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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.
Mini PCs are becoming more and more popular. While the small, fast computers were mostly to be found on the desks of offices and agencies not long ago, there has been a shift towards more home-use in the last couple of years. The reasons are obvious: Mini PCs are space-saving, affordable and offer high-performance – such as the NEO N42C-4 from MINIX.
Desktops or so-called Mini PCs are enjoying a constant growth in popularity and, according to a study by British trade analyst CONTEXT, were able to increase their sales figures substantially, especially in German-speaking countries – in Germany in Q1 2018 by around 37 percent[1]. MINIX is one of the market leaders in the field of Mini PCs and Media Hubs and, as part of this trend, is presenting its most powerful Mini PC: the NEO N42C-4.
The NEO N42C-4 offers the full performance and functionality of a desktop computer in a compact, stylish case, but can be taken anywhere due to its light weight and convenient dimensions. This Mini PC allows up to three displays to be connected via HDMI, Mini DisplayPort and USB-C outputs. The NEO N42C-4 comes with 32GB of eMMC internal memory and 4GB of DDR3L memory – but both the memory and RAM can be expanded via the 2280 M.2 slot (SATA 6.0Gbps) and a pair of SODIMM (Dual Channel Support) slots, depending on your needs. The 2280-M.2 slot (SATA 6.0 Gbps) offers an optional memory expansion up to 512 GB, while each the two SODIMM ports supports up to 8 GB of DDR3L memory.
The NEO N42C-4 offers various connection options: Three USB 3.0 ports, HDMI, Mini DisplayPort, USB-C, Optical S/PDIF, 3.5 mm audio jack, 802.11ac Dual-Band Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet and Bluetooth 4.1. Its built-in USB-C port ensures ultra-fast data transfer, video display up to 4K @ 60Hz and power supply. The active cooling solution guarantees an extremely low background noise and ensures safe and stable performance even during long periods of operation.
Another convenient aspect: The NEO-N42C-4 can be easily attached to the back of a modern monitor thanks to the included fixture, thus creating even more space and clarity on the desk. The NEO N42C-4 Mini PC is available at Amazon.co.uk at a RRP of £249.90.
More information about the complete MINIX portfolio is available at www.minix.com.hk/en.
What should Northern Ireland do to strengthen its position as a digital leader?
Mark Owens, Managing Director, Civica Northern Ireland
Since the collapse of the Northern Ireland Executive in January 2017, there is a perception that the lack of central leadership has had a knock-on effect on the region’s technology advancements and focus. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Northern Ireland is currently a UK technology leader, with initiatives such as the Belfast Smart Cities; as part of this the Belfast Immersive Lab, in partnership with the Department of Economy and Digital Catapult, is giving organisations throughout the region the opportunity to tryout, proto-type and exploit virtual and augmented reality technologies.
However, to retain and cement our place as a technology driven region, public and private sector leaders in Northern Ireland should continue to invest in initiatives designed to meet rapidly growing demands in all areas of life.
Driving Northern Ireland’s digital future
A clear roadmap for increasing the number of digital services has been set out by the government as part of its Strategy for Digital Transformation of Public Services 2017-2021. As part of this, the government is simplifying processes such as criminal record checks. The AccessNI service has been simplified: previously a lengthy process where citizens had to complete and return paper based applications, they now use a quick, efficient online service, with over 99% of all disclosure applications submitted online.
In fact, in many ways Northern Ireland is way ahead of the UK in terms of its digital strategy and transformation projects. For some, devolution has proved beneficial, with less bureaucracy and fewer obstacles to overcome to kick-start projects; giving local departments and organisations greater freedom to experiment with new technologies and try out different digital services. One example is the NI Direct Strategic Partnership Programme, where over 30 significant services have been transformed, delivering more than 15 million new online transactions. Not only has this generated cost savings and efficiencies, but citizens are also benefiting from faster services.
Mark Owens, Managing Director, Civica Northern Ireland
Harnessing innovation, technology and data
This drive to embrace digital services is not just limited to our healthcare trusts. The ‘Belfast Smart City Framework,’ backed by the government’s Future Cities Catapult, is continuing to encourage greater innovation and collaboration between local businesses, universities and the public sector. As part of this, in June 2018 a £3 million project called the ‘Pulse Smart Hub’ was launched to enhance Belfast’s access to digital services for tourists and citizens alike (for example, through free public Wi-Fi and local touch screen maps in the city centre). Although this would not have been possible without UK government’s investment, the project was largely driven by Belfast Council and Belfast-based telecommunications operator, Euro Payphone.
What’s more, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is integrating a new criminal justice data sharing (CJDS) platform in a bid to streamline processes and systems. Civica’s CJDS platform, scheduled to go live later this year, will facilitate information sharing between police, forensic investigators, prisons and the Northern Irish Public Prosecution Service. With public expectations changing, it’s great to see a major Northern Irish public body adopting data-driven technologies that will enhance the service they deliver to citizens by improving criminal-justice outcomes and driving efficiency and productivity within the police department.
Looking to the future
Clearly our political difficulties have not had a major impact on the region’s public-private partnerships, nor have they inhibited our drive to share skills, creativity and knowledge between the public and private sectors. In fact, our recent Changing Landscape report research found that 90% of citizens believe Northern Ireland’s services are now ripe for digitisation. While excellent progress has been made in the last two years, more still needs to be done to strengthen Northern Ireland’s digital identity.
Organisations across Northern Ireland must constantly listen to the demands of citizens and customers, responding to their needs and desires in order to drive real collaboration across the region. We must also look to harness and share data and educate our children with technology to maintain our position as a global digital leader and determine long-lasting success.
If we don’t prioritise the improvement of services we risk going backwards: simply sitting back and letting digital delivery slip is no longer an option. With Brexit fast approaching, and the political future looking more and more uncertain, it has never been more important to bring public and private sector organisations closer together for the development of Northern Ireland’s economic and social prosperity.
Today we are checking out the new Netgear Arlo Pro 2 security camera doorbell and chime and what is great about these is that it is completely wireless which means less work,no holes and easy installation which requires qualified fitters under PSA rules. We have tested out the first version which you can see here. This set up we have here today offers more than just your typical camera you can also add additional cameras to this which makes life much easier and they all work off one app which again is great..
Any questions in the interim feel free to ask below or on our social channels.
Microsoft today held the first of 10 regional pop-up DreamSpace events at St Eunan’s College in Letterkenny, Donegal. The educational experience, which has been running at its Sandyford campus since last year, is now being rolled out across rural Ireland to ensure that every school and every student in Ireland has the opportunity to experience DreamSpace.
Today registrations open for schools to take part in the free DreamSpace experience at Microsoft’s Sandyford campus over the next academic year. Microsoft hopes to build on the hugely successful academic year from September 2018 to June 2019 where it anticipates over 15,000 students and 500 teachers will have visited DreamSpace at One Microsoft Place.
The 10 regional pop-up events will take place across Munster, Ulster and Connacht by the end of this academic year with dates and locations to be announced in the coming weeks. The events will include more than one school so that smaller rural schools can take part in Microsoft’s immersive educational event.
Photo shows: Minister for Education and Skills, Joe McHugh TD with fifth class students from Scoil Mhuire Gan Smál, letterkenny, Shruti Oommen, Zoe Guichard, Naomi Lecky, Rachel McGranaghan and Summer Haughey. Photo: Naoise Culhane.
Today the Minister for Education and Skills, Joe McHugh TD joined students from Killian National School in Inver; Letterkenny schools Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal, Educate Together and St Eunan’s College and Cloughfin National School in Lifford at the DreamSpace on the Road session.
The digital skills experience aims to inspire students to potentially choose a career that involves technology. Students engage in an interactive event that helps them develop collaborative, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Today’s event, which aims to help young people understand the power of technology across all industries, includes design and coding.
Speaking at the launch, Minister for Education and Skills, Joe McHugh TD said, “I’m pleased to join Microsoft in launching the first regional DreamSpace. It is important to bring this learning experience to students in rural communities like Donegal. I have enjoyed watching the local primary and secondary school students work together to navigate the challenges posed by this learning experience. They have discovered how technology together with their imagination can help them develop ingenious solutions. I believe that these events across rural Ireland will help inspire students and encourage them to see that STEM subjects are critical to success as the digital transformation takes place across every aspect of our world. I’d like to thank Microsoft for creating this unique learning environment and for its ongoing support and investment in education in Ireland”.
Photo shows: Fifth class students from Scoil Mhuire Gan Smál, letterkenny, Wictoria Kos, Lorena Lawrence, Saoirse Owens and Maja Ziarko Photo: Naoise Culhane.
Kevin Marshall, Head of Education at Microsoft Ireland added, “Microsoft is committed to Ireland and the students of Ireland. We are supporting the Department of Education’s ambition for Ireland to be Europe’s STEM leader by 2026. The completion of our EUR134m state of the art campus in Sandyford included a EUR5m investment in our dedicated education hub, DreamSpace. This immersive experience is a critical resource to show students the power of technology and help them understand how they can participate in the digital age. We are now rolling out this experience across the country with these pop-up events”.
“The DreamSpace experience helps students understand their place in the world, inspires them to realise their full potential and embrace the world of the future. We have developed a tailored experience for students based on their age, skills level and areas of interest. Technology has a place across many industries and careers and DreamSpace allows students to see how technology can empower them to be a critical part of tomorrow’s world”.
Due to its popularity and the success of the project there is expected to be significant demand for the free experience. Schools or youth groups interested in the opportunity can register by logging onto Microsoft.com/DreamSpace and follow Microsoft’s twitter handle @MS_eduIRL.
SAS has been recognised as one of Ireland’s top employers in the Great Place to Work® Institute’s prestigious “Best Workplaces Ireland 2019” ranking. The analytics leader has improved on its result from last year, claiming 16th place in the ‘medium-sized business’ category having finishing 19th in 2018.
This is the fifth consecutive year that SAS has been recognised as one of Ireland’s best places to work. The rankings are based on the findings of a robust employee survey and a thorough assessment of policies and practices by the Great Place to Work Institute.
Great Place to Work (GPTW) was founded in the US in 1981 and has grown into the world’s largest annual workplace culture survey, encompassing 45 countries. Great Place to Work Ireland was established in 2003; since then, it has surveyed close to three million Irish employees. The Institute’s methodologies have been adopted by numerous organisations including Fortune magazine, which uses them for its famous 100 Best Companies to Work For index.
SAS appears regularly on GPTW annual lists in the countries where it operates – a reflection of a company culture that puts a premium on employee happiness, encourages creativity, and focuses on providing the best balance between professional development and a healthy lifestyle.
“Everybody knows that motivated and engaged employees bring more value to a business,” said Charles Senabulya, Vice President, SAS UK & Ireland. “Our approach to employee engagement is to give our people inspiring and challenging work, combined with a collaborative atmosphere. We trust our employees to work independently and creatively, and we believe that this freedom is key to workplace happiness. We’re delighted that our employees agree, and we look forward to working with them so that we can continue our climb up the rankings next year.”
Brendan O’Dwyer, Head of EMEA Inside Sales at SAS, added: “This is the fifth year in a row that we’ve made the GPTW list. It’s great that our hard work is recognised, but there is no time to rest on our laurels. The workplace is undergoing a time of unprecedented transformation, and this is leading to rapid changes in employee expectations.
“That’s why it’s so important that we continue to engage with employees to ensure that we are always supporting and inspiring them. At SAS, our Employee Engagement Team brings together teams from across the business to ensure that we’re always listening, always learning, and always improving the workplace experience for everyone.”
This week we have some tech in for the ladies out there who can now drop hints to their other half if they are stuck looking for a gift to buy or perhaps you can splash out on yourself as Mother’s Day is coming up soon.
First up is the HiMirror Mini Premium which is a smart mirror and not just your conventional one,this is one is packed with tech for health and beauty on the go and offers some really great features if you want to also track products this is ideal for the techie lady out there which there are many so check out the features below and the video.
The HiMirror Mini Premium is a smaller, sleeker version of HiMirror Plus+, and houses an array of new functions. The connected mirror employs a range of cutting edge technologies to provide users with comprehensive skincare analysis, personalised advice and skincare recommendations and innovative new augmented reality features.
At 13 x 9 inches, the HiMirror Mini Premium is a compact model and is being dubbed the first portable smart mirror, for beauty lovers on the go. The Mini Premium is also an upgrade in terms of user experience, with an intuitive touch screen navigation. The mirror is Amazon Alexa enabled, meaning you can ask it to check the weather, play music or order an Uber.
The HiMirror Mini Premium boasts the key beauty functions of the HiMirror Plus+ as well as new features:
Skin analysis which identifies wrinkles, fine lines, complexion, dark circles, red spots, pores etc
Personalised skincare recommendations, whose efficacy can be monitored over time, accessed only by face and voice authentication
‘My Beauty Box’ – a virtual inventory of all the products you are using
Skin Safe feature identifies allergens in your products to ensure healthier skin
Five different ambient light settings to help users apply makeup appropriate for various locations, from dimly lit restaurants to brightly lit offices
Touch screen navigation
Amazon Alexa enabled
Streaming on Spotify and YouTube to keep you entertained as you get ready
Next up is the Smart Body Scale which is a simple to use scale that comes with a nice plush cover to blend in with your surroundings at home,this has no on screen display but works via your smartphone and also works with the Mirror and all via one app. This scale offers all the details you would expect and can help keep you in check which I have been doing with my last review of the Withings line up. This is all for the ladies though and you can enjoy keeping in shape with relevant data on the go.
The Smart Body Scale helps users stay in shape by measuring weight, body mass index, basal metabolic rate, total body water, skeletal muscle and bone mass, as well as muscle to fat ratios. All the data is uploaded to users’ HiMirror in real-time using the device’s Bluetooth functions.
Using the data gathered, the Smart Body Scale can propose a variety of body improvement strategies and fitness videos on the HiMirror for attaining a healthier, more-toned body, all within the comfort of your own home.
Users can also use Smart Body Scale independently, without having any HiMirror products on hand, by using the HiFit 2.0 APP
The scale, which is a certified IEC standard medical device, comes complete with a unique, neutral-coloured plush cover, allowing it to blend in seamlessly with any décor. It’s dimensions are Length: 34cm, width: 32cm, height: 1.8cm, weight: 2kg.
Ireland has become one of the most confident and successful countries in Europe, enjoying a booming jobs market and an economy that was the EU’s fastest-growing in 2018, for the fifth consecutive year.
It’s not all good news, however. Ireland sits within the EU’s top ten countries for money laundering activity, and reports have advised that Brexit has increased the risk of Ireland becoming a “perfect storm for money laundering”. This is a serious challenge for a responsible global citizen like Ireland – and, of course, its financial institutions.
Convergence of regulations and the banking customer experience
With every challenge comes opportunity. While financial regulation is often seen as a burden, in this instance it represents the opportunity for Ireland’s banks and financial services organisations to simultaneously revolutionise the customer experience in many ways – including account onboarding through mobile devices – as they strengthen their compliance. A quick look at what the law shows us how this can be achieved.
Ireland has long taken the issue of money laundering very seriously. The country has been a member of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) since 1991, and in 2010 enshrined its commitment to tackling money laundering in the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010. This piece of legislation brought Ireland in line with the European Union’s Fourth Anti-Money Laundering Directive (MLD4) – the latest version of a constantly-evolving regulation designed to combat terrorist funding, human trafficking and other criminal activity. This latter regulation is one with real teeth: those who violate MLD4’s provisions face a maximum fine of at least twice the amount of the benefit derived from the breach or at least €1 million.
The next iteration to MLD due to come into effect in January 2020, providing further, much-needed improvements in specifying the acceptability of electronic documentation. The proposed MLD5 requires that member states “establish automated centralised mechanisms, such as central registries or central electronic data retrieval systems, of bank and payment accounts”.
For many EU countries, the digitisation of records may prove an enormous headache, since traditionally customer identification has been done via an in-person review of the identity document, with banks and financial institutions making photocopies. Ireland, however, is already ahead of the game. As Compliance and Risk Officers at Irish banks know, Section 33 of the 2010 Act (relating to customer due diligence) makes provision for “electronic verification of the customer’s identity on thebasis of documents (whether or not in electronic form) [emphasis on original].”
This puts Ireland’s financial service providers in pole position to handle new customer onboarding, and to create an experience that is fast, mobile, and hassle-free for their customers.
Digital Identity Verification
Because Irish law promotes electronic verification of identity documents, there is a substantial opportunity for financial services organisations to act fast, improve their operations, due diligence, compliance and customer experience and educate customers of the benefits.
Using digital identity verification for onboarding, due diligence is achieved by asking individuals to take a photo of their identity document and then a selfie with their mobile device, linking the document to the real person. Advanced artificial intelligence is then used to validate the authenticity and originality of the identity document. A second layer of identity verification is used on the selfie using sophisticated biometric face comparison algorithms that automatically compare the portrait extracted from the identity document with the selfie, proving that the person submitting the ID is its rightful owner. This digital process can be done in seconds and the individual does not have to visit a physical location to prove their identity.
Traditionally, this step in the account opening process has been conducted in person, which is typically very time-consuming for both the bank and its new customers. With the right technology, and solutions digital document verification enables financial institutions to meet all regulatory requirements, including GDPR, MLD4/5, and Ireland’s Criminal Justice Act – while also providing the convenience for the customer.
Combining identity document authentication with biometric face comparison enables banks, fintechs and other regulated providers to guide their prospective customers through the process via their mobile device. They can do this in a number of ways: for example, by using a digital assistant or chatbot, for fast and intuitive onboarding that they can complete with a few taps of their screen. Making ID verification “digital by design”, banks and other institutions can also prepare themselves for MLD5 and other regulations by making it easier to provide full records that prove due diligence was undertaken.
Further benefits of electronic verification
Important as it is to stay compliant with anti-money laundering regulations, there are a host of other benefits from implementing proven digital verification techniques. From the customer’s point of view, one of these is the ease, convenience and simplicity of being able to submit and verify their documentation.
Like many other industries, financial services are rebuilding long-established business models around the core principle of providing brilliant customer experiences. Challenger banks and other fintechs have so-far led this race, but now digital verification is available to any establishment, regardless of their existing technology estate. It means that they can immediately begin to make account opening fully digital, with no tedious requirement to visit a branch. What’s more, research by Consult Hyperion suggests that mobile technology can significantly decrease the risk of sanctions, provide significant improvements in user experience and reductions in Know Your Customer (KYC) friction, while delivering savings for the average bank of £5m in operational costs, rising to £10m in three years’ time.
Regulation is seen as a burdensome challenge in every industry, but the banking and financial services sector understands the importance of rules to combat the rise in crime such as money laundering. Seldom does a solution to compliance come about that can also provide for an intuitive and secure customer experience. Digital identity verification is one of these rare examples.
When it comes to computing most of us sport a PC or laptop at home or the office but when you travel and have no laptop and you need one, the likes of this product is the answer, Portability is another option we can factor in here and a portable computer is a great idea as its not cumbersome and can be used anywhere we have access to a screen and this is our first such product to arrive which is the MINIX NEO which is great in more ways than one. Check out the unboxing below and tell us what you think.
Intel Pentium N4200 Quad Core CPU • Intel HD Graphics 505 • DDR3L 4GB installed (expandable to 8GB) • 2x SODIMM slots with dual-channel support • 32GB eMMC 5.1 (MLC) installed • 1x 2280 M.2 slot (SATA 6bps) for upgrading with a M.2 SSD • 802.11ac dual band WLAN
A new programme to support entrepreneurs and deep tech start-ups has been launched by Tyndall National Institute. The Deep Dive programme offers access to seed funding and a portfolio of spin-out ready innovations, from radiation detectors used in the International Space Station to infrared sensors for autonomous vehicles and wearable rehabilitation devices.
Speaking at the launch of Deep Dive, Tyndall’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Declan O’Mahoney said, “Experienced Entrepreneurs and astute business professionals who are keen to join the next wave of high-value start-ups should get in touch to take a ‘deep dive’ with us into this exceptional business opportunity. Tyndall has an exciting portfolio of spin-out ready technologies which answer real market needs and has highly-defensible IP. We are also calling entrepreneurs who have identified a market opportunity that needs a deep-tech solution.”
Carl Jackson (former CTO of SensL), Tyndall’s Entrepreneur in Residence Declan O’Mahoney (former CEO Firecomms) and Joe O’Keeffe (former CEO of InfiniLED) pictured at the launch of Deep Dive, a new Tyndall National Institute programme to support entrepreneurs and deep tech start-ups. Pic Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision
Through Deep Dive, entrepreneurs will have access to initial funding, state-of-the-art facilities at Tyndall and expertise from the researchers involved in developing the core IP in the spin-out.
Tyndall has an incredible track record of successful high-value tech spin-outs which achieved global acclaim. Among the list of multi-million dollar tech companies are SensL which grew to become a global leader in medical imaging and automotive LiDAR and was acquired by ON Semiconductor. InfiniLED also spun-out to bring Tyndall’s state-of-the-art MicroLED technology to market, which was later acquired by Oculus, part of the Facebook group. Firecomms, based on Tyndall’s technology in the area of compound semiconductor materials and fiber optics was the first Irish high-tech company to be bought by a Chinese corporation, (ZJY Corp).
Deep Dive is part-funded by Bank of Ireland under its technology commercialisation programme with Tyndall National Institute.
“Deep Dive is an exciting part of Tyndall’s entrepreneurship agenda which, in partnership with University College Cork’s Technology Transfer Office, has delivered not only high-value start-ups, but also the infrastructure and talent for Tyndall spin-ins and SME scaling projects,” said Peter Smyth, Commercial Director, Tyndall National Institute.
