2023 - techbuzzireland.com

Irish environmentalist Fionn Ferreira comes third in Young Inventors Prize 2023 for drawing micro-plastics out of the ocean

The European Patent Office (EPO) announced that Irish inventors Rhona Togher and Eimear O’Carroll are the winners in the ‘SMEs’ category of the European Inventor Award 2023. Selected from over 600 candidates, these inventors created an advanced acoustic material that reduces noise to address chronic sleep issues.

“We are honoured to win the European Inventor Award in the ‘SMEs’ category and would like to express our sincere gratitude to the European Patent Office. This award recognises many years of hard work and commitment to making the world a quieter place. It is a genuine privilege to be acknowledged alongside so many noteworthy inventors who have made such significant contributions to their fields,” say Togher and O’Carroll.

According to the European Environment Agency (EEA) approximately 20% of the EU population lives in areas with unacceptable noise and vibration levels. High noise levels have been linked to poor sleep and higher instances of heart problems. Due to noise pollution, the EEA estimates that 22 million people across Europe currently suffer from chronic high annoyance, whilst 6.5 million suffer chronic high sleep disturbance. Exposure to loud noise can also cause high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep disturbances, and stress.

A sound solution for millions of people

Togher and O’Carroll’s invention, SoundBounce™, is a composite technology that reduces the negative effects of loud noise. It consists of a responsive material housed within a cellular structure that responds to agitation by becoming liquid and absorbing energy. One of its innovative features is the invention’s cellular structure; the second is a thixotropic gel (capable of liquefying when agitated and resolidifying when allowed to stand) placed inside the cells. Once sealed, they work together to dampen sound, reducing noise transmission from one space to another. This new material can also be integrated into machinery and vehicles to reduce noise output. It can be used in the automotive, construction, aerospace and home appliance industries.

This material is particularly effective at low frequencies, which present a significant challenge connected to products with engines, vibrations, and airflow. SoundBounce’s thinner material means that aeroplanes or vehicles using it could be lighter, thus reducing fuel consumption and leaving more space. In addition to the environmental advantages related to noise reduction, the materials used to make SoundBounce have a low environmental impact as they are non-toxic, and recyclable at end of life. Since SoundBounce was created, Togher and O’Carroll’s company has developed partnerships with renowned organisations such as the European Space Agency.

“Receiving this award serves as a reminder of the importance of innovation and the impact it can have on our society. We hope that this recognition will inspire others, especially young girls, to pursue their own inventions and to continue to push the boundaries of what is possible,” say Togher and O’Carroll.

The Irish duo behind the innovation have been named winners in the ‘SMEs’ category for this year’s European Inventor Award, which recognises outstanding inventors with inventions patented in Europe. All the winners of the 2023 edition of the European Inventor Award were announced at a hybrid ceremony in Valencia (Spain).

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect Hotel Management Software for Your Property in 2023

In today’s technology-driven hospitality industry, integrating the right property management system for hotels has become crucial for staying competitive and delivering exceptional guest experiences. As we enter 2023, contactless payment systems have become the norm, and major hotel chains like Hilton are revolutionizing guest experiences through personalized room controls via smartphones.

Among the various technological advancements, hotel management software stands out as the backbone of a property, ensuring seamless coordination among different departments. From capturing valuable guest preferences to offering fully contactless experiences, the capabilities of this software are vast.

Selecting the ideal software solution for your property is a daunting task with numerous options available in the market. However, having a comprehensive checklist of key considerations can simplify decision-making.

If you aspire to make your hotel more technologically advanced and seek a new system that aligns with your specific requirements, this article will guide you through the essential steps to get started.

Preparing for the Right Choice

Before embarking on the selection process, it is essential to undertake a series of preparatory steps that will lay the foundation for making an informed decision:

Identify Your Hotel Type

Begin by creating a comprehensive profile of your hotel, considering various aspects such as the size of your property, location, range of services offered, target markets, available amenities, and rooms. For instance, if you are the owner of a medium-sized hotel situated in Germany with a room count ranging from 30 to 50, strategically located near popular tourist destinations and benefiting from excellent local infrastructure, understanding these specific characteristics will prove instrumental in determining which software features will best align with and enhance your operational requirements.

Define Your Business Goals

Gain a clear understanding of your expectations from the hotel management software and identify the challenges you aim to address through its implementation. Additionally, carefully assess the reliability and trustworthiness of software providers in the market. To streamline this process, we will explore a range of standard requirements typically sought by hotel owners and demonstrate how a modular Hotel Management System can effectively cater to the diverse needs of the industry. This comprehensive analysis will provide valuable insights into the available options and functionalities.

Evaluate Software Features

Once you have identified your hotel type and defined your business goals, it is time to evaluate the features and capabilities of different hotel management software options. Look for a comprehensive Cloud-based Property Management System (PMS) with a Front Desk module that can efficiently handle the main administrative processes of your hotel. Additionally, consider the inclusion of a Channel Manager, which will enable you to effectively sell your rooms across various Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) while ensuring real-time synchronization to avoid overbookings. A website with a built-in Booking Engine is also crucial for gaining direct bookings and reducing dependence on third-party OTAs, ultimately saving on fees.

By diligently following these preparatory steps, you will establish a solid framework to guide you in selecting the most suitable hotel management software for your unique requirements and operational objectives. Taking the time to meticulously evaluate your property’s specific needs and align them with the available software solutions will ensure a successful implementation that maximizes operational efficiency and enhances the overall guest experience.

By carefully considering these key points and conducting thorough research, you can make an informed decision when selecting a Hotel Management System that aligns with your needs, business goals, and guest requirements. Prioritize software solutions that enhance the guest experience, improve marketing strategies, automate daily operations, and offer scalability for future growth. Investing in the right software will streamline your processes and increase efficiency, guest satisfaction, and overall success in the highly competitive hospitality industry.

“I need a system that would help me automate even more operations on my property.”

If you desire a higher level of automation beyond basic administrative tasks, there are additional features that can significantly benefit your hotel.

Quick Check-In

Streamline the check-in process for your guests by offering a quick check-in option. This allows guests to skip waiting lines at the front desk, save time, and maintain physical distancing. By enabling guests to fill out forms and upload necessary documents in advance, you can ensure a smooth and contactless check-in experience.

Fast Room Access

Enhance guest satisfaction and efficiency by providing fast room access. Once guests complete their self-check-in and submit their registration form, they do no need to wait at the front desk. They can proceed directly to their room, eliminating unnecessary delays.

Keyless Entry

In the age of contactless experiences, implementing a keyless entry system can be a significant advantage for your hotel. Enabling guests to use their smartphones as room keys adds an extra layer of convenience and safety, enhancing the overall guest experience.

“My hotel needs a PMS and its application.”

A dedicated mobile application for your hotel can offer many benefits. It can serve as a platform for upselling your services and allows seamless communication with guests, online payments, and fast self-check-ins. Consider the following customization options for your app:

Basic Customization

You can start with a customizable app template and personalize it with your hotel’s logo and color scheme.

Unique Design

Choose a provider that can create an app that aligns with your hotel’s branding and aesthetics for a more distinctive look.

Complete Customization

If you have specific preferences and requirements, opt for a provider that offers complete customization, allowing you to tailor the app to your specifications. A unique hotel application tailored to your property can give you a competitive edge and provide guests with a higher level of secure and contactless service.

Conclusion

In conclusion, selecting the right hotel management software is a pivotal decision that can significantly impact your hotel’s success. By carefully evaluating your hotel’s characteristics, defining your business goals, and considering essential features such as a cloud-based PMS, channel manager, and website with an integrated booking engine, you can streamline operations and enhance guest experiences.

Advanced features like intelligent task management, accounting and invoicing capabilities, a central reservation system, and contactless options such as quick check-in, fast room access, and keyless entry can further optimize your hotel’s operations and ensure a seamless guest journey.

By focusing on guest-oriented solutions, practical marketing tools, automation of daily operations, and scalability, you can make a well-informed decision that aligns with your specific requirements and positions your hotel for success in the competitive hospitality industry. Choose wisely and enjoy the benefits of comprehensive software tailored to your property’s needs.

Codec named Microsoft Country Partner of the Year for Ireland 2023

Codec, one of Ireland’s leading cloud solutions consultancy companies, today announced it has won the prestigious Microsoft Partner of the Year Award for 2023. The company was honoured among a global field of top Microsoft partners for demonstrating excellence in innovation and implementation of customer solutions based on Microsoft technology.

The achievement comes following a recent expansion programme launched by Codec. The expansion will create 65 new jobs in Ireland and saw the opening of a new office in London.

The Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards recognise Microsoft partners that have developed and delivered outstanding Microsoft-based applications, services, and devices during the past year. Awards were classified in various categories, with honourees chosen from a set of more than 4,200 submitted nominations from more than 100 countries worldwide. Codec was recognised for providing outstanding solutions and services in Ireland.

Commenting on the achievement, Ronan Stafford, CEO, Codec, said: “I am delighted to accept the Microsoft Ireland 2023 Country Partner of the Year award on behalf of our exceptional team at Codec. Their dedication, innovation, and unwavering commitment have driven transformative digital projects for our clients in the Public Sector and Healthcare Sector. This recognition is a testament to their remarkable achievements and the positive impact they have made. Together, we will continue pushing boundaries and shaping a brighter future.”

Speaking about the award win, Martina Naughton, Global Partner Sales Director, Microsoft Ireland, added: “We are delighted to announce Codec as Microsoft Ireland’s Country Partner of the Year for 2023. Codec’s exceptional drive for innovation, their dedication to customer success, and collaborative approach truly set them apart. Their unwavering commitment to assuring delivery of Microsoft’s cloud solutions has been instrumental in enabling their customers to thrive and embrace digital transformation. We look forward to continuing our partnership, developing innovative solutions, now and into the future, as Codec continues to exemplify excellence in leveraging Microsoft technology.”

Established in 1985 and headquartered in Ireland, Codec is a high-growth, leading technology company with offices in Dublin, London, Belfast, and Malta. With a team of over 300 dedicated professionals, they are committed to delivering innovative solutions based on the Microsoft low-code platform. As a four-time recipient of the Microsoft Country Partner of the Year award, Codec specialises in providing business applications, artificial intelligence, and cloud infrastructure on the low-code Microsoft platform to organisations in the Public and Healthcare sectors. Beyond technology Codec actively supports sustainability and our chosen charities, Ruhama and Flourish.

Edifier Honoured at the VGP 2023 SUMMER Awards

The innovative and world-leading audio brand Edifier continues its tradition of manufacturing high quality, innovative, audio products. As recognition, it announces that it has taken six awards at the prestigious Visual Grand Prix (VGP) Summer Awards 2023 in Japan. The Edifier QD35, MR4, WH950NB, W820NB Plus have been awarded the highest honour of a VGP 2023 SUMMER Gold Award whilst the G5000, G5BT CAT were recognized in the VGP 2023 SUMMER Award Winner category.

The Japanese VGP Awards are well known as the “Oscar in the Audio Industry”. They are the largest, most authoritative audio-visual awards in Asia. It is held on an annual basis by Ongen Publishing Co. Ltd., one of the most prominent publishing companies in Japan with an expertise in audio/visual related devices and state-of-art technologies. Launched in 1987, the awards bring together respected reviews from dozens of countries, all to offer an authoritative reference guide for ordinary consumers looking to make informed purchases. The VGPs are often recognized as the highest authority award in Asia’s audio-visual industry and mark a significant recognition for Edifier’s ground-breaking work in the industry.

“We are once again extremely honored to have won 6 awards in the VGP 2023 SUMMER Awards”, stated Stanley Wen, Edifier’s CTO. “Edifier strives to deliver outstanding sound experiences – our aim is to combine the highest audio quality with affordability. These awards are recognition that Edifier’s core values coupled with the expertise of its technical and manufacturing teams reaffirms the company’s determination to be amongst the leaders in the audio-visual industry.”

The Edifier QD35 was one of the Gold award winners. The QD35 is an all-in-one music system certified to both “Hi-Resolution Audio” and “Hi-Resolution Audio Wireless. It has support for LDAC and features stunning ‘Lumia Art’ effects making it

a show-off speaker that is very popular with home gamers who want to add pulsating lighting effects to enhance their gaming experiences.

Another VGP Summer gold award winner was the MR4 Powered Studio Monitor. With the 1-inch silk dome tweeter and 4-inch diaphragm woofers, the MR4 delivers pure, accurate sound – perfect for those who want a pair of studio speakers for content creation or for those users who simply want to enjoy top quality audio.

The WH950NB wireless noise-cancelling over ear headphones feature “Hi Resolution Audio” and “Hi Resolution Audio Wireless” Certification plus LDAC Codec and advanced 4-Mic ENC for the best voice and audio clarity. The WH950NBs are equipped with intelligent active noise cancellation algorithms that remove surrounding noise. Users can choose between ambient sound or wind reduction in different scenarios to create the ideal listening environment.

The final award winner in the Gold award category was the W820NB Plus. The W820NB Plus is again certified with Hi-Res Audio and Hi-Res Wireless Audio and provides a high-frequency bandwidth of up to 40kHz. With up to 49 hours of non-stop playtime, users can enjoy music with enhanced details, a wider sound field and richer emotional depth for that rounded listening experience.

Recognized in the 2023 SUMMER award category were the Edifier G5000 gaming speakers and the G5BT CAT Hi-Res certified gaming headset. With their acoustic configuration, the G5000 2.0 Hi-Res speakers can achieve 24bit/192kHz, providing realistic and impressive sound that delivers powerful bass and clear trebles for that

immersive gaming experience. The G5BT CAT headset is equipped with PixArt Bluetooth 5.2 and a low-latency game chipset, providing the ultimate mobile gaming audio.

The VGP awards recognize excellence and honour products that make a difference to the industry through state-of-the-art technology and design. Edifier continues to develop and grow its product ranges. The company has registered international trademarks in more than 80 countries and regions, and has a global-based workforce with distribution partners and resellers worldwide.

ANGOKA wins big at Infosecurity Europe 2023

Belfast-based cyber security specialist ANGOKA has been awarded the title of ‘UK’s Most Innovative Cyber SME’ at this year’s Infosecurity Europe.

ANGOKA’s solutions for smart cities and smart mobility, which strengthen the cybersecurity and safety of connected devices such as connected and autonomous vehicles, have been recognised by both the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and Infosecurity Europe as meeting technology goals, seeing them win the award as the UK’s Most Innovative Cyber SME 2023.

Now in its eighth year, the prestigious contest open to micro, small and medium cybersecurity businesses registered in the UK saw 14 of the UK’s most creative and original information security businesses shortlisted and competing for the title.

ANGOKA’s unique and patented solution represents a paradigm shift by securing the device rather than the network. They provide an integrated identity and key management technology to embed trust in connected devices even over untrusted networks in areas including Critical National Infrastructure, Smart Cities, Smart Mobility, and Industry 4.0

In accepting the award, ANGOKA’s business development manager, Paul Ellis said: “The UK has a brilliant and dynamic cyber sector and to be recognised by your industry peers is a great honour and truly humbling. We’ve approached the important issue of securing IoT and machine to machine communication with a fresh perspective and a unique approach that’s increased traction in the market. We’ve got something different and the judges recognised our innovation and the future of ANGOKA. This recognition will help us continue on our upward trajectory.”

Andrew Elliot, deputy director, DSIT, added: “Cyber SMEs are the backbone of the UK sector, making up more than 90% of the companies in the country. They help drive innovation by bringing new products and services to the market, and that is why we are proud to sponsor this competition. Congratulations to this year’s winner ANGOKA, and all the finalists for making the final decision so tough.”

Nicole Mills, exhibition director at Infosecurity Group, commented: “This competition is a highlight of the event and an opportunity to spotlight innovation and provide a launch pad for up and coming cybersecurity start-ups. We’ve seen past winners really thrive and go on to achieve great things, growing exponentially and receiving funding to continue their growth. ANGOKA are a prime example of a company keeping pace with an evolving industry and spotting opportunities to innovate and meet industry demands.”

Infosecurity Europe is the biggest gathering of the information security industry in Europe, taking place between 20–22 June 2023 in ExCel London.

EA SPORTS FIFA 23 Women’s World Cup

Today, EA SPORTS revealed an overview of features for its FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023™ update, alongside new key art for the game featuring Australian national player Sam Kerr. The EA SPORTS™ FIFA Women’s World Cup™ 2023 mode will be available to play from the end of June as a free update to the game*, with a variety of exciting in-game modes.

Embark on your FIFA Women’s World Cup™ 2023 journey to lead your country as a star of the game – or as your very own custom Avatar – in the all new Lead Your Country mode. Explore additional modes to play through the full competition with the single player Tournament Mode, or choose to pick up and play locally against friends or AI in Kick Off:

Lead Your Country: Put yourself at the heart of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ with a brand new game mode that allows you to step into the boots of one specific player leading their nation to glory. Choose between a real player poised to take the tournament by storm or create your own custom Avatar in the national team of your choice to write yourself into FIFA Women’s World Cup™ history. As you play through the stages, you’ll have the option to control just that player or the whole national team as you lead your country all the way to the trophy.

Tournament Mode: Play through the authentic FIFA Women’s World Cup™ in a single player tournament mode that allows you to write (or rewrite) the future for your nation. Choose one of the 32 qualified nations and play your way out of their true-to-life group and through the knockouts towards FIFA Women’s World Cup™ glory.

Kick Off: Experience the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ on your terms in a match against friends locally, or against the AI, by selecting from a Group Stage or Knockout Round match and two of the 32 qualified nations.

These game modes contribute to the most immersive EA SPORTS™ FIFA Women’s World Cup™ experience ever, complete with each of the 32 qualified nations, custom stadium dressings, cinematics, match presentations, dedicated commentary, and of course, the authentic trophy to hoist at the end.

Smart Credit Card Tips for 2023

If you’re like most people, you probably have at least one credit card in your wallet. While credit cards can be a useful tool for building credit and earning rewards, they can also be a source of stress and debt if not used wisely. In this article, we’ll share some smart credit card tips for 2023 to help you make the most of your credit cards and avoid common pitfalls. You can also learn how some credit card companies forgive credit card debt at achieve.com.

Maximize Your Rewards

Many credit cards offer rewards programs that allow you to earn points, miles, or cash back for your purchases. To maximize your rewards, it’s important to choose a card that aligns with your spending habits and offers rewards that you’ll actually use. For example, if you travel frequently, a travel rewards card might be a good fit for you. If you prefer cash back, look for a card that offers high cash back rates on the categories you spend the most on.

Once you have a rewards card that fits your needs, make sure you’re using it strategically. Use your card for everyday purchases like groceries, gas, and bills to earn rewards on things you’re already buying. Some credit cards even offer bonus categories that change each quarter, so be sure to activate these offers and adjust your spending accordingly to maximize your rewards.

Stay on Top of Your Payments

One of the biggest pitfalls of using a credit card is racking up debt and accruing interest charges. To avoid this, it’s important to stay on top of your payments and pay your balance in full each month. This will not only help you avoid interest charges, but it will also help you maintain a good credit score.

If you do carry a balance on your credit card, make sure you’re at least paying the minimum payment on time each month. Late payments can result in fees and damage your credit score. If you’re struggling to make your payments, consider reaching out to your credit card issuer to see if they offer any hardship programs or payment plans.

Take Advantage of Introductory Offers

Many credit cards offer introductory offers like 0% APR for a certain period of time or a sign-up bonus for new cardholders. These offers can be a great way to save money or earn extra rewards, but it’s important to use them wisely.

If you’re taking advantage of a 0% APR offer, make sure you have a plan to pay off your balance before the introductory period ends. Otherwise, you could be hit with high interest charges that will negate any savings you earned.

Similarly, if you’re signing up for a new credit card to earn a sign-up bonus, make sure you can meet the spending requirement without overspending or buying things you don’t need. Also, be aware that some credit cards charge an annual fee, so make sure the rewards you’ll earn outweigh the cost of the fee.

Protect Yourself from Fraud

Unfortunately, credit card fraud is a common problem that can result in unauthorized charges on your account. To protect yourself, make sure you’re using secure websites and only providing your credit card information to reputable merchants. You should also regularly monitor your credit card statements for any unauthorized charges and report them to your credit card issuer immediately.

In addition, many credit card issuers offer fraud protection programs that can alert you to suspicious activity and help you resolve any issues. Be sure to enroll in these programs and keep your contact information up to date so you can be notified quickly if there’s a problem.

Forgive Credit Card Debt

If you find yourself struggling with credit card debt, know that there are options available to help you get back on track. Achieve Financial Freedom offers a guide on how to forgive credit card debt at achieve.com that outlines various options including credit counseling, debt management plans, and debt settlement.

Credit counseling can provide education on managing your finances and creating a budget. A debt management plan can a comprehensive review of your finances and work with your creditors to create a repayment plan that fits your budget. Debt settlement is another option that involves negotiating with your creditors to settle your debt for less than what you owe.

It’s important to remember that debt forgiveness programs may have an impact on your credit score, so it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each option and choose the one that’s best for your financial situation.

Final Thoughts

Credit cards can be a valuable tool for managing your finances and earning rewards, but it’s important to use them wisely to avoid debt and financial stress. By following these smart credit card tips for 2023, you can make the most of your credit cards and protect yourself from fraud and debt. And if you find yourself struggling with credit card debt, know that there are options available to help you get back on track.

1. Movavi Video Editor

This no-watermark video editor stands out with its user-friendly interface and intuitive controls, making it a popular choice for beginners seeking a hassle-free video editing experience. Here are the pros of using it in comparison to other tools:

Built-in media content: It includes a library of royalty-free music tracks and sample videos to enhance and complement your projects.
Fast rendering and exporting: The software offers efficient rendering and exporting options, enabling users to save time during the final production process.
Audio editing and enhancement features: Alongside video editing, it allows users to edit and enhance audio tracks to achieve optimal audio quality. We don’t want sloppy audio in our videos.
Screen recording: It enables users to capture and record their screen activity, which is ideal for creating tutorials, demonstrations, or gameplay videos.
Automatic video creation: There’s a feature called The Montage Wizard which provides a quick and automated way to create professional-looking videos by guiding users through the editing process.

2. Clideo

This edgy video-making tool features cloud-based functionality, allowing users to edit videos online without the need for software downloads or installations, making it accessible and convenient for users across various devices and systems. Other pros:

Online accessibility: It allows users to edit videos online from anywhere with an internet connection, eliminating the need for specific hardware or software installations. It’s an awesome feature.
Privacy and security: The developers value your privacy and ensure that your uploaded videos are not shared with any third parties, providing a secure environment for your editing projects.
Quick processing: The powerful cloud infrastructure enables fast processing times, allowing you to edit and save your videos efficiently. However, it depends on the length and complexity of the videos.

3. Kapwing

Another program that has a unique feature of collaborative video editing where it allows multiple users to work together on a video project simultaneously, making it ideal for teamwork and cooperative content creation. Other pros include:

Creative templates: The software features a library of pre-designed templates for quick and easy video creation. Something suitable for both professionals and beginners trying to make great videos.
Subtitle generation: It allows users to automatically generate subtitles for their videos or manually add and customize them. The possibility to customize subtitles is more than welcome in many cases.
Cloud storage: Similar to the previous one, it offers secure cloud storage for edited videos so you can easily access and share them.
Social media optimization: This video editor provides features that are tailored for social media platforms, including resizing, aspect ratio adjustments, and meme creation.

4.OpenShot video editor

This universal video editor is great because it’s available across all platforms, including Windows, Mac, and Linux. It allows users to enjoy its features and capabilities regardless of the preferred platform. These are the pros of using it:

Keyframe animation: This feature empowers users to have precise control over animated elements, allowing them to create dynamic and customized visual effects.
Multi-track editing and timeline: It enables users to work with multiple audio and video tracks simultaneously, providing greater flexibility and control over the editing process.
Real-time preview: The software allows users to preview their edits in real-time, providing instant feedback on how changes impact the final result, enhancing the editing workflow and efficiency.

5. Animoto

As another video editor without watermark branding, it has intelligent video creation technology that automatically generates professional-quality videos by analyzing the content you choose, making it effortless to create polished videos with minimal effort or expertise. Other pros are:

Analytics and insights: It allows you to gain valuable insights into the performance of your videos with built-in analytics, helping you understand audience engagement. You can optimize your videos according to that.
Branding and customization: The software lets the users customize videos with their brands, logos, watermarks, colors, and fonts to maintain their brand consistency.
Drag and drop: The intuitive drag-and-drop interface allows us to easily arrange and edit our media files. It requires no technical expertise. It’s great for beginners.
Text and caption options: We can add text overlays, captions, and subtitles to our videos to convey messages, enhance storytelling, or provide context. This can be great for tutorials.

6. CyberLink PowerDirector

There’s one feature that sets this Windows PC video editor, its AI-powered style effects which utilize artificial intelligence algorithms to transform videos into stylized visual effects, giving them a distinct and artistic look not easily replicated by other editors:

360-degree video editing: The editor allows us to edit and enhance immersive 360-degree videos with dedicated tools for trimming, adding effects, and creating dynamic perspectives.
Professional-grade color correction: It lets us utilize powerful color grading tools, including LUTs(Look-Up Tables), color wheels, and advanced adjustment controls for precise color manipulation.
Customizable design tools: The software allows the user to create custom titles, menus, and graphics with its built-in design tools and templates for a polished and professional look.
Dynamic video effects: There’s a possibility to access a wide range of visual effects, transitions, titles, and animated overlays to add flair and creativity to your videos. Most video editors have effects, but this one has great effects.

7. Shotcut

The final cross-platform video app on this list has a powerful and customizable filter system, which allows users to apply a wide variety of visual and audio effects to their videos, giving them extensive creative control over their projects. Here are the other pros of using it:

Native timeline editing with multitrack functionality: It enables users to create intricate and layered video compositions by stacking and arranging multiple video and audio elements, resulting in visually dynamic and immersive storytelling.
Hardware encoding and decoding for improved performance: The software leverages hardware encoding and decoding capabilities, utilizing the power of the user’s hardware to enhance performance and ensure smooth editing and playback of videos.
Wide selection of video and audio filters and effects: It provides a broad range of video and audio filters and effects, including color grading tools, transitions, visual effects, and audio effects, providing users with extensive creative options.
Customizable interface and keyboard shortcuts: The software allows users to customize the interface layout and create personalized keyboard shortcuts, optimizing the editing workflow based on individual preferences.

Conclusion

These 7 pieces of software are the top no-watermark video editors for PC available. They all have their distinctive unique features based on which you can choose your preferred one. Hopefully, we made your decision much easier for you.

Convert MP4 to MP3 on Mac in these Top 4 Ways [2023]

Are you a Mac user seeking to extract enchanting soundtracks from your favorite MP4 videos so you can have those captivating MP3 melodies playing on your preferred audio device? In the ever-evolving digital landscape, the ability to convert MP4 to MP3 on Mac has become a necessity for music enthusiasts and tech-savvy individuals alike. And here in this post, we have pieced together a complete post explaining how to convert MP4 to MP3 on Mac with the best 4 ways. Follow through and find what we have on the menu!

Convert MP4 to MP3 Mac with the Best Quality

Running as the best MP4 to MP3 converter for Mac, VideoProc Converter boasts a suite of superb MP3 profile presets along with 370+ format conversions, allowing you to easily convert MP4 to MP3 and other audio/video formats on Mac/MacBook/iMac/Mac mini with the best quality. Featuring Full GPU acceleration and an exclusive algorithmic design, the MP4 to MP3 converter outstrips other tools in terms of its top-notch conversion quality and speed. Moreover, a wealth of customizable controls built into the system allow you to further tweak the audio codec, sample rate, bitrate, and other parameters of the MP3 file you convert to.

What the Best MP4 to MP3 Converter Mac can Offer:

Batch convert MP4 to MP3 on Mac in the fastest way with its full GPU acceleration tech.
Customizable codec options to output lossless MP3 audio files.
Support 370+ codecs and formats covering both popular and obscure ones.
Personalize music info as you like: cover, name, artist, album, comment, and lyrics.
One-stop video processing on Mac: 4K video editing, compressing, screen recording, etc.

How to Converter MP4 to MP3 on Mac with the Best Quality

Step 1. Free download VideoProc Converter on your Mac or Macbook, install and launch it.

Step 2. On the home page, click Video > +Video to import the MP4 video you wish to convert to MP3. Batch import and conversion are supported.

Step 3. Go to the Music tab at the bottom, and select MP3 as the output format. Or you can go to the Target Format panel on the lower left, where you can find more audio presets to work with.

Step 4. (Optional) Double-click on the MP3 icon to access the Format and Name & Tag page, where you can adjust audio quality, personalize music info, and more.

Step 5. Toggle on the Hardware Acceleration Engine option, and hit the Run button to convert MP4 to MP3 on Mac.

Convert MP4 to MP3 Mac with iTunes

If you prefer to convert MP4 files to MP3 format using the built-in program on macOS, iTunes could offer a solution. However, it’s important to note iTunes alone cannot perform this conversion directly. Instead, you’ll need to follow a slightly more intricate process that involves utilizing both iTunes and QuickTime Player. And here’s a detailed guide on how to convert MP4 to MP3 on Mac with iTunes:

Step 1. Open the MP4 video you wish to convert to MP3 on QuickTime Player on Mac.

Step 2. Navigate to the ‘File’ menu and select ’Export’ > ‘Audio Only’ to convert MP4 into a .m4a audio format. And export the audio.

Step 3. Then open iTunes, and add the M4A file. Click iTunes in the top menu bar, select Preference > General > Import Settings, and from there, modify the AAC Encoder to MP3 Encoder, and click OK.

Step 4. Locate and select the M4A audio file in the Library, go to the File menu > Convert > Create MP3 version to convert MP4 to MP3 on Mac with iTunes.

Convert MP4 to MP3 Mac with VLC

Characterized by its robust media player capability, VLC also comes with a conversion option that allows Mac users to free convert MP4 to MP3, FLAC, and other audio formats. Laden with a plethora of features, the MP4 to MP3 converter Mac can cut down on the amount of time needed to convert MP4 to MP3. Besides, with the built-in audio equalizer to boost the MP4 audio sound, you can place trust in the MP3 output quality VLC can deliver.

But it is important to be aware that VLC does not provide preset quality options for the MP4 to MP3 conversion process. This means that newcomers to VLC Mac may require some time to understand how bitrate and sample rate impact MP3 sound quality and learn how to manually adjust these settings beforehand.

Step 1. Open VLC on your Mac device.

Step 2. Go to the File tab at the top left > Convert/Stream, and in the pop-up window, import the MP4 file your wish to convert to MP3.

Step 3. Choose Audio-MP3 as the output format, hit Browse to set the output destination, and click Save to convert MP4 to MP3 on Mac with VLC.

Convert MP4 to MP3 Mac Online

Those who are reluctant to use either the third-party or built-in program to convert MP4 to MP3 on Mac can check out the online MP4 to MP3 solutions. But online tools could contain virus plugs or inundate your screen with intrusive ads. And after conducting thorough tests, we suggest using CloudConvert as a safe online option to convert MP4 to MP3 on Mac.

Note that maintaining a stable and reliable internet connection on your Mac computer is crucial for a seamless MP4 to MP3 conversion. CloudConvert offers only 25 free conversions per day, beyond which a subscription fee is required to continue using the service.

Step 1. Go to the CloudConvert MP4 to MP3 converter on your Mac.

Step 2. Hit the Select File option and import the MP4 video, and make sure the output format is set as MP3.

Step 3. Click Convert to convert MP4 to MP3 on Mac, and once the conversion is complete, hit Download to save the MP3 file to your Mac.

Tag: 2023

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