Leading real hands on tech review site in Ireland with technology, business news and more. Jim O Brien Tech.
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.
Jabra have recently released three pair of earbuds to the market and the Elite 4 Actic is the latest edition to hit the shelves and coming in under 140 euro you can see what they have done here, with sub 100 euro offerings and two more expensive pairs they have created a nice portfolio to suit everyone here which is a good thing as it does give us choice and features to pick from but how do these fair out against the rest of the line up and what else is out there.
The Elite 4 Active in my view are an excellent mid range pair or earbuds and also having the better sound tipping towards the 7 series models and for me this is a good thing, you may be down on some features but again there is now 4 pairs to pick from at all price points but the sound from these is super at the price, I am not comparing these to Apple products as I am sick and tired of everyone using them as a standard benchmark when they are not so Apple fans if you have a problem with that you know what to do, there is better earbuds out there that cost less and a long time ago for the price and Jabra like many others fall into this bracket.
Set up on these is simple again with a nice new pop up window showing on your phone this time around unless I have missed this in the past but nice to see, In the personalise your headset option you will see you can now personalise your ANC mode, the rest is as before minus the fitting set up. Again the app is great and giving you a better overall experience.
Once set up you are good to go and then sit back and enjoy the great audio experince you will get by the new Elite 4 Active, these have a great sound and even sound a bit deeper than their more expensive counterparts and in some instances even better, for me they had a wider range and deeper tones and gives the more expensive models a run for their money,highs lows and mids are fine and punchy and off course a nice level of bass present not forgetting you can of course use the Sound Plus app to enhance the listening experience even more,comfort is also fine here calls are excellent and both can be used individually which many folk like to have this as an option.. No lag latency was noted during my usual test loop..
Jabra Elite 4 Active
Pop up window
SoundPlus app
Overall there is not much more to say here being frank these are the ones to buy if you have the above needs and is on a budget as they com close to their top tier models when it comes to sound and that alone seals it for me not forgetting the benefits of the app too.
Stats Perform, the sports tech leader in data and AI, has announced it has established a Global Rugby Centre of Excellence in Limerick City. Stats Perform operates across 25 countries, including Ireland.
The company is actively recruiting for a number of open positions and by year-end will celebrate the significant milestone of reaching 60 full-time and 280 part-time employees by year-end.
Minister for Enterprise Trade & Employment Leo Varadkar TD said: “Congratulations to the Stats Perform team on this really significant milestone. Stats Perform is a leader in sports tech data and AI. The establishment of a new Global Rugby Centre of Excellence in staLimerick demonstrates the company’s continued dedication to the region and proves that Ireland remains an attractive location for industry leaders in all areas of business. I wish the team continued success in all of their operations.”
Gráinne Barry, SVP Global Operations at Stats Perform said: “In 2017 Limerick was chosen by Stats Perform as an EMEA base due to its lead location for the sports technology cluster in Ireland, and the availability of talent within the local region. Establishing a Rugby Centre of Excellence in Ireland was a natural next step for the company. Stats Perform is the world’s leading data provider (media and performance) to the world’s top rugby governing bodies and teams. Stats Perform will be providing global rugby and teams with media solutions, digital platforms and team performance analysis services. Stats Perform services every part of the rugby world, including the British and Irish Lions, the Six Nations, Premiership Rugby, The New Zealand All Blacks, Pro 14, France, Australia, along with working with World Rugby during their global competitions.”
The expansion of functions to create Stats Perform’s Global Rugby Centre of Excellence has created over 100 new full and part-time roles in Limerick over the past 12 months, in the areas of Rugby Union, Rugby League and Soccer, as well as supporting functions in video operations, data quality control and business intelligence.
Seamus Monaghan, Director of Business Operations at Stats Perform said: “Limerick is the ideal location for our Global Rugby Operations. The passion and knowledge for Rugby in Limerick, and the greater Mid- West region in general, is well known and has contributed heavily to our success in the sector. Access to Third Level Institutions and overall talent in the area has been a real partnership for Stats Perform and we are extremely positive about our future in the region.”
IDA Ireland’s Executive Director Mary Buckley said: “Stats Perform’s decision to designate the Limerick facility as its Global Rugby Centre of Excellence, demonstrates the company’s continued commitment to the Midwest region. This announcement exemplifies IDA Ireland’s track record in winning jobs and investment in regional locations. I want to congratulate Gráinne and Seamus at Stats Perform on reaching this significant milestone and wish the team every success with its operations in Limerick.”
Jabra has partnered with EVO, Ireland’s largest distributor of workplace supplies, to bring its high-quality audio and video products to customers across the nation.
EVO is now an official distributor of Jabra products for Ireland thanks to its unmatched supply chain connections and stock holding capability in the country. As a result, EVO’s wholesale partners and end customers will have access to next day delivery on Jabra’s entire range, including the Evolve2 series of professional headsets and PanaCast video conferencing cameras.
The global audio, video and collaboration solutions brand, Jabra, offers UC certified headsets, speakerphones and state-of-the art video conferencing solutions to businesses.
John Nesbitt, Territory Director, Ireland at Jabra, says, “EVO’s presence and expertise will help us to take our business to the next level in the region. With hybrid working on the rise, companies are looking at how to enable staff to be productive and to work from anywhere. We’re thrilled to be partnering with EVO and to be bringing Jabra’s audio and intelligent video conferencing solutions to even more customers in Ireland.”
Ashley Burke, EVO Ireland Managing Director, commented: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Jabra and to give this incredible brand access to new customers they wouldn’t have been able to reach otherwise.
This is why we’re the go-to channel partner in the UK and Ireland for global brands. EVO’s make up, with VOW as a wholesaler and Banner as a direct supplier, means we can offer a unique level of consolidated market access.”
Today, STATSports, the world’s leading company in GPS performance data, have launched their first ever Women’s GPS Sports Bra along with their new apparel wear.
The all-new seamless GPS quick dry bra is the industry’s first and will replace the standard unisex performance vest for women. STATSports were assisted in the development and testing of the product by Arsenal and Republic of Ireland star, Katie McCabe and England and Man City captain, Stephanie Houghton – both are ambassadors and investors of the brand.
The STATSports Apex pod, which measures athlete performance across 16 key metrics such as max speed, high speed running, high intensity distance, step balance, sprints, stress load and more, inserts into the bra without the need for the performance vest, reducing layers for female players.
The new design of the bra is longer in length which will provide extra security for females during training and matchdays. There are also removal cups for personal choice, adapting to cup size to ensure the right support is provided.
Katie McCabe, who sits top of the Women Super League this season, which has seen an increae of 5.9 million viewers in 2021, said: “It’s brilliant to have a new vest specifically for female players, as it’s another positive step for women’s football. STATSports has become essential to the way we train and play, so it’s vital that the kit to support the tech works for us.”
Stephanie Houghton, said: “I’ve been working closely with STATSports around the research and development of the new product, which is so important to feel comfortable when playing the sport. In particular, the soft quick dry yarn feels amazing next to the skin, acting as your base support layer. Football is all about marginal gains, and this product will help elevate players.”
Fellow STATSports ambassador and global soccer star, Megan Rapinoe added: “It is imperative for the brands that I work with to commit to improving women’s sports. Soccer is ever-evolving and it’s great to align with STATSports to develop the game. We are proud to introduce our first women’s product, which players like myself, Alex Morgan, Stephanie Houghton and Katie McCabe have already put to the test.”
“Katie and Stephanie have been instrumental in the development of the new STATSports Women’s sports bra and we’re delighted to have them on our team. We want to ensure all players feel comfortable in our products, and so we felt that it was imperative to create a female specific holding device for the technology.” says Sean O’Connor, STATSports Co-Founder and COO.
The new apparel range consists of a unisex performance vest, designed by Liverpool player, Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, ¼ drill top, short and long sleeve performance tees and a women’s drill top – the perfect last minute Christmas gifts for the athletes in the family.
To purchase the new STATSports Women’s Sports Bra or the apparel range, please visit:statsports.com
Indie publisher Ratalaika Games is delighted to announce the digital release of Moto Roader for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Microsoft Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch is set for February 25th 2022.
Facts – Not Fiction
The iconic Moto Roader MC was first released in 1992 and its return allows gamers to now test their reactions, skill and bottle! Looks easy – it’s not! Full speed ahead thirty years on, and this beloved title is now poised at the starting line on consoles.
Play head to head against the computer or locally with a friend in multiple modes of futuristic race challenge. Choose from an array of cool cars and drivers, as well as a variety of gameplay modes
Features:
* Classic legacy title
* Choose from multiple cars and drivers
* Numerous race tracks
* Multiple game modes including bumper car challenges
* Up to 4 player (up to 5 on Switch) local coop
Top down action, a fabulous array of scenery where precision, together with luck, is required!
Sony has introduced a new way to enjoy your favourite music and the important moments in life, all at once, with the brand-new truly wireless LinkBuds. You can stay connected and aware at all times, with the help of an open ring design with audio transparency, ultra-small super fit and crystal-clear sound and call quality.
By leveraging LinkBuds’ unique design and its sensor and spatial sound technologies, Sony is creating new sound experiences together with their partners, such as AR gaming, new work from home experiences, sound AR navigation, and quick access to music.
All your worlds, always connected
LinkBuds have been created with a unique open ring design and allow you to tune into the outside world whenever you want, without compromising your listening experience. The newly-developed ring driver unit, has the centre of the diaphragm open for audio transparency, allowing you to clearly hear the sounds around, so you’ll always know when someone calls your name whilst on a call, or easily chat with friends while listening to your favourite songs. Their new design makes LinkBuds the perfect companion for a range of uses, including working from home, gaming, listening to music, and more.
You’ll never have to switch off, thanks to LinkBuds’ new, super small, ergonomic design. Approximately four grams in weight, these earbuds are a marvel of miniaturisation. Unlike conventional earbuds, the protective surface covering the speaker diaphragm is integrated within the housing, saving space. The overall shape has been crafted with the use of extensive ear shape data, collated since Sony introduced the world’s first in-ear headphones in 1982. You’ll barely notice you’re wearing them, making them the perfect companion all day, every day.
Crystal-clear sound
You can make calls without noise, for crystal clear conversations. LinkBuds’ include precise voice pickup technology that performs advanced voice signal processing. Sony’s noise reduction algorithm was developed using AI machine learning, using more than 500 million voice samples to supress ambient noise and extract your voice clearly. LinkBuds let you hear people, when you need to, even when you’re in noisy situations.
Linkbuds allow you to enjoy high quality sound, no matter how busy life gets. Thanks to DSEE (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) your personal soundtrack will be restored to high quality. Sony’s Integrated Processor V1 reproduces all the detail in your music with minimal distortion, for a stunningly authentic listening experience, so your favourite artists always sound great. A specially designed 12mm ring driver provides rich, well-balanced sound.
Adaptive Volume Control automatically optimises volume based on where you are, letting your music seamlessly blend into your environment. This allows you to listen to your favourite tracks at a comfortable volume and in a variety of environments, to enhance the open-air listening experience.
Making your everyday easier
Sony is making it easier than ever before to integrate your personal soundtrack into the world around you, all while staying connected with a variety of smart features.
Don’t be fooled by their size, LinkBuds are super easy to use but with advanced features. With Wide Area Tap all control is at your fingertips. By double or triple tapping in front of either of your ears, you can adjust playback to your liking – there’s no need to touch the LinkBuds themselves.
LinkBuds are there to help no matter where you are and even when your hands are full. With Speak-to-Chat you can automatically pause your music as soon as you speak to someone. Once your conversation is over, your music starts playing automatically, so there’s no need to touch any controls. LinkBuds also come with hands-free help so you can get information, connect with friends, set reminders, and more by activating your preferred voice assistant. Just say “OK Google” or “Alexa”.
Easy Bluetooth Pairing with Fast & Swift Pair
LinkBuds support Google’s helpful new Fast Pair feature, allowing you to effortlessly pair with your Android devices. You can also locate where you last left your earphones. Swift Pair makes it quick and easy to pair your LinkBuds to your Windows 11 or Windows 10 laptop, desktop PC or tablet.
For the first time ever, you can take the earbuds out of their case and a pop-up will appear automatically. So no matter where you are, you can easily get connected.
Quick access to your favourite music
With Quick access, you can configure LinkBuds to resume Spotify playback with just a couple of taps – no need to touch your smartphone.
Empowers richer experience to explore surroundings with Microsoft Soundscape
LinkBuds provide enhanced capabilities integrated with Microsoft Soundscape. Their open-ear shape enables users to hear audio beacons and callouts of buildings or intersections, with the natural sound of surroundings. Compass/gyro sensors inside the earphones can detect the direction of your head and allow you to hear the sound from a destination, without holding your smartphone.
Sustainability matters to Sony
Sony has not only designed LinkBuds to be stylish, but also with the environment in mind. These unique earbuds and their charging case are made using recycled plastic materials and plastic-free packaging.
Your everyday earbuds
LinkBuds are perfect for your everyday. Thanks to IPX4 water resistance, splashes and sweat won’t get in the way of you and your favourite tracks. You can also enjoy a full working day of charge – 5.5 hours – from the earbuds and store an additional 12 hours in the sleek and compact case. Even when life moves fast and you’re in a hurry, just a 10 minute charge gives you up to 90 minutes of play time.
Immerse yourself in sound all around
LinkBuds also come with 360 Reality Audio.With 360 Reality Audio, music can feel as real as if you were front row at a live concert or at the recording studio alongside your favourite artist.
Messages from Sony´s partners
LinkBuds, which link online and offline worlds, will continue to provide various services for better and new sound experiences. Here are some messages from some of Sony´s strategic partners.
“Microsoft Soundscape is an innovative audio-based technology that exemplifies our mission to empower every person to achieve more,” said Peter Lee, CVP of Microsoft Research & Incubations.“In our collaboration with Sony to integrate Soundscape with LinkBuds, we found that the earphones’ thoughtful design enhances the experience of Soundscape to enable people to build a richer awareness of their surroundings and become more empowered to get around, all while enjoying a true heads-up and hands-free experience. This is just the beginning and we’re excited about our ongoing relationship with Sony and how our complementary technologies add value to our personal and professional lives.”
“Our products — Ingress, Pokémon GO and Pikmin Bloom — use augmented reality and real-world gameplay to inspire fun and wonder for our community. Sound is an important part of any entertainment experience, especially ones where users are out exploring. That’s why we’re so excited to partner with Sony on the launch of LinkBuds to deliver immersive real-world audio experiences to our community” says Archit Bhargava, Director of Product Marketing, Niantic, Inc.
“At Spotify, we’re always working to create the best and most seamless listening experience for every moment”, says Sten Garmark, VP of Consumer Experience at Spotify. “Together with Sony, we’re excited by the arrival of Spotify Tap on the new LinkBuds, allowing listeners to instantly jump into the music or get served something new – all with simple taps.”
Pricing and availability
LinkBuds will be available in Grey and White from February 2022 and priced at approximately £150 / €180
Compass Ireland backs Foodservices Industry-First – Ireland’s first ever completely frictionless store, Market x Flutter, officially opened today, at Flutter Entertainment’s newly renovated global headquarters in Clonskeagh in Dublin 4.
The store, developed for Flutter by Compass Group Ireland, uses AI-powered computer vision technology from AiFi, allowing shoppers to purchase items in-store without having to wait in line or stop to scan or pay. The store stocks fresh meals including a selection of hot and chilled dishes to-go, as well as drinks and confectionery.
A truly friction-free shopping experience, customers ‘check in’ when entering and then freely wander through the store, selecting from the food offering at their leisure; no scanning and no queuing. They leave with their purchases and a receipt is delivered to their phone moments later.
Ireland’s food sector and retail expertise is fuelled by constant innovation, local Minister for Dublin- Rathdown, Josepha Madigan, Minister for Special Education and Inclusion, said at the opening event attended by Flutter and Compass Ireland employees today.
“I am delighted to be here in Clonskeagh to mark the launch of Market x Flutter, which represents an exciting innovation in retail and customer service. It is a new, user-friendly experience for customers and is a reflection of the creativity and dynamism of the food service industry in Ireland. Flutter is an important investor in Ireland and its newly renovated global headquarters in Clonskeagh represents this ongoing commitment. I would like to commend everyone involved in the establishment of this new store and wish everyone at Flutter well into the future.”
The new store uses frictionless technology from leading global AI experts, AiFi. Facial recognition is not needed with this technology, so there is complete anonymity. Once inside, computer vision cameras anonymously track the shopper, adding selected items to the virtual shopping cart. No facial recognition or biometrics are used, ensuring privacy.
Welcoming the convenience and ease of the new retail system, Padraig Ó Ríordáin, Chief Legal Officer & Group Commercial Director of Flutter, and the Executive Lead for the Dublin office, said the frictionless store was among many innovative features available to Flutter staff at their newly renovated global headquarters.
Flutter App
“Our new-look global headquarters in Dublin encapsulates Flutter’s vision for the future of work. We have made a significant investment in this modern, agile and flexible workspace, and are excited for our colleagues based here to experience all it has to offer. The frictionless store is just one example of its many unique features and is indicative of the kind of innovative work that our talented team, based here, delivers every day. It is a great addition to the office space and we are grateful to Compass Group Ireland for making it a reality”.
The new contactless store will open Monday to Friday, between 8.00am and 6.00pm, and will be open to the general public, as well as Flutter employees, and marketed right across the South Dublin business park.
Deirdre O’Neill, Managing Director at the innovative catering company Compass Group Ireland, said that trials of the new foodservices solution at the Flutter workplace have been very successful.
“We’re incredibly excited by this new frictionless store technology, and are proud that our Irish operation is leading the way. We constantly look at how to offer the most convenient service to customers and tailor food solutions to their needs. Now, customers just pop into the store and pick up what they need, whenever they need it – it’s a great flexible solution for busy workers.”
Frictionless units will be established within other corporate clients’ offices in the coming year by Compass Ireland, as well as in the sports and leisure sectors.
The stores will be established where vending-only food solutions exist currently, or where the new contactless format can be part of a suite of solutions, including self-service and serviced meal options. Compass employees will be on-hand to provide support to customers on site.
Compass Ireland food solutions currently include the Feedr app ‘cloud canteen’ for handy ordering and desk delivery, full restaurant operations, café and coffee dock facilities, on-site food-trucks and bespoke catering services.
The Irish business serves 40,000 meals a day across 130 customer sites, including offices, industrial sites and education, leisure and hospitality facilities. The new food-to-go solution is the ultimate in seamless shopping and forms part of the company’s long-term digital transformation plans, Deirdre O’Neill says.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to add real value to the customer experience through technology, offering great quality food, around-the-clock, and a quick and frictionless purchase experience.”
Steve Gu, CEO & Founder of AiFi Inc., said his company looks forward to scaling the new foodservices experience, together with Compass, across many more client sites.
“AiFi is proud to partner with Compass Group to deploy our AI-powered frictionless shopping solution. Here in Ireland, Flutter employees can now enjoy the highest level of convenience and the very best locally sourced and prepared food from Compass Group.”
Awaken Realms, a tabletop publisher making its Steam debut with Chicken Launcher, is delighted to announce that No Place Like Home, their green-fingered, post-apocalyptic clean up game will be leaving early access on 10th March 2022. No Place Like Home is a post-apocalyptic-yet-colourful simulation game where the Earth has been stripped of natural resources and left to collapse under mountains of waste as humankind abandons it for a life on Mars. Those who remain must set about clearing up the mess left behind, restoring the natural balance and starting anew. Learn from the mistakes of the past to create a brighter future for your farm, your village and the entire planet.
Clearing, recycling, crafting, cooking, trading and much more are key to transforming wasteland into farmland where people prosper. But this is much bigger than one person. As a village and community evolves from the seeds of civilization, so do the possibilities. There’s freedom in this recovering world to take it in many different directions.
Following a successful spell in Early Access, No Place Like Home will officially launch on Steam on Thursday 10th March, with support for German, French, Russian, Polish, Spanish (European) and Chinese (Simplified).
“No Place Like Home has been a joy to work on and we’re so looking forward to sharing it’s full release with our community and beyond.” commented Adrian Komarski, Co-Founder of publisher Awaken Realms “We’re incredibly proud of No Place Like Home, it’s been a real passion project for our team to make the move into digital publishing as well as shine a light on serious environmental concerns. Starting with a stark look at the damage we’re doing to the environment whilst creating a fun and enjoyable game that literally sees the world become a better place. What more could we ask for?”.
Key Features
– Recycle and craft to build your own farm: Turn trash into trade items as you craft with recycled resources to run your own post-apocalyptic farm.
– Produce your food from seed to stew: Scavenge the world for seeds to grow your own produce and create nutritious meals that can be traded for useful items.
– The world is yours to find: Explore, go on adventures and find hidden secrets that will help you run your farm.
– Salvage your village: Restore the environment from the wasteland it has become to rebuild your village, and the world.
– Make some animal friends: Restore wild habitats and domesticate farm animals to help life thrive in and around your village and farm.
– Convert an old house into your cozy home: Rebuild, refurbish and decorate your house, after all there’s no place like home.
Dogpatch Labs and the Irish Tech Hub Network in partnership with leading multinational technology companies, today announced a major initiative to help Irish startups scale and expand internationally.
‘First Fridays’ for startups consists of monthly virtual events delivering curated expert workshops, advisory panels and fireside chats with globally successful startup founders. Central to the programme will be the opportunity for Irish startup founders to engage in 1-to-1 mentoring sessions with key employees and experts from the world’s leading multinationals.
RDI Hub is based in Killorglin County Kerry and will play a significant role in supporting local tech startups by helping to expand the vibrant community of start ups with access to a network of expertise to help and support the expansion of business both locally and further afield.
Liam Cronin, CEO of Kerry’s RDI Hub had this to say about the project: “RDI Hub is delighted to be involved in this important ecosystem initiative. Supporting founders to scale from the South West is core to what we do. First Friday for Startup leverages Ireland’s current strength around FDI to support the creation of Ireland’s next unicorns and is key to achieving our goal of making Irish globally great at entrepreneurship. We are very much looking forward to running these startup supports from RDI Hub”
This new, revised, All-Ireland version of the programme will see 1,000+ employees from global technology companies committing resources to support the indigenous start-up community via free monthly mentoring and other software support. The multinational founders of ‘First Friday’ for startups multinationals that have committed to supporting the Irish startup ecosystem include Google, HubSpot, Microsoft and Salesforce with further partners to be announced. Other multinationals are expected to make meaningful contributions in the coming months.
Every month the delivery of the events will rotate around the country across the network of startup and innovation hubs – RDI Hub (Kerry), Ludgate Hub (Skibbereen), Portershed (Galway), Republic of Work (Cork), Ormeau Baths (Belfast) and Dogpatch Labs (Dublin).
The initiative is a significant expansion of the successful programme run by Dogpatch Labs and Google in Dublin for the past five years, which has to date attracted over 7,000 attendees, 650 startups and delivered over 1,000 mentoring hours. The programme’s existing mentor network includes Google employees, entrepreneurs, and industry subject matter experts. With the additional multinational partners, the programme will further extend this mentor knowledge pool and reach all four corners of Ireland to support even more entrepreneurs.
Speaking at the launch today, Portershed CEO (Galway) and CEO of the Irish Tech Hub Network, Mary Rodgers, said: “This is a real boost for the regions, extending equal access to the wealth of multinational talent to founders across the island of Ireland. We hope to inspire founders and give Irish startups unrivalled access to global networks as they seek to go out beyond our shores and conquer the world.”
Recent years have seen record levels of investment and growth among indigenous Irish startups, with 6 unicorn companies showing what is possible for domestic innovators. Fenergo, Intercom, Workhuman, LetsGetChecked and most recently Flipdish and Wayflyer are all Irish-origin companies who have passed the $1bn valuation mark in the last few years. The First Fridays for startups initiative will work to foster innovation across Ireland, providing entrepreneurs with the skills and tools to build high-growth startups of their own.
