Tech Review – Burga iPhone 15 Pro cases and Ring Holders

Need to spice up your iPhone 15 Pro or other devices a bit well Burga can help out with a massive range of accessories for your phones and much more. We have been testing Burga goods for some time now and they hold up with their longevity and look well on the phone, not only this they have a huge range of designs and cases to pick from which you can see more of in the video review below where we take a look at what is on offer.

These cases look well and add additional grip to your smartphone and give you peace of mind should you drop it and adding the ring holder also gives you a but more security and also acts as a small stand to consume media at your table or bedside locker. All their products are quality and we know as we have tested many before and still hold up today.

The range of cases come in different types which are as follows

SNAP

  • One-Piece Hard-Shell Design
  • Ultra-Thin, Sleek & Lightweight
  • Camera protected by raised case bezels around camera
  • For those who like the original shape of their phone

TOUGH

  • Dual-Layer: Silicone Interior + Hard Shell Exterior
  • Covers all around the phone
  • Raised Bezel for screen protection
  • Camera protected by raised case bezels around camera
  • Slim Profile & Comfortable to Hold
  • For those who need extra protection, while maintaining the style

ELITE

  • Shock Absorption: Cutting-edge CloudGuard technology absorbs up to 90% of impact force
  • Improved Grip: Dot-pattern finish on the sides ensures a confident grip
  • Raised Bezels: Raised bezels around the screen and camera protect the delicate glass against flat drops
  • Soft Interior: Microfibre lining keeps your phone cozy and prevents scratches from within
  • HQ Image: Our anti-fade printing technology keeps your design as vibrant as day one for months to come
  • Strap-ready: Specially designed sockets make it easy to attach a phone charm
  • Truly premium: An eye-catching gold camera bezel for that subtle touch of luxury

    Tough MagSafe

    • MagSafe®️ Compatible
    • Dual-Layer: Silicone Interior + Hard Shell Exterior
    • Covers all around the phone
    • Raised Bezel for screen protection
    • Camera protected by raised case bezels around camera
    • Slim Profile & Comfortable to Hold
    • For those who need extra protection, while maintaining the style

    Elite MagSafe

    • MagSafe®️ Compatible
    • Shock Absorption: Cutting-edge CloudGuard technology absorbs up to 90% of impact force
    • Improved Grip: Dot-pattern finish on the sides ensures a confident grip
    • Raised Bezels: Raised bezels around the screen and camera protect the delicate glass against flat drops
    • Soft Interior: Microfibre lining keeps your phone cozy and prevents scratches from within
    • HQ Image: Our anti-fade printing technology keeps your design as vibrant as day one for months to come
    • Strap-ready: Specially designed sockets make it easy to attach a phone charm

Please keep in mind that the Tough cases and the Snap cases are two entirely different products and they are not compatible. Check out the drop down menu for case variants

Sunset Glow 

Proper Uniform Elite

Ivy League – iPhone 15 Pro Case

Ring holders 

Check out the video review below.

Tech Review – ZHIYUN FIVERAY V60, 60W light wand combo

ZHIYUN has been part of our review channel for some years now with their equipment that we use on a daily basis and we have some other products in for review from them so stay tuned for those coming soon, today we are here to talk about the FIVERAY V60 light wand combo pack which gives you control over the tone you need for the subject you will be focussing on.

This is a less expensive version of similar lights we have reviewed such as the FIVERAY F100 stick light and the FR100C light stick which are also great tools to have at your disposal which cater in other ways compared to this one and it is great to see that the company does offer different solutions for different needs. Both those previous models had colour options as you will see in the reviews and had some cool features.

This model is less complicated to use and again portable or can be placed on a tripod to set the tone, you could use two or more of these in a scene or just one like what we will be basing our review on which is plenty for now in my set up.

If you do plan to use a tripod and want it vertical you will need a strong one as it will be top heavy

Once set up this is simple to use, really simple you have two dials to adjust your needs as you will see in the video below, this for me is ideal to focus on one point but others may be more useful in certain settings, this not only provides multiple light modes but also music modes too. See the video for a hands on look at what to expect.

Features

• Compact and portable design, only 1.96lb
• True-to-life colors, CRI≧96
• MAX mode 100W, fill light wherever
• Use while charging, easy charging with DC/PD adapter
• Multiple light effects & music modes, ideal ambiance created instantly

BUY

Video Review

Aon’s M&A report reveals technology and telecoms sector most actively considering M&A activity

Aon plc, a leading global professional services firm, today published its latest report about the attitudes and actions regarding mergers and acquisitions (M&A) among senior business leaders in Ireland.

Aon’s M&A in Ireland 2023 Report surveyed 281 businesses across Ireland between June and July 2023.

Results show that 11 percent of all businesses are actively considering engaging in a merger or acquisition in the next 12 months. Businesses in the Technology, Media, and Telecom sector (TMT) are the most active for M&A, with 26 percent considering dealmaking in the next year. 17 percent of financial and professional services firms are also considering engaging in M&A activity in the next 12 months.

For firms considering M&A activity, the top reasons include accessing skilled talent (31 percent), increasing business efficiencies (30 percent), and building innovation capacity for the future (28 percent). The top motivator for TMT businesses was expansion into new jurisdictions (46 percent) while 37 percent of financial and professional services firms indicated that expansion into new business areas was a key driver.

Nearly 2 in 3 firms (62 percent) that engaged in M&A over the past 12 months said the deals had achieved their strategic objectives, indicating that M&A activity may increase should economic conditions improve.

Evolving risk landscape

The risk landscape for Irish firms has shifted considerably over the past 12 months. Rising inflation (56 percent) remains the top risk to M&A for Irish businesses, although it has fallen by 13 percent since last year, indicating businesses are at a turning point in managing its impact on their M&A strategy. Lack of sustainable investment options (44%) and high valuations (43%) make up the remaining spots within the top three risks identified by business leaders in Ireland considering M&A activity.

Cyber and ESG due diligence rise

Cyber security and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors continue to rise up the due diligence agenda for Irish firms.

The majority (62%) of Irish businesses consider cyber security and technology risks before concluding an M&A deal – a 7 percent increase on last year’s report. There are differences in the treatment of cyber risk among organisations of different sizes, with 41 percent of large businesses considering cyber security due diligence on every deal. In contrast, 31 percent of mid-sized businesses, do not consider cyber security at all in relation to M&A, suggesting smaller companies may not have the capabilities in place to effectively evaluate these risks.

35% of organisations in Ireland say ESG standards are extremely important pre-transaction, a modest gain (2 percent) on last year’s results. 43 percent of businesses have not considered ESG factors at all up until now. Irish firms are still significantly behind their global counterparts in their assessment of the importance of ESG risk. According to Aon’s Global M&A Risk in Review survey 72 percent of businesses expect ESG to be the most significant risk facing their organisations in the next 12 months.

The availability of sustainable investment (21 percent) is the top ESG factor for Irish firms when assessing a potential merger or acquisition, followed by the impact of the business on climate (19 percent) and diversity on company boards (19 percent).

Importance of human capital and taxation

Aon’s research shows other key factors considered by business leaders in due diligence include financials, legal, human capital, and taxation. Human capital was identified as a main area of focus for due diligence when considering M&A by 42 percent of businesses, reflecting the importance of talent in a labour market with unemployment near a historic low.

Taxation is cited by 42 percent of businesses as a key concern in determining whether to conduct an M&A transaction. 1 in 4 businesses stated that the tax rate that will apply to future profits following an acquisition or merger is their key tax concern, indicating the impact of continuing uncertainty regarding the OECD’s global minimum tax rate proposals.

Karl Curran, Head of M&A and Transaction Solutions at Aon Ireland, said: “Despite growth in the domestic economy, organisations continue to navigate a challenging business environment from a tight labour market, to rising operating costs and increasing levels of cyber-attacks.

 “Aon’s latest M&A in Ireland Report shows that these challenges are creating uncertainty among businesses, with almost 90% of businesses either less likely or unsure of whether they will engage in M&A activity in the coming year. However, when broken down by sectors, there is stronger appetite for M&A activity among firms in the Technology, Media, and Telecom sector and the Financial and Professional Services sector.

“The risk landscape for Irish businesses continues to evolve at pace. Addressing emerging areas of risk such as cyber security will be critical to long-term success. The impact of potential cyber-attacks can be deeply damaging. According to the 2023 Aon Cyber Resilience Report, major cyber incidents typically result in a 9% decrease in shareholder value for businesses in the 12 months following an attack. In this context, we welcome the findings from today’s report that more firms in Ireland are prioritising cyber risk as part of M&A due diligence. However, with a significant number of businesses still not screening for cyber risk at all, many firms need to urgently put these capabilities in place.

“With firms in Ireland facing a growing set of new and evolving risks, the insights from Aon’s M&A in Ireland Report help shine a spotlight on the trends in this area but critically highlight the risks and due diligence that companies should be considering as part of any M&A activity. We hope that the data will be a useful tool in helping to guide Ireland’s business leaders towards making better-informed decisions to meet the challenges of an increasingly complex M&A environment.”

CWSI providing security for Bright’s growth journey

CWSI, Ireland’s most experienced mobile and cloud security specialist, today announces that it has successfully delivered a cybersecurity solution for leading payroll software company, Bright. Bright’s award-winning solution, BrightPay, is used to pay 3.5M employees every month and this number is continuing to grow.

Headquartered in Dunboyne, Co. Meath, BrightPay serves small to medium businesses, accountants, bureaus, and sole traders throughout Ireland and the UK. As the company grew, it identified a significant increase in the number of malicious activities on its endpoints and needed to ensure that its data was as secure as possible.

As more and more cyberattacks become automated, the most effective way to combat this is with automated cybersecurity. CWSI implemented SentinelOne’s Autonomous Endpoint Protection, which uses static and behavioural AI together with Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) capabilities to protect its customers, while also saving them time.

The new cybersecurity solution was seamlessly rolled out across 200 devices. It has relieved stress and pressure on Bright’s internal IT team and given them peace of mind that they have a highly secure environment when dealing with sensitive information every day. Prior to partnering with CWSI, Bright had multiple issues with its cybersecurity software, including slow operating times, poor interface, and false positives blocking legitimate users, which was taking the IT team away from their day-to-day core operations.

CWSI engaged with Bright to identify its cybersecurity goals, listen to its unique requirements and find the best fit for Bright’s EDR objectives.

Alan Kelly, IT Manager, Bright Software Group, said: “Cybersecurity is massively important to us. It is a fundamental part of our business to make sure that we’re secure, not only for our staff but for our customers as well. We were looking for a solution provider we could trust and CWSI felt like a perfect match right from the start.

“Our objectives and ambitions at Bright are to continue to grow and innovate. To do that we need the right partners and products, and we are confident that we have found both with CWSI.”

Aimee Hall, Customer Success Manager, CWSI, said: “Bright is such an exciting company, and BrightPay such a fantastic solution, and we are excited to be partnering with them to ensure the company can continue to scale at pace, unencumbered by fears around the safety and security of it and its customers’ data.

“Providing that peace of mind and removing those barriers is what we want to do for all of our customers, and to create a situation for them where they are free to achieve their goals.”

€22,000 Raised By Dublin Amazon Cyclists For Irish Charities

A group of Amazon employees from Amazon sites and offices across Ireland have participated in a cycling challenge between Cork and Dublin to raise money for two children’s charities.

Team members from Amazon’s fulfilment centre in Dublin, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Amazon offices in Dublin and Amazon Customer Services (ACS) in Cork, joined forces on a charity cycle for Cliona’s Foundation and Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation.

The group commenced the 400-kilometre cycle, in recognition of the 400,000 children diagnosed with cancer each year, from the ACS headquarters in Cork, finishing the route at the fulfilment centre in Dublin. The team arrived at the fulfilment centre after three days, raising €22,000, including a €5,000 donation from the fulfilment centre in Dublin, which will be divided between Cliona’s Foundation and Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation.

Cliona’s Foundation works across Ireland to support families who are dealing with financial issues whilst caring for a child with life-limiting illnesses. The foundation was set up after the passing of Brendan and Terry Ring’s daughter, Cliona, from an inoperable brain tumour. In honour of their daughter, they have helped over 1,200 families across Ireland.

In memory of their son, Jack, Jonathan Irwin and Mary Ann O’Brien set up Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation to support families across Ireland who are in the same position they were. The charity provides in-home nursing care and respite support for children with severe to profound cognitive delay. Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation has helped more than 2,600 families across Ireland.

Darragh Kelly, General Manager at Amazon’s fulfilment centre in Dublin, said:

“We couldn’t be prouder of the teams from Amazon sites across Ireland who took part in the fundraising cycle from Cork to Dublin. This was the first-time representatives from all sections of our business in Ireland came together for a fundraising event. We are pleased to be building our relationship with the teams from Cliona’s Foundation and Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation. All involved should be extremely pleased with the amount they raised for these two important charities.”

Dave Carney, an employee from Amazon who took part in the fundraising cycle, added:

“I am very proud to have completed the cycle alongside such an amazing team, as well as raising an incredible amount of money for Cliona’s Foundation and Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation. Weather conditions were tough on the last day, but to see everyone cheering us on at the finish line was incredible!”

Brendan, CEO and Co-Founder from Cliona’s Foundation, said:

“On behalf of the staff and volunteers at Cliona’s Foundation, I would like to say thank you to the Amazon teams in Dublin and Cork for their support. I would also like to thank and congratulate the inspiring team who took part in the cycle – their efforts mean so much to us.”

The donations to Cliona’s Foundation and Jack and Jill’s Children’s Foundation were made as part of Amazon’s programme to support the communities in and around its operating locations in Ireland.

Since opening its doors last year, Amazon’s Dublin fulfilment centre has supported many community organisations locally. Charities supported by the team at the fulfilment centre include Jigsaw and LauraLynn Children’s Hospice.

The Amazon team also donated €5,000 each to Cliona’s Foundation and Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation when the site opened in 2022.

The Amazon fulfilment centre in Dublin, the first of its kind in Ireland, opened in August 2022 providing more than 500 new permanent jobs. The 630,000 square foot centre at Baldonnell Business Park in Dublin holds millions of items that are picked, packed and shipped to customers across Ireland and the rest of Europe.

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