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.

7 Reasons the English Premier League is the most Popular Domestic League on the Planet

The English Premier League is the most-watched domestic sports league in the world. Millions of people from all around the globe tune in each week to watch live games unfold. 

But what is it that attracts so many sports fans to watch these soccer games? Why are television companies spending large sums of cash on the rights to televise English football, and why are some of the best players and managers in the world working for these clubs?

 

1. It’s unpredictable

Anything can happen in the Premier League. Each club is given a cash injection each year because of television rights. This allows small clubs to spend millions of pounds on top players. 

Unlike other domestic competitions, the team at the bottom of the league can beat the team at the top. Predicting the outcome of any Premier League game can prove challenging, but even with that in mind, gambling in the premier league is extremely popular. You will be able to find odds for all of the fixtures at an online casino. 

Betting on the Premier League can be a lot of fun. You will be able to find an online casino that allows you to bet on the number of goals, substitutions, corners, goalscorer, etc. 

It’s no surprise that gambling on the Premier League is popular. In the 2020/21 season, over fifty percent of the teams in the competition were sponsored by betting companies. 

2. The Premier League has a long history

The first Premier League season took place in 1992/93. Before the Premier League, the top domestic football division in England was known as Division One. However, Division One had generated a negative reputation around the world due to hooliganism in the 1980s, which encouraged the owners to replace it with the Premier League. 

With broadcasters Sky onboard, they decided to change the way football in England was viewed. Sky, along with the Premier League’s owners, decided to make the Premier League a family-friendly competition. They worked hard changing people’s persona on the league, and over time, it seemed to have worked. Today, attending football games is a lot safer than it once was. People of all ages go to Premier League matches without having to worry about their safety. 

3. The media attention

The media surrounding the Premier League is constantly growing. Although most fans tune into their local television network to watch the fixtures, you can easily find other content online. There are several fan channels on popular streaming platforms like YouTube, and there are countless groups on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. 

If you want to find out more about your favorite club, upcoming fixtures, the latest transfers, or injuries, just do a quick search on Google. There are multiple websites dedicated to the Premier League. There are news channels that discuss the Premier League 24 hours a day. 

 

4.The style of play

The Premier League is highly entertaining. Not just because of the avid fans, or the flashy footballers, but the style of play is what most people like about the Premier League. 

In almost every Premier League fixture you’re guaranteed tough tackles, exciting attacks, interesting tactics, etc. Unlike the German League, players don’t get a lot of time on the ball. Each player must make quick decisions if they expect to retain possession. 

Arguably the best managers in the world manage clubs in the Premier League. Klopp at Liverpool, Pep at Manchester City, Conte at Spurs, and Tuchel at Chelsea. These managers have made the Premier League the most exciting league at the moment. Although each manager has a unique style of football, it can be enjoyable for the neutral and supporters to watch. 

 

5. Watch it all over the world

In the past, watching the Premier League fixtures could prove challenging. However, in recent years, watching games has become a lot easier. Although standard in-home viewing is just as popular as it once was, more people than ever before are watching the games from their mobile devices. Streaming Premier League matches is an easy way to watch a game while you are on the move. 

Today, you can watch the English league in one hundred and eighty-eight countries. Here are the only countries that are recognized by the UN that you won’t be able to watch the league:

 

  • North Korea

 

  • Turkmenistan

 

  • Cuba

 

  • Afghanistan

 

The league reaches over one billion homes each year. Live coverage of games is shown in over 900 million homes annually. 

Even if you are planning a vacation abroad, watching your favorite team play in the Premier League won’t be difficult. 

The league is a good conversation starter while visiting a foreign country. Especially in areas throughout South East Asia and Africa. Lots of local people in these areas tune into the Premier League on a regular basis. You will find counterfeit Premier League jerseys for sale in a lot of the stalls in local marketplaces. 

 

6. The supporters

Premier League supporters are some of the most passionate supporters on the planet. Even the teams at the lower end of the table attend games week-in, week-out. International supporters often travel for thousands of miles to watch their beloved team in real life. 

Even for people who don’t find football entertaining, attending a game and watching the loyal fans scream, sing and shout, for ninety minutes can be highly entertaining. A lot of supporters in England breathe, sleep, and eat football. It is an obsession throughout the country. 

7. It created a lot of excitement during the pandemic

Although the Premier League was temporarily put on hold during the pandemic, the owners decided to continue the competition behind closed doors. This allowed fans to watch each game unfold while many people around the world were on lockdown. This provided fans with much-needed excitement. Although the stadiums were empty, the games were just as exciting as ever. During these unprecedented times, more people found themselves watching Premier League fixtures to avoid boredom. 

Tech Review – Coolify 2 Neck Air Conditioner

With the Summer coming in fast and we have had a great few days lately which was great timing for testing this latest product from TORRAS which is the Coolify 2 which is the second model they have now created, you can check out the first model and other models on offer on their site, there is 3 versions of the latest model with a starting price of $179 and goes upwards to $229 with some extras, do not forget to include shipping costs and taxes if applicable to your region.The company offer free  shipping in the US.

What is the product about then

If you are into sports and fitness or just like being cooled down then this is for you, it might seem a bit cumbersome by its size but do not let that put you off, the headset is no bigger than an average pair of headphones only you let them rest on your neck, there is two controls on the device and that is is nothing complicated at all here.

a. Click the power button — turn on/gear 1 2 3/turn off the COOLIFY2.
b. Press the power button for 1.5S at any mode/gear — turn off the COOLIFY2.
c. Click the mode button– switch in between cooling mode and fan mode.
d. Press the mode button for 1.5S — switch in between cooling mode/ fan mode and heating mode.
We go through the motions in the review anyway so do check it out below in the hands on video
Coolify fans
Coolify fans
Bottom view
Top view

Build quality

The build is mainly plastic but robust it might feel a bit cumbersome for some folk but after using it you can forgive this as seen in video review below it has a glossy finish for the most part and has air outlets on both sides and breathing holes for the fans too.

Does it actually work

Yes in short it does you can heat up or cool down but the USP here is the cool factor with the pun intended you will not need ice a cold towel or a bucket of water with this on it works a treat and with the hot weather we had here I took advantage of this and brought it with me on a small break in the country and I often carry a small desk fan with me on my travels but did not this time around to give this a shot and it is a lifesaver if you are hot and not a huge fan of the heat which is me..Battery life is also good for 18 hours in fan mode 1, or 1.5 hours in cooling mode 3. The LED Screen shows the battery life and setting mode as you will see in the video review.

Can I recommend it.

That is an easy yes if you are into sports or a regular user of a fan and require cooling down, anyone can use it in fact, the ease of use factor is also important here with no app or connecting to your phone and so on, however perhaps the next variant might include a headphone option to sweeten the deal, some might think the price is a bit much but it is the convenience factor here of how the product is made and how simple it is to use yet alone the benefits of getting cool fast.

Features

  • – Chill, instantly. Cool Down 27°F in 1S.
  • – Immersive Wrap-around Cooling with KU 2.0 Chip. It improves the cooling performance up to 7 times. Turn it on, turn heat off.
  • – Colossal 3D Airflow Power for neck fan. Fully personalize your temperature, anytime, anywhere.
  • – Live it Up from Dusk ’til Dawn, 3H Charge for Up to 23H Use
  • – Flex-to-Fit 0-160°, Coolify2 makes one-size-fits-all possible.
  • – Smart, as it should be. NTC smart temperature control and LED hidden design keep your temperature more manageable.
  • – Portable and safe, cooling made easy. Wrap around and breeze your neck safely thanks to 13x safety protection.
  • – Heating, In the Air. It is also designed for keeping you warm in colder months. Go heated, go totally warm.

BUY : https://torraslife.com/neck-airconditioner/

Amazon link: https://amzn.to/3EqrEPK

Video Review

 

Salesforce Report Shows 86% of Irish Respondents Say Experience Is as Important as Products

Salesforce, the global leader in CRM, today released the fifth edition of its State of the Connected Customer report that shares insights from nearly 17,000 consumers and business buyers across 29 countries, including 650 from Ireland on the new digital-first customer engagement landscape.

Key insights of this year’s State of the Connected Customer report include:

A Trust-Based Economy Has Emerged. As customers navigate a rapidly changing world, questions of trust, values and integrity are increasingly impacting their relationships with companies. 91% of Irish respondents believe trust becomes more important in times of change.

Digital Acceleration Is Sparking Demand for Personalisation at Scale. Customer engagement is decidedly digital-first, but brands are under pressure to merge online and offline interactions into a personalised experience as in-person interaction re-emerges. 69% of Ireland respondents have purchased products in new ways since 2020.

New Realities Are Testing Brand Loyalties. As priorities and behaviours shift, established brand loyalties are undergoing tests of strength. 73% of Irish consumers have switched brands at least once last year.

This new digital-first world has changed the norms of commerce, work, and everyday life, prompting customers and brands to re-establish how they connect. As customers continue to shift their preferred experiences with brands to online channels, brands must re-imagine digital-first experiences that engage customers in a way that is flexible, thoughtful, and provides a personal touch.

View a breakdown of key insights from consumers and business buyers, including generation and country filters, in an interactive Tableau dashboard.

“It is more important than ever for companies to understand their customers’ needs and expectations,” said Deirdre Purcell, Country Sales Leader at Salesforce Ireland. “While businesses are navigating a changing landscape, so too are customers, with an increased importance on trust, values and integrity impacting their relationships with brands.

 “The accelerated demand for digital technology is set to continue, but it is not the only challenge leaders have to grapple with, they also need to focus on merging online and offline interactions into more personalised experiences. This new digital-first world means that companies in Ireland must re-establish how they connect with customers and engage them in a flexible, thoughtful manner.”

 

Jabra research reveals technology increases employee inclusion in hybrid work

In a world where 60% of employees say a hybrid work model is their ideal work arrangement, only three in ten (30%) strongly agree that their organisation provides them with the necessary technology to collaborate equally and inclusively from anywhere. This is according to Jabra’s 2022 edition of the Hybrid Ways of Working Global Report, carried out amongst 2,800 knowledge workers across six countries worldwide to understand the employee sentiments and motivations in this hybrid working era.

The future of work is virtual-first. With hundreds of millions of people collaborating on Teams, Zoom, and other unified communications platforms every day, these digital environments are the new standard for how we connect to one another. In fact, many employees have only ever met some of their colleagues on these platforms. Because of this, it is critical that leaders do all they can to get the most out of the virtual workspace, so employees can create more human and authentic relationships with their colleagues.

Professional audio technology impacts meeting inclusivity

Jabra’s research found that users of professional audio devices reported feeling more included in virtual meetings than those using either consumer audio devices or the microphones and speakers built into their laptops. In fact, users of professional headsets globally were 11% less likely to feel left out of the conversation in virtual meetings than consumer device or built-in audio users. Similarly, professional headset users were 14% less likely to report not being able to hear what’s being said in the meeting than built-in users and 12% less likely than consumer device users.

At present, only 29% of workers are using professional audio devices. As 87% of all meetings are either fully virtual or hybrid, with only 13% happening fully in person, it’s crucial that employees are able to make the most of them with purpose-built technologies. A lack of proper technology may make relationship-building in these virtual environments more tenuous and difficult than it needs to be.

Organisations that prioritise meeting equity have higher hybrid meeting engagement

Since the start of the pandemic and alongside the rise of hybrid work, the term “meeting equity” has entered the discussion to explore how organisations can create equitable virtual environments. In a traditional meeting room, every meeting participant has a place at the table and has equal opportunity to contribute to the meeting. However, a hybrid meeting setting consists of both physical and virtual meeting participants, so true meeting equity becomes harder to achieve.

Luckily, the research finds that organisations that take active steps towards achieving greater meeting equity are likely to increase engagement in hybrid meetings. In fact, 48% of hybrid workers say that their organisation priorities meeting equity, resulting in 53% saying they’re just as engaged in hybrid meetings as face-to-face meetings. This is compared to only 34% of full-time in-office workers who say that their level of engagement in hybrid meetings matches that of face-to-face meetings; amongst in-office workers, 32% feel their organisation prioritises meeting equity. Leaders need to take decisive steps to address meeting equity, regardless of the primary type of work model their organisation practices.

Video increases inclusion and productivity in virtual environments

Roughly half of all employees (49%) consider their office to be their laptop, headset, and wherever they can get a strong internet connection. But the research found a key location-agnostic way to impact an employees’ wellbeing and productivity levels: video. Sixty-two percent of employees say they feel more included and present in meetings when everyone attending has their camera turned on.

Similarly, 53% feel they can collaborate more productively on video calls than on audio-only calls. This is likely why 68% of employees say that standardised professional video cameras would help everyone participate equally in hybrid meetings. Moving forward, leaders have an urgent need to look into the best technology to inclusively connect all employees and business partners no matter where they’re working. This will be an essential part of achieving greater meeting equity and succeeding in the hybrid future.

Holger Reisinger, SVP at Jabra, said: “The way we work has changed forever and the current state of knowledge work requires access to digital platforms and technologies to be successful. As such, leaders need to prioritise the employee experience and ensure that they can thrive in virtual meetings regardless of location. It starts with identifying technologies that will enable both in-office and remote employees to collaborate on an equal playing field, so employees can seamlessly move between these places without feeling left out, unheard, or distracted. Only then will employees truly be able to work a flexible arrangement on their own terms and have a stronger emotional connection to both their digital and physical workspace.”

To download a copy of the full research report, please visit: https://www.jabra.co.uk/hybridwork/2022

Jabra launches Engage 55 – portable professional headset for ultimate call security/quality

Jabra, leaders in personal sound and office solutions, has launched the Engage 55, the newest product in Jabra’s Engage series. Engineered to enhance your communications, the latest headset comes with the highest DECT security with military-grade 256-bit encryption and noise cancelling technology. It also has an extensive wireless range, set to enable hybrid call professionals to make calls whenever or wherever they can, taking ‘walk and talk’ to new lengths.

The Jabra Engage 55 is a brand-new DECT wireless professional headset designed for superior conversation quality. It comes with improved noise-cancelling technology and microphone performance, enabling more employees to have meetings in the same space without any interference. The Engage 55 also offers the best level of security of any wireless headset available, which makes it the ideal headset for those working across all industries, remotely or otherwise.

Virtual fatigue 

The average UC user is said to spend more time on calls than ever before. Statistics* show that annual Zoom meeting minutes increased by 3,300% in 2020-21 and there was a 645% increase in active MS Teams users within the same time frame. Research** also found that a person’s credibility in virtual calls relies on their audio quality; the poorer the quality, the less credible we consider someone to be. When we experience poor quality audio online, our brain naturally strains to figure out what is being said. If this is done continuously, energy and alertness is drained, which then impacts wellbeing and productivity. Getting the online experience right is therefore extremely important to ensuring employees’ do not suffer from virtual fatigue.

Crystal clear conversations

With virtual meetings becoming the standard for businesses, it’s more crucial than ever for employees to be heard and be able to speak freely with their co-workers or customers without being interrupted or having their voices muffled. The Jabra Engage 55 therefore has a noise cancelling and voice enhancing microphone that removes background sounds whilst keeping your voice crystal clear for more focused conversation experiences.

With employees being in calls for hours every day, it’s more important than ever to protect their hearing. Therefore, the Engage 55 also offers additional hearing protection benefits. Jabra SafeTone 2.0™ provides speech level normalisation, which allows the user to adjust the volume level of incoming calls according to their preferences. The headset also has intelligent acoustic shock protection, which reduces potentially harmful noise levels without affecting the audio quality. As well as this, it has PeakStop at 105 dB, the proactive removal of sudden loud sounds and BalancedVoice™, in which incoming sound is processed to be clearer without increasing the level.

Maximum security 

The current trend of remote working makes companies more vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Therefore, security is more important than ever. Cybercrime rises due to eavesdropping and the data breaches this causes, and there is the growing importance of safeguarding client discussions, which often involve sensitive information. The Engage 55 includes additional features that make it the safest professional wireless headset on the market. The connection between the wireless adapter and the headset is certified to the highest DECT Security – Level C – making it ultra-secure. It also has additional FIPS military-grade 256-bit encryption algorithms to effectively prevent eavesdropping on conversations.

For added mobility, the Engage 55 features a long wireless range. With a range of up to 150 meters/490 feet, the Engage 55 gives employees the freedom to move around their home or office work environments without compromising call quality. The headset comes with a link 400 USB DECT adapter that is bigger and able to stay securely in place when plugged in. The adapter is not only more advanced than its counterparts, but designed to last.

The lightweight design of the headset also ensures a personalised fit with adaptable ear cups suited for all-day comfort. There is a choice in wearing styles; with stereo, mono and convertible styles, there is an option for every user. To save any issues with setting up, the headset comes pre-paired out of the box with a visible status light, which indicates to your surrounding if you’re busy and don’t want to be disturbed. The new Engage headset works with all leading Unified Communications and Contact Centre platforms, including MS Teams, Zoom, Cisco, Unify, Amazon Chime, Google Meet, Avaya, Unify and Alcatel Lucent.

“Research clearly shows that security is an increasing factor for businesses when deciding on new call technology. At the same time, safeguarding information exchange should not affect call quality, customer satisfaction, and staff productivity,” said Anders Hvelplund, SVP of Call-Centric BU and Global Services at Jabra. “With the Jabra Engage 55, anyone who engages in back-to-back calls are guaranteed a superior call experience, and those who work remotely will no longer have to be concerned about eavesdropping and therefore data breaches.”

 

Key features of the Engage 55: 

  • Premium open office microphone – Filters out background noise for crystal clear conversations
  • Military grade security – Level C DECT security
  • Up to 150m/490ft connectivity range – 15x larger than the range of any Class 2 Bluetooth device
  • Link 400 DECT USB dongle – with durable ‘puck’ design for easy transportation
  • Professional speech clarity – Speakers optimised for speech quality
  • Works with all leading Unified Communications and Contact Centre platforms – MS Teams, Zoom, Cisco, Unify, Amazon Chime, Google Meet, Avaya, Unify, Alcatel Lucent
  • All-day lightweight wearing comfort – 18-83g, low pressure
  • Protect hearing well-being – SafeTone 2.0 protection
  • Deter interruptions – Busylight on earcup and boom-arm
  • Choice of wearing style – Stereo / Mono / Convertible

The Engage 55 will be available from 1st June at selected retailers from MSRP £199 (Mono/Convertible) and £213 (Stereo).

Find out more about Jabra Engage 55 at www.jabra.co.uk/engage

House of Marley Launches Redemption ANC 2 True Wireless Earbuds with New House of Marley App

Today, House of Marley announces the launch of its Redemption ANC 2 True Wireless Earbuds with compatible iOS and Android app for a bold and customisable listening experience. For the first time ever, the House of Marley app is available to download and pair with your Redemption ANC 2 earbuds for complete control over your personalised sound profile, touch controls, pairing names and more.

SUSTAINABLY-MINDED

House of Marley’s eco-conscious identity was created in collaboration with the Marley family to carry on Bob Marley’s legacy of love for music and planet. This commitment to sustainability and craftsmanship continues with the Redemption ANC 2. The earbuds are crafted from mindfully sourced materials, using highly-renewable bamboo, natural wood fiber composite, and recycled plastics, and come in 100% plastic-free recyclable packaging. In addition to creating thoughtfully and sustainably designed products like the Redemption ANC 2, House of Marley’s global give back initiative Project Marley supports global reforestation and ocean preservation through One Tree Planted and Surfrider Foundation.

HYBRID ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION 

The Redemption ANC 2 earbuds integrate Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Ambient Mode features, so you can decide how much of the outside world to let in. ​​Seamlessly switch between Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Ambient mode to take control of your environment at the tap of your finger.

NEW HOUSE OF MARLEY APP

House of Marley’s new iOS and Android app offers a personalised listening experience like never before. Take command of your Redemption ANC 2 with full customisation of your sound profile (EQ), pairing name and customised touch controls, as well as quick access to user guides and firmware updates.

EVERYDAY COMFORT 

Designed for your everyday commute or daily sweat session, the Redemption ANC 2 offers an ergonomic fit and soft gel ear tips for music lovers on the move. Choose from three sizes of included ear tips to find the perfect fit.

NEW FEATURES

For exceptional call clarity, the Redemption ANC 2 is engineered with a total of six high-performance microphones offering Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Echo Noise Cancellation. Redemption ANC 2 also supports wireless charging, so you’re free to place the streamlined case on any charging pad to top off your battery. Finally, designed to keep up with active lifestyles, these earbuds are IPX5 water and sweat-resistant.

REDEMPTION ANC 2 FEATURES

  • Made from Bamboo, REGRIND™ Bamboo Fiber Composite, REWIND™ Cable from 99% Post Consumer PE
  • 100% Plastic free, recyclable packaging
  • Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) with Ambient Mode Feature for flexible listening no matter your surroundings
  • 6 microphone technology with ANC and Echo Noise Cancellation for crystal clear call clarity
  • 6-hour playtime, up to 24 hours total with case
  • Touch controls easily play, pause, or change music, take calls and more
  • USB-C quick charge technology (15 minutes = 2 hours playtime)
  • Water-splash resistant design (IPX5) protects against sweat and rain
  • Marley iOS/Android Application for changing EQ, ANC level, paring name, custom controls, and Firmware updates
  • Wireless Charging Case
  • 20M Range
  • 3 sizes of ear tips (S,M,L)

Redemption ANC 2 is available in Signature Black now at www.houseofmarley.co.uk and select retailers nationwide for RRP £149.99. Cream colour coming this summer. Download the iOS or Android apps to pair with your earbuds.

Barnardos announces extension of partnership with Dell Technologies in Ireland

Barnardos has today announced that that Dell Technologies has committed to extending its current five-year partnership with the children’s charity as it works to support the most vulnerable in communities across Ireland.

Since 2017, the Dell teams in Dublin, Cork and Limerick have volunteered their time to support the organisation’s core work including sharing expertise for an organisation-wide digital audit, supporting the shift to virtual and hybrid working and supporting social media monitoring for major campaigns.

The strategic partnership between Barnardos and Dell in Ireland has helped vulnerable children and families with 25,000 hours of family support, 600,000 meals, and 1,800 children gaining a place on Barnardos Early Years services. Through new virtual fundraising initiatives rolled out in the past two years, Dell team members raised an additional €130,000 in vital funds and increased awareness of the work of Barnardos.

Over the next two years, Barnardos and Dell will provide additional training, social media support and the volunteering of time to the children’s charity. Building on the positive impact of the existing network of Code Work Clubs, the two organisations will join forces to create new on-demand coding curriculum so that children accessing Barnardos services across the country can develop their digital skills.

Commenting on the announcement, Suzanne Connolly, Barnardos CEO said: “It’s been an incredible five years of partnership between Barnardos and Dell Technologies with transformational impact that will help make a real difference to the vulnerable children and families we work with, because childhood lasts a lifetime.

“We’re looking forward to another two years of support, working together to create a legacy of change. We cannot thank the Dell Technologies team enough for joining us on this important journey in recent years – and we’re excited to see the impact we can make together in the coming years, as we face the personal, local, national and global challenges and issues that affect so many children and families.”

Denis Lucey, Vice-President of EMEA Infrastructure Support Service and Site Leader, Dell Technologies Dublin said: “We are committed to supporting the communities we serve and our partnership with Barnardos is central to that promise. Since we came together five years ago, we’ve been amazed and inspired by the life changing work undertaken by Barnardos. In extending our partnership, Dell Technologies can enable the children’s charity to have an even greater impact. Over the coming two years, Dell will work to expand the reach of our Code Work Clubs to ensure young people in the community can benefit from new coding skills and that we can play a role in addressing the digital divide that exists in many areas.”

Tech Review – Realme GT 2

The Realme GT2 is part of a duo of devices that has been recently released by the company and the GT2 pro is the top tier in the series costing slightly more but having said that this model does not skimp out really and after testing for a few weeks It has been one of daily drivers for that period and only one thing let it down which was the sound on video recording which has been notable on several videos I have used it to shoot reviews on and in the video review samples itself which will be seen below but other than that there is not much else to complain about if you want a new phone today.. We go through the phones features in the unboxing below so be sure to look at this and see what to expect.

Unboxing

Design and build

The design of this device might be borrowed from the predecessor however I am fine with that, the paper green model we have feels really nice on the back but it still looks clean and looks cool for me, the lens set up is fine with a hump that is not huge unlike other devices out there and kept simple and with the realme branding next to it gives it some balance, this is also slightly raised, after that the rear is clean with a textured back giving you additional grip.

The corners are rounded and not sharp so holding the phone in hand is fine, up top there is a mic on the bottom is your sim tray another mic the USB-C port and a speaker and finally on the left is the volume toggles and all the buttons are the same colour as the device which is nice.

Display

The display is fine for me and will be for most people thought the buzzword used today is the 120 hz refresh rate which being honest most would not know the difference if coming from a 90hz the panel is an amoled 1080p getting up to 1300 nits peak 1080x2400px resolution, 20:9 aspect ratio, 398 ppi which makes for great viewing at night or out in the sun.

Under the hood and performance

OK so they have their own skin realme UI 3.0 running on top of Android 12 and i find this is good overall with a nice user experience and settings to mess around with to customize the phone to your liking and this is one thing I like about my phone and having the option to do that and this is the case here with it allowing you to do almost anything you want to get that look you desire, asides that we have the usual spec sheet that some seem to think is what is most important so for the spec nerds you get a 5000 mAh battery which last as day easily and that is being a power user and not letting it off easily, and using it all day long for browsing social media and much more.

Also it has the latest silicon inside with the Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G, don’t let the 5G make you think it is a better phone because 5G for us here in Ireland is shite and the uptake has shown this but expect a push from the operators this year to get people on it but my advice is steer clear for another year with 5G. When it comes to performance overall it outdone my PIxel 6 with video crunching twice over when tested side by side using the same app I always do to stitch videos together so for a time element this is good if you are one to use your phone for such work.

Anyone using this device for day to day use on like most do today will have no issues on this phone multitasking.

Camera

The camera, I will not bore you with the specs but lay them out and you can watch the videos below which show night and day footage and more, the camera is decent and does well for the most but the only thing is the audio experience which can hopefully  You have a 50 MP rear camera f/1.8, 24mm, 1/1.56, OIS; Ultrawide 8 MP, f/2.2, 119 and a Macro 2 MP, f/2.4.

The front camera is a 16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide) and i found the front camera quite good but they have been improving greatly on most phones these days anyway so for the selfie fans you are in luck.

Daytime samples

Nighttime samples

Conclusion

The phone is good for the price and that is what people want these days you also get a very good fingerprint sensor which is under the screen and I have had no issues with this at all during the test period, between this and the GT 2 pro this one makes a bit more sense I think and the better buy as there is not much difference between the two but that said nothing is to stop you getting the more expensive model.

The realme GT2 was sent to us to review with no compensation,input or preview, as with all our reviews we are transparent and don’t use stock images you see the tech in hand for context.

BUY

 

Young offenders of recycling dumping used batteries in bins WEEE Ireland study finds

Young consumers are being urged to stop binning used batteries – as a new survey reveals almost half of 18-34-year-olds are tossing them in the trash.

The WEEE Ireland study found that despite warnings around the environmental and safety hazards of incorrect disposal of end-of-life batteries, behavioural change is urgently needed amongst the younger generation.

“They are often lauded as the most environmentally conscious, yet the survey shows a worrying 43% of adults under the age of 34, actually throw their used batteries in general waste bins instead of recycling them,” said Leo Donovan, CEO of WEEE Ireland.

“Binning batteries means that a range of really valuable resources will never be recycled. We need a sea change in behaviour amongst this cohort in order to properly address the problem.” 

The survey of 1,000 people, conducted online by Empathy Research last month, reveals that more than a quarter (28%) of people are unaware that batteries contain valuable resources such as cobalt, zinc, nickel and lithium, which can be used again.

Over 55s are the most eco-conscious, with just 9% binning batteries – the lowest of all age categories – while 81% know they contain valuable materials.

Only 2% of over 55s hoard them, but this rises to 26% for 18-34 year olds.

Data across all age groups shows a total of 16% of the population binning and 6% hoarding batteries, while the vast majority who do recycle them, use retailers (47%), recycling centres (17%), WEEE Ireland collection events (16%) and local schools (11%).

Separate data from WEEE Ireland shows Ireland achieved a 46% battery recycling rate in 2021, reaching its EU Directive obligations.

There was a 16% increase in the amount of batteries recycled by Irish households, in line with increased consumption and greater usage of batteries in everyday products.

The spike in recycling is equivalent to 15 AA batteries saved from landfill per person – an increase of two per person on 2020.

“This small change made a huge difference and we are urging everyone to again recycle at least two more AA batteries in 2022 to reach our target – and to stop and think before throwing them in the bin,” said Mr Donovan.

“Disposing of used batteries properly is as simple as consumers bagging them up on their next shopping or recycling trip. 

“Any retailer or supermarket that sells batteries will take them back for recycling. That’s in addition to the hundreds of recycling centres across the country.

“For the millions of batteries not recycled properly every year, we lose precious elements and important resources that can only be replaced by mining. The environmental and social costs of extracting and processing the materials required for battery manufacturing, can be huge. 

“The world will require much less mining for materials if we can recycle more spent ones.” 

However, Mr Donovan said that as battery sales soar to cater for the growing demand for electric vehicle and e-mobility devices, these targets will become harder to reach if we don’t get into the habit of recycling more.
Every battery recycled by WEEE Ireland goes towards a donation fund to support the vital work provided by LauraLynn, Ireland’s only Children’s Hospice. This year’s €40,000 donation brings its overall total to €520,000 since the partnership first began 11 years ago.