Tag: tech

Shure spotlights the SM58, Super 55 and 55SH during its global Iconic Mic Celebration

A majority of the biggest names in the music industry have relied on Shure microphones to capture some of the most memorable moments in history. Trusted by global superstars, celebrated activists, world leaders, comedians, and musicians, the SM58® Vocal Microphone, Super 55 and 55SH are simply extraordinary. Shure is proud to kick off its Iconic Mic Celebration—an annual global campaign that begins on May 2  and runs through May 8. This week celebrates the distinguished history of the Super 55, 55SH, SM58, and other celebrated Shure microphones including the SM57 and SM7B.

The Iconic Mic Celebration will honor the rich history of the SM58 as the number one microphone used globally, as well as the Super 55 and 55SH, known consistently as two of the world’s most recognisable microphones. Their prominent status in the music industry spans multiple decades and generations. Introduced in 1966, the acclaimed SM58 is designed for professional vocal use in live performance, sound reinforcement, and studio recording. It is known for its superior acoustic engineering and durability—setting the global standard for performance microphones. The Model 55 Unidyne defines classic design just as much today as it did nearly 80 years ago when it made its official debut.

“After decades of success, adoption, and powering remarkable moments, the Shure SM58, Super 55 and 55SH are considered staples of the music community,” said Eduardo Valdes, Associate Vice President of Global Marketing, Professional & Consumer Audio, at Shure. “We are honoured that musicians, performers, creators and Shure fans around the world have trusted our microphones to express their passion and creativity, making them truly legendary. These products are not only superior in performance and durability but are also vital to so many industries and celebrated by fans across the globe on a daily basis. We are excited to celebrate and honour the longstanding history of the Super 55, 55SH and SM58 during this special week.”

The Shure Iconic Mic Celebration will feature a video commemorating the microphones, limited edition t-shirts, customised Colorware giveaways of the 55SH and SM58, various regional events, raffles and promotions, including a month-long promotion for the SM58 throughout May. Thanks to the passion, talent, and creativity of the most eminent artists and leaders who have trusted Shure, the microphones have become legends themselves.

For more information on the Shure Iconic Mic Celebration, please visit https://www.shure.com/en-US/iconic-mics

Be a part of the conversation on social by using #iconicmicweek, #55day, and #sm58day.

Bluesound Announces the HUB Network Accessory

Bluesound, makers of the award-winning hi-res wireless multi-room line of audio players, announces the HUB, a game-changing network accessory that connects to a variety of analog and digital audio sources, bringing them into the Bluesound ecosystem for multi-room streaming. Retail availability of the HUB is expected in mid-June and is priced at USD $319 / EUR €349 / GBP £309 / CAD $419.

ANY SOURCE, IN ANY ROOM

Streaming audio is more flexible than ever with the HUB. Easily add a Bluesound HUB to any non-BluOS enabled audio source and transmit music to one or many Bluesound players around the home. Audio sources like a turntable or CD player instantly become network-connected and are new sources from which your Bluesound system can play music. The HUB unlocks the problem of geography in letting users stream vinyl wirelessly for the first time.

PLENTY OF CONNECTIVITY OPTIONS

From TVs to CD players, turntables to the latest gadgets, a host of inputs on the back panel: HDMI eARC, Coaxial, Digital Optical, Stereo Analog, and a moving magnet Phono stage supports the vast majority of music devices. Each HUB manages one source, and up to four (4) HUBs can be added to a single network.

EASY SETUP. EASY CONTROL.

Equipped with BluOS, the HUB makes adding audio sources simple using the BluOS Controller app setup wizard. A few taps on the familiar BluOS app controls a whole multi-room system from a smartphone, tablet or computer.

MINIMAL WIRES. NO MESS. NO HASSLE.

Simplicity is guaranteed with the HUB. With a 1U rack height, and 1/3rd rack width, external USB-C connected power supply, the HUB can easily be placed on shelves, behind TVs, or mounted with four different orientation options using its two keyhole mounting slots.

THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS.

Streaming music fans who also love vinyl will be especially appreciative of the HUB’s built-in audiophile-grade MM phono stage preamp that brings audio from your turntable to any Bluesound player for whole-home turntable streaming. The HUB acts like a networked low noise, wide-bandwidth phono pre-amp, delivering spectacular audio quality for vinyl enjoyment in any or every room of a home at hi-fidelity.

Bluesound HUB

Key Highlights of the Bluesound HUB:

– Network Audio Source-sharing with BluOS™
– Low-noise MM Phono Stage
– Stereo Analog Line Input
– HDMI eARC with CEC
– Optical and Coaxial Digital Inputs
– ARM® CORTEX™ A53 Processor
– Dual-band Wi-Fi + Gigabit Ethernet
– Powered by USB-C Power Adaptor
– 1U Rack Height, 1/3 Rack Width
– Four-way Keyhole Mounting Slots
– Front Panel Function Button
– Black Finish

New Report Reveals App Security Isn’t Being Taken Seriously Enough

The global app protection company, Licel, has published a visual report into the State of Mobile App Security. The report uses illustrations and statistics to tell a striking story about the huge gap between our reliance on mobile apps and how robustly they are being protected. It also sheds light on how covid-inspired evolutions in device usage have emboldened attackers.

“During the pandemic, a torrent of phishing messages were pinging on people’s phones,” explains Licel CEO Ivan Kinash. “While that did increase awareness of the device being a target, mobile apps are still a bit of a blind spot in cybersecurity. For example, most people assume that if an app is available to download from official stores, then it must be safe. The report debunks a few myths like this one.”

One eye-catching section of the report explores the findings from a Licel study into the app protection used by some of the world’s biggest banks. It highlights that none of the apps analyzed came with vital security measures like tamper-proofing based on strong cryptographic algorithms, screen recording prevention, blocking the use of remote-control tools, or keylogging detection.

According to Licel, this is a recipe for disaster for banks given that they trade on trust. While they are getting much better at educating their end users about security, such advice is undermined if they don’t also apply protection to their own apps.

If the report suggests the current state of mobile app security leaves a lot to be desired, it ends with a message of hope.

“We all have a part to play in improving mobile app security,” says Kinash. “From us as app protection providers, through to Apple and Google, to the businesses developing apps, and finally to the end users themselves. The point of this report is not only to show the current state of play, but to set a course toward a more secure ecosystem”.

Tech Review – Quntis 2 in 1 Multi Charger Cable with USB-C and lightning.

Cables are a plenty out there and easy to find, different lengths sizes colors you name it you have it all and price is another thing, brand is another thing people like to stick too and we have tested out Quntis cables before and they are still in use today, their latest offering is a dual pack with a nice long 2 meter cable but this time around it offers two options, one for iOS and one for USB-C so if you sport devices like this you can not only save money you can save cables as well as clutter around your desk or workspace.

If you are multi device owner like me and which most people are this makes live easy no matter and as mentioned above less clutter, also you get two cables in the box which is great should you misplace one or need a spare for a family member or friend for example it is convenient and cheaper than what you might find in local stores and also supports fast charging too.

See the video below for more and get a 10% discount

  • 2-in-1 Design Multi-function Charging Cable- Quntis exclusive design USB-C to Lightning port and USB-C port cable, suitable for all devices with Type C and Lightning ports. Now you can use just one cable to charge devices with Type C ports and Lightning ports—ending the annoyance of frequently changing the charging cable: improving your daily charging experience. (Note: Charging two devices at the same time is not supported.)
  • 30W Fast Charging USB C to Lightning Port- Lightning port supports rapid charging: up to 30W (max). You’ll be able to charge an iPhone 13, 12, 11, 11 Pro, 12 Pro, 11 Pro max, 12 Pro max, XR, XS, XS Max8 8Plus X XR XS Max from 0% to 50% in 30 minutes (with a USB-C PD Charger), almost 3x faster than the regular 5W charger.
  • USB C Port Supports PD 60W Fast Charge- The output power is up to 20V/3A, 15V/3A, 12V/3A, 9V/3A, 5V/3A when paired with 90W, 87W, 65W, 45W, 18W or other USB C power delivery adapters. It takes only 1.5h to fully recharge MacBook Air 13″. USB C Power Cable is compatible with Samsung Galaxy S21/ S21+/ S21 Ultra/ S20/ S20+/ S20 Ultra/ Note 20/ Note 20 Ultra/Note 10/ Note 10 Plus/ A80, Google Pixel 2/2XL/3/3XL/3a/3aXL/4/4 XL/ 5, Macbook Air/ 13”, iPad Pro 2018/2020, iPad Air 2020 10.9″(Gen 4).

  • Certified Fast Charging Cable- Each Quntis 2 in 1 Cable contains an authorization chip to ensure 100% compatibility with any of your lightning and USB C devices. Our CE certified cable ensures safety and stability. The smart chip detects all connected devices, determines their optimal charging input, and adjusts the output accordingly for a faster and more stable charge. Besides supporting fast charging, the Quntis Type-C to Lightning cable supports fast data transfer of up to 480 Mbps.
  • 2 Pack 2m USB-C to Lightning & USB C Cable- This two-piece pack meets your charging needs in the office and at home. Unlike the standard 1m or 1.2m iPhone USB cables currently available on the market, our unique 2M cable is designed to meet a variety of connection needs; offering the ultimate charging convenience for your bed, couch, balcony, or even the back seat of your car- without the restrictions created by shorter cables.

BUY ON AMAZON AND GET A DISCOUNT use the code – 68XBTLQW

Video Link

Hot-desking just got a lot more pleasant with Kleeo, Evoko’s new desk booker

Kleeo is a non-intrusive and highly intuitive desk booking device designed and built for the new smart workplace. The Evoko team have spent invaluable time researching work & productivity- which every single one of their products truly reflects. With Kleeo, what excites us is that it’s being launched when hybrid spaces and making workplaces smart are at their peak. The open-plan office spaces have been under scrutiny for a while now— only to have pain points accentuated during the pandemic.

Employers worldwide are in the race to provide solutions that feel safe, flexible, while remaining social-friendly or they’ll lose talent. Tools like Kleeo will accelerate adoption of the hybrid and smart workspace while removing anxiety and increasing productivity as a result of high job satisfaction.

See Evoko Kleeo’s website for more

 

Ireland features among global leaders in embracing hyperautomation

Irish businesses feature prominently in a list of nations embracing hyperautomation according to new research by analytics leader SAS.

David Shannon, Head of Hyperautomation, at SAS UK & Ireland, says that as interest in the AI-powered technology surges, Irish firms are amongst the global leaders in embracing new opportunities.

“We know from our own research that companies are already using hyperautomation to drive efficiency, customer service and innovation,” he said.

“This is particularly true of competitive consumer-centric industries like retail, fulfilment, insurance and financial services, where it can give businesses the edge over their rivals.”

His comments come after research by SAS showed that while interest in the technology continues to rise across the bulk of nations featured in the research, Ireland ranked fourth out of 24 countries analysed, with 2.49 people in every 10,000 looking for ‘hyperautomation’ and related keywords between 2020 and 2021.

Leading the way was Finland, with 4.5 out of every 10,000 people searching for the term online, followed by Sweden with just under 3 and Switzerland at 2.74. The UK appeared in 12th position in the rankings.

The term ‘hyperautomation’ was first coined by Gartner in 2019 and refers to the AI-driven technique of processing multiple large datasets from across an organisation in a cloud-based ‘always-on, always-connected’ system.

David Shannon added: “While search data can’t tell us everything, it’s a useful barometer to test the mood of nations. Awareness has grown rapidly in some countries in just three years, indicating where demand could be strongest.

“Automation has enabled businesses of all sizes to transform their operations, and hyperautomation is the next step in the journey. Now is the time for them to build it, and other advanced technological solutions, into their digital strategies.”

For further information and for the full research, visit:

https://blogs.sas.com/content/hiddeninsights/2022/04/08/which-countries-are-leading-the-way-in-the-hyperautomation-revolution/

Top 10 countries for hyperautomation awareness

Country Annual total searches (2021) Potential reach General awareness (% of potential reach)*10,000
Finland 2,120 4,640,000 4.57
Sweden 2,860 9,580,000 2.98
Switzerland 2,170 7,910,000 2.74
Ireland 1,190 4,770,000 2.49
Australia 4,160 20,600,000 2.01
Singapore 3,730 19,900,000 1.87
Austria 1,710 9,140,000 1.87
Netherlands 5,580 31,300,000 1.78
Belgium 1,760 11,000,000 1.6
Germany 10,930 74,500,000 1.46

InterVal, a revolutionary proptech solution for the valuation industry

A tool that provides major improvements to the compliance and speed of valuations

InterVal is the latest SaaS cloud-based solution in the real estate industry. It helps valuers produce RICS & IVS standard-perfect reports in a fraction of the time of the industry norm.

The importance of valuations: 70% of total global wealth held in property assets

Real estate is the largest and most important asset class in the world and the accuracy of its valuations are extremely important. These valuations have a broad range of uses including for securitizing loans, mortgage originations, property sales and leasing, insurance coverage, audited financial statements and investment decisions.

Despite the importance of these valuations to our global economy, property valuers still rely on lengthy, manual and antiquated processes. With margins falling and legal liabilities rising, property valuers desperately require a tool to perform rapid standard-compliant valuations.

The idea to develop InterVal arose from its founders’ experience working in emerging markets for global financial organisations. After a series of Asset Quality Reviews on behalf of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, it became evident that there was a major requirement for a streamlined standard-compliant valuation tool.

“Valuations are one of the main bottlenecks in the financial sector.“, says Joachim Bertot, InterVal CEO. He adds, “facilitating standard compliance and reducing turnaround time will help increase deal-flow and foster the development of a more efficient and transparent real estate market.”

Backed by a team of RICS valuers, experienced entrepreneurs and seasoned developers, InterVal has progressed significantly since its initial proof of concept presented to the RICS in 2019

What’s their special sauce?

Compared to other solutions, the critical strength of InterVal relies on its scalability. “A lot of great valuation products have emerged on the market lately. But most rely on Automated Valuation Model (AVM) technology, focus on calculation only and forget about the rest. Unlike them, our idea is to marry cutting edge technology to standard-perfect valuations and put it in the hands of all valuers, everywhere“, declares Emile Fremont, CPO.

Thanks to a highly flexible interface and endless customisation possibilities, the solution can operate in data rich areas like the UK and navigate data-poor environments with little to no public domain information.

The goal for the InterVal team was never to develop another AVM solution. AVM uses are limited geographically and lack transparency and accountability. InterVal was designed instead to provide a versatile valuation solution that keeps valuers in the center of the decision-making process.

InterVal gives valuers a multi-faceted tool to handle valuation projects from A to Z, both from a management and technical perspective. It arms valuers with the ability to generate attractive, engaging and comprehensive reports that cover the entirety of the valuation process.

The solution supports a wide range of residential, commercial and industrial properties. It also covers all standard valuation methods and approaches (Market, Income and Cost) so that valuers can take care of any assignments coming their way.

Over the past year, the team has conducted more than 200 demonstrations with valuers worldwide and received amazing reviews and feedback. The next stage for InterVal is to release a beta version in Q4 this year and invite valuers for a final check before the commercial launch. Meanwhile, the team has already published a series of screencast videos showcasing the capabilities of InterVal on their youtube channel.

What’s next?

The InterVal team already aims to build an ecosystem of products around InterVal and cater to more differentiated needs and user profiles. Some of these products include:

  • An inspection app;
  • A market data place;
  • A portal to link clients with valuers using Interval: and
  • A customised solution for banks and portfolio managers.

Earlier this year, the team joined the RICS Tech Partner Programme to engage with other proptech enthusiast companies and specialists. Dustin Rawlins, CTO, declared: “Joining the Programme further helped us integrate recognised property standards such as the IPMS database structure into the solution architecture and put an emphasis on new ESG features“.

The InterVal team are also looking to enter the insuretech industry and plan to develop tailored professional indemnity insurance (PII) products for their users. The goal of these products will be to significantly reduce the enormous premiums paid by valuers annually.

With over USD 500,000 invested to date, InterVal plans to raise seed capital in Q2 2022 to bring the solution to the next level. The team is already in discussions with UK based valuation audit groups and worldwide independent valuation practices to market the solution and ensure rapid adoption.

To get more information and schedule a private product demonstration by the passionate Interval team, visit their website, follow them on Linkedin or contact them directly.

Supporting Videos:

New Technologies That Can Help Improve The Life Expectancy Of The Irish

The downsides of the modern way of life are threatening the health of nations across the world. In Ireland alone, over 10,000 people died last year from cardiovascular-related diseases, and the most common cause of death was unpredictable strokes and heart failure. 

However, there are promising signs of improvement with the help of technological advances that can increase the life expectancy of the nation. Keep on reading as we’ll discuss some of the new technologies on the way.

This table by this comparison website reveals that the Irish life expectancy past 65 is significantly lacking behind other countries. Of course, like with every new technology, these revolutionary approaches are often not available to everyone. The availability is rather due to scarce medical supplies than to a lack of sufficient funds. Scientists are working on commercializing these new technologies, reducing the costs of production, and improving the chance for everyone to use them. If the new approaches and discoveries are successful, chances are these technologies will be more available to many. Until then, many hospitals still have to make selective decisions on which patients are a priority to receive treatment.

MRI and CT scans 

New improvements have been made in the field of CT and MRI scans. The new advancements are estimated to ease the diagnoses and discovery of hidden tumours and underlying issues. The standard scans came with flaws and establishing a correct diagnosis has been known to be an issue. Thankfully, the new advancements may allow for more precise and more accurate diagnoses, and with the early discovery of tumours and cancer cells, the treatments and their effectiveness will be increased. 

Biopharmaceuticals 

The number of prevalent diseases has risen over the years, despite the many advancements made, as simultaneously the number of factors contributing to the spreading of diseases has risen as well. 

As the statistics suggested, in Ireland alone, over 40,000 people are fighting these diseases each year. The biopharmaceutical industry has had an astonishing rise in the last decade. The technology behind it allows for more effective treatment of metabolic diseases and even cancer. These technologies rely on living cells, modified through cutting-edge methods. The range of diseases treatable with the technology is astonishingly broad. The modified organisms or cells are used in the treatment of cancerous cells, allergies, inflammatory tissue, and gene therapies. The treatment is specifically meant for rare disorders, but also represents an effective method of fighting cancer. 

Control and management 

We have so far listed the most common health concerns and issues such as cardiovascular problems, strokes, tumours, and genetic disorders. However, another common problem has become diabetes, which approximately 6% of the population of Ireland deal with. Thankfully, with sensors and insulin checkers, regulating your sugar levels has never been easier and more effective. 

Better control over the issues allows for a more effective treatment. And trackers and sensors are also available for other issues: respiratory monitoring, cardiac monitoring, and health monitoring of the body during invasive treatments, like chemo. Wearables now can allow people to track the pulse and overall condition of their body. 

The control and management of such serious conditions, and even the regular control of healthy individuals, will drastically reduce death outcomes and allow longer life and more productive ones. 

These bright numbers suggest a better future for the vast portion of the population. Over 200,000 individuals in Ireland have been successful in treating cancer and surviving after several sessions of chemo and radiation. Surviving a stroke or heart attack has become standard with checkers monitoring cardiac disease and with bypass operations having an almost 100% success rate. The future looks optimistic, and we can only hope the best is yet to come. 

Bird and Drinkaware Team Up To Prevent ‘Drink Riding’ #escooters

Bird, a leader in micro-mobility, and Drinkaware, the national charity working to prevent alcohol misuse in Ireland, today announced plans to roll out  a public awareness campaign as soon e-scooters are legalised for use on public roads by the Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021. The Bill is currently making its way through the Oireachtas, and according to the Government’s recent Sustainable Mobility Strategy*, will be in place by the end of this year. The campaign will aim to encourage the Irish public to adopt a safety-first approach to riding e-bikes and e-scooters, and will complement the draft legislation, which sets out fines of up to €2,000 for the consumption of alcohol while using such vehicles.

Campaign imagery encouraging safe riding will soon be visible in cities and towns across Ireland. In conjunction with this, Bird plans to roll-out its Safe Start feature as soon as it launches services in Ireland. This in-app ‘checkpoint’ is designed to discourage people from riding under the influence and is already used by its riders all over the world. Between the hours of 10pm and 4am, riders attempting to unlock a Bird e-scooter or e-bike will be asked to verify that they can safely handle the vehicle by correctly entering a keyword into the app. 

International data attests to the popularity and safety of e-scooters and e-bikes, and continues to  show that cars remain the biggest threat to Irish road users, with a documented incident rate of 1 in 20,000 trips. Bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters have a documented incident rate involving medical treatment of less than 1 in 50,000 trips*, but research shows that up to 30% of all cyclist accidents involve alcohol.* Bird and Drinkaware will therefore be campaigning to ensure that the public understands the dangers of using any form of micro-mobility while under the influence of alcohol. 

In the meantime, Bird and Drinkaware are urging e-bike riders to avoid riding while under the influence this May Bank Holiday. Any alcohol impairs judgement, making users physically unsteady and impeding their reaction times. 

Victoria Springthorpe, Head of Ireland and UK Public Policy at Bird: “Safety is always our no.1 priority and so we’re thrilled to partner with Drinkaware, a leading voice on road safety in Ireland, to educate and prepare people ahead of the legalisation of e-scooters. Sometimes it’s just a case of simply reminding people of the risks, to prevent an unsafe situation.” 

Sheena Horgan, CEO of Drinkaware: “Drinkaware welcomes the opportunity to partner with Bird on a campaign that ensures public safety and an understanding of the risks of drink riding. From our interactions with the public we know that there is high demand for information on drink driving, and our webpage on drink driving is consistently in the top 5 pages viewed on drinkaware.ie. New forms of transport are entering our country and we need to ensure that the public are aware of how to use these forms of transport safely and responsibly. The Department of Transport’s draft legislation sets out fines of up to €2,000 for the consumption of alcohol while using e-bikes and e-scooters.  As with other policies regarding other modes of transport, the efficacy of the legislation can be boosted by a supportive public education campaign.” 

This is the second safety initiative launched by Bird this year, after the company announced a partnership in January with the Irish School of Excellence, Ireland’s largest driver education programme, to establish Ireland’s first E-scooter Safety course. This course is set to be rolled out across Ireland when the Roads Traffic and Roads Bill 2021 becomes law. Covering almost 80% of schools nationally, it will have a wide reach and provide pupils with an overview of the law governing e-scooters; a guide on how to ensure pedestrian safety while using e-scooters; tuition on starting and moving off safely, as well as a tutorial on how to park safely.