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.

Edifier Honoured at the VGP 2023 SUMMER Awards

The innovative and world-leading audio brand Edifier  continues its tradition of manufacturing high quality, innovative, audio products. As  recognition, it announces that it has taken six awards at the prestigious Visual Grand Prix  (VGP) Summer Awards 2023 in Japan. The Edifier QD35, MR4, WH950NB, W820NB Plus  have been awarded the highest honour of a VGP 2023 SUMMER Gold Award whilst the  G5000, G5BT CAT were recognized in the VGP 2023 SUMMER Award Winner category. 

The Japanese VGP Awards are well known as the “Oscar in the Audio Industry”. They  are the largest, most authoritative audio-visual awards in Asia. It is held on an annual basis by Ongen Publishing Co. Ltd., one of the most prominent publishing companies  in Japan with an expertise in audio/visual related devices and state-of-art technologies.  Launched in 1987, the awards bring together respected reviews from dozens of  countries, all to offer an authoritative reference guide for ordinary consumers looking  to make informed purchases. The VGPs are often recognized as the highest authority  award in Asia’s audio-visual industry and mark a significant recognition for Edifier’s  ground-breaking work in the industry. 

“We are once again extremely honored to have won 6 awards in the VGP 2023  SUMMER Awards”, stated Stanley Wen, Edifier’s CTO. “Edifier strives to deliver  outstanding sound experiences – our aim is to combine the highest audio quality with  affordability. These awards are recognition that Edifier’s core values coupled with the  expertise of its technical and manufacturing teams reaffirms the company’s  determination to be amongst the leaders in the audio-visual industry.” 

The Edifier QD35 was one of the Gold award winners. The QD35 is an all-in-one  music system certified to both “Hi-Resolution Audio” and “Hi-Resolution Audio  Wireless. It has support for LDAC and features stunning ‘Lumia Art’ effects making it 

a show-off speaker that is very popular with home gamers who want to add pulsating  lighting effects to enhance their gaming experiences. 

Another VGP Summer gold award winner was the MR4 Powered Studio Monitor. With  the 1-inch silk dome tweeter and 4-inch diaphragm woofers, the MR4 delivers pure, accurate sound – perfect for those who want a pair of studio speakers for content creation or for those  users who simply want to enjoy top quality audio. 

The WH950NB wireless noise-cancelling over ear headphones feature “Hi Resolution  Audio” and “Hi Resolution Audio Wireless” Certification plus LDAC Codec and advanced  4-Mic ENC for the best voice and audio clarity. The WH950NBs are equipped with  intelligent active noise cancellation algorithms that remove surrounding noise. Users can  choose between ambient sound or wind reduction in different scenarios to create the ideal  listening environment. 

The final award winner in the Gold award category was the W820NB Plus. The  W820NB Plus is again certified with Hi-Res Audio and Hi-Res Wireless Audio and  provides a high-frequency bandwidth of up to 40kHz. With up to 49 hours of non-stop  playtime, users can enjoy music with enhanced details, a wider sound field and richer  emotional depth for that rounded listening experience. 

Recognized in the 2023 SUMMER award category were the Edifier G5000 gaming  speakers and the G5BT CAT Hi-Res certified gaming headset. With their acoustic  configuration, the G5000 2.0 Hi-Res speakers can achieve 24bit/192kHz, providing  realistic and impressive sound that delivers powerful bass and clear trebles for that  

immersive gaming experience. The G5BT CAT headset is equipped with PixArt  Bluetooth 5.2 and a low-latency game chipset, providing the ultimate mobile gaming  audio. 

The VGP awards recognize excellence and honour products that make a difference to  the industry through state-of-the-art technology and design. Edifier continues to  develop and grow its product ranges. The company has registered international  trademarks in more than 80 countries and regions, and has a global-based workforce  with distribution partners and resellers worldwide.  

First Look – C300 4K Action Camera from SJCAM

With the Summer here we like to take photos and videos to capture those special moments, now I have never been one to carry a standalone camera but only use my phone but this new kit could change that due to its size and stop me heavily relying on my smartphones for all forms of image and video capture which my phones be used for on a daily basis for my tech reviews.

This is small light and portable and comes with stacks of use case scenarios and accessories to get the most out of it which is super cool and can be seen in the unboxing below there is something here for everyone and not only that there is a wide spectrum of settings too which adds some flavour to the pocket sized gadget.

Standard Recording

4K (3840*2160) 30FPS
2K (2560*1440) 60/30FPS
1080P 120/60/30FPS
720P 120/60/30FPS

Photo Resolution 20MP, 16MP, 14MP, 12MP, 10MP, 8MP, 5MP, 3MP, 2MP

Check out the package below and if you have any questions while we test it out feel free to let us know in the comments

Features 

  • 1.3″ touch screen (front)+1.3″ touch screen (rear)
  • 4K 30FPS
  • 6-Axis Gyro Stabilization
  • 30M waterproof with case
  • Continuous shooting, Timed shooting, Quick shooting, Interval shooting

BUY

Unboxing Video

How to Elevate Your Tech Business with a Software Development Company?

Technology is rapidly evolving, and we may always expect something new in the following years. This industry is distinguished by ongoing innovation and quick improvements. New technologies, frameworks, and tools emerge on a regular basis, creating a dynamic environment in which businesses must constantly upgrade their offerings in order to remain relevant. 

Because of the rapid rate of development, tech businesses are racing to be at the forefront of technology and give cutting-edge solutions to customers. As a result, utilizing technology has become a requirement for survival in competitive markets. In fact, an astounding 85% of business owners have found enormous success by incorporating technology into their operations. 

Technology has proven to be a game changer for organizations across industries, from optimizing processes to improving consumer experiences. Navigating the broad and ever-changing technical landscape, on the other hand, maybe a difficult task. This is where collaborating with an expert group in this field can give a business advantage. In Europe, a lot of businesses are now seeking the assistance of software development company UK.

Businesses that work with a software development company receive access to specialized experience, technological resources, and customized solutions that may propel their tech-driven operations to new heights. Such collaborations can assist them in remaining competitive, adapting to changing market demands, and capitalizing on emerging opportunities.

In the following parts, we will look at how working with a software development company may help businesses elevate their processes, improve customer experiences, and drive growth through innovation. Businesses can position themselves for success in today’s fast-paced, technology-driven corporate market by embracing strategic collaboration.

Optimizing Efficiency 

Any tech company hoping to prosper in the UK’s fiercely competitive market must have effective and streamlined operations. A software development company in the UK can help elevate and streamline your tech business by creating a customized experience for your target audience. The expertise of these companies can significantly enhance the efficiency of your brand.

By making use of a software development company’s skills, you have access to a talented group of experts who have extensive knowledge and experience in a variety of technological disciplines. They are able to assess your company’s needs, provide strategic advice, and create custom software programs that support your goals.

Drives Creativity and Innovation

The technology business dominates the world stage, accounting for 35% of the overall global market. In such a competitive environment, it is even more critical for UK tech companies to remain innovative, creative, and ahead of the curve. Collaboration with a UK software development company might be a strategic move that will assist you in achieving this goal.

You gain access to an extensive range of new ideas and viewpoints by working with a software development company. These groups are always at the cutting edge of technology, exploring and experimenting with new trends like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and blockchain. 

You may incorporate this cutting-edge technology into your business processes by using their expertise, allowing you to provide innovative products and services to your consumers. This not only establishes your company as an industry leader but also gives you an edge in the UK tech market.

A software development business in the UK can help you negotiate the complexities of compliance and regulatory regulations in addition to creating innovation. These companies ensure that your tech business conforms to the essential rules and regulatory criteria because they have a thorough understanding of the UK market. 

This is especially important in an era where data privacy and security are essential.  You may build trust with your clients, protect their data, and limit any risks by working with a software development company that understands the complicated nature of the UK regulatory system.

Seamless Integration and Personalized Approach 

Working with a UK software development company has a number of benefits, one of which is the ability to incorporate their solutions into your current tech business effortlessly. These companies have the technological knowledge to guarantee seamless integration with your present systems, whether you’re wanting to develop a mobile app, a web platform, or an enterprise software system. 

A software development company in the UK can also offer custom solutions that exactly match your company’s needs. They collaborate extensively to fully comprehend your particular problems and goals before turning them into unique software programs that provide excellent user experiences.Software solutions that may be customized are guaranteed to not only satisfy your current demands but also to be flexible enough to grow and modify as your company develops. This is where expert software re engineering services can play a key role.

Wrapping Up

It is essential for UK tech businesses to embrace innovation and keep up with the competition as the tech sector continues to flourish and remains a potent choice for corporate growth. Working with a UK software development business can be a game-changing step in the direction of successful outcomes. Businesses could be introduced to new ideas, use cutting-edge technologies, and create customized solutions that fit their particular needs.

 

Dell Technologies Expands Limerick Customer Solution Center Innovation Lab Capabilities

Minister for Finance Michael McGrath TD joined Dell Technologies to announce the expanded capabilities of its Customer Solution Center (CSC) Innovation Lab located at its campus in Limerick.

The CSC Innovation Lab provides a unique environment for organisations to test and deploy new digital solutions to address specific business challenges. Global customers can experience real-life examples of how AI, 5G and edge computing can advance the development of smart cities, connected healthcare and Industry 4.0.

The expanded capabilities, built in collaboration with partners Vodafone and Ericsson, include the implementation of edge computing and emerging technologies such as computer vision, advanced analytics, and private wireless networking. This will enable customers to develop new ways to capture, analyse and make decisions at the edge, in proximity to the data source. Access to this new capability will support customers and partners in industries including manufacturing, healthcare and agrifood sectors. The expanded offering ensures that Dell can accelerate the pace of digital transformation for customers from the edge to the cloud.

The partners together with NovaUCD, the hub of innovation at University College Dublin, are developing an accelerator programme to support innovative start-ups with global potential accessing Dell’s CSC Innovation Lab to test their new solutions.

The partnership and expansion of the CSC Innovation Lab, which is one of 14 CSCs globally, comes following the recent opening of Dell’s redeveloped Cork Customer Solution Center and the Open Telecom Ecosystem Lab, also in Cork.

“Dell Technologies has continually been at the forefront of innovation and helping businesses here in Ireland and across the globe to harness new technologies,” said Minister for Finance Michael McGrath TD at the Customer Solutions Centre in Limerick. “The expansion of the company’s capabilities at its CSC Innovation Lab in Limerick and its support for innovative Irish start-ups is very welcome news. It not only highlights the company’s commitment to Ireland but also the importance of helping businesses to embrace edge computing and emerging technologies. I wish the Dell team in Limerick, Cork, and Cherrywood every success into the future.”

“Since 2019, the CSC Innovation Lab has provided a space for industry leaders to collaborate with our team to unlock the power of technology for their businesses. With this exciting addition to our global Customer Solution Centers’ capabilities, we will enable our customers and partners to harness data at the Edge to accelerate innovation within their organisations and deliver new products and services,” said Des O’Sullivan, Vice President Customer Solution Centers at Dell Technologies.

Seán O’Reilly EMEA Vice President of Logistics and Limerick Site Leader at Dell Technologies added: “We’re thrilled to welcome Minister McGrath to our Customer Solution Center Innovation Lab here in Limerick and unveil the enhanced offering for our customers both globally and here in Ireland. The broadening of our capabilities and the continued evolution of our multi-functional campus in Limerick will help ensure that our team remains at the forefront of digital transformation.”

Donal Travers, IDA Ireland’s Head of Technology, Consumer and Business Services, welcomed this announcement saying: “Dell is a pillar company in the Irish enterprise technology ecosystem.  The partnerships announced today will see the implementation of critical technologies in customer solutions and will further enhance Dell’s positive impact across the business, educational, and entrepreneurial community in Ireland”.

For more information about Dell’s Customer Solution Centers visit: https://delltechnologies.com/customersolutioncenters

Innovative Strategies of Niche Streaming Platforms

In the rapidly evolving landscape of digital entertainment, niche streaming platforms have emerged as a powerful force, offering specialized content to cater to diverse viewer preferences. These platforms bring forth innovative strategies that captivate audiences, challenging traditional media giants and reshaping the way we consume entertainment. 

One notable example is HBO Max, a streaming service renowned for its exceptional content library. While initially limited to the United States, the demand for HBO Max beyond its borders prompted the need for innovative solutions. Thus, streaming enthusiasts were presented with the opportunity to explore and stream HBO Max outside US, thanks to creative strategies employed by both the platform itself and dedicated streaming enthusiasts.

As the streaming revolution continues to unfold, it becomes evident that these unique platforms are not just mere contenders but pioneers in their own right. Let’s dive into the world of niche streaming platforms, unveiling the ingenious strategies they employ to captivate audiences and thrive in a highly competitive market.

10 Unique Tactics of Niche Platforms

Data-Driven Content Curation

Niche streaming platforms understand the importance of data analytics and algorithms in gaining valuable insights into viewers’ preferences and consumption patterns. By leveraging this information, they are able to curate content that aligns with individual tastes, creating personalized recommendations that cater to specific interests. 

This data-driven approach enhances the overall streaming experience, as viewers are presented with content that resonates with their preferences, leading to a higher level of satisfaction and increased likelihood of maintaining a subscription.

Interactive and Gamified Features

In their pursuit of enhancing viewer engagement, certain niche streaming platforms adopt an interactive and gamified approach that surpasses passive streaming. By integrating elements such as quizzes, polls, and interactive storytelling, these platforms invite viewers to actively participate and immerse themselves in the content. 

This interactive approach cultivates a sense of involvement, transforming the viewing experience into an interactive journey where viewers have a stake in the outcome. By providing opportunities for active engagement, niche platforms create a deeper connection between viewers and the content, fostering a more immersive and memorable streaming experience that goes beyond traditional passive consumption.

Social Media Integration

Niche streaming platforms fully understand the influence of social media in building a vibrant and engaged viewer community. To harness this power, they seamlessly integrate social media functionalities within their streaming platforms. 

By enabling viewers to share their favorite content, participate in live discussions, and contribute user-generated content, these platforms foster a collaborative and interactive environment. This integration taps into the inherent social nature of media consumption, connecting viewers and facilitating meaningful interactions.

Original Podcasts and Audio Content

Recognizing the surging popularity of podcasts and the rising demand for audio-based entertainment, niche streaming platforms expand their content offerings beyond video. They invest resources in developing original podcasts, audio documentaries, and audio dramas that complement their existing video content. 

By venturing into the realm of audio, these platforms tap into a new segment of audio enthusiasts and provide a holistic entertainment experience. This diversification of content formats allows viewers to engage with their favorite platforms in a versatile manner, catering to their preferences and enabling them to explore a rich array of storytelling and informational content beyond the boundaries of traditional video streaming.

Influencer and Celebrity Collaborations

Collaborating with influencers and celebrities has become a common strategy for niche platforms to boost their visibility and reach new audiences. By partnering with popular figures in relevant niches, these platforms tap into the influence and reach of these personalities. 

Influencers and celebrities promote the platform and its content to their dedicated fan bases, generating buzz, and attracting diverse viewership. These collaborations bring credibility, excitement, and a wider range of perspectives to the platform’s offerings.

Virtual Events and Premieres

Niche streaming platforms understand the power of virtual events and premieres in generating anticipation and exclusivity among their audience. By organizing live-streamed Q&A sessions, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and virtual red-carpet events, these platforms create opportunities for viewers to engage directly with creators and talent. 

This interactive approach enhances the overall viewing experience by offering a behind-the-scenes look and allowing viewers to ask questions and gain insights. By fostering direct connections between viewers and the content they love, niche platforms strengthen the bond, making viewers feel more invested and connected to the creative process.

AI-Powered Content Recommendations

Niche platforms leverage artificial intelligence to offer advanced content recommendations. Instead of relying solely on user preferences, these platforms analyze contextual factors such as mood, time of day, and viewing history. 

By considering these elements, AI-powered recommendation systems can suggest content that aligns with viewers’ current needs and preferences, ensuring a more personalized and engaging streaming experience.

Offline Viewing

Offline viewing is a valuable feature provided by some niche streaming platforms. By offering the option to download content and enjoy it later without an internet connection, these platforms cater to viewers who may have limited connectivity or prefer to watch content during travel. 

This feature provides convenience and flexibility, allowing users to access their favorite shows and movies wherever and whenever they want.

User-Generated Content

Niche platforms actively encourage user-generated content to enhance viewer engagement and foster a sense of ownership and community. They may organize competitions, challenges, and content submission programs to tap into the creativity of their user base. 

By involving viewers in the content creation process, these platforms create a dynamic and interactive environment that strengthens the bond between creators and their audience.

Educational and Skill-Building Content

Niche streaming platforms dedicated to specific interests, such as cooking, fitness, or language learning, offer educational and skill-building content. They provide tutorials, courses, and workshops, transforming the streaming experience into a valuable learning opportunity. 

By combining entertainment with education, these platforms cater to viewers who seek to acquire new knowledge, develop skills, or explore their passions in a convenient and accessible manner.

Sum Up

By implementing these innovative strategies, niche streaming platforms continue to captivate audiences, differentiate themselves from mainstream competitors, and shape the future of digital entertainment.

 

Easy Ways to Spot AI-Generated Content for Non-Techies

Around 12% of businesses are already using AI for content creation, making this one of the most common applications for generative artificial intelligence. 

That said, there’s no denying the fact that content generated through AI is different from images and texts from human creators.  

So, how can you identify texts and images that have been created through AI?

3 Ways to Identify AI Text

With almost 850 million monthly visitors, ChatGPT is the most popular generative AI language tool available–but it’s far from the only option. 

Here are some tips you can use to identify content generated through ChatGPT and other AI platforms. 

#1. Check for Repetition of Common Terms

The vast majority of generative AI language models attempt to predict the next letter in a sentence based on your input. 

However, this also means that these language models are likely to repeat common words like “the,” “it,” and “is.” Rather than identifying the repetition and adjusting it, AI models usually look over this pattern. 

So, if a piece of content repeats these common words to the point of being noticeable, it may be a sign it was generated through AI. 

#2. Review Sentence Length, Punctuation, and Other Patterns

Most of us read at a 7th or 8th grade-level in terms of comprehension. 

So, when AI platforms like ChatGPT generate written content for us, they tend to follow readability best practices to the extreme, which usually results in visible patterns. 

This includes things like:

 

  • Same sentence length: humans like reading shorter texts, and AI platforms know this, so they tend to write short sentences that are roughly the same length, creating a monotonous tone;
  • Punctuation: likewise, you may also notice patterns in punctuation like a comma, colon, or semicolon every so often, so the point that it becomes noticeable;
  • Platform-specific watermarks: this is a more advanced strategy developed by computer scientists. The idea is that you can identify invisible “watermarks,” which consist of variables like specific word choices to help identify AI-generated text. 

The watermarks technique was developed by independent researchers. 

That said, OpenAI, the company behind the creation of ChatGPT, has confirmed it is developing these watermarks to make AI content easy to identify later on. 

#3. Verify Typos and Grammar Errors

Texts written by AI rarely ever have typos or grammar mistakes, and this in itself can be a way to identify artificial intelligence content. 

The reality is that human text is usually filled with typos, grammar mistakes, and inconsistencies. Not only this, but we tend to bend the rules and manipulate language to help us get our point across. 

AI language models lack this ability, so if you notice that a piece of writing is too pristine and robotic, it may have been created by an AI platform. 

3 Ways to Spot AI Images

AI images portraying shocking scenarios have flooded the web over the last few years–but many of the most notorious cases have actually been the work of AI. 

Here are a few ways you can differentiate images created by AI from real photographs. 

#1. Pay Attention to Fingers and Teeth

All AI models need to be trained through a database that includes images. However, not all images in these databases include complete images of hands and smiles. 

Because of this, it’s common for AI platforms to struggle with the creation of teeth and fingers. So, if you want to know if an image was created or doctored using AI, start by checking that the fingers and teeth have the right number of extremities and proportions. 

#2. Look at Unnatural Smoothness

Another common mistake that AI platforms make when creating images is generating overly smooth textures. 

This issue can be noticed on all surfaces, including the skin of the people in the image, their clothing, and even on secondary elements. 

#3. Assess the Logic of the Image

With text-based content, it’s necessary to read at least part of it to determine where it came from. Images, on the other hand, are easier to assess visually. 

An effective way to determine if an image was generated through AI is to assess the logic of the elements inside of the frame. 

For instance, the famous pictures of a beached great white shark that went viral were quickly disproved after social media users noticed that the characteristics of the animal were slightly different in every image. 

How Will AI-Generated Content Impact the World?

It’s impossible to predict the impact of AI-generated content and how it will shape society. 

On the one hand, the biggest effect of AI may be a boost in productivity and efficiency, given that artificial intelligence can be used to create content at scale. 

That said, AI can also be used to spread misinformation in many formats, including text, images, and even deepfake videos that have the potential to be extremely damaging at a social level. 

With that said, it’s paramount to have a good cybersecurity culture in place to avoid getting your data breached and cracked when using AI tools. 

Try a VPN to protect your sensitive information when playing with the generative AI, and don’t forget that everything you put out there–can be used against you.

Conclusion

AI tools have already changed the way we generate content for marketing and entertainment. 

That said, it’s essential for us to retain the ability to differentiate between AI and human content to understand the potential impact these texts and images can have on humans. 

While already difficult, it’s possible to identify AI text by checking for repetition, identifying patterns, and even using artificial intelligence platforms. 

Likewise, you can usually stop AI images due to the distinct appearance of fingers, teeth, surface smoothness, and the overall logic of the image.

All in all, artificial intelligence content is already a major trend that will continue to grow and shape how we view modern brands. 

 

Remote and flexible work are the most in-demand non-financial benefits, says new research

Despite ongoing calls from business and government leaders for a reduction in working from home, employees have ranked flexible hours and working location amongst the top benefits they seek from their employers.

Research commissioned by Zoom of 1,000 UK knowledge workers found that flexible hours and scheduling (78%) and flexible work location (69%) were ranked second and fourth as workplace perks. With the cost of living crisis continuing, financial incentives – competitive pay and compensation packages (84%) and competitive benefits (78%) – made up the top four.

The findings, part of Zoom’s Workplace Benefits Preferences Survey in partnership with Morning Consult, found that flexibility is vital for UK knowledge workers. The majority (87%) are more likely to want to work for a company that offers remote or flexible work than one that doesn’t. A similar number (88%) also say that flexible working makes them a happier employee, while three quarters (75%) would consider leaving their current role if they could have increased flexibility elsewhere. Around half (52%) see remote and flexible working as a must-have for their roles and 46% see it as a perk.

Phil Perry, Head of EMEA North at Zoom said, “With large numbers of workers ready to switch jobs if they aren’t offered the flexibility they need, businesses that fail to offer a choice on where and how their teams work could be walking into a trap. At a time when many organisations are under pressure to reduce costs while delivering more, being able to offer benefits like flexible working that require little additional investment is a simple way to keep teams happy and motivated.”

Although flexible working is often seen as the preserve of younger generations, the desire for flexible location is balanced across age groups: 69% of Gen Z/Under 30s ranked this as important, compared to 71% of Millennials, 69% of Gen X and 70% amongst Older Gen X/Over 50s (Boomers). Demand for flexible hours is higher amongst Millennials and older generations, given changing life needs – 69% of Gen Z/Under 30s reported this as important, compared to 80% of Millennials, 78% of Gen X and 78% of Older Gen X/Over 50s (Boomers).

The research also suggests that the classic 9-5 model is no longer the most effective way to work, no matter the stage of life the employee is in. Across generations, 92% prefer working hybrid or remotely, compared to 8% who prefer working in the office full time. This figure remains relatively constant across generations:

·       Gen Z/Under 30s: 90% prefer hybrid/remote and 9% in person

·       Millennials: 93% prefer hybrid/remote and 6% in person

·       Gen X: 92% prefer hybrid/remote and 8% prefer in person

·       Older Gen X/Over 50s (Boomers): 90% prefer hybrid/remote and 9% in person.

Perry continues: “Thanks to the technology platforms available, employers can provide their teams with tools that give them the ability to manage work commitments and connect with their colleagues, when and where works best for them. Creating a working style based on individual preference is a priority across generations, and businesses need to avoid one size fits all approaches as they build out workforce strategies. At Zoom, we’ve invested in AI tools such as Zoom IQ to enable employers to manage, coach and mentor their remote workforce much more effectively.”

Zoom allows organisations of all sizes to implement the best tools to enable a hybrid workforce. Whether employees work in an office, remotely, or a combination of both, Zoom’s all-in-one collaboration platform allows businesses to focus on productivity and efficiency while allowing employees the flexibility to work when, how, and where they are most productive without compromising the quality of work or collaboration.

Methodology

This survey was conducted among 4,000 Knowledge Workers across the following markets: US, UK, DE, AUS, SG. Knowledge workers were defined as clerical workers who have a full-time job in the private sector, in government, or in the non-profit sector.

This survey was fielded among those in the US, UK, DE, AUS, SG from February 3– 24, 2023.  Data in this survey were weighted to match an approximate proportion of knowledge workers per country. The margin of error for this study is +/- 2% for all countries, +/- 3% for the US, UK, and DE, and +/- 4% for AUS and SG. The margin of error is smaller within subgroups.

FoodCloud partners with Coca-Cola HBC to launch new ‘Food Sourcing Strategy’

Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity Pippa Hackett today joined FoodCloud and their partners Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland to announce a three-year initiative which will see the introduction of a new Food Sourcing Strategy.

With a strong working relationship of over 3 years, Coca-Cola HBC has supported both FoodCloud in the Republic of Ireland and their counterparts FareShare in Northern Ireland with financial and product donations as well as volunteer hours. This new partnership will take a strategic approach to reducing food waste across the island of Ireland and will focus on FoodCloud’s objectives of doubling the volume of food redistributed to 5,100 tonnes per year by 2025. This equates to approximately 12,000,000 meals redistributed in Ireland and 16,000 tonnes of CO2-eq avoided. Tackling food loss and waste delivers a threefold purpose directly benefiting – the climate, food security, and the long-term sustainability of our food systems.

Through this initiative Coca-Cola HBC will support FoodCloud in Ireland and FareShare in Northern Ireland to analyse and review the existing approach to food sourcing and identify challenges and opportunities for growth. The outcomes and indeed the development of the food sourcing strategy is designed to support the efforts of social enterprises to engage larger manufacturers, producers and suppliers across the food and drink supply chain in surplus redistribution. Through the implementation of this new strategy, food industry partners will have the knowledge and processes they need to identify ways to prevent food waste and reduce carbon emissions within the sector.

Speaking at today’s announcement, Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity, Pippa Hackett, said: “The new Food Sourcing Strategy is a very welcome initiative. Tackling food loss and food waste is a key step in combating climate change and in Ireland’s transition to a circular economy. With over 770,000 tonnes of food waste recorded in 2020, it is vital that producers, suppliers, consumers and Government work together to address this pressing challenge.”

Since 2013, FoodCloud has redistributed over 201.3 million meals in Ireland and internationally. It has also rescued more than 84,555 tonnes of food from going to waste, avoiding over 270,576 tonnes of CO2-equivalent. Food waste also has a huge environmental impact, accounting for 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions*. To put that into perspective: Food waste generates over four times more greenhouse gas emissions than the global aviation industry.

The existing partnership between FoodCloud and Coca Cola HBC has already seen 586 tonnes of surplus food redistributed in the first quarter of 2023. That equates to approximately 1,875 tonnes of Co2 equivalent avoided and 1.4 million meals equivalent redistributed to Food Cloud’s network of over 600 charities.

Aoibheann O’Brien, Co-Founder and Partnerships Director, FoodCloud, said: “While FoodCloud has made great progress in rescuing and redistributing surplus food, this figure represents only a very small percentage of the 770,300 tonnes of food that is wasted every year in Ireland. We are still only scratching the surface of surplus potential in Ireland and more needs to be done to achieve the ambitious target of halving food waste by 2023. 

“The FoodCloud Food Sourcing Strategy supported by Coca-Cola HBC will be the foundation to significantly grow the volumes of food redistributed across the Irish supply chain by 2025 and support FoodCloud’s ambitious vision of a world where no good food goes to waste. In our efforts to cut emissions as a country, the Food Sourcing Strategy has an important role to play in reviewing the processes in place and providing tangible learnings to help us double the volume of food redistributed to 5,100 tonnes per year by 2025 and to cut the associated emissions of wasted food. The food sourcing strategy involves an analysis, not only of the surplus that is available and of the needs of our charity and voluntary organisation (CVO) partners, but also an analysis of ways to unlock pockets of fresh produce and a diverse range of foods that can contribute to a balanced diet for the communities that we serve. We look forward to working with Coca-Cola HBC over the coming three years to meet these challenges.”

The partnership being announced today builds on Coca-Cola HBC’s commitment to achieve net zero emissions across its entire value chain by 2040. As part of this commitment, Coca-Cola HBC has sought to promote a life-cycle approach to reducing food waste and the sustainable sourcing of raw materials.

Tom Burke, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Director, Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland, said: “The journey to NetZero requires partnership across all industries and sectors. As the largest beverage provider on the island of Ireland and the world’s most sustainable beverage company we recognise we have a role to play in leading the industry response and developing partnerships across the sector. In our own operations, we are looking both internally and externally to reduce carbon emissions and play our part in driving sustainability. Over the past three years we have seen the incredible work FoodCloud and FareShare do, and we are excited to work together to develop this vital Food Sourcing Strategy which will evolve how the food and drink industry approaches food redistribution and as a result reduce associated carbon emissions. 

“The Food Sourcing Strategy will see Coca-Cola HBC and FoodCloud work together with others across the food and drink sector to find innovative new ways to reduce food waste and double the volume of food redistributed to 5,100 tonnes per year by 2025. We look forward to seeing a vibrant community of industry and community partners emerge as we work collectively to prevent food loss and achieve a world without waste.”

For more information about FoodCloud, please visit their website https://food.cloud/

Tech Review – Xiaomi Mi Vacuum Cleaner Mini (EU)

Portable Vacuum devices are kinda popular these days and we have reviewed some here before on the site and they do a good job and can be used at home or in the car, this model here can be used for both and most geared towards your car in my opinion and it will not be as strong as a convention hoover you would have in your house.

That being said it has enough power to clean up a mess really quickly in a hurry and get the most of it up and is ideal for removing dust from shelves and so on, even more it is great for cleaning you keys on your computer which is where I spend much of my time and it can get grubby with crumbs and other bits of food which is a habit I need to drop but now this little guy is here to save the days o that habit may not change after all..

This is a simple to use and clean product and very portable and is charged with USB-C which is good to see and you get two parts inside the box to get to work straight away, the top simply flips open and you can empty the tray and the job is done without getting your hands dirty, the filter comes in two parts and can also be removed and washed so you can use it again and again though over time it might be an idea to change the inner filter as the outer one prevents big particles getting in and the inside on stops the particles, it is a clever set-up.

You will get about 30 mins use out of it (10 continuous) which is not bad considering its size and it can be stored anywhere, even in your car glove box and can be charged via your own charger inside your car via the cable provided. So for me it is handy to have it and will most likely stay in one of my vehicles here not worried about having to move it into the home either for doing the more delicate dusting jobs.

It is not as quite like most hoovers are and it’s not the loudest either from what I have tested before and in fact quieter than the previous ones reviewed. Overall it is a handy little gadget to have at your disposal and looks great to as when people first seen it here they could not figure out what it was until I revealed the details on the bottom of the box..

Features

  • Vacuum Cleaner 30W
  • Tank capacity: 100 ml
  • Battery: 2000 mAh
  • Washable HEPA filter

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