Tag: #uk

London Bus Network to benefit from AI-powered Optimisations through CitySwift and London Bus Operators Partnership

London has one of the largest public transport networks in the world with nearly 9,000 buses serving approximately 1.8 billion passenger journeys annually. It is operated by seven bus operators on 675 routes franchised by Transport for London (TfL). CitySwift has the potential to over time enable all of London’s Bus Operators to use data, AI optimisations and simulations to mitigate disruptions, optimise resource use and facilitate collaboration. Increasing the performance of the network will deliver more reliable bus services to drive increased passenger volumes and a better passenger experience.

“Our work with both authorities and operators in multiple regions since 2016 has consistently delivered tangible results in improved reliability, efficiency, and passenger and driver satisfaction. We are thrilled to bring these advantages to all operators, drivers and passengers in the London bus network, contributing to TfL’s vision of providing the most efficient and reliable transport network,” said CEO and Co-founder Brian O’Rouke on today’s announcement.

CitySwift currently employs 17 people in the UK and 50 people in Ireland, with ambitions to double headcount in both countries over the next 3 years. Founded in 2016 by Brian O’Rourke and Alan Farrelly, CitySwift empowers private operators and public transport authorities to achieve unmatched efficiency by using data to solve problems. CitySwift’s AI-powered performance optimisation platform delivers insights, simulations, and actionable recommendations to support the provision of high-performing bus services.

This news follows a year of rapid growth for CitySwift in 2024. During that time, the company secured €7 million in funding and announced renewed and new partnerships with Transport for Wales, National Express, Transport for Greater Manchester, Go-Ahead Group, and more.

Elaine Carey has been appointed as CEO at Three Ireland

Three Ireland today announces that Elaine Carey has been appointed as CEO.

A vastly experienced senior telecommunications executive, Ms Carey will formally take up the role during Q2 of 2025.

Currently Chief Commercial Officer of Three Ireland and Three UK, she leads the products and propositions portfolio, overseeing award-winning customer care teams, as well as Three’s retail footprint and e-commerce business. Elaine’s remit also covers Three’s successful sponsorships of 3Arena and 3Olympia, as well as the company’s digital and brand marketing.

Robert Finnegan, the outgoing CEO of Three Ireland, is moving to take a new role in CK Hutchison Group where he will become Deputy Chairman of CK Hutchison Telecoms Group to assist in managing the company’s global telecoms interests.

Robert has been CEO of Three Ireland since the company’s launch in 2005 and in addition

to this role, became CEO of Three UK in April 2020. Robert’s contribution to the Irish telecommunications market has been substantial, having been at the helm from Three’s infancy in Ireland to the network now being Ireland’s largest telecommunications provider.

Three Ireland incoming CEO Elaine Carey said: “I’m very proud to take over the leadership of Ireland’s largest mobile telecommunications provider. I look forward to driving continued success for our business as No. 1 in the market, build on our position as Ireland’s fastest 5G network, while continuing to bring the very best experience for our customers.

Having worked with Robert for 18 years, he has been an inspiration to me throughout my time at Three. The contribution he has made to our business and our industry in this time has been truly exceptional. I would like to thank Robert and wish him well in his new role.”

Three Ireland CEO Robert Finnegan said: “I am extremely proud of everything achieved by Three Ireland in the last 20 years. I have been lucky to work alongside such talented and hard-working people over the course of my time at Three, and I am very grateful to each and every person for making my time as CEO so enjoyable and successful. Under Elaine’s leadership, I am confident that Three Ireland will continue to thrive and evolve as the business moves forward. I wish her the very best of luck”.

Elaine first joined Three Ireland in 2007 as Head of Retail and has progressed through several roles within the business since then, including Chief Commercial Officer in 2013 and expanded Chief Commercial Officer role in Three UK in 2020, to becoming CEO of Three Ireland.

Select Technology Group acquires JTRS to expand its Apple education tech offering in the UK.

In a strategic move to expand its footprint in the EdTech sector, Select Technology Group – the UK and Ireland’s leading Apple Premium Partner – has announced the acquisition of JTRS, Apple Authorised Education Specialist.

The acquisition enables both companies to leverage their combined expertise and resources to support educational institutions across Great Britain and Northern Ireland with Apple’s technology and solutions.

The JTRS team and services will be integrated into Select Technology Group, creating a broader network of support for schools, colleges, and universities.

Ciaran McCormack, Managing Director of Select Technology Group, commented on the acquisition:

“This is an exciting new chapter for our business. We are extremely passionate about the education industry, helping schools and educators enhance their teaching and learning environments with Apple technology, and this acquisition allows us to extend our reach and resources. JTRS shares our passion for supporting education, and together, we can offer an even more comprehensive range of services to our clients across Ireland and the UK. By combining our strengths, we are confident we can drive even greater innovation in the educational technology space and create more impactful outcomes for students and educators alike.”

The agreement comes after Select Technology Group purchased DID Electrical in December 2023 to accelerate its retail growth in Ireland.  This acquisition sees Select Technology Group increase its presence in the UK, where it is already an Apple Premium Partner (retail), Apple Authorised Reseller (corporate sales), and Apple Authorised Service Provider and offers more comprehensive support to the UK and the island of Ireland education sector. This acquisition helps to push Select Tech Group’s turnover over €300m.

‘’We are particularly excited about the opportunity to work with new schools in the UK’’, McCormack continued.  The JTRS team deeply understands the unique needs of the UK education sector, which complements our approach, and together, we will provide more localised and personalised support to our growing customer base. This acquisition further strengthens our position as a trusted partner for educational institutions across the UK and Ireland.”

Key highlights from the deal include:

 – Select Technology Group will become the only Apple Premium Partner, Apple Authorised Reseller and Apple Authorised Education Specialist in the UK and Ireland.  

– Select Technology Group’s leading Apple Professional Learning Provider will further expand into UK schools.

-Select Technology Group will integrate JTRS teams, growing the business to 686 people in the UK and Ireland.

Molekule Air Mini+ now available in the UK

Molekule, the leader in reinventing air purification, today announces that the Molekule Air Mini+ is now available in the UK from Healf.com and Amazon.co.uk. Powered by Molekule’s patented Photo Electrochemical Oxidation (PECO) technology, the Air Mini+ air purifier is designed to destroy a full spectrum of indoor air pollutants, including allergens, mould, viruses, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air we breathe. 

Unlike traditional air purifiers, where pollutants can potentially escape the filter, grow on them, or re-release entirely, the Molekule Air Mini+ eradicates pollutants, preventing the possibility that they could return to the air. Molekule’s PECO technology is proven to destroy pollutants 1000 times smaller than what HEPA standards test for.  

Helping people to breathe safer and cleaner air, the Air Mini+ features particle sensor technology which detects the amount of particulate matter in the air of the room in which the device operates. When on Auto Protect Mode, Air Mini+ will automatically adjust the device’s fan speed based on particulate matter sensed in the air. It responds in real-time to reduce the amount of particles in the air like pollen and dust, while also capturing and destroying other indoor air pollutants including VOCs, mould, bacteria and viruses. 

“The air we breathe has never been of greater concern and more and more research continues to surface on the tiny, but toxic pollutants found in the air. It’s estimated that indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air,” said Jason DiBona, CEO of Molekule. “Even things like household cleaning products, air fresheners, hair spray and candles can increase indoor air pollution, putting our health in danger. Using PECO technology in our devices to destroy the widest range of pollutants in the air including dust, pollen and pet dander, helps to dramatically improve indoor air quality and reduce symptoms associated with asthma and allergies.” 

The stylish Molekule Air Mini+ is designed to look elegant anywhere in the home. With five fan speeds it’s perfect for spaces up to 250 square feet in size and will sit comfortably on a kitchen work surface, coffee table or nightstand. Air Mini+ stands 12 inches high, 8.26 inches in diameter, and weighs just over seven pounds. 

App-enabled, the Air Mini+ allows users to keep an eye on their air quality with daily and weekly air history stats, track changes to particle levels in five-minute increments or go back as far as the previous four weeks. The Molekule Air Mini+ is available for from Healf.com and Amazon.co.uk with an RRP of £349.99. 

See our air purifier reviews 

Ookla Shares Analysis of Storm Éowyn’s Impact on Telecoms Infrastructure

The UK and Ireland are in recovery mode after Storm Éowyn wreaked havoc on electricity and telecoms infrastructure in recent days. With record wind gusts exceeding 180 km/h recorded in Ireland and a ‘major incident’ declared on the Isle of Man, the storm has been historic in both its strength and the extent of the damage caused across the islands.

Today, Ookla Shares Analysis of Storm Éowyn’s Impact on Telecoms Infrastructure severe and sustained decline in mobile performance across all operators in Ireland and parts of the UK on a scale not seen before.

On the day the storm made landfall (24th January), median mobile download speeds in Ireland (10.04 Mbps) were 78% lower than the preceding 7-day average of 47.43 Mbps, while median latency was 23% higher at 47.6 ms. In Scotland and Northern Ireland, mobile download speeds at the 10th percentile—a critical metric reflecting the poorest network performance—dropped significantly on the same day, falling by 63% to 2.19 Mbps and by 74% to 1.31 Mbps, respectively, compared to the 7-day average.

The unprecedented scale of impact on telecoms infrastructure serves as the latest and most high-profile call to action for hardening networks against increasingly frequent and severe storms in the UK and Ireland.

You can find the full analysis and Speedtest Intelligence® data here: https://www.ookla.com/articles/storm-eowyn

Majority launches the Naga 60 2.1 Bluetooth Soundbar in the UK

Majority, the consumer electronics brand known for its innovative products, provides a truly impressive audio experience with the Naga 60, for an affordable price.

Following the success of the Majority Bowfell Soundbar and Majority Bowfell Plus 2.1 Bluetooth Soundbar & Subwoofer, Majority introduces the premium edition of their Bluetooth soundbar range, the Majority Naga 60.

The Majority Naga 60 Soundbar is available in the UK on Amazon for £69.95 from 1st February 2025.

 Where style meets substance, the Naga 60 not only awakens your home audio but features a digital display, premium buttons, and finish for a sleek and innovative aesthetic.

Revolutionising your home entertainment, the Naga 60 soundbar features a built-in 2.5” subwoofer immersing users in deep and impactful bass. Boasting 120W of power, the Majority Naga 60 provides exceptional high-fidelity sound quality and helps breathe life into movies, music, and games with the dynamic EQ controls. Accompanied by a premium remote control for easy listening, users can easily adjust volume, modes, and settings, as required.

The advanced 2.1 channel 3D surround sound technology, along with the 2.25” speaker drivers and end cap tweeters ensures that Naga 60 fills the room with the dynamic audio with clear dialogue and powerful bass.

Designed for the modern audiophile, the Naga 60 house a wide range of connectivity including 5.0 Bluetooth and HDMI ARC integration for a stress-free set-up, which can also be wall mounted. The soundbar can also be connected with USB, Optical and AUX to enhance the listening experience for every occasion.

Specs

  • Multi Connectivity: 5.0 Bluetooth, HDMI Arc, Optical, AUX, USB
  • 2.1 Channel
  • 2 x 2.25” Speaker Drivers
  • 1 x 2.5” Subwoofer
  • End cap tweeters
  • Premium Remote Control included
  • EQ Controls
  • Power Supply: DC20V 1.7A
  • Weight: 2.08kg
  • Dimensions: 610mm x 77.7m x 117mm

The Majority Naga 60 Soundbar is available in the UK on Amazon for £69.95 from 1st February 2025.

See our Majority Audio reviews 

Electric car sales to increase to 440,000 in 2025

Electric car sales in the UK will increase to 440,000 in 2025, representing 24% of 1.84 million total new car sales, according to forecasts from leading EV leasing company DriveElectric.

This is a 4.4% increase compared to electric car sales equating to 19.6% of the total new car market in 2024 (381,970 units) – although new electric car registrations accounted for 31.0% of the market in December 2024 as manufacturers aimed to hit the government’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate target.

The continued growth in electric car sales shows that more and more motorists are embracing EVs, but the forecast of electric cars representing 24% of total sales this year means that the 2025 ZEV mandate target of 28% will be missed.

DriveElectric’s 2025 electric car sales forecast is informed by a number of factors. Good news includes that there are increasing numbers of new EVs coming to market in 2025, with smaller and more affordable models, including new entrants from China, as well as battery costs reducing and more EVs being offered at price parity with petrol cars. The latest EVs have longer driving ranges and faster charging, helping to break down the barrier of range anxiety which has been cited as a blocker to adoption, and amplified by misinformation.

The UK’s charging network is continuing to expand, particularly with more rapid and ultra-rapid chargers, giving consumers added confidence to switch to EVs.

There are still also significant financial incentives for businesses and fleets to transition to EVs, thanks to low benefit in kind (BIK) tax rates (2% until April 2025, then rising by 1% each year to 5% in April 2028). These low BIK rates have fuelled the increasing popularity of salary sacrifice, which can reduce the monthly cost of driving an EV by up to 40% for the employees of an organisation. Businesses will also be incentivised to electrify to enable them to report on carbon emission reductions, helping to secure existing contracts and win new business.

However although financial incentives exist to support businesses and fleets to transition to EVs, there are currently no similar measures such as grants for private motorists, which will continue to hold back retail EV sales.

DriveElectric’s forecast for 1.84 million overall car sales in the UK in 2025 is slightly lower than some other industry figures because it is expected that some manufacturers will reduce sales of petrol and diesel cars in an effort to meet the ZEV mandate targets – a development that was already evident in 2024.

Adam Kemp, Partnerships Director, DriveElectric, comments: “We are forecasting that electric car sales in 2025 will experience an increase of just over 4% compared to 2024 figures, taking them to 24% of the total new car market, which is significant progress, but this still falls short of the 2025 ZEV mandate target of 28%.

“A key factor in the shortfall is that while businesses and fleets enjoy financial incentives to make the switch to electric cars, and although EVs have lower whole life costs than petrol and diesel cars, there are currently no incentives for private motorists to purchase new EVs.”

DriveElectric, one of the UK’s leading electric vehicle leasing companies, uses its own model built from its intelligence of the UK market to forecast registrations of battery electric cars and vans each year. In January 2024 DriveElectric accurately predicted that the percentage of EV sales for 2024 would be closer to 19% of the total market rather than the industry forecast of 22%, the latter being revised downwards later in the year to around 19%.

Although some manufacturers may hit or exceed the 28% ZEV mandate target for 2025 (Tesla, a company that only sells EVs, being one of the obvious winners), many manufacturers are likely to fall short of the target because they currently don’t have enough EVs in their model ranges, and demand for EVs from private motorists remains much lower than from businesses and fleets.

There are steep fines of £15,000 for each vehicle within the ZEV mandate’s 28% allocation that isn’t zero emission, but there are ways that car manufacturers can work around a shortfall in EV sales, including by the sale of low emission petrol and diesel cars, which is expected to contribute an additional 3% to the industry’s figures in 2024, so achieving the ZEV mandate target for the year. The government is currently consulting on details around the 2030 end of sales date for petrol and diesel cars, as well as flexibilities in the ZEV mandate, a process which is due to be completed on 18 February 2025.

Electric vehicles are seen as a key solution to help the UK achieve its net zero greenhouse gas targets, as well as helping with the problem of local air quality. EVs also have lower running costs than petrol and diesel vehicles, however an overwhelming factor in the rapid increase in EV adoption is that the vast majority of motorists prefer the driving experience of EVs compared to petrol and diesel cars and vans.

DriveElectric is an electric vehicle leasing company that has been helping organisations and individuals to adopt EVs to save money, lower emissions and transition to low carbon energy since 2008. DriveElectric aims to make the switch to electric cars and vans simple for business fleets, offering added benefits including monitoring and optimising emissions from charging fleet vehicles.

Ofcom to Implement Big Changes to Social Media Security

Social media amongst children is a hot topic. Many believe its impact can be extremely damaging. We discuss the UK government’s response in the article below. 

Keeping your children safe online is not easy. You want them to access the digital realm, lest they be cut off from the world around them. Yet the internet and social media are still very harmful places. The UK government has decided that platforms must shoulder some of this responsibility in new reforms set out this week. 

Changes to rules governing social media

The onus for keeping children safe on social media will go to those who operate the platforms, according to a shakeup of United Kingdom laws. This has been announced by the watchdog for communications, Ofcom. As early as next year, a new online safety act will come into play, and there could be heavy fines for any companies that do not follow it. 

One goal will be to ensure safety is baked into platforms. This will attempt to catch harm before it occurs. The changes will also demand transparency from social media companies, such as Meta and TikTok. All of this will require an in-depth look at what harm social media can cause in the world, including the spreading of disinformation. Social media firms will be responsible for protecting children from content depicting violence, self-harm, and pornography. 

Safeguarding your family while on the internet 

Keeping your family, from your young children all the way to grandparents, safe online while in your home is not easy. It goes much further than social media and includes protecting your networks and devices. You can start by educating the people around you on the dangers of hackers and cybercrime, talking about how people can get your personal information and how it can be used against you. Obviously, the tone of this will have to be adjusted depending on the audience. 

There is a chance you may have already been compromised, particularly if your family has visited unsafe websites. These do not even need to be ones featuring adult themes and content. Many are disguised as standard retail and shopping sites. There are services online that can check website safety for you, installing a browser extension that prevents people from visiting those sites. They can even go back and see if you have previously been compromised. Actively protecting you and the family, they can spot phishing scams, malware, and links so you don’t have to keep a constant watch over your family’s browsing habits. Combine this with investment in a quality antivirus. This should provide you with firewalls and additional threat protection. 

Safeguarding children on social media 

Safeguarding your children while on social media is a little harder. There will come an age when your children want a smartphone, and you cannot watch over every piece of content they are sent by friends. However, there are also benefits to smartphone use, so you must get the balance correct. 

You can begin by limiting what is actually on the phone when you give it to children. Password protects the app store, and loads up only the necessary applications. This may include basic call and message functions, access to YouTube Kids, and a few other entertainment and education products. 

There are also features built into many phones parents can use to protect their children. The most useful of these are timers, which can shut down the screen and certain apps after a given amount of time. This also helps your child to manage their use of a phone and prevent doomscrolling. 

If you do decide that your children can have access to social media, then some platforms have accounts that parents can watch over. TikTok has a family pairing feature that allows parents direct access to messages and the ability to curtail content and screen time. Instagram also has teen accounts, which has enhanced safety for those under 18 years of age. 

Social media changes are already in motion

The changes were announced on the same day Instagram added a raft of new safety measures to combat sextortion. At the same time, the European executive of TikTok announced that safety is at the core of the platform. The company also discussed new safety features that are upcoming, including machine learning technology that will spot underage users trying to join the platform. 

These responses may be due to the fact that Ofcom is alleged to have been in touch with many of the social media companies mentioned. According to a spokesperson, they are in preparation and no significant changes are afoot. Ofcom will be able to fine them around 10% of their global revenue should they fail to comply or are found in breach. 

Social media is changing, as is the digital landscape around us. As it becomes more ingrained in our lives, it is inevitable the younger generation will want access to this. The social media companies must play their part, but the public must also do so as well. This includes using the tools provided and safeguarding our own digital networks to provide a safer world for all. 

JustTip closes €1.1 million funding round to further expand into the UK

JustTip, the cashless tipping solution led by James Fahy and Ciara Walsh, successfully closed a €1.1 million funding round in September of this year. The investment is led by ComOp and Enterprise Ireland, bringing the total investment in the company to €2,100,000.

This funding milestone marks significant growth for JustTip, which has seen a 300%+ increase in business in 2024. Launched in 2021, by the now 23-year-old entrepreneurs James Fahy and Ciara Walsh, the Irish Fintech, with offices in Dublin and Manchester, continues to spearhead innovation in the hospitality sector.

JustTip addresses key challenges in the hospitality industry, including the rising costs, new legislation, and the need to automate core components in the business. The platform, used by over 600+ merchants and 13,000 employees in Europe and the UK, ensures compliance with the recent legislation change in the UK, as well as the change to Ireland’s Payment of Wages (Amendment) (Tips and Gratuities) Act 2022. These laws require employers to show complete transparency on all tips, gratuities, and service charges to workers; as well as providing a detailed breakdown of electronic tips and their distribution.

“All tips generated through our systems are collected, pooled, and distributed weekly directly to the employees’ bank accounts bypassing the employer completely. This ensures transparency and fairness, empowering employees with tools to ensure that tips left for them, go to them; while also streamlining processes for employers.” explained James Fahy, co-founder and CEO of JustTip.

Since launching, the founders, who have been named in the Sunday Independent ‘30 under 30’ list and more recently in ‘TechRound 100’, have brought the platform to new levels, winning ‘FS Challenger of the Year’, as well as ‘National Start-up of the Year’, to name a few. “This validation is testament to the platform’s initial adoption and exponential growth,” Fahy said. The newly secured funding will continue the platform’s expansion across the UK, foster deeper relationships within the hospitality industry, and accelerate the company’s product innovation and team growth.

“As the hospitality industry continues to embrace digital transformation, JustTip remains committed to driving innovation and setting new standards for excellence,” Fahy added. “This investment is a huge vote of confidence in our vision and will enable us to continue our rapid growth into 2025 and beyond.”

Speaking on behalf of the lead investors, Glen Magee of ComOp said “JustTip is our third investment in the payment and tipping space in 2024. The automation of payment and tipping is being driven by legislation and the increased use of non-cash payments. Where JustTip stood out in this space is the exceptional leadership team of James and Ciara. The company and product is a representation of their personalities; it is innovative, fast growing, and we got a feeling of ‘you have seen nothing yet’. We are excited by both their product expansion and geographical expansion, and are here for the long term.”

Karen Cohalan, Head of Fintech, Financial and Business Services, Enterprise Ireland, said:  “JustTip and its innovative fintech solution is a prime example of how cutting-edge products and services from pioneering Irish owned companies are delivering solutions for global challenges. This investment round will support the company’s expansion in global markets, as well as accelerating its innovation and growth.

“Enterprise Ireland is committed to supporting Irish-owned companies to start, grow and scale, and JustTip was earlier this year announced as the winners of the 2024 Enterprise Ireland Student Entrepreneur Awards. We would like to congratulate James, Ciara, and all the team on their achievements to date, and on this important milestone.”

Earlier this year JustTip expanded its offering with the introduction of JustTip Flex, a new mobile tipping solution developed for restaurants, pubs, and hotels offering table service. By enabling customers to tip independently of their bill, JustTip Flex enhances tip earnings for servers, and aligns businesses with the latest regulations.

 

For further information visit https://JustTip.net/.