Category: Tech News

#IFA2023 – TCL Launches World’s First Smartphones Featuring NXTPAPER Technology

TCL, a pioneer in display across feature-rich smartphones, tablets, and connected devices, today launched the NXTPAPER smartphone series. The TCL 40 NXTPAPER and the TCL 40 NXTPAPER 5G become the world’s first and only smartphone devices to offer a revolutionary full color paper-like visual experience.

The launch of NXTPAPER phones is another major step in TCL’s commitment to bring elevated screen experiences with eye comfort, which cater to the diversified needs of consumers. TCL NXTPAPER full color electronic paper-like display technology is developed in-house and has earned accolades from consumers and media alike. Until now, available on selected TCL tablets and laptops, users will soon have the option of slipping a NXTPAPER screen into their pocket as part of a great Android smartphone.

“2023 has seen TCL’s significant milestone in our mission to bring the NXTPAPER display proposition across smart screens at competitive price points globally,” said Aaron Zhang, CEO at TCL Communication. “It reinforces our vision of ‘Display Greatness’ by combining eye comfort and a paper-like feel with the convenience of modern technology in a single, seamless product. At TCL, we continue to listen to our consumers and address their needs with ongoing innovation and an evolving product portfolio.”

Enjoy Easier Viewing with TCL NXTPAPER Phones

The latest NXTPAPER smartphones offer industry leading eye comfort and are hardware certified by TÜV for low harmful blue light.  Users can enjoy daily screen time on the phone with a more comfortable full color paper-like viewing experience. Additionally, an integrated sensor automatically adjusts display brightness and color temperature based on time and environment to provide suitable visual experiences and soft light at night, further elevating overall eye comfort.

The smartphone display with its reflection-free TÜV certification offers anti-glare functionality achieved by producing a paper-like matte effect texture. Paired with a fingerprint smudge-resistant feature, it makes reading whilst simultaneously enjoying a day outdoors more comfortable than ever before. The full color electronic display comes with specially designed NXTPAPER UI, providing users the flexibility to choose between full-color manga or a black-and-white experience to suit their individual preferences.

Immersive Entertainment, Unleashed Creativity – TCL 40 NXTPAPER

Engineered with a focus on entertainment and creativity without compromising eye comfort, the TCL 40 NXTPAPER smartphone comes with a 6.78” FHD+ NXTPAPER display, dual speakers, and 3D boom sound powered by DTS for an immersive audio-visual experience. The smartphone features a 32MP selfie camera, to capture striking detail and unique expressions, with a single click. The versatile 50MP rear triple camera system, complete with a 5MP ultra-wide camera and a 2MP macro sensor, effortlessly allows users to take landscapes, portraits, and intricate details with crystal-clear clarity.

Whether it’s jotting notes, sketching, or checking off that “to-do” list, the amazing paper-like display experience becomes even more authentic and effortless when combined with the TCL 40 NXTPAPER’s compatible T-pen¹. A sleek 7.89mm design plus a stylish 2D back cover make the device comfortable to hold. It boasts 256GB storage and 8GB RAM with an additional 8GB virtual RAM expansion, the largest class in this smartphone price category, enabling the user to swiftly multitask applications improving productivity.

Unmatched Speed, Uncompromised Multitasking – TCL 40 NXTPAPER 5G

Made for the quintessential professional looking to stay connected at all times, the TCL 40 NXTPAPER 5G delivers exceptional eye comfort and lightning fast 5G connectivity to breeze through tasks with ease whilst on-the-go. The stand-out 6.6″ HD+ NXTPAPER display coupled with the paper-like viewing experience and the NXTPAPER UI make it an ideal choice for extended reading and document handling. The 256GB storage comes with 6GB RAM that can be further augmented with an additional 6GB virtual RAM expansion, for simultaneous task management and efficient performance across productivity apps, multimedia entertainment, and more.

The device is equipped with a versatile rear camera system inclusive of a 50MP primary camera, a 2MP depth sensor, and a 2MP macro sensor. The intuitive AI camera transforms every capture into a professional-looking shot. It further impresses with its AI Color Video mode, a unique feature that renders video backgrounds in black and white while maintaining the subject in vivid color. An 8MP front camera not only meets business needs by guaranteeing high-quality video conferencing but also satisfies personal ones, making this a versatile device suited to work and downtime.

Availability and pricing

· TCL 40 NXTPAPER: €199, going on sale first from Europe in September, coming to more countries globally this year.

· TCL 40 NXTPAPER 5G: €249 going on sale first from Europe in October, coming to more countries globally this year.

Prices may vary by country. 

¹T-pen is an optional accessory

#IFA2023 – Garmin launches Venu 3 and Venu 3S GPS smartwatches with new features for wheelchair users

Garmin today announced the Venu 3 and Venu 3S GPS smartwatches designed to support every health and fitness goal. Featuring extensive fitness insights, beautiful AMOLED touchscreen displays and an impressive battery life, Venu 3 series is purpose-built to help users get a more complete picture of their health. It also includes new features for wheelchair users—letting them track pushes, follow wheelchair-specific workouts and more. Stay even more connected with Venu 3 series at home or on the go; a built-in speaker and microphone allow users to make and take phone calls or respond to text messages right from the wrist (when paired with a compatible Apple or Android smartphone). Available in two sizes and comfortable enough to wear all day and night, Venu 3 series gets up to 14 days of battery life in smartwatch mode. And because users don’t have to charge their watch every night, they can monitor health metrics 24/7 and receive a more holistic view of their stress, Body Battery™ and sleep with new personalized sleep coaching and nap detection.

See how Venu 3 series can help support every health and fitness goal here.

“No matter what your health and fitness journey looks like, Venu 3 is ready to support you every step of the way. Whether your focus is on meaningful rest and relaxation, getting a good workout in, chasing your next PR at an upcoming race, or anything in between, the exciting new features on the Venu 3 series provide even more personalized data, making it easier to understand your body like never before.” – Dan Bartel, Garmin Vice President of Global Consumer Sales

New features to love

  • Sleep coach: Receive a sleep score and personalized coaching for how much sleep is recommended and keep track of different sleep stages, naps and other key metrics such as Pulse Ox1 and heart rate variability (HRV) status.
  • Morning report: Receive an overview of sleep, recovery, HRV status and more upon waking up. Even customize the report to view more personalized details.
  • Nap detection: Automatically track or log naps to see how they may benefit the body and the suggested time and duration they should be.
  • Body Battery improvements: Monitor energy levels throughout the day to find the best times for activity and rest. And get even more details and personal insights on how sleep, naps, daily activities and high stress specifically impact energy levels2.
  • Wheelchair mode: Track daily pushes and receive weight shift alerts plus wheelchair-specific sports apps and workouts. In creating these new features, the algorithms of some existing features were modified to enhance the meaningfulness of key insights for wheelchair users.
  • Workout benefit and recovery time: Better understand how each workout affects the body and how much time is needed to recover to take on any fitness challenge.
  • Rate of perceived exertion: Record how difficult a workout was and how it felt.
  • Interval creation: Build interval workouts for running and cycling activities right on the watch.
  • Meditation activity: Follow guided meditation practices to help reduce stress, anxiety and more.
  • Built-in speaker and microphone: Make and take calls right from the watch (when paired with a compatible smartphone) and use the smartphone’s voice assistant to respond to text messages and more. Those with an Android phone can also view photo messages and respond to texts using the on-watch keyboard.
  • Two font sizes: Choose between a small or larger font size to view smart notifications, workout data and more with greater ease.

For health gurus

Loaded with extensive health and wellness stats, Venu 3 series is ready to help keep users going strong. And with days of battery life, users don’t have to worry about charging their watch every night, meaning they can have access to certain health features 24/7. Day or night, Venu 3 series can track heart rate2, respiration, Pulse Ox, stress andBody Battery energy levels. While sleeping, Venu 3 series will monitor heart rate variability to provide users with a deeper understanding of their overall health and will also track those “zzz’s” while traveling and offer personalized tips to help reduce jet lag.

For fitness fanatics

With more than 30 built-in sports apps, users can track the ways they move—from walking and running to cycling, pool swimming, activities for wheelchair users and more. Venu 3 series even lets users follow preloaded animated workouts for strength, HIIT, Pilates and yoga right from the watch. Plus, users can create their own step-by-step workouts from more than 1,600 exercises in the Garmin Connect™ app and send them directly to the watch. For those looking to train for a 5K or something a bit longer, free Garmin Coach adaptive training plans can help users prepare. In addition to keeping tabs on daily steps, calories burned and floors climbed, Venu 3 series can track moderate and vigorous intensity minutes, VO2 max during a run or bike ride and cycling power in watts (when paired with a compatible power meter or indoor bike).

For life on the go

Stay connected – even while on the go – with Venu 3 series. In addition to making and taking calls directly from the watch, Venu 3 series lets users receive emails, texts and alerts when paired with their compatible smartphone. Safety and tracking features help provide peace of mind by sending a message with the user’s live location to chosen emergency contacts if they feel unsafe or if an incident is detected3. While out and about, Garmin Pay™ contactless payments let users breeze through certain checkout lines or transit systems4.Users can also download songs and playlists from Spotify®, Amazon Music and Deezer (subscription required) for phone-free listening. What’s more, users can download apps, watch faces and more from the Connect IQ™ Store right on the watch, or find more options in the smartphone app.

Featuring a lightweight, stainless steel bezel and silicone band, Venu 3 is available in whitestone/silver and black/slate while Venu 3S comes in pebble gray/slate, sage gray/silver, French gray/soft gold, dust rose/soft gold and ivory/soft gold. Available now, Venu 3 series has a suggested retail price of $449.99.

#IFA2023 – JBL Authentics – Wi-Fi speaker range combines iconic retro design with industry-first integration of simultaneous voice assistants

Introducing the JBL Authentics series. Striking sound performance meets timeless retro design inspired by JBL’s heritage. The feature-packed JBL Authentics 500 is a true centrepiece of the home, the all-encompassing Wi-Fi and Bluetooth smart speaker delivers Dolby Atmos to envelop listeners in immersive sound.

The JBL Authentics 200 and portable JBL Authentics 300 home speakers complete the all-new JBL Authentics series.
Room-filling sound throughout the home Be at the centre of your favourite song as the JBL Authentics 500 invites you to experience music like never before. Three 1” tweeters and three 2.75” midrange woofers provide crystal clear sound, while a 6.5” down firing subwoofer delivers tight, accurate bass. Enjoy 270 Watts of 3.1 channel sound and Dolby Atmos which transports you into a multidimensional sound experience with added layers and sharper details. Experience the music live from the very front row, without needing to leave the house.

The JBL Authentics 300 offers portable, high-performance sound with a built-in 8-hour battery for those looking for superior sound in and around the house. Delivering distinctive highs and deep bass, enjoy exceptional audio performance wherever you are – from the kitchen to the garden or the outdoor party.

Fill any space, big or small, with stereo sound from the JBL Authentics 200. A pair of 1” tweeters bring each song to life, while the full-range 5” woofer and down firing 6” passive radiator creates deep bass for perfect balance, no matter the genre.
Iconic retro design with a modern twist Beautiful design inspired by famed JBL heritage. Taking inspiration from the legendary
JBL L100 speaker from the 1970s, the JBL Authentics range draws on JBL’s rich history with a modern twist. With a premium aluminium frame, custom synthetic leather-wrapped enclosure, and a reimagined Quadrex grille, the JBL Authentics range is designed to make a statement.

Industry-first integration built with Amazon and Google – Introducing a new integration built in collaboration with Amazon and Google that provides customers simultaneous access to their voice assistants on JBL Authentics speakers, allowing customers that choose to register both assistants to communicate with either Google Assistant or Alexa at the same time on the same device. With Google Assistant and Alexa available simultaneously, customers have the choice and flexibility to communicate seamlessly with both voice assistants and take advantage of their different capabilities, and switch between them for different activities. Once enabled, use either voice assistant to play your favourite music, control your smart home devices, set timers and alarms, and more, hands-free, using just your voice. Once the assistants are set-up on the JBL One app, just say “Hey Google,” or “Alexa” to get started.

Experience everything from podcasts to Internet radio in stunning high definition. The advantages of a Wi-Fi connection continue. Stream music through AirPlay, Alexa MultiRoom Music (MRM), Spotify Connect, and Chromecast built-in™ and leave the room or take a call without interrupting the music. Can’t agree on a song? Place multiple JBL Authentics speakers throughout your home, setting a different mood in every room. Or connect two or more to play a single playlist to get everybody enjoying the same beat. Looking for great sound in every room? Automatic self-tuning calibrates and adapts the
audio performance whenever the speaker is switched on, so you can sit back and relax, knowing the sound will be optimised no matter where you place the speaker.

“The heritage of our brands has always been important to us, and the JBL Authentics range delivers on audio quality, unique design, and unmatched features,” said Carsten Olesen, President of Consumer Audio at HARMAN. “We live in an era where ‘newstalgia’ is in great demand. The JBL Authentics range draws from our iconic past with its retro design while delivering the superior sound and technology that our customers expect. Innovations such as Dolby Atmos and simultaneous voice assistants meet the retro and reimagined Quadrex grille design in a speaker range that defines the future of audio.”

Easily set up the speakers and browse integrated music services to find new songs and artists through the JBL One app. With the app’s fully customisable EQ settings, you can fully personalise your listening experience. JBL Authentics is made from 100% recycled fabric, 85% recycled plastic and 50% recycled aluminium. It is available in Black from 15th of September 2023 on uk.jbl.com in packaging made from FSC-certified paper and printed with soy ink.

Availability 15th of September 15th of September 15th of September
Pricing £579.99/€629.99 £379.99/€429.99 £299.99/€329.99
*Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant may not be available in all countries or languages.
Availability, features, and functionality may vary

#IFA2023 – JBL launches the PartyBox Ultimate speaker

Bigger, better, bolder. JBL’s popular PartyBox speakers have a new headline act, introducing JBL PartyBox Ultimate. Packed with superior JBL Original Pro Sound, Dolby Atmos immersive audio, and a breathtaking light show moving in sync with your beat. JBL PartyBox Ultimate is guaranteed to level up any party, anywhere.

Feel the sound, don’t just hear it. The JBL PartyBox Ultimate is the best-sounding and loudest JBL PartyBox yet, featuring superior JBL Original Pro Sound with two high-sensitivity mid-range drivers and dual tweeters so you can listen to all the details of your favourite tracks, even at the loudest volumes. No space is too big – the JBL PartyBox Ultimate can rock the size of two basketball courts as a pair of 9-inch subwoofers provide thunderous bass you can feel from anywhere in the room. Dolby Atmos* puts you in the centre of your favourite songs as the music comes alive around you with unparalleled clarity and depth.

Transform any space into the ultimate party with the biggest multi-dimensional light show of any party speaker. Thanks to a new starry night effect, cool light trails, and dynamic strobes, the light show moves in sync with the music delivering a party to your ears and eyes, whatever your style.

Wi-Fi connectivity has joined the party

Stream high-definition music and take the music with you thanks to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities. Hosting a house party while phone notifications keep popping? The Wi-Fi connection lets the music play without interruptions. Switch easily to Bluetooth for seamless audio whether you’re indoors or outside. No matter where you are, the JBL PartyBox.

Ultimate will automatically tune itself to its surroundings every time you turn it on. Customise your own party flow with the interactive JBL PartyPad™ on the PartyBox top panel. Three simple fingertip actions, tap, hold and slide, unleash DJ-quality sound effects all night long. Play your favourite playlist or take the stage with guitar and dual mic inputs and karaoke EQ tuning. Wherever the party takes you, the JBL PartyBox Ultimate is IPX4 splashproof and has an easy-to-grip handle with sturdy wheels so you can take the party anywhere.

“Every party needs music, but to get people dancing, you need bass. With our latest and largest addition to the PartyBox family, you can hear the music while you feel the bass. We also introduce our most immersive light show along with new technologies that bring real benefits like Wi-Fi connectivity, automatic self-tuning, and Dolby Atmos,” said Carsten Olesen, President of Consumer Audio at HARMAN.

The JBL PartyBox Ultimate will be available at uk.jbl.com from the end of August 2023 for
£1299.99/€1499.99

Features of the JBL PartyBox Ultimate:
● JBL Original Pro Sound with automatic self-tuning
● Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 (LE Audio ready) connectivity
● Dolby Atmos
● Multi-speaker connection – stereo pair two JBL PartyBox Ultimate speakers for a
wider soundstage or connect multiple speakers wirelessly
● Signature JBL PartyBox light show that automatically syncs to music
● JBL PartyPad™ to customise your party flow with three simple fingertip actions – tap,
hold, and slide
● Get the party rolling – IPX4 splashproof status, sturdy wheels, an easy-to-grip handle,
and a cable compartment to store your power cord when not in use
● Control at your fingertips with the JBL One App – control the music, adjust EQ
settings, and customise the colours and patterns of the light show
*Dolby Atmos only available over Wi-Fi. A streaming service subscription with Dolby Atmos
support is also required to listen to music in Dolby Atmos.

#IFA2023 – JBL launches JBL LIVE 770NC and JBL LIVE 670NC headphones

JBL launches the latest additions to the LIVE headphones lineup, JBL LIVE 770NC and JBL LIVE 670NC. Featuring True Adaptive Noise Cancelling with Smart Ambient technology, and advanced personalisation features, the new headphones deliver JBL Signature Sound no matter your preferred style. Pick between over-ear or on-ear, the choice is yours, with guaranteed all-day comfort and packed full of features.

Along with powerful JBL Signature Sound from 40mm dynamic drivers, JBL LIVE 770NC and JBL LIVE 670NC offer immersive JBL Spatial Sound from any stereo content wirelessly. Wirelessly stream high-quality audio with Bluetooth 5.3 technology and LE Audio support* so you can get the most out of your sound. Looking for personalised sound performance? Set up a customised hearing profile with HARMAN’s advanced Personi-Fi 2.0 technology.

JBL LIVE 770NC headphones

When it’s time to focus on your studies, or get your groove on, advanced JBL True Adaptive ANC technology automatically adjusts to the real world in real time, eliminating distractions and maximising audio quality. You are also able to hear the world around you as Smart Ambient sharpens the sounds of your surroundings. Need to make a phone call? Two beamforming
microphones ensure perfect call quality.

Stay connected wherever life takes you, with up to 65 hours of playtime. And if you do need to recharge, with JBL LIVE 770NC and JBL LIVE 670NC, you’ll never be out of battery for long. Thanks to speed-charging, you get an extra 4 hours of playtime in just 5 minutes, so nothing stops the music. “JBL LIVE 770NC and JBL LIVE 670NC bring significant technology upgrades to an already well-loved family of headphones,” said Carsten Olesen, President of Consumer Audio at HARMAN. “JBL provides options for every lifestyle and personal preference, and these headphones bring consumers the headband style with the latest JBL technologies and sound quality at a competitive price point.”

JBL LIVE 670NC headphones

The JBL LIVE 770NC and JBL LIVE 670NC will be available in black, white, blue and sandstone for £159.99/€179.99 and £119.99/€129.99 respectively, from uk.jbl.com at end of August and are packaged using FSC-certified paper, printed with soy ink.
*Available via OTA update at a later stage

JBL LIVE 770NC and LIVE 670NC features:
● Bluetooth 5.3 with LE audio support*
● True Adaptive Noise Cancelling with Smart Ambient
● 2 beamforming microphones for perfect calls
● JBL Spatial Sound from any stereo content and device
● Customisable sound experience with Personi-Fi 2.0
● Up to 50 hours of battery life with Bluetooth and ANC on and up to 65 hours without
● 5-minute speed-charging for an additional 4 hours of playtime
● Autoplay and pause
● Multi-point connection for seamless switching between devices
● JBL Headphones App support for personalisation and EQ adjustments

#IFA2023 – JBL launches Soundgear Sense: Hear the world around you with first-ever JBL air conduction earbuds

JBL introduces its first-ever true wireless open-ear earbuds, JBL Soundgear Sense. Featuring JBL OpenSound Technology with air conduction, the new earbuds transform the listening experience and set a new standard for audio quality in this form factor.

JBL Soundgear Sense introduces a breakthrough in audio technology by providing listeners with JBL’s Signature Sound quality while maintaining a natural connection to their surroundings. With uniquely designed 16.2mm drivers and a bass-enhancing algorithm, JBL Soundgear Sense takes open-ear sound quality to the next level. Hear the world around you while enjoying every beat of your favourite tracks. Enjoy punchy bass and clear vocals from playlists and calls.

With unrivalled flexibility, the ear hooks offer rotation and size adjustments for truly personalised, all-day comfort. Designed to enhance your daily routine, the air conduction earbuds rest comfortably on the curve of your ears without obstructing the ear canal. They also use the unique design and shape to reduce sound leakage and protect your privacy.

JBL Soundgear Sense ensures a secure yet relaxed fit for extended wear, making them ideal for outdoor activities, office use, or exploring the city. Earbuds that fit as comfortably into your life as they do on your ears, In addition to delivering impressive sound, JBL Soundgear Sense boasts multi-point connectivity for seamless connections with all your devices. Switching and reconnecting is a thing of the past. With four integrated microphones, JBL Soundgear Sense delivers great call quality, no matter the environment. Seamlessly integrating into your active lifestyle, the IP54 rating guarantees resistance to sweat, dust, and rainfall. The detachable neckband provides an added level of security during those heavy workouts.

“Features such as Ambient Aware are so popular in our TWS earbuds that we wanted to take this to the next level and create a naturally open design that provides a true connection with the outside world. Developing Soundgear Sense challenged us to produce JBL’s renowned audio quality in air conduction earbuds. I am delighted with the results. Thanks to our incredible audio know-how, our class leading JBL OpenSound Technology ensures that even in this new form factor, we deliver the exceptional sound experience that JBL is known for,” said Carsten Olesen, President of Consumer Audio at HARMAN.
Stay connected, stay aware, and immerse yourself in legendary JBL sound quality with JBL Soundgear Sense.

The JBL Soundgear Sense will be available in Black and White from end of August 2023 on uk.jbl.com for £129.99/€149.99 in packaging made from FSC-certified paper and printed with soy ink.

JBL Soundgear Sense features:

● Bluetooth 5.3 with LE audio support*
● JBL OpenSound Technology with 16.2mm drivers
● 4 microphones for crisp, clear calls
● Up to 24 hours of battery life (6 hours in the earbuds plus a further 18 hours from the
case)
● Speed charge – a quick 15-minute charge gives you 4 additional hours of music
● IP54 sweat, splash, and dust resistant
● Hybrid design with optional neckband
● Touch control and JBL Headphones App for personalization and EQ adjustments

BluOS Previews 4.0 Update at CEDIA 2023

BluOS, the premium multi-room music management platform by Lenbrook International, previews the 4.0 mobile controller app update at CEDIA 2023 in Denver, Colorado, Booth 3516, ahead of the official launch in mid-October 2023. The update revitalizes the BluOS Controller app experience with several improvements – a stunning redesign of the user interface, better navigation, and improved search functionality, to deliver a more personalized way to play and control music across multiple zones. “We’re thrilled to introduce BluOS 4.0 following a rigorous development journey,” expresses Andrew Haines, BluOS Product Manager, “The complete transformation of the mobile app interface underscores our dedication to providing BluOS users with an impeccably smooth and cohesive experience.” Starting October 17th, users will be prompted to download the official firmware update by following the prompts on the BluOS Controller app, available for both iOS and Android devices.

Key Highlights of BluOS 4.0:

  • Improved Navigation
    • All-new bottom navigation bar with easily identifiable icons for Home, Favorites, Music Players, and Search delivers quick, one-tap access to the most important app features
  • Customized Content
    • Favorites screen delivers quick access to users’ favorite content with a customizable view by playlists, artists, albums, songs and stations
  • Centralized Access
    • Music screen combines music sources, music services and device inputs all in one area so users can easily switch back and forth between connected zones
  • Improved Player Control
    • Users can now toggle easily between Now Playing and Play Queue screens, with new icon for grouping, and indicators for sampled audio quality and zone playing added
  • Better, Faster Search
    • New dedicated Search screen searches by music service for more specific and faster results

Workhuman launches Experiences; More than 2M employees have access to thousands of travel and activity reward options

Workhuman, the company revolutionising how employees celebrate, connect with, and appreciate each other in the workplace, has added In-Store Booking functionality to its world-class Store. In-Store Booking is now available to more than 2 million users across 10 countries, including Ireland, the UK, the US, India, and Mexico. Employees now have access to hundreds of thousands of additional activity, travel, and accommodation options as part of the employee recognition industry’s most expansive catalogue of experiences, all bookable with points on its platform.

The Irish-founded company has built an innovative team – based in Ireland – dedicated to sourcing merchandise and gift cards across the globe in more than 65 categories including electronics, fashion, house and home, garden and outdoor, travel, health and beauty, children, and more. Globally, the company maintains a catalogue of approximately 400,000 merchandise items across more than 60 countries. It also offers thousands of gift cards across more than 130 countries, with hundreds of thousands of options including merchandise brands, charities, and travel experiences. Workhuman has built its Store experience from the ground up and has scaled over the years to support orders placed every 3 seconds by approximately 7M employees across the globe.

Through the company’s Store, employees are able to book their activity, hotel, car rental and, when available, flights, all in the same order, therefore keeping their entire travel itinerary together and avoiding the hassle of tracking multiple confirmation emails from separate travel partners. From walking tours to national park passes to private yacht rentals, Workhuman’s full Experiences offering will cater to users globally and at virtually every point and desired activity level.

Leslie Schall, Director of Employee Engagement, Experience, and Purpose at Michelin, said:  “Workhuman’s Experiences offering provides an awesome new element to their already impressive Store, as it enables employees to easily book travel, adventures, tours, and activities using their recognition rewards through Michelin’s WeCare programme. By using points they earned here through their contributions to the organisation, our employees are able to redeem their points on engaging experiences for themselves, family or friends. Right after Experiences launched, I used it to book a ‘Harley electronic trike motorcycle’ tour during an upcoming family vacation in Prague. Now my entire family has this amazing memory we’re going to cherish forever, and it was because of recognition from my colleagues. Experiences is going to help our employees turn work achievements into these beautiful, exciting moments, and we’re very excited about the impact of this connection and the stories we’ll hear.”

Workhuman’s Store takes the same human-first approach as its Social Recognition® solution. The company understands that the reward redemption experience is critical for the success of any recognition programme as it reinforces the original recognition moment and amplifies the sense of engagement and goodwill that the employee feels toward their company. Workhuman has made significant investments over the years to launch the broadest offering of Travel and Experiences with gift card partners including Virgin Experiences, Global Experiences, Royal Caribbean, Hotels.com, and many more. The addition of In-Store Booking functionality takes this to the next level, ensuring every employee is able to redeem for an experience that feels exciting to them, and that makes them feel seen and recognised.

Sarah Whitman, SVP E-commerce, Workhuman: “Workhuman has always kept our ears close to the ground and driven our Store strategy based on the pulse of the marketplace. We know that people derive significant enjoyment from experiences and over the years we have evolved in the ways we bring this category to our platform. Our data has shown that people’s desire to travel and create memories has been reinvigorated as we’ve emerged from the global pandemic. Our expanded Experiences offering creates endless new opportunities for employees to travel and experience new things, driving personal growth and even greater and lasting connections to their colleagues that helped make those experiences and memories possible.”

In addition to English, the booking experience and customer service support is available in French, Latin American Spanish, European Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese and Japanese. Workhuman will continue to roll out to additional customers and markets with enhanced capabilities throughout the year. For more information about Workhuman’s Store, please visit: https://www.workhuman.com/reward/store/.

To learn more about how Workhuman’s employee recognition solution can help reduce turnover, improve engagement and productivity, and elevate DE&I efforts, please visit: www.workhuman.com/solutions/social-recognition/.

Huawei and Ericsson Sign Long-Term Patent Cross-Licensing Agreement

Huawei and Ericsson have signed a long-term global patent cross-licensing agreement that covers patents essential to a wide range of standards such as 3GPP, ITU, IEEE, and IETF standards for 3G, 4G, and 5G cellular technologies. The agreement covers the companies’ respective sales of network infrastructure and consumer devices, granting both parties global access to each other’s patented, standardized technologies.

“We are delighted to reach a long-term global cross-licensing agreement with Ericsson,” said Alan Fan, Head of Huawei’s Intellectual Property Department. “As major contributors of standard essential patents (SEPs) for mobile communication, the companies recognize the value of each other’s intellectual property, and this agreement creates a stronger patent environment. It demonstrates the commitment both parties have forged that intellectual property should be properly respected and protected.”

Over the past 20 years, Huawei has been a major contributor to mainstream ICT standards, including those for cellular, Wi-Fi, and multimedia codecs. In 2022, Huawei topped the European Patent Office’s applicant ranking for number of patent applications filed, with 4,505 applications. At the innovation and intellectual property forum Huawei held last month, it announced that licensing revenue in 2022 was about US$560 million. This is testament to the industry’s recognition of the value of Huawei’s IP.

“Our commitment to sharing leading technological innovations will drive healthy, sustainable industry development and provide consumers with more robust products and services,” added Fan.

Huawei is both a holder and implementer of SEPs and seeks to take a balanced approach to licensing. Through the signing of this agreement, it is both giving and receiving access to key technologies. Fan said, “This agreement is the result of intensive discussions that ensured the interests of both patent holders and implementers are served fairly.”