Tag: tech

KPMG Global Tech Innovator Competition returns for 2025

KPMG today kicked off its annual search for Ireland’s next top tech innovator. Now in its fifth year, KPMG’s Global Tech Innovator competition is open to Irish tech founders and entrepreneurs who are pure technology, tech-enabled, tech-led, or tech-driven and ready for their next stage of growth.
Are you Ireland’s next tech giant?
Ambitious Irish tech companies are invited to apply for their chance to be crowned Ireland’s winner and represent Ireland at the prestigious global final in Lisbon in November. Shortlisted entrants will pitch their innovations and present their growth ambitions to a panel of judges, including successful entrepreneurs and investors.
 
Commenting on the launch of this year’s competition, Anna Scally, Ireland and EMA Region Head of Technology Media & Telecoms, KPMG, said: “In times of global uncertainty and shifting trade dynamics, it is essential to proactively support Ireland’s entrepreneurs and the builders of the next wave of successful tech businesses. Targeted initiatives and investments will ensure that our tech sectors continue to innovate and grow, safeguarding its vital contribution to the Irish economy. We invite all tech innovators across Ireland to participate in this competition.
It provides them with a platform to showcase their innovations on a global stage, elevate their businesses to new heights and connect with fellow tech innovators and join a global peer-to-peer network to share ideas and build important connections in a growing community of high-achieving tech entrepreneurs.”
 
The Irish winner will advance to the Global Tech Innovator final in Lisbon in November. Additional prizes include representing Ireland on the global stage, receiving mentorship from KPMG professionals, and gaining access to exclusive networking events.
Previous Irish finalists
Last year, Emma Meehan, Founder, CEO and CTO of Precision Sports Technology took the top spot in the Irish competition and went on to represent Ireland, competing against 22 other country finalists in the global final. Reflecting on her experience, Emma Meehan, said: “The opportunity to represent Ireland on a global stage was invaluable and provided us with an excellent opportunity to showcase our cutting-edge software. My advice to companies considering entering the competition this year would be to do it and enjoy the experience.”
Other previous Irish finalists include Conor Sheridan, founder and CEO of Dublin-based Nory, an AI-powered operating system for the hospitality industry, Barry Lunn from Limerick-based Provizio, an Irish accident prevention technology firm, and Terry Canning from Belfast-based CattleEye, the world’s first hardware-independent autonomous livestock monitoring platform.
Emma added, “Being a finalist and the overall Irish winner in the 2024 KPMG GTI competition was transformative. The mentorship and guidance from KPMG experts were excellent and the networking opportunities and national and global exposure significantly boosted my business profile and connected me with key industry influencers.”
Qualifications and eligibility criteria
Registered and based in Ireland or Northern Ireland, applicants are typically technology entrepreneurs who are successfully making the transition from the startup phase to the next stage in the growth of their businesses. They have developed innovative, proven technologies, established robust business models, demonstrated traction and have the potential to scale up globally. From the initial application to the regional and global pitch presentations, the competition can be a significant learning experience. Feedback from judges and interactions with other participants can help refine your innovation and presentation skills.
To be eligible for the competition, you must:
  • Be a registered company in the country/region where the country/region final is being held.
  • Have been actively operating for 7 years or less (in the current form).
  • Have generated revenue of between US $1 million and $15 million; or have raised at least US $500,000 in equity.
  • Be either a pure technology or a tech-enabled, tech-driven or tech-led business.
  • Not be majority owned by a large corporate.
  • Applications must be submitted by 23 May 2025.
  • Available to appear in-person for the Ireland final, which will be held in Dublin on the 17th of June 2025.
The 2025 global competition will include technology innovators from 20 countries and regions, including Austria, Brazil, Colombia, East Africa, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Ghana, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Philippines, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Southern Africa, Sweden, Turkey, UK and the US.
To enter, find out more about the competition and watch all the 2024 Irish finalists’ pitches visit www.kpmg.ie/GTI

Majority Landbeach Portable Bluetooth Water-Resistant DAB+ Radio Review

The Majority Landbeach Portable Bluetooth Water-Resistant DAB+ Radio is a new product from the well known audio brand that is ideal for those who like their music and radio in stlye, portable and loud and not only that with the capability to charge devices on the go too which is a super feature to have at your disposal.

The build quality here is excellent and this is ideal for your back garden BBQs  your trip to the beach camping or local trips away to your holiday resort at home and stand out at the pool or terrace and even building site.

The DAB+ radio is also great for those who can avail of it but there is also room for up to 40 preset stations which means you have more than enough to listen to during the day or at a party and so on.

On the front there is an LCD display with two rows of tactile buttons allowing you change station, modes, volume and skip tracks or stations and reverse tracks play and pause when your phone is connected via Bluetooth.

There is also an aux port but no USB slot but that is no huge deal due to the Bluetooth connectivity here and you also have an aux port.

Battery life is also great with up to 28 hours of continuous play and you of course have the 10,000mAh power bank for your mobile phones.

The Landbeach is also water resistant so you will be safe beside a pool or again if you are out or away and it rains you are covered there is also an area to easily pick up the Radio from the rear on top making it more portable.

The sound is great having both tested with radio and my phone which you can see below in the video review it is punchy loud and no tiny sound on the max and will have people asking questions about its looks and sound.

 

Features

  • DAB/DAB+ and FM Radio: Enjoy a vast selection of digital and analogue radio stations with crystal-clear sound quality. The radio features automatic scanning to quickly find available stations and 40 preset slots for saving your favourites in both DAB and FM modes.
  • 5.0 Bluetooth Connectivity: Seamlessly stream audio from your smartphone, tablet, or other Bluetooth-enabled devices.
  • Portable and Durable Design: The Landbeach is built to withstand tough conditions, making it ideal for worksites, outdoor adventures, and more.
  • Water Resistance: This radio is designed to resist water, adding to its durability and making it suitable for various environments.
  • Long Battery Life: Enjoy 28 hours of uninterrupted listening thanks to the long-lasting battery. The radio requires a full charging cycle of approximately five to six hours and can be charged while in use or when powered off.
  • USB Charging Port: The USB Type-C charging port (5V/1A) can be used to charge your phone.
  • AUX Input: Connect external audio devices via the AUX input port for even more listening options.
  • Additional Features: The Landbeach also includes a headphone jack for private listening, a sleep timer, snooze function, and a reset function.

The Landbeach is available on Amazon for £69.95.

Key Features of the Majority Landbeach Portable Bluetooth Water Resistant Worksite DAB+ Radio:

  • DAB: 174 – 240 MHz
  • FM: 87.5-108 MHz
  • 5.0 Bluetooth Connectivity
  • Water Resistant
  • USB Charging Port
  • 40 Radio Presets
  • Dimensions: 16.7 x 23 x 14.4 cm
  • Weight: 1.52kg

 See our majority audio reviews 

Video Review

SUPCASE UBPRO Series Watch Strap Pixel Watch 3 45mm review

The  SUPCASE UBPRO Series Watch Strap Pixel Watch 3 (45mm) is an ideal upgrade to your new watch which is rather than just a strap the whole kit which protects the face of the watch.

As a strap fan it is hard to find any straps in Ireland that are decent but this one caught my eye adding more protection too as the Pixel series of watches are a bit prone to scratching due to their shape which I still love.

The strap itself is not hard by any stretch which I do not like but a flexible rubber TPU material and the case that the watch rests in is harder and gives the front of the watch case like protection with a nice lip around it and will prevent it getting damaged even if dropped you can still access the crown and the recent key has a soft layer to press so both work well here.

The watch feels good to wear still and this makes it stand out more if you ask me but does take away that know Pixel watch shape however I would rather have protection on board than none and this fits the bill. See the video below for more.

 

  • Compatible with Google Pixel Watch 3 [45mm] 2024 release. Not for Pixel Watch 3 [41mm] / Pixel Watch 2 [41mm] / Pixel Watch [41mm]
  • 20FT drop-resistant height adhering to US military-grade standards.Proven durability with outdoor activities such as sports and hiking as well as heavy-duty environments like construction sites.
  • Durable PC bumper provide superior shock absorption and a raised bezel guards watch face against damaging surfaces.
  • Precise cutouts to ensure seamless access to the touchscreen, buttons, and other features.
  • Adjustable TPU strap with double tongue buckle fits most wrists from 5.5” to 9.5”.

BUY

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CASEKOO MAGICSTAND Pro case for iPhone 16 review

The CASEKOO MAGICSTAND Pro case for iPhone 16 is one of their new cases on offer for the new iPhone 16 line up.

With CASEKOO you get two packs of stickers in the box which is more than most and more aimed at the younger folk out there.

The case adds additional grip it has tactile keys and also a 360 degree rotating locking MagicStand on the rear which also adds more security by putting your finger through it when in use on the street.

This also means you can watch content with the device either vertically or horizontally which is great and no need to remove the case especially if you have stands at home or in the office to mount it on.

There is a nice lip on the front so the device can be placed face down and the camera area is also protected well which overall gives your phone great protection.

 

MagicStand Pro

The upgraded version of the Magic Stand—now with a 360° rotating stand. Support you from even more angles, giving you ultimate flexibility.

Magnetic Magic

Compatible with all MagSafe accessories and third-party Qi-certified wireless chargers.

Military-Grade Drop Protection

Shockproof polycarbonate back and a 2.5 mm offset border over the camera

Simplicity

A premium cover with oil-resistant spray coating.

BUY

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instax mini 41 instant camera review

The instax mini 41 instant camera from FUJIFILM is their latest offering and a fun camera to use for those who like instant cameras and instant shots and this is no different than their other products on the market in this respect.

The snaps on this model are smaller than others is so keep this in mind they are not the larger based photo prints from other models we have tested before.

The camera is smaller than others however hence the smaller photos it prints but still has that nostalgic experience and the mini 41 camera is a joy to us it is simple to use and anyone can use it be it a pro or beginner.

To turn the camera on all you need to do is turn the ring on the lens and you have two focal lengths to play with 30-50cm and has much improved viewing window but be careful not to get your finger in some shots as I did on testing.

The build quality of the camera is also excellent here and has all the right rough edges in the right places making it easy to hold in both portrait and landscape mode and not as cumbersome as one would think some have asked what it was but I think they are more interested in the lens as is always with these that twist open on these cameras.

 

There is a flash on the camera however this cant be turned off which I found odd but it is what it is they put it there as is for a reason I guess and handy for night shots and low light situations when using the camera.

The images produced are as expected pretty good in most cases some came out over saturated or had a greyish hue to them but mostly good this time around I had no prints that came out white which has happened in past models.  Photos again take about 90 seconds to process but let them sit a bit longer and watch them. This is a basic point and shoot camera which requires no skills no settings to play around with all day like other cameras and is fun to use it is not for everyone however as always with these cameras they are a joy to use and just simple and who does not like that.

 

 

Key mini 41 features include:

Automatic Exposure functionality

The Automatic Exposure function automatically senses the level of ambient light when the shutter button is pressed, optimizing the shutter speed and flash output according to the scene. It allows users to produce high-quality photo prints on-the-spot in a variety of interior or exterior environments.

Close-up Mode with Parallax Correction

The mini 41’s close-up mode features Parallax Correction, which helps center close-up images (including selfies) by adjusting the position of the ‘focus’ mark to the lower left of the frame.

Updated, easily portable design

Building off the classic design elements of its predecessor, the textured, tactile body of mini 41 provides secure, ergonomic grip, and the subtle metallic-like finish and orange color accents add unique design elements to the camera body.

The instax mini 41 joins a fun and versatile lineup of instax instant cameras and smartphone printers. Fujifilm’s instax mini 41 instant camera will be available at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of €110.00 (inc, VAT).  It will be expected to be available for purchase from 17th April 2025 at FUJIFILM retailers nationwide.

For more product information, visit https://www.instax.ie/cameras/mini-41/

See our FUJIFIM reviews 

Unboxing and first look

SoundPEATS Open-ear Clip-on Earbuds PearlClip Pro Review

The SoundPEATS Open-ear Clip-on Earbuds PearlClip Pro are their latest on offer giving you a bit more though compared to the PopClip we recently checked out there is some differences between both but both deliver in the audio department.

The design on the PearClip Pro for me is the winner with a premium finish and look and better design however this is just my feelings on them.

The design on both of these earbuds is nice and the new design we will see more of again this year and these fit well on the ears and more secure than one would expect delivering the sound into your ears slightly differently than conventional earbuds yet allowing you to hear your surroundings too.

The audio is also slightly better here and comparing the PopClip they do stand out a bit more all round with the full audio experience overall. The PearClip Pro offer an almost real in ear earbud listening experience and with their app you have many controls at hand to enhance the overall experience and the 12mm Dual-Magnet Driver & Dynamic EQ for clear highs and deep bass and adjustments on their app seals the deal for me here over the 10.8mm drivers on the Pop Clip you will not be dissapointed.

The controls also work well being touch based over button control on the PoP Clip on the earbuds with all the functions you need at hand wit your skip and reverse tracks lower and higher volume profile change and access to your voice assistant, calls also pretty clear on testing and overall a great pair of clip-on earbuds to be had here if you have not tried them yet, between them both they both do a great job here and it is down to personal taste both have the same functionality slightly different looks but the PearClip Pro take the winners seat for me overall.

Peats Audio App

 

Here is a comparative overview of the SoundPEATS POP Clip and PearlClip Pro open-ear clip-on earbuds:

Feature
POP Clip
PearlClip Pro
Sound Quality – 10.8mm Dual-Magnet Driver & Dynamic EQ for clear highs and deep bass.

– Open soundstage with enhanced bass, delivering a cinematic experience.

– Patented C-shaped Bidirectional Wind Noise Chamber enhances call clarity by 25% compared to conventional designs.

 – 12mm Dual-Magnet Driver & Dynamic EQ for clear highs and deep bass.

– Open soundstage with enhanced bass, delivering a cinematic experience.

– Automatic Left/Right Channel Adaptation with Charging Case.
Design & Comfort – Pearl-Lightweight Open-Ear Clip Design (4.73g) for a pressure-free fit.

– Automatic left/right channel adaptation with a sleek charging case.

 – Pearl-Lightweight Open-Ear Clip Design (5.85g) for a pressure-free fit.

– Automatic Left/Right Channel Adaptation with Charging Case.
Battery Life – 8 hours of playtime, plus an additional 22 hours with the charging case.

– 15-minute quick charge for 3 hours of playtime.

 – 6 hours of playtime, plus an additional 18 hours with the charging case.

– 10-minute quick charge for 2 hours of playtime.
Connectivity & Control – Physical Button Controls for a reliable, tactile experience and to reduce accidental touches.

– PeatsAudio App support for customizable controls and EQ settings.

 – Touch controls for intuitive operation.

– PeatsAudio App support for adaptive EQ and multi-device connection

 

Features 

  • VGP 2025 Best Cost Performance Award& VGP2025 Gold Award
  • Pearl-Lightweight Open-ear Clip Design
  • 12mm Dual-Magnet Driver& dynamic EQ for clear highs and deep bass
  • Open soundstage with enhanced bass, delivering a cinematic experience
  • Automatic Left/Right Channel Adaptation with Charging Case
  • 6h + 18h battery life, 10-min quick charge for 2h playtime

 

Buy below

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Video Review

ERP Ireland Encourages Public to Embrace Tech Reuse, Repair, and Recycling This World Earth Day

Tuesday, 22nd April is World Earth Day and the European Recycling Platform (ERP), Ireland’s only pan-European compliance scheme for WEEE and Waste Batteries, is calling on households to stop tech hoarding and consider reuse, repair or recycling their old or broken electrical items.
Whether its cluttering kitchen cupboards or stashed away in the infamous man drawer Irish homes, attics and garden sheds are full of forgotten electrical items. According to new Coyne Research commissioned by ERP, 1 in 3 adults claim they are holding on to unused electrical items because they haven’t got around to recycling them (32%). A further 15% say they are holding onto old electronics because they might repair them in future.
“Irish homes are full of old and forgotten mobile phones, laptops, tablets and gadgets that we haven’t touched in years,” says James Burgess, Country General Manager at ERP. “World Earth Day, just after Easter, is the perfect moment to take stock and do something positive for the planet. We want people to consider how their old tech can have a new lease of life, either by being repaired, or by being recycled so it’s components can be used again.”
Time to Close the Loop
ERP’s research also reveals a shift in how Irish consumers view technology as refurbished tech grows in popularity.
  • 44% of consumers have bought second-hand or refurbished electronics before (44%).
  • Gen Z are leading the charge, with 3 in 5 (60%) opting for refurbished tech, compared to just 1 in 4 (26%) Baby Boomers.
  • Smartphones top the list of most commonly purchased refurbished items (51%), followed by laptops (26%) and tablets (14%).
  • Quality, price, and warranty matter most to consumers when purchasing refurbished motivators.
  • And tellingly, there’s been a +6% increase in people holding onto old electronics with the intention to repair them in the past year but not getting round to it.
This World Earth Day, ERP is reminding the public that repairing and recycling are both central to ensuring a circular economy in Ireland.
“We need to move away from a throwaway culture – and that starts at home,” continues Burgess. “We’re asking everyone to take a moment to clear out those forgotten items and consider bringing them for repair where possible or taking them to a local recycling centre if needed. Don’t let them gather dust – let them make a difference.”
Free Recycling
This week, ERP Ireland launches its ERP Free Electrical Drop Off Events schedule for 2025 with events announced for Cavan, Clare, Fingal Dublin, Kerry, Meath, and Monaghan. The programme offers householders an accessible central collection point to bring their unused and broken electrical items and used batteries for recycling. ERP Ireland also partnered with Lidl Ireland to offer a series of free household electrical recycling events at some of their stores.
Find your nearest ERP FREE Electrical recycling Drop Off event at www.erp-recycling.ie

The 6 Biggest Tech Trends in Ireland

Ireland is no small player on the global tech stage, and it continues to punch well above its weight. In a way, it has become the digital frontier of Europe, adopting various innovative tech, from AI-driven analytics and immersive gaming to greener energy and top-of-the-line cybersecurity. Let’s take a look at the most exciting tech trends that are redefining Ireland’s technology landscape in 2025.

Mobile Gaming

Mobile-first has become the new default. Smartphone penetration continues to soar in Ireland, and the mobile gaming sector is riding high on that trend. 

The spotlight of this boom is on iGaming right now, with Irish gamers favouring mobile casinos and sportsbooks. Research shows that over 70% of adults play at least one game a year, and a significant portion of them do so online, via mobile. Slick interfaces with intuitive design keep attracting more audiences, while innovations like biometric logins, live betting, and AI-powered odds make the whole experience quick and seamless.

As many players look for more freedom and flexibility, the trend of exploring casinos outside Gamstop leads them to choose offshore platforms with better bonuses, fewer restrictions, and a broader range of games (source: casinos-not-on-gamstop.com).

AI Integration

More than just a buzzword, Ireland has adopted AI as a serious business backbone. Recent stats show that around 15% of enterprises and over 50% of large companies use AI. Recently, the public sector has joined in as well—government departments are already training civil servants in responsible AI usage, as part of the National AI Strategy.

The impact of this technology stretches through many verticals. From customer support to fraud detection, it’s an invaluable tool. In fact, for SMEs, using AI is a competitive differentiator. A survey carried out in 2024 showed that over 30% of Irish SMEs already use AI in some form, while close to half of them plan to expand—using it for sales forecasting, automation, and other methods of turning data into action.

Sustainable Energy

Sustainability has upgraded from being a side project to a proper strategy. Ireland is investing heavily in renewables, and with €7.4 billion saved in fossil fuel imports since 2000, it’s already paying off. Data-driven giants among tech companies are getting increasingly serious about sustainable energy. Cloud providers and data centres are under pressure for their energy consumption, which accounts for over 20% of Ireland’s total electricity use. Irish startups also have an opportunity to jump on the train of smart grid software, carbon analytics, and green innovations.

Cybersecurity

Cyber threats are now a reality rather than a hypothetical danger. In 2024, the National Cyber Security Centre handled 5,200 incident reports, with 721 confirmed cases. When it comes to business security, it’s a daily battle, with an average of 58 cyber incidents every year.

This surge in attacks has led to more investment in cybersecurity. 70% of organisations in Ireland plan to raise their budgets for security in 2025, covering everything from endpoint protection and data encryption to more advanced threat detection systems. More than just a trend, we are seeing cybersecurity become mission-critical for almost everyone.

Cloud Computing

In one year, the number of Irish companies and organisations hosting their infrastructure in the cloud has gone from 15% to 32%. Currently, an additional 33% are actively migrating, choosing cloud over legacy on-prem systems.

Many benefits are driving this rapid shift, from a growing reliance on remote collaboration tools to the need for flexibility and scalability. More agile startups gain the ability to compete with larger enterprises through reduced IT overheads and improved uptime. In 2025, 90% of IT leaders are expected to increase cloud investments, which puts the country in the fast lane of innovation.

VR & AR

Although first introduced in gaming, immersive technology has turned into something more. In Ireland, augmented and virtual reality are now being introduced into real estate, tourism, and even education. You can now take a virtual campus tour, attend an immersive training course, or view AR product previews as part of the mainstream experience.

Of course, gaming is still at the forefront here. VR casinos are also gaining ground, overlaying odds, stats, and live game data to make the activity more engaging and interactive. Shops are introducing gamification methods to deliver more impactful loyalty programmes. The popularity of these aspects is rising, and we can expect even more developers and investors to double down on immersive solutions in the times ahead.

Majority Darwin Bluetooth FM Radio Alarm Clock Review

The Majority Darwin Bluetooth FM Radio Alarm Clock is a new product on the market taking us back to days of old which we all remember well with the classic radio alarm clock.

On the bigger side than most before it has a large display with nice big digits you can not miss and an array of tactile buttons up top to change the settings and controls you have up to 30 preset stations and you can of course tune in your own ones the radio also acts as an alarm if you wish to use it as one and you can set two alarms you can also snooze as before with a bug button up top that also doubles as a dimmer and you can change the temp to Celsius or Fahrenheit.

There is a wide array of buttons to change the mode the volume skip and reverse tracks or stations so you are not short of features, this one however has something we did not have in the past and it is wireless charging and bluetooth connectivity which is great for those who like some nostalgia but keeping it current.

On testing both the wireless charging works on both all wireless charging compatible devices and streaming music from your phone is decently loud with no tinny sound or lag latency noted and sounds quite good overall, the radio itself also sounds great and is crystal clear with no issues either and you also have a back up battery just in case.

Overall if you are in the market for something new with a taste of nostalgia this product is right up your street, check the video below for more and see what you get.

Features 

  • Crystal-Clear FM Radio: Tune in to a wide array of FM radio stations with the built-in digital tuner. Automatic scanning simplifies station finding, and 30 preset slots allow users to save their favourite channels for quick access.
  • Wireless Bluetooth Streaming: Effortlessly connect smartphones, tablets, and other Bluetooth-enabled devices to stream music, podcasts, audiobooks, and more. Enjoy high-quality audio directly from your favourite apps.
  • Dual Alarm Functionality: The Darwin features dual alarm settings, enabling users to set two separate alarms to accommodate different wake-up times. Choose to wake up to the sound of FM radio or a traditional buzzer.
  • Integrated Wireless Charging: Simplify your charging routine with the built-in wireless charging pad. Compatible with Qi-enabled devices, the Darwin allows for convenient charging by simply placing your phone on the designated area.
  • User-Centric Design: The Darwin is engineered for ease of use and practicality. Additional features include:
    • Sleep Timer: Fall asleep to your favourite sounds with the sleep timer function, which automatically turns off the audio after a set duration.
    • Snooze Function: Enjoy a few extra minutes of rest with the easily accessible snooze button.
    • Headphone Jack: For private listening, a headphone jack is included.
    • Backup Battery: A backup battery (CR2025 included) ensures that alarm settings and time are preserved in the event of a power outage.

The Darwin is available on Amazon for £39.95.

Key Features of the Majority Darwin Bluetooth FM Radio Alarm Clock:

  • FM: 87.5-108 MHz
  • 5.4 Bluetooth Connectivity
  • Dual Digital Alarm Clock
  • 2.0 Channel
  • Stereo Speakers
  • Wireless Charging
  • CR2025 Backup Battery
  • Sleep & Snooze Function
  • Dimmer Function
  • Dimensions: 175 × 80 × 150mm; 642g

See our Majority Audio reviews

Video Review