Jim O Brien/CEO - techbuzzireland.com

Tech Review – SPORTLINK Waterproof Drop Proof Dust Proof and Snow Proof case for the iPhone 15Pro

The SPORTLINK Waterproof Drop Proof Dust Proof and Snow Proof case for the iPhone 15Pro is a case you might want to check out if you need a new case for your phone as this has you covered in all aspects.

First up on protection is that the case is IP68 Waterproof and stops dirt and dust getting in under the skim so to speak it is also kids proof and has no effect on the screen when in use with the built in screen protector which is good to see.

I have tested in water and drop tested and no issues were found since installing the case on my phone. The case takes only a minute to install and has a special key to remove it should you want to at a later date.

The keys all work well and slightly raised and there is also gripping points on the side of the case and decent bumpers on the corners there is also the option to use a lanyard strap if you desire to do so which is not my thing.

There is a combination of TPU and PC to give an extra layer of protection which is a good option although I prefer TPU based cases only but this is fine to use and will protect your device.

The camera area is well protected to and does not interfere with taking videos or photos which is why you should ensure there is no air trapped inside the case when installing as the lens would fog up and not only that you would then see water inside if not correctly installed.

Wireless charging still works which is good to see and tested in the video review below so be sure to check it out and tell us what you think.

All ports are accessible so your music mic and charging will be affected either the closure on the rubber flap is solid and secure and i can say no water or dirt has got in since installed so you are good to go and fully protected with this case on your expensive iPhone 15Pro

Check out the other case reviews for the iPhone 15 Pro

🐳【Compatibility】 SPORTLINK designed for iPhone 15 Pro waterproof case ✅only compatible with iPhone 15 Pro (6.1 inch) 2023 Released. Precise cutouts allows full functionality and access to controls.
🐳【IP68 Waterproof】 Water, dirt, drop, and kid-proof, Sportlink waterproof case safeguards against the elements and everyday life. It meets the IP68 dust and continuous submersion rating. Support underwater photography, swimming,snorkeling, surfing and more. In addition, the washable design ensures easy cleaning and keeps your phone and case always stay clean and looks like new.
🐳【Real Shock Protection】 Meets the MIL-STD-810G standard, survive drops up to 6.6’/2m. The internal structure is designed to protect your Apple iPhone in the event that it is dropped or compressed. The combination of PC and TPU materials provides protection from impact. Raised edges on the case and built-in screen protector create a barrier from external elements. Soft rubber stoppers keep dust and liquids out of the charging port opening while still allowing easy access in dry conditions.
📱【HD Screen Protector】With built in HD screen protector, this case can prevent the phone screen from scratches as well as provides a sensitive touch and ensures a quick response. And different from ordinary tempered film, it is not easy to break, and Maintain the most original visual experience.
📱【Clear Sound Quality & High Touch Responsive】 We employ our latest design solution for the microphone and earpiece area of the phone, which provides crystal-clear call quality and an impeccable music experience. If you’ve been bothered by sound issues, I highly recommend trying out our case because it feels like you don’t have a phone case at all, offering both protection and functionality. Moreover, it maintains compatibility with touch sensitivity

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Video Review

Asda delivery driver praised for going the extra mile

Jason Bonny, a delivery driver from Asda, Portadown, demonstrated exceptional customer service and dedication to his job by assisting a wheelchair user with putting away her shopping while out on his rounds.

Going about his day on an ordinary delivery shift, Jason encountered an address that wasn’t on his usual route. Approaching the front door, he noticed the house had been renovated for disability access and was greeted by the home delivery customer, who was a wheelchair user.

Jason said hello to the customer and indicated he would carry the shopping into the house for her, he then began to unpack the groceries and put the items away in the cupboards to save the customer from doing so, much to their delight.

Jason commented:

“I just followed my instinct, I explained to the customer that there was no rush and that I could take the time as helping people is just part of my job. I enjoy my job at Asda for different reasons, however, working in customer service has given me the opportunity to make a positive impact on somebody else’s day and there is nothing more rewarding than that. Kindness costs nothing!”

The customer was so pleased with Jason’s assistance that she contacted Asda Portadown, praising Jason as a credit to the company and that her positive experience would encourage her to use Asda’s delivery service again.

Kate Oakes, General Store Manager at Asda Portadown said:

“Jason is a remarkable employee and always goes above and beyond for all customers. His dedication to making every customer feel valued is a testament to his hard work and commitment. We’re privileged to work with him, thank you, Jason!”

New Cybersecurity Directive holds executives personally liable and up to €10 million in fines for organisations

A new directive set to be launched in Ireland in October 2024, could lead to 4,000 businesses in Ireland and their senior executives being personally liable and their organisations exposed to potential fines of up to €10 Million. The expanded Network and Information Security Directive (NIS2) is being implemented to ensure businesses classified as essential and important entities take appropriate measures to enhance their cyber vigilance and protect sensitive data.

In response to these challenges, OpenSky, the business process automation specialists & Microsoft Solutions Partner for Data & AI who use their expertise to bring AI to the centre of digital transformations, have now launched a new Data Management and Governance service for public and private sector organisations.

This new service by OpenSky, powered by Microsoft Fabric & Purview, applies a ‘Data Fabric’[1] approach as the strategy to connect, protect and make data accessible for organisations, aiming to ensure that they meet robust governance and regulatory compliance requirements. In addition their Data Fabric service allows organisations to build greater AI powered insights from connected data by breaking down internal data silos at scale across departments.

Commenting on the new OpenSky offering which will address organisations concerns, Michael Cronin, managing director, said, “The NIS2 directive is reshaping how we approach data management in Ireland, both in the public and private sectors. It’s an opportunity for us to lead by example, ensuring that our data strategies and AI implementations are secure, transparent, and aligned with the best practices in data governance.

The NIS2 directive is an EU-wide legislation on cybersecurity that provides legal measures to increase the overall level of cybersecurity in the EU, and urgently puts pressure on public and private sector organisations to determine its impact on their current cybersecurity posture.

The expanded NIS2 Directive is estimated to impact about 4,000 businesses in Ireland, which is significant considering less than 100 businesses in Ireland are currently impacted by NIS1. The expanded NIS2 brings new categories where organisations in scope are either directly involved in the provision of essential services or connected to their delivery.

Roseanne Killeen, Acting CEO Ireland East Hospital Group, who has worked with OpenSky on enriching the access and integration of HR & Finance data in the hospital group said, “Healthcare faces major hurdles in making data accessible across various departments, and this is due to numerous disconnected data silos. Navigating the challenges around governance and prevention of data breaches can seem like an arduous task but it doesn’t have to be the case when you have access to all your data. We’re not only in a position to govern our data but we’re also now better equipped to provide accountability and transparency to the HSE.”

Based in Naas in Co Kildare, OpenSky has a rich heritage as an Irish digital transformation specialist providing AI powered IT solutions and consultancy services to both public sector and private organisations. OpenSky employs more than 110 people, and this year the company celebrates its 20th anniversary, positioning them as one of Ireland’s most established IT services businesses.

To assess your organisations’ eligibility for a funded Data Governance proof of concept, follow the link here: www openskydata.com

From isolation to connection: Cork couple stars in online video series about digital skills for older people

Patrick and Liz Downes, a couple from Mitchelstown in Cork, are featured in a new online video as part of the Consumer Technology Association’s ‘The Human Component’ series. The video showcases their journey with the Hi Digital programme in partnership with the Irish Girl Guides, Vodafone Foundation, and ALONE.

The video follows 76-year-old Patrick, who rediscovered his passion for woodworking by embracing the digital world through the Hi Digital programme. With the support of his wife Liz, an Irish Girl Guides Leader and Hi Digital Champion, and the local IGG Unit, Patrick learns to use the internet to find woodworking tools and stay connected with his granddaughter.

Initially feeling disconnected and uninterested in modern technology after his multiple sclerosis diagnosis, Patrick’s life underwent a transformative change with the introduction of the Hi Digital programme. His resilience shines as he navigates the digital world, guided by Liz and the local Irish Girl Guides. To watch the video, click here.

Since 2023, Vodafone Foundation has partnered with the Irish Girl Guides to roll out the Hi Digital programme across Ireland. This initiative aims to help older adults, and above, feel comfortable with digital usage and skills, thereby combating isolation and loneliness.

IGG has provided Hi Digital classes in 25 of their units around Ireland and has trained over 2000 older adults. IGG Guides, Senior Branch members, and Leaders participate in this mutually beneficial programme by tutoring older community members. The course is divided into short lessons, teaching participants how to access the internet, use smartphones, stay safe online, and identify and avoid scams and fraud.

Liz Downes, Irish Girl Guides Leader, talking about her involvement with Hi Digital, said: “It’s about more than just teaching digital skills, it’s about fostering connections and breaking down barriers that can leave older generations feeling isolated. Through Hi Digital, we’re building bridges between generations and creating a sense of belonging for everyone.”

Jenny Gannon, Irish Girl Guides Programme and Training Commissioner, adds: “Today’s world is one dominated by tech and it is important that we learn to support each other to navigate the challenges that brings for all generations. This programme allows our young people to help older members of their community to learn how to use different aspects of their devices, while our younger members have also learned new skills while working on Hi Digital. This programme offers real opportunities for intergenerational learning and has been a hugely positive experience for all involved.”

Judy Collins, Vodafone Retail Advisor in Oliver Plunket Street, said: “I am delighted to see this video come to life, showcasing the fantastic impact the Hi Digital initiative has on the older generation. It’s heart-warming to witness stories like Patrick and Liz’s and see first-hand how Hi Digital is empowering older people with the knowledge and tools to navigate the digital world, reclaim their passions and stay connected with loved ones. We are thrilled to be able to provide this support”.

Explore the full series here: www.thehumancomponent.org

For more information about Hi Digital, visit: Welcome to Hi Digital

EA SPORTS Brings UEFA EURO 2024 to the Virtual Pitch in EA SPORTS FC 24 and EA SPORTS FC Mobile

Today, Electronic Arts, Inc. announced the Festival of Football update to EA SPORTS FC 24 and EA SPORTS FC Mobile ahead of the upcoming UEFA EURO 2024 tournament. In this free in-game update* fans can experience the authentic UEFA EURO 2024 tournament and all 24 qualified federations (and more) on PlayStation5, PlayStation4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch, and EA SPORTS FC Mobile. Players can lead their nations to European glory as the best players from across The World’s Game go head-to-head to become Champions of Europe.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to be introducing UEFA EURO 2024 to EA SPORTS FC experiences for the very first time, a tournament that creates such excitement, outstanding competition, and moments to remember each year,” said Nick Wlodyka, SVP and Group GM, EA SPORTS FC. “With this in-game update, fans can make history alongside some of the best players in Europe, living every twist and thrill of the iconic competition’s experience through all 24 federations and a variety of authentic kits, real-life stadiums, game modes and more.”

EA SPORTS FC™ 24 puts players on the pitch in Germany with an immersive UEFA EURO 2024 experience that mirrors the authentic details of the tournament, from national team kit updates to real-life stadiums, as well as updated star heads to bring the faces of Europe’s best to the international stage.

“We are delighted to announce the inclusion of UEFA EURO 2024 within EA SPORTS FC and to see it in action as part of the upcoming eEURO finals” said Guy-Laurent Epstein, UEFA Marketing Director. “The global reach of EA SPORTS FC will allow millions of fans to connect with and experience the tournament like never before and lead their favourite nation virtually, from group stage through to knockouts.”

Players can lead their country, play as a star of their chosen national team, or as their very own custom player. The in-game tournament offers players a variety of modes as they play their way to glory: in single player tournament mode, in kick-off, or head-to-head against friends online.

In Lead Your Nation mode, fans can put themselves in the heart of UEFA EURO 2024 by leading their nation to victory, taking the tournament by storm as a real footballer or with a custom player. As they play through the stages, fans can choose to navigate the tournament as a player, while enjoying the opportunity to complete training drills to earn PlayStyles, improving their game on the way to the trophy.
Players can also experience UEFA EURO 2024 in a single-player Tournament Mode that allows them to write (or rewrite) the future of their nation. Choosing between one of the 24 qualified countries, or another European nation, fans can play their way out of true-to-life groups and through the knockouts.
In Kick-Off Mode, fans can challenge one another or play against the CPU AI in an authentic tournament experience, selecting from a Group Stage or Knockout Round match, including updated “Match of the Day” fixtures that mirror the authentic tournament matchups.
Friends can also go head-to-head and experience the excitement of the UEFA EURO 2024 tournament with authentic matchups in Online Friendlies Mode.

An all-new set of ‘Challenges’ will allow fans to experience UEFA EURO 2024™ while earning rewards that can be unlocked/used in Football Ultimate Team, Clubs, Player and Manager Career.

Additionally, players can enjoy UEFA EURO 2024™ content in Football Ultimate Team, with a number of campaigns themed around the live action in Germany. These campaigns celebrate the players poised to lead their nations on the Path to Glory, breakthrough stars that emerge during the Group Stages, Greats of the Game who shone in past tournaments, and the best players across the whole month as the festival of football brings excitement and upgraded Player Items to Football Ultimate Team.

The UEFA EURO 2024 will also be coming to EA SPORTS FC Mobile from June 12 to July 25, featuring an In-Game Event where users can experience the full campaign with all 24 qualified countries, and jump into Key Match, a brand-new way to play select real-world UEFA EURO 2024 matchups. EA SPORTS FC Mobile will also feature Tournament Mode to play PvE matches, underlined by true-to-life authenticity to the game with two stadiums, national team flags and banners, broadcast transitions, and the UEFA EURO 2024 song.

Watch the official gameplay trailer for UEFA EURO 2024 in EA SPORTS FC here.

Read the full details of the UEFA EURO 2024 in-game mode now available in EA SPORTS FC 24 as part of the latest Festival of Football Update here.

Expleo invests €1M in new leadership upskilling service for Ireland

Expleo, a global engineering, technology and consulting service provider, today announces that it is investing €1 million in a new leadership development service in Ireland. Launching today, ‘Leading with Leadership’ will provide tailored leadership masterclasses, workshops, and coaching for Expleo’s existing and prospective clients, strengthening its role as a trusted advisor and enhancing client relationships.

The new offering addresses the crucial shortage of quality leadership and management development programmes in the market. Insights from Expleo’s most recent Business Transformation Index (BTI) Ireland Spotlight report underscores the pressing need for enhanced leadership capabilities. Three-quarters of business leaders identify driving cultural change and digital-first mindset adoption as a key challenge to successful business transformation initiatives. Recognising the gap, Expleo has integrated this and 61 further offerings into its educational arm, the Expleo Academy.

The new service offers a comprehensive suite of leadership programmes covering communication, personal development, management, business development and board-level leadership. It also provides bespoke workshop solutions, as well as personalised management coaching, leadership consultancy skills and other masterclasses. This service, including all courses and masterclasses will be delivered to businesses in Ireland and across the globe by a team of over 80 highly skilled facilitators, coaches and trainers.

Over the next three years, the new investment will cover the recruitment and support of specialised staff, client engagement, sales training & support, and venue rentals. It will also include further website development, and course and promotional materials. These programmes will be delivered in-person or virtually, based on client preference.

Patricia McGuire, Director of Expleo Academy at Expleo, said: “We are very excited about adding leadership development programmes to our existing Expleo Academy portfolio. Through our client engagements, it has become evident that there is a growing demand for improved leadership skills across all sectors, likely spurred on by pandemic-related disruptions. Even over the past eight months, we have noticed a significant increase in public sector organisations considering leadership development programmes.

“Effective leadership has never been more important, and we are proud to be pioneers in implementing this comprehensive initiative. To deliver this new service, we have curated a team of experts armed with extensive experience and a profusion of practical insights. We believe that true leadership is not just about guiding teams; it’s about igniting passion, fostering innovation, and shaping a brighter future.”

John Philp, who has been recently appointed as the Head of Leadership Development Programmes, will spearhead the new service on behalf of Expleo Academy.

John Philp, Head of Leadership Development Programme at Expleo Academy, said: “Leadership development is about understanding the essence of a business, driving meaningful contributions to its bottom line, and fostering a culture where excellence thrives. When businesses sharpen their leadership skills, they’re not just driving organisational change, they’re creating an environment where everything else just clicks.

“If organisations neglect to invest time and resources in developing these skills, they’re simply setting themselves up for failure. At Expleo, we are committed to making a tangible difference by reintroducing humanity into the workplace. Through this exciting new service, we eagerly anticipate supporting our growing client base and helping their existing and emerging leaders reach their full potential.”

NotebookLM comes to Ireland with support for websites, Slides and more

Last summer, Google introduced NotebookLM, an AI-powered research and writing assistant. Today, the business is bringing an upgraded version of NotebookLM — now using Gemini 1.5 Pro — to Ireland, along with over 200 countries and territories around the world.

Google’s goal from the beginning with NotebookLM has been to create a tool to help you understand and explore complex material, make new connections from information, and get to your first draft faster. You can upload sources — your research notes, interview transcripts, corporate documents — and instantly NotebookLM becomes an expert in the material that matters most to you. Today’s upgrade introduces several new features:

NotebookLM now supports Google Slides and web URLs as sources, along with Google Docs, PDFs and text files.
Inline citations now take you directly to supporting passages in your sources, so you can easily fact-check the AI response or dive deeper in the original text.
Notebook Guide gives you a high-level understanding of your sources by converting them into useful formats like FAQs, Briefing Docs, or Study Guides.

Thanks to Gemini 1.5 Pro’s native multimodal capabilities, you can now ask questions about images, charts and diagrams in your Slides or Docs. NotebookLM will even include citations to images as supporting evidence when relevant.

Case studies from real users

The range of uses that people are finding for NotebookLM has been incredible. Because NotebookLM was developed in close partnership with authors, students, and educators, many early adopters have integrated the product into research and writing workflows. Best-selling author Walter Isaacson has been working with NotebookLM to analyze Marie Curie’s journals for research on his next book. There has been similar enthusiasm from documentary and podcast researchers who need to sift through complex archives to generate scripts or story ideas. But the combination of Gemini 1.5 Pro’s advanced reasoning abilities and NotebookLM’s source-grounding architecture has unlocked many other potential applications:

In local governance, Thomas Gaume created a hyperlocal newsletter, aggregating city ordinances, land use data, zoning codes, and council meeting minutes. NotebookLM empowered him to be a “one-person newsroom and publisher”.
NotebookLM’s ability to summarize and adapt interview transcripts is helping users identify patterns and themes in raw transcripts, saving hours of manual analysis. For example, consultant Victor Adefuye uses NotebookLM to analyze sales call transcripts for targeted training and coaching.
Nonprofits have deployed NotebookLM to help them identify needs in underserved communities and organize information for grant proposals.

Some less than expected and playful use cases have also been noticed with the help of the 14,000 member Discord community, including:

Role-playing game enthusiasts use NotebookLM to manage detailed descriptions of fantasy worlds in games like Dungeons and Dragons.

Getting started

If you’re new to NotebookLM, getting started is easy: When you first access NotebookLM, you’ll create a notebook and upload documents for a specific project or deliverable. At that point you can read, take notes, ask questions, organize your ideas, or ask NotebookLM to create automatic overviews of all your sources—a study guide, for example, or a table of contents.

Whether it’s being used to build imaginary worlds, write bestselling biographies, or help salespeople find new customers, NotebookLM has given U.S. users powerful tools for making connections and generating insights out of large collections of documents.

All Aboard! Evolve IP On The Right Track As Webex Collaboration Demand Surges

Collaboration platform Webex is growing 10 times faster than Microsoft Teams across Evolve IP’s partner base – fuelled by powerful new features, designed to enhance the customer experience and boost reseller revenue.

The white-label UCaaS provider expects to see Webex adoption further accelerate thanks to a new ‘Vidcast’ video presentation tool as well as enhanced AI meeting functionality including a ‘Be-right-back’ innovation.

Olly Harrison Evolve IP (EMEA) Solution Consultant says successful collaboration is based on three key pillars – efficiency, analytics and security.

“Customer experience and revenue growth are intrinsically linked,” he explained. “Webex shines in all main areas and offers security by design. It is very cost-effective, delivers high-value functionality, low cost of ownership, and high-level integrations, including Office 365 and offers great margin potential.

“Webex by Cisco is growing 10 times faster than Teams across our partner base in terms of licensing. It’s very exciting that more organisations are starting to get aboard the Webex train in much greater numbers. So far, we’ve attracted hundreds of new customers this year as month-on-month demand intensifies.”

Outstanding Technologies

Harrison pointed out how according to the latest industry research, around 85% of companies that work to improve their customer experience report an increase in revenue. Organisations with outstanding service generate around six times more revenue than competitors who fall behind, he said.

“Technology should not slow businesses down but improve the fast pace of the world we live in. It’s not just a tool but the foundation of modern customer experience,” he emphasised. “Evolve IP, Webex and our partners can help end users build greater customer satisfaction and retain more business for longer.”

Evolve IP boasts an international carrier-grade network to deliver integrated remote workforce technologies, that enable employees to perform anywhere. Evolve IP generated unprecedented growth and attracted record numbers of new partners last year.

Empowering Customers

Harrison pointed out how the latest Webex developments include Webex Assistant which provides transcripts, translations and message summaries. Powerful software can analyse writing styles and re-write messages before sending them.

AI Assistant in Webex meetings helps people catch up with quick summaries for late arrivals. Smart Chapters and a ‘Be-Right-Back’ option for those who need to step away from a meeting, such as if the doorbell rings, ensure smooth running collaboration for all participants – enabling fewer distractions and no missed information.

Webex also offers strong analytics about how hybrid teams are interacting, even down to what devices they are using and their file-sharing information. Vidcast is another valuable enhancement which enables the creation of quick demo videos or how-to guides for example, in minutes. This eliminates the need for unnecessary calling and enhances overall productivity.

Harrison concluded: “More and more companies are joining us on the customer journey with Webex as a major driving force leading to lots of additional business opportunities. The latest platform developments will only add to its growing appeal.”

Learn more about Evolve IP’s Webex success here.

Tech Review – Creative Zen Air Plus Earbuds

The Creative Zen Air Plus Earbuds are one pair of a duo recently announced and of course we have both which is the Zen Air Plus and Zen Air Pro to check out just like the Aurvana Ace duo recently reviewed here on site and YouTube.

The Creative Zen Air Plus comes in a really nice case which is a good start and is a creamy hue color and comes with wireless charging and the flip top lid has a unique opening compared to others. It will fit in any pocket has a matt finish to the touch and just looks really nice. There is a USB-C charge port LED light and reset/connect button.

The earbuds themselves have a really nice fit and give a great seal straight away and these will not fall out of the ears either once the right tips are applied as I always advise people to do. The better the seal the better the sound and this is all before you even touch ANC mode.

You have the choice of two apps here these are SXFI ready and with Creative this has been a favourite of mine some years now, you also have the standard Creative app and there is where you find all your functions and features to get things going and set up to your personal requirements.

The controls are touch controls on the earbuds and work really well and as expected from the brand if you are familiar with the company you will already know there touch control game is on point and still is.

You have all the features you would expect to find here like skip and reverse tracks volume and call controls and voice assistant access plus more which you will see in the video review below.

Highs lows and mids are fine with decent volume and nice bass no lag latency or tinny sound or disconnecting during my testing and overall a pleasing sound which anyone would enjoy, battery life is quite good to for such small earbuds and overall there is little to complain about here and they come in a fantastic case and colour.

Creative APP

Creative SXFI APP

Features

NEXT-GEN BLUETOOTH LE AUDIO-Improved wireless audio performance at lower bitrates and power consumption. Plus, seamless audio sharing via Broadcast mode, changing how you engage with audio
CRAFT YOUR SILENCE AND AMBIANCE WITH HYBRID ANC AND AMBIENT MODE-Together with 10 mm neodymium drivers, enjoy deep bass, balanced tunes, and a low latency (~55 ms) for seamless audio playback
BATTERY LIFE THAT LASTS MORE THAN A DAY-Up to 8 hours of playback on a single charge and up to 32 hours in total with a fully charged case. USB-C cable included for charging
BE HEARD CLEARLY-Effectively analyze and filter out background noise, while delivering clear voice input and superior call quality with six microphones and ENC technology
COMPACT CHARGING CASE-The Creative Zen Air Plus, weighing 48.6g / 1.71 oz with IPX4 rating, features Bluetooth 5.3 and touch controls, making it perfect for active use

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Video Review

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