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.

Tech Review – Creative Zen Hybrid SXFI headphones

The Creative Zen Hybrid SXFI headphones are the latest of a duo we have been testing out for some time now and for me this is one of if not their best pair of headphones to date so lets just get that out of the way now.

First up the build quality is robust and tough and I have let these fall a few times however not a mark nor issue with them this was due to where they have been used the last while and kept falling off my locker as it is crammed with tech right now as we are in busy season.

They are comfortable to wear and light with soft plush padding on the headband and the earcups so which means they can be worn for hours on end and something I am custom too anyway even for gaming.

The controls are all on one side and worked really well over the review period and what I like is the dedicated SXFI and ANC buttons.

Before you get going you will need to map your head with these even if you have a mapped head profile already and it is worth the effort and does not take long to do all it entails is taking a photo of each ear and your face and you would be better off getting someone to do this for you bar the face part.

With the app the SXFI logo is now seen in the creative app and this can be toggled on/off in the app or on the headphones then you have ANC to test out and it is excellent.

The sound is what you would expect from Creative especially with the SXFI ( Super X-Fi) technology and the 40mm Neodymium drivers  if you have not tried this out yet now is the time especially with these headphones. Super X-Fi technology recreates the same expansive depth, details, and soundstage of an immersive multi-speaker system on headphones. Utilizing advanced computational audio, it personalizes audio according to your head and ear anthropometry, optimizing the audio just for you. Hear every nuance and subtlety like how they are meant to be heard.

No lag latency noted nor was there any tinny sound on max volume as I always use though advise people not to do so but with these you have to go to the max in all aspects.

The volume is great highs lows and mids are fine and the overall audio experience puts you in the center stage here and with the app to customize even more you are in control and for gamers you are also in for a treat. When they say a new sound awaits they mean it..

 

The Apps 

 

Specs 

Driver Frequency Response: 20–20,000 Hz Type: Neodymium x 2

Bluetooth® Version 5.3
Wireless Codecs AAC, SBC
Profiles (HFP) Hands-free Profile, (A2DP) Advanced Audio Distribution Profile, (AVRCP) Audio / Video Remote Control Profile, HSP (Headset Profile)
Operating Frequency 2402–2480 MHz
Operating Range Up to 15m / 49.2 ft^ ^Measured in open space. Walls and structures may affect range of device.

BUY

See more Creative reviews

Video Review

Why Play-And-Play Conferencing Is ‘Booming’ At Distributor Westcoast

Distributor Westcoast is reporting a major ‘boom’ in USB-based video conferencing, as more organisations take the simple route to collaboration success.

The international supply specialist has seen sales of plug-and-play devices rocket by over a third in the last year, and has identified a multi-billion-pound opportunity, as demand for instant connectivity continues to intensify.

UC Business Manager Sam Armstrong cites many reasons for the increased growth, from companies looking to ‘level-up’ their home and office deployments to others forced to re-invest after the Covid pandemic, after a rush to more flexible working.

It’s a view mirrored by hardware manufacturer Boom Collaboration whose business ethos is based on delivering ‘better meetings simply’.

Shift

“The conferencing arena continues to evolve and we’ve seen a significant shift to USB-based hardware,” he confirmed. “This is being fuelled by the BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) trends as well as a wider desire for simpler and quicker installation and configuration.

“Organisations need flexibility and agility having developed longer term strategies about home working. Whether in the office or working elsewhere, simple plug-and-play deployment is becoming a dominant factor in the buying process.”

He added: “Wherever people are working they need quick and instant access to high performance collaboration. Gone are the days of a big clunky piece of hardware sat gathering dust in the corner of a boardroom because no one knew how to use it.”

Westcoast works with many vendors including US conferencing manufacturer Boom Collaboration – where it’s UNO and HALO videobars as well as a dedicated WFH kit are leading the charge to simpler deployments.

Maturing

Boom Co-founder Holli Hulett emphasised: “The market is definitely maturing now with some organisations having to replace their previous equipment bought during the mad rush of Covid. USB connectivity is the way forward for many and is becoming widespread across our product portfolio.”

The two parties joined forces towards the end of 2023 and have been busy laying the foundations for a major market attack as part of a flourishing supply deal.

Fellow founder Fredrik Hörnkvist added “Boom is still a relatively new brand in the UK but we’ve been very well received so far. We bring something different to the table and are ideally suited to help customers capitalise on the latest market trends. Easy connectivity and high performance hardware helps create better meetings, simply.”

Irish tech company develops first recreational app (Able Active) in Europe for people with disabilities.

A progressive Irish Tech company has developed the first app in Europe to give people with disabilities information on a wide range of accessible amenities across the country.

Regarded as a major breakthrough in the promotion of accessible facilities, Able Active builds on technology designed for participation in sport, with considerable input from potential service users and advocacy groups.

Able Active, a fully integrated and comprehensive app that signposts accessible recreational facilities for people with disabilities is the fruition of a long-term project, developed with support from the European Space Agency following a successful application.

Able Active uniquely captures feedback and gradings on accessibility and inclusivity, based on real users’ experience, by distinct disability categories, ensuring that others with similar needs can trust the rating and have better confidence that their needs will be met. 

Speaking at the launch of Able Active, Adrian Geissel CEO said  

“Able Active is the result of 6 years of investment and software development, applying data for the benefit of people with differing types of disabilities and with deep commitment to data privacy and safeguarding”.

“I am passionate about outdoors pursuits and sport, and passionate that they are accessible for all. People living with disabilities should have access to outdoor amenities and facilities suitable for their needs and Able Active provides deeper information that aims to inform and hopefully inspire greater participation for their enjoyment, health and wellbeing. This is so important for people who have varying levels of disability, many of which are hidden.

Able Active is a fully integrated and highly user-friendly guide which maps tracks, trails and amenities and allows each user to determine if these routes are suitable for their particular needs, supported by the ratings and feedback from other users with similar needs. It allows people plan their days around the various amenities from forests to beaches and gives ‘real time ‘live data on weather and pinpoints where safety equipment is located, crucial to ensure safety for users. It also allows for users to record, replay and repeat their own favourite routes which is very valuable”.

“It is interactive so will allow people with disabilities to rate on accessibility based on their experience, which is vital for both their peers and for the owners or providers of the amenities as they can use this information to further adapt the facilities in order to make them more accessible and user friendly”.

“Able Active allows for inclusivity in the fullest sense as users can record trails, save their favourite routes and research amenities to plan future outings with friends ,family or indeed for informal or formal groups”

“It allows for users to connect with family and friends through the app and for group leaders, to plan ,share and co ordinate activities for any gatherings and this helps to bolster safety and security as well as strengthen the community of people with disabilities”.

“Facilities including accessible toilets and parking, surfaces, obstacles, inclines or declines can be detailed”.

“The wonderful thing too is that people with an interest in full inclusion for those living with disabilities to get involved, to identify amenities they know to be accessible, in addition to using many available databases”.

“Able Active is a community platform for gathering new data that is important to the community. For example, disabled parking spots outside of urban areas, especially at amenity or trailhead locations can be submitted through the app”.

“This is a very important platform for amenity operators and sports organisations to connect with this community of users, highlighting the investments they’ve made to support their needs and also to understand how these supports are valued by their users.”.

“There is so much potential for collaboration and partnership across the entire range of amenities, organisations and events and this is only going to be an incredibly positive way forward for people living with a disability”. 

“This only the start of a journey, where we look to present more options where people with disabilities can be active, based on the experiences of others with similar needs and in doing so, make being active a more inclusive experience, for all. “

 

This is a vision shared by Sarah Kerrigan, project lead for Able Active, who adds “I love the outdoors, but know from personal experience how little information is available on the accessibility of trails and other amenities. Working with Able Active allows me to make sure that the app and platform meets the needs of our users and for those who, like me, also want to share their knowledge to help others benefit from nature and being active. “

Get on Android   Get on iOS

HEAnet & ICHEC launch position paper to build a Common Data Space for Ireland

In this position paper, HEAnet and ICHEC (The Irish Centre for High-end Computing) outline the context and recommended framework to build a Common Data Space for Ireland (IRL-DataSpace) to address data-driven global challenges through collaborative Research and innovation (R&I) between academia, industry and the public sector to address grand challenges and inform better public policy-making.

IRL-DataSpace will accelerate and support a structured synergised unification of the national data ecosystem (composed of academic and public research bodies, and enterprise organisations where relevant) which is currently disparate and fragmented. 

HEAnet and ICHEC share the vision to expedite IRL-DataSpace by establishing a national-level Data Space Support Centre for Ireland (IRL-DSSC) through which to engage stakeholders across the community for their participation and co-development.

IRL-DSSC will play a pivotal role in advancing the current national data ecosystem into a federated, FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable), high-SLA and cost-effective ecosystem with robust digital platform resources, services for data sharing and governance, and a national- level professional support team. The IRL-DSSC will engage with and leverage expertise from the EU Data Spaces Support Centre.

Together, IRL-DataSpace and IRL-DSSC will deliver R&I impact across several disciplines in environment, society, economy at national and international levels, by dealing with grand challenges and informing better public policy-making as outlined in the Impact 2030 Strategy.

The 2024-2027 roadmap to build the IRL-DataSpace supported by the IRL-DSSC, its working groups and all relevant stakeholders includes:

  • Briefings and consultations to onboard all stakeholders
  • Focused white papers to establish technical specifications for IRL-DataSpace, requirements for different R&I disciplines, and all-island joint activities
  • The finalisation and support required from policy-makers and funders
  • Development and operationalising IRL-DataSpace as a National Service by 2027

The position paper calls out to policy-makers, R&I activities (institutions, research centres, projects, researchers), data systems operators, data holders and governors to collaboratively mature the federated the national data ecosystem in Ireland.

Read more

Alexion and Hometree launch three year partnership to accelerate reintroduction of Atlantic Rainforests in Ireland

Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, today announced a partnership with Hometree, an environmental charity, to accelerate the regeneration of Atlantic rainforests in Ireland. Launched at Hometree’s site in Avoca, the partnership includes a €90k investment from Alexion to support the reintroduction of rainforest ecosystems across eighteen acres of agricultural land in the Maam Valley, Connemara, Co. Galway.

Once covering 80% of Ireland, natural forests have experienced significant decline over the centuries from agriculture, fuel, and timber industries, leading to significant deforestation. Today less than 1% of Ireland’s ancient woodland cover remains and with only a few fragments of that being Atlantic rainforest, this project will help to restore this globally important habitat.

Within five years of starting the project, early signs of woodland regeneration are expected to be visible, alongside restored peatlands, heath, and species-rich grasslands. After fifteen years, the landscape is predicted to increasingly resemble its original natural state, the most striking feature being the abundance and lushness of mosses, liverworts (collectively known as bryophytes) and ferns.

As the rainforest returns, rocks and boulders will be covered in a luxuriant, vibrant mat of mosses and liverworts or Filmy Ferns (Hymenophyllum species), as will the trunks and branches of the trees. This will, in turn, encourage the animals once native in the area to return, such as the pine marten, wood mouse, and tree creeper.

The partnership reflects Alexion’s commitment to sustainability in Ireland, local communities, and its workforce operating across Dublin and Athlone. Recognising the connection between a healthy planet and healthy people, and as part of an overall sustainability strategy, the company is committed to proactively managing its environmental impact, and investing in nature and biodiversity.

The forest regeneration partnership with Hometree, complements AstraZeneca’s global AZ Forest commitment to plant and maintain 200 million trees across six continents by 2030. Working in partnership with planting experts, local communities and governments, AZ Forest projects are designed to build ecological and community resilience.

Shane Doyle, Senior Vice President, Global Head of Operations and Sustainability, Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease said: “Whilst we don’t commonly associate Ireland with rainforests, they are a vital part of our heritage, and restoring these ecosystems is essential for the well-being of both present and future generations. Through this partnership with Hometree we are underscoring our commitment to sustainability in Ireland, and taking affirmative action to reinstate ecosystems that will improve biodiversity, human health, and restore our cultural heritage.”

 Matt Smith, Chief Executive of Hometree said: “I am thrilled to announce our partnership with Alexion, AstraZeneca to restore Atlantic rainforests in Ireland. Their investment fuels practical action, enabling Hometree to restore ecosystems that benefit us all. There is more investment needed and partnership between industry and not-for-profits is central to that, but today we have made a strong start to building a sustainable future, grounded in real impact.

The partnership is timely and follows the passing of the EU Nature Restoration Law which set a target for the EU to restore at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030 and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050.”

The partnership will also provide Alexion and AstraZeneca employees across Ireland with an opportunity to engage with Hometree through educational programs and volunteer opportunities, fostering a sense of stewardship and environmental responsibility among its 1,200 strong workforce across its Dublin and Athlone sites.

Tech Review – Edifier Comfo Run – Open-Ear Wireless Sports Headphones

The Edifier Comfo Run – Open-Ear Wireless Sports Headphones are a new pair of bone conduction headphones to hit the market and is a growing trend with us covering over 20 different pairs now at this stage and are popular with sports enthusiasts but they are not confined to just the sports fans using them anyone can and I now see more and more on offer in stores today.

These are well built and come with simple controls to use on one side of the headphones which is how I like it all your controls are there and fixed but people think with just three buttons they must be lacking but fear not there is lots that can be done with three buttons as I have teste many before with the same setup.

With more and more of these offering hitting the market these offer an app whilst many do not however do not let the visuals on the App store lead you up the garden path as they are limited on these headphones but it is still good to see there is app access and gives you some control over what is going on you can also locate your headphones if lost and you will be given exact details of where last seen but see the screenshots below for more on the app features.

Having said that about the app they sound great for open ear headphones and very close to your standard earbuds or headphones which is no mean feat with these kind of headphones, there is also not much sound leakage when maxed out on top volume, no tinny sound or lag latency noted in my usual test loop which is pretty extensive covering all genres and some gaming videos and films, call quality is also quite good too.

These sit nicely on your neck and after a few minutes use you will forget they are there and in fact I have been using these extensively of late and put them on first thing and think I have lost them minutes later they are that light.

Edifier Comfo Run – Open-Ear Wireless Sports Headphones – techbuzzireland

 

Edifier ConneX App

 

Features

  • Open-ear design ensures comfort and minimizes sound leakage
  • 16.2mm dynamic drivers deliver smooth highs and deep bass
  • IP55-rated dust and splash resistance for long durability
  • 17 hours long playtime with fast charging: 15 minutes for 5 hours of use
  • Customizable EQ via the EDIFIER ConneX app
  • Elastic, silicone-coated neckband for a comfortable, secure fit
  • 80ms low latency for smooth gaming

Check out some other Edifier reviews

BUY

Video Review

HYPER Launches New HyperJuice GaN Travel Charger Lineup Designed to Run 22% Cooler and Keep You Juiced Up Wherever You Are

Hyper, a trailblazer in charging and connectivity solutions for nearly 20 years, is launching its commercial grade HyperJuice 100W and 70W GaN Travel Chargers in the UK, available from today. Operating at 22% cooler* temperatures, HyperJuice chargers also include international and C8 desktop adapters to stay powered up and productive anywhere in the world.

Commercial Grade Design and Safety

The new HyperJuice GaN lineup embodies a commitment to commercial-grade quality, setting an upgraded standard for charging efficiency and reliability. By operating 22% cooler than alternative chargers, they tackle the common issue of heat, having undergone thorough testing at extreme low and high temperatures (up to 35 degrees). This approach guarantees uninterrupted and consistent power delivery without compromising device performance or wattage throttling. Devices often experience wattage throttling, where charging speeds decrease due to overheating, ultimately impacting performance. By effectively managing heat levels, Hyper’s latest chargers ensure reliable and safe charging experiences, even in challenging conditions. Combined with upgraded safety features that have been rigorously tested for reliability in any climate, users can now stay powered up wherever they are.

The ultimate work and play travel essential, Hyper’s GaN Travel Chargers also come equipped with interchangeable adapters compatible with over 150 countries. For the remote workers and digital nomads embracing the ‘work from anywhere’ lifestyle, the included C8 adapter enables the charger to transform into a desktop charging station, complete with a secure wall attachment and extended reach. This versatility ensures charging accessibility whether you are in a coffee shop or an airport.

It’s not an issue if several of your devices run out of juice at once either as the HyperJuice GaN Travel Chargers can power up 3-4 devices at the same time. The chargers adapt in real time to deliver the perfect wattage to the device with Intelligent Fast Charging, providing a variable amount of power to your device depending on the wattage required up to the max wattage of each port.

“We’re excited to finally share these powerful commercial-grade GaN chargers with the public,” says Barry Miller, VP of Sales and Marketing at HYPER. “Not only are they designed for today’s connected and mobile users, but they are some of the most cost-effective, safest, and most reliable GaN chargers available anywhere in the market.”

Key Features and Benefits:

  • Commercial-Grade Design operates 22% cooler than leading charger brand* ensuring optimal charging throughout the entire cycle

  • 3rd party safety testing and industry-leading, global certifications

  • Compact fast charging with GaN technology

  • Charges up to 4 devices simultaneously, including pro laptops, phones, and tablets

  • Intelligent charging with up to PD 3.0, PPS, QC 3.0, and QC 2.0 protocols

  • Smart Power Distribution Technology

  • GaN technology boosts efficiency up to 95%, reducing electricity waste

  • Travel-ready with included global adapters: US, EU, UK, and ANZ

  • Easily transforms into a desktop charging solution with the included C8 adapter (C7 cable sold separately)

  • Ensures maximum charging compatibility for 1,000+ devices worldwide

HyperJuice® GaN Travel Charger Product Specifications

HyperJuice® 70W USB-C GaN Travel Charger with 3 Ports

HyperJuice® 100W USB-C GaN Travel Charger with 4 Ports

Available from Targus.com – £59.99

Available from Targus.com – €69.99

Available from Targus.com – £89.99

Available from Targus.com – €99.99

Specifications:

USB Type C Port 1: 70W Max

USB Type C Port 2: 70W Max

USB Type A Port 1: 18W Max

US, EU, UK, ANZ, and C8 Adapters

Available in Black and White

Specifications:

USB Type C Port 1: 100W Max

USB Type C Port 2: 100W Max

USB Type C Port 3: 27W Max

USB Type A Port 1: 18W Max

US, EU, UK, ANZ, and C8 Adapters

Available in Black and White

*HyperJuice 70W charger vs. a leading brand’s 65W charger.

Evolve IP Expands New Training Hub Reseller Knowledge Bank

Cloud collaboration provider, Evolve IP, is continuing to expand a new specialist training hub, designed to inspire reseller knowledge and put key content at their fingertips when they need it.

The ‘ucSKILLS’ digital adoption platform offers valuable tools so partners can seamlessly deliver all of Evolve IP’s solutions, as part of a powerful Unified Communications knowledge bank.

Together with technology partner iTEL, dedicated technical training content across its entire product set is available to all partners – delivered in a user-friendly central resource which is continually updated with new technical resources, fun ‘gamify’ training, videos and marketing resources.

Knowledge Is Power

Scott Rixon, Evolve IP Solutions Director, says the e-learning service has been operational for several months and continues to evolve with new content being added on a regular basis, to cement reseller knowledge across the EMEA region.

“Our partnership with iTEL will continue to totally transform our services and create a host of benefits such as optimising team knowledge and support levels, improving the overall customer experience and reducing customer churn.

“This valuable technical resource is readily available to all our customers, giving them the power to quickly resolve issues and guide customer queries.”

Rixon added that a recent study conducted by iTEL proved that having an effective digital adoption platform reduced customer churn by 35%, ensuring resellers retain their customer bases.

“In today’s fast-paced technology world it’s not always easy to keep up-to-date with the latest developments. But equally in a world of information overload it can be difficult to access advice and find the answers you’re looking for when you need it. Evolve IP’s Training Hub is the answer! It’s about creating and providing access to content at their fingertips when they need it. Training on time at the right time, for new and to support those more established team members.”

Evolve IP is designed to advance today’s hybrid workplace. It partners with many of the world’s biggest tech companies to bring together their unified communications, collaboration, voice, and contact centre tools into a single, secure solution, fine-tuned for the hybrid workforce. 

Continued Development 

Rixon emphasised: “We are only at the beginning of our journey and are now exploring ways to make the whole user experience even more engaging and enjoyable. For example building in ways we can gamify the training, by creating badges for those who are completing the courses we have set them.

“In addition, the training hub is the new home for all technical resources and marketing assets to support our resellers with communicating about our solutions to their customers. Meaning once a team has access, everything they need is in one place. We want to make it even easier to do business with us.” 

Rixon concluded: “This new service is all about empowering partners and helping cement their technical knowledge. The training hub has been very well received so far and continues to expand all the time with both technical and marketing content. We are determined this space becomes the centre for partner learning and development and a go-to Unified Communications knowledge bank.

“We are currently getting detailed feedback from our partners by encouraging them to complete a short survey. It’s important they provide us with honest feedback so we can make the space that they need to learn and develop their skills in the most effective and enjoyable way.”

Find out more about a recent webinar here.

Pinergy partners with EnergyCloud to deploy smart tech that minimises energy waste and tackles energy poverty

Pinergy, the energy transition company, has today announced a new partnership with EnergyCloud Ireland, aimed at deploying smart tech to minimise energy waste, and tackle energy poverty to power a fairer energy transition in Ireland. Through this collaboration, surplus renewable energy generated will be distributed to fuel poor households via EnergyCloud, by providing a free tank of hot water.

EnergyCloud Ireland is a social enterprise company that works with utilities and wind energy producers to divert unused renewable energy to Irish homes experiencing fuel poverty. Fuel poverty impacts over 550,000 households every day in Ireland, yet since 2018 according to EirGrid, well over 5,000 GWh of zero carbon energy from wind generation went unused and ultimately wasted.

EnergyCloud’s mission is to create solutions to divert surplus renewable energy, which would otherwise be wasted, to Irish homes, with a primary focus on those in fuel poverty. This partnership aligns Pinergy’s desire to help customers understand their consumption to reduce energy waste today for a better energy future for all.

Commenting on the partnership, Enda Gunnell, CEO of Pinergy said; “At Pinergy we are on a mission to power energy transition in Ireland and support the move towards cheaper renewable energy. However, we are committed to ensuring that the inevitable energy transition is fair for all in society and that any waste of precious renewable energy is minimised. Our partnership with EnergyCloud can help us achieve these goals and enable us to play a small part in addressing energy poverty.”

Participating households are equipped with EnergyCloud enabled smart technology which allows surplus and otherwise wasted renewable energy to be used to heat immersion tanks, at no cost to the household occupants.

John Mullins, Chair of EnergyCloud said: “This partnership between EnergyCloud Ireland and Pinergy commenced a number of months ago and already families are benefiting from the scheme. EnergyCloud works with partners to fulfil our mission of using surplus renewable energy to help tackle fuel poverty. For the families involved this is really great news and illustrates how we can collectively use smart technology to lessen the impact of fuel poverty. EnergyCloud is proud to partner with Pinergy as part of their commitment to power the energy transition and support greater use of renewable energy in Ireland.”