Author: Jim O Brien/CEO

CEO and expert in transport and Mobile tech. A fan 20 years, mobile consultant, Nokia Mobile expert, Former Nokia/Microsoft VIP,Multiple forum tech supporter with worldwide top ranking,Working in the background on mobile technology, Weekly radio show, Featured on the RTE consumer show, Cavan TV and on TRT WORLD. Award winning Technology reviewer and blogger. Security and logisitcs Professional.

Tech Review – HIFIMAN DEVA Pro headphones

If you are looking for the ultimate audio experience in more ways than one the new Deva Pro headphones from HiFiMan are ones to consider, with more than one connection option you have more to gain over your standard bluetooth or wired headphones and can cover more ground with the audio experience in return. We covered most of what you will find with these in the unboxing which you can see here.

What are these headphones all about then

They have an Acoustically Invisible Stealth Magnet: Unlike the sound waves created by a conventional magnet, the special shape of Stealth Magnets enables the waves to pass through the magnets without generating interference. HIFIMAN’s advanced magnet design is acoustically transparent, dramatically reducing wave diffraction turbulence that degrades the integrity of the sound waves. The reduced distortion yields pure sonic output that is accurate and full-range.

Build and fit

These are by no means small headphones they cover the ears which I actually like and are light enough they are super comfortable on the ears with no clamping effect even using them for hours and the headband is also comfortable too, now with these there no controls to mess about with per say apart from the attachment you get with it (Bluemini R2R) which we will speak about later.These are really only meant for indoor use however you could wear them outside weather permitting as I did out my back garden for example.

Connectivity

With headphones like these they are aimed at a different niche I think, we have tested many headphones before with no bluetooth before and there is still that fidelity argument to be had having just a wired connection now with most phones not having a headphone jack these days you can run into issues if you do not have anything to oversee that which is not hard to find these days, so with that you can connect with the R2R ad on connector you get in the box which works a treat and then you have the options to go wired not once but twice. You have both a dual-sided unbalanced 3.5mm cable and a single-sided 3.5mm balanced cable and also whilst the connector is plugged in you can go USB-C which is what most mobile phones are today but lets no forget you can use these on more than just mobile phones but for the average joe most will likely do that but you can plug into anything like consoles and home systems etc and really get the full end use out of them and it is a joy.

Sound

This is where you can settle the naysayers saying tech reviewers ears differ and one saying that one review says a pair of headphones are good and one says they are bad, these headphones cover all ears here even audiophiles ears with the different connection options you can avail of but then you have the wired vs wireless argument thrown up too which again can be dismissed with the different sound stages with balance depth highs lows and mids and much more they are a pair of headphones you would want to try out in all scenarios and hear the difference with all connections and just enjoy them because they are dam good in all aspects from my testing.

Features

 

  • HIFIMAN Heritage: HIFIMAN’s NEO “supernano” Diaphragm (NsD)- The new NsD is 80% thinner than previous designs, resulting in fast response and detailed image with lush, full range sonics.
  • Bluemini R2R, Small but Mighty- The DEVA-Pro companion Bluetooth/USB module: HIFIMAN Custom-created HIMALAYA R2R Architecture DAC: Non-over Sampling Concept; Low-energy Consumption; High Sampling Rates
  • Easily Switch Between Wireless and Wired: The socket can accommodate both dual-sided unbalanced 3.5mm cable and a single-sided 3.5mm balanced cable (left socket). Bluemini R2R is easy of use by connecting on the left socket. Input Option 1 – Bluetooth A variety of HD Bluetooth protocol (Bluemini connection on the left socket) Input Option 2 –Wired Inbox 3.5mm balanced cable (3.5mm TRRS on the left)

Buy

Video Link

 

Citi creates 300 new jobs in Ireland

Citi today announced that it intends to create 300 new jobs for Ireland this year. Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe T.D. and Cecilia Ronan, Citi Country Head Ireland, with Martin Shanahan, CEO, IDA Ireland made the announcement at Citi’s European Bank headquarters on North Wall Quay in Dublin.

The bank employs 2500 people in Ireland currently. It has a significant presence in Dublin with several of its global businesses operating here including Corporate Banking and Private Banking, Treasury and Trade Solutions, Markets, and Securities Services.

The new positions available in 2022 include Risk, Audit, Finance and Treasury; Technology roles including Cloud and Cyber specialists, Software Engineering and Architects, Developers, Blockchain specialists; Client facing roles in Citi’s Treasury and Trade Solutions business and Commercial Bank; Operations roles including Fund Accounting, Asset Servicing; and Credit Management.

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe TD said “I’m very pleased that Citi is announcing these new jobs today which comes at a time in Ireland when employment in the international financial services sector is at the highest level it has ever been at, boosted by Ireland’s highly educated and skilled workforce. Citi has a long history in Ireland, consistently evolving to keep pace with the rapid changes in the financial services sector and I congratulate them today on this important announcement.”

Cecilia Ronan, Citi Country Head Ireland, said: “This is an exciting announcement for Citi and for Ireland. Financial services has changed over the last ten years and more change is on the horizon as the pace of digitisation increases. Many of these new roles reflect this changing reality where skills like risk, software engineering, data analytics, cloud and cyber are of increasing importance to the growth and soundness of our business. We already employ 700 people in technology roles in Dublin and this is now set to increase.”She continued, “We also recently announced the sale of our building at North Wall Quay and plans to purchase a modern and sustainable building in Dublin, reaffirming our long-term commitment to Ireland. We have flourished here because of the talent pool, the open economy and integrated ecosystem, and the access to the EU and I am excited to see that continue into the future.”

Commenting on the announcement Martin Shanahan, CEO, IDA Ireland said “Citi’s considerable footprint and its growth across multiple and diverse business functions in Dublin, greatly adds to Ireland’s reputation as a global centre for Financial Services. IDA Ireland has supported the development of Citi in Ireland for many years and we wish the company continued success with this expansion.”

Citi has had a significant presence in Ireland for over 55 years. It was one of the first foreign banks to open an office in Dublin. Citi opened its first Global Innovation Lab in Dublin in 2009, which was supported by the Irish Government and IDA; Dublin is now also the home of Citi’s Global Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence & Blockchain.

Every day in Dublin, Citi’s global teams interact with colleagues and clients in over 100 countries processing millions of transactions and supporting next-generation technology. With a firm focus on building careers, the team at Citi benefit from mentoring and excellent training, and the opportunity to build a global career from Dublin. Citi Ireland was recently named by LinkedIn as one of the Top 25 Employers in Ireland.

Citi champions diversity within the workforce, with 60 different nationalities working in the Dublin office.
Shape your Career with Citi in Dublin

Tech Review – Digital Life ME1 USB-C omnidirectional mic

With the likes of Zoom and Teams being a popular way to get business done it is a good visual aspect but what about the audio end of things? So for example your PC tablet or phone have fixed mics and let’s be honest not the best audio quality in the world on the receiving end and again if you have a team of people in the room can you hear them all clearly without having the need to raise your voice well that would be a yes, Now we have a clever little gadget that solves this be it for personal or business use and of course if there is several people at the table in your meeting on such calls this changes that void and it is quite good.

Before I go any further it is not a speaker it may look like one but it aint which is a shame it could of been a hybrid product, the unit is well built just to begin with and is solid with some weight in it too with rubber footing underneath and it is a simple plug and play with no software download required to get going, all you need to do is plug it in and change the mic selection on your PC and you are good to go, you have a volume toggle on top and has volume and mute controls on top which are capacitive. And that is all there is to it how much more easier does it get when it comes to tech.

This can also be used for streaming also any calls made on your PC and can reach up to about 3 meters which is plenty for those office meetings. Check out the samples below in the video and see the product itself and hear the difference, we are impressed.

  • Miniature, low-profile design – Ideal for recording meetings, conferences etc.
  • Omni-Directional Pickup Pattern – 16-Bit, 44.1- 48kHz sample rates
  • With Mute & Adjustable Volume Button for Easy Operation
  • With 3.5mm Stereo Audio Jack for Direct Headphone & Speakers.
  • Compatible with Windows 11 & macOS 12
ME1 omnidirectional mic techbuzzireland

Features

1. It has No Speaker = No Echo

Since this boundary microphone does not include a speaker, it is ideal for conferences, gaming, online meetings, Microsoft Teams, and live streaming. In contrast to conventional stereos, it does not produce excessive echoes.

2. USB Omnidirectional Stereo Microphone

The item’s pickup pattern is unidirectional, implying that it can pick up sound from all directions around the item’s circumference. The microphone can record speakers who are within three meters of the microphone.

3. It Has Volume and Mute Controls

You can control the product easier if you use this feature. You will not have to go through the struggle of opening an application on your device and searching for the settings. To quickly modify the level and mute, use this button. Those who participate in online meetings will find this function extremely useful.

4. It has a Wide Brand Compatibility Pool

Tested on two pcs here in the house and a chromebook this worked with no issues at all.

BUY

Video Link

 

ZHIYUN WEEBILL 2 wins iF Design Award 2022

ZHIYUN, the world’s pioneering gimbal innovator for cameras and smartphones has won an iF Design Award 2022 for its WEEBILL 2 professional gimbal in the TV/Cameras award category. Each year, the world’s oldest independent design organization, Hannover-based iF International Forum Design GmbH, organizes the iF DESIGN AWARD.

ZHIYUN’s WEEBILL 2 is the latest addition to its WEEBILL series, aimed at professional filmmakers and film enthusiasts. With its first-to-market, integrated 2.88” HD flip out screen for monitoring and parameter adjustment and powerful Infeon chip,  together with its lightweight frame and industrial design, the WEEBILL 2  offers enhanced responsiveness and stabilization capabilities.

In the iF Top Labels ranking, ZHIYUN stands among global top 50 at No. 39, ahead of big market players including INSTA 360, DJI, Huawei and OPPO.

The iF Design Award was founded in 1953 and is one of the world’s most prestigious design awards. Winners are selected by an independent jury of 132 renowned international design  that met in Berlin to determine winning designs, based on a set of objective screening standards. The competition was intense: almost 11,000 entries were submitted from 57 countries in hopes of receiving the seal of quality.

Weebill 2 from ZHIYUN

The jury marked each entry against criteria for  form, function, differentiation and impact, developed with international design experts to evaluate the entries. Based on these criteria, the points were awarded for the individual aspects of each entry and provided the participants with informative feedback.

ZHIYUN’s Head of R&D, said:

“ZHIYUN is delighted to have won an iF Design Award for the WEEBILL 2 handheld stabilizer. As a company, we are committed to R&D efforts for barrier-breaking gimbal technology innovation. We strive to continue delivering product experiences for filmmakers  around the globe with inventions that allow them to fully realise their creative vision.”

SaaSOptics and Chargify Announce Merger and Rebrand following $150m Battery Ventures Investment

SaaSOptics and Chargify, the leading providers of financial operations and subscription billing management solutions for subscription businesses, today publicly announced the merger of the two companies. The combined company will be known as Maxio and will provide all-in-one revenue management and advanced subscription billing solutions for high-growth software-as-a-service (SaaS) companies.

“Modern SaaS companies require a robust billing and revenue management solution now more than ever thanks to a dramatic rise in the adoption of subscription models with complex pricing structures,” said Jason Parkman, chair of Maxio. “Maxio has an incredible opportunity to transform the subscription management market and provide huge value to our customers by providing a complete financial operations platform, regardless of billing and pricing structure.”

SaaSOptics and Chargify have delivered some of the most innovative and successful solutions addressing the needs of finance professionals, executive leadership, and SaaS founders. These solutions cover the full spectrum of the subscription lifecycle including subscription management, recurring billing, GAAP/IFRS-compliant revenue recognition, SaaS metrics, revenue retention, expense recognition, usage, and events-based billing.

The announcement comes after a year of significant growth for SaaSOptics and Chargify upon receiving a combined $150 million growth equity investment by Battery Ventures in April 2021. This investment has enabled SaaSOptics and Chargify to further invest in both products, ensuring their customers can better manage their billing and revenue while supporting their own end-users.

“It has been truly impressive to see the growth and momentum of SaaSOptics and Chargify over the past 12 months,” said Chelsea Stoner, general partner at Battery Ventures. “Bringing together these two powerful platforms will provide unparalleled value for customers who are scaling their businesses and will finally have a single solution to power both their subscription-billing and financial operations.”

With more than 2,300 customers worldwide and $10 billion in customer annual recurring revenue managed, the Maxio brand will continue to drive innovation in the financial technology space, while providing customers with world-class support for all Chargify and SaaSOptics solutions.

The announcement comes at a time when SaaS businesses are increasingly evaluating whether a product-led or sales-led growth strategy can best boost subscription sales. With a complete billing and financial solution, businesses will not be forced to choose between the two and can instead adopt a hybrid approach that provides their customers with increased purchasing flexibility.

“Witnessing SaaSOptics and Chargify come together over the past year has exceeded all expectations, not just from a brand and product perspective, but as a unified team,” said Chris Weber, president and chief operating officer. “Today’s announcement is just the first of many exciting updates we will be sharing in the coming months thanks to the hard work of our combined Maxio team.”

Maxio currently has more than 260 team members working remotely or at one of its four office headquarters in San Antonio, Texas; Atlanta, Georgia; Dublin, Ireland; and Kraków, Poland. As the company scales, it plans to add approximately 115 new positions in 2022 alone to help achieve and surpass its growth goals.

Welltel connects Insomnia’s 76 locations in deal worth quarter of a million euros

Welltel, Europe’s leading dedicated business communications and managed IT solutions provider, today announces that it has delivered robust connectivity to Insomnia, Ireland’s leading independent coffee shop chain and the 15th largest in Europe. Insomnia has invested almost a quarter of a million euros to enable connectivity to its 76 coffee shops, more than 500 employees, and customers across Ireland and Great Britain.

Following extensive site assessments, Welltel designed a bespoke solution which has almost entirely eradicated connectivity issues for Insomnia, with any remaining issues easily mitigated. The system can withstand any fixed-line interruptions and provides automated backup in case of an outage or failure, meaning minimal downtime for the business.

The solution has improved customer experience in-store with high-speed WiFi for customers and more reliable card payments and loyalty transactions. The next phase of the project will see the introduction of more connected services to Insomnia, including telemetry and digital displays.

Welltel installed Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL) and new routers in each location to ensure the fastest available broadband connection and better employee access to Insomnia’s cloud-based services including till systems, card payments, loyalty platforms and head office resources. High-speed mobile connectivity has also been rolled out across all stores ensuring risks of downtime are significantly reduced.

Conor Ward, Head of IT, Insomnia: “Great coffee must be matched with great internet. Today, connectivity is absolutely core to our ability to give customers what they want. We needed a secure, stable and high-quality connection that would not only ensure our business could continue uninterrupted, but underpin growth and business success.

“With Welltel’s solution, connectivity issues are becoming a thing of the past. Even when issues flare up, these are easily remedied with minimal downtime. We had been seeing a heightened demand for quality connectivity based on both customer expectation and increases in the number of connected services. Customers can now enjoy an improved experience in our stores, with fast, seamless payments and reliable Wi-Fi, while staff also benefit from improved access to the company’s cloud resources.

“We are confident this system will meet our business needs as they continue to evolve. It will support our exciting plans for the next chapter in our increasingly digital business.”

Dan Croke, Account Director and Solutions Principle, Welltel: “We were thrilled to be chosen to work with Insomnia on this exciting project. Things are becoming increasingly connected and reliable networks have never been more important, especially for a customer-facing business such as Insomnia. This project was undertaken and carried out with the needs of customers and employees at the core.

“The scalable solution will grow in line with the company’s requirements, and with the very latest connectivity technology, Welltel has futureproofed Insomnia’s systems and is enabling success in a cloud-based world.

“We’re looking forward to working with Insomnia on the next phase of the project and continuing to build on our valuable relationship.”

Global sales outsourcing leader, MarketStar opens new facility, to create 300 new jobs in Dublin

MarketStar, the global leader in outsourced sales and B2B revenue acceleration, has secured a location for their EMEA headquarters in Dublin’s Central Park business district. The company plans to create up to 300 new jobs over the next 3 years, bringing its Dublin-based team to 500 people by 2025. The commitment to this larger presence in Dublin further strengthens MarketStar’s international capabilities and delivery model built for clients that are focused on growth and scaling globally.

Founded in 1988, MarketStar now employs more than 1,750 employees worldwide, with its global headquarters in Ogden, Utah U.S.A. In 2019, MarketStar acquired Product2Market, a leading Irish inside sales and sales development agency based in Dublin. The expansion of the European headquarters in Dublin, following the integration of Product2Market, has positioned MarketStar as a strong global leader in sales and revenue acceleration, and a business destination for Dublin’s talented workforce. At the time of the P2M acquisition, there were 100 employees in Dublin. Since that time, MarketStar has doubled the number of jobs and revenue based in Dublin. The company joins world-leading brands like SalesForce, Bank of America, Mastercard, and others in the Central Park community, which also includes apartments, retail space, dining, and lodging.

Welcoming the announcement Tánaiste and Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar TD said, “This is fantastic news from MarketStar, I am happy the company has found a home in Dublin’s Central Park for its new EMEA Headquarters and will be creating an incredible 300 new jobs over the next 3 years. It is a remarkable expansion that will bring the company’s total workforce here to 500 by 2025. MarketStar is a global leader in its field, and this new HQ will provide a great platform to highlight our highly skilled workforce to the world. I wish the team every success with their new Dublin office.”

“Establishing Dublin as our EMEA headquarters marks an exciting milestone in our overall growth strategy, solidifying our commitment to the European market and strengthening our global sales capabilities,” said Keith Titus, President, and CEO of MarketStar. “We will continue to thoughtfully expand our global footprint, and this new Central Park facility enables MarketStar to work from a position of strength in the European market to enable growth for our clients and employees.”

“There is no better expansion point for our global Operation than right here in Ireland,” said Jonathan Blythe, Vice President, Head of EMEA at MarketStar. “We have people representing 38 nationalities, speaking twenty different languages, and covering three regions. When you combine the level of talent available in Ireland with the vision and financial commitment provided by MarketStar, we see nothing but growth and expansion for our great workforce and the companies we do business with. It’s an exciting time to be with MarketStar in Dublin.”

MarketStar represents a wide range of clients across many verticals and industries, with vast breadth and depth in the technology and cloud software spaces. The outsourced solutions MarketStar provides include lead development and customer acquisition through direct selling programs, partner recruitment, enablement, and high-end partner support via indirect channel motions, and customer success solutions that include customer onboarding, renewals, and account management. Currently, the Dublin headquarters provides client coverage in Europe and the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia Pacific.

Commenting on the announcement, Martin Shanahan, CEO, IDA Ireland said “Ireland has a proven track record of being an attractive location for global BPO companies looking to access a well-established talent pool to serve a growing client base in the EMEA region. I wish the team well in their new office building and offer the company the ongoing support of IDA Ireland.”

 

If you’re interested in learning more about the expansion and the opportunities available, please visit: https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketstar

Irish tech firm Replan launches revolutionary supply chain planning software following £2m investment boost

Ground-breaking solution leverages AI modelling to streamline complex supply chains

Supply chain technology company, Replan, today announced a £2m investment round, led by Hoxton Ventures, the top early-stage venture firm in London, to support the launch of a transformative new production planning software for manufacturers. The tool is the first of its kind to combine dynamic production sequences with mid-term group level planning, empowering companies to navigate and respond to increasing supply chain disruption.

The funding is the latest in over £5m raised to-date by the company and will support ongoing product development and market growth in the UK and Europe, as well as future expansion into North America.  Replan was cherry picked by investors for its potential for fast growth and innovative technology that promises to revolutionise complex supply chain planning with pre-configured AI and advanced analytics.

Supply chain leaders will now be able to transform and scale production planning with a solution that rapidly automates and evaluates multiple scenarios, helping manufacturers to reduce cost, increase efficiency, and respond to disruption faster. The software enables planners to generate complex production sequencing in minutes, automatically applying the right AI algorithm to gain full control over demand forecasting and supply chain planning.

Replan

Hussein Kanji, Partner, Hoxton Ventures comments: “Replan’s technology is key to keeping the manufacturing supply chain efficient and moving. The company is tackling critical planning challenges that went largely unaddressed before Covid, but that cause costs and delays for manufacturers.”

The launch comes as supply chains continue to experience disruption due to the pandemic, supply shortages and geopolitical unrest. With the volume and velocity of change exposing critical technology and processing problems at the heart of supply chains, manufacturers are increasingly seeking to leverage digital transformation to transform and scale production planning and meet business and sustainability goals.

Richie Barter, CEO at Replan, adds: “Replan embeds cutting-edge AI modelling and optimisation capabilities within a modern, intuitive user interface to shake up the status quo and revolutionise supply chain planning. The software can streamline even the most complex production plans, helping manufacturers to improve operational efficiency and build more agile and resilient supply chains.”

 

More information about Replan can be found here.

YouTubers Tycer, Sqaishey and Tomo announced for @MineVention 2022

YouTube stars Tycer, Sqaishey and Tomo aka Tomohawk, have been announced as specials guests at MineVention – the ultimate event for Irish Minecraft fans. The two-day convention will take place at City North Hotel, Gormanstown, County Meath, on Saturday, 22nd and Sunday, 23rd of October 2022.

Launched in 2014, MineVention brings together fans of the popular computer game, with activities such as build battles, on-stage challenges, educational talks and panel discussions with creators, tournaments and costume competitions. The event will also welcome leading Minecraft YouTube stars for free meet and greet opportunities with fans.

Postponed for two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, MineVention 2022 will include a sensory-friendly session on the morning of Sunday, 23rd October to cater for children and families who need it.

 Speaking at the launch of this year’s event, Lisa O’Brien, founder of MineVention, said: “It’s such a thrill to be bringing MineVention back this year and to welcome Irish Minecraft fans back to an in-person convention after several years of lockdowns and restrictions.

“When we launched our first event in Galway in 2014, tickets sold out in just nine hours and year-on-year it gets more popular. We’re hoping to welcome first-time visitors or new fans of Minecraft who have perhaps only discovered the game during the last couple of years.

“In terms of what fans can expect this year, we’ve listened to families by introduced morning and afternoon sessions to accommodate those who might be travelling from further afield. Each session will be jam-packed with activities and opportunities to meet our YouTube stars, and we’ll be announcing more exciting additions to the line-up over the coming months so keep an eye on our social media channels!”

MineVention 2022 techbuzzireland

Confirmed for the October event, YouTube star Tycer said: “It’s fantastic to see MineVention return, and I can’t wait to come and meet Irish Minecraft fans! The Minecraft community has grown and grown, especially over the last few years when so many of us have had to rely on online games to connect with friends. It’s great to be getting back on the road to meet everyone face to face!”

Founded by mum-of-three Lisa O’Brien, O’Brien Event Promotions has welcomed over 65,000 people to MineVention events and workshops across Ireland, United Kingdom, Dubai and USA since the first convention in Galway in 2014 which sold out in just 9 hours.

 Tickets for MineVention are on sale now from €15 and are available at: www.minevention.com.