Category: Tech News

Coca-Cola Launches First eSports Partnership

The Coca-Cola Football Manager 2021 Copa Challenge kicks off on October 1st with leading gamers, Just Eat to offer weekly discounts & giveaways to reward viewers

With an increased focus on expanding its ecommerce and digital footprint, Coca-Cola is pleased to announce its first competitive gaming tournament The Coca-Cola Copa Challenge, which will see gaming influencers compete against one another at the prominent Football Manager 2021 title.

Fuelled by the lockdown environment, gaming in Ireland is experiencing exponential growth, both in revenue and viewership, and is set for further acceleration in the coming years. Today, 2.7 million people make up the gaming community in Ireland.

Managed by a world-leading gaming company Gfinity, this esports partnership is the first of its kind for a leading drinks brand in Ireland and will see Coca-Cola engage gamers in new and exciting ways, with a focus on sponsorships, collaboration, and experiential moments.

From October 1st, leading gaming influencers will broadcast their Football Manager 2021 fantasy draft tournament series to entertain this captive audience. Hosted by Richie Sheridan and Chris Tunn, participants will include FIFA esports commentator and host Brandon Smith, TikTok stars Ryan Mar and Kyle Kehoe, and eSports influencers Conran Tobin and Paddy Murphy, to name but a few!

The tournament will span four weeks, with each of the influencers broadcasting their player selections on Fridays and games each Saturday, on Twitch. Each player will have an 18-man squad with each game lasting 90 mins with penalties deciding any draws. Players will accumulate points throughout the four weeks, with the Coca-Cola Copa Challenge Champion crowned in the finale.

The event will offer opportunities for engagement and entertainment for the viewership. A Coca-Cola microsite will host weekly challenges for the audience to vote on, along with the leaderboard and other tournament updates.

A partnership with Just Eat will also be key feature across the tournament, offering exclusive weekly discounts and giveaways for viewers at home who tune in to the action.

In addition to promotions across the microsite and Just Eat’s landing page, Coca-Cola’s marketing activation will focus primarily on Twitch; with Moobots, clickable broadcast adverts, and ad hoardings throughout the game.

To drive continual engagement, there will be competitions and giveaways by the hosts, participating influencers and across Coca-Cola social media channels.

Influencers will also stream the action on their own preferred social media channel, extending the organic reach through Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

Tom Greenlees, Head of Digital Media & Influencer Strategy at The Coca-Cola Company said, “At The Coca-Cola Company, we are always looking at new ways to connect with our with our audiences and to bring them together through new and exciting experiences. That’s why we are really excited to partner with GFinity to launch the Coca-Cola Copa Challenge.

“We have a great selection of talent taking part in what we hope will be an exciting experience for both competitors and the audience. Initiatives like this provide a great opportunity to innovate and I’m really excited to see what we, and our partners, can learn from this to deliver more immersive and rewarding experiences like this for our consumers in the future.”

Head of E-Commerce for Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland, Annmarie Markey explains, “esports has become equally as powerful as sports, media, or music as a vehicle to communicate and engage with consumers – and in 2020 there were twice more people watching esports globally than Superbowl, NBA and NFL combined! With a gaming community of 2.7 million in Ireland, eSports offers exponential opportunities for growth for the Coca-Cola system and our portfolio.”

“We are therefore immensely proud to be the first leading drinks brand to launch an esports sponsorship in Ireland. To create a full experiential ‘in-home’ occasion, our partnership with Just Eat will also offer viewers the opportunity to snap up their favourite dishes and Coca Cola drinks from local restaurants, with weekly promotions and gift card giveaways.”

Senior Marketing Lead for Just Eat Ireland, John Carey said, “Just Eat is a technology business, so we’re always looking at new ways to innovate our approach and transform how we talk to our customers. The esports industry in Ireland is estimated to be growing by 5% per year and we are keen to ensure that they choose the leading food delivery platform in Ireland when they are looking to refuel.”

“We’re delighted to deliver value to entertainment fans taking part in this year’s Coca-Cola Copa Challenge, connecting esports enthusiasts and casual gamers alike with a diverse range of over 3,300 restaurants now available for delivery on Just Eat.”

For information on how to follow the action, visit http://www.coca-colacopa.com/ie.

Creative launches the Stage 360 soundbar for an elevated entertainment experience

The Creative Stage 360 makes it simple for users to enjoy rich and powerful surround sound at the comfort of one’s home.

Creative Technology today announced the release of Creative Stage 360, the latest addition to the well-established Stage series. This soundbar takes the home entertainment experience up a notch with better audio clarity and surround sound immersion with the integration of Dolby Atmos technology. On top of that, the soundbar also features newly developed system drivers, dual sound placements and an array of new connectivity options, making it the perfect all-in-one home audio upgrade for an elevated music, movie and gaming experience.

The Creative Stage 360 makes it simple for users to enjoy rich and powerful surround sound at the comfort of one’s home.

Indulge in Cinema-Like Audio

With the integration of Dolby Atmos technology, the Creative Stage 360 allows users to enjoy three-dimensional, cinema-like audio with realistic surround and height reproduction by simply playing any supported Dolby Atmos content from popular streaming platforms such as Netflix, Apple TV+, Disney+, HBO Max, Prime Video and many more. The latest soundbar also boasts all-new, custom-tuned racetrack drivers along with a dedicated long-throw subwoofer as well as a total peak power of up to 240W to deliver a stronger audio punch with every beat.

Adding to that, this soundbar is optimized for both near-field and far-field listening – regardless of whether it is placed in the living room or at the desktop, users can easily switch between either setting with the newly-designed IR remote control.

Stay Connected, Stay Stylish

Upgraded with both wired and wireless connectivity options like HDMI ARC port, two HDMI 2.0 ports, an optical-in, as well as Bluetooth 5.0, the Creative Stage 360 offers a one-stop home audio solution for devices including TVs, computers, mobile devices, or even gaming consoles. With a sleek and compact form factor, the Creative Stage 360 fits right into any room and delivers a hefty audio punch for the price, making it the ideal all-in-one home audio solution to support every entertainment need.

Pricing and Availability

Creative Stage 360 is attractively priced at US$229.99, €229.99, £199.99, PLN99 and is available at Creative.com.

Dropbox Introduces New Capabilities – Dropbox Capture, Dropbox Replay, Dropbox Shop

The sudden shift to remote work accelerated existing trends like the rise of the creator and freelancer economies, expansion of distributed teams and the increased use of rich media and video files. As more work is done in more places using more types of files, distributed teams and creatives need solutions that allow them to work anytime, from anywhere, across all their workflows. That’s why we’re introducing three new product experiences that help you do more with your content in Dropbox.*

Communicate clearly and save time with Dropbox Capture

For many, remote work has meant endless hours of video meetings, constant chat messages, and long emails in place of the kind of dynamic communication that comes from being in the same room. Customers who work across time zones have told us they need new ways to provide context for their content without adding more meetings and emails.
Dropbox Capture is an all-in-one visual communication tool that helps team members share their work and ideas asynchronously.
  • Replace lengthy emails and documents with short video messages to communicate with your team in less time
  • Bring clarity to your message by visually presenting your work through easy-to-take screen recordings, GIFs, and screenshots
  • Convey context and connect more deeply with personalized messages
  • Free up your calendar and avoid impossible meeting scheduling across timezones by recording and sharing status updates and work-in-progress with your team
Today, Capture is in beta across personal and business plans and can be accessed at dropbox.com/capture [LINK to https://www.dropbox.com/capture]
“I often struggle with time zones at my company because we operate internationally. It’s hard to share ideas, because there’s only so much you can get across over written messages. With Dropbox Capture, you can actually show the person what you’re looking at, point things out, and convey it with your own voice. This is so important in the workplace, where it’s easy to misunderstand text.”—Mackenzie Davis, a Dropbox customer in the consulting industry

Simplify video feedback with Dropbox Replay

Over the past two years, we’ve communicated over video more than ever. Billions of video files are added to Dropbox each year. And between 2019 and 2020, there was a nearly 50% increase in the number of video editing files added to Dropbox.
Meanwhile, getting sign off on video content has become more difficult when collaborators are working remotely. Large files, different video formats, and low bandwidth all add to the complexity. Teams tell us they need a tool to gather actionable feedback in one place so they can respond faster.
Dropbox Replay is a video collaboration tool that makes it easier to collect, manage, and respond to feedback, all in one place.
  • Easily share videos with your teammates so they don’t need to download the video or take separate notes in an email or a doc to provide feedback
  • Leave frame-accurate comments and annotations, even if you don’t have a Dropbox account
  • Avoid having to search email and chat threads from different collaborators—all feedback is documented in Replay
  • Bring the viewing room experience to life virtually through the Live Review feature, and bypass choppy playback on video calls
  • Confidently manage and track progress on all video projects
Replay is coming in beta soon. To join the waitlist, apply by signing up at experience.dropbox.com/form/replay-sign-up. [LINK to https://experience.dropbox.com/form/replay-sign-up]

Sell your digital content with Dropbox Shop

For years, content creators have relied on Dropbox to make remote collaboration easier. With the rise of the creator economy and new platforms for monetizing content, there’s even more opportunity for us to support the work of creators. If you have content you’re creating for a side hustle, hobby, or potential new business, why not take the first step and put it out there for sale?
Dropbox Shop lets you sell digital content creations you have stored in Dropbox.
  • Easily create product listings in three clicks. Add content directly from Dropbox or your computer, set a custom image, audio, or video preview, and determine your price
  • Automatically deliver content upon payment so you don’t have to manage facilitating payments and delivering content with customers
  • Share product listings directly with customers or via social media and maintain 100% ownership over your customer base
  • Keep your content safe with required customer email validation for additional downloads
  • Evaluate your listings with aggregate-level sales, views, and revenue analytics
Shop is coming in beta soon. To join the waitlist, apply by signing up at experience.dropbox.com/form/shop-sign-up. [LINK to https://experience.dropbox.com/form/shop-sign-up]

Groov-e adds the Jazz Buds to its affordable true wireless range

Groov-e, a leading UK tech brand, today adds the Jazz Buds to its range of affordable true wireless earphones. Perfect for daily use, the Jazz Buds allow users to stay connected and enjoy up to 25 hours of their favourite music in true stereo sound quality anywhere, anytime. Featuring the latest tech without the high price tag, the Jazz Buds are available now for £29.99 from Tesco or www.groov-e.co.uk.

Freeing users completely from wires or neckbands the Jazz Buds are the latest addition to Groov-e’s true wireless range.  Compatible with all Bluetooth enabled devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops and audio players, they deliver high quality clear sound with powerful bass.

Touch control enables users to play and pause music, skip forward and back through tracks and alter the volume just by gently pushing on the earbuds. Voice-assistant enabled, users can even activate Siri or Google without removing their device from a bag or pocket. The Jazz Buds also feature a built-in mic for clear hands-free calls.

Jazzbuds black techbuzzireland

Featuring a modern yet ergonomic design, the Jazz Buds are comfortable to wear for extended periods of time whether working or out and about. To pair, simply take the Jazz Buds out of the charging case and they will automatically connect to the selected smart device (after being paired the first time).

The Jazz Buds come with a portable intelligent charging case which means they can provide up to four hours of music playback per charge and up to an additional 21 hours using the charging case. A Type-C USB charging cable is also included in the box.

Kunal Patel, Director, Groov-e said: “The true wireless market has exploded over the last few years and consumers are certainly spoiled for choice where entirely wireless earbuds are concerned. With our range we’ve shown that you don’t need to spend a ton of money to get a decent pair of true wireless earphones. Our latest edition, Jazz Buds, delivers quality audio and useful extra features for just £29.99, making them perfect for those looking for more affordable, truly wireless headphones.” 

 

Belfast Start-Up selected by Global accelerator Techstars – Developing ‘ebay’ Style Platform to Manage & Sell Criminal Assets Creating New Jobs

Asset Reality, founded by Belfast man Aidan Larkin, is one of just 12 companies in the world selected for the prestigious 2021 international Techstars Programme. Techstars, the worldwide network that helps entrepreneurs succeed.  Less than 1% of applicants get accepted onto the programme putting the company in line for a major $1m dollar investment with the world’s largest tech accelerator.

Speaking about the programme Aidan Larkin, Founder and CEO of Asset Reality said:

“Being selected for Techstars will accelerate our ability to drive investment and will mean new software development and create new roles across the UK & Ireland as the company grows and expands. The new normal of hybrid working allows us to draw on a wider talent pool of local and international recruits for our new offices in Belfast, Cardiff, Dublin and London as well as aiding our expansion into the US.

“The money raised from proceeds of crime sales gives law enforcement budgets to keep us safe, pays back victims of crime and funds charities and good causes.  Literally billions of pounds every year is wasted through inefficient systems and processes when dealing with complex seized assets.

“There is a major opportunity to build solutions to deal with seized cryptocurrency better, for example, and our platform will allow enforcement agencies around the world to recover, manage and sell their assets in one single platform.

“We were a little stunned when we got that email saying we’d been accepted onto the Techstars London programme. I’m incredibly proud of the company and our team and the fact that we are only the fifth company from the island of Ireland to be accepted onto this international programme, fills me with pride”.

Having an incredible network of mentors, alumni, investors, and the amazing team, led by Eamonn Carey, Aidan still thinks it all seems surreal.

“We are really excited for the future considering the company only launched this idea from a spare bedroom 18 months ago just as the pandemic started. To realise the scale of the opportunity, we have we look to our crypto partner Chainalysis, who also started off in Techstars in 2015, as a small start-up and have now grown to a $4 billion dollar company.

“Whilst my co-founders, Hugo Elliott & Nick Furneaux and I have our feet firmly on the ground, it’s wonderful to have that network that allows us to think big,” said Aidan.

Eamonn Carey, MD of Techstars London, says he is particularly excited with the inclusion of Asset Reality in this tenth anniversary intake.

“Law enforcement agencies have no IT solutions for effectively tracking, managing, and selling seized assets. Asset Reality’s platform will provide a combined case management solution and online asset manager tool to solve these problems and additionally give the public access to a new ‘ebay’ style marketplace to help save time and dramatically increase revenue from the sale of seized assets.

“We always talk about team, team, team, market, traction, idea as being the order in which we assess companies – and in this instance, Aidan and the team have unrivalled founder-market fit, alongside real business and technical nous. I’ve already heard from our mentors and investors about how excited they are about the opportunity in front of Asset Reality, and I look forward to supporting them over the coming weeks, months and years.”

Skullcandy unveils Skull-iQ

Skullcandy, the US #1 selling brand in Stereo Headphones and True  Wireless Earbuds  under $100, announced today its all-new, voice-driven platform, Skull-iQ Smart Feature  Technology. Providing users with the ability to go completely hands-free, Skull-iQ debuts on Push Active True  Wireless Earbuds (£69.99 MSRP) which get smarter over time with over-the-air updates via the Skullcandy App.  Available from November at Skullcandy.co.uk and select retailers nationwide. 

Intuitive voice commands are the standout feature of Skull-iQ Smart Feature Technology. Users can simply  say, “Hey Skullcandy” to initiate seamless voice control. They can then give commands to play or pause  content, accept or reject calls, turn on Stay-Aware Mode for enhanced safety and even launch Spotify. Through a  partnership with the world’s most popular audio streaming subscription service, Skullcandy is the first to provide  voice-activated Spotify Tap™ access. A simple, “Hey Skullcandy, Spotify” voice command enables the most  frictionless way to access music and podcasts, or users can press a button on their earbuds to activate. Skull-iQ also makes it easy to issue audio commands directly to a device’s personal voice assistant without any additional  setup. These game-changing convenience features are ideal for anyone seeking added flexibility, but especially  important for active lifestyle users engaged in activities like snowboarding, mountain biking, skateboarding and  more. 

“At Skullcandy, we live and breathe adventure in the same ways our consumers do and it’s our shared passions  that push us to innovate,” said Jeff Hutchings, Skullcandy Chief Product Officer. “Skull-iQ grants our fans the  freedom of hands-free voice control over their music, communications and more, allowing them to stay in the  action without missing a beat. We’re thrilled to bring these advancements to the masses with the value-packed  Push Active True Wireless Earbuds, offering affordable access to an ever-growing list of advanced features  thanks to over-the-air updates.” 

skullcandy skull-Q techbuzzireland

Skullcandy’s latest collection of true wireless earbuds is led by the new Push Active True Wireless Earbuds.  Serving as the ideal entry point to Skull-iQ hands-free voice control technology, Push Active is for those seeking  an adventure-ready, durable fit designed specifically for high-intensity activities. Push Active True Wireless Sport Earbuds are the ultimate audio partner, offering flexible over-ear hooks and water/sweat resistance.  

Additional details surrounding Push Active True Wireless Earbuds include: 

Push Active True Wireless Earbuds – £69.99 MSRP. 

  • Skull-iQ Smart Feature Technology – Issue simple, hands-free voice commands to take calls, change tracks,  adjust volume, turn on Stay-Aware Mode, activate device assistant, launch Spotify Tap, and more. • Over-the-Air Updates – Update earbuds via the Skullcandy App to add new features for enhanced functionality  and added value. 
  • Premium Audio Quality – Experience supreme sound thanks to expertly-tuned acoustic drivers, dual  noise-reducing microphones for natural and clear call quality and a noise-isolating fit. 
  • Up to 44 Hours of Battery Life – Listen longer with 10 hours of battery life in the earbuds and 34 hours in the  charging case. 
  • USB-C Rapid Charging Case – For 10 minutes spent in the case, receive 2 hours of battery life. • True Wireless via Bluetooth® 5.2. 
  • Auto On/Connect – Enjoy automatic turn on and pairing with the last device used. 
  • IP55 Sweat and Water Resistance – Go on any adventure without missing a beat. 
  • Built-in Tile™ Finding Technology – If an earbud is misplaced, simply ‘ring’ it from the Tile app. 

For more information on Skull-iQ Smart Feature Technology as well as Push Active True Wireless Earbuds,  visit http://www.skullcandy.co.uk

Why Dedicated Hosting Is An Apt Choice For Businesses

Choosing the correct hosting for your website can be challenging in many ways. You need to consider the cost, services, plans, and support web hosts offer, among other things. But while shared hosting may be among the most typical and preferred types of hosting, it may not be the appropriate option for everyone.

Browsing through Liquid Web reviews will show you that such hosting providers don’t offer shared hosting services. While they may have their reasons, the good thing is that they provide excellent dedicated hosting.

Several features make this type of hosting one of the most solid choices for businesses large and small. Here are some undeniable reasons for companies to try this hosting.

Exclusive server resources

One of the best reasons for trying such a hosting type is that there is no need to worry about sharing the server with various other websites or applications; you get a separate server all to yourself. You can enjoy the server’s bandwidth, disk space, and RAM without other web pages clogging them up.

Unique IP address

You will have a unique address when you use dedicated servers, as each server has its IP address. So, if the one next to yours happens to store pages or websites that may, unfortunately, get corrupted accidentally, it will not affect your server. Typically, eCommerce sites of all possible sizes prefer using such servers as there is little to no risk of the website crashing.

Higher security and performance

Excellent security is especially critical for companies that handle sensitive transactions using FTP – they are protected from potential spammers or malicious websites. Also, this is among the best hosting types for websites that regularly witness a vast amount of traffic. They provide stability and reliability, ensuring users expand their business efficiently. 

This kind of high-end hosting is one of the reasons that the global web hosting market is growing at a tremendous rate. It is expected to grow by over 15% by 2027.

Flexibility 

Unlike other types of hosting, these kinds of servers offer users the flexibility to customize their servers in any way they want. They can customize RAM, CPU, disk space, and software, among other things. Also, they can decide which site management tools and software to use, when to launch which application, etc. You will be able to enjoy this kind of total control when using these types of hosting servers.

No expense upfront

Self-hosting is not up everyone’s alley. It requires a considerable amount of patience, money, time, and skillset, among other things. This type of hosting is a cost-effective way to enjoy similar benefits, as the web hosting provider takes on a majority of the burden. In simple terms, you can enjoy complete access to the resources of a single server meant solely for you, while the web host takes care of the building cost, security issues, maintenance, etc.

Conclusion 

Making an informed web host choice becomes easier when you are aware of the benefits of using a dedicated hosting provider. However, before you finalize a web host, ensure to check their reputation, client support, reliability, and overall quality. Asking about their hardware quality will also make a difference.

ScoutPro by INTELLI is an all-in-one powerbank. #ScoutPro #INTELLI

Purveyors of clean, simple, intelligent technology products. INTELLI, is today pleased to announce the availability of ScoutPro, the ultimate all-in-one portable power bank following a hugely successful crowdfunding campaign where over $600,000 was raised. ScoutPro, the latest innovation in charging technology, is compact, lightweight, and has up to 200w of power delivery allowing users to charge anything, anywhere. The MSRP for ScoutPro is $299, however as part of a pre-launch deal, there are limited number available on Indiegogo InDemand for $149/£101. The product is also available on the INTELLI website here with shipping expected in the coming weeks. Amazon will also stock in fall.

There are portable chargers that have high power output, others that have large battery capacity and are the size of bricks. There are wireless chargers, chargers that are FastCharge or Power Delivery compatible, and then there are some that are small and lightweight. Now it’s possible to finally have it all in one small footprint with the launch of the INTELLI ScoutPro.

The multi-tool of portable fast charging, the INTELLI ScoutPro is the first portable charger that is universally compatible. It can charge any laptop, iPads and tablets, as well as drones, cameras, speakers, handheld game consoles and more. It is MagSafe compatible and will wirelessly charge new iPhones and other smartphones, it features a wireless charger for Apple Watch and can also wirelessly charge AirPods and other earbuds, watches and fitness trackers.

With three built-in charging ports a wireless charger, and Apple Watch Charger, ScoutPro can charge up to 5 devices at once. In addition to being Apple device compatible, ScoutPro also supports Huawei Super Charge, Oppo & Oneplus 22.5W charging, OPPO 40W charging, Samsung fast charging for S21/S21+ & Note 20. And, recharging the ScoutPro is a breeze taking just 55-120 minutes using the INTELLI 100W GaN wall charger.

The ScoutPro portable chargers meet requirements for both domestic and international airline travel. The core of the ScoutPro charging technology is next-generation graphene battery technology, which is safer, slimmer and more lightweight than lithium-ion batteries. The INTELLI graphene batteries are UL Certified and the ScoutPro chargers are FCC, CE, and RoHS certified.

At the core of ScoutPro is INTELLI’s next generation Graphene Battery Technology.  Popularized by Tesla, graphene is comprised of carbon atoms tightly bound in a honeycomb-like structure that is only a single atomic layer thick. This provides for superior electrical and thermal conductivity, high flexibility, high strength, and low weight.

Graphene batteries are lighter and slimmer than their lithium-ion counterparts with boasting over 5x power capacity per kilogram. Lastly, Graphene batteries are some of the safest batteries on the market, more resistant to heat, punctures, and drops.

ScoutPro has roughly the same footprint as an iPhone 12 Max.  In this small package INTELLI has packed graphene batteries, MagSafe and Apple Watch compatible magnets, 200w mainboard, premium aircraft grade aluminum housing, and wireless charging board.

For power output, both USB-C ports on the ScoutPro can output the following; 5V / 3A, 9V / 3A, 12V / 3A, 15V / 3A or 20V / 5A.

The QC USB-A port supports 24W Quick Charge (Huawei Super Charge port), yes 24W! in addition to 5V / 4.5A, 9V / 2A or 12V / 2A.

The Wireless Charging panels support up to 15W wireless charging and Apple & Samsung Watch Charging.

The MSRP for ScoutPro is $299, however as part of a pre-launch deal, there are limited number available on Indiegogo InDemand for $149/£101.

The product is also available on the INTELLI website here with shipping expected in the coming weeks. Amazon will also stock in fall.

ScoutPro Specs

  • Capacity: 24,000 maH/88.8Wh
  • Total Power: 240W
  • USB-C Port 1: 100W
  • USB-C Port 2: 100W
  • USB-A Port: 22.5W
  • MagSafe Wireless Charger: 15W
  • Apple Watch Charger: 2.5W
  • Combined Max Output: 200W
  • Recharge Time: 120 minutes (using a 100W charger)
  • Dimensions: 6.6 x 3.3 x 1.18
  • Weight: 545g

Quad Lock Accelerates Their Smartphone Mount Development with Ultimaker. #3Dprinting

 Ultimaker, the global leader in professional 3D printing, today announces that Quad Lock, an award-winning smartphone-mounting solutions provider from Australia, utilizes Ultimaker 3D printing solutions to keep up with the shorter product life cycles of smartphones. For Quad Lock it is key to react quickly when new smartphone models come to market that require different levels of protection and vibration dampening from a smartphone bike mount. To stay ahead of competition, Quad Lock uses 3D printing to speed up the development of new mounts. This led to the development of the award-winning Quad Lock Vibration Dampener, already trusted by millions of bikers worldwide to protect, and stabilize their new smartphones in extreme use conditions such as motorcycling. Imaginables, partner of Ultimaker in Australia, served as a support partner to Quad Lock delivering various types of Ultimaker 3D printers.

Iterate quicker with 3D printing
The latest generation of smartphone cameras hold multiple lenses, image stabilization, and AI software which rivals the sophistication of professional SLR cameras. However, they don’t always stabilize and perform well when mounted on motorcycles that produce high levels of vibration. To stay leading and have new products in market quickly that solve these issues, Quad Lock developed a flexible research, design and development process that is based on iterating quickly and gather lab and field test feedback almost as quickly as they can design and print a new part. Various types of Ultimaker printers were used to print prototypes strong enough to withstand hours of testing on a vibration test rig, from which the team gathered valuable feedback and data. This resulted in the Quad Lock Vibration Dampener, an innovative smartphone mount that fully protects and stabilizes the newest generation of smartphones models in extreme use conditions.

Chris Peters, Co-founder & Chief Innovation Officer: “In some instances, it was possible to produce multiple design iterations in a single day, which inspired new levels of creativity and ingenuity in the team. Ultimaker’s 3D printing solutions helped us design a unique product with much lower development cost and time. The quick feedback loops and high strength of the 3D printed physical components allowed us to develop a solution that now serves millions of bikers across the globe. Additive manufacturing technology is here to stay and fully embedded in our design, prototyping and production processes.” 

Jürgen von Hollen, CEO at Ultimaker: “3D printing has become a genuine transformative business solution and Quad Lock’s award-winning Vibration Dampener project is an exciting proof point. This team has discovered the level of flexibility and sustainable value they can achieve with flexible technologies like 3D printing, which sets the company up for great continued success. They are in a market where things change at a fast clip. Their deployment of 3D printing is exemplary and no doubt one of their keys to continued market leadership.”