Key Things Businesses With Remote Employees Need To Succeed

Engaging remote employees is both an opportunity and a challenge for businesses in today’s digital world. The modern workplace has evolved significantly to accommodate new technologies, mobile connectivity, and alternative working environments. As such, it’s no secret that many businesses around the world now rely heavily on their remote employees to maintain productivity and keep up with the competition. But what exactly do companies need to ensure success when managing dispersed teams?

Establish Clear Communication Policies & Guidelines

Clear communication policies and guidelines are essential for any business that has remote employees. Without them, it is easy for employees to get confused about deadlines and be unclear about expectations. Having a written set of rules helps everyone stay on the same page and move forward together, no matter where people are located geographically.

Invest In Relevant Technology

Investing in the right technology is essential for businesses with remote employees. Having an IT system that can be accessed from anywhere is crucial for success; this allows workers to remain productive and collaborative even when they are not physically present in the office. Furthermore, depending on the size of their remote workforce, businesses should consider investing in external IT support services. This can help to ensure that any technical issues can be promptly solved without compromising productivity or performance.

Encourage Cross-Team Collaboration

With more remote employees than ever, many businesses are struggling with encouraging collaboration and communication between teams. Keeping everyone on the same page is vital to success, but since people are often physically separated, it can be difficult to ensure that knowledge is shared and everyone feels included. To foster cross-team collaboration virtually, businesses should consider adopting a collaborative project management platform to work together in real-time.

Prioritise Workplace Happiness & Well-Being

Many businesses with remote employees miss out on one key ingredient for success: prioritising workplace happiness and well-being. Feeling appreciated and respected by their employers is the foundation for most employees’ satisfaction and motivation to do their job. Research shows that improving employee well-being leads to higher engagement levels, the feeling of safety at work, increased morale and productivity, reduced conflicts, better problem-solving abilities, and improved performance.

Develop A Remote Work Culture

Knowing how to motivate and engage your remote employees is key for businesses with distributed teams. An important step towards effectively embracing remote work is developing a set of values and protocols to build a company culture based on open communication, trust, accountability, and security. When done right, it results in a workforce that’s more connected than ever before and allows everyone to feel part of the team. Workplace culture doesn’t have to be limited to employees who are physically present; it can be extended to everyone, regardless of where they work.

Working remotely can be a huge benefit, but it may also require some extra effort and management to ensure your remote team works as efficiently as possible. Overall, with the right planning ahead of time, your remote working setup can be extremely successful from day one and give everyone the space they need to do their best work.

Introducing the World’s first ‘out the box’ kettle with Alexa

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At the heart of any kitchen, the iconic kettle can now be controlled by voice, using any device, creating personalised commands and routines unique to the user. From the simple task of turning the kettle on, through to changing the temperature of the water, or simply asking Alexa to keep the water warm, this technological evolution and advancement in modernising this most traditional of routines, will be a total game changer for so many.

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Controlled by voice or the Alexa app
The kettle can be activated remotely to boil water to the desired temperature the moment a homeowner walks in the door and at any time, in any room, via the Alexa device.

Routines and personalised commands
Designed to fit with the users schedule, the kettle can be activated using favourite phrases and programmed to boil based on routine. A breakfast, mid-morning and afternoon routine could be programmed for example. These can also be duplicated and adjusted, so the weekend breakfast routine is set to go-live at a later time to the weekday settings.

Water levels and descaling
The Alexa app will also advise users when water is running low and a refill is required, plus highlight the number of boils left until the next descale is required.

Sync activation with phone alarms
The Swan Alexa Kettle delivers next generation convenience and can be set to boil automatically as part of the daily morning routine.

So easy to set up in 4 easy steps… 

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Once the water has reached the selected temperature, the kettle will bleep twice and then automatically keep the water warm for 2 hours… many consumers will simply love the technology and convenience the product delivers…

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For others, it will deliver a welcome practicality:

– For heating a baby’s bottle to a specific temperature and not having to wait for it to cool down

– To keep a full kettle heated for when guests are visiting to top-up drinks

– Preparing herbal teas and serving at a recommended temperature

– Avoiding the need to ‘switch on the kettle’ which may be useful for some users

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The energy efficient solution for the future of hot drinks… by programming the temperature ‘boil’, users are able to manage exacting amounts of energy usage: an 85 degree boil for a traditional cup of tea, a 90 degree boil recommended for a coffee and there is even the option to boil-up at 60 degrees (or less) to loosen a jar of honey.

The Alexa Swan Kettle comes with a 2 year Guarantee. 
SRP@ £99.99

swan-brand.co.uk

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With its cordless base (including cord storage) and dry boil protection with automatic cut-off, there’s no need to worry about safety or cluttering in the kitchen. The Alexa kettle conveniently also has a removable, washable scale filter for easy cleaning, prolonging the kettle through a lifetime of daily use. Its stainless steel inner ensures durability and a 1.5L capacity makes 8-10 cups from just one boil.

Fashioned with a black gloss finish and digital touch panel controls, this stylish and effortless kettle will be a cool, sharp addition to any kitchen.

Ugreen launches its 65W Nexode GaN USB-C 3-Port Wall Charger with US, UK and EU Plug

Ideal for use when travelling, it has 3 ports, delivering 65W of charge to up to 3 devices at the same time.

Ugreen, the award-winning manufacturer of quality and affordable electronic accessories and consumer technology products has today announced the launch of its new 65W Nexode GaN USB-C 3 port wall charger. Perfect for use anywhere in the world, it comes with US, UK and EU plugs included which are easily switchable. With a broad compatibility, it can easily charge up to 3 devices at the same time at high speeds. The Ugreen 65W Nexode GaN Charger is available for £49.99/$55.99 on Amazon UK, Amazon US and the Ugreen website.

 

Featuring two USB-C ports and 1 USB-A port, the Ugreen wall charger is an efficient and useful product. Able to give up to 65W of charge on 3 devices at the same time, it dramatically reduces the time spent waiting for devices to charge and increases the convenience of the experience. Ideal for use when travelling, in the office or even just at home, it means that users are able to have their laptop, phone and earphones recharging at the same time, for example. Not only easier, the Nexode 65W is also powered by GaN chips that provide high-speed power that can charge a 13” MacBook Pro to 100% in less than 2 hours meaning people never have to be out of battery for long.

The perfect companion on holidays or business trips, the lightweight charger comes with a US, UK and EU plug to ensure that it can be used worldwide and also has a very broad compatibility. Able to be used with MacBooks Pro/Air, Dell XPS, iPhones, Galaxy S Series, iPad Pro, Pixel Series, and more, there will always be a quick charging option – even for an Apple Watch or AirPods.

Always aiming to both keep users connected but safe, the Ugreen wall charger has enhanced safety features with GaN to keep devices protected whilst being charged. These include an over-current protection, short-circuit protection, over-temperature protection and over-voltage protection meaning that it can be used without any concerns. Not only that, Ugreen offer a two-year warranty on the product for complete peace of mind.

Features:

  • Input: 100-240V~50/60Hz 1.8A Max
  • USB-C1/C2: 5V/3A, 9V/3A, 12V/3A, 15V/3A, 20V/3.25A 65W Max PPS:3.3-21V/3A
  • USB-A: 5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A, 4.5V/5A, 5V/4.5A; 22.5W Max
  • Fast Charging Protocol: PD 3.0/2.0; QC 4.0+/4.0/3.0/2.0; 5V/1A; 5V/2.4A; AFC; SCP; PPS
  • Protection: Short Circuit Protection, Over Voltage Protection, Overheat Protection, Over Current Protection, Power Dispenser System, Overcharge Protection
  • Plug included: US plug, EU plug, UK plug
  • Product dimensions: 2.56 x 2.56 x 1.28 inches
  • Item weight: 12 ounces

Pricing and Availability

The Ugreen 65W Nexode GaN Charger is available for £49.99/$55.99 on Amazon UK, Amazon US and the Ugreen website.

Taking pictures in the dark – How to capture 2023 on your phone

Brits are being given tips on how to capture the perfect memories on their mobile phones during 2023!

Photography experts at ParrotPrint.com have named the seven top tips for taking the best low-light pictures as the clock strikes midnight.  

The right lighting is key to a good photograph so it can be challenging to capture memories when it’s dark.

By keeping the phone steady, making use of nearby light sources and getting acquainted with some of the smarter mobile phone features, anyone can get closer to capturing the perfect picture going in 2023

A spokesperson from Parrot Print said: “Everyone celebrating the New Year, whether at a party or watching the fireworks or just spending time with loved ones at home, wants to capture that memory on camera – the last second of 2022 and the first memory of 2023.  

“Taking a photo on a phone in the dark can be difficult and often leaves us feeling like we can’t quite capture the beautiful moment in front of us. 

“It can be hard to take a great picture at night or in darker locations as mobile phone cameras have smaller sensors than traditional cameras leading to blurry or pixelated photos.  

“The good news is you don’t necessarily need a professional camera to take great pictures at night. A lot of smartphones these days have features to help us all take better pictures as long as we know where to look.  

“You can also make use of the environment around you and set the phone up so it is as steady as you can make it before capturing that perfect nighttime picture.”  

Tips for capturing memories on New Year’s Eve:  

1. Keep your phone stable  

It doesn’t take much for a photo to appear blurry, especially if it’s taken at night so you’ll want to ensure your camera is as stable as possible. You could either invest in a handheld tripod or hold your phone with a tight grip in both hands.     

2. Download long-exposure apps   

Professional photographers tend to use longer exposure when taking pictures at night. This means the shutter speed of the camera is slower and can capture blurring motions too whilst still getting a sharp and crisp image. Although you can’t physically do this to your phone’s camera settings, you can download an app to help  

3. The flash isn’t always the solution  

When taking a picture at night or in the dark, a lot of people assume the flash will solve all their problems. Whilst this does do the trick sometimes, it’s not always the answer and can sometimes ruin the picture.   

4. Use night mode  

The majority of the latest smartphones have night mode to help enhance the pictures we take. Night mode takes several frames and then combines different elements of each to create a crisper image.  

 5. Adjust the ISO  

ISO determines how sensitive to light your camera is and essentially helps brighten or darken an image. Not all phones allow you to change the ISO but it is an option on some. The higher the ISO, the brighter the image will be.  

 6. Make use of light around you  

Depending on where you are and what you’re trying to capture you may be able to use the light around you like a lamppost or a candle. Making clever use of these light sources in a dark setting can create the perfect moody image. 

 7. Consider using editing apps  

If you feel like you still can’t capture the perfect image then there is the option to use an editing app to enhance different elements of the picture to get the result you want.  

Making Streaming Services Not Suck Again

If you have been paying attention to the ways in which we use streaming services, then you might have well noticed that they have changed a lot over the years, and not always (or usually) for the better. Aside from some top-quality shows getting cancelled, it feels like more and more content is getting gated, split off, and otherwise made harder for us to enjoy. We may not be able to return to the peak of online TV streaming, but there are some ways to make it suck less.

Don’t commit to them

Okay, so it might be a little inconvenient to think about which streaming service you’re going to be using each and every month but the truth is that being “loyal” doesn’t pay. You don’t get any bonuses for staying with any particular service for longer and, most importantly, you’re not locked down to any one service for any period of time. Most streaming services operate on a pay-as-you-go monthly basis. As such, you can make sure that you’re subscribed to whatever services are helping you watch whichever shows you’re invested in at the moment, and then, when you’re done with that, use a comparison site to find a service that’s offering a better selection for you next month.

Get access to overseas content

One of the ways that streaming sites have been increasingly gating off the content that they allow us to access is through region-locked content. This can be due to licensing issues, or not getting the rights to broadcast in all countries, but sometimes, it’s literally just because they don’t think certain media will appeal to certain audiences. If you want to learn how to watch Hulu with VPN, it’s super easy to be able to access the roster that some of your overseas friends might be gushing about. This way, you can make sure that you don’t get all amped up to watch something that you heard was available, only for inevitable disappointment when you find out it’s not available in your region.

Consider using some free options

If you’re starting to look at your budget and you’re a little distressed by just how much of it is taken up by subscription services, then it might be time for a detox. While you could switch to a method of switching sites month by month, you should also look at the sheer variety of free streaming services that are still available. Unlike a few years back, piracy isn’t your only option when it comes to watching shows that you can’t otherwise access. Most of these free streaming services do rely on ads, so you might not be getting exactly the same experience, but it’s not that bad a trade-off, overall.

With the increasing move of streaming services to a model that’s closer to traditional cable TV, we might be trying to hold back the tide. However, you can at least ensure that you get to enjoy your streaming services a little better for a little longer with the tips above.

Using AI to write blog posts

In today’s fast-paced digital world, it’s no surprise that many businesses and individuals are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to help them with various tasks, including writing blog posts. AI technology has come a long way in recent years, and it has the potential to help bloggers save time and improve the quality of their content.

Using AI to write blog posts - created by Midjourney
Using AI to write blog posts – created by Midjourney

One of the biggest advantages of using AI to write blog posts is that it can help save time. Rather than spending hours researching, outlining, writing, and editing a blog post, you can use AI to quickly generate high-quality content. This can be especially useful if you’re crunched for time or if you need to produce a large volume of content on a regular basis.

Another advantage of using AI to write blog posts is that it can help improve the quality of your content. AI technology can analyze your existing content and use that information to generate new posts that are similar in style and tone. This can be especially useful if you want to maintain a consistent voice and tone throughout your blog. Additionally, AI can use natural language processing to ensure that your content is well-written and easy to read.

Of course, using AI to write blog posts is not without its challenges. One of the biggest challenges is that AI technology is not yet capable of fully replicating human creativity and intuition. As a result, your AI-generated content may not always be as engaging or original as content that is written by a human. Additionally, AI technology is still in its early stages, and it may not always produce error-free content.

Despite these challenges, using AI to write blog posts can be a valuable tool for bloggers who are looking to save time and improve the quality of their content. As AI technology continues to advance, it’s likely that we’ll see even more sophisticated tools that can help bloggers generate high-quality content quickly and easily. In the meantime, it’s worth considering using AI to write blog posts if you’re looking for ways to streamline your content creation process and produce high-quality content on a regular basis.

This post was written by ChatGPT (AI)
Tags produced by ChatGPT (AI)
Images created using Midjourney (AI)
All pasted by Matt Porter The Gadget Man (Human)

Britain to run out of electric vehicle mechanics by 2030

The UK is on track to run out of mechanics qualified to service and repair electric vehicles (EVs) by 2030, according to a cross-party think-tank. The Social Market Foundation (SMF) has warned of a skills shortfall among mechanics trained to work on EVs, which could drive up servicing costs and potentially leave some drivers unable to have their cars maintained properly. The number of EVs on the UK’s roads is increasing rapidly and recently reached 1 million. However, the number of qualified technicians is not keeping pace with the growth in EVs, according to SMF analysis. The SMF report highlights industry estimates that by 2027, there will not be enough qualified mechanics to maintain all of the UK’s EVs. By 2030, the country could face a shortfall of 25,000 qualified technicians.

Britain to run out of electric vehicle mechanics by 2030

The SMF is calling on the government to support efforts to recruit and train more workers with the skills needed to maintain EVs. These skills are significantly different to those required to maintain internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Many ICE mechanics receive informal on-the-job training, but the SMF warned that since EV maintenance involves working with high-voltage electricity, that approach could be inappropriate and even dangerous. “Formalised, professional and accredited training routes to prepare technicians for EV repair and maintenance are needed,” the report said. The SMF is calling for reforms to allow more of the money paid by larger employers for the Apprenticeship Levy to be used to fund EV technician training.

Britain to run out of electric vehicle mechanics by 2030

The SMF report is based on interviews with mechanics and technicians and industry experts. It highlights concerns that the skills gap could raise the cost of repairs or reduce the quality of repairs, which could decrease consumers’ willingness to switch to EVs. The SMF highlights the limited attention paid to vehicle technicians’ skills in government plans to decarbonise transport. Neither the Department for Education nor the Department for Transport has examined how growing EV uptake will impact vehicle technicians or developed policies to support workforce growth.

The report was sponsored by the European Climate Foundation (ECF). The SMF retains complete editorial independence of its publications.
Source: IMI modelling based on SMMT high EV uptake scenario

A key challenge identified in the SMF research is attracting new entrants to the sector because of what industry leaders describe as an “image problem” around car maintenance work. Perceptions of the work as dirty, hard and male-dominated deter some potential recruits from pursuing a career as a mechanic, the SMF found. The SMF recommends that the UK avoid the looming skills crunch by focusing on recruiting young people and improving incentives for upskilling among the current workforce. This could include launching a green careers campaign to attract young people and those from underrepresented backgrounds into EV repairs, developing a medium-term plan to upskill technicians, and releasing Apprenticeship Levy funds to pay for EV technician training.

Recommendations to ensure that the UK averts the looming skills crunch, are as follows:

  • Improve the attractiveness of the industry. Launch an attractive green careers campaign to get young people and those from underrepresented backgrounds into EV repairs
  • Develop a medium-term credible plan to upskill technicians. As part of this strategic planning, manufacturers, industry bodies and training providers should develop a clear accredited training route.
  • Release Apprenticeship Levy funds to pay for EV technician training. Key low-carbon industries, including EV repairs, should be central to reform of the Apprenticeship Levy reform to ensure the development of a pipeline of green skills to deliver Net Zero.
  • Introduce a mandatory license to operate in the EV repair and maintenance industry.  Given the potential hazards involved in working with EVs, a formal qualification should be required, much as, for example, gas heating engineers are required by law to have a Gas Safe certification. 

Amy Norman, Senior Researcher at Social Market Foundation, said:

“Electric vehicles are the future of cheaper, greener motoring, but servicing and maintaining them requires a new skills and training. Britain is in real danger of running short of the skilled mechanics and technicians needed to keep EVs on the roads. 

“More needs to be done to ensure more workers are getting the skills and training needed to keep Britain on the road to Net Zero. That means better policies to support skills and training, including more creative use of Apprenticeship Levy funds.  

“It also means doing more to attract recruits into this vital trade. The men and women who train to keep millions of EVs running smoothly should be seen as green heroes helping Britain speed towards a cleaner future.

“The transition to EVs is a great example of the opportunities that come from the shift to a low-carbon economy – with the right policies in place, the transition in driving can unlock thousands of high-skill blue-collar jobs for current and future generations.”

You can read the report in full here

 

How Close are we to Self-Aware AI?

The progress of AI is measured in seasons, so it is unsurprising to read with are in an AI Summer, this means millions of pounds of investment capital are being pumped into research with art, national language and more!

The question on many people’s lips is; “When will AI become self-aware?”.

It is difficult to say exactly how close we are to creating artificial intelligence (AI) that has self-awareness. At present, most AI systems are designed to perform specific tasks and do not have the ability to be self-aware. However, some researchers are working on developing AI systems that have more advanced cognitive abilities, such as the ability to learn and adapt, and some of these systems may eventually have the ability to be self-aware.

Artificial Intelligence Neural Network
Image Credit: Matt Porter

The concept of self-awareness is complex and not well-defined, which makes it difficult to determine whether or not an AI system has achieved it. Some researchers argue that true self-awareness would require an AI system to have a sense of its own identity, consciousness, and the ability to introspect. Others argue that self-awareness could be achieved through more basic cognitive abilities, such as the ability to recognize oneself in a mirror or to understand one’s own thoughts and emotions.

Android in Warehouse by Matt Porter
Android in Warehouse – Credit: Matt Porter

At present, we do not have any AI systems that possess these advanced cognitive abilities, and it is not clear when or if we will be able to create such systems. Some experts believe that it may be possible to create AI systems that have a limited form of self-awareness, but that true self-awareness may be beyond the capabilities of current technology.

While there is ongoing research into creating AI systems with advanced cognitive abilities, including the potential for self-awareness, we are not currently close to achieving this. The concept of self-awareness is complex and not well-defined, making it difficult to determine when or if an AI system might be able to achieve it.

Are You Not Entertained!!? Stable Diffusion and AI-Art using Text to Image Natural Language Processing

I’ve been playing with a number of Text to Image AI art systems over the past couple of months. One has captured my imagination due to its Open Source model.

I even trained ‘Stable Diffusion’ with my own likeness, which has been a most interesting and exciting process.  Read on to find out what these systems are and how they work and enjoy the images that were all created using Stable Diffusion 1.5.

Text-to-image AI art is a type of art that uses artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to generate images based on text input. This type of art is gaining popularity among artists and art enthusiasts because it allows for the creation of unique, one-of-a-kind images that would be difficult or impossible to create manually.

To create text-to-image AI art, an artist first inputs a piece of text, such as a sentence or a paragraph, into the AI algorithm. The algorithm then uses natural language processing (NLP) techniques to understand the meaning of the text and generate an image that represents the text. This can be done using a variety of techniques, such as deep learning, neural networks, or other AI algorithms.

One of the key benefits of text-to-image AI art is that it allows artists to create highly detailed and complex images. The AI algorithms are able to generate a wide range of variations and details, resulting in images that are rich and varied. This makes text-to-image AI art ideal for creating art that is realistic, surreal, or abstract.

Another benefit of text-to-image AI art is that it allows artists to create art that is based on a specific theme or concept. By inputting a paragraph of text that describes a particular scene or idea, the AI algorithm can generate an image that represents that scene or idea. This allows artists to create art that is based on a specific concept, rather than just creating random images.

Text-to-image AI art is also becoming more popular because it allows artists to create art more quickly and efficiently. By using AI algorithms, artists can generate a large number of images in a short amount of time, allowing them to experiment with different ideas and concepts without spending hours or days creating each image by hand.

In conclusion, text-to-image AI art is a fascinating and exciting new form of art that is gaining popularity among artists and art enthusiasts. By using AI algorithms, artists are able to create highly detailed and complex images that are based on specific themes or concepts. This type of art allows for a level of creativity and flexibility that was previously impossible, and it is likely to continue to grow and evolve in the future.

Celebrity Sound Engineer Launches BoomBocs STUDIO – a Portable Speaker Set to Rock the Market

Retro-styled, colourful, feature-packed, and delivering pro-audio quality sound, BoomBocs STUDIO is the latest portable speaker created by celebrity sound engineer Jonny Williams 

Jonny Williams BoomBocs Founder
Jonny Williams BoomBocs Founder

Disruptive speaker brand BoomBocs has launched its latest portable speaker, STUDIO. With BoomBocs fans already including industry heavyweights like Lady Gaga and Steven Tyler, STUDIO is the latest model from the brand’s founder, expert sound engineer Jonny Williams. Set to shake up the lacklustre wireless speaker market with vibrant colours, retro design, and studio-quality sound, the supremely cool STUDIO is made for music fans that want more than just an anonymous black box with ‘tinny’ speaker sound. (RRP £149, on offer now for £129)

BoomBocs STUDIO
BoomBocs STUDIO

From humble beginnings building suitcase speakers in Jonny’s Brixton living room, to huge celebrity clients and customers including Rita Ora, Kylie Minogue, and Shaznay Lewis of All Saints, BoomBocs speakers encompass everything artists and consumers love about the British music scene with the brand’s stand-out retro design and studio-grade quality sound. Custom Fender ‘tweed’ wrapped versions of the original BoomBocs speaker have appeared on stage at London’s Hyde Park with Tom Petty, and GRAMMY Award Winning Lady Gaga took delivery of 11 customised BoomBocs’ for herself and her team, including her parents.

BoomBocs STUDIO
BoomBocs STUDIO

The latest product, BoomBocs STUDIO, is the ultimate portable speaker offering all the BoomBocs quality and style in a smaller, more affordable design with some nifty new features. STUDIO features built-in streaming services including Spotify, Deezer, and Amazon Music to free up your phone, internet radio, wireless connectivity, and a dedicated app. The efficient built-in amplifier and stereo full-range speakers are tuned by Jonny to deliver true pro-audio sound quality, wherever you are. With a battery life of up to 15 hours, that can be in the home, at the park, or at an all-night rave with friends.

BoomBocs STUDIO
BoomBocs STUDIO

STUDIO comes in five fantastically stand-out colours – pink, orange, green, black, and white – that make most wireless speakers look like anonymous monotone boxes. Like all BoomBocs speakers, STUDIO plays homage to retro portable speakers of the past, with its large, stereo speaker drivers on full show. The drivers use aluminium cones for their high-power handling and better moisture/impact resistance than cheaper paper cones.

BoomBocs STUDIO
BoomBocs STUDIO

Founder Jonny, who is currently on tour with pop sensation Anastacia, knows music – he has worked as a sound engineer for some of the biggest names in the industry including Stormzy, Rita Ora, James Arthur, Wu-Tang Clan, Kylie, Thundercat, Jessie Ware, Maribou State and Pendulum among many more. His expert hands-on knowledge has helped him to create the BoomBocs signature sound, and cram that performance into the most compact, affordable, and technically advanced BoomBocs to date.

“BoomBocs has always done things differently and design has played a big part in that,” says Jonny. “For the STUDIO speaker, I was tired of seeing portable and Bluetooth speakers which all looked the same – black boxes with grills on – and sounded rubbish. STUDIO completely breaks that mould, bringing the retro style and big-speaker performance of previous BoomBocs models to a smaller, more affordable design. BoomBocs is all about delivering exceptional sound quality and a stand-out style which looks great in your home or while you are out and about.”

Jonny Williams BoomBocs Founder
Jonny Williams BoomBocs Founder

Jonny’s passion for music and creativity was passed down from his grandfather who played the trumpet. From a young age, Jonny knew music was what he wanted to pursue, beginning to play the drums at age seven and teaching himself to play a vast array of other instruments thereafter. Fascinated by how science and music work together, Jonny studied at university in his native country, Wales. He was touring and mixing arena-sized concerts by the time he was 22, starting out on world tours with Queen and Pink Floyd tribute bands.

Jonny soon became a sought-after name in the pop music scene, working with huge names like Kylie Minogue and All Saints for many years.

Jonny says: “I have a specific style when it comes to being a sound engineer and I like to mix everything to deliver an AC/DC style sound; driving drums and percussive instruments to deliver real energy and passion. Artists like my style of mixing as it really ups the ante when they play live, and I have tried to distil that balance and all of the passion into the sound tuning of STUDIO.”

STUDIO is a compact portable speaker with dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth v5.0 connectivity, and a host of streaming services built-in so you don’t need to keep your phone tethered to play music. These include Spotify, Deezer, Amazon Music and Internet Radio, all controlled via the top panel buttons and the built-in LCD display or through the slick, UNDOK app (iOS & Android). The app expands the number of presets available to tune the sound as well as offers seamless music playback control across services. STUDIO also offers a 3.5mm AUX input for legacy sources at home, and USB Type-A for playback of music on portable drives.

Other features include access to 50k internet radio stations, podcasts from various services, a rechargeable battery lasting up to 15 hours on a single charge, and an alarm clock and sleep timer making it the ideal rock n roll bedroom partner.

https://boombocs.com/

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