Adrian Weckler
@adrianweckler.bsky.social
Tech editor, Irish & Sunday Independent. Podcaster. Photographer. Dublin, Ireland.
Cork has had a nice long run, but…
Apple unveils new Dublin office with space for 300 people.
Also, Cathy Kearney (top Irish boss) says the tech giant is only thinking of growth/expansion here (Cork).
Context interesting: Apple uneasy with EU regs etc
www.independent.ie/business/tec...
Apple unveils new Dublin office with space for 300 people.
Also, Cathy Kearney (top Irish boss) says the tech giant is only thinking of growth/expansion here (Cork).
Context interesting: Apple uneasy with EU regs etc
www.independent.ie/business/tec...
Apple unveils new Dublin office and says “no barriers” to more investment in Ireland
Apple boss Cathy Kearney says the company sees "no barriers" to further expansion in Ireland with the company shaking off recent EU grievances to announce a new Dublin office that has space for 300 pe...
www.independent.ie
February 19, 2026 at 3:03 PM
Cork has had a nice long run, but…
Apple unveils new Dublin office with space for 300 people.
Also, Cathy Kearney (top Irish boss) says the tech giant is only thinking of growth/expansion here (Cork).
Context interesting: Apple uneasy with EU regs etc
www.independent.ie/business/tec...
Apple unveils new Dublin office with space for 300 people.
Also, Cathy Kearney (top Irish boss) says the tech giant is only thinking of growth/expansion here (Cork).
Context interesting: Apple uneasy with EU regs etc
www.independent.ie/business/tec...
This is one of the most fun gadgets I’ve reviewed in a while.
Fujifilm’s Instax mini Evo Cinema (€380) is a hybrid instant camera that can shoot stills or short video clips and print photos on the spot. It has dials, knobs and buttons and is pretty great craic.
www.independent.ie/business/tec...
Fujifilm’s Instax mini Evo Cinema (€380) is a hybrid instant camera that can shoot stills or short video clips and print photos on the spot. It has dials, knobs and buttons and is pretty great craic.
www.independent.ie/business/tec...
February 18, 2026 at 10:27 AM
This is one of the most fun gadgets I’ve reviewed in a while.
Fujifilm’s Instax mini Evo Cinema (€380) is a hybrid instant camera that can shoot stills or short video clips and print photos on the spot. It has dials, knobs and buttons and is pretty great craic.
www.independent.ie/business/tec...
Fujifilm’s Instax mini Evo Cinema (€380) is a hybrid instant camera that can shoot stills or short video clips and print photos on the spot. It has dials, knobs and buttons and is pretty great craic.
www.independent.ie/business/tec...
1 in 4 Irish homes now have a video doorbell like Amazon Ring.
+ continuing to rise.
It’s the new norm, despite privacy concerns.
(Source: Deloitte 2026, 1,000 adults)
+ continuing to rise.
It’s the new norm, despite privacy concerns.
(Source: Deloitte 2026, 1,000 adults)
February 18, 2026 at 10:17 AM
1 in 4 Irish homes now have a video doorbell like Amazon Ring.
+ continuing to rise.
It’s the new norm, despite privacy concerns.
(Source: Deloitte 2026, 1,000 adults)
+ continuing to rise.
It’s the new norm, despite privacy concerns.
(Source: Deloitte 2026, 1,000 adults)
Old Twitter vibes here. (No application or subscription)
✅ @adrianweckler.bsky.social has been verified by @bsky.app.
February 17, 2026 at 11:15 AM
Old Twitter vibes here. (No application or subscription)
Most Irish adults think:
— it’s okay for kids to have phones from the age of 12 (secondary school)
BUT
— they should not be on social media at that age
Still questions: is WhatsApp, usually parent-approved, social media? (EU now says it is!)
www.independent.ie/business/tec...
— it’s okay for kids to have phones from the age of 12 (secondary school)
BUT
— they should not be on social media at that age
Still questions: is WhatsApp, usually parent-approved, social media? (EU now says it is!)
www.independent.ie/business/tec...
Revealed: Most parents say children should have smartphones, but not social media
Irish parents believe their children should have smartphones but do not want them accessing social media platforms, a new survey claims.
www.independent.ie
February 17, 2026 at 7:33 AM
Most Irish adults think:
— it’s okay for kids to have phones from the age of 12 (secondary school)
BUT
— they should not be on social media at that age
Still questions: is WhatsApp, usually parent-approved, social media? (EU now says it is!)
www.independent.ie/business/tec...
— it’s okay for kids to have phones from the age of 12 (secondary school)
BUT
— they should not be on social media at that age
Still questions: is WhatsApp, usually parent-approved, social media? (EU now says it is!)
www.independent.ie/business/tec...
Samsung is number 1 for phones in Ireland, overall, but there’s a massive generation divide — just look at how Gen Z won’t touch anything but iPhones.
Likely the same with Gen Alpha, the next wave.
(Source: Deloitte Digital Consumer Trends, 1,000 Irish adults surveyed)
Likely the same with Gen Alpha, the next wave.
(Source: Deloitte Digital Consumer Trends, 1,000 Irish adults surveyed)
February 17, 2026 at 7:26 AM
Samsung is number 1 for phones in Ireland, overall, but there’s a massive generation divide — just look at how Gen Z won’t touch anything but iPhones.
Likely the same with Gen Alpha, the next wave.
(Source: Deloitte Digital Consumer Trends, 1,000 Irish adults surveyed)
Likely the same with Gen Alpha, the next wave.
(Source: Deloitte Digital Consumer Trends, 1,000 Irish adults surveyed)
Ireland’s Data Protection Commission is the latest regulator to launch an enquiry into X over Grok, sexualised images and child abuse imagery
www.independent.ie/irish-news/i...
www.independent.ie/irish-news/i...
Irish watchdog launches ‘large-scale’ inquiry into X and Grok AI tool over alleged child abuse material
Ireland’s data protection regulator has launched a “large-scale inquiry” into X over the publication of alleged child sexual abuse material.
www.independent.ie
February 17, 2026 at 7:20 AM
Ireland’s Data Protection Commission is the latest regulator to launch an enquiry into X over Grok, sexualised images and child abuse imagery
www.independent.ie/irish-news/i...
www.independent.ie/irish-news/i...
Manchester’s mayor responds. Suggests Jim Ratcliffe and the Man Utd owners/org are the real leeches, offering “little contribution to our life here and [who] have instead spent years siphoning wealth out of one of our proudest institutions”.
February 12, 2026 at 10:26 AM
Manchester’s mayor responds. Suggests Jim Ratcliffe and the Man Utd owners/org are the real leeches, offering “little contribution to our life here and [who] have instead spent years siphoning wealth out of one of our proudest institutions”.
Man Utd boss who lives in Monaco to avoid paying tax that pay for UK services
'The UK has been colonised by immigrants', says INEOS boss and Man Utd co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe
'The UK has been colonised by immigrants', says INEOS boss and Man Utd co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe
Britain has been "colonised" by immigrants, who are draining resources from the state, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, one of the country's richest and most influential men, has told Sky News.
news.sky.com
February 11, 2026 at 6:55 PM
Man Utd boss who lives in Monaco to avoid paying tax that pay for UK services
One of the Anthropic Superbowl ads mocking ChatGPT that Sam Altman is annoyed about.
Really clever
Really clever
February 7, 2026 at 11:24 AM
One of the Anthropic Superbowl ads mocking ChatGPT that Sam Altman is annoyed about.
Really clever
Really clever
Beware a breakdown on a bank holiday weekend in the most popular EV
No tow, no fix, no taxi — you’ll be stranded.
At least that’s what happened to me
m.independent.ie/business/tec...
No tow, no fix, no taxi — you’ll be stranded.
At least that’s what happened to me
m.independent.ie/business/tec...
Adrian Weckler: No fix, no tow, no taxi – my story of EV breakdown hell
This is a cautionary tale about EVs and breakdowns.
m.independent.ie
February 7, 2026 at 10:25 AM
Beware a breakdown on a bank holiday weekend in the most popular EV
No tow, no fix, no taxi — you’ll be stranded.
At least that’s what happened to me
m.independent.ie/business/tec...
No tow, no fix, no taxi — you’ll be stranded.
At least that’s what happened to me
m.independent.ie/business/tec...
Mark Little made this point really, really well in our pod discussion last week — ‘safety by design’ (actual reform of the platform) trumps targeted bans (eg u16s) every day of the week
February 6, 2026 at 1:14 PM
Mark Little made this point really, really well in our pod discussion last week — ‘safety by design’ (actual reform of the platform) trumps targeted bans (eg u16s) every day of the week
One other point:
This is a FAR more effective way to ‘make social media safer for kids’ than u16 bans.
Bans sound good to many people but don’t work very well and may not actually change anything.
E Commission says TikTok now has to change the app — MUCH more effective than any u16s ban
This is a FAR more effective way to ‘make social media safer for kids’ than u16 bans.
Bans sound good to many people but don’t work very well and may not actually change anything.
E Commission says TikTok now has to change the app — MUCH more effective than any u16s ban
Two observations:
1. Americans unlikely to scream about this one as much as TikTok Ireland/Europe isn’t ‘theirs’
2. Even if they did, atmosphere here has changed after Grok and Greenland — EU bodies and countries (incl Ireland) starting not to give a damn about US howling (cf u16 social media bans)
1. Americans unlikely to scream about this one as much as TikTok Ireland/Europe isn’t ‘theirs’
2. Even if they did, atmosphere here has changed after Grok and Greenland — EU bodies and countries (incl Ireland) starting not to give a damn about US howling (cf u16 social media bans)
Big decision against TikTok.
EU Commission preliminary finding — TikTok is “addictive” (kids and adults).
Infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications and recommender system.
Plus young kids not being detected.
Fine of up to 6pc turnover now possible.
www.independent.ie/business/tec...
EU Commission preliminary finding — TikTok is “addictive” (kids and adults).
Infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications and recommender system.
Plus young kids not being detected.
Fine of up to 6pc turnover now possible.
www.independent.ie/business/tec...
February 6, 2026 at 12:23 PM
One other point:
This is a FAR more effective way to ‘make social media safer for kids’ than u16 bans.
Bans sound good to many people but don’t work very well and may not actually change anything.
E Commission says TikTok now has to change the app — MUCH more effective than any u16s ban
This is a FAR more effective way to ‘make social media safer for kids’ than u16 bans.
Bans sound good to many people but don’t work very well and may not actually change anything.
E Commission says TikTok now has to change the app — MUCH more effective than any u16s ban
Two observations:
1. Americans unlikely to scream about this one as much as TikTok Ireland/Europe isn’t ‘theirs’
2. Even if they did, atmosphere here has changed after Grok and Greenland — EU bodies and countries (incl Ireland) starting not to give a damn about US howling (cf u16 social media bans)
1. Americans unlikely to scream about this one as much as TikTok Ireland/Europe isn’t ‘theirs’
2. Even if they did, atmosphere here has changed after Grok and Greenland — EU bodies and countries (incl Ireland) starting not to give a damn about US howling (cf u16 social media bans)
Big decision against TikTok.
EU Commission preliminary finding — TikTok is “addictive” (kids and adults).
Infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications and recommender system.
Plus young kids not being detected.
Fine of up to 6pc turnover now possible.
www.independent.ie/business/tec...
EU Commission preliminary finding — TikTok is “addictive” (kids and adults).
Infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications and recommender system.
Plus young kids not being detected.
Fine of up to 6pc turnover now possible.
www.independent.ie/business/tec...
TikTok is ‘addictive’ to kids and faces big fine — European Commission
The European Commission has found TikTok addictive for children and adults with features such as infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications and its “highly personalised” recommender system.
www.independent.ie
February 6, 2026 at 11:44 AM
Two observations:
1. Americans unlikely to scream about this one as much as TikTok Ireland/Europe isn’t ‘theirs’
2. Even if they did, atmosphere here has changed after Grok and Greenland — EU bodies and countries (incl Ireland) starting not to give a damn about US howling (cf u16 social media bans)
1. Americans unlikely to scream about this one as much as TikTok Ireland/Europe isn’t ‘theirs’
2. Even if they did, atmosphere here has changed after Grok and Greenland — EU bodies and countries (incl Ireland) starting not to give a damn about US howling (cf u16 social media bans)
Big decision against TikTok.
EU Commission preliminary finding — TikTok is “addictive” (kids and adults).
Infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications and recommender system.
Plus young kids not being detected.
Fine of up to 6pc turnover now possible.
www.independent.ie/business/tec...
EU Commission preliminary finding — TikTok is “addictive” (kids and adults).
Infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications and recommender system.
Plus young kids not being detected.
Fine of up to 6pc turnover now possible.
www.independent.ie/business/tec...
TikTok is ‘addictive’ to kids and faces big fine — European Commission
The European Commission has found TikTok addictive for children and adults with features such as infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications and its “highly personalised” recommender system.
www.independent.ie
February 6, 2026 at 11:35 AM
Big decision against TikTok.
EU Commission preliminary finding — TikTok is “addictive” (kids and adults).
Infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications and recommender system.
Plus young kids not being detected.
Fine of up to 6pc turnover now possible.
www.independent.ie/business/tec...
EU Commission preliminary finding — TikTok is “addictive” (kids and adults).
Infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications and recommender system.
Plus young kids not being detected.
Fine of up to 6pc turnover now possible.
www.independent.ie/business/tec...
This is our new eternity
February 5, 2026 at 10:09 PM
This is our new eternity
Amazon says it will spend $200bn on capex in 2026.
Ireland’s entire annual national budget is $152bn.
Ireland’s entire annual national budget is $152bn.
February 5, 2026 at 9:54 PM
Amazon says it will spend $200bn on capex in 2026.
Ireland’s entire annual national budget is $152bn.
Ireland’s entire annual national budget is $152bn.
Washington Post under Bezos is dying. Today’s cuts — international, books, sport
February 4, 2026 at 3:33 PM
Washington Post under Bezos is dying. Today’s cuts — international, books, sport
Dirty, dark, wet evening in Dublin
February 3, 2026 at 7:40 PM
Dirty, dark, wet evening in Dublin
Duvillaun, Achill, Blacksod.
Feb 1st, St Brigid's Day
Feb 1st, St Brigid's Day
February 2, 2026 at 1:10 AM
Duvillaun, Achill, Blacksod.
Feb 1st, St Brigid's Day
Feb 1st, St Brigid's Day
Lá Fhéile Bríde (St. Brigid's Day), celebrated on February 1st, marks the beginning of spring in Ireland.
February 1, 2026 at 4:38 PM
Lá Fhéile Bríde (St. Brigid's Day), celebrated on February 1st, marks the beginning of spring in Ireland.
Reposted by Adrian Weckler
Lá fhéile bríde sona daoibh - first day of spring!!!
February 1, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Lá fhéile bríde sona daoibh - first day of spring!!!
Ireland is edging closer to a social media ban for under-16s.
After Australia and France, it is becoming a mainstream idea with momentum in Europe — even in Dublin, home of the mega-tax-paying big tech corporations.
Recent weeks (X/Grok) have accelerated things.
m.independent.ie/business/adr...
After Australia and France, it is becoming a mainstream idea with momentum in Europe — even in Dublin, home of the mega-tax-paying big tech corporations.
Recent weeks (X/Grok) have accelerated things.
m.independent.ie/business/adr...
Adrian Weckler: Backlash against big tech after Grok blow-up nudges Ireland ever closer to under-16 social media ban
Ireland is edging closer to a social media ban for under-16s and it’s largely down to the big-tech companies themselves.
m.independent.ie
February 1, 2026 at 10:18 AM
Ireland is edging closer to a social media ban for under-16s.
After Australia and France, it is becoming a mainstream idea with momentum in Europe — even in Dublin, home of the mega-tax-paying big tech corporations.
Recent weeks (X/Grok) have accelerated things.
m.independent.ie/business/adr...
After Australia and France, it is becoming a mainstream idea with momentum in Europe — even in Dublin, home of the mega-tax-paying big tech corporations.
Recent weeks (X/Grok) have accelerated things.
m.independent.ie/business/adr...
Windless in the Wesht. Never seen Lough Conn so still.
January 31, 2026 at 5:53 PM
Windless in the Wesht. Never seen Lough Conn so still.
Interviewed the competition/consumer head
- Bid-rigging (companies fixing tenders) is a “significant” problem
- paltry €1k ‘fines’ for retailers conning consumers at Black Friday are a joke
- people are sick of hard-to-exit subscriptions and contracts
m.independent.ie/irish-news/w...
- Bid-rigging (companies fixing tenders) is a “significant” problem
- paltry €1k ‘fines’ for retailers conning consumers at Black Friday are a joke
- people are sick of hard-to-exit subscriptions and contracts
m.independent.ie/irish-news/w...
Watchdog hits out at ‘cartels’ that are rigging their bids for big state projects
The consumer watchdog has warned there is “no doubt” that cartels are operating to fix the price of publicly funded projects in Ireland.
m.independent.ie
January 31, 2026 at 10:23 AM
Interviewed the competition/consumer head
- Bid-rigging (companies fixing tenders) is a “significant” problem
- paltry €1k ‘fines’ for retailers conning consumers at Black Friday are a joke
- people are sick of hard-to-exit subscriptions and contracts
m.independent.ie/irish-news/w...
- Bid-rigging (companies fixing tenders) is a “significant” problem
- paltry €1k ‘fines’ for retailers conning consumers at Black Friday are a joke
- people are sick of hard-to-exit subscriptions and contracts
m.independent.ie/irish-news/w...