Esri Ireland, the market leader in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), today announces that a new COVID-19 data hub, compiling official figures from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) and the Health Service Executive (HSE), is now publicly available to view.
The data hub is a result of a collaboration between Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSi), the Central Statistics Office (CSO), the All-Island Research Observatory (AIRO) and the Department of Health, with Esri Ireland providing technical support for the hub built using its GIS technology and platform.
All figures and data on the hub are updated in line with the latest national figures. In addition to headline figures on total confirmed cases and total deaths, the hub makes large swathes of entirely new information for the public, including testing figures, ICU admissions and hospital capacity.
Furthermore, the hub presents confirmed COVID-19 case counts by electoral division, enabling detailed analysis of the location of cases and for the first time, bringing geography to the forefront in the management of the virus in Ireland. People can now view accurate and up-to-date information on COVID-19 cases in their locality.
A group of major mobility providers in Ireland have written to Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party to welcome the commitment in the Programme for Government to legislate for e-scooters, but have also called for a radical rethink in how Ireland manages transport.
FREE NOW, Lime, Bleeperbike, Zip Mobility and Zeus have said any new incoming government must make legislation for e-scooters and other forms of Powered Personal Transporters (PPT) an immediate priority in the wake of COVID-19.
In an open letter sent to the leaders of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party, the providers highlighted the need to radically rethink how Ireland manages transport and the requirement for new forms of micro mobility: “Now, more than ever, we can encourage a shift into alternative forms of transport. Other countries have made the deployment of micro-mobility a key step in supporting their re-opening, it is time for Ireland to do the same. COVID-19 has changed how people will travel and many are seeking alternatives that allow social distancing. E-scooters and other forms of micro-mobility can support this.”
Alan Fox, General Manager of FREE NOW said: “We have brought together the major mobility providers in Ireland and are calling on any incoming government to prioritise the legislation of e-scooters and other micro mobility as a matter of urgency. While we welcome the commitments made in the new Programme for Government, we urge any incoming government to make this legislation a top priority. Ireland needs to radically rethink how we manage the traditional transport modes such as buses and trains to reduce clustering of commuters at peak times. Taxi drivers have been working throughout the pandemic to get essential workers to where they need to be. Taxis will continue to offer the potential to transport passengers in an effective, socially-distanced way, but we now see people looking for greater mode diversity and alternatives to public transport as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
We need to offer alternative modes of transport that enable people to get around without putting more private cars on the streets, which would ratchet up congestion again and increase harmful carbon emissions. Now is the time for any new government to allow for more choice and encourage people to leave their cars at home and use e-bikes, e-scooters and other forms of micro mobility.”
The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport ran a public consultation on Personal Powered Transporters (PPTs) last year, but no recent progress has been made to introduce new legislation that would permit the use of e-scooters in Ireland. The commitment to legislate for e-scooters was included in the recently-announced Programme for Government.
The mobility providers also said in the letter that: “We believe that we can help people travel responsibly and we will help usher in the return of economic activity. This is a great opportunity for a new government to encourage passengers to get out of private cars and onto bikes, scooters and other forms of micro-mobility.”
Electric scooters, an efficient and carbon-friendly transport mode that is tailor-made for the new socially-distanced normal, are already an integral part of the transport mix in many European countries like Germany and France that are easing restrictions with measured transport circulation.
GungHo Online Entertainment (GOE) today released its bubblegum arena brawler Ninjalaexclusively for the Nintendo Switch. The free to play title features two exciting multiplayer modes including an eight-player arena battle and a 4v4 team battle, as well as a single-player training mode. Pick and customize your ninja kid before you burst onto the scene of the World Ninja Association’s (WNA) ultimate ninja tournament, Ninjala.
By chewing super-powered Ninja-Gum, these modern-day ninjas can blow bubbles that can be targeted at their foes, craft all sorts of weapons, and fly across the battlefield with enhanced speed and agility…all with only one small side effect – it turns them into kids!
Download Ninjala here. Check out the launch trailer here.
To celebrate the launch of Ninjala, Japanese pop sensation Kyary Pamyu Pamyu collaborated with celebrated American musician and producer, Steve Aoki. The pair teamed up to remix Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s hit song Ninja Re Bang Bang which is out now! Listen to it here and check out the special mashup video here.
Also available today is Chapter One of the Story Mode DLC which features Van, a naturally talented kid who loves playing basketball. After learning from his master about his family’s ninja ancestry, he resolves to wield his ninja powers for good to defend the WNA and the world at large. With the power of Ninja-Gum, Van will be able to use special ninja abilities, fly around the city, stealthily pursue his targets, and take on huge bosses in epic battles.
But when it comes to taking down the enemy, whether it’s a space ninja or a giant, monstrous soda bottle, Van needs to use every trick in the book to gain the upper hand. Van’s Story Mode chapter one is regularly $9.99 USD, but is currently on sale for $4.59 USD. Story Mode is available now in the Nintendo eShop – look out for chapters from other Ninjala characters in the future!
To learn more about the fantastical story behind Ninjala and its eight main characters, check out the 2D cartoon anime series from GOE. The first episode, Bloodline of the Shinobi, follows Van’s story as he uncovers the mystery behind why ninjas attacked his father, and how it ties to his ninja heritage.The episode is available on YouTube here.
Kick back, relax and shop online whether you’re looking to upgrade your TV to watch the football back on display or you’re interested in a new camera after reigniting your love of photography during lockdown. For those planning a summer staycation, listen to music on-the-go with Sony’s award-winning range of portable speakers.
How to take advantage of the offer
To obtain a special summer promotion code, visit www.sony.co.uk or www.sony.ie and click on the banners on the homepage. You’ll be given a promotion code to use online via retailers participating in the deal. To access great savings, redeem the promotional code at checkout.
What products are included in the Sony Summer Sale?
There’s something for everyone in Sony’s Summer Sale, with 43 products on offer across audio, television and digital imaging.
Bring your favourite TV shows and movies to life with immersive surround sound from Sony’s new 3.1 channel HT-G700 soundbar, featuring Dolby Atmos and a new, dedicated centre speaker for clearer dialogue. To block out distractions or stay focused while working from home the award-winning WH-1000XM3 noise cancelling headphones are the perfect choice.
Get creative with a summer photography project using α6100 APS-C camera with its fast AutoFocus; the perfect purchase for summer snaps. With its 180° tiltable LCD touchscreen, it allows for easier self-portraits and high- and low-angle shots. For those capturing important family memories at home or gatherings with friends at a nearby park, the RX100M5A is the perfect premium compact camera. Pocket-sized offering 20.1 Megapixels; it captures the glorious detail as well as up to 40x super slow-motion. The camera isalso equipped with a 1.0-type stacked CMOS image sensor, a ZEISS lens for creating DSLR like portraits and an enhanced image processing system.
Watch sport as though you’re there with Sony’s range of 8K, 4K, OLED and LCD sets. Featuring incredible Acoustic Surface Audio, the Sony A8 OLED 4K TV turns the TV screen into a speaker; making a truly immersive viewing experience. Experience breath-taking detail with the Sony XH95 4K HDR Full Array LED TV which features the latest X-Motion Clarity™ technology; keeping everything smooth, bright, and clear – so you won’t miss a thing when watching your favourite moments of summer sport. What’s more, Acoustic Multi-Audio™ technology includes two sound positioning tweeters at the back of the TV that enable sound to follow the action, transporting you to the pitch from the comfort of your living room.
For further information on the Sony Summer Sale, visit:
Available to order now from retailers across Ireland, the new Xperia 10 II lets you lose yourself in entertainment, with more Sony technologies in a super-mid-range device than ever before.
With IP65/IP68 water and dust resistance[i] and Corning® Gorilla® Glass 6, the slim 69mm width lightweight 151g body fits perfectly in your hand, so at a time when entertainment has never been so in demand, you can consume in comfort no matter where you are.
Plus, with Xperia 10 II you can get closer to the action and immerse yourself in the 21:9 Wide 6.0” OLED display. With TRILUMINOS™ display for mobile technology, found in BRAVIA® TVs, and video image optimisation, you can enjoy your movies and TV shows with deeper blacks and enhanced colours for the ultimate viewing experience. You can also take your gaming to the next level with the dramatic 21:9 ratio allowing you to see more gameplay then before.
Further benefits of the 21:9 6.0” inch OLED display include use of Sony’s unique multi-window UI, which allows you to run two apps simultaneously, as well as the Side Sense function which lets you switch between your favourite apps effortlessly.
Xperia 10 II is packed with Sony audio technology and features a 3.5mm jack, for an authentic High-Resolution audio experience either wired or High-Resolution Wireless Audio.
But the entertainment doesn’t stop there; Xperia 10 II is equipped with a new triple lens camera offering 12MP, and two 8MP lenses: ultra-wide-angle (16mm), wide-angle (26mm) and telephoto (52mm), so you can get creative and experiment with photography. You can also easily tailor your photography with pre-set settings for Food, Portrait and a new Night mode, ensuring high quality images even in low-light situations.
No matter the subject or conditions, you can trust that Xperia 10 II will produce a beautiful image every time, due to the improved colour reproduction thanks to Sony’s leading digital imaging know-how. You can even capture images in the 21:9 ratio and record film in high quality 4K.
Xperia 10 II also comes equipped with a large 3600mAh battery you can consume and create all day knowing your creative juices will likely run out before your phone does.
For reliable performance and fast connectivity, Xperia 10 II features a Qualcomm® Snapdragon 665 Mobile Platform and comes equipped with Android 10.
Xperia 10 II is now available in black from select retailers across Ireland priced at €369 SIM-free. Please check with local operators for stock information.
Full specifications can be found on the Sony website.
Today marks the official launch of NowLight, a London designed product which creates instant light and power just from pulling a cord. It can be purchased online here and retails at £99.
Revolutionary and award-winning tech charges phone and tablets, and illuminates gardens and campsites just from pulling a cord
Through pulling on NowLight’s cord for just one minute, you can create up to two hours of light to illuminate rooms and outdoor spaces, or enough power for 15-minutes of talk-time on a mobile phone. A fully charged NowLight will provide up to 50 hours of light. The kit includes a whole host of extras including a SatLight to spread light even further, a solar panel to create easy energy when its sunny and a charging cable to power your NowLight from the mains.
As we enter the summer months, NowLight is great for the garden, from finding tools in the shed and to brightening up a family BBQ. It is also perfect for outdoors adventures like camping and hiking. In a power cut or other emergency, NowLight is always ready, just pull the cord for light and power.
NowLight has also been designed to support households who live without electricity or who have been displaced by natural disasters or conflict, providing a reliable source of lighting and power for mobile devices. In fact, through partnerships with humanitarian organisations, you have the option to donate a NowLight when you buy one for yourself.
Purchase your NowLight here today we will have our review soon.
The famous mobile app Yuka finally comes to Ireland! For months now, Yuka has been receiving many requests from Irish consumers asking for the app to be available in Ireland : so we did it! Yuka allows you to scan the barcodes of food and personal care products and instantly see their impact on your health. An overall rating along with more detailed information help you to quickly understand the analysis of each product scanned. When a product has a negative impact on your health, Yuka also recommends similar but healthier alternatives.
We are 100% independent Product reviews and recommendations of healthier alternatives are done in an impartial way via analysis of our database to determine the highest scoring similar products. No brand or manufacturer can influence our recommendations in any way. Furthermore, there is no in-app advertising. Yuka generates revenue from the premium version that offers access to additional features, as well as from its online Nutrition Program (currently only in French).
Worldwide success Launched in France in January 2017, Yuka now has 18 millions users and is available in 8 other countries : Ireland, UK, Canada, the United States, Belgium, Switzerland, Spain and Luxembourg. Five million barcodes are being scanned on Yuka every day.
Proven impact on users and brands A recent survey (https://yuka.io/en/social-impact/) of 230 000 Yuka users showed that Yuka not only helps users make more informed choices, but also contributes to put nutrition at the heart of the consumer’s concerns again. Many brands have responded to this increased consumer awareness by reformulating their products with healthier ingredients.
An extensive database Yuka has been building its own database which currently has 1.5 million products registered (including 70% of food products and 30% of cosmetic products). Yuka recognizes 80% of the products available in Ireland. For those that aren’t in Yuka’s database, users have the possibility to add them by submitting product information and uploading pictures of the label into the app. This will allow Yuka to have an even more comprehensive database of products sold in Ireland. A tight control system has been put in place to ensure the information that appears in the app is correct.
New research from PayPal, conducted by Ipsos and involving 2,000 consumers in Ireland, reveals that cashless will be crucial as Irish consumers look to support local businesses following the Covid-19 lockdown.
The survey revealed that 81% of Irish consumers believe supporting the local economy is key to emerging from the current crisis and 66% of Irish consumers plan to buy more local or regional products in the future.
However, while the trend looks set to be shopping locally and in-person for the foreseeable future, with over half (57%) of respondents preferring face-to-face services, cash appears to have fallen out of favour for the majority of people.
A cashless approach is important for almost two thirds (65%) of Irish shoppers. In fact, 39% do not want to use cash going forward – that translates to more than 1.9 million people.
Some 67% of shoppers revealed they are open to trying new contactless methods in shops, with 61% preferring to avoid touching a card reader pad when making purchases.
The influence of community spirit on purchasing behaviours
Despite the increasing popularity of online international shopping in Ireland in recent years[3], the study showed that people have chosen to support local shops and smaller businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Smaller businesses and stores were found to be the most popular option for consumers throughout the lockdown, with almost two thirds (62%) choosing them in order to support their local and the national economy. Other popular reasons cited for doing so were that consumers had made purchases in these shops previously (38%) and it was faster to get the product (29%).
Three quarters (75%) of people are more conscious of the importance of community and working together, with older respondents (81%) more mindful of this than younger ones (69%)[4].
Clearly, the importance of community has been heightened recently and is having an impact on behaviours with almost one in six people in Ireland doing grocery shopping for relatives or neighbours during the Covid-19 crisis. Furthermore, one in 20 people have taken to making or selling products, such as face masks, due to the emergence of Covid-19.
Annette Hickey, Vice-President for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Customer Services, PayPal
Annette Hickey, Vice-President for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Customer Services, PayPal, said: “The Covid-19 lockdown impacted everyone and many uncertainties still remain, but there is a silver lining in that communities are coming together in Ireland and supporting each other – not just people helping others but also spending with local businesses and retailers.
“This will continue to be vital as we move forward and take steps towards economic recovery, but change is needed. As our research shows, consumers want to invest in the regions where they live but there is a demand for new ways of shopping and paying, as can be seen with the large proportion of people who don’t want to use cash or touch a card reader.
“With more than 1.35 million customers in Ireland, we know how important it is for people to be able to manage, move and spend their money how they want and via the methods they choose. So, as well as implementing measures to help facilitate socially distanced shopping, businesses need to enable people to purchase goods in different ways in-store or, alternatively, buy online.
“In doing so, together we can overcome the obstacles posed by the pandemic and create a brighter future, a safer experience and a stronger Ireland.”
Sades, manufacturer of high quality gaming peripherals is pleased to announce the release of 2 new products – the Wings 10 gaming earbud and the Hailstorm gaming mousepad.
Both new products are available in the UK now.
Wings 10 is the new gaming earbud from Sades. Weighing only 14g, the Wings 10 delivers impressive and balanced sound thanks to the 10mm dynamic driver units. Designed for console and mobile gaming, the Wings 10 are compatible with any device that has a 3.5mm audio jack. They are wired meaning there will be no lag in the sound delivered to your ears. The stylish design ensures they look good wherever you choose to game, and the magnetic backs will keep the earbuds attached together when they are stored meaning less tangled wires.
The multifunction in line remote control is equipped with a microphone which allows you to pick up or hang up on calls, play/pause music and skip through tracks at the press of a button. The protective carrying box will make sure the buds are kept in top condition when you are not using them.
Features:
Lightweight (only 14g)
10mm dynamic drivers produce impressive and balanced sound
The SADES Hailstorm is a durable mousepad which features the signature SADES wolf pattern in a unique camouflage design. The high-quality materials, waterproof surface and large control area will match your mouse handling on any game you are playing. The soft fabric enables your wrist to move comfortably during your gameplay, and the 3mm natural rubber base will prevent the pad from sliding by keeping it in place.
Level up your everyday gameplay with the SADES Hailstorm.
Features:
Optimized soft textile surface
Waterproof surface
Gaming exclusive flat stitched edge
Non-slip natural rubber base
The SADES Hailstorm is available now from www.amazon.co.uk for £16.99.
