Sound Blaster G8: Versatility Redefined

Creative Technology today proudly announces the release of the Sound Blaster G8, the latest external gaming DAC designed for those seeking a superior listening experience beyond standard audio. Building on the Sound Blaster legacy, the Sound Blaster G8 brings something new to the table as the first external gaming DAC to feature dual USB-C inputs with mixing capabilities, ensuring seamless connectivity for users. Coupled with ultra-high-resolution 32-bit/384 kHz playback and a proprietary Xamp discrete headphone bi-amplifier, the Sound Blaster G8 sets to deliver outstanding audio clarity and precision, making it a must-have for gamers, audio enthusiasts, and content creators.

A New Standard in Audio Performance

The Sound Blaster G8 breaks new ground as the first external gaming DAC to offer dual USB-C inputs with mixing, allowing users to connect two devices—such as a PC and console—at the same time without sacrificing audio quality. This handy feature eliminates the need for additional mixing devices, while keeping the desktop space clutter-free.

Unlike most amplifiers on the market, Creative’s proprietary Xamp discrete headphone bi-amplifier drives the left and right headphone channels individually, resulting in a smoother, more detailed audio experience. Boasting a dynamic range of 130 dB, the Sound Blaster G8 brings music, movies, and games to life, letting every subtle sound and explosive moment be heard with remarkable clarity. Additionally, with the ability to support headphones with an impedance range from 16Ω to 600Ω, the Sound Blaster G8 offers exceptional sound quality and connectivity across any setup, whether for everyday listening or with high-end gear.

The Sound Blaster Advantage

For gamers, the Sound Blaster G8 is more than just a sound card—it’s a tool to gain a competitive edge. With the Sound Blaster Acoustic Engine, users can customize audio settings via the Creative App, tailoring everything to their preferences. The 10-band equalizer allows for precise adjustments, from chest-thumping bass to crystal-clear highs, allowing gamers to create a signature sound profile that matches any gameplay.

On the flip side, the Scout Mode boosts critical audio cues like footsteps, giving players an edge in situational awareness, while CrystalVoice technology ensures clear communication by reducing background noise and echo. Plus, the GameVoice Mix feature makes it hassle-free to balance voice chat and game audio for the perfect in-game experience. Mission-critical controls, including SBX acoustic engine/scout mode, DSP/direct mode, headphone/speaker mode, and Game-Voice Mix, are conveniently located on the top panel for quick access.

All-in-One DAC

Connecting devices to the Sound Blaster G8 is also effortless. Users can easily link their gaming console, mobile device, PC, and more via USB-C, enabling seamless audio mixing and streaming. Adding to that, the HDMI ARC makes it easy to integrate into any console setup. And to sweeten the deal, the Sound Blaster G8 comes with support for Dolby Digital, allowing users to experience an immersive soundstage filled with greater depth and realism.

Lastly, the launch of the Sound Blaster G8 strengthens the Sound Blaster G series, offering a comprehensive line-up of gaming DACs designed to cater to diverse needs. With enhanced connectivity options, the Sound Blaster G8 serves as the ideal upgrade for existing Sound BlasterX users, delivering an elevated audio experience that adapts to every gamer’s setup.

Pricing and Availability

Sound Blaster G8 is priced at GBP129.99 and is available at Creative.com.

For more information, visit creative.com/SoundBlasterG8

See our creative reviews 

Aiden: Fellow’s super-cool coffee machine launches in UK

Fellow, the speciality beverage gear company helping elevate everyday rituals into moments that matter, today announces the UK release of its first-ever drip coffee brewer, Aiden Precision Coffee Maker. Set to change the way at-home coffee is brewed, Aiden is designed for coffee lovers at every stage of their journey, seamlessly blending expert guidance with boundless opportunities for personal coffee exploration.

“Automatic drip coffee has a reputation problem – whether serving a crowd or managing only a few moments of free time, the trade-off for many has been either bad coffee or no coffee at all,” said Jake Miller, Founder and CEO of Fellow. “We designed Aiden to solve this problem. Even the busiest people no longer have to choose between their time and phenomenal coffee.”

Working quickly and at scale, Aiden automatically dials in the most important variables for brewing café-quality coffee at home, coupled with an awe-inspiring design and unmatched convenience.

Key benefits include:

  • Barista-quality coffee (at home): Aiden delivers pour-over quality coffee to ‘favourite café’ quality with to-the-degree temperature control, even water distribution, and a built-in bloom cycle (i.e. pre-wetting the grounds) for a smooth, balanced cup every time.
  • Style & substance: Aidens sleek, contemporary style and prime functionality elevates any kitchen countertop. It features a stainless steel, double-walled wide-mouth carafe (to drink now or later), nearly silent brewing capabilities, a silicone lid seal to eliminate steam from hitting the underside of kitchen cabinets, and a detachable water tank for easy refilling.
  • Unrivalled convenience & guidance: Aiden simplifies making great coffee – with brewing and dose guidance along the way. Whether a coffee brewing beginner or expert, Aiden guides someone through every step to making delicious coffee all from their phone – including selectable water quantity, personalisable brew grind profiles for different roast levels, in-advance brew scheduling, and more.

Founded in 2013 Fellow has won many renowned awards and accolades, including the Specialty Coffee Association Awards, the Red Dot Design Award, and the Dezeen Awards.

For more information on Aiden’s technical specs, please seehere.

Aiden Precision Coffee Maker is now available to pre-order for £365 from Coffee Merch and in-store at Harrods and Selfridges. Customers can enjoy peace of mind with a two-year standard warranty.

For more details, visitwww.fellowproducts.com.

James Dyson Award 2024- final 20 shortlist announced

Today, the James Dyson Award celebrates the best inventions of 2024 by young engineers and designers around the world, as the competition’s Top 20 shortlist is unveiled and in four weeks’ time, on 13th November, someone from this shortlist will be crowned the global winners by Sir James Dyson and win €38,000/ £30,000 in prize money to accelerate their invention.

An Irish woman, Olivia Humphreys, has made the top 20 shortlist this year and is up against some genius inventions to win the top prize.

 The Problem

“ Athena” which has been shortlisted for this year’s James Dyson Award Global Top 20, tackles the problem of current scalp-cooling devices for chemotherapy patients which are not mobile and are scarce in Irish hospitals. Currently there are only a handful across the country meaning many chemo patients do not get the option of using one.

Athena is a portable, thermoelectric battery-operated scalp cooling device for people undergoing chemotherapy treatment which is more cost effective and timesaving than hospital models without compromising on the quality.

Patients can manage the scalp-cooling process themselves- Athena consists of a carry case and a cooling helmet and aims to provide a more accessible, yet effective option for scalp cooling and enables people to spend less time in the hospital on a chemotherapy infusion day.

The Invention

Limerick woman Olivia (24) who is a and recent graduate of the University of Limerick where she studied Product Design and Technology, is now working as a Research and Development Intern at Luminate Medical in Galway working on medical device tech. She was inspired to create Athena having seen her mum go through chemotherapy in hospital a few years ago. Olivia was taken aback by the limited number of scalp-cooling devices available in the hospital as well as the inconvenience of the time it took to commit to this, not being able to move around whilst using industry standard hospital devices, and the time that could be saved with an improved version. This inspired her to create Athena which would be mobile, light to carry and powerful.

Olivia Humphreys now enters the final stage of the James Dyson Award 2024, with global winners to be selected by Sir James Dyson and announced on 13th November. The winning inventions will receive €38,000 to support their further development and commercialisation.

Speaking about Athena, inventor Olivia Humphreys says: “Being recognised by the James Dyson Award has been an incredibly fulfilling experience. It reflects the invaluable input I’ve received from patients and care staff that helped me, along with the passion and hard work I have put in to get it to this point. I am truly grateful to have my project acknowledged on such a big stage. It’s exciting to know that the work I’ve done has the potential to make a real impact, and I’m inspired to keep pushing forward.”

Talking about the design of Athena, Olivia says: “This initial prototype for Athena provided a strong foundation to build upon, and I received valuable feedback on things like how to make it more compact by optimising components like the water tank, pump, and battery. I began refining the design into a smaller, lightweight carry case. As I moved forward, the product designer in me started creating more usability-focused prototypes, experimenting with different headpiece configurations and forms to ensure user comfort. The most exciting aspect of Athena is its potential for further development. My early conversations with engineers have been very positive, filled with discussions about ideas and possible tweaks. It’s exciting, there is a lot to be done!”

OTHER NOTABLE ENTRIES WHO MADE THE TOP 20 INCLUDED:

Pyri (from the UK)

In 2023, wildfires caused over 300 deaths and cost $50bn  globally. Pyri is a bio-inspired and bio-based early wildfire detection system for remote and low-cost widespread coverage. The heat from nascent wildfires activates Pyri’s novel organic electronics which emit a radio frequency signal to alert vulnerable communities. Designed for remote, unprepared, vulnerable communities, and beyond.

These young inventors of Pyri, are a team comprised of Richard Alexandre, Karina Gunadi, Blake Goodwyn and Tanghao Yu (aged between 24 and 33). They met while studying a double masters in Innovation Design Engineering at Imperial College and the Royal College of Art in London. The group came to their course from different backgrounds and with different experiences, making it a dynamic and diverse team.

Having applied for a patent in July 2024, the team at Pyri worked tirelessly to produce over 20 experimental prototypes, testing and re-creating continuously to produce the device they have today. Richard, Blake, Tanghao and Karina worked on numerous iterations of Pyri and spent months working on power and trigger concepts, as well as exploring over 46 material combinations to create this problem-solving invention.

PulpaTronics (from the UK)

Over 40bn RFID tags are produced annually with most ending up in landfills, wasting resources and energy, increasing CO2 emissions and e-waste. PulpaTronics unlocks more sustainable and accessible inventory management solutions utilizing chipless RFID technology featuring fully recyclable paper RFID tags for a more circular economy. Recent graduates and students Barna Soma Biro, Chloe So and Adonis Christodoulou invented PulpaTronics to solve this problem of waste in the fashion industry with a more sustainable solution. O

The novel technology replaces the metal antenna by laser-inducing a carbon-based conductive material onto paper. Using a chipless design, these tags store information in the geometric pattern of the conductor instead of a microchip. The team at PulpaTronics filed a US patent in October 2023 and a UK patent in March 2024 which are currently pending, and they are looking to internationalise them in the near future.

The team at PulpaTronics see their sustainable RFID tags as the vehicle to enable item-level tracking. They will be testing the performance of their tags in a real-world environment through two pilots early next year. Once the two pending patents are approved, they also look to license out the technology so that they can integrate the laser heads directly into the production line, streamlining manufacturing even more to scale up quickly. They are also working towards developing prototype tags to carry out initial trials with a few large retailers.

The Top 20 Shortlist

Invention Solution Inventor(s) Country
Air Ring 48 A helmet cooling accessory to protect construction workers from heat stress. Yu To Mak, Ze Fu Jeff Li, Jing Hymn Joseph Wong Hong Kong SAR
Airxeed Radiosonde A controllable flap to steer a radiosonde back to be reused after weather measurement. Shane Kyi Hla Win, Danial Sufiyan Bin Shaiful Singapore
Athena A portable post-chemotherapy scalp cooling device. Olivia Humphreys Ireland
Cap Snap A medical multi-tool for safe crimp seal cap removal and ampoule breaking. Jack Pugh New Zealand
Co-Jump An ergonomic and AI-based stroke rehabilitation glove. Li Yuanjing, Zhan Jing, Guan Shunzi, Yu Tianlin, Li Junkai, Qian Qingyun, Wei Yi China
Concavix An adaptive mouse for users with underdeveloped hands. Jonathan Lopez Calderon, Raúl Hernandez, María de Lourdes Zaldívar Martínez Mexico
DysphagiaDynamics A portable, non-invasive dysphagia assessment and rehabilitation system. Zhu Zhaopeng, He Qi China
finGrip A catheter system for users with low dexterity or wheelchairs. Philipp Niechoj Austria
Flying ear pressure regulator A pressure-adjusting product that relieves ear discomfort during airplane take-offs and landings. Yi-Shan Zheng, Wen-Yeh Hsaio-Lin Taiwan
Mammosense A mammogram sensor to enhance comfort during breast cancer screenings. Luke Goh Singapore
Moii An Airway Clearance Therapy training kit for adolescents with Cystic Fibrosis. Yuchen Lan Sweden
OcularSky An affordable, smartphone-based fundus camera. Houssam Hammoud, Mohammad Yaman Al Aref, Mohamad Hammoud, Mayar Jabouli, Wessam Shehieb UAE
Oxynizer A non-electric oxygen generator for developing countries. Kyeongho Park, Jiwon Lee, Jiwon Kim, Yeohyun Jung, Seung-Jun Lee South Korea
Peter A wearable biomedical device for Parkinson’s Disease patients with freezing of gait. Jonathan Fisher United Kingdom
PulpaTronics A recyclable paper-based RFID clothing tag. Adonis Christodoulou, Barna Soma Biro, Chloe So United Kingdom
Pyri A bio-inspired and bio-based early wildfire detection system. Richard Alexandre, Karina Gunadi, Blake Goodwyn, Tanghao Yu United Kingdom
Social Plast An affordable plastic recycling system. Johannes Kastner Germany
Sorbet An acoustic panel made from shredded textile waste. Sze Yek Australia
TAILWIND A cooling construction helmet designed to create airflow. Youngki Kim, Jisu Kim, HyeonJun So, Seunghun Jeong South Korea
The Reef An ecological filter to counteract blue-green algae boom in water bodies. Anton Vervoort Belgium

Bo M – The World’s Safest And Most Stylish e-Scooter, comes to Ireland

Bo, maker and developer of the world’s safest and stylish urban micro-mobility vehicle, announces its first international expansion into Ireland, one of Europe’s most progressive transport nations with Lifty Electrics confirmed as the official Dublin based retailer and service centre.

Bo co-founder and CEO Oscar Morgan said; “Whilst the UK sadly lags behind much of the world in legalising the use of e-Scooters on the public roads, Ireland has taken that exciting first step in embracing a new era in how we travel through cities such as Dublin”.

He continued: “Since Ireland announced the legalisation of e-Scooters back in May 2024 we have been making regular visits to meet riders in Dublin and Cork. With production of the Bo M now in full flow, we are excited to announce Dublin as our first direct expansion into an international market”. 

In 2024, the Irish Government cemented Dublin’s status as a hub for progressive transport solutions, making it the ideal first international market for Bo’s expansion. The passing of The Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 created a new vehicle class for e-scooters called powered personal transporters and legalised their use on public roads from the 20th May 2024. Dublin was carefully selected for Bo’s expansion due to the city’s forward-thinking urban mobility strategies, including efforts to reduce car use, the recent legalisation of electric scooters, and its extensive bike lane infrastructure. The Irish National Transport Authority has, however, just introduced legislation restricting e-scooters from public transport, applying brakes to the wider sector, but not for the bo M which is designed for end to end journeys, with it’s exceptional riding dynamics, extended range, and lifestyle enhancing features, like Lock and Load.

Bo exists to create the single best way to travel in the city. Over the past four years, the Bo M has been painstakingly designed and engineered to reach this ambition.

Bo was founded by two engineers, formerly of Williams F1 Advanced Engineering, and a Jaguar Land Rover designer, giving the company a fundamental understanding of vehicle dynamics and manufacturing, which has been uniquely applied to the Bo M, the first product in a transformative range of Bo lightweight electric vehicles.

The Bo M showcases a ground-up focus on robust and intuitive features, designed in order to improve every urban journey. It utilises the ultra-tough fixed Monocurve Chassis and the unique patented Bo SafesteerTM technology to create a confidence-inspiring ride, combined with category-leading motor torque and power ratings, plus novel functional innovations to deliver the most sophisticated urban riding experience of its kind.

 

Monocurve Chassis and Design

Bo’s unique Monocurve chassis represents a foundational shift in vehicle design and engineering – the single greatest sector advancement since electric scooters arrived in our cities. The Monocurve chassis is a single piece of high strength Aluminium, from the handlebars to the wheels, which not only benefits the ride by providing the most solid and planted ride feeling in its class, but also seamlessly integrates all of the features into a singular beautiful form.

These intuitive, unbroken lines of the Monocurve chassis create the first unibody structure in this sector, designed to true automotive principles, seamlessly combining function with design. The design allows for the steering to be separated from the chassis, forming a robust mounting point for the Lock and Load cargo solution whilst also providing a stable platform for Bo riders.

Bo co-founder and CTO Harry Wills, said; “We want to make wobbly e-scooters a thing of the past so intentionally designed the Bo M with an unbroken Monocurve unibody chassis to provide the most robust, confidence-inspiring ride experience possible. We’ve equipped the M with technology we have  developed from the ground up that truly enhances the urban riding experience, day or night, rain or shine, hilly or flat. From the occasional rider who needs to nip into town, to the super commuter riding 30km everyday, the Bo M establishes itself as the most dependable, mature urban vehicle“.

The precision engineering approach is equally evident on the Bo M’s geometry, which is optimised for stability and ergonomics. Technical features include a wider handlebar at 580mm, a generous 930mm wheelbase for noticeably more standing room and relaxed riding handling, and a 76-degree steering angle for naturally controlled dynamics.

Bo co-founder and CCO, Luke Robus said; “We believe in the pursuit of simplicity. Form working in harmony with function to create sculptural lines that are as exciting to ride as they are to look at. From the early sketches to prototypes and through to the production vehicles, the M’s lines come together without complication. This is testament to the rigorousness of our first-class engineering team integrating all the technology we’ve packed into the M. Never cluttering, or getting in the way of the product’s purpose, instead celebrating this new found simplicity with a design language you’ll see in evidence across the range of lightweight EVs we have planned for the future”.

Bo SafesteerTM

SafesteerTM technology is a world-first in micro-mobility vehicles, a dynamic steering stabilisation system developed by Bo to set the benchmark for control and inspire rider confidence. This patented technology, fully integrated within the Bo chassis, assists and stabilises the steering through bumps, dips and potholes to keep the rider in perfect comfort and control. Novice and experienced riders often cite stability as their primary concern when riding over mixed terrain. Bo’s Safesteer™ technology gives a seamless, stable ride and builds confidence at every turn, allowing everyone to enjoy the ride and carve down the road.

SafesteerTM delivers the smoothest and most stable ride while at the same time achieving a new benchmark in mechanical simplicity and reliability. The system is based on opposing force from a pair of bespoke wound torsion springs, housed within a unique Bo mechanism that delivers predictable steering correction up to a 50 degree turn angle. This system works to recreate the natural centering dynamic of a larger wheel and smooth the ride to give Bo riders an exceptional, natural riding experience every time.

All-Weather Capable

Bo M is designed to be our riders’ go to urban vehicle no matter the weather or time of day. The electrical components throughout are a minimum of IP66 waterproof while the high quality pneumatic tyres ensure the maximum grip possible. Bo M features a powerful, low maintenance braking system, with a regenerative e-brake located in the rear wheel, controlled by the left brake lever, adding energy back into the battery under braking and a front sealed drum brake controlled by the right brake lever. The two brake levers give the rider highly intuitive control over which brake to use and when, depending on the situation and the desired feel.  

Bo’s distinctive Daytime Running Light (DRL) wraps around the Monocurve chassis to create the Light Halo, a world-first in the sector, which delivers 270-degree light visibility. This signature design dramatically increases road presence and awareness from other road users by ensuring both the Bo M and rider are visible from every angle. Complementing the Light Halo, a powerful headlight with up to 800 lumens from three temperature-controlled LED lights housed in an aluminium enclosure, illuminates the road ahead, while a wide-angle high-lumen rear light keeps riders visible from behind in all weathers, flashing brightly under braking.

Performance

Showcasing a blend of performance and elegance, the Bo powertrain features a high torque motor (38Nm), providing a peak power output of 1,200W and a top speed of up to 35 km/h (21 mph) (limited to 20 km/h for Irish compliance), with a battery capacity of 672Wh delivering a range of 50km. The Bo team is based out of Bristol, a famously hilly city in the UK, and ensuring impressive hill-climbing performance was a core requirement of the powertrain development programme. The bespoke high current electric motor has been optimised for strongest mid-range torque, maximising efficiency across the broadest rpm-range possible, and the precision throttle map allows for excellent control of output of power and responsiveness. Tested on hills up to 25 degrees, this performance specification results in silent, controllable acceleration, with the necessary power to take on the most challenging of roads.

Lock and Load

Bo’s all new Lock and Load system is incorporated within the Monocurve Chassis and features dual purpose revolving hooks that act as both secure locking points for the vehicle as well as stable cargo carrying solution. With the hooks mounted through the core structure of the chassis, cargo of up to 10kg can be securely carried, negating the need to hang anything on the handlebars or risking bag swing disrupting the steering, increasing the safety, control and comfort of each ride. The forged hooks are at the optimal height for locking to bike racks or railings, enhancing the physical security when locking up in town.

Airdeck

Introducing an intelligent, lightweight and invisible comfort system, the Airdeck, an engineered elastomer footpad, has been created from 11mm EVA anti-vibration foam based on the same material technology found in high performance running trainers. The lightweight deck panel is tuned to reduce road vibrations, removing the need for complex, heavy and largely ineffective suspension systems and increasing the riders comfort on longer rides by isolating the feet from any vibrations that result from the road surface.

Pricing and Availability

Customers can order the Bo M from https://bo.world/pages/select-your-bo starting Wednesday 16th October and in-store at Lifty Electrics, 157 Capel St, Dublin. The Bo M is available in silver for €2,349.

Additional details can be found at https://bo.world/pages/bo-m

PixelCable Pro 240W App-Controlled Magnetic Charging Cable with Smart Display

Bored of your standard charging cable? Fear not mobfree are back with a new iteration of their Pixel Cable and it is called Pixel Cable Pro this time faster and better.

Offering a bigger display faster charging and data transfer this one is a must have for those who took up the first version we reviewed.

PixelCable Pro is equipped with the latest USB Power Delivery 3.1 Technology,boasting a nominal maximum power transfer capability of 240W. Equipped with the E-mark smart chip, PixelCable Pro guarantees safe and rapid charging for a diverse array of devices, ranging from wireless earbuds, smartphones to power-hungry laptops. It can charge your MacBook Pro 16″ to 56% in just 30 minutes, effortlessly giving the full potential of all your USB-C devices.

This advanced chip facilitates optimal power flow, effectively adjusting the current to match your device’s specific requirements. So not only does your device charge swiftly, but it also stays protected against potential damage from overcharging or overheating.

The OLED display gives at-a-glance info on your phone’s actual battery level without having to wake up the screen. Keep tabs on power with the clear display and get on with your day.

QCharge App

PixelCable enables fast data transmission up to 480mbps. 1G file can be transferred within 24 seconds.Short or long, you can curl PixelCable Pro to any size you want. Simply extend it for full length (5ft cable) or coil it to save space — the choice is yours. This built-in magnetic coil technology allows the cable to almost wrap itself into a neat and tidy shape that will stay wound without the need for velcro straps or other restraints.

Everytime when you connect your device, PixelCable Pro will greet you with start-up animation. You can choose the start-up animation from the preset images. The movement speed and direction can also be changed. You can also upload your own images to DIY your customised start-up animation.

This magnetic charging cable is suitable for all occasions, whether at home, in the office or in the car. Unlock more ways to use. The possibilities are endless.

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Irish Consumers Look To AI To Help Get Their Lives Back

If you ever curse having to stay in doing housework and balancing bills rather than living life to the max, you’re not alone. On average, we spend three hours a week managing our life duties (75% of which is done on our smart phones), and over half of us (56%) say we never have enough time to get everything done. Because of this, almost a third of us (30%) resort to eating into our annual leave to catch-up on chores and life admin, jumping to 43% for millennials.

The findings come from new nat. rep. research on our expectations and hopes for the benefits that artificial intelligence (AI) enabled devices will bring to our lives. The research, conducted by 3Gem, on behalf of Samsung Ireland, coincides with the recent launch of Samsung’s latest AI enabled smartphones, Galaxy Z Fold6 and Galaxy Z Flip6.

Talkin’ ‘bout My Generation – Busy & Stressed!

Nearly two-in-five (39%) reported feeling that they spend too much time doing life admin, with Millennials and Gen Xers leading the pack on most time per week lost to such ‘distractions’ (29% and 25% respectively). Almost a third (32%) of parents with children under 18 say they typically can’t get any leisure time in their day, with 14% claiming to lose almost an entire workday (7 hours) each week to chores and life admin.

Comparatively, Gen Z  feels most stressed about their busy lives (50%) – equalling the stress felt by parents with children under 18! The least stressed are Baby Boomers at 27%. 62% of females versus 49% of males feel they never have enough time to get everything done, perhaps suggesting an unequal division of household duties.

Dear AI – Help Me Get My Life Back!

According to the survey, Two thirds (66%) of us would welcome anything that reduced the time spent on chores and personal admin, and many of us are looking to AI to help us get our lives back.

The top two areas Irish people would like AI to assist with are housework (39%) and life admin (37%), followed by grocery shopping (32%)physical and mental health (31%/29%), scheduling appointments (27%) and managing smart home devices (26%). Booking travel and holidays and nutrition and food advice are high priorities for 23%.

The research shows that Irish consumers can clearly see the potential positive impact of AI-enabled smartphones in improving their day-to-day lives. Of the myriad AI features available across the new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 and Z Flip6, those most likely to be seen to ‘improve lives a lot’ are health and fitness (33%), Live Interpreter (33%), Chat Assist (29%) and Circle to Search with Google (28%). These are closely followed by Note Assist (27%), Transcript Assist (26%), Photo Assist (24%), AI Reply suggestions (23%) and FlexCam (20%).

Thanks AI. Now What Will I Do?

The research revealed that a quarter of us would catch up on sleep if we could get back two hours of free time a week with the help of AI. The top use for extra free time was spending time with family (39%), followed by exercise/playing sports (31%). After sleeping more, spending time on hobbies ranked fourth (21%), followed by personal mindfulness (18%), meeting friends (18%) and reading for leisure (16%).

AI Familiarity

The survey showed there is a reasonable level of claimed familiarity with AI, with around half (53%) saying they are very or somewhat familiar. Around a third (30%) are very or somewhat unfamiliar and a very small number who know nothing (3%).

The current usage for AI in Ireland among consumers is centered on the themes of communication, creation and search/planning. The main communication use is drafting messages (25%), followed by communicating better (15%) and considering other viewpoints (13%). In terms of creation, generating images and design are currently most popular (20%) and under searching /planning, finding Netflix ideas (15%) and planning travel 14% are the top two uses.

As to be expected with technology adoption, the younger generations are much more familiar with AI, with Gen Z (72%), Millennials (57%) compared to Gen X (40%) and Boomers (43%).

Who Do You Trust The Most?

While over half of Irish consumers are willing to use AI alongside their own experience and knowledge (59%), very few people are willing to trust AI recommendations completely (5%), even from a popular AI system.  The proportions are the same for the total sample and among only those familiar with AI.

See our Samsung reviews

For more information about Galaxy Z Fold6, Z Flip6, Buds3 and Buds3 Pro, please visit: Samsung NewsroomSamsungmobilepress.com, or Samsung.com.

HP Wolf Security Uncovers Evidence of Attackers Using AI to Generate Malware

HP has issued its latest Threat Insights Report revealing how attackers are using generative AI to help write malicious code. HP’s threat research team found a large and refined ChromeLoader campaign spread through malvertising that leads to professional-looking rogue PDF tools, and identified cybercriminals embedding malicious code in SVG images.

The report provides an analysis of real-world cyberattacks, helping organisations to keep up with the latest techniques cybercriminals are using to evade detection and breach PCs in the fast-changing cybercrime landscape.  Based on data from millions of endpoints running HP Wolf Security, notable campaigns identified by HP threat researchers include:

  • Generative AI assisting malware development in the wild: Cybercriminals are already using GenAI to create convincing phishing lures but to date there has been limited evidence of threat actors using GenAI tools to write code. The team identified a campaign using VBScript and JavaScript believed to have been written with the help of GenAI. The structure of the scripts, comments explaining each line of code, and the choice of native language function names and variables are strong indications that the threat actor used GenAI to create the malware. The attack infects users with the freely available AsyncRAT malware, an easy-to-obtain infostealer which can record victim’s screens and keystrokes. The activity shows how GenAI is lowering the bar for cybercriminals to infect endpoints.
  • Slick malvertising campaigns leading to rogue-but-functional PDF tools: ChromeLoader campaigns are becoming bigger and increasingly polished, relying on malvertising around popular search keywords to direct victims to well-designed websites offering functional tools like PDF readers and converters. These working applications hide malicious code in a MSI file, while valid code-signing certificates bypass Windows security policies and user warnings, increasing the chance of infection. Installing these fake applications allows attackers to take over the victim’s browsers and redirect searches to attacker-controlled sites.
  • This logo is a no-go – hiding malware in Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) images: Some cybercriminals are bucking the trend by shifting from HTML files to vector images for smuggling malware. Vector images, widely used in graphic design, commonly use the XML-based SVG format. As SVGs open automatically in browsers, any embedded JavaScript code is executed as the image is viewed. While victims think they’re viewing an image, they are interacting with a complex file format that leads to multiple types of infostealer malware being installed.

Val Gabriel, Managing Director of HP Ireland, comments: 

There has long been speculation about AI being used by attackers, but evidence has been scarce, so this finding is significant. Typically, attackers tend to obscure their intentions to avoid revealing their methods, so this behaviour indicates an AI assistant was used to help write their code. It’s cases like this that showcases threat actors are constantly updating their methods. Instances like this one further lower the barrier to entry for threat actors, allowing novices without coding skills to write scripts, develop infection chains, and launch more damaging attacks. So, businesses must build resilience, closing off as many common attack routes as possible and adopt a defence in depth strategy to mitigate any risks.”

By isolating threats that have evaded detection tools on PCs – but still allowing malware to detonate safely – HP Wolf Security has specific insight into the latest techniques used by cybercriminals. To date, HP Wolf Security customers have clicked on over 40 billion email attachments, web pages, and downloaded files with no reported breaches.

The report, which examines data from calendar Q2 2024, details how cybercriminals continue to diversify attack methods to bypass security policies and detection tools, such as:

  • At least 12% of email threats identified by HP Sure Click bypassed one or more email gateway scanners, the same as the previous quarter.
  • The top threat vectors were email attachments (61%), downloads from browsers (18%) and other infection vectors, such as removable storage – like USB thumb drives and file shares (21%).
  • Archives were the most popular malware delivery type (39%), 26% of which were ZIP files.

HP Wolf Security[i] runs risky tasks in isolated, hardware-enforced virtual machines running on the endpoint to protect users, without impacting their productivity. It also captures detailed traces of attempted infections. HP’s application isolation technology mitigates threats that can slip past other security tools and provides unique insights into intrusion techniques and threat actor behaviour.

emporia SMART.6 lite smartphone review

The emporia SMART.6 lite smartphone is one of their latest devices to their portfolio of simple to use phones for the older generation amongst us which is great as technology is now being embraced by such and not only that some situations in life now require such devices at hand to do certain things.

emporia have been leaders in this area with smartphones offering a variety of easy to use devices in which takes away the convoluted mess people have to go through for setting up and more and making it simple to use and set up to each individual’s requirements without the hassle of too many settings and sub-menus.

They do however have a newer model which is the ME.6 which needs to be mentioned for a more seasoned elderly user that allows both the true Android user experience and not only that reverts to the simple menu emporia are renowned for and this device is again a simpler version of the SMART.6

Now I am fortunate enough to get to test the best phones on the market costing up to two grand and more and even for a seasoned poweruser all year round with several devices in use at one time or on rotation I often get frustrated with such phones with all the menus and sub menus and finding things people need and have to look for but with emporia phones this is not the case with this and other models.

I would put the SMART6.Lite in the mid range with the pricing and specs here overall it has all the features you would expect on any other smartphone but simplified to a simple menu structure and again comes with a cool leather cover case with a visible screen and 4 main keys and once you open the cover you have 4 options present which of course can be changed by pressing and holding to select whatever suits you better and do check the emporia coach app which needs to be installed.

On the homescreen you will see a settings icon swipe left for contacts and emergency options and swipe right for your favourite apps and swipe right for you full list of favourites now these can be changed when you add your own apps and on the bottom right you can see and all apps folder and then these can be used as shortcuts.

The smartcover can be changed to functions/favourites or turned off but I highly suggest it is used even at default settings and it is going with the company’s ethos keeping it simple and you should look at the accessibility menu here for more.

The triple lens camera has a 13MP main camera with depth of field and macro for fantastic photos using the easy camera App, or you can use the Pro-Camera App . The 8mp selfie camera on the front brings fun snaps every day and is ready for WhatsApp video calls.The camera is ok in mostly yielding better results on outdoor settings in the daytime you can see samples taken by me below on the best settings if you are one that still likes to take photos which would be the case for family gatherings and so on for the older gen these days and from a typical user the camera is fine but will not win awards for the usual expectations you would see on more expensive devices which is fine as in my experience these days with the older folk including my father is not to pushed on taking photos but just looking at them online or what has been sent to him on WhatsApp and so on.

Image and video samples

There is a One touch Panic button on the back in the camera array which you will add a number to on the homescreen by swiping left as mentioned above and can be used to keep you safe at night or used as a quick access key for your camera or the handy torch.

 

Overall for me this is a well built device offering the basics and more for the older generation keeping things simple you are not getting the bells and whistles you may find on other phones here but this is not intended for that market and it can easily do your daily tasks and more.

As a long time user of emporia products and putting them to real world testing loaded with my app collection multitasking and more these are the best devices on offer for those wanting more and going forward will need more for certain tasks in life and my own father has switched some time ago from his much loved Nokia phones to an emporia device I gave to him and to be fair he has not much patience with smartphones but I get it like his friends and neighbours they just want things kept simple and empora is the way forward if you are moving up from a dumbphone or feature phone for the first time.

Specs

 

  • 4G smartphone with 5.45″ HD screen
  • Award winning emporia easy to use interface (switchable to standard android)
  • Smart cover with 4 interactive buttons for key features (including use of Camera / calls & torch)
  • Easy charging cradle included
  • NFC for contactless payments and real-time blood glucose monitoring
  • Finger print reader for biometric security
  • Physical panic button for personal security
  • 6GB RAM & 128GB RAM (Expandable with micro SD card)
  • Octa-core 1.8GHz processor processor
  • Triple lense 13MP main camera with 8mp selfie camera
  • Height: 147 mm Depth 9mm

BUY 

Other emporia reviews

Unboxing and UI walkthrough

109 Irish companies secured European Space Agency (ESA) support in 2023

Enterprise Ireland has today published the ‘Space Activities in Ireland 2023’ Report, highlighting the growing participation and success of Irish companies in the European space sector. By the end of 2023, 109 Irish companies were actively engaged with ESA, demonstrating the significant expansion of Ireland’s role in this high-growth industry.

In 2023, ESA awarded contracts worth €9.9 million to Irish companies primarily focused on industrial activities. Industrial co-funding of €2.2 million further supported these enterprises. Throughout the year, 25 companies, including three newly space-active businesses, were supported in developing products and technologies across sectors including telecommunications, earth observation, and space exploration.

A key highlight of the year was the successful launch of the Educational Irish Research Satellite 1 (EIRSAT-1), Ireland’s first satellite, on 01 December 2023, marking a significant milestone. EIRSAT-1 is a student-led project from University College Dublin (UCD) and was developed in collaboration with Irish technology companies.

Commenting on the 2023 report, Minister Emer Higgins, Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, said:

2023 was a momentous year for the Irish space sector. The increasing number of Irish companies working with ESA, alongside the launch of EIRSAT-1, highlights Ireland’s strong position in this fast-growing sector.

“As Ireland’s space community continues to innovate and collaborate with European and global partners, the future of the country’s space sector looks brighter than ever. The Irish Government is committed to continuing its support for innovation and enterprise in the space sector as we look to build on these successes and further strengthen Ireland’s role in the global space economy.”

Marina Donohoe, Head of Research and Innovation at Enterprise Ireland, added:

“The strong growth in Irish companies engaging with ESA, now reaching 109, is a clear indicator of Ireland’s expanding footprint in the global space economy. This year’s report demonstrates the progress and impact Irish companies are making through collaboration with ESA, not only in advancing space technology but also in driving innovation in sectors with downstream applications. Enterprise Ireland is committed to supporting these companies and the growing number of research teams actively involved in space-related developments supported by ESA.”

The space economy was valued at $630 billion in 2023 and is forecast to reach $1.8 trillion by 2035, with an average annual growth rate of 9%, significantly outpacing global GDP growth[1]. This rapid expansion, driven by both public and private sector investments, has opened new opportunities for ‘NewSpace’ companies developing innovative space-related products and services.

In a demonstration of Ireland’s position at the front rank of space technology development, ESA’s new rocket the Ariane 6, which launched smoothly in July this year, used two technology systems designed and built by Irish space engineering company Réaltra. Enterprise Ireland’s ESA Business Incubation Centre (ESA BIC) Ireland also had a successful year, welcoming seven new start-ups. These companies are focused on developing both upstream and downstream applications, further bolstering Ireland’s contribution to the burgeoning space sector.

Another key development for the sector in 2023 was the establishment of the Irish Space Association (ISA), a new organization designed to foster collaboration among space-active companies and research organizations in Ireland. This collaborative network will play a pivotal role in the future growth of Ireland’s space sector by promoting knowledge-sharing and enhancing the country’s competitive edge in the global space market.

The ESA End of Year Activities Report 2023 underscores the significant progress being made by Irish companies and researchers as they collaborate with ESA and European partners. With Irish companies continuing to leverage the opportunities created by NewSpace, the future looks bright for Ireland’s expanding space sector.

For more information or to download the full report, visit enterprise-ireland-esa-2023-report-en-134478.pdf