Category: Tech News

Targus Named CES 2022 Innovation Awards Honoree

Targus, a leader in laptop cases and mobile computing accessories, today announced it has been named a CES® 2022 Innovation Awards Honouree for its Cypress Hero EcoSmart Backpack, made from recycled plastic bottles, featuring built-in Apple Find My™ Technology so users can locate the backpack easily if it goes missing.

Available from select UK retailers from spring 2022, this innovative laptop backpack features a built-in tracking device that connects to its owner’s iPhone® to find the location of their personal belongings, giving them peace of mind that devices and important documents can be kept safe and secure whether at home, in the office, or on the go. Conversely, if the iPhone® gets lost, the backpack will find it on the Find My™ network.

The Cypress backpack also leads the way for using recycled materials innovatively: the equivalent of 26 plastic bottles were used to produce each backpack that would have otherwise ended up in landfill or the environment.

Built to fit laptops up to 16 inches, it’s also intelligently designed with a dedicated padded laptop compartment and plenty of pockets and storage compartments for carrying and organising multiple devices and personal items.

“With today’s mobile consumers who carry several devices and personal belongings, keeping track of them all can be challenging,” says Scott Elrich, Director, Global Product Management – Soft Cases. “We have combined the latest Apple technology with a smart, carefully designed backpack that meets the needs of today’s mobile and eco-conscious consumers for superior comfort, convenience, and functionality – whether at home, in the office, or on the go.”

About the CES Innovation Awards
This year’s CES Innovation Awards programme received a record high number of over 1,800 submissions. The announcement was made ahead of CES 2022, the world’s most influential technology event, happening Jan. 5-8 live in Las Vegas, NV and digitally.

The CES Innovation Awards programme, owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)®, is an annual competition honouring outstanding design and engineering in 27 consumer technology product categories. Those with the highest rating receive the “Best of Innovation” distinction. An elite panel of industry expert judges, including members of the media, designers, engineers and more, reviewed submissions based on innovation, engineering and functionality, aesthetic and design.

The CES 2022 Innovation Awards honourees, including product descriptions and photos, can be found at CES.tech/innovation. More will be revealed in January. Many honourees will showcase their winning products in the Innovation Awards Showcase at CES 2022.

5 tech tips & tools for successful Black Friday & Cyber Monday shopping

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are just around the corner and online business is booming. With the numerous offers, it is often difficult to keep track of everything or to find those discounts that you haven’t already discovered. Fortunately, there are digital tools and tips that make the shopping experience much easier.

Here are five tips from Michele Don Durbin of Evernote  that will make it easier to keep track and sort through the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals.

Tip 1: Collect and keep track of the best offers

To make sure you don’t miss any Black Friday offers, collect and save all important information as you find it in one place. With the Chrome extension Web-Clipper from Evernote, websites can be easily saved within the app and accessed at any time. You can save entire websites with one click, highlight important parts and revisit offers very easily with the help of the intelligent keyword search.

Tip 2: Set an alarm clock

Unbeatable offers come and go quickly. To ensure you don’t miss bargains on products you’ve been holding out for, set the Idealo price alarm clock. As soon as that product is available at whatever you set as your ideal price, Idealo will alert you either via an app push notification or an email.

Tip 3: Shop sustainably

Many rightly criticize the fact that online shopping in particular is not sustainable due to throwaway culture. With websites like musicMagpie you can buy certified refurbished tech at a fraction of the price. Shop smartphones, tablets, laptops, watches, games consoles and more – every device is subject to a 90 point quality check and comes with a free 12 month warranty.  By switching to refurbished tech you’ll be helping to reduce CO2 emissions, e-waste and save valuable materials.

Tip 4: Get technology bargains

In addition to clothing and shoes, tech and gadgets are a top seller during the Black Friday/Cyber Monday period with discounts varying from retailer to retailer. You can use comparison websites to find the best deals. PriceSpy, for example, offers a comparison of many popular electronic products from different retailers. HotUKDeals is also a great place to go for deals, discounts and freebies.

Tip 5: Earn as you spend

If you’re planning to splash out on something big like a TV or new washing machine, check whether you could be getting something back in the process. Cashback sites like Quidco and Topcashback offer deals at more than 4,000 retailers, plus it’s free to sign up. Another easy way to boost your cashback is to pay with a credit card that rewards your spending, whether that’s airmiles, retail vouchers or money off your credit card statement.

With these tips, the Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping marathon is sure to be a success. You can read more tips on productivity, notes, and smart templates on the Evernote blog.

The Benefits of Seeking a Career in IT

Unless you have been living under the rock, you will know that the IT industry has given careers to millions of people across the globe. Now that the IT industry is all over the place and has encapsulated the attention of a large part of the global population, everyone wants to step foot in this world and see how they can thrive. Therefore, when you buy a stake in this industry, you could be responsible for managing hardware and software, both at the same time. Furthermore, you could be auditing the security systems, writing codes for custom software and becoming a technical writer too. Now that the business world itself is highly hysterical, the competition is high and everyone wants to stand out. 

This is enough reason, why you find people applauding the benefits of being a part of this industry, in fact, most business owners are drooling over getting a custom website built, so they can target more customers. Regardless of what direction you choose, here’s what you need to know about the incredible benefits of registering a career in this industry:

  • Unlimited Options

There are hundreds of jobs in the IT industry as of now. However, you will choose a certain path for yourself after acknowledging your strengths, weaknesses in the prior experience. For instance, if you become a computer programmer, you could be creating various kinds of programs for everyone. Or, you could also become a quality assistant to test the programs and ensure that every product can do its nest. On the contrary, if you’re looking for something technically perplexing, you could also think of becoming a system analyst or a network engineer. Therefore, there’s no limit to the options in the IT industry. 

  • Education and Training Requirements

Simply put, the training and education requirements are very different from one another. Therefore, you need to understand about creating a demarcation. In some cases, you could quickly be landing upon a good opportunity within a certain career field. While in some career options, you might have to consider a few months course to gain entrance. Depending on what you want to do in this field, the education requirements will vary. Obviously, the advanced fields are more demanding and hard work is required, still, the end result is worth it. Ensure to get the relevant degree and skill set before registering a career in a certain part of this industry. 

  • Earning Potential

Do you want to have a good quality of life? Sure you do! After all, everyone wants to be rich and have a luxurious life. Thankfully, the earning potential in this industry is at an all-time high. Regardless of what the gossip mongers have to say, the salaries of IT experts are very high. For instance, if you become a cyber-security expert who specializes in online safety and helps companies in keeping their data safe, you could be making a fortune for yourself in the first few years of work. Therefore, now is the best time to embrace the earning potential of this industry and make the most out of it. 

  • Work From Home

One of the most amazing things about the IT industry is that you get to work from home anytime you want. Especially when the COVID 19 debuted last year, nobody had any idea about how this disease would be brought under control. Now that work from home has become a popular phenomenon, it is fair enough to say that IT experts are having a major moment right now. In fact, most IT experts prefer to work from home, since it can save a lot of money in the long run. If you look around, you will be thrilled to know that IT experts and most freelancers are working from within their comfort zone, so they don’t have to go out of their comfort zones. 

  • Hiring Demand

Simply put, every organization across the globe needs IT members because they are the backbone of any business out there. Whether it’s about improving the security of the business information or managing various devices, only IT experts will help in managing everything on their own. According to the market trends, the growing demand for IT professionals has compelled the business world to thrive and the economies to see a reduction in unemployment. Therefore, if you have experience and the right skill set, nobody can stop you from claiming an opportunity that is lucrative. This way, you will never be out of the job and will always have a good quality of life. 

  • Career Flexibility

Let’s say, you register a career in this industry but stop enjoying it after some time. Or, if the job gets monotonous, you might think of churning. Much to your surprise, each of your skills in this industry is transferable and will help you grow yourself in the future. Because there are dozens of jobs to choose from, you can rest assured about having flexibility in your career. So it is fair enough to say that IT will provide you peace of mind and give you the much-needed flexibility in your future. Simply put, IT allows you to thrive as much as you want, so you can give a good life to people around you. Hadn’t it been for the IT industry, many people would have killed themselves due to depression and unemployment issues. 

JAM Audio launches new Sound Stream+ Turntable

JAM Audio, the lifestyle audio maker, announces the launch of its new Sound Stream+ Turntable, available in black or wood colourways.

Featuring built-in speakers, with the Sound Stream+ Turntable, you can play your favourite vinyl straight out of the box. Suitable for 33 ¹/₃, 45 and 78 RPM records, the turntable also includes an aux-in and headphone jack output for solo listening parties. Plus, with RCA out and built-in Bluetooth® capability, grow the party and connect wirelessly to stream records to any Bluetooth® speaker within a 10-metre range.

You can also convert your vinyl to mp3 when you plug the turntable into your PC or Mac, and download files to your smartphone or tablet, for easy listening on the go. Great for enjoying your favourite artists across a range of formats, wherever you are.

Stepping back into the vinyl market does not mean you need to compromise your records. There’s no need to worry about your platter or stylus getting dusty as the JAM Sound Stream+ Turntable comes with a built-in dust cover.

Features

  • Built in Speakers -All you need to do is add vinyl. Straight out of the box this turntable is ready to add the sound to any of your vinyls.
  • Bluetooth – Built-in Bluetooth®  capability for easy pairing with your favorite JAM speaker. So you can grow the party and amplify the sound, with a range of up to 30-ft/10-m you can seamlessly connect to any Bluetooth compatible speaker.
  • 3 Speeds –Pick your speed: The Sound Stream+ turntable operates at 33-1/3, 45 and 78 RPM.
  • Digitize your Vinyl – Convert all your records to MP3 in a few simple steps.
  • 3.5mm Output – Need some privacy? The turntable includes a headphone jack for solo listening parties.
  • RCA Output – Want to grow the party to speakers that do not have Bluetooth, no problem! We’ve got you covered with the RCA output.

The JAM Audio Sound Stream+ Turntable is available to purchase now from JAM Audio and HMV, priced at £199.99. And for a limited time only, HMV are including the Sound Stream+ in its current deal event where, if you purchase any vinyl, you can get the Turntable for half price at £99.99!

Creative Black Friday Deals

Whether you’re looking to treat yourself or get ahead on the Christmas shopping this Black Friday, these unmissable deals are the best way to get your hands on Creative’s signature immersive audio for less. We have tried and test everything below and some reviews due soon but overall Creative is a solid brand and one we can recommend..

SXFI Air Gamer – A versatile wired gaming headset with Bluetooth® 5.0 that gives you the freedom to plug into any compatible device of your choice or connect wirelessly to enjoy personalized Super X-Fi Headphone Holography audio! Was £124.99 , now £89.99!

SXFI Amp – Delivers superior audio clarity and sound performance, and is crafted with a single aluminum unibody with a fine-textured, anodized black finish. Was £139.99, now £49.99!  Review soon

SXFI Air – This Bluetooth and USB headphone has Super X-Fi technology built-in that provides holographic audio personalised to your own ears for an unbelievable headphone experience that’s as good as the real thing. The Creative SXFI AIR also boasts an SD card slot that makes it an MP3 Player, 50mm drivers, touch controls, and a customisable RGB light ring. Was £149.99, now £54.99!  Review 

Sound Blaster G3 – Designed to be a fuss-free, driverless audio upgrade for your gaming consoles, the G3 provides users with premium gaming features without having to break the bank. Was £54.99, now £29.99! Review

Sound Blaster Play! 4 – A must-have for any work calls, the Sound Blaster PLAY! 4 is designed to solve your video call woes by simplifying the way you communicate. Featuring Creative’s SmartComms Kit, packed with an array of smart communication software features such as auto mute and two-way noise cancellation guaranteed to redefine your video call experience. Was £27.99, now £19.99!

Outlier Air V3 – Powered by 6 mm Bio-cellulose drivers and upgraded with Bluetooth® 5.2 technology, the Creative Outlier Air V3 is certified water-resistant with an IPX5 rating, so you can enjoy immersive audio wherever life takes you. Was £64.99, now £44.99! Review soon

Creative Live! Mic M3 – Make your voice heard with Creative Live! Mic M3, whether you are communicating or live streaming! This external USB microphone features dual polar patterns, real-time mic-monitoring, direct mute button, up to 24-bit / 96 kHz studio-quality recording resolution, and lets you be heard with crystal clear clarity. Was £54.99, now £44.99!  Review 

Live! Cam V2 – Make a strong impression during important work calls, and connect with your loved ones more intimately with full HD video and improved call quality! The Creative Live! Cam Sync 1080p V2 has been further enhanced with improved built-in microphones for better voice pick up that’s more natural-sounding, and is equipped with our latest audio innovation – the SmartComms Kit, a suite of smart communication features. Was £54.99, now £24.99!  Review 

Tips To Identify Forex Broker Scams

Late last year, the FBI made their largest catch yet – 47 illicit Forex operations that had previously caused traders to lose millions of dollars. 

Among those targeted in the FBI’s most recent global sting operation were financial institutions of various kinds as well as private investors. Even when divided 47 ways, “millions of dollars” still seems like a substantial sum. But take into account that the worldwide Forex market transacts $5,1 trillion per day. 

Considering how many transactions are taking place daily, across different international boundaries all over the place, it seems sensible that the seas are full of “a lot of sharks,” as U.S. Attorney General James Comey recently warned reporters. 

You should keep in mind that at any given time, the market might erupt and spew lava all over your cash. You should also be aware that every investment with significant risks also has the potential for huge profits. Also, it should be noted that as the Forex market is the world’s largest financial market, there are many scammers who want to misappropriate investors’ money. In order to prevent those kinds of malpractices while trading Forex investors need to be careful. What, then, are these so-called Forex scams? Because trading in the forex market, also known as the foreign exchange currency marketplace, is such a dangerous and unpredictable venture, it has been dubbed a hoax on occasion. The kindest thing investors can say about Forex is that it resembles gambling more than “real” investment, although even this is harsh. 

 

There are several ways to identify Forex broker scammers, including Forex broker reviews, like XM Forex broker review which allows investors to get more information about the regulations of the brokers and the way the service providers work. In this article, you can get more information about Forex scams and how it works. It’s interesting to know for what reasons are there so many scammers and fraudsters working in the Forex industry? For obvious reasons, such as the great potential for payoff. In other words, why do criminals choose to operate in the frantic, hectic, unpredictable Forex market rather than other, more steady, staid investment and trading venues?

How Do Forex Brokers Scam Investors?

Traditional forex scams and developing scams are the two main types of forex fraud. Data security may serve as a good comparison in this situation. When it came to stealing confidential information, thieves had only one option: break into the building where it was being stored and take the physical copy files!

Data breaches are being reported on a regular basis, and the vast majority of them occurred online. Cybercriminals don’t even have to leave their sofa to steal confidential information that’s half a globe away. Scams that adapt in reaction to new technology or FBI raids are known as evolving scams. For the sake of this article, we’ll examine each form of forex scam one by one.

A list of bogus forex brokers or a list of the worst forex brokers would be fantastic. Scam Forex brokers, on the other hand, change their names, identities, and virtual locations on a regular basis.

Using a stop-loss order, stop hunting is a frequent risk management strategy in the world of investments. An order with a stop-loss condition isn’t limited to foreign exchange trades. It’s fairly frequent across a wide range of investment categories.

The point-spread fraud is a “classic” that may be seen in many other kinds of investment trading, not only forex.

In order to pull off the point-spread scam, brokers adjust the spread between the bid and ask prices using the forex platform. This raises the broker commission and eats away at any gains made by the unwary forex trader. While point-spread forex scams aren’t as common as they previously were, it doesn’t mean they’re gone.

Another traditional Forex scam is the signal-seller scheme, which is practiced not only in the world of forex but also in other industries. According to the scam’s theory, certain people (human or automated) are “Forex experts,” and they are privy to information regarding currency pairings, Forex patterns, and market movements (the “signal”).

A forex broker will only acquire access to churning-type activity if a customer enables the broker to trade on the customer’s behalf (for example, by signing a discretionary agreement). The forex broker may then say they were only doing their job and blame the client’s losses on the usually turbulent currency market.

It’s important to remember that churning is difficult to detect and much more difficult to demonstrate. Nevertheless, if the fraudster is discovered and proved guilty, he or she will be subject to hefty penalties and SEC repercussions. Meanwhile, you’ll have to come up with creative ways to make up for the financial damage caused by churning.

Scammers that prey on the currency market are evolving along with it. FX fraudsters have had plenty of new chances open up with the emergence of online forex brokers, automated digital algorithms, and computer technology. However, you may be shocked to learn that only some of the most recent and sophisticated forex scams make use of sophisticated technology to achieve their objectives.

 

7 tips to avoid scams and protect your money when shopping online this Christmas

While most people are aware that there are dangers associated with shopping online, many are unaware of how their data is used and what the consequences could be. Cyber criminals can use your personal data to open credit card and bank accounts in your name, make purchases using your accounts (including illegal items), obtain credit cash advances and even steal your identity.

This holiday season could be a lucrative time of year for these criminals who anticipate that consumers may lower their guard slightly during the rush to bag the best deals on sought after items.

Tom Gaffney, Security Consultant from F-Secure, is issuing advice to consumers on how they can stay safe when shopping online in the run up to Christmas and beyond…

 

  1. BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU SHOP

You may be desperate to get hold of that best-selling toy that’s at the top of your little one’s wish-list, or the new PS5/Xbox Series S/X for your teen, but be careful where you buy from as scams can take place on any kind of online platform, from Amazon to Facebook. It’s also not uncommon for fraudsters to set up fake ecommerce sites.

Firstly, keep in mind that if anything online seems too good to be true – it probably is. If a seller is actually selling a very high-demand item, expect the price to be high.

If you’re wary of a site, do your research – Google is full of retailer reviews. Saying that, online reviews can be faked so if you see nothing but positive feedback and can’t tell if the writers are legit, follow your instincts. Also, check the website for a physical location and customer service information and see if their social media channels are active. Another key feature to look for is the little lock symbol that appears in the corner of the URL field. This indicates that the website you’re on is safe. Also make sure that the website you’re on is “https” not “http” as the ‘s’ stands for secure.

Once you’ve checked that it’s a legitimate site, use a credit card where possible for added safety as most offer consumer protection against fraudulent sites.

If you’re buying directly from someone i.e. via Facebook marketplace make sure you talk to the seller and ask for more information if necessary, for example the pictures of the product itself with a handwritten note to prove legitimacy. Never give out your details directly to the seller over email or messaging apps, but use the marketplace’s functionalities or services such as PayPal to do the transactions. Never use PayPal Friends and Family transactions when buying things online as PayPal does not reimburse payments sent using this functionality, or transfer money directly into their bank account.

 

  1. CREATE STRONG UNIQUE PASSWORDS TO PROTECT YOUR ACCOUNTS

Most ecommerce sites will require you to set up an account to make a purchase. The average person has 18 password protected accounts and worryingly, recent F-Secure research found that 41% of people use the same password on multiple accounts and 56% use the same password with only slight variations. This means that if your login information gets stolen on one website, it’s likely that your other accounts will also be compromised.

It’s vital to have strong, unique passwords for accounts to be protected and that you regularly change these. A password manager such as F-Secure ID PROTECTION can help you remember all your login details so you don’t need to worry about losing or forgetting them.

To give your online account additional protection, where possible you should also turn on two-factor authentication (2FA). This is a way for the service you’re using to check you really are the person you claim to be when logging in.

 

  1. REGULARLY DELETE COOKIES FROM YOUR BROWSER

Cookie banners pop-up every time we visit a website and most of us will click ‘accept’ without thinking. Cookies are small files that websites send to your device that the sites then use to monitor you and remember certain information about you i.e. what’s in your shopping cart, or your login information. Basically, cookies track you as you browse.

It’s important to delete cookies because:

  • They pose a security threat whereby hackers can potentially gain access to your browser sessions and steal your personal data

  • Over time you could accumulate a lot of cookies which will slow your browser down

  • Cookies store your personal information and enable websites to track and follow you round the web, developing a profile of your online habits and targeting you with ads

  1. AVOID SHOPPING IN PUBLIC – YOU CAN ENJOY A HOT DRINK BUT NOT THE PUBLIC WIFI

 

Using public Wi-Fi to shop online while at your favourite coffee shop may be convenient but it’s not cyber safe. Avoid making purchases via public Wi-Fi as you could end up compromising your data and financial information. Cyber criminals often target these hot spots to steal confidential information from unsuspecting users, such as passwords or credit card details, leaving them susceptible to identity theft and fraud.

If you must use public Wi-Fi then make sure you have a VPN installed such as F-Secure FREEDOME. VPNs offer you complete privacy for your activities online, no one will be able to track you or see what you are doing, not even your Internet Service Provider. A VPN will block harmful websites and hacking attempts, encrypt data to protect your real IP address and online traffic and protect you when you’re using public Wi-Fi.

 

  1. BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU CLICK ON AND STAY ALERT TO PHISHING SCAMS

Between April 2020 and March 2021, online shopping scams were up 65% on the previous year, with a whopping £69.9m lost to fraudsters. Beware of adverts which encourage you to click on links. If you receive an enticing offer, rather than click on the link, go directly to the website to verify that the offer is legitimate.

Phishing scams, where online criminals trick you into handing over personal details which are then used for account takeover or identity theft, are especially common during Christmas and Black Friday seasons. Consumer group Which? recently reported that three in five of us have had fake delivery company texts over the past year. The message often contains a link that takes you to a scam website and may warn of a failed parcel delivery and ask for payment. They are often sent using a fake appearance of huge brands that you trust and expect communication from like DPD, Royal Mail or FedEx.

To avoid being caught out don’t click links in SMS messages, especially if they say you have limited time to respond as this is a common tactic scammers use to pressure you. Check the URL of the link to make sure it matches the company website address. Do not call the number provided and under no circumstances hand over personal information such as your card details.

 

  1. BROWSER SECURITY – DOWNLOAD F-SECURE TOTAL AND START BROWSING THE INTERNET SAFELY AND SECURELY

Many people are unaware that they should configure security settings within their browser to enable safer internet surfing. Regardless of which browser you use (Internet Explorer, Safari, Chrome or Firefox), each gives you options to disable cookies and block security risks such as malicious software (malware) that can sneak in through infected pop-ups, plug-ins and extensions, compromising your security.

Default browser settings leave your data exposed so at a minimum you should:

●      Disable pop-ups and redirections as cyber criminals could use these to spread malicious software

●      Don’t allow automatic downloads as these could contain malware and viruses. Ask to be prompted before downloading anything

●      Turn on “Send a do not track request” to help prevent websites from tracking you

●      Don’t allow browsers to save passwords as although it’s convenient it creates a security risk. Malware that captures keystrokes can steal information. Also, if a laptop falls into the wrong hands, it doesn’t take much for a hacker to find the stored password information

At the very least, make sure you update your browser on all your devices regularly as using old software can provide a way for hackers to break into networks. Updates will address security issues and also help your browser run better. F-Secure TOTAL will give you all the protection you need to secure your online activities, your devices and yourself.

 

  1. KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR CREDIT CARD AND BANKING TRANSACTIONS

If your credit card information gets compromised, there can be charges without you knowing. Review your monthly statements to find any suspicious activity. Contact your bank immediately in case of anything unknown.

A good way to protect your money online is to restrict which countries your credit card will work in. Just remember to change the settings back when you need your card abroad.

Lime powering Simon Community in Dublin with donation of e-bikes to staff and volunteers

Lime, the world’s largest and most experienced micromobility provider has partnered with homelessness charity Dublin Simon Community to provide e-bikes for its staff members and volunteers.

Lime has initially donated 10 e-bikes, which will enable staff and volunteers to travel for free in a safe and sustainable way between the homelessness charity’s services. The bikes will also be used to transport food and supplies to those in need, helping Dublin Simon Community to prevent and address homelessness in the run up to Christmas.

The partnership is part of Lime’s “Lend Me a Lime” initiative, which supports local charities and good causes by providing access to Lime’s vehicles, time and operational resources free of charge.

Following the legalisation of e-scooters in Ireland, Lime will also be able to give Dublin Simon Community staff and volunteers free access to its latest Gen4 e-scooters alongside its e-bike donation.

Hal Stevenson, Lime’s Public Affairs Manager for UK and Ireland said: “Lime’s commitment to cities goes beyond providing green, shared, affordable transport. We are proud to be partnering with Dublin Simon Community to support their tireless efforts to prevent and address homelessness and can’t wait to see our bikes on the ground in the city making a positive impact.”

As Lime prepares to launch its e-scooter services in Ireland, it has also appointed Dublin Simon Community as its “Lime Hero” partner, which means local Lime users will be able to round their ride to the nearest € to provide a donation to the charity, which Lime will then match.

Lime has similar “Hero” charity partnerships with the Felix Project in London, to tackle food waste and food poverty, and the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity in Manchester, to fight homelessness, with thousands raised so far.

Stephanie Nolan, Dublin Simon Community’s Corporate Partnerships Manager said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Lime for this wonderful initiative. Our services are incredibly busy, especially at Christmas time. The donation of these e-bikes will support the transport of staff, volunteers and supplies between our services in a sustainable and efficient way, enabling our team to focus on making home a reality for our clients and residents.”

The charity partnership follows Lime’s recent investment of €10million in its Irish operations ahead of the legalisation of e-scooters. The e-scooter provider recently raised $523m in convertible debt and term loan financing, which will be used to invest in decarbonising efforts, refresh its bike and scooter fleet with the latest Gen4 models and scale into more markets.

Relevant charities and organisations can apply to Lend Me a Lime via email, at  lmal@li.me.

Shure and Jacob Collier Partner To Launch AONIC Free True Wireless Earphones

Grammy Award-winning artist Jacob Collier and Shure have joined forces to launch the all-new AONIC FREE True Wireless Sound Isolatin Earphones in Crimson Chrome Red and Graphite Gray.

Shure, a leading global audio electronics company with nearly 100 years of history shaping audio, has been a go-to brand for Jacob since he received an SM58® vocal microphone for his 11th birthday. During live performances and in the studio, Jacob trusts Shure gear, including microphones, in-ear monitors, and digital wireless systems. This next evolution of Shure and Jacob’s collaboration brings technology from the studio to the street, providing the same high-quality Shure audio for consumers that so many artists and creators, like Jacob, rely on to record and perform.

Announced earlier this month in Graphite Gray, AONIC FREE have earned editorial praise from prominent consumer technology and audio reviewers. And with the holidays around the corner, a great-sounding pair of sound isolating earphones are at the top of many wish lists this year. The eye-catching Crimson Chrome Red and classic Graphite Gray AONIC FREE fuses style with function.

The partnership with Jacob brings to life our long-standing heritage of supporting musicians who have trusted Shure gear on stage, in the studio, and on the go. For decades, Shure microphones have been used by the world’s most legendary musicians, including Elvis, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, and Aretha Franklin – to today’s top artists like Jennifer Lopez and Luke Bryan. Now, we are proud to highlight how Jacob relies on Shure for all of his audio needs, whether he is in the studio or drawing inspiration on the go.

“I’ve grown up surrounded by music, and it’s just magic for me. I’m fascinated by the inspiration the world offers,” shared Jacob. “With Shure AONIC FREE earphones, I can bring the same legendary sound I trust when I create music with me in my pocket. Frankly, the AONIC FREE are the perfect option for anyone who wants studio-quality audio, anywhere.”

“Jacob’s close relationship with Shure and his discerning ear for the highest-quality audio made it a natural decision for us to work with him on this campaign,” said Brooke Giddens, Head of Global Artists Marketing at Shure. “This collaboration is about making it possible for everyone to bring great, studio-quality sound with them to the places where they find inspiration. With the holidays quickly approaching, we’re excited to offer the world-class listening experience of AONIC FREE.”

Built To Provide Quality Audio and Freedom for Those on the Move

Shure AONIC FREE earphones, available in Crimson Chrome Red and Graphite Gray, provide a hook-free, pocketable design united with the same unmatched studio-quality sound that artists, audiophiles, commuters, technophiles, and music lovers have relied on from the Company’s AONIC line. AONIC FREE boasts top-notch call performance in a sleek, lightweight, and compact design with long-lasting battery life, meaning these earphones are ready for an on-the-go lifestyle and the adventure that lies ahead.

Engineered from decades of experience supporting legendary performers, AONIC FREE provides clear, studio-quality sound with deep bass. The sound is powered by a premium amplifier and driver combination that was rigorously tested and tuned together—providing an unparalleled listening experience tailored to individual preferences. In a world where personalisation is expected, listeners can express their musical identity by tailoring their audio experience with the ShurePlus™ Play app’s custom multi-band EQ and pre-sets.

Whether commuting to work or tuning out the drone of an airplane engine while preparing for takeoff, exceptional Sound Isolation technology is incorporated, blocking out most environmental noise. To hear immediate surroundings, Environmental Mode activates exterior microphones with just the press of a button—making it easy to hear traffic while traversing a busy city.

Notable key features and benefits include:

Sound Isolation Technology—Based on in-ear monitors worn by musicians for hours at a time on stage, AONIC FREE’s combination of a foam sleeve and an ergonomically angled design comfortably blocks up to 37dB while providing a distortion-free, secure fit for use all day long.
Long-Lasting Battery Life—With 21 total hours of playback, the most epic playlists have met their match. The earphones provide seven hours of listening with two full additional charges from the pocket-friendly carrying case. A fast charge feature provides one hour of playback after only 15 minutes in the case. The case’s form factor was designed to transport easily, so you will never be without a charge.
Crystal Clear Call Audio— AONIC FREE makes it easy to navigate calls no matter the situation . With strategically placed mics with beamforming DSP that intelligently picks up just your voice, noise suppression technology that blocks outside sound, and Auto Gain Control, AONIC FREE ensures your voice is heard – not the surrounding environment.
Optimal Usability—You have the freedom to customize volume, playback, and call control with a single press on either the left or right side. Button function can also be customized in the ShurePlusTM Play App.
Customizable EQ—When paired with the free ShurePlus PLAY App, listeners can personalize Environment Mode levels. Available for iOS and Android, the app is also a full-featured music player with EQ, supporting standard and hi-res music files. In addition to the feature controls, it lets you customize tone and voice prompts for important notifications, like power on/off, connection confirmation, and low battery.

Pricing and Availability 
AONIC FREE True Wireless Sound Isolating Earphones are now available in both Graphite Gray and Crimson Chrome Red for a retail price of £179 / $199 / €199. Purchase includes the earphones, a fit kit with Comply™ foam sleeves in S/M/L, pocketable charging case, and USB-C charging cable.

AONIC FREE Wireless Sound Isolating Earphones are now available at select retailers and at www.shure.com/en-US/products/earphones/aonic_free.