Category: Tech News

Dell Technologies joins forces with Ireland’s Health Service Executive to launch ‘Digital Futures in Healthcare’

Dell Technologies announced today that it has teamed up with the HSE to launch ‘Digital Futures in Healthcare’, a new educational programme that will provide healthcare professionals in Ireland with the tools and knowledge to apply new technologies within healthcare settings.

Developed in partnership with the HSE, the free online course offers healthcare workers and leaders across the country the opportunity to develop highly sought-after skills required to accelerate the digital transformation of Ireland’s healthcare system.

The six-month programme is designed to help healthcare staff across the HSE and its partner ecosystem to take advantage of the opportunities afforded by connected health, emerging technologies and personalised health solutions while ensuring the protection of patient data. Participants will gain insights into next generation diagnostics, the healthcare digital workplace of the future and the transformation of primary care management.

Included among the subject experts due to speak as part of the programme are James Norman, Healthcare CIO at Dell Technologies; Ryan Heynes, Healthcare leader for Dell Technologies Ireland; Paul Reid, CEO of the HSE; and Neil O’Hare, CIO and Professor of Health Informatics at Children’s Health Ireland.

Martin Curley, Director of Digital Transformation and Innovation at the HSE, said: “From our doctors and nurses to those innovating behind the scenes, the ‘Digital Futures in Healthcare’ course will prove invaluable to all those involved in providing healthcare services in Ireland.

“Technology has become an important tool in the fight against COVID-19 and a driver in the broader modernization of our healthcare system through Sláintecare. We’ve seen the reduction in barriers to digital innovation over the past 18 months and aligned with Slaintecare we will build on this using our Digital Innovation Strategy ‘Stay Left, Shift Left’ to achieve better outcomes for patients, reduce costs and improve quality. With the co-development of this programme with Dell Technologies, we can unleash a new era of healthcare transformation and help Ireland become a European digital health leader in the years ahead.”

Jason Ward, Vice President and Managing Director of Dell Technologies in Ireland, said: “We’re proud to join forces with the HSE to launch our ‘Digital Futures in Healthcare’ programme today. The past year and a half has proven to be a turning point for digital transformation in healthcare with frontline workers embracing technology at unprecedented speed as they bravely treated those impacted by the pandemic and dealt with the challenges of recent months. By equipping more people with digital skills, the healthcare system in Ireland has a unique opportunity to accelerate the deployment of technology to improve patient outcomes, protect patient data and support the vital work of all those providing vital healthcare services.”

The ‘Digital Futures in Healthcare’ programme gets underway on September 22nd with six virtual webinars taking place from September 2021 to February 2022. Learners will receive a Dell Technologies and HSE Digital Academy certified diploma upon completion of the course.

For any healthcare professional interested in applying for the free educational programme, visit:  https://hsedigitaltransformation.ie/digitalfutures2021.

CLCKR Launches Mobile Accessories Including Cases, Universal Stand And Grip For iPhone 13, 13 Pro & 13 Pro Max.

New Line-up Offers Colour Match, Holographic and Richmond and Finch designs; Universal MagSafe Stand and Grip and Slim Wallet.

CLCKR the mobile phone accessory company, announced today a new line-up of multi-functional stand and grip products which are available for the highly anticipated iPhone 13 release. The product line includes phone cases with built-in CLCKR stand and grips, as well as a Universal CLCKR that fixes directly to a device. New designs include Colour Match options to the new iPhone 13 colours, holographic designs and a collaboration with Richmond and Finch. Additionally, a MagSafe Universal product and updated Slim Wallet will be available this Autumn. All CLCKR products help elevate the experience of the new iPhone 13 with portrait and landscape functionality and a grip for a safe hold.

iPhone 13 Protection In Style

CLCKR’s stylish products complement the iPhone 13 with sleek curves and clear cases that show off the device. CLCKR’s stand and grip cases are rigorously tested and feature up to 6 feet drop protection. The CLCKR sturdy grip helps prevent tired hands and drops, making accidents less likely. Slimmer than any other product on the market at only 42mm thick, the CLCKR stand and grip easily slips into your pocket and won’t add unnecessary bulk.

Mobile Entertainment and Content Creation

CLCKR’s versatile stand holds the iPhone 13 in three different viewing positions (portrait, landscape and an angled conference call mode) to make it easy to FaceTime or binge-watch favorite shows hands-free. The stand and grip design allows iPhone 13 owners to take a great selfie and create content by providing a solid fixed position for the camera in different orientations and a comfortable hold on the device while shooting.

CLCKR Products Available for iPhone 13

The CLCKR stand and grip cases for iPhone 13, 13 Pro & 13 Pro Max will be available in Clear, Saffiano Black and Saffiano Blue, all priced at £29.99.

The Universal CLCKR stand and grip is available in some colours matched to the iPhone 13 including blue, green, purple, grey and red. Additional products include holographic designs in purple and pink and a collaboration with Richmond and Finch in Green Zebra and Leopard. Prices for the new products start at £12.99

 

A MagSafe Universal product will be available in October for £24.99.

A new version of The Wallet with a slim design that holds up to two credit cards will be available in October for £19.99.

Visit the Amazon web shop here

ITSKINS launches cases for the new iPhone 13 line

Protected and stylish: ITSKINS launches cases for the new iPhone 13 line

ITSKINS, a world leader in protective cases, announced today its new line of cases for the iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max, and the new Apple Watch Series 7. This new collection features a number of sleek cases containing the latest technological advancements and includes a great variety of case models, including some amazing ones focused on protection and design, such as the SUPREME // SOLID, SUPREME // FROST, HYBRID // SLING and SUPREME // MAGCLEAR.

All ITSKINS cases are integrated with IMPACTHANE, the brand’s exclusive ion anti-microbial technology that works at a cellular level to continually disrupt the growth and reproduction of micro-organisms. This creates a multi-point attack, damaging the protein, cell membrane, DNA and internal systems of bacteria, mold, yeast, algae and many common viruses. Always active, IMPACTHANE has been proven effective against a broad spectrum of microbe and germs to fight growth 24/7, protecting the device not only from everyday impacts, but also keeps them bacteria-free.

In order to maintain Apple’s new flagship fully protected, ITSKINS’ cases include HEXOTEK 2.0, an exclusive development that upgrades the original shock-absorbing technology into a slimmer and twice as effective version, offering a dual layer for the most effective shock protection on the market. At impact, the honeycomb shock absorbing technology flex and suspend the device on a cushion of air, like an airbag.

ITSKINS’ complete line of cases for the iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max includes more than 25 different models that adapts to every user style and protection need. Among those, you can find:

  • SUPREME // SOLID: offers a multi-layer protection technology, including an integrated reinforced perimeter defense. The SUPREME // SOLID case offers the ultimate in extreme drop protection, up to 4.5M, and antimicrobial defense. For total protection, this case covers the phone’s ports and buttons, preventing dirt, dust, and lint to collect.
  • SUPREME // FROST: enclosed in a slim, frosted and stylish way, this case offers 4 layers of protection, including a Dupont shock absorbent gel. ITSKINS’ signature HEXOTEK impact absorption technology has been integrated into the interior perimeter of the case, making it drop safe from up to 4M, and includes raised edges that shield the screen and camera against everyday bumps and scratches.
  • HYBRID // SLING: the perfect way to show off the new iPhone 13’s premium design. This case is perfect for walking the dog, hiking, running errands, or just a busy day in the city, when the user needs to go hands-free. The included strap attaches to the phone case through four available corner loops. It can be worn over the shoulder as a crossbody, or around the neck for quick access to the device. It also includes ITSKINS’ signature anti shock technology for drop protection of up to 3M, and germ shield technology.
  • SUPREME // MAGCLEAR: this case keeps the phone protected and allows to enjoy benefits of Apple’s new MagSafe charging. With built-in magnets that align perfectly with iPhone 13, this case is ideal for easy wireless charging, every time. SUPREME // MAGCLEAR uses 100% recycled rare earth elements in all magnets.

It’s time for protection

Drop and antimicrobial protection does not end with just mobile devices: it’s time to protect the new Apple Watch series 7. ITSKINS’ cases include raised edges that shield the screen against everyday bumps and scratches, and feature a high-performance antimicrobial polymer that helps you’re your Apple Watch microbe and germ-free. Also, in order to customize it 100% your style, you can choose one of the many straps ITSKINS offers.

Protecting your new iPad 9 & iPad Mini 6

There’s also stylish and handy protection for the iPad 9 & iPad Mini 6, to keep these brand-new devices in pristine conditions with:

  • SPECTRUM // STAND: this slim case is durable and delivers a clean, classic look, but the ultimate in drop protection, for up to 3M, and antimicrobial defence at the same time. It also features a built-in stand, seamlessly integrated to the back of the case that folds flat without adding extra bulk when not in use.
  • HYBRID // SOLID FOLIO: premium vegan leather cover that protects the screen and doubles as a stand. It includes magnetic closure, stylus pen holder and antimicrobial protection. ITSKINS signature HEXOTEK impact absorption technology has been integrated into the interior perimeter of the case, making it drop safe from up to 3M.

ITSKINS cases for the iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPad 9, iPad mini 6, Apple Watch 7, and all the new accessories are available in Three, Tesco, Harvey Norman, Fnac, El Corte Ingles, Krefel, Base, KPN, and other independent stores.

Nokia phones feature in the hotly anticipated James Bond movie No Time To Die

Meeting the demands of the world’s toughest customers – 00 agents – stunning Nordic designed Nokia smartphones including the iconic Nokia 3310 phone appear in the 25th James Bond movie, No Time To Die, released in cinemas globally from September 30th 2021.

Nokia phones are built to last thanks to their signature quality build, leading security updates and AndroidTM upgrades making them the perfect phone, even for a 00 agent. Tough, resilient and life-proof, the new Nokia XR20 can survive in blistering temperatures of 55C or icy ski slopes of –20C and can even handle steep drops of up to 1.8m as well as up to one hour underwater.

Future-proof as well as life-proof, the Nokia XR20 is built to last and boasts the longest ever monthly security updates from Nokia phones – four years – and up to three years of software upgrades. With an up to two-day battery life, it will also go the distance on a single charge. A Nokia phone is the only gadget you’ll ever need.

The new Nokia XR20 is available in Ireland in Ultra Blue and Granite Grey and comes in 6/128GB configuration starting at €449.00.

Happy Plugs announces the Hope range to their family of truly wireless headphones

Happy Plugs has announced the addition of the Hope to their family of truly wireless headphones at an extremely competitive price point of $79.99 USD. This marks the eighth generation of true wireless headphones for the brand and an exciting upgrade to their portfolio already consisting of Air 1 Go, Plus, Zen and ANC.

Hope comes with Biomaster® antimicrobial technology, an incredibly effective way to keep the product free from the growth of unwanted microbes that can cause degradation, discoloration, staining, and odors by up to 99.99%, The additive works 24/7 to protect the product surfaces, the inbuilt antimicrobial protection is effective for the lifetime of the product with no harmful effects*.

Designed in Sweden to bring you the latest in fashion, function, and technology; The earphones provide 6 hours of battery life in a single charge and 30 hours in total with the charging case. A 10-minute fast charge via the USB-C port gives you an additional 45 minutes of playtime.

Exceptional video conferencing and phone call experience. 
With the software algorithm, Hope’s microphones pick up speech and suppress ambient noise for the clearest possible calls of all our true wireless earphones.

Happy Plugs Hope earbuds

Personalized style
With 8 different fashion forward colorways and with a contemporary look that remains faithful to the Happy Plugs’ spirit of fashion tech, Hope blends seamlessly with your everyday style, whether it’s a street look, tailored suit or gym gear.

Technical Specifications
Bluetooth Version: 5.2
Total Playtime: 30 hours
Wireless Talk Time: 6 hours
Battery for headphones: 45mAh
Battery for Charge Case: 600mAh
Full charge time: 1.5h
Driver Unit: 13mm
Support Codecs:  SBC
Sensitivity: 111+/-dB
Frequency Response: 20-20k Hz
Impedance: 32Ω
Latency: 120 ms

IKEA steps into the gaming world and partners with ROG and ASUS launches October 1st #IKEA #Gaming

The new gaming range developed by IKEA in collaboration with Republic of Gamers (ROG) will launch in IKEA Ireland from 1st October, 2021. The stylish new furniture range puts gaming first and has been designed with gamers’ performance front of mind.

IKEA has a long history of developing smart home furnishing solutions and exploring how to improve life at home for the many people. With a rapidly growing gaming market and an ever-increasing number of gamers, IKEA set out to explore how to produce more ergonomic and functional solutions for a better, faster, and more successful gaming experience.

For the first in the series of IKEA’s new gaming range, IKEA partnered with ROG, an ASUS sub-brand, dedicated to creating the world’s best gaming hardware and software.

As one of the leading brands in the gaming industry, ROG design high quality, innovative hardware, and gear for gamers. By teaming up together, IKEA combine their home furnishing expertise with ROG’s deep understanding of gamer’s needs and knowledge of creating an exceptional gaming experience.

The complete range will target PC gamers and include six product families: UPPSPEL, LÅNESPELARE, MATCHSPEL, GRUPPSPEL, UTESPELARE and HUVUDSPELARE. The first, UPPSPEL, is designed in close collaboration with ROG, with the rest of series solely designed by IKEA. The UPPSPEL range includes a gaming desk, storage unit, pegboard & accessories, display cabinet and CPU stand with castors, priced between from €5 to €379

The subsequent product families were created using the insights and knowledge gained from the ROG partnership, ensuring the whole breadth of IKEA’s new gaming offering met the needs of the gamer; in particular, with regards to high performance, design, and price.

In total, the new gaming range includes more than 30 products, covering both furniture (gaming desks, chairs, and a drawer unit) and accessories (a mug holder, a mouse bungee, a neck pillow, headset/accessory stands, mouse/floor pads, a ring light and many more.) The new range offers gaming desks and chairs of varying price ranges to meet different target groups’ needs.

“We know a lot about gamer needs, pain points and expectations, and we want to design solutions for ultimate, immersive gaming experiences”, says designer at Republic of Gamers, Johnny Chan.

Driven by relentless innovation, the new range offers gamers a high-performing solution to home gaming setups, with performance and functionality at the heart of the design. The collaboration aims to provide relevant, functional, stylish, and affordable products allowing everyone to create their desired gaming setups within the home.

“Gamers globally know and love the ROG brand, and they trust it to deliver the most exciting gaming innovations in the market”, says Kris Huang, General Manager of the ASUS Gaming Gear and Accessory Business Unit. “Our new partnership with the experts at IKEA will allow ROG to find new and interesting ways to delight gamers in and around the home”.

“We believe there’s a lot to be done to democratise the gaming experience”, says Global Business Leader of Workspaces, IKEA of Sweden, Ewa Rychert. “We’ve taken the first step on our gaming journey, and have done it by offering consumers affordable, high-performing gaming products and complete home solutions that we hope reflect people’s personality and taste”.

The Rise Of Online Slot Games: Are They Transforming Gambling?

The move from land-based casinos to online casinos revolutionised gambling long before the slot games we know and love today developed. In the early 2000s — at around the same time people started to use personal mobile devices to access the internet — casinos moved onto online platforms. Since then, online casinos have transformed into a bustling industry that has made them more popular than land-based casinos. |

How have online slot games contributed to the success of online casinos? Let’s explore.

Better Options

Online slot games have been a groundbreaking success, perhaps primarily because of the ever-growing number of themes. You can go onto any online casino site and find hundreds of different themed slot games, many of which are based on famous films or mythical legends. 

Some are more popular than others, especially slots based on films such as one of the Marvels. For example, the Age of the Gods: God of Storm’s online slot game has taken online casinos by storm. Taking place above a Greek village that overlooks the sea, players can enjoy 4 progressive jackpots using 5 reels, 3 rows, and a 25 pay line setup.

z\ Age of the Gods is not the only online slot; players can enjoy slots based on their favourite films or characters, all of which offer different graphics and gameplay. That’s another significant feature of online slots; the gameplay typically varies on each game. One game could have an 80% return to player (RTP), and another could have a 92% RTP. The chances of winning in each slot game are different, and how you win is different.

What do we mean? As well as having various RTPs, there are always unique features and bonuses that make the chance of winning more fun. For example, in the Age of the Gods online slot game, there are many ways to win more money, including the red soldier symbol, which has a max payout of 500 times. 

The same applies to most slot games; there’s typically always a way to maximise the RTP.

Better Odds

Let’s go into better odds in more detail. Most people want to know their chances of winning and how much there is to win before playing. Online slots typically have a better RTP than you’ll find in any land-based casino. Land-based casinos ensure their games are notoriously hard to win, especially if you want to win big. Plus, it is much easier to gauge the RTP on an online slot game because it will tell you in the description. People don’t exactly walk up to every game in a land-based casino and ask what the RTP is – they just play. 

The fact that the RTP is very visible contributes towards the success of online slot games, or at least the good ones. The easier the slot game is to play, and the higher the RTP, the less likely you will win. It’s the online slot games with a lower RTP and a higher level of difficulty that pay out more because there’s less chance of them actually having to pay out – if that makes sense. 

More Accessible

Thanks to the ever-growing internet and the ability to connect to it from anywhere in the world, online slot games are now more accessible than ever. Players don’t even have to load the internet and find an online casino if they don’t want to. The Android Play Store and iOS Appstore have hundreds of casino apps with themed online slot games. 

The ability to connect to online casinos from a mobile phone was the turning point for the industry. Online casino websites soon adapted to the demands of mobile gaming, and so the transformation began. Thanks to 4G — and now the introduction of 5G — players can enjoy online casinos uninterrupted from most places in the world. 

There are some restrictions in certain countries, such as Ukraine, the Netherlands, and the US (interestingly!). Considering gambling is so huge in the US, online gambling is heavily restricted. Why? Players in the US can access online casinos like the rest of the world. Some people, however, have trouble depositing and withdrawing money because US banks typically refuse to handle gambling transactions. Plus, many online casinos don’t want the hassle of dealing with notoriously hard to navigate American laws.

Still, online gambling is easy to access in most parts of the world. All countries require most players to be over the age of 18 and to have a bank account. 

Online gambling is more popular than ever before, which grew in 2020 because land-based casinos remained closed for most of the year. Slot games have contributed towards the immense success of the online gambling world by offering variety, themed fun, and more chances of winning. Are they transforming gambling? Not necessarily, but they are revolutionising the gameplay. 

FREE NOW goes electric in Cork, Galway and Limerick

New Eco booking option allows more passengers across Ireland to book hybrid or electric taxi on FREE NOW app at no extra cost.

Ireland’s leading multi-mobility app FREE NOW, today announced the expansion of its Eco booking service in Cork, Galway and Limerick. From today passengers in these cities can choose more sustainable transport options by selecting a hybrid or electric taxi on the app at no extra cost. Today’s announcement forms part of FREE NOW’s sustainability strategy – Move to Net-Zero programme – which includes immediate offsetting and long-term Net-Zero efforts with the goal of achieving 50% fully electric vehicle rides by 2025 and 100% zero emissions by 2030.

The national expansion of the new Eco booking service into major cities across Ireland coincides with European Mobility Week 2021 which takes place from the 16th-22nd September to support sustainable transport across Ireland. Following the initial launch of its Eco booking option in Dublin last year, FREE NOW has experienced a huge demand from the public for environmentally friendly transport choices with eco trips in Dublin soaring by 146% between September 2020 and July 2021.

According to new research conducted by FREE NOW, 87% of passengers are worried about climate change and 60% would like to have sustainable transport as a default booking option on the app. Furthermore, 58% believe that there are too many private cars on the road, and 17% stress that private vehicle dependency is one of the main transport difficulties in their area. The vast majority (97%) also think that businesses should make it easier for consumers to adopt greener habits through their services.

Niall Carson, General Manager at FREE NOW Ireland: “We are delighted to announce the launch of Eco bookings for drivers and passengers across Cork, Galway and Limerick. Supporting the national effort to develop a more sustainable transport system across Ireland is a crucial part of our sustainability strategy, and the expansion of our electric offering is a key milestone in reaching our target of a 50% EV fleet by 2025, and 100% net zero emissions by 2030.

The demand from our passengers for more environmentally friendly transport is extremely positive with 84% saying they would choose a sustainable booking option if it was available, so we are delighted to make this a reality at no extra charge for people as we continue to expand our electric offering. 

It is crucial that our drivers are also enabled to make the switch to an EV vehicle in order to support our national expansion. We have developed a dedicated EV expert team which provides our drivers with ongoing advice, webinars and support throughout their switch. We have also invested 6 million euro this year to help taxi drivers across the country purchase home chargers for EVs – making charging easier and encouraging more drivers to go electric.

A smart and sustainable transport infrastructure will play a vital role in our journey to reach the government’s target of carbon neutrality by 2050, and we hope to build on today’s Eco booking launch in Cork, Galway and Limerick in the coming months with continued expansion nationwide.” 

FREE NOW sustainability commitment across Europe

FREE NOW has integrated almost 130,000 new electric vehicles in the app in order to widen its green mobility offer and become the mobility platform with the biggest vehicle choice in Europe. By the end of 2021, FREE NOW expects to complete 4 million rides with multi mobility partners such as TIER & VOI (Scooters , EMMY & Cooltra (Mopeds), Miles & ShareNow (car sharing) on the app.

FREE NOW is also working with ClimatePartner to develop offset projects to compensate for the current output of CO2 emissions produced by both the company and its services.

In total, FREE NOW is offsetting 173,000 tons of CO2 emissions with three projects in Madre de Dios, Peru (dedicated to protecting a threatened piece of the Amazon); in Indonesia (extending wind energy in the region and developing rural areas); and in Europe (supporting the afforestation and the change of local forests by regional tree planting).

‘Ireland’s Future is MINE’: Microsoft & RTÉjr launch exciting new digital skills competition for primary schools.

Microsoft Ireland and RTÉjr today announced they are joining forces to launch an exciting new national digital skills competition which will challenge primary school students across the island of Ireland to use Minecraft: Education Edition to help shape Ireland’s sustainable future.

This week, every primary school in the Republic of Ireland will receive a unique code in the post so they can register for a Minecraft: Education Edition account to take part in this exciting initiative. Primary Schools in Northern Ireland will also be invited to participate and will be able to use their existing Minecraft: Education Edition accounts to compete in this first-of-its-kind competition.

Primary Schools are invited to tune into rte.ie/learn from 30th September where they will be able to watch Dream Space TV which features amazing Minecraft: Education Edition Lessons that will run for six weeks. Delivered by the teachers of Microsoft’s Dream Space, the lessons are designed to support teachers to deliver digital learning experiences in the classroom.

Throughout the six weekly online episodes, students will be learning how to use Minecraft: Education Edition through the medium of fun challenges! These challenges will be aligned to both the Republic and Northern Irish curriculums covering subjects from English, Maths, Science, Geography, SPHE and more. Microsoft’s Dream Space team will also provide each school with comprehensive teaching guides to ensure that participating schools are supported throughout the episodes and for their competition submission.

Microsoft Ireland and RTÉjr today announced they are joining forces to launch an exciting new national digital skills competition which will challenge primary school students across the island of Ireland to use Minecraft Education Edition to help shape Ireland’s sustainable future.
Pictured participating in a special Minecraft session in DCU were Amy Byrne and Conor Gannon from 5th class in Glenasmole National School participated in a special Minecraft session in DCU St. Patrick’s Campus. Full details can be found at http://www.rte.ie/learn. Pic:Naoise Culhane

With the necessary skills to participate in the competition developed during the first five episodes in the sixth and final episode details of the nationwide competition will be revealed. It is during this episode on November 11th that full details of the competition will be revealed, and students will be challenged to shape Ireland’s sustainable future through the medium of Minecraft. Schools will go head-to-head with the finals expected to take place in April 2022.

Speaking about the launch of the competition, James O’Connor, Vice President of Microsoft International Operations, said: “At Microsoft, we believe in the power of technology to inspire young people, ignite their imaginations and help them to see the world in a variety of new ways. Our Dream Space experience is one of the ways in which we make this possible. We’ve been delighted to work with the team at RTÉ to make Dream Space available to more students over the past year as the country navigated different stages of the Covid-19 emergency from home schooling and hybrid learning models. We’ve since reached over 40,000 students via our virtual offerings and at Microsoft we’ve been excited to see the impact that the experience has had on students and teachers right across the country.

 “We’re now growing this collaboration with RTÉjr through the launch of this nationwide competition for primary schools today. This inclusive competition will help ensure that young people across the country can experience how technology can shape their world and how the skills they develop can reshape Ireland’s future. I know the Dream Space team have an exciting series coming up which will introduce students to the amazing world of Minecraft: Education Edition and guide teachers on how to introduce this educational tool into the classroom. We hope all primary schools will avail of this opportunity and we look forward to supporting you all on this learning journey over the coming months.”

 Suzanne Kelly, Group Head of Children’s and Young Peoples’ Content said: “Today’s kids are Digital natives and its vital that their experience of the global online community is a positive one. When the opportunity arose for RTÉ to connect with every kid in Ireland and show them how to code through gaming, we jumped on it. Everyone in the school yard knows what Minecraft is and now thanks to Dream Space TV & Minecraft: Education Edition, we’re bringing it directly to every school in Ireland. It’s coding, innovation, creativity, and teamwork, all wrapped up in one incredibly exciting experience. There’s something for everyone here.

 “This competition will really challenge our school kids and give them a platform to amaze us.  It’s very exciting and it’s never been done before here in Ireland. We’re very proud to be able to play an equal part in this with our colleagues in Microsoft Dream Space.”

To participate in the competition schools will need a Minecraft: Education Edition account. Primary schools in Northern Ireland already have access to a Minecraft: Education Edition account but Microsoft will be making accounts freely available to participating primary schools in the Republic of Ireland for a nine-month period to allow pupils to take part. Minecraft: Education Edition is a game-based learning platform that allows teachers to deliver a variety of curriculum lessons to promote creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving. The learning platform offers teachers an alternative teaching and learning tool to engage pupils and ignite their passion for learning.

Using the code provided in the post, primary schools in the Republic of Ireland can register for their Minecraft: Education Edition accounts at www.irelandsfutureismine.com. The Microsoft Dream Space TV episodes and a full range of accompanying teacher guides containing direct links to specific curriculum areas, worksheets and extension tasks will be available at www.rte.ie/learn.