Imagine you had a single key for every lock you use. You could lock and unlock your house and gym locker and start your car all with a single key.
Now imagine that key is stolen and your whole life is available to a stranger.
Reusing passwords is a dangerous habit a lot of people still have. It’s high time we change that since it brings nothing but trouble!
Having A Master Password Is Far From Good
The reason behind this is simple – once the master password gets compromised, your other accounts are put at risk as well. If that happens and your passwords get into the wrong hands, you’ll be lucky to recover even a portion of your accounts.
Your password can get compromised via a massive data breach. If this happens while you have the single same password for everything, then chances are your other accounts are going down as well.
Dictionary Attacks Are a Thing
Another reason to reevaluate your password game is dictionary-based password decoding, aka dictionary attacks. With this type of attack, a hacker will try to guess your password by using actual words (from the dictionary).
That’s why you should avoid using real words in your passwords. The best passwords are the ones that are the most random, like this one: fA38!TP?A}.
Your Business Accounts Will Be At Risk As Well
Imagine your password gets cracked and the hacker has control over your email account. Is your email connected to your business account? Is it connected to your professional social media profile or your LinkedIn? You see where this is going.
It is strongly advised to change passwords often, especially for business accounts. You don’t want sensitive info getting out. Some hackers even crack passwords with the intention of breaching business accounts simply because of their higher value.
So, What Can You Do About It?
The very first thing you can do is change your main email password right now! Use a complex combination of symbols, numbers, and letters. Once that’s taken care of, set up a 2-Factor Authenticator (biometrics are great if you have access to them).
Now that your main email is secured, try to implement these into your password regimen:
Change passwords every once in a while.
Watch out for phishing. Any email that asks you for your password is suspicious!.
Never give your password to anyone. Even if Mark Zuckerberg himself asks you for your Facebook password, you say “no”.
All of this can sound a bit cumbersome, but cybersecurity is no joke. If you find password hygiene difficult, you can resort to a password manager. It’s an app that helps you create and maintain your passwords without the remembering part.
Protect Your Digital Privacy – Make Better Passwords
It’s ok to make mistakes. After all, no one taught us in school about password hygiene, right? As long as you use strong and unique passwords and change them every once in a while, you should be good.
Just remember to diversify your passwords game and never use the same password twice.
In a world where 60% of employees say a hybrid work model is their ideal work arrangement, only three in ten (30%) strongly agree that their organisation provides them with the necessary technology to collaborate equally and inclusively from anywhere. This is according to Jabra’s 2022 edition of the Hybrid Ways of Working Global Report, carried out amongst 2,800 knowledge workers across six countries worldwide to understand the employee sentiments and motivations in this hybrid working era.
The future of work is virtual-first. With hundreds of millions of people collaborating on Teams, Zoom, and other unified communications platforms every day, these digital environments are the new standard for how we connect to one another. In fact, many employees have only ever met some of their colleagues on these platforms. Because of this, it is critical that leaders do all they can to get the most out of the virtual workspace, so employees can create more human and authentic relationships with their colleagues.
Professional audio technology impacts meeting inclusivity
Jabra’s research found that users of professional audio devices reported feeling more included in virtual meetings than those using either consumer audio devices or the microphones and speakers built into their laptops. In fact, users of professional headsets globally were 11% less likely to feel left out of the conversation in virtual meetings than consumer device or built-in audio users. Similarly, professional headset users were 14% less likely to report not being able to hear what’s being said in the meeting than built-in users and 12% less likely than consumer device users.
At present, only 29% of workers are using professional audio devices. As 87% of all meetings are either fully virtual or hybrid, with only 13% happening fully in person, it’s crucial that employees are able to make the most of them with purpose-built technologies. A lack of proper technology may make relationship-building in these virtual environments more tenuous and difficult than it needs to be.
Organisations that prioritise meeting equity have higher hybrid meeting engagement
Since the start of the pandemic and alongside the rise of hybrid work, the term “meeting equity” has entered the discussion to explore how organisations can create equitable virtual environments. In a traditional meeting room, every meeting participant has a place at the table and has equal opportunity to contribute to the meeting. However, a hybrid meeting setting consists of both physical and virtual meeting participants, so true meeting equity becomes harder to achieve.
Luckily, the research finds that organisations that take active steps towards achieving greater meeting equity are likely to increase engagement in hybrid meetings. In fact, 48% of hybrid workers say that their organisation priorities meeting equity, resulting in 53% saying they’re just as engaged in hybrid meetings as face-to-face meetings. This is compared to only 34% of full-time in-office workers who say that their level of engagement in hybrid meetings matches that of face-to-face meetings; amongst in-office workers, 32% feel their organisation prioritises meeting equity. Leaders need to take decisive steps to address meeting equity, regardless of the primary type of work model their organisation practices.
Video increases inclusion and productivity in virtual environments
Roughly half of all employees (49%) consider their office to be their laptop, headset, and wherever they can get a strong internet connection. But the research found a key location-agnostic way to impact an employees’ wellbeing and productivity levels: video. Sixty-two percent of employees say they feel more included and present in meetings when everyone attending has their camera turned on.
Similarly, 53% feel they can collaborate more productively on video calls than on audio-only calls. This is likely why 68% of employees say that standardised professional video cameras would help everyone participate equally in hybrid meetings. Moving forward, leaders have an urgent need to look into the best technology to inclusively connect all employees and business partners no matter where they’re working. This will be an essential part of achieving greater meeting equity and succeeding in the hybrid future.
Holger Reisinger, SVP at Jabra, said: “The way we work has changed forever and the current state of knowledge work requires access to digital platforms and technologies to be successful. As such, leaders need to prioritise the employee experience and ensure that they can thrive in virtual meetings regardless of location. It starts with identifying technologies that will enable both in-office and remote employees to collaborate on an equal playing field, so employees can seamlessly move between these places without feeling left out, unheard, or distracted. Only then will employees truly be able to work a flexible arrangement on their own terms and have a stronger emotional connection to both their digital and physical workspace.”
Jabra, leaders in personal sound and office solutions, has launched the Engage 55, the newest product in Jabra’s Engage series. Engineered to enhance your communications, the latest headset comes with the highest DECT security with military-grade 256-bit encryption and noise cancelling technology. It also has an extensive wireless range, set to enable hybrid call professionals to make calls whenever or wherever they can, taking ‘walk and talk’ to new lengths.
The Jabra Engage 55 is a brand-new DECT wireless professional headset designed for superior conversation quality. It comes with improved noise-cancelling technology and microphone performance, enabling more employees to have meetings in the same space without any interference. The Engage 55 also offers the best level of security of any wireless headset available, which makes it the ideal headset for those working across all industries, remotely or otherwise.
Virtual fatigue
The average UC user is said to spend more time on calls than ever before. Statistics* show that annual Zoom meeting minutes increased by 3,300% in 2020-21 and there was a 645% increase in active MS Teams users within the same time frame. Research** also found that a person’s credibility in virtual calls relies on their audio quality; the poorer the quality, the less credible we consider someone to be. When we experience poor quality audio online, our brain naturally strains to figure out what is being said. If this is done continuously, energy and alertness is drained, which then impacts wellbeing and productivity. Getting the online experience right is therefore extremely important to ensuring employees’ do not suffer from virtual fatigue.
Crystal clear conversations
With virtual meetings becoming the standard for businesses, it’s more crucial than ever for employees to be heard and be able to speak freely with their co-workers or customers without being interrupted or having their voices muffled. The Jabra Engage 55 therefore has a noise cancelling and voice enhancing microphone that removes background sounds whilst keeping your voice crystal clear for more focused conversation experiences.
With employees being in calls for hours every day, it’s more important than ever to protect their hearing. Therefore, the Engage 55 also offers additional hearing protection benefits. Jabra SafeTone 2.0™ provides speech level normalisation, which allows the user to adjust the volume level of incoming calls according to their preferences. The headset also has intelligent acoustic shock protection, which reduces potentially harmful noise levels without affecting the audio quality. As well as this, it has PeakStop at 105 dB, the proactive removal of sudden loud sounds and BalancedVoice™, in which incoming sound is processed to be clearer without increasing the level.
Maximum security
The current trend of remote working makes companies more vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Therefore, security is more important than ever. Cybercrime rises due to eavesdropping and the data breaches this causes, and there is the growing importance of safeguarding client discussions, which often involve sensitive information. The Engage 55 includes additional features that make it the safest professional wireless headset on the market. The connection between the wireless adapter and the headset is certified to the highest DECT Security – Level C – making it ultra-secure. It also has additional FIPS military-grade 256-bit encryption algorithms to effectively prevent eavesdropping on conversations.
For added mobility, the Engage 55 features a long wireless range. With a range of up to 150 meters/490 feet, the Engage 55 gives employees the freedom to move around their home or office work environments without compromising call quality. The headset comes with a link 400 USB DECT adapter that is bigger and able to stay securely in place when plugged in. The adapter is not only more advanced than its counterparts, but designed to last.
The lightweight design of the headset also ensures a personalised fit with adaptable ear cups suited for all-day comfort. There is a choice in wearing styles; with stereo, mono and convertible styles, there is an option for every user. To save any issues with setting up, the headset comes pre-paired out of the box with a visible status light, which indicates to your surrounding if you’re busy and don’t want to be disturbed. The new Engage headset works with all leading Unified Communications and Contact Centre platforms, including MS Teams, Zoom, Cisco, Unify, Amazon Chime, Google Meet, Avaya, Unify and Alcatel Lucent.
“Research clearly shows that security is an increasing factor for businesses when deciding on new call technology. At the same time, safeguarding information exchange should not affect call quality, customer satisfaction, and staff productivity,” said Anders Hvelplund, SVP of Call-Centric BU and Global Services at Jabra. “With the Jabra Engage 55, anyone who engages in back-to-back calls are guaranteed a superior call experience, and those who work remotely will no longer have to be concerned about eavesdropping and therefore data breaches.”
Key features of the Engage 55:
Premium open office microphone – Filters out background noise for crystal clear conversations
Military grade security – Level C DECT security
Up to 150m/490ft connectivity range – 15x larger than the range of any Class 2 Bluetooth device
Link 400 DECT USB dongle – with durable ‘puck’ design for easy transportation
Professional speech clarity – Speakers optimised for speech quality
Works with all leading Unified Communications and Contact Centre platforms – MS Teams, Zoom, Cisco, Unify, Amazon Chime, Google Meet, Avaya, Unify, Alcatel Lucent
Today, House of Marley announces the launch of its Redemption ANC 2 True Wireless Earbuds with compatible iOS and Android app for a bold and customisable listening experience. For the first time ever, the House of Marley app is available to download and pair with your Redemption ANC 2 earbuds for complete control over your personalised sound profile, touch controls, pairing names and more.
SUSTAINABLY-MINDED
House of Marley’s eco-conscious identity was created in collaboration with the Marley family to carry on Bob Marley’s legacy of love for music and planet. This commitment to sustainability and craftsmanship continues with the Redemption ANC 2. The earbuds are crafted from mindfully sourced materials, using highly-renewable bamboo, natural wood fiber composite, and recycled plastics, and come in 100% plastic-free recyclable packaging. In addition to creating thoughtfully and sustainably designed products like the Redemption ANC 2, House of Marley’s global give back initiative Project Marley supports global reforestation and ocean preservation through One Tree Planted and Surfrider Foundation.
HYBRID ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION
The Redemption ANC 2 earbuds integrate Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Ambient Mode features, so you can decide how much of the outside world to let in. Seamlessly switch between Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Ambient mode to take control of your environment at the tap of your finger.
NEW HOUSE OF MARLEY APP
House of Marley’s new iOS and Android app offers a personalised listening experience like never before. Take command of your Redemption ANC 2 with full customisation of your sound profile (EQ), pairing name and customised touch controls, as well as quick access to user guides and firmware updates.
EVERYDAY COMFORT
Designed for your everyday commute or daily sweat session, the Redemption ANC 2 offers an ergonomic fit and soft gel ear tips for music lovers on the move. Choose from three sizes of included ear tips to find the perfect fit.
NEW FEATURES
For exceptional call clarity, the Redemption ANC 2 is engineered with a total of six high-performance microphones offering Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Echo Noise Cancellation. Redemption ANC 2 also supports wireless charging, so you’re free to place the streamlined case on any charging pad to top off your battery. Finally, designed to keep up with active lifestyles, these earbuds are IPX5 water and sweat-resistant.
REDEMPTION ANC 2 FEATURES
Made from Bamboo, REGRIND™ Bamboo Fiber Composite, REWIND™ Cable from 99% Post Consumer PE
100% Plastic free, recyclable packaging
Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) with Ambient Mode Feature for flexible listening no matter your surroundings
6 microphone technology with ANC and Echo Noise Cancellation for crystal clear call clarity
6-hour playtime, up to 24 hours total with case
Touch controls easily play, pause, or change music, take calls and more
Water-splash resistant design (IPX5) protects against sweat and rain
Marley iOS/Android Application for changing EQ, ANC level, paring name, custom controls, and Firmware updates
Wireless Charging Case
20M Range
3 sizes of ear tips (S,M,L)
Redemption ANC 2 is available in Signature Black now at www.houseofmarley.co.uk and select retailers nationwide for RRP £149.99. Cream colour coming this summer. Download the iOS or Android apps to pair with your earbuds.
Soundcore, Anker Innovations’ premium audio brand, today unveiled the Motion Boom Plus Bluetooth speaker, a new speaker that delivers up to 80 Watts of powerful audio output for an on-the-go outdoor music experience with a built-in handle and carrying strap. Integrating the portable design and extended 20-hour battery life, the Motion Boom Plus is ready to rock a party anytime, anywhere.
“Combining an IP67 rating with its upgraded woofers, newly added tweeters, more power, and portable carry handle, the Motion Boom Plus is the ideal Bluetooth speaker for the park or at an outdoor pool or beach party,” said Frank Zhu, General Manager of Soundcore’s Speaker division. “We’ve also made it two times louder than its predecessor to help keep the party going, all day and all night long.”
Enhanced Sound Performance
The Motion Boom Plus features upgraded titanium drivers and BassUp technology, offering users punchy bass and detailed high end. To produce the full audible frequency range and keep the overall balance of Soundcore’s sound signature, the Motion Boom Plus comes equipped with dual 3.5-inch woofers, powered each by 30 Watts (60W Total). Combined with the passive bass radiators on the ends of the speaker, the Motion Boom Plus can accurately reproduce bass notes from any genre of music. Additionally, it also utilizes dual 1-inch tweeters, powered each by 10 Watts (20W Total) to effortlessly play the delicate high and mid-range frequencies found in vocals, woodwind and stringed instruments or favorite dance music.
Portable Outdoor Design
With the removable shoulder strap and built-in handle, the Motion Boom Plus brings a new level of portability to music lovers. Additionally, the floatable design and IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating make it perfect for almost any location, including pools and beaches without worrying about getting wet or sandy, while ensuring the speaker delivers the perfect soundtrack wherever it goes.
Soundcore motion boom plus and app
Extended Battery Life and Customized Listener Experience
With its 13,400 mAh internal battery, the Motion Boom Plus provides up to 20 hours of playtime, giving partygoers uninterrupted entertainment from sunrise to sunset. Through the Soundcore PartyCast feature, users can pair up to 100 compatible Soundcore PartyCast speakers together (Flare 2, Rave PartyCast, Soundcore 3, Trance Go, etc.) to amplify the expressive audio experience. The Motion Boom Plus also allows users to personalize the sound via the user-adjustable EQ function found in the Soundcore app.
Availability and Pricing
The Motion Boom Plus is slated to be available for purchase on May 30th for $179.99 in the US, £189.99 in the UK; € 179.99 EUR in Germany and Europe and $229.99 CAD in Canada on Amazon.com, Soundcore.com and other retail partners. The Motion Boom Plus will also be available for pre-order on Soundcore’s website at: www.soundcore.com in the US in each market in Canada, UK, or Germany.
Northern Ireland has been dubbed the UK’s biggest tech hoarder following research released today by MPB, the world’s largest online platform to buy, sell and trade used photo and video kit. Results revealed 95% of residents have at least one unused tech item in their home more than any other UK region and half (51%) have at least 10 unused gadgets lying around their home; trumping the national average of 36%.
The region collectively sits on £2.6 billion (£2,639,157,869.20*) worth of unused tech and it comes as no surprise as a whopping 78% of respondents state they haven’t sold their unwanted devices in the last 10 years. Now residents have accumulated a hidden gadget goldmine primarily made up of smartphones, computer accessories, TVs, monitors and cameras.
Half of respondents surveyed (47%) believe that they won’t get much money for their devices, however research finds that offloading their gadgets could be worth their while; out of all the UK regions surveyed, people in Northern Ireland have the second highest value of unused tech per person.
In fact, residents can almost double their average monthly salary of £1,948 if they sold their unwanted tech which holds an average value of £1814.64 per person. Despite this, a fifth of residents (20%) say they cling onto their old devices because they don’t have the time to sell them with a further 18% proclaiming selling unused tech is “too much effort”.
Matt Barker, Founder and CEO of MPB, comments: “There is no better time to pocket some extra cash by selling devices that would otherwise be taking up space. Today, there are plenty of online platforms that can do the heavy lifting for you, meaning you can go through the entire quoting, selling and posting process without leaving the home.”
When looking at some of the most common unused devices, responses reveal that Northern Ireland has more unused cameras than any other UK region. 66% have one or more used cameras with a further 1 in 10 (12%) admitting they had three cameras lying around. It’s a good thing too as cameras are the second most valuable category of unused tech in the region worth £200.30 on average. Some respondents acknowledged they could make even more from their unwanted cameras with 15% stating that just one of their models alone could exceed a resale value of £500.
Matt Barker continued: “When you think about offloading your unwanted gadgets don’t forget about your cameras, chances are it could make you more money than selling an old smartphone.
Camera kit has an extraordinarily long life compared to other tech devices, which is why their value depreciates so little. In fact, you could even make more money than what you bought the kit for. Because of factors such as chip shortages, increased shipping costs and market demand we are seeing popular camera brands increase their prices.”
MPB analysed the average price movement across the top 100 photography models consumers receive quotes for on its site and found from March 2020 to March 2022 the average model appreciated in value by 1.6%.
Following this survey, MPB created a report revealing the value of unused tech across the nation and the buying and selling behaviours of UK consumers. To view the full report featuring further data and infographics visit https://www.mpb.com/en-uk/info/unused-tech-survey/
The display manufacturer Ynvisible has signed an exclusive licensing agreement with RISE for sole rights to the research institute’s energy-efficient electrochromic display technology. Twenty years of research lay behind RISE electrochromic displaypatents that are now being licensed. For the research institute RISE, it is important to ensure that innovations can be commercialized and thus strengthen the business community in Sweden.
RISE’s electrochromic display technology underpins Ynvisible’s energy-efficient e-paper display. Ynvisible has had a non-exclusive licensing agreement to RISE electrochromic display technology since 2020, which has led the international display manufacturer to invest in commercial production of printed electronics in Sweden. The research and development collaboration between the companies is now being expanded and intensified, as Ynvisible licenses a part of RISE extensive IP portfolio in electrochromics.
“Printed and organic electronics have evolved tremendously over the last few years,” says Duncan Platt, Unit Manager at RISE. “Electrochromism is a key technology for developing green electronics and we believe Ynvisible is well positioned to commercialize the technology.”
With solar cells, the energy-efficient display can be powered entirely without a battery, it has lower electricity consumption and creates less electronic waste than conventional display technology. At the heart of the technology is an ink that changes color at altered voltages. It creates a color shift that allows different zones or segments on the display to be turned on and off. The displays are thin and flexible, and at the same time, their robust design enables them to be used in several different areas. For example, they can be configured as smart labels in logistics and pharmaceutical packaging or for retail and outdoor signage.
Twenty years of research lay behind RISE’s patented electrochromic display technology. The chemical and materials research behind the display technology is derived from Linköping University and RISE. Printed Electronics Arena is operated by RISE and run in close cooperation with Linköping University. The testbed is funded by Vinnova, Region Östergötland, Norrköping Municipality, and the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation.
A majority of the biggest names in the music industry have relied on Shure microphones to capture some of the most memorable moments in history. Trusted by global superstars, celebrated activists, world leaders, comedians, and musicians, the SM58® Vocal Microphone, Super 55 and 55SH are simply extraordinary. Shure is proud to kick off its Iconic Mic Celebration—an annual global campaign that begins on May 2 and runs through May 8. This week celebrates the distinguished history of the Super 55, 55SH, SM58, and other celebrated Shure microphones including the SM57 and SM7B.
The Iconic Mic Celebration will honor the rich history of the SM58 as the number one microphone used globally, as well as the Super 55 and 55SH, known consistently as two of the world’s most recognisable microphones. Their prominent status in the music industry spans multiple decades and generations. Introduced in 1966, the acclaimed SM58 is designed for professional vocal use in live performance, sound reinforcement, and studio recording. It is known for its superior acoustic engineering and durability—setting the global standard for performance microphones. The Model 55 Unidyne defines classic design just as much today as it did nearly 80 years ago when it made its official debut.
“After decades of success, adoption, and powering remarkable moments, the Shure SM58, Super 55 and 55SH are considered staples of the music community,” said Eduardo Valdes, Associate Vice President of Global Marketing, Professional & Consumer Audio, at Shure. “We are honoured that musicians, performers, creators and Shure fans around the world have trusted our microphones to express their passion and creativity, making them truly legendary. These products are not only superior in performance and durability but are also vital to so many industries and celebrated by fans across the globe on a daily basis. We are excited to celebrate and honour the longstanding history of the Super 55, 55SH and SM58 during this special week.”
The Shure Iconic Mic Celebration will feature a video commemorating the microphones, limited edition t-shirts, customised Colorware giveaways of the 55SH and SM58, various regional events, raffles and promotions, including a month-long promotion for the SM58 throughout May. Thanks to the passion, talent, and creativity of the most eminent artists and leaders who have trusted Shure, the microphones have become legends themselves.
Bluesound, makers of the award-winning hi-res wireless multi-room line of audio players, announces the HUB, a game-changing network accessory that connects to a variety of analog and digital audio sources, bringing them into the Bluesound ecosystem for multi-room streaming. Retail availability of the HUB is expected in mid-June and is priced at USD $319 / EUR €349 / GBP £309 / CAD $419.
ANY SOURCE, IN ANY ROOM
Streaming audio is more flexible than ever with the HUB. Easily add a Bluesound HUB to any non-BluOS enabled audio source and transmit music to one or many Bluesound players around the home. Audio sources like a turntable or CD player instantly become network-connected and are new sources from which your Bluesound system can play music. The HUB unlocks the problem of geography in letting users stream vinyl wirelessly for the first time.
PLENTY OF CONNECTIVITY OPTIONS
From TVs to CD players, turntables to the latest gadgets, a host of inputs on the back panel: HDMI eARC, Coaxial, Digital Optical, Stereo Analog, and a moving magnet Phono stage supports the vast majority of music devices. Each HUB manages one source, and up to four (4) HUBs can be added to a single network.
EASY SETUP. EASY CONTROL.
Equipped with BluOS, the HUB makes adding audio sources simple using the BluOS Controller app setup wizard. A few taps on the familiar BluOS app controls a whole multi-room system from a smartphone, tablet or computer.
MINIMAL WIRES. NO MESS. NO HASSLE.
Simplicity is guaranteed with the HUB. With a 1U rack height, and 1/3rd rack width, external USB-C connected power supply, the HUB can easily be placed on shelves, behind TVs, or mounted with four different orientation options using its two keyhole mounting slots.
THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS.
Streaming music fans who also love vinyl will be especially appreciative of the HUB’s built-in audiophile-grade MM phono stage preamp that brings audio from your turntable to any Bluesound player for whole-home turntable streaming. The HUB acts like a networked low noise, wide-bandwidth phono pre-amp, delivering spectacular audio quality for vinyl enjoyment in any or every room of a home at hi-fidelity.
Bluesound HUB
Key Highlights of the Bluesound HUB:
– Network Audio Source-sharing with BluOS™
– Low-noise MM Phono Stage
– Stereo Analog Line Input
– HDMI eARC with CEC
– Optical and Coaxial Digital Inputs
– ARM® CORTEX™ A53 Processor
– Dual-band Wi-Fi + Gigabit Ethernet
– Powered by USB-C Power Adaptor
– 1U Rack Height, 1/3 Rack Width
– Four-way Keyhole Mounting Slots
– Front Panel Function Button
– Black Finish
