Tag: tech

Future Human event to attract the brightest minds from across the globe to Dublin in May

Future Human, the most inclusive and forward-looking event in the world, will return to Dublin on May 12th and 13th this year. The event will gather some of the world’s leading thinkers on the most significant issues facing society today and into the future including science, AI, climate action, security, business, health, workplaces and the arts.

As one of Europe’s leading sci-tech and arts event, Future Human will feature a range of high-profile international speakers in a series of discussions and talks in the state-of-the-art Trinity Business School building School on Pearse Street in Dublin, where some 3,000 attendees are expected, as well as online attendees.

Speakers at the event will include Eric Andersen, President of Aon, and Des Traynor, co-founder of Irish Unicorn, Intercom, as well as academic speakers like Professor Alice Roberts, perhaps best known for her 100+ TV appearances in the UK on shows such as  BBC’s The Incredible Human Journey and Prehistoric Autopsy.

Kevin Abosch, a conceptual artist and crypto-art pioneer, will also participate in discussions about the intersection between art and technology, and the exponential rise in popularity of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) in recent times.

Bharat Krish, President of TIME Digital will also be one of this year’s speakers after recently being named CTO of TIME in 2020.

Yuliya Garycha, senior digital advisor to the Ukrainian Government, who recently fled to Cork with her five-year old daughter to escape the war, will join Neill Dunwoody co-founder of Tech Link Ukraine, and IT Ukraine Executive Director Konstantin Vasyuk on a timely panel on the Future of Ukraine.

On Friday afternoon at the event, attendees will get to mingle in smaller groups when the main stage closes early, with a special Masterclasses programme this year, which will include several designed by the prestigious Executive Education group at Trinity Business School, and workshops aimed at recent arrivals from Ukraine.

Founder and curator, Ann O’Dea said: “We are delighted to once again be in a position to bring together some of the world’s most exciting minds here in Dublin. Ireland’s rich history in art and culture, along with our reputation as a hub of technological advancement makes it the perfect location for Future Human.

“This is further demonstrated by the exemplar speakers we will be hearing from this year as we explore impact of technology and science on our lives and into the future, across all aspects from culture to national sovereignty.”

Produced by Silicon Republic, and supported by Aon, the event replaces the award-winning Inspirefest, which ran for five years at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre in Dublin. While in-person numbers are limited this year, the entire main stage programme will be streamed live on the 12th and 13th May for virtual ticket holders.

For the most up to date line up of speakers and in-person and online tickets – please visit hopin.com/events/futurehuman2022/registration

The gas network can enhance Ireland’s energy security

Gas is the trusted backbone of Ireland’s energy system, powering over 30% primary energy needs and generating half of the country’s electricity.”

That was the message from Gas Networks Ireland’s Senior Network Forecasting Engineer, Siobhán O’Halloran, at Ibec’s recent online business briefing event on Ireland’s energy security and emergency preparedness following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Ms O’Halloran presented on Ireland’s energy security, emergency preparedness and the gas network of the future, and joined an Irish energy panel discussion alongside other leaders from the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications; MaREI Centre for Marine and Renewable Energy at UCC; and Ibec.

With a background in mathematics and physics, Ms O’Halloran and her team lead the demand forecasting function within Gas Networks Ireland, assessing the future demand for gas and sources of supply on Ireland’s gas transmission and distribution systems.

Ms O’Halloran said the development of Ireland’s renewable gas industry and the important role of natural and renewable gases in Ireland’s energy transition and cleaner energy future cannot be overstated.

“Ireland’s €2.7bn, 14,617km national gas network is considered one of the safest and most modern gas networks in the world and is the cornerstone of Ireland’s energy mix. Our vision is to replace natural gas with renewable gases, such as biomethane and hydrogen, and further enhance Ireland’s energy security,” Ms O’Halloran said.

“The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has brought the topic of energy security and the safe supply of energy to the fore, resulting in both the Government’s recently published National Energy Security Framework and the European Commission’s new REPowerEU plan both calling for the reduction of dependence on Russian fossil fuels by diversifying gas supplies and speeding up the roll-out of renewable gases.”

“Gas Networks Ireland strongly supports this ambition, which will help to substantially reduce Ireland’s carbon emissions while ensuring a secure energy supply, in the least disruptive most cost-effective manner.”

Special Recognition Award “recognises the contribution of Google to Ireland”

IDA Ireland’s second ‘Special Recognition Award’ recognising the contribution of our clients to Ireland was presented by Tánaiste Leo Varadkar and IDA Ireland to Google and accepted by its CEO Sundar Pichai, at a special ‘Building The Future Together’ event in California this morning.

CEO of IDA Ireland Martin Shanahan said: “Google is a very deserving recipient of this year’s Special Recognition Award. The company’s expansion in Ireland over the last 20 years is a story that has travelled across the world.”

“These are important relationships to mark, and it is important that we celebrate the huge contribution our 1700+ FDI companies have made to Ireland. Foreign Direct Investment continues to be a substantive driver of the Irish economy. Our client companies in Ireland have demonstrated longevity, resilience and continued commitment, creating jobs – the numbers directly employed in the multinational sector in Ireland is at an all time high of 275,384 (11% of the Irish labour force) – and delivering enormous benefits to the national and regional economies. In making this award, we are also recognising the achievement that is Ireland’s proven ability to be an enduring partner for businesses with international ambitions. It is also an opportunity to showcase internationally the level and sophistication of FDI in Ireland.”

Google opened a small office in Ireland in 2003 and has invested significantly in Ireland over the past 20 years, including over €1.5 billion in the past five years. Google Ireland, as the company’s EMEA HQ, now has a workforce of over 9,000 and serves as a hub for dozens of functions and teams supporting Google’s global operations. This includes almost 1,000 engineers working across site reliability and software engineering functions.

This award is also an appreciation of the work that everyone at Google in Ireland does in helping bring the company continue to succeed and providing support for customers around the world. It also recognises Google’s commitment to Ireland.

Tánaiste, Leo Varadkar said: “I’m really happy to present Google with this Special Recognition Award and sincerely thank Sundar and the team for their continued commitment to Ireland. From a team of 100 in 2003, to over 9,000 today, Google has made an outstanding contribution to our country. I do not underestimate the role the company has played in enhancing our reputation and attracting further investment to our shores. This Award is a good opportunity to thank the Google team and recognise their contribution.”

Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet said: “Over almost two decades, Google and Ireland have worked together to advance Irish innovation and develop helpful tools to support the growth of small businesses. It is an honor to accept this award. We look forward to working together to develop Irish talent and make technology part of a strong future for every Irish community.”

Tánaiste addressed the audience of invited guests drawn from IDA client companies, key stakeholders, business people as well as some Google and IDA Ireland employees and presented the award to Sundar Pichai alongside Martin Shanahan.

IDA said that the event would showcase internationally Ireland as a location for FDI and focus on the excellent Irish Tech talent that is available.

Tech Review – Growcube, A must have for plant lovers.

GrowCube is the world’s first smart watering product based on four independent soil moisture sensors and water outlets, combined with exclusive APP, aiming to provide professional and easy watering methods for gardeners. It would water plants automatically once it sensors its lacking water in soil. It would be best choice for those who have no time for watering plants because of business, travel or busy work, it is also a smart plant guider for those who are new to grow plants.

I am no plant expert and stated so in the unboxing but can see the logic behind this product and have been testing it out for a while, the whole setup in itself is simple and can be used in many ways but it is only for indoor use which is fine, so for me I  had to go get some plants and get going laying out all the pipes and fittings then install the fittings and get the app up and running.

It will take some time due to the work involved but I enjoyed it as it was something new for me and any plant lover will be the same. The end result is what is great and not having to worry about your flowers which is the point of this product and with an app that allows you to control your plants needs while you are away it is for those most flourished of plant lovers especially during the Summer months when you are away this allows you to forget about your plants and at the touch of a button you can give them the water they need, time it and so on. Check out the video below for a tour and setup and see what it is all about.

How It Works

GrowCube Obtains soil moisture data for plant growth in real-time by reliable soil moisture sensors, combined with the APP which contains over 3000 kinds of plants growth humidity guidance data, keeping a comfortable growth moisture environment for variety of plants. This is the fun part, learning about plants even for beginners like me and for the more established green fingers, you can also take a photo of your plant with google lens for example and see the name of it or let it assist you in getting the right plants.

 

With the aid of sensor magnetic plug-and-play interface design, GrowCube is easy to use. Simple and stylish appearance matches the watering scenarios in office, home and many other places. In addition to personal use, GrowCube is also a good gift for parents, wife, or friends. We’re proud to announce that the world’s super smart plant watering product is ready, GrowCube will be your best plant care assistant!

See the video below for more.

For more information about GrowCube, please visit the official website of Elecrow https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/elecrow/growcube-a-smart-watering-kit-grows-your-plants-like-a-pro

Video Link

First Look – Tronsmart Trip Bluetooth Speaker

Summer is coming and when it comes to tech we are not short of choices,again like any tech there is something for all pockets and everyone is catered for, with Tronsmart this brand is consistent with great quality audio products and they have a great range of speakers too and their latest model the Tronsmart Trip has landed.

As with most out tech we let you take a first look to give an idea of what it is all about then you can fire away with your questions whilst we test it so check out the unboxing below and watch out for a full review soon when we will have more hands on and of course audio samples and less of the stock image approach..

Features

  • SoundPulse® Technology.
  • Up to 20 Hours of Playtime.
  • IPX7 Waterproof.
  • TrueWireless Stereo Pairing.
  • Built-in Microphone.

BUY

Video Link

Sennheiser introduces the SPORT True Wireless earbuds

SPORT True Wireless delivers an exceptional sound experience thanks to Sennheiser’s TrueResponse transducer. Designed and engineered in Germany, the acoustic system is powered by a unique 7mm dynamic driver that delivers full bass and superior clarity without distortion – even at high volume. The SPORT True Wireless also puts athletes in control of how they experience sound and perceive their surroundings. The unique Adaptable Acoustic feature allows athletes to choose either open or closed ear adapters and adjust EQ settings for the perfect custom training sound.

The open ear adapters in combination with the Aware EQ settings help to reduce body-borne noise and allow some outside sounds to enter for better situational awareness. In this mode, runners hear fewer distracting noises such as their own heartbeat or footsteps and more of their surroundings, blending their favourite exercise playlist with sounds of nature or the city while improving awareness. Those who prefer their own music in noisy gyms and don’t want to be distracted by the busy environment will find peace of mind with the closed ear adapter and Focus EQ settings.

In addition to the Sennheiser Smart Control App’s Focus and Aware EQ settings, athletes can make fully customisable presets for their listening experience via the Sound Check feature. The intuitive touch controls of the SPORT True Wireless let users personalise the sound to their preferences and facilitate access to audio navigation and voice assistants. Bluetooth 5.2 compatibility and support for audio codecs like SBC, AAC and aptX also make it easy to stay connected to mobile devices, smartwatches, smart TVs, and connected fitness devices for a seamless audio experience.

 

 

A secure fit that can be counted on
“Every movement during sports is a challenge for your earbuds fit to keep delivering great sound. For anyone who likes to listen to music while exercising, it’s important to be able to concentrate fully on the sport without fear of the earbuds slipping out of place. As all ears are unique in shape and size ‘one fits all’ is not secure, so we have focused on providing a fully customisable solution for maximum wearing comfort and a secure fit.” says David Holm, Sennheiser Sports Product Manager.

The ergonomic design of the SPORT True Wireless was developed precisely for this purpose. The earbuds can be customised with a choice of ear adapters in three sizes and four different ear fins to withstand any workout. With an IP54 rating, the SPORT True Wireless is dust and splash resistant and can also easily withstand sweat, runs in the rain, and even workouts at the beach.

Runs longer than you can
The SPORT True Wireless doesn’t just stand up to the physical challenges. With a battery life of 9 hours, and another 18 hours with the charging case, it offers uncompromising performance to go the distance.

Pricing and availability
The Sennheiser SPORT True Wireless can be pre-ordered starting now and will be available on May 3, 2022, with an MSRP of 119.99 GBP/129.90 EUR.

Sennheiser launches the MOMENTUM True Wireless 3

The multi-award-winning MOMENTUM series from Sennheiser introduces a new member to the family. The MOMENTUM True Wireless 3 set new standards when it comes to sound quality, adaptive noise cancellation (ANC), and wearing comfort. Encased in a design that was defined using high-quality materials and precise workmanship, the earbuds offer a range of technologies and features that take the listening experience to a new level.

“Our MOMENTUM series continuously succeeds in redefining the boundaries of possibility,” said Frank Foppe, Sennheiser True Wireless Product Manager. “The MOMENTUM True Wireless 3 build on a powerful heritage. With the Sennheiser Signature Sound, TrueResponse technology, next-level adaptive noise cancellation and an even better fit, these earbuds are the natural successor of the MOMENTUM series.”  

A superior sound experience 
Just like its predecessors, the MOMENTUM True Wireless 3 delivers outstanding sound quality, centred around Sennheiser’s True Response transducer. Based on dynamic 7mm drivers manufactured in Germany, it produces an immersive stereo sound with deep bass, natural mids and detailed highs. The new Sound Personalisation feature provides an enhanced sound experience via a guided listening test to setup the perfect sound for each user’s individual hearing. In addition, the Smart Control App offers a choice of presets and an equaliser feature to tailor the sound to the user’s taste.

Since the MOMENTUM True Wireless 3 was created for everyday life on-the-go, Sennheiser has specifically improved the earbuds with Adaptive Noise Cancellation which automatically adjusts to your environment. The system continuously observes ambient noise to suppress it in real time. Users who want to be aware of their surroundings to hear things such as train announcements, for example, can deactivate the noise cancellation at the touch of a button, or switch to transparency mode.

For the best possible synchronisation between audio and visual content, the MOMENTUM True Wireless 3 support a wide range of audio codecs such as AAC, SBC and aptX™ Adaptive, which reduce latency to a minimum. In addition, each earbud now features three microphones that promote crystal-clear call quality, enabling smooth and easy-to-follow video calls. The intuitive touch controls of the MOMENTUM True Wireless 3, which users can tailor to their personal preferences, make it easy to navigate the audio and access voice assistants.

Sennheiser MOMENTUM 3 true wireless

Exceptional design and extraordinary comfort
Winner of a 2022 Red Dot Design Award, the new stylish and futuristic ergonomic design enables a long-lasting comfortable fit. The MOMENTUM True Wireless 3 also comes with several silicone pads in different sizes that are designed to fit all ear shapes and sizes. Thanks to its IPX4-certified splash-resistant casing, the MOMENTUM True Wireless 3 is made for almost any adventure. Whether it’s running in the rain or a strenuous fitness session, the new Sennheiser earbuds deliver a top-class listening experience even under adverse conditions.

No matter where users of the new MOMENTUM True Wireless 3 may be, a battery life of seven hours – which can be extended to 28 hours using the case – means that users no longer have to worry about finding a power source nearby. And because the high-quality case supports wireless charging, the process itself is easy as it can be.

Pricing and availability
The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 3 is now available for pre-order, and will be available from 10th May 2022 with a RRP of £219.99 / €249.90 in black, white and graphite.

Blockchain Meets Activity Tracking With Token Rewards

Blockchain allows technological tracking without compromising privacy or security. This makes it ideal for rewarding individuals, whether they are employees, customers, or freelancers. It ensures that the reward points received by each person are guaranteed and can be verified regardless of where they are in the world. The system also allows users to track how their tokens are spent as part of product development and make an informed decision about what to buy.

According to OKX, smart contract platform has been made accessible due to high speed in transactions, leading to increased token rewards. A new blockchain reward system may help people improve their activity levels and lead healthier lives for patients with a medical problems.

Health sector

One area where health-related token rewards are already impacted is with medical records. For example, people who have Multiple Sclerosis and have difficulty walking long distances can take a tablet with a mobile application that accesses the MS patient’s digital medical record. The program then alerts the person’s doctor when they are starting to approach problems, allowing intervention before a full-blown episode occurs.

Medical record and privacy

Token rewards are also being used with a variety of information and activities. For example, in a corporate setting, employees can participate in short questionnaires via their mobile phones or laptops that access their medical records. The data then shows how employees feel regarding their work environment and productivity. The employee also demonstrates how they compare to others on exercise levels, nutrition, and stress levels.

Physical activity

This is another area where token rewards are being used to incentivize people to perform better or avoid behaviors that lead to illness or injury. For example, a fitness-tracking device may claim to be able to predict an impending heart attack, but if the user does not heed the warning, then there would be a reduction in their token rewards.

How is token handled?

The way that token rewards are usually handled is by using the tokens as currency for economic transactions. Token rewards can be earned through various activities: blockchain mining, playing online games, and even consuming food.

After earning tokens for their efforts, people can spend them on products and services from various manufacturers and service providers. These enterprises have usually partnered with the original reward system to make it easier for users to redeem their tokens after earning them.

Benefits of Token rewards

Rewards based on accumulated tokens may also encourage people to stick with fitness efforts over the long term, resulting in positive habits that could easily last their whole lives. This could help lower the number of people who get ill from preventable diseases.

A possible future step may be for specific token reward systems to intervene directly with health monitoring devices connected to the individual’s vital signs and medical records.

The increase in blockchain tech for rewards systems has a significant impact on the sector. Apart from its potential to drastically cut back on hospital and medical costs, this represents a huge growth opportunity for those who can create and manage such systems.

Considering that blockchain technology can be used for product development, such as creating smart contracts, some tokens may be used for this purpose. For example, a smart contract could issue a token to a future buyer of an apartment. This would create an incentive for buyers to live in the apartment and pay rent on the property, eventually releasing its value from the token reward system.

Konftel Strengthens Climate Neutral Ethos After Securing Official Certification For Three Years Running

Collaboration endpoint specialist Konftel has strengthened its sustainability ethos by announcing a series of ‘greener’ measures to help secure official Climate Neutral status for the third year in a row.

The manufacturer, with a growing global footprint, became the first in the UC industry to become Climate Neutral certified, where all greenhouse gas emissions have been offset by credits, to support various projects around the world.

Konftel joins a growing movement of over 260 brands achieving the standard, based on a far-reaching three step process which comprises:

 

  • Measuring its 2021 greenhouse gas emissions footprint
  • Purchasing verified carbon credits to offset that footprint
  • Implementing plans to reduce emissions during 2022 and beyond

 

Together the brands have so far measured and offset 783,768 tonnes of carbon. As part of this year’s commitments Konftel will cut the use of plastic bags in some of its most popular products by 50%, look to increase renewable energy at main manufacturing facilities and also reduce car commuting of staff by 40%.

Clear climate conscience

In an era of agile working with huge demand for conferencing and collaboration hardware, protecting the planet is just as important as connecting the world, for Konftel, says CMO Stefan Eriksson.

“Buying from Konftel ensures our customers have a ‘clear climate conscience’ that there are zero net carbon emissions from our manufacturing processes. We believe every company should be climate neutral and invest in our planet. It’s about measuring, offsetting and reducing emissions to help the world become net-zero by 2050.”

He continued: “There are many effective ways we are helping. For example we will cut the use of polythene bags in our products boxes for the Konftel 800 conference phones and Konftel Cam20 and Konftel Cam50 cameras by 50% by 2023. For cables and other small parts today shipped in poly bags, we will either shift to biodegradable bags or if possible just exclude the bags completely.

“In addition we aim to increase the renewable energy ratio by 10% at our main contract manufacturer’s facilities by 2023. We will also dramatically reduce car commuting of staff compared to pre-pandemic levels. By promoting a hybrid workstyle with flexibility in work location, staff will not be required to commute to corporate offices to the same extent as before.”

Stefan Eriksson Konftel CMO

 

His positive comments were endorsed by Austin Whitman, CEO of Climate Neutral, a non-profit organization working to eliminate carbon emissions. He said: “Climate Neutral Certified companies show the world that immediate action on climate change is possible and essential. In just three years, the growing number of Climate Neutral Certified brands has built a powerful movement that gives companies and consumers meaningful ways to act on climate, right now. Certified brands are leading the way by recognizing that climate change must be solved. They believe that all companies should take immediate voluntary action to zero out their entire carbon footprint, and they are engaging their consumers around this important issue like never before.”

He added: “Konftel and our other Climate Neutral Certified brands are leading the global shift to a net-zero economy by doing what all companies should be doing immediately: measuring, offsetting, and reducing their carbon emissions. Our label helps consumers identify these brands. It’s a recognizable and trusted symbol that turns everyday purchases into meaningfully positive climate action.”

 

Worldwide projects supported

By investing in worldwide carbon credits, forest conservation, renewable energy and carbon capture technologies all benefit. Forest conservation in Zimbabwe, water filtration in Cambodia, renewable energy in India, clean electricity in Indonesia, reducing landfill gas in the USA and providing clean cookstoves in Mali are some of the many projects supported by Konftel so far. New this year include improved forest management in the US, solar and wind energy in China, biomass in India and reforestation in Costa Rica.

Eriksson emphasized: “We find that our customers, our partners and our people really care about all of this. We have put it at the very heart of our business because it’s the right thing to do. Yes, the right thing from a commercial perspective, but also the right thing from an environmental and ethical perspective.

“When customers buy from us, they know they are buying from an organisation which has no carbon footprint whatsoever; zero net emissions. This is a major statement of intent. The technology we produce works in harmony with our climate neutral philosophy. More conference calling means less car and rail journeys, fewer flights, less busy offices, reduced gas and electricity consumption. The two strategies operate together. By choosing Konftel users really can conference with a clear climate conscience from the very first meeting.”

 

Find out more about Konftel’s Climate Neutral status here