Category: Tech News

Sennheiser announces AMBEO Soundbar Plus and AMBEO Sub

The expansion of the Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar line-up, with the new AMBEO Soundbar Plus and the AMBEO Sub, offers additional choices for consumers seeking to bring best-in-class immersive sound into their homes. The world’s first 7.1.4. standalone soundbar, AMBEO Soundbar Plus places the user in the centre of the action – but now in a more compact housing than its larger, award-winning sister – the AMBEO Soundbar Max, previously known as the AMBEO Soundbar. The AMBEO Sub guarantees a breath taking cinematic experience and is, as one would expect from the Sennheiser brand, also outstanding for listening to your favourite music.

​”The AMBEO Soundbar Plus and AMBEO Sub build on the success of the award-winning AMBEO Soundbar Max, ranked by reviewers as the best soundbar in the world,” said Maximillian Voigt, Sennheiser Product Manager AMBEO Soundbars. “Thanks to the deep, immersive sound and more compact housing, our new AMBEO Soundbar Plus offers even more choices for those who want a home theatre experience with audiophile-quality sound.” 

AMBEO Soundbar Plus

​The AMBEO Soundbar Plus offers a new, more compact soundbar within the Sennheiser product portfolio. It is driven by the same ground breaking 3D sound — developed in collaboration with the world leader in audio research and development, the Fraunhofer-Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS — as the AMBEO Soundbar Max.
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​AMBEO Self-Calibration reads a room’s acoustic properties and then positions seven virtual speakers around the listener, plus four more overhead. This lets the AMBEO Soundbar Plus project sound from any corner of the room. Users get to experience the depth, impact, and spaciousness of a movie theatre at home — without the fuss of extra cables or satellite speakers.
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​The AMBEO Soundbar Plus is great for listening to audiophile-grade music and automatically adapts its sound to the content that’s being played. Customisable presets are also available, along with an equaliser and more in the Smart Control App. Breath taking immersive 3D sound is provided with Dolby ATMOS, DTS:X, 360 Reality Audio and MPEG-H Audio. Users can even upmix stereo and 5.1 content to create thrilling 3D sound experiences that make it sound like the artist is in the room.
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​The Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Plus uses the AMBEO|OS platform. This enables multiple music streaming services, such as Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, and works with a Google Assistant-enabled device with Chromecast built-in. Furthermore, it provides seamless integration with Alexa Built-in and Apple Siri.

AMBEO Sub

​The new Sub delivers a unique immersive sound designed to give you goose bumps. The extremely deep bass is powered by the AMBEO virtualisation technology, that provides unmatched natural and immersive sound, while an 8” high-end proprietary woofer, paired with a 350W Class-D amplifier, guarantees unmatched thundering bass.
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​With a design that matches its incredible sound quality, a closed enclosure ensures audiophile-grade bass down to 27Hz. The multi-sub array technology allows users to connect up to four subwoofers to scale bass performance and calibrate them individually for optimal sound, while a wireless connection provides for a neat and clean room without the need for any cables.
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​The AMBEO Sub’s advanced self-calibration and its built-in far-field microphone allow the device to precisely learn the acoustics of your room and adjust to every environment for a unique sound experience, while its intuitive Smart Control App guarantees a smooth user experience that makes the most out of your AMBEO Sub. Just plug it in, set it up and enjoy.
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​Pricing and availability
​The Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Plus and AMBEO Sub, can be pre-ordered from September 1 and will be available from September 22, 2022. The AMBEO Soundbar Plus has an RRP of £1,299 / €1,499, and AMBEO Sub has an RRP of £599 / €699.

Palo Alto Networks Strengthens Its Protection for SaaS Applications and Reinforces ZTNA 2.0 With New Capabilities

With hybrid work well established as the norm for the post-pandemic workforce and vast amounts of sensitive data now stored in SaaS apps, the risk of SaaS misconfiguration poses a serious security threat to businesses. According to Statista, as of 2021 the average business now has over 110 SaaS applications (apps) that must be secured.

Misconfigurations in SaaS apps are a common problem. To address this, Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ: PANW) announced today new innovations in Prisma® SASE that enable customers to identify and remediate misconfigurations in SaaS apps using SaaS Security Posture Management (SSPM) capabilities.

“SaaS apps have given organizations the freedom to have their workforce work from wherever they are most productive. The vast amounts of sensitive data being created, held, and shared via SaaS applications, however, expose a serious risk of data breach due to SaaS misconfiguration. Simply put, the world needs a SASE solution that can manage the configuration and security of SaaS applications,” said Anand Oswal, senior vice president, Network Security at Palo Alto Networks. “With today’s Prisma SASE updates, we are significantly strengthening the security posture of SaaS apps through the Palo Alto Networks Next-Gen CASB, which allows customers to easily view and configure security settings for multiple SaaS apps in a single place.”

In addition to SSPM, the company announced new ZTNA 2.0 security inspection capabilities, including ML-powered Advanced URL Filtering and Advanced Threat Prevention as well as the industry’s first natively integrated artificial intelligence for IT operations (AIOps) solution for SASE, simplifying networking and security operations for customers.

The full set of product announcements are:

  • SaaS Security Posture Management (SSPM): Powered by Palo Alto Networks Next-Gen CASB, the SaaS Security Posture Management capabilities go beyond CIS and NIST compliance checks and move to comprehensive security, allowing customers to configure security settings for multiple SaaS apps in one location. In an effort to reduce remediation time, SSPM can help fix misconfigurations with a single click and helps prevent configuration drift by allowing users to lock critical security settings in place.
  • Advanced URL Filtering: Prevents new, highly evasive phishing attacks, ransomware and other web-based attacks through the use of inline deep learning, rather than a URL database — preventing 40% more threats and detecting 76% of malicious URLs up to a full day before traditional web filtering solutions.
  • Advanced Threat Prevention: Provides the only intrusion prevention system (IPS) solution that can stop unknown command-and-control (C2) attacks in real time — 48% more than other IPS solutions. New capabilities bring security analysis from “offline” to “inline” using machine learning techniques — improving detection rates for zero-day threats without sacrificing performance.
  • AIOps for SASE: Palo Alto Networks natively integrated AIOps into its secure access service edge to significantly reduce manual operations and enable faster troubleshooting. AIOps for SASE provides automated root cause analysis, rapid problem remediation and guided best practice adoption. Predictive analytics enable more efficient capacity planning and anomaly detection, preventing business disruptions. A simple query-based interface empowers the IT service desk with automated troubleshooting and change analysis.

In addition to these software enhancements, Palo Alto Networks is introducing new hardware appliances — ION 1200-S and ION 3200 — to help organizations modernize their small to midsize branches. These new appliances include a fully integrated switch and Power over Ethernet (PoE) ports to connect and power endpoints within the local area network. Additionally, integrated WAN capabilities like 5G and LTE on the ION 1200-S and fiber ports on the ION 3200 allow customers to improve WAN availability, performance and speed. ION 1200-S and ION 3200 can help significantly reduce operational complexity by eliminating multiple point products while providing power redundancy with a built-in dual power supply that ensures network uptime and consistent connectivity.

“As one of the largest cinema chains and theme park operators in Australia, we started our journey with Palo Alto Networks by deploying Prisma SD-WAN to improve the reliability and throughput of our WAN connections,” said Michael Fagan, chief transformation officer, Village Roadshow. “Since then, we have added Prisma Access to complete our SASE architecture and secure both our remote locations and our hybrid employees. We are pleased to see the introduction of 5G and PoE switching into the Prisma SD-WAN appliances to help us further consolidate our branch infrastructure, and simplify our operations with AIOps for SASE. Our team loves the fact that they no longer need to remember usernames, pins, passcodes, tokens and have different multi-factor authentication apps. Performance and uptime has improved to allow our staff to continue working without disruption to services, thereby reducing the amount of calls through to our service desk team.”

“Protecting sensitive data, especially data in SaaS applications, is paramount for us. As we continued to utilise more cloud services we knew we needed to implement a SASE framework and provide Zero Trust Network Access to protect our users and applications,” said Simon Hibbert, general manager of IT, Chemist Warehouse Group. Implementing Prisma SASE has enabled our employees to do their jobs more efficiently, and enabled new ways for us to engage with our customers. Not only has it improved our security posture, but it also provides highly reliable and smooth connectivity.”

“The usage of SaaS applications continues to expand at a faster rate than security teams can keep pace with. As more applications are introduced and ownership becomes distributed across organizations, the risk of misconfigurations grows, which increases the likelihood for security incidents to occur. A SASE solution like Prisma SASE by Palo Alto Networks provides a logical consolidation point for all the capabilities needed for complete SaaS security, including SSPM. However, functionality cannot be sacrificed for efficiency,” said John Grady, ESG senior analyst. “Palo Alto Networks provides comprehensive SaaS security through its security-focused SSPM capabilities coupled with comprehensive application coverage and a history of analytics-led threat prevention.”

More information on Prisma SASE is available here and on their blog. Additionally, Palo Alto Networks will be hosting SASE Converge 2022, the premier summit for SASE, September 13-14 to discuss what’s next for SASE, and more.

Nokia announces the X30 5G – G60 5G – C31 phones T21 tablet, new accessories and Circular

HMD Global, the home of Nokia phones, today announces Circular, a revolutionary new subscription service with sustainability at its core. Alongside this, three new devices launch including our most eco-friendly smartphone yet, Nokia X30 5G, made with 100% recycled aluminium and 65% recycled plastic. Plus, more responsible packaging, as well as our standard longevity promises to revamp the Nokia devices portfolio across all ranges.

Florian Seiche, CEO, HMD Global, the home of Nokia phones: “At HMD Global, home of Nokia phones, we want people to keep their phones for longer and this can be seen across three areas. We have introduced Circular, a truly circular subscription model that rewards people who extend the lifecycle of their phones. We build our devices with more recycled materials and continue to boost our longevity heritage with software and security updates. And we are working hard to live this approach as a company, with our business-wide sustainability pledges that shows our commitment to continue to work harder to protect tomorrow.”

Circular – a subscription service redefining mobile phone ownership with sustainability at its core

Introducing Circular – a revolutionary new subscription service offering a more sustainable and hassle-free way to use Nokia smartphones and tablets. We are incentivising people to keep their phones for longer with a range of eco-friendly rewards. Circular minimises the negative impact phone ownership can have on the planet by keeping smartphones and tablets out of landfill and giving them a second life. Within our subscription model, Nokia devices go through recycling, refurbishing and re-subscribing or they go to a charitable cause that needs it the most. In addition, it provides people with complete freedom to choose and change their subscription. Any accidental damage, loss, or theft will be taken care of without a separate monthly cost, and a quick replacement arranged if needed.

Ben Wood, CCS Insight: “Sustainability is important to customers when it comes to connected electronics devices. CCS Insight’s research shows that roughly half of consumers in key European markets believe that creating products that last longer is helpful and positive for the environment. HMD continues to encourage consumers to keep their device for longer and with Circular, it also means devices stay out of landfill. Electronic waste is an issue the whole industry must address and services like Circular are a positive step towards creating change.”

Nokia X30 5G delivers our smallest eco footprint yet and our best-ever PureView photography experience

Nokia X30 5G is built with a 100% recycled aluminium frame and a 65% recycled plastic back, making it our most eco-friendly smartphone, right down to the box. Using 100% FSC-certified and 94% recycled paper box at a reduced packaging size saves on transportation CO2 emissions, made possible by removing the charger to tackle e-waste.

With zero compromise on the phone’s performance, Nokia X30 5G comes with premium features including our best photo experience to date. The 50MP PureView camera uses Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and AI to capture stunning ultra-wide angle and vibrant night time shots. The camera is protected by scratch-resistant Corning® Gorilla® Glass with DX+ that lets 98% of all light reach the large sensor and content is brought to life on the 6.43” PureDisplay with bright colors and smooth viewing.

Nokia G60 5G brings sustainability through longevity to as many people as possible

Sustainably crafted with 100% recycled plastic back and 60% recycled plastic frame, Nokia G60 5G brings X-series longevity to the G-series for the first time. Helping people keep their phone for longer, it comes with the ‘3-3-3’ promise – three years of Android upgrades, three years of monthly security updates, and an extended three-year warranty at no extra cost. Complete with a 6.58” FHD+ 120Hz display for super-smooth scrolling and a 50MP AI triple camera, Nokia G60 5G makes premium experiences more accessible.

Nokia T21 is a reliable, family-friendly powerhouse that is built to last

Designed with a tough body made with aluminium that features a 60% recycled plastic cover for the antenna, the new Nokia T21 brings all the durability and promises you would expect from a Nokia tablet. Two years of Android upgrades ensure it remains fresh on the inside as well. Industry-leading protection with up to three years of monthly security updates make it perfect for the entire family. Building on the success of its predecessor, it’s loaded with fan-requested features, such as HD video streaming, voice calling and NFC payment capability.

NFC4 will help your business with payments and scan NFC tags, while Second Screen will allow you expand and control your Windows PC. And if you’re feeling creative, sketch out your ideas, jot down notes or draw your next masterpiece with an active pen

New Nokia audio accessories join the sustainability journey

Bringing reliable sound on the go, the new, fully waterproof Nokia Portable Wireless Speaker 2 comes with a 100% recycled outer design and a whopping 22-hour battery life.

Pricing and availability

The new devices will be available in select markets globally starting today.

  • Nokia X30 5G comes in Cloudy Blue or Ice White and is available in 6/128 GB and 8/256 GB memory and storage configurations starting at RRP of 499 EUR and 529 EUR
  • Nokia G60 5G comes in Pure Black or Ice Grey and is available in 4/64 GB and 4/128 GB memory and storage configurations starting at RRP of 309 EUR and 329 EUR
  • Nokia C31 comes in Mint, Charcoal and Cyan and is available in 3/32 GB, 4/64 GB, and 4/128 GB memory and storage configurations starting at global average RRP of 129 EUR
  • Nokia T21 comes in Charcoal Grey and is available in 4/64 GB and 4/128 GB memory and storage configuration in a Wi-Fi and 4G/LTE options starting at RRP of 249 EUR and 279 EUR

Accessories

  • Nokia Portable Wireless Speaker 2 will be available in Ireland from for RRP of 59.99 EUR

Circular is available for select devices from Nokia.com/phones in the UK and Germany with global roll out planned in the coming months. Check local availability.

Bluesound Announces the POWERNODE EDGE

Bluesound, the original award-winning, hi-res wireless multi-room line of audio players, announces the POWERNODE EDGE. This single-zone, wireless music streaming amplifier is the perfect entry point into “just add speakers” HiFi for the modern age, combining streaming sources, control, and amplification all in one sleek, yet affordable, device. Pre-orders for the POWERNODE EDGE are now being taken on Bluesound.com and participating authorised retailers with shipping starting in early October. Suggested pricing for each unit is USD $649 / EUR €699 / GBP £599 / CAD $849.

Bluesound Powernode Edge

JUST ADD SPEAKERS

Audiophile-grade amplification packed into the POWERNODE EDGE makes it easy to connect a pair of passive speakers to create or extend a HiFi system. Other options include adding the PULSE SUB+ wireless subwoofer for a powerful but compact 2.1 stereo system. Alternatively, the POWERNODE EDGE can power the rear channels of a Bluesound wireless surround sound setup, for the ultimate modern home theater experience.

PUNCHY HI-RES

A conservatively-rated 2 x 40 watts DirectDigital™ amplifier in the POWERNODE EDGE efficiently handles hi-res audio tracks up to 24-bit/192kHz and supports MQA playback, which allows music lovers to listen to the actual studio masters of favourite albums, as they were intended to be heard. Revel in the clarity of playback of everything from densely-layered heavy metal tracks to whisper-quiet dialog in movies and TV shows.

Bluesound Powernode Edge

SLEEK AND VERSATILE

The POWERNODE EDGE is designed with a compact form factor to suit any décor. An included multi-orientation wall bracket allows it to be hidden in closets or behind sofas. Easy to spec and simple to stack, smart home installers will appreciate its 1U rack height and half-rack width, along with an easy-access touch control panel for everyday playback functions and configuration.

ACCESS IT ALL

Over 20 natively integrated music services and thousands of internet radio stations are accessible directly on the POWERNODE EDGE, and controlled from the BluOS™ Controller app. To play from a personal music library, connection via Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet or playback from an external USB drive is available. Built-in AirPlay 2 makes for easy integration into the Apple ecosystem, while users of other devices can take advantage of the high quality aptX™ HD Bluetooth connection to stream audio directly to the POWERNODE EDGE. More traditional wired sources, such as a TV or preamp’d turntable, can be connected using the HDMI eARC input or the combo analog/digital input.

MULTI-ROOM CONTROL

Add multiple Bluesound players around the home to create a high-performance, multi-room system using BluOS, the world’s most versatile whole-home, hi-res audio platform. Send music from player to player or sync up multiple players to one stream for parties and gatherings. Easy control is always readily available via the BluOS Controller app for iOS, Android, Mac, or PC, or using the elegant glass touch panel for quick-access controls like Play, Pause, and Volume Up/Down. The POWERNODE EDGE can integrate with the most popular smart home controllers like Crestron, Control4, URC, RTI, ELAN, and others, while hands-free control is possible with voice assistants like Apple’s Siri, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant.

Key Highlights of the POWERNODE EDGE:

– DirectDigital™ Amplifier Platform
– 40 Watts Per Channel Into 8 Ohms
– Quad-Core 1.8GHz ARM® Cortex™ A53 Processor
– HDMI eARC, Optical & Analog Audio Inputs
– BluOS™ Wireless Multi-Room Music Capability
– App Control with Adjustable Audio Settings
– MQA Music And Hi-Res Audio Streaming
– Airplay 2 Integration
– Works With Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple Siri
– Dual-Band Wi-Fi + Gigabit Ethernet
– Two-Way aptX™ HD Bluetooth
– Wireless Headphone Output
– Wired & Wireless Subwoofer Output
– IR Remote Learning Capability
– Front Panel Touch Controls
– Compact 1U Form Factor
– Easy Four-Way Mounting System
– Black Or White Finish

Atom Studios launches Keep: A stylish MagSafe Wallet made from natural materials

Atom Studios, a London-based brand that creates beautiful smartphone accessories using eco-friendly materials, today adds Keep, a premium cork MagSafe wallet, to its product range in the UK and US.

Available in carbon black or natural, Keep is made from cork — a natural, durable alternative to leather and plastic that has the added benefits of being naturally water repellent and antibacterial. The wallet boasts a minimalist design and subtle Atom Studios logo, which emphasises the natural beauty of the cork, and has a card slot which can hold two cards, offering a convenient way to keep credit, debit and ID cards close to hand.

Compatible with all MagSafe equipped iPhones (iPhone 12 and newer) the secure built-in magnets ensure that Keep stays firmly in place on the back of your phone or MagSafe phone case.

Akbar Ali, Creative Director at Atom Studios says: “We carefully consider environmental impact when designing our products, so choosing cork as the material for Keep was crucial. We want to offer iPhone users a beautifully designed, functional MagSafe wallet with environmentally friendly credentials. Many MagSafe wallets on the market are made from leather or plastic which ends up in landfill, so Keep will be an attractive option for conscious shoppers.”

Not only is cork biodegradable, recyclable and reusable it’s also inherently sustainable – oak cork trees grow abundantly and harvesting the cork assists in CO2 absorption. Every year, the trees absorb nearly 14m tonnes of carbon dioxide during their natural regeneration. Harvesting the bark from these trees aids in the regeneration process, and helps them absorb more carbon dioxide and release more oxygen.

Due to its eco credentials and durability, cork is having a renaissance in the product ranges and the design space, as architects and designers embrace the material as a sustainable and aesthetically pleasing choice for interiors, walls and ceilings. It’s for these reasons that Atom Studios has chosen the material for its new MagSafe wallet.

Keep is available in the UK and US from 31st August for £29.99 / $29.99 from Atom Studios (UK and US),  Amazon (UK only), Verishop (US only).

Atom Studios also offers full lifecycle management, encouraging customers to return their products when they’ve finished with them so the business can recycle the materials or dispose of them appropriately.

Dell Technologies Delivers Industry-First Innovations with VMware to Power Multicloud and Edge Solutions

Dell Technologies (NYSE: DELL) is introducing new infrastructure solutions, co-engineered with VMware, that deliver greater automation and performance for organizations embracing multicloud and edge strategies.

“Customers tell us they want help simplifying their multicloud and edge strategies as they look to drive more efficiency and performance from their IT,” said Jeff Boudreau, president, Dell Technologies Infrastructure Solutions Group.  “Dell Technologies and VMware have numerous joint engineering initiatives spanning core IT areas such as multicloud, edge and security to help our customers more easily manage and gain value from their data.”

Business data and applications continue to grow in multicloud environments comprised of edge locations, public clouds and on-premises IT. Many organizations have already adopted a multicloud approach, and the number of applications running at the edge will grow 800% by 2024. 

“IDC’s global research shows many organizations are struggling to balance the rapidly rising complexity and cost of data center, edge and cloud operations with relentless business demand for better data integration, security and application performance,” notes Mary Johnston Turner, IDC research vice president, future of digital infrastructure agenda. “These organizations recognize the need for a consistent operating model tightly integrated with infrastructure platforms that support sophisticated, large scale data-driven workloads.”

Dell VxRail delivers greater performance and smallest-ever systems at the edge

Dell is introducing several new VxRail systems and software advancements that improve performance on-premises and at the edge including the industry’s only jointly engineered HCI-based DPU solution with VMware.

 

  • Improved system performance: A result of co-engineering with VMware and its Project Monterey initiative, VxRail systems support new VMware vSphere 8 software that has been rearchitected to run on DPUs. Customers can improve application and networking infrastructure performance and improve TCO by moving these services from a system’s CPU to its new on-board DPU.

 

  • Support demanding workloads: Select VxRail systems now support VMware’s new vSAN Enterprise Storage Architecture (ESA). With up to 4x vSAN performance improvement, customers can better support demanding mission-critical applications.

  • Smallest edge systems: VxRail rugged modular nodes deliver high performance and scalability in the system’s smallest form factor to date. Modular nodes are ideal for edge use cases including healthcare, energy and utilities and digital cities because of VxRail’s industry-first, on-board hardware witness, which allows for deployment in high latency, low bandwidth locations.

“The increasing demand for software-defined infrastructure services for networking, storage and security places more demands on already-strained CPUs. As more distributed, resource intensive applications are onboarded, there is a need to reimagine data center architecture to fully support the requirements of these applications,” said Krish Prasad, senior vice president & general manager, Cloud Infrastructure Business Group, VMware. “Dell VxRail with VMware vSphere 8 will deliver a foundation for next generation data center architecture by running infrastructure services on the DPU. This will enable greater network and application performance and a new level of sophistication in adopting Zero Trust security strategies to protect modern enterprise workloads.”

Dell APEX expands multicloud and edge support for VMware environments

Dell is adding several offers to its APEX portfolio for VMware workloads that speed development of cloud-native apps and better allocate compute and storage resources for applications at the edge.

APEX Cloud Services with VMware Cloud adds managed VMware Tanzu Kubernetes Grid services, which allows IT teams to help developers move faster by using a container-based approach to application development. With Dell-managed Tanzu services, customers can provision Kubernetes clusters through the vSphere user interface. Organizations also will be able to speed development efforts by building, testing and running cloud-native applications alongside traditional applications on the same platform.

APEX Private Cloud and APEX Hybrid Cloud offer new compute-only options that allow customers to support more workloads and increase IT infrastructure efficiency by independently scaling compute and storage resources. Organizations can start small and scale their infrastructure as their IT needs change. Customers can use Dell’s industry-leading enterprise storage data services by connecting compute-only instances to Dell storage such as APEX Data Storage Services.

“APEX Hybrid Cloud lets us manage our multicloud environment seamlessly and gain better insights into our VMware workloads. It’s allowed us to reduce the cost of supporting applications and workloads by 20%,” said Ben Doyle, chief information officer, ATN International. “We stood up the Dell APEX solution quickly, and we easily moved 70% of our infrastructure to it in under three months. We look forward to working with Dell Technologies to expand our cloud footprint moving forward.”

Dell Validated Designs for AI – AutoML uses AI to democratize data science

Dell Validated Designs for AI – Automatic Machine Learning (AutoML) uses automated machine learning models to help data scientists of all skill levels develop AI-powered applications.

The solution includes tested and proven configurations of Dell VxRail hyperconverged infrastructure with H2O.ai, NVIDIA and VMware software to help customers speed time to insight from data with automation that delivers up to 18x faster AI models.6

Organizations report 20% faster time to value with Dell Validated Designs for AI, helping data scientists of all skill levels develop AI-powered applications faster. VMware Tanzu in Dell Validated Designs for AI provides greater container security and allows customers to run AI at the edge using VMware Tanzu services.

Availability

  • New Dell VxRail solutions will be globally available beginning in the second half of 2022.
  • Managed VMware Tanzu Kubernetes Grid for APEX Cloud Services with VMware Cloud are available now in the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia and New Zealand with additional global availability forthcoming.
  • APEX Private Cloud and APEX Hybrid Cloud updates are available in the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany in September with additional global availability forthcoming.
  • Dell Validated Designs for AI – Automatic Machine Learning (AutoML) is globally available now.

 

Iconic beauty meets acoustic superiority in the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8

Stylish, sustainable, and supremely acoustically engineered, the new Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 represents the pinnacle of home portable speakers. The latest in the iconic Onyx Studio line of premium Bluetooth speakers, the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 is elegantly crafted with sustainable materials and underpinned by the uncompromising audio quality the brand is renowned for. Enjoy room-filling sound whether you’re listening to your favourite playlist or attending crystal-clear conference calls.

Made with recycled plastic, the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 also features speaker grille fabric woven from recycled polyester yarn. Consistent with the brand’s commitment to more sustainable practices, the product packaging meets FSC-certified standards for responsible forest management and paper use, and FSC-certified paper-based packaging is printed with eco-friendly soy ink. Make a beautiful impact on your everyday life while reducing your impact on the planet with the Harman
Kardon Onyx Studio 8.

Crafted with Harman Kardon’s unrivalled audio expertise, the single 120mm woofer and twin 20mm tweeter design produces outstanding performance, with 8 hours of battery life ensuring you never miss a beat. Use the sleek, anodised aluminium handle to carry stunning stereo sound with you, anywhere.

For an even more personalised experience, the Onyx Studio 8 automatically calibrates itself for the best sound when you move the speaker from one room to another. Easily pair two devices with Bluetooth and take turns playing favourite tracks, or wirelessly pair two Onyx Studio 8 speakers together for a wider, more detailed stereo sound experience.

Crafted for calls as well as music, the dual microphone design ensures far-field voice clarity, liberating you to enjoy crystal clear hands-free calls from practically anywhere in the room. “The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 marks a step change in our design and manufacturing at Harman Kardon. On the surface it may look like the latest iteration of our beautifully crafted Onyx Studio product line, however the switch to using recycled plastic and our paper-based packaging demonstrates our commitment to reducing the impact of our products on the environment without making any compromises on the quality and performance of our products,” said Dave Rogers, President, HARMAN Lifestyle Division.
Available in 3 colours (black, champagne and dark blue), the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 is
available from late October 2022 for £249.

JBL Bar 1000 the flagship of four new Dolby Atmos JBL soundbars

Be immersed in 3D surround sound with JBL’s latest soundbar launches, including the feature-packed JBL Bar 1000. A true home cinema experience without wires, the 7.1.4 channel JBL Bar 1000 uses four up-firing drivers to envelop you in a sphere of Dolby Atmos® and DTS:X 3D surround sound. The JBL Bar 300, JBL Bar 500 and JBL Bar 800 join the JBL Bar 1000 to complete the all-new JBL Bar Series.

Be in the centre of the action as the JBL Bar 1000, with its detachable wireless surround speakers and 10’’ wireless subwoofer, invite you to experience movies, games and music like never before.
Just place the two detachable battery-powered surround speakers behind you and get swept away in amazing audio, free from wires or extra power connections. In addition to HARMAN’s unique MultiBeam™ technology, the JBL Bar 1000’s four up-firing drivers create realistic, accurate height effects for true Dolby Atmos® and DTS:X 3D surround sound.

Never miss a word of dialogue, even when the surround effects are at their peak. All four of the new soundbars feature PureVoice technology, using JBL’s unique algorithm to optimise voice clarity so you can follow even the most complex plot.
For those looking for a smaller setup without compromising on sound, the JBL Bar 800 is a worthy alternative. Like the JBL Bar 1000, the JBL Bar 800 has detachable wireless surround speakers, using two up-firing drivers to create real height for Dolby Atmos® 3D surround sound that goes above and beyond. The 10’’ subwoofer creates an immersive cinematic experience that can be personalised to suit any movie, game or playlist through the JBL One app.

The JBL Bar 500 brings movies to life with MultiBeam™, Dolby Atmos® 3D surround sound, and thrilling bass from the wireless 10″ subwoofer, while the JBL Bar 300 is a compact, all-in-one MultiBeam TM and Dolby Atmos® powered solution for those looking for extraordinary 3D sound and to save on space.

The JBL One app lets you set up easily and browse integrated music platforms to find your new favourite song. Plus, fully customisable EQ settings make for a personalised listening experience. Enhanced connectivity and effortless control. Simply link any of the new JBL Bar range with your voice assistant-enabled device and you can instantly ask Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri to stream all your favourite music to the soundbar. Each of the new soundbars also allow access to over 300
online music streaming services through AirPlay 2, Alexa MRM and Chromecast built-in™. Enjoy all your favourite audio content, Internet radio, and podcasts in high definition.

“The entire new JBL Bar range is truly taking the bar to the next level; however it is the JBL Bar 1000 that stands out for me. To pack this many features, drivers and the resulting jaw-dropping acoustic performance into one slim, easy-to-use soundbar is an incredible feature and I am proud of our team for delivering such a product.” said Dave Rogers, President, HARMAN Lifestyle Division.
The new additions to the Bar Series will be available at jbl.com starting from October 2022.

Availability Oct 2022 Oct 2022 Sept 2022 Sept 2022
Price £999.99 £799.99 £499.99 £349.99

Smart innovation meets ultimate high-fidelity audio with the new JBL Tour PRO 2 True Wireless and Tour ONE M2 headphones

JBL launches its most powerful and feature-rich headphones yet – meet the JBL Tour PRO 2 True Wireless Earbuds and the JBL Tour ONE M2 headphones. The latest additions to the JBL Tour line-up push performance to the next level with a smart, seamless user experience and superior audio, including immersive JBL Spatial Sound and the first true wireless
earbuds to be encased in JBL’s innovative smart case.

JBL Tour PRO 2 launches with the world’s first smart charging case. Transform your TWS experience beyond audio – just tap the 1.45” LED touch display to manage your music, customise your earbuds, receive calls, messages and social media notifications in real time without touching your phone. Enjoy simplified navigation and customisation without the need to take out your phone or open the JBL Headphones app – the Tour PRO 2 smart charging case connects you to the things that
matter most.

Built for productivity, designed to inspire. Optimise ANC performance by taking the Ear Canal Test in a noisy environment, then relax in pure silence as the software does the rest. If you need to take a call, the 6 mic design guarantees crystal clear audio – with the JBL Tour PRO 2, you’ll sound as good as you look.

Outperforming the competition and JBL’s own previous headphones, the JBL Tour ONE M2 combines JBL’s best-ever hybrid True Adaptive ANC with JBL Pro-tuned drivers to fill your ears with only the best sound whether on-the-go, at work or at home. True Adaptive ANC technology automatically adjusts to the surroundings in real time, eliminating distractions and maximising your listening experience. Advanced built-in voice recognition reacts to your voice, pauses music and enables Ambient Aware. Ready to get back to it? Your music and JBL’s next level True Adaptive ANC automatically resume once the conversation is over.
With up to 50 hours of playtime, or 30 hours with ANC activated, they’ll outlast even the longest trip.

JBL Tour One M2 headphones – techbuzzireland

Forgot to charge and need to dash? Fast charge means 10 minutes plugged in and you’ll have 5 hours of legendary JBL Pro Sound. Set up a customised hearing profile with Harman’s advanced Personi-Fi 2.0 for the ultimate personalised sound performance. “We are delighted to introduce the latest JBL Tour line up – the JBL Tour PRO 2 and the JBL Tour ONE M2. Our JBL Tour products are always pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in headphones, and our two new products are packed with innovative technologies. I am delighted with what we have created, particularly the smart charging case of the JBL Tour PRO 2. In our pursuit of new user-centric features, we haven’t ignored the essentials, however, we continue to elevate the
audio experience.” said Dave Rogers, President, HARMAN Lifestyle Division.

The JBL Tour PRO 2 and the JBL Tour ONE M2 will be available in Black and Champagne from
January 2023 on uk.jbl.com for £220 and £279.99 respectively.

Features of the JBL Tour PRO 2: as seen in feature image
● True adaptive noise cancelling with customisable ANC and ambient sound
● 10mm dynamic drivers powered by legendary JBL PRO sound
● Customisable sound experience with Personi-fi 2.0
● Immersive JBL Spatial Sound
● 40 hours total music playback (10 hours in the earbuds with a further 30 in the case)
● 6-mic perfect calls with VoiceAware

● Bluetooth 5.3 LE audio compatible
● Oval Tube design with multiple ear tip sizes for comfort, performance and the perfect seal

Features of the JBL Tour ONE M2:
● True adaptive noise cancelling with customisable ANC and ambient sound
● 40mm dynamic drivers tuned by legendary JBL PRO sound
● Customisable sound experience with Personi-fi 2.0
● 4-mic superior calls with VoiceAware
● Immersive JBL Spatial Sound
● Up to 50 hours total music playback (30 hours with ANC activated)
● Bluetooth 5.3 LE audio compatible
● Comfortable, compact, foldable design and just 268g in weight