Dyson’s new Wash G1 floor mop- available to buy from August 20th

Dyson unveils its latest floorcare technology, designed to pick-up wet and dry debris in one go to deliver a hygienic clean on hard floors, across large spaces. With a 1 litre clean-water tank to cover flooring up to 290m2, the Dyson WashG1 uses a combination of hydration, absorption, and extraction technologies to remove wet and dry debris in one go – automatically separating it out, so maintenance is more hygienic.

Charlie Park, Vice President of Dyson Home Engineering at Dyson says;

“Wet cleaning is considered a necessary chore globally and the perceived burden has been the target of a vast array of wet floor cleaning formats. Despite this, users’ expectations are often left unfulfilled when it comes to stain removal, pick-up performance, and floor finish. Dyson engineers solve the problems others ignore and we thrive on the challenge of creating better technology. The Dyson WashG1 is the result of this; our first dedicated wet machine to wash hard floors, properly and hygienically.”

“Most of us vacuum our homes regularly. But whilst wet cleaning is considered a necessary chore globally, many of us don’t know why we do it beyond the vague notion of hygiene. In fact, cleaning with water is essential to rehydrate and remove tough, dried-on stains. Over the years, a vast array of wet floor cleaning formats have emerged to help us tackle this chore yet users’ expectations are often left unfulfilled when it comes to stain removal, pick-up performance and floor finish. Dyson engineers solve the problems others ignore and we thrive on the challenge of creating better technology. The Dyson WashG1 is the result of this; our first dedicated wet machine to wash hard floors, properly and hygienically.”

Highly absorbent, counter-rotating rollers

Two individually powered rollers counter-rotate whilst a pulse-modulated pump distributes water evenly across 26 precisely positioned hydration points, along the full width of each roller.

Each roller is made up of a highly absorbent microfibre, with 64,800 filaments per cm2. This combination of high density microfibre and consistent application of clean water ensures liquid spills are absorbed, whilst dry dirt, debris, and hair is enveloped by the millions of filaments. By positioning two rollers at the front and back of the machine, Dyson engineers also achieved longer dwell time on stains with each pass, for powerful and fast stain removal.

Pioneering separation technology for hygienic maintenance

Dyson’s unique separation technology divides debris and dirty water at source, for hygienic, no-touch disposal. Dirty water is extracted from the rollers by durable extraction plates, whilst secondary nylon-bristled inner brush bars remove dirt and debris from the microfibre rollers, flicking it straight into a removable debris tray.

 

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​The debris tray has been designed with a 500-micron mesh to separate dirty water from the large debris. Powered by an extraction pump, dirty water is immediately collected in a 0.8 litre capacity dirty water tank, without allowing large debris to pass through the machine. Keeping the dirt and debris in the head of the machine, and the dirty water in a separate tank allows for easy and hygienic disposal. To further support ease-of-maintenance for users, the Dyson WashG1 has been intricately designed without sharp internal surfaces or crevices, to help lessen dirt or grime build up inside the machine. Both water tanks have been designed with large openings to allow for easy maintenance and cleaning.

After use, the self-cleaning mode saturates both rollers with clean water on the highest boost setting, flushing the entire system in preparation for the next clean.

Customised hydration control for an optimum floor finish

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The Dyson WashG1 has been designed with in-use hydration control, allowing owners to select the level of hydration required based on debris type, flooring, or personal preference. The low, medium, and high modes each run continuously once selected, to provide increased levels of hydration respectively. Each mode also features an additional three sensitivity settings, to allow owners to fine tune them to their individual cleaning needs. A separate boost mode button purges each roller with the maximum amount of hydration when pressed, for removal of stubborn dirt and dried on stains.

“Stain removal performance is dependent on the correlation of hydration of the floor and agitation applied. We’ve engineered our machine to allow owners full control, enabling them to deep clean their homes effectively.” – Charlie Park, VP of Dyson Home Engineering at Dyson.

Manoeuvrability and edge-to-edge cleaning

The rollers span the full width of the cleaner head to allow for edge-to-edge cleaning, right to the corners. The Dyson WashG1 has been designed with two motors that sit within each microfibre roller, spinning in opposite directions so they clean in both directions.

For optimised manoeuvrability, Dyson engineers fine-tuned each motor to spin at a consistent speed in accordance with the hydration mode selected, allowing the machine to glide effortlessly whilst cleaning is in process. Adopting technology from the Dyson Omni-glide, casters provide additional balance and weight support, whilst the low cleaner head height allows for easy reach underneath furniture.

Available from August 20th www.dyson.ie and Dyson stockists

Evolve IP’s Growth Continues As F&M Telecommunications Becomes Latest Reselling Partner

Gloucester-based reseller, F&M Telecommunications, is the latest name to join Evolve IP’s growing list of partners – gaining access to a powerful suite of cloud-based collaboration solutions.

Formed in 2009, F&M Telecommunications has a mission to deliver world-class services and support.  It says adding Evolve IP to its portfolio will help fire-up further growth as part of a joint ‘work from anywhere’ strategy.

Jon Evans, Director at F&M Telecommunications, explained: “We provide our customers with technologies to enable them to work anywhere. Our ethos is simple; we connect everyone, everything, everywhere. We fully support the modern workplace and hybrid workforce by offering our customers simple subscription services that meet requirements and budget. We provide value and help to transform their communication strategies. Partnering with Evolve IP allows us to further develop our technology set and continue to offer our customers best-of-breed innovations.”

He added: “Together with Evolve IP, we will collaborate to better serve our customer base, acting as a trusted advisor to empower customers to choose the right technologies for their business.”

Record numbers

Evolve IP attracted record numbers of resellers last year and momentum is continuing, according to Jamie Hughes, UK Sales Director at Evolve IP.

He enthused: “F&M Telecommunications works to provide their customers with easy-to-use, flexible technologies, which is Evolve IP’s speciality. We are looking forward to seeing F&M flourish and grow their customer base; being able to offer businesses alternative technologies that can improve their communication strategies.”

F&M Telecommunications will be reselling a range of Evolve IP’s enterprise-grade white-label solutions across its Anywhere Product Suite, designed to help businesses thrive in a work anywhere world. In addition Evolve IP offers native integration with the world’s leading collaboration platforms of Webex and Microsoft Teams.

Hughes highlighted: “Our expanding eco-system of best-of-breed solutions includes call capture, business insights, conversational moments, API integrations, receptionist console, PCI compliant payment services, outbound AI communications, CCaaS solutions and business mobile technology.

“It’s about providing our partners with seamlessly integrated workplace technologies to support their customers by improving productivity, security and the end-user experience – allowing them to scale up and enhance their communications strategies. We are delighted F&M is joining us on the journey.”

Tailored services

Evans concluded: “Working with businesses for over 20 years, we appreciate that not one service fits all, so we take a thorough consultative approach and time to understand business goals and objectives. Once we understand a customer’s goals, we present a tailored service that best fits their needs.

“We are perfectly positioned for our team to support our customers across the United Kingdom. We’ve established ourselves as a ‘can-do’ organisation that just wants to help, delivering state-of-the-art technological services with traditional service values. Evolve IP represents an important step forward in this ethos.”

HP Wolf Security study finds growing concern about attacks on hardware supply chains as one in five businesses impacted

HP released the findings of a global survey highlighting the growing concern over nation-state threat actors targeting physical supply chains and tampering with device hardware and firmware integrity. The study of 800 IT and security decision-makers (ITSDMs) responsible for device security highlights the need for businesses to focus on device hardware and firmware integrity, with attacks on hardware supply chains and device tampering expected to increase.

Key findings include:

  • Almost one-in-five (19%) organisations surveyed say they have been impacted by nation-state threat actors targeting physical PC, laptop or printer supply chains. In the US, this figure rises to 29%.
  • Over a third (35%) of organisations surveyed believe that they or others they know have already been impacted by nation-state threat actors targeting supply chains to try and insert malicious hardware or firmware into devices.
  • Overall, 91% believe nation-state threat actors will target physical PC, laptop or printer supply chains to insert malware or malicious components into hardware and/or firmware.
  • Almost two-thirds (63%) believe the next major nation-state attack will involve poisoning hardware supply chains to sneak in malware.

“System security relies on strong supply chain security, starting with the assurance that devices are built with the intended components and haven’t been tampered with during transit. If an attacker compromises a device at the firmware or hardware layer, they’ll gain unparalleled visibility and control over everything that happens on that machine. Just imagine what that could look like if it happens to the CEO’s laptop,” comments Alex Holland, Principal Threat Researcher in the HP Security Lab.

Holland continues, “Such attacks are incredibly hard to detect, as most security tools sit within the operating system. Moreover, attacks that successfully establish a foothold below the OS are very difficult to remove and remediate, adding to the challenge for IT security teams.”

Considering the scale of the challenge, it’s unsurprising that 78% of ITSDMs say their attention to software and hardware supply chain security will grow as attackers try to infect devices during transit.

Organisations are concerned that they are blind and unequipped to mitigate device supply chain threats like tampering. Over half (51%) of ITSDMs are concerned that they cannot verify if PC, laptop or printer hardware and firmware have been tampered with during transit. A further 77% say they need a way to verify hardware integrity to mitigate the risk of device tampering.

“In today’s threat landscape, managing security across a distributed hybrid workplace environment must start with the assurance that devices haven’t been tampered with at the lower level. This is why HP is focused on delivering PCs and printers with industry-leading hardware and firmware security foundations designed for resilience, to allow organisations to manage, monitor and remediate device hardware and firmware security throughout the lifetime of devices, across the fleet,” comments Boris Balacheff, Chief Technologist for Security Research and Innovation, HP Inc. Security Lab.

In recognition of these risks, HP Wolf Security is advising customers to take the following steps to help proactively manage device hardware and firmware security, right from the factory:

  • Adopt Platform Certificate technology, designed to enable verification of hardware and firmware integrity upon device delivery.
  • Securely manage firmware configuration of your devices, using technology like HP Sure Admin (for PCs) or HP Security Manager (Support). These enable administrators to manage firmware remotely using public-key cryptography, eliminating the use of less secure password-based methods.
  • Take advantage of vendor factory services to enable hardware and firmware security configurations right from the factory, such as HP Tamper LockSure Admin, or Sure Recover technologies.
  • Monitor ongoing compliance of device hardware and firmware configuration across your fleet of devices.

Watch this space: Further findings from the study will be shared later this year.

Skullcandy Announces Limited-Edition Nora Vasconcellos Collaboration

Skullcandy announced an all-new collaboration with American professional skateboarder and Skullcandy athlete, Nora Vasconcellos. The limited-edition collection will include Crusher Evo True Wireless Headphones and Smokin’ Buds True Wireless Earbuds, featuring Vasconcellos’ original “Party Hat” artwork, allowing devoted fans exclusive access to Nora’s Happy Place. The new collab will begin selling August 6 ranging from £39.99 – £179.99 MSRP on Skullcandy.co.uk and at select boardsport retailers.

“With a signature style and creative approach, Nora is one of the most recognisable faces in skateboarding, and has proven herself to be a role model for the next generation of skaters,” shared Justin Regan, VP of Marketing at Skullcandy. “With this collaboration, Skullcandy is honored to provide another platform to showcase Nora’s boundless creativity.”

Known for her prowess in flipping into lip tricks, her fierce determination, and her signature color lavender, Vasconcellos has not only risen to the top echelon of skateboarders but has also captured the hearts of fans worldwide. In 2017, she clinched 1st place in the Vans Park Series World Championships, cementing her status as a dominant force in the sport. Thrasher Magazine honored Vasconcellos by ranking her 4th on their prestigious Top 10 Women and Non-Binary Skaters of 2019 list. Her magnetic charm and powerful skating style have inspired countless young enthusiasts. Vasconcellos made history as the first woman to join the Adidas skate team, launching multiple shoe collections. Beyond skateboarding, she ventured into entrepreneurship by founding JuneShine, a successful beverage company.

The fan-favorite Crusher Evo features a one-of-a-kind immersive bass experience with Skullcandy’s patented Sensory Haptic Bass, and a wide range of features to meet the everyday lifestyle demands of today’s audio consumer. Smokin’ Buds delivers a full range of features and stellar audio experience including expertly tuned drivers and EQ modes – the earbuds deliver clear, full range sound backed by impressive bass depth. Smokin’ Buds are also thoughtfully designed with a consolidated part count, mindful battery capacity, and 50% certified recycled plastics, minimizing the stress on the environment.

About Nora Vasconcellos:

  • Achievements: 1st place in the 2017 Vans Park Series World Championships, 4th on Thrasher Magazine’s Top 10 Women and Non-Binary Skaters of 2019.

  • Pioneering Spirit: First woman to join the Adidas skate team and founder of JuneShine, a successful beverage company.

  • Inspirational Figure: Known for her prowess in flipping into lip tricks, fierce determination, and signature lavender color.

Product Highlights:

Crusher Evo Wireless Headphones – £179.99 MSRP

  • 40 Hours Total Battery Life

  • Rapid Charge: 10-minute charge for 4 hours of playtime

  • Adjustable Sensory Bass: Skullcandy’s patented technology for an immersive bass experience

  • Personal Sound: Real-time audio test for a customised sound profile

  • Media Controls: Call, track, and volume controls directly from the headphones

  • Built-In Tile Finding Technology: Locate misplaced headphones with the Tile app

  • Flat-Folding and Collapsible Design for portability

Smokin’ Buds True Wireless Earbuds – £39.99 MSRP

  • 20 Hours of Battery Life: 8 hours in earbuds + 12 hours in charging case

  • Rapid Charge: 10-minute charge for 2 hours of playtime

  • IPX4 Sweat and Water Resistant

  • Music, Movie & Podcast EQ Modes for optimised audio quality

  • Noise Isolating Fit for comfort and better sound isolation

  • Capacitive Touch Controls: Manage volume, calls, EQ modes, and activate device assistants

  • Microphone in Each Earbud: Use either bud solo without losing call functionality

  • Auto On/Connect for seamless pairing

See our Skullcandy reviews

Meross Unveils Groundbreaking Presence Sensor MS600: Presale Begins August 1st

Meross, a well-known smart home brand, announces the presale launch of its innovative Presence Sensor MS600, the first Matter-compatible presence sensor, starting August 1st. This advanced device represents a significant leap forward in home security and automation, offering unparalleled accuracy and privacy features.

“The MS600 Presence Sensor marks a new era in smart home technology,” says Eric, CEO of Meross. “We’re excited to offer consumers a device that not only enhances their home security but also respects their privacy while seamlessly integrating with their existing smart home ecosystems.”

Advanced Presence Detection: Beyond Motion Sensing

Unlike traditional motion sensors, the MS600 can detect human presence even when individuals are completely still, utilizing a combination of Millimeter-Wave Radar, PIR, and light sensors. This technology allows for:

 

– Presence detection up to 6 meters, even detecting subtle movements like breathing

– Motion detection up to 12 meters

– Equipped with a light sensor with a sensing range of 0-8000 lumens

Enhanced Home Security

The MS600 outperforms traditional motion sensors with: 

Advanced Detection: The Millimeter-Wave Radar identifies even subtle movements, like breathing, ensuring that intruders cannot escape detection by blocking the sensor.

Instant Alerts: Sends immediate mobile notifications via various smart home apps, including Matter-compatible platforms, for unusual activity, boosting security and offering peace of mind.

Preventing False Triggers and Alarms: 

The MS600 reduces false triggers with Dual Sensor(Millimeter-Wave Radar Sensor and PIR Sensor) Activation, which needs both heat changes and movement to activate, minimizing interference from non-biological sources. The Pet-Proof Shield also helps prevent alerts caused by pets, ensuring accurate and reliable monitoring.

 

Advanced Design:

The MS600 features an Adjustable Bracket that allows for 90-degree vertical adjustment and

Seamless Smart Home Integration

As the first Matter-compatible presence sensor, the MS600 effortlessly integrates with major platforms including HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant. This ensures easy setup and unified control across various smart devices. The device does not require a hub for operation, making it even more convenient for users.

Privacy-First Approach

The MS600 incorporates Space Learning technology, avoiding the collection of sensitive data such as images, audio, or mapping information. .Additionally, the MS600 benefits from the robust privacy protections of Matter and its partner platforms, including HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant. This commitment to privacy sets it apart in the smart home market.

Practical Applications

Imagine your smart home automatically adjusting lighting, temperature, and security systems based on your presence, even when you’re sitting still:

– Home office: Keeps your workspace illuminated and comfortable during long work sessions

– Living room: Maintains optimal entertainment settings while you relax

– Bedroom: Ensures a peaceful sleep environment without false triggers

Key Specifications:

 

– Power source: Type-C powered (no battery required)

– Connectivity: Matter protocol, Wi-Fi compatible

– Companion app: Meross APP, Matter APP, Apple Home APP, Amazon Alexa APP and Google Assistant APP.

Presale Details:

The Meross Presence Sensor MS600 will be available for presale at https://shop.meross.com/ starting August 1st.

Pricing Structure:

– First 300 units: $29.99 (over 15% off the regular retail price)

– Remaining units: 10% off the regular retail price

Regular Retail Prices:

– US: $35.99

– EU: €34.99

– UK: £32.99

BUY

See our Meross door and sensor kit review

Initial Hygiene Launches Luna Dry a Futuristic Plug & Play Hand Dryer

Initial Hygiene, one of Ireland’s leading providers of washroom hygiene, vending, and floor mat solutions, has officially launched its latest innovation, the Plug & Play® Luna Dry hand dryer in the Irish market. This cutting-edge hand drying solution is set to revolutionise washrooms across Ireland with its ease of installation, efficiency, and durability.

The Luna Dry’s HEPA Clean Air intelligent filtration system removes at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, mould, bacteria, and airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns. Initial Hygiene’s Luna Dry hand dryer represents a significant leap forward in washroom technology, combining advanced features to ensure high standards of hygiene and environmental sustainability.

The Terra 4 Docking Station enables replacement or upgrade of the hand dryer within seconds, and eliminates the need for an electrician once the docking station has been installed.

A study* conducted by Initial Washroom Hygiene in the United Kingdom highlighted that inefficient hand dryers could be costing UK businesses over £200 million per year in wasted energy and contributing to an extra 133 million kilograms of carbon emissions annually. The study, which analysed 689 hand dryers, found replacing outdated models with modern, low-energy hand dryers like the Luna Dry could significantly reduce running costs and emissions.

Sian Walkling, Head of Marketing, Initial Hygiene, says: “Hand dryers have a lifespan of 5-7 years, but they are an item which is typically out of sight and out of mind.  As long as they are working then very often, they will be left on walls for 10 or 15+ years.

“Not replacing outdated hand dryers may appear to make good business sense, but is it?  Modern hand dryers have evolved to be more efficient at drying hands quickly, as well as being low energy and low noise.

“At Initial Hygiene, we are committed to innovation and sustainability. The Luna Dry hand dryer offers superior performance and aligns with our mission to provide environmentally responsible washroom solutions, with annual running cost of circa €22**. We are proud to introduce this product to the Irish market and support our customers in enhancing their washroom hygiene standards.”

The Luna Dry model includes ION PURE antimicrobial metal ions, providing an added layer of protection against bacteria, mould, and viruses. This innovative feature prevents the build-up of offensive odours and helps to ensure a hygienic environment. The antimicrobial metal ions are incorporated into the hand dryer shell during manufacturing, creating a germ-resistant finish that releases ions gradually in the presence of moisture.

HearAngel and Sonical Announce Strategic Partnership to Integrate Smart Hearing Safeguarding for Headphones

HearAngel (a LimitEar company) and Sonical, Inc. today announced a software licensing agreement to integrate the HearAngel smart hearing safeguarding solution into Sonical’s CosmOS operating system for headphones. This collaboration allows manufacturers using the Sonical platform to offer hearing safeguarding either as a standard feature or user option.

Stephen Wheatley, CEO of HearAngel, stated: “CosmOS is enabling the next generation of headphone platform, allowing for personalised and updated devices through downloadable cloud apps. The functionality needed from your headphones can be changed anytime based on preferences and usage”.

Gary Spittle, CEO of Sonical, added “Hearing safeguarding is increasingly important, with extended listening at high volumes potentially causing permanent hearing damage. HearAngel provides easy-to-use information on sound exposure, enabling informed choices to safeguard hearing.”

Developed by LimitEar, HearAngel utilises patent-protected algorithms initially designed for the professional broadcast industry. The software integrates into mobile phones and wireless headphones, measuring sound exposure, with the user interface and controls on a mobile phone. It offers dual modes: managing personal exposure or parental control enabling the management of children’s exposure. The patented technology tracks listening duration and sound levels, providing awareness and management options. Users can also opt for optional automated protection, adhering to ITU/WHO H.870 or EN62368-1:2018 safety standards.

Research indicates that at birth, each ear has 15,000 auditory hair cells, which do not regenerate. Exposure to high sound doses, particularly from recreational headphone use, can lead to permanent hearing damage. Deafness Research UK reports that 1 in 3 individuals under 35 has chronic hearing damage due to headphone use.

HearAngel continuously monitors and profiles hearing exposure, alerting users to make informed decisions. Parental control features enable management of children’s listening habits, limiting peak exposure levels and listening periods. The integration of HearAngel into CosmOS emphasises the importance of hearing protection in the audio industry, catering to both professional users and general consumers. This collaboration aims to set new standards for safe listening practices, ensuring long-term auditory health.

Sonical’s CosmOS offers a customisable operating system for headphones, supporting various audio applications and enabling dynamic personalisation of headphone functionality through downloadable plugins. The partnership will showcase smart hearing safeguarding on the Remora PRO module, compatible with wired and wireless headphones, earbuds, or headsets, enhancing the flexibility of the CosmOS environment.

Future-proof broadband access technologies gain ground for both fixed and mobile networks across the OECD in 2023

Broadband technologies such as fibre and 5G mobile networks which help “future-proof” networks, continue to grow rapidly to meet the increasing demand for high-quality, affordable and ubiquitous connectivity, the latest OECD broadband data reveals.

Across OECD, fibre connections accounted for 42% of all fixed broadband subscriptions by the end of 2023, compared to 38% a year earlier, while 5G comprised 28% of mobile broadband subscriptions, a 9% increase compared to the end of 2022. Since COVID, total fibre connections in OECD countries have surged by 73%, growing from 122 million in December 2019 to 211 million at year-end 2023.

The countries with the highest share of fibre connections in total fixed broadband are Korea (89.6%), followed by Iceland (89%), Spain (86%), Lithuania (80%), and Japan (79%). Fibre is crucial to future-proof networks that support digital transformation as it offers symmetrical upload and download speeds, scalability and helps support 5G mobile networks.

Transitioning to future-proof broadband access requires the shutdown of legacy copper networks (e.g. DSL). Across the OECD, the share of DSL subscriptions has decreased significantly in four years, from 33% of total fixed broadband subscriptions in 2019 to 20% by the end of 2023.

OECD member countries in Latin America – notably Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica and Mexico – have accelerated their transition to future-proof networks. Over the past four years, these countries have experienced a 258% increase in fibre connections while legacy DSL subscriptions declined by 66%.

OECD Nordic members such as Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden that initiated this technological shift approximately eight years ago, experienced a growth rate of 36% in fibre and a 77% decline in DSL over the same period (2019-23).

Despite already high penetration rates, mobile broadband subscriptions have also grown, increasing by 19% between 2019 and 2023, reaching 1.86 billion subscriptions by December 2023, up from 1.56 billion four years earlier. Japan and the United States lead in mobile broadband penetration, with 203.5 and 190 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants respectively, followed closely by Estonia and Finland with 176 and 160 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants respectively. This growth is likely due to an increase of 5G deployments across the OECD, which are now present in 37 of 38 OECD countries.

The top end of networks also continues to grow. There is growing demand for high-quality broadband offers across the OECD. In four years, the share of Gigabit (GB) offers has more than tripled, reaching 14% of fixed broadband subscriptions in December 2023, up from 4% at the end of 2019.

This is mirrored for mobile data usage, which is on a steady rise in OECD countries: the average monthly data consumption per mobile broadband subscription increased by 20% in just one year, and more than doubled over the past four years (2019-23), climbing from 6 to 13 GB.

 

Fixed broadband subscriptions are still growing in OECD countries, totaling 496.5 million by December 2023, with an average of 36 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants. This marks an increase of 63 million, or 15% since the end of 2019. France leads in penetration rates with 47 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants, followed closely by Korea (46.6), Switzerland (46.2), and Norway (46).

Fixed wireless access (FWA) is emerging as a connectivity solution in sparsely populated and remote areas due to its lower deployment costs. Although FWA subscriptions account for a modest 5% of the total fixed broadband subscriptions in OECD countries, certain countries had notably high adoption rates by the end of 2023: Czechia at 39%, the Slovak Republic at 23%, New Zealand at 19%, and Estonia at 18%.

Machine-to-machine (M2M) SIM cards are also experiencing again the highest growth rates among all indicators, with a 15% increase in just one year. Sweden and Austria lead in M2M adoption, with 253 and 209 M2M SIM cards per 100 inhabitants, respectively, followed by Iceland (114), the Netherlands (100), and Norway (75). The significant numbers in Sweden and Iceland are largely due to the issuing and registration of M2M SIM cards by national operators for international use.

 

Download broadband data, charts and maps by country.

The Better Phone Project: First phone co-created for children by parents to protect their mental wellbeing

Tech innovator HMD is creating a phone as an alternative for a smartphone to give parents control over their child’s screen time and social media use.

The aim is to preserve the mental health of the next generation with a phone parents have co-created in order to protect their children and provide better balance.

The digital detox space is one HMD is familiar with having spearheaded the dumbphone trend by reimagining feature phone classics for the modern consumer seeking to limit their screen time and social media use.

The phone manufacturer is now seeking to work with parents to co-create a phone and other new solutions which will serve as credible substitutes for a smartphone and give parents control over their child’s screen time and social media use.

It is hoped the new device will also appeal to Generation Z who have embraced the digital detox space.

HMD is also working with a number of experts, campaigners and parent support groups to better understand the solutions needed. All will be involved in global webinars and forums to ensure collaboration and co-creation is at the heart of HMD’s The Better Phone Project. They can sign-up to be involved at https://www.hmd.com/en_int/better-phone-project

Lars Silberbauer, CMO of HMD, said: “The Better Phone Project is a journey to discovering a variety of solutions that tackle digital overload, providing choice and balance.  Our goal is to collaborate with parents and experts to develop solutions that truly meet people’s needs, driving innovation in this space.”

As part of The Better Phone Project, HMD commissioned new global research to provide insight into the dilemmas parents face when it comes to their children and smartphone use.1

The findings revealed 11 is the average age when a parent hands over a smartphone to their child for the first time – but many confessed they wished they had waited longer.

 

The worldwide survey of 10,000 parents in the UK, US, India, Germany and Australia found more than half of those questioned said they regret exposing their child to a smartphone at such a young age. A third of those who responded cited the negative effects of the device and changes in personality as the key reasons for this. Concerns have been raised consistently about the impact social media apps, which often go hand-in-hand with smartphones, have on children.

A staggering 70% of parents questioned admitted their smartphone-free childhood meant they engaged more with their family – however, it is quality time their children don’t experience: 55% say their child’s phone use is a source of big arguments and a third have cried over their child’s phone obsession.

Some 64% of parents questioned said smartphone use negatively impacts their child’s sleep, 61% think it reduces the amount of physical activity they take, and more than half (54%) worried that it will reduce the amount of time they spend socialising with friends.

With more than half of parents agreeing smartphones can have a positive impact on their children and benefit them educationally – including allowing them to keep in touch with friends – parents clearly face a dilemma.

Tech innovator HMD is now striving to understand these challenges and offer a suite of new and innovative solutions which could work for parents, their children, Generation Z or anyone who is looking for credible alternatives to a smartphone.

HMD is also keen to work with anyone who is interested in this subject and would like to be part of the journey to create change and new solutions. They can sign-up to be involved at https://www.hmd.com/en_int/better-phone-project (URL will go live on 24 July).

Other key points to emerge from the global survey include almost 75% of parents fearing smartphones expose their children to internet dangers, with more than half admitting they don’t know what their children get up to when using their phones.

Almost half of parents believe mobile phone use has changed their child’s personality, with a third claiming their child has body image issues due to their phones.

Joe Ryrie Co-founder of Smartphone Free Childhood said: “We’re delighted that HMD is committed to addressing the glaring gap in the market for child-friendly phones through this project. Their research into children and smartphones is yet more evidence of the impossible position that parents find themselves in today; We either give our children access to a device they might not be ready for, or choose not to and risk alienating them from their peers.

“It’s an issue that the 100,000+ parents who’ve joined our community since February are battling with on a daily basis, and we know that solving it requires a collaborative effort between parents, children, government and tech companies.

“Parents in our community are crying out for a phone which is desirable to children but isn’t designed to steal their attention. So we’re very excited about collaborating with HMD to help define what a modern child-friendly phone should be.”