important topic. We should celebrate the internet’s tangible impact on daily life and business, as well as its crucial role to economies throughout the world. Whether it’s developing new drugs to combat diseases, facilitating online and in-store payments, or keeping people connected across the world, we seek to highlight the value that data centres bring to society and generate global awareness for our rapidly growing and essential industry.”