Tag: #CONFERENCE

HP Announces Enhanced Partner Compensation Structure

Today at the Amplify Conference, HP Inc. announced new benefits through its Amplify™ partner program to help partners navigate the evolving demands of the future of work with smarter, more connected experiences. Enhancements include the launch of the Amplify SuperPower Booster, an upgraded compensation structure that rewards portfolio-wide HP sales and supports flexible technology solutions. HP is also expanding the Amplify AI program with new resources and use cases to help partners accelerate adoption. Additionally, the HP Amplify Impact sustainability program surpassed its 2025 enrollment targets, with participating partners seeing an increase in request for proposal (RFP) win rates. 

“In today’s fast-changing technology landscape, HP’s commitment to empowering our partners for success in the future of work is more important than ever,” said Neil MacDonald, UK and Ireland Channel Director at HP. “AI-powered solutions are transforming productivity, enabling more fulfilling work experiences, helping customers solve challenges with greater efficiency, creativity, and impact.” 

HP Partner Program Evolves for Long-Term Growth  

HP is dedicated to shaping the future of work by enhancing partner experiences and fostering positive customer outcomes, powered by the strength of HP’s AI-enabled portfolio of products and solutions. To create new opportunities for HP Amplify partners to grow and stay ahead of evolving market needs, HP has introduced the Amplify SuperPower Booster, an enhancement to the compensation structure of the HP Amplify partner program. This initiative rewards both commercial, distribution and retail partners for selling across the HP portfolio. 

In 2023, HP introduced the More for More benefit, a rate multiplier that boosts sales and compensation for qualified partners. Building on More for More, HP is expanding the initiative to include the entire portfolio of HP products and solutions under the new structure. This new initiative will launch on May 1 for commercial partners, with a rollout for retail and distribution partners later this year.  

For partners with specialised businesses, HP will continue to reward the unique value and capabilities their expertise brings to the market.  

Expansion of HP Amplify AI Program Drives AI Adoption and Upskilling   

Today HP announced the expansion of its HP Amplify AI program including new customer use cases, instant access to AI experts and personalised AI pathways and training modules including the HP NVIDIA Technical Sales Strategy AI Workstation MasterClass for advanced AI knowledge.  

In addition, HP introduced a new tailored and condensed training path for partner executives, covering various AI-focused topics and featuring short video use cases that highlight the tangible business benefits of AI. These concise and practical resources enable executives to make informed decisions and facilitate discussions with customers that drive positive outcomes.

 Through collaboration with Alliance Partners and the comprehensive education opportunities offered, HP reaffirms its commitment to lead in AI innovation and partner enablement, delivering effective solutions to customers worldwide. As the demand for AI continues to rise, HP remains at the forefront, empowering businesses to unlock the full potential of AI technologies. 

Enhancing Productivity and Partner Experience 

HP is continuously expanding its suite of AI-powered tools, including chatbots, to create positive experiences for partners. To further improve efficiency and streamline business processes, HP has outlined a two-year roadmap aimed at transforming the HP Partner Portal into a more comprehensive digital platform that leverages AI technologies. As part of this initiative, HP plans to launch a Partner AI Assistant to facilitate faster digital interactions, simplify onboarding, personalise user experiences, and provide real-time support, among other benefits.  

HP Amplify Impact Surpasses Participation Goals and Doubles Sustainable Sales 

Since 1939, HP has been committed to driving meaningful Sustainable Impact. In 2021, the company launched HP Amplify Impact, the IT industry’s first sustainability program for channel partners, which has now exceeded its goal of enrolling 50 percent of Amplify partners by 2025. 

As sustainability becomes a key factor in evolving customer requirements, HP is equipping partners to meet legislative and customer demands. The HP Amplify Impact program offers best-in-class assessments, resources, and training to support partners on their sustainability journey. Participating partners have seen a 70 percent increase win rate, leading to a twofold increase in sustainable sales year over year. 

With partner capabilities expanding, HP has shifted the program’s focus from helping partners develop sustainability plans to addressing customer needs and enhancing business growth with a positive environmental impact. This strategic shift aims to further empower partners to thrive in a competitive market while maintaining a commitment to sustainability.

HP Announces 80+ New Devices at Amplify Conference

At its annual Amplify Conference, HP Inc today announced new products and services designed to shape the future of work, empowering people and businesses to create and manage their own way of working. The company unveiled more than 80 PCs, AI-powered print tools for SMBs, and Workforce Experience Platform enhancements all built to drive company growth and professional fulfillment.  

“HP is translating AI into meaningful experiences that drive growth and fulfilment,” said Neil Sawyer, HP Managing Director North West Europe. “We are shaping the future of work with game-changing AI innovations that seamlessly adapt to how people want to work.” 

Leading the Future of Work 

HP’s 2024 Work Relationship Index reports that only 28 percent of workers have a healthy relationship with work. Companies and people are seeking better work experiences and new advancements in technology – from seamless device connectivity to AI applications – that can help people work faster, think more creatively, and connect on a deeper level.  

With customers looking to refresh their devices to Windows 11, HP is supercharging its PCs to take advantage of the latest technologies available with select models qualifying as Copilot+ PCs, so work doesn’t feel like work:  

·       The HP EliteBook 8 Series is masterfully redesigned with mainstream enterprise workers in mind, delivering AI-powered productivity and seamless collaboration in a repairable and upgradeable package. With NPU options up to 50 TOPS, experience up to 224% better power efficiency and up to 43 times faster AI image generation for incredible performance gains versus previous non-NPU models.

·       The HP EliteDesk 8 Series brings AI powerfully and securely to the company’s desktop portfolio. These devices are ideal for corporate project managers and workers who need a reliable PC that can manage even the most demanding projects for smarter workflows and productivity. This is the world’s first business desktop PC portfolio to protect against quantum computer hacks, combining high performance with lower power consumption to reduce costs.  

·       The HP EliteStudio 8 AiO G1i is the perfect tool for an on-the-go employee constantly moving around the office. As the world’s first commercial PC with integrated KVM ability through HP Device Switch, an employee can use the all-in-one for work or quickly plug their laptop into the AIO with a single cable to power the notebook and access all the available peripherals.  

·       The OmniBook X Series is designed for creators who need a PC that adapts to their workflow, whether it be a svelte 14-inch flip device to ideate and draw, or a powerhouse clamshell 17.3-inch PC to power through their larger-than-life creations. The OmniBook 7 Series is built for power users on their PC for all-day productivity for school or work. And the OmniBook 5 Series is ideal for families and students with a versatile design that’s built for streaming, light gaming, and personal productivity. Devices across the consumer notebook portfolio are offered in a variety of sizes with powerful Intel Ultra or AMD Ryzen™ processors. 

  

HP is also delivering powerful new AI software experiences to complement this next generation of AI PCs.  Qualifying consumer and commercial devices from HP are equipped with exclusive software designed to transform how people work in the office, at home, and everywhere in between:  

·       HP AI Companion is an advanced on-device AI research assistant that delivers instant answers and secured file analysis, even without an internet connection. New features planned for this Spring include intuitive voice and text commands and built-in keylogger protections to enhance productivity while keeping data secure on the device.  

·       HP Go plans to deliver seamless global connectivity for highly mobile professionals. With automatic network switching regardless of carrier, advanced fleet management, and effortless setup, road warriors can connect and be productive wherever work takes them. The HP Go service option will first be available on the HP EliteBook 6 G1q powered by Snapdragon X Series, making it the world’s first AI PC with zero-touch multi-carrier 5G deployment. 

·       Poly Camera Pro newest features make virtual interactions and video conferencing more dynamic and engaging, with AI-powered features like Magic Background, seamless streaming integrations, and presenter overlays.[12] Multi-camera support, customisable aesthetics, and auto-framing transforms any workspace into a professional studio experience. 

  

HP is changing the way customers print and manage documents, making it easier and more efficient with new features and technology: 

·       Two new features to its collection of AI-powered tools that help SMBs simplify and enhance the print experience. The first feature streamlines the process of sharing scanned documents by using AI to summarise them and draft an email with the document attached, allowing for easy sharing via email or chat. The second feature offers automatic and guided redaction to safeguard sensitive information, ensuring that private data remains secure on HP devices without requiring a cloud connection. These innovations aim to reduce the complexity and enhance the security of document handling for small businesses.  

·       The HP LaserJet Enterprise 8000 Series Printers are the world’s first printers that protect against quantum computer attacks. They provide enhanced hardware-level security for highly regulated organisations that rely on secure printing, ensuring protection against future quantum computer attacks while seamlessly integrating with Zero Trust architectures. 

·       The HP Latex R530 Printer is the only compact all-in-one HP Latex printer, capable of handling both rigid and flexible media. Its digital operation simplifies workflows and maximises space, boosting efficiency. It helps small and medium-sized print shops (PSPs) meet customer demands with high-quality prints and impressive output. 

  

HP provides IT with valuable insights that empower employees to thrive with HP Workforce Experience Platform (WXP) enhancements and expanded availability. New features include:  

·       AI Sentiment Analysis now includes AI capabilities to assess and improve employee experience by analysing thousands of free text surveys. 

·       Fleet Explorer is a new AI-powered natural language processing (NLP) tool lets users query fleet data instantly for insights. 

·       Vyopta Integration enables HP and Vyopta customers to now check on the overall health of their organisation’s collaboration environment in WXP. 

·       Pre-built scripts, alerts and dashboards help organisations monitor fleets, automate workflows.  

  

Shaping the Future in Play 

  

Technology can also offer people a smooth transition from work into play. According to Mohamed Ala Saayed, Senior Program Director & Fellow, Frost & Sullivan, “About 60% of gaming PCs owners likely use their systems for work-related activities in addition to gaming.”

  

New gaming hardware across OMEN and HyperX delivers meaningful performance and personalisation for the ultimate in gameplay:  

·       The OMEN 16 Slim Gaming Laptop redefines portable gaming with its ultra-thin design to game anywhere. The PC delivers next-level performance with up to Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 285H processors, and comes with up to an NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5070 Laptop GPU for next-level graphics fidelity.   

·       The OMEN Transcend 14 Gaming Laptop is refreshed to deliver the same powerful CPU and GPU performance as the OMEN 16 Slim for gamers and creators on the go, bringing 25% more power.

·       OMEN AI is a personalised, one-click solution that recommends the best system, hardware, and gaming settings based on each unique device and game to eliminate endless tinkering. Accessible within OMEN Gaming Hub, OMEN AI is available on all HP gaming and consumer PCs.  

·       The HyperX Cloud III S Wireless Gaming Headset delivers unmatched comfort and immersive audio for up to 120 hours of battery life in 2.4GHz and up to 200 hours in Bluetooth mode on a single charge. HyperX-tuned acoustics ensure crystal-clear audio and the durable yet flexible design, boom and boomless mic options, and customisable earcup plates let gamers play longer, sound better, and do it in style.

92% of Developers Report AI Agents Will Help Advance Their Career

More than 9 in 10 developers are excited about AI’s impact on their careers, and an overwhelming 96% expect it to change the developer experience for the better. Salesforce’s latest State of IT survey of software development leaders‌ also reveals that 86% believe AI agents will become as essential to app development as traditional software tools.

The large global study of more than 2,000 software development leaders, including 50 from Ireland, highlights near unanimous excitement about agentic AI. Developers are not only looking to agents to unlock greater efficiency and productivity, but 92% believe agentic AI will help them advance in their careers. Some developers, however, believe that they, as well as their organisations, need more training and resources to build and deploy a digital workforce of AI agents.

Why it matters: Developers have often been painted as wary of AI, but new research reveals developers are enthusiastic about the industry’s shift to AI agents. The arrival of agentic AI provides developers with the opportunity to focus less on tasks like writing code and debugging and grow into more strategic, high-impact work. And with developers increasingly using agents powered by low-code/no-code tools, development is becoming faster, easier, and more efficient than ever — regardless of developers’ coding abilities.

Salesforce perspective: “AI agents are revolutionising the way developers work, making software development faster, more efficient, and more enjoyable. This powerful digital workforce streamlines development by assisting with writing, reviewing, and optimising code — unlocking new levels of productivity. By automating tedious tasks like data cleaning, integration, and basic testing, AI agents free developers to shift their focus from manual coding to high-value problem-solving, architecture, and strategic decision-making.” – Alice Steinglass, EVP & GM, Platform, Integration and Automation

 

By the numbers:

Developers are enthusiastic about agentic AI and its impact on their career

Respondents are excited for agents to take on simple, repetitive tasks, freeing them up to focus on high-impact projects that contribute to larger business goals.

  • 96% of developers are enthusiastic about AI agents’ impact on the developer experience.
  • Developers are most eager to use AI agents for debugging and error resolution, then for generating test cases and building repetitive code.

https://public.tableau.com/views/DevelopersExpectedImprovementsfromAIAgents/Embed1?:language=en-US&publish=yes&:sid=&:redirect=auth&:display_count=n&:origin=viz_share_link

  • The arrival of agentic AI comes at a time where 92% of developers are looking to measure their productivity based on impact over output.
  • With the help of AI agents, developers believe they’ll focus more on high-impact projects like AI oversight and architecting complex systems.

https://public.tableau.com/views/DevelopersExpectedFocusAreaswithAIAgents/Embed2?:language=en-US&:sid=&:redirect=auth&:display_count=n&:origin=viz_share_link

Low-code/no-code tools help developers unlock greater productivity, regardless of coding skills

With agents powered by low-code/no-code tools, developers of all levels can now build and deploy agents. Respondents believe these tools will help democratise and scale AI development for the better.

80% of developers using agentic AI currently use low-code/no-code tools.
78% of developers say that low-code/no-code tools can help democratise AI development.
90% of developers say that the use of low-code/no-code app development tools can help scale AI development.

The customer view: Secret Escapes offers discounted luxury travel hotels and luxury across the globe and is using Agentforce to deliver more efficient customer support to unique and last-minute requests from its travellers. With Salesforce’s low-code Agent Builder tools, the Secret Escapes developer team was able to build, test, and launch their AI agent in just two weeks, compared to the six months it had previously taken the company to build and train a bot.

Developers are eager for more resources to build AI agents

Developers say updated infrastructure and more testing capabilities and skilling opportunities are critical as they transition to building and deploying AI agents.

  • Infrastructure Needs: Many developers (84%) believe their organisation needs to update their infrastructure to build/deploy AI agents.
    • 42% of developers say their data quality and accuracy isn’t sufficient for the successful development and implementation of agentic AI.
  • Testing Capabilities: Nearly half (46%) of developers say their testing processes aren’t fully prepared to build and deploy AI agents.
  • Skills and Knowledge: Almost 7 in 10 (68%) developers believe AI knowledge will soon be a baseline skill for their profession, but over half (54%) don’t feel their skillsets are fully prepared for the agentic era.
    • Survey respondents identified training on technical AI skills and redefining current roles as the most important areas for employers to provide support.

 Go deeper:

Data is sourced from a software development leader segment of a double-anonymous survey of IT decision-makers conducted from December 24, 2024 through February 3, 2025. Respondents represent Australia, Belgium, Brazil. Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Additional data was collected among nearly 250 frontline developers, in partnership with YouGov, in the United States from February 14 through February 21, 2025.

Boom Goes Large with Dedicated ‘Meeting Room In A Box’ Conference Kit

Conferencing manufacturer Boom Collaboration has launched a dedicated ‘meeting room in a box’ video kit for large rooms.

The all-in-one innovation features an intelligent videobar, expandable mics and one-cable connection hub – designed to simplify installations and capitalise on high demand for Bring Your Own Device deployments.

It’s part of a new range of complete solutions, demonstrating the Texas-based company’s ethos of delivering better meetings, simply.

Rollercoaster

The BYOD Large Videobar Kit can be found at boom.co and features the popular HALO videobar, two mics and the ZYGO multi-connectivity hub. It’s available in black or white colours.

“In recent years the video conferencing market has been a rollercoaster ride offering two distinct ways forward – with dedicated in-room systems on the up, whilst Bring Your Own Device alternatives seemed to be heading down, particularly for many larger organisations,” explained Co-Founder Fredrik Hörnkvist.

“But wider industry analysis mirrors our own findings that the use of individual devices is taking over. From our conversations, sales and interest from around the world, it’s an 80/20 split. BYOD is back with a bang with plug-and-play simplicity, lower costs and a platform agnostic approach some of the main driving forces.”

He emphasised: “Our new approach sees the creation of complete ‘meeting room in a box’ kits. These are designed to simplify the process of choosing the right equipment for the right rooms, to optimise the overall user experience and take away any installation headaches. Our new videobar kit for larger rooms will add further fuel to the BYOD fire.”

The solution is spearheaded by the HALO videobar which boasts ultra HD 4K performance, a wide angle 120° field of view, AI Auto-framing and speaker-tracking, 10x ePTZ, six digital array mics plus the option of up to eight additional expandable mics.

Embracing

Many businesses are now opting for flexible, cost-effective solutions, agrees fellow founder Holli Hulett. “The pandemic created a shift towards more agile, plug-and-play systems, where users wanted to use their own devices without relying on permanent room systems. There’s more personalisation too such as when screen sharing.”

She added: “The flexibility and lower cost of BYOD solutions – where users bring their laptops or mobile devices to connect to a room’s AV system – have seen a significant rise, as hybrid and flexible work models became more common.

“This is especially popular for SMBs embracing hybrid work. They greatly outnumber bigger organisations by around 1000:1 so there’s more volume and more reseller opportunities compared to fully-fledged room systems. Our new dedicated kit for larger rooms makes it easy for installers and their customers to create the optimal BYOD meeting experience.”

 

NEXUS Games Conference – Over 20 Irish and Global speakers lined up for conference at RDS, Dublin this September

300 industry leaders, professionals and investors from the Irish and global gaming sector are set to attend NEXUS Games Conference, Ireland’s only games industry conference, in Dublin this September.

Created by the team behind GamerFest, Ireland’s leading consumer gaming and esports festival, NEXUS Games Conference is taking place at the RDS on Thursday 26th September, with capacity for the event doubling in size this year after a highly successful debut event last year.

Game developers, publishers, investors and service providers from across the globe will gather to explore the thriving global games industry, and the incredible opportunities for job creation and economic growth for Ireland. Attendees will also have the chance to hear from industry thought leaders and engage in valuable knowledge-sharing and networking. The conference is set to be one of the highlights of the annual gaming conference calendar for Irish, European and global games industry professionals alike.

Consisting of live stage content, roundtable discussions and networking events, topics on the agenda include:

  • User Acquisition and Emerging Technologies
  • AI in Gaming
  • Funding and Investment in Gaming
  • Ireland’s Developing Games Industry

20+ speakers are confirmed for NEXUS Games Conference including:

  • Diarmuid Murphy – Director of Strategy for Xbox 1st Party Games
  • Thomas Shibley – Director of Globalisation operations at NetEase Games
  • Elaine Reynolds – General Manager at Black Shamrock, a Virtuous Studio
  • David Eckelberry – Senior Vice President at Scopely
  • Chris Vossen – Head of Narrative at Larian Studios
  • Nikki Lannen – Studio Head at Electric Square
  • Rick Kelley – Tech Exec and former MD of Meta Ireland
  • And many more!

Among the organisations attending are:

  • Havok
  • Xsolla
  • 2K Games
  • IDA Ireland
  • Epic Games
  • PlayStation
  • Google
  • Screen Ireland
  • Dept. of Finance and Dept. of Enterprise

NEXUS Games Conference is taking place in conjunction with pivotal industry partners such as IDA Ireland, Havok, Xsolla, Skillnet, and IMIRT.

Stuart Dempsey, CEO of NEXUS Games Conference, says: “Following a really successful first year, we’re delighted to be returning for year two of NEXUS with an even bigger and better event. We had great success last year and expect to see the continued growth of NEXUS year on year as we look to become a destination event for the global games industry. The conference presents a unique opportunity to shine a light on the incredible potential and talent within the Irish games industry.

“With a range of incredible speakers across all corners of the gaming space, it’s an opportunity for our industry to come together, playing an important part in the growth of the space. NEXUS will facilitate invaluable conversations, knowledge sharing and networking amongst investors, developers, studios and more.

“The global games industry is now worth more than the music and film industry combined, with the estimated value expected to reach over $385bn in the coming years. Ireland has all the ingredients to continue developing a world class games industry and we want NEXUS to play an important role in that journey.”

NEXUS Games Conference takes place on September 26th ahead of its sister consumer event GamerFest, which is happening in the RDS, Dublin on October 19th and 20th, with 6,000 gamers from Ireland and beyond expected to attend.

Since the event was founded seven years ago, GamerFest has welcomed over 30,000 visitors to its Irish events to experience all things gaming, including the latest gaming releases from Irish developers and international partners, multiple live stages, esports tournaments and more.

NEXUS Games Conference takes place from 10am to 5pm on Thursday 26th September at the RDS, Dublin

Standard ticket prices start at €145.00 and discounted indie developer tickets cost €40.00 – Tickets available at www.nexusdublin.ie

Why A New Working From Home ‘Boom’ Is On The Horizon

Video conferencing manufacturer, Boom Collaboration is predicting a surge in demand for home working equipment, fuelled by major UK employment law changes.

From April 6th new flexible working legislation mean millions of employees will have more choice over where and when they work, from day one of a new role.

Under the new regulations, people will be entitled to request flexible working arrangements from the very first day of their employment rather than after 26 weeks as is currently. This includes requests for part-time, term-time, flexitime, compressed hours, and varied working locations.

Employers need to be aware that, under the new rules, before they reject any request for flexible working arrangements, they have to explain the reasons behind their decision. Previously, employers could deny any request for flexible working without explanation.

Spike

Employers are also obliged to respond to flexible working requests within two months, compared to three months previously. In addition, employees can also make two statutory requests for flexible working in any 12-month period, as opposed to one request previously.

The new Flexible Working (Amendment) Regulations 2023 will trigger a further spike in demand for video conferencing equipment according to Boom co-founder Holli Hulett, who explained that the changes are about to come into full force. 

“In many ways the Covid lockdowns were a game-changer which triggered huge demand for video conferencing and a dramatic shift in working patterns. These trends continue to evolve on a global scale.

“This latest UK legislation represents a compelling opportunity for all those working in the industry to engage with their customers and re-evaluate their flexible working needs,” she emphasised.

Array

Founded in 2020 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, Boom Collaboration develops conferencing and collaboration hardware solutions for the complete array of meeting environments, from personal devices to full room systems. Boom was created by founders Fredrik Hörnkvist as well as Hulett, and operates via distributor Westcoast in the UK.

Hörnkvist highlighted how ‘jumping on a conference call’ has now become part of daily life for many employees and their organisations.

“There’s no doubt video conferencing is a proven alternative to face-to-face meetings and the quality of equipment continues to rise with ever more sophisticated and intelligent AI-based capabilities. Lots of workers enjoy the freedom and flexibility of working from different locations and in different ways. Remote meetings are also kinder to the planet too, saving not just time but lots of business travel.”

Boom Collaboration Founders Fredrik Hörnkvist and Holli Hulett.

He added: “Dedicated working from home kits continue to accelerate in popularity, whilst video bars and powerful PTZ cameras provide the optimum meeting room experience. But there’s no one-size-fits-all as every business has bespoke needs and requirements.”

Hulett concluded: “We expect to see demand grow for personal conferencing as well as wider meeting room investments, where high quality audio as well as pristine picture performance make conferencing engaging, intuitive and easy to use. In many cases people can work in more flexible ways from almost anywhere without any detrimental impact to business performance. The new UK legislation further reflects this.”

This article is based on various independent research including speaking to employment law solicitors plus information from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development as outlined here:

https://www.cipd.org/uk/views-and-insights/thought-leadership/cipd-voice/new-employment-legislation/ 

Design Leaders Conference 2024 – bravely facing the challenge of the future

Irish Design’s major annual conference to explore how design solutions can meet the challenges facing society and business

The vital leadership role the Design Industry can play in driving inclusion, innovation, and the move towards sustainability will be the focus of a major conference in Dublin featuring key Irish and international voices in design.

The Design Leaders Conference 2024, hosted by Design Skillnet and the Institute of Designers in Ireland (IDI), takes place at the Light House Cinema on Thursday 1 February 2024, under the theme of ‘Design – The Act of Leadership’.

The day-long conference will feature high-calibre thought-leaders, subject-matter experts and leading international designers, such as the multi-award winning designer and author, Rejane Dal Bello and Ade Chong, regarded as one of the most exciting of a new generation of creatives within the industry.

Essential issues within Irish design will be highlighted through business-focused conversations on climate change and the role designers can play in supporting other industries towards sustainability; inclusion, and the benefits of encouraging diverse points of view and experiences; negotiating the client/designer relationship; and the value for design of using behavioural science and clear communication.

Design Leaders Conference 2024 – bravely facing the challenge of the future

The full list of speakers for the Design Leaders Conference 2024 are Ade Chong (Studio Chong, Amsterdam & London); Tom Greever (Executive Product Design Leader and author of Articulating Design Decisions); Rejane Dal Bello (Creative Director and Founder, Studio Rejane Dal Bello); Richard Shotton (Founder, Astroten and author of The Illusion of Choice and the Choice Factory); David McRedmond (Chief Executive Officer, An Post); Darrell Kavanagh (MD, Image Now); Danielle Townsend (Danielle Townsend: Research and Design); Jess Majekodunmi (Director, Human Sciences Studio, Accenture) and Lara Hanlon (Founder and Director, Portion Collaborative).

According to Niamh O’Shaughnessy, Network Manager at Design Skillnet, who host the conference, the Design Leaders Conference is a key opportunity for thought leaders and innovators in the design community to come together to connect and inspire each other with a view to taking practical, impactful, immediate actions tomorrow.

Charlotte Barker, CEO of the Institute of Designers Ireland said: “The pulls on leadership have arguably never been as complex as they are now and the skill sets needed to run commercial creative businesses are more diverse than ever. This year’s conference provides actionable insights for business leaders to take away to help navigate the complexity of our current working environment.”

For more information on this year’s speakers and to book tickets to the DLC 2024 see https://www.designleadersconference.com/

Tech Review – Creative Live! Meet 4K

The Creative Live! Meet is a 4K UHD  conference Webcam with an auto-tracking camera speakerphone with AI Technology inbuilt,  This comprehensive kit has touch buttons on the top of the speaker and houses 4 pairs of ultra-sensitive omnidirectional microphones. With a wide-angle field of view (FOV) of up to 115°, this conference speaker exudes solidity, weighing 734g and providing a stable presence on any table.

The touch buttons on the unit allows adjustment of camera angles, zoom, and focus, while volume control and mic muting can be effortlessly managed by tapping the top panel of the Creative Live! Meet 4K. Additionally, the kit includes a remote control, offering convenient access to the main features, with the most common functions prominently located on the front of the remote and the top of the conference speaker. The package also includes in the packaging a QR code linking to the website with all the key features and performance controls

Contents:

1 x Creative Live! Meet 4K

1 x USB-C to USB-A cable

1 x Quick Start Guide

1 x Remote Control*

1 x Power Adapter

* Batteries not included

 

Specification

 

Overview

Remote

 

Setup:

The setup is plug-and-play, requiring no additional driver installation, and only necessitates a power supply cable plugged into the Creative Live! Meet 4K and a USB 2.0 connection to a laptop running on Windows or macOS platforms. During testing on an MS Teams call, the kit excelled in terms of audio from the mic, with the 5W speakers delivering impressive sound. The clear and physically large buttons on the device facilitated easy operation, with the unit’s color changing to red when switched off. However, there were occasional discrepancies in color changes when muting or turning off the camera within the Teams app, leading to a less favorable experience in multi-user calls. The on-screen display provides clear text indications, although it defaults to mirror mode when viewed by the user, but displays correctly for the other call participants The creative app was downloaded to the laptop and tested with very few features adapted to the review.

The AI function when enabled worked well in terms of this following the presenter’s head around even when moved from one site to the other side of a room up to 115°. The 7X digital zoom worked via the remote control allowing one to focus on eg a particular area in the room.

Additional features in terms of hand gestures, allowing the trigger specific actions by gesturing in front of the Creative Live! Meet 4K!

Warranty and Niggles:

The Creative Live! Meet 4K is backed by a 2-year limited hardware warranty for EU countries and a 1-year limited hardware warranty for non-EU countries. However, some minor niggles were encountered, such as issues with the user guide QR code and the absence of batteries in the remote, which detracted slightly from the overall experience. Additionally, discrepancies in color changes and default mirror text mode were observed, albeit without significant impact on the unit’s functionality or call quality.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Creative Live! Meet 4K offers an array of impressive features, including a responsive camera, clear buttons, and remote indications of call status. The AI capabilities add an extra dimension with gesture control, while the auto-tracking feature and excellent audio from the 4 built-in omnidirectional microphones, coupled with the depth of the speaker audio, provide a compelling conferencing experience. The 4K UHD resolution, powered by the Sony STARVIS IMX415 CMOS Imaging Sensor, delivers a premium video experience, further enhancing the unit’s appeal. Despite minor setup nuances, the remote’s responsiveness and effective zoom functionality make the Creative Live! Meet 4K a solid choice for those seeking a feature-rich conference solution

BUY

Video Review

Tech Review – Boom MEZZO 4K Ultra HD video conference kit

The Boom MEZZO is a compact and well-built video conference kit that comes with a USB 3 cable and a separate remote control. It’s designed for video conference calls with 4K Ultra HD @ 30fps, electronic PTZ, and dual omnidirectional microphones for audio. This model utilizes AI for Auto framing for small meeting spaces with a 10 digital zoom.

Contents:

  •         Boom MEZZO camera
  •         USB 3.0 cable
  •         IR remote control
  •         Quick guide

 

Features:

  •         Ultra HD 4K video
  •         AI Auto-framing
  •         Wide angle 110° field
  •         of view
  •         4K glass lens
  •         10x ePTZ   
  •         Multi codec: H.264,
  •         H.265, MJPEG, YUY2
  •         Two built-in omnidirectional mics
  •         Advanced focus
  •         technology
  •         Low light
  •         optimization
  •         Smooth video
  •         Plug & Play

 

Compatibility:

The Boom MEZZO is Zoom Certified and compatible with Teams, Webex, Meet, Bluejeans, GoToMeetings, Skype, and more. It works with Windows® 7, 8.1 or 10, Mac OS X® 10.10 or higher, Linux, and Android.

IR remote control:

The remote control that comes with the Boom MEZZO has a variety of options available to control the meeting. The toggle AI Auto Framing turned on would be the first suggested option (and leaving it on as a great feature). The remote is a comfortable size and feels good, while to mute the call requires the use of the Laptop rather than the remote control which can be the most used button on many calls.

Setup:

The setup is minimal and requires only one cable plugged from the Mezzo to your USB-A port on the laptop. Plug and play takes over then. The audio and video were connected directly to the team’s call with no issues observed. The supplied remote required no pairing and worked straight from the box. Setting up the remote with the 10 user-defined presets took a little longer to understand but worked as required which can be great for focusing on a product whiteboard, lecture room, etc.

Warranty:

It’s great to see the confidence of the brand in giving a 3-year warranty as standard but optional 5 years.

  •         3-year Limited hardware warranty
  •         Optional 5-year Boom Care plan

 Conclusion

The Boom MEZZO comes with great specs, including a 4K CMOS Camera Image sensor 1/2.8 inch Lens: 4K glass Pixels: 8.28MP, 16:9 View angle: 110° diagonal, 100° height, 53° vertical Zoom: 10 digital x ePTZ Focal length: 2.26mm. The electronic PTZ is limited to the 110° Wide angle field, which can narrow down the complete view of the room. This is interesting as it worked with a broad spectrum to include “Operating system: Android” and Zoom Certified, while not tested on an Android system, meaning the flexibility in its use. The camera is good and has excellent specifications but lacks a manual privacy cover, and a USB-C connector.

The omnidirectional microphones were tested to great effect by having them placed 4 meters from the virtual assistant technology to have this recorded audio and transcribed within an MS team call to great effect. The audio was picked up clearly and translated from speech to text perfectly, indicating the distinguishing quality of the 2 microphones within the MEZZO video conference kit.

Overall, the Boom MEZZO is a stress-free device to connect to a multitude of video platforms with exceptional AI auto-framing options, video images, audio, and supplied remote control for video conferencing.

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