Despite over 27 million Britons admitting they worry about losing money to online fraud, three-quarters (75%) of the nation could be putting their finances and savings at risk by using the same password for their online banking as other online accounts, increasing the risk of bank account fraud. Staggeringly, there are more than 40 billion records of personal information captured from consumers globally, according to cyber security experts, F-Secure.
The new study, which delves into Britons’ password habits, also found that one in 10 people have had their online banking hacked. Yet, in a strange twist of contradiction, almost 80% of people won’t change their passwords even when they’ve been notified that an account has been compromised.
The disconnect between worry and risk has been revealed in the latest research released today, which shows that lax password habits continue to be commonplace. When it comes to password hygiene more broadly, more than a third[1] still use the same password, or variations of it, for several protected accounts and Gen-Z are the worst creatures of habit with 41% keeping to the same password.
Security experts at F-Secure are urging the British public to improve their password habits this World Password Day (5th May) as cyber criminals exploit weak passwords for theft and identity fraud.
Further findings in the research, also revealed that since the pandemic, the number of online accounts Britons now have has almost doubled – going from 18 to 32. This growth is likely to have been accelerated by the pace of digitalisation over the past two years when many analogue services migrated online.
The research also revealed that rather than use a password manager that allows users to store, generate and manage their passwords, 42% of Britons say they simply memorise passwords, whilst a quarter keep a note of them online, on their phone or written down on paper.
Tom Gaffney, Principal Consultant at F-Secure comments: “There is a clear disconnect between the worries Britons have about cyber security versus their behaviour and attitudes to password management, likely because it’s perceived to be more convenient to have simple, easy to remember passwords. A fifth of account holders choose passwords that contain personal words or numbers. While this may make passwords easy to remember, choosing convenience over security makes passwords weak and predictable, allowing hackers to crack them in seconds. Reusing the same passwords across multiple services is dangerous even if other security mechanisms such as 2FA are in place. While 2FA adds an important layer of security, it still has its weaknesses.
“Cybercrime is a very serious and realistic threat that can have devastating consequences. There are millions of us openly exposing ourselves to the risk of fraud every day. While 36% are using unique passwords across all of their accounts there is room for improvement. We should all be using unique passwords. Many people don’t realise there are some quick and easy ways to improve password habits to close the security disconnect and mitigate risk. If you make one change this World Password Day, make sure your online banking passwords are completely unique, and use a combination of random letters, numbers and characters.”
To help Britons employ effective security measures, F-Secure’s team of cyber security experts have provided these top tips for password safety:
Avoid using consecutive letters that sit consecutively on a keyboard ‘dfghj’ or ‘qwerty’
Never use slang terms or common misspellings or words spelled backward, these can be accessed using software hackers are familiar with using.
Don’t use names of spouses, children, close relatives, pets or anyone else that feature on your social profiles. They can all be discovered with a little desk research.
Never use ‘123456’ – remember when 32 million passwords were exposed in a breach, almost 1% of victims were using that number sequence.
Set up a password manager to keep your details secure. Password managers encrypt your logins so they can only be accessed when you enter a master password and plain text passwords are never stored on any devices or on the password manager’s servers.
Avoid sharing passwords to accounts like Netflix or Spotify, especially if it is the same password you use for other services.
Kleeo is a non-intrusive and highly intuitive desk booking device designed and built for the new smart workplace. The Evoko team have spent invaluable time researching work & productivity- which every single one of their products truly reflects. With Kleeo, what excites us is that it’s being launched when hybrid spaces and making workplaces smart are at their peak. The open-plan office spaces have been under scrutiny for a while now— only to have pain points accentuated during the pandemic.
Employers worldwide are in the race to provide solutions that feel safe, flexible, while remaining social-friendly or they’ll lose talent. Tools like Kleeo will accelerate adoption of the hybrid and smart workspace while removing anxiety and increasing productivity as a result of high job satisfaction.
With employee retention and satisfaction becoming a major point-of-concern, Irish software engineering teams have revealed the latest secrets for workplace happiness. According to recent data, there are over 30,000 software development professionals working all over Ireland. Working in a dynamic industry that is worth over €55 Billion, employees need to take a few extra steps to remain content, fulfilled, and happy. As a systems engineer yourself, it is critical to understand what Irish businesses are on the path to keep their teams satisfied. To get started now, read on to learn about the secrets to workplace happiness, revealed by Irish software teams.
Work Collaboratively With Engaged Teams
All across Ireland, successful development teams have come to understand the power of collaborative working. True dev-centric workplaces take all the necessary steps to remove barriers to constant collaboration. This often involves creating an open, highly-social atmosphere where teams can thrive together. With this collaborative approach, teams tend to exhibit higher levels of confidence, productivity, and overall satisfaction. In fact, most software engineers work far better when they are paired up with somebody else. It helps them troubleshoot complex issues, gain helpful feedback, and benefit from an extra skillset. Surely, working collaboratively is one of the best ways to keep Irish software development teams happy, satisfied, and fulfilled.
Leverage Cloud Native Technologies
Irish dev teams are increasingly turning to powerful cloud native technologies to foster workplace happiness and employee satisfaction. Dev companies need to leverage the best tools, technologies, and resources to keep teams happy. Cloud native solutions are known to accelerate releases, deliver superior user experience (UX), and simplify developer management processes. Plus, they support seamless containerization and cloud-standard technologies. This powerful functionality is known to make employees work far simpler, which directly contributes to their overall happiness. Of course, there are numerous solutions that can be implemented for cloud-based software development. For example, many engineers use the JFrog Platform for Cloud native DevOps. These resources help teams maintain a uniform, consistent, and structured security posture. Certainly, leveraging cloud native technologies is a major secret to workplace happiness and success.
Prioritize Work-Life Balance
According to Irish programming experts, keeping a structured work-life balance is absolutely vital to stay happy, content, and satisfied. Employees need to feel that their daily work is a small part of a rich, fulfilling lifestyle. That’s where work-life balance comes into the picture. An adequate balance keeps teams productive, less stressed, and more engaged. It also makes sure they feel valued for their company contributions. Year over year, employees with a structured work-life balance also have lower absenteeism, burnout, or sickness levels as well. After all, we can expect both their physical and mental health to be much stronger. Indeed, prioritize work-life balance to remain happy in dynamic software development environments.
Support Workplace Autonomy
Irish teams also emphasize the happiness of workplace autonomy for software developers. The most successful teams allow programmers to make important decisions on their own, without checking in with top-tier managers. In addition, employees are allowed to contribute frequent ideas and choose their own work schedules. On a leadership front, supervisors need to avoid habitual micromanagement. This often occurs when they consistently interfere with developer performance, progress, productivity. Absolutely, supporting workplace autonomy has been uncovered as one of the most effective techniques for happy employees.
Update The Scenery
Irish teams also say that the importance of nice office scenery should never be overlooked. Most importantly, employees need a space where they can relax both inside and outside. This is why so many office parks are located near a serene lake, or a park with walking trails. Or, they’ll offer an indoor gym, fitness center, or cafeteria where employees can unwind. This gives team members a chance to reset and take short breaks in between the day. Ultimately, this helps them be more productive, focused, and satisfied throughout their daily work. Definitely, try updating the scenery to promote workplace happiness throughout custom software development companies.
According to Irish software programming experts, there are several core secrets to workplace happiness and employee satisfaction. First off, encourage collaborative, engaged working environments. In addition, think about the advantages of leveraging cloud computing technologies for workplace satisfaction. It also really helps to allow employees to work autonomously. Of course, never overlook the importance of updating the scenery. This helps employees stay recharged, less stressed, and ready-to-work in the office. Follow the points highlighted above to learn about the secrets to workplace happiness, revealed by Irish development teams.
The downsides of the modern way of life are threatening the health of nations across the world. In Ireland alone, over 10,000 people died last year from cardiovascular-related diseases, and the most common cause of death was unpredictable strokes and heart failure.
However, there are promising signs of improvement with the help of technological advances that can increase the life expectancy of the nation. Keep on reading as we’ll discuss some of the new technologies on the way.
This table bythis comparison website reveals that the Irish life expectancy past 65 is significantly lacking behind other countries. Of course, like with every new technology, these revolutionary approaches are often not available to everyone. The availability is rather due to scarce medical supplies than to a lack of sufficient funds. Scientists are working on commercializing these new technologies, reducing the costs of production, and improving the chance for everyone to use them. If the new approaches and discoveries are successful, chances are these technologies will be more available to many. Until then, many hospitals still have to make selective decisions on which patients are a priority to receive treatment.
MRI and CT scans
New improvements have been made in the field of CT and MRI scans. The new advancements are estimated to ease the diagnoses and discovery of hidden tumours and underlying issues. The standard scans came with flaws and establishing a correct diagnosis has been known to be an issue. Thankfully, the new advancements may allow for more precise and more accurate diagnoses, and with the early discovery of tumours and cancer cells, the treatments and their effectiveness will be increased.
Biopharmaceuticals
The number of prevalent diseases has risen over the years, despite the many advancements made, as simultaneously the number of factors contributing to the spreading of diseases has risen as well.
As the statistics suggested, in Ireland alone, over 40,000 people are fighting these diseases each year. The biopharmaceutical industry has had an astonishing rise in the last decade. The technology behind it allows for more effective treatment of metabolic diseases and even cancer. These technologies rely on living cells, modified through cutting-edge methods. The range of diseases treatable with the technology is astonishingly broad. The modified organisms or cells are used in the treatment of cancerous cells, allergies, inflammatory tissue, and gene therapies. The treatment is specifically meant for rare disorders, but also represents an effective method of fighting cancer.
Control and management
We have so far listed the most common health concerns and issues such as cardiovascular problems, strokes, tumours, and genetic disorders. However, another common problem has become diabetes, which approximately 6% of the population of Ireland deal with. Thankfully, with sensors and insulin checkers, regulating your sugar levels has never been easier and more effective.
Better control over the issues allows for a more effective treatment. And trackers and sensors are also available for other issues: respiratory monitoring, cardiac monitoring, and health monitoring of the body during invasivetreatments, like chemo. Wearables now can allow people to track the pulse and overall condition of their body.
The control and management of such serious conditions, and even the regular control of healthy individuals, will drastically reduce death outcomes and allow longer life and more productive ones.
These bright numbers suggest a better future for the vast portion of the population. Over 200,000 individuals in Ireland have been successful in treating cancer and surviving after several sessions of chemo and radiation. Surviving a stroke or heart attack has become standard with checkers monitoring cardiac disease and with bypass operations having an almost 100% success rate. The future looks optimistic, and we can only hope the best is yet to come.
Bird, a leader in micro-mobility, and Drinkaware, the national charity working to prevent alcohol misuse in Ireland, today announced plans to roll out a public awareness campaign as soon e-scooters are legalised for use on public roads by the Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021. The Bill is currently making its way through the Oireachtas, and according to the Government’s recent Sustainable Mobility Strategy*, will be in place by the end of this year. The campaign will aim to encourage the Irish public to adopt a safety-first approach to riding e-bikes and e-scooters, and will complement the draft legislation, which sets out fines of up to €2,000 for the consumption of alcohol while using such vehicles.
Campaign imagery encouraging safe riding will soon be visible in cities and towns across Ireland. In conjunction with this, Bird plans to roll-out its Safe Start feature as soon as it launches services in Ireland. This in-app ‘checkpoint’ is designed to discourage people from riding under the influence and is already used by its riders all over the world. Between the hours of 10pm and 4am, riders attempting to unlock a Bird e-scooter or e-bike will be asked to verify that they can safely handle the vehicle by correctly entering a keyword into the app.
International data attests to the popularity and safety of e-scooters and e-bikes, and continues to show that cars remain the biggest threat to Irish road users, with a documented incident rate of 1 in 20,000 trips. Bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters have a documented incident rate involving medical treatment of less than 1 in 50,000 trips*, but research shows that up to 30% of all cyclist accidents involve alcohol.* Bird and Drinkaware will therefore be campaigning to ensure that the public understands the dangers of using any form of micro-mobility while under the influence of alcohol.
In the meantime, Bird and Drinkaware are urging e-bike riders to avoid riding while under the influence this May Bank Holiday. Any alcohol impairs judgement, making users physically unsteady and impeding their reaction times.
Victoria Springthorpe, Head of Ireland and UK Public Policy at Bird: “Safety is always our no.1 priority and so we’re thrilled to partner with Drinkaware, a leading voice on road safety in Ireland, to educate and prepare people ahead of the legalisation of e-scooters. Sometimes it’s just a case of simply reminding people of the risks, to prevent an unsafe situation.”
Sheena Horgan, CEO of Drinkaware: “Drinkaware welcomes the opportunity to partner with Bird on a campaign that ensures public safety and an understanding of the risks of drink riding. From our interactions with the public we know that there is high demand for information on drink driving, and our webpage on drink driving is consistently in the top 5 pages viewed on drinkaware.ie. New forms of transport are entering our country and we need to ensure that the public are aware of how to use these forms of transport safely and responsibly. The Department of Transport’s draft legislation sets out fines of up to €2,000 for the consumption of alcohol while using e-bikes and e-scooters. As with other policies regarding other modes of transport, the efficacy of the legislation can be boosted by a supportive public education campaign.”
This is the second safety initiative launched by Bird this year, after the company announced a partnership in January with the Irish School of Excellence, Ireland’s largest driver education programme, to establish Ireland’s first E-scooter Safety course. This course is set to be rolled out across Ireland when the Roads Traffic and Roads Bill 2021 becomes law. Covering almost 80% of schools nationally, it will have a wide reach and provide pupils with an overview of the law governing e-scooters; a guide on how to ensure pedestrian safety while using e-scooters; tuition on starting and moving off safely, as well as a tutorial on how to park safely.
Employees with full autonomy to choose where they work are happier in their job, yet only one in five are currently able to do so. And though 60% of all employees prefer hybrid working, only 39% are able to flexibly split their time between the home and office.
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, the report analyses employee sentiments and motivations around the physical workspace in this hybrid working era.
Employees say that being able to decide where and when they work positively impacts their wellbeing, happiness, and productivity levels. As hybrid working is driving the reconstruction of physical working spaces, employers need to rethink their overall working models to ensure effective collaboration and employee satisfaction.
Work from home (WFH) or work from office (WFO)
We are entering the next stage of the hybrid working journey and employees have seen that a vast majority of them still excel at their jobs regardless of where they are. At a time when several large companies are calling for a return to the office, many employees are calling for more power to determine their own work arrangement and decide if they want to WFH or WFO. The majority (53%) of employees who have full autonomy to choose where they work are currently working a hybrid workweek.
In addition, employees with full control over their work arrangement (where/when) unanimously report a higher work experience score (76%) than their medium (66%) and low autonomy (58%) counterparts. These differences are most apparent when it comes to feeling a sense of belonging, productivity, trust in leaders, work-life balance, and mental wellbeing. Globally, there is also a split in opinions across generations, as Gen Z and Millennials are more reluctant to work full time in the office, with only 19% preferring a full office week, compared to 26% of Gen X and 30% of Boomers.
Autonomy will be an essential part of improving employees’ satisfaction and engagement at work and key to stabilising the foundational pillars of organisational culture and success.
Office redesigns must be about more than physical spaces
Organisations are redesigning offices for collaboration, but the report shows that there are further considerations to bear in mind. Across all types of workers, there’s a desire to have a dedicated personal space in the office. Almost four in ten workers (37%) say they’d feel less loyalty and commitment to their company if they didn’t have a regular, permanent workspace. Meanwhile, seven in ten (71%) workers confess they’re creatures of habit: if they didn’t have a regular, permanent workspace in the office, they would still try to sit and work in the same spot every day.
In addition, Jabra’s data shows that almost nine in ten meetings (87%) are now either fully virtual or hybrid, with only 13% happening fully in person. As such, leaders will need to think very carefully about how virtual collaboration technologies can help employees feel a sense of belonging both in the office and outside of it.
The rise of the “anywhere office”
Gen Z represents a generation not only of digital natives, but also of hybrid natives. Many began their professional career during the pandemic, so remote and hybrid work is all they’ve ever known. As such, 64% of Gen Z globally consider their “office” to be their laptop, headset, and wherever they can get a strong internet connection. This highlights the growing importance of technology in defining the employee experience.
These hybrid natives are also twice as likely as Millennials, and almost three times as likely as Gen X, to say that their usual workspace is a “third space,” such as a co-working space, café, or library. As Gen Z continues to take up a larger proportion of the workforce, organisations must understand these key generational differences in location preferences in order to attract the best talent and thrive in a work-from-anywhere future. Only by providing employees with relevant technology and support can they maintain productivity, employee wellbeing, and the reputation of true professionalism from any environment.
Holger Reisinger, SVP at Jabra, said: “We’re two years into the greatest work experiment of all time. What began as a necessary shift to remote work has evolved into a long-term exploration of hybrid ways of working. As we enter the third year of this new era of work, we must think about hybrid work and our physical working spaces differently to retain and attract talent. Leaders need take a step back to ask, listen, and understand what employees truly need to enhance their hybrid work experience. Critically, we need to find a way to create a sense of belonging to a workplace that is virtual first. Give employees the power to choose their desired working space and offer them the technology, tools, and support to be productive no matter their environment. Let’s move beyond thinking solely in terms of WFH or WFO to a work-from-anywhere future.”
Public sector bodies and private sector companies have been urged to prioritise digital accessibility, after a new report showed that 72% of leading Irish companies do not have accessible websites. The first Digital Accessibility Index for Ireland, published by IA Labs today, found that not one sector achieved a greater than 50% accessibility pass rate.
The Digital Accessibility Index analyses websites against a range of requirements set out by an EU Directive on digital accessibility which was introduced for public sector bodies in 2020. This includes ensuring that websites are navigable for people who use screen readers, fully usable for people who only use keyboards due to having reduced motor skills and adjustable colour contrast for people with low vision. Research on accessibility was carried out by IA Labs in 2021 and 2022, with comparisons drawn between the two years.
According to data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO), there are approximately 600,000 people in Ireland with a disability. Inaccessible websites and digital platforms can deny people with disabilities access to online services and products.
In the retail sector, the research found that Ireland’s top five grocery retailers were classified as inaccessible as were all ten of the country’s leading online housing and rental platforms.
Separately, only one out of the country’s 20 private hospitals analysed passed the digital accessibility audit. In terms of education, not one website passed out a sample of 28 websites of Irish universities, private and public sector schools.
IA Labs, a spin-out company from NCBI, Ireland’s national sight loss agency, was established in 2021 offering consultancy and auditing services to public and private sector companies on digital accessibility. Based in Dublin, IA Labs is a market leader in the provision of digital accessibility services.
Currently, EU Regulations on digital accessibility only cover public sector bodies. Private companies are not required by law to be digitally accessible, however, this may be extended in future to cover private companies.
In the public sector, the research found 89% of Government Departments have accessible websites, with the websites of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Department of Foreign Affairs currently deemed not accessible.
Looking specifically at Irish political parties, only the websites of Fianna Fáil, Labour and People Before Profit are considered to be digitally accessible for all users.
Commenting at the launch of the Digital Accessibility Index, Minister of State for Disability, Anne Rabbitte TD, said, “I welcome the publication of the first Digital Accessibility Index, developed by IA Labs. This is a really important piece of work and provides a benchmark for evaluating digital accessibility and inclusion for all citizens in this country. The findings clearly highlight where compliance with the EU Directive is falling short and, importantly, demonstrates how both public and private companies need to be proactive in ensuring their websites are usable by everyone.”
Kyran O’Mahoney, Founder of IA Labs said, “The findings of the Digital Accessibility Index highlight the need for companies and public bodies to seriously consider their digital offering. No company sets out to create an inaccessible website, but our research tells us that there needs to be a greater focus on prioritising accessibility. The fact that not one of Ireland’s top five grocery retailers has an accessible website is an example of how barriers to access can be created, negatively impacting people with disabilities.”
Chris White, CEO of NCBI said, “Society is a better place when people of all abilities are able to participate in and access it. We believe digital accessibility is necessary for creating that world and that Ireland as a hub for global IT companies should be at the forefront of digital accessibility. IA Labs was established to help and support companies and public bodies achieve this goal through its unique and comprehensive offering.”
A copy of IA Labs’ Digital Accessibility Index is available to view at: https://ialabs.ie/dai/
HP Inc. has introduced HP Presence, a new portfolio of conferencing and collaboration solutions, to the Irish market for the first time. The new suite of end-to-end solutions, which includes meeting space solutions, PCs and peripherals has been designed to support better conferencing experiences. With HP Presence, people can truly work together and feel connected, even when they’re not in the same room.
While the shift to hybrid has given people freedom to work from virtually anywhere, the way people work together, both in and out of the office, is changing. To this end, HP has developed a new way of bringing together its PC hardware and software innovations, drawing on its charter for end-to-end collaboration solutions. With advanced collaboration technology embedded into HP devices, workers can feel more connected no matter where they are.
“The world of work is constantly evolving, and in order to keep up, so too must the technology that powers it. As we emerge into this new era of hybrid work, it’s apparent that the pre-pandemic technology we were all so accustomed to simply won’t solve for the way we work now,” said Neil Dover, Country Manager, Ireland at HP Inc. “Similarly, the proposed Right to Request Remote Working Bill has put a renewed focus on the need for more flexible solutions. By embedding artificial intelligence into our portfolio of innovative devices, HP Presence fits the work world of yesterday, empowers the world of today, and is future-proofed to meet tomorrow’s collaboration needs. Protected by HP Wolf Security, users can also collaborate in comfort – without compromise.”
Introducing HP Presence Meeting Space Solutions
HP Presence Meeting Space Solutions are a suite of scalable, bundled options with hardware and services for meeting spaces of any size – from huddle rooms to large meeting spaces. The meeting space solutions interact intuitively with users to provide an enhanced meeting experience and deliver useful real-time analytics back to IT. The new meeting space solutions also leverage HP’s PC security innovations such as cyber threat protection and camera privacy features, giving IT peace of mind and allowing people to collaborate without fear of being hacked.
HP Presence Meeting Space Solutions create conferencing experiences that make virtual meetings more personal with AI-enhanced audio, cinematic video,and engaging controls. It is also the world’s first conferencing solution that contains ocean-bound plastics.
HP Presence Meeting Space Solutions are curated into small, medium, and large space kits, and scalable to enhance meeting space needs. Every kit includes an HP Presence Mini PC, a HP Presence Control Center, colour-coded cables, and mounting equipment.[iii] The HP Presence Solutions arrive neatly packaged in the same box with a step-by-step setup application, making deployment a breeze. New components include:
HP Presence Mini Conferencing PC – High-performance processing powerhouse PC that gives IT peace of mind with HP Wolf Security for Business and integrated management.
HP Presence Control and HP Presence Control Plus – Intelligent room controls that put the meeting host in charge with sleek low-profile designs and adaptive AI-enhanced Audio by Bang & Olufsen. HP Presence Control is perfect for huddle rooms to medium-sized meeting spaces, while HP Presence Control Plus can accommodate medium to large meeting spaces. Connect up to three room controls to provide control to more people.
HP Presence See 4K AI Camera – This 4K AI camera combines intelligent cinematic audio and video experiences with privacy so users can rest assured the camera is off when it mechanically rotates to face the floor.
HP Presence Audio Video Bar – For larger meeting spaces that require more audio and video, this device combines intelligent cinematic video experiences with privacy, and audio custom-tuned by Bang & Olufsen, so people can be seen, heard, and hear clearly in the room, and when video isn’t being used, the privacy shutter closes and shuts the camera off.
HP Presence Hub and HP Presence Talk Satellite Microphones – Make sure everyone can be heard in large room deployments with HP Presence Hub, and easily add up to two satellite microphones for additional voice pickup range with an easy-to-see status LED, so people know when mute is on or off.
The HP Presence Meeting Room Space Solutions components are elegantly designed to blend into conferencing spaces while providing elevated audio and video experiences.
It is clear people are feeling the effects of working remotely. As some companies move employees back into the office part time, the change has left employees looking for collaboration experiences that give them a sense of connection. They want to be heard and seen, and don’t want to experience system lags, delays, or other audio and video-related issues. HP Presence Meeting Room Solutions empower people to:
Start meetings quickly. Upon entering a meeting room, HP Meeting Ready automatically wakes up the room control and brings the camera to life so people can begin meetings on time. Get started in seconds with one tap to launch a Microsoft Teams or Zoom meeting. “Guest Mode” makes it easy to launch meetings with any UC device.
Be seen clearly.HP Speaker Frame, a picture-in-picture mode, spotlights in-room speakers so everyone feels like they have a seat at the table. HP Auto Frame puts meeting room attendees into perspective by framing out white space for a better conferencing experience for remote attendees.
Move around the room without disrupting the meeting flow. HP Speaker Tracking allows speakers to move around the room while keeping them in frame. Three tracking modes – slow, cinema, fast – accommodate to different presentation styles.
Be heard clearly. When the in-room crowd gets loud, HP Auto Volume adjusts the volume for remote attendee speakers so they don’t get drowned out and can still contribute to the discussion. If an in-room speaker talks quietly, loudly, or sits in the back of the room, HP Voice Leveling optimises the volume of the in-room speaker so they can be heard clearly by remote attendees.
Request help quickly when you need it. Report a room issue in two seconds. HP Presence Room Assistant makes it easy to report room issues like device issues, missing chairs or markers, clearing catering from a room, and more to IT, facilities, or the café admin.
HP Presence conferencing system utilises HP Meeting Ready detection when people enter the room to wake the system so they can quickly start their meeting. This feature is unique to HP.
HP Speaker Frame, a picture-in-picture mode, spotlights in-room speakers so everyone feels like they have a seat at the table. This feature is unique to HP.
HP Presence Room Assistant can report missing chairs, dry markers, trash, temperature issues, and more in just seconds with just one tap. This feature is unique to HP.
IT teams are looking for solutions to keep their workforce connected, but also solve their manageability and security challenges. HP Presence Meeting Space Solutions empower IT and facilities teams to:
Easily set up and deploy for meeting spaces of any size. The tool-free, colour-coded setup with a dedicated setup app allows IT to configure and test the solution and share custom settings remotely. During setup, Bang & Olufsen room calibration creates a custom audio profile dedicated to that space based on size, shape, device placement, and additional room characteristics such as pillars or furniture. In two taps, launch HP Screen Clean to safely wipe[xi] HP Presence Control or HP Presence Control Plus without meeting disruption or interference.
Feel confident employees can collaborate securely. IT teams can ensure virtual meetings are protected from cyber-threats with HP Wolf Security for Business and know users can collaborate with strong security. IT can feel confident users’ cameras are off with HP Auto Privacy Camera.
Take control of room management. When it comes to room management, HP Presence Manager gives IT visibility to when a new update is available and gives them the control over what updates are applied to which devices and when. The devices also support Windows Update and Teams Admin Center.
Proactively resolve potential issues and maximise room productivity with intelligent insights. IT and facilities teams can improve the employee experience with visibility to device health, room issues, and experience metrics. With intelligent analytics, they can consider modifications such as revising room configurations or changing device settings. Customisable dashboards and rich reporting from HP Presence Insights[xiv] helps predict when equipment will fail, allowing IT to proactively resolve potential issues before users notice.
The tool free, colour-coded setup experience combined with the HP Setup App makes deployment easy.
Users and IT can feel confident the camera is off with HP Auto Privacy Camera. HP offers the world’s first conferencing solution smart camera with an automatic sensor-driven privacy shutter.
Launch HP Screen Clean in two taps to safely wipe HP Presence Control or HP Presence Control Plus without disrupting meetings.
Advancing Technology Enhanced by HP Presence
Technology enhanced by HP Presence leverages the best of HP technology, including IP from HP labs, as well as the company’s deep printing and imaging expertise. HP Presence is delivered through a combination of hardware and software engineering to bring audio and video experiences to a more hybrid world. HP offers products enhanced by HP Presence starting with the HP Elite Dragonfly Max and the HP EliteOne 800 G8 All-in-One.
The HP Elite Dragonfly Max and HP EliteOne 800 G8 All-in-One are the first HP PCs to be enhanced by HP Presence with innovative audio and video experiences.
HP AI-Based Noise Reduction filters not only outbound noise, but inbound noise as well.
Technology enhanced by HP Presence deliver key experiences that allow people to:
Look their best on screen no matter the lighting condition. Upgraded camera hardware with integrated lighting enhancements automatically adapts to the lighting conditions of various workspaces. Backlight adjustment detects if there is too much light coming into the camera lens and adjusts to balance out the light. Lowlight adjustment detects if the room is too dark and brightens faces so people can be seen.
Break free from their desk and move around while collaborating. HP Auto Frame focuses the camera on the user and keeps them in frame even if they get up to stretch their legs. Three modes – head only, head and shoulders, and upper body – let people choose how they want to be seen and whether they want to use their hands to help express their ideas. Dynamic voice leveling automatically adjusts voice volume so it’s consistent whether the user sits in front of their PC or moves around the room.
Hear and be heard clearly no matter the distractions or background sounds. Integrated AI-based noise reduction filters unwanted background noises like doorbells, dogs barking, and sirens from the street, so people don’t have to worry about going off mute. To minimise distractions from background noises by other meeting attendees, the noise reduction technology also filters out their unwanted incoming background noises.
Be heard clearly even when wearing a mask. HP AI-based Clear Voice uses technology to identify muffled voices and applies microphone gain to compensate and ensure your original voice is what is heard in a meeting.
Product List
HP Presence Small Space Solution includes the HP Presence Control with Audio and HP Presence Mini Conferencing PC.
HP Presence Small Space Solution plus AI Camera includes the HP Presence Control with Audio, HP Presence Mini Conferencing PC, and HP Presence See 4K AI Camera.
HP Presence Small Space Solution plus AI Video Bar includes the HP Presence Control without Audio, HP Presence Mini Conferencing PC, and HP Presence Audio Video Bar.
HP Presence Medium Space Solution includes the HP Presence Control Plus with Audio and HP Presence Mini Conferencing PC.
HP Presence Medium Space Solution plus AI Camera includes the HP Presence Control Plus with Audio, HP Presence Mini Conferencing PC, and HP Presence See 4K AI Camera.
HP Presence Medium Space Solution plus AI Video Bar includes the HP Presence Control Plus without Audio, HP Presence Mini Conferencing PC, and HP Presence Audio Video Bar.
HP Presence Large Space Solution includes the HP Presence Control without Audio, HP Presence Mini Conferencing PC, and 30-meter USB-C to USB-C cable.
HP Presence Hub and HP Presence Talk Satellite Microphones.
HP Elite Dragonfly Max and HP EliteOne 800 G8 AiO with HP Presence enhancements.
POCO, a popular technology brand among the world’s young techies, is announcing the global launch of its latest flagship POCO F4 GT smartphone,heralding the apex of power, along with POCO Buds Pro Genshin Impact Edition and POCO Watch – the brand’s first-ever AIoT products.
Living up to its potential, POCO F4 GT delivers an impressive apex performance with a flagship 4nm Snapdragon® 8 Gen 1 processor, backed by a sophisticated LiquidCool Technology 3.0, a flat AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, magnetic pop-up triggers, and topped off by 120W HyperCharge. Meanwhile, POCO Buds Pro Genshin Impact Edition offers the most immersive listening experience for smartphone users – especially mobile gamers and Genshin Impact fans – with an all-new design, AI self-adaptive noise cancellation and 28-hour ultra-long battery life . In addition, the new POCO Watch, which has more than 100 fitness modes built in, a 24-hour heart rate tracker and a battery life of up to 14 days, is designed for fitness lovers who care about their personal health and well-being.
“We are thrilled to unveil POCO F4 GT today. With such an uncompromising user experience at a surprisingly affordable price, we believe that POCO F4 GT will be the daily essential for all young tech enthusiasts, especially gamers,” said Angus Ng, Head of Product Marketing at POCO Global. “We are also very excited to launch POCO’s first expansion of its line-up of AIoT products starting with POCO Buds Pro Genshin Impact Edition and POCO Watch. It is always our top priority to fulfil different consumers’ needs by expanding into different product offerings.”
POCO F4 GT: Apex flagship smartphone that offers unsurpassed performance
With a flagship 4nm Snapdragon® 8 Gen 1 processor and an octa-core processor running at 3.0 GHz, POCO F4 GT is sure to win over the tech-savvy youth, especially hardcore gamers. The mighty Android chipset increases CPU performance by 20% and GPU performance by up to 50%. Meanwhile, POCO F4 GT offers a fully-fledged LPDDR5 RAM with up to 6400Mbps for shorter load times, along with an upgraded UFS 3.1 ROM.
The true test for a mobile gaming smartphone is heat management. Requiring a small device to run for extended periods can lead to poor performance. For this reason, POCO F4 GT is equipped with the latest LiquidCool Technology 3.0, one of the most advanced cooling systems in the industry. The 4,860mm² dual VC cooling system manages to bring down high temperatures, culminating from a powerful machine optimized to run intense gaming sessions.
To feed the power, POCO F4 GT boasts POCO’s first 120W HyperCharge and a 4,700mAh big battery, which can be fully charged in 17 minutes. And if gamers need more juice in mid-game, POCO F4 GT can replenish its battery to 100% in only 27 minutes. Not only does POCO F4 GT sport rapid recharge times, the battery’s lifespan can be optimally preserved as a benefit of its AdaptiveCharge feature. This feature prevents the battery from overcharging in the critical 80% to 100% charge range throughout the night.
Magnetic triggers pop up, standing tall in preparation for battle. The setup has surpassed expectations. The unique levitating magnetic pop-up triggers, able to handle 1.5 million times press, have been tested on more than 100 popular games. This ensures unbeatable stability, responsiveness and durability. To attain a more premium gaming experience, the CyberEngine, one of the best linear motors available on Android smartphones, offers more ranges of vibration. POCO F4 GT is ready for whatever users may throw at it, not only for the extended sessions of mobile gaming, but also for daily use. When out of gaming mode, the triggers can also be used as a shortcut for quick access on the go, such as a shortcut to activate camera, screen recording or flashlight.
At the press of a button, users can turn on the screen to be floored by POCO’s latest 6.67-inch flat AMOLED and 10-bit TrueColor display, which when combined with the responsive 480Hz touch sampling rate and the up to 120Hz refresh rate, makes the screen come to life. Whether gaming or streaming shows, the true-to-life colour spectrum leaps from the screen. POCO F4 GT also works to simultaneously maintain colour accuracy in low-light settings while using high-frequency PWM dimming to protect its users’ eyes during marathon screen time sessions. POCO F4 GT’s display has set and matched 15 display performance records from Display Mate and is rated as an A+ screen.
True to its nature as an apex of power, POCO is adding one more service to its list of inaugural features for the latest device. Users can enjoy the premium after-sales service, which offers a one time free screen repair service during the first 6 months after purchase. In addition, YouTube’s subscription service, YouTube Premium, will come pre-installed on POCO F4 GT. To sweeten the deal, customers can enjoy YouTube Premium for up to two months free. That means two months of ad-free, offline viewing, and uninterrupted access to video and music content across the YouTube platform.
First POCO Buds Pro Genshin Impact Edition: Providing the most immersive listening experience
POCO Buds Pro Genshin Impact Edition are specially designed for Genshin Impact fans. From the moment the earbuds are turned on, fans will hear familiar voice notifications from the iconic character, Klee. Just pull them from their carrying case inspired by Klee’s backpack, slip them on, and become immersed as if you’ve already fired up the game.
As one of POCO’s first AIoT products, POCO Buds Pro Genshin Impact Edition use artificial intelligence to automatically adjust noise cancellation settings based on the surrounding noise level and the user’s daily routine. Whether it’s for enjoying music, having a good time catching up with friends, or a hectic meeting, POCO Buds Pro Genshin Impact Edition deliver the best sound quality and the most appropriate ANC mode for the user. During calls, each earbud can provide crisp and clear audio even in the noisiest of environments with an advanced AI algorithm.
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For a more hardcore audio performance, every sound that is delivered has been tweaked and perfected by audio professionals to create a dynamic experience. Everything from an audiobook to a rock opera is presented with sharp and clear sound. The 9mm composite dynamic driver guarantees that the user gets access to both sound processing at the most professional level, and the most authentic and detailed sound. And to never miss a beat, the earbuds’ in-ear detection feature pauses audio when they are taken out. The device is also IPX4 water resistant, preventing damage from rain, sweat and splashes.
POCO Buds Pro Genshin Impact Edition are made to create an uninterrupted listening experience. The charging case can last up to 28 hours , and the buds can be charged within 10 minutes. And the charging case, which can also be charged wirelessly, while the earbuds are able to do the same in about an hour. The earbuds can also connect to two devices, allowing users to seamlessly transition between sources. This means switching between a smartphone and a laptop to join a meeting has never been easier.
First POCO Watch: The omnipotent daily fitness companion with a fashion focus
POCO Watch is the go-to choice for fitness enthusiasts looking to bring out their style and personality. With a variety of distinct colours available, POCO Watch is a cool, yet effective way to track their health. The 1.6-inch AMOLED touch display and an ultra-slim bezel lights up the screen with stunning clarity. Wearers can also stand out with more than 100 customizable watch faces. POCO Watch is more than just a fashion statement, however; it’s all about health and fitness.
To better track your fitness progress, for example, your vitals on trail runs or capturing the moment you summit a mountain, the Multi-system GPS offers greater accuracy while using one of the more than 100 exercise modes that come installed on POCO Watch. It can also detect when a user is doing a variety of activities from running on a treadmill to taking a walk outside. In conjunction with sleep monitoring function, POCO Watch monitors blood oxygen levels during sleep. Along with these functions, users can learn how best to adjust their routine for their lifestyle by POCO Watch.
POCO Watch does all this, powered by a battery that can last up to 14 days. That means it can handle all the box jumps, laps around the park, or afternoon naps. When POCO Watch’s battery runs low, simply plug it into the easy-to-carry magnetic charger and be ready for the next adventure.
Global Product Availability
POCO F4 GT will come in three colours: Stealth Black, Knight Silver, and Cyber Yellow. It will also be available in two variants: 8GB+128GB and 12GB+256GB.
8GB + 128GB: Recommended retail price at €599 via official e-commerce channels.
12GB + 256GB: Recommended retail price at €699 via official e-commerce channels.
Starting April 28th, POCO F4 GT will be available for purchase at an early bird price of €499 and €599 for two variants for a maximum of 7 days in different sales regions via leading e-commerce platforms.
POCO Buds Pro Genshin Impact Edition will be available for purchase at a price of €69 and POCO Watch will be available for purchase at a price of €79, both via e-commerce platforms.
*Price and availability vary between markets and sales channels.
Please refer to po.co for product availability and detailed sales information in your region.
UK Product Availability
POCO F4 GT and POCO Watch will launch in UK in late May. Full pricing and availability will be published closer to the date.
