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
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.”
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.
The Citroën e-Dispatch / Opel Vivaro-e / Peugeot e-Expert, an electrified joint collaboration of the three companies, has been voted Continental Tyres Irish Van of the Year for 2022.
The award is voted upon by a jury of Ireland’s most experienced van journalists and was announced at the 2022 Irish Car and Van of the Year awards ceremony which took place at The Aviva Stadium on Friday February 11.
EVs were very much to the fore at the awards event as, in addition to electric models taking the main trophy in the Van of the Year contest, the full electric Kia EV6 won the top award in the Irish Car of the Year competition.
Pictured at the presentation of the award with the winning vans were (l to r): Colin Sheridan, MD of Citroën Ireland; James Brooks, MD of Opel Ireland; Tom Dennigan of awards sponsor Continental Tyres; Cathal Doyle and Anthony Conlon, Joint Chairmen of the Irish Car and Van of the Year Committee; and Stephen McGrath, Head of Product and Pricing with Peugeot and DS Automobiles.
HMD Global, the home of Nokia phones, today announces a pair of resilient new Nokia G-series smartphones, the Nokia G11 and Nokia G21. Legacy Nokia phones were famed for their robust battery lives, and the new affordable Android smartphones are no exception with an impressive three-day battery life and new Super Battery Saver mode, as well as category-leading security updates.
Florian Seiche, CEO at HMD Global:“We continue to push boundaries in the mid-range segment providing affordable, secure and competitive technology for all. I am delighted to unveil two new heroes from our heartland G-series, the Nokia G11 and Nokia G21.The two devices epitomise the durability and long-lasting battery life qualities Nokia phones became famous for all those years ago. This combined with the best of Android software, and more security updates than the competition within this price category, cements our vision for 2022 and beyond – as we continue to build phones that last for longer.”
Unrivalled protection for mobile technology that lasts for longer
Twice as many security updates as competition to help keep important data protected – the Nokia G11 and Nokia G21 will work seamlessly in the background to protect you so that you can go about your day worry-free.
Introducing Mask mode to affordable smartphones – available on G-series for the first, it ensures the convenience of face unlock is never disrupted. Keep your data safe with or without a protective face mask.
Ready for Android 12, so you always have access to the latest features and have a smartphone that you can keep for longer.
Supported by industry-leading partners for best-in-class experiences, the Nokia G11 and Nokia G21 come pre-loaded with Spotify and ExpressVPN. Spotify also gives Nokia smartphone owners access to 70 million tracks and 3.2 million podcasts out of the box.[iii] For enhanced privacy and added peace of mind, ExpressVPN is now available on all new Nokia smartphones with a 30-day free trial.
Nokia G21
Long-lasting battery life so you can stay connected all-day
The impressive three-day battery life is perfect for those who want to go about their day without worrying about how much battery they have left. Whether its capturing memories with the family, or watching all your favourite shows, staying connected all day is made easy with the new Nokia G11 and Nokia G21.
Turn on the all-new Super Battery Saver mode to extend your battery life even further – you can even choose where exactly the energy savings are made, so you can still access key features that are needed. Nokia G11 and Nokia G21 also allow for this feature to be switched on at any time.
Fast response for increased productivity
Unlocking the power of 90Hz for the first time in G-series, the improved refresh rate makes scrolling and typing even more fluid, and photos look smoother.
Breath-taking photography with Nokia G21
The versatile triple-lens cameras will fully equip anyone to create professional-looking photography, delivering beautiful detail even in low light. On the front, AI smarts ensure your evening selfies will have just the right amount of light and clarity. Also, with AI Super Resolution, the new handsets elevate the zoom quality of your shots for a striking result.
New design, same Finnish durability
Introducing an all-new design, the Nokia G11 and Nokia G21 are thinner and more ergonomic. Made from tough polycarbonate, the new design honours the durability and Nordic excellence you’d expect from a Nokia phone whilst bringing a refreshed look to the range.
For extra peace of mind, the Clear Case is available for both phones, will show off your phone’s beauty. It’s made from recycled materials and can also be recycled after use.
Nokia G11
Plant 10 trees via Ecologi for every Nokia G21 or Nokia G11 purchased
Customers buying the Nokia G21 or Nokia G11 will be given the gift to plant 10 trees via Ecologi. As a first target milestone, HMD Global has committed to facilitating the planting of 1,000,000 trees. Amounting to 308,000 tonnes of carbon avoided over 25 years, the combined effort from customers will be equivalent to over 700 million miles driven in a car or 37,465,935,100 smartphones charged.
Elliot Coad, co-founder & CEO Ecologi: “We are excited to play a part in giving Nokia phone owners the power to plant a million trees. This unique redemption mechanism allows people to redeem and see their own trees, making climate action tangible and personal.”
Pricing and availability
Nokia G21 is available in Ireland starting today in Nordic Blue (navy) and Dusk (dark taupe) in 4/64 GB for €179.99
Nokia G11 is available in Ireland mid-March in Charcoal (dark grey/ black) and Ice (white/blue) in 3/32 GB for €139.99
The Nokia G21/G11 Clear Case is available on Nokia.com/phones for €29.99 (customers can get the case free for the first four weeks when they buy on https://www.nokia.com/phones/en_ie/nokia-g-21)
Mobility solutions specialist, Easytrip, Ireland’s only electronic parking and tolling tag provider, is partnering with Parking Tag, a division of payment solutions provider Payzone, to enable customers to pay for parking on-street and in commercial car parks through a single parking service.
Drivers with Easytrip or Parking Tag accounts will now have access to over 60,000 parking spaces across both services offering faster, safer, and easier parking at enabled locations throughout Ireland.
The new partnership covers cashless parking solutions across Easytrip’s portfolio of 53 off-street carparks and Parking Tag’s 40,000 parking spaces across the country.
Commenting on the new partnership, CEO of Easytrip Ireland, Colin Delaney said: “We are excited to be partnering with Payzone, combining our respective parking payment networks to significantly simplify Irish motorists needs. We know that our customers value convenience, and this new, integrated ticketless parking payment service gives access to thousands of parking spaces nationwide in one place through the Easytrip App. It’s also a safe and easy way to pay as a cashless solution, meaning that drivers no longer need to physically interact with parking meters on streets or at car park ticket machines going forward.”
Jim Deignan, CEO of Payzone said: “Payzone want to make parking easier and more convenient for motorists. We have already transformed how thousands of customers park on streets all over Ireland and now in partnership with Easytrip we want to extend that service. We will be able to offer our customers the ability to use the Parking Tag Mobile Application to park in car parks nationwide thereby giving them faster, safer, and more effortless parking. We are delighted to be working with Easytrip and look forward to motorists availing of this new expanded service going forward.”
How Easytrip parking works
The Easytrip parking service offers hassle-free contactless parking to motorists with the use of an electronic tag or mobile App, with no need to take a ticket or queue at the paying station. In barrier car parks, the Easytrip tag is scanned on entry and exit to the car park and the fee is then automatically deducted from the tag holder’s account. To park on-street, customers use the Easytrip App. Motorists who sign up can avail of this seamless parking payment solution straight away and avail of daily, weekly and monthly rates. New and existing Easytrip customers can sign up for parking by downloading the Easytrip App, by calling Easytrip on 0818 67 67 67 or by logging onto Easytrip.ie .
How Parking Tag works
Parking Tag is a popular cashless mobile parking payments system with over 330,000 registered motorists. Operated by payments provider Payzone, the solution is available in 15 local authorities across Ireland. Motorists can register by visiting parkingtag.ie or by downloading the mobile App. Once registered, customers can park immediately and take advantage of daily or weekly rate parking, where available.
For those who prefer to park without registering for an account, they can choose the option to ‘Park Now’ on the website and pay with a debit or credit card, while the SMS and phone options allows for once-off payment to a debit or credit card. Parking Tag also offers a Charge to Mobile service which allows Three and Vodafone customers charge their parking to their mobile phone bill or credit. Motorists can avail of an optional SMS reminder which means no running back to the meter, they can park again from wherever they are. For more information on how to sign up, call the Parking Tag customer support team on 0818 300 161, visit parkingtag.ie or download the Parking Tag mobile App.
At an awards ceremony today at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, the Kia EV6 was named as the Continental Tyres Irish Car of the Year for 2022.
Kia took the top award with its latest EV6 model which also won the Continental Tyres Irish Large Car of the Year category award at the ceremony. It is the second time that an electric vehicle has taken the award as Kia also won the 2020 Irish Car of the Year title with the all-electric Kia e-Soul.
Joint-Chairman of the Irish Car of the Year Committee, Anthony Conlon said: “The Kia EV6 is a great car and as the second electric vehicle to win the title, it is proof, if any proof was needed, that the era of electric motoring is already well and truly here in Ireland. Just look at our field of runners for this year’s awards, more than half of the contenders are available as either partial or full electric vehicles”.
Joint-Chairman of the Irish Car of the Year Committee, Cathal Doyle said: “Congratulations to the Kia team on a very worthy win and what an achievement to score back-to-back titles with two great electric vehicles. The Kia EV6 came out as the clear winner and was hugely popular with my motoring journalist colleagues”.
Tom Dennigan from awards sponsor, Continental Tyres said: “After missing out on a 2021 Irish Car of the Year awards programme, we are delighted to be back with these awards for 2022 as the whole programme provides a great guide to Irish motorists on what the best and latest cars coming onto the Irish market are. I am sure that the Kia EV6 will benefit hugely here from winning this much coveted award.”
The category winners:
Continental Tyres Irish Compact Car of the Year: Dacia Sandero
Continental Tyres Irish Medium Car of the Year: Citroen C4
Continental Tyres Irish Small Crossover / SUV of the Year: Opel Mokka
Continental Tyres Irish Medium Crossover / SUV of the Year: Renault Arkana
Continental Tyres Irish Large Car of the Year: Kia EV6
Continental Tyres Irish Luxury Car of the Year: Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Continental Tyres Irish Performance Car of the Year: BMW M3/M4
(Full details on all of the winners are available on the Irish Car of the Year website: caroftheyear.ie)
The Continental Tyres Irish Van of the Year title for 2022 was awarded to the joint entry Citroen e-Dispatch / Opel Vivaro-e / Peugeot e-Expert.
Header image photo – Anthony Conlon and Cathal Doyle, Joint Chairmen, Irish Car of the Year Committee; Ronan Flood, Kia Ireland; and Tom Dennigan, Continental Tyres Ireland
Over 70 influential leaders in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) are speaking at the I Wish 2022 STEM Showcase today (10 February), highlighting the power of female role models in inspiring teenage girls towards STEM careers. With seven in 10 Irish girls* wanting to hear more success stories from women in STEM to assist them in overcoming STEM barriers, over 17,000 young teenage female attendees from across the globe are now hearing from inspirational STEM professionals and gender equality advocates. Taking place ahead of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science (11 February), speakers include first female President of Ireland and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson; and Deputy Ambassador at the Embassy of Ireland in Washington DC, Orla Keane.
On the flagship I Wish event, co-founder of I Wish Caroline O’ Driscoll, who is also Technology Media & Telecommunications Tax leader at Deloitte North and South Europe, said: “It is critical for girls to have access to role models when choosing to pursue a career in STEM. If they can see it, they can be it. Worryingly, only 25% of STEM jobs in Ireland are currently held by females and this is why we hold the I Wish STEM Showcase every year, and why so many incredible women in STEM give up their time to be involved. It has never been more crucial to engage girls in STEM, as while the past two years has accelerated science and technological discovery, it has also exacerbated the gender divide, with women now at real risk of being excluded from the jobs of the future. Our mission is to ensure that every girl gets her chance to take her place at the table.”
The I Wish 2022 STEM Showcase is being broadcast live from the RDS and was opened by An Taoiseach Micheál Martin and compèred by RTÉ TV Presenter Sinead Kennedy.
Speaking on gender equality, Deputy Ambassador at the Embassy of Ireland in Washington DC, Orla Keane said: “I am honoured to be part of this landmark event. I Wish is an incredible Irish-based initiative that is dedicated to driving the power of STEM to female students across the globe. My career in the Department of Foreign Affairs has given me the opportunity to meet amazing women in all walks of life. It is crucially important that girls realise their full potential, both in education and in the workplace, including in the important area of STEM. Ireland has the youngest population in Europe and our Government is committed to nurturing talent in our society, encouraging innovation and equipping us for future challenges. Here in Washington DC, I see the dynamic relationships between Ireland and the US across so many sectors and want to encourage girls to be part of these incredible stories.”
Further speakers on the virtual stage sharing their stories and experiences include Ireland’s EU commissioner Mairead McGuinness; Anna Hill, Founder and CEO of River Cycleway Europe; Brenda Romero, an award-winning game designer; and Imelda Hurley, CEO at Coillte. International hockey star and mechanical engineer Nicci Daly is also speaking at the event while CEO of IDA Ireland Martin Shanahan is discussing the need for a diverse workforce to attract future foreign investment into Ireland.
Highlighting the global reach of the initiative, the I Wish 2022 Showcase welcomes Deputy Ambassador Orla Keane along with London Breed, the 45th Mayor of San Francisco. There are also empowering speakers from Deloitte, Arup, AWS in Communities, Dell Technologies, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, PepsiCo, Stripe and Stryker.
President and co-founder of Stripe, John Collison, said: “We’re all here because we have a shared goal to motivate and inspire more young women to pursue careers in STEM. That’s something that’s very important to Stripe, and to me.”
Students from Presentation Secondary School in Ballyphehane, Cork and Loreto Community School in Milford, Donegal joined their US peers from Archbishop Riordan High School, San Francisco and Owen J Roberts High School, Pennsylvania in presenting at the event as part of the I Wish IVCA Twinning Xchange programme. This global STEM twinning initiative between Ireland and USA is being piloted this year and is part of an expanded offering from I Wish, which now engages girls year-round at key touch points in their lives. I Wish is running third level mentoring programmes and primary school classroom visits with young STEM professionals while the I Wish Senior Cycle includes the twinning programme and internships, and Junior Cycle provides aligned class materials. To learn more, visit iwish.ie.
