Category: Tech News

Evolve IP Launch New Training Hub To Empower Reseller Knowledge

Cloud collaboration provider, Evolve IP, has created a specialist eLearning platform to inspire reseller knowledge and help them retain and win new business.

The ‘ucSKILLS’ digital adoption platform offers valuable tools so partners can seamlessly deliver all of Evolve IP’s Anywhere Product Suite solutions, and enhance their own customer experience.

Together with technology partner iTEL, dedicated eLearning content is available from one user-friendly central resource which is constantly updated. 

Transform

Scott Rixon, Evolve IP Solutions Director, says the new service will cement reseller knowledge across the EMEA region and help accelerate digital user adoption.

“Our partnership with iTEL will totally transform current services and create a host of benefits such as optimising team knowledge and support levels, improving the overall customer experience and reducing customer churn.

“This valuable technical resource will be readily available to all our customers, giving them the power to quickly resolve issues and guide customer queries.”

Rixon added that a recent study with iTEL proved that having an effective digital adoption platform reduced customer churn by 35%, ensuring resellers retain their customer bases.

“If their service is reliable and consistent, customers will stay. An adoption platform supports quality control and team development,” he highlighted.

Evolve IP is designed to advance today’s hybrid workplace. It partners with many of the world’s biggest tech companies to bring together their unified communications, collaboration, voice, and contact centre tools into a single, secure solution, fine-tuned for the hybrid workforce. 

Continuous Pursuit

Rixon emphasised: “By integrating these disparate systems from leaders such as Cisco and Microsoft, we can improve both productivity and security, increasing uptime to make the future of work better for everyone. The Evolve IP Training Hub – ucSKILLS – is another major step forward as part of a continuous pursuit to drive standards even higher.

“In addition, the hub will also be the new home for the Evolve IP Partner Portal. Meaning once a team has access, everything they need is in one place such as training materials, marketing resources and technical content. We want to make it even easier to do business with us.” 

James Buxton, Managing Director of iTEL, is equally enthusiastic about the new partnership. “Teaming-up with Evolve IP is a perfect fit as we share the same customer-focused goals and objectives, based on an engage, adopt and retain philosophy. Knowledge is power in an increasingly sophisticated and evolving technology arena.”

Rixon concluded: “This new service is all about empowering partners and helping cement their technical knowledge. As we begin to grow the training hub, we will ensure this space becomes the centre for partner learning and development and a go-to Unified Communications knowledge bank.”

Source Galileo and Rosslare Europort sign agreement to develop offshore wind projects

Source Galileo, a leading Irish and European renewable energy development company, and Iarnród Éireann, the Port Authority for Rosslare Europort, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work together with the aim of achieving the common goal of developing Rosslare Europort as a key facilitator in the delivery of large-scale offshore wind farm projects in Irish coastal waters.

A redevelopment plan for Rosslare Europort to facilitate both offshore wind farm construction, and operations and maintenance, is currently being progressed by Iarnród Éireann. It plans to establish the port, its hinterland, and the south-east region as Ireland’s Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Hub, with the potential to create up to 2,000 jobs.

While the joint agreement between Source Galileo and Iarnród Éireann is non-exclusive in nature, it seeks to combine their respective fields of expertise and knowledge to maximise the opportunities and potential to develop their respective development plans.

Source Galileo is developing 10 GW of offshore wind to electricity and wind to hydrogen projects off the coasts of Europe. Its portfolio includes the Mac Lir project, a proposed offshore wind farm located off the coasts of Wicklow and Wexford.

The project has a target installed capacity of 700 MW+, which equates to approximately 15% of Ireland’s commitment to achieve 5 GW of offshore wind by 2030. The project also has the potential to meet the needs of over 600,000 households and to offset over one million tonnes of carbon emissions each year.

At its nearest point, Mac Lir’s proposed turbine array area will be over 22 kilometres off the east coast, lying entirely outside Ireland’s 12 nautical mile foreshore limit. This area, which spans from south of Arklow to Cahore Point, has been strategically selected by Source Galileo to reduce visibility from the coast, to limit environmental and economic impacts and to harness stronger wind speeds that are found further offshore.

Ingka Investments, the investment arm of Ingka Group, the largest IKEA retailer, has secured a 20% stake in the Irish offshore wind projects of Source Galileo, which includes the Mac Lir project. Work is underway to prepare an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Scoping Report for the project, with the aim to submit a planning application for the project in late 2026.

Rosslare Europort is uniquely located within 60-100 nautical miles of most of the planned Offshore Renewal Energy developments in the Irish and Celtic seas. To deliver its vision for ORE, Rosslare Europort plans significant works including:

–          ORE purpose-built quay and berth.

–          ORE quayside storage and pre-construction / up to 50 acres in area.

–          Navigable channel dredged down to a minimum of 9-11 metres depth.

–          Management Control Centre and management offices and facilities for Operations and Maintenance.

Kevin Lynch, CEO of Source Galileo said: “Source Galileo is developing a portfolio of projects that will generate substantial clean renewable energy direct to homes and business across Ireland. We look forward to working with Iarnród Éireann to jointly develop solutions that will assist the Government to accelerate its target of delivering 5 GW of offshore wind by 2030, and 20 GW by 2040”.

Glenn Carr, Director Commercial Business Units for Iarnród Éireann, Port Authority Rosslare Europort said: “Rosslare Europort is excited to work with Source Galileo whose vision for the potential of ORE aligns with our own.  We believe there are strong synergies to be achieved as we work together to place this renewable energy industry at the heart of Ireland’s decarbonised future.”

Videndum Media Solutions joins forces with Aquatech exclusive distribution across EMEA

Videndum Media Solutions, the leading manufacturer and distributors for imaging and audio capturing devices for the growing content creation world, has announced its exclusive distribution partnership across the EMEA region with AQUATECH, the internationally acclaimed manufacturer of premium underwater housings. Starting April 2024, European ocean photographers will have direct access to AQUATECH solutions through a newly designed experience on manfrotto.com, as well as through Videndum Media Solutions’ qualified distribution network in key European Countries.

For over two decades, AQUATECH has been at the forefront of design for high quality, waterproof housings and professional photographic accessories, engineered to withstand the toughest underwater conditions and ensure the safety of valuable camera equipment. A pioneer in the water photography niche, AQUATECH has empowered photographers and filmmakers to capture breathtaking moments above and beneath the water surface.  

The new announcement expands on the previous collaboration in 2023 that introduced the JOBY SeaPal; the premium, waterproof smartphone case compatible with Samsung Galaxy S24-S22 and iPhone 15-12 that unleashes stunning ocean footage and epic wave-riding shots has been co designed and engineered with Aquatech team. 

Today, the partnership brings together two industry leaders sharing the values of unparalleled quality, innovation and a global presence.
“We’re thrilled to welcome AQUATECH into our partner brands portfolio” comments Chris Carr, Videndum Media Solutions CMO and EVP of Sales. “Their expertise in underwater imaging technology perfectly complements our range of media supports and accessories, adding an exciting new dimension to content creation.”

Alan Love, AQUATECH Founder and CEO, shares the company’s ambitions: “The partnership with VMS marks a pivotal moment for us as we expand across the EMEA region. Their robust distribution network provides a strategic avenue for growth, allowing us to strengthen our presence alongside industry leaders.” 

The full range of camera housings, lens port and accessories is now available to professionals and enthusiasts engaged in photography, cinematography and visual arts such as surfing, sailing, documentary, ocean seascape art, fashion, Olympic water sports, wildlife photography, outdoor sports, and more. 

For more information, browse the dedicated AQUATECH section on www.manfrotto.com, or visit VMS authorized distributors and partners across the EMEA region. 

Sony announces all-new TV & home audio line up – Cinema Is Coming Home

Sony has announced the all-new BRAVIA TVs line-up, along with perfectly matching new BRAVIA Theatre home audio products – making it easier for consumers to choose and combine a complete home entertainment package for an outstanding cinematic experience.

BRAVIA

  • The flagship BRAVIA 9 is capable of high peak luminance, deep blacks, supreme contrast and beautifully natural colours.
  • BRAVIA 9 will feature Acoustic Multi-Audio+ and are the world’s first with Beam Tweeter at the top and Frame Tweeter at the sides to deliver cinematic surround sound.
  • Sony’s new Voice Zoom 3 recognises human dialogue through AI algorithms and amplifies or reduces its volume so even small dialogue sounds loud and clear.
  • Prime Video Calibrated Mode – a new mode designed to provide customers with even more ways to experience premium entertainment through the lens of the creator. Customers can enjoy optimum picture quality that is automatically calibrated across movies, series, and for the first time, live sports.

BRAVIA Theatre

  • With BRAVIA Theatre Bar 9 and BRAVIA Theatre Bar 8 you can enjoy 360 Spatial Sound Mapping using just a single soundbar. BRAVIA Theatre Quad can realise wider surround sound with 4 slim speakers.
    • 360 Spatial Sound Mapping technology, multiple phantom speakers are generated in locations where there are no actual physical speakers, such as above or to the side

 

  • BRAVIA Theatre Products are compatible with the Sound Field Optimization, which automatically adjusts and tunes each speaker
  • Introducing BRAVIA Theatre U – When you combine BRAVIA TVs and BRAVIA Theatre products, the Acoustic Center Sync function fuses the sound of the TV’s speakers and the soundbar seamlessly, creating a cinema-like experience where the sound appears to come directly from the TV screen.

 

Line up information

BRAVIA

  • BRAVIA 9 QLED (mini LED) available in 85”, 75”
  • BRAVIA 8 OLED available in 77”, 65”, 55”
  • BRAVIA 7 QLED (mini LED) available in 85”, 75”, 65”, 55”
  • See more –  here 

BRAVIA Theatre home audio

  • BRAVIA Theatre Bar 9
  • BRAVIA Theatre Bar 8
  • BRAVIA Theatre Quad
  • BRAVIA Theatre 
  • See more here

Sony releases large aperture wide-angle zoom G Lens FE 16-25mm F2.8 G

Sony has announced the latest addition to its full-frame α (Alpha) E-mount lens line-up. FE 16-25mm F2.8 G is a large-aperture wide-angle zoom lens that maintains an F2.8 maximum aperture over the entire zoom range from 16 mm to 25 mm, combining supreme image quality with excellent portability due to its compact and lightweight design.

This new lens offers high-resolution performance, beautiful bokeh, and high-speed, high-precision, quiet, fast-tracking AF (autofocus). Weighing an impressively light 409 g, it is highly portable so you can easily enjoy every day shooting that emphasises the sense of perspective that can only be achieved with a wide-angle lens. It benefits from the same filter diameter, operability and roughly the same size and weight as the “FE 24-50mm F2.8 G” announced in February 2024, easy to use when shooting hand-held or when combined with a gimbal. The FE 16-25mm F2.8 G expands the range of photographic and video expression for creators in a variety of scenes such as astrophotography, landscapes, architecture, portraits, general snapshots, and selfies.

Key features of FE 16-25mm F2.8 G

  • Compact and lightweight design with the latest optical and mechanical design.
  • Filter diameter φ67 mm, maximum diameter 74.8 mm, length 91.4 mm, weight approximately 409 g.
  • By effectively arranging three ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glasses and four aspherical lenses, including one ED aspherical lens, various aberrations such as chromatic aberration are reduced, and high-resolution performance is achieved from the centre of the screen to the corner.
  • The 11-blade circular aperture and optimisation of spherical aberration provide the beautiful bokeh that is the hallmark of Sony G lenses.
  • High close-up shooting capability with a minimum shooting distance of 0.18 m and a maximum magnification of 0.20x[i].
  • Equipped with two linear motors, it enables high-speed, high-precision, high-tracking, and quiet focusing even on fast-moving subjects. It also supports high-speed continuous shooting with AF/AE tracking of up to approximately 120 frames per second for the α9 III full-frame mirrorless camera[ii]. Smooth tracking even when shooting 4K120p/FHD240p[iii] high frame rate videos that require precise focusing.
  • The adoption of linear response MF during manual focus allows for smooth and high-quality image expression.
  • Reducing the focus breathing allows high-quality movie expression.
  • Compatible with the α series camera’s image stabilisation “Active Mode”[iv], achieving high image stabilisation effects.
  • High operability, including a focus hold button, aperture ring, aperture click ON/OFF switch, and focus mode switch.
  • Designed to be dust and moisture proof[v] with a fluorine coating that prevents dirt from sticking to the front surface of the lens.

Pricing and Availability

The new FE 16-25mm F2.8 G will be available in the UK and Ireland for approximately £1250 and €1400, respectively. It will be sold at a variety of Sony’s authorised dealers throughout the UK and Europe.

A variety of exclusive stories, videos and exciting new content shot with the newest cameras and other Sony products can be found here. Sony’s European photography hub is available in 22 languages and details product news, competitions and an up-to-date list of Sony events in each country.

For more information about FE 16-25mm F2.8 G, please visit the links below.

UK:

https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/e-mount-lenses/sel1625g

Ireland:

https://www.sony.ie/electronics/e-mount-lenses/sel1625g

Majority launches the Majority MP3 Go

With its compact design, 5.0 Bluetooth connectivity and sports clip, the Majority MP3 Go is the perfect addition to any workout, walk, hike or commute, delivering wireless audio for up to 34 hours.

Say hello to the active audiophile’s ultimate companion. With an impressive 34 hours of playtime, a handy sports clip and weighing only 33g, the Majority MP3 Go is the ideal device to put a musical kick into your workouts and adventures. Simply clip on to your clothes or bag and feel the music.

With the busy lifestyle of the modern audio fan in mind, the MP3 Go offers a fast-charging time of only 3 hours. Combined with the cutting edge 5.0 Bluetooth connectivity, listeners can enjoy wireless freedom to run errands or simply pair to Bluetooth speakers for room-raising sound.

Designed for the ultimate music journey, the Majority MP3 Go has been meticulously engineered to amplify the richness and depth of your music via the integrated speaker. No longer does your listening experience have to suffer, simply connect the included earphones or external speakers and surround yourself with your favourite sounds.

For music fanatics who can’t stand being too far from their favourite songs the MP3 Go’s 16GB of internal storage, equating to 4000 songs will be a lifesaver for those long commutes and days running errands. Equipped to offer further entertainment, the MP3 Go is compatible with SD cards of up to 128GB to deliver a further 36,000 songs.

Designed in the UK and with a 3-year warranty, Majority produce products that will last and stand the test of time.

The Majority MP3 Go is available in the UK, US, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain from Amazon for £29.95/€34.95/$34.95.

Key Features of the Majority MP3 Go:

 

  • 5.0 Bluetooth Connectivity
  • 3hr Charging Time
  • 16GB Internal Storage
  • Compatible with SD cards up to 128GB
  • Earphones included
  • Integrated Speaker
  • 1.54 inch IPS screen
  • Dimensions: 14.1cm x 14cm x 2.6cm
  • Weight: 33g

Navee launches Navee GPT, the anti-counterfeiting solution that redefines brand security with automatic counterfeit moderation

Navee, a leading player in the fight against online counterfeit, announces the launch of Navee GPT, a revolutionary technology that enables automatic moderation of high risk counterfeit listings, 24/7, 365 days a year.

If counterfeit production were a country, it would be the sixth largest emitter of CO2 globally, with devastating consequences for the environment, society, and economy. In light of this urgent challenge, Navee is taking the lead with the launch of Navee GPT, a large-scale language model (LLM) that takes the fight against counterfeiting even further.

This new technological advance complements Navee’s earlier innovation, the CVAN (Collaborative Visual Authentication Network). Result of collaboration between brands and platforms, CVAN blocks counterfeits, at upload, across the platforms using semi-exact image matching and insights sharing, allowing them to proactively fight counterfeits. Navee GPT further reinforces this technology by using AI to analyze and tackle high risk listings that may have slipped past CVAN. This new multimodal LLM aims to help brands and platforms double their listing moderation and cut average processing time by up to 10 times.

Increased and automated processing capacity
With the integration of Navee GPT, the initial moderation capacity could multiply fivefold or even tenfold, enabling the processing of up to 15,000 counterfeit cases per month per customer to be processed. This allows Navee to empower their partners and customers to triple the efficiency of their analyst teams.
The system quickly identifies and evaluates suspicious content, and when combined with CVAN, it can automatically reduce counterfeiting by up to 90% without human intervention. This technological breakthrough provides prompt and precise feedback while helping brands trim operational costs, making it an indispensable tool for organizations seeking to streamline their content moderation processes and improve overall performance.

Human precision and uninterrupted moderation
Navee GPT uses its powerful algorithm to assess the risk level of each listing, pre-moderating high-risk content not addressed by CVAN. Trained using a structured and moderated guide, reinforced by Navee’s moderation history, its accuracy rivals that of human moderators. The solution operates continuously 24/7, facilitating large-scale, high-quality moderation.

A step towards market balance
Navee’s aim is not to do away with human moderation, but to improve its accuracy and efficiency. Given the ease and speed with which counterfeit listings are uploaded and spread, automation is essential for efficient detection and management. The startup aims to balance the market against counterfeiters exploiting the internet’s susceptibility to fake content creation.

Matteo Amerio, co-founder and CEO of Navee, comments: “Today, it’s much easier to create thousands of counterfeit listings than to detect a single one. The cost of identifying a counterfeit product is now higher than the cost of listing it online. This is where our solution shines. By further automating moderation, we empower companies to remove counterfeit content even more effectively.”

Navee GPT takes moderation to new heights of speed, efficiency and precision. With 99% accuracy, this incredibly revolutionary solution brings the world a little closer to counterfeit-free every day.

nubia Z60 Ultra Photographer Edition Launches

nubia, a leading global smartphone brand and pioneer in innovative smartphone technology, unveils this masterpiece poised to redefine the essence of mobile photography.

Elegantly crafted and meticulously designed, the nubia Z60 Ultra Photographer Edition is more than just a device. It’s an extension of your creative vision. It adopts the original vintage classic camera design, unique leather-textured glass, and combined with the fifth-generation Under Display Camera technology brings flagship-level appearance and image performance.

This meticulous design approach enhances its visual allure, elevating the device to a new level of sophistication. Combining state-of-the-art technology and enduring elegance, each element is meticulously crafted to evoke breathtaking imagery. With unmatched features and refined aesthetics, it is poised to be the ultimate partner for immortalizing life’s unforgettable moments.

Experience the convergence of art and innovation as we unveil the nubia Z60 Ultra Photographer Edition, setting a new benchmark in mobile photography excellence.

The nubia Z60 Ultra Photographer Edition will be available exclusively at the Global, Europe, and Mexico Stores, with the United Kingdom Store being the only exception. For further details and to stay updated on the latest news and announcements leading up to the launch, explore us at the nubia Official Website.

No Sleeping On The Job As Boom Bangs The Collaboration Drum!

Manufacturer Boom Collaboration has hosted a special interactive workshop, showcasing two top products and looking at wider conferencing trends – including if people actually wear their pyjamas on video calls!

Its ‘Unlocking The Power of Collaboration’ online event, officially introduced the Boom HALO video bar and MAGNA Pro PTZ camera – and attracted a global audience from the UK, US, Europe, Middle East, Asia and South America.

Participants discovered how the two groundbreaking products are designed to revolutionise collaboration in the modern workspace, based on a theme of ‘smart people need intelligent gear’.

Co-Founders Fredrik Hörnkvist and Holli Hulett demonstrated the intelligent features of the expandable HALO, which delivers crystal-clear audio and 4K video with enhanced AI facial framing and speaker tracking. Up to eight additional microphones/speakers can be added too.

Pants

They also explored the versatility and precision of the Boom MAGNA Pro 4K highly-responsive tracking PTZ camera, designed for meetings, lectures and live streams – thanks to a massive 27x zoom, AI capabilities and a built-in gravity sensor. All products are available from UK distributor Westcoast.

Insights on optimising collaboration strategies and spaces through cutting-edge technologies were also part of the 45-minute session, hosted from the manufacturer’s Texas HQ.

“We ended the event with some audience participation around some of the biggest problems around video meetings today,” explained Hörnkvist. “Insufficient audio, bandwidth limitations and making sure everyone is seen and heard were some of the top concerns.”

Hulett added: “We also looked at the best things about video meetings where working from anywhere, cost savings and also being able to wear pyjama bottoms on calls scored highly, as well as being able to hang out with your pets! It’s clear the appeal of remote meetings continues to evolve and Boom Collaboration is determined to remain at the industry forefront, spearheaded by our flagship HALO and MAGNA Pro innovations.”