Category: Tech News

United Nations Ozone Secretariat launches ‘Reset Earth’ Mobile Game to bring Gen Z into protecting ozone layer. #ResetEarth #Gaming

The United Nations Environment Programme, Ozone Secretariat’s pioneering ‘Reset Earth’ platform returns today, with the launch of an immersive single player mobile game for Android and iOS. Building on the plot of the highly successful Reset Earth original animation film, which premiered on World Education Day, and was subsequently watched more than 710,000 times, the game invites players to immerse themselves in a time-travel adventure in which they race against time on a mission to save the planet and what’s left of human life.

The Reset Earth animation film and game uses the power of storytelling and immersive gameplay to educate and inspire Gen Z and gamers of all ages about the fundamentals of protecting the ozone layer and the environment. To date, the animation film has received vast national, mainstream, environmental and entertainment press support worldwide and has generated an impressive social media engagement amongst teens with over 1,200 mentions and around 41M impressions on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. A great outreach so far, particularly as young people under 24 make up 95% of the animation viewers on Instagram, while on Facebook, 67% of those watching the Reset Earth animation were under 35 years old.

Meg Seki, Acting Executive Secretary of the Ozone Secretariat, said, “The release of the game is a fantastic addition to the Reset Earth animation. Safeguarding the ozone layer and the environment for future generations is a big job – but one that can be achieved, if we listen to the science and work together.” 

Reset Earth Storyline

Set in a dystopian post-apocalyptic world in 2084, where the ozone layer has been completely ruined and human life is under threat from an unstoppable virus called “The Grow”, Reset Earth tells the exciting story of three teenagers who team up in an epic time-travel adventure and race against time in a mission to save the planet and what’s left of human life.

In search of answers, our heroes travel through time, and across multiple landscapes, to critical historical moments in the story of the mysterious ‘ozone layer’, attempting to unlock the secrets of the past to save themselves, the ozone layer and the future of the planet from impending doom. Along the way, they will learn the importance of the ozone layer in protecting the health wellbeing of the planet, as well as the power of working together to achieve what might at first seem impossible. To save the ozone layer, they must jump back in time to ensure the signing of the Montreal Protocol agreement.

Rooted in science, the fictional story and game present a dramatized picture of what Earth could have been like if the world had not acted to protect the ozone layer and signed the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in 1987.

Reset Earth Key Gameplay Features

Reset Earth is a single player platform game, combining a retro graphics style and hand-drawn artwork and is aligned with the film’s storyline. Set across 4 stages of challenging immersive platform gameplay, each representing a time zone jump in the animated series, Reset Earth challenges players to truly immerse themselves in the world of Reset Earth, unlocking puzzles and discovering clues and learning about environmental history and the science of protecting the planet.

Produced and developed by Rooftop on behalf of the United Nations Environment Programme’s Ozone Secretariat, this epic family-friendly adventure allows players to unlock the three characters; Knox, Sagan or Terran, and utilise their unique game abilities as they race through time to find a way to protect the ozone layer and reset earth. By bringing together the unique abilities of each of the three characters, players will become stronger, and advance faster in their ultimate goal to save the earth, offering hours of teen and family-friendly game play.

Reset Earth begins a year-long education initiative by the Ozone Secretariat to raise awareness and inspire action among adolescents and parents about global ozone layer protection. Immersive, educational and thought-provoking, Reset Earth conveys a positive message around what can be achieved through collective action and cultivates a sense of environmental responsibility and ownership amongst the youth.

Understanding that many young people are anxious about the future state of the planet, the Reset Earth campaign aims to show them the power of science, collaboration and cooperation in solving complex global challenges.

The campaign also offers a message of hope, showing how the global community was able to come together and solve one of the most complex environmental challenges at the time, with remarkable success. It happened once, and it can happen again!

The Reset Earth mobile game can be downloaded below for Android and iOS

iOS- https://apps.apple.com/us/app/reset-earth/id1535965317

Android- https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.UNEP.ResetEarth

Ergotron’s Customisable Medical Carts Support Safe and Efficient Vaccination Processes. #Ergotron #Tech #Medical

Ergotron, a global company focused on improving how people work, learn, play and care for others, has announced the availability of its customisable Mobile Medical Carts and charging solutions to support clinicians’ efforts in delivering a safe and efficient vaccination process. As COVID-19 vaccination sites are set up in non-traditional spaces, Ergotron’s mobile carts and charging solutions are bringing technology to the point of need, facilitating access to digital records and securing uninterrupted runtime for IT equipment to maximise workflow productivity, while providing access to vaccination material.

 

The first line of defence in controlling further spread of infection starts with initial detection of a high temperature in individuals as they come in for a vaccination. Ergotron’s thermal imaging medical carts bring this technology to the point-of-care in any situation, where quick temperature detection is needed. The preferred thermal imaging camera equipment can be mounted to one of Ergotron’s mobile medical carts to support temperature measurement wherever it’s needed.

 

For the demanding task of safely vaccinating thousands of people in the shortest time frame possible, accuracy with identification and update of digital records is required. Ergotron Mobile Medical Carts fulfil this need by bringing an ergonomic workstation to where it’s needed. The carts support the efficient vaccination of large groups of people outside the clinic walls, such as parking lots and other non-traditional locations, and provide convenience and access to strategic accessories needed to facilitate the different phases of the vaccination process. Optional LiFe or LiFeKinnex™ battery power provides uninterrupted runtime for laptops or computers without access to outlets.

 

“A fast, efficient COVID-19 vaccination rollout is key to fighting, and ultimately reversing the devastating impact of this pandemic”, said Richard Guy, Country Sales Manager UK & Ireland at Ergotron.

“To do this we understand that vaccinating large populations of people requires equipment that’s easy to move, dependable and convenient. It’s why Ergotron’s Mobile Medical Carts, which are lightweight and easy to move, are ideally suited to support care providers as they work to distribute the vaccine in clinics and hospitals, as well as other temporary locations such as parking lots, vaccine drive-through facilities and other vaccination stations.”

 

The use of tablets, laptops or other mobile IT equipment is necessary for many applications during the vaccination process, therefore optimising the workflow productivity with powered devices is crucial for achieving a smooth and productive procedure. Ergotron’s Charging Cabinets and Carts are designed to transport, secure, manage, and charge up to 40 tablets and Chromebooks or 30 full-size laptops, with up to 40% faster charging for IT devices onsite.

 

Ergotron’s Mobile Medical Carts are now available in EMEA. For more information visit the Ergotron website.

Air France KLM European Sales and Service Centre continues strong employee engagement partnership with Thrive

 Air France KLM ESSC has continued its partnership with Thrive, which has involved the development of an employee engagement and communications app, ‘My Wem’.

Air France KLM is one of the world’s leading airlines, employing over 80,000 staff.  The company’s London based European Sales & Service Centre (ESSC) plays a crucial role in the success of Air France KLM; with now 200 of their employees working remotely, handling thousands of enquires each day from travellers around the world.

The ESSC needed to streamline communication, reduce the use of email and create a community to keep colleagues connected and the ‘My Wem’ app was launched to achieve this.

Internal Communications Officer at Air France KLM ESSC, Georgina Gray says; “We needed a cost-effective platform to keep our people engaged and connected. We could see that remote working could potentially leave our colleagues disconnected, especially now with the current Covid conditions and we wanted to break down department silos. We also wanted to future-proof our communication channel and thought an app-based solution would be the best choice.

The ‘My Wem’ app which is available on our team’s desktop and mobile phones has created a ‘virtual campfire’ for all of our employees. It has shaped our company culture, increased morale, and employee recognition. The app has aligned to our company values, it has simplified communication and increased the voice of the employee which is key to successful communication strategy. “

Since its launch, the ESSC has seen 120% increase in its employee’s engagement in the app. They have also seen an increase in productivity, reducing time spent with a more streamlined approach to HR procedures and information sharing.

James Revell, ESSC General Manager mentions “It has been so satisfying to see colleagues’ opinions on and interactions with internal communication improve so much since the roll out of My Wem”.

Georgina Gray adds – “Previously colleagues had to go through several steps to locate HR information that is now readily available for them on their app which immediately saves us time for colleagues to dedicate and focus on their role. Successful communication should be two-way and not just top down. We have the possibility for each colleague to participate in communication with the UGC (user generated content) feature as well as being able to like and comment on content”  

James Scott, CEO, Co-Founder of Thrive adds;  “We sincerely value our partnership with Air France KLM European Sales and Service Centre and hope to continue to support them through these challenging times and beyond. Their employee app has been embedded across their organisation and its success is attributed to the Air France KLM ESSC team. Our goal is to help as many organisations as we can in shifting from traditional methods of employee communications and engagement such as team briefings, printed newsletters, notice boards, printed payslips and forms to instant, modern, secure, engaging mobile apps that their employees love.”

Zoom your way to love this Valentines with CLCKR. #Tech #ValentinesDay #CLCKR

Valentine’s Day is going to be a bit different this year. If you’re planning a Zoom date and don’t want to be let down by your device, treat yourself and your date to a Stand & Grip! These cases offer you a unique way to enhance your media and virtual chat experiences.

CLCKR Phone case is integrated with a patented universal and multi-functional phone stand and grip. CLCKR’s grip enables a firmer hold and safer use of your device and its stylish ultra-strong design is compatible with most wireless chargers. Made using TPU, this ultra-slim case has a smooth minimalistic finish available in various colours. There are numerous uses for a CLCKR case including positioning your mobile phone in portrait, landscape or conference call mode. Check our reviews HERE 

Shop now: https://www.clckr.com/uk/

Urbanista Valentines Special. Treat that lady in your life. #ValentinesDay #Urbanista #Tech

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the Swedish lifestyle audio brand Urbanista, announces an attractive deal. This year, purchases of Urbanista London – Urbanista’s latest true wireless earphones with Active Noise Cancellation – will include a free Urbanista Sydney wireless speaker, ensuring that you can share all of your favourite music with your loved ones.

The discount will be automatically applied at checkout when both items are added to the shopping cart. The package is available for £129 / $149USD / SEK1499 /  EUR149 MSRP and will be available from now until 14th February at www.urbanista.com/valentinesday

Data breaches are increasing people’s exposure to cyber-crime. #CyberCrime

Thanks to cyber-attacks making regular headlines in the news, it’s no secret that massive data breaches are a significant threat to organisations. However, a new report from cyber security provider F-Secure highlights the rarely-discussed impact these attacks can have on people and families using online services.

According to the report, nearly 3 out of every 10 respondents to an F-Secure survey experienced some type of cyber-crime (such as malware/virus infections, unauthorised access to email or social media accounts, credit card fraud, cyber bullying, etc.) in the 12 months prior to answering.

However, cyber-crime was roughly three times more common among respondents using one or more online services that had been breached by attackers. 60% of respondents belonging to this group – called “The Walking Breached” in the report – experienced cyber-crime in the 12 months leading up to the survey, compared to just 22% of other respondents.

Cyber-crime was even more prevalent among The Walking Breached respondents with kids, with 7 out of 10 saying they experienced one or more crimes.

“Personal information stolen from organisations can easily end up being used against people and families through different types of identity theft, fraud, or other types of harm. And with more and more information being stored digitally, what criminals can do with people’s information keeps getting worse. So these attacks on companies can really end up hurting people and not just a business’ bottom line,” explained Laura Kankaala, a security consultant with F-Secure.

Stress and concern was the most common effect of cyber-crime, followed closely by loss of time – both of which affected about half of all cyber-crime victims surveyed. Certain losses due to cyber-crime were more common among The Walking Breached than other respondents: loss of money, personal information, and loss of control over personal information or accounts.

Notably, half of The Walking Breached that experienced cyber-crime prior to filling out the survey reused passwords, and nearly 7 out of 10 (69%) reused passwords with slight variations.

Entire industries have developed to help cyber criminals monetise people’s personal data. Account passwords and login credentials, for example, are often bought and sold. These industries fuel the risks of fraud and other crimes for people whose information has been stolen.

And in a new trend, attackers who use encryption to hold organizations’ data for ransom are now stealing that information and threatening to leak it, demonstrating the lengths criminals will go to profit from people’s data.* In one particularly severe incident involving the breach of a company operating psychotherapy clinics, an extortionist (or extortionists) threatened to release the personal information and therapy records of former patients unless those individuals paid a ransom.**

According to Kankaala, people rarely think about how valuable the information stored in online accounts really is until that information is gone or exposed.

“Recovering hacked or lost social media accounts can sometimes be really difficult and we tend to recognise the value of something only once it’s gone. These accounts are not ‘just social media’ or ‘just email’ – they hold records of our past, pictures we may have not stored anywhere else or conversations that are either private or something we’ll miss once they’ve been deleted,” said Kankaala.

The full report, The Walking Breached: How Data Breaches put People at Risk of Cyber Crime, is now available at https://blog.f-secure.com/the-walking-breached/.

*Source: https://blog.f-secure.com/podcast-ransomware-mikko/
**Source: https://www.politico.eu/article/cybercriminal-extorts-finnish-therapy-patients-in-shocking-attack-ransomware-blackmail-vastaamo/

IFA 2021: Back to Business – Global Brands can’t wait to unveil major innovations in September in Berlin

IFA, the world’s most significant trade show for consumer tech and home electronics strikes back again in 2021.
From 3 to 7 September, global brands present their innovations and inspiring industry insights.
“We are overwhelmed by the extremely strong commitment of our partners. This demonstrates the high interest of the industry in presenting their innovations to IFAs global media community live in Berlin. Together with our international retail partners, we want to prepare the recovery and rebound for the time after the lockdown”, says IFA Executive Director Jens Heithecker.

Amica International

Frank Trittel, General Manager:
We are well aware of the social and economic challenges that the Corona pandemic means worldwide, but we still miss the possibility to meet personally with people, exchange opinions and connect. The traditional IFA is the most important fair for us, so the AMICA Group will take part this year if it will be organized.

Beurer

Sebastian Kebbe, Director Marketing & Sales Europe,:
We are delighted to be back at IFA 2021! Especially in the current situation, it is particularly important to stay in the exchange. The trade fair is one of our most important platforms for international networking – whether live in Berlin or as a virtual event.

Europe Bissell

Vincent Huinck, Comercial Director:
We are BISSELL, floor cleaning experts since 1876. Meet us at IFA 2021!

BLAUPUNKT/ GIP Development SARL

Andrezej Cebrat, Managing Director:
BLAUPUNKT is delighted to be attending IFA 2021. We are excited to present new innovative products and to see everyone happy and healthy in Berlin.

Bleujour

Jean-Christophe Agobert, CEO:
For us as a manufacturer of mini PCs, the IFA is one of the most important trade fairs. We are proud to be a part of it again with our premium products for business and gaming.

Cellularline Group

Marco Cagnetta, Co-CEO:
IFA 2021 takes place. We´re on! Back to Next Normal: we are ready to announce our innovative solutions to create value for our consumers and to develop new market opportunities for our clients. Let’s meet in Berlin!

COLOP

Lisa Hölzl, Product manager:
We are looking forward to welcoming you again personally at IFA from 3-7 Sept. 2021! Visit us at the COLOP booth and try the COLOP e-mark out for yourself – the world’s first mobile printer of its kind!

Golla

Petri Kähkönen, CEO:
We’re looking forward to be part of IFA 2021 in Berlin. It will be revolution of hearts and minds. As visitors and exhibitors we can all say: “back in business, back in BERLIN”.

Hama

Jörg Hempen, Vice President International Sales:
Great to see all of you at IFA 2021! It will be fantastic to personally exchange news, discuss business, present exciting products and experience the wonderful world of Consumer Electronics at IFA 2021.

Insta360

Max Richter, Marketing Director:
We love coming to IFA each year and showing people how much fun you can have with an Insta360 camera. Can’t wait to share some new tech at IFA 2021! See you in Berlin!

Alfred Kärcher SE & Co. KG

Bernd Rützler, Executive Vice President Corporate Marketing & Brand Management:
IFA is the innovation show of the industry this year. Technological innovations are the magnet of this leading trade fair: We need them because, especially in uncertain times, it is all about becoming more powerful, more competitive and more efficient. We are therefore looking forward to meeting our customers and partners in person again this year in Berlin.

Metz Consumer Electronics

Dr. Norbert Kotzbauer, CEO:
We are very excited to see how the trade show year 2021 will shape up with IFA as the most important tech event and highlight for the CE industry. Let’s carry on and strive for excellence!

Miele Group

Dr. Reinhard Zinkann, Executive Director and Co-Proprietor:
IFA in Berlin is one of the most inspiring highlights in our diary every year. We are delighted to be taking part in 2021 and look forward to seeing each other again.

Schneider Electric

Christophe Melle, CMO Home & Distribution:
IFA is a significant platform for Schneider Electric to unveil major innovations, looking forward to the 2021 edition in Berlin.

Sudio

Johan Gawell, CEO:
The Sudio team is more excited than ever for this year’s IFA in Berlin! This year, Sudio will be presenting more cutting edge and innovative additions to our collection than ever before. With our exclusive new collaboration with the world renowned sound technology company Dirac, Sudio is bringing show stopping design and sound to this year’s IFA.

TP-Link Consumer and Enterprise BU

Pingji Li, GM:
As the leading global provider of consumer and business networking products, we´re looking forward to be part of IFA 2021 in Berlin with the latest networking offerings.

Zens Wireless Charging

Johan Plasmans, CEO:
The Global Brands Edition of #IFA21 is “a great opportunity to reconnect again”.
About IFA Berlin

IFA, the world’s most significant trade show for consumer and home electronics with a record number of new products being unveiled is the main market place for key retailers, buyers, and experts from the industry and the media. IFA 2021 takes place in Berlin from 3. – 7. September.

Facebook Ireland releases online safety tips to help parents and young people stay safe online. #SaferInternetDay #SID2021

Ahead of Safer Internet Day on Tuesday 9th of February, Facebook Ireland releases online safety tips to help parents and young people stay safe online.

In Ireland, Facebook works with a number of safety experts including a partnership with the National Anti-Bullying Research and Resource Centre at Dublin City University on the FUSE programme which educates teachers, students and parents on bullying, cyberbullying, empathy, reporting and online safety. They also work with SpunOut.ie, Pieta House and Jigsaw to develop content policies, resources and safety guides such as the Facebook Safety Centre, Bullying Prevention Hub and Parent Portal.

Below are tips that have been developed with input from Irish safety partners:

1 – Start a conversation with your child early, before they are on social media

Research shows that children as young as six have access to smartphones or tablets. Start talking to your children about technology, before they hit 13 when they are allowed on social media. If your teen is on Facebook or Instagram, consider friending or following them.

2 – Be mindful of age restrictions

Facebook and Instagram require everyone to be 13 years old before they can create an account.  

3 – Let your teen know that the same rules apply online as apply offline

Just as you might tell your child to look both ways before crossing the street or to wear a helmet while riding their bike, teach them to think before they share online or accept a friend request from a stranger.

4 – Ask your teenager to teach you

Not on social media? Or, maybe you’re interested in trying a streaming music service? If there’s a service your teen is using, and you have no idea how it works – ask them to show you. The conversation can also serve as an opportunity to talk about issues of safety, privacy and security. This way you’re empowering them to show you how something works which is probably a nice novelty for them!

5- Identify and seize key moments

For example, when your child gets their first mobile phone, it’s a good time to set ground rules. When they are old enough to join Facebook, Instagram and other social media sites, it’s a good time to talk about safe sharing.

6- Help Them Manage Their Time Online

Try to be a good role model. The adage that children will “do as you do, not as you say” is as true online as it is offline. If you set time restrictions on when your teen can use social media or be online (for example no messaging  after 10:00 PM), follow the same rules.

7 – Help them to check and manage their privacy settings.

Once your teen has set up a social media account, they can use tools and settings to help them manage their accounts. Facebook and Instagram, have privacy settings to control who can friend them, who can see their posts, and if they share details such as their location by default.  Instagram offers many flexible tools to keep teens safe online including bullying filtering, caption warnings and sensitivity screens.  Teens can also restrict unwanted interactions on their profiles and easily report accounts, comments and posts for bullying.

8 – Tell them to report if they see something they are concerned about

As we would in real life, we should treat each other with empathy and respect on social media.  For that reason, we’ve developed a set of policies (Community Standards) that define what is and isn’t okay to share on our platforms. There is a link on nearly every Facebook and Instagram post for reporting abuse, bullying, harassment and other issues. Our global teams work 24/7 to review things you report and remove anything that violates our Community Standards. We aim to review the majority of reports within 24 hours.

9 – Make it a shared experience

You can enjoy capturing family moments with film or photo and have fun together editing, adding filters and using the augmented reality features like bunny ears! You could ask your teen what their favourite thing is to do online – perhaps it’s gaming, or talking to their friends, or sharing photos together. You could talk about what you like to do online, and this way you’re sharing technology together – a great conversation starter!

 10 – Trust yourself

Typically, you can adopt the same parenting style for your teen’s online activities as you do for their offline activities. If you find that your teen responds best to a negotiated agreement, create a contract that you can both sign. Or, maybe your teen just needs to know the basic rules.

Commenting on Safer Internet Day, Amy McArdle, Safety Policy Manager, EMEA, at Facebook said: “People come to Facebook to share their stories and connect with friends and family, but none of this is possible if people don’t feel safe on our apps. That’s why we’re always working to build a safer and more supportive community. We want to empower people, young and old, to make digitally safe decisions and give them the information they need to navigate an increasingly digital world. This is why we are sharing tips to help parents support their children in staying safe on our platforms.

 

Darran Heaney, Project Manager of FUSE said; “Young people, parents and teachers are relying more on smartphones and other digital devices for educational and social purposes. This highlights the need for online safety awareness. Education is a key part of the strategy to tackle online bullying and we are delighted to see the numbers of schools, teachers, students and parents taking part in FUSE increasing year on year.

European telecoms outlook 2021. Revenue steady and 5G making the headlines. #Telecoms #5G

The credit outlook for European telecommunication operators remains stable. Total revenues, and mobile capex will hold steady in 2021 even though the introduction and roll-out of 5G is making the headlines, says Scope Ratings

The sector has demonstrated its fundamental stability during the Covid-19 crisis. Latest revenue figures published by European regulators showed little change from 2019 trends, particularly in comparison with the scale of the economic recession in Europe.

“Also noteworthy is the operational resilience of Europe’s industry which experienced no network failures despite the increase in traffic during the lockdowns and the shift toward remote working,” says Jacques de Greling, analyst at Scope.

“Helping operators cope with the rise in usage was that the surge in traffic took place mostly during the day when usage was usually low, pre-pandemic, rather than in the evening, typically the period of peak usage,” de Greling says.

Operators are at risk of a more material adverse impact from the pandemic should further economic disruption, as governments reimpose restrictions to contain Covid-19, trigger more bankruptcies and business closures. “Offsetting that risk is growing digitalisation of corporate activity, accelerated by the pandemic and pressure to cut costs, so, overall, the impact of a second phase of coronavirus infections would be negligible,” he says.

The pandemic’s biggest impact on the sector to date has been postponement of several auctions of 5G spectrum in 2020. Operators will likely incur the cost of acquiring spectrum this year though it will remain well within their financing capacity.

“We expect no new entrants in any of Europe’s biggest markets to compete for spectrum this year: the industry is mature with mobile penetration around 130%,” says de Greling. France’s 5G auction raised EUR 2.8bn last year with bids from four established operators – Altice SA, Bouygues Telecom SA, Iliad SA, Orange SA – whereas Germany’s raised EUR 6.5bn in 2019. The entry of 1&1 Telecommunication SE provided extra competition for Deutsche Telekom AG, Telefónica Deutschland AG and Vodafone PLC.

“The speed at which operators are putting 5G in place varies from country to country – 5G trials, spectrum auctions, network roll-out, service introduction, new handsets – while the industry continues its search for a ‘killer app’,” says de Greling.

“Beyond the hype, the impact on revenues and capex will not be significant: investment continues to increase slowly, driven in 2021 more by further investment in fibre networks (FTTH) around Europe than 5G which is replacing existing technology – much as 4G did with 3G, and 2G before that – and re-using existing infrastructure like masts,” he says.

“We see limited opportunities for large M&A given already concentrated national markets and no advantages from cross-border tie-ups, though operators will continue to sell infrastructure assets, such as towers and parts of their fibre networks,” he says. “This will leave the sector’s overall credit quality unchanged despite a likely slow, uneven economic recovery.”

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