European smartphone innovator, emporia has launched its 7 Series – affordable, accessible smartphones engineered to last. The three new models are designed to offer years of simple, secure usability in a pocket-friendly format. Prices start at just £200.
Each new 7 Series model – the Smart7.Lite, Smart7.Mini and Smart.ME7 – comes with a user-replaceable battery with a standby time of almost 10 days. The battery has been tested for at least 1,000 charging cycles and the charging capacity can be limited to 80 per cent to ensure longevity.
In addition, spare parts for the 7 Series are guaranteed to be available for at least seven years, plus there is a guaranteed five-generation Android upgrade path. The three models will ship with Android 15, with an update to the newly announced Android 16 due in early 2026.
“Our customers are not mobile phone hoppers who buy a new smartphone every year or two, which is why we have designed the new 7 series with durability in mind”, explains emporia marketing director, Karin Schaumberger.
Security in mind
Thanks to NFC and a fingerprint sensor, users don’t have to worry when banking online or logging into digital government services. emporia also prioritizes the implementation of Android security patches; 7 Series smartphones will be automatically updated to the latest security level.
“Security is a key selling point for our customers, and there can be no compromises in this regard,” explains Karin Schaumberger.
With personal security in mind, 7 Series smartphones feature emporia’s signature ‘No Panic’ button – an external, directly accessible button so you can more easily call for help in an emergency. The button can alternatively be configured as a shortcut to a favourite function – for example, offering instant access to the Google Gemini voice assistant.
Enhanced usability
The new 7 Series can be used in standard Android mode or with the streamlined emporia interface, which makes it easier to find and use core functionality including calls, emails and favourite apps. The emporia Info Centre collates all notifications from multiple sources – from emails and WhatsApp messages to calendar or voicemail alerts – so you can catch up with a single glance.
Also on board is the new Flash Notification option, which means you’ll never miss a call or message again when your phone is on silent. Incoming calls and messages are signalled by both the screen and backlight flashing.
To help simplify things further still, the free emporiaCOACH app helps digital newcomers and switchers to quickly familiarise themselves with their smartphone.
Compact format
The 7 Series comes in a pocket-friendly 5.45in format; there will be no 6.6in option as in previous ranges. Each model features a triple-lens camera plus selfie camera.
“The demand for more manageable smartphones remains strong, and the feedback from our customers is clear,” explains Karin Schaumberger.
Model differences – all about the extras
All new 7 Series models include the core functionality detailed above. The difference come in the extras supplied with each model.
Smart7.Lite – £250/€250 The bestseller comes as standard with emporia’s patented Smartcover, which allows key functions to be used even while closed. It offers slimline protection for both screen and casing. It also comes with a handy docking cradle, which cuts cable-clutter when charging but also provides a nicely angled hands-free calling hub.
Smart7.Mini – £200/€200 Comes with the docking cradle as standard, but not the Smartcover.
Smart.ME7 – £200/€200 Supports full Android mainstream; no extras supplied as standard.
Availability
The emporia 7 Series will be available to buy this month, from stockists including Amazon.
AgeLess is a new Irish business operated by siblings, Daniel & Elizabeth O’Mahony. With over twenty years’ experience in the property and investment industries, the pair combined their business acumen with their passion for health and wellbeing to bring AgeLess to life for clients
AgeLess was created to make longevity testing accessible to the masses by offering affordable tests starting from just €80. These tests enable clients to take control of their health, empowering them with the raw data they need to maximise life longevity. Knowledge is the currency of the 21st century and what could be more valuable than knowledge about one’s own health trajectory.
So, what exactly is Longevity?
Longevity isn’t just about living longer—it’s about living better. For those new to this space, VO₂ max and RMR testing provide clients with a deeper understanding of their fitness and metabolism. Once reserved for elite level athletes it is now widely recommended for everyone to test their VO₂ max annually at the very least. The higher a VO₂ max result, the more efficiently heart and lungs deliver oxygen to working muscles—and the more resilient one is against age-related decline.
The longevity industry as a whole is growing on a global level. With sports stars such as David Beckham,Tour de France Winner Chris Froome and Ultra Endurance Athlete Killian Jornet all fans of the VO₂ max test, reaffirming it as the gold standard test worldwide in predicting life longevity, with higher levels linked to lower mortality risks. However, elite athletes are not the only people who can benefit from longevity testing, with celebrities such as The Kardashians having previously discussed testing for their “biological ages” on their TV show also.
So, how does AgeLess work?
The tests on offer at AgeLess give clients the chance to discover their biological age, getting a view of health trajectory for years to come. Performing these tests and knowing personalised data is the key to unlocking longevity. There are three options available to clients at the new Sandyford premises, which include:
VO₂ Max Assessment & Performance Analysis: The AgeLess VO₂ Max test measures a client’s maximum oxygen uptake, providing a gold-standard assessment of cardiovascular fitness, endurance capacity and is the greatest predictor of longevity. By analysing how efficiently a client’s body utilises oxygen during exercise, this test helps optimise training, track progress, enhance performance and get key insights into the next steps on a client’s longevity journey. Whether a client is an athlete looking to maximise efficiency or simply aiming to improve overall long-term health, a VO₂ Max test offers valuable data needed to reach health milestones. Priced at €110.
Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) Analysis:The AgeLess Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) test provides a precise measurement of how many calories a client’s body burns at rest, giving essential insights into metabolism. This data helps tailor a client’s nutrition and training plan for optimal weight management, athletic performance, and overall health. Using advanced metabolic analysis, the team at AgeLess determines each client’s unique energy needs, helping them to make informed decisions about calorie intake and lifestyle adjustments. Whether your goal is weight loss, muscle gain, or improving performance, an RMR test is the key to unlocking a personalised and science-backed approach to health. Priced at €80.
Longevity Bundle – VO₂ Max Testing & RMR: The longevity bundle combines the Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) and VO₂ Max tests for a comprehensive analysis of a client’s metabolism and cardiovascular health. This dual assessment provides a complete picture of how a client’s body burns calories at rest and during exertion, helping clients fine-tune their nutrition, training, and lifestyle for long-term health, longevity, and peak performance. Whether clients are focused on weight management, athletic performance, or simply enhancing overall well-being, this bundle delivers personalised data needed to make informed, science-backed decisions. Priced at €150.
The data collected enables clients to embrace and enjoy exercise rather than fear it. For example, it allows clients to see how long they will be able to perform physical activities of varying intensity levels. From tennis to golf to marathon training, there’s an ideal level and path for every activity, and the results from the tests at AgeLess help clients understand how to maximise their health so they can keep doing what they love for as long as possible.
On the launch of AgeLess, Daniel O’Mahony, co-founder, says “Longevity, health and fitness is a huge passion of mine. Like many millennials I spent a lot of my twenties not thinking about long-term health. However, in recent years I started taking exercise more seriously and became an avid runner. I have now run dozens of marathons and ultra marathons, including some of the most challenging in the world. I took part in the Marathon des Sables in 2021. It’s 250km across the Sahara Desert over six days, and a real endurance test and I was delighted to finish in the top 100. Taking inspiration from my personal fitness journey into my career just made sense. Looking at how understanding health trajectory earlier can ultimately impact our lifespan or even quality of life, it was surprising to me that people weren’t more invested in finding out more about their long-term health, but the tools aren’t readily available. AgeLess fills that gap with assessments that are easy for the client to take part in.”
Fellow AgeLess co-founder, Elizabeth O’Mahony, says “Like Daniel, thinking about health long-term isn’t something most of us do when we’re a bit younger, but becoming a parent I became increasingly aware of my own health and wellbeing. Myself, my husband and two kids like to keep active as a family. While weekends are generally busy with the kids activities we like to get outdoors as a family and in particular go for a hike, and of course, Ireland is a great place to live with endless options for trails to explore. When it comes to AgeLess, I wanted to combine my own business experience with my growing interest in longevity. Daniel and I have worked together in our family business for many years, so diving into a new venture together that includes a shared interest was a no brainer. I think it’s important to create awareness that an understanding of health and longevity is for everyone, not just athletes but for people of all ages and fitness levels, including busy mums like myself. I recently began running and I am looking forward to taking part in the woman’s VHI 10km for the first time this year. Understanding our own health and how to maximise personal capabilities is personal futureproofing and something we are excited to offer at AgeLess.”
AgeLess is mainstreaming longevity testing and making it accessible and transparent for clients. Following the easy to understand yet detailed results, AgeLess recommends partner personal trainers, nutritionists and physiotherapists tailored to the client’s needs. The business is rooted in preventative healthcare at a time when people are looking to live long and age strong.
For more information about AgeLess or to book an appointment, please visit www.AgeLessvo2.ie.
The Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G is a mid ranged priced phone but has the premium look to it and we have been testing it out the last few months and have to say it is a device I could use as a daily driver all year round.
Storage is now a factor in mobile phones and the base factor here starts at a rather generous 256GB where others fall behind and for those who like to take good photos and video the base offering here is more than welcome.
Specs are known now and listed below so we will not bore you with them but there is plenty to think about at this phones price which will vary by region and further making the point there is no need to spend over a thousand euro on a phone today.
The build quality is decent here and given it has a plastic back the body of the phone is premium with alloy rails and a 6.7 OLDED panel with a 120hz refresh rate and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 making it ideal for media consumption.
With the camera hump placed in the middle on the back it means no wobble on a flat desk though most of us will use cases it is good to know and in the camera array we have a 200mp main camera 8mp ulltra wide 2 mp macro and not forgetting the 20mp front camera. which the results of can be seen below with the photo and image gallery.
We have no wireless charging on board here which might be a deal breaker for some but 45w fast charging which is a fair speed at this price point and we also have a decent battery at 5110 mAh and one thing we do not see too often is an IR blaster up top which is great for those who use such an remote controls is one handy use for it.
The Redmi Not 14 Pro is power by a MediaTek Dimensity 7300-Ultra chip and for my personal daily use which is more than most is fine and I had no issues with the countless apps running and social media and emails etc all day long making it fine for multitasking.
The phone runs on Hyper OS which lies atop Android 14 so we are a bit behind here but for me there was no issues in my review period and zipped along fine with any task I threw at it but there is only two years of software updates available now which is much less than rivals however that can change and most people change their device within that time frame.
If you are on a budget within the big budget market there is plenty of options available and making the choice more difficult but after testing this phone out myself it is one to certainly think about. Check out the first look video where we take a deep dive into the phone and show you lots more.
Show your Mum, Stepmum or mother figure some love this Mother’s Day with some useful tech gadgets that she will love with something for everyone here check out the options below which are affordable and ideal for those ladies into some tech in their life.
This iPhone 15 case (other models available) is a MagSafe compatible, soft touch, translucent, coloured case with a frosted back panel made using 73% recycled materials. The range is made from an ultra-resistant and rigid recycled polycarbonate back with flexible, shock absorbing, recycled TPU which offers 2m drop protection. The case is coated with long lasting anti-yellowing agents to avoid discoloration, as well as a scratch-resistant coating. The gorgeous pastel colours reflect the new iPhone 15 colours.
If she struggles to sleep, Groov-e’s new sleep aid sound machine could be the perfect companion. Choose from six different soothing sounds which mimic the natural environment to instill tranquility including, ocean, rain and forest. There’s also a white noise option for those who struggle to sleep because of background noises – ideal for those with partners who snore, live on main roads or live in busy environments.
Rechargeable by USB, it also has a built-in LED night light which is ideal for winding down before sleep. Use the timer function so you can drift without worrying about turning it off. It’s lightweight and compact, so ideal for travel.
Boasting a stylish yet timeless wooden design, complemented by a silver interface and speakers, Boston has a retro-modern appearance which is adaptable to the décor of any room, it would look at home on any bookshelf, nightstand or sideboard.
Combining 40 DAB presets and FM radio with stereo speakers means users can enjoy their favourite stations with crystal clear audio. An extendable antennae ensures better reception even in trickier spots. Users can also stream their own music, podcast or audiobook from their phone or tablet via Bluetooth, allowing the Boston to also be used as a wireless speaker.
Lightweight with a compact design and featuring a carry handle, it can be moved easily anywhere around the home. It can also be powered by mains supply or four C batteries.
Give her the gift of better sleep with the Groo-ve Light Curve. The light, which mimics natural daylight, will come on at the selected time, starting off gently and gradually getting brighter until it’s at the optimum level, offering a gentler wake-up that leaves them feeling fresher.
When it’s actually time to get out of bed, a chosen alarm sound or radio station will also be activated to help users wake fully.
For those who like to read or need the light on darker mornings to get ready, the Light Curve has 10 levels of brightness using its LED lamp. And for those who want to create more of an atmosphere, one of the seven coloured mood lighting options can be selected.
Finding a life insurance policy that fits into your budget is easier than ever.
Life insurance is one of the best ways to find peace of mind in knowing that your family would be financially supported if you were to pass away. The money received by beneficiaries can help pay off any outstanding bills and debts, pay for final arrangements, and even act as an inheritance for your children. While the benefits are clear, if you have a tight budget, life insurance may feel like a luxury you cannot afford. But, if you shop around for the best rate possible and do a little bit of repositioning in your budget, you might be surprised at how affordable it can really be.
4 Tips To Find Affordable Life Insurance Rates
Finding an affordable rate will make it easier to fit your premium into your budget
The first step in finding a life insurance policy that can work within your budget is to find an affordable rate in the first place. There are plenty of ways that you can save money while still finding a policy that gives you the coverage you want.
1. Get Your Health In Order
Your health is one of the biggest determining factors when a life insurance company considers how much coverage you can get and how much you will have to pay for it. When you apply for a life insurance policy, you will be asked quite a few questions about your health, and you should do your best to provide as much information as possible.
Specifically, your height and weight can play a big part in determining your premiums. Your body mass index (BMI) can make the difference between your rate class, so, if you have a higher BMI, you’re likely to pay more. On top of that, things like your blood pressure and your cholesterol can do the same to your rates. Add in any smoking habits, and you can say goodbye to affordable rates. If you have started to notice some issues with these health vitals or if you are a smoker, you may want to get these in check before applying for a life insurance policy.
Let’s say that you need a life insurance policy sooner rather than later, but you don’t have the time to wait to work on your health. You might get locked into a higher premium rate at first, but there are still ways you can get a lower price. If you’ve quit smoking and have made major improvements to your health, you can always ask your life insurance policy carrier to re-evaluate your health to see if you can get a better rate. Normally, you have to provide some medical records to prove that you are not only in better health now, but you have also maintained better health for a certain period of time. If your carrier does not give you the opportunity for a rate re-evaluation, you can always shop around for a new policy. Chances are, you might find a policy elsewhere for a better price.
2. Find The Right Type Of Coverage
When trying to get a life insurance policy for the most affordable rate possible, the type of insurance you get will have a big impact on how much you pay monthly. The two most popular types of life insurance are term and permanent, but you’ll pay a vastly different amount for each.
Out of the top two, term life insurance tends to be the most affordable. This is because term life insurance is the most basic type of life insurance you can get, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a great way to get coverage. Term life insurance covers you for an agreed-upon period of time for a certain amount of coverage. If the policyholder were to die within that time, then their beneficiaries would receive the death benefit.
Nowadays, the internet has made it so much easier to find life insurance online. Whereas traditional approaches to life insurance policies require applicants to undergo a medical exam, you can now find great rates for life insurance without a medical exam through accelerated term life insurance. Not every company offers this type of insurance, but it has been popping up more and more in recent years. While you will still have to answer some questions about your medical history, you won’t need to take time out of your busy schedule to get a medical exam. Instead, companies use the information provided on your application and use algorithms to determine if they can approve you for coverage as well as how much you will pay for the coverage. All in all, it’s a much simpler and quicker process and you will still be able to get a great rate for the coverage you need.
Permanent life insurance, on the other hand, covers a policyholder for their entire life rather than a certain period of time. The death benefit also has some additional benefits as well. As the policyholder pays their premium, that money accumulates and translates into a cash value that can be used while the policyholder is still alive to borrow against. With this added benefit of guaranteed coverage over the course of life as well as the cash value, permanent life insurance can be very appealing until someone sees the price tag.
3. Ask About Discounts
You should always ask the carrier if they offer any types of discounts. In a lot of cases, there are ways that you can unlock even more savings.
The most common way that people receive discounts on life insurance is by paying their premium payments in full for, let’s say, a year. If this is something you are financially able to do, your provider may offer anywhere from a 2-8% discount. Before you get a life insurance policy, ask to see if your carrier provides any discounts such as this one. On top of that, some carriers will provide a certain discount if you have a certain job or profession. So, if you are in the military or are a teacher, there could be even more saving opportunities.
Now, another very popular way to save money on life insurance is to bundle it with other insurance you may need. Most commonly, people will bundle their life insurance with their home or auto insurance. Especially if you need these insurances, why pay a higher price to get your insurances separately when you can bundle and potentially save even more money?
4. Shop Around
The best way to get the most affordable life insurance rate possible is by doing your due diligence and shopping around. Luckily, the internet makes it so incredibly easy to get quotes from multiple providers, compare your offers, and pick the option that makes the most sense for you. Not all companies will give you the same rates for the same or similar coverage amounts, so it is always in your best interest to get a healthy amount of quotes to compare. It may be tempting to automatically select the policy with the lowest monthly premium price, but you should always weigh the coverage amount and the price so that you are getting the most for what you are paying.
How To Adjust Your Budget To Fit Life Insurance Costs
Now that you’ve found a great rate, it’s time to re-evaluate your budget and make any necessary adjustments
With an affordable life insurance policy rate locked in, now it’s time to see how it plays into your budget. By reviewing your current budget and making some adjustments, you will have a better understanding of what you need to change about your spending habits in order to afford your rates.
Review Your Budget
The first step in adjusting your budget to fit life insurance costs is to review your current budget. It’s good to do this from time to time anyway so you can make sure your budget still works for your needs.
When reviewing your budget, first start by comparing your planned spending and your actual spending habits. Using a budgeting app or going through your bank statements, you can get a better idea of where you are aligned with your planned spending and where you may be missing the mark in actuality.
With a better understanding of your spending habits in mind, you will next want to consider any new expenses. In the case of life insurance, you may want to test how your budget may change if you decide to pay your premiums in full for the year or if you decide to pay monthly.
Looking at the bigger picture, keep your financial goals at the top of your mind as well. This may impact how much you need to modify your spending habits if you find that you don’t have enough room in your budget to realistically achieve your goals.
Determine What You Can Cut In Your Budget
Now that you have a better idea of where you would like your money to go and how you have actually been spending, you can then start to modify your budget. If you have crunched the numbers and have determined that you can realistically fit your life insurance into your budget without needing to make any significant changes, then you may not need to modify your budget very much at all. Or, the solution may be to simply move planned spending budgets from category to category.
However, if you have noticed that your financial priorities have changed and you don’t have the wiggle room to accomplish what you need, then cutting back on your unnecessary spending is a great place to start making changes. While this will look different for everyone depending on their own habits, some popular ways to cut back are as follows:
Cut back on going out to eat.
Plan nights in rather than nights out.
Audit your subscriptions and cut back where you can.
Even simple but consistent changes can add up and make room for your new financial priorities.
Life insurance policies are a great way to ensure that your family will always be financially supported, even if you were to pass away. With that in mind, know that life insurance isn’t a luxury that only a few can afford. With a little bit of research and some adjustments in your budget, a life insurance policy is well within reach.
Earbuds come in all shapes and sizes and this is a new fresh design this time around from a company called Allway. Allway is an innovative tech brand principally engaged in the R&D, manufacture, and distribution of Bluetooth headphones, speakers, and other creative devices. The company has established solid partnerships with Huawei, Philips, Sony, Apple, Farouk Systems, Lenovo, Alibaba, JD.com, Baidu, and other world-renowned brands.
We have been testing their latest product to the market the OE10 over the last while and from their presentation to their looks do they pass the tests we conduct here which is hours of music, movies videos and more…
Unlike the TWS headphones with a semi-in-ear design which may generate pressure inside the ears, in particular for long-time wearing. OE10, the true-wireless, open-ear earphones don’t go in your ears at all, they are more like a personal stereo that sits on your ears. Different from the bone-conduction headphones which people have suggested these were to me and I quickly pointed out they are not rely on the sound being transmitted through vibrations on the bones of the head and jaw, the Allway OE10 uses Open Audio directional sound transmission technology to deliver sound waves through the air for a more natural listening experience, reducing the issue of sound spillage and amplification. Relying on 30 years of experience in audio devices manufacturing, we use our self-developed bass enhancement technology to deliver rich, full-range sound that far exceeds the standard of similar products in the market.
Allway Open-Ear true wireless – techbuzzireland
Precision ports direct sound from two 16.2 mm drivers with a frequency range of up to 20KHz, and are equipped with a high-quality composite diaphragm and optimised adjustment by Allway Acoustics Laboratory, the low frequency is full of volume, and the mid and high frequency is clear and delicate. Dual-mic ENC noise reduction captures the sound and eliminates background noise, providing clear, and excellent conversation quality.
With the touch sensor control panel on both sides, you can perform operations with taps and swipes, without taking out your mobile phone from your pocket. Adjust the volume or answer a call plus a variety of functions with just a tap. Bluetooth connection between two devices, audio can be switched between devices in real-time. Leverage the latest Bluetooth 5.3, and support AAC HD decoding, users can customise operation with the Free Allway App ( available for both iOS and Android devices) which we will show you in the video review below and also see the screenshots provided here.
The Allway OE10 is rated IPX4. Whether it’s sweat after a workout or sudden rain, the full angle splash protection ensures OE10 has a longer service life. OE10 charges can be charged with a Type-C cable in 1.5 hours, earphones play time is up to 6 hours under moderate settings; the charging case offers an extra 4 full charges, which makes the total play time up to 24 hours, making them easy to cope with long training sessions or sports.
Features
Key features:
Open-ear design, hear the music and environment, perfect for running, cycling, hiking.
Stay safe, be aware of noise in the world around you.
Priced at $79,a more affordable alternative to other open earbuds like Bose($119), Sony($159.99), Cleer($129.99) and shokz($129) .
A more comfortable listening experience without bone conduction vibration.
Crystal-clear conversations with high-quality sound
Simple touch controls, up to 6 hours of battery, and a total of up to 16 hours with the charging case.
IPX4 splash-proof and sweat-proof design, simple touch controls. Personalize the earbuds with the Allway App.
