Category: Press

Press release

Blackboard to Mark Global Accessibility Awareness Day with Series of Webinars..

To mark the sixth annual Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), Blackboard Inc. will host a series of free and open webinars covering topics on digital access in education. The virtual events, taking place on May 18, will feature presentations from the company’s accessibility experts and leading academics on a “follow the sun” schedule beginning in Sydney, Australia; and throughout the day in London, United Kingdom; Bogota, Colombia; Washington, D.C.; Berkeley, California; Missoula, Montana and Lawrence, Kansas.

 

 

 

The purpose of GAAD is to encourage the design, development, usability and related communities to think, talk and learn about access and inclusion for all learners. On this important day, Blackboard will share approaches and programmes that educational institutions are using to improve digital accessibility, and how they are working to remove barriers in their online learning environments.

“We are proud to mark this important day with a series of global accessibility-focused events,” said Blackboard Chairman, CEO and President Bill Ballhaus. “The webinars will bring together leading academics and our accessibility experts to share best practices and dialogue on how to make online education more accessible for all learners.” 

Webinar topics will include:

  • Creating a Truly Inclusive Learning Experience
  • How Digital Accessibility Can Support an Inclusive and Engaging Learning Experience
  • Breaking Barriers: Reaching all Learners through Digital Accessibility (In Spanish)
  • The Importance of Accessibility and its Impact on Students
  • Creating a University Policy Around Accessibility
  • How to Use Industry Standard LMS Features to Create Accessible Courses
  • Blackboard Innovative Teaching Series (BITS) Webinar: Accessibility at Blackboard
  • Lose the Stigma of Leaving the Classroom

The webinars will feature closed captioning and recordings will be made available following each presentation. For a complete list of presenters and to register, please visit the webinar homepage at: http://webinars.blackboard.com/Global-Accessibility-Awareness-Day.

Revel in the luxury protection of the bright and bold Revel Lux cases for #iPhone7 from X-Doria

High-end iPhone protection with a high street price tag

X-Doria, a leading innovator of fashion-forward and technology accessories, today introduces a brand new range to its popular Revel collection, the Revel Lux. The new cases are available in various styles with eye-catching colours and glitter to accessorise and protect the iPhone 7. The Revel Lux cases are available from Amazon from £19.99.

 

 

Ideal for those iPhone 7 users who want their phone to be stylish yet protective, the new X-Doria Revel Lux mobile case range offers exactly that with various styles available. All that glitters is not just gold with the new range as it includes glitter cases in space grey, silver, rose gold and gold along with plain versions of each – perfect for matching with your iPhone. The chevron style cases, available in black or rose gold, offer a premium look and the geometric case adds a splash of colour to your phone, accessorising any outfit. With all these unique styles, including the swirl case above, there is a case to suit everyone’s look.

 

 

 

The unique patterns and designs combine with a hard-shell case to shield phones against impacts with the soft rubber bumper protecting the buttons whilst keeping them accessible. The cases also have a raised front bezel to give the iPhone screen added protection when dropped on flat surfaces. This makes it even easier to keep your phone safe whilst remaining fashionable and on-trend. A simple snap on construction also means no tools are required to fit the case.

 

The X-Doria Revel Lux range is now available for iPhone 7 in various styles and colours from Amazon, RRP £19.99.

The Freelancer Business Productivity App @PlutioHQ Shortlisted in Top Ten For User Experience in International Xawards

Plutio.com the all-in-one business productivity App specifically for Freelancers has been shortlisted as one of the ten finalists for the International Xawards.

The Xawards, ‘the Oscars for digital’, sponsored by Hotjar, have been established to recognise “the best web and native digital experiences” amongst digital products and Apps created by early stage start-up companies.

Until Plutio, there were no single-system business operations and management systems suitable for freelancers. Corporate solutions are far too expensive and inflexible.

 

 

Freelancers each had to create their own ‘string and sellotape’ solution using spreadsheets, calendars, email, slack, WhatsApp and many other Apps – in as un-integrated a business solution as you could imagine.

And with this maze of different Apps, information gets out of sync and is never fully up to date. Important facts and dates get missed, leading to problems and unhappy clients – the last thing any freelancer needs.

This was exactly the problem that young entrepreneur Leo Bassam faced as a student running a web design agency to earn money to pay his University fees.

Leo was convinced that he could design a system to do all the things every freelancer needs to run his or her business in a simple and affordable App.

And so Plutio was born – to integrate all the functions that freelancers require to organise their daily working life of projects, tasks and communication with clients, co-workers and collaborators.

Plutio integrates communication channels, sharing of project information and project resources plus invoicing. It lets the client or the freelancer set tasks for each other and gives each person up-to-date task lists and deadlines so nothing can get missed.

As Leo, now Founder and CEO of Plutio says, “Plutio is designed to be everything all-in-one-place for freelancers; whatever their trade, profession or business specialism. New features and integrations with other software systems that corporate clients use are being added monthly”.

Freelancers can access every aspect of their business operations wherever they are in the world and whatever they are doing – because Plutio can be used on iPhone and Android Apps, special desktop Apps for Windows and Apple PC’s and on any computer through a web interface. And corporate clients can access their freelancer’s Plutio system through their existing corporate software systems.

 

 

It was this ease of access, and the intuitive UX (user experience) that brought Plutio to the attention of the Xawards judges and which ultimately got Plutio into the shortlist of the Top Ten Apps internationally.

At the Xawards ceremony, sponsored by Hotjar, in Malta later this month, Plutio is in the running to win Best Mobile App Experience 2017, Best Tech Achievement 2017 or Best Overall Experience 2017.

With a price-tag of just GBP10/USD13 per month, Plutio is highly affordable for freelancers. To celebrate the Xawards nomination, Plutio is offering Four Months Free subscription at the advanced ‘Guru’ level throughout May and June at plutio.com/signup.

The Search is on for Ireland’s ‘Science Hero’. #GIhero #GuaranteedIrish

Business membership organisation, Guaranteed Irish is calling on individuals and businesses across Ireland to nominate their ‘Science Hero’ as part of the Guaranteed Irish ‘Hero’ Awards, which recognise the work of people who have been ambassadors for Ireland both at home and abroad. 

Members of the public are invited to nominate their science hero by using #GIhero on Twitter or emailing info@guaranteedirish.ie before the deadline of Friday, 9th June 2017. Artist, Maser and Captain of Irish Women’s Rugby team, Niamh Briggs were the first awardees for the contributions to art and sport, respectively.

 

Announcing the call for the Guaranteed Irish Science Hero, Brid O’Connell said: “Ireland is ranked tenth globally for our scientific research quality. Here at Guaranteed Irish we believe it is time to champion Irish contributions to science – and what better way to do that than to nominate a Guaranteed Irish Science Hero?

 

“Following last month’s March for Science, where thousands of scientists and science supporters took to the streets in over 600 cities across the world, this award is a terrific way to commend someone who you consider to be Ireland’s Science Hero.” continued Brid O’Connell. 

 

“We want all businesses and individuals to get involved and put forward names of anyone who has demonstrated a real commitment to creating a better Ireland with science through: jobs, community and provenance. If you know someone who fits that bill, then we want to hear from you.” concluded Brid O’Connell.  

 

The remaining Guaranteed Irish Heroes for: music, technology and food will be awarded throughout 2017, following the public nominations process. An outside panel of experts in each field review a shortlist and decide the Guaranteed Irish Hero for that category.

 

To get involved and to nominate your Guaranteed Irish Hero, simply email info@guaranteedirish.ie  with your nomination or you can nominate and follow the campaign across social media with the dedicated hashtag: #GIhero.

Netflix Release Trailer for Marvel’s The Defenders. #Netflix #Defenders

Marvel’s The Defenders which premieres globally on August 18, 2017 at 8:01am (Irish Time) follows Matt Murdock/Daredevil (Charlie Cox), Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter), Luke Cage (Mike Colter) and Danny Rand/Iron Fist (Finn Jones), a quartet of singular heroes with one common goal – to save New York City.

This is the story of four solitary figures, burdened with their own personal challenges, who realize they just might be stronger when teamed together. The series follows the releases of Marvel’s Daredevil , Marvel’s Jessica Jones, Marvel’s Luke Cage and Marvel’s Iron Fist. Marvel’s The Defenders stars Charlie Cox, (Matt Murdock/Daredevil), Krysten Ritter (Jessica Jones), Mike Colter (Luke Cage) and Finn Jones (Danny Rand/Iron Fist).

 

 

Additional cast members include Academy-Award nominated actress Sigourney Weaver (Alexandra), Elodie Yung (Elektra), Scott Glenn (Stick), Deborah Ann Woll (Karen Page), Elden Henson (Foggy Nelson), Carrie-Anne Moss (Jeri Hogarth), Rachael Taylor (Trish Walker), Eka Darville (Malcolm Ducasse), Simone Missick (Misty Knight) and Jessica Henwick (Colleen Wing).

 

Marvel’s The Defenders is executive produced by Marco Ramirez and Doug Petrie along with Marvel TV’s Jeph Loeb. The series is produced by Marvel Television in association with ABC Studios for Netflix.

#Airbus – Global Deans and UNESCO join forces for more diversity in engineering

Call for entries opens for the 2017 “Airbus Diversity Award

Airbus, the leading aircraft manufacturer, and the Global Engineering Deans Council (GEDC), have launched the call for nominations for the 2017 edition of the “Airbus Diversity Award”. This award aims to shine a light on successful projects which have encouraged more young people of all profiles and backgrounds to study and succeed in engineering. The award was developed and funded by Airbus in partnership with the GEDC, the leading international organisation leaders of schools and colleges of engineering. For this fifth anniversary edition, the award will be placed under UNESCO patronage.

The long term goal is to increase diversity among the global community of engineers so that the engineering industry reflects the diversity of the communities it supports, with diversity recognised as a driver for innovation and growth.

“At Airbus we know that a diverse and inclusive culture is an asset”, said Jean Brice Dumont, Executive Vice President Engineering Airbus Helicopters and patron of the award. “It boosts the innovative mind-set that underpins the vast technological advances happening in aviation and aerospace today. We are committed to developing the next generation of engineering talent and are proud to partner with UNESCO and engineering schools around the world to achieve that.”
 
“We need more young people from every background and of every profile to acquire the skills the world needs to solve our greatest global challenges, as well as realise the potential of new opportunities”, said Flavia Schlegel, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences. “So I am excited to bring UNESCO’s support to this valuable partnership”.

Last November, the Airbus Diversity Award went to Dr Yacob Astatke, from Morgan State University in the USA, for his impressive introduction of technology and training initiatives across universities in Ethiopia to improve the delivery of engineering education in Africa.

“In 2017 we invite everyone working to improve diversity in engineering education around the world to put their successful projects forward, to share their good ideas and innovative approaches and to inspire others to do more on this critical issue”, said Peter Kilpatrick, McCloskey Dean of Engineering at the University of Notre Dame, USA, and GEDC Chair.

Entries for this new award will close on 10th July with the winning project to be announced at the GEDC Annual Conference in Niagara Falls, Canada in October 2017. Entries can be made online by any individual or team working with or in an engineering college/faculty, whose project has demonstrated tangible results in bringing more diversity among engineering students and/or graduates.

More information is available at: www.airbusgroup.com/diversityaward

Netflix is Looking for the Best Translators Around the Globe. #Netflix #Hermes

Netflix is Looking for the Best Translators Around the Globe

 

Netflix are pleased to introduce HERMES, the first online subtitling and translation test and indexing system by a major content creator.

Since Netflix launched globally, the scale of our localization efforts has increased dramatically. It’s hard to believe that just 5 years ago, we only supported English, Spanish and Portuguese. Now we’ve surpassed 20 languages – including languages like Korean, Chinese, Arabic and Polish – and that number continues to grow.

Our desire to delight members in “their” language, while staying true to creative intent and being mindful of cultural nuances is important to ensure quality. It’s also fueling a need to rapidly add great talent who can help provide top-notch translations for our global members across all of these languages.

 

 

 

Since netflix have unveiled their new HERMES tool two weeks ago, thousands of candidates around the world have already completed the test, covering all represented languages. This is incredible to us because of the impact it will ultimately have on our members as we focus on continually improving the quality of the subtitles on the service.

We’re quickly approaching an inflection point where English won’t be the primary viewing experience on Netflix, and HERMES allows us to better vet the individuals doing this very important work so members can enjoy their favorite TV shows and movies in their language.

More information about HERMES can be found on the Netflix Tech Blog.

The launch of callbrix.com (@Callbrix) ‘ the entrepreneurs’ call kit’ in Ireland #startup

After some success in the UK, Red Squared Ltd are pleased to announce the launch of www.callbrix.com ‘ the entrepreneurs’ call kit’ in Ireland.

Avant-Garde Technology 

CallBrix is an innovative cloud phone solution for startups or expanding businesses. When selecting business services an entrepreneur has three concerns: Will it be reliable?; How much will it cost?; And, can it easily adapt and scale? Existing phone solutions address the first concern but, in our opinion, fall short with pricing and flexibility.

CallBrix is different, it offers an extensible solution; designed to adapt with your business’ size and/or requirements. Kick-start using CallBrix for free, and only pay as you grow (for the monthly cost of two pints you can equip a small office). Its simple ‘elastic pricing‘ model coupled with a unique ‘snap and build’ web technology makes configuration child’s play. With just a few clicks you can make adjustments to your complete phone infrastructure and budget.

And that’s not all folks…There is no contract period either! Start and stop the service whenever, wherever!. You will not be tied to any broadband/phone provider. This makes it easy to have remote workers, (even in different countries).

You see, this is a solution designed for startups and entrepeneurs from the ground up.

Real-Time Chop n’ Change 

Grow your CallBrix platform in a matter of minutes, like you would a building made out of Lego™ blocks. Needing no special hardware, your call tool kit is in the cloud enabling you to do everything using just a web browser. Simply slide the call capacity bar ‘on the fly’ to increase call volume then ‘drag and drop’ any new features, phone numbers, or extensions onto your workspace and connect together. It really is that easy! To achieve the same configuration results using other systems is costly, confusing and time consuming. The CallBrix method of ‘snap and build’ gives you total control over your call flow design without the need of a middleman to set things up for you. The result is a simple call diagram allowing you to configure only what you require, and even better, to pay only for the capacity you need. … Did we mention it’s super fun too 🙂

Sales Intelligence

DIY marketing campaigns at a fraction of the cost. CallBrix understands the importance of call analytics to optimise your sales process. Counters are in place to automatically collect data for every phone number and additional counters can be included wherever you wish, using our simple ‘snap and build’ technology. The result is beautiful call graphs with powerful, comparative analysis displaying data from anywhere in your calls’ flow.

Beat Brexit Blues

If you are looking to spread Brexit risk by having a presence in other markets, such as France, Germany or US (supporting 50 countries). CallBrix can help you achieve this in two ways. The first, by enabling you to work from anywhere. Employers can pool teleworking talent from abroad with local knowledge and language. And the second, by offering international numbers. Now your customers can call local numbers that will be diverted free of charge to you in whichever country you are in. The state-of-the-art platform allows you a ‘global presence’ with a centralised system that speeds up efficiency and  promotes customer satisfaction.

Find out more @ http://www.callbrix.com.

Some of their happy customers
https://storebox.co.uk
http://www.ugg.com/eu/
http://www.racingpost.com/
https://lovespace.co.uk/
https://www.padlocks.co.uk/
http://myvolts.co.uk/

About callbrix.

Red Squared Ltd is a small Irish company based in Dublin. One of the first companies to bring
VoIP(Voice Over IP) to the Irish market. Since 2005 we have been developing voice applications to help the small and micro business market in the UK and Ireland.

Blackboard Strengthens its Position in Italy. #Blackboard #Students #Analytics

Blackboard, the leading education technology company for teaching, learning and student engagement, today announced a new partnership in Italy with B Human, an Italian systems integration and digital consulting company with proven experience in education.  The partnership, which aims to expand Blackboard’s presence among universities, public institutions, private organisations and corporate academies, further demonstrates its commitment to investing in Southern Europe and driving market changes.

Blackboard’s product portfolio is unmatched in the marketplace, spanning teaching and learning, analytics, community engagement, campus transactions and security solutions as well as student services. The company serves more than 16,000 institutions and private organisations in 90 countries around the world, reaching over 100 million users.

 

 

“Italy is a key market for us and we are looking forward to working with B Human and local institutions and businesses to drive learners’ success,” said Lee Blakemore, President of Blackboard International. “Our solutions can be key assets to improve students’ retention, course completion rates and, ultimately, enhance students’ employability.” 

“Since its inception, B Human has developed a strong expertise in the education sector and working with Blackboard is for us a natural evolution,” said Davide Mantegazza, President of B Human. “Thanks to the depth and breadth of Blackboard’s portfolio, their unmatched understanding of the world of the learner, and our knowledge of the Italian market, we will be able to support institutions and private organisations to meet the needs of new types of learners and help them thrive.”