Category: Tech

WhatsApp records a 41% Jump in its user engagement in Q1, 2022

Meta’s WhatsApp platform continues to enjoy adoption. The platform saw a 41 percent increase in users in the first quarter of 2022, as per a MoneyTransfers.com study. The study showed that the platform is ideal for families, friends, and colleagues to keep in touch.

The study also revealed that the 18 to 34-year-old age cohort had the most growth in WhatsApp platform usage. Besides, this cohort increased their use of Facebook and Instagram. Other social platforms that have seen growth include Facebook and China’s WeChat and Weibo.

In quarter one of 2022, 55% of WhatsApp’s monthly average users (MAUs) were “power users” who used the app daily. Among the top apps evaluated, WhatsApp had the highest percentage of power users. Moreover, it had the highest year-over-year growth in this category.

Ukraine invasion and Whatsapp usage

The Russia Ukraine war saw WhatsApp and Telegram increase in MAUs engaging with respective apps daily. Telegram had 15.5% of its MAUs open the app every day during the first quarter, up 9% in Q1 2021.

Besides WhatsApp, LINE had the highest percentage of monthly active users (MAUs) at 45% in the first quarter of 2022. A 10% increase from 35 percent in quarter one 2021. Messenger ranked third, with 16.4 percent of MAUs using the app daily in 1Q22, up from over 12 percent.

WhatsApp and Messenger are by far the most popular messaging apps in the United States, according to MoneyTransfers.com. However, data shows that competitors have gained market share in the last two years.

Other social platforms

WhatsApp and Messenger are the most popular platforms in the United States and worldwide. Yet, users are eager to try new sites and even switch in some cases, as shown by the retention of apps like Discord and Telegram. Meta hopes to recoup any ground it has lost to opponents in past years. They are expanding the feature set of its platforms, as shown by the first Conversations event.

In August 2021, there were 39 million WhatsApp installations. Most of these came through Google Play (29 million), with the App Store accounting for 10 million. After TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram, WhatsApp was the fourth most downloaded app in September 2021.

Besides, people downloaded WhatsApp Business 18 million times on Google Play and App Store. Most of the downloads came through the android users.

Full story and statistics can be found here: WhatsApp records a 41% Jump in its user engagement in Q1, 2022

7 Methods for Reverse Email Lookup: Tool List + Instructions

In today’s digital era, it is quite easy to fall into the trap of fake businesses and people. In such cases, a reverse email lookup can be quite handy. With this method, you will be able to check the company’s credibility before you can forward your personal contact information or your CV. Additionally, reverse email lookup can also help you find lost family members and friends. 

In this article, we will look into some top services for reverse email lookup.

What Are Reverse Email Lookup Tools?

Such tools help you assess emails from addresses that you do not know or recognize. These tools are often used to scout new contacts you would want to do business with.

In most cases, you would receive just an email from someone. This means that you will have to look for that someone using that email address only. With the help of reverse email lookup tools, you will be able to find the person’s contact using just their email address.

Why Should You Use Reverse Email Lookup Tools?

There are various reasons why individuals and companies use email search tools. Two of them include:

1. Marketing

When it comes to sales or email marketing, the team needs to know whether the addresses they have collected are valid and authentic. This way, the team will be able to reduce the email bounce rate and ensure that they are talking to real people.

2. Background Checks

Most professionals may want to know more about a potential hire or a business contact. While some may request more information, others make use of email search tools to get a full picture of whom they are dealing with, like criminal records, physical addresses, etc.

What Are Some Great Reverse Email Lookup Tools?

     Some top reverse email lookup tools in the market include:

1. PublicRecord.com  

When you have an email from a mysterious sender that only lists a name, address, or phone number, PublicRecord.com has you covered. PublicRecord.com is one of the most effective options because it has access to a variety of public records databases from which it can source information in a matter of minutes. Then, once the information is collected, everything is available within a full report that you can open to learn more about someone. Not only can you learn about the basics, like their name and phone number, but you can also find court documents or criminal records, discover if they’re a sex offender, and much more.

2.RealPeopleSearch

RealPeopleSearch is an amazing tool that is free and very easy to understand and use. Using just the available email address, you will be able to find detailed information about a user. This program is often used to look for people that approach you indirectly.

RealPeopleSearch is designed with a very authentic and accurate system to provide you with the required information. You will be able to judge the authenticity of the emails you receive – whether they are sent from real accounts or fake ones. The tool will look into several private and public web sources to find the required details of the email addresses.

RealPeopleSearch understands that email lookup can be a very lengthy process and tries to get the job done in a short span. All the results that you find here are updated and will  be notified to the person via email notifications.

3. TruthFinder

Another impressive tool in this list is TruthFinder. This program will provide you with all the data and information about the email sender simply by their email address. You will be able to protect yourself from scams and false emails since it is always better to get done with a background check before you can trust an individual online.

TruthFinder is an amazing tool to help you find factual information about the email sender. You can even find the job history of the person as well as their financial loans. One of the best aspects of this tool is that it is available for both iOS and Android devices.

With the help of TruthFinder, you will get hold of various data types like phone numbers, location, identity, etc. If the target has listed his/her business on the available phone number, the information of the business will also be available to you.

4. Instant Checkmate

Another great tool is Instant Checkmate, which can help you find the required information of people via their email addresses. With the help of this tool, you can confirm the person identity who has emailed you.

You can find a lot of information about the target user, like location and job history. The tool will check the public information of the user and will confirm whether the user is fake or genuine. Instant Checkmate will check the social media profiles of the user using the email address to show you other types of information, like education, real photos, etc.

Instant Checkmate is also one of the most secure tools on this list. The tool makes use of the 256-bit encryption technology to ensure that all your personal and financial information remains safe from potential hackers and scammers.

5. SignalHire

One of the most popular tools is SignalHire which can help you find more information about a target user using their email address or their name. Of course, finding information using the email address is more convenient because it is common for people to have the same names. Using this tool, you will find all types of information about the target user, including their identity, social media accounts, and phone numbers.

When you are using email lookup by SignalHire, it means that you are allowing the prospecting tool to pull out information based on phone numbers, company, name, and social media profiles. All you need to do is enter these details to find the prospects.

SignalHire is considered the best tool if you are looking for information with accurate details, and it also boasts a special extension. Thanks to its database of more than 500 million contacts and a very advanced predictive technology, SignalHire is the leading industry expert when it comes to email and phone number finders.

6. InfoTracer

InfoTracer is a reverse email lookup tool that bundles all the services with unlimited plans. You will be provided access to all features that you will typically see in these tools – reverse email search, court lookups, background lookups, identity lookups, etc.

With the help of these tools, you will get a free search option. However, you will have to pay to find out more about the email senders. This platform mostly caters to its users in the US.

Like other tools, InfoTracer will check all public records to provide you with information like vital records (birth, marriage, divorce, or death), social checks, court records, criminal records, etc. You can get done with a professional background check simply by looking into the licenses of the email sender listed publically, like a plumber license or a lawyer license.

7. PeopleFinders

PeopleFinders is another amazing tool that can help you look for people via their email addresses and social media platforms. With the help of this tool, you will be able to find the email sender’s social media accounts. 

You can use this tool on specific websites, like Tinder, Tumblr, or any other platform where the email address is not displayed publically. You have the choice to search for people at other specific websites.

PeopleFinders will show you the search results of people on two important social media platforms – LinkedIn and Facebook. Since both platforms use public databases, you can rest assured knowing that the information will be very accurate.

8. FindPeopleFast

FindPeopleFast can be considered an amazing search engine where you can look for more information about people that have sent you unknown emails. The tool makes use of public records to improve search result accuracy. With the help of this tool, you will know exactly who the person is that has emailed you.

One of the unique aspects of FindPeopleFast is that the tool utilizes data from reliable government sources to provide the most accurate information related to the email sender, like physical address, phone numbers, etc. Since you will be provided with more accurate data, you will be able to use this tool for various purposes, like email marketing, hiring, etc.

Apart from the above, you can use the FindPeopleFast tool to look into your competitors and gain valuable information about their sales and marketing strategies. This tool can be used for recruitment.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are many uses of reverse email lookup tools. The programs mentioned above are considered some of the best in the market, and they will yield fantastic results once you start using them the right way. If you have any doubts, you can leave them in the comment section below.

Silicon Valley: A History Behind the Tech Capital

Everyone has heard about one of the wealthiest regions in the world – Silicon Valley. It is a place where tech advancements are born, and many startups – rise and fall. This is truly a historical place that deserves attention and even some analysis to understand why it has been so successful despite the economic downfalls.

Silicon Valley has quite a history one can talk about for several hours or write a whole thesis. However, we are not college students who need to write the latter and convince the teacher we deserve an A, nor are we a paper edit on WritePaper that will perfect the thesis instead of the students. So, here, we will try to present a condensed version of what Silicon Valley is about, how it all started, and how it is going. Let’s dive in!

 

The Birth

In the early years, Valley received funding from the US government that was after military research. However, it turned out to be a much bigger thing. 

Frederick Terman was the one who encouraged young people not only to excel in their major but also to establish their local business, and Hewlett and Packard were one of those people. By the way, they were the first ones to patent their invention – an audio oscillator – on the premises of the City of Palo Alto in 1939. 

Terman, who is also often called the father of Silicon Valley, worked at Stanford University. In 1951, this man promoted a partnership between the university and Palo Alto – one of the cities of the modern Silicon Valley. As a result, in 1966, the US Department of Defense and four research universities, Stanford being one of them, created Arpanet – the predecessor of the Internet.

ARPANET – Advanced Research Projects Agency Network – has become the starting point of the first network with distributed control. Today, we can access websites, store data in a cloud, and cram half of our lives into the online space. But back then, it was all about connecting four computers located in California and Utah!

It’s Official

In 1971, Electronic News published Don Hoefler’s report that dwelled on a number of developments in the tech industry. That was the first time Silicon Valley was called like that in the very title of the report. The name originated from the discovery of Jack Kilby and Robert Noyce. They found out that when manufacturing a circuit, silicon can be used to create any part of it. Later, it helped create an integrated circuit used in all modern microprocessors.

Closer to the 80s, when the first IBM personal computer was introduced to the public, the term gained popularity. Since then, the place began drawing attention as a hub where high-tech companies started as small businesses and managed to grow at a high pace.

Despite the Great Recession and the burst of the Internet bubble earlier, Silicon Valley managed to thrive or at least not fall into decay and still attract some investments that helped the region stay afloat. That is proof that the idea standing behind the creation of this place is much stronger and more resilient than economic downfalls.

Apple

 

Now

According to 2020 data from Wealth-X, 81 tech billionaires lived in the Valley. That is impressive, isn’t it? Yet, today, Silicon Valley has become not only a place for companies and businesses. People live there and attend universities and colleges. There are about 4 million residents in Silicon Valley, and many of them are reportedly immigrants from other countries. 

The region has numerous museums dedicated to the development of the tech industry, starting with the garage where Hewlett and Packard worked in Palo Alto. It hosts a number of conferences, summits, battles, and other events that help promote the growth of the tech industry and the region in particular. 

Those with a tech background start their career here by investing in startups, starting their own ones, or finding a job in one of those. Those who need help with their ventures can address the Silicon Valley Bank that will make growing their business easier at every stage. 

Silicon Valley is also known as a place where discrimination lawsuits started to be filed once and again. The issue is that at some point, almost all executive positions in the Valley were occupied by men only. As the most popular place for tech development and building a career, Silicon Valley couldn’t but draw attention to itself. Later, it was found that it was not only about the underrepresentation of females but also Hispanics and Blacks.

Valley’s Tech Giants

Silicon Valley is home to extremely productive and rapidly developing companies. They include but are not limited to

  • Apple Inc.;
  • Netflix;
  • Electronic Arts;
  • Intel;
  • Twitter;
  • Nvidia;
  • Meta;
  • Tesla (left Valley in 2020);
  • Adobe Inc.;
  • eBay;
  • PayPal;
  • Cisco Systems;
  • Salesforce, and others.

There are also a number of companies that started here but eventually moved to other places, like Tesla – from Palo Alto to Texas. 

Summing Up

Here it is, the short version of Silicon Valley history starting from 1939 and up till now. It went from military research to becoming one of the wealthiest tech hubs in the world. As you may have noticed, this is not a region where global crises pass by. Yet, it is extremely resilient and represents constant growth, changes, and advancements that revolutionize the tech industry. 

It may not be perfect for those who prefer to live in a peaceful place. Life buzzes here. But you can easily come here for a day or two and get a tour or maybe visit a summit that is of particular interest to you. 

One day, you may even move here to start your own business or find a job at a promising startup company. Numerous people have started their successful lives right here, and it doesn’t look like this trend is going to fade away. So, go for it! 

How Modern Technologies Affect Advertising Development

Advertising is probably the most important aspect of any business. It is how you reach new customers and convince them to purchase your product or service. However, advertising is not a new concept. It has been around for centuries, and it has evolved along with modern technologies. Today, we will discuss how modern technologies have affected the development of advertising. We will also describe what you need to know about this fascinating industry!

What You Need to Know About Advertising

As a business owner, advertising is essential to getting your products and services in front of potential customers. But with so many available products, it can be challenging to know where to begin. However, the most relevant thing to keep in mind is your audience. Who are you trying to reach, and what methods are likely to reach them? Once you’ve answered that question, you can begin to develop a plan. 

There are many different types of advertising, from print and online ads to television and radio commercials. Each type has upsides and downsides, so it’s important to choose the perfect one for your business. If you want to read more about advertising, you can check out this advertisement essay sample. By studying various free essay samples, you will get access to more examples of advertising, and how they apply to the modern world. In fact, many students find that studying essay samples can be just as helpful as signing up for a college course on the subject! 

Any who, advertising can be expensive, but it’s also one of the best ways to grow your business, even if you’re still in school. By reaching new customers and making a positive impression, you can bring in new business and keep your existing customers coming back.

The Development of Advertising

Advertising has come a long way since the days of hand-painted signs and newspaper ads. Today, businesses have a wide range of options when it comes to advertising, from online ads to television commercials. However, the basic goal of advertising development remains the same. That is, to reach potential customers and persuade them to buy a product or service. 

The history of advertising is a history of innovation. That is because businesses have continually found new ways to reach their target audiences. From the advent of radio and television to the rise of digital marketing, businesses have always been looking for new ways to get their message out. That being said, businesses will continue to find new and creative ways to reach their customers.

Modern Technology & Advertising

The truth is, modern technology has had a huge impact on the world of advertising. In the past, businesses relied on traditional media to reach their target audiences. Some examples include newspapers, television, and radio.

However, today’s consumers are more likely to be found online. In fact, businesses have had to adapt their advertising strategies accordingly. 

One of the most popular tools for online advertising is Google AdWords. This tool allows businesses to place ads on Google’s search engine results pages. Plus, social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter have become important channels for marketing messages. They allow businesses to reach a large number of people with highly targeted messages. Overall, modern technology has had a profound impact on advertising, and it is now easier than ever for businesses to reach their target audiences.

While often overshadowed by digital strategies, print marketing remains a vital part of advertising in many industries. From flyers and brochures to banners and decals, tangible materials offer a unique way to engage customers and leave a lasting impression. Businesses looking to create high-quality, customized prints can easily order DTF gang sheets here to produce vibrant, durable designs that stand out in competitive markets. By combining print marketing with digital efforts, businesses can build a well-rounded advertising strategy that appeals to a diverse audience.

 

Digital Marketing: Tools and Technologies in Advertising

There are a variety of digital marketing strategies that businesses can use to reach their target market. 

  • SEO

One popular strategy is search engine optimization or SEO. A strong SEO strategy helps to ensure that your website appears at the top of search results pages. It is a complex and ever-changing field, but there are some fundamental principles that all SEO practitioners should follow in order to be successful. SEO is about creating content that is relevant and valuable to users. This means publishing high-quality articles, blog posts, and even product descriptions since they answer users’ questions and solve their problems. 

In addition to creating great content, SEO practitioners must also make sure that their site is easy to navigate and understand. This includes using clear and unique titles, as well as structuring their site in a way that search engines can easily crawl and index. 

  • PPC 

Another common strategy is pay-per-click advertising, which allows you to place ads on websites and in search engines. With PPC, you only pay when someone clicks on your ad, making it a very cost-effective way to reach your target market. 

  • Social media marketing

Social media marketing is another effective way to reach potential customers. It can involve developing a presence on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. When it comes to social media marketing, it’s important to create engaging and shareable content. This content will resonate with your target audience – or not. 

  • Email marketing

Email marketing is another option, and it can be used to send newsletters, coupons, and other promotional material to customers. This digital marketing tool has proved to be very effective, and it’s a great way to stay in touch with your existing customer base. This, used with the right CRM and CDP software, make a huge difference in your advertising strategy.

  • Affiliate marketing 

The affiliate marketing industry is a type of performance-based service in which one or more affiliates are rewarded for each customer they bring to the merchant’s website. There are four core players: retailer (also known as “brand”), network with offers for theming and payment processing, publisher who provides content that links back into main site promoting products from advertisers within its own software ecosystem, and customers. 

In any case, these are just a few of the many digital marketing strategies that businesses can use to reach their target market.

Wrapping Up

As you can see, modern technology has had a profound impact on advertising, and it is now easier than ever for businesses to reach their target audiences. By utilizing some of the tools and strategies mentioned above, your business can start to see success in its marketing efforts. So what are you waiting for? Get started today!

First Look at the JBL Live Pro 2 TWS

JBL had a really nice launch event in Dublin and we checked out the latest that is on offer form the well known audio brand, There is plenty on new tech coming from the brand this year that covers all pockets and all consumers and they have streamlined their product range too keeping a really nice clean design language across all of their new products.

Having spent some time going through their new products I am excited for other too see what is upcoming this year and audio fans alike will certainly be in for a treat, not only this JBL have got some really cool tech for the gamers market with their Quantum products and these will certainly garner some attention.

For now we have their latest earbuds in for review and you can check out the unboxing below for more and also get to see what is upcoming this year, any questions on the new earbuds please feel free to ask below or on our social and of course stay tuned for the full real hands on review soon and check out their app too which has some tasty new features built in.

JBL LIVE Pro 2 Features:

●      JBL’s Signature Sound from 11mm drivers

●      Up to 40 hours of playback time (10 hours in the earbud; 30 hours from charging case)

●      True Adaptive Noise Cancelling with smart ambient

●      6 microphones with noise and wind isolation technology

●      Dual Connect + Sync with Google Fast Pair

●      Hands-Free Voice Control with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant

●      All Access Touch Control or use via the dedicated JBL headphone app

●      IPX 5 rating (waterproof and sweatproof)

●      Speed charge 15 mins = 4 hours

●      Qi compatible charging

●      Price: €149

VIdeo Link

 

 

The Growth of Irish eCommerce & Related Security Risks

In the last decade, brick-and-mortar stores have slowly started to decline in popularity. The truth is, many shoppers prefer the simplicity and convenience of online shopping. Additionally, the pandemic has only increased the popularity of eCommerce and sped up the decline of physical stores.

Since brick-and-mortar stores were on their way out, digital storefronts have started poaching stores’ clientele. However, eCommerce comes with its own set of issues, including cybersecurity.

According to a survey published by Irish telecommunications company Magnet Networks, 20% of respondents claimed to be unaware of significant cybersecurity issues within the industry. Moreover, the same report states that 43% of cyber attacks against Irish businesses can be attributed to unawareness. 

If you couple this with Hiscox Insurance’s findings that 41% of Irish firms studied experienced a cyberattack over a six-month period, it’s easy to see why cybersecurity is such a big concern in Ireland.

The sudden surge in Irish eCommerce demands these businesses to tighten up their cybersecurity systems. However, the first step should be understanding the most significant risks Irish online businesses may face. 

The Cyber Threats Facing Irish Businesses

1. Ransomware Attacks

In 2017 the WannaCry ransomware spread like a wildfire. By the end of the year, nearly 30,000 organizations were affected and many of them were organizations like hospitals, universities, businesses, and banks.

WannaCry caused millions of dollars of losses across the globe. And while many citizens and organizations were thankful the WannaCry scourge was put to an end later in the year, cybercriminals rejoiced because they saw an opening.

Ransomware locks the infected device and encrypts data stored on the device. Once the user turns the device on, they’re greeted with a “ransom note”. This “note” informs the user that if they want to see their data unencrypted they have to pay a certain sum of money, which is often in cryptocurrency.

However, paying the sum rarely gives the user access back. Despite that, people keep sensitive, valuable information on their devices, so it’s only natural they would want to pay. But what about the impact on businesses? Not only do many companies pay the ransom, but they also have to replace compromised devices. On top of that, businesses often have to pay a security firm that’ll make sure no confidential data was stolen or compromised. 

2. State-Sponsored Attacks

The introduction of the Internet gave countries the ability to communicate with each other more efficiently, as well as the ability to wage cyberwars and launch cyberattacks.

These attacks are commonly known as “state-sponsored attacks”. Countries launch state-sponsored attacks for a few reasons, including:

  • Hunting for information they can exploit,
  • Exploiting businesses and people,
  • Exploiting vulnerabilities found in government systems.

Ireland has a long history of state-sponsored attacks, as well as the whole EU. For instance, in 2017, Irish electricity provider EirGrid became a target of a state-sponsored attack.

State-sponsored attacks are unpredictable and can cause severe damage if we do not have proper precautionary measures in place. 

3. Phishing Scams

While some cyberattacks use complex software and have the backing of governments, others rely on social engineering and old-fashioned manipulation. One of the most commonly known social engineering attacks is phishing.

Phishing scams include manipulating the victim into giving out personal and financial information, which can be done in several ways, such as:

  • Promising a reward (a gift card, for example),
  • Creating a sense of urgency (fake Microsoft callers calling about a virus), and
  • Impersonating a family member or close friend.

 

Unfortunately, millions of people around the world fall for phishing scams each year. It’s easy to spot obvious phishing scams like the Nigerian prince scam, but nowadays cybercriminals know more sophisticated ways of manipulating users, and many phishing scams look and sound legitimate.

What Can Organisations and Irish Citizens Do?

While many cyber attacks can have a devastating effect on your business, there are some ways to prevent them from happening in the first place. However, a solid cybersecurity strategy requires time and effort. Thus, start learning and implementing new strategies to improve your chances against cybercriminals. 

1. Use a VPN

Cybercriminals lurk on every corner of the Internet, waiting for an easy target. Unfortunately, in many cases, you don’t have to do much to become a victim. However, some practices may increase your chances. For example, many users transmit unencrypted data, whether they’re on a public network or while running their business, which can be extremely dangerous.

These days, cybercriminals can intercept and read unencrypted data without much effort. To make sure your data isn’t exposed, consider using a VPN for security.

For instance, ExpressVPN’s app actively encrypts the data your device sends out, meaning that cybercriminals will have a much harder time cracking it. You can also apply a network-wide VPN for your home or business to protect all the devices on the network in one swing. 

2. Create Strong, Unique Passwords

Using the same password across multiple accounts will make your accounts more vulnerable to hacks. However, surveys show that most people still prefer using weak, easy-to-guess passwords.

One way to protect your accounts is by using a robust and unique password for each account. An even better option is using a password manager for your credentials.

3. Frequently Update Software

Software updates often contain various security fixes. Thus, to make sure your devices aren’t in danger, regularly check for available updates and update the software as frequently as possible.

Educate Yourself and Your Employees on Current Cybersecurity Risks

According to the aforementioned Magnet Networks survey, many Irish business owners lack awareness of current cybersecurity risks and dangers that could affect their businesses.

This lack of awareness means they often can’t identify the threat and are unprepared for an actual attack. This puts them at an immediate disadvantage, and it can severely endanger their business.

Thus, the first step should be educating your employees and yourself on the basic cybersecurity etiquette, the latest cybersecurity trends, and the dangers facing your businesses.

1. Subscribe to an Account Monitoring Service

When a data breach does happen, it’s essential to detect it as soon as possible. The longer the breach goes unnoticed, the more time the hacker has to tamper with the stolen data, and eventually sell it, or use it for nefarious purposes.

This is where account monitoring services can come in handy. Account monitoring services keep an eye on your accounts and inform you about potential security breaches or any other suspicious activity.

What’s more, you can choose between account monitoring services for individuals and businesses according to your needs.

2. Limit Access to Your Devices

There are no security software and cybersecurity education courses that can protect you if you leave your devices unsupervised. A skilled hacker needs only a few minutes to wreak havoc on an unattended device.

Thus, limiting access to your devices can significantly impact your overall security.

3. Set Roles for Each Employee

Letting your employees access all data at any time can result in security breaches. Fortunately, IT can set roles for everyone. This way, you can divide employees into groups and give them specific permissions based on their roles.

4. Secure Your Network

Without accessing the network, cybercriminals have fewer opportunities to harm your accounts. This is why it’s crucial to tighten up your network security.

For example, actions such as whitelisting trusted devices, setting a strong security key, and hiding your network can increase the overall security of your network.

The technology that improves gaming

Technology affects almost every aspect of our lives, from transport, to healthcare, communication, manufacturing and more. It’s in our workplace, our homes, and our pockets, and it’s hard to imagine life without it.

Things that would have seemed impossible a few years ago are now taken for granted. Lights are turned on with our voices, the heating is controlled via a smartphone and movies and games are streamed to huge flat screen TV’s.

One of the most visible and enjoyable areas that technology has improved, is gaming. When the computer games took off in the 1980’s, no one could have imagined the power and immersive realism afforded by todays offerings.

But what exactly are these technological advances and what impact are they having on today’s games.

Augmented Reality

Augmented reality gaming (AR) is the integration of games visual and audio with the players environment in real time. These games are typically played on portable gaming systems such as smartphones or tablets, in order to maximise the experience.

The most obvious and successful example of an AR game was Pokemon Go which became a worldwide sensation upon its release. By using a smartphones camera, gyroscope, clock and GPS, it created a unique location-based AR environment for the player. 

The game sent players on the hunt for Pokemon monsters around their neighbourhood, and was able to display the creatures on screen in the user’s real-world environment. Another more recent example of AR is Nintendo’s Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit, which transforms your home into augmented reality-enhanced race tracks. 

While the game is expensive due to the advanced technology involved, it is a great example of the possibilities of AR, and the exciting future that lies ahead for this tech.

Virtual Reality (VR)

VR has been around a while and in many ways, it’s still waiting for the gaming world to catch up – and prices to come down! Having said that, there are plenty of great titles out there that are making use of this great technology, such as Resident Evil 4 VR and No Man’s Sky VR.

There are still limitations to this tech however, with gamers needing to invest in expensive headsets such as Meta Quest. The physical limitations of a gamers playing space is also an issue when they are immersed in a seemingly boundless virtual world.

Virtual Reality is an exciting technology that can take players anywhere and allow them to immerse themselves in a game. Whether it’s playing table tennis, fighting Zombies or a visit to the casino, the possibilities are endless.

Smartphones

The single biggest cause behind the explosion in gaming popularity is the rise of the smartphone. Thanks to its portability and ease of access, anyone with a smartphone has access to games anytime and anywhere they choose.

Last year, mobile games were responsible for nearly half of the video game industry sales, and that doesn’t include the download of free games. One of the biggest benefactors of the mobile gaming revolution are online casino games such, poker, roulette, blackjack and slots like Rainbow Riches.

Previously, if gamers wanted to play casino games, they would have to physically visit a land-based casino. But thanks to the internet and smartphones, gamers can enjoy these classic games from the comfort of their own homes.

With smartphones boasting fast internet speeds, powerful graphics and quality screens, casino games are an immersive and entertaining experience.

Cloud Gaming

Cloud gaming has the potential to revolutionise the gaming industry. Thanks to fast broadband speeds, players are able to game in real time on almost any device.

Powerful servers in the cloud host the games, allowing gamers to access them online via their devices. This means that players do not need to invest in expensive gaming consoles and computers in order to play the latest games, all the processing is done in the cloud.

Also called gaming on demand, it is essentially a Netflix for games. And just like Netflix, there are plenty of competitors battling it out for market share.

Microsoft Xbox, Sony PlayStation, Google, Amazon, Nvidia and Nintendo, are just some of the many companies offering gamers access to their catalogues through a monthly subscription service. 

This tech also brings other benefits, such as the removal of boundaries when it comes to game design. So often designers are limited in their imagination by the processing power of gamers devices, but with huge cloud servers powering games, the sky really is the limit.

3D Graphics

Old online games were based on two-dimensional graphics which still retain a certain charm, but the onset of 3D has changed everything in the gaming world. Games are now more immersive, realistic, exciting and enjoyable.

Racing games, first person shooters and sports titles have all benefitted, with games such as Call of Duty, Forza and EA’s FIFA series all fine examples. Open world games have also utilised this technology to create best selling games such as the worldwide hit, Minecraft, with its creativity and endless possibilities.

The future of gaming

As technology continues to improve players can expect to see many more exciting improvements to their gameplay experience. With fierce competition driving innovation in the sector, companies need to utilise technology to create unique games that will attract players to their offering. The winners will be the gamers who get to enjoy even better, more immersive titles. 

First Look at the Jabra Engage 55 headset

Recently Jabra announced their all new Engage 55 headset and it has landed in TBI headquarters for a review, Jabra is a well known brand in Ireland and not only that in many offices here and a preferred piece of kit to have at workers disposal, this latest kit comes with everything that a person needs working from home or in the office and after quickly trying it out it must be the smallest lightest headset I have tested of this kind in some time yet it is packed with features which are listed below.

So like I said in the video you should watch below we always give you a hands on look of the products and we take a close up look at the all new Engage 55 and if you have any questions feel free to comment below or on our social channels and not forgetting our Youtube channel where you get to see all the tech hands on. You can read more on the Jabra Engage 55 here 

Key features of the Engage 55: 

  • Premium open office microphone – Filters out background noise for crystal clear conversations
  • Military grade security – Level C DECT security
  • Up to 150m/490ft connectivity range – 15x larger than the range of any Class 2 Bluetooth device
  • Link 400 DECT USB dongle – with durable ‘puck’ design for easy transportation
  • Professional speech clarity – Speakers optimised for speech quality
  • Works with all leading Unified Communications and Contact Centre platforms – MS Teams, Zoom, Cisco, Unify, Amazon Chime, Google Meet, Avaya, Unify, Alcatel Lucent
  • All-day lightweight wearing comfort – 18-83g, low pressure
  • Protect hearing well-being – SafeTone 2.0 protection
  • Deter interruptions – Busylight on earcup and boom-arm
  • Choice of wearing style – Stereo / Mono / Convertible

The Engage 55 will be available from 1st June at selected retailers from MSRP £199 (Mono/Convertible) and £213 (Stereo).

Find out more about Jabra Engage 55 at www.jabra.co.uk/engage

Video Link

Irish Advantage – Ireland’s opportunity to becoming a global leader in cyber security by 2030

A recent report conducted by Cyber Ireland and Cyber Skills, which is the first of its kind in Ireland, has found that there is an opportunity to position Ireland as a global leader in cyber security and to grow the workforce to over 17,000 by 2030.   These are among the findings of the report which identified 489 cyber security companies operating across Ireland that employ cyber security teams.

Minister of State with responsibility for Public Procurement, eGovernment and Circular Economy, Mr Ossian Smyth, addressed the report “There have been several significant cyber security incidents in the past number of years, including the incident affecting the HSE in May of last year. I welcome the collaboration between Cyber Ireland and Cyber Skills on The State of the Cyber Security Sector report in Ireland. These findings will be key in developing our ambitious targets to support future growth and development of the cyber security sector in the years ahead.”

Cluster Manager of Cyber Ireland, Dr Eoin Byrne stated “This report shows the size and scale of the cyber security sector, critical to our economy and society, which employs 7,300 professionals and contributes €1.1bn in Gross Value Added (GVA) per annum. Cyber security is a rapidly growing industry, and we have the potential in Ireland to grow this industry to 17,000 jobs and €2.5bn in annual GVA by 2030, with the right business supports and measures.”

While the findings of the report confirmed that 83% of businesses expect their cyber security team to grow over the next twelve months, 61% have noted a recruitment, training and retention issue, such as a lack of candidates in the labour market with the appropriate skill level (41%),  lack of non-technical skills (22%), or unaffordable salaries (21%). Access to training and education is essential in the industry to ensure demand for skills does not outweigh supply.

Professor Donna O’Shea, Chair of Cybersecurity at Munster Technological University (MTU), added “The opportunity for Ireland to grow and develop the cyber security sector to 17,000 professionals, is dependent on a supply of suitably qualified individuals. The HEA Cyber Skills initiative aims to address the challenge of talent and skills, by reducing barriers to participation in the industry, upskilling and reskilling professionals making them industry ready upon completion of their courses. This is done with expertise drawn from top industry leaders and collaboration within the scientific community”

Investment in cyber security firms hit record levels in 2021 of over $20b globally, and over the past 5 years 20 Irish cyber security firms raised over €110m in external investment to fund expansion and growth in operations.  However, it was found that 26% of businesses that responded have faced issues with raising or securing finance. Quick access to investors is essential for funding, development, competition, connections & access to markets and Irish cyber security start-ups require this funding to scale their business rapidly to meet the demands of the market.