Tag: #TV

eir ‘2024 Year in Data’ Report Highlights Ireland’s Digital Connectivity and Evolving Habits

eir, Ireland’s largest telecommunications provider, today published its annual ‘2024 Year in Data’ report, showcasing key digital trends across the country. The report offers a detailed view of Ireland’s evolving digital habits, spotlighting notable shifts in home broadband, mobile, and TV usage over the year.

In 2024, Fibre to the Home (FTTH) traffic saw an increase of 38.4%, reflecting the growing demand for high-speed internet across the country. On average, each household used 5,494 Gigabytes (GB) of broadband data in 2024, whereas households with fibre broadband used on average 6,888 GB over the same period.

2024 was also a year of major concerts and events. While Taylor Swift may have dominated headlines, the NFL outperformed her in data usage at the Aviva Stadium. Meanwhile, fans of Pink made more phone calls than Taylor Swift’s audience during their respective summer performances. When it came to sport, football proved to be the nation’s preferred choice, with soccer fans driving higher data usage and phone call activity compared to rugby supporters.

In terms of TV, the Euros 2024 final surpassed The Late Late Toy Show as the most streamed event of the year. On the fixed broadband side, gaming events and chapter releases were the biggest traffic drivers, with the Fortnite update in November claiming the title for the busiest night of the year.

Commenting on the report, Fergal McCann, eir’s Chief Technology Officer said: “In 2024, Irish people have fully embraced technology, both in their home and at major events like Taylor Swift’s Era’s tour. Our ‘2024 Year in Data’ report highlights a clear shift towards more connected, data-driven lifestyles, with a remarkable 38% rise in Fibre to the Home traffic.  This growth reflects the increasing demand for faster, more reliable internet as households, businesses, and communities rely on high-speed connectivity for everything from smart devices in their home to gaming.

At eir, we’re proud to be leading this transformation, continuously investing in next-generation infrastructure to support the changing needs of Ireland’s digital future. As technologies like AI, fibre broadband, and 5G continue to shape our connected world, we remain committed to ensuring our network helps Ireland stay connected and thrive in the digital age.”

2024 key highlights

 Fixed Broadband 

  • Total broadband data usage in 2024 increased by 7.3% versus 2023, with 5,202 Petabytes (PB)  in 2024 v 4,847 PB  in2023
  • Fibre-to-the-Home broadband data increased by 38.4% in 2024 at 2,971 PB, up from 2,146 PB in 2023
  • The most traffic over a single day was 21.8 PB on Saturday 02 November 2024
  • On average, each household used 5,494 Gigabytes (GB) of broadband data in 2024, whereas households with fibre broadband used on average 6,888 GB over the period.
  • The lowest data usage for fixed broadband in 2024 was on Friday 10 May 2024 at 11.6 PB
  • On average, Sunday was the highest data usage day of the week across 2024
  • The total broadband usage across eir’s network (5,202 PB) is the equivalent of 260 billion hours gaming, 15.3 billion hours video chat, 2.6 billion hours film streaming or 800 billion songs streamed

Mobile Network Data

  • The busiest mobile data day in 2024 was July 14th during the Euro Final Spain v England, while June 29th for the Dublin Pride event and July 13th with both Down & Armagh supporters flocking to Croke Park were the busiest days for Roaming customers in Ireland,
  • July and August recorded the highest overall data usage, while May and January saw peaks in voice call activity.
  • The busiest day for outbound roaming was the August Bank Holiday, with many people out of the country.

eir TV 

  • The Euro Final Spain v England on 14th July was the most watched event on eir TV in 2024
  • RTÉ’s Late Late Toy Show on 6th December came in as second most watched. At its peak, the Toy Show accounted for 64% of eir TV viewers down from last year when it accounted for 82% of eir TV viewers
  • Sport accounted for 8 out of the top 10 most viewed listings on eir TV in 2024
  • The Paris Olympics took two of the top 10 most viewed listings in 2024

Key Trends from 2024

  • The Rise of In-Home Devices
    Irish households are rapidly adopting smart technology, with smart security solutions nearly doubling to 30% since 2022 and smart appliances growing to 14% (CSO figures). Over 75% now use internet-connected TVs, while smart wearables and health monitoring tools continue to rise, driving demand for robust broadband to power connected homes.
  • Changing Lifestyles: How AI is Transforming Telco Services
    AI-driven technologies are enabling telcos like eir to deliver smarter, faster, and more responsive services. From optimizing network performance to enhancing customer support, AI is helping providers meet evolving digital habits and user expectations.
  • Future-Proof Technologies Shaping the Way We Live
    The adoption of fibre broadband and 5G is transforming digital lifestyles, with fibre usage up 38% in 2024. These technologies support data-intensive activities like UHD streaming, gaming, and smart home ecosystems, laying the foundation for next-generation connectivity.

Samsung Announces Massive Black Friday Savings

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.The most wonderful time of the year is fast approaching but fear not as Samsung’s Black Friday deals are sure to appeal to everyone on the gifting list. From smartphones that enhance productivity, to the must-have home entertainment setup and award-winning TV and soundbar range, get your hands on the latest cutting-edge technology at incredible prices.

In addition to these deals, Samsung users can enjoy the gift of Circle to Search with Google to find the best bargains for all items on their lists. Circle to Search is a Google-powered feature on all Samsung smartphones enabled with Galaxy AI and allows you to quickly search for information about what you see on your screen — including images, videos or text by making a simple circle gesture with your finger or the S Pen.  Perhaps you are scrolling on social media and see the perfect jumper or pair of shoes for a friend, or loved one – simply circle it and receive search results for identical and related items, allowing you to compare prices in an instant and make the most of Black Friday.

Mobile – Offers valid until 3rd December

SAVE €220 on the Samsung Galaxy S24

  • Welcome to the era of mobile AI. With Galaxy S24 in your hands, you can unleash whole new levels of creativity, productivity and possibility — starting with the most important device in your life. Your smartphone.

Enjoy €300 off the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra (14.6″ Wi-Fi)

  • Experience the power of Circle to Search with Google on a larger screen on the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra. Just circle, highlight, or tap an image or text to get Google Search results. You can even get instant translations.

SAVE €100 on the Samsung Galaxy A35 5G

  • Nightography just got fun. The Galaxy A35 5G comes with an improved NPU and enhanced sensor that makes photos clear with detail even in the dark. From nightscapes to night portraits, you’ll get more detail in every shot.

Enjoy €120 off the Galaxy Watch Ultra

  • Gear up for every expedition with a range of band options for all terrains. With the new One UI, powered by an all-new processor, Galaxy Watch Ultra has you covered for all your exciting thrills.

Enjoy €60 off the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro

  • Leave your phone in your pocket and conveniently control your earbuds by using simple gestures. Even with a swift swipe, rest assured your Galaxy Buds3 Pro stay securely in your ears.
  • TV/AV Black Friday Offers – Valid until 2nd December

 

Receive a complimentary The Freestyle 2nd Gen worth up to €700 when you buy any 2024 Neo QLED 8K TV

  • Get a free sleek, sharp and portable projector which can project up to an 100” frame for free when you buy any 2024 Neo QLED 8K TV

Claim up to €360 cashback on OLED TVs

  • Purchase any of the award-winning 2024 S90D, S93D or S95D models and claim up to €360 OLED TV’s.

Home Appliances – Valid until 2nd December

SAVE over €500 on the Samsung Silver Classic AI Fridge Freezer [RB53DG706AS9EU]

  • Maximise space with this smart fridge freezer which offers more room on the inside whilst maintaining the same size on the outside due to its slimmer walls. Smart all-around cooling maintains a steady temperature throughout the entire fridge, without it building up any frost.

SAVE over €500 on the Samsung American Style Fridge Freezer with SpaceMax™ [RS64DG5303S9EU]

  • This super sleek Samsung fridge freezer is big on capacity, style, and quality, with its larger capacity allowing you to stock up the fridge for the whole family.

SAVE over €500 on the Samsung Series 7 Side-by-side [RS68CG882ES9EU]

  • With impressive Twin Cooling Plus technology, this fridge freezer uses two separate air flows to stop your food from drying out, meaning it stays a fresh and tasty for longer. Ensure you’re always ready for a celebration, this appliance has an extra wide wine shelf fitted.

SAVE over €1300 on the Samsung Family Hub [RF65DG9H0ESREU]

  • This fridge freezer helps you keep on top of your groceries in a smart way. With AI Vision, you can monitor the food that are in the fridge freezer and can even generate a shopping list or meal plans based on what’s you already have in stock.

SAVE over €100 on the Samsung Series 5 Classic Fridge Freezer [RB38C605DB1/EU]

  • With AI Energy Mode, this fridge freezer tracks your power consumption so that you can keep on top of your bills. Not only that, you can also select the perfect temperature and humidity for your fruit and veg with the Humidity Fresh + drawer. This fridge freezer offer optimal personalisation for you and your family.

See our Samsung Reviews 

Toshiba TV launches new series of 4K QLED TVs featuring Freely

Toshiba TV has launched its new QV2F series – a range of affordable QLED TVs. The Toshiba QV2F TV is available in sizes from 43 inches to 65 inches, with the 55” available to buy today at £299.00. These latest models feature the new streaming platform Freely. Viewers will be able to stream all their favourite live and on demand programmes with Freely – no dish, no box and no need for an aerial, all you need is WiFi.

Viewers can now experience True Colour for an affordable price as QLED offers a range of 1 billion colour shades for picture precision like never before. It’s also packed with leading tech, offering great value for TV and movie lovers. TRU Flow reduces image judder during fast-moving scenes, while TRU Resolution upscales non-4K content for a more vivid experience. It is also equipped with Dolby Vision™ so viewers can experience unparalleled 4K HDR with ultra-vivid picture quality, brighter highlights, and deeper blacks.

Freely, the streaming platform backed by the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5, is the new way to stream the UK’s favourite live and on demand content, all in one place, for free. Freely enables audiences to stream live TV channels alongside on demand content via their new smart TVs, removing the need for a dish or aerial. An all-new Freely button will also feature on the QV2F’s remote control for fast and convenient access at the press of a button.

To compliment the stunning visuals of the QV2F series, Dolby Atmos® and Sound by Onkyo are built in to the range and deliver immersive sound waves that flow through the room, creating a truly cinematic experience.

The QV2F series is also packed with all the apps you could need – from Netflix to Disney Plus,  Amazon Prime and many more.

Viewers can also control the QV2F series with their voice, using their preferred voice assistant. From TV search to navigation, Alexa, Google Home, or VIDAA Voice offer a range of options for easily accessing TV entertainment and smart home control. Viewers can also control their TV via the remote control over a Bluetooth connection, or with their voice via the Vidaa smartphone app. Plus, VIDAA TV OS integrates live TV and streaming channels seamlessly, offering a vast array of content.

Bart Kuijten, Commercial Director at Toshiba TV comments, “After the launch of the UV2F, we are extremely excited to be bringing Freely to another Toshiba TV. We can continue to offer amazing viewing experiences, combining all your favourite streaming apps with live TV via WIFI, all at an incredible price point.”

Deep Halder, Chief Commercial Officer at Everyone TV adds, “We are delighted to partner with Toshiba to offer Freely on their new range of 4K QLED TVs, as Freely continues to expand enabling more audiences across the UK to easily stream shows from their favourite broadcasters all in one place, for free.

“The new range of TVs from Toshiba are great value models to be considering this Christmas season with hours and hours of free content all literally at the press of a Freely button on the remote control.”

The QV2F series is available in 43-65 inches size models. The 55” model launches today at £299.00. Prices and availability for the other sizes will be available at a later date.

Samsung Announces Massive Black Friday Savings

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. The most wonderful time of the year is fast approaching but fear not as Samsung’s Black Friday deals are sure to appeal to everyone on the gifting list. From smartphones that enhance productivity, to the must-have home entertainment setup and award-winning TV and soundbar range, get your hands on the latest cutting-edge technology at incredible prices.

In addition to these deals, Samsung users can enjoy the gift of Circle to Search with Google to find the best bargains for all items on their lists. Circle to Search is a Google-powered feature on all Samsung smartphones enabled with Galaxy AI and allows you to quickly search for information about what you see on your screen — including images, videos or text by making a simple circle gesture with your finger or the S Pen.  Perhaps you are scrolling on social media and see the perfect jumper or pair of shoes for a friend, or loved one – simply circle it and receive search results for identical and related items, allowing you to compare prices in an instant and make the most of Black Friday.

Mobile[1]

SAVE €100 on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE 1

  • Browse the web in style on the Galaxy Tab S9 FE – Circle to Search means you can circle around an object to get Google Search results. What’s more, you can write, sketch, and draw on your favourite notetaking app with the water and dust-resistant inbox S Pen.

SAVE €100 on the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE 1

  • Packed with Galaxy AI smarts, Galaxy S24 FE is a pocket-sized companion to make your everyday life easier. Browsing Assist helps consolidate internet searches into concise, digestible content, so you can get straight to the point. Circle to Search means you can search for anything on your screen, so the power.

SAVE €100 on the Samsung Galaxy A55 5G 1

  • Capture social media worthy shots on the Galaxy A55 5G even in low-light conditions thanks to the triple-lens camera with Nightography mode. The 32MP Selfie camera helps you to capture high-quality selfies with options to choose warm or natural tones.

Enjoy €90 off the Galaxy Watch6 Classic1

  • With customisable watch faces, the Galaxy Watch6 is packed with wellness features such as sleep-tracking, and a personal HR Zone that will assess your fitness capacity. You can leave your phone at home with added connectivity capabilities. You can make calls, explore cites and find your way to your destination with GPS built in.

SAVE €250 on the Samsung Galaxy S24+1

  • Welcome to the era of mobile AI. With Galaxy S24+ in your hands, you can unleash whole new levels of creativity, productivity and possibility — starting with the most important device in your life. Your smartphone.

SAVE €300 on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra (14.6″ Wi-Fi)2

  • Experience the power of Circle to Search with Google on a larger screen on the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra. Just circle, highlight, or tap an image or text to get Google Search results. You can even get instant translations.

TV/AV Black Friday Offers3

Receive a complimentary The Freestyle 2nd Gen worth up to €700 when you buy any 2024 Neo QLED 8K TV

  • Get a free sleek, sharp and portable projector which can project up to an 100” frame for free when you buy any 2024 Neo QLED 8K TV

Claim up to €360 cashback on OLED TVs

  • Purchase any of the award-winning 2024 S90D, S93D or S95D models and claim up to €360 OLED TV’s.

Home Appliances4

SAVE over €500 on the Samsung Silver Classic AI Fridge Freezer [RB53DG706AS9EU]

  • Maximise space with this smart fridge freezer which offers more room on the inside whilst maintaining the same size on the outside due to its slimmer walls. Smart all-around cooling maintains a steady temperature throughout the entire fridge, without it building up any frost.

SAVE over €500 on the Samsung American Style Fridge Freezer with SpaceMax™ [RS64DG5303S9EU]

  • This super sleek Samsung fridge freezer is big on capacity, style, and quality, with its larger capacity allowing you to stock up the fridge for the whole family.

SAVE over €500 on the Samsung Series 7 Side-by-side [RS68CG882ES9EU]

  • With impressive Twin Cooling Plus technology, this fridge freezer uses two separate air flows to stop your food from drying out, meaning it stays a fresh and tasty for longer. Ensure you’re always ready for a celebration, this appliance has an extra wide wine shelf fitted.

SAVE over €1300 on the Samsung Family Hub [RF65DG9H0ESREU]

  • This fridge freezer helps you keep on top of your groceries in a smart way. With AI Vision, you can monitor the food that are in the fridge freezer and can even generate a shopping list or meal plans based on what’s you already have in stock.

SAVE over €100 on the Samsung Series 5 Classic Fridge Freezer [RB38C605DB1/EU]

  • With AI Energy Mode, this fridge freezer tracks your power consumption so that you can keep on top of your bills. Not only that, you can also select the perfect temperature and humidity for your fruit and veg with the Humidity Fresh + drawer. This fridge freezer offer optimal personalisation for you and your family.

[1] First phase of MX deals valid until 19th November

2 Tab S10 Ultra Wifi deal valid until 3rd December

3 TV offers valid until 2nd December

4 Home Appliance valid until 2nd December

See our Samsung Reviews 

Virgin Media Turns Black Friday ‘Red’

Virgin Media is shaking up the Black Friday season by turning it ‘Red’ with a series of fantastic offers across its Broadband, TV, and Mobile services. Starting from November 12th, Virgin Media is inviting customers to experience top-of-the-line connectivity, entertainment, and mobile plans at outstanding prices with exclusive free gifts and savings.

The headline offer for new customers, is a FREE 43” TCL 4K Smart TV when they sign up to Virgin Media’s ultrafast, reliable 1Gb broadband combined with Virgin Media’s popular  ‘Streaming TV’ package, perfect for immersing themselves in the latest and greatest entertainment.

Virgin Mobile customers also have plenty to celebrate this ‘Red Friday.’ Those who purchase a Samsung Galaxy S24 (128GB), Apple iPhone 14 (128GB), or Google Pixel 8 Pro (128GB) from November 12th will receive a complimentary pair of JBL Live Pro 2 earbuds (RRP €149.99), delivering premium sound quality to match their top-tier devices.

Virgin Mobile is also offering upfront savings and reduced monthly fees on some of its most popular handsets. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6, now available for €199 upfront and €40 per month, offers customers an €80 saving. In addition, the Samsung Galaxy S24 (128GB) can be purchased with no upfront cost and a reduced monthly bill of €35, giving customers a €5 monthly saving.

“Our ‘Red Friday’ deals are our way of giving back to our customers with offers that bring exceptional value across broadband, TV, and mobile services,” said Paul Higgins, VP of Commercial at Virgin Media Ireland.

“From fast, reliable internet and immersive entertainment to cutting-edge mobile devices, we’re committed to providing unbeatable experiences for Irish households. This Black Friday, Virgin Media is making it easier than ever for customers to access the very best in connectivity and entertainment at incredible prices.”

 

  • All free gifts with Virgin Mobile are subject to availability, available for a limited period only, and are provided at the time of purchase with delivery or upon collection.
  • Free TCL 43” 4K Smart TV is subject to availability, available for a limited period only, and will be within 5 days once the customer has been installed for 28 days.
  • All offers are subject to application check, availability, and contract terms and conditions.
  • All offers are correct as of November 12, 2024.

For full T&Cs and more information, please visit www.VirginMedia.ie.

Google TV streamer 4k review

The Google TV streamer is the latest addition to their product portfolio this year and a welcome upgrade too with more storage (32GB) and RAM and 22% faster on offer this time and a big design change from the old chromecast we all know and love.

This time around it is not a small box that plugs into the back of your TV but one that sits on the TV stand or nearby and this time you also get an ethernet port if you want a solid connection.

This also comes with Matter so you can connect any other compatible device to have on one hub along with your desired content all in one place so for example if you have google home and several devices you can have these on your TV which is excellent however you cant respond to your doorbell for example if it rings but you can still see all your cameras there which for me is ideal as I an an entrenched user of Google products and others.

The remote control has also changed slightly this time and ha s a custom key on it which I have set up for google home, voice commands work much better now and overall the UI of the product is excellent as you will see in a detailed video review below.

On setting up you will see a list of apps and then you select what is required if not on screen just download basically you are putting all your subs into one place or any favourite that doesnt cost.

You have AI built in of course with AI overviews and suggestions and of course the regular AI features like what’s the weather or find a movie all which we are accustomed to at this stage.

There is a sports hub too if your are into that and you get Google Free play so there is plenty here to get started if you want to embrace on a new smart home if you have not already and for those who have not would find themselves wanting more if you had a hub like this to have an entire ecosystem at home which for me is the best way to have it.

If you lose your remote do not worry as there are several ways now to find it one being the button on the back of the hub by voice or on the home app.

IN short here again if you are using an entire Google Ecosystem this is certainly what you need in one hub and anything else in one place it is a must have.

Check the video below for a look at what you get it is cool.

 

Features 

  • Everything you stream on one screen.
  • Your entertainment, built around you.
  • Unlock 4K with cinematic visuals and immersive surround sound.
  • A big leap in performance and connectivity.
  • Better comfort and convenience with a redesigned voice remote.
  • Making your smart home smarter.
  • Thoughtfully designed to feel at home.

Other Google reviews 

BUY

Video Review

The Latest Technology Used in Modern Bathrooms

Modern bathrooms are designed with functionality and space efficiency in mind. They feature smart technologies, efficient layouts and smart storage solutions. Therefore, incorporating smart technology in your bathroom can enhance your bathroom and your lifestyle. Smart technology can also reduce your home’s energy consumption. 

Read on to discover the latest technology used in modern bathrooms: 

 

  1. Smart Shower

 

A smart shower can revolutionise convenience and functionality in your modern bathroom. You will be able to set the water temperature, flow rate and shower duration. A smart shower can improve safety by keeping a steady water temperature. It can, therefore, help to prevent accidental burns with hot water in your bathroom. This is great if you have young children in your home. 

 

  1. Adjustable Privacy Glass

 

You can use adjustable privacy glass to ensure privacy and let in light. In fact, you will be able to control the level of privacy and light exposure in your bathroom. Adjustable privacy glass enhances privacy, provides excellent light control, enhances the aesthetic appeal of the bathroom and reduces the need for artificial lighting. 

According to oconnorcarrollbathrooms.ie, adjustable privacy glass will save you so much money. How? You will just use natural light during the day. This will reduce your energy consumption. 

 

  1. LED Mirrors

 

LED mirrors allow you to customise the ambience of your bathroom. These mirrors provide even and adjustable lighting. That is why they can eliminate shadows and enhance visibility in a bathroom. In addition, you can check the news, weather and traffic while getting ready. This is because LED mirrors have built-in displays. 

 

  1. Smart Faucets

 

Smart faucets can enhance a bathroom with modern convenience and water efficiency. Installing smart faucets can, therefore, help reduce water wastage and reduce the spread of germs in your home. Touchless faucets, for example, can be controlled through touchless technology. 

Remember, you do not have to touch the faucet to wash your hands after using the toilet or even changing a diaper. That is why a touchless faucet will minimise the spread of germs in your bathroom. 

 

  1. Floor Heating System

 

A floor heating system allows you to step out of the shower onto warm tiles. Installing a radiant floor heating system for your bathroom ensures your bathroom stays evenly heated, reduces energy bills over time and reduces maintenance costs. That is why a radiant floor heating system will save you money over the long term. 

 

  1. Smart Scale

 

You probably want to focus on your health. Therefore, you need to have a smart scale in your bathroom. You will use it to track your fitness goals. Thankfully, there are smart bathroom scales. They can track and store data. You can use them to measure your weight and track information about your body composition. These are highly recommended by personaltraineronline.ie. 

 

  1. Aromatherapy Diffuser

 

Do you want to make your bathroom smell good? An aromatherapy diffuser can help. How? It disperses essential oil into the air. You will enjoy the therapeutic benefits of aromatherapy in your bathroom. 

You probably use your bathroom to relax at home. So, why not use an aromatherapy diffuser to create a spa-like atmosphere in your bathroom? 

 

  1. Water Recycler

 

Recycling water can save energy and save money on your water bills. You can use a water recycler to recycle water from your washing machines, bath and even shower. You will reuse the water for toilets and garden irrigation. Installing this smart device can save you money in the long term. It is best to hire a professional to install a water recycler in your home. 

 

  1. Waterproof TV

 

Bathrooms are not just for washing up. It can be a place for relaxation and mindfulness. In fact, you can enjoy a long soak in the bath and catch on your favourite TV show. You can, therefore, put a waterproof TV in your modern bathroom to help you relax and unwind with your favourite TV show. 

 

  1. Smart Toilets

 

Smart toilets have become a staple in modern bathrooms. Want to indulge in the finer things and conserve water? Then, install smart toilets in your home. Smart toilets are more accessible, conserve water, save space and improve bathroom hygiene. In fact, they can reduce the risk of overflowing. So, they can reduce water wastage. 

 

  1. Integrated Voice Assistants

 

Do you want to enjoy a hands-free experience in your bathroom? You, then, need to integrate voice-controlled features in your bathroom. You will be able to use voice commands to control various aspects of your bathroom, including lighting, showers, music and even your toilet. 

 

  1. Warming Drawers

 

Bathrooms usually feel cold. Your towels will, therefore, feel cold to the touch. You will not want to wrap yourself in a cold towel. Fortunately, you can install a warming drawer in your modern bathroom. If you want a hot towel on demand, install a warming drawer in your bathroom. A warming drawer means no more damp towels. You will always wrap yourself in a warm towel. 

 

  1. Smart thermostat

 

Do you want to remotely adjust the temperature in your bathroom? Install a smart thermostat. You will be able to adjust heating and cooling to maximise energy savings in your bathroom. Having a thermostat can help keep your bathroom at stable temperatures. However, the thermostat should be installed at a safe distance from showers and tubs. 

Final Thoughts 

These are the latest technology in modern bathrooms. Installing modern technology in your bathroom can reduce water wastage, lower your electricity bills, enhance the comfort and convenience of your bathroom, and even increase your home’s value. You can, therefore, install modern features to transform your bathroom into a smart oasis.

 

Sony announces arrival of 65-inch BRAVIA 9 in Europe

Sony Europe B.V. has announced the highly anticipated arrival of the 65-inch BRAVIA 9 television in Europe, offering a truly immersive cinematic experience for movie and entertainment enthusiasts in a more compact screen size. This premium TV boasts exceptional picture quality and cutting-edge features designed to elevate your home entertainment to new heights.

“We have listened to customer and media feedback and are thrilled to expand the BRAVIA 9 range in Europe with an additional 65-inch screen size model in November,” said Shoji Ohama, Head of Home Entertainment Product Planning and Marketing at Sony Europe. “This TV embodies decades of Sony’s close relationship with the film industry as well as commitment to innovation and delivering the best possible viewing experience. With its exceptional picture quality, immersive sound, and user-friendly features, the BRAVIA 9 has all it takes to become the centrepiece of any home entertainment system.”

Unparalleled brightness meets precise backlight control

The BRAVIA 9 pushes the boundaries of picture quality with its revolutionary combination of high peak brightness and precise backlight control. This translates to stunning visuals with incredible detail, vibrant colours, and deep blacks. The XR Backlight Master Drive, featuring thousands of mini-LED zones, delivers exceptional contrast by precisely controlling the lighting in each zone. This ensures that even the most challenging scenes, with both bright and dark elements, are displayed with remarkable clarity and realism.

Studio-calibrated modes for authentic viewing

The BRAVIA 9 is meticulously calibrated to deliver an experience that faithfully reproduces the creator’s vision. Pre-installed Netflix Calibrated Mode, Prime Video Calibrated Mode, and SONY PICTURES CORE calibrated mode ensure that your favourite movies and shows look exactly as intended. Whether you’re streaming the latest blockbuster or revisiting a classic film, the BRAVIA 9 guarantees an authentic cinematic experience in the comfort of your own home.

Additional key features:

  • XR Processor: Sony’s powerful XR Processor analyses content scene by scene, intelligently adjusting picture and sound for an unparalleled viewing experience.
  • X-Anti Reflection: Enjoy a clear, immersive picture even in bright rooms thanks to the innovative X-Anti Reflection filter.
  • X Wide Angle: Experience stunning picture quality from virtually any viewing angle with the X Wide Angle technology.
  • Immersive sound: New BRAVIA 9 TVs feature Acoustic Multi-Audio+ and are the world’s first with Beam Tweeter at the top and Frame Tweeter at the sides to deliver cinematic surround sound. Every sound comes from exactly the right place.

Pricing and availability

The BRAVIA 9 in a 65-inch screen size will be available in Europe starting in November 2024. For pricing and exact availability details in your country, please visit https://www.sony.co.uk/bravia/products/bravia-9.

See other Sony news and reviews 

Expert suggests summer of sport TV time for workers may boost return to office and team morale

As we approach a summer of sport across Ireland, many avid supporters may be looking to keep up with their sport of choice. With Euros already begun, Wimbledon on the way and the Paris Olympic Games kicking off from July, many workers residing in the office may hope to catch matches and games whilst at work.

Past YouGov studies have revealed only 23% of employees at a permanent workplace have permission to watch TV at work, meaning a large portion of the workforce will miss out on watching the action live, or worse, will instead choose to miss work so they can get involved in the action elsewhere.

The same survey noted that almost 1 in 3 (29%) of workers would like the opportunity to watch sporting events whilst at work. More than a fifth of male employees surveyed in the research suggested watching sporting events encourages ‘good team spirit’ in the workplace.

Is TV time at the office the key to boosting team spirit and morale?

Shane Duffy, Managing Director at Click Offices says that hosting watch parties in the workplace is a great way to not only encourage employees into the office, but to also provide flexible working solutions that fosters greater team morale.

“We all know how hard it’s been to get people back to the office since the pandemic, and with more people than ever choosing flexible working patterns that allow them better work/life balance, you really have to make coming to the office a worthwhile affair for employees.

It’s all well and good providing varied work environments and top of the range serviced offices, but employees are wanting more than just coffee making facilities and proximity to a good sports bar to watch the game after work.

“Gen Z especially are wanting more of an experience from their work days, and their motivations are different to the generations before them. It’s not just all about the money for them, they want to feel like they’re part of a team, they need motivation in other ways.

A survey recently showed that more than half of Gen Zers say that watching live games is one of the best ways to engage with the Euros especially, and so combining their passions outside of work with an enthusiastic work environment is an easy way to attract and maintain the Gen Z workforce.

“What’s more attractive to employees than coming together with your work mates to watch some sport, enjoy some food, have a laugh and maybe answer a few emails while you’re at it?”

How to balance fun work environment with HR-approved inclusivity

Hosting a workplace watch party isn’t as easy as bringing in the big TV and putting on some food and drink for the team – there are a number of things employers need to be mindful of when encouraging staff to let their hair down in a professional environment.

David Rice, HR expert at People Managing People shares his top tips for hosting a workplace watch party that won’t get you in trouble with the HR team.

  1. Keep Things Inclusive

“Just make sure you create a welcoming environment for everyone. That means food options for everyone, including those with allergies or dietary requirements. Put out a quick survey so you know if there’s anything people can’t enjoy, such as gluten or shellfish. This way you have options for everyone.

“As for alcohol, you’ll want to think about the fact that some folks don’t drink or may be in recovery for alcoholism and provide support if the event is triggering in some way. Whether that’s pairing them with other people in recovery or creating alcohol free spaces for them to enjoy.”

  1. Avoid Creating Distractions

“These sorts of events are good in a few ways. For one, they definitely boost morale and create a sort of bonding experience for employees where they can find common ground and chat with people they wouldn’t normally interact with. But it also breaks up the monotony of the working calendar and provides something memorable. This is a nice way to mark a time of the year and create memorable experiences in the workplace.

“If it becomes excessive, it can be a distraction. If you have employees who are fans of other countries, it’s important to be respectful of everyone and celebrate their cultures. Nationalism is inherent to some extent in international sports, but that can turn ugly if nurtured in the wrong way.”

  1. It’s Not That Deep

“Since the Ancient Greeks, sport has been used to entertain, celebrate and enjoy a distraction from daily life. This time in history isn’t that different and we should use it to remind ourselves that life isn’t just corporate deadlines and P&L reports.

“Sports inspire people to try harder, take better care of themselves, overcome adversity and work together. That’s why they’re such a great metaphor for teamwork in all settings, but in this case, the CEO doesn’t have to make some cringey reference to getting the ball over the goal line, people can just see the dynamics of teamwork and how everything comes together by watching what plays out.”

  1. Promote Workplace Flexibility

“Summer tends to be a period in which people cash in annual leave or they tend to disengage as their desire to be out and about in the sunshine increases. By embracing these types of events, you allow for people to break without actually taking holiday or just actively disengaging. They’ll appreciate your flexibility and understanding of the importance of such events in the national culture.”

For more information on serviced office solutions in Dublin, please visit Click Offices: https://www.clickoffices.com/serviced-offices/ireland/dublin