Category: Tech News

Poly launches Savi 7300 Series: Teams-certified noise-cancelling headsets for the open office

Poly today introduced the Savi 7300 Office Series, the latest addition in the company’s line-up of popular Savi wireless headsets. The Savi 7300 Office Series, designed with enhanced DECT™ security and Poly’s best-in-class audio, delivers confidence that you’re getting the highest degree of privacy and call clarity for all conversations, even in shared spaces like call centres and customer service hubs.

“Privacy and security continue to be two of the most requested features that global leaders, especially those in financial services, government, healthcare and contact centres look for in today’s headsets for their workforces,” said John Lamarque, vice president and general manager, voice collaboration, Poly. “At Poly, we address these needs head-on with pro-grade wireless headsets on which our customers can rely.”

Greater Conversation Privacy and Security

The Savi 7300 Office Series offers Poly’s Acoustic Fence microphone technology so workers will always be heard, but never overheard. Built with the latest DECT™ wireless technology, the Savi 7300 Office Series ensures that even the strictest internal security requirements for wireless headsets are met with ease.

The Savi 7300 Office Series is designed to the highest level of DECT™ Security Step C, and is further enhanced with 256-bit AES encryption, the same level of maximum protection used for military communications.

Poly Savi 7310
Poly Savi 7320

Superior Density Performance

The Savi 7300 Office Series’ top-notch use of the DECT™ spectrum provides 2x better density compared to other DECT headsets and allows more people to work in the same area without being overheard. The Savi 7300 Office Series is ideal for industries who regularly deal with sensitive information in highly dense call center areas, like finance and healthcare, where secure, superior performance and connectivity are an essential part of day-to-day operations, no matter how many others might be nearby when taking a call.

Microsoft Teams Open Office Certification

Thanks to its Acoustic Fence technology, Savi 7300 Office Series has been awarded the Microsoft Teams Open Office certification, certifying that the headset only picks up the voice of the headset user, but not the sound of others in an open space. In addition to the Teams certification, the Teams version of the Savi 7300 Office Series comes with a dedicated Teams button so it’s easy to start a meeting and get notifications, and still sound great.

“The need for security and privacy has never been a more critical piece of what businesses demand from devices today,” said Mohamed Alaa Saayed, ICT Industry Director & Fellow – Connected Work, Frost & Sullivan. “Organisations are busier than ever and workplaces like call centres are often ground zero for some of the most important conversations – from healthcare, to finance, to customer services – making the privacy and reliability of Savi 7300 Office Series that much more essential to keeping day-to-day operations seamless and secure.”

The Savi 7300 Office Series is available today on Poly.com and with authorised resellers  worldwide. For more information on pricing and availability, please visit: Savi 7300 Office Series

10 Ways to Maintain GDPR Compliance on Your Business Website. #GDPR

GDPR can prove to be a minefield for unprepared businesses, so keep reading if you’re looking for some simple tips to remain GDPR compliant on your website…

Utter the letters GDPR (in the order, of course) and some business owners will instinctively shudder. In May 2018, data protection reforms were enforced, which meant that the General Data Protection Regulation was brought into effect, helping to protect the personal information of people whilst online.

The GDPR is widely considered to be the world’s strongest set of data protection rules, which places limitations on what organisations can do with the personal data they collect. Such data could include something as obvious as an individual’s name, or something more sensitive like their racial or ethnic origin.

In short, regulatory compliance is non-negotiable; failing to comply with GDPR simply isn’t an option for any business, no matter how big or small. Any breach, intentional or not, can result in a heavy fine, so how can businesses ensure to comply on their websites? Read on to find out…

10 Tips for Maintaining GDPR on Your Business Website?

1.) Understand the Law in Detail

First thing’s first, you’re going to need a comprehensive understanding of the law surrounding GDPR and what it can mean for your business. The best way of doing that is by hearing it straight from the horse’s mouth.

The government have published an extensive guide on GDPR, explaining every single legislation, with no stone left unturned. There’s no promising that it’s going to be a particularly compelling read. That said, it’s important that you review it and make sure you understand how it will apply to your businesses’ website. 

2.) Staff Training and Awareness

The people that will be responsible for maintaining GDPR compliance will be your employees. So, it’s a good idea to make sure that they are well trained and aware of their obligations when it comes to handling personal data.

Training doesn’t have to be as intense as reading the entire guide to GDPR word for word. However, you should make sure to stress to your employees the importance of making safety and privacy their top priorities.

3.) Conduct Regular Risk Assessments

Granted, risk assessments aren’t exactly thrilling, but nor is being hit with an avoidable fine. An effective risk assessment will help your business to identify if there are any potential threats to the way you’re storing and transferring data.

From here, you’ll have a clearer idea as to how you can beef up your security processes, ensuring that you remain within the parameters of GDPR.

4.) Audit Any Personal Data You Hold

The personal data that your website stores – where did it come from, where’s it going, how long will you hold it for? These are the sorts of questions you should be asking to ensure that you’re able to keep it secure.

Finding and recording answers to all of these questions can be made that much easier by carrying out an audit. From here, you can reduce the number of physical places that data is being stored in. This should help to establish a sustainable framework for keeping customers and clients’ information secure.

5.) Have a Policy Management System in Place

Staying on top of GDPR compliance isn’t always a simple task, especially when your business is using methods of communication such as email and corporate internet. So, to help counteract this potential stumbling block, your business should consider implementing policy management software.

This can help to streamline internal processes, as you’ll have a centralised solution for creating and distributing sensitive documents. This will make it much easier to keep track of compliance.

6.) Establish Procedures to Report Data Breaches

The GDPR requires that all organisations which experience data breaches that compromise personal data should notify the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). Failure to alert the ICO will lead to further fines – far from ideal.

So, to avoid this from happening, your business will need to have robust procedures in place that can quickly detect, report and investigate breaches. 

7.) Ensure all Endpoints are Fully Protected

To achieve full GDPR compliance, all of your endpoints should be fully protected. For those not already in the know, this is the practice of securing any potential entry points in user devices, such as laptops, from malicious attacks.

To demonstrate compliance, businesses are required to show that they have taken all the necessary steps to secure their systems. This includes evidence of updates, and patches being applied to security software.

8.) Update Your Privacy Policy

If your business collects personal data on its website, then you’ll need to make sure that you have an updated privacy policy that covers some essential ground. Privacy policies that are GDPR compliant cover a few essential pieces of information, such as:

 

  • Your identity
  • How information will be used
  • Your legal basis for processing data
  • Your data retention records

9.) Review How You Record Consent

If you rely on getting individual’s consent to process personal data, there are specific standards that must be met. 

This means that your business may feel it necessary to review the systems you have in place for recording consent, ensuring that you have an audit trail that can be presented if required.

10.) Appoint a Data Protection Officer

Organisations that employee more than 250 people, are a public authority, or are involved in the regular and systematic monitoring of data subjects on a large scale, should appoint a data protection officer.

Data protection officers can take proper responsibility for data protection compliance, as well as having the in-depth knowledge to do their job effectively.

Are You Trying to Make Sure Your Businesses’ Website Is GDPR Compliant?

So, there you have it! Follow these tips closely and you shouldn’t go too far wrong when it comes to staying GDPR compliant.

Have you got any more GDPR tips you think would be worth sharing? Feel free to leave a comment below with your own suggestions!

Apple TV+ is now available on Google TV. #AppleTV #GoogleTV #Streaming

Great news if you are using the Apple TV app, including Apple TV+, as it is now globally available on the new Chromecast with Google TV, with more Google TV devices to come. To access the Apple TV app, navigate to the Apps tab or the apps row in the For you tab.

Google TV gives users with subscriptions to Apple TV+ the ability to tune into award-winning original shows, movies and documentaries from the world’s most creative storytellers. You can enjoy Apple Originals, including series like “Ted Lasso,” which was recently nominated for two Golden Globes, “For All Mankind” season two debuting tomorrow, “The Morning Show” and “Servant,” as well as movies like “Greyhound” and “Palmer.” The Apple TV app also gives you access to your library of movie and TV show purchases from Apple, as well as personalized and curated recommendations and Apple TV channels. And with Family Sharing, up to six family members can share subscriptions to Apple TV+ and Apple TV channels.

With Google TV in the U.S., you can browse Apple Originals in your personalized recommendations and search results. And with Google Assistant, you can also use your voice to ask Google to open the Apple TV app or play an Apple Original title. If you aren’t ready to watch right away, you can add Apple Originals to your Watchlist for later. These features will roll out globally in the coming months.

The Chromecast with Google TV is packed with the latest technology — it streams crystal-clear video in up to 4K HDR at up to 60 frames per second and now has a voice remote. The remote has a dedicated Google Assistant button that helps you find something to watch, answer everyday questions like “how’s the weather?” or dim your compatible smart home lights with just your voice. It also eliminates the need for multiple remotes thanks to programmable TV controls for power, volume and input.

In addition to Chromecast with Google TV, the Apple TV app will also be available on Google TVs from Sony and TCL. We plan to roll out to more Android TV-powered devices in the coming months.

DPD sms scam is doing the rounds here is what it looks like. #DPD #Scams

A new DPD sms scam is doing the rounds which will catch people out and that is what it intends to do and now they are using a new way to try con the consumer. This time around they are using the delivery management option to try get your cash. Most courier companies now offer this service to make life a bit easier for you and of course the drivers who have been working hard during this pandemic..

Many courier companies offer a service which allows you to change your delivery options by changing the date, leave with neighbour or in a safe place for example and this scam will ask you several questions on what your preferences are. If you select to pick it up on this scam you hit a dead end however if you want it delivered is where you will be caught..  At the end of the form you will see your charge. If you are in doubt feel free to contact us as I work in the logistics industry and get hounded with stuff like this and of course see DPD for more..

ClearOne Advances Collaboration with Free COLLABORATE Space Messaging App Featuring World-Class Video and Audio Capabilities.

Reaffirming its commitment to make 2021 the year that widespread collaboration becomes a reality for everyone, ClearOne a global provider of audio and visual communications solutions, today announced that its COLLABORATE® Space lifetime subscription messaging app featuring world-class video and audio, as well as unlimited meeting time, is available for free here.

ClearOne’s COLLABORATE Space is a powerful collaboration tool that delivers a full suite of audio, video conferencing, web conferencing, and meeting tools in a persistent space from any device. COLLABORATE Space comes with everything needed to stay connected with your family, friends, and coworkers for one-on-one or group chats.

“The free version of COLLABORATE Space allows up to ten participants to meet for an unlimited amount of time,” ClearOne Chair & CEO Zee Hakimoglu said today. “Unlike other services that claim to be free, COLLABORATE Space does not limit the length of any audio or video call. What’s more, all messages are encrypted to ensure maximum security and we don’t trade personal data to third parties.”

Hakimoglu stressed that the COLLABORATE Space lifetime subscription with unlimited meeting time is free to everyone and is not tied to any other ClearOne purchase. “Yes, we offer paid, step-up package options to meet specific user needs, but for many individuals and companies the free version is going to be all that they ever need for quality online meetings. Why pay when you can collaborate for free?”

The free version of COLLABORATE Space also includes Instant Messaging, Screen Desktop Sharing and a CO2 savings report.

Basic and Pro versions of the app are also available for the monthly cost of $8.25 and $16.65 respectively with an annual subscription. An Enterprise on-premise version can be customized for larger organizations. Complete program and pricing details can be found here.

Skullcandy expands Hesh product line with premium sound & noise cancellation. #Skullcandy #Tech #Headphones

Skullcandy Inc., the original lifestyle audio brand, is unveiling exciting new additions to their most popular product family.

Skullcandy’s best-selling product line, Hesh, is getting upgraded this season, expanding the family line by introducing two new headphones this winter. Hesh ANC will tout the addition of Active Noise Canceling technology. For fans who are not ready to make the jump to Active Noise Canceling quite yet, Hesh Evo offers a headphone with a more refined sound and a full host of must-have features. Each product comes enabled with Tile™, eliminating the fear of ever losing your device.

“Skullcandy products are always made with our fans in mind as we look to infuse new technologies in our headphones and earbuds,” said Jeff Hutchings, Skullcandy Chief Product Officer “When it came to Hesh, we listened — giving our most popular line the upgrades that customers have been wanting. We stand behind building quality products for every experience. Hesh ANC and Hesh Evo do just that!”  

The new additions to the Hesh line come jam-packed with all the features you know and love, including Bluetooth® wireless technology; call, track and volume control; and durability. They offer refined acoustics and a flat-folding, collapsible design, continuing with the tradition of being headphones that fit in seamlessly with real life.

With more people working from home and attending school remotely, Skullcandy’s newest headphone, Hesh ANC is making ANC technology accessible to everyone at an unbelievable price point. Hesh ANC is built for the long haul with listening time up to 22 hours with ANC on and Rapid Charge, getting 3 hours of battery with just a 10-minute charge. And when you need to be aware of your surroundings, Hesh ANC features an ambient mode that deactivates Active Noise Cancelling while still allowing you to hear your sound. Hesh ANC will be available for £119.99 in True Black. Available in select retailers and at https://www.skullcandy.co.uk/hesh-anc-wireless-headphones on February 17th.

For a perfectly simple experience, Hesh Evo has all the features you care about and none of the ones you don’t with premium sound refined over four generations. The headphones boast up to 36 hours of battery life and Rapid Charge for 3 hours of listening time in just 10 minutes. The Hesh Evo has an audio experience that will blow you away, with tech that is simple to use, plus a travel case for portability. Hesh Evo will be available in True Black and ‘92 Blue for £89.99. Available in select retailers and at https://www.skullcandy.co.uk/hesh-evo-wireless-headphones on February 17th.

Celebrate 25 years of Pokémon with PowerA’s Latest Enhanced Wireless controller and Protective Case.

PowerA – an industry-leading developer of high-quality, licensed gaming peripherals – is proud to announce that the new Enhanced Wireless Controller and Protection Case for the Nintendo Switch and Switch Lite – Pikachu 025 are now available. Commemorate 25 years of one of gaming’s most beloved franchises by taking home a controller that harkens back to the series’ roots. You can catch both the stylised case and Enhanced Wireless Nintendo Switch controller right now in at Argos for £39.99. Find additional EU retailers here.

This officially licensed controller from PowerA elevates your play across Nintendo Switch games featuring motion controls, mappable Advanced Gaming Buttons and Bluetooth® 5.0 technology for wireless play. With up to 30 hours of gameplay from the internal rechargeable battery, the Enhanced Wireless Controller gives you the edge you need in competitive play as well as flexibility and comfort during long, relaxed gaming sessions.

To go alongside the Enhanced Wireless Controller, PowerA’s officially licensed Nintendo Switch protective case is the ideal accessory to keep your console and games safe. On the outside, a sturdy outer shell and durable zippers make sure any damage to your valuables will be avoided, while the moulded interior and felt lining keeps your screen from scratching.

Both of these products come with unique and playful designs, including an eye-catching black and yellow colour scheme with series favourite Pikachu prominently featured on both case and controller. Labelled “025” to commemorate Pikachu’s place in the Pokédex, these PowerA products are a must have for anyone with a place in their heart for classic Pokémon titles.

Sades launch their new gaming headset the A2. #SADES #Tech #Gaming

Sades, manufacturer of quality gaming peripherals is pleased to announce the release of their new headset – the A2. Capable of connecting to a variety of devices, the new A2 from Sades is the ultimate companion for your gaming – no matter what console you favour. 

The swivel-to-mute microphone is uni-directional which reduces ambient noise for excellent voice clarity, especially when playing in teams and the microphone flexibility means it can be adjusted to suit you and the game being played. 

With a simple yet trendy design that features ergonomic oval earcups to maximize the ear space for improved comfort and balanced acoustics, the A2 will be the perfect companion for long gaming sessions. The easy to use, on ear controls make on-the-fly adjustments without distracting you from the game, whilst the braided cable improves wire longevity.

Compatible with the PS4 / PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Nintendo Switch, PC and mobiles, you can rely on the Sades A2 to enhance your gaming sessions.

Features:

Simple design

Multi-platform compatibility

Uni-directional mic for clearer voice pickup

Breathable and comfortable oval earmuffs

Adjustable headband

The Sades A2 is available in 2 colours from www.amazon.co.uk for £25.99. Watch out for our review soon..

Youth mobile network 48 raises €25K for FoodCloud through its data donation feature and #DoGoodWithData campaign

48, Ireland’s first truly digital-only youth mobile network, has raised a whopping €25,000 for environmental social enterprise, FoodCloud through its unique data donation feature which allows customers to donate up to 5GB of their data each month. For every GB donated, 48 turns that data into cash on behalf of its customers for the chosen charity. Simples!

The public were also given the opportunity to take part and raise money through the #DoGoodWithData campaign, which ran in the build-up to Christmas 2020. Recruiting some of Ireland’s soundest and sustainably-minded social content creators to kickstart the campaign, 48 asked that they make the ultimate sacrifice by going offline for a 24-hour period. That meant no surfing, no posting, no linking, and no scrolling (eeeeek!), whilst encouraging the youth of Ireland and nominating others to join in and participate in the #DoGoodWithData campaign.

Speaking about the donation, Iseult Ward, CEO of FoodCloud commented;

“In 2020, FoodCloud  redistributed over 2,990 tonnes of surplus or excess food to over 600 community groups across Ireland. This figure was a 70% increase in food distributed in 2019. By redistributing this surplus food, FoodCloud’s activities have meant an avoidance of estimated 9,670 tonnes of Co2 emissions equivalent. We were so delighted to partner with 48 for this innovative and creative campaign, and are very grateful for such generosity from 48 customers. ”

Clare Aughney, Marketing Manager, 48 said; “We are so proud to announce 48 will be donating €25,000 to FoodCloud as a result of our customer’s generous data donations on the back of the #DoGoodWithData campaign. This generosity means 75,000 extra meals will be redistributed through the FoodCloud network of community groups across the country. 48’s Donate Your Data feature continues to be extremely popular among our customers, with more and more people choosing to donate a portion of their data each month to a good cause.”

It is evident customers are really happy with this unique feature as 48 were recently awarded ‘Best Mobile Operator for Data’ as voted for by the public and ‘Best SIM Only Pay As You Go Plan’ voted by a panel of judges at the Switcher.ie awards

48 membership plans start from just €10.99 per month and customers have the choice to do more with their data by choosing from a selection of flexi-data features including sharing, swopping, saving and donating data. Our plans, your rules.