Category: Tech News

Find your nearest pharmacy to book your covid vaccine right here if you are 50 or over.

Your local pharmacy is now giving out the J&J vaccine which is great news for those waiting to get vaccinated. The HSE have posted a list of pharmacies participating in the service and there is plenty to pick from and all these are given an eircode, phone number and address..

All counties are covered and there is a dropdown menu to check out what pharmacy in your area is participating, Once you are 50 or over you can book your appointment. So what are you waiting for. To find out where your nearest pharmacy is today see

https://www2.hse.ie/Apps/Services/PharmaciesServiceList.aspx

 

 

Important Advice For People Looking To Start A Podcast

“Be loud about the things that are important to you” – Karen Walrond

Starting a podcast is a good way to air your ideas to people who’ll be interested in what you have to share. It is pretty simple to set up a podcast channel. However, you must be aware of the steps needed to make your podcast a success. From planning the podcast and buying the equipment to recording the audio and publishing it on a platform, there are many aspects of creating a podcast. In this article, you’ll get some important tips if you’re looking to start a podcast.and if you find yourself looking for more guidance, check out https://melonapp.com/how-to-start-a-podcast/.

 

Planning Your Podcast

If you’re planning to start a podcast, the first thing you’ll need to do is to decide the theme of your channel. If you want to share your knowledge about cooking, you can plan your podcasts to be based on recipes, cuisines, and kitchen-related topics. If you are good at yoga, you can plan your content based on meditation techniques, poses, and other yoga-related topics. If you follow a consistent theme in all your podcasts, you’ll be able to acquire a dedicated audience. Alternatively, if you publish podcasts based on random topics, there are high chances that you will not be able to retain your audience effectively. It is best to carry out detailed research on your potential audience to find out which topics would be best received by them. Once you zone in on the theme of your podcasts and the tendencies of your target audience, your podcasts will have a bigger impact overall. In addition to this, you’ll have a clearer idea of what you want to achieve and the correct way to plan your podcasts. You’ll be able to bring consistency and quality to your podcasts that will drive your audience to interact more with your channel.

Creating Your Podcast

The process of creating a podcast can be intimidating for a beginner. However, if you choose the correct equipment and follow the correct procedures, you’ll be able to accomplish it with ease. To successfully record a high-quality podcast, all you will need is your computer, headphones, and a mic. In addition to this, you can invest in a pop filter that acts as a windscreen between you and the mic. To increase the quality of the podcast, you can also use a headphone amplifier and shock mount. The basic idea is to reduce the background noise as much as possible to have a clear audio interface. Your podcast’s success depends greatly on the sound quality.  In addition to this, the folks at Wired Clip suggest reading reviews of the latest podcast hosting platforms to find the platform that caters to your target audience. That said, the content also plays a crucial part in your podcast’s success. You can invite a friend to converse with you and make things exciting every once in a while. Once you’ve recorded the audio, you’ll need to edit out the unnecessary parts. You can instantly make the podcasts better by masking the background noise and tuning the main sound. On another note, if you feel like your content is great, but your podcasts are not getting enough reach, you may need to improve the quality of your podcasts. You can always hire a sound editor to edit your podcasts. Alternatively, you can learn to do it yourself via online courses and tutorials.

Publishing Your Podcast 

To help your podcasts reach a wide audience, you’ll need to create a podcast channel on different hosting platforms. You can research the different podcast hosting platforms to understand which ones attract the audience that would most likely resonate with your content. Once you’ve created your podcasting channel, you can publish your podcasts to make them visible to the public. You can track the progress of your podcasts by the number of times people interacted with them. Most platforms allow users to comment on the content. It is a good way to get your audience’s feedback and improve your strategy accordingly. By trial and error, you can find a suitable niche for your podcasts that will give you the most reach and engagement.

To sum up, let’s go through the process of starting a podcast once more. You’ll need to plan your podcasts ahead of time. Sticking to a theme will get you more subscribers. The success of a podcast depends on its content and audio quality. Invest in proper equipment and hire a good sound editor if needed. Find a suitable podcast hosting platform, publish your podcasts, and improve with the feedback you receive.

Sony announce WH-1000XM4 headphones in new Midnight Blue. #Sony #Headphones

Sony has announced its WH-1000XM4 headphones in delightful Midnight Blue (RRP: €380). The latest design supports the same specs as the hugely popular Black and Silver versions, including award-winning and industry leading noise-cancelling, adaptive sound control and the speak-to-chat function.

 

The stylish Midnight Blue allows users to further personalise their listening experience and  will be available to purchase from mid-June.

  • Industry leading noise-cancellation
  • Adaptive Sound Control
  • Speak to Chat function
  • 30H battery life
  • Multiple device pairing via BLUETOOTH®
  • Now available in stylish Midnight Blue
  • RRP €380

Only 26% of workers felt psychologically safe during the pandemic. #Workhuman #Covid19Ireland

Only 26% of workers felt psychologically safe during the pandemic and experienced higher levels of burnout, stress, and greater feelings of being lonely, according to a new survey from Irish-American tech firm Workhuman. The survey, of over 3,000 U.S. workers in March 2021, further revealed men experienced higher psychological safety than women, white employees experienced higher psychological safety than other ethnic groups, and working parents had the lowest psychological safety in comparison to employees who are not parents. Psychological safety describes the feeling of being one’s whole self at work, taking risks and being vulnerable, without fear of negative consequences.

 

“Based on our survey, the two most practical ways to boost psychological safety are to say “thank you” more often and to check in with employees more frequently,” said Workhuman Director of People Analytics Dr. Meisha-Ann Martin. “Creating a sense of psychological safety, especially for underrepresented groups, allows for higher levels of engagement, increased motivation, innovation, and better performance, which can lead to major breakthroughs.”

The Workhuman survey also affirms psychological safety is highest for employees who are recognised and is lowest for those who are never recognised, and only 51% of the respondents said they’ve been thanked at work in the last month. To make gratitude a habit, set aside time each week to think about which colleagues delivered for the business, then take the time to thank them for their efforts. Additionally, people who check in with their manager at least once a week experience higher psychological safety than those who check in less frequently, and yet only 29% of respondents in the Workhuman survey said they check in with their manager every week. A regular cadence of check-ins becomes an opportunity to build trust and sets a foundation of positivity for the manager-employee relationship.

At its core, psychological safety is about feeling comfortable bringing your whole, human self to work. For employers, it’s about empowerment – trusting the humans you’ve hired to do the jobs they were hired to do, allowing them to use their voices and show up in their teams. These two simple tactics – recognising more frequently and establishing a cadence of check-ins – can go a long way in creating an inclusive and psychologically safe environment for your people.

For more information about how the Workhuman Cloud can help strengthen your workforce and drive better business performance, please visit www.workhuman.com.

BenQ Launches New 4K Ultra Short Throw Laser TV Projector with Android TV and Filmmaker Mode. #BenQ #Projectors #Tech

The V7000i and V7050i Redefine the Living Room Cinema Experience.

BenQ, a global leader in display technology and solutions, proudly announces the introduction of its latest true 4K, HDR-PRO™, CinematicColor™ and Filmmaker Mode ultra-short throw Laser TV projector, the V7000i and V7050i. Those who demand only the best performance will immediately notice that even in a well-lit environment, colours are delivered with stunning richness and vibrancy. The V7000i and V7050i offer 1.3 times more colour volume than other laser TVs in the same class across an image size greater than 100”. With the built-in Android TV and a stylish, contemporary design, the V7000i and V7050i set the stage for a true living room home cinema experience.

 

Even in a bright, well-lit room, each of the 8.3 million pixels in the true 4K UHD image renders a projection with incredible clarity and vivid colours for the most visually impressive pictures. With BenQ’s exclusive CinematicColor technology, colours are stunningly rich and gradients are extremely fine thanks to the 98% coverage of the super wide DCI-P3 colour space. In addition, HDR-PRO brings HDR10 and HLG support and dynamic tone mapping adjusts image contrast and brightness levels on the fly to reveal previously lost details in dark or shadow areas while preventing bright areas from being overexposed. 

 

Also, BenQ shares the same values as the UHD Alliance; the V7000i and V7050i come prepared with Filmmaker Mode. Optimised by CinematicColor, Filmmaker Mode enables your Laser TV to display the movie or television show precisely as it was intended by the filmmaker for a genuine cinema experience. These class-leading features all work together to ensure that images are rendered more accurately and delivered in the way it was originally intended.

 

For the ultimate cinematic atmosphere, the V7000i and V7050i can be connected to an external sound system via dual HDMI 2.0b and SPDIF ports. Also, the treVolo-tuned 5Wx2 virtual surround stereo speakers with a tweeter and a woofer in the left/right cabinet, put out an impressively punchy and powerful sound for speakers of that size. Utilizing acoustic and psychoacoustic science, an immersive soundscape is created through the virtual surround sound format.

 

When it comes to entertainment content, the Google-certified Android TV functionality provides an extensive library of films, TV shows, games and sports to satisfy the needs of everyone. Furthermore, the intuitive and well-organized interface makes finding content easy and quick.

 

On the outside, the unobtrusive, yet aesthetically pleasing exterior design of the V7000i and V7050i brings a stylish home décor touch to any room. These ultra-short throw projectors take up very little space and eliminate the need for complicated wiring. The integrated automatic eye protection sensor, sunroof and dust-reducing louver design adds simple elegance to these additional practical features. Combined with easy-on-the-eye viewing, the brighter laser light source also will last 20,000 hours.

 

With beautifully rich colours and captivating soundscapes, unlimited media library and stylish contemporary design cues, the V7000i and 7050i set a new light on how the full cinema experience should be enjoyed at home.

Available in June, the V7000i/V7050i retails at €3799 or £3499. For more information, please visit the V7000i and V7050i product pages. 

Savant brings Deezer HiFi to smart home owners worldwide #Savant #Deezer

A supreme music experience deserves high-quality home audio hardware. That’s why Deezer HiFi has been fully integrated into the Savant Music experience. Starting today, you can fill your home with the music of your choice, in lossless audio quality, through Savant’s award-winning smart home audio products.

Savant’s latest Pro 9.4 software allows users to enjoy an on-demand music experience within a personalised and customizable app, letting all users access Deezer music effortlessly. Users can also enjoy top sound quality in lossless FLAC audio, just like you’d hear from a CD. The service plays the full range of frequencies that the human ear can hear (16-Bit/44.1 kHz), while making sure that data and energy isn’t wasted on huge file sizes.

The Deezer HiFi experience with Savant allows you to:

  • Play Deezer HiFi on any Savant enabled audio product to experience exceptional sound quality.
  • Search for and play a song directly from the Savant app. Simply type in your  favourite artist to discover albums, tracks and more in one easy-to-navigate app experience.
  • Wake up to your favourite tunes, party to the best playlists or listen to relaxing music
  • Savant ‘scenes’ include music settings as well as lighting, shading, and other entertainment settings. Press one button to activate multiple devices and create the perfect mood for any occasion.
  • Control all of your music from on all mobile devices, Savant Remotes and in-wall touch screens.
  • Create a unique personalised dashboard experience on the app of favourite albums, artists, playlists, podcasts and more.

All Savant users will also benefit from a free two-month trial of Deezer HiFi. Deezer HiFi offers advert-free access to over 70 million tracks in high fidelity, plus exclusive artist content from the dedicated ‘HiFi Room’, as well as a wide range of curated and personalised content for every listener.

“Our new partnership with Savant means that enjoying exceptional sound across your home couldn’t be any easier. Together we’re bringing music fans the best lossless quality music with just a quick touch of a button. HiFi music brings out the best from every song. Experiencing music through high quality speakers in the home will really make your smart home stand out,” said Deborah Jourdan, Head of North and Central America at Deezer.

Deezer has made the free two-month trial easy to access, simply ask your Savant representative for the free trial code or open Deezer on the Savant app and redeem today.

Detection Technology expands the X-Scan T camera family

Detection Technology, a global leader in X-ray detector solutions, has expanded its X-Scan T camera family to address a wide range of industrial inspection needs. Today, the company has launched four new variants of the TDI-based (Time Delay Integration) product family. The new variants are available in lengths of 307 mm, 512 mm, 614 mm, and 820 mm that perfect the company’s existing offering, and are fitted for the mainstream system configurations and production belt widths in the target segment. The X-Scan T is built on a well-proven and modular platform that is easy to scale for a variety of X-ray imaging needs.

“The new variants come with the added value features, for which our X-Scan T product family is known in the industry and our customers have been thanking us. For example, our customers have been delighted with its capability to provide better imaging performance than standard detector solutions, even if X-ray source power has been more than halved. This highlights the fact that we have succeeded in providing a solution that promotes system efficiency and cost drivers, and increasingly important environmental aspects, not to mention how its target applications have a positive impact on building a more sustainable future by reducing variation and throwaway waste in production lines. As another example, its scanning speed seems to be a feature that is highly valued in fast-paced manufacturing,” says Tomi Fält, Director of Product Management at Detection Technology.

The X-Scan T product family provides high sensitivity with a low X-ray dose. As a result, image quality meets the most stringent requirements of industrial applications. At the same time, it significantly reduces the required X-ray power and doubles the detector lifetime under X-ray when compared to the industry average. Furthermore, the low-dose operation mode enables the minimization of shielding of X-ray systems, generating total cost savings and streamlining system designs.

The TDI technology features high sensitivity and enhanced contrast resolution. In addition, the unique photodiode-based sensor provided only by Detection Technology, the fast and sensitive scintillator, and the signal processing chain, which is capable of reading each single pixel, further boost the imaging performance of the series. With the application-optimized readout electronics and pixel sizes, the series now features an improved scanning speed of 180 m/min that meets the requirements of the fastest target applications.

Equipped with a built-in control unit, embedded TDI algorithm, and other data processing functions, the X-Scan T is a true plug-and-play–type detector solution. The series comes with robust mechanics, reliable industrial connections, and bidirectional scanning operation for improved usability.

“We have optimized the X-Scan T series for demanding industrial environments. The X-Scan T is an ideal solution, especially for the food industry, which values fast throughput times, precise material discrimination, and low power consumption on harsh production lines, and aims to reduce the amount of waste for cost and sustainability reasons. For example, the X-Scan T is a perfect match for quality inspection in high-speed bottling and canning lines, and bone detection in meat and seafood processes. In addition, this digital detector series serves the battery industry.”

Detection Technology extended its portfolio to TDI scanning technology in 2019. The company expects TDI to become one of the major technologies for in-line industrial inspection applications, especially in the food industry.

Dell Technologies Helps Communications Service Providers Transform to Capture Opportunities at the Edge

Building on its vast experience helping companies digitally transform, Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL) is anchoring an open, cloud-native telecom ecosystem—with infrastructure and solutions, industry partners and a new innovation lab—to put communications service providers (CSPs) on the fast track for innovation and revenue growth.

As organizations across all industries look to drive new value with edge technologies, IDC projects that the number of new operational processes deployed on edge infrastructure will grow from less than 20% today to over 90% in 20241. CSPs are aiming to transform their businesses and networks to support this enormous growth and benefit from the edge opportunities ahead.

“Telecom companies need ways to mitigate the risk and complexities associated with evolving their network infrastructure,” said Dennis Hoffman, senior vice president and general manager, Dell Technologies Telecom Systems Business. “An open, cloud-native approach is the answer to quickly capture this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and move beyond the hype of 5G to the reality of a resilient next-generation network that creates more opportunities for operators, industries of all kinds and communities around the world.”

Dell Technologies is creating open software solutions and services designed for the unique requirements of the telecom industry. Collaborating with Dell, CSPs can use these new solutions to embrace software-defined industry standards, simplify integration and management of data at the edge and capture new revenue opportunities. Dell Technologies is in a unique position to help CSPs transform—backed by an industry leading IT infrastructure; secure, global supply chain; and IT services with more than 60,000 dedicated professionals and partners in more than 170 countries.

“Network operators are making critical investments in updating their networks for 5G and re-evaluating their legacy systems,” said Daryl Schoolar, practice lead at Omdia. “As communication networks disaggregate, an open ecosystem of hardware and software vendors is forming to support this transformation. Communications service providers need strategic partners to help organize the ecosystem, provide validated solutions and take responsibility for deployment and operating outcomes. With its experience in digital transformation, IT infrastructure, services, and global network of partners, we are seeing Dell make significant investments in being this missing link supporting CSPs as they build modern mobile communications networks.”

 

Modernizing to an open, cloud-native network

 

As telecom networks disaggregate and move toward delivering powerful infrastructure and applications at the edge, the number of components to deploy and manage across geographic locations grows exponentially. Dell Technologies is launching a cloud-native network infrastructure with a full stack of open, scalable carrier-grade server and software solutions to simplify and accelerate this journey. Today, CSPs can use Dell Technologies validated reference architectures to deploy full-stack telecommunications solutions from partners, including VMware and Red Hat, with optimal Dell hardware, software and services.

With Project Metalweaver, Dell Technologies is taking this cloud-native infrastructure farther to support the need to scale across broad geographies. Project Metalweaver is a flexible software solution enabling CSPs to easily select, autonomously deploy and manage thousands of multi-vendor compute, network and storage devices across multiple locations with this flexible software solution. Open and on-demand resources can be scaled simply to multi-premises, backed by Dell Technologies global support and services.

Dell Technologies is also introducing new reference architectures to span telecommunications edge, core and Open RAN environments. The reference architectures provide full stack guidance, deployment options and operational recommendations for specific use cases to help CSPs quickly and efficiently deploy applications and services enterprises demand. Through Dell Financial Services flexible payment solutions, CSPs can choose flexible payment solutions for the products and services they need to transform or build their networks2.

Building upon Dell Technologies infrastructure foundation solutions with VMware Telco Cloud Platform and Red Hat OpenShift, CSPs initially will be able to deploy:

  • Core software solutions from Affirmed Networks.
  • Private network solutions from CommScope RUCKUS.
  • Multi-access edge computing (MEC) solutions with Intel Smart Edge.
  • Dell Technologies is collaborating with Mavenir to develop 5G Open RAN software with Dell EMC PowerEdge XR11 ruggedized servers.
  • Core software solutions from Nokia.

New telecom lab to spark 5G innovation, capture edge revenue opportunities

Dell Technologies is introducing its Open Telecom Ecosystem Lab to create a place where it can work with its partners and customers to explore and collaborate on future telecom technologies and applications. Hosted at the company’s headquarters in Round Rock, Texas, the carrier-grade testing environment offers CSPs the ability to mirror customer locations and test multi-vendor, real-world solutions and services. New solutions can be incubated in the lab, then quickly brought to market, allowing CSPs to create new enterprise edge services and applications. Dell’s technology partner program provides engineering resources and project management support to design, build, market and sell network solutions and services.

Additional quotes

“Nokia is excited to see Dell Technologies take this important step of extending its ecosystem. 5G and the digitization of industries requires nothing short of such an approach, and we look forward to continue the joint effort to create more open choices and options that can be used with Nokia’s leading 5G core technology in order to deliver better outcomes for our customers,” said Ron Haberman, chief technology officer, Cloud and Network Services, Nokia.

“Red Hat believes that the future of edge computing and 5G is rooted in open hybrid cloud,” said Honoré LaBourdette, vice president, Industry Verticals, Telco, Media & Entertainment, Red Hat. “Through close collaboration with Dell Technologies over the course of two decades, we are helping companies achieve more from their networks by building more secure 5G-enabled edge systems using Red Hat OpenShift. As the service provider landscape continues to evolve, we look forward to working with Dell Technologies and its expanding partner ecosystem to provide flexible, open and scalable solutions for joint customers.”

“The modernization and cloudification of the network—from core to RAN to edge—gives CSPs two powerful tools: choice and control. Choice to work with a broad ecosystem of VMware Ready for Telco Cloud certified partners and control over how they deliver and monetize 5G services that provide improved security, reliability and performance at both the provider and enterprise edge. VMware Telco Cloud Platform, running on top of Dell Technologies’ infrastructure foundation, enables this open ecosystem and puts CSPs in the driver’s seat of their digital transformation,” commented Sanjay Uppal, senior vice president and general manager, service provider and edge business unit, VMware.

Sage Appliances Launches FoodCycler, Completing The Circular Ecosystem Of Kitchen Tech #EcoChips

Sage Appliances, a global leader in innovative home and kitchen  appliances, has announced the UK launch of the groundbreaking FoodCycler (LWR550), a new product  which can reduce household food waste by over 80 percent.  

The FoodCycler transforms household food waste into nutrient rich EcoChips using an intuitive three stage cycle. The system pulverizes and dehydrates nearly all types of food waste, reducing it to small  particles, while simultaneously aerating and heating, which helps decompose and sterilise the waste.  The FoodCycler is odourless, quiet, uses minimal energy and is easy to clean, effortlessly fitting into your home and lifestyle while allowing you to do your bit for the environment, hassle free.  

With the new FoodCycler, Sage Appliances has truly completed the circular ecosystem of kitchen tech;  from delicious espresso, to food prep, cooking, and now food waste disposal. The Sage FoodCycler has a  light and sleek appliance that can be used and stored anywhere in the home, not just the kitchen.  

David Gubbin, President EMEA Sage Appliances says, “In the UK, we roughly throw away 6.6 million* tons of food waste which is the equivalent of around 66 three-bedroom houses. At Sage, we pride  ourselves on brilliant product design that enables home cooks to create perfect food moments, so it’s a  natural extension that we close the loop with an accessible and sustainable solution to food waste.”  

The FoodCycler can safely transform most fruit and vegetable scraps, meat, fish, shellfish, poultry,  chicken and fish bones, cereals, dairy, eggs and shells, coffee grounds, filters and tea bags, beans, seeds and legumes, as well as pet food.  

 

The FoodCycler – Key Features: 

  1. Three stage FoodCycler system: 
  2. Drying: Dehydrates and sterilises household food scraps 
  3. Grinding: Reduces the volume of food scraps to around 20% of original  
  4. Cooling: Cools down EcoChips™ for safe disposal 
  5. Odourless:  
  6. EcoFilters with Filter Air Guides are designed with activated carbon filtration to direct air  flow and filter odours during cycling 
  7. Carbon Filter Bucket Lid: Store food waste at room temperature, with an activated  carbon foam lid-liner to reduce odours until you’re ready to start your next cycle c. Twist and Lock Lid: Seamless design, slides and locks smoothly into place, locking in  noise and odours
  8. Quiet & Compact: custom specified for the modern home and lifestyle. Designed to fit easily in  any accessible spot in your kitchen, laundry or garage. 
  9. Low energy usage: sophisticated sensor technology defines each individual cycle to use minimal  energy with maximum efficiency. Eight hours of food-cycling is equivalent to boiling a kettle nine  times. 
  10. Easy to use with one-touch operation: automatically dries, grinds and cools scraps into  EcoChips for easy disposal in your council bin or garden. 
  11. Easy to clean: Dishwasher-safe, porcelain coated aluminium bucket 
  12. Large 2L capacity: Grinding bucket processes and reduces food scraps into EcoChips
  13. The FoodCycler (RRP£399.95) will be available via Sage’s website