Category: Tech News

NI Science Festival set to host unmissable tech events

NI Science Festival has officially launched its 2025 programme and will host a series of tech events as part of a 12-day extravaganza that will bring science to life with hundreds of events across Northern Ireland from 12th – 23rd February.

Established in 2014, NI Science Festival has grown to become the largest celebration of its kind on the island of Ireland and one of the leading science festivals in Europe.

For its 11th edition, the festival will present more than 300 events across Northern Ireland, focusing on our rich and diverse natural environment, our engineering and manufacturing heritage, sustainability, technology, the mind and body, and much more.

NI Science Festival director Sarah Jones said: “The NI Science Festival is a celebration of science, creativity, and the world around us, designed to be engaging and enjoyable for everyone. Over 12 days, the festival will pop up in venues across Northern Ireland, showcasing the incredible work of local researchers and scientists alongside some well-known guest speakers. This year’s programme is packed with exciting events for all ages, offering something for everyone. It’s an opportunity to embrace the joy of discovery, explore the power of ideas, and celebrate the possibilities science brings to our everyday lives.”

The festival presents The Ethics of AI – Navigating the Future. Chaired by Rebecca Walsh, Matrix Panel member and Director & Head of Service Design at Big Motive, Dr. Charlotte Blease, health informaticist, and Holly Toner, Data & AI Ethics Tech Lead, Kainos, discuss the ethical challenges of artificial intelligence, exploring how AI impacts society and decision-making.

At DroneVirus – What Made My Drones Go Rogue? Dr Vishal Sharma will provide an understanding of drones, including their inner workings, their communication weaknesses, and how even those with basic computing knowledge can exploit them for destructive purposes. The event will also highlight the importance of best coding practices and how you can explore these as potential areas of interest.

The future of AI and Humanity workshop includes talks and a panel discussion exploring technical, ethical, philosophical and theological issues on the future of AI.

At Data – Securing Our Future or Dominating Our Lives? a panel of experts will highlight some of the challenges they face and how their data driven solutions are making us safer, healthier, more productive and more sustainable, while respecting the need to ensure the privacy of the individual citizen and address the inequalities that our world unfortunately faces.

Putting cybersecurity skills to the test at Cyber Battleground: A Hands-On CTF Workshop for Offensive & Defensive Security which will explore a wide range of vulnerabilities across web applications, software, and even artificial intelligence, gaining valuable insights into both attack and defence strategies.

For more information and to view the full programme, visit nisciencefestival.com.

Majority launches the Naga 60 2.1 Bluetooth Soundbar in the UK

Majority, the consumer electronics brand known for its innovative products, provides a truly impressive audio experience with the Naga 60, for an affordable price.

Following the success of the Majority Bowfell Soundbar and Majority Bowfell Plus 2.1 Bluetooth Soundbar & Subwoofer, Majority introduces the premium edition of their Bluetooth soundbar range, the Majority Naga 60.

The Majority Naga 60 Soundbar is available in the UK on Amazon for £69.95 from 1st February 2025.

 Where style meets substance, the Naga 60 not only awakens your home audio but features a digital display, premium buttons, and finish for a sleek and innovative aesthetic.

Revolutionising your home entertainment, the Naga 60 soundbar features a built-in 2.5” subwoofer immersing users in deep and impactful bass. Boasting 120W of power, the Majority Naga 60 provides exceptional high-fidelity sound quality and helps breathe life into movies, music, and games with the dynamic EQ controls. Accompanied by a premium remote control for easy listening, users can easily adjust volume, modes, and settings, as required.

The advanced 2.1 channel 3D surround sound technology, along with the 2.25” speaker drivers and end cap tweeters ensures that Naga 60 fills the room with the dynamic audio with clear dialogue and powerful bass.

Designed for the modern audiophile, the Naga 60 house a wide range of connectivity including 5.0 Bluetooth and HDMI ARC integration for a stress-free set-up, which can also be wall mounted. The soundbar can also be connected with USB, Optical and AUX to enhance the listening experience for every occasion.

Specs

  • Multi Connectivity: 5.0 Bluetooth, HDMI Arc, Optical, AUX, USB
  • 2.1 Channel
  • 2 x 2.25” Speaker Drivers
  • 1 x 2.5” Subwoofer
  • End cap tweeters
  • Premium Remote Control included
  • EQ Controls
  • Power Supply: DC20V 1.7A
  • Weight: 2.08kg
  • Dimensions: 610mm x 77.7m x 117mm

The Majority Naga 60 Soundbar is available in the UK on Amazon for £69.95 from 1st February 2025.

See our Majority Audio reviews 

Creative Shines at CES 2025: 7 ‘Best of CES’ Awards Earned!

Creative Technology is excited to announce that it has received seven prestigious ‘Best of CES 2025’ awards from leading media outlets. These awards recognise Creative’s commitment to providing high-quality, innovative audio products that offer unmatched value and exceptional audio performance.

Take a look at the awards:

  1. SoundGuys: Best of CES 2025: The Audio Gear That Matters – Celebrating the Aurvana Ace Mimi featuring xMEMS drivers and personalised sound powered by Mimi technology delivering great premium audio for the price.

  2. Gear Patrol: Best New Tech and Gadgets of CES 2025 – Praising the Aurvana Ace Mimi for offering a perfect balance of affordability, features, and impressive sound.

  3. TechRadar: 5 Best Headphones and Earbuds of CES 2025 – Highlighting the Aurvana Ace Mimi for its exceptional audio performance and unbeatable value.

  4. Rolling Stone: CES 2025: The 35+ Best Things We Saw – Spotlighting Aurvana Ace Mimi for delivering high-fidelity audio in a stylish and compact design.

  5. PCWorld: Best of CES 2025: The PC and Home Tech That Blew Us Away –Commending the Aurvana Ace Mimi for its remarkable clarity and punchy bass, especially for its price.

  6. Ecoustics: Best in Show CES 2025: Audio/Video Products That Impressed Us Most – Applauding the Pebble Nova for its impressive audio performance and sleek design. See our first look, review next week

  7. CGMagazine: Best of CES 2025 – Applauding the TGIF X Creative T0 Arena Desktop Theatre System for its innovative design with integrated rear speakers, elevating the desktop audio experience.

“We are incredibly honoured to receive these accolades from such respected voices in the tech world. These awards are a testament to the hard work and passion of our team at  Creative. We remain committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation to deliver products

that not only meet but exceed our customers’ expectations,” said Song Siow Hui, CEO of  Creative.

For more information about our award-winning products, visit their website at Creative.com

See our Creative reviews 

Jabra introduce linking update to Speak2 75 professional speakerphone

Today, Jabra has announced an automatic, over-the-air update to its flagship speakerphone Speak2 75, enabling two Speak2 75 devices to link for enhanced audio coverage, suitable for large and medium size meeting rooms. The devices can be used with platforms like Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and other UC-certified applications and provide both mono and stereo modes.

This update, driven by user feedback on Bluetooth connectivity, introduces a permanent linking capability that expands the range and functionality of the Speak2 75, meeting both the evolving needs of end users and facility managers.

Flexible connection for superior audio

Linked Speak2 75 devices provide excellent audio coverage for professional collaboration in various sized meeting rooms. For example, if one Speak2 75 has 2.5 meeres of range, then having two could more than double the range overall, depending on placement in the meeting room.

Therefore, with this new update, IT and facility managers now have more flexibility to design rooms with better audio coverage, meaning that whether users are in the meeting room or remote, everyone can hear and be heard clearly.

Furthermore, with the permanent linking feature, the Speak2 75s will remain connected even when turned off and on again. This is a significant improvement from its predecessors, where the linking was only temporary. In meeting rooms, where consistent connectivity is crucial, this feature provides a more reliable, plug-and-play user experience.

Versatile for meetings and music

During calls, the linked Speak2 75 devices transmit a dual mono signal, ensuring that both speakers deliver the same clear, precise audio. So, whether it’s an important business meeting or just a casual catch-up, the dual mono signal ensures that all communication is seamless and effective.

When it comes to sound playback, the two speakers switch to a stereo signal, offering a richer and more immersive audio experience. The devices intelligently and automatically switch between dual mono and stereo modes based on the usage scenario, providing the best audio quality for every situation.

Holger Reisinger, SVP for Video & Collaboration solutions at Jabra, said: “With the new linking feature, the Speak2 75 transforms how users experience sound, offering flexible placement options that adapt to any environment. This enhancement makes the Speak2 75 an ideal choice for both professional and personal use, fitting seamlessly into modern lifestyles.

This update reflects our commitment to innovation that genuinely enhances usability and quality. By expanding the Speak2 75’s capabilities, we are setting a new standard for immersive, adaptable audio solutions.”

This update is available now on all Speak2 75 devices via a firmware update in Jabra+, Direct, Xpress and Sound+.

Find out more information at www.jabra.co.uk/speak2-75

See our Jabra Reviews

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, Galaxy S25+ and Galaxy S25 true AI companions

Samsung today announced the Galaxy S25 Ultra, Galaxy S25+ and Galaxy S25, setting a new standard as a true AI companion with the most natural and context-aware mobile experiences ever created. Introducing multimodal AI agents, the Galaxy S25 series is the first step in Samsung’s vision to change the way users interact with their phone – and with their world. A first-of-its-kind customised Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform for Galaxy chipset delivers greater on-device processing power for Galaxy AI and superior camera range and control with Galaxy’s next-gen ProVisual Engine.

“The greatest innovations are a reflection of their users, which is why we evolved Galaxy AI to help everyone interact with their devices in a way that feels natural and effortless,” said TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “Galaxy S25 series opens the door to a true AI OS and a fundamental shift not just in how we use technology, but in how we live our lives.”

Our Most Intuitive and Effortless Mobile Interactions Yet

With One UI 7, the Galaxy S25 series becomes a true AI companion that understands the context of your needs and preferences and provides personalised AI experiences with privacy assured at every turn. It’s the starting point of a shared vision with Google to imagine Android with AI at the core, bringing together developers and partners from around the world.

AI agents with multimodal capabilities enable Galaxy S25 to interpret text, speech, images and videos for interactions that feel natural. Upgrades to Google’s Circle to Search make searching your phone screen more helpful, fast and contextual. Circle to Search now quickly recognises phone numbers, email and URLs on your screen, letting you call, email or visit a website with a single tap.

With Galaxy S25 series, you can also perform actionable searches with context-aware suggestions for next steps. Plus, Galaxy S25 makes it frictionless to switch between apps for quick follow-up actions, like sharing a GIF or saving event details.

Galaxy S25 also represents a breakthrough in natural language understanding, making everyday interactions easier. Just ask, and intuitively find a specific photo in Gallery or adjust the size of display fonts in Settings.

Just press and hold the side button to activate Gemini and perform seamless interaction across Samsung and Google apps, plus third-party apps such as Spotify. For example, find your favourite sports team’s season schedule and add it to Samsung calendar – with a single command.

These intuitive interactions are elevated by expansions to Galaxy AI’s popular tools for communication, productivity and creativity. Galaxy S25 keeps calls organised with Call Transcript and summary. Writing Assist features such as summarising content or automatically formatting notes can be enabled where texts can be selected, without needing to switch between applications. Drawing Assist unlocks fresh ways to bring ideas to life through combinations of sketches, text or image prompts.

Hyper-personalised Experiences with Privacy Secured

In the era of AI, personalisation goes hand-in-hand with privacy. On Galaxy S25, the Personal Data Engine powers personalised AI features by safely analysing your data on-device to deliver highly tailored experiences that reflect your preferences and usage patterns. These insights enable tailored experiences such as searching for an old photo in the Gallery using natural language, or being guided through the day with Now Brief, which proactively offers suggestions accessible via Now Bar6 on the lock screen. All personalised data is kept private and secured by Knox Vault. Combined with enhanced on-device processing capabilities, this creates a powerful, protected AI experience that is unique to Galaxy.

Galaxy S25 also introduces post-quantum cryptography, safeguarding personal data against emerging threats that could increase as quantum computing evolves.

Because there is no privacy without holistic security, One UI 7 laid the groundwork for these innovations by introducing an extra, fortified layer of device safety designed for the age of AI and hyperconnectivity. Additional updates include added Maximum Restrictions settings, enhanced Theft Protection, and a new Knox Matrix dashboard to monitor the security status across a connected device ecosystem.

Galaxy’s Most Powerful Performance Ever

The Galaxy S25 series is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy. With unique customisations by Galaxy, this is the most powerful chipset ever on Galaxy S Series, delivering a performance boost of 40% in NPU, 37% in CPU and 30% in GPU compared to the previous generation. This power fuels the Galaxy S25 series’ ability to process more AI experiences on-device without compromise, including previously cloud-based AI tasks such as Generative Edit8.

Samsung and Qualcomm Technologies worked together to customise the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy.  The Galaxy S25 series features advanced, efficient AI image processing with ProScaler to achieve a 40% improvement in display image scaling quality, while incorporating custom technology with Samsung’s mobile Digital Natural Image engine (mDNIe) embedded within the processor using Galaxy IP to enable greater display power efficiency.

Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy is also equipped with Vulkan Engine and improved Ray Tracing, which makes for smoother and more realistic mobile gaming.

All intense device usage and AI processing run smoothly thanks to changed heat dissipation structure with 40% larger vapor chamber and a tailored thermal interface material (TIM) that delivers extra improvement in thermal efficiency.

Unleashing Truly Pro Creation

The Galaxy S25 delivers ultra-detailed shots at every range with high resolution sensors and ProVisual Engine, setting a new standard for mobile photography. A new 50MP ultrawide camera sensor, a significant upgrade from the previous 12MP, Galaxy S25 Ultra provides exceptional clarity and vibrancy.

10-bit HDR recording is now applied by default, offering four times richer colour expression compared to 8-bit. Galaxy S25 can thus capture details in any lighting conditions. Plus, low-light videos have never been clearer than with Galaxy S25[12]. Based on its powerful processor, Galaxy S25 analyses movement and time to reduce noise more effectively. This integration allows detecting both moving and static objects with greater precision, ensuring sharper, cleaner footage in any scenario.

Galaxy S25 also introduces a range of tools once limited to specialised software, making advanced editing accessible for all. Now anyone can be a pro at editing photos and videos. Audio Eraser simplifies the removal of unwanted noise in videos. By isolating categories of sounds – including voices, crowds, music, wind, nature, crowd and noise – you can control what to tone town or eliminate entirely.

For a DSLR-like experience on mobile, Galaxy S25 introduces depth-of-field control with Virtual Aperture, integrated into the popular Expert RAW. Galaxy S25 also elevates cinematic creativity with Galaxy Log, enabling precise colour grading options for more professional video production.

Portrait Studio has also been enhanced, allowing users to create personalised avatars with more true-to-life facial expressions. Filters introduces new analogue-style filters, delivering film-like aesthetic for their photos and videos.

Durable Design Embracing a More Circular Approach

The Galaxy S25 series builds upon Galaxy’s ‘Essential Design’ grounded in ‘Simple, Impactful and Emotive’ elements. Galaxy S25 Series refines this essence into the slimmest, lightest and most durable Galaxy S series yet, with a rounded edge for a comfortable grip that complements the series’ aesthetic identity.

Galaxy S25 Ultra features durable titanium and the new Corning® Gorilla® Armor 2, a first-of-its-kind material that is more durable than glass. It combines Corning’s glass-ceramic with a proprietary anti-reflective surface treatment, helping to ensure advanced drop protection alongside anti-reflection surface treatment and scratch resistance.

Every external component of Galaxy S25+ and S25 now includes at least one recycled material, as their metal frame incorporates 20% recycled armour aluminium for the first time.

In addition, while every Galaxy S25 series device uses a minimum of 50% recycled cobalt for its battery, Galaxy S25 will be the first Galaxy smartphone to feature batteries made with recycled cobalt sourced from previous Galaxy devices or the batteries discarded during their manufacturing process. Samsung goes through multiple stages with its like-minded partners, from extracting cobalt from used batteries to re-using the recycled cobalt for the batteries of Galaxy S25.

Combined with seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates, the Galaxy S25 series ensures a reliable and optimised performance over a longer lifespan.

All Galaxy S25 devices give customers access to sign up for a 6-month trial of Gemini Advanced and 2TB of cloud storage at no extra cost. Gemini Advanced comes with our most capable AI models and priority access to the newest features like Gems, custom AI experts for any topic, and Deep Research, which acts as your personal AI research assistant.

Ireland Availability and Special Offers

The Galaxy S25 series will be available for pre-order from today (22nd January) and widely available in operators, retailers and on samsung.com from 7th February 2025.

Galaxy S25 Ultra will be available in Titanium Silverblue, Titanium Black, Titanium Whitesilver and Titanium Grey. Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25+ will be available in Silver Shadow, Navy, Icyblue and Mint.

Customers who pre-order Galaxy S25, S25+ or S25 Ultra from Samung.com can double their storage too for the same price[21].

Starting from today, the new Galaxy Book5 Pro and Galaxy Book5 360 are also available for pre-order, with customers able to claim a 1TB Galaxy Book5Pro for the price of a 512GB model.

 

Pricing

Galaxy S25 Ultra RRP:

  • 256GB – €1,469
  • 512GB – €1,589
  • 1TB – €1,849

Galaxy S25+ RRP:

  • 256GB – €1,159
  • 512GB – €1,269

Galaxy S25 RRP:

  • 128GB – €919
  • 256GB – €969
  • 512GB – €1,079

See our Samsung Reviews

For more information about Galaxy S25 series, please visit: www.samsung.com/ie/smartphones/galaxy-s25-ultra

Yahoo announces official opening of new Dublin office

Yahoo today announced the official opening of its new offices in Dublin to further enhance its services across the company’s corporate functions globally, in Ireland, and across Europe.

Based in the EXO building in The Dublin Docklands, Yahoo will use the 3,317 sq m / 35,703 sq ft space to foster collaboration for engineering, research & development, legal, finance, sales, operations, customer care and security roles.

“Our new Dublin office will help foster even more collaboration and innovation in the region,” said Jim Lanzone, CEO of Yahoo. “With dedicated space for our engineering, sales, security, operations and finance teams, we’re better positioned to serve our customers as a trusted guide navigating the digital landscape.”

The new office is an important milestone in continuing Yahoo’s regional presence and a commitment to supporting local talent for the city’s growing tech space.

“We believe that Ireland is one of the best places in the world to do business,” said Edel Murphy, MD Yahoo Ireland. “Dublin is home to a bustling tech scene, and the innovation on offer combined with the diverse mix of talent makes it an important, strategic location for companies like Yahoo. We’re looking forward to welcoming our team members to this fantastic space dedicated to helping us deliver innovation to our clients and partners across Ireland and Europe, and for the millions of people who use Yahoo around the world.”

Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment Peter Burke said: “Congratulations to Yahoo on the opening of their new offices in the EXO in the Docklands, a significant milestone in the company’s history. Thank you for choosing Ireland for nearly 30 years and continuing to invest here.  Your unwavering confidence underscores what we know about our offering in Ireland – that we are a reliable location for international businesses to grow and thrive. Best wishes to Yahoo into the future.”

Michael Lohan, CEO of IDA Ireland said: ‘’Yahoo has been in Ireland for 29 years and in that time has contributed to Ireland’s growth and success in the tech sector. Their continued investment helps position Ireland as a location for long term growth and is a great vote of confidence in the talent that we can offer here. I would like to congratulate Yahoo on the opening of their new office space and wish them continued success.’’

New initiative for young people to explore how Irish language and traditions can inspire environmental innovations

The CONNECT Centre’s Academy of the Near Future, in partnership with Gael Linn’s Gaelbhratach team, has launched a new Irish-language educational programme for young people. The initiative – ‘Treoraigh do Thodhchaí’ –  will feature hands-on workshops addressing environmental challenges and explore how the Irish language and traditions can inspire creative, sustainable, and technological solutions for the future.

Young people aged 15-17 are being invited to apply for the week-long programme, which will run from Monday, 31st March to Friday, 4th April 2025. Over the course of the programme the selected students will be encouraged to reflect on the role of the Irish language in their own lives and explore its significance in the wider context of environmental sustainability.

The programme will be hosted at Stiúideo Cuan, An Spidéal, Co. na Gaillimhe. It is the first Irish-language medium version of the ‘Design Your Future City’ programme, which has been delivered by Academy of the Near Future annually in Dublin since 2022.

Commenting on the launch, Dr Mairead Hurley, Assistant Professor in Science & Society Education, Trinity College Dublin, said: “We are excited to build on our innovative, youth-led approach to sustainability and citizenship education by delivering it through the Irish language for the first time. This step celebrates the creativity and transdisciplinary potential the Irish language brings to global citizenship education.

“This programme offers students a fantastic opportunity to build confidence, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, while exploring the role of Irish language and culture in shaping a sustainable future. It will also draw on the expertise of Trinity School of Education’s Critical Change Lab programme, an EU project exploring creative educational approaches to promote active citizenship and youth activism.”

Also commenting, Edel Ní Bhraonáin, Bainisteoir Gaelbhratach, Gael Linn said: “Gael Linn is thrilled to collaborate on ‘Treoraigh do Thodhchaí’, creating opportunities for young people to lead and shape a brighter future. Through our Gaelbhratach initiative, we have seen the incredible creativity and passion young people bring when given the chance to lead and shape their own future. This project is an exciting opportunity to amplify the student voice, combining their innovative ideas with the power of our language and culture to create a brighter, more sustainable tomorrow.”

Support from the Department of Education

The programme is being run with support from the Department of Education’s ‘Education for Sustainable Development to 2030 Fund’. Commenting on the initiative, Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD said: “I am delighted to see ‘Treoraigh do Thodhchaí’ open for applications, supported by the Education for Sustainable Development to 2030 Fund. I am particularly pleased to see it being rolled out for the first time in the Gaeltacht community in Galway, with plans to extend it to the Gaeltacht community in Kerry in the coming months. This will encourage students to get involved in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and to be excited about the role they can play in tackling climate issues in their community using technology.”

Highlights from the programme

Over the course of the week, the selected students will have the opportunity to:

  • Engage in interactive workshops that integrate Irish language and cultural elements with sustainability and technology.
  • Collaborate with experts through Irish to develop a deeper understanding of Irish language and traditions.
  • Experiment with citizen science to address the environmental challenges facing modern cities, all through the lens of Irish culture.
  • Meet STEM, design, and innovation experts who will guide students in bringing their ideas to life with a sustainability focus

Application Details

The programme is open to students aged 15-17. Applicants must commit to attending all sessions of the week-long course. Workshops will be conducted in Irish, and the main requirement is an enthusiasm for technology, sustainability, and Irish culture. With only 20 places available, interested students are encouraged to apply early to avoid missing out.

To apply, applicants must answer a few short questions about themselves, describe an environmental challenge in their area, and propose a technology-driven solution. The deadline for applications is 5pm on Monday, 24th February 2025.

For further information and the application process, visit: https://nearfuture.ie/programmes/treoraigh-do-thodchai

Fujifilm Introduces the instax WIDE Evo Hybrid Instant Camera

FUJIFILM Europe GmbH, Imaging Solutions Division, today announced the latest addition to its popular instax™ line of instant cameras and smartphone printers with the introduction of the instax WIDE Evo™ Hybrid Instant Camera (WIDE Evo), whose unique hybrid format combines the excitement and satisfaction of traditional instant camera functionality with the benefits of digital imaging technology to edit, save and share photo images. WIDE Evo takes these capabilities a step further, with the ability to create wide format images that print onto instax™ WIDE instant film (sold separately), along with a host of other advanced capabilities designed to enhance the photographic image taking experience.

“Like the groundbreaking instax mini Evo™ instant camera that came before it, WIDE Evo offers a creative way to chronicle life’s milestones, creating a bridge between digital and analog photography,” said Shin Udono, Senior Vice President, Imaging Solutions, FUJIFILM

The Instant Evo-lution Continues:

“Hybrid photography gives the photographer the flexibility to choose which images to instantly print, which images to share, and which images to store for later access. WIDE Evo does all of that, in a new wide format body, and with a host of new and improved lens and film effects and modes to enhance the user experience even more. Furthermore, it uses instax™ WIDE film our largest instax™ film format, that gives photographers greater flexibility with even more room to get creative with.”

WIDE Evo outputs high-quality prints directly from the camera. Images can also be printed from a user’s iOS or Android smartphone camera roll using the free instax WIDE Evo™ App. The app also features remote shooting capabilities and additional image enhancement options. Additionally, to inspire creativity and encourage image sharing, the instax WIDE
Evo™ App offers the newly introduced “Discover Feed”, which allows users to explore printed instax™ photos uploaded to the Discover Feed by other WIDE Evo users in a photo gallery format and view their lens, film, and degree effects and film style settings applied. Additionally, using Bluetooth, users can favorite the effects displayed and replicate the combinations on their camera via the App.

 

Features include 

Integrated Wide Angle Option WIDE Evo features the widest lens on any instax™ instant camera, at 16mm. Users can
choose to take images at the standard width, or opt for Wide-angle Mode, which maximizes the camera’s lens capabilities to get all of the action into the photo.

10 Lens Effects x 10 Film Effect Options

100 Combinations Of Creative Expression, Now With Added Degree Control
Like the instax mini Evo™ instant camera, WIDE Evo features 10 lens effects and 10 film effect options, offering 100 different combinations for users to express themselves. WIDE
Evo adds Degree Control, which allows the user to determine the degree to which each lens effect is applied to their image.

6 Film Styles to Enhance The Look Of The Image
In addition to the lens and film effects, WIDE Evo offers 6 film styles to customize images even further, with options including normal, a cinematic look with black bars across the top and bottom of the image, a classic film strip look, a traditional date/time stamp format, a contact sheet look, or a vintage collodion process effect.

Selfies, Storage, and More
WIDE Evo also features a 3.5-inch LCD Monitor on the back of the camera to allow users to view added effects and edits and is supported by a built-in Lithium-ion battery which enables the camera to print up to 100 images per charge, depending on the specific use case. A Micro SD card slot (Micro SD Card sold separately) ensures there’s plenty of room to store additional images for later enjoyment (approximately 45 images can be stored in the camera’s internal memory), while the Selfie Mirror helps users nail selfies every time.

In addition to the new hybrid instant camera, new accessory and film options have also been
introduced:

New instax WIDE Evo™ Hybrid Instant Camera Case

Accompanying the introduction of the WIDE Evo is the instax WIDE Evo™ hybrid instant camera case (sold separately). Made from premium faux leather, the case features an adjustable shoulder strap for optimal carrying comfort and portability. For added convenience, the top portion can be removed, allowing users to keep the camera in its case during use.

New instax™ WIDE Brushed Metallics Instant Film
The instax™ WIDE Brushed Metallics instant film features a metallic, dark gradient border to instax™ WIDE instant film photos. Available in a 10 exposure pack, the film is compatible with all instax™ WIDE instant cameras, the instax Link WIDE™ Smartphone printer, and the instax WIDE Evo™ hybrid instant camera.

Pricing and Availability
The instax WIDE Evo™ Hybrid Instant Camera will be offered in a classic black and grey combination finish at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of €380.00 (inc, VAT).

The instax WIDE Evo™ Hybrid Instant Camera Case will be offered in black at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of €45.00 (inc, VAT). The instax™ WIDE Brushed Metallics Instant Film will be offered at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of €11.50 (inc,
VAT).

All are expected to be available for purchase from 4 th February 2025.

For more product information, visit instax.ie/cameras/wide-evo/

See our instax reviews

 

 

HiiLIFE appointed as official Samsung Climate Solutions distributor in Ireland

HiiLIFE, a leading technology provider for the construction sector, is proud to announce its appointment as the official Samsung Climate Solutions distributor in Ireland.

The strategic partnership builds upon HiiLIFE’s successful collaboration with Samsung in the UK, extending their joint commitment to deliver advanced heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) solutions to both the commercial and residential markets nationwide.

Charles McAlpine, technical sales director at HiiLIFE, says: “We’re delighted to extend our work with Samsung and become its official climate solutions distributor in Ireland.  This expansion marks a significant milestone in HiiLIFE’s growth strategy, reinforcing our position as a leading technology provider in both the UK and Ireland.

“Samsung introduced its first air conditioner in 1974. Since then, the company has continuously invested in new energy-efficient solutions for cooling, heating, domestic hot water, refrigeration, and smart building technology, setting the standard in the industry. We are excited to bring these advanced climate control products to customers, backed by our dedicated expertise and support.”

HiiLIFE will leverage its extensive industry experience and customer-focused approach to deliver comprehensive sales, design, installation and after-sales support for Samsung’s HVAC products.

Andy Burt, head of sales and business development at Samsung UK and Ireland, adds: “We are delighted to broaden our collaboration with the HiiLIFE team to Ireland, building on our successful distributor agreement in the UK.  HiiLIFE’s expertise and strong presence in the construction sector make the firm an ideal partner to deliver our HVAC solutions to the Irish market.”

For more information about HiiLIFE and the Samsung HVAC systems available in Ireland, please visit https://ie.hii-life.com and https://hii-life.com/climate-solutions or telephone 0838948281.