The all-new JOBY GripTight™ system for MagSafe gives on-the-move vloggers and content creators the opportunity to use iPhone 12 and later smartphones with MagSafe technology in absolute confidence.
The hero element of this series is the GripTight Mount for MagSafe, a hybrid clamp that works in both vertical and horizontal mode, thanks to a 360° rotation that allows the user to instantly change from one aspect to another. It comes with multiple mounting points so that it can be incorporated into a rig with the legendary GorillaPod®, as well as allowing the user to include Beamo™ lights and Wavo™ mics for a professional-level mobile unit that’s lightweight and incredibly portable.
Key is the JOBY GripTight Mount’s super-fast usability. With the jaws twisted back, the magnet kicks in and allows the user to position their iPhone12 or other later-model smartphones with MagSafe in double-quick time. With the jaws twisted in, the phone is held with absolute security, for total peace of mind. The ability to rotate the mount through 360° also means that users can transition from horizontal to vertical planes and back again in a couple of seconds.
Paired with the GorillaPod®, the GripTight Mount lets the vlogger truly utilise the Grip it. Wrap it. Stand it.™ solution but thanks to the ¼ – 20” ,this mount is also compatible with most of the other JOBY supports – not just GorillaPods – for maximum freedom of choice.
While the unit can be instantly paired with the GorillaPod® for versatile positioning, it can also be used with the wall mount that allows the user to go hands free – perfect for recipe vlogs or make-up tutorials. Simply position the wall-mounted phone in the chosen position and hit ‘record’! The robust wall mount is quick and easy to position on most smooth, flat surfaces, giving greater versatility to the way vloggers and content creators imagine their contents. Teamed with a convenient cable management system to avoid tangles and snagged cables, the JOBY GripTight™ Wall Mount for MagSafe is a compact and essential part of any mobile vlogger’s kit.
The JOBY GripTight™ Mount for MagSafe joins the rest of the JOBY family, and can be paired with the Wavo Mobile™, Beamo Mini™, the RangePod™ and, of course, the GorillaPod®. It weighs in at just 90g/3.17oz and measures 161mm/6.34” x 31mm/1.22” x 60mm/2.36”, so it won’t take up too much space in any bag.
The new JOBY GripTight™ system for MagSafe is available from £22.95. For more information see www.joby.com
Aimed for on-the-go vloggers and content creators who want more versatility and better stability when filming vertical content, the new JOBY Vert is an absolute essential for better, more professional-looking content. Designed to take the latest compact mirrorless hardware, it can cope with up to 3kg/6.6lbs of weight with no loss of stability.
Because of its compatibility with so many quality products and the universal fit design of the mount, it provides both vertical and horizontal mounting for a variety of set-ups, as well as connectivity with a wealth of other tripods and heads. It’s perfect for TikTokkers, YouTubers, and anyone who wants to expand their content range to include vertical storytelling.
The entire design works around a 3K plate technology that integrates seamlessly with the BallHead 3K and the award-winning GorillaPod 3K Kit. For content creators who already have this kit in their collection, the new JOBY Vert will slot straight into their current kit bag and is ready to simply grab and go. It weighs just 60g/2.11oz and measures 140mm/5.5” x 67mm/2.63” x 40mm/1.57”, making it incredibly compact and lightweight. To make sure vloggers get the perfect level shot either vertically or horizontally, it even incorporates a spirit level bubble on both plains to ensure professional results every time. The striking black and red color combination is bold and on-trend and ties in with other JOBY products in the range.
The key element with the new JOBY Vert is its exceptional stability, allowing content creators to shoot vertically without having to set the ball head 90 degrees and worrying about the set-up falling over. Because it can take up to 3kg/6.6lbs and is made from immensely strong but lightweight polycarbonates, this versatile little bracket is a world away from the conventional heavyweight vertical L-bracket design. The unique plate connection works effortlessly with the BallHead 3K, while the 1/4 20” screw on the vertical side means the JOBY Vert will also work with other tripod plates.
If a user needs to add an accessory, then it’s incredibly simple to attach almost anything from LED set-ups to mics onto the integrated cold shoe.
The JOBY Vert is a welcome addition to the JOBY family of premium quality products, setting a new benchmark for content creators who want all the versatility of both horizontal and vertical shooting, but without the camera shake!
SOUL, the leading maker of affordable high-quality audio, noise cancelling, and wireless products of its EMOTION PRO. The EMOTION PRO joins the newly launched EMOTION MAX which we recently reviewed as part of SOUL’s EMOTION SERIES, a dedicated collection for work and play headphones. Engineered to ensure the clearest audio capture, EMOTION PRO ($129.99) are high-performance true wireless earbuds featuring Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation, audio transparency mode, and multipoint technology that allows wearers to seamlessly switch between two devices and enjoy SOUL’s signature sound quality for calls and music.
With remote work the new norm, SOUL sought to develop a next-level earbud that would deliver the highest voice call quality. EMOTION PRO is equipped with 6 mics (3 in each earphone) along with environmental noise cancellation technology to eliminate distracting background sounds. Additionally, with Multipoint Connection Technology, wearers are able to connect to two devices simultaneously, making it easy to switch between devices to enjoy music and take calls.
Soul Emotion Pro. techbuzzireland.com
“EMOTION PRO is the ultimate work accessory for the new work-from-home business model,” says Gary So, SOUL CEO. “The ability to personalize your sound through the SOUL equalizer app, the flexibility to shift between Audio Transparency Mode and Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation, and of course, the ability to enjoy crystal clear calls are just some of the features making these earbuds such an asset to the modern businessperson.”
EMOTION PRO touts SOUL’s signature precision sound, including a powerful 10mm driver and AAC codec. Its high efficiency battery also boasts up to nine solid hours of continuous use on a single charge and 36 hours of music, entertainment, and talk time with ANC off (28 hours with ANC on). The case is also equipped with wireless charging enabled for a more convenient true wireless experience.
EMOTION PRO is available in three colorways: Black, Blue, and Beige. Full real hands on review soon on techbuzzireland..
To learn more or to purchase SOUL’s new EMOTION PRO now, please visit www.SoulNation.com.
Venture capital investment into Irish tech firms in the second quarter this year hit a record €392m, up 7.6% on the same period in 2020 which was itself unprecedented, according to the Irish Venture Capital Association VenturePulse survey published today in association with William Fry. The survey also reports a record half year to €641m, up 8% from €593m in 2020.
“A feature of the results is that international funding, mostly from the US, rose to 70% of the total in the first half, up 55% on the same period last year,” commented Nicola McClafferty, chairperson, Irish Venture Capital Association. “This is a strong endorsement of the high quality of Irish tech companies and reflects a global interest in them.”
She added, “The worry is that international investment is cyclical and when the tide goes out we will be unable to replicate these funds. We should be looking now to increase the supply of funding from domestic non-traditional VC investors such as pension funds, private investors and corporates as is happening across the UK and other European countries.”
She stressed that this can be achieved at no cost to the Exchequer and urged the Government as part of Budget 2022 to establish a working group to advise on how best to implement this.
Sarah-Jane Larkin, director general, Irish Venture Capital Association, said that funding for the half year had increased across all deal sizes with the exception of those in the €5-€10m range which fell by 10% to €77.7m.
“In terms of the important start-up and early stage companies there was a fall of 47% in the value of deals in the €1m-€5m range in the second quarter to €21.6m and a 42% drop in the number of deals. We hope this was just a temporary blip as the half year performed well with an increase of 15% in the €1m-€5m range to €91.9m and a rise of 19% in the number of deals from 37 to 44.”
Deals below €1m, largely comprised of investment in earlier stage companies, rose by 22% in the first half to €26.2m. The number of deals rose by 16% to 64.
Reflecting a trend across Europe there were significant increases in larger investments in the second quarter. Deals over €30m were up 34% to €185m as a result of investments in life sciences diagnostics company, Let’s Get Checked which raised €123m, and fintech company, Wayflyer which raised €62m. Deals in the quarter over €10m also increased, by 4% to €116m.
Life science companies at 43% were the top fund raisers in the first half of 2021 followed by Software (20%); Fintech (12%); ICT (6%) and Deep tech, or companies founded on a scientific discovery, (4%).
An initiative to develop female entrepreneurship in Donegal is now open for applications. Following the success of the programme last year, Local Enterprise Office Donegal has launched Ambition for 2021. Now in its second year, the programme is open to female founders and co-founders, entrepreneurs, or those with a strong start-up idea, who have links to Donegal. Earlier this week, last year’s cohort – and the first graduates of the programme – came together in person for the first time for a socially distanced photocall to launch Ambition.
“Ambition is designed to support women entrepreneurship in the county and enable more women to transform solid ideas into commercially viable start-ups” says Eve-Anne McCarron, Acting Assistant Head of Enterprise, Donegal. “Last year’s programme yielded great results; all eleven of the female entrepreneurs who graduated the 2020 programme are continuing to work on their businesses, and many of them have come on board as mentors to support the new participants selected for this year’s programme.”
Michael Tunney, Head of Enterprise, Donegal, says the next generation of bright, ambitious female business leaders from Donegal offers hope for woman-led companies after Covid-19:
“While there are plenty of challenges in the current climate, 79% of our first cohort reported that the positives had outweighed the negatives – and that they are optimistic for the future. On the whole, participants met any pandemic related challenges with creativity and resilience; many of them actually viewed lockdown as a crucial time to plan. Working at a slower pace, they could reflect and rebalance their priorities, which led to better decision-making, with space to think and strategise. We now want to build on the success of last year’s programme and are looking for smart new business ideas from women who live in Donegal, want to re-locate to Donegal, or have family links or connections to the county.”
Local Enterprise Office Donegal appointed Helen Fullen of Alinea to coordinate the programme: “The Ambition programme provides women with a clear pathway to start a globally focused business” Helen said. “Last year, we worked with the first cohort of Ambition, and several months later, all eleven teams are still going strong – thanks to the strong women at their helm. They’re dreaming big, with projects designed to make a real impact on business, social and cultural landscapes. 60% have accessed Local Enterprise Office supports since completing the programme, and 54% are revenue generating and exporting internationally. Ambition gives candidates the opportunity to develop their business ideas with one-to-one mentoring, and provides invaluable access to entrepreneurial role models, to learn their tools and techniques. We’re looking forward to working with the next cohort of ambitious female founders in Donegal.”
The course will be delivered online, and similar to last year, it’s hoped that it will attract women from across the diaspora, helping them to develop the building blocks required for female entrepreneurs to succeed. For those interested in finding out more about the programme, the Ambition team will host an Open Evening on Wednesday, 8th September 2021 from 5.00pm – 6.00pm to introduce the programme, the team and share the experiences of previous participants.
To celebrate International Day of Charity (5th September), cross-border digital payments service, WorldRemit, recognises two non-profit organisations that are championing digital education worldwide to inspire others to use their skills for good.
Coderoots, a non-profit founded by Zaira Rasool, Software Engineer at WorldRemit, is dedicated to creating sustainable solutions to digital access and tech education for young talent in Africa. The charity was recently awarded £5,000 through WorldRemit’s Catherine Wines bursary, which was created in memory of the late co-founder of the fintech company.
Speaking on how she has used her skills in software engineering to create positive change globally, Zaira said: “Coderoots is made up of a diverse group of people with different roles and skill sets across tech, business and nonprofits, but we all share the same value and mission: to create opportunities and develop tech in the places that have least access to basic technology.
“Skills like coding are a powerful tool for social mobility. I myself was able to take advantage of this after being awarded a fully-funded place to attend my coding bootcamp, which would have otherwise been unaffordable. During COVID, we have seen how essential access to technology is for all aspects of life, and that those working in tech are the privileged few who hold the knowledge to create the change that is needed. It is therefore our responsibility to create that change.
“One thing we really champion at Coderoots is the value of mentors. We provide mentorship to young people and staff in The Gambia, offering them the chance to connect with someone who can help teach them valuable skills that they can use to create long-term change in their communities. All you need to do to be a mentor is have the time to dedicate each week, along with a passion for helping others to learn and grow, so it’s a really accessible way of using your tech skills for good. And for those who are really keen – you can visit The Gambia to support developing exciting new tech ideas we have brewing!”
With years’ of experience working within grassroots organisations, Zaira found a love for coding after attending workshops with codebar, a charity that runs coding workshops for under-represented communities.
Having started in London in 2013, codebar now has 28 chapters worldwide, including groups in Nairobi, Shanghai and across America.
Kimberley Cook, Director at codebar, shares how nonprofits and charities are driving positive changes in tech worldwide: “Several years ago ‘tech’ was just considered to be websites. Now it is everywhere you look – cars, hoovers, TVs – even fridges and washing machines.
“The technology industry is moving at such a fast pace, so the demand for developers is incredibly high. But, the barrier to entry is still hard to overcome. That’s why charities like codebar are allowing adults to access free programming workshops without having to commit to a degree or bootcamp, which are time consuming and costly.
“Everyone has a skill that a charity or non-profit could benefit from. Whether it’s designing, marketing, illustrating, copywriting or social media. I encourage everyone, regardless of age and profession, to find a cause or charity whose mission and work aligns with their interests, and get in touch. Start with a simple email outlining your skills and desired level of commitment and soon enough you’ll be on your way to making positive change in the world.”
It is back to school/college time again and time to check out new gadgets that are affordable for doing so, with tech being used more today in both school and college here is a few items that might tickle your fancy that are affordable and ideal for your needs.
The Groov-e Kidz Bluetooth headphones are suited for use with all devices, these headphones even include a built-in audio-sharing port so siblings/friends can enjoy watching/listening at the same time. Ideal for homework, remote learning or watching educational videos as well as group learning projects. The Kidz headphones offer up to 7.5 hours wireless playtime however the optional 3.5mm headphone jack means they can continue to be used for even longer. Available in blue or pink.
If getting them to go to sleep at night or get up in the morning is a hassle after the summer holidays, Groov-e Light Curve can help you get them back into a good sleep pattern.
The Light Curve is an alarm and radio with additional sunrise and sunset simulation functions and mood lighting options. The light, which mimics natural daylight, will come on at the selected time, starting off gently and gradually getting brighter until it’s at the optimum level to help rouse sleepy-heads up.
If they have trouble going to sleep, the sunset stimulation mimics the end of the daylight, helping them ease into a relaxing light as they head into slumber.
If they like to read in bed or don’t like to sleep in full darkness, the Light Curve has 10 levels of brightness using its LED lamp. One of the seven coloured mood lighting options can be selected.
Twelve South Compass Pro
Price: £54.99
Available from Amazon, Very
This sturdy, all-metal folding stand from Twelve South allows creative students to use iPad Pro in three different ways while on the move – ideal for college and university students.
Flipping down the secondary leg turns it into typing/sketching mode – ideal for sketching with Apple Pencil.
Using Compass Pro in portrait mode is ideal for students who use video for study and leisure.
Alternatively Compass Pro can be combined with a wireless keyboard desktop mode to use iPad Pro as a screen – perfect for use in classrooms, libraries, cafes and more.
Groov-e Apollo wireless charger, speaker and desk lamp
The Apollo lamp is a firm favourite for uni students and secondary school pupils, as not only does it serve as a desk lamp with three different light settings, it is also a wireless charging platform for smartphones. What’s more, it even has a built-in Bluetooth speaker so they can listen to their favourite tunes while studying/doing homework! Available in black or white.
Twelve South HoverBar Duo
Price: £79
Available from Amazon, Very
HoverBar desk setup
HoverBar Duo is an adjustable iPad and iPhone holder that allows you to position the devices in new ways. Ideal for students who are also streamers/vloggers, podcasters and influencers, the flexible arm has a clamp on the end so it can be attached to a number of different surfaces, allowing creators to position their gadgets at eye level height for recording.
HoverBar Duo is also ideal for teens and students to watch their favourite shows in their bedroom and for remote/online learning and lectures.
The adjustability of the HoverBar Duo also means that students could position their iPad right next to their iMac, external monitor or MacBook to serve as a second, or even third display. Even better, add a wireless keyboard and mouse to create a super comfortable mini desktop setup ideal for studying.
Evernote
Price: Basic (free), Premium (£4.99 per month), Business (£10.99 per month)
Available from: Apple App Store or Google Play
Evernote automatically saves notes online and makes them available on all devices so you can access them anywhere, anytime. Ideal for students who do a mix of online and in-person studying or like a change of scenery.
The document scanning function is also useful for copying from text books and the Search Handwriting feature identifies words in handwritten pieces.
Essential for students planning to study from cafes or anywhere with public WiFi; F-Secure FREEDOME is an intuitive online privacy and security VPN that lets you stay invisible to online trackers, protects data on public Wi-Fi and changes virtual location. FREEDOME now automatically activates when the app detects a user’s phone connecting to a public network.
In addition to typical VPN capabilities, FREEDOME supports browsing protection, anti-phishing, anti-tracking and Tracker Mapper, protecting users from harmful sites, trackers and apps that want to forward personal data without you knowing about it.
The Pocketalk S language translator is perfect for students who are taking their studies abroad. It can translate 82 languages bi-directionally at the touch of a button and has a text-to-translate camera which instantly recognises and translates text, the written word and signs – ideal if you need help reading menus or are trying to find your way around a new city. By utilising the best translation engines from around the world, Pocketalk S provides consistently accurate translation and creates the best experience by picking up localised dialects and slang. It also comes with a complementary 2-year mobile data plan that provides coverage in over 130 countries/regions so you don’t need to rely on Wi-Fi or Roaming data.
Telecom Lifestyle Fashion (TLF), the licensing specialist owned by STRAX AB, has partnered with the Italian fashion brand Diesel, to launch a brand-new set of wireless headphones and enter the highly competitive market
Called the Diesel True Wireless earbuds, the devices provide for a stylish, enhanced way of listening to music and taking phone calls on the go. With bold hues and premium sound quality, the partnership will launch in August 2021. Both black and red colour variations—all with silver logo details – will be available worldwide across multiple distribution channels, including diesel.com, Amazon, and recognised fashion, telecom and electronics retailers.
Diesel TWS have a total battery life and playback time of 32 hours (their case double-functions as a charging portal). LED lights indicate the remaining power supply. The multi-functional button on the earbuds allows for a seamless switch between music and answering and ending phone calls.
The case is compatible with wireless charging, and the earbuds function on Bluetooth 5.0. In order to optimise mobility, the earbuds are sweat and splash-resistant, and they are equipped with voice assist. As noted, the case and earbuds are finished with a silver-coloured metallic Diesel logo.
“Diesel is a globally recognised fashion brand with a distinct identity and a demographically diverse fanbase. We are excited to launch mobile tech accessories under the Diesel brand and we have no doubt we will see strong demand,” says Morsin Otmani, CEO & Co-Founder at Telecom Lifestyle Fashion.
Today Otter.ai announced the launch of Otter Assistant for Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and Cisco Webex for Otter Business Plan users. After an initial one-time user permission, Otter Assistant automatically joins calendared meetings to record, take notes, and share transcripts with meeting participants so users can focus on collaborating and connecting in meetings knowing Otter is automatically transcribing it, or they can skip meetings altogether and catch up on notes afterward.
Otter.ai launched Otter Assistant for Zoom in May and now by expanding the frictionless experience of Otter Assistant to professionals also using Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and Cisco Webex users do not have to worry about what video platform they use, or if their meetings are transcribed and shared, or where their notes are stored—Otter Assistant has you covered with notes stored, accessible, and searchable all in one central place.
“With more companies adapting to a hybrid work model where professionals work and take meetings in-office, at home, and on mobile, many are looking to Otter as a tool to improve team communication and collaboration,” says Sam Liang, co-founder & CEO of Otter.ai. “We’re excited to make using Otter even easier and more accessible no matter where or how people conduct and participate in meetings.”
Otter Assistant is the AI note-taking tool that does not require a complicated setup process, seamlessly integrating with the user’s calendar so that it joins meetings on time even if you’re running late or can’t make the meeting. During the meeting, it will generate real-time, secure, shareable, and searchable notes and audio recordings with industry-leading accuracy. Users can highlight, add images, comments or questions, search by keywords or name, and review the transcript and audio during and after the meeting, empowering professionals to be more productive and engaged in meetings without the stress of trying to accurately capture and document information.
Users can access all of their notes, regardless of video conferencing platform, through Otter.ai’s web app or mobile apps on iOS and Android.
Otter Business starts as low as $20 per user per month and includes:
Otter Assistant to automatically join, record, and share meeting notes
Real-time annotation features to add highlights, comments, and images
Custom vocabulary for names, jargon, and acronyms within teams
Shared speaker identification across the Otter Business team
