Google Ireland Turns 20 What Ireland has been searching for since 2003

2003 was the year that saw the Spire finally get completed on O’Connell street, the Special Olympics take place in Ireland and Google open their first office in Dublin with just five employees. This year Google celebrates twenty years of being in Ireland and to mark the occasion we’ve taken a look back at some of the big trends that have gripped the nation and had people turning to Google Search from 2003 right up to today.

While the weather over the last twenty years has been changeable our search habits haven’t followed suit. Searching on Google to find out what weather to expect in a country that can experience four seasons in one day, is what this weather obsessed nation search for most and nowhere more than in Carrick on Shannon, followed by Tramore and New Ross. This summer is turning out to be a mixed bag for weather but the last time people were pressing search on heatwave in significant numbers was 2018. ‘Heatwave’ was trending and the top related searches were:

 

  1. How long will the heatwave last?

  2. When will the heatwave end?

  3. Heatwave memes

  4. Met Eireann heatwave

  5. Dublin heatwave

From heatwaves to floods, in 2011 widespread flooding caused chaos around the country and even saw Dundrum Town Centre under water. The places most searched for at the time were:

  1. Dublin floods

  2. Dundrum flooding

  3. Meath flooding

  4. Monaghan floods

  5. Galway City flood

 

In 2015 Ireland left nameless storms behind as Met Eireann and the UK Met  launched the “Name Our Storms” campaign to much joy as the nation submitted names to be considered for storms for the upcoming year, some wackier than others. Since then Storm Ophelia, the worst storm Ireland had seen in 50 years, has been searched most often, followed by Storm Lorenzo and Storm Callum.

 

If Irish people aren’t turning to Google to find out about the weather they’re keeping up to date on the latest trending topics in sport. In 2012 Ireland searched for the Olympics more than any other year. The games were searched at nearly twice the rate of 2016 or 2021. In that same year Katie Taylor was the top-searched person in relation to the Olympics in Ireland and “When is Katie Taylor fighting in the Olympics” was the top trending question. In 2016 Annalise Murphy was the top-searched Irish Olympian during the games, while Michael Phelps was the top-searched Olympian overall.

The nation will no doubt be doing plenty of rugby related searches later this year but in 2009 ‘grand slam’ was a breakout search in March of that year after Ireland’s historic Six Nations win. This year Ireland vs. England was the top-searched match-up of the Six Nations tournament in Ireland and “What’s a grand slam in rugby” spiked +700% during the tournament.

Every day, millions of people turn to Google to ask questions, and looking back at the trending ‘How To’ and ‘What is’ questions since 2003 gives an insight into what the nation was searching for answers for over the last 20 years. Ireland’s  love for pancakes is in no doubt as ‘How to make pancakes’ regularly tops the trending searches. In 2014 ‘How to make loom bands’’ was the most searched question while in 2015 people turned to Google to find out ‘How to use new Snapchat’ .  The most searched ‘What is’ terms brings us back to some recent referenda , in 2008 ‘What is the Lisbon Treaty’ was the most searched ‘what is’ question and ten years later in 2018 it was ‘What is blasphemy’.

Some of the past twenty years’ searches for ‘definition’ give an insight to the cultural moments of the time. In 2013 ‘twerk ’ topped the list, ‘despacito’ was the most searched in 2017 and in 2019, the year impeachment proceedings began for Donald Trump ‘impeachment’ was the most searched definition term in Ireland.

Search can help you find a world of information – and the way people use Search can be a window into the world. Google has 25 years experience devoted to the science and the craft of building a search engine. That dedication has brought completely new ways to explore the world’s information over time — including visual searches with Lens or image-and-text multisearch.

Tech Review – House of Marley One Drop wireless charger

Wireless charging still has not caught on that much here in Ireland but me being into this kind of tech has adopted it some years now and I have wireless charging pads all over the house so I can just drop my phone on the fly, most important place are my bedside locker and review table and this little guy from the house of marley dropped in and aptly name One Drop.

The charger has an aesthetically pleasing look and will look well no matter where it is placed in the home and if you have the matching earbuds like the redemption ANC 2 to go with it even better but fear not this will charge almost any other Qi-enabled device and for me that is lots,

This will provide up to 10 watts of power which is not massive by any stretch but it is how many wireless chargers are these days and the product itself looks really neat with the speckled REGRIND underside and bamboo finish that looks really nice and premium, the company is also well known for being sustainable and it also comes with a really nice quality braided cable to top it off.

Features

  • Compatible with iPhone 8, iPhone X/Xs/Xs Max/XR, iPhone 11/11 Pro/11 Pro Max/SE, iPhone 12/12 Pro/12 Mini/12 Pro Max, iPhone 13/13 Pro, and other wireless-enabled Android smartphones and Qi-enabled devices
  • 3-foot USB-C to USB-A braided charge cable to charge via USB-powered source. *AC adapter not included
  • Bamboo, REGRIND® silicon, 100% plastic-free recyclable packaging

BUY

Video Review

Gen Announces AI Scam Detection App, Norton Genie

Scams are one of the most pervasive Cyber Safety threats of our time. The sheer volume is staggering – people are collectively wading through 3.4 billion phishing emails on a daily basis – and scams are becoming more sophisticated and harder to spot without help. Today, Norton, a leader in Cyber Safety and part of Gen™ (NASDAQ: GEN), is inviting people to join in the fight against scams by offering early access to Norton Genie, a real-time AI-powered scam detector, to provide an easy, fast and free way to check if texts, emails, websites and social media posts are a scam.

“Every day, we’re inundated with messages and scams that have become so believable that anyone, even the savviest of us, is just one wrong tap from becoming a scammer’s next victim,” said Ondrej Vlcek, President at Gen. “We want to give people Digital Freedom – the freedom that can only be achieved when you’re safe and empowered online. Genie is an always on, easy-to-use, trusted advisor that helps you stay ahead of highly convincing scams. By bringing together best-in-class scam intel from Norton with advanced AI, we can empower people to take full advantage of the digital world safely, privately and confidently.”

Norton Genie is a brand new innovation from Norton designed to be as simple as asking for advice from a friend that’s available 24/7. With just a few clicks or taps, Genie will give immediate guidance on whether the message, email, link or post is potentially a scam and what to do next. Genie is powered by a unique combination of Norton expertise and advanced AI that’s trained on millions of scam messages and the red flags to watch for. As scammers adapt to new technology to make their attacks more convincing, now more than ever, people need AI on their side to help stay ahead of today’s ever evolving scams. Norton Genie is constantly improving to help stop scammers in their tracks and help fight today’s scams and tomorrow’s.

Norton Genie is a comprehensive mobile app and web-based service providing scam detection with the following key features:

  • Fast, free and easy: You can upload a screenshot or copy and paste the text of a suspicious message and Genie will instantly tell you if a message or site appears to be a scam.
  • Norton technology: Genie combines advanced AI with best-in-class cybersecurity data and technology to help identify scams before you engage. As part of Gen, Norton tapped into the company’s investment and application of AI research and innovation, decades of experience uncovering and remediating scams, phishing attacks, and sketchy websites, and extensive library of known threats to create Genie.
  • Protection that evolves: The more people use Genie, the smarter it gets. Our AI powering Genie will continue to learn and adapt to detect new scams and help protect against emerging threats. While Genie gets better and better with scam detection in messages, emails and social media posts, we will be hard at work developing additional ways Genie can protect people from other types of scams they could fall victim to.
  • Trusted advice: Beyond telling you if a message is likely a scam, Genie takes it one step further by answering your most pressing follow-up questions. How did it know the message was a scam? What should you do next? Like a trusted advisor, Genie empowers you with the information you need to be safer in your digital life.

Norton Genie is still learning and in an early access phase. Genie is available now in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand and the United States, for free at Norton.com and the Apple App Store. Norton Genie is compatible with iOS 14.0 or greater, Chrome, Safari, Microsoft Edge and Firefox. Norton Genie is expected to become generally available, expand platform availability to Android, and enter additional markets later this year. To learn more, visit genie.norton.com.

Ambitious Comms Reseller GPS Telecom Chooses Evolve IP To Accelerate Growth Strategy

Evolve IP, a leading service provider of Unified Communications, has welcomed GPS Telecom as its latest reselling partner across the EMEA region – to help fire-up further sales success.

GPS Telecom joins at an exciting point of their business journey, with plans of expansion and growth including new global collaboration services from Evolve IP.

Runcorn-based GPS Telecom has over 15 years’ industry experience in providing the latest unified communication products, designed to integrate and futureproof businesses. The company has built a reputation as an expert provider who recommend and implement the very latest, often complex systems, simply and seamlessly into any organisation.

Big targets

Managing Director, Chris Jones, explained: “Evolve IP are the service provider that can help with our growth plans. We have set ourselves some big targets and Evolve IP has the expertise and technologies that will help us get there. 

“I am very proud to lead a team of dedicated and highly talented individuals who are all committed to delivering a professional and personal service to each and every one of our customers.

“We are embarking on an exciting journey of expansion, supported by our customers both old and new and by the trusted relationships we have built with our industry leading suppliers. Our business is our people and without their commitment none of the amazing things we achieve would be possible, I am honoured to work with such a fantastic team.”

Chris Jones, Managing Director, GPS Telecom

 

Thrilled

Jamie Hughes, UK Sales Director at Evolve IP, shared the enthusiasm, as he outlined: “We’re thrilled to have GPS Telecom join our reselling base; their expertise and skills are exactly what we look for within our partners. We’re very excited to see them grow and thrive by offering our solutions to their customer base which will inspire them on a new journey of success.”

Jamie Hughes, Evolve IP

GPS Telecom will be reselling a range of the Evolve IP enterprise-grade solutions that are available to all reselling partners These feature:

 

  • Anywhere Contact Centre – Delivers service excellence and supports teams in the hybrid world. Scales from 5 to 1000 plus agents, always allowing on-demand agent ‘bursting’. With Anywhere Contact Centre, new contact centres can be online within hours and new agents in just minutes.

 

  • Evolve Anywhere with Microsoft Teams – Natively integrated between the Microsoft Teams and Evolve IP’s carrier-grade voice solution. Users can work within a system they are familiar with (MS Teams) but integrate with sophisticated technologies that will allow them to scale up and improve their communications strategy effectively. 

 

  • Evolve Anywhere with Cisco Webex – A decade-long partnership with Cisco for hosting Cisco telephony solutions enables Evolve IP to provide ‘unparalleled service, support and the latest features’.

 

  • Anywhere Value Add Solutions – Evolve IP’s Anywhere Product Suite offers partners an eco-system of technology partners from call recording with Voice AI to business analytics, integrations and receptionist console. All within a user-friendly management portal.

Hughes highlighted: “Evolve IP’s recent launch of Anywhere Portal and introduction of Anywhere Contact Centre has come at a great time for GPS Telecom – offering their customers simple provisioning and a complete unified communication technology stack for extensive growth in the future.”

Evolve IP has recently launched a summer sales campaign, teaming up with top technology partners to offer a range of offers and incentives.

Jones believes the company is ideally placed to help push GPS Telecom further forward, as he concluded: “Evolve IP’s scalable technology and flexibility is going to enable my team to flourish and support our customers seamlessly.”

RETN Unleashes 400G Across Europe

RETN, a leading international network services provider, announces the completion of its Pan-European upgrade, now offering 400 Gbps wavelengths across its extensive fibre network.

Through a long-standing cooperation with Infinera, RETN has installed cutting-edge technology and massively upgraded network capacity across all European routes. A high-performance optical transport solution, including the ICE6 optical engine, GX G42 compact modular platform, and FlexILS open optical line system from Infinera, are now deployed to meet the hyperscale bandwidth needs of customers, with lower power consumption, reduced cost and maximum spectral efficiency.
Tony O’Sullivan, CEO of RETN, expressed his confidence in the transformative impact of 400G technology, stating, “The Connectivity market has reached a tipping point with single wavelength 400G. With the latest generation Layer 1 capacity services, we are empowering businesses with high-availability 100% diverse fibre routes and industry leading services provision times.”

Nick Walden, Senior Vice President of Infinera commented: “Infinera is delighted to partner with RETN and provide industry-leading optical networking solutions purpose-built to address growing capacity demands and deliver an enhanced customer experience. With our ICE6-powered GX platform and FlexILS line system, RETN is equipped with an agile, high-performance and scalable transport infrastructure optimised for the evolving needs of its customers.”
Additionally, RETN upgrades its IP/MPLS network to 400G technology running on Juniper’s latest-generation equipment in proactive approach to satisfy global growing demand for IP traffic.

In one of its first deployments of 400G, RETN has successfully interconnected the Budapest Internet Exchange’s (BIX) Point of Presence in Vienna with its core infrastructure in Budapest. This supports the surging demand for cross-border data exchange from BIX’s 90 members. RETN seamlessly upgraded the Budapest (T-Systems/Dataplex Invitech DC10) – Vienna DigitalRealty (Interxion) wavelength from 100Gbps to 400Gbps in just a few weeks, ensuring a smooth service handover during a hot-cut. The enhanced infrastructure now enables BIX to scale its network and future-proof its operations.

Attila Miszori, Member of the Board, BIX, “BIX values RETN’s ability to deliver 400Gbps wavelength service with short delivery time and our required hot-cut service handover. We appreciate RETN’s professional, proactive, and quality-oriented approach. In an ever-evolving industry, it’s essential to partner with service providers like RETN who understand the market and deliver innovative solutions.”

Sky’s the limit for Space Week events – nationwide call for participation!

Space Week Ireland returns this October 4th-10th 2023 and organisers at MTU Blackrock Castle Observatory, in partnership with Science Foundation Ireland and ESERO Ireland, are calling on space enthusiasts, community groups, businesses and institutions nationwide to organise their own out of this world events.

The festival, which aims to ignite a passion for space science and inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and astronauts, coincides with World Space Week and is the nation’s premier celebration of space exploration and science. Over the week, the public can explore a space-themed festival of events and a captivating series of workshops, lectures, exhibitions, throughout the country.

Dr Ruth Freeman, Director of Science for Society at SFI, said: “Space Week Ireland brings the public together with the space community through events which encourage creative and critical thinking and reveal the vastness of the Universe around us. It’s the perfect opportunity to inspire people about the wonders of space and to celebrate those who work in the space industry. Ireland is well positioned to become a leader in this sector thanks to our well-equipped STEM workforce and curious young people. Through this focused celebration of Space Week, everyone has an opportunity to engage with the latest research and develop a greater understanding of our planet and universe.”

Everyone in Ireland is invited to organise an event. Whether you’re a tiny club or community group, a classroom, a large organisation or institution, or a family interested in the wonders of the universe. Those interested are invited to register an event that falls within the theme ‘Our Planet, Our Space, Our Time’, which emphasises the shared spirit of adventure, curiosity, and innovation that underlies humankind’s ongoing exploration of the cosmos. All those that register will also get a digital Space Week Kit. Events can be large or small, public, or private, free to enter or with an entrance charge, so the sky’s the limit with your imagination. All event submissions are automatically entered into a draw for a chance to win some cool Space Week Prizes and the Space Week team will help publicise your event if you register before 15th August.

Rob O’ Sullivan, National Outreach Coordinator for Space Week Ireland said “Space Week Ireland has gone from strength to strength in recent years and we’re convinced this will be the best one yet. Space Week Ireland is one of the busiest on the world stage so it’s obvious that Irish people have an appetite for all things space. We are calling all space enthusiasts, community groups, families, and businesses to engage by creating or attending an event. You can get loads of inspiration by accessing the downloadable resources on the spaceweek.ie website which has activities for every kind of group to help you plan and engage with Space Week.”

Commenting on the importance of Space Week, Dr Niamh Shaw, one of Ireland’s leading STEAM communications experts, said: “Space Week Ireland is the nation’s premier celebration of space exploration and science. Space exploration is a fascinating and important field. We all stand under the same sky looking up in wonder, so it is fitting that during Space Week everyone is invited to join in discovering the wonders of the universe. I would encourage individuals, educational institutions, museums, astronomy clubs, and other organisations to submit their event ideas and help make Space Week Ireland an unforgettable experience for all.”

Ideas for possible events include:

  • Public lectures and talks by renowned experts in the field of space science.
  • Hands-on workshops and demonstrations showcasing the principles of space exploration and technology.
  • Interactive exhibitions featuring models, telescopes, and artifacts related to space missions and discoveries.
  • Astronomy-themed competitions, quizzes, and games.
  • Film screenings of space-themed movies or documentaries.
  • Stargazing events and guided observation sessions.
  • Virtual reality experiences provide immersive journeys through space.
  • Space-themed art exhibitions and performances.

To guarantee inclusion in the programme the deadline for event entries is August 15th, 2023. To submit an event or find more information about the submission process, interested parties are invited to visit the official Space Week Ireland website at www.spaceweek.ie

How IT Talents Propel Innovation and Growth in Modern Businesses

In today’s fast-paced and technology-driven landscape, skilled IT professionals are the driving force behind companies’ success, transforming traditional approaches and revolutionizing industries. From crafting cutting-edge solutions to leveraging emerging technologies, these talented individuals are at the forefront of shaping business strategies, enhancing productivity, and fueling the relentless pursuit of advancement. Join us as we explore the invaluable impact of IT talents and how they are propelling innovation to unprecedented heights in the corporate world.

Adopt Strategic Technology

Pioneering the Path to Innovation and Growth In the ever-evolving landscape of modern businesses, strategic technology adoption stands as a driving force behind innovation and growth. IT talents play a pivotal role in meticulously assessing emerging technological trends and discerning their potential impact on the organization’s long-term objectives. 

By carefully selecting and hiring the right employees, you will enjoy integrating cutting-edge technologies like AI, blockchain, cloud computing, and IoT. These experts empower businesses to optimize processes, enhance efficiency, and gain a competitive edge. You can find employees for IT departments through various channels such as online job portals, professional networking platforms like LinkedIn, tech-focused recruitment agencies, and by participating in industry-specific job fairs and conferences. 

Through their foresight and expertise, strategic technology adoption sets the stage for businesses to embrace innovation, adapt to dynamic market demands, and forge a path towards sustained growth in the digital era.

Implement Digital Transformation Initiatives

In a rapidly digitizing world, IT talents take on the crucial responsibility of driving and executing digital transformation initiatives within organizations. Armed with their expertise, these professionals lead the charge in adopting digital tools, reimagining processes, and revolutionizing customer experiences. By spearheading the integration of advanced technologies, such as AI, automation, and data analytics, IT talents enable businesses to stay ahead of the curve. 

Their strategic implementation of digital transformation not only enhances operational efficiency but also paves the way for innovative products and services that cater to evolving customer needs. Embracing this paradigm shift is paramount for unlocking sustainable business success in the digital age.

Enhance Data-Driven Decision Making

IT talents play a pivotal role in unlocking the potential of information to drive business decisions. By harnessing powerful data analytics tools and techniques, these experts distill vast amounts of data into actionable insights. They empower organizations to make informed decisions, optimize processes, and identify growth opportunities. 

Through a deep understanding of data patterns and customer behavior, IT talents provide a foundation for innovation and agile response to market changes. Emphasizing data-driven decision-making not only ensures a competitive edge but also fosters a culture of continuous improvement, positioning businesses to thrive amidst evolving industry landscapes.

Implement Cybersecurity and Risk Management

As cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated, IT talents take on a critical role in fortifying modern businesses against potential risks. With an unwavering focus on cybersecurity, these experts design and implement robust defense mechanisms, proactively identifying vulnerabilities and orchestrating swift incident responses. 

Through continuous risk assessments and compliance measures, IT talents establish a culture of proactive risk management, ensuring data confidentiality, integrity, and availability. By safeguarding business assets and customer trust, their diligent efforts bolster business resilience, allowing organizations to innovate and grow with confidence in an ever-changing digital landscape.

Agile Development and Continuous Innovation

IT talents champion the adoption of agile development methodologies, catalyzing a culture of continuous innovation within organizations. By embracing agility, these experts facilitate iterative, collaborative, and customer-centric approaches to product and service development. Through rapid prototyping, frequent feedback loops, and adaptive project management, IT talents enable businesses to respond swiftly to evolving customer needs and market trends. 

Emphasizing continuous improvement and learning, their commitment to innovation ensures that businesses stay ahead of the competition, unleash creative potential, and deliver high-impact solutions that drive sustainable growth and success in the ever-accelerating digital era.

Collaboration and Cross-Functional Integration

IT talents act as catalysts for seamless collaboration and cross-functional integration within organizations. By bridging the gap between various departments, they facilitate a cohesive exchange of ideas, expertise, and resources. Leveraging their technical acumen, these professionals create platforms and systems that enhance communication and coordination among teams. 

Through collaborative initiatives, IT talents promote a culture of knowledge-sharing and innovative problem-solving, yielding synergistic solutions that address complex business challenges. This harmonious integration of skills and perspectives not only enhances operational efficiency but also sparks new avenues for growth, unlocking the full potential of diverse talents and propelling the organization towards collective success.

IT talents play a transformative role in modern businesses, driving innovation and fostering growth. By strategically adopting technologies, implementing digital transformations, enhancing data-driven decision-making, fortifying cybersecurity, embracing agility, and promoting cross-functional collaboration, these experts enable organizations to thrive in the fast-paced digital landscape. Their expertise empowers businesses to stay ahead of the competition, respond to customer needs, and navigate dynamic market challenges with confidence. As technology continues to evolve, IT talents remain essential partners in propelling businesses towards success and shaping a prosperous future.

 

Tech Review – ANNKE NightChroma NCPT500 security camera

The ANNKE NightChroma NCPT500 is a high-quality 3K PT Speed Dome PoE Security Camera that offers exceptional night colour vision. It is made of solid rugged plastic construction for durability and is designed for outdoor use, with an IP66 rating that makes it waterproof against hose-directed water and falling drops of rain or snow (not intended to be submerged in water). The camera is available in black or white colour options and features an interface for easy setup and configuration.

 

 Contents:

  • 1X Camera
  • 1X Mounting Screws Bag
  • 1X User manual
  • 1X Surveillance Sign
  • 1X Allen wrench
  • 1X Mounting Hole Template
  • 1X Mounting Screw Bag
  • 1X Waterproof Lid

 

Features:

  • 1/1.8″ Progressive Scan CMOS
  • 3K full Colour Network Speed Dome with 16:9 image scale
  • Built-in microphone and speaker for real-time audio security
  • Built-in memory card slot, support MicroSD card, up to 256 GB• H.265+, H.265, H.264+, H.264
  • DWDR, 3D DNR
  • IP66
  • 12 VDC and PoE (802.3af)

 

Setup:

The User manual gives a good picture of the setup to an NVR or stand-alone setting, this can be hit and miss with some good instructional videos on the manufacture’s website while poor in other areas,

The PoE (Power over Ethernet) camera, when connected to an NVR required the camera to be initialised by adding a password to the system, and then connected to an NVR.

The set-up in the initial manual gives the basic connections but due to the array of options to set up this is listed on the website. the setup below is not using an NVR,

Note The manufacturer’s website instructions suggest using an outdated browser IE, in this setup Chrome was used.

Setup as done by Techbuzz Ireland

To connect the camera to your network without an NVR, plug the Ethernet cable into your router and the camera into the router, The camera can be powered on via a POE switch or a 12 DC, 1-amp PSU.

Power on the cameras and connect them to the same router as your computer.

Connect Laptop direct to the routed (hardwired) this may require an adapter as many modern laptops do not have an ethernet port.

For Windows system:

https://download.annke.com/CMS/SADP_v3.0.2.4.zip

For Mac OS, (for info only as a Windows laptop was used in this setup)

https://download.annke.com/document/Computer_Software/SADPTool.pkg.zip

 Install and run the Annke Vision software on your laptop.

The software will detect the camera connected to the router. Follow the on-screen instructions to configure the camera settings.


 The SADP will detect the camera’s IP address once refreshed, Follow the below picture to enable Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) for the camera.

Change the password.  (As per bullet number 3 above)

Then login to the IP address from the IP address Chrome –   http://192.168.1.16/

Download the Plug-in.

Storage:

The Annke NightChroma NCPT500 does not have internal storage but supports up to a 256 Gb microSD card. Techbuzz Ireland  recommend to format the card when connected and to use a good quality SD card from a trusted supplier. Once the system is operational, the recordings can easily be downloaded to a laptop via the supplied software.

Downloading

Note:

ONVIF (Open Network Video Interface Forum) which provided a standard for the interface between different IP-based security devices. This was not mentioned in the specifications while does have this noted when connected to other devices.

https://help.annke.com/hc/en-us/articles/900000598226-Annke-Vision-How-to-connect-ANNKE-IP-Camera-to-Different-Brands-of-DVR-NVR-System-via-Onvif-Protocol-

Warranty 2-year warranty

Conclusion:

In the Techbuzz Ireland review of the Annke NightChroma NCPT500, we found that it is a high-quality security camera that offers exceptional performance and advanced features for reliable surveillance day and night. The camera’s night colour vision is truly remarkable, allowing it to capture clear images even in low lights like as if the footage was taken in clear daylight. The Pan & Tilt options are responsive to the controls, allowing a steady panning around the surroundings.

However, we did find that the installation process is geared toward a professional installer due to the cable connectors requiring a new plug to be fitted to the cable for the waterproofing to work correctly. This may be a challenge for DIY enthusiasts, although it is possible to purchase a premade cable and connect it using a good quality waterproof tape to seal the connectors.

The camera’s bracket works to fit a wall or ceiling but has limited flexibility in the arrangement of the solid plastic. However, the camera allows for the pan tilt option (340° Pan & 110° Tilt) to capture more areas. The camera does not have internal storage but supports up to a 256 GB microSD card. Once the system is operational, the recordings can easily be downloaded to a laptop via the supplied software.

Overall, we believe that the Annke NightChroma NCPT500 is a business security solution camera on a home budget with the frills and features included to ensure reliable surveillance and capture clear images even in darkness. Its high-end features and user-friendly design make it an excellent choice for both residential and commercial applications. However, the installation process may be challenging for some users, lack of an optical zoom, and the bracket’s limited flexibility may be a drawback for certain installations.

BUY 

Video Review

AIMS API Launches Prompt Search – A Music Search Tool That Uses Natural Language

AIMS API, a company specialising in AI-powered music similarity search and music tagging, has launched Prompt Search – a new product that allows exploring music catalogues using natural language, phrases, and descriptions instead of traditional keywords and tags.

Prompt Search is revolutionary in that it makes finding the right tracks for audio-visual projects as simple and enjoyable as taking advice from a musically knowledgeable friend. All the user needs to do is type in a search describing what they are looking for; this could be a scene, location, time period, musical style or even an entire music brief. The AI developed by AIMS will then identify suitable tracks based on the audio only and deliver perfect results in seconds. Even catalogues with no keywords and tags can be searched this way, making it possible to explore entire music catalogues using natural language and discover suitable results that might otherwise stay hidden.

“It’s fast, it’s accurate and it works like magic. Unlike other attempts at this type of music search, ours genuinely works,” says Martin Nedved, CEO and founder of AIMS API. “We are confident that once people try Prompt Search, they will not want to go back. Traditional keyword searches will always have limitations placed upon them by the humans who initially tag the music. Prompt Search removes those limitations and makes searching much more enjoyable and accurate.”

Established in Prague in 2019, and now with representatives in West and East Coast USA, London and Copenhagen, AIMS was developed by music publishing and sync company owners with a deep understanding of the creative industries.

The introduction of Prompt Search takes the future of music search and discoverability to an entirely new level by providing a fast, reliable, and intuitive solution that benefits record labels, publishers, production music catalogues, broadcasters and TV and film companies. It also benefits content creators, playlist curators and music supervisors by maximising music discoverability and minimising the amount of time and effort needed to find the perfect track.

Several proprietary technologies were used in the making of Prompt Search, and its development builds on over five years of research undertaken by AIMS API.

Howie Ross, Music Taxonomy Researcher at AIMS API who played a key role in the creation of Prompt Search, says he was surprised by language AI’s ability to take a natural phrase and turn it into musical suggestions.

“It really is miraculous,” he says. “When I began experimenting with this technology, I typed in the phrase ‘tumbleweed rolling along an empty highway’. The machine immediately understood what I had in mind – a sort of Ry Cooder, Paris Texas vibe – and delivered a list of tracks that were ideal. I was amazed. I didn’t describe any instruments or moods – just scenery – and yet it was able to convert that simple command into something musical. From there I was able to skip through its suggestions until I found a track I liked. I then used Similarity Search to identify even more tracks that fitted my brief.”

“AIMS AI Music Similarity Search and AI Auto–Tagging are now established products that are serving the industry well and allowing people to thoroughly explore music catalogues and discover hidden gems that might otherwise be forgotten,” Martin Nedved adds. “Prompt Search is an evolution of the amazing search tech we already have, with the industry standard similarity search and tagging products. This new way of searching for music will benefit anyone in the creative industries who needs the right music.”