The Children’s Rights Alliance will launch their new online safety campaign tomorrow, Tuesday 13th July 2021 at 10am with a virtual event.
The campaign calls for Government action to make the online world safer for children and young people by appointing a well-resourced Online Safety Commissioner with an independent, individual complaints mechanism for when online platforms fail to adequately or appropriately deal with an individual’s complaint.
Commenting in advance, Tanya Ward, Chief Executive of the Children’s Rights Alliance, said: “It’s simply not good enough that Government is contemplating putting an Online Safety Commissioner in place with no teeth to help individual children and young people who are up against big tech. These companies are making massive profits and failing to invest in online safety measures. It’s time to stand up for children and young people and actually put an Online Safety Commissioner in place that has the power to take on and resolve individual complaints from children and young people.”
The speakers at the event include:
Julie Ahern, Legal and Policy Manager, Children’s Rights Alliance
Peter Tyndall, Ombudsman and Information Commissioner for Ireland
Karen McAuley, Head of Policy at the Ombudsman for Children’s Office
Noeline Blackwell, CEO of Dublin Rape Crisis Centre
The event will be chaired by children’s rights campaigner and former Senator Jillian van Turnhout
Back to school planning is back in session, and that means it’s time to equip the student in your life with the latest smartphone.
To help you navigate the landscape, Tesco Mobile, Ireland’s best network for customer experience has created great value plans and offers on leading brands, available online and in Tesco Mobile stores nationwide until 4th August 2021.
Whether you’re preparing your family for the academic year ahead, or a student seeking out the best deals on smartphone technology to stay connected on (or off) campus, then look no further because there is something for everyone in store and online.
TESCO MOBILE PREPAY BACK TO SCHOOLS OFFERS
Register your Tesco Clubcard to your Tesco Mobile account to double your data to 30GB on the latest €15 prepay plan and enjoy and unlimited calls to any network – all for 28 days.
Samsung Galaxy A02s Was €169.99 Now €129.99 Save €40
The Samsung Galaxy A02sis the perfect companion for back to school or college. A feature-rich affordable Galaxy Smartphone with a huge 6.5” HD+ screen which can give users access to online assignments, content streaming or games. The Samsung Galaxy A02s also has a huge 5,000mAh all-day battery and an impressive triple camera array on the back – so there is no excuse for having your battery die or missing that perfect snap.
Nokia 2.4 Was €119.99 Now €99.99 Save €20 – going to €79.99 from 3rd August
Positioned at an unbeatable market leading price the Nokia 2.4 is the perfect Back to School accessory and lasts up to two days with Adaptive Battery technology. It takes detailed night shots with AI imaging and can help bring those great school stories to life with an impressive 6.5” HD+ 20.9 screen. Plus, unlock your device quickly and easily with a convenient fingerprint sensor or simply use the AI face unlock.
Alcatel 1. Now €39.99. Was 49.99. Save €10
The all-in-one Android and great introduction to the world of smartphones. The Alcatel 1 has everything you need in a smartphone and now for under €40! Compact and lightweight with a sizable screen and comprehensive social media sharing features, surf the web, connect with friends or share photos with ease.
Check out all these great back to school deals and more on www.tescomobile.ie
SOUL, the leading maker of affordable high-quality audio, noise cancelling, and wireless products, officially launches EMOTION MAX ($119.99), a new high-performance Active Noise Cancelling wireless over-ear headphone with Multipoint technology. Now available at SoulNation.com, EMOTION MAX masterfully blends SOUL’s signature sound quality and the latest Bluetooth Multipoint technology in a sleek, foldable design.
Built for the modern consumer, EMOTION MAX allows wearers to effortlessly switch back and forth between Normal, Active Noise Cancellation and Audio Transparency mode, while Bluetooth Multipoint Technology empowers users to stream music, answer calls, and receive notifications from two separate devices at once. Not only can consumers expect SOUL’s signature precision sound, complete with a powerful 40mm driver and AptX and AAC codec, but they will have clear-sounding calls and voice communication with the built-in Qualcomm® CvC™ 8.0 (Clear Voice Capture). EMOTION MAX also boasts up to 38 hours of music, entertainment, and talk time (24 hours with ANC function on).
Never a brand to stop short of style, SOUL’s new EMOTION MAX is also serving up comfort, function, and a chic minimalist aesthetic. The headphones come with interchangeable premium protein leather and breathable mesh ear cushions that allow the wearer to customize their experience in accordance with the weather, their activity level, or moods, while its lightweight foldable design makes for convenient storage on-the-go. EMOTION MAX is available in three colorways: Black, Blue, and Beige.
“From fit to tech and even packaging, we’ve closely listened to what today’s consumer desires in a wireless over-ear headphone,” says Gary So, SOUL Chief Executive Officer. “EMOTION MAX is not only brimming with exciting high-tech features and precision sound capabilities, but we have also proudly eliminated 98 percent of plastic in its packaging.”
To learn more or to purchase SOUL’s new EMOTION MAX now, please visit www.SoulNation.com. For a limited time, all EMOTION MAX purchases will include a complimentary limited edition SOUL lanyard.
Sony aims to make home working even easier with the introduction of a new wireless neckband speaker – the SRS-NB10. Designed to rest on your shoulders, the SRS-NB10 allows you to take conference calls, listen to music and walk around in total comfort all day.
Hear clearly
Whether you’re working from home or from the office, we’re often faced with distractions or background noise that we want to eliminate for virtual meetings. The SRS-NB10 has been perfectly designed for online conferences, making every meeting effortless and comfortable.
The SRS-NB10 features a full-range speaker unit that is angled upwards so sound is optimised for your ears alone. Passive radiators embedded at the back of the unit boosts the bass to ensure the sound is well-balanced. You’ll hear every word clearly with low volumes, even with others in the room, so you don’t need to worry about distracting colleagues, roommates or family.
The SRS-NB10 allows you to have clear audio quality for the calls that matter. Whatever’s going on around you, your voice will always be heard clearly thanks to Precise Voice Pickup Technology. Two high-quality directional (beam-forming) microphones, combined with advanced audio signal processing means that the SRS-NB10 minimises feedback and echo, whilst delivering crystal clear voice quality to the person, or people, on the call.
SRS-NB10 techbuzzireland
You can also easily control the microphone while on conference calls with a simple click of the MIC Mute button. You also have easy control over volume, simply touch the volume buttons on the side of the SRS-NB10 for a level that’s comfortable for you. Play and pause when listening to music by touching the button directly on the neckband speaker.
Work all day, wear all day
The SRS-NB10 isn’t just designed for work. The wireless neckband speaker is light and comfortable with a secure fit around your neck that rests gently on the shoulders so you can keep wearing it, even when your work is done. From the first meeting to listening to music while making dinner, the SRS-NB10 is comfortable all day long.
The flexible band on the back helps you find the perfect fit. Plus, the open-ear style allows you to listen to calls yet still be aware of what’s going on around you.
Powerful and practical
Even hard workers won’t have to worry about battery life. The SRS-NB10 is ready to handle a whole day of business calls, music playlists, TV shows and more. With up to 20 hours of battery life you’re ready to go and keep going no matter how many virtual meetings you need to join. If you do run low, a quick 10 minute charge gives you up to an hour of extra work or play.The SRS-NB10 is also compatible with USB Type-C ®.
The SRS-NB10 also features Multipoint Connection meaning you can connect two devices at the same time, such as your laptop and smartphone If a business call comes in on your laptop while you’re listening to music on your smartphone, you can take the call with just one click of the Play/Call button on the left side of the neckband. Once the call is over, it’s back to your favourite playlist with no need to reconnect.
The IPX4 splash-proof design lets you enjoy your favourite shows and tunes, even while you’re doing daily chores like washing up.
The neckband speaker delivers clear, personal sound, even at low volumes. Connect to your TV smartphone or music player with Bluetooth® technology and enjoy your favourite movies, shows and playlists without bothering the neighbours, roommates or other family members.
Beautifully streamlined
The SRS-NB10 will also keep you looking stylish on video calls. It features a sleek and simple design with a high-quality fabric finish. The fabric-covered speakers give the neckband a premium look and feel. The SRS-NB10 comes in a choice of charcoal grey or white to match your home office or décor.
The SRS-NB10 isn’t only designed to be stylish, but also with the environment in mind. Plastic comprises less than 10% of the packaging material for the SRS-NB10, reflecting Sony’s commitment to reducing the environmental impact of its product and practices.
The SRS-NB10 is available from September 2021 priced at approximately €150.
Edifier, the award-winning manufacturer of premium sound systems, bookshelf speakers and personal audio devices, is introducing its newest audio product, the NeoBuds Pro, which is available to pre-order on IndieGoGo.
“With the ever-changing landscape and need of consumers, Edifier continues to expand on its innovation to ensure that the best and most cost-effective products are given to our customers while remaining at the forefront of personal audio innovation,” said Stanley Wen, Edifier’s CTO.
Distinct from other noise cancellation earphones on the market, the Neobuds Pro are the first Hi-Res certified, noise canceling, truly wireless earphones in the market that boast a dynamic driver, Knowles balanced armature, and LHDC+ACC codec.
Edifier’s innovative research team conducted hundreds of tests that led to electronic-acoustic technology breakthroughs in the development of the NeoBuds Pro. The earbuds bring premium audio quality traditionally found in speakers and over-ear headphones to a more convenient, compact and wireless package. Its bi-amping with DSP-based active crossover technology ensures the dynamic driverand the armature driver are working in tandemto provide users with premium sound quality, deep bass, and crisp treble frequencies all with truly unique technological advancements.
A higher, more accurate sampling frequency, leading to higher sound quality and truer tones over traditional earphones, earned the Neobuds Pro a Hi-Res certification. The Neobuds Pro supports the LHDC+ACC codec transmitting 96kHz 24Bit HD audio over Bluetooth, to present a full and comprehensive range of sound with the truest, purest tones of each musical note and instrument.
The Neobuds Pro also has advanced noise-cancelling feature, which outperforms the previous TWS NB2 with deeper, smarter and a more upgraded algorithm. It offers the user a quieter environment to enhance the music listening experience while protecting the user’s hearing from the outside noise. The earphones also feature three precisely positioned internal microphones that were specifically designed for on-the-go phone calls that offer an enhanced noise cancellation algorithm which provides clear, wind-resistant indoor/outdoor communication that is more advanced than any previous Edifier model. Paired with advanced low latency gaming mode and 1-hour fast-charging capabilities, the Neobuds Pro are ready for active and continuous use.
With the seamless, sleek and timeless design of the earphones and charging case, unparalleled comfort, chic style, and high-quality technology, the Neobuds Pro are ideal for consistent use by audiophiles with a taste for luxury and value. The Neobuds Pro will be available to pre-order June 2021 with a retail price of $99 on IndieGoGo.
If you are passionate about technology and have enough experience and knowledge of the tech world, then you should consider opening up your own technology business. As more of our daily life becomes reliant on technology, there will be more demand for tech businesses that can deliver the products that consumers desire. Then, here is a guide on how you can open your own tech business and ensure that you can set yourself up for success.
Design an Innovative Product
The first step that you should take when you are planning to open your own tech business is to design an innovative product that customers will be desperate for. This product should be marketable to multiple audiences, and you should be able to mass-produce it quickly. You should also make sure that this product is different from those already on the market, even if it simply has an additional function that no other similar products have. Your new product should also use the latest technology as this will ensure that it can be relevant for much longer. Once you have designed this product, you can start to think about how you will expand your product line, such as aesthetic differences or accessories for the product in question.
Take a Tech-Related Degree
However, before you start up a tech business, you should make sure that you have the knowledge and experience to support your new venture. One of the best ways to do this is to take a tech-related degree that can help you to figure out the most vital elements of technology that you need to know about. For instance, an online MS in Computer Science from Worcester Polytechnic Institute can help you to learn all that you need to know about designing a computer network and about using big data. You can even learn this necessary knowledge while you are running your business, as online courses mean that you can complete coursework and assignments remotely and in your own time. A degree in computer science can help you to open businesses such as IT support companies, software development ventures, and web development services.
Choose the Right Location
When you have decided that you are going to open your own tech business, you need to make sure that you find the right location for it. There are many locations across the world that have become hubs for tech businesses. Opening your business in one of these locations will allow you to be near all of your clients and the other businesses in your industry, which you may want to work with and learn from. Not only this but opening a tech business in the right location will allow you to get access to all of the resources that you need and stay up to date with what is happening within your industry.
Find a Great Supplier
However, when you have decided to set up a tech business, you need to realise that its success is not reliant on you alone. Instead, your business is likely to become part of an interconnected network of businesses: a supply chain. Then, you need to ensure that you can find great suppliers of the materials that you need. For instance, many tech businesses will need to invest in materials such as batteries and metals to ensure that their products can be made to a high quality. If you fail to find a reliable supplier, you might find that you are unable to meet deadlines and that your customer satisfaction rates start to dip.
Look for Your Niche
However innovative your company is, though, you need to ensure that you can find your business’s niche before you start to open your business to customers. For instance, you might provide a service that other businesses do not, or you might provide a service for a certain industry or client to which other companies do not cater for. Finding your niche will ensure that you can stand out from the competition and even get clients regardless of how many competitors you have. This will also ensure that you have an understanding of who you need to market your company to, which can help you to increase your sales and your customer base.
Research the Tech Industry
Before you open your tech business, though, you need to have an in-depth knowledge of the industry that you are entering. Then, you should research the tech industry. You can do this by looking at reports and studies, attending trade shows and conferences, and networking with other tech companies. You might also consider gaining insight first-hand by working for another company or within the tech industry before you decide to start work on your own venture.
Get Tech Funding
A big part of enabling your business’s success as it enters the tech sector, though, is getting the right funding for it. Luckily, there are many funding schemes out there for tech start-ups who have innovative ideas to their name. Then, you should look for bigger companies that run awards and competitions. You might also be able to get government funding for your venture or capital from an angel investor or an angel investment network who are interested in the tech industry. If all else fails, you should consider opting for a bank loan or potential investment from your friends and family.
Make Tech Partnerships
To make a success of your business in its first years, though, you must be able to partner with more well-known and larger tech companies. Not only will this allow you to attract more attention due to your proximity to them and ensure that you expose your business to a larger audience, but it will also give you the opportunity of working together to create bigger and better products for your target audience. Tech partnerships can also be useful; if you need funding or if you want to get advice on how to grow your tech business in the future.
Urbanista, the Swedish lifestyle audio brand, announces the launch of two new products to its true wireless line up; Urbanista Seoul, mobile gaming ready earphones and Urbanista Lisbon, a colourful and compact range of earbuds.
Introducing Urbanista Seoul
Perfected for mobile gaming and designed for life in motion, the sleek and compact Seoul earphones offer low latency and super audio quality, making them the perfect partner for mobile gaming, listening to music or watching your favourite videos. Urbanista Seoul combines the brands trademark minimal Scandinavian sleek and compact design, with four stylish colour choices. With Seoul, you can instantly switch between gaming and music modes with just the tap of an earphone to choose the best possible audio experience for your most immersive mobile gaming and music listening moments.
Priced at £89,90 / €89,90 / $89,90 / 899 SEK / 899 NOK / 699 DKK MSRP, Urbanista Seoul is available in Midnight Black (black), Electric Blue (blue), Vivid Purple (purple), and Pearl White (white).
Priced at £49,90 / €49,90 / $49,90 / 499 SEK / 499 NOK / 399 DKK MSRP, Lisbon combines functionality with personality and is sleek, compact and, above all, functional. With a portable charging case, and earbuds weighing only 4g each, Urbanista Lisbon is the perfect audio companion to carry with you wherever you go. The small earbuds fit comfortably and securely for a barely-there listening experience and offer an impressive nine hours playtime. Although small, Lisbon is designed to pack a punch in terms of sound for their size.
Urbanista Lisbon is available in a choice of five stylish colourways, inspired by the carefree feeling of endless summer days: Coral Peach (pastel red), Vanilla Cream (beige), Blush Pink (pink), Mint Green (green) and Midnight Black (black).
From listening to podcasts to catching up with the latest hits, headphones have become a necessity of our time. You could be amidst those whose careers depend entirely on headphones. If you love gaming or you work in a music production studio, your type of headphones are tailored to meet your field’s specific needs.
Apart from these specialized functionalities, most of the quality aspects cut across. In this article, we explore six factors to look out for before buying a pair of headphones. Let’s dive right in!
1. Sound Quality
The sound quality will vary if you use in-ear (earbuds), on-ear, or over-ear headphones. Therefore, when listening to music of high quality, your choice is between the on-ear and over-ear. Since the on-ear allows distraction from your surroundings, over-ear headphones are the in-thing for excellent performance and high-quality music.
Depending on the genre of your favorite music, some sets give you stellar sound for specific genres. Request the retailer to allow you to test your headphones before paying for a pair. And if you have a pretty diverse musical taste, preparing a collection in advance will come in handy when testing.
2. Durability
Durability describes the sturdiness of the headphones’ components. Check the material of the headband to determine its build quality. A headband with a metal frame or heavy-duty plastic is considered strong. Also, ensure the headband is devoid of several joints which are likely weak points. And for the earbud or in-ear designs, the tips’ shape and cable thickness determine their build quality.
To get value for your money, thoroughly inspect the build material. Avoid loosely built headphones that will break after a few months of use. If you move with your headphones often or are a busy Dj, a powerfully built headphone is non-negotiable.
3. Comfort
If you are the kind that uses headphones for several hours, you don’t want to compromise on comfort. Below are three aspects to look out for when comfort and a perfect fit are your key considerations:
Ear Cup’s Extension
If on-ear cups are too short, they will press your ears against your head. This force can cause soreness of the soft tissues, especially if you wear glasses. For over-ear cups, ensure they have a comfortable and complete seal near the ears.
Clamping Force
This will help you to locate the pressure points. If it’s little, your headphones will fall off at the slightest movement. And if it’s a lot, your head will feel compressed. Therefore, you need to fit in your headphones to determine if the force is balanced. A visual inspection will not cut it.
Cushioning
Thick cushions are comfortable, but they will squeeze you around your ears. In contrast, thin cushions bring your ears in close contact with the hardware. And this can be a source of irritation.
Proper cushioning should be moderate. Again not unless you are shopping online, test your headphones and settle for perfect cushioning.
4. Battery Life
If you love wireless headphones, then battery life is a crucial component you do not want to assume. A built-in battery that’s rechargeable powers wireless headphones. Go for a battery that lasts between 20-30 hours. Notably, over-ear wireless headphones have batteries that last longer than those of Bluetooth earbuds.
Besides, Bluetooth earbuds that need a cable for connection have a battery life of up to eight hours. In comparison, true wireless earbuds have a battery life of between three to five hours. If you are an outdoor kind of person, you now know what to look out for instantly.
5. Purpose of Headphones
If you are a multi-user, check what you use your headphones for 80% of your time. This should guide you on the type of headphones to buy.
On the other hand, specialized functionalities will require specialized headphones. For instance, gaming headphones are tuned to pick sound direction and details. However, you may need a different pair for listening to music because gaming headphones will only serve your gaming needs.
6. Price
Having talked about the various aspects of headphones, your budget will determine the gadget you finally take home. As it applies to other items you purchase, premium headphones will cost premium rates. But, to enjoy features like noise cancellation, stellar sound, comfortable and durable designs, every penny spent is worth it.
But if your use is essential, like listening to simple music and voice chatting, a budget pair will play the trick perfectly.
With these easy guidelines, your next headphone experience should be more pleasurable. Plus, you are now a more informed user.
CWSI, Ireland’s most experienced modern workplace security and compliance specialist, today announces a new partnership with Dubber, the global leaders for compliant Unified Call Recording and Voice AI solutions.
Dubber was built from the ground up to solve compliant communication gaps for regulated businesses, enabling them to switch on a feature-rich service directly from the network as part of their core telecommunications service. Dubber is the platform of choice for more than 150 service provider networks globally, including AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, Telstra, and O2, as well as cloud calling and collaboration platforms like Zoom Phone and Meetings, Cisco Webex Calling and Microsoft Teams.
Dubber is one of the first recording platforms to be certified for compliance by Microsoft for integration directly into Microsoft Teams. Dubber also recently acquired Speik, the leading UK provider of mobile call recording and PCI payments solutions.
Dubber has been working with CWSI as a support partner in the UK since 2019 and chose CWSI as a master reseller in Ireland due to its expertise in supporting the solution within the UK and EMEA.
Headquartered in Dublin, CWSI provides modern security and compliance solutions to customers both directly and via channel partner relationships. CWSI will be offering Dubber via channel partners only, focusing on those partners with expertise in Microsoft Teams and a strong presence in regulated industries.
With Dubber’s unique reach and Unified Call Recording (UCR), specifically for compliance, Irish organisations will be able to capture recordings directly from the network immediately in one location from all their voice, video and text services. Conversations, once automatically captured, are securely stored in Dubber Cloud Storage and then processed in the Dubber Voice Intelligence Cloud – where AI creates real-time insights, alerts, and more.
Dubber is GDPR, MiFID II and PCI DSS-compliant, cloud-based, easily deployed and infinitely scalable. All calls are captured and enriched with Voice AI, which allows for line-by-line sentiment analysis that can improve customer experience and identify potential compliance or fraud risks in real time.
Dubber and its growing partner network have seen significant growth in demand for its solutions since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic as organisations look to capture customer conversations seamlessly and compliantly across remote/hybrid workforces and call centres.
Ronan Murphy, CEO of CWSI, said: “Gartner predicts that by 2025, 75% of conversations at work will be recorded. Many of these conversations will take place over collaboration platforms like Microsoft Teams. This new, significant partnership with Dubber will enable CWSI to build on the success that Dubber has achieved globally for its unified recording and voice AI technologies.
“All Irish organisations will be able to harness the revenue accelerating potential of collecting this valuable voice data and overcome the challenges posed by dispersed work environments. In particular, regulated enterprises will be able to securely capture, analyse and create alerts based on critical voice data.
“Potential partners will benefit from significant recurring revenue and margin uplifts and the ability to leverage Dubber’s APIs to provide value-added integrations into tools like Dynamics or Power BI.”
Simon Broadbent, VP of Sales at Dubber, said: “CWSI is an obvious partner for us in Ireland as they have deep industry knowledge and an unparalleled reputation for service delivery in the areas of enterprise mobility, compliance and security. Dubber is committed to providing resources and capabilities which support CWSI’s industry knowledge and relationships in order to deliver a world class unified call recording service, with an immediate focus on satisfying the rapidly expanding regulatory requirements for Microsoft Teams and Cisco Webex Teams users.”
Steve McGovern, CEO of Dubber, said: “CWSI’s extensive reach and sector knowledge support our continued growth as we look to meet the growing needs of Ireland’s business and government organisations. We are looking forward to collaborating with such an ambitious partner that has such a strong reputation and footprint in their markets.”
