Collaboration between academia and industry could give Irish sprinters an edge at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles

Elite Irish sprinters participating in a study at Lero, one of the world’s leading software research centres at the University of Limerick, to determine the effectiveness of super spike sprint shoes, could boost their chances of success at the 2028 Olympics.

Lero researchers at the University of Limerick’s Sport and Human Performance Research Centre (SHPRC) have embarked on the research in collaboration with innovative Irish sports analytics company DANU are still recruiting elite Irish athletes to use DANU’s groundbreaking wearable smart socks technology to capture and analyse athlete-specific data, focusing on the biomechanical assessment of super spike shoes.

Professor Ian Kenny questioned whether athletes at the 2024 Olympics choose super spikes due to sponsorship deals or for their technological benefits and injury prevention.

“Using real-world metrics on the track and not the lab, we will gain key insights into the benefits of DANU’s technology, super spikes, and their impact on our elite sprinters – gaining a fraction of a second could give an Irish athlete a podium finish and a medal,” he added.

Lero researcher Shane Hassett said the research will quantify performance outcomes such as speed, ground contact time, flight time, muscle activation, and ankle kinematics to distinguish super spike shoes from other running spikes.

“We will investigate if the DANU sports system can be used to monitor biomechanical changes in gait when wearing the super spike shoes, focusing on how specific components biomechanically change an athlete’s sprint profile,” he added.

DANU founder and CEO Oisín Lennon said they are delighted to continue their collaboration with the University of Limerick and LERO, who he described as leaders in software and research innovation.

“UL supported us in our early development, playing a vital role in validating our technology and shaping the direction of our platform. That early partnership was instrumental in helping us move from concept to a scientifically grounded product.

“Now, it’s incredibly rewarding to see LERO and UL using our technology to drive groundbreaking research in elite sprinting – pushing the limits of what’s possible in biomechanics and performance science.

“Collaborating with researchers of this calibre not only validates our approach but also ensures we stay at the forefront of innovation. We’re excited to contribute to work that has the potential to impact sport at the highest level.”

Samsung Electronics Ranked No.1 in Global Gaming Monitor Market for Six Consecutive Years

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has announced that it has retained its position as the world’s leading gaming monitor brand for the sixth consecutive year, according to the latest data from the International Data Corporation (IDC).

Based on total revenue, Samsung captured a leading 21.0% share of the global gaming monitor market in 2024, reaffirming its dominance in a fast-evolving, performance-driven industry. Samsung also ranked first in the global OLED monitor segment for the second year in a row, reaching a 34.6% market share just two years after launching its first OLED model.

“Samsung’s momentum in the gaming display market reflects our relentless pursuit of innovation and deep understanding of what today’s gamers need,” said Hoon Chung, Executive Vice President of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “From immersive 3D experiences to industry-leading OLED performance, we’re shaping the future of gaming.”

Samsung’s continued growth is fueled by its powerful Odyssey gaming monitor lineup, which sets the standard for immersive and high-performance gaming through a variety of models:

  • Odyssey 3D (G90XF model): A revolutionary 27” monitor that delivers immersive glasses-free 3D gaming, powered by eye-tracking and proprietary lenticular lens technology. With seamless 2D-to-3D video conversion via Reality Hub, a 165Hz refresh rate and an ultra-fast 1ms GTG response time, the monitor redefines interactivity and realism.
  • Odyssey OLED G8 (G81SF model)A cutting-edge 27” or 32” 4K 240Hz OLED gaming monitor that delivers exceptional colour accuracy and ultra-fast performance through advanced QD-OLED technology. It features the industry’s highest pixel density in its class, a 0.03ms GTG response time, and Samsung OLED Safeguard+ to protect against burn-in.
  • Odyssey OLED G6 (G60SF model): A 27” QHD QD-OLED monitor with an ultra-fast 500Hz refresh rate and a 0.03ms GTG response time — planned for launch in the second half of 2025. The Odyssey G6 extends Samsung’s leadership into the competitive gaming segment, bringing elite-level speed and responsiveness.

At the core of this next-generation lineup is Samsung’s proprietary Quantum Dot OLED technology, which enhances colour accuracy, contrast and brightness across all viewing angles — making it the preferred choice for gamers seeking both stunning picture quality and elite performance. The performance of all three monitors is further enhanced by being NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible and having support for AMD FreeSync™ Premium Pro, which reduce stuttering, choppiness and lag for the ultimate OLED gaming experience.

The Odyssey 3D and the Odyssey OLED G8 are available globally, and the Odyssey OLED G6 will be available globally in the second half of 2025.

For more information about Samsung’s gaming monitor lineup, please visit www.samsung.com/.

See our Samsung Reviews 

EcoVerify secures market leading position in carbon footprint and sustainability validation and verification

EcoVerify, a new entry to the market, has set the mark as Ireland’s leading provider of sustainability assurance and carbon footprint validation/verification and training services.  Delivering cutting-edge sustainability and business assurance services to invited clients and industry leaders, the company’s formal launch has taken place in Dublin.

EcoVerify specialises in validating and verifying greenhouse gas emissions, reductions, carbon neutrality and Net Zero claims. Its team combines expertise in regulatory compliance, market endorsement, and sustainability standards to support organisations on their journey towards a greener, more sustainable future.

Having traded since 2023, EcoVerify has developed a reputation for delivering high-quality, impartial validation/verification and training services that businesses can trust to meet their sustainability goals and avoid greenwashing.

Laura Mora, Managing Director, EcoVerify, said: “We are delighted to bring our service to the market in Ireland. We believe our timing is right as we will help organisations meet the growing demands of Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) compliance across Europe. Companies will come under increasing pressure to demonstrate their sustainability compliance in an evidence-based manner. “

“Furthermore, as ESG is coming under increasing scrutiny across the world, we will provide the market with impartiality, ensuring that businesses can trust the validation or verification of their sustainability claims with the utmost accuracy and transparency. We can help organisations counter any claim of greenwashing by confirming they have robust carbon mitigation processes in place based on the most recognised international standards.”

Managing Director, Laura Mora brings over fifteen years of expertise to her role, having previously worked with prominent organisations such as the United Nations, the World Bank Group and also having led ISO technical committees in the development of globally recognised environmental standards. As an Industrial Engineer with a master’s degree in project management, Laura’s specialised focus on climate change, sustainability, and the life cycle approach has earned her recognition as a leading figure in the field.

The senior management team of EcoVerify includes Manuel Gonzalez, and Carolina Vindas, recognised experts in matters that includes Carbon Footprint Management, Net Zero Pathways, Life Cycle Assessment and sustainability reporting. The have relocated from Costa Rica to join the company’s leadership ranks and participate in its future expansion in Ireland and overseas.

Together, this leadership trio exemplifies the expertise and commitment to sustainability that define EcoVerify. The team is equipped to guide businesses through the complexities of sustainability validation/verification, ensuring not just compliance but meaningful progress toward decarbonisation, adaptation, environmental and social stewardship.

EcoVerify’s immediate goal is to become Ireland’s first accredited validation/verification body with the Raad voor Accreditatie (RvA) that now is in the final stage. This milestone will further solidify EcoVerify’s standing as the premier provider of sustainability assurance, offering businesses unmatched expertise in validating/verifying greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, Net Zero pathways, and carbon neutrality claims.

An Post Mobile Extends Market-Leading €12.99 Prepay Plan until October 31st

An Post Mobile, the value prepaid mobile network from An Post,  has extended its market-leading €12.99 mobile plan until October 31st. Plan benefits include 50GB of data, 500 any network minutes, 25GB EU and UK Roaming data and 300 minutes and texts to An Post customers all ‘locked in’ for life.  An Post Mobile operates on one of Ireland’s most reliable mobile networks, with unrivalled 99% 4G coverage nationwide ensuring An Post Mobile customers are always connected.
According to Amanda Campbell, Director at An Post Mobile “The average Irish mobile phone user consumes 13.6GB of data per month and our prepay plan has been designed with peoples actual usage in mind, offering 50GB of data which is three and a half times the average monthly usage. Inflation might be slowing but costs are still extremely high across the board for Irish consumers – this plan gives them everything they need and more at prices they can afford. The plan is easy to set up, with no set-up fees, bills, or contracts meaning our customers are always in control, with peace of mind that the €12.99 price is locked for life with no hidden fees or increases.”
‘Locked for Life’ Benefits
Includes 50GB of data and 500 any-network minutes in addition to 300 minutes and 300 texts with other An Post Mobile customers as well as 25GB EU & UK roaming data and 300 minutes. Customers can watch video content, listen to music, keep connected in their group chats, make Zoom calls, and browse Instagram and Twitter – all for €12.99 per month, for life.
Ease of topping-up
An Post mobile also makes topping hassle-free with their ‘Auto Top-Up’ option allowing customers to pick a day in the month when their account can be automatically topped up. This can be cancelled or changed anytime, and An Post is offering €10 free credit to customers on their first top-up.
Roaming Benefits
The plan ensures that customers can stay connected to loved ones overseas or when travelling abroad with 25GB EU and UK Roaming data and 300 minutes included in the deal. If required customers can also easily add on international minutes to their plan with 100 international minutes available for €5, or 400 international minutes for €15.
Customer Care
An Post Mobile customers have quick and easy access to An Post’s Dublin-based Customer Care experts by phone, email or Web Chat should they need help with their plan or handset with support and advice also available through the extensive Post Office network.
The €12.99 sim-only preplan is available as a limited offer until October 31st online or at any of the 900+ post offices across the country, open 6 days a week.
Further information about this plan and other An Post mobile plans on AnPost.com/Mobile.
An Post also offer a suite of mobile handsets which can be ordered in all post offices nationwide.

PlayPilot Integrates with Leading Podcast Providers to Boost Discoverability

PlayPilot, the premier platform for discovering movies and series across all streaming services, has leaped into the dynamic world of podcasts. Aiming to enhance podcast discoverability, PlayPilot has integrated with top podcast providers, including Apple, Google and Spotify podcasts, bridging the gap between visual and audio entertainment. 

“With millions of podcasts released each year, both by amateur enthusiasts and seasoned professionals, discovering high-quality content has become a formidable challenge”, says David Mühle, Co-CEO at PlayPilot. “We’re addressing this issue by offering a one-stop solution for users seeking both visual and auditory entertainment.” 

Discover and Recommend with Ease 

PlayPilot’s new podcast feature allows users to not only access an extensive library of podcasts but also search for and discover related movies, series, and podcasts effortlessly. Users can explore curated collections from the best of both worlds, offering a holistic entertainment experience. 

“Discovering great podcasts should be as easy as finding a great movie,” says David Mühle. ”Our platform enables users to seamlessly transition between visual and audio content while providing recommendations from fellow users and podcast creators. It’s about simplifying the discovery process and enhancing the overall entertainment journey.” 

Commitment to community-driven content curation Users can share their personalized collections with favorite movies/series and podcasts, fostering a sense of community among entertainment enthusiasts. This approach empowers users to curate content that resonates with their tastes and to discover hidden gems they might have missed. 

The PlayPilot app is free and available on App Store and Google Play. ______________________________________________________________________ 

About PlayPilot 

PlayPilot is a pioneering platform dedicated to helping users discover the best movies, series, and podcasts across all streaming services. With a mission to simplify entertainment discovery, PlayPilot’s innovative features and community-driven approach make it the ultimate destination for entertainment enthusiasts.

The Leading Countries of Technological Development: Who’s on the List?

The level of technology that the state can afford today largely determines its status in the world. Technological innovations help to improve various spheres of life of the whole society as a whole and each person in particular.

During the pandemic, we suddenly faced the fact that technology has come to the fore: with the help of the Internet, people communicate, study remotely, and work. Well, after the pandemic, people began to pay even more attention to technology, realizing their integral role in everyday life. The higher the level of development of this direction in the country, the more comfortable it is considered to be for life. Well, to make your life even more comfortable, you can now also have fun online at Woo Casino.

Advantages of Countries with Advanced Technologies

And which countries can be called technologically advanced? Those where there is a development and introduction of new technologies on an ongoing basis! The use of advanced knowledge and new technologies has a positive impact on the overall standard of living, economy, and politics in the country.

The use of the Internet, the transition of companies to the digital environment, and the use of new technologies – all accelerate the process of globalization, which has leaped forward recently. The development of technology in certain countries has a positive effect on third-world countries.

And here are a few advantages that are typical for technologically advanced countries:

 

  1. Low cost of production
  2. An additional incentive for business development
  3. Communication development (transition from offline to online)
  4. The emergence of new jobs
  5. Fighting unemployment
  6. Improving public welfare.

Top 15 Most Technologically Advanced Countries

Years earlier, many states were included in the list of technologically developed countries – sometimes someone breaks ahead, and it happens that the leaders remain unchanged for several years. Various reputable publications or news agencies annually form lists of leading countries according to various criteria, including technological level. We will rely on the rating of the international magazine Global Finance, which once a year forms a rating of states according to the latest indicator.

When compiling its list of technologically advanced countries, Global Finance takes into account several indicators:

 

  • The indicator of competitiveness in the development of digital technologies
  • Application and speed of introduction of new technological solutions into the economy
  • The country’s ability to create new technologies.

In addition, several more indicators are considered:

 

  • Percentage of Internet users from the general population
  • Number of people using smartphones
  • The number of 4G or 5G network users.

Top Tech Countries

Taking into account the listed indicators, the index of manufacturability is calculated, and here is the result (Country + index):

 

  1. Norway (3.68)
  2. Sweden (3.68)
  3. Netherlands (3.68)
  4. Denmark (3.67)
  5. USA (3.65)
  6. Singapore (3.62)
  7. Finland (3.59)
  8. UAE (3.59)
  9. South Korea (3.55)
  10. Hong Kong (3.55)
  11. Switzerland (3.55)
  12. United Kingdom (3.49)
  13. Belgium (3.49)
  14. Canada (3.47)
  15. Australia (3.40).

What Is the Technological Effectiveness of Different Countries of the World?

However, there are other ratings where other countries get into the top ten. Let’s look at which states they are and why they are consistently recognized as the most technologically advanced among the countries of the world.

Japan

A country that invariably gets to second or first place in the ratings of technology. There is no doubt that she deserves such a reputation:

 

  • Such giants of the technological world as Sony, Toshiba, Mitsubishi, and Panasonic are successfully born and work in Japan.
  • Education and science are put first place here, so Japan occupies a leading position in many areas of research.
  • The Japanese demonstrate impressive success in various areas: they create innovative electronics, and cars of the highest quality, build houses resistant to different weather conditions, develop robotics, and contribute to optics or electronics at the world level.
  • The country owns 11 Nobel Prizes in physics, 7 in chemistry, and 5 in physiology and medicine.

USA

America is fighting for the championship with Japan, which invariably remains in the first two positions of any list of leading technological countries.

 

  • More than 6.7 million people work in the US technology sector.
  • World-famous and sought-after companies: Apple, Google, PayPal, Facebook, Microsoft, Intel or IBM.
  • Silicon Valley in the state of California.
  • Superpower status for achievements in the field of space and military technology.
  • Leading positions in the development of pharmaceuticals, communications, and defense systems for several decades.

South Korea

Back in the 60s, the state was one of the poorest, and today it is among the three countries recognized as owners of the best technologies due to the tangible progress in the development of the economy and the technology sector.

 

  • South Korea has become the birthplace of many of the world’s largest brands – LG, Samsung, and Hyundai. They successfully compete with American and Japanese giant companies.
  • Samsung is recognized as the second-largest technology company in the world, with a turnover of $174 billion in 2017 alone.
  • The South Korean government supports startups, especially in the field of innovation, robotics, and nanotechnology.
  • South Koreans have the highest Internet speed: the average Internet connection on the territory of the state is three times higher than the level of America.
  • YUK is widely known for its huge gaming community – literally every third resident of the country is connected to a console or computer games.

 

Ireland’s Tech Sector is Leading One of the World’s Biggest Industries

The Irish tech sector may not get the attention it deserves when it’s compared to Silicon Valley or London, but it’s more than a match for even these two hubs in certain areas. One area where Ireland has led the way for a few years now is gaming and, specifically, casino gaming. Thanks to major players in the industry calling Ireland home, many of the casino world’s best innovations emanate from our shores.

The best example of this is Flutter Entertainment. Based in Dublin’s Belfield Office Park, Flutter is among the largest online gambling companies in the world with a value of more than €30 billion. The company made Dublin its international headquarters in February 2022. The decision was prompted, in part, by the fact it owns one of Ireland’s biggest gambling exports, Paddy Power, and its sister site, Betfair.

Merger Makes Flutter a Gambling Powerhouse

Paddy Power and Betfair merged in 2015 to create Paddy Power Betfair. Many acquisitions later, including a takeover of The Stars Group, facilitated the switch to Flutter Entertainment. Under this banner, these sites, most notably Betfair, have become places where customers can find the best casino promotions in the UK. From free spin welcome bonuses to daily cash drops, Betfair and its stablemates have become synonymous with value and entertainment.

However, as we’ve said, they’ve also become tech hubs under the Flutter Entertainment banner. Go to the live casino lobby, for example, and you’ll find branded tables overseen by human dealers. These live dealer tables not only offer classic casino games such as blackjack and roulette, but they also feature game show-style offerings like Spin A Win.

Yes, these games were designed by Playtech and Evolution Gaming. However, the branded games have been developed in collaboration with Flutter Entertainment. Moreover, Flutter has given these games a place to sit and, in turn, where they can be accessed by millions of customers. Sticking with gaming, you’ll notice that Flutter-owned casinos also have daily jackpots. These progressive prize pools are designed to drop prizes at random intervals. This innovation has since been copied by other online casinos.

Innovations in All Areas

Gaming isn’t the only area where Flutter has changed the game. For example, Paddy Power Sports pioneered one-touch live bets to reduce the time it takes customers to lock in wagers. This innovation basically removed the confirmation process, so the bet could be locked in with a single tap. Another innovation from Paddy Power was Track My Bet, a system that allows customers to monitor wagers made inside betting shops via their computer or mobile. It’s not just online gambling butone of the world’s biggest industries worth more than €100 billion where Flutter has pushed the envelope.

Its headquarters in Dublin was given a €15.5 million makeover ahead of becoming the company’s international nerve centre. As well as housing 1,700 employees, the 164,000 sq. ft building has an onsite convenience store run by artificial intelligence technology. Add to this, leisure spaces and a live roof that’s home to three beehives, and Flutter’s HQ is as innovative as the gambling products it produces. For Ireland, that’s good news. With companies such as Flutter Entertainment leading the way, the local tech sector is gaining worldwide acclaim, and rightly so.