Category: Tech News

Aiden: Fellow’s super-cool coffee machine launches in UK

Fellow, the speciality beverage gear company helping elevate everyday rituals into moments that matter, today announces the UK release of its first-ever drip coffee brewer, Aiden Precision Coffee Maker. Set to change the way at-home coffee is brewed, Aiden is designed for coffee lovers at every stage of their journey, seamlessly blending expert guidance with boundless opportunities for personal coffee exploration.

“Automatic drip coffee has a reputation problem – whether serving a crowd or managing only a few moments of free time, the trade-off for many has been either bad coffee or no coffee at all,” said Jake Miller, Founder and CEO of Fellow. “We designed Aiden to solve this problem. Even the busiest people no longer have to choose between their time and phenomenal coffee.”

Working quickly and at scale, Aiden automatically dials in the most important variables for brewing café-quality coffee at home, coupled with an awe-inspiring design and unmatched convenience.

Key benefits include:

  • Barista-quality coffee (at home): Aiden delivers pour-over quality coffee to ‘favourite café’ quality with to-the-degree temperature control, even water distribution, and a built-in bloom cycle (i.e. pre-wetting the grounds) for a smooth, balanced cup every time.
  • Style & substance: Aidens sleek, contemporary style and prime functionality elevates any kitchen countertop. It features a stainless steel, double-walled wide-mouth carafe (to drink now or later), nearly silent brewing capabilities, a silicone lid seal to eliminate steam from hitting the underside of kitchen cabinets, and a detachable water tank for easy refilling.
  • Unrivalled convenience & guidance: Aiden simplifies making great coffee – with brewing and dose guidance along the way. Whether a coffee brewing beginner or expert, Aiden guides someone through every step to making delicious coffee all from their phone – including selectable water quantity, personalisable brew grind profiles for different roast levels, in-advance brew scheduling, and more.

Founded in 2013 Fellow has won many renowned awards and accolades, including the Specialty Coffee Association Awards, the Red Dot Design Award, and the Dezeen Awards.

For more information on Aiden’s technical specs, please seehere.

Aiden Precision Coffee Maker is now available to pre-order for £365 from Coffee Merch and in-store at Harrods and Selfridges. Customers can enjoy peace of mind with a two-year standard warranty.

For more details, visitwww.fellowproducts.com.

James Dyson Award 2024- final 20 shortlist announced

Today, the James Dyson Award celebrates the best inventions of 2024 by young engineers and designers around the world, as the competition’s Top 20 shortlist is unveiled and in four weeks’ time, on 13th November, someone from this shortlist will be crowned the global winners by Sir James Dyson and win €38,000/ £30,000 in prize money to accelerate their invention.

An Irish woman, Olivia Humphreys, has made the top 20 shortlist this year and is up against some genius inventions to win the top prize.

 The Problem

“ Athena” which has been shortlisted for this year’s James Dyson Award Global Top 20, tackles the problem of current scalp-cooling devices for chemotherapy patients which are not mobile and are scarce in Irish hospitals. Currently there are only a handful across the country meaning many chemo patients do not get the option of using one.

Athena is a portable, thermoelectric battery-operated scalp cooling device for people undergoing chemotherapy treatment which is more cost effective and timesaving than hospital models without compromising on the quality.

Patients can manage the scalp-cooling process themselves- Athena consists of a carry case and a cooling helmet and aims to provide a more accessible, yet effective option for scalp cooling and enables people to spend less time in the hospital on a chemotherapy infusion day.

The Invention

Limerick woman Olivia (24) who is a and recent graduate of the University of Limerick where she studied Product Design and Technology, is now working as a Research and Development Intern at Luminate Medical in Galway working on medical device tech. She was inspired to create Athena having seen her mum go through chemotherapy in hospital a few years ago. Olivia was taken aback by the limited number of scalp-cooling devices available in the hospital as well as the inconvenience of the time it took to commit to this, not being able to move around whilst using industry standard hospital devices, and the time that could be saved with an improved version. This inspired her to create Athena which would be mobile, light to carry and powerful.

Olivia Humphreys now enters the final stage of the James Dyson Award 2024, with global winners to be selected by Sir James Dyson and announced on 13th November. The winning inventions will receive €38,000 to support their further development and commercialisation.

Speaking about Athena, inventor Olivia Humphreys says: “Being recognised by the James Dyson Award has been an incredibly fulfilling experience. It reflects the invaluable input I’ve received from patients and care staff that helped me, along with the passion and hard work I have put in to get it to this point. I am truly grateful to have my project acknowledged on such a big stage. It’s exciting to know that the work I’ve done has the potential to make a real impact, and I’m inspired to keep pushing forward.”

Talking about the design of Athena, Olivia says: “This initial prototype for Athena provided a strong foundation to build upon, and I received valuable feedback on things like how to make it more compact by optimising components like the water tank, pump, and battery. I began refining the design into a smaller, lightweight carry case. As I moved forward, the product designer in me started creating more usability-focused prototypes, experimenting with different headpiece configurations and forms to ensure user comfort. The most exciting aspect of Athena is its potential for further development. My early conversations with engineers have been very positive, filled with discussions about ideas and possible tweaks. It’s exciting, there is a lot to be done!”

OTHER NOTABLE ENTRIES WHO MADE THE TOP 20 INCLUDED:

Pyri (from the UK)

In 2023, wildfires caused over 300 deaths and cost $50bn  globally. Pyri is a bio-inspired and bio-based early wildfire detection system for remote and low-cost widespread coverage. The heat from nascent wildfires activates Pyri’s novel organic electronics which emit a radio frequency signal to alert vulnerable communities. Designed for remote, unprepared, vulnerable communities, and beyond.

These young inventors of Pyri, are a team comprised of Richard Alexandre, Karina Gunadi, Blake Goodwyn and Tanghao Yu (aged between 24 and 33). They met while studying a double masters in Innovation Design Engineering at Imperial College and the Royal College of Art in London. The group came to their course from different backgrounds and with different experiences, making it a dynamic and diverse team.

Having applied for a patent in July 2024, the team at Pyri worked tirelessly to produce over 20 experimental prototypes, testing and re-creating continuously to produce the device they have today. Richard, Blake, Tanghao and Karina worked on numerous iterations of Pyri and spent months working on power and trigger concepts, as well as exploring over 46 material combinations to create this problem-solving invention.

PulpaTronics (from the UK)

Over 40bn RFID tags are produced annually with most ending up in landfills, wasting resources and energy, increasing CO2 emissions and e-waste. PulpaTronics unlocks more sustainable and accessible inventory management solutions utilizing chipless RFID technology featuring fully recyclable paper RFID tags for a more circular economy. Recent graduates and students Barna Soma Biro, Chloe So and Adonis Christodoulou invented PulpaTronics to solve this problem of waste in the fashion industry with a more sustainable solution. O

The novel technology replaces the metal antenna by laser-inducing a carbon-based conductive material onto paper. Using a chipless design, these tags store information in the geometric pattern of the conductor instead of a microchip. The team at PulpaTronics filed a US patent in October 2023 and a UK patent in March 2024 which are currently pending, and they are looking to internationalise them in the near future.

The team at PulpaTronics see their sustainable RFID tags as the vehicle to enable item-level tracking. They will be testing the performance of their tags in a real-world environment through two pilots early next year. Once the two pending patents are approved, they also look to license out the technology so that they can integrate the laser heads directly into the production line, streamlining manufacturing even more to scale up quickly. They are also working towards developing prototype tags to carry out initial trials with a few large retailers.

The Top 20 Shortlist

Invention Solution Inventor(s) Country
Air Ring 48 A helmet cooling accessory to protect construction workers from heat stress. Yu To Mak, Ze Fu Jeff Li, Jing Hymn Joseph Wong Hong Kong SAR
Airxeed Radiosonde A controllable flap to steer a radiosonde back to be reused after weather measurement. Shane Kyi Hla Win, Danial Sufiyan Bin Shaiful Singapore
Athena A portable post-chemotherapy scalp cooling device. Olivia Humphreys Ireland
Cap Snap A medical multi-tool for safe crimp seal cap removal and ampoule breaking. Jack Pugh New Zealand
Co-Jump An ergonomic and AI-based stroke rehabilitation glove. Li Yuanjing, Zhan Jing, Guan Shunzi, Yu Tianlin, Li Junkai, Qian Qingyun, Wei Yi China
Concavix An adaptive mouse for users with underdeveloped hands. Jonathan Lopez Calderon, Raúl Hernandez, María de Lourdes Zaldívar Martínez Mexico
DysphagiaDynamics A portable, non-invasive dysphagia assessment and rehabilitation system. Zhu Zhaopeng, He Qi China
finGrip A catheter system for users with low dexterity or wheelchairs. Philipp Niechoj Austria
Flying ear pressure regulator A pressure-adjusting product that relieves ear discomfort during airplane take-offs and landings. Yi-Shan Zheng, Wen-Yeh Hsaio-Lin Taiwan
Mammosense A mammogram sensor to enhance comfort during breast cancer screenings. Luke Goh Singapore
Moii An Airway Clearance Therapy training kit for adolescents with Cystic Fibrosis. Yuchen Lan Sweden
OcularSky An affordable, smartphone-based fundus camera. Houssam Hammoud, Mohammad Yaman Al Aref, Mohamad Hammoud, Mayar Jabouli, Wessam Shehieb UAE
Oxynizer A non-electric oxygen generator for developing countries. Kyeongho Park, Jiwon Lee, Jiwon Kim, Yeohyun Jung, Seung-Jun Lee South Korea
Peter A wearable biomedical device for Parkinson’s Disease patients with freezing of gait. Jonathan Fisher United Kingdom
PulpaTronics A recyclable paper-based RFID clothing tag. Adonis Christodoulou, Barna Soma Biro, Chloe So United Kingdom
Pyri A bio-inspired and bio-based early wildfire detection system. Richard Alexandre, Karina Gunadi, Blake Goodwyn, Tanghao Yu United Kingdom
Social Plast An affordable plastic recycling system. Johannes Kastner Germany
Sorbet An acoustic panel made from shredded textile waste. Sze Yek Australia
TAILWIND A cooling construction helmet designed to create airflow. Youngki Kim, Jisu Kim, HyeonJun So, Seunghun Jeong South Korea
The Reef An ecological filter to counteract blue-green algae boom in water bodies. Anton Vervoort Belgium

HIMOINSA Launches Yanmar-powered HGY Series Generators for Critical Power Supply

HIMOINSA, part of the Yanmar Group, has launched the HGY Series, a new power solution poised to become a leader in power generation for mission-critical projects.

Developed collaboratively by HIMOINSA and Yanmar Power Technology (YPT), the HGY Series combines HIMOINSA’s expertise in power generation with YPT’s advanced engine technology.

HIMOINSA is a manufacturer of power technology solutions that designs and produces generator sets, battery storage systems, lighting towers, automatic transfer switches, monitoring controls and accessories, for backup and continuous power supply.

The launch event for the new HGY Series generators launch event took place in Madrid, Spain, where around 400 customers and partners enjoyed a breathtaking show in the Metropolitano Stadium.

The HGY Series is powered by Yanmar engines, ranging from 1250kVA to 3500kVA (future plans up to 4000kVA). This includes the GY175L engine family, featuring multiple models with 12 and 16 cylinders and future engine developments with 20 cylinders, all of which are electronically controlled.

In terms of sustainability, the HGY Series is configured to support the future adoption of alternative fuels such as HVO, gas and hydrogen. This is a significant step towards environmental responsibility and will help support end-users in their strategy to attain Net Zero.

The HGY generators are equipped with exhaust after-treatment systems to meet European, German, and British regulations for mid-combustion plants operating more than 300 or 500 hours. The new series includes an EPA Tier 2 certified version for emergency applications in the United States and complies with NEA regulations in Singapore.

Designed to reduce emissions, HIMOINSA will provide the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) to provide comprehensive information on the product’s environmental impact throughout its lifecycle. This helps customers make more sustainable purchasing decisions and implement low-carbon strategies.

“The new HGY marks the start of a new chapter in the story of critical power generation,” said Francisco Gracia, President and CEO of HIMOINSA. “Design and engineering teams from both HIMOINSA and Yanmar have worked closely with our dealers and customers to develop an innovative solution that addresses the clear demand for energy-efficient, low-emission, and comprehensive power solutions,” Gracia emphasized that the launch of the HGY series is a significant step forward in reinforcing HIMOINSA’s growth in the global market.

This new development has generated a significant increase in the industrial capacity for both companies with the launch of a new production line for the Yanmar GY engine at the Amagasaki factory in Japan and the establishment of a new HIMOINSA production center in Spain. This new facility for Power Solutions has an area of 17,000m2 and a production capacity of 1,000 units of generators annually.

The HGY Series includes generators with varying power outputs for different applications, including emergency (ESP), continuous (PRP), data center power (DCP), COP, and LTP. This ensures the best solution for healthcare, data centers, capacity markets and other mission-critical sectors.

GY Yanmar Engine: Quality and Reliability
Yanmar has over 100 years of experience in developing reliable, fuel-efficient engine technology for power generation, marine and construction equipment industries. The GY engine family is proven technology based on Yanmar’s renowned marine engines, known globally for their reliability.

“Customers in the critical power segment can have faith in our engine technology and trust it to deliver. We have worked very closely with the HIMOINSA engineering team, utilizing their expertise in the power generation market to create an engine solution that will perfectly match the needs of critical power customers”, explained Masaru Hirose, Director, General Manager of Large Power Products Business at Yanmar Power Technology Co., Ltd.

The GY is a new family of high-speed engines with a common rail injection system. It combines the unique combustion technology for high-speed engines with the reliability of medium-speed engines, ensuring high performance and efficiency. This technology supports operation in extreme conditions, compact footprint, multiple fuel capabilities and low emissions.

  • Common-rail Fuel Injection Systems and High-Pressure Pump: Generates up to 2,200-bar injection pressure for maximum efficiency, optimizing the combustion pressure curve through multiple injections.
  • High Power Density: The HGY Series delivers exceptional performance in terms of emissions and power density (up to 37.9kWm/L). The high specific power density reduces footprint and impacts the total life cycle carbon footprint.
  • Single Cylinder Prototype: The design of the piston head and the fluid analysis is key for engine efficiency and performance. Yanmar has invested thousands of engineering hours in this development stage.
  • Fast Response: In power generation applications where rapid response is crucial, fuel injection plays an important role. The electronic control unit (ECU) can swiftly react to sudden changes in speed within milliseconds. Additionally, the engine can commence operation in less than8 seconds and meets the performance standards of the ISO8528-5 G3 class conditions.
  • Intuitive Engine Control Unit (ECU): The ECU includes several physical parameters for optimal control of the injection system. The control system includes integrated, intuitive, operable diagnostic software, allowing remote monitoring of the engine and generator.

Fuel Consumption | Best-in-class efficiency
Efficiency is a primary objective for HIMOINSA and Yanmar, and the HGY generators have been designed to ensure optimal fuel consumption. This is achieved through a new common rail highpressure fuel injection system, advanced piston design, and high-power density. This focus on efficiency translates to cost savings, reduced emissions and extended autonomy, making the HGY Series one of the most efficient and competitive products on the market.

Serviceability and Extended Service Intervals
Easy maintenance and accessibility have been integral to the new product development. All engine consumable parts, such as fuel and air filters and the oil filling point, are conveniently located on one side.

Most parts are compatible across various engine versions and models. This design ensures customers need less spare parts stock, as common components such as fuel filters, fuel pumps, and injectors can be shared. This sophisticated, modular design means more efficient servicing, reduced spare parts inventory, and streamlined technician training.

The HGY Series offers extended service intervals and features a top overhaul interval of 10,000 hours and a major overhaul interval of up to 30,000 hours for continuous operation. HIMOINSA provides a generator management platform for remote monitoring, control, and maintenance of power generators. This comprehensive solution provides real-time tracking of critical parameters, automatic alerts for faults or anomalies, and tools for proactive maintenance planning, all aimed at maximizing operational efficiency and minimizing downtime.

Additionally, the platform features advanced reporting and data analysis capabilities, empowering informed decision-making and ensuring optimal performance of generators across any location. Customers will benefit significantly from this platform by accessing all data via an API.

EDIFIER Proudly Announces New True Wireless Earbuds – NeoDots

Edifier International, the award-winning audio electronics designer, announces the NeoDots True Wireless earbuds featuring a hybrid driver unit combined with a digital signal processor for the optimum in sound quality. 

The combination of dynamic drivers and balanced armature drivers in audio equipment allows a broad frequency response, where dynamic drivers effectively manage low frequencies, delivering deep and rich bass, whilst the balanced armature drivers handle mid and high frequencies ensuring clear and detailed treble. This synergy results in a well-rounded sound profile that enhances the listening experience across different music genres and audio content.

The digital signal processor (DSP) enhances audio quality by optimizing balance and clarity, while the active crossover efficiently divides the audio signal into distinct frequency bands—sending low frequencies to the dynamic driver and mid/high frequencies to the balanced armature (BA) driver. This dual-driver arrangement gives superior sound quality, offering improved clarity, detail, and an overall balanced listening experience.

Premium Quality Sound

Experience exceptional audio performance with Hi-Res Audio Wireless certification. The hybrid driver units, which include balanced armature and 10mm dynamic drivers, work in tandem with advanced digital signal processing and an active crossover to deliver superior sound quality. Additionally, support for LDAC, AAC, and SBC codecs ensures a versatile and accurate listening experience across various devices.

Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation

Advanced noise cancelling technology enhances the listening experience by extending the depth of noise cancellation thus minimizing unwanted ambient sounds. With multiple noise cancellation modes available, you can easily adapt to different scenarios, ensuring optimal audio clarity whether you’re in a busy, noisy city, or a quiet home environment.

 

Battery Life

Enjoy up to 17 hours of playtime on a single charge, with an impressive total of 56 hours when utilizing the charging case. A 15-minute charge provides an additional 5 hours of use.

Crystal Clear Calls

AI algorithms enhance the performance of earbuds by focusing on specific sound sources, like a user’s voice, while filtering out background noise. This results in clearer and more accurate audio during hands-free calls, ensuring that conversations are easily intelligible even in noisy environments.

Bluetooth v5.4

Bluetooth V5.4 enhances audio streaming and its multipoint connection feature enables users to effortlessly switch between music, videos and calls on two devices simultaneously, making it convenient for multitasking and enhancing the overall user experience.

Game Mode

The 80ms low latency audio in gaming mode ensures that sound effects and in-game actions are synchronized in real time, providing a more immersive and responsive gaming experience. This minimal delay allows gamers to react swiftly to audio cues, enhancing gameplay and overall performance during competitive scenarios.

Easy To Use

Featuring a press control design to avoid accidental touch and with wearing detection, the earbuds pause music when taken off and resume playback when put on.

Compatible with EDIFIER ConneX app for additional functions: personalize control settings, customize your EQ, and more.

Price & Availability:

The Edifier NeoDots is available at £129.99 from https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DB54Z4BS

Meet the XDJ-AZ all-in-one DJ system

AlphaTheta, a world-class manufacturer of DJ equipment, announces the release of the XDJ-AZ, a powerful new 4-deck all-in-one DJ system with the layout and features of a club-standard setup. This new unit has been designed to offer the ultimate all-in-one DJ experience, significantly evolving the features and usability of its predecessor, the XDJ-XZ.

As a permanent fixture for venues such as clubs, event spaces, and studios, or for DJs who take their gear on the road, this single unit provides a professional performance environment that elevates your DJ sets to new heights wherever you play.

Be at one with the decks when you perform on the XDJ-AZ, which inherits the layout and feel of the CDJ-3000 multi player and DJM-A9 mixer. To give you access to brand-new tracks and your latest music library, the all-in-one DJ system has built-in Wi-Fi®. So, you can play songs from cloud-based libraries and perform with up-to-date performance information, such as Hot Cues, anytime, anywhere. And you can play tracks from Beatport’s vast catalogue. This, coupled with the unit’s multi-device support, gives you the choice to play with music from various types of media.

With 4-deck playback, you can get even more creative in your performances by adding extra sounds to your mix, and the 10.1-inch capacitive touchscreen makes track selection and menu navigation easier than ever. A built-in transmitter enables quick and simple syncing of the XDJ-AZ and the HDJ-F10 SonicLink-compatible professional DJ headphones via an ultra-low-latency wireless connection, and the system features even better sound quality than its predecessors. Combining the latest tech with the most intuitive layout, the XDJ-AZ ushers in the future of  all-in-one DJ systems.

 

The XDJ-AZ is available now for £2,799. For more information, head to alphatheta.com.

Why Bring Your Own Device Is Back With A Bang For Boom Collaboration

In recent years the video conferencing market has been a rollercoaster ride offering two distinct ways forward – with dedicated in-room systems on the up, whilst Bring Your Own Device alternatives seemed to be heading down, particularly for many larger organisations.

That’s the view of global manufacturer, Boom Collaboration, where 2024 has seen a dramatic return to BYOD deployments, mirrored by more general industry analysis.

“There’s a natural place for both but in many ways BYOD offers lots more flexibility and bang for your buck,” argues Boom co-founder Holli Hulett.

“After the pandemic, organisations began to develop longer term strategies where for many enterprises, in-room roll-outs such as Teams or Zoom, were definitely flavour of the month. Greater standardisation and fewer IT and security issues were some of the perceived advantages. It’s common for new and emerging technologies to take over and win market share initially, especially when backed by some of the industry’s biggest names. It’s also natural to want the ‘latest and greatest’ comms kit but after a few years, limitations are beginning to appear.

“First we had working from home trends and then a wider return to the office. More people back in the office means more video calls across more rooms and more devices. Dedicated in-room technology is often just not viable for mass roll-outs, with cost and lifestyle limitations, especially following the rise of smaller huddle rooms. BYOD is generally more practical and a better fit.”

80/20 split

Hulett reports a huge spike in BYOD demand and added: “Wider industry analysis mirrors our own findings that the use of individual devices is taking over. From our conversations, sales and interest from around the world, it’s an 80/20 split. BYOD is back with a bang with plug-and-play simplicity, lower costs and a platform agnostic approach some of the main driving forces.”

The percentage of BYOD rooms versus in-room systems has been shifting notably over the last 12 months, in an ever-changing workplace, agrees fellow company founder Fredrik Hörnkvist.

He highlighted: “BYOD setups – where users bring their laptops or mobile devices to connect to the room’s AV system – have seen a significant rise, as hybrid and flexible work models became more common. 

“Pre-pandemic (before 2020), older in-room systems were more popular, with BYOD set-ups representing less than 20% of rooms. However, as companies adapted to remote and hybrid working models, the demand for BYOD rooms surged.”

Many businesses are now opting for flexible, cost-effective solutions, according to Hörnkvist. “The pandemic created a shift toward more agile, plug-and-play systems, where users wanted to use their own devices without relying on permanent room systems. There’s more personalisation too such as when screen sharing.

“For a time larger enterprises seemed to favour the latest in-room systems for specific and specialised locations. But demand for BYOD rooms is expected to continue growing, especially for smaller huddle rooms and mid-sized meeting spaces. In my opinion, in-room systems will be more limited to boardrooms and high-stakes presentations within enterprises.”

More opportunities

He emphasised: “The flexibility and lower cost of BYOD solutions make them attractive especially for SMBs embracing hybrid work. They greatly outnumber bigger organisations by around 1000:1 so there’s more volume and more reseller opportunities compared to fully-fledged room systems.”

To further fuel BYOD demand, Boom has developed a series of ‘meeting in a box kits’ which are due to hit the market soon, following the launch of an innovative multi-connectivity hub, the ZYGO.

Hulett concluded: “It’s clear the balance between BYOD and in-room systems continues to fluctuate with changing work patterns and wider company politics. Every organisation has specific needs. But there’s no doubt BYOD is back on top and generally packs a bigger punch in the majority of environments. 

“Overall I think more platform choice is good. It reminds me of being in a sweet store as a child where there’s dozens of tempting treats available. You never just get one scoop of flavour.”

AlphaTheta launches brand new DDJ-GRV6

AlphaTheta, a world-class manufacturer of DJ equipment, announces the release of the DDJ-GRV6, a 4-channel DJ controller that’s compatible with both rekordbox and Serato DJ Pro.

You can easily remix drum parts and perform remixes on the fly with the DDJ-GRV6, thanks to its new Groove Circuit feature which is available in rekordbox and enables you to manipulate the music in ways that are impossible with a conventional DJ controller. Simply press one of the dedicated buttons to swap the drum part of any track with a beat or break in a completely different genre while it’s playing, then add effects if you want it to sound even more unique.

When used with Serato DJ Pro, the DDJ-GRV6 can manipulate and separate Stems of a track, i.e., drums, bass, vocal or melody, using the Stems FX feature. This unique feature allows players to express themselves musically by applying effects such as Roll, Trans, Echo Out, and Delay to the separate Stems of a track.

With a layout inherited from CDJ + DJM setups, the DDJ-GRV6 helps you get a feel for playing on club-standard equipment, so you’ll be able to transfer your skills and feel at home when you step into the booth. The controller also includes the Smart Rotary Selector and Discover function, which both help you to browse and select tracks quickly and intuitively. And the DDJ-GRV6 can be used with PC/Mac or mobile devices, enabling you to start DJing right away with your preferred device.

The DDJ-GRV6 is available now for £719. For more information, head to alphatheta.com.

See how online creativity is connecting young people with lifelong health conditions and disability across Ireland

An upcoming nationwide art exhibition series will highlight the benefits being brought to the wellbeing, confidence and social connectivity of young people across Ireland living with lifelong physical health conditions by Helium Arts’ Distance Creates online art programme.

Helium Arts is a national charity supporting children in Ireland with lifelong physical health conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy, heart conditions, spina bifida, juvenile arthritis and rare conditions, among others. The charity runs a range of art programmes dedicated to improving the wellbeing of these children and young people.

Helium Arts has announced that its Creativity Unlimited art showcase will open on 16th October in Limerick City Gallery of Art, where a flagship exhibition will run until 25th October. A family day will be taking place on Saturday, 19th October, with special events and activities. Follow-on exhibitions will be taking place in several Connected Hubs’ locations across the country, including in Cork, Galway and Dublin during November. All of the exhibitions and associated events will be open to the public free of charge.

Creativity Unlimited will display creative works by young people aged between six and 16 from across Ireland who have been participating in Helium Arts’ Distance Creates online programme. The theme ‘About Me’ celebrates the creative stories of the online participants presented through zines exploring identity, and the children and young people’s journey through the online programme.

Distance Creates is the online component of Helium Arts’ wider creative health programme, which also delivers in-person, artist-led, medically supported creative workshops in hospital paediatric outpatient clinics and community settings in locations in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, the Mid West, Galway and the West.

In 2023, 114 children and young people from across 22 counties in Ireland living with lifelong physical health conditions such as epilepsy, diabetes, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus and cystic fibrosis participated in Distance Creates online.

Feedback conducted by Helium Arts through surveys and consultations with the young people, parents and programme coordinators involved in the online programme showed how the process of being creative was a joyful and calming experience, that it promoted confidence and a sense of self, and fostered new friendships and connections between participants, who can often feel socially isolated.*

Announcing Creativity Unlimited, CEO of Helium Arts, Helene Hugel, said: “Our online programme has allowed us to widen our reach and bring the benefits of art and creativity to more children and young people living with the effects of illness or disability every day. Distance Creates facilitates them to take part from anywhere in Ireland, whether that is in the comfort of their own home, during a stay in hospital, or within a community context. I’m very grateful to Limerick City Gallery of Art and the Connected Hubs network for providing space for the exhibition series as a way of recognising the talent and accomplishment of our young artists in the heart of their own communities, while connecting with a new, wider circle of social support online.”

Welcoming being a venue partner for Creativity Unlimited, Connected Hubs’ National Hubs Network programme manager, Stephen Carolan, said: “Connected Hubs is delighted to support Helium Arts’ innovative online programme, which empowers children and young people across Ireland to engage in creative activities, no matter their health condition or location. This complements our innovative Art in the Hubs partnership with the Contemporary Irish Arts Society to place pieces of art in hubs all over Ireland.”

How Distance Creates works

The Distance Creates programme offers a blend of online and offline creative activities. Upon signing up, children and young people receive an ‘art box’ in the post, curated by Helium Arts, containing all the necessary art materials. Participants then receive creative activities, demonstrations, and tips from a professional artist via email, allowing them to complete projects and get creative at their own pace. Additionally, there are opportunities to connect with others through Zoom sessions and ‘post pal’, where you are connected with another participant around the country to exchange artwork by post.

Distance Creates is open to young people aged between six and 16, and like all Helium Arts programmes, it’s free of charge.

What participants have to say

Jason Harper, age 15, from Kilkenny, lives with the genetic condition 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. Jason is a participant of Helium Arts’ Distance Creates online programme for ages 13-16 and will have his work featured in Creativity Unlimited.

Commenting on the experience and benefits for him of the online programme, Jason said: “The tutors were really friendly and welcoming. The art pack they sent had lots of supplies. I enjoyed the watercolour painting and rice maps. The techniques I learned at the camp are currently helping me with my Junior Cert art project as I am using the same techniques for my project. I look forward to learning more.”

David Savage from Mullingar is dad to Aisling, age eight. Aisling lives with epilepsy and is a participant of the Distance Creates online programme for ages six to eight. Aisling will also have her work featured in the showcase.

Commenting on the experience and benefits for Aisling of the online programme, David said: “Aisling’s favourite thing about the online workshops is being able to see other people’s work. She loves to see the different ways other people have done the project, and she also loves seeing their names and ages. She knows they all have conditions too. This makes her feel less alone. Aisling also adored the post pal and stayed in touch with her pal, a girl the same age as her living in Roscommon. They wrote letters to each other and shared art by post which was great fun and so lovely to see.”

For more information about Helium Arts, including about its Distance Creates online programme and the Creativity Unlimited art showcase, visit www.helium.ie.

Helium Arts’ national Creative Health Programme is supported by Rethink Ireland, Community Foundation Ireland, the Arts Council and the Lakeside Fund. The Programme is also funded by the Communities Integration Fund. Helium Arts’ national Online Creative Health Programme is funded thanks to a generous donation from an anonymous trust as well as a grant from the ESB Energy for Generations Fund.

Jabra Amazon Prime Day deals

Need some new earbuds for yourself or perhaps a gift for someone else now Jabra have some really tasty Amazon Prime day deals on offer and now is the time to hit that purchase button.

Jabra Elite 10 – Was £229.99, Now £149.99 

See our review

Jabra’s newest and most comfortable addition to its Elite range. These true wireless earbuds deliver crystal clear calls and are optimised for Dolby Atmos with Dolby Head Tracking for a truly immersive experience.

Jabra Elite 8 Active – Was £199.99, £129.99 

The world’s toughest earbuds – tested to US military grade standards, these earbuds are waterproof, sweatproof and dustproof, and with a secure design and fit, they won’t shift, even during the most strenuous workouts.  Powered by Dolby Audio, the buds deliver lifelike, clear sound 

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Jabra Elite 5 – Was £149.99, Now £74.99

Find tranquillity amidst chaos with the Jabra Elite 5, featuring Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling that utilises microphones both inside and outside your ear to block out noise.

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Jabra Elite 4 Active – Was £119.99, Now £54.99 

Water and sweat proof, ergonomic, and incredibly durable, Jabra Elite 4 Active are designed to stay comfortably in place whatever your activity.

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Jabra Elite 4 – Was £99.99, Now £44.99 

These affordable true wireless earbuds are packed with features with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), Multipoint connectivity and Fast Pairing (Microsoft Swift Pair and Google Fast Pair). They offer comfort, optimal sound and convenience, all at a reasonable price.