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.

Mobile gaming facts that might surprise you

More than 2.6 billion people play games on their mobile devices, with most said to be enjoying the games while on the loo! Over the years, technological enhancements and new game features have meant the overall experience has changed dramatically – but that’s not the only impressive thing. In fact, here we reveal some of the most interesting facts that just might surprise you. 

Mobile gaming launched in the 90s

The 90s doesn’t feel that long ago, does it? But this was when the first-ever mobile phone game was released. In 1994, gamers began to play a pre-installed version of Tetris. A few years later, in 1997, Nokia launched Snake, but only selected phone models could enjoy it. Having first been played by Nokia 6110 users, now over 400 million devices have the game. In fact, it soon became one of the most played video games in the world. 

As more people became interested, mobile manufacturers launched even more products. It was only time before big-name casino brands and online gaming platforms began to tap into the mobile network. Today, individuals can enjoy bingo, slot games, and even poker – whenever and wherever they want. There isn’t just variety in the types of games either, every subcategory boasts a myriad of game styles from a variety of respected developers.

Nokia kicked off multiplayer games

First, they launched one of our favourite games and then they introduced multiplayer gaming – again, on the Nokia 6110. This time, it allowed two individuals to play Snake using their own mobile phones. 

Fast forward to 2011 and Nokia Malaysia actually broke a world record for the largest group of people in a mobile phone game. Over 2,000 people showed up to play Angry Birds for 10 hours straight! While we’re on the subject of Angry Birds, you probably won’t be surprised to know that this game has had over 250 million downloads. 

The 10-hour gameplay of Angry Birds isn’t the longest session though. In 2011, a team of Austrian mobile gamers played for 24 hours and 10 minutes continuously. 

It’s a sociable thing

A study from Twitch revealed that mobile gamers are more socially active than those that don’t play games. Not just that, but gamers are more socially conscious and value friendships more, compared to non-gamers. 

It doesn’t just have an effect on your relationships, as gaming can be good for our brain and thinking abilities. Cynthia Green, a doctor, explained that mobile games require us to think and focus quickly and keep our brains flexible. What’s more, some mobile games can actually train the brain to be and stay sharp. 

It’s becoming more popular

Gaming as an industry is growing in size and popularity, and mobile gaming has a big role to play. It’s believed that 200 million minutes every day are spent playing games, but it’s not just becoming more popular amongst gamers. 

The Academy of Interactive Arts and Science hosts its Interactive Achievement Awards every year. In 2012, they added the Mobile Game of the Year Award for the first time – highlighting that, as a sub-sector, it’s becoming commemorated too. 

These facts show how far mobile gaming has come. As we look ahead, it’s thought that even more games will be released and the likes of cryptocurrency and virtual reality will further change the experience for gamers and mobile manufacturers. One thing’s for sure, whatever type of mobile game you’re interested in, you’re sure to find it online.

Tech Review – Tronsmart Onyx Ace Pro

The latest earbuds from Tronsmart are the all new Onyx Ace Pro which might look familiar to those who are tronsmart fans, the case is identical to the Onyx Ace and so are the earbuds but beefed up somewhat, Tronsmart are a leading brand when it comes to affordable tech and over the years we have been testing all their earbuds so we had plenty of time ahead of their release to check these new earbuds out and see what is on offer.

The packing is as expected from the brand with their well labelled box and orange take, the same applies when you first open the package, you can see more of this and the full video review and how to operate the earbuds below, stock image reviews do not give the product any justice or context so do check it out.

Comfort and fit

These fit well as the previous model did and are really light they have a stem which might not suit all however fine with me, you will forget they are there after a few minutes use, there is no tips as they are a one piece product and it will be a one size fits all here but they are comfortable and look well.

Controls

Again you have touch controls here and they work fine, in general Tronsmart are good in this department, play and pause is tap twice on any earbud, skip track you tap and hold for 2 seconds on the left and reverse the same on the right, Volume up is tap once on the left and down the same on the right, voice assistant is tap three times on the left quickly and the right side is where you have the gaming mode option by tapping again three times quickly, calls are tap twice either side to answer and end and tap and hold for two seconds either side.

Sound

They sound great as expected, nice and loud with some nice bass, however there is no app access which would of been nice, tronsmart have a good app which works with some earbuds, highs lows and mids are fine too good direction and great on gaming, calls are good too nice and crisp and for watching movies and all the rest is good overall, music is great too and nothing overlaps even when maxed out on full volume. The earbuds come with 13mm composite polymer driver units combined with lossless Qualcomm aptX adaptive decoding, there is no auto play and pause present here.

Overall

These are an affordable pair of earbuds from the brand and give you all the basics and more, they are stylish comfortable and give a good audio experience and for gamers it an even better option to have these at your disposal. See the video review for more below.

Features

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Cyber attacks soar yet Pandemic tops Irish business fears

The frequency of cyber attacks in Ireland increased by 26% year-on-year – according to the latest Hiscox Cyber Readiness Report; with 49% of businesses saying they suffered a cyber attack in the past 12 months, compared to 39% in the prior year. Yet while 87% of businesses across the world see cyber as the number one threat to their financial health, Ireland stands alone, with the pandemic remaining the key business concern in contrast to other countries surveyed.

Globally, the seriousness of the cyber threat is not underestimated, with one in five (20%) of businesses across eight countries saying that a cyber attack almost rendered them insolvent – an increase of almost a quarter (24%) compared to the previous year. However, there is a huge gulf in perception between those who have actually suffered an attack and those who have not. More than half of cyber attack victims (55%) see cyber as an area of high risk; whereas amongst companies which have not yet suffered an attack, the figure is just 36%.

Now in its sixth year, the Hiscox Cyber Readiness Report – www.hiscoxgroup.com/cyber-readiness –  surveyed over 5,181 professionals responsible for their company’s cyber security strategy across eight countries: the US, UK, Belgium, France, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands and more than 200 from Ireland.

The report’s other key findings include:

  • More than three out of five respondents (62%) agree that their business was more vulnerable to an attack as a result of employees working from home. This rose to 69% in companies who employed more than 250 people.
  • Average cyber security spending per company is up 60% in the past year to €4.8 million; an increase of 250% since 2019.
  • Adoption of cyber insurance is highest in the financial services industry, where 74% of companies have cover, either through a standalone policy or as part of a wider insurance policy.
  • Irish businesses paid out ransoms more regularly than the rest, with 25% paying five times or more to recover data.
  • Irish companies reported some of the lowest average ransom costs in the study: €12,600 ransom payments and €9,900 recovery costs. The single largest ransom paid in Ireland in 2021 was €42,693.
  • The most common method of entry for Irish ransomware were unpatched servers (65%) – this was far more common in Ireland than in any other country.

Richard O’Dwyer, Managing Director at Hiscox Ireland, commented: “The threat of insolvency for many in Ireland is very real given the increasing costs of an attack – the median cost of an attack here has risen sharply, by nearly a third, to just over €15,300, and for some of the worst hit businesses costs topped €4.5million. Business owners will have spent years growing and investing in their business, but one cyber attack could reduce what they have built to financial rubble.

“Remote working is seen as a serious risk and this model of work is not going away any time soon. It has impacted the volume of cyber attacks as cyber criminals gain access via cloud servers, so it is vital that businesses take the necessary steps to protect themselves against the complexity and speed of cyber attacks. In particular, the success cyber criminals continue to have in breaching systems via the use of phishing emails means one of the most effective defences a business can have is continuing to raise staff awareness of the risks.”

Bolt to launch pilot e-bike service in Sligo

Bolt, the largest micromobility operator in Europe, will launch its first Irish electric bike service in Sligo at the beginning of June. Representatives discussed the 100 bike pilot scheme for the town at today’s ‘Let’s Play Sligo’ event to mark National Bike Week.

Sligo has been one of the leading regional proponents of sustainable transport options and sees potential for commuting, recreation and tourism alike. The pilot will kick off in the coming weeks and will trial a range of parking options to both provide flexibility and ease of use for cyclists and ensure the scheme is mindful of pedestrians and other road users. This includes an investment by Bolt in lasting bike parking infrastructure for Sligo.

Bolt is a leading European mobility champion operating a range of services including e-bikes, e-scooters, ride-hailing and car clubs for over 100m people across 170 cities. The company currently operates ride-hailing taxi services in Dublin and Cork and is seeking to bring electric bikes and in time, electric scooters to cities and towns across Ireland. The launch in Sligo comes as part of a wider push for Bolt to deploy 16,000 e-bikes across Europe in 2022, following a recent fundraise.

Head of Public Policy for Ireland at Bolt, Aisling Dunne, said, “Sligo is an ideal town in which to launch Bolt’s e-bikes in Ireland; with the growing university, recently increased investment in cycling infrastructure and real public support for making sustainable choices. We’re excited to support a forward-thinking council determined to provide alternatives to private car use. 

We know from Bolt research that only 1 in 10 Irish car owners currently see themselves being able to give up their private vehicle. According to Sligo’s Vision 2030 survey, cycling constituted only 1% of transport for those attending education or work and only 2% in Sligo Town. We need to do more to help people make that change for the many short and accessible journeys made every day. Alternative options like electric bikes and shared micromobility services such as electric scooters are a crucial part of forming an ecosystem, which will change habits, improve air quality and translate into less congestion.”

The Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council Councillor, Paul Taylor, said, “This is an excellent initiative which will enable us to promote the many benefits of sustainable travel to the people of County Sligo, and I would like to commend the Project Team for bringing it to fruition.”

Sligo County Council Chief Executive, Martin Lydon, said, “I expect the shared electric bike scheme to be hugely popular, and will provide the impetus for this Council to explore and introduce further sustainable travel initiatives in the future.”

How to rent a Bolt e-bike

To rent a Bolt e-bike, users need the Bolt app, available on app stores, and a payment card tied to an account.

Follow these steps to start riding a Bolt e-bike:

 

  • Open the app and tap on the e-bike icon to locate your closest bike;

  • Scan the QR code on the bike to unlock it;

  • Carefully read through the safety tips;

  • When you’re ready to roll, push off and go!

Bolt is the most affordable provider of shared electric bikes, thanks to having low rates and  no unlock fee. The per-minute rental price is the lowest on the market at just 0.15 EUR/minute during the launch campaign.

How AI Will Affect the Future of Work

AI is revolutionizing the way that people work. Many industries are no longer hiring physical staff. Instead, they are using AI to complete administrative and even physical tasks. For many people, this is very problematic, The use of AI is resulting in millions of people losing their jobs. Millions more are also predicted to lose their jobs in the coming years. On the other hand, however, AI is helping businesses to save a lot of money, which allows them to then invest in other areas, and deliver more quality services.

This article will explore this topic in greater detail, explaining how AI will affect the future of work:

 

Accuracy

One of the main ways that AI will change the future of work is because it produces very reliable and accurate data. With more accurate data and information, companies are better able to target customers and tailor products to them. Many would argue that data accuracy is one of the main advantages of using artificial intelligence because it helps businesses to deliver better services. The data compilation and production skills of AI far exceed that of an ordinary human being. AI also compiles data a lot faster.

Unemployment

Unfortunately, the integration of AI will result in widespread unemployment. For individual workers, this is a big problem, but for companies this is good. The primary reason that the integration of AI will benefit companies is that it will result in them saving a lot of money. Companies will no longer have to pay the wages of full-time staff. For very large companies, removing staff and hiring AI could result in them saving millions of dollars. Massive unemployment, on the other hand, will be very bad for the global economy. The impact that AI will have is yet to be understood properly.

Productivity

AI is a lot more productive than physical workers because it is entirely automated and doesn’t get tired. This is a large reason why AI will take the jobs of normal people. AI can also work a lot faster. Because AI never gets tired, it can be left on to run 24/7. It is illegal to force one’s staff to work for such long hours. Businesses that have multiple AI bots working can then leave them running permanently, with no breaks, meaning that their productivity increases by over 100%.

Profitability

With greater productivity and data accuracy, businesses are able to increase their overall profitability. Profitability is the main metric by which businesses are measured. If a business is not profitable, then it can’t survive. AI can significantly boost profitability, in businesses from a variety of different industries. Greater profitability also means that businesses can invest in other areas of their businesses, improving and streamlining important functions. Because businesses will save a lot of money by integrating AI and will earn more money, there will be a lot more money to be invested, therefore significantly proving the way that businesses run and are managed.

Resources

By integrating AI into their daily operations, businesses are able to free up resources. If businesses choose to keep staff whose jobs have been taken over by AI, then they can move them to other departments and focus on streamlining tasks. Currently, the main tasks completed by AI are administrative in nature. Administrative tasks can be very time-consuming. Staff no longer having to complete administrative work can save the companies that they work for a lot of time (and therefore money). More disposable resources mean that businesses can improve the services that they offer.

Flexibility

The use of AI means businesses are able to be more flexible. Because staff will no longer be responsible for completing time-consuming administrative tasks, they will be able to be assigned to complete other more important tasks on short notice. Flexibility is a very important thing for businesses to cultivate. If a business isn’t flexible, then it won’t be able to adapt and change according to consumer demands. The business world is constantly evolving. With more and more technology being released, businesses need to stay ahead, which AI can help them to do. Improved flexibility means a better working culture, better company, and more profits.

Personalization

AI can be used to personalize the consumer journey. The main way that it does this is by anticipating what a customer’s next step is. By anticipating a customer’s next step, AI is able to deliver a high-quality and efficient service. When customers are shopping on your website, they sometimes need a small push to get them to complete a sale. AI can help to give them this push. AI can send them reminders, emails, and notifications, in addition to offering them discounts for shopping with you. AI personalization is one of the most popular trends in online sales, at the moment.

Skills

When you hire a person to complete a task, their skills are limited. This is not the case with AI. The reason for this is that AI can be customized, according to what needs to be done. All a programmer needs to do is to alter an AI’s code to change its function. This essentially gives you access to workers with infinite skills and capabilities. The possibilities of this are endless. Businesses can use AI for marketing, sales, and product development. The myriad skills of AI are in part why so many people are being made unemployed.

 

Occupations

While AI is causing people to lose jobs, it is also creating jobs. There is a huge demand for AI programmers and handlers, at the moment. If you are looking for a job in an emerging industry, then learning about the production and management of AI software is something that you might want to consider. Because AI is taking over administrative tasks, it is also creating jobs in more specialized fields. The jobs that AI is creating are usually offered as ‘home working’ positions, which is great for people that have children or just don’t want to commute into an office every day.

AI will (and already has) significantly change the way that we work. That’s not a bad thing, though. While people will be made unemployed, jobs will still be created. AI will save businesses millions and allow them to deliver better services.

What to Look for in a Slot Machine

When deciding which online casino to use, you shouldn’t just sign up for the first you come across and jump into any game. Although the most significant element in any slot machine style game is luck, there are several things you can do to educate yourself about how the process works to give you the best chance of winning and maximising your profits. Below we look at three things you should look for when deciding which slot machine games to play online.

Start by finding out the RTP of the game you want to play. 

When visiting a gambling website for the first time, you should find out what the Return to Player (RTP) Percentage is on any game you decide to play. The RTP is basically an indication of how likely you are to win, as it tells you what percentage of the money goes to the online casino and what percentage will be paid out to customers. You can use a site like Poker News to help you find out the RTP of a particular game, and then decide whether you’re happy with the RTP. As a rule of thumb, it’s a good idea to avoid slots with an RTP percentage lower than 95%.

Match the slot volatility with your playing preferences. 

Do you like to gamble with small amounts of money for an extended period of time? Or do you prefer going all out with a couple of lavish bets? Either way is fine, just make sure you understand the slot machine’s volatility that you’re playing. Low volatility slots have higher chances of winning, and it’s easier to strike winning combinations, but they pay out significantly less than other slots. On the other hand, high volatility slots offer lower chances of winning, but you stand to win more money playing these games with the right bankroll and strategy.

Research the casino’s bonus features. 

Bonus features are an essential part of any online casino offer. One of the first things you should look for in an online provider is the bonuses and sign up offers available on the site. The most common type of bonus in online slot games comes in the form of free spins, and to discover the best offers at a particular time you can utilise a comparison site such as Topbettingsites.ie to help you learn of the top offers currently available online.

In addition to free spins, many slots also incorporate wild symbols within their games. Wilds come in and replace other symbols and essentially give you much better odds of winning. Sites offer different types of wilds, including random, sticky, and moving symbols, each of which is utilised differently. Whenever they appear, they’re a welcome bonus for players, as they often help to change your run of fortune.

Overall, with so many slot games to choose from, you should conduct some research before signing up to a site. If you understand the RTP, volatility, and bonus features of a particular game, you have a better chance of winning and maximising your profits.

 

Irish Advantage – Ireland’s opportunity to becoming a global leader in cyber security by 2030

A recent report conducted by Cyber Ireland and Cyber Skills, which is the first of its kind in Ireland, has found that there is an opportunity to position Ireland as a global leader in cyber security and to grow the workforce to over 17,000 by 2030.   These are among the findings of the report which identified 489 cyber security companies operating across Ireland that employ cyber security teams.

Minister of State with responsibility for Public Procurement, eGovernment and Circular Economy, Mr Ossian Smyth, addressed the report “There have been several significant cyber security incidents in the past number of years, including the incident affecting the HSE in May of last year. I welcome the collaboration between Cyber Ireland and Cyber Skills on The State of the Cyber Security Sector report in Ireland. These findings will be key in developing our ambitious targets to support future growth and development of the cyber security sector in the years ahead.”

Cluster Manager of Cyber Ireland, Dr Eoin Byrne stated “This report shows the size and scale of the cyber security sector, critical to our economy and society, which employs 7,300 professionals and contributes €1.1bn in Gross Value Added (GVA) per annum. Cyber security is a rapidly growing industry, and we have the potential in Ireland to grow this industry to 17,000 jobs and €2.5bn in annual GVA by 2030, with the right business supports and measures.”

While the findings of the report confirmed that 83% of businesses expect their cyber security team to grow over the next twelve months, 61% have noted a recruitment, training and retention issue, such as a lack of candidates in the labour market with the appropriate skill level (41%),  lack of non-technical skills (22%), or unaffordable salaries (21%). Access to training and education is essential in the industry to ensure demand for skills does not outweigh supply.

Professor Donna O’Shea, Chair of Cybersecurity at Munster Technological University (MTU), added “The opportunity for Ireland to grow and develop the cyber security sector to 17,000 professionals, is dependent on a supply of suitably qualified individuals. The HEA Cyber Skills initiative aims to address the challenge of talent and skills, by reducing barriers to participation in the industry, upskilling and reskilling professionals making them industry ready upon completion of their courses. This is done with expertise drawn from top industry leaders and collaboration within the scientific community”

Investment in cyber security firms hit record levels in 2021 of over $20b globally, and over the past 5 years 20 Irish cyber security firms raised over €110m in external investment to fund expansion and growth in operations.  However, it was found that 26% of businesses that responded have faced issues with raising or securing finance. Quick access to investors is essential for funding, development, competition, connections & access to markets and Irish cyber security start-ups require this funding to scale their business rapidly to meet the demands of the market.

VC funding to Irish tech firms grew by 52% to almost €380m in 1st qr

Venture capital funding into Irish technology firms increased by 52% to €379.7m in the first quarter of this year, compared to €249.4m in same period last year, according to the Irish Venture Capital Association VenturePulse survey published today in association with William Fry.

But chairperson of the Irish Venture Capital Association, Nicola McClafferty, said that the headline figure concealed a “potentially worrying fall” of 30%-50% across all categories under €10m, including seed funding. The number of deals overall fell by almost a third to 50 from 74 in the same period last year.

“All the growth came from eight deals worth over €10m each, including three over €30m. While the momentum carried over from last year has continued for more established companies raising large rounds, some of that impetus seems to have stalled for earlier stage companies.” 

She added, “The venture industry worldwide saw a slowdown in the first quarter as a result of an uncertain global economic outlook and the war in Ukraine. While challenging market conditions may continue, we also know that many great companies are started and built in times of downturn, so we await with interest the data in the coming quarters.” 

The value of deals between €5-€10m fell by 51% to €11m.  Deals in the €1-€5m also halved to €34.5m from €70.3m in the same period last year. Deals under €1m dropped by 31% to €8.9m.

 

Sarah-Jane Larkin, director general, IVCA said that 79% of funding came from international sources in the first quarter. “While this is to be welcomed and emphasises the quality of Irish tech firms and their appeal to international investors, we have expressed concern before about where any shortfall would be made up if the global economy contracts.” 

She pointed out that seed funding in the first quarter had fallen by nearly 40% to €22.3m from €36.5m in the previous year. “So the Government’s announcement in February of a new €90 million Irish Innovation Seed Fund Programme for Irish start-ups is particularly timely.” 

Top deals in the first quarter were two Irish unicorns, fintech company Wayflyer which raised €134m, and digital food ordering platform Flipdish (€94m). Envirotech company Exergyn raised €32.7m.

Tech Review – Tronsmart Trip Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

The Tronsmart Trip is the latest bluetooth speaker on offer from the brand that delivers great tech at affordable prices and with the Summer coming in now is a time to check your tech stash and see if you have a speaker you can take to the beach or pool and not worry about it getting damaged and not only that delivering a decent sound too.

This speaker by no means is big and is portable which is ideal for most and not a cumbersome load to add to your travel bag heading to a picnic or park and so on, and you can see more of this in the unboxing below before we give a full hands on review and get some audio samples too..

The speaker itself has a big Tronsmart logo splashed across the front which stands out and it is not like the company to do so but it looks well and the lettering is raised and made of rubber, this matches the control keys up top which are again raised for easy to use functionality and work well, you can also use your mobile phone to control the speaker if you like you can skip and reverse tracks, play and pause music and take calls on the speaker too which is quite handy.

When it comes to sound there is a decent punch out of the speaker for its size, placing on a solid surface gives better results buy you can hang it if you like with the braided rope attached to one side, there is rubber feet on the underside which keeps it still and it never budged for me testing at max volume.

On the rear is where the ports rest and covered with a rubber flap to keep it safe from water and dirt, there is no sd card expansion on on offer here for those who like to carry them with them but no huge deal, pairing is super fast with Bluetooth 5.3 and if you have two of these you can pair them up which would be a super sounding set up and not expensive.

The speaker comes in a range of colours too which is great and better than the standard offerings we usually see at launch and there is one something for everyone here,battery life is a bit on the poor side with 20 hours having said that you will easily get a few days on one charge or it will last through the night if you are having a late one, there is a nice material finish on the speaker too and does not look like heavy maintenance to keep it clean either, the speaker is light too and overall a decent sounding speaker for its size and packs a decent punch on max volume and will fill a good sized room indoors too.

  • SoundPulse® Technology.
  • Up to 20 Hours of Playtime.
  • IPX7 Waterproof.
  • TrueWireless Stereo Pairing.
  • Built-in Microphone.

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