Category: Tech News

NAD Launches New M23 Hybrid Digital Stereo Power Amplifier

NAD Electronics, the highly regarded manufacturer of high-performance audio/video components, takes value and performance to a whole new level. The M23 Hybrid Digital stereo power amplifier (£2999 / €3499 / US$3499 / CDN$4599 MSRP), available in January 2022, builds on the Purifi Eigentakt amplification technology first introduced in the acclaimed M33 BluOS Streaming Amplifier – a once-in-a-decade amplifier innovation that will define the pinnacle of power and performance in the category for years to come. Continuing NAD’s long-standing tradition in identifying and developing cutting-edge amplification technology, Eigentakt nearly eliminates harmonic and intermodulation distortion and noise while its load-invariant frequency response can drive even the most demanding of loudspeakers to their highest performance.

According to Cas Oostvogel, NAD’s Product Manager, “The sonic character of the M23 is reinforced in the story told by the numbers. This is an amazingly powerful and transparent amplifier bringing new levels of refinement and dynamics at any level and sets a new benchmark for performance and value in its category.”

Powerful Eigentakt™ Amplifier Technology
The Masters M23 Hybrid Digital stereo power amplifier features Eigentakt™ amplifier technology, manufactured by NAD under license from Purifi. This new technology nearly eliminates harmonic and intermodulation distortion and allows for an even, wide, and load-invariant frequency response.

In common with the previous generations of NAD Hybrid Digital technology but unlike most Class D amplifier designs, the M23 offers a minimum of 200W per channel with amazing reserves of dynamic power at lower impedances. It is capable of beyond 260W dynamic power per channel even into 8 ohms, and beyond 520W into 4 ohms. It can effortlessly power any loudspeaker to live performance levels with amazing efficiency and low power consumption.

The M23 in bridge mode is the perfect addition to expand the power of an M33 BluOS Streaming Amplifier to create a 2 x 700W system or is an easy upgrade to power any high-performance separates system.

Thanks to the advanced Purifi Eigentakt amplifier technology, all this power comes at a lot less cost than traditional technology while delivering improved performance!

A Diverse Performer
It is easy to find amplifiers that can excel in one or two areas. The M23 HybridDigital stereo power amplifier featuring the Eigentakt amplification technology provides nearly unmeasurable distortion, ultra-high damping factor, and unconditional stability with any speaker.

Leaving old fashioned and power-hungry linear power supplies and Class A/B output stages behind, the M23 features proven switch mode power supplies and Class D output stages that are very linear over a wide bandwidth and provide consistent performance into all speaker loads. With tight, detailed sound, amazing control, and transparency, the M23 is a stereo power amplifier that truly does break down barriers to audiophile-grade sound.

The M23 is the perfect addition to expand the power of an M33 BluOS Streaming Amplifier or power any high-performance separates system.

The M23 features all alloy casework that is elegant yet practical. Rigid panels with magnetic iso-point feet provide a solid foundation for the multi-layer circuit boards and intricate internal construction. The M23 employs a completely modern and fresh take on the traditional stereo amplifier, with a combination of features, performance and value for money not found elsewhere.

Key Features of the NAD M23 Hybrid Digital Stereo Power Amplifier

– Purifi Eigentakt™ amplifier technology
– Continuous Power Output: 2x200W into 8 ohms; 2x380W into 4 ohms
– Dynamic Power Output: 2x260W into 8 ohms; 2x520W into 4 ohms
– Bridged Power Output: 700W mono continuous into 8 ohms
– Virtually immeasurable noise, harmonic distortion, intermodulation distortion
– Wide, flat frequency response into any loudspeaker load
– Balanced (XLR) and single-ended (RCA) auto-sensing inputs
– Three-position adjustable gain control
– 12V trigger input

The all new Instax mini Evo Hybrid instant camera available February 1st 2022

FUJIFILM Corporation (President and CEO, Representative Director Teiichi Goto) has launched the new instax mini Evo Hybrid instant camera (mini Evo), available on 1st February 2022. With a sophisticated and classic look that is synonymous with Fujifilm’s iconic approach to camera design, the mini Evo’s unique hybrid format combines the excitement and enjoyment of analog instant camera functionality with the capabilities of digital photo technology to store, share, and print images.

Unique to the mini Evo is ten integrated lens modes and ten film effect filter options that offer 100 different combinations for photographers to express themselves and create one-off, unique shots. And when paired with instax mini instant film, the mini Evo creates the highest-ever quality instax instant prints to date, 600 dpi, when printed directly from the camera.

“The instax mini Evo is a unique, high-end addition to the instax family,” said Toshi Ida, President FUJIFILM Europe. “This hybrid camera and printer was designed to give photographers the flexibility to choose an analog experience or digital where you choose images to instantly print, which images to share and which images to store for later access. Offering 100 ways to capture images and the highest-ever instax instant print quality, all in a timeless classic design, the mini Evo is a unique companion for chronicling and sharing life’s milestones in an instant.”

The new instax mini Evo Smartphone App that comes with the mini Evo and utilises Bluetooth technology adds a number of new advanced features. Firstly, ‘Transferred Images’ allows for the transfer of any instax framed images captured on the mini Evo, to your smartphone. The mini Evo also doubles up as a photo printer with ‘Direct Print’; where you can print any photo from your smartphone camera roll. And that’s not it, remote shooting capabilities and image storage options are also included for the ultimate in versatility.

The main features of mini Evo include:   

10 integrated lens modes x 10 film effect filter options = 100 ways of expression

mini Evo combines classic form with modern function, offering a variety of features that instax users have come to expect, with a few new twists. This camera features 10 integrated lens modes and 10 filter options, offering 100 different combinations for photographers to express themselves creatively with unique, one-off shots.

Selfies, Storage, and More

The mini Evo camera also features a 3-inch LCD screen on the back of the camera to allow users to select images, add frames, edit, print, and adjust image settings, supported by a built-in Lithium ion battery which powers the camera to take up to 100 shots. A Micro SD card slot ensures there’s plenty of room to store images for later enjoyment, while the selfie mirror helps users get that perfect selfie every time. 

New Film Variety Available

Accompanying the launch of mini Evo will be the launch of the new instax mini Stone Gray instant film, a new contrast on the traditional white-bordered look. The stylish gray border provides eye-catching contrast against vividly printed images. Instax mini Stone Gray instant film will be available in a single pack with 10 exposures.

Pricing and Availability

mini Evo will be offered in a classic, black and silver combination finish and will be available for purchase on 1st February 2022 at €199.99 SRP. The new instax mini Stone Gray instant film is also expected to be available for purchase on 1st February 2022 €9.99 SRP. The mini Evo will be available at Fujifilm stockists nationwide. Find out more on instax.ie.

Full hands on review soon here on techbuzzireland

Fairphone 4 now available with /e/OS software

Fairphone, the Dutch social enterprise building a market for ethical phones and motivating the industry to act more responsibly and /e/OS, the privacy by design operating system that focuses on protecting user data, have announced /e/OS for Fairphone 4.

/e/OS and Fairphone have partnered to provide Fairphone users with a privacy by design operating system since Fairphone 3. Fairphone has always valued open source software as a way of reaching its goal of bringing more fairness to software. The collaboration between Fairphone and /e/OS is the first of its kind, providing users with the first 5G privacy conscious and sustainable smartphone. With /e/OS, Fairphone continues to provide its users with options when it comes to privacy, allowing them to choose from the standard Android OS and /e/OS, for those who value the protection of their personal data.

Similar to previous Fairphones, Fairphone 4 is built to last. Thanks to the modular construction and spare parts, anyone can make repairs with a standard screwdriver. Fairphone has also introduced a 5-year warranty, ensuring that the phones keep running smoothly (and securely) for years to come and lowering their environmental footprint. The device was given the highest iFixit score on the market – 10/10 – and has received a 9.3 in the French Repairability Index. Fairphone 4 is also the first modular phone with an IP rating. It has a rating of IP54, meaning that the device is protected from dust-ingress and protected from rain.

Fairphone 4 offers a step up in tech specifications. It has up-to-date specs such as three high-quality cameras, a future-proof 5G with dual SIM, a powerful processor, and a fast-charging battery. The camera comes with a pair of premium lenses — a 48MP main camera for all the details and a 48MP ultrawide camera for the bigger picture — and to top it off, a 25MP selfie camera. The device is also the only smartphone on the market with the Blue Angel certificate and the first smartphone certified according to TCO Certified, a third-party sustainability certification for IT products.

Eva Gouwens, Fairphone’s CEO comments: “We’re happy to be able to provide the users of our latest device, Fairphone 4, with the option of using privacy by design software like /e/OS. At Fairphone, we work to provide our users with alternative options for not only sustainability but also privacy conscious software.”

Gaël Duval, /e/OS founder states: “We are extremely happy to take our partnership with Fairphone one step further towards a more sustainable smartphone that cares about your data and is built to last. This combination of a modular design and built-in data privacy makes this phone a unique proposition on the market”.

The Murena Fairphone 4 is available to purchase on the Murena online shop for RRP 629,90€ across Europe.

NGMN Defines Industry Standard for a “Global Green Networks Benchmark”

The Next Generation Mobile Networks Alliance (NGMN Alliance) today announces the establishment of methodologies and KPIs for a Global Green Networks Benchmark. The Alliance’s new initiative is part of its Green Future Networks Programme and is set for generating a global standard for the industry. While current mobile network benchmarks mostly concentrate on comparing service quality and user experience, the new Global Green Networks Benchmark will place the focus on green network operations.

Arash Ashouriha, SVP Group Technology Innovation, Deutsche Telekom and Chairman of the NGMN Board, states: ”Implementing concrete actions to mitigate climate action is a key priority for our industry. At Deutsche Telekom, our goal is to make sure that everyone can #takepart and connect over a green network. We are committed to ambitious net zero targets and are continuously optimizing our network to ensure the best quality for our customers while striving to systematically reduce the energy consumption. The Global Green Networks Benchmark from NGMN will certainly help the entire telco industry by providing transparency regarding the operators’ sustainability. In addition, it offers operators a unique opportunity to prove their sustainability credentials towards their customers and be recognized for the positive environmental and societal impact.”

Anita Döhler, CEO at NGMN, emphasizes: “There is a clear need for a Global Green Networks Benchmark. Being recognized for the operation of Green Networks will encourage Mobile Network Operators to engage even more in exploring innovative methods and solutions to implement their networks in an energy efficient manner and to increase the focus on reducing the E2E services’ environmental footprint, for instance, through improved eco-design of products and the implementation of new business models fostering a circular economy. Such efforts will also stimulate supplier innovation.”

The general objectives of this NGMN initiative are:

  • to establish globally applicable KPIs and methodologies,
  • to define a global evaluation methodology, and
  • to define the data sources for the assessment and how such data are obtained

In the first step, the benchmark will focus on high level sustainability indicators, followed by more detailed assessments at subsequent stages.

The networks’ traffic volume is expected to increase exponentially in the coming years and keeping the energy curve flat will be a challenge for the industry. In addition, climate change is becoming one of the major concerns from the end-user perspective resulting in more and more end-users looking for sustainable services from their network providers. Although many operators have committed to net-zero targets, there is a high potential in improving network energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which NGMN is addressing with all its Green Future Networks’ activities.

Singa expands to North America and launches convertible bond offering with over 2.5M€ invested to date

Singa modernises the last analogue bastion of the entertainment industry by building the first truly  digital streaming service for karaoke. Since 2015, the company has expanded to 10 countries and  grown into a 30-strong team perfectly aligned to do for karaoke what Netflix has done for movies  and Spotify for music — to revolutionise the entire $15 billion karaoke industry and bring forth a  user experience worth celebrating.  

The company has launched its modern karaoke streaming service in North America and aims to  ramp-up the go-to-market motion with a crowdfunding campaign set live at Invesdor platform 29  November 2021. The campaign has already attracted anchor investments from top Finnish investors  as well as artists and music industry players. 1.4M€ anchor investment comes from Finnish Industry  Investment Ltd, Ilkka Kivimäki‘s Maki.vc, Superhero Capital, Corporatum and Icebreaker.vc‘s  partner Kristian Pentti. Frontline investors from the music industry include some of Finland’s biggest  stars: JVG‘s record label PME Records, Pyhimys, Teflon Brothers, Mokoma, Stam1na and Pikku G.  

More information about Singa’s crowdfunding at Invesdor’s campaign page   https://invest.invesdor.com/en/pitches/1103 

On top of the new funding, Singa raised a 3M€ round led by Maki.vc at the end of 2018, making the  total unreleased pre-crowdfunding amount to 4,4M€.  

Singa drives change in all corners of the karaoke industry 

Karaoke is a hugely popular and extremely fun form of entertainment, but also an untapped $15  billion business opportunity. While other entertainment industries have moved to digital  distribution, karaoke is still stuck in the ’90s, with expensive and bulky equipment, 8-bit graphics,  and dodgy karaoke videos. Singa believes singers, karaoke venues as well as artists and music rights  owners across the world deserve better. 

For consumers, the Singa karaoke app gives access to the largest licensed karaoke catalog today, on  any device. You can sing on your own, make it a party with friends, or use our finder feature to spot  the nearest Singa-powered karaoke venue and hit the stage or belt it out in a karaoke room.  

On the B2B side of things, Singa helps bars and other nightlife venues grow their revenues with  modern karaoke, background music, and display advertising software. We have a rapidly growing  network of over 800 Singa-powered venues including some of the biggest hospitality companies in  Europe, United States, Canada, and Australia.  

Artists, record labels, and music publishers play a central role in making karaoke possible, but until  today, have received very little compensation. Singa fixes the broken model by providing the music  industry with a completely new source of revenue as well as a way for artists to connect with their  fans in new ways.  

“I’ve seen Singa relentlessly strive towards a digital and modern karaoke world and their journey has  a lot of similarities to how streaming changed the music market back in the day. PME Records wants  to join Singa’s mission in deepening the connection between karaoke and music industries as well as  provide new ways of fan engagement”, Teemu Laitinen, CEO of PME Records (Home of some of Finland’s biggest acts) 

Singa is uniquely positioned to become the biggest brand in a multibillion-dollar global market. And  bring more singing to the world while we’re at it. 

Advantio creates 40 jobs in Sligo with establishment of Cybersecurity HQ

Advantio, a Cybersecurity provider specialising in Professional Services, Managed Security Solutions and  SaaS security and compliance solutions, has announced the establishment of its European Cybersecurity HQ in Sligo, with the creation of approximately 40 jobs over the next three years.

Established in 2009, Advantio is one of Europe’s leading privately owned Cybersecurity firms and is the Cybersecurity Partner of choice to the leading top fintech companies and payment service providers across Europe. It will be recruiting for full-time roles across a range of functions including Product Management, Security Consulting, Project Management, Customer Success and HR teams.

This project is supported by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland.

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar TD, said: “I’m really pleased that Advantio has chosen to establish its new Cybersecurity HQ in Ireland, creating 40 new jobs in Sligo Town over the coming years. I was happy to have the opportunity to discuss this new expansion with the team at Advantio this week. Cybersecurity has only become more important in recent times and the fact that a leading firm in the field has chosen Ireland for its European headquarters is a real vote of confidence in us and our rich talent pool. I wish the team the very best of luck with this exciting new chapter.”

“Advantio’s mission is to increase our clients’ Cybersecurity maturity, on time and on budget so that they can focus on their core business,” said Marco Borza, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Advantio. “Our new Sligo operation and Security Operations Centre (SOC) allows us to enhance our Managed Detection and Response (MDR) capabilities, build further capacity for our aGuard Payment Cloud operation where we operate and keep our clients’ fintech applications secure and compliant and ensure that we’re able to continue to service our growing customer base across Europe.

Cybersecurity threats are growing at a rapid pace and our Sligo team will be at the heart of our strategy to help businesses succeed in such a challenging environment. Ciaran McGloin, a Sligo native and Managing Director of our advisors, Novacies Capital, was key in helping us spot this opportunity and spinning key operations into Sligo. Ciaran is also a non-executive director of Advantio. We want to give new graduates in the north-west an opportunity to pursue a career in Cybersecurity whilst staying close to their roots, and to attract talented and experienced people back to the region.”

The establishment of Advantio’s Cybersecurity HQ is a key step in furthering its international growth strategy. With over 500 enterprise clients and over 30,000 end users on its Zero Risk SaaS Security Solution across Europe, Ireland, and the UK, Advantio’s clients can continue to increase their cyber resilience as they grow their businesses thanks to the decennial experience of their trusted cybersecurity partner in assessing and enhancing businesses cybersecurity while monitoring and responding to cyber-attacks.

“We intend to position Advantio as a leading Employer of Choice for the Northwest Region,” said Cian Collins, Advantio Ireland Country Manager. “We’re hiring across a range of disciplines while also building links with local educational institutes to establish a next level graduate programme called the Advantio Academy. We’ve also helped establish the Cyber Ireland Northwest Chapter and we’re really excited for the next phase of our growth.”

IDA Ireland CEO Martin Shanahan said: “Advantio’s decision to establish its European Cybersecurity HQ in Sligo demonstrates the company’s confidence in the availability of a highly skilled and talented workforce across the North West Region.  IDA Ireland continues to be committed to winning high-value jobs and investments for regional locations.  I wish Advantio every success with this investment.” 

To explore all opportunities available, visit https://www.advantio.com/careers

Innovative Software Solution Glofox Partners with Xponential Fitness for International Expansion

Glofox, one of the fastest growing fitness business management software platforms, today announced it had been selected by Xponential Fitness, a curator of leading brands across a variety of verticals in boutique fitness including Club Pilates, Pure Barre, Rumble and CycleBar, to support its network of master franchisees as it expands internationally into new countries.

The innovative platform provides powerful and easy to use software for studio staff, a seamless and engaging multi-platform member experience, and network-wide reporting for franchise headquarters. “Partnering with Xponential Fitness is a real milestone for us; we’re excited to support their renowned portfolio of brands as they scale internationally,” said Conor O’Loughlin, Glofox CEO.

Glofox’s international support across payments, multi-language capabilities within its platform and global support teams will allow Xponential Fitness to successfully execute their expansion into new locations outside of the U.S.

“Working with Glofox gives me peace of mind as we undertake our global expansion. They are an innovative partner who we are confident will deliver a robust platform that will enable us to successfully scale into international markets and support our master franchisees in their businesses as they grow,” said John Kersh, Chief International Development Officer of Xponential Fitness.

The addition of Xponential Fitness further validates Glofox as the industry leading software management offering driving international growth for franchise businesses. They join Glofox’s burgeoning portfolio of some of the largest, fast-growing franchise operators as well as its growing network of independent businesses spanning over sixty countries.

Mr Green – Let’s Talk About The Company

Mr Green’s journey so far in the casino world is so peculiar. The company has uniquely amassed success without having to emulate or follow the tracks of any famous casino company. Mr Green is barely over a decade, as it was established in 2008, but the achievement the company has garnered since then is applaudable. Especially if you consider that they still started with a website that was exclusive to players from Sweden only. Visiting this page will shed more light on how Mr Green successfully transitioned from a Swedish-only website to a prominent betting company across Europe. The company’s success is not unmerited because their hard work is almost as evident as their accomplishments.

One of the most notable achievements of Mr Green is being one of the first betting companies to provide software player wallets. This move was a bold statement that didn’t go unnoticed by major providers. It was thanks to this action that the company acquired over $300 million cash purchase from William Hill PLC in 2019. Aside from that significant innovation, Mr Green has always strived to attain more growth to please their customers. 

 

Top Attributes 

1. Varieties: There are numerous exciting games that will give players a belly full of satisfaction. It doesn’t matter if you prefer roulette or blackjack. There are enough casino games to go around on the site, as they have over 200 games that consist of almost 100 slots. 

Mr Green’s website is also perfect for people with multiple favorite casino games. They can switch from one game to      another without any form of hassle. All they need to have fun is always readily available on the site. 

2. Attractive Bonus: Although it is not a new development for betting sites to offer their customers enticing bonuses and promotions, however, Mr Green takes this strategy a step further with their extremely mouthwatering promotional offers that get updated constantly. The site also hosts a series of tournaments from time to time, which helps to keep the activities there going at all times. All these tournaments and promotions serve as a means of entertainment for customers and more opportunities to earn more. 

This incredible feat has earned the company several awards and, in turn, has caused a massive positive impact on public opinion of their site. If the company can keep up with all of these activities, Mr Green will find a way to the pinnacle of the gambling industry in a very short while.

3. Excellent Customer Service: Customer-base-wise, Mr Green may not be up there yet with the heavyweights of the gambling industry. Still, it is reputable for being a reliable betting company that provides excellent services.

Most people who have engaged in the services of Mr Green’s customer care only have positive reviews to say about them. Anyone who has been a punter for a long time will agree that this attribute is not particularly common amongst betting sites. Only the top few betting sites boast of having terrific customer care services.   

4. Good Reputation: Apart from being owned by a highly respected company, William Hill PLC, a prominent British operator famous for its reliability and steadfastness. Mr Green, as an entity, has also proven itself reputable over the past decade of its existence. 

It is with this attribute that the company has been able to encroach into the Canadian gambling industry and is now regarded as one of the best online casinos in the country. The merit of their diligence has also helped them spread their customer base across different European countries. 

In Conclusion 

Mr Green, as a betting company, is an embodiment of what a standard casino organization should be like, especially when you consider that the company has only been in existence for a little over a decade and their primary focus was not a large scale. The site’s goal was to serve only the people of Sweden, but as years went by, their objectives became broader. 

Despite the expansion in motive, Mr Green didn’t try to cut corners to attain all they have achieved so far.  The company’s path thus far is glaring for all to see, and there are no sinister tricks involved.

Pioneer DJ launches the DDJ-REV1 – the perfect kit to begin scratching and mixing like a pro DJ

Pioneer DJ, a world-class manufacturer of DJ equipment, has announced the launch of the DDJ-REV1 – a 2-channel controller from the brand-new DDJ-REV series of DJ controllers. Accompanied with the free Serato DJ Lite software, the controller boasts a brand-new battle-style layout that’s easy to use and perfect for playing like a pro DJ. With unique features, the DDJ-REV1 is the ideal piece of kit for any beginner wanting to kickstart 2022 with a new hobby for National Hobby Month by learning the art of scratching and mixing, that’s suited for all types of music. Whether you’re mixing from hip-hop to pop, battling it out in a DJ scratch competition or just laying on some epic tunes – the DDJ-REV1 has it all.

Launched as part of the DDJ-REV series – a fresh range of DJ controllers with layouts emulating a professional mixer and turntable setup such as the popular DJM-S mixer and PLX turntable respectively – the DDJ-REV1 includes specialised features for open-format and scratch DJs. For the first time ever on a Pioneer DJ controller, the tempo sliders have been moved to the top of the deck and turned horizontally to imitate PLX turntables arranged in a battle configuration. Not only that, but the Performance Pads have been placed in the mixer section along with Lever FX paddles, exactly where they’re found on DJM-S series mixers, enabling you to energetically change the sound during performances. This layout will have any hobbyist or music lover feeling like a superstar DJ, with all the controls designed in harmony.

With plenty of room to try out mixing techniques, the DDJ-REV1 has a spacious layout and its jog wheels have been sized up so that scratching will feel as effortless as possible. If you’re thinking about getting into battle mixing and scratching – and streaming your sets too – the DDJ-REV1 is the perfect piece of kit to start your journey with.

For those wanting to learn how to scratch or hone this skill, the DDJ-REV1’s Tracking Scratch feature will come in handy. This easy-to-use function returns the track to the cue point automatically when you move the jog wheel backward or take your hand away, so you don’t need to use the crossfader or worry about winding the jog back to the start point of your scratch. In addition, you can also choose the Scratch Crossfader Cuts pattern you want to use by pressing the relevant Performance Pad and push the jog forward to scratch – you’ll be able to achieve some fantastic sounding techniques when scratching. Not only that, but, you can also use the Performance Pads to instantly trigger your favourite samples or tracks that you’ve loaded into the Serato DJ Lite software.

When you feel ready to stream your sets to friends and social media followers, you can easily incorporate speech and vocals if you plug a microphone into the controller. There’s no need for an external soundcard or mixer – the audio goes straight to your laptop and into the stream. You’ll be set up and ready to become the ultimate bedroom DJ in no time.

The DDJ-REV1 is now available to buy for £259. Perfect for beginners and hobbyists, the DDJ-REV1 will have anyone scratching and mixing like a pro DJ. You can also use the controller with the free Serato DJ Lite software, which can be downloaded here. For more information, go to pioneerdj.com.