Jim O Brien/CEO - techbuzzireland.com

Deloitte technology, media & telecoms predictions 2022

The technology, media and telecommunications practice at Deloitte has published a raft of predictions for the sector for 2022 and beyond. The report highlights how worldwide trends in the industry may affect business and consumers.

No mid-life crisis for the games console: Market revenues will top €71.5 billion as device reaches half century

Deloitte predicts that the games console market will generate €71.5 billion in 2022, up 10% from 2021.

By the start of 2022, Deloitte predicts there will be 900 million console players worldwide. Each will bring an average €81 of revenue per gamer to the industry; comfortably more than the projected €29 per PC gamer and €44 per mobile gamer.

Overall, Deloitte forecasts that console owners will have more than 200 million multiplayer and games subscriptions in 2022. By 2025, these subscriptions will likely generate more than €9.7 billion in revenue, up from €5.8 billion in 2020.

Daryl Hanberry, Partner and Head of the Technology, Media and Telecommunications Industry Group at Deloitte Ireland, said: “2022 marks the 50th birthday of the games console with the device now a veteran of the technology industry, outlasting camcorders and CD players, among others. We saw usage of consoles spike during lockdown, with many using their devices as a way to socialise when restrictions prevented people from meeting in person. Usage has remained high as, for many gamers, leaving the game may mean disconnecting from friends.”

Wearables to run rings around other digital device purchasing: 320 million wearable devices will ship worldwide in 2022

Deloitte predicts that 320 million consumer health and wellness wearable devices will ship worldwide in 2022, rising to 440 million units by 2024.

This comes as consumers are increasingly using smartwatches and fitness trackers alongside smartphones to track their health and wellbeing. There is also an increased focus on mental health and wellbeing and it’s predicted that global spending on mobile mental health applications will reach close to €440 million in 2022.

According to Deloitte’s Digital Consumer Trends research published earlier this year, smart watches saw the biggest increase in ownership out of any technology in Ireland in 2021: 24% have access to a smartwatch, up from 16% in 2020. Of those that own a smartwatch, 69% of people use them daily.

Suzanne McDonald, Head of Healthcare, Deloitte Ireland said: “The most common uses of wearable devices have been to help people get fit and beat their personal best or indeed compete with friends and colleagues on step count. But increasingly people are using these devices to monitor their health proactively, and the pandemic has accelerated that with 13% of those that own a smartwatch in Ireland using it to do so. However, data privacy remains a hurdle so it’s critical that companies integrate cybersecurity into every aspect of their product and business line. As usage of the devices continues to grow, we’ll likely see big investments in wearable device innovation in the few years ahead. As there is a particular focus on care in the community under the Sláintecare programme we can see multiple use cases for wearable devices in maintaining wellbeing and also in monitoring and managing a variety of health conditions.”

Smartphones will generate 146 million tons of CO2 or equivalent emissions (CO2e) globally in 2022

Deloitte predicts that smartphones will generate 146 million tons of CO2 or equivalent emissions (CO2e) globally in 2022.

The bulk of these emissions, 83% of the total, will come from the manufacturing, shipping, and first-year usage of the 1.4 billion new smartphones forecast to be sold in 2022. Usage-related emissions from the other 3.1 billion smartphones in use during 2022 will generate an additional 11%, and the remainder will come from refurbishing existing smartphones (4%) and end-of-life processes (1%), including recycling.

Deloitte’s analysis highlights that the single biggest factor that could reduce a smartphone’s carbon footprint is to extend its expected lifetime, with consumers keeping their handsets for longer.

Laura Wadding, Partner Risk Advisory and Sustainability Market Lead, Deloitte Ireland, adds: “With sustainability now firmly on the boardroom agenda, businesses across all sectors are striving to understand the impact of their industry and products on their carbon footprint. The smartphone industry will need to balance product innovation with educating consumers on how best to recycle and prolong use of current and old devices.”

Streaming platforms challenged to stop subscribers hitting the buffers: Deloitte predicts at least 150 million subscriptions will be cancelled in 2022

Deloitte predicts that in 2022 at least 150 million paid subscriptions to subscription video-on-demand services (SVOD) will be cancelled worldwide, with churn rates of up to 30% per market.

However, overall, more subscriptions will be added than cancelled as the average number of subscriptions per person will rise. In markets with the highest churn, many of those cancelling may resubscribe to a service that they had previously left.

Daryl Hanberry, Technology, Media & Telecommunications Industry Leader, Deloitte Ireland concludes: “Following blockbuster growth during the pandemic, the growth in new SVOD households is likely to slow across Ireland, the US and broader Europe. SVOD providers will use various plays to make their subscribers stay. They can team up with telcos to offer discounted bundles; they could offer additional types of content, from podcasts to mobile games; and they can release episodes of the most valued tentpole content weekly.”

VC firms to supersize chip start-up investment in 2022: More than €5.2 billion to be invested in semiconductor start-ups

Deloitte predicts that VC firms globally will invest more than €5.2 billion in semiconductor start-up companies in 2022, more than three times larger than it was every year between 2000 and 2016, although a slight decrease on investments estimated to have been made into semiconductor start-ups in 2021 (€7 billion).

Deloitte predicts that while the semiconductor shortage will endure throughout 2022, it will be less severe than in the last 16 months, and it will not affect all chips.

While in mid-2021, customers had been waiting between 20–52 weeks for multiple types of semiconductors, causing manufacturing delays or shutdowns, by the end of 2022 lead times will be closer to 10–20 weeks and to reach equilibrium by early 2023.

Peter Glynn, Partner Enterprise Technology and Performance, Deloitte Ireland said: “Rising demand for chips across almost every industry – from data centres, to auto, to healthcare – has led to this lengthy chip shortage, which has been further exacerbated by the pandemic. However, the end is on the horizon, with fresh investment in manufacturing capacity from chipmakers and governments helping to meet demand by 2023. The EU also recently announced the European Chips Act setting out a new framework to help EU countries develop a strong semiconductor industry to promote a resilient supply chain. Irish companies have a real opportunity to seize the opportunity and be part of the global chip shortage solution.”

Women in the tech industry: Gaining ground, but facing new headwinds

Technology companies will continue to close the gender gap in the years ahead and Deloitte predicts that large global technology firms, on average, will reach nearly 33% overall female representation in their workforces in 2022, an increase of 2% on 2019. The proportion of women in technical roles will also move upwards to 25%, but still lags the overall proportion of women in tech companies.

Drawing on lessons from the pandemic, companies should embrace truly flexible working models, to expand the available pool of diverse talent as well as continue to invest in STEM education creating a pipeline of talent. While it may take many years of sustained effort, some companies are aiming to attract and retain women through initiatives like ‘returnship’ programmes, providing training and mentorship to women resuming their careers after a pause.

Caroline O’Driscoll, Technology, Media & Telecommunications Tax leader at Deloitte Ireland said: “While this progress is a step in the right direction, it is clear that we need to continue to invest in the STEM pipeline to ensure that the most diverse talent pool is available. Furthermore, tech companies need to continue to prioritise gender balance in the workplace. Identifying a responsible executive to commit to a holistic diversity, equity and inclusion strategy which is embedded in the business is essential to achieve gender equity, while also holding themselves accountable through metrics, results reporting and tracking progress. Only then can companies take stock of what is and isn’t working and make improvements.”

NFTs for sports media to generate more than €1.7 billion in transactions in 2022

Deloitte predicts that non-fungible tokens (NFTs), unique digital identifiers that use blockchain to record ownership of an asset, will generate more than €1.7 billion in transactions for sports media in 2022, about double the value of NFT transactions for sports media in 2021.

Deloitte also predicts that between four and five million sports fans globally will purchase or receive an NFT sports collectible as a gift in 2022.

Daryl Hanberry, Partner and Head of the Technology, Media and Telecommunications Industry Group at Deloitte Ireland, said: “The 2021–2022 season could be the first in which NFTs start to make a major mark from a revenue perspective and by 2023 it is likely that most major football leagues in Europe will have launched multiple NFT related products. Locally we’ve seen the GAA enter the world of NFTs just last week, becoming the first Irish sports brand or rights holder to issue crypto content. NFTs have added rarity to sporting moments and, in the future, every game of every season could generate a new matchday moment solely available to the highest bidder via an NFT.”

AI and managing sensitive data

Deloitte predicts that there will be a great deal of discussion around regulating artificial intelligence (AI) more systemically, with several proposals being made – although enacting them into enforced regulation will likely not happen until 2023 or beyond.

David Kinsella, Partner, Risk Advisory, Deloitte Ireland, said: “We’ve seen detailed proposals from the EU on the regulation of AI as the technology becomes even more affordable and available to companies. Some jurisdictions are even looking at banning facial recognition. There are a range of concerns with the technology from fairness and discrimination to privacy and control. However, there are huge opportunities with AI and the next two years will be instrumental in forging the future of the technology across industries as regulation sets to increase.”

About TMT Predictions 2022

Deloitte’s annual TMT Predictions report provides an outlook on technology, media and telecommunications trends that may disrupt and transform the business and consumer ecosystems worldwide. Visit 2022 TMT Predictions | Deloitte Insights to learn more.

NTELLI introduces its CarryOn ultra-protective and stylish case, specifically designed for Airpods Max

Purveyors of clean, simple, intelligent technology products. INTELLI, is pleased to introduce the availability of CarryOn, the ultimate all-in-one portable carry on case for the Apple Airpods Max. The latest innovation from Intelli, CarryOn is compact, ultra-thin, ultra-convenient and features a built-in magnetic divider to put the headphones to sleep whilst at rest.

CarryOn is a tough case made from water resistant woven nylon with a rigid inner liner and equipped with a built-in handle and zipper for all round protection inside and out. Inside, the soft inner lining protects the Airpods Max from bumps and drops and even scratches thanks to its gentle lining of micro-fibre. With the included Cable Caddy, charging cables and other small necessities are also able to be housed and protected.

The built-in magnetic fin inside CarryOn ensures that Airpods Max will instantly be put to sleep when resting inside the case. This allows for a more efficient playback, saving precious charge, ideal for travel or work commutes. The CarryOn for AirPods Max provides protection and convenience in one elegant case.

The INTELLI CarryOn is available for $39.99/£30 on the INTELLI website here, Amazon.com here and Best Buy here.

Compu b rebrands as Select in Ireland & the UK and launches new Discovery Hub service for customers

Compu b, the Apple Premium Reseller and leading technology sales and repair service provider for the consumer, business and education sectors in Ireland is rebranding to Select. The move will bring the company’s 6 stores in Ireland, and its 23 Stormfront stores across the UK under the same brand identity delivering an elevated experience and providing a complete Apple solution for consumer retail, business and education customers locally.

Select has also invested over €1 million in its online offering with the launch of its new website, selectonline.com for the Irish and UK markets, ensuring that customers can access technical support and training as well as retail services and repair services at any time.

The Irish-owned company employs over 330 highly trained Apple experts across Ireland and the UK, supporting over 4 million customers per year and managing over 120,000 repairs annually across its customer base. Select is a trusted Apple supplier to financial institutions, primary and second-level schools, third-level institutions, airline groups, healthcare companies, semi-state bodies, the public sector, technology companies and FMCG organisations, supporting businesses of all sizes and sectors, from start-ups to enterprise companies.

Central to Select’s enhanced offering will be the Discovery Hubs service, which is now available to all customers in their local stores. Select’s Discovery Hubs are a one-stop service for businesses, education customers and consumers. A dedicated slot or slots can be booked for groups of employees at a Discovery Hub with a Select expert who can provide full onboarding, troubleshooting, technical and training support to help them get the most out of their Apple products.

Customers and employers can continue to avail of this service any time they require it and will be of particular benefit for businesses implementing a hybrid working model with employees working from home and requiring local support.

“We have invested over €3 million in delivering our in-store Discovery Hubs service. Select is a trusted partner for all our customers, giving them peace of mind that they are in the hands of Apple Experts and importantly providing this expertise locally. In addition to this investment, we recently opened our new two-storey flagship store on South King Street, in the heart of Dublin’s main shopping district.” said Ciaran McCormack, Managing Director.

“Group sales this year will be over €130+ million as we continue to invest in providing market differentiating services for our customers across our portfolio of offerings, keeping easy, local access to expertise for our customers at the core of our business model”, Ciaran continued.

Select is now one of the largest Apple Authorised Service Providers across Ireland & the UK and offers technical expertise which is market leading. As an Apple Premium Reseller, Select provides both instore and online access to the full suite of Apple products and accessories, including iPhone, Mac, iPad, Apple Watch and Beats, along with other leading premium brands such as Native Union, Therabody, Sony, Urbanista, Joby, Eufy, Incipo, and Click & Grow.

Select has Ireland’s only team of dedicated Apple Education Specialists (AAES). The company has 25 years of experience in delivering teaching and training solutions, led by a dedicated team of Apple Professional Learning Specialists, offering a suite of digital technology to unlock student potential and foster their creativity. Working in partnership with primary and second-level schools and leading educational institutions in Ireland (such as Trinity College Dublin, Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh and The Law Society of Ireland) Select introduce the latest Apple technologies into the teaching and learning arena, integrating devices into the syllabus and supporting the teachers and lecturers and professionals through bespoke training and learning.

Zipp Mobility Opening Statement – Joint Committee on Transport and Communications

I dtús báire ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil leat a Chathaoirleach agus Baill an Choiste ar son Zipp Mobility as cuireadh a thabhairt dom teacht anseo inniu agus roinnt libh ár dtuairimí ar an mBille um Thrácht ar Bhóithre agus um Bóithre 2021 go háirithe maidir le cúrsaí scútar leictreach.

Our company, Zipp Mobility, is Ireland’s leading shared micromobility provider, and we strongly support the efforts being made to legislate for the use of e-scooters in Ireland. We currently provide shared e-scooter and e-bike solutions to cities and towns across Ireland, the UK and mainland Europe. We are an Enterprise Ireland client company and have been awarded High Potential Startup status. Since our founding in 2019, we have grown to a team of 25 people and hope to create 50 more high-paying, skilled jobs in Ireland over the next 18 months. At Zipp we believe in “mobility done right”. This means it is our mission to do everything we can to help decarbonize transport, but it must be done in a principled way that respects the needs of the entire community.

Before we discuss electric scooters, I think it would be worth giving context to this conversation by reviewing Ireland’s transport-related greenhouse gas emissions. Transport is the second largest contributor to Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to this, the transport sector has been Ireland’s fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions since 1990, with transport emissions doubling in that time. And when you break this down further, it is clear that private car usage is the leading cause of transport emissions, contributing to nearly 50% of total transport emissions in some years and consistently being over twice the size of the next largest emissions category.

Ireland has set the ambitious goal of reducing its emissions by 51% by 2030 and getting to net zero by 2050. This means we need a 7% reduction in emissions per annum for the next 8 years. In 2020, despite Covid restrictions and an economic slowdown our emissions only went down by 3.6%. I believe this illustrates how great of a task we have at hand here. We must achieve twice the reduction brought on by a global pandemic and repeat that year-on-year for eight consecutive years while also trying to grow our economy and fix the housing crisis, among other policy goals.

To achieve this, it is vital that we consider every solution possible, and therefore e-scooters must be a part of the conversation when it comes to decarbonizing transport. We need to make it easier for people to make more sustainable transport choices. This can start with our urban areas where over 60% of our population lives. By giving people safe and sustainable transport options like e-scooters we can achieve these goals. E-scooters could be transformational for reducing our reliance on private cars. If you’re a young person and you can’t afford a car then getting an e-scooter could be a safe, sustainable and affordable alternative. Scooters could also vastly increase the number of people who use public transport. If you’d like to use public transport more but you live too far away from the nearest bus or train link then shared e-scooters could solve that problem because that 30 minute walk becomes an 8 minute scooter journey and suddenly using public transport becomes a lot more attractive. It is also important to remember that shared e-scooters are not just restricted to cities like Cork and Dublin. We operate a shared e-scooter service in the English village of Princes Risborough with a population of less than 10,000 people. This mode can work for suburban and rural communities too.

Other countries’ experience with e-scooters shows that e-scooters can be legislated for in a way that achieves the dual goals of safety and sustainability. There is a balance that is required here. On the one hand you want to reduce the barriers of entry for someone using an e-scooter to maximize modal shift away from less sustainable modes of transport. However, the vehicles must also meet rigorous safety standards and users must obey the rules of the road. As one of the last developed countries in the world to enact e-scooter legislation, we can take this as an opportunity to cherry-pick best practices from other jurisdictions and create a world-class legislative framework for e-scooters that works for everyone.

Shared e-scooter services give cities and towns a great deal of control over how these vehicles interact with the public realm. Local authorities get a say in what types of vehicles are introduced on the streets, how the operators must interact with the community and they can enforce operating restrictions as they see fit. This control gives us the ability to introduce scooters to cities and towns in a community-centric way, in order to build consensus around their introduction. Zipp actively consults with members of the visually impaired and disabled communities and their representative bodies and we are committed to ensuring that when our service rolls out in Ireland, it is one that respects the needs of this community. We will engage groups such as the NCBI, the IWA and the Guide Dogs, pre-launch and post-launch of our service in a way that gives them a meaningful say in the operations of Ireland’s shared e scooter services. We can address their concerns through targeted speed reductions in certain areas, enforcing mandatory parking zones, providing effective safety communications and by taking a tough stance on misuse, among other initiatives.

Chair and members of the committee, I would like to thank you once again for inviting me here today to speak with you. I hope to give you our views on e-scooters as a representative from the shared micromobility industry, but also as a young Irish person, I hope to communicate to you how passionate we are about ensuring Ireland becomes a world leader in climate action. Legislating for e-scooters may seem like a small step but with a task this big ahead of us, it is not about the silver bullet solutions, it will be about the myriad of small steps that we take as a nation, together, in our quest to conquer the greatest problem of our age — climate change.

Oireachtas press release: https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/press-centre/press-releases/20220301-joint-committee-on-transport-and-communications-to-continue-engagement-on-road-traffic-and-roads-bill-2021/

Joint Committee on Transport and Communications: https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/committees/33/transport-and-communications/

LucidSound Announces Price Drop On Their Flagship LS50X Wireless Gaming Headsets

LucidSound, one of the fastest growing gaming headset brands, is thrilled to announce that its flagship LS50X Wireless Gaming Headset for Xbox Series X|S with Bluetooth is getting a £50 price drop down to £199.99. With this reduction, LucidSound aims to make its ultimate Xbox headset accessible to a broader audience.

Offering a premium experience within the LucidSound range, the LS50X Hybrid Wireless and Bluetooth Gaming Headset for Xbox sports a luxurious design. Its gel-cooled, spacious earcups and flexible lightweight frame ensure superior comfort across longer play sessions, made possible thanks to a reliable up to 20 hour battery life. For the more competitive gamer, the LS50X boasts lag-free wireless audio and crystal-clear chat with dual mics enabling effective communications with party members in the heat of action.

Other features of the LS50X:

Intuitive controls: Easily control audio and chat without breaking your concentration via on-earcup quick-access controls including game/chat balance control
Custom-tuned audio: 50mm drivers with 5 custom-tuned EQ modes deliver high-fidelity stereo and surround sound on Xbox with Windows Sonic.
Stream bluetooth simultaneously while you play on Xbox: Connect and use your Bluetooth devices while you play on Xbox. Play your own music in-game, use team chat apps from your PC, and take calls without interrupting your game.
Easy setup for lag-free interference-free wireless: The advanced chipset in the LS50X enables a strong and clear wireless signal even in crowded WiFi and mesh network areas. One-step setup gets you gaming on Xbox in no time

Bird’s Opening Statement to the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications

Bird is a last-mile electric vehicle company dedicated to bringing affordable, environmentally friendly, and safe transportation to cities and towns across the world.

Now trusted to operate in over 350 markets – half of which are in Europe – we provide shared micromobility programs through our electric scooter and electric bike partnerships with local authorities. Shared micromobility helps communities strengthen the local economy, alleviate traffic and parking congestion, reduce harmful emissions, and enhance transit access and first/last mile connectivity.

Bird is one of the few shared micromobility companies to research, develop, design and manufacture our own scooters. Our team of former automobile and aerospace engineers build to strict vehicle standards using components, systems and testing processes from electric cars. Our goal is to create the safest and most sustainable vehicles in the industry, which are built to last in all environments.

Last November, Bird became the first major micromobility company to list on the New York Stock Exchange, with a valuation of over $2.3bn. The significant capital raised ahead of the public listing ensures Bird will continue to drive innovation . Introducing our industry-leading micro-EV’s to Ireland is a top priority for us.

As the category creator operating in more cities than any other company, we have a wealth of data and experience in places large and small. We understand how to partner with Governments and local Councils to help them achieve their own goals – in particular making their towns and cities more livable.

We applaud the progress the Irish government, and in particular Minister Ryan and Minister Naughton, have made in the creation of a new category of Powered Personal Transport, through which electric scooters will be legalised on Irish roads. In particular, we believe that the specifications set out in the legislation – with a maximum speed of 25 km/hr and a maximum weight of 55 kg – are appropriate to ensure electric scooters are a viable alternative to private car use.

Furthermore, we welcome the statement from Ministers Ryan and Naughton last week that the proposed maximum power rating of 250W for electric scooters could be adjusted through secondary legislation to account for technological developments as well as their safe and efficient use across hilly terrain.

We are encouraged by the fact that Minister Ryan has proposed outlawing the use of electric scooters on footpaths. Our view is that electric scooters, like bikes in Ireland, belong on the road or in the cyclelane, and that local councils should decide, in partnership with their preferred shared scheme providers, specific areas of the Council in which their use should be encouraged or restricted.

As an organization, our number one priority is safety, from a vehicle, from a rider, and from a general public perspective. We therefore welcome the strict prohibition and appropriate sanctions against the consumption of alcohol while operating an electric scooter. And, while helmets and high-visibility clothing should not be made mandatory through the legislation due to the impact it would have on modal shift, it is essential that we educate the public on the importance of using such protective equipment.

That is why Bird recently announced a first-of-its-kind partnership in Ireland with the launch of our E-Scooter Safety School. The partnership with the Irish School of Excellence – Ireland’s largest youth driving school – will see 80% of all secondary schools in Ireland have access to best-in-class e-scooter safety training for those 16 and older.

Our E-Scooter Safety School will launch as soon as legislation is passed, and will be available in every county and indeed constituency across the country, teaching participants essential safety requirements such as: the rules of the road, how to park properly, how to ride safely and how to interact with other road users, including those

who are more vulnerable. Bird would be delighted to extend an invitation to all members of this Committee to attend such a safety course in a school in their locality, or alternatively to set-up a demo of this course for Committee members.

In summary, we are thrilled by the potential Ireland holds for the uptake of shared micromobility. While Ireland remains heavily reliant on the car as the primary mode of transport, even for journeys under 2km, we believe that this legislation could be the dawn of a new era of sustainable travel across the country, complementing existing and planned infrastructure.

Studies have shown electric scooters could help us reduce emissions from energy consumption by 68% by 2030, which is in line with the Irish Government’s goals of reducing emission from transport by 42-50% set forth in the Climate Action Plan 2021. Ireland is in a unique situation whereby the current date of adoption of this new transport mode allows you, Committee members, to take learnings from mature markets across the world. There can be no one-size-fits all approach, and so we warmly welcome the invitation from the Committee today to share our learnings from our 350 markets, and offer our views on what constitutes best-practices, so that the Committee can develop a bespoke set of rules for Personal Powered Transporter users domestically.

Tech Review – Edifier W820NB wireless headphones with ANC

Over the last few weeks we have been testing some headphones at all price points which is great for the consumer and the latest from Edifier which come in under the 100 euro mark have been on my ears for two weeks now and it is time to talk about them and if they are worth your money and with Edifier we never expect a poor performance and indeed that is the case here again with their latest cans..

These are plain and to the point built mostly of plastic light and comfortable and comfort here is great even for long periods of use and as with all my headphones they get tested for hours as it suits me here in the house to try out everything they have to offer be it for work or leisure.

The controls on the headphones are all one one side here too which make it simple for the user with raised buttons, now they do look cheap but are easy to use blindly and tactile and do a great job every time you press them and this is something people prefer this over swiping or touch based headphones so overall you cant really complain.

Both side have the old ratchet arm extensions which solid and will not move once on your head, also there was no clamping feeling noted here during my time with them, this is something that can happen even with more expensive headphones but not the case here at all. The cups are soft and plush as is the headband so overall a really comfortable pair of headphones. Battery life is also decent enough here at this pricepoint and again this will differ between people and how they use them with volume levels and ANC etc, you can toggle between ANC modes and also a gaming mode in the app.

When it comes to sound these do a great job, to make it to the point they are decently loud, deliver on highs lows and mids with a nice bit of bass thrown in and for music movies and more anyone will be pleased with the listening experience that is not a real audiophile, coming from someone who has tested most of the companies products for the price they sound good is my point and you also get access to their Edifier Connect app which enhances the experience even more even though there could be more options in the app. Check the video review for more on the headphones and the app.

Main Features:

Hi-Res Audio standard for a rich listening experience
Active noise cancellation technology isolates unwanted noise
Ambient sound mode allows you to hear environmental sounds such as traffic or flight announcements
Built-in microphone with DNN (deep neural network) noise cancellation for clear phone calls
Large driver with titanium diaphragm delivers crystal-clear sound
Low latency for game mode gives players an immersive gaming experience
Up to 49 hours continuous playback
Lightweight headset assures comfortable fit

BUY

Video Link

Useful Tech Tools That Will Ensure Your Business Meetings Are Completely Secure

If you are hosting a meeting for your company, then it’s your job to make sure that the information is kept safe. And all of these tools will help you do just that! From sending encrypted emails with PGP encryption to using a Virtual Private Network (VPN), these tools can help shield all of your important data from outside hackers-so give them a try!

Encrypted Emails

Emailing sensitive information has never been riskier than it is today, and even if you work in an office with high-security standards, there’s still no guarantee that someone won’t leave their email open on their desk at some point during the day or take screenshots of sensitive documents without realizing what they’re doing.

The best way to protect yourself and your business is to start sending encrypted emails with PGP encryption. This involves using software that will scramble your message so that it can only be read by the person who has the key to unlock it-even if someone else intercepts the email, they won’t be able to make any sense of it.

VPNs

If you’re hosting a meeting for your company, then there’s a good chance that you’ll be discussing confidential or sensitive information. And if that information is being shared over the internet, then it’s vulnerable to hackers who could gain access to it without your knowledge. People in the medical field need to make sure all their meetings are safe as the information they deal with is confidential. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a great way to keep your data safe while you’re online. It creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and the VPN server, which means that no one can see what you’re doing or steal your information.

Password Managers

It’s no secret that most people are terrible at choosing strong passwords-in fact, research suggests that the average person uses just six different passwords for all of their online accounts. This leaves your accounts vulnerable to hackers if just one of your passwords is leaked.

Choose a password that is at least 8 characters long
Include a variety of characters, including numbers, letters, and symbols
Avoid common passwords (like “password” or “123456”)
Don’t use the same password for multiple accounts

Once you’ve created a strong password, it’s important to make sure that you never share it with anyone. The best way to keep your passwords safe is to store them in a password manager. This is a software program that will keep all your passwords safe and encrypted so that no one can access them without your permission.

Anti-Virus Software

Anti-virus software is a must-have for any business, as it helps protect your devices from malware and ransomware attacks. Ransomware is a type of malware that locks you out of your device or encrypts your files until you pay the hacker a ransom, and it’s been on the rise in recent years.

Secure Wi-Fi

If you’re meeting with clients or suppliers away from the office, then it’s important to make sure that you’re using a secure Wi-Fi connection. Otherwise, someone could potentially intercept your data or eavesdrop on your conversation.

Install a firewall

A firewall is a piece of software that helps protect your computer from hackers and malware. It blocks unauthorized access to your device and keeps your data safe.

Firewalls are a crucial part of online security, and every business should have one installed on all of their devices. A firewall prevents people from eavesdropping on your conversations and stealing your information.

There are a number of different firewalls to choose from, so it’s important to find one that fits your needs. Some firewalls are free, while others come with a price tag. If you’re not sure which firewall is right for you, then consult with an IT expert who can help you choose the right one for your business.

Physical Security

Finally, don’t forget about the importance of physical security. Make sure that your meeting is taking place in a secure location, and always keep your devices with you. If you need to leave them unattended, make sure that they’re locked in a safe place.

It’s important to take the necessary steps to ensure your meeting is secure from outside threats. Whether you are hosting a business meeting or attending one, these six tech tools will help shield all of your data and keep it safe. From encrypted emails with PGP encryption to using VPNs (Virtual Private Networks), there are plenty of ways for you to protect yourself against hackers-so give them a try!

F-Secure launches free password generator to encourage public to use stronger passwords

Today, cyber security provider F-Secure released a free online tool that helps people create super strong passwords for all their crucial accounts. In just a few seconds, the Strong Password Generator creates new passwords that are strong enough to resist cracking attempts by hackers.

“By now, everyone should have heard that they need strong, unique passwords for their essential online accounts. But every time a site or service is hacked and users’ passwords are released, we see credentials like ‘12345’ or ‘password1’ over and over again,” said F-Secure Executive Vice President of Consumer Security Timo Laaksonen. “This new tool makes creating strong, unique passwords for different accounts as easy as using your cat’s name to secure your account.”

A recent F-Secure survey found that since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have become more reliant on online services and accounts.

More than one-third of consumers, 38%, reported that they have increased the number of online purchases made on their PCs since the crisis began. 32% of consumers said they’ve increased purchases on their mobile, and 31% said they spend more time working from home.

Any account related to these sensitive activities could be a target for an account takeover, which could lead to identity theft or fraud. Protecting accounts with strong, unique passwords is an effective measure to prevent such compromises.

“The passwords that secure our accounts have never mattered more and we’ve never had more crucial accounts to secure,” Laaksonen said. “Because this tool comes from F-Secure, with well over three decades of protecting consumers and securing their data, you can count on the Strong Password Generator to make it easy to get strong passwords that won’t fall into the wrong hands.”

Find out more about why every password matters here.

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Encrypted Emails

VPNs

Password Managers

Anti-Virus Software

Secure Wi-Fi

Install a firewall

Physical Security

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