Category: Tech News

Edifier Unveils New ES Series: A Fusion of Elegant Design and Superb Sound

Edifier, a leading innovator in premium audio solutions, is proud to announce the launch of its latest product line – the ES Series – a stunning new collection that redefines what it means to blend high-fidelity sound with sophisticated style. The new ES Series includes the ES20, ES60, and ES300 speakers, alongside the sleek and powerful ES850NB over-ear headphones.

A symbol of Edifier’s evolving vision, the “ES” in the series’ name carries layered meaning:

  • “E” for Elegant – capturing the series’ sleek, modern design language.
  • “S” for Superb (or Luxurious) – representing the elevated quality, premium materials, and refined finish.
  • And “ES” as Edifier Sound – reflecting Edifier’s legacy of high-performance audio and immersive listening experiences.

From rich leather-like textures to precision-engineered components, each product in the ES Series is designed to evoke a sense of timeless luxury while delivering the clarity, depth, and detail that audiophiles expect. “ES” also stands for “Edifier Sound”, reinforcing the brand’s long-standing dedication to high-fidelity audio and deeply immersive sound experiences.

Whether it’s the compact brilliance of the ES20, the powerful stage presence of the ES60, the immersive soundscape of the ES300, or the noise-cancelling performance of the ES850NB headphones, the ES Series marks a new chapter for Edifier – where sound meets style without compromise.

Elegant Design Meets Powerful Performance with the Edifier ES300. This premium desktop combo speaker combines handcrafted wooden construction with leather-like accents, a braided grille, and a sleek metallic control panel—blending effortlessly into any decor. It features dual 1.25″ silk dome tweeters and a 4″ long-throw mid-bass driver, powered by 60W RMS through dual Class-D amplifiers for crisp highs, detailed mids, and punchy lows. Edifier’s MazeTube and TurbMuff technologies enhance bass depth while minimizing noise and resonance.

With high-res audio support up to 24-bit/96kHz, dual-band Wi-Fi, and Apple AirPlay 2, the ES300 enables seamless streaming and multi-room connectivity. USB-A and AUX inputs offer flexible wired options, while an integrated ambient light system with 3 light effects and 2 colours adds a stylish finishing touch.

The Edifier ES60 is a sleek, portable Bluetooth speaker that delivers 34W RMS of powerful, high-quality sound through dual 22mm tweeters, an oval mid-bass driver with neodymium magnets, and a passive radiator for rich audio depth. Featuring Bluetooth 5.4 with stereo pairing and multipoint support, it ensures seamless wireless connectivity. With up to 9 hours of playback, USB-C charging, and a built-in high-sensitivity microphone for crystal-clear calls, the ES60 is designed for all-day use. Its dustproof and waterproof design, dynamic ambient lighting effects, and compatibility with the Edifier ConneX app make it a versatile companion for both indoor and outdoor listening.

The Edifier ES20 is a compact portable Bluetooth speaker that delivers 6W RMS of crisp, full-range sound through a 43mm driver with neodymium magnets and a 55mm passive bass radiator for enhanced low-end performance. With an IP67 dust and water resistance rating, it’s built for both indoor and outdoor use. Enjoy up to 15 hours of continuous playback, Bluetooth 5.4 with stereo pairing and multi-point connection, and clear calls via the built-in high-sensitivity microphone. Ambient lighting effects and Edifier ConneX app support add a personalized, connected experience.

The Edifier ES850NB wireless over-ear headphones combine sleek design with powerful performance, featuring Hi-Res Audio certification, 40mm titanium-coated drivers, and support for LDAC, AAC, and SBC codecs. With upgraded ANC up to -45dB, AI-powered call clarity, and up to 92 hours of battery life, they’re built for immersive, all-day listening. Lightweight and foldable with skin-friendly cushions and a travel case, the ES850NB offers comfort, portability, and smart features like touch-to-chat, multipoint connectivity, and seamless control via the Edifier ConneX app and TempoHub.

Price & Availability:

The ES20 portable speaker is available at £49.99 in Black or White

The ES60 speaker is available at £119.99 in Black or White colourway

The ES300 desktop combo speaker is available at £299.99

The ES850NB headphones are available at £119.99

See our Edifier reviews

From Townlands to Tablets: Galway Heritage Gets a Digital Makeover

Six of Galway’s historic civil parishes are stepping into the digital age with the launch of an innovative project that turns local heritage into interactive online StoryMaps.

In a major collaboration between Galway County Council, University of Galway, Galway County Heritage Forum, The Heritage Council, and community heritage groups, the rich histories of Stradbally (Clarinbridge), Monivea, Moylough, Moycullen, Gort, and Loughrea have been meticulously researched and digitally transformed.

Officially launched this week at a special event in Áras an Chontae, the project brings together traditional townland research and historical records in a newly digitised format. Drawing on rich sources such as O’Donovan’s Ordnance Survey Letters, Griffith’s Valuation, the Down Survey, and the 1901 and 1911 censuses, the initiative makes these valuable archives more accessible than ever.

The initiative is powered by the work of University of Galway students Carlos Grace, Giada Solito, Liam Flaherty, and Laura Daly. Over the past year, they have worked in close partnership with local communities and Galway County Council’s Heritage Office and GIS Department, unearthing stories, local lore, and forgotten histories that now live on through this accessible and engaging digital format.

The research has been digitised for townlands in the six parishes, while immersive digital StoryMaps have been created for Loughrea, Moylough, Moycullen, and Gort. Combining the latest mapping technology with text, images, and multimedia content, the StoryMaps tell powerful location-based stories accessible from any internet-enabled device with a web browser, including tablets and phones.

Cllr Martina Kinane, Cathaoirleach of the County of Galway, expressed her enthusiasm for the project: “The launch marks a significant milestone in how local history is preserved and shared. With an eye on Galway’s global diaspora and future generations, the project is a powerful example of how technology and tradition can converge to deepen our understanding of place.”

“As we navigate the digital landscape, we honour the traditions of the past while embracing the opportunities of the future,” she added. “Through these StoryMaps, we invite you to immerse yourselves in the essence of our townlands, towns, and villages, to witness the evolution of time reflected in the fields, roads, and streets we walk, and the buildings, landscapes, and structures we admire.”

Dr. Lisa Walshe, Assistant Professor of Political Science and Sociology at the University of Galway, commended the students’ efforts: “It has been a privilege for our university to collaborate with Galway County Council on this initiative, which highlights the rich heritage of Galway County through innovative student research. This partnership exemplifies the value of academic and civic engagement, and I commend our students for their dedication, creativity, and commitment to preserving and sharing our local history. Together, we are helping to deepen public appreciation of Galway’s unique cultural landscape.”

Liam Conneally, Chief Executive of Galway County Council, said: “The accomplishments of these outstanding students and their significant contributions to preserving and promoting the heritage of Galway County are immense. Their efforts exemplify the power of collaboration and the necessity of investing in future generations.”

Marie Mannion, Heritage Officer of Galway County Council, highlighted the collaborative nature of the initiative: “This project is a testament to the power of collaboration and the importance of investing in our future generations. The dedication and passion of the students, combined with the support of our local communities and the expertise of the Heritage Office and GIS Department, have brought this initiative to life.”

There are over 64,000 townlands in Ireland of which there are in the region of 4,556 in County Galway, Ireland’s second largest county. Almost half of the County’s townlands have so far been digitised as part of the ‘Galway County Heritage Trails’ project.

The Townland Research is available at www.tinyurl.com/townland, while the StoryMaps may be viewed at www.tinyurl.com/StoryMapGalway.

Xiaomi and Gran Turismo Announce Partnership

Xiaomi and Polyphony Digital today announced a  landmark partnership at Round One of the Gran Turismo World Series 2025. Under  this collaboration, Xiaomi SU7 Ultra — Xiaomi EV’s top-of-the-line high-performance  luxury electric vehicle — will debut in the globally acclaimed racing simulator Gran  Turismo 7, for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, marking the first Xiaomi model featured  in the franchise.

Gran Turismo is widely recognized as one of the world’s most authentic driving  simulators, with engineering parameters mirroring real-world performance. Its  influence extends beyond gaming — driving innovation in vehicle dynamics and  safety while uniting automotive enthusiasts globally. The inclusion of Xiaomi SU7  Ultra reflects the rise of smart high-performance EVs in the automotive industry. 

In May 2025, Gran Turismo creator Kazunori Yamauchi met with Xiaomi Group  Founder, Chairman, and CEO Lei Jun in Beijing. During the visit, Yamauchi conducted  an immersive test drive of Xiaomi SU7 Ultra and toured Xiaomi’s EV factory in  Yizhuang.

Kazunori Yamauchi stated: 

“We are delighted to begin this partnership with Xiaomi. The Chinese automotive  industry has progressed rapidly, and Xiaomi — a newly established player in the  automotive sector — has already created an exceptional vehicle, Xiaomi SU7, as a  pivotal part of its comprehensive smart ecosystem, which spans smartphones and  wearables to home appliances.  

Beyond this, Xiaomi SU7 Ultra Prototype has shattered conventional performance  benchmarks at the Nürburgring. Witnessing these achievements, I am deeply moved  by Xiaomi’s courage, curiosity, passion, and relentless dedication to realizing such  milestones. This spirit resonates profoundly with Gran Turismo and Polyphony Digital’s  philosophy.“

Lei Jun remarked: 

“We deeply resonate with Mr. Yamauchi’s visionary philosophy of building a better  society through technology. This aligns perfectly with Xiaomi’s mission to let everyone  in the world enjoy a better life through accessible and innovative technology. Our  shared values paved the way for this collaboration.” 

“Gran Turismo’s worldwide reputation for uncompromising quality and experience  makes us particularly honored to have Xiaomi SU7 Ultra included. We look forward to  introducing more Gran Turismo players and automotive enthusiasts to the capabilities  of high-performance smart EVs like ours.” 

At the partnership announcement event, Yamauchi highlighted Xiaomi SU7 Ultra as a standout in the smart EV segment, noting that its competitive performance at the  Nürburgring Nordschleife demonstrates Xiaomi EV’s formidable engineering  capabilities. 

Xiaomi — a global technology leader — completed its “Human x Car x Home”  ecosystem in 2024 with the launch of its first smart EV, Xiaomi SU7. The top-of-the-line  Xiaomi SU7 Ultra integrates proprietary innovations, including Xiaomi’s HyperEngine  V8s (27,200 rpm; 578 PS; 635 N·m) — a self-developed tri-motor configuration system.  With 1,548 PS, a top speed exceeding 350 km/h, and a maximum 0–100 km/h  acceleration of 1.98 seconds, Xiaomi SU7 Ultra holds multiple track records for four door vehicles.

Engineered with up to 21 carbon fiber components (5.5 m² coverage) for optimal  weight distribution and luxury craftsmanship, its design merges dynamic performance  with elegance. Xiaomi EV’s R&D team rigorously tests technologies like torque  vectoring and adaptive damping at circuits including the Nürburgring Nordschleife,  ensuring real-world safety and handling excellence translate to the driving experience. 

To deliver world-class products that offer both outstanding performance and safety,  Xiaomi EV’s R&D team conducts extended on-site development at legendary circuits  including the Nürburgring. Through relentless track validation, the team iteratively  refines vehicle dynamics. Technologies proven on these professional circuits are  systematically adapted for production, transferring true race-derived engineering to  road vehicles. 

Performance testing at world-renowned racing circuits serves as the ultimate testbed  for automotive brands to refine their technology and quality. Xiaomi EV firmly  maintains that exceptional lap times represent more than just raw performance – they  embody technological excellence, uncompromising quality, and superior safety  standards.

At the event, Zhoucan Ren, Test Driver, Head of Vehicle Dynamics Development at  Xiaomi EV, stated: “Our team will maintain a continuous presence at the Nürburgring to  relentlessly refine our products and push the boundaries of what’s possible in high performance luxury vehicles.” 

Gran Turismo 7 will integrate Xiaomi SU7 Ultra through a co-development process with  Xiaomi EV, authentically replicating its luxury aesthetics and driving dynamics. This  high-performance EV will debut in Gran Turismo 7, becoming available to players  worldwide. Looking ahead, Xiaomi and Gran Turismo will further collaborate to develop  the Xiaomi VISION GRAN TURISMO concept vehicle. 

Viltrox Unveils New Products in LUNA and EPIC Professional Cinema Lens Series

Viltrox is shaking up professional cinematography with groundbreaking new pro-quality lenses: LUNA large-format zoom lenses and EPIC anamorphic primes. These precision-engineered lenses address growing demand for affordable, flexible, high-end cinema optics. They deliver exceptional cinematic performance at competitive prices.

EPIC 1.33x Anamorphic Prime Series

Viltrox is expanding the EPIC anamorphic series, which brings the classic widescreen “big movie” aesthetic to modern production. EPIC creates the distinctive ultra-wide cinematic grandeur of major Hollywood films, with signature oval bokeh and horizontal lens flare. EPIC’s uniform 95mm front diameter and identical gear position in all focal lengths make lens changes easy, without time-wasting recalibration.

This lens series seamlessly squeezes the image by a factor of 1.33X, achieving the coveted cinematic 2.35:1 aspect ratio, when paired with a standard 16:9 sensor. Its precise distortion control—from close-ups to wide shots—prevents common anamorphic flaws like facial widening (“anamorphic mumps”), while retaining signature oval bokeh and distinctive color rendering. Advanced nano-coatings on the front lens offer excellent smudge resistance and durability, for the toughest shooting conditions.

The lenses offer three distinct flare characteristic sets: blue flare, flare-suppressed, and silver flare options, all with minimal focus breathing and identical chromatic response across all focal lengths, for precise color matching during post-production.

Specialized new EPIC focal lengths expand creative possibilities

The EPIC 65mm T2.8 Macro 1.33X Anamorphic PL’s 65mm focal length lens immersively explores the microscopic world through a cinematic frame, with attractive background separation and signature blue streak flares. Engineered with a 1:4 magnification ratio, this lens delivers exceptional edge-to-edge sharpness at minimum focusing distance, precisely resolving micro-scale movement. Precision construction suppresses focus breathing, while buttery-smooth focus transitions ensure seamless cinematography for dynamic macro sequences.

The EPIC 135mm T2.4 1.33x Anamorphic PL, a telephoto anamorphic prime, gives users distinctive spatial compression and strong subject isolation, with signature oval bokeh and blue streak flares. The T2.4 aperture strikes the perfect balance between light intake and detailed rendering, ensuring crisp visuals with a graceful blurred background. The ultra-low distortion and premium aberration control, deliver ultra-low distortion widescreen imagery without compromise. The lens renders skin tones with natural warmth, while achieving precise color fidelity.

Complete lens sets for comprehensive focal length coverage

Viltrox’s EPIC primes range from $3,299 to $4,299, with specialty lenses (65mm Macro and 135mm telephoto) at $4,299 each. The EPIC 25/35/50/65/75/100/135 mm Maestro 1.33X PL Set offers flare-suppressed design, optimized for VFX, at $25,800. The EPIC 25/35/50/65/75/100/135mm Memento 1.33X PL Set, also $25,800, delivers a pronounced silver flare aesthetic for stylized cinematography.

LUNA 10x Full-frame/large-format zoom series

The flagship of Viltrox’s ambitious venture into cine zoom optics, the LUNA series delivers unprecedented versatility with constant aperture performance across massive 10x zoom ranges, while maintaining parfocal operation—a critical feature that ensures focus remains consistent throughout zoom adjustments.

These LUNA zoom lenses feature precision-engineered stainless steel mounts, weigh about 15kg, and include integrated magnetic-attachment filter systems with 165mm front diameter for standard matte-box compatibility. The LUNA series is crafted for professional filmmaking, at around $100,000 to $200,000 – exact pricing depends on mount, configuration and regional markets.

LUNA 30-300mm T4.0 (PL mount)

 

  • The LUNA 30–300mm T4 10X Zoom (PL mount) is a cine zoom covering FF/VV/LF formats,with constant T4.0 aperture through 10x zoom range, for consistent brightness and shallow depth-of-field.

 

LUNA 42-420mm T5.6 (LPL mount)

 

  • The LUNA 42–420mm T5.6 10X Zoom (LPL mount) excels with a constant T5.6 aperture thru 42-420mm range, and a wide 60mm image circle. The LPL (Large Positive Lock) mount natively supports cine cameras like ARRI ALEXA 65, ARRI ALEXA 265, Fujifilm GFX100, and Blackmagic URSA 17K. The adjustable flange distance with the ARRI LPL mount ensures maximum sensor compatibility and future-proofing.

 

LUNA professional cinema-grade engineering features include:

 

  • 10X zoom range (LUNA 30–300mm T4.0 and 42–420mm T5.6) with constant aperture for maximum flexibility: ensures uniform brightness and preserves shallow depth-of-field control across focal lengths.
  • Field-flattened optics and floating focus system deliver cinema-grade focus consistency and exceptional image clarity for 8K ultra-high-resolution capture, and beyond. Up to 60mm image circle coverage for full frame sensor.
  • Standard 0.8 MOD focus/zoom gears with precision 8-blade iris and durable construction for reliability.
  • Built-in ND (neutral density) filter slots, adjustable flange depth, and compatibility with industry-standard accessories and workflow systems.
  • Minimal distortion and focus breathing throughout zoom range, for cinematic realism and preservation of natural perspective and sharpness.

 

Availability and ordering

Viltrox will take orders from summer 2025, with delivery scheduled later in the year. Early orders will take priority, because strong demand is anticipated from established production houses and emerging independent filmmakers who need professional-grade optics. Price may vary by market and configuration options.

HighPoint Announces the Industry’s 1st Gen5 NVMe RAID AIC

HighPoint announce a landmark pricing strategy for their Gen5 x16 4x M.2 NVMe AIC series, making cutting-edge performance more accessible than ever.

Now available for USD$999 and $899 respectively, the Rocket 7604A RAID AIC and Rocket 1604A Switch AIC represent an exceptional value by doubling the performance capabilities of conventional 4-port NVMe solutions with over 50GB/s+ of real-world transfer speed.

This significant pricing offer reflects our commitment to accelerating market adoption of today’s leading SSD media and enabling a wider range of industrial and high-performance computing applications to leverage the full power of Gen5 NVMe storage technology.

Tiny Size, Bold Performance!

HighPoint’s Rocket 7604A and Rocket 1604A AICs redefine storage performance for space-constrained industrial and edge computing environments. Powered by HighPoint’s revolutionary PCIe Gen5 Switching Architecture and Broadcom’s PEX89048 PCIe Switch IC, these AICs deliver a class-leading 50+GB/s of real-world transfer speed, with x4 lanes of dedicated Gen5 bandwidth available for each M.2 port!

To address the critical needs of industrial customers, our engineering team meticulously re-engineered the AIC PCB to conform to the FH-HL form factor, resulting in an unprecedentedly compact PCIe device measuring just 167mm in length – dramatically shorter than typical 4-Port Gen5 cards, which often exceed 290mm. This was achieved through a custom-built, self-contained cooling solution featuring a full-size aluminum heatsink and ultra-quiet 80x80x10 fan, ensuring optimal thermal management for top-tier Gen5 M.2 drives without upgrading the host system’s cooling system. This innovative design can directly host up to 32TB of Gen5 NVMe storage and guarantee peak SSD performance without compromising the integrity of the M.2 media, making these AICs ideal for applications where speed, reliability, and space efficiency are paramount.

RAID Storage Management Suite – Storage Health and Security Within Your Reach

The Rocket 7604 RAID AIC offers a comprehensive NVMe RAID storage solution designed for robust performance and simplified management. It boasts an extensive suite of self-diagnostic capabilities, including intelligent 1-Click Self-Diagnostic & Logging, and intuitive color-coded LEDs and audible alarms for instant operational status assessment of PCIe connections and RAID arrays. Management is made flexible through a user-friendly WebGUI, a streamlined CLI for advanced users, and a UEFI-HII Tool for BIOS-level configuration. To ensure optimal performance and longevity, the AIC integrates an Intelligent Proactive-Cooling Solution featuring a low-decibel fan, full-length aluminum heatsink, and a network of sensors that actively regulate fan speed to prevent thermal throttling of the switch chipset and M.2 SSDs. Furthermore, its Environmental Monitoring, Logging & Analysis Solution, accessible via the WebGUI, provides real-time tracking of SSD temperature and power usage. For data security, HighPoint SafeStorage offers OPAL SSC TCG based NVMe hardware encryption (SED), easily administered via the WebGUI and CLI, protecting sensitive data from unauthorized access. Finally, with FRU (Field Replaceable Unit) support and stored VPD, the Rocket 7604 ensures streamlined maintenance and replacement with correct firmware/driver combinations.

Unprecedented Gen5 Storage Performance and Reliability at an Unbeatable Price Point

HighPoint’s Rocket 7604A and Rocket 1604A AICs not only deliver unprecedented Gen5 storage performance of up to 56GB/s, they have established a new standard for compact, thermally optimized NVMe solutions at an accessible price point. These revolutionary AICs are engineered to meet the demanding requirements of industrial, edge, and HPC workflows, providing bold performance in a tiny footprint. Embrace the future of high-speed storage—now within reach—and transform your critical applications with HighPoint’s leading-edge Gen5 technology.

Other HighPoint News 

Learn More

ISPCC announces global project to prevent online child sexual exploitation and abuse

The project, spearheaded by Greek non-profit child welfare organisation The Smile of the Child, will be co-created by children and young people to ensure their voices are heard ISPCC is honoured to announce its participation in a worldwide project designed to transform how we prevent and respond to online child sexual exploitation and abuse.

Safe Online, a global fund dedicated to eradicating online child sexual exploitation and abuse, is funding the project called “Sandboxing and Standardizing Child Online Redress”.

The COR Sandbox project will establish a first-of-its-kind mechanism to advance child online safety through collaboration across sectors, borders and generations.

The project is led by The Smile of the Child, Greece’s premier child welfare organisation and ISPCC is a partner alongside The Young and Resilient Research Centre at Western Sydney University, Child Helpline International and the Centre for Digital Policy at University College Dublin.

Sandboxes bring together industry, regulators and customers in a safe space to test innovative products and services without incurring regulatory sanctions and they are mainly used in the finance sector to test new services. The EU is increasingly encouraging the use of sandboxes in the field of high technology and artificial intelligence.

Through the participation of youth, platforms, regulators and online safety experts, this first regulatory sandbox for child digital wellbeing will provide for consistent, systemic care and redress for children from online harm, based on their rights under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

Getting reporting and redress right means that we can keep track of harms and be able to identify systemic risk. Co-designing the reporting and redress process with young people as equitable participants can help us understand what they expect from the reporting process and what remedies are fair for them putting Article 12 of the UNCRC into action.

The project also benefits from the guidance of renowned digital safety experts, including Project Lead and Scientific Coordinator Ioanna Noula, PhD, an international expert on tech policy and children’s rights; pioneering online safety and youth rights advocate Anne Collier; youth rights and participation expert Amanda Third, PhD, of the Young and Resilient Research Centre; international innovation management consultant Nicky Hickman; IT innovation and startup founder Jez Goldstone; and leading child online wellbeing scholar Tijana Milosevic, PhD.

ISPCC Head of Policy and Public Affairs Fiona Jennings said: “This project is a wonderful example of what we can achieve when we collaborate and listen to children and young people. Having robust online reporting mechanisms in place is a key policy objective for ISPCC and this project will go a long way towards making the online world safer for children and young people to participate in.”

Project lead Ioanna Noula said: “ISPCC’s contribution to a project, which seeks to build coherence around the issue of online redress, will be a catalyst for real and substantial change in the area of online reporting. Helplines play a key role in flagging illegal and/or harmful content. As the experts in listening and responding to children, ISPCC can provide insight from an Irish context to help spearheading the implementation of the Digital Services Act and the wellbeing of children online.”

IFA 2025: Ticket sale for private visitors open now!

IFA Berlin, the world’s largest event for home & consumer tech, has officially opened the ticket sale for private visitors for its 2025 edition: ifaberlin.seetickets.com. The event will take place from 5 to 9 September 2025 at Messe Berlin. 

This year’s ticketing model introduces new access times and an adjusted price structure – with a clear focus on comfort, inclusivity and value to enhance the visitor experience across all audience groups. Furthermore, select exhibition halls are under renovation during the event, and the updated entry structure is designed to ensure better crowd management and smoother operations.

New ticketing structure. Same WOW. 

IFA 2025 places greater emphasis on accessibility, comfort, and value. The updated ticketing model reflects how most guests plan their time at the event, while enabling more focused access to exhibits, activations and features.

The opening hours of IFA 2025:

  • Private visitors:
    Friday, 5 September: 12:00–18:00 
    Saturday to Tuesday, 6–9 September: 10:00–18:00

  • Families, school groups & visitors with disabilities:
    Daily, 5–9 September: 10:00–18:00

  • Trade visitors, professionals & media:
    Early entry with access to the Trade Visitor Lounge from 08:00 via “Messe Süd” entrance, exhibition access from 09:30.

These adjustments ensure a safer, more relaxed and comfortable experience during peak times – particularly on Friday mornings, which continue to be reserved for political, media and business delegations as well as for families, school groups and visitors with disabilities. To avoid missed moments, major public programming will start after 12:00 on Friday.

Fair pricing that prioritises experience 

Following the special pricing during IFA’s 2024 centenary, ticket prices have been adjusted for 2025 to reflect a fair balance of access and experience.
Visitors who book in advance online save up to 22%:

  • Adults: €19.50 advance / €25.00 on site
  • Students: €12.00 advance / €14.00 on site 
  • People with disabilities: €12.00 advance / €14.00 on site (free companion ticket)
  • Kids: Free admission for children aged 15 and under
  • School Group: €39.00 (2 teachers + up to 33 students) 
  • Family: €39.00 advanced / €50.00 on site (2 adults + up to 3 children)

Meanwhile, the IFA Sommergarten will once again host concerts and live programming, with separate tickets available for all IFA visitors. Each IFA Sommergarten ticket includes same-day admission to IFA.

Join them in Berlin from 5 to 9 September 2025 – where inspiration, entertainment and next-gen tech come together. More information at ifa-berlin.com.

Research Ireland and Gas Networks Ireland announce collaboration agreement

Research Ireland, Ireland’s competitive research and innovation agency, and Gas Networks Ireland, operator of the national gas network, have today formally launched a new €2.7 million research and innovation challenge to drive pioneering, STEM-led solutions that will support Ireland’s transition to a low carbon energy future.

The ‘Research Ireland – Gas Networks Ireland Innovation Challenge’ invites multidisciplinary research teams to develop breakthrough technologies in renewable gas, energy system integration and artificial intelligence. The challenge fund will support transformative innovations with the potential to decarbonise the national gas network and contribute to climate action targets.

This joint initiative, co-funded by Research Ireland and by Gas Networks Ireland through its Gas Innovation Fund, is a phased funding programme. Successful teams from eligible research bodies in Ireland will be awarded up to €200,000 and will work through a series of phases to develop their idea. An overall prize award of €1 million will be available to the team that demonstrates the highest potential for transformative impact. The prize will enable the winning team to generate high-impact research and accelerate the development of sustainable energy technologies.

The structure of the Programme is based on the Research Ireland Future Innovator Prize Sustainable Development Goals Challenge Programme, and will comprise three phases:

  • Concept (six months’ duration, with successful teams securing up to €50,000)
  • Seed (12 months’ duration, with teams securing up to €150,000), and:
  • Prize (up to 24 months, with teams completing for an overall prize of €1 million).

Welcoming the announcement, Interim CEO at Research Ireland, Celine Fitzgerald, commented:

“We are delighted to be forging a partnership with Gas Networks Ireland on matters of such importance to our country and, indeed, our planet. Both agencies recognise the importance of decarbonisation of Ireland’s gas network. The Research Ireland – Gas Networks Ireland Innovation Challenge 2025 will support research projects that have potential to generate STEM-based solutions for utilisation by the renewable gas industry, giving rise to national impact in the journey to achieve carbon neutrality. 

“We look forward to working in partnership with Gas Networks Ireland, and to seeing the outcomes stemming from our co-funded investment in Ireland’s brightest research talent.”

Commenting on the collaboration agreement, Chief Operations Officer at Gas Networks Ireland, Bobby Gleeson, stated:

“This landmark collaboration aligns with Ireland’s national climate ambitions and our strategy to transition to a net zero gas network by 2045”.

“The Innovation Challenge is a powerful example of how targeted research can support national priorities – from climate action to economic development and will help enable the best minds in Irish research to develop practical, scalable solutions for integrating renewable gases and intelligent technologies into our energy infrastructure. This is a significant investment in the future of Ireland’s energy system – and in the talent that will help shape it.”

The Research Ireland – Gas Networks Ireland Innovation Challenge has two overarching challenge themes to guide the collaborative engagement and research activity under this programme call, namely:

  1. The Energy System Integration Challenge: This seeks to support the development of solutions to accelerate the optimisation and integration of the energy system in Ireland’s transition to a low carbon economy. There are two broad themes under this Challenge: (a) the integration of renewable gases at a local and regional level; and (b) the development of Artificial Intelligence-based solutions for intelligent gas network performance diagnostics.
  2. The Biomethane and Biohydrogen Challenge will seek to support the development of solutions which improve the efficiency, efficacy and commercial viability of (1) biomethane and (2) biohydrogen production, including extraction and utilisation of the byproducts.

The call for applications is now open to eligible research teams across Ireland. Full details are available here: Research Ireland Gas Networks Ireland Innovation Challenge – Research Ireland.

Virgin Media announces new wholesale deal with Digiweb

Virgin Media has announced a new wholesale access deal with Digiweb. The new deal will enable Digiweb to deliver high-speed broadband services to more homes and businesses across the country, using Virgin Media’s state of the art fibre broadband network which delivers Ireland’s fastest broadband speeds.

Virgin Media recently announced a major milestone in its fibre upgrade programme, with over 550,000 fibre homes now constructed, as the company is on target to upgrade 1 million premises to fibre across Ireland by 2026.

Aidan D’Arcy, Vice President of Wholesale at Virgin Media, said: “”We are delighted to welcome Digiweb as our newest wholesale partner. This partnership gives consumers more choice and helps drive Ireland’s digital future forward.”

 Declan Campbell, Managing Director of Digiweb, said: “This partnership with Virgin Media is a fantastic opportunity for us to expand our reach and offer even more Irish homes access to top-tier broadband. Our focus has always been on delivering outstanding service, and by leveraging Virgin Media’s advanced network, we can continue to uphold our commitment to customer satisfaction, which is so important to us and reflected in our exceptional Trustpilot reviews.