Category: Tech News

Virgin Media further expands market reach adding 254,000 premises nationwide in deal with National Broadband Ireland (NBI)

Virgin Media has agreed a network deal with National Broadband Ireland (NBI) whereby Virgin Media will offer a full range of superfast broadband and digital TV services to over 254,000 currently enabled NBI premises throughout Ireland.

Virgin Media’s ongoing €200m network upgrade to full fibre is continuing to 2025 and will support speeds up to 10Gbps. Virgin Media has recently upgraded over 281,000 premises to fibre, offering speeds of 2Gbps across its own network. The Virgin Media network already provides broadband speeds of 1Gbps (gigabits per second) to 1 million premises across Ireland.

Virgin Media’s deal with NBI, along with other already announced wholesale network access developments, brings to 1.4 million the number of premises now able to access Virgin Media’s fastest ever broadband services nationwide.

Virgin Media Ireland CEO Tony Hanway said, “With lightning-fast speeds of up to 2 Gig and 99.9% reliability, our full fibre broadband network is designed to revolutionise the way we connect and experience the digital world. This announcement today with NBI brings our ultrafast broadband and TV services to even more premises across Ireland, enabling homes, businesses, communities and regions nationwide to further prosper and grow.”

Peter Hendrick, CEO of National broadband Ireland (NBI) said, “We’re delighted that Virgin Media will join the growing number of retail service providers offering broadband packages on our network. There are now 70 retail service providers on our network, meaning there is huge choice for anyone connecting to high-speed fibre through NBI. Our rollout will ensure that every home, farm and business in Ireland has access to high-speed broadband with minimum speeds of 500 megabits per second available. We’ve now passed over 254,000 premises across the country and all of these have the same guarantee in terms of access, speed, and reliability.”

Creative Triumphs at EHA Awards 2024 with Double Accolades for Innovative Products

Creative proudly announces its recent triumph at the prestigious European Hardware Awards (EHA) 2024. Both Creative Aurvana Ace 2 and Creative Pebble X Plus have received top accolades, cementing the brand’s position as a frontrunner in the technology industry.

The EHA Awards are regarded as the pinnacle of achievement in the European tech landscape, uniting over 100 of Europe’s most respected technology journalists from prominent publications to recognize the year’s best hardware innovations. Celebrated for a decade of highlighting top technology hardware, the awards draw expertise from editors at leading tech publications across Europe, including Hardwareluxx (Germany), Geeknetic (Spain), KitGuru (UK), Cowcotland (France), PurePC (Poland), IO-Tech (The Nordics), Hardware Upgrade (Italy), Technology Insider (The Netherlands), and Lab 501 (Romania). Together, they ensure that the awards represent a comprehensive view of the best in the market.

The Creative Aurvana Ace 2 clinched the Best Earphones award, a testament to its superior sound quality and innovative design. Powered by xMEMS technology, the Aurvana Ace 2 unleashes the full potential of lifelike sound. It offers superior CD-quality clarity and precision, enhanced by Snapdragon Sound with Qualcomm aptX Lossless technology and Qualcomm Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation. These premium features are beautifully complemented by an aesthetically pleasing translucent compact charging case, perfectly blending performance and style.

In the Best Speakers category, the Creative Pebble X Plus stood out for its exceptional sound clarity, compact design, and powerful audio performance. Boasting an impressive RMS power of up to 30W and a peak power of up to 60W, both the 2.0 and 2.1 configurations promise a superior listening experience for music, movies, and gaming. In addition to its audio prowess, the Pebble X Plus features customizable RGB lighting, allowing users to create a pulsating light show to match any mood. With both wired and wireless modes, these speakers are an excellent choice for those seeking a premium desktop audio upgrade.

“We are thrilled and deeply honoured to receive these prestigious awards from the European Hardware Association,” said Song Siow Hui, CEO of Creative. “The recognition of the Creative Aurvana Ace 2 and Creative Pebble X Plus underscores our commitment to innovation, quality, and delivering outstanding products to our customers. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team.”

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

See out latest Creative reviews

HONOR Launches HONOR 200 Series, bringing Studio-Level Portrait Photography to Europe

HONOR, the fastest growing smartphone brand in Europe, unveiled the HONOR 200 Series line-up during a landmark event at the iconic Hipódromo de París-Longchamp in Paris. At the event, attended by over 800 media representatives and partners from across Europe, HONOR confirmed that the HONOR 200 Series will be available in Europe almost immediately, with pre-sales starting today. This marks the first time the Pro version of this product range will be available in the region. The HONOR 200 Series will be available in the UK from today. And make sure you stay tuned as we are here at the event for more coming soon.

Central to the keynote presentation was further detail on the partnership with Studio Harcourt, a legendary Parisian portrait photography house, which was unveiled recently by HONOR CEO, George Zhao. Demonstrating HONOR’s unwavering commitment to innovation, HONOR’s product team have worked closely with Harcourt’s expert photographers to analyze thousands of images and co-engineer the HONOR AI Portrait Engine. By combining Studio Harcourt’s expertise and artistry with HONOR’s cutting-edge platform-level AI capabilities, the HONOR 200 Pro enables users to manipulate light and shadow, the foundation of studio-level portraits, to get the perfect shot every time.

“With the HONOR 200 Series, we’re proud to bring the perfect fusion of artistry and technology to Europe, allowing anyone to take studio-level portraits every time”, said Tony Ran, President of HONOR Europe. “While a studio-quality portrait has been out of reach for many until now, the HONOR 200 Series sets a new standard in smartphone portrait photography, putting a professional studio in your pocket. This unprecedented achievement in AI technology not only showcases HONOR’s commitment to innovation but also underscores our relentless pursuit of excellence in redefining the boundaries of mobile photography.”

Other key announcements at the event included a major collaboration with renowned portrait photographer, Rankin, famous for his iconic shots of celebrities including Queen Elizabeth II, David Bowie and Kate Moss. Further details of what the partnership entails will be announced in the coming weeks but a potential summer event in London was teased. Additionally, it was announced that the MagicBook 16 Pro, previously unveiled at this year’s MWC, will be available in some European countries this summer.

At the event, we had the opportunity to celebrate the new HONOR 200 Series and experience its capabilities firsthand through interactive experience zones and pop-up portrait studios, provided by Studio Harcourt.

Unlocking the Mastery of Studio Harcourt Portrait Photography

Recognizing the most important tools in portrait photography are light and shadow, the HONOR 200 Series has been equipped with advanced hardware and meticulously co-engineered AI-powered software that recognizes even the most subtle nuances of lighting. The HONOR 200 Pro features a 50MP Portrait Main Camera with a Super Dynamic H9000 Sensor enabling users to capture compelling images with the perfect balance of light and shadow in even challenging lighting scenarios. With support for 4-in-1 pixel binning technology with a pixel size of 2.4μm, users can capture intricate details in their images even in low light scenarios. Additionally, the HONOR 200 Pro features a 50MP Portrait Telephoto Camera and a customized telephoto sensor from Sony. The HONOR 200 Pro also provides better light sensing capabilities, ensuring clear and true captures of distant objects with exceptional details.

The HONOR 200 Pro takes portrait photography to new heights with the powerful AI-enhanced HONOR AI Portrait Engine. With a rich history of photographing legends from Roger Federer to the esteemed Queen Rania of Jordan, Studio Harcourt is synonymous with timeless portraits that showcase a symphony of visual storytelling through the skillful use of light and shadows. In collaboration with Studio Harcourt, the HONOR AI Portrait Engine distilled Studio Harcourt’s craftsmanship and understanding of shadow and light expression, empowering users to capture unique, distinctive portraits on their smartphones effortlessly.

The mutual ideation process involved an extensive exploration by more than 20 Studio Harcourt and HONOR imaging experts over 400 days. The team analyzed over 1,000 lighting scenarios and millions of datasets, ensuring Studio Harcourt’s classic essence can be captured on smartphones. In addition, the Triple 50MP Portrait Camera incorporates an upgraded HONOR RAW Domain Algorithm, producing well-balanced portraits that manage exposure in bright areas while preserving intricate details in darker lighting scenarios.

Innovative Eye Comfort Display for Extended Immersion

Adhering to its commitment to human-centric innovations, the HONOR 200 Pro features 3840Hz Risk-free PWM Dimming, as verified by the TÜV Rheinland Flicker Free Display Certification and the TÜV Rheinland Full Care Display Certification. To ensure extended eye comfort, the HONOR 200 Series also features Natural Tone 2.0, which optimizes the display color temperature gradient based on ambient light, and an AI Circadian Night Display that leverages AI to intelligently adjust the color temperature of the screen to regulate blue light and transition to a melatonin boosting setting at night to improve sleep quality based on users’ sleep cycle. Furthermore, the HONOR 200 Series supports Adaptive Dimming, which adjusts screen brightness based on external light input and the application use, ensuring a more comfortable viewing experience. With the 1.5K Quad-curved Floating Display and a peak HDR brightness of 4000 nits, the HONOR 200 Series allows users to enjoy excellent visibility even in the most challenging scenarios such as direct sunlight.

Enhanced Hardware Performance for Seamless Connectivity

The HONOR 200 Pro is packed with a large 5200mAh Silicon-carbon battery that enables up to 61 hours of continuous music streaming on a single charge. To maximize user productivity, the HONOR 200 Pro features powerful supercharge capabilities. With lightning-fast 100W Wired HONOR SuperCharge and 66W Wireless HONOR SuperCharge, users can charge their device fully in only 41 minute making it the ideal device for busy users who are always on the go. The HONOR 200 Pro also provides an impressive 12GB memory and large 512GB storage drive, which allows users to store and access their data without limitations, guaranteeing a seamless and hassle-free experience.

Equipped with the robust Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 Mobile Platform, the HONOR 200 Pro achieves a CPU clock speed of up to 3GHz, guaranteeing seamless graphics rendering and real-time responsiveness. Featuring MagicOS 8.0, the HONOR 200 Pro offers an intelligent user experience enriched with a range of AI-powered smart functionalities. MagicOS 8.0 also offers flagship features such as Magic Portal, Magic Capsule and Magic Ring on the HONOR 200 Pro that streamline user digital interactions.

HONOR 200 Lite: Capture Every Moment with its Versatile Triple Camera System

Launched alongside the HONOR 200 PRO and HONOR 200, the HONOR 200 Lite equipped with a powerful triple camera system, the HONOR 200 Lite excels in portrait photography, empowering users to capture stunning images with exceptional detail. The system consists of a 108MP Main Camera with f/1.75 aperture and HIGH-RES mode, a 5MP Wide & Depth Camera, and a 2MP Macro Camera. The 50MP Front Camera with a Selfie Light that creates artistic lighting effect. It also boasts an impressive 6.7-inch Eye-comfort AMOLED Display with the 3240Hz risk-free PWM Dimming and the display’s peak HDR brightness of 2000nits, 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage and exceptional durability.

Pricing and Availability

Showcasing an elegant design inspired by nature, the HONOR 200 Pro is available in three colours: Ocean Cyan, Moonlight White, and Black, while the HONOR 200 is available in Moonlight White, Emerald Green, and Black.

The HONOR 200 Pro and HONOR 200 will be available for purchase in the UK from today on HONOR.com/uk and pre-order through major retailers on the 21st June, with general sale on the 26th June. Both devices will also be available in Three on the 28th June and other key UK operators in due course.

The HONOR 200 Pro launches at£699.99 RRP, and customers will also receive a FREE Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8, worth£279.99 RRP, across all available sales channels, whilst stocks last.

The HONOR 200 is priced at just £499.99 RRP, and customers will also receive a FREE JBL Charge 5 Wi-Fi, worth£199.99 RRP, across all available sales channels, whilst stocks last.

For those looking to perfect their portraits at a more affordable price, the HONOR 200 Lite is also available at £279.99 RRP on HONOR.com/uk and major UK retailers. Plus get £30 off on HONOR.com/uk with code “A200L30”.

Visit HONOR online store at https://www.honor.com/uk/.

UNBOXING HONOR 200 PRO

The event in 7 minutes

Walkthrough of the HONOR 200 Pro

Lenbrook Media Group Partners with HDtracks to Create Streaming Service for Music Enthusiasts and Audiophiles

Lenbrook Media Group, specialists in high resolution audio technology, and HDtracks, the pioneering service for audiophile quality music downloads, have announced a partnership to develop a streaming service aimed squarely at discerning music fans. Among a set of unique features, the service will offer consumers choice in formats and will be the first subscription service using a novel application of the AIRIA by MQA Labs codec.

“We have wanted to launch an HDtracks streaming service for some time. In Lenbrook we have a partner with global reach to help us launch a service ensuring quality and consumer choice,“ says HDtracks co-founder David Chesky, who has been a leader in high resolution audio alongside his brother Norman. “Fans will get to choose their format – either PCM/FLAC or MQA – in a service that will ensure high resolution audio streaming whether you are in your home or on-the-go.”

The HDtracks service will be the first to use Lenbrook’s AIRIA by MQA Labs, a transparent delivery codec equally suited for streaming from the cloud or wirelessly from a device to headphones. Designed for low-latency wireless communications by the inventors of lossless compression, it brings the benefits of a format-agnostic, scalable codec with an unmatched combination of audio quality, reliability, and data-efficiency.

“Our industry has been built by providing discerning music enthusiasts with choices while using innovation to advance digital music delivery,” explains Lenbrook’s Chief Strategy Officer, John Banks. “As audiophiles ourselves, it’s an exciting prospect to bring a service to life for the millions of global audiophiles that care so passionately about the quality of the music they listen to.”

The service will be available across platforms. In addition to its own applications for mobile, the service will find its way into many of the world’s leading high-end audio ecosystems, apps, and brands, that count on service providers for their content.

Mike Jbara, VP and GM of Lenbrook Media Group adds, “Norman and David are the perfect partners for Lenbrook. Their experience and understanding of the high-end audio fan is unique and their history with quality and innovation speaks for itself. We are ready to embark on this journey with them and think music fans are going to love it.”

Jabra Powers AI-Driven Intelligent Meeting Experiences

Jabra, a global leader in personal sound and hybrid work solutions, is showcasing its latest in video collaboration at InfoComm 2024 including AI-driven intelligent meeting experiences, next generation meeting room management, and future proofing with enhanced service offerings.

Unlocking intelligent meeting experiences with PanaCast 50

AI technologies are helping to drive productivity and enhance today’s hybrid meeting experiences. Yet, the efficacy of AI assistants depends heavily on the input it receives. Jabra provides the audio quality input needed to optimise AI-powered intelligent meeting experiences.

The Jabra PanaCast 50 intelligent video bar is the first front-of-room device certified for Microsoft’s Intelligent Speaker functionality. Intelligent Speaker identifies who said what in a meeting room and accurately attributes speaker names to their transcript, enhancing AI-based productivity tools such as Intelligent Meeting Recap and Copilot in Microsoft Teams. As a certified Intelligent Speaker device, PanaCast 50 is designed to maximie accuracy in transcriptions and provides more accurate input for Intelligent Meeting Recap and Copilot.

Updates to PanaCast 50 will also bring Microsoft People Recognition* functionality to the video bar. With the PanaCast 50 180-degree field of view, all people in the meeting room are seen in the highest video quality, powering Microsoft People Recognition which recognises and adds the names of in-room participants to their individual videos and the meeting roster – providing a more equitable hybrid meeting experience.

New Multi-stream Dynamic Composition* for PanaCast 50 provides a close up of meeting room participants by giving individuals their own video stream, in addition to showing a panoramic view of the entire meeting room for a natural, inclusive experience for all meeting participants. With Intelligent Speaker, People Recognition and Multi-Stream Dynamic Composition, Jabra PanaCast 50 provides the most comprehensive hybrid meeting experience with Microsoft Teams.

“AI assistants have the potential to drive significant productivity gains in today’s hybrid workforce, but the right hardware is critical to unlocking the true value of these technologies,” said Holger Reisinger, SVP Enterprise Solutions at Jabra. “Our PanaCast portfolio provides a gateway to these intelligent experiences, and we will continue to enhance our video collaboration devices with AI-powered feature updates to meet the evolving needs of the hybrid workplace.”

A broader range of Jabra professional devices are also available to power AI-driven intelligent meeting experiences, including the Certified for Microsoft Teams Jabra Speak2 75 which now supports Intelligent Speaker.

More meeting flexibility and inclusivity with Jabra PanaCast 50 VBS

Jabra is bringing additional meeting flexibility to the Jabra PanaCast 50 VBS Android collaboration bar with the new Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) Mode. Available now, BYOD mode enables users to join meetings on other platforms from their own laptop by plugging a USB cable into the PanaCast 50 VBS. The high-quality camera, microphones, and speakers from the video bar will be used during the meeting, and the user’s laptop will serve as the temporary in-room compute – providing flexibility while maintaining a premium audio and video experience.

Updates to PanaCast 50 VBS will also provide audio clarity. New Enhanced Noise Suppression* intelligently separates voice from disruptive sounds such as typing and paper crunching to transmit high-quality, professional sound to remote participants.

New Single-stream Dynamic Composition for Teams Rooms includes a close-up view of the most recent speakers in a meeting room, along with a 180-degree panoramic view of the meeting room. New Multi-Stream Dynamic Composition for Zoom Rooms creates an individual real-time video feed of each in-room participant along with a 180-degree panoramic view of the meeting room. With this new feature, PanaCast 50 VBS supports six streams, including one full room video and an additional five streams to capture close-ups of participants in the meeting room. These new PanaCast 50 VBS features provide more inclusive meeting experiences, giving participants joining remotely a better view of everyone in the room.

Next generation meeting room management

Jabra+ for admins is Jabra’s new cloud-based API-first software platform for remote monitoring and management of meeting rooms. With Jabra+ for admins, users can seamlessly monitor and manage all Jabra meeting room solutions with a clear visual overview of rooms, locations, and devices.

As a unified software platform, Jabra+ for admins will eventually integrate with IT help desk systems and third-party tools to create an ecosystem for device management. Whether updating devices, customising headsets, or integrating with Jabra devices, users engage with a single system.

Jabra+ for admins meeting room management will be available end of June. Personal device management is planned for later this year.

MIXX launches the StreamBuds Sports Charge 2 Wireless Earbuds

Mixx, known for its premium, yet affordable, audio solutions, is pleased to announce the launch of the upgraded StreamBuds Sports Charge 2 wireless earbuds. With a 7-hour play time and a handheld charge case for an additional 25 hours, a choice of 3 EQ sound modes, touch sensor control and many more premium features, it is the perfect companion for an active lifestyle. Added features in this new model include Apple and Google compatibility, hands-free calling and USB Type C charging and the Sports Charge 2 earbuds have also had a complete physical makeover to make them more aesthetically pleasing and compact for increased portability. The StreamBuds Sports Charge 2 are available from MIXX in a choice of black, blue or burgundy all for an incredibly affordable £40.
Preset EQ sounds and ease of control:
The touch buttons on the earbuds make controlling music an absolute breeze and users can play and pause, adjust the volume, answer or decline calls on the go and activate Google Assistant or Siri with a single touch. No need to pause the workout to look for a phone now! With the EQ presets, users can also choose between music, bass boost or voice dependent upon preference and the listening environment.
Quick charging:
The Sports Charge 2 earbuds offer 7 hours of playtime on a single charge with the handheld charge case adding another 25 hours of charge totalling an impressive 32 hours. In the unlikely event, a wearer runs out of juice, the quick charge feature gives 2 hours of additional playtime in only 15 minutes, so the music never needs to stop during a long workout or even a marathon! The digital display on the charging case shows the battery status of each individual earbud and the case itself so users can see clearly at a glance when a recharge is needed. Built in Qi Wireless charging is also available with the Sports Charge 2 for added ease.
Over ear hooks:
 
The over-ear hooks on the StreamBuds Sports Charge 2 are flexible loops that wrap around the ear to provide a secure and comfortable fit during physical activities. This offers stability and prevents the earbuds from falling out during hardcore workouts, making them an ideal choice for working out at the gym, for the daily run or a long cycle ride. For added comfort the earbuds come with 3 silicone ear cushions (small, medium and large) to ensure users get the best possible fit.
Eco friendly packaging:
 
MIXX makes a huge effort to keep packaging eco-friendly. Made with paper from sustainable sources, it is FSC certified. Any plastic used on the box is made from 30% recycled plastic and the whole package is 100% recyclable.
The MIXX StreamBuds Sports Charge 2 wireless earbuds are the ultimate partner for an active lifestyle and at only £50 offer true value for money too.
Main Features:
  • 7 hours play time on a single charge
  • *32 hours in total if you include the charge case
  • Touch sensor controls to play, pause, skip tracks and talk hands free
  • 3 EQ sound mode presets to choose from, Music, Bass or Boost
  • Handheld charge case
  • In-ear fit
  • Silicone ear cushions (small, medium, large)
  • Digital display screen
  • Siri and Google compatible
  • Over ear hooks for a secure fit

See our MIXX reviews to date

Jabra Unveils Second Generation of Elite 8 Active and Elite 10, Taking Sound and Streaming to the Next Level

Jabra, a global leader in true wireless sound and hybrid work solutions, is unveiling the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 and Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2 earbuds. Building upon the same great design and success of their predecessors, these next-generation earbuds come with enhancements that strengthen the audio experience.  

This includes the world’s first LE Audio smart case, enhanced spatial sound powered by Dolby Audio for a better music experience, and enhanced Natural HearThrough for better awareness when outdoors. Jabra’s Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) has also been made even stronger with improved mid- and low-frequency noise cancellation. 

Streaming anywhere 

Jabra has looked beyond the earbuds themselves with this next generation by engineering the world’s first LE Audio smart case. With an innovative design featuring dual USB-C and 3.5mm jack compatibility, the Elite 8 Active and Elite 10 Gen 2 prioritise universal streaming and connectivity at the press of a button.

Integrated seamlessly into the case, the built-in chip enables users to effortlessly connect and stream audio from a variety of devices directly to their earbuds. With lower latency than standard Bluetooth connections from case to buds, users can experience better audio and video sync, alongside Hi-Fi sound quality, courtesy of the LC3 codec. The 2-in-1 cable transforms the smart charging case into a versatile adaptor that can be plugged into any device. Whether on a flight, treadmill or at home watching TV, users can simply plug in the case to enjoy spatial sound streaming directly to their earbuds.  

New dimension of audio experience 

These earbuds offer a new dimension to the audio experience, with improved spatial sound tuning and Dolby Atmos support, as well as new spatial sound benefits across a wider range of content, including podcasts. In blind tests, 95% of respondents preferred the spatial sound tuning delivered with Gen 2**.   

Jabra’s next-generation earbuds also offer an improved call performance with 6-microphone call technology and enhanced AI call algorithms. The microphones distinguish which sounds are background noise and prioritise the spoken voice. Effective noise-reduction algorithms are automatically switched on to provide a clear call performance depending on activity or location to ensure high speech clarity.   

Jabra has also improved the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), which can block up to twice as much noise as previous generations. The noise reduction performance of the internal feedback microphone has been increased to provide a better ANC effect for noises in the mid- and low-frequency range.  

Furthermore, the Adaptive ANC algorithms have been enhanced to maximise the adaptive effect for more users. The result is stronger noise cancellation in multiple scenarios, including aircraft and gym background noise.  

The next generation earbuds also provide increased situational (or outdoor) awareness with new Natural HearThrough which is optimised for wind noise reduction and is twice as effective as the previous generation. Thanks to smart algorithms that increase the frequency range of HearThrough, the surrounding ambient sounds now appear clearer and more natural, while wind noise and whistling are noticeably reduced. 

Ehtisham Rabbani, Chief Executive of the Gaming & Consumer Division at Jabra said, “With these next generation buds we’ve stepped up those features which we know matter most – improved noise-cancelling and enhanced situational awareness – whilst for the first time bringing innovative LE Audio streaming functionality to the charging case, making it possible to connect to just about anything, anywhere.” 

Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2: MRSP £229.99, available in Navy, Black & two new colours (Coral and Olive), Mid-June 2024. Find out more here: www.jabra.co.uk/elite8activegen2 

Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2: MRSP £259.99, available in Titanium Black, Gloss Black, Cocoa and two new colours (Denim and Soft White), Mid-June 2024. Find out more here: www.jabra.co.uk/elite10gen2  

Key features of the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2: 

  • LE Audio smart case for streaming spatial sound from gym equipment & more  
  • Improved Spatial Sound powered by Dolby Audio 
  • Improved Adaptive Hybrid Active Noise cancellation. Up to 2x stronger than Elite 8 Active previous generation  
  • New Natural HearThrough with enhanced wind-noise detection. Twice as effective as Elite 8 Active previous generation  
  • Improved call performance with 6 microphones, wind-protecting mesh and noise cancellation algorithm 
  • Fully sweatproof, waterproof and workout- proof with IP68 rated earbuds (and an IP54 rated dust and splash proof case) 
  • Secure wing-free fit with Jabra ShakeGripTM technology  
  • Up to 8-hours battery life and up to 32-hours with case (ANC on) 
  • Stable Smartwatch connectivity***, Swift Pair, Google Fast Pair & Spotify Tap playback 
  • Bluetooth Multipoint connection 

Key features of the Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2: 

  • LE Audio smart case for streaming spatial sound from home TV’s & more  
  • Improved Spatial Sound with Dolby Head Tracking & a more immersive Dolby Atmos experience  
  • Improved Jabra Advanced Active Noise Cancellation. Up to 2x stronger than Elite 10 previous generation  
  • Improved 6-mic call technology with effective noise-reduction algorithms 
  • New Natural HearThrough with enhanced wind-noise detection. Twice as effective as Elite 10 previous generation 
  • Rich bass from powerful 10mm speakers  
  • Semi-open design with Jabra ComfortFit technology for all-day comfort 
  • 6-hour battery (27 hours with case) with ANC on 
  • IP57-rating 
  • Bluetooth Multipoint connection 
  • Fast Pair, Swift Pair, Spotify Tap playback 

Jabra Elite 10 review

Jabra Elite Active 8 review

North American Bancard choose Limerick City as location of R&D Centre of Excellence

North American Bancard LLC., a U.S.-based leader in fintech solutions, has today announced it will create 54 jobs in Limerick City. This centre-of-excellence will be responsible for developing the company’s portfolio of next generation risk management products and services.

Headquartered in Troy, Michigan USA, North American Bancard is re-imagining the payment experience. As a leading payment technology innovator, NAB has a diversified product platform that provides a modern end-to-end infrastructure to enable globally preferred payment types. NAB’s superior solutions deliver seamless payments experiences in mobile, ecommerce, and in-store environments. Serving hundreds of thousands of businesses and with over $100 billion per year in electronic transaction volume, NAB delivers functional, feature-rich and frictionless solutions for the evolving merchant economy.

This project is supported by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland.

Minister for Enterprise Trade & Employment Peter Burke TD said: “It is great news that North American Bancard (NAB) have chosen Limerick City as the location for their new R&D Centre of Excellence, with the creation of 54 jobs. NAB is a leading Fintech solutions and payment technology innovator, providing next generation risk management products and services. Limerick, and indeed the Mid-West Region, has the optimum level of skills and talent for NAB to thrive here, and the new roles will provide excellent employment opportunities for our graduates across a number of disciplines. Ireland has a thriving Fintech ecosystem where we have a track record in supporting the biggest Tech and Financial Services companies in the world for decades, and this new announcement by NAB reinforces this. I wish all the team in NAB the very best in this new and exciting chapter.”

Minister for Research, Innovation and Science, Patrick O’Donovan TD said: “As a proud Limerick person, I know how fertile a landscape we have here for talent, innovation and commerce. This investment by NAB in the Mid-West is further recognition of that talent, and their arrival to Limerick city will provide a significant boost to the wider local economy. Limerick is the perfect base for industry of this kind. Risk management solutions are important for us all, as we increasingly rely upon financial institutions to be resilient and withstand attacks. I look forward to the arrival of the NAB team and hope to be able to pay a visit to their site in the coming months”.

“It is fantastic to begin our journey on establishing a presence in Ireland, and specifically in the Limerick region. This establishes a specialist R&D facility with a keen focus on addressing the global issue of payments fraud. The Limerick site represents a strategic pillar for NABs, and it would not be possible without the support of the IDA and meaningful partnerships within the city,” said Dr. Christopher Mascaro, Chief Risk Officer, of North American Bancard. “As a company, NAB strives to provide state-of-the-art payments solutions that meet the needs of all our partners and merchants, across a wide spectrum of industries. Ensuring that our partners are protected in an ever evolving landscape of fraud is a critical step in the journey.”

North American Bancard plans to invest in establishing an enterprise risk management solution for payment solution providers and financial institutions which will rely on highly scalable cloud-based architecture, real-time event processing, data lakes, AI based decisioning frameworks and an intuitive case management system.

Executive Director of IDA Ireland Mary Buckley said: “North American Bancard’s decision to establish operations in Limerick is a significant and ambitious addition to the thriving technology-led cluster of companies in the Mid West. This move underscores the region’s exceptional talent and technical capabilities, further elevating its profile as a hub for payments investments and advanced R&D initiatives. I wish North American Bancard every success with this project.”

The open roles available with North American Bancard are in the areas of Product Managers, Architects, Scrum Masters, UX Designers, Front End Developers, Back End Developers, DevOps Engineers, and Data Scientists. To learn more about joining the North American Bancard team, visit North American Bancard (NAB-IRE Ventures Limited) Jobs – Irishjobs

Biotech Company secures multi-million investment to revolutionize the Market for sustainable aroma with a groundbreaking new technology

EvodiaBio has raised an investment of 7 million euros from both foreign and Danish investment funds, including EIFO and The March Group. The new capital will be used for both commercialization and expansion.

It is a new groundbreaking and sustainable method to produce natural aroma that form the cornerstone of EvodiaBio’s technology. It can improve the taste of non-alcoholic beer while reducing the use of natural resources and CO2 emissions.

With extra capital backing, the company aims to become a global leader in sustainable aroma development for the food industry and beyond.

“We are incredibly proud to have achieved this milestone. This funding round is an important step towards our vision of revolutionizing the food industry with sustainable and innovative solutions. With support from our investors and our strong team, we are ready to take EvodiaBio to new heights and make a significant impact on the global stage,” says Camilla Fenneberg, CEO of EvodiaBio

Natural and sustainable aromas through Precision Fermentation

Hops are one of the key ingredients that give beer its great taste, but like many of nature’s other resources, the aromatic plant is threatened by climate change. Production is declining, and quality is deteriorating. EvodiaBio has developed a technology using yeast and precision fermentation to produce sustainable aromas that create the taste of hops.

These aromas are initially launched for the beer industry, where they can improve the taste of non-alcoholic beer and partially replace aromatic hops, which are currently threatened by climate change.

High interest from breweries

The company is experiencing high interest from breweries, and the possibilities extend beyond non-alcoholic products. With fresh capital, commercialization and expansion can be accelerated, and in the long term, EvodiaBio aims to improve the taste of various types of beverages and other food products.

Behind the ambitious Danish startup stands a strong board with prominent profiles such as Flemming Besenbacher, former Chairman of Carlsberg, Andreas Fibig, former CEO of IFF, and Anne Cabotin, former SVP at Symrise.

“I am pleased that we have now completed an oversubscribed up-round enabling us to continue our journey to make non-alcoholic beer taste great and reinvent the aroma industry by providing new sustainable solutions. A big thanks go out to our existing and new investors for their confidence in EvodiaBio and belief in our journey ahead.” says Chairman of the Board Jarne Elleholm.

EvodiaBio, founded just three years ago, is supported by a strong international syndicate of investors consisting of Nordic Foodtech VC, the German flavor house Symrise, PINC – the venture arm of Paulig, Thia Ventures VC, Newtree Impact, Ananke Ventures Limited, EIFO, and The March Group.

EvodiaBio received early-stage financial support of 2 million euros from the Danish BioInnovation Institute, founded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. The state investment fund sees great potential in companies working towards green transition.

“We are pleased to support the continued development of the Danish biosolutions ecosystem, which stands strong internationally. It is crucial that we contribute with risk-tolerant capital so that advanced research from universities can be commercialized and support the green transition, which EvodiaBio can pave the way for. We see great potential in their innovative product, which the strong team behind the company can take far, and we are pleased with the support from international investors,” says Johan Bitsch Nielsen, Investment Manager, Green Transition, EIFO.