Dublin Fire Brigade invests in location intelligence

Esri Ireland, the market leader in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), announces that Dublin Fire Brigade has deployed a new digital mapping system designed to improve emergency response, strengthen firefighter and public safety, and enhance how critical resources are allocated across Dublin city and county.

Ireland’s largest fire and rescue service, Dublin Fire Brigade was founded over 160 years ago. It provides fire, rescue, and emergency ambulance services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to Dublin’s 1.5 million citizens. It recently established a new Organisational Intelligence Unit with a key goal to optimise the use of location-based information to effectively manage fire risks and help keep communities safe.

Built using Esri’s ArcGIS technology, the new digital mapping system brings together operational data, such as the locations of fire stations and historic fire incidents, with third-party data – including census and population health information – for the first time.

Enhanced insights support increased safety for both the public and firefighters by raising awareness of buildings in Dublin with fire safety issues – such as inadequate means of escape, building defects, or over-occupancy. Using the technology, Dublin Fire Brigade can now map this information and put effective response plans in place that take known issues into account.

What’s more, the technology is enabling Dublin Fire Brigade to carry out more targeted community fire prevention activities by focusing citizen safety campaigns on specific vulnerable groups, especially in locations that are experiencing clusters of dwelling fires. It can easily see where fire safety efforts are still needed to reach at-risk communities, as well as contextual data such as concentrations of smokers or elderly people.

In addition, Dublin Fire Brigade is using Esri’s ArcGIS technology to identify optimal locations for new fire stations as Dublin continues to expand, as well as to ensure that aerial fire appliances are strategically located to reach the tallest and highest-risk buildings.

Dublin Fire Brigade plans to make the system widely available across varying departments within the organisation to enable more strategic planning and informed decision-making.

Rob Howell, Station Officer, Organisational Intelligence Unit, Dublin Fire Brigade, said: “It has been a really successful collaboration. The consultants at Esri Ireland have a high level of expertise, both in terms of their GIS knowledge and their project management skills. This technology gives us the ability to target our fire prevention strategies – we can deliver campaigns in the right locations to reach the most vulnerable people and have the biggest impact in terms of community fire prevention. Equally, we have to consider firefighters’ health and safety as well as that of the general public and, by being better informed, we can improve our responses to incidents and keep our responders safe in fires and other emergency situations. The potential for location intelligence in the fire service is absolutely huge and has a big role to play in our future.”

Gareth McBride, Customer Success Manager, Esri Ireland, said: “Dublin Fire Brigade is continuously evolving the fire service to meet the needs of Dublin’s residents, businesses, institutions, and visitors. To support this, it is embedding geospatial data intelligence at the heart of operational and strategic decision-making. Location intelligence is helping the fire brigade in managing and reducing fire risks, addressing some of the biggest dangers in a changing cityscape. We are delighted to be working with Dublin Fire Brigade on such an important and necessary project, and excited to see its expanded capabilities as the technology is rolled out more widely.”

Women’s Aid Ends Use of X

Women’s Aid, a national organisation working to prevent and address the impact of domestic violence and abuse including coercive control in Ireland, will no longer maintain a presence on the platform X from 8th January 2026.

The organisation has watched the increased levels of unchecked hate, misogyny, racism and anti-LGBTI+ content on the platform with growing unease and concern. The current scandal which has seen the creation and sharing of AI deepfakes, non-consensual intimate imagery, and production of child sexual abuse material by X’s own AI Grok, in breach of the platforms own guidelines and regulations is a tipping point.

This online violence against women and children – especially girls – has often devastating real life impacts and we no longer view it as appropriate to use such a platform to share our work.

This has not been an easy decision. Women’s Aid was an early user of social media, including Twitter/X since 2009. We have engaged with and informed our supporters of the prevalence and impact of domestic abuse, promote our frontline support services to those affected and push for positive social change.

We firmly believe that social media platforms have a crucial role to play in a healthy society, providing crucial townhall spaces for thoughtful, respectful, constructive and positive dialogue. By leaving we acknowledge that we are ceding the stage to the malign actors, and bots who will continue to overrun the space creating and spreading disinformation and other harmful content with effective impunity. However, as an organisation working to end violence against women and children, we balance the costs with any benefits to our continued engagement in this space and find we can no longer tolerate this situation.

While we have reduced leverage on this platform, we call on Governments and Regulators in both Ireland and at EU level to act swiftly and decisively to create effective accountability, legislation and regulation to ensure companies must have guardrails that protect truth, and prevent harm so that in the future any user can use X, and any online platform safely.

DELL TECHNOLOGIES AT CES 2026: XPS Returns, Alienware Expands and UltraSharp Monitors

Dell Technologies announces a strategic expansion of its consumer and gaming portfolio. The company reintroduces the iconic XPS laptops with reimagined designs across new form factors and price points, expands its Alienware line to reach more gamers and launches two industry-leading UltraSharp monitors.

Jeff Clarke, Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer, Dell Technologies: “We’re getting back to our roots with a renewed focus on consumer and gaming. XPS is back, better than ever, with a complete redesign that delivers exceptional craftsmanship in our thinnest, lightest form factors yet. We’re also bringing XPS 13 back as our most accessible XPS ever. In gaming, we’re building on recent momentum and effectively doubling Alienware’s notebook lineup. These moves are about broadening our portfolio and expanding our coverage so we can reach more customers with the best products at every price point.”

XPS Returns with Complete Redesign

Dell is bringing back XPS with a streamlined design. For the first time, the iconic XPS logo appears on the laptop cover, signalling its return. The new XPS 14 and XPS 16 feature a sleek design crafted from CNC- machined aluminium, refined interfaces, stunning displays, and optimized performance. These devices have the best battery life in the industry, delivering up to 27 hours of Netflix streaming or 40+ hours with local video playback.

These are Dell’s thinnest laptops, measuring just 14.6mm. The XPS 14 weighs roughly three pounds – more than half a pound lighter than the previous generation – and the XPS 16 comes in at 3.6 pounds, almost a full pound lighter than its predecessor. Available with tandem OLED display options and Intel® Core™ Ultra Series 3 processors and built-in Intel® Arc graphics featuring 12 Xe cores, the new XPS line delivers impressive visuals with the perfect balance of portability and performance.

Later this year, Dell will expand the XPS portfolio with new products across different price points and form factors, including the return of the XPS 13, expected to be the thinnest and lightest XPS laptop ever, offered at the most accessible XPS price yet.

Breggz Introduces the First Wireless In-Ear Headphones Certified for IMAX Enhanced – CES 2026

At CES 2026, Amsterdam-based consumer audio specialist Breggz announces that the Zohn-1, a true high-end wireless in-ear hearable offering pristine sound, has partnered with IMAX® and DTS® to introduce the first wireless in-ear earphones with IMAX® Enhanced certification.

IMAX Enhanced device certification ensures consumer electronics devices meet the highest standards, delivering the renowned IMAX immersive experience on personal devices for the highest-quality entertainment experiences wherever fans are watching. The IMAX Enhanced certification of the Breggz Zohn-1 introduces a new device category to the program, enabling consumers to experience the highest fidelity sound on qualifying in-ear hearables, complementing the IMAX Enhanced-certified suite of TVs, PC laptops, tablets, mobile phones, AVRs, loudspeakers and soundbars.

“Breggz is proud to be the first wireless in-ear hearable certified for IMAX Enhanced, introducing a new device category to unlock more premium experiences on personal devices,” says singer/artist and Breggz founder Xander de Buisonjé. “IMAX embodies what I intended when founding Breggz; I just want the world to hear what I hear.” Continuing, “Artists and filmmakers spend significant time and effort to deliver the best possible audio quality, but hearing the poor sound quality of in-ear hearables puts all that hard work and creative intent to waste—this is why I had to introduce the Zohn-1.”

“IMAX Enhanced is about delivering best-in-class, premium experiences that honor creative intent, making our partnership with Breggz a natural fit,” said Giovanni Dolci, Chief Commercial Officer at IMAX. “By expanding IMAX Enhanced into a premium in-ear device, we’re growing the IMAX Experience and giving fans a way to enjoy content with the same clarity, power, and intent that artists and filmmakers hear.”

The Zohn-1 is recognised for introducing four groundbreaking audio principles into the wireless in-ear headphone—perfect anatomical fit, advanced balanced acoustic drivers, sophisticated microprocessing and greater personalization. Through these principles, Breggz introduces a new kind of listening experience, one that adapts to you. Designed for how people watch and listen today, the Breggz and IMAX partnership creates a more personal and immersive connection to content, deepening fandom and making every moment feel closer, richer, and more intentional.

To learn more about the Breggz Zohn-1: www.breggz.com

To learn more about the IMAX Enhanced programme, visit IMAX and DTS at the Aria Resort & Casino Penthouse Sky Suites at CES – Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas from January 6-9. www.imax.com

See the biggest range of headphones reviews in Ireland

JOURNEY NEXA LIFT Laptop Sleeve With Charging Stand Review

The JOURNEY NEXA LIFT is a protective everyday carry item that pulls a lot more duty when traditional sleeves are idle.

“When people who need to work on their laptops have less to pack, carry, and unpack, their transition to work mode is much easier.”– JOURNEY

NEXA LIFT’s adjustable phone stand equips laptop carriers with vital additional screen space for video calls and more.

Laptop carriers who protect their device inside the sleeve can also wirelessly fast charge their earbuds (up to 5W) and iPhone (up to 15W) on NEXA LIFT’s wireless charging panel.

This means for those like me you will need less cables to carry with you when travelling locally or away which is ideal and thie thing here is it already acts as a laptop protector too on the go with premium materials making the whole product a compact work machine and the sleeve can be used as a mouse mat also.

If you have wireless earbuds this is an extra treat along with your smartphone that when placed on this it can be used as a second screen to do other tasks whilst working on your laptop and overall a great idea executed well like their other poducts we have tested recently.

 

JOURNEY said it is designed to support laptop carriers to quickly set up high-functioning places of work with minimal carry equipment.

“When people who need to work on their laptops have less to pack, carry, and unpack, their transition to work mode is much easier,” said JOURNEY’s spokesperson. “They’re better equipped for efficient device activity too.”

NEXA LIFT is a mousepad and mini desk mat too.

NEXA LIFT heralds JOURNEY’s latest expansion into multi-purpose lifestyle accessories for busy device users.

 

For me this is a great product and simple to use making life much easier on the go or even at home offering two more built in charging options meaning less cable to carry which is often lost or fogotten and with this you are sure not to run out of charge if you do so and very practical piece of kit to have at your disposal

Features

  • Expandable edges for secure laptop storage and retrieval
  • Stylish split-material aesthetic
  • Exterior surface doubles as a mousepad and desk mat
  • Available in midnight (very dark blue) and light grey
  • Slim and lightweight
  • Magnetic closure lid for secure closure
  • Quilted interior protection
  • Mousepad and mini desk mat function
  • Fast charging
  • Magnetic (MagSafe-compatible) charging
  • Wireless charging
  • Inbuilt adjustable phone stand

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Snacking with less salt, AI-powered food safety – Young Scientist Exhibition

Kerry is to showcase the latest science underpinning advances in sustainable nutrition at this year’s Stripe Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition.

The company, a global leader in specialist ingredients for the food and beverage sector, is a Silver Sponsor of the event and will present the Kerry Sustainable Nutrition Award, recognising outstanding student projects that demonstrate scientific innovation in sustainable nutrition.

From January 7–10 at the RDS, Kerry experts will be on hand to provide key insights on   pressing global food challenges, from coffee and chocolate supply issues to sodium reduction and AI-driven food safety solutions.

Attendees will have a chance to step into the world of sustainable nutrition at Stand 113, where Kerry brings science to life through five interactive experiences, showing how innovation creates real-world impact for consumers and the planet.

 

  1. Great taste with less salt

With global sodium intake exceeding twice the WHO recommendation, reducing salt without compromising on taste remains a significant industry challenge. Kerry will showcase how its TasteSense™ Salt technology enables up to 60% sodium reduction while maintaining flavour and food safety. Visitors can experience a live tasting demo comparing standard crisps with reduced-salt alternatives – seeing first-hand how healthier snacks can still taste great.

 

  1. Improving Human Healthspan 

Healthspan is about living better, not just longer – at Kerry’s stand attendees will see how science can provide dietary solutions to proactively boast wellness over a lifetime. Kerry experts will highlight science-backed solutions supporting stress reduction, immune health, gut health, and skin wellness, tailored to age and gender needs. The showcase will feature clinically validated ingredients including Sensoril® Ashwagandha, Wellmune®, BC30™, and Plenibiotic™, which support energy, resilience, and long-term wellbeing.

 

  1. AI- Powered Food Safety

Unsafe food remains a global health challenge. Kerry will demonstrate how its AI-driven predictive model analyses thousands of data points to anticipate food safety risk, reduce analysis time by 80%, accelerate development by up to 10 months, and deliver safer food solutions to market, faster.

 

4. Cracking the Cocoa Crisis 

Chocolate is a timeless favourite, but cocoa supply is under threat from crop disease, climate change, and soaring prices. Visitors will discover how Kerry’s Cocoa Boosters enable up to 50% cocoa powder reduction without compromising an indulgent taste. These solutions help manufacturers manage costs and deliver the chocolate experience consumers love, sustainably.

 

  1. (Still) Getting the Caffeine Kick 

Coffee lovers expect rich flavour, but roasting can create acrylamide, a potential carcinogen. Kerry’s Acrylerase® enzyme reduces acrylamide in target applications by up to 90% post-roast, without changing production processes. The result: advanced consumer health, regulatory compliance, and sustainability. Kerry’s interactive experience on this issue – close to any coffee lover’s heart – will highlight how innovation can protect both taste and wellbeing.

Catherine Keogh, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Kerry said: “Kerry’s partnership with the Stripe Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition is both an exciting initiative and a natural fit. Science and technology are at the heart of everything we do. From our roots in Irish dairy to leading the way in sustainable taste and nutrition, our 1,200 scientists are creating innovations that make food healthier, tastier, and more sustainable. This sponsorship is about inspiring the next generation of innovators who will tackle some of the world’s biggest food challenges.” 

The Kerry Sustainable Nutrition Award aligns with Kerry’s Beyond the Horizon sustainability strategy and its ambition to deliver sustainable nutrition solutions to more than two billion people by 2030.

Speediance Unveils Smart Fitness Ecosystem at CES 2026

Speediance, a leader in smart fitness innovation, returns to CES 2026 for the second consecutive year, unveiling an expanded vision for smart training and wellness powered by connected hardware, versatile training modalities, and AI-driven insights. The company’s presence underscores its strategic evolution from standalone fitness devices toward an integrated, system-wide approach to long-term health optimization.

Prototype Innovations Point to Future of Fitness

At CES 2026, Speediance is presenting two forward-looking products alongside its established ecosystem:

Gym Nano: A compact, motor-driven cable training system engineered for high-performance strength training in flexible and mobile environments
Speediance Strap: An innovative wearable prototype that explores how continuous physiological and behavioral data can inform personalized health and training recommendations throughout daily life
These prototypes complement Speediance’s current flagship products, including the Gym Monster 2, the all-in-one smart home gym and VeloNix, the connected indoor bike, demonstrating the brand’s commitment to expanding capabilities across diverse hardware platforms and user interaction models.

Enhanced Training Capabilities and AI Integration

Speediance continues to broaden its training delivery through both software innovations and strategic accessories. The Gym Monster 2 now incorporates Pilates functionality via the Speediance Pilates Set, bringing functional, low-impact, and mobility-focused training to users’ homes in a streamlined format that complements existing strength and cardio capabilities.

Central to the ecosystem expansion is Wellness+, Speediance’s AI-driven health guidance platform that serves as the intelligent foundation of the connected fitness experience. By transforming complex data into clear, actionable insights, Wellness+ empowers users to make informed decisions about training, recovery, and daily wellness habits while promoting consistency and sustainable progress.

Vision for Connected Fitness Future

“CES provides the ideal platform to demonstrate how these interconnected elements function as a unified system,” said Speediance Founder and CEO Liu Tao. “Rather than developing products in isolation, we’re building a comprehensive training and health ecosystem that adapts to users’ real lives and empowers better decision-making over time.”

The CES 2026 showcase represents Speediance’s holistic approach to fitness technology, where hardware innovation, diverse training methodologies, and artificial intelligence converge to create more personalized and effective wellness experiences.

Looking forward, Speediance will continue refining the integration of these elements based on real-world user feedback, guided by its mission to transform home fitness beyond individual devices toward more cohesive, sustainable, and intelligence-driven experiences.

Visit Speediance at the Venetian Expo (Level 2, Room 55339).

Edifier Debuts Cross-Scenario Audio Solutions for Modern Home Entertainment at CES 2026

Edifier, a global leader in premium audio solutions, is proud to unveil a comprehensive lineup of products designed to transcend traditional boundaries. Showcasing distinct form factors and advanced features, this new collection delivers a premium, cross-scenarioaudio experience—elevating soundscapes at home, during high-performance gaming, and for on-the-go listening. 

Introducing the M90: Audio Beyond the Desktop 

Building on the success of the M60, Edifier’s new M90 active speaker extends premiumdesktop sound into full home-entertainment setups, bridging the gap between desktop audio, TVs, streaming platforms, and gaming consoles. Its adaptable design suits a wide range of environments—from compact desks to living rooms—while intuitive controls and an omni-directional remote make it effortless to switch between devices and sources. 

The M90 features a two-way design with a 4-inch long-throw mid-low driver and 1-inch silk-dome tweeter, delivering 100W RMS power and up to 100dB SPL. Bi-amped 24-bit/96kHz DSP provides pristine audio. Its extensive connectivity—including Line-in, Optical, USB-C, HDMI eARC, and Bluetooth 6.0 with LDAC—ensures the M90 delivers a truly flexible, all-in-one audio experience for work, play, and everything in between. 

Near-Field Monitor Series: Optimized for Modern Production 

Designed for today’s home studios and mobile workflows, Edifier’s MR Series near-field monitors deliver studio accuracy in compact spaces. The MR3 offers a space-saving design for desktop setups, while the three-way MR5 features a built-in woofer and side-mounted acoustic lens for powerful bass in a small enclosure. 

All MR Series models feature end-to-end DSP, bi-amp or tri-amp amplification, tonal tuning, androom/placement compensation, along with wide off-axis response for accurate monitoring beyondthe sweet spot. Both the MR3 and MR5 have earned prestigious Japan’s VGP 2025 Design Award. 

Advancing Monitoring: Near-Middle Field Series 

Edifier expands its monitor lineup with the Near-Middle Field Series, led by the XR6. This three-way active monitor includes in-box auto-calibration software that analyzes roomacoustics and automatically optimizes setup, ensuring accurate performance in any workspace. 

Showcasing the QR Series: Understated Aesthetics with Hi-Fi Pedigree With RGB lighting now a standard feature of modern gaming setups—and those setups increasingly serving as hubs for video broadcasting, live streaming, and remote work—Edifier’s

QR65 and QR30 adopt a refined approach to RGB, enhancing ambiance without visual distraction. 

The QR Series uses an Infinity Mirror design to create subtle, immersive ambient lighting that adds depth without distracting from a clean, minimalist desk setup, while its Hi-Fi-grade acoustic design matches the demands of modern high-resolution content. The QR65 features a two-way design with a long-throw mid-low driver and silk-dome tweeter, 70W RMS output with bi-ampedDSP, a precision maze-type bass-reflex port for deep, controlled bass, and a built-in GaNfast charger for efficient power delivery and clean cable management. 

HDMI Integration: Elevating Audio Connectivity 

While HDMI has long been standard for AV receivers and soundbars, standalone active speakers have rarely offered it. With high-resolution and immersive content becoming the norm, Edifier’s latest lineup integrates HDMI eARC, bringing seamless, high-bandwidth audio to desktop and home setups. Premium models like the M90, R2750MKII, and S355DB now deliver future-ready, cinema-quality performance with next-generation displays and media players. 

Visit Edifier at CES 2026 

Date: January 6–9, 2026 

Location: Las Vegas Convention Center 

Booths: Central Hall, Booth #19040 

See our Edifier Reviews

TCL Unveils Note A1 NXTPAPER: CES 2026

TCL, a global leader in consumer electronics and display technology, announced the launch of the TCL Note A1 NXTPAPER, an intelligent E-Note designed to transform digital reading, writing, and creativity. Featuring TCL’s breakthrough NXTPAPER Pure Display and AI-driven productivity tools, the device combines the tactile feel of paper with the flexibility of modern technology. 

“TCL Note A1 NXTPAPER lets you think, write, and create as naturally as on paper, but with the intelligence and freedom of modern technology,” said Daniel Sun, chief technology officer at TCL Industries. “It’s a powerful tool for clarity, creativity, and connection, with AI enhancements for professionals, freelancers, students, and scholars.” 

Paper-Like Display Technology 

Building on TCL’s NXTPAPER technology introduced in 2021, the Note A1 NXTPAPER uses NXTPAPER Pure, a display innovation tailored for E-Notes. The 120Hz screen offers flicker-free visuals, TÜV-certified eye comfort, SGS-certified harmful blue light as low as 2.44%, and reflection-free clarity. With a 16.7-million-color range and adaptive brightness, users experience lifelike depth and reduced eye strain in any lighting condition. 

Precision Writing Experience 

The T-Pen Pro stylus delivers 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity, dual-tip functionality, and ultra-low latency under 5 milliseconds. Certified for “Pencil-Like Writing,” it replicates the resistance and texture of real paper, offering a natural experience for notetaking and sketching. 

AI-Powered Productivity 

Integrated AI tools streamline workflows with features such as real-time transcription, translation, and automated meeting summaries. Writing-focused tools like AI Rewrite and Writing Assist enhance clarity and efficiency, while the Inspiration Space organizes ideas and content for effortless creativity. 

Performance and Design 

The Note A1 NXTPAPER features an 8,000mAh battery for extended use, a 5.5mm aluminum unibody weighing 500 grams, and 256GB of storage. Optional accessories, including a flip case and keyboard case, turn the device into a portable workstation. Connectivity options include LAN, Bluetooth, cloud, and email sharing. 

Availability 

The TCL Note A1 NXTPAPER is available now, with early adopter discounts offered through Kickstarter. For more information, visit www.notea1.tcl.com . 

Feature Grid 

Feature  Details 
Display  NXTPAPER Pure, 120Hz, TÜV-certified eye comfort, SGS-certified HEV Blue light content: 2.44%, paper-like clarity 
Stylus  T-Pen Pro: Dual-tip, eraser, 8,192 pressure levels, <5ms latency 
AI Tools  Handwriting-to-text conversion, real-time transcription, translation, summarization, handwriting beautification, writing assist, handwriting one-stroke formation, handwritten formula recognition, Inspiration AI 
Battery  8,000mAh, for days of power 
Design  5.5mm ultra-slim aluminum body, 500g weight 
Storage  256GB with cross-device transfer and cloud sharing via the most popular platforms 
Audio  Eight-microphone array, intelligent noise reduction and directional pick-up 
Accessories  Flip case, keyboard cover for workstation setup