Storm Technology, a Littlefish company, today announces survey findings which reveal that 27% of IT leaders are concerned about their ability to detect deepfake attacks over the next 12 months. This concern was felt by more respondents in larger enterprises (33%) than SMBs (23%).
The research – conducted by Censuswide and involving 200 IT decision-makers and leaders across Ireland and the UK (100 in each market) – found that the biggest concerns around AI and security over the next year are data breaches (34%), data protection (33%), and increased risk of adversarial or cyber-attacks (31%). Meanwhile, a quarter (25%) consider shadow AI (use of unsanctioned or unpermitted tools) among their biggest concerns.
This is not necessarily surprising given that half of respondents (50%) know that people in their organisation are using such tools and some 55% admitted to using unsanctioned or unpermitted tools themselves. Forty-two per cent of IT leaders also opined that company data is not safe for input into these platforms.
Perhaps exacerbating this issue, just 60% of companies have been specific about which AI tools are sanctioned or permitted.
More broadly, over a fifth (21%) of IT leaders do not have a high degree of trust in AI tools and almost a third (32%) of companies do not have a strategy in place to address any AI risks that arise.
The research showed that 79% of IT leaders in Ireland and the UK agree their organisation needs to focus more on the regulation of AI tools and 28% do not believe their governance around AI tools is adequate. This rose to more than a third (35%) among Irish respondents.
When it comes to AI and data, 24% of IT leaders do not think their business data is ready for AI, with a similar proportion (23%) of the opinion that that their data governance policies are not robust enough to support secure AI adoption. This could explain why 78% believe a data readiness project is required to ensure successful AI adoption in their company.
Sean Tickle, Cyber Services Director, Littlefish, said: “AI is rapidly reshaping the enterprise landscape, but the speed of adoption is outpacing the maturity of governance. When nearly a third of organisations lack a strategy to manage AI risk, and over half of IT leaders admit to using unsanctioned tools, it’s clear that shadow AI isn’t just a user issue—it’s a leadership one.
“Deepfake threats, data governance gaps, and a lack of trust in AI platforms are converging into a
Alexa is always ready to help and has once again been on hand to answer the questions posed by inquisitive customers in Ireland. Revealed today are this year’s ‘Alexa’s Most Asked Questions’ covering an array of the hottest trends and topics in 2025.
In the year Liverpool became Premier League champions and Taylor Swift dominated our radios with The Life of a Showgirl, users have been asking how much Elon Musk is worth and checking the value of Bitcoin.
Celebrities piqued a lot of curiosity, with Irish Alexa users keen to learn more about their favourite famous faces, with “How tall is Sabrina Carpenter”, “Who is Ed Sheeran married to” and “What is MrBeast’s net worth?” coming in as some of the top celebrity questions.
Users also turned to Alexa for insights on general knowledge, with “What is the population of the Earth?” and “How long do you boil an egg for?” coming in as some of the most asked questions.
Alison Dunn, Country Manager, Amazon Ireland said: “We’re delighted to see how Alexa has become such an integral part of daily life for Amazon.ie customers across Ireland. From settling debates about celebrity heights to helping with cooking times and satisfying curiosity about everything from the population of Earth to the latest Bitcoin values, Alexa is there to help with life’s big and small questions alike.”
Football also dominated the Irish conversation in 2025, with Liverpool the most talked about team, closely followed by rivals Manchester United. “How much is Roy Keane worth?” also found itself in the top 10 celebrity net worth questions.
You can find the full list of ‘Alexa’s Most Asked Questions’ for 2025 below:
The most asked about sports team:Liverpool
Manchester United
Arsenal
Manchester City
Chelsea
Tottenham Hotspur
Real Madrid
Barcelona
Aston Villa
Newcastle
The most asked about celebrities:Cristiano Ronaldo
Taylor Swift
Lionel Messi
Elon Musk
Sabrina Carpenter
Elvis Presley
Ed Sheeran
MrBeast
Eminem
Michael D. Higgins
The most asked about estimated net worths:Elon Musk
MrBeast
Cristiano Ronaldo
Taylor Swift
Jeff Bezos
Rory McIlroy
Kevin De Bruyne
Lionel Messi
Bill Gates
Roy Keane
General knowledge question highlights:What is the population of the earth?
How long do you boil an egg for?
How long do you cook chicken for?
Where is Leeds?
What is the population of the Republic of Ireland?
What is the value of Bitcoin?
How old is Donald Trump?
What is the population of the Republic of Ireland?
JOURNEY’s latest lifestyle essential, NEXA LIFT Laptop Sleeve, is now on sale. NEXA LIFT, the third NEXA laptop sleeve in the NEXA series, is a 5-in-1 laptop sleeve that simplifies laptop work for people who hot desk, commute, travel, and work remotely.
It is JOURNEY’s first laptop sleeve to feature a phone stand.
NEXA LIFT is a protective everyday carry item that pulls a lot more duty when traditional sleeves are idle.
“When people who need to work on their laptops have less to pack, carry, and unpack, their transition to work mode is much easier.”– JOURNEY
NEXA LIFT’s adjustable phone stand equips laptop carriers with vital additional screen space for video calls and more.
Laptop carriers who protect their device inside the sleeve can also wirelessly fast charge their earbuds (up to 5W) and iPhone (up to 15W) on NEXA LIFT’s wireless charging panel.
Like predecessors, NEXA LIFT pulls extra duty as a mousepad and mini desk mat.
JOURNEY said it is designed to support laptop carriers to quickly set up high-functioning places of work with minimal carry equipment.
“When people who need to work on their laptops have less to pack, carry, and unpack, their transition to work mode is much easier,” said JOURNEY’s spokesperson. “They’re better equipped for efficient device activity too.”
NEXA LIFT is a mousepad and mini desk mat too.
NEXA LIFT heralds JOURNEY’s latest expansion into multi-purpose lifestyle accessories for busy device users.
The split-material sleeve (vegan performance leather and microfibre), which is available in midnight black and light grey, features an envelope-style magnetic closure lid that opens up to reveal a wireless charging panel.
The wireless charging panel subsequently avails an adjustable magnetic phone stand that displays a phone screen at two viewing angles.
“It offers all the protection of a traditional laptop sleeve, but laptop carriers can also work comfortably where they set up, keep their devices charged, and stay productive with additional screen real estate.”
Twelve South, a leading designer of innovative tech accessories inspired by Apple’s aesthetic, today launches the MagFold – a MagSafe compatible wallet and viewing stand for iPhone.
Offering safe and convenient storage for up to three bank or loyalty cards and cash, MagFold snaps quickly and securely onto the back of any MagSafe iPhone, negating the need for a purse or wallet.
Moreover, MagFold also serves as a stable viewing stand, so iPhone users can position their device in portrait or landscape orientation for viewing content, Facetiming and even remote working on-the-go. It’s an ideal accessory for globetrotters, business travellers, hybrid workers and more.
In keeping with Twelve South’s usual design standards, MagFold is made from durable soft-touch, silicone-coated water-resistant leather in a material that resembles the rest of Twelve South’s iPhone accessories range – including cases and Apple Watch bands – for a coordinated aesthetic.
Featuring a super slim design and light weight, iPhones attached to MagFold can still easily slip into users’ pockets and small bags and MagFold will cling on tightly too, thanks to the reinforced MagSafe magnets.
Available now from Twelve South for £39.99 in three colours – slate, coastal blue and dune.
Garmin has released its 2025 Garmin Connect™ Data Report, highlighting overall fitness and health trends from customers around the world. From data trends like average stress and daily steps to an increase in recorded activities, insights from the Garmin Connect community highlight key fitness and well-being trends across a range of demographics, locales and abilities.
Activity takeaways
Garmin users recorded 8% more activities this year than in 2024, with the following activities seeing the largest year over year increase:
Racket sports: +67%
HIIT: +45%.
Pilates: +46%
Strength training: +29%
Indoor running: +16%
Diving: +16%
Hiking: +12%
Health and fitness takeaways
Women recorded lower average stress scores than men, and Garmin users in Indonesiahad the highest stress scores this year while those in the Netherlands had the lowest.
Garmin users got nearly 1% better sleep this year, with an average sleep score of 71.
Younger Garmin users typically had higher Body Battery™ energy levels, with 18–29-year-olds averaging 75. Users 40-49 years old averaged 70, while users over 70 years old averaged 64. Those in Portugal recorded the highest average Body Battery levels, while Japan had the lowest.
On average, users took more steps per day in 2025. Garmin users in Hong Kong took the most average steps with more than 10,000 per day.
Users 18-29 years old did the most outdoor running this year. 50-59-year-olds led the indoor cycling category, while those 70 years and older did the most golfing.
“I live a very active lifestyle, from long days surfing to runs and strength work in the gym. Being able to track my recovery, HRV, and overall performance in one place helps me make smarter decisions, stay consistent, and train with real purpose.”
–Brianna Cope, Garmin ambassador
Garmin Connect is an organised person’s dream. It makes tracking and comparing my performance over time incredibly simple thanks to its clean colour-coded categories and easy-to-read charts. I can instantly spot trends across a week, a month, six months, or even a full year. So, when it’s time to reassess my training, Garmin Connect shows me exactly where I need to dial in my sleep, recovery, and overall workload.”
–Lauren Kalil, Garmin ambassador
“Since coming back to training and racing after having my daughter, I’ve really had to readjust my expectations for training and recovery. Using resting heart rate and HRV trends in the Garmin Connect app has been a huge help to me as I’ve recalibrated what’s normal for me right now. The data helps me know if we are getting the training and recovery load right, or if we need to back down.”
–Skye Moench, Garmin-sponsored triathlete
This year, Garmin Connect+ users can check out their own highlight reel – the Garmin Connect Rundown. Available now in the Garmin Connect app, the personalised annual report includes health, performance and activity stats, including total steps, average sleep score, totals of each activity type and more.
Garmin’s latest smartwatches – like the Venu® 4 and fēnix ® 8 Pro – are packed with popular health and fitness features and seamlessly sync to Garmin Connect, letting users track their activities, analyse their data, compete in challenges and more. Whether you’re chasing a new PR, training for an event or focusing more on overall wellness, Garmin has a smartwatch that’s ready for any goal. Click here to learn more about the latest lineup of Garmin smartwatches.
Engineered on the inside for life on the outside, Garmin products have revolutionised life for runners, cyclists, swimmers and athletes of all levels and abilities. Committed to developing technology that helps people stay active and elevate performance, Garmin believes every day is an opportunity to innovate and a chance to beat yesterday.
Manufacturer EPOS today launches the IMPACT 500, an on-ear Bluetooth headset for professionals with dynamic workstyles who demand unrivalled call clarity and active noise cancellation – with a forthcoming option to go dongle free!
The IMPACT 500 combines high-end technology from EPOS AI™ enabling industry-leading voice pick-up, with EPOS BrainAdapt™ that lessens brain fatigue and enhances focus and productivity by as much as 40%, according to internal studies.
Adaptive microphone technology powered by EPOS AI™ intelligently identifies and shuts down noise, heightening the clarity of the speaker’s voice. By using adaptive beamforming technology with three microphones that scan environments 32,000 times per second, the speaker’s voice remains clear and crisp in any open office setting.
The IMPACT 500 will be EPOS´ first native Bluetooth headset – certified for Microsoft Teams Open Office with a planned future software release that supports Teams over native Bluetooth. The dongle-free option creates a more simplified and seamless user experience, with no USB port requirements whilst establishing direct connection to a PC, mobile phone or tablet. It comes with certifications for leading Unified Communication platforms – Microsoft Teams, Zoom Workplace, Cisco WebEx and Google Meet.
The latest headset innovation benefits from EPOS BrainAdapt™ technology that provides a state-of-the-art hybrid active noise cancellation (ANC) system, which lessens brain fatigue caused by poor audio, boosting focus and productivity throughout the workday. Proven through clinical studies, EPOS BrainAdapt™ improves the user´s performance and communication by blocking out noise, reducing listening effort by as much as 67%.
Key features include:
Clear, natural voice with EPOS industry-leading voice pick-up: EPOS AI™ and expertly tuned microphones remove unwanted noise, making remote conversations feel as real as being there in person.
Seamless Microsoft Teams certified calls: Microsoft Teams certified with a future software release that will add support for Teams over native Bluetooth® – For dongle free calls.
Stay in control of your environment with hybrid ANC: Effectively reduce background noise during calls and when you need to focus, ensuring you remain productive in any work environment.
Professional performance all day long: Communicate with confidence all day with over 36 hours of talk time, talk-through mode and intuitive boom arm call control.
Protects from listening fatigue: EPOS BrainAdapt™ technology protects against brain fatigue caused by poor audio and noise, boosting focus and productivity.
The IMPACT 500 is a key addition to the expansion of the IMPACT line of headsets, as EPOS continues to deliver on its mission of unleashing human potential by perfecting audio experiences and steering innovation towards the needs of the global workforce of today and tomorrow.
That’s the view of Jesper Kock, VP of Research & Development at EPOS, who says the IMPACT 500 is designed for office-based as well as hybrid professionals with dynamic workstyles. It can be purchased with or without a dongle, for maximum user convenience.
“The IMPACT 500 continues to reflect our industry-leading pedigree based on cutting-edge innovation and exceptional audio performance, from finely tuned microphones to hybrid ANC and our renowned BrainAdapt™ technology. Native Bluetooth represents the next step in our pioneering headset technology journey, ensuring simpler pairing and no USB port requirements.”
MRSP from £169. Availability: November 4, 2025. Find more information at www.eposaudio.com
Garmin is expanding its popular lineup of compact satellite communicators with the introduction of inReach® Mini 3 Plus. Featuring a colour touchscreen display and built-in speaker and microphone, inReach Mini 3 Plus lets adventurers exchange voice messages, texts and photos1—making iteasier to stay in touch with family and friends who are back home. Purpose-built to provide extra peace of mind while exploring beyond cell coverage, users can also trigger an interactive SOS message to the Garmin Response℠ centre should an emergency occur. And with up to 330 hours of battery life in 10-minute tracking mode, inReach Mini 3 Plus can be used on multi-day trips without the need for any extra plug-ins or battery chargers.
“We understand just how important it is to stay connected during both short and long adventures, and that’s why we are excited to bring even more communication tools to the inReach Mini 3 Plus. Tell friends and family that they’re missed, show them the amazing view while standing at the summit and more—all from this compact and rugged device that can be clipped to a pack.”
—Susan Lyman, Garmin Vice President of Consumer Sales and Marketing
More ways to stay in touch
Voice messaging: Check in with family and friends by exchanging 30-second voice messages right from the device.
Voice message transcription: While in an area where listening isn’t possible or it’s necessary to maintain silence in the field, read transcriptions of voice messages directly on the device.
Touchscreen texting: Quickly exchange text messages (up to 1,600 characters), emojis and reactions or start a group chat right from the device.
Photo sharing: View photos from back home right on the colourful display and share photos from every epic adventure when using the Garmin Messenger™ app.
LiveTrack™ location sharing: Let friends and family follow along on the adventure and track progress, including distance, time and elevation1.
Emergency support when it’s needed the most
When an SOS message is triggered, inReach Mini 3 Plus will send an interactive message to the Garmin Response centre, where a dedicated team of skilled emergency response coordinators are ready at any time. Photo and voice messages can also be shared during an SOS, giving coordinators the ability to see and hear details of the emergency firsthand. Response coordinators will communicate with the user, their listed emergency contacts, search and rescue organisations and other available local resources and provide updates. With nearly two decades of experience, the Garmin Response team has supported more than 18,000 inReach incident responses – from land to sea to air – in more than 150 countries on all seven continents.
Built for any adventure, inReach Mini 3 Plus is made to operate in extreme temperatures and features an impact-resistant design and IP67 water rating. When paired with the Garmin Explore™ app, adventurers can plan a trip, follow a course to a destination and even follow a track back to the start.
inReach Mini 3 Plus is available now and has a suggested retail price of £439.99. To learn more, visit www.garmin.com.
Engineered on the inside for life on the outside, Garmin products have revolutionised life for adventurers, athletes, off-road explorers, road warriors and outdoor enthusiasts everywhere. Committed to developing products that enhance experiences, enrich lives and help provide peace of mind, Garmin believes every day is an opportunity to innovate and a chance to beat yesterday.
1 Active satellite plan required. Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit the use of satellite communication devices. It is the responsibility of the user to know and follow all applicable laws in the jurisdictions where the device is intended to be used.
Coimisiún na Meán has this week launched a new nationwide campaign raising awareness about harmful content online and how to report it, as well as information available to assist the public on Coimisiún na Meán’s website www.cnam.ie. The campaign aims to raise awareness of people’s rights under Ireland’s Online Safety Framework, particularly regarding the protection of children and young people, and will roll out nationally across radio, print and social media. This campaign is supported by the Department of Health.
The campaign will include a series of short videos for users – encouraging them to report harmful material they might encounter online, including cyberbullying and the promotion of eating disorders, self-harm and suicide as well as dangerous challenges. It will also aim to strengthen the public’s understanding of the importance of reporting such content to platforms. Coimisiún na Meán has information on its website on how to report and what to do if you are not happy with a platform’sresponse to that report.
Speaking on the launch of the new campaign, Coimisiún na Meán’s Online Safety Commissioner Niamh Hodnett said: “There are obligations on platforms under the Online Safety Framework to protect the safety of children online and to restrict content which impairs their physical, mental or moral welfare. Our strategy is to focus on key outcome areas which include children, public safety and public health. We are happy to partner with the Department of Health on this important campaign and I’d like to thank the Minister for Health for her support and interest in these issues.
“We want to remind people that they have rights under our Online Safety Framework, and empower them to report harmful content. Harmful online content is never acceptable. We would encourage anyone who encounters it to report it first to the platform where they see it. For how to report and what to do if you are not happy with the response you get, please visit our website www.cnam.ie.”
Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD said: “Some online spaces contain harmful, inappropriate or illegal content. This campaign, which highlights the importance of reporting such content, will strengthen understanding and empower people to report it where they see it. We have seen the challenges faced by children and young people as they engage with digital environments and I will shortly publish the Final Report of the Online Health Taskforce which contains a comprehensive framework to help tackle these challenges.”
Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD said: “Keeping us safe online, in particular, keeping our children and young people safe online is a top priority for me. Don’t stay silent if you see something harmful, inappropriate or illegal online. You can report it to the platform and you have options if you’re not happy with the outcome, Coimisiún na Meán is here to help and support you. We can help each other and our children stay safe by using our voice and exercising our
right to report.”
The campaign will be supported by extensive new website resources, including the How to Report guides and parents’ information pack.
Twelve South, the innovative Apple accessories designer, is offering 29% off its popular AirFly Pro 2 Deluxe this Black Friday, reducing the price from £69.99 to £49.99. Twelve South’s AirFly is a jet setter’s cabin bag essential, allowing users to enjoy in-flight entertainment with the immersive sound of their own wireless earbuds or headphones, rather than low quality, wired airline headsets.
Shoppers can also save up to 50% on other Twelve South travel and Apple accessories such as the PlugBug USB-C plug with Find My, Butterfly SE travel charger, PowerCord all-in-one 30W USB-C fast charger and HiRise 2 Deluxe 2-1 Qi2 charging stand on Amazon until 2nd December 2025.
Twelve South’s AirFly range is renowned worldwide for enabling the seamless pairing of wireless headphones with legacy audio jacks commonly found on in-flight entertainment, gym equipment and older physical media players.
The AirFly allows users to enjoy the superior sound of wireless headphones and speakers with devices that lack Bluetooth functionality. AirFly is a jet setter’s cabin bag essential, allowing users to enjoy in-flight entertainment with the immersive sound of their own wireless earbuds or headphones, rather than low quality, wired airline headsets.
Twelve South’s PlugBug is the first ever USB-C plug with built-in Find My! Travellers will never leave their charger in the hotel or airport lounge again. Simply launch the Find My app on an iPhone so see exactly where it is, even if it’s on the other side of the world. The PlugBug can also act as an AirTag tracker for any bag it’s in, allowing users to find both their bag and charger. Users can even utilise the Notify When Left Behind feature to help ensure it’s not lost in the first place.
It can charge Power Delivery compatible devices much faster than a standard USB-C charger and detects which devices are being charged and delivers the right amount of fast charging power to them. Available in 50W with two ports or 120W with four ports, the Plug Bug also includes EU (Type C) and UK (Type G) interchangeable adaptors.
Folding prongs and ports that are accessible from the bottom of the charger rather than the back, make it easy to plug in to wall outlets in tight spaces, such as behind a sofa or side table. The all-new travel version includes adaptors for US, UK, EU, AU KR and CN as well as a handy travel case to keep things organised.
The PowerCord is a first of its kind, all-in-one charging solution. Putting an end to tangled cables and confusing adapters, PowerCord combines a 30W fast charging wall adapter with a USB-C cord, creating one seamless solution that simplifies charging. Users can simply plug in the PowerCord and power up their devices, without having to scrabble around for separate blocks, adapters or cables.
Universally compatible with all USB-C devices, PowerCord will charge the latest iPhones, Google Pixel, USB-C iPads, Android devices, earbuds, gaming controllers and even lightweight laptops like the MacBook Air etc. Designed to charge quickly with high-speed 30W charging, it’s perfect for use at home, in the office or on the go.
Bringing style and substance to everyday charging, the Twelve South PowerCord comes in two lengths – four feet, or 10 feet for extra reach.
Combine all your charging needs in one, compact and beautiful solution with the Twelve South Butterfly SE. Ideal for travel as it fits in the palm of your hand, the 2-in-1 Qi charger allows users to simultaneously charge their iPhone and Apple Watch or AirPods from just one outlet, making it a handbag essential.
Strong magnets hold Butterfly SE closed while in your bag, which is then unfolded as required to charge devices. More than a charger, Butterfly SE morphs into a hands-free display stand. Stream shows, FaceTime, or use iPhone’s gorgeous StandBy Mode. The magnetic Apple Watch charger on Butterfly SE tilts up to use Nightstand Mode. Butterfly SE can also be used as a compact display stand when you’re just charging your Apple Watch. A coordinating braided USB-C charging cable is included.
HiRise 2 Deluxe is a sophisticated Qi2 wireless charger for your iPhone, AirPods or compatible devices. This stylish stand not only saves space, but also raises your phone, allowing you to position it either vertically or horizontally for an optimal standby experience. With a tilt angle of 70 degrees, it offers the right viewing angle for all your needs.
