Ørsted Announces New Wind Farm In Northern Ireland Under 16MW Corporate Power Purchase Agreement

Leading global renewable energy company Ørsted today announced the opening of a new wind farm in Northern Ireland as part of a corporate power purchase agreement with Amazon. Located in County Antrim, the 16MW Amazon Wind Farm Northern Ireland – Ballykeel will generate renewable energy from seven turbines, bringing Ørsted’s total operational capacity to 378MW across the island of Ireland. Amazon Wind Farm Northern Ireland – Ballykeel is the first renewable energy project enabled by a corporate power purchase agreement to become operational in Northern Ireland.

In addition to the Amazon Wind Farm Northern Ireland – Ballykeel, Amazon has also signed corporate power purchase agreements for Ørsted’s offshore wind farm Borkum Riffgrund 3 in Germany, the onshore wind farm Kennoxhead in Scotland, and the onshore Amazon Wind Farm in Texas. Amazon is on a path to powering its operations globally with 100% renewable energy by 2025, and last year reached 90%.

TJ Hunter, Senior Director, Development and Operations, Ørsted UK & Ireland said: “We’re very pleased to work with Amazon and successfully deliver more renewable energy in Northern Ireland. Amazon Wind Farm Northern Ireland – Ballykeel is the first renewable energy project to be delivered under a corporate power purchase agreement in Northern Ireland, which demonstrates the important role that companies can play in adding clean energy to the grid.”

Lindsay McQuade, Director of Energy, EMEA at Amazon said: “Wind energy plays a critical role in decarbonising both Amazon’s operations and the Irish grid, and we’re proud to invest in renewable energy projects like the Amazon Wind Farm Northern Ireland – Ballykeel. Today at Amazon, we power 90% of our operations with renewable energy, and projects like Ballykeel and more than 400 other wind and solar projects around the world will help us on our path to reach 100% by 2025.”

As part of the development, Ørsted has established a £16,000 fund for the benefit of the local community which will be replenished every year. More information on how to apply for the fund can be found at www.orsted.ie

Groov-e zooms into camera market with its first digital camera for kids under £25

Groov-e, one of the UK’s leading tech brands, has entered the digital camera market for the first time, with an affordable, fun digital camera for children aged four and above.

Available in sky blue or baby pink and boasting a modern ‘cool’ build, the Groov-e Kidz Camera is especially designed for the small hands of budding photographers. Featuring a 40mp camera and 1080p video capture it also has a two-inch HD screen so they can instantly admire their snaps and videos.

Ideal for helping children express and explore their creativity, the functions and controls are designed for little hands and minds, so it’s simple to use and they can get started right away.

Packed with features including 28 photo frames, 16 fun filters including moustaches and glasses and five interactive games as an entertaining way to teach them basic editing skills.

Groove-e digital camera for kids – techbuzzireland

The built-in memory allows for content to be stored on the camera, however the included charging and data transfer cable allows photos and videos to be moved to other devices like computers/laptops and smartphones so they can share their creations with friends and family.

The camera expands Groov-e’s range of affordable tech products for children, joining the new range of Cuties night lights which launched in June this year and the best-selling Kidz bluetooth headphones.

The Groov-e Kidz Camera retails at just £24.99, making it an affordable gift for Christmas this year, and is available now from Groov-e and  from Robert Dyas at the end of October.

Tech Review – Tudia Products Built in Magnet and Dual Shield Merge Grip cases for the Google Pixel 8 Pro

Tudia Products again are one of the first to drop some decent cases for the all new Google Pixel 8 series and there is two that you can pick from, one is their standard Merge Grip case and they also have a case that has a magnet built in which makes it MagSafe compatible which is excellent news for those who may cay both Android and iOS devices like me and makes them all work together with accessories.

The cases are built Rhino Technology and can take drops galore and do not add much built to the phone, I have been using the companies cases for some years now and almost always end up with their case on my phone full time in between testing other cases as we do.

You have dual layer drop protection with a soft TPU edge and this is what I like about these cases and then you have the additional grip factor the case offers which is why these have become one of my favourite case makers over the years for my phones.

You have raised edges front and back to protect the screen and camera array do the device can be placed face or back down and knowing it will not get marked on a flat surface.

The back of the case is anti- slip with extra grip so you can be sure your device is safe in your hand and on the surface it is left on. The cases are magsafe compatible and gesture compatible and the keys also work really well and overall makes these cases on of the first you should look at if you are picking up any of the new Pixel devices this year, they also cater for other brands and of course older Pixel devices.

Check out their range of Pixel cases here and the rest on offer here, then check out the video review below.

Video Review 

Creative launches Live! Meet 4K webcam

Creative Technology today announced the release of Creative Live! Meet 4K, the latest conference webcam sporting an array of nifty features that sets the stage for a stunningly clear and seamless virtual conferencing experience. Equipped with an expansive wide-angle field of view, adjustable digital zoom, stunning 4K UHD resolution, and cutting-edge Sony STARVIS IMX415 CMOS imaging sensor, this latest conference webcam serves as the ideal tool for hosting virtual meetings, guiding online classrooms, and even exploring creative endeavours.

With 4K UHD resolution, backed by the Sony STARVIS IMX415 CMOS Imaging Sensor, the Creative Live! Meet 4K transforms virtual interactions into vivid experiences, teeming with intricate details, vibrant colours, and outstanding clarity. To complement this visual prowess, the Creative Live! Meet 4K also boasts an expansive wide-angle field of view, spanning up to 115°, making it an exceptional choice for accommodating numerous participants in a boardroom setting or capturing a wide range of visual content, such as whiteboard presentations. Moreover, this latest conference webcam offers an impressive 7X digital zoom capability, enabling users to zero in on crucial details without compromising image quality.

The Creative Live! Meet 4K is not just about crystal-clear visuals; it also features four pairs of ultra-sensitive omnidirectional microphones, ensuring comprehensive audio capture from all directions. This makes it the perfect to-go choice for recording or hosting conferences in large meeting rooms. What sets it apart is its automated microphone gain, which accurately picks up sound sources even from a distance, ensuring that every participant’s voice is heard loud and clear. Additionally, the conference webcam incorporates 40 mm Neodymium magnet speaker drivers to offer greater audio clarity and depth to enhance the overall communication and audio experience.

On top of that, the latest conference webcam comes with built-in AI tracking and framing technology, which automatically tracks the subject’s face based on AI facial recognition features. This intelligent technology ensures the subject remains consistently centred within the frame, even when they shift positions, providing users with a stable and hassle-free visual experience. Coupled with hand gestures, users can easily trigger specific actions by simply gesturing in front of the Creative Live! Meet 4K.

For added convenience, the conference webcam also comes with a remote control and accessible mic mute button, providing a seamless way to make quick adjustments without any interruption to ongoing conversations.

Setting up the Creative Live! Meet 4K is also a breeze, as it requires no additional driver installation and is compatible with all laptops and computers running on Windows and macOS platforms. Users can also leverage the SmartComms Kit that is available via the Creative App to access a suite of smart communication features such as VoiceDetect and NoiseClean-Out to ensure clearer communication whenever and wherever.

Pricing and Availability

Creative Live! Meet 4K is priced at US$299.99, UK£329.99 and is available at Creative.com. For more information, visit creative.com/LiveMeet4K

Tech Review – Poly Voyager Surround 80 UC Premium BT Headset

The Poly Voyager Surround 80 UC Premium BT Headset might be a pricey headset for most but if you are one who works in an office or works from home it makes sense and it makes sense to be pricey if you want the best in the game. I have tested some older models before and people snubbed the idea these type of headphones can be used for both work and general wearing and when they tried them on they quickly changed their tune on the matter and this is due to the quality of sound and most importantly voice for calls and teams chats and so one, one thing that is clear with these is how good voice sounds no matter what instance you use them in.

The headphones are also comfortable to wear for hours on end which is great and again important for those who would wear them.

There is no boom on these which I prefer with such headphones and these still do a superb jobs on phone calls alone and of course your teams meetings and so on, there is a busy light on these too to let others know you are in fact busy when you are on either which for me is great and stops people annoying you, I hate those who tap you on the shoulder trying to get your attention but this still happens sometimes for those not in the know.

Controls are great which is done with gestures which I am now a fan of after testing several pairs of headphones recently with the same approach and going forward I would like to see this more common than it is today with any headphones.

The sound quality is excellent all round here but voice is what stands out for me on these overall on your teams and phones calls I have never had a pair of headphones that sound so good in this area in particular it is outstanding, and for music they are also great which makes for a great pair of hybrid headphones. On the music front they are fine with all genres highs lows and mids and there is an EQ app but not so much for music but more control over their target demographic.

All round though the sound is impressive they are comfortable and easy to use with apps for all to take even more control to make them your own in what setting you use these in, they are expensive but for me and what they do they are worth every penny and a go to if you work from your office or home like me especially with two devices connected it is a seamless operation and a no brainer choice of headphones to own. Check the video review for more.

The App

Features

  • Adaptive ANC and over-the-ear design
  • 6 microphones for clear transmit audio
  • Up to 21 hours of talk time
  • Intuitive touch controls for calls and music

BUY

Video Review

Irish leaders largely unprepared for AI future & uncertain about economic future, IMI reveals

Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail Neale Richmond TD joined the Irish Management Institute today (IMI) at its National Leadership Conference, on the same day it unveiled new research revealing a skills shortage among senior business leaders preparing for Ireland’s AI-enabled future.

The ‘IMI Leadership Barometer’, launched at the National Leadership Conference, surveyed senior business leaders across Ireland from September to October 2023. The research provides key insights into the attitudes and priorities of senior decision makers as they navigate a rapidly evolving business environment and the emergence of disruptive new technologies.

First held over 70 years ago, the National Leadership Conference brings together senior business leaders from across Ireland to explore how leaders can learn, innovate and lead in a rapidly changing environment. Keynote speakers at the event include Bruce Daisley, a former VP EMEA at Twitter and international consultant on workplace culture, Deborah Threadgold, General Manager at IBM Ireland, and Ronan O’Gara, Head Coach at La Rochelle.

The researched unveiled at the conference show that leaders are unsure about the trajectory of the economy. 47% of business leaders are uncertain whether the economy will grow in the next 12 months. With inflationary pressures still strong and costs increasing, a further 36% of leaders believe the economy is likely to contract in the next year.

Digital transformation was another key area with only 1 in 4 business leaders feeling they have the right skills and capabilities to harness the potential of AI within their organisation. The main barrier to navigating an AI future was found to be uncertainty (39%), indicating a pervasive lack of knowledge in the business community regarding the potential applications and impact of this technology.

Lack of capabilities to drive change (36%) was also identified as a major obstacle, with leaders believing their workforce lacks critical skills to enable digital transformation. Such findings reflect the growing importance for leaders in upskilling and reskilling every level of their organisation – from the leadership level down – in order to harness the power of innovation.

Although senior leaders are prioritising innovation, conflicting priorities (41%) and organisational culture (27%) were found to be critical innovation challenges. However, the importance of strong leadership in overcoming these barriers and fostering a culture of innovation is clear: 48% of survey respondents stated that strong leaders who foster and champion innovation is critical for innovation success.

Looking ahead, the majority of leaders felt overcoming skills and talent shortages (59%) to be the key factor for future business success – a persistent challenge in an exceptionally tight labour market. Leading digital transformation (27%) was also deemed critical for future success unsurprisingly, with leaders keen to harness the potential productivity boom created by AI and other emerging technologies. Only 9% of business leaders consider advancing the ESG agenda to be critical for future success.

Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail Neale Richmond TD commented: “Business leaders across Ireland have proven their resilience in navigating challenges over the past years, from the emergence from the Covid-19 pandemic, to skills shortages and rising costs. As the business environment continues to evolve, it is crucial that firms and workers are well equipped to embrace the opportunities presented by new technologies such as AI.

“Today’s gathering of business leaders across Ireland at the National Leadership Conference provides an opportunity to explore how leaders can successfully harness the opportunities presented by new technologies and use them to empower their organisations for the future. This includes re-training and up-skilling workers to ensure they are capable of using these new technologies. By working closely together, government and business can enhance the competitiveness of Irish businesses and develop a thriving, resilient and future-proof enterprise economy.”

Shane O’Sullivan, interim CEO of the IMI, said: “The IMI Leadership Barometer provides an important insight into how senior leaders are responding to emerging technologies and a changing economic environment.

“With ongoing advances in AI and disruptive digital technologies, the fact that only 25% of business leaders feel they have the necessary skills in place to support these changes is of significant concern. Top-down leadership is critical for driving this fundamental transformation of how we work. Otherwise, we cannot harness the powerful productivity gains of AI and other digital technologies. Business leaders must consider a lifelong learning approach to equip themselves with the right skills, capabilities and knowledge.

“It is reassuring to see almost half of senior leaders in Ireland recognise the importance of their role in driving a thriving culture of innovation within their organisation. Leaders must develop a culture of innovation by acting as role models in the development of ideas, while fostering collaboration and creativity between different teams and departments throughout their organisation.

“Celebrating 70 years since its first edition, the National Leadership Conference provides important insights for business leaders across the themes of Learn, Innovate, Lead. By implementing the guidance shared by our expert speakers and research findings, senior leaders can enhance their leadership skills and set their organisation on the path to success in the year ahead.”

Beyond Spotify: Exploring Unique Music Streaming Alternatives

Spotify is an active music service that millions of users are using. This music streaming service has acquired millions of worldwide users, accounting for 31% using only the Spotify platform, according to ExpressVPN. Spotify gives access to more than 80 million licensed songs, including videos and podcasts. However, accessing Spotify alternatives that offer different tastes and uniqueness are always welcomed. 

Apart from giant music streaming services, i.e., Spotify, other streaming services, such as Apple Music, Tidal, Deezer, Pandora, SoundCloud, YouTube, and many more, share a pie to reach equality. But, as you are looking for Spotify alternatives, you can find the details for each platform, including features, in the post below. 

Delve into this below and explore some of the best music platforms hidden from music lovers’ eyes. Scroll down and find their distinctive offerings now. 

Spotify Streaming Alternatives

Mostly, music streaming services offer similar gateway and features to Spotify. But their features and offerings are quite different in their way. Let us help you explore a few Spotify alternatives. 

1. Tidal: The Audiophile’s Haven

Tidal music streaming service is well-known for its high-quality content and exclusive content. It offers features that no other streaming offers. Tidal offers content, including exclusive albums, music videos, and live performances. 

Features of Tidal

  1. Tidal helps audiophiles to stream high-resolution music content. 
  2. It offers two-tier audio quality: HiFi in CD quality (16-bit/44.1 kHz) and HiFi Plus in high-quality audio (up to 24-bit/ 192 kHz). 
  3. It also offers audio formats like Dolby Atmos and Sony 360 Reality Audio. 

2. Deezer: Curated Playlists Galore

Deezer is a music platform with over 90 million songs. Its subscribers can also access podcasts. Users can access curated playlists, and this feature makes this platform different from others. Deezer also has a music editors’ team who create playlists for various moods and genres. 

Features of Deezer

  1. The Dezzer platform is mostly known for its personalized playlist feature. 
  2. You can also download songs from Deezer and later play them offline. 
  3. It also displays lyrics that will help listeners understand songs’ wordings more accurately. 
  4. On your listening selection, this platform creates a personalized playlist. 

3. Qobuz: Hi-Res Audio Nirvana

Qobuz is a French music streaming platform. This platform is known for its high-quality audio and focus on exclusive content. You can also access editorial content such as articles, reviews, and interviews. 

Features of Qobuz

  1. On Qobuz, you can download high-resolution audio content. 
  2. You can access music directly from your devices without using your computer or laptop. 
  3. Qobuz also offers two-tier audio quality content: HiFi in CD quality (16-bit/44.1 kHz) and HiFi Sublime in high-resolution audio (up to 24-bit/ 192 kHz).

4. Pandora: Radio Reimagined

The Pandora music streaming platform allows you to create personalized radio stations based on your favorite artists, songs, and genres. Research also found that it is the first launched streaming service platform. 

Features of Pandora

  1. You can give ratings to the songs by clicking on the “thumbs up” and “thumbs down” selections.
  2. On your listening habits, it constantly recommends new songs and also browses its curated playlists.  
  3. It also offers a premium subscription for ad-free listening and downloading. 

5. SoundCloud: Home for Indie Artists

SoundCloud is a music streaming service that recently became popular, especially among Indie artists. The platform is becoming popular for its discovery and commitment to supporting independent artists and musicians. 

Features of SoundCloud

  1. Listeners and artists can use SoundCloud’s services at no cost. 
  2. The platform’s interface is easy to use. Artists need to create their accounts and upload their tracks. Afterward, they can share their uploaded tracks on social media and other platforms. 
  3. SoundCloud also helps you make a fanbase and helps you to interact with them. 
  4. SoundCloud also helps you to reach music websites and music blogs and help you find whether they are interested in your music.

6. YouTube Music: Visual and Auditory Fusion

YouTube is a free music streaming platform that helps audiences get a wide range of songs, live performances, remixes, covers, and official music. YouTube music is the perfect choice if you wish to watch or discover new music or albums. 

Features of YouTube Music

  1. YouTube music combines audio listening and video content, and this helps listeners to enjoy music. 
  2. Based on your search and watch history, it also recommends new songs. 
  3. For every mood and genre, YouTube Music also creates a curated playlist for its users. 
  4. It also allows you to download music for your offline listening.
  5. It also has a search bar that helps users search for their preferred songs. 

7. Apple Music: Integration with the Apple Ecosystem

Apple Music is a perfect choice for Apple users. Music listeners can discover new music and enjoy their favorite songs on all their Apple devices. Apple Music is considered a unique platform as it integrates with the ecosystem. This music platform service works with all devices, such as Apple Watch, HomePod, Mac, iPad, and iPhone. 

Features of Apple Music

  1. You can get a wide selection of Apple Music, including covers, official music, remixes, and new categories. 
  2. Based on your search and listening history and preferences, Apple Music recommends songs for you.  
  3. Apple Music also allows its users to download their favorite tracks for offline listening. 
  4. For every genre and mood, it also offers various curated playlists. 
  5. To control your Apple Music, you can use “Siri.”
  6. With AirPlay, you can stream your favorite songs from Apple Music to AirPlay-compatible devices. 

Conclusion

Spotify might be an exclusive and colossal music platform with its great music promotional services, but other music services offer similar and distinct features. Each stated Spotify alternative in the above post has a unique feature that helps you cater to various music priorities and preferences. Apart from Spotify, there are many music alternatives that you can choose from, whether you prefer to get high-audio quality, curated, or personalized playlists or looking to support independent artists. Look at each mentioned Spotify alternative music platform, and then find the one that resonates with your preferences. 

 

Expleo unveils world-first anti-smishing solution for banks with Permanent TSB with new in-app feature

Expleo, a global technology, engineering and consulting service provider, today unveils ExpleoProtectUS, a world-first anti-smishing solution that alerts banking customers to fraudulent text messages. The software is today being launched as part of a new security feature within the Permanent TSB mobile banking app, ‘PTSB Protect’, which helps to prevent customers from falling victim to fraudulent scams.

Smishing – phishing-style scams that are carried out via SMS – has become commonplace for banking customers today. Retail banks, along with global law enforcement, have warned banking customers to be on high alert as fraudsters contact customers via SMS, tricking them into thinking they are being contacted by a trustworthy source – such as their bank – before extracting sensitive account information from them. Recent figures from the Banking and Payments Federation of Ireland (BPFI) found that incidents of payment fraud and scams cost Irish consumers €85m last year, an increase of 8.8% compared with 2021.

Permanent TSB has introduced ‘PTSB Protect’, a new feature to its banking app which will help to prevent customers from falling victim to fraudulent scams. It has integrated ExpleoProtectUS with its mobile banking app as it continues to roll out a series of measures and technology solutions to protect customers from fraudsters. The solution will inform the customer when it has detected a fraudulent SMS and take appropriate countermeasures.

ExpleoProtectUS is a world-first that can be integrated with any bank’s mobile app and works on both iOS and Android operating systems. The software uses AI and intelligent systems to determine when a customer has received a text message containing a fraudulent link. Customers must consent to the software checking their text messages, however, no information is captured or shared by the bank or Expleo.

Phil Codd, Managing Director, Expleo Ireland, said:

“As a global leader in technology solutions which solve today’s business challenges, we have a responsibility to ensure that what we do is not only good for businesses but good for society too. ExpleoProtectUS originated with this belief in mind at our first Hackathon and has been developed to provide a simple solution to a global problem. The team immediately saw its societal value; to protect the most vulnerable members of society, who are typically older and less tech-savvy.”

Brian Kennedy, Head of Digital and Innovation – Ireland, Expleo, said:

“ExpleoProtectUS is the only anti-smishing fraud solution designed to install directly on end-user mobile phones and has the potential to improve lives worldwide. We are delighted that Permanent TSB immediately understood and embraced its potential to make a difference. We hope our collaboration in this area will not only set an example for the Irish banking sector, but on a global scale, too.”

Peter Vance, Chief Operating Officer Permanent TSB, said

“Attempts to defraud customers through criminal activity has increased significantly over the last number of years. Our own research suggests that 75% of Irish consumers have experienced an attempt of fraud with 27% falling victim to it. With scams getting more sophisticated, consumers need to continue to be on their guard at all times. By introducing PTSB Protect as a new line of defence to our mobile app, we can now directly identify the source of this activity and help protect our customers before their accounts can become compromised. Financial fraud is a significant threat and it is often being targeted at groups that may think they are less vulnerable, so we’re delighted to partner with Expleo Ireland on this world-first anti-smishing solution”

Developed for the banking industry, ExpleoProtectUS can also be to protect customers and end users across the financial services, insurance, retail and government/public services sectors.

University students across Ireland invited to enter sustainability competition

Circle-P, an ambitious student project dedicated to utilising biorefineries for the recovery and recycling of phosphorus from industrial wastewaters, secured victory as the Irish winner of the 2023 Bio-Based Innovation Student Challenge – Europe (BISC-E).

The competition unfolded at Tangent, Trinity University’s Ideas Space in Dublin, where two formidable teams battled it out to represent Ireland in the European arena.

A panel of judges, composed of industry and academic experts from BiOrbic, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and the Circular Bioeconomy Research Group at Munster Technological University (MTU), evaluated the technological and economic feasibility of the competing projects.

Up against Circle-P was Bioluminescent Plants, which focused on gene manipulation in plants to create sustainable bio-lighting sources. Both sets of students explored the potential of natural ‘bio-based’ materials to address known future challenges.

The 2023 Irish champions, Shon George Shiju, Eanna Dowling, and Brian Mattimoe from MTU, earned the opportunity to represent Ireland against twelve European teams. While the overall winners of the BISC-E 2023 competition were BioAroma, a French team lauded for their innovative approach to sustainably producing 2-PE through novel fermentation processes, Circle-P’s outstanding contribution garnered well-deserved recognition.

The BISC-E, hosted by the Bio-based Industries Consortium, invites interdisciplinary teams of university students across Europe to design imaginative solutions that contribute to a sustainable and circular economy. These innovations address technological, environmental, or societal challenges in Europe’s journey towards sustainability, emphasising a ‘bio-based’ approach, using materials derived wholly or partly from renewable biological sources.

The Irish leg of the competition is now open for the 2023/24 edition, commencing on October 1. This competition welcomes all university students in Ireland, including those in their first year of Ph.D. studies.

Zoe Rush, Education and Outreach Manager of IKC3 at MTU, said, “The BISC-E competition offers students a valuable chance to apply their expertise and skills towards tackling the pressing sustainability challenges of our time.

 “The bioeconomy is rapidly developing in Ireland, as society shifts towards nature-based products and services. We are committed to nurturing interdisciplinary teams, fostering entrepreneurial skills in design and innovation for the bioeconomy, and providing guidance on impact analysis and effective communication.”

An online Introduction to the BISC-E session is scheduled during Bioeconomy Ireland Week, from 1-2pm on October 19th, designed for Irish university professors and students keen to explore this exciting opportunity. For further details about the competition and registration for this event, please visit the Irish Knowledge Centre for Carbon, Climate & Community Action (IKC3) website, which hosts the information about the Irish BISC-E.

Ireland’s Knowledge Centre for Carbon, Climate & Community Action (IKC3) proudly serves as the national coordinator for the Irish BISC-E, with support from BiOrbic, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DFAM), and the CircBio Research Group. IKC3, a research project led by Munster Technological University (MTU) in collaboration with Trinity College Dublin (TCD) and University College Dublin (UCD), addresses skill gaps within industry and civic society to facilitate a transition to low carbon futures.