Most common ‘cold call’ phone scams and how to spot them
This morning it was announced that the UK is going to ban cold calls that are attempting to offer financial products, in a bid to crack down on the number of people falling victim to scams over the phone. Fraud is one of the most common crimes in the UK, with one in 15 becoming…
TalkTalk rated worst major broadband provider by Which?
TalkTalk has been rated the worst major broadband provider in Which?’s annual satisfaction survey, which saw the ‘Big Four’ losing out to smaller firms such as Zen which hasn't hiked customer bills midway through contracts. The consumer champion’s annual survey of almost 4,000 broadband customers found that despite the biggest firms being on the verge…
5 ways to make your mobile phone battery last longer
Society has never been more dependent on its smartphone devices, with phones now being used for so much more than just making calls. Whether you need to make a contactless payment, access an app that holds your train ticket, or simply need to request an Uber - your phone battery dying can now be a…
More than half UK residents have lost or had mobile stolen
Brits aged 25-35 are the most likely to lose a mobile phone, with 4 in 5 (78%) reporting to have lost more than one device. On the other hand, Brits over 65 are the least likely to lose a mobile phone, with 7 in 10 (68%) claiming to have never lost a handset. 56% of…
Top 10 most searched for EVs – Tesla Model Y tops list
The Tesla Model Y is the most searched-for EV. Image: Tesla Today (March 1st) is the official release date of the latest official number plate. As well as the shiny ’23’ plates highlighting the newest vehicles on the block, it also puts us another year closer to the UK ban on…
7 tips to save money on a mobile phone
Mobile phones are a vital part of everyday life for many people, and if they break or need replacing unexpectedly this can come at a huge cost. In conjunction with Which? we advise consumers on how they can save money on mobile phones and high contract costs amid the cost of living crisis. Buy a…
Top 6 Tips to Combat Broadband Scams
According to the ICO, broadband scam calls rank as the most common scam type, with over 1,700 broadband-related nuisance calls between December 2021 and May 2022. But how can you spot and stop these nuisance calls, and what should you do if you find yourself in this situation? In conjunction with the broadband…
WFH is here to stay, suggests ONS report
A new Government report shows 40% of Brits are still working from home at least once a week. As if that wasn’t enough for High Street stores to deal with, it reveals the link between travelling to work and increased spending has collapsed. With big earners topping the list of home workers, retailers and employers…
How to save money on your transport costs in 2023
Travel price hikes and the ongoing cost of living crisis mean consumers are now facing an eye-watering rise to the cost of getting around. Consumer group Which? is advising consumers on how they can shave hundreds of pounds a year off their commuting and transport costs by using options like railcards, car shares and opting…
8 ways to get cheaper insurance
The cost of living crisis is increasing prices across the board and insurance is no exception, with premiums going up by substantial sums. For instance, after years of falling, a report by Consumer Intelligence found that across the year to November 2022, the most competitive car insurance quotes rose by 17.4 per cent. In conjunction…
7 Top Tips to Save Money on your Tax Return
As the deadline to submit tax returns online and pay outstanding bills from HMRC fast approaches, the financial pressures of the cost of living crisis make it even more important that people get the process right. In conjunction with Which? we give you 7 Top Tips to help avoid incurring penalties and even shave money…
5 Tips to get a mobile phone deal with poor credit rating
Together with the experts at Uswitch we provide our top tips on how to secure a mobile phone deal with a poor credit rating. 1. Choose a cheaper deal If you’ve currently got poor credit history, this might rule you out of getting the latest and most expensive smartphones, like the iPhone 14. The newer…
Best Apps for Sticking to New Year’s Resolutions
These are the best apps for sticking to your New Year's resolutions, data reveals.. Only 3 in 10 Brits (31%) claimed to keep all of their new year’s resolutions in 2021, while a fifth of Brits (20%) admitted they didn’t keep any of theirs. Research carried out by online smartphone retailer, Mobiles.co.uk, combined app store reviews and…
How to save money on your Mobile, Broadband and Streaming costs in 2023
As the curtain comes down on 2022, many of us will be looking ahead to the new year for ways to save money. Our broadband, mobile, pay-TV and streaming services are often overlooked as ways to make savings. However, taking the time to audit your bills and subscriptions could quickly save you hundreds of pounds…
Energy Savings: the most expensive appliances revealed
The cost of living crisis has us all wondering how we can save money on our energy bills, which appliances are the most energy-efficient, and which are raking up the most money. Together with the energy experts at Hometree, we have crunched the numbers and revealed the costs of running your home appliances, by looking…
The 12 Scams of Christmas
Every year, scammers take the opportunity to target consumers shopping online around the Christmas period with new and old scams. This leaves people increasingly vulnerable. Together with James Walker, CEO of consumer data action service Rightly, we identify and explore twelve common scams that pop up at Christmas and explain what consumers should look out…
Scam website alert: Expert reveals 7 warning signs
Are you worried about falling victim to online scams and attacks? If so, you are not alone, as 81% of Brits fear fraudulent attacks, according to the NCSC. Scammers have utilised increasingly creative tactics to gain access to your personal information, making it harder to identify and protect yourself from phishing scams and fraudulent attacks. Recently in…
Tyto launches sixth annual Tyto Tech 500 for 2022: Richard Branson tops list
Richard Branson tops the Tyto Tech 500 list European PR agency Tyto has published its sixth annual Tyto Tech 500, revealing the most influential individuals in the tech sectors of the UK, Germany and France. The Tyto Tech 500, the only objective data-driven influence study into Europe's technology sector, claims the publishers, this year reveals how academics and cybersecurity…
6 Tips to Help Shop Online on Black Friday, Cyber Monday
Social media and the internet are riddled with enticing 'shopping bargains', often with price tags that seem too good to be true, especially on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Here we offer 6 tips to help you spot the fakes... With the cost of living at an all-time high across the country, Brits are looking…
Just 1 in 7 Black Friday deals genuine, claims Which?
Only one in seven (14%) Black Friday deals offer a genuine discount, according to new Which? research which finds the vast majority of promotions are cheaper or the same price in the six months before the sales extravaganza. The consumer association analysed 214 Black Friday deals last year at seven major home and tech retailers…
5 Social Media Alternatives to Twitter
As Ryan Reynolds joins Tumblr and new owner Elon Musk bans parody accounts, we look at some alternatives to Twitter including Mastodon and Bluesky… A new study from Financial-World.org has revealed the emerging social media platforms that could soon replace Twitter, as Elon Musk continues to cause controversy among users. Using Google Trends data, the…
Experts Predict 8 Biggest FinTech Trends For 2023
From tribe-based banking to embedded finance and everyday cryptocurrency payments, here’s what to expect in the FinTech industry in the year ahead.. The financial technology sector is rapidly evolving with traditional methods of banking now being replaced with digital solutions, in a bid to make things faster, easier and, hopefully, more streamlined for both businesses…
10 Warning Signs Your Phone May Be Spying On You
Over the last few years, there has been an explosion of malicious spyware and stalkerware infiltrating our phones through apps and links... Undoubtedly, it is becoming easier for hackers to access our phones as spying apps are getting sneakier and harder to detect. In 2021 The New York Times reported a 65% increase in the…
5 things to do if you suspect an energy provider is overcharging you
As energy costs soar this winter, many British homeowners are struggling to afford bills, especially if they are charged for more than they've used. This year, the UK’s Ofgem warned energy suppliers to tighten up direct debit policies, after several companies were taking too much money from customers on automatic payments. If you think you’re being overcharged…
8 tips to cut the cost of heating bills this winter
Many households will be worried about the impact of rising energy prices this winter - and into next year - following the government’s announcement that the energy price guarantee for all households will now run for just six months, until April 2023. In conjunction with Which? we've found a number of ways consumers can make…
Top tips for reducing EV charging bills
Tusker, a leading provider of salary sacrifice car benefits schemes, with more than 20,000 green vehicles in its fleet, has produced some top tips to help EV drivers keep their monthly charging costs down... Tusker has included advice on how to access free and reduced charging prices against a background of rising energy costs for…
Liverpool is best UK city for ‘geeks’, claims survey
Liverpool is the best UK city for geeks according to Broadband Savvy Broadband Savvy, a leading authority on UK broadband service and performance, has conducted research into the best cities for geeks to visit or live in the UK. With Brits now spending 32% more on video games and consoles than…
Future Mobility: How Rotterdam plans to lead Europe
People cycling past the Hofbogen, the former Hofplein station. Image: Iris van den Broek Europe’s largest port of Rotterdam shows how it is leading the way in all forms of future mobility, from autonomous vehicles to hydrogen-powered water-taxis. Chris Price gets on his bike to check out the city’s future…
Apple Far Out Launch: What the Experts Say
Apple just held its Far Out event, where it revealed its latest iPhone 14 lineup, three new Apple Watches, including the long-rumoured Apple Watch Ultra, and the next generation of AirPods Pro earbuds. The iPhone 14 doesn’t come with too many notable upgrades over the iPhone 13. However Apple has introduced a new Plus model…
How to Save Money on Appliance Running Costs
As the cost of living crisis continues to bite, many households are worried about the impact of rising energy prices this winter. The new energy price cap is set to push bills up by 80 per cent from 1 October for those on variable energy tariffs. Together with Which? we bring you this guide to…
Back to School Tech Tips
Catherine Hiley, telecoms expert at Uswitch.com shares some advice on how to keep children safe as they gain more digital independence, as well as some suggestions for the best teen and tween-friendly handsets. Millions of children will be gearing up to start a new school year in the next few days, with many making the move to…
Has the online e-commerce bubble burst post Covid?
With online sales falling to their lowest level since March 2020 and Shopify and Amazon shedding staff, ParcelHero asks if e-commerce is the victim of its own rapid growth? The home delivery expert ParcelHero says people are shopping like it’s 2019. As the impact of Covid diminishes, UK e-commerce sales have fallen to their lowest level since…
5 Tips to Save Money on your Monthly Subscriptions
With the news that Amazon is set to increase the monthly price of its Prime service for UK customers for the first time since 2014, we look at ways in which you can save money on your monthly subscriptions... From September, Amazon Prime's subscription will go up an extra £1 to £8.99. Its annual membership…
8 Driving Tips To Consider When Travelling This Summer
Summer is finally here in the UK, with temperatures increasing every day - with highs of 30C (86F) to be expected over the next week. As expected, many will be taking advantage of the weather and travelling to be with friends and family for a fun-filled weekend, whether it be at the beach or the…
Top 5 ways to prolong EV battery life
The cost of charging an electric car using a public charger has increased once again, as drivers will now need to fork out over £220 more per year on average. Just like looking after your smartphone, your electric vehicle’s battery also needs to be properly cared for if you’re going to get the best out of it…
Best of Britain: 15 photos to inspire you to explore UK
People gaze at the wonder of the night sky as it creates a mystical view, taken by Barrie Pennington in St Helens To highlight the unique and picturesque beauty across the UK, CEWE has released a collection of new images from the CEWE Photo Award - the world’s largest photo competition,…
Nissan Ariya review: a great electric SUV
The Nissan Ariya offers a smooth, if not particularly exciting, ride Tech Digest Editor Chris Price travels to Stockholm to test out Nissan’s latest EV, the family-friendly Ariya now available from £43,000... When it comes to Electric Vehicles, Nissan certainly knows a thing or two. While other mass market manufacturers – most notably VW –…
How to save money on tech during a cost-of-living crisis
According to recent research by the Office for National Statistics, more than three-quarters of adults in Great Britain are worrying about the rising cost of living, with about half of them doing so almost every day. In a survey, over 3 in 4 people (77%) over the age of 16 reported feeling “very or somewhat worried…
9 Tips to Save Money on Tech and Computing
Laptops and devices are a vital part of everyday life for many people, and if they break or need replacing unexpectedly it can be a huge cost. With the cost of living crisis putting a huge strain on household budgets, non-essential expensive purchases are likely to be put on hold. But sometimes when an essential…
4 Cool and Creative AI-based Apps for Kids
Not sure what to build with your Lego? Let us introduce Brickit, an app that can help you decide. Think Artificial Intelligence (AI) and you may be conjuring up images of incredibly powerful software that at some point in the future will transform the way we live. AI use is, however,…
How to keep your tech cool during a heatwave
With a heatwave on its way to the UK tomorrow, spirits are high and pub gardens are filling up. Friday temperatures are due to hit 34 degrees in some areas of the UK, which will be a welcome treat for sun worshippers working from home. While joining a Zoom meeting from the comfort of a…
Top 10 Instagrammable Tech HQs – Facebook tops list!
Recent research by tech talent creation specialists, Revolent has revealed the tech companies around the world that boast the most Instagrammable headquarters. Focusing on the top 50 tech companies with the highest market capital, the research was conducted by comparing the number of associated hashtags with each HQ to see which came out on top. Facebook’s…
14 UK tourist attractions offering EV charging
To celebrate the launch of Toyota’s first BEV (battery electric vehicle), the bZ4X BEV, we've joined forces with the car manufacturer to put together a list of attractions that provide EV car chargers on-site, or nearby... Whether you’re planning a weekend trip, or a school holiday adventure, many of the following theme parks, museums, beaches,…
5 Precautions to Take If Your Phone is Lost or Stolen Abroad
Around 8.7 million phones were lost or stolen in 2021- that's over 1,000 every hour. Brean Horne, a personal finance expert at comparison site, NerdWallet, shares five precautions holidaymakers should take to protect themselves if their device gets lost or stolen abroad. 1. Change your passwords on emails and social accounts Changing the passwords to your email and…
We’ve reached the point of no free returns, says ParcelHero
With the likes of Zara and Next now charging shoppers to return items by mail, the home delivery expert ParcelHero says we’ve reached tipping point, and soon there will be no free returns.... Zara’s announcement that it will start charging a return shipping fee is another nail in the coffin for free returns, says…
Top 10 TikTok #Groceryshoppinghacks
TikTok is full of money-saving tips and tricks, and users are sharing hacks for how they stretch their supermarket shopping budget. From yellow sticker hunting to bringing your own bags, the hashtag #Groceryshoppinghacks has over 2.5 billion views, proving that we’re all looking for ways to make our money go further at the tills. But…
World Password Day: 5 essential tips for password management
Cybercrime continues to rise in scale and complexity - while costing the UK billions of pounds, causing huge damage, and putting national security at risk. One of the most common ways that hackers get into places they shouldn’t is via simple, easily guessable passwords. So it’s essential that all our passwords must be difficult to…
10 Top Tips to save hundreds on your car and home insurance
As the impact of the cost of living crisis hits home for millions of people, Which? shares tips to help save consumers hundreds of pounds on their car and home insurance.... Motorists are facing significantly higher car insurance premiums, as the cost of car insurance is now at the highest level seen since the last…
Mobile World Congress 2022 – key trends
Mobile World Congress (MWC 2022) took place, as a face-to-face event, earlier this month in Barcelona. So, what were the key trends that we saw emerging from the show? Dario Betti, CEO, Mobile Ecosystem Forum reports... Premium devices Big announcements for new mobile devices were not all made at MWC this year. Big brands now…
Tech Digest daily roundup: TikTok limits service in Russia, Netflix pulls out
Video-sharing site TikTok and streaming giant Netflix have limited and cut their services respectively in Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. TikTok said it had suspended live streaming and new content from its platform as it assesses tough new laws to crack down on "fake news" about Russia's armed forces. Netflix said it was pulling…
Tech Digest daily roundup: Amazon closes all physical bookstores
Amazon.com Inc said on Wednesday it plans to close all 68 of its brick-and-mortar bookstores, pop-ups and shops carrying toys and home goods in the United States and United Kingdom, ending some of its longest-running retail experiments. The news, which Reuters was first to report, marks a turning point for a company that began as…
8 Wordle alternatives – including Absurdle and Mathler
Wordle is the latest new online puzzle game to take the world by storm, proving so popular that it was recently acquired by the New York Times for an estimated seven-figure fee. Its popularity is due largely to its simplicity. The online brainteaser challenges users to guess a five-letter word within six tries, with no clues whatsoever…
Tech Digest daily roundup: Tesla sales to grow 50% in 2022
Tesla sales will grow by more than 50% in 2022 compared with last year despite supply chain problems, chief executive Elon Musk has said. The electric carmaker reported a record $5.5bn (£4bn) profit last year. Sales at the firm rocketed 71% to $53.8bn in 2021, as it delivered more than 936,000 vehicles to customers. But…
Tech Digest daily roundup: Sony shares slump after Microsoft deal
Shares in Japanese technology giant Sony have slumped in Tokyo trade after Microsoft said it plans to buy mega games company Activision Blizzard. The deal worth $68.7bn (£50.5bn), would be Microsoft's biggest-ever buyout and the largest deal in gaming history. It would see the US firm owning popular gaming franchises including Call of Duty, Warcraft…
Tech Digest daily roundup: Hacker claims he got into 25 Tesla EVs
A teenage security expert claimed he was able to hack into 25 Tesla cars, allowing him to remotely start the vehicles and control their lights, windows and navigation systems. David Colombo, a 19-year-old German, said a fault had allowed him to take control of features of more than 25 Teslas in 13 countries. He said…
Tech Digest daily roundup: ‘Lickable’ TV screen developed!
📺 ‘Taste the TV’: A Japanese professor has developed a prototype lickable TV screen that can imitate food flavors https://t.co/JWVhiU94z1 pic.twitter.com/ZgxmfTf1Xn — Reuters (@Reuters) December 23, 2021 A prototype "lickable" TV screen which can mimic food flavours has been developed by a Japanese professor, Reuters reports. Dubbed Taste-the-TV, ten canisters spray flavour onto a…
Online Christmas: 5 ways to protect yourself from scammers
According to Action Fraud, 28,049 shoppers were scammed while shopping online during the Christmas period last year. This was a massive increase of 61% compared to 2019. Scammers are continuously learning new techniques and developing their tactics to con shoppers out of their hard-earned cash, but the pandemic has accelerated the problem even further as…
Which? reveals biggest duds of the Black Friday sale season
A dangerous child car seat, a poor quality TV, a dodgy laptop and a washing machine that fails to get rid of stains are among the flawed products being sold at discount prices this Black Friday, Which? has found. Each year Which? puts thousands of products through tough and independent laboratory tests to separate the…
Cyberstalking and abuse rife in the UK, claims research
Ahead of the United Nations’ International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women tomorrow (25th November), fresh research data into stalkerware and tech abuse suggests that the UK has one of the highest levels of cyberstalking in Europe. Kaspersky’s research highlights that the UK ranks second-highest for domestic abuse in Europe: nearly three-in-10 surveyed UK adults…
Tech Digest daily roundup: Android 10 remains most popular Google OS
Google has unveiled new figures on how many people use different versions of Android, and surprisingly, the most popular version is from 2019. Published by Google's Android Studio platform for app developers, these figures show a breakdown of how many people are currently using each version of Android. According to the figures, 24.3% of users are…
9 in 10 Black Friday ‘deals’ same price or cheaper ahead of event, Which? reveals
Nine in 10 (92%) Black Friday ‘deals’ are the same price or cheaper in the six months ahead of the big event, a Which? investigation has found. The consumer watchdog analysed 201 of last year’s Black Friday deals at six major retailers – Amazon, AO, Argos, Currys, John Lewis and Richer Sounds - looking at…
Tech Digest daily roundup: New homes required to have EV charging
New homes and buildings in England will be required by law to install electric vehicle charging points from next year, the prime minister is set to announce. The government said the move will see up to 145,000 charging points installed across the country each year. New-build supermarkets, workplaces and buildings undergoing major renovations will also…
Tech Digest daily roundup: Spotify adds real-time lyrics to platform
When listening to music, we often find ourselves singing along. However, sometimes we switch to humming because the lyrics aren’t all familiar to us. When comparing Spotify to some other music players, it always had an obvious disadvantage — lack of a lyrics view. Fortunately for all of us, this is no longer going to be…
Black Friday: 10 Tips To Bag The Best Bargains
With Black Friday and Cyber Monday fast approaching, Forbes Advisor, an online platform dedicated to helping consumers make smart financial decisions, has created a list of 10 tips for navigating the sales successfully.... Start your research early It pays to have an idea of what you want to buy before Black Friday begins, so take the time…
Tech Digest daily roundup: Apple ’embraces’ right to repair movement (sort of)
Apple is now allowing some of its customers to self-repair their own iPhones - after long prohibiting anyone except approved technicians from handling its proprietary parts and software. In a sharp turnaround, the US tech firm announced on Wednesday that users will be able to access genuine Apple parts and tools for consumer repairs on the…
Tech Digest daily roundup: Amazon to stop accepting UK Visa credit cards
Amazon will stop accepting Visa credit cards in the UK from 19 January, the online retail giant has told customers. It said the move was due to high credit card transaction fees but said Visa debit cards would still be accepted. Visa said it was "very disappointed that Amazon is threatening to restrict consumer choice…
Tech Digest daily roundup: Elon Musk to sell 10% of Tesla shares
Voters in a Twitter poll have urged Elon Musk to sell 10% of his stake in Tesla in order to pay tax. More than 3.5 million Twitter users voted in the poll, launched by Mr Musk on Saturday, with nearly 58% voting in favour of the share sale. The vote could see him dispose of…
Tech Digest daily roundup: Zero-carbon flights to run on liquid ammonia
A British company being launched at the Cop26 summit on Friday will unveil technology it claims could enable zero-carbon emission flights running on liquid ammonia by 2030. It aims to build lightweight reactors to “crack” the chemical to produce hydrogen to burn as fuel, a design it says could allow existing planes to be modified…
Tech Digest daily roundup: Facebook shuts down facial recognition system
Facebook's facial recognition system will be shut down and faceprints will be deleted for over a billion people, the social media giant has announced. The technology automatically identifies users in pictures and videos but Facebook has decided to remove it, citing increased concerns about its use. Jerome Pesenti, vice president of artificial intelligence at Facebook, wrote…
Tech Digest daily roundup: ALI Technologies launches £500K hoverbike
ALI Technologies hoverbike costs nearly £500,000. Image: ALI Technologies A Japanese start-up is hoping to convince motorists to swap their cars for a $680,000 (£495,000) hoverbike. ALI Technologies' XTurismo Limited Edition went on sale in Japan, earlier on Wednesday. Electronics giant Mitsubishi and footballer Keisuke Honda are two backers of the…
Tech Digest daily roundup: Google and Microsoft announce record profits
Google’s parent company Alphabet has powered to record profits as a post-pandemic resurgence in advertising demand brought in billions more dollars for the search giant. Microsoft also revealed record figures, and predicted that rising inflation fears around the world would force more employers to spend on technology and automation. Alphabet, which owns Google and a…
Tech Digest daily roundup: Tesla market value hits $1 trillion
Tesla surpassed a market value of $1 trillion on Monday, making it the fifth such firm to reach the milestone. Shares in the electric carmaker climbed 12.6% after it struck a deal to sell 100,000 vehicles to the car rental firm Hertz. Tesla has been the world's most valuable carmaker for some time, but brands…
Memory Lane: 20 years since the Apple iPod launched
Unbelievably, it's 20 years since the very first Apple iPod was sold, revolutionising personal audio in the process. Simon Poulter of Where Are We Now takes a trip down memory lane to a device that transformed Apple's fortunes as well as changing music culture forever... Apple provided an unsolicited reminder on Monday of just…
Tech Digest daily roundup: Eurostar trials biometric recognition
Image: Eurostar Continental rail operator Eurostar is set to trial a new biometric identity verification technology that promises seamless travel across borders. Created by identity, payments and data protection developer Entrust, the system allows travellers to register their face and passport ahead of travel for a touch-free journey through border checks. Once at St Pancras or other…
Tech Digest daily roundup: Facebook plans name change
Facebook is planning to change its company name next week to reflect its focus on building the metaverse, according to a source with direct knowledge of the matter. The coming name change, which CEO Mark Zuckerberg plans to talk about at the company’s annual Connect conference on October 28th, but could unveil sooner, is meant…
TechDigest daily roundup: Apple announces new third gen AirPods
Apple has launched its third-generation Apple AirPods. Image: Apple A new range of laptops and the third generation of AirPods were the key highlights from Apple's latest launch event. Chief executive Tim Cook announced Apple's much-anticipated new Macbook Pro computers, with new screens and high-end M1 Pro and M1 Max chips,…
Top 7 Tech Predictions for 2022
Top 7 Tech Predictions: Apple AirTag technology will be used to help find missing car keys. Image: Apple Following its three day long predictions event, we talk to Ben Wood, CMO and Chief Analyst of research company CCS Insight for his Top 7 Tech predictions for 2022 and beyond. 1. By…
Tech Digest daily roundup: 90yo Shatner emotional after ‘profound’ space trip
Star Trek actor William Shatner has become the oldest person to reach space, calling his trip "the most profound experience". The 90-year-old blasted off from Texas at 3.49pm UK time on a Blue Origin rocket - the space company owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Shatner, who played Captain Kirk in the original Star Trek series,…
Tech Digest daily roundup: iPhone 13 numbers slashed due to chip shortage
Apple's shares dropped on Tuesday following reports it could slash its iPhone 13 production targets due to the ongoing global computer chip shortage. The electronic giant had expected to make 90 million iPhones in the last quarter of 2021, reported Bloomberg. However, Apple was now having to tell its partners that the total will be lower…
Should I buy Sky Glass – Pros and Cons?
What are the pros and cons of Sky Glass? Image: Sky Last week, at an event in Greenwich, Sky launched its most innovative product to date: Sky Glass. A new range of QLED TVs, available in 43inch, 55inch and 65inch screen sizes, they enable you to watch satellite channels without a…
Tech Digest daily roundup: Nintendo officially rolls out new Switch
Image: Nintendo Nintendo has officially rolled out its new model of Nintendo Switch, the handheld games console that doubles up as a traditional TV plug in. The Switch OLED, as the name suggests, features a whole new OLED screen, brighter, bigger, and clearer than the original model that launched in 2017. …
Tech Digest daily roundup: Who pays for Squid Game’s internet traffic?
The breakout success of the Korean drama Squid Game has prompted a local broadband provider to launch legal action to force the maker, Netflix, to help pay for the huge surge in traffic, the latest flashpoint in the argument over who should carry the burden of the spiralling costs of data fuelled by the global streaming boom.…
Tech Digest daily round up: BT plans ‘Walk Me Home’ tracking service
Plans for a phone service aimed at protecting lone women walking home have been set out by BT in the wake of the murder of Sarah Everard. "Walk Me Home" would allow users to opt in to a GPS tracking system and an alert would be triggered if they did not reach their destination on…
Tech Digest daily round up: Twitch reportedly victim of huge data leak
Game-streaming platform Twitch has reportedly been the victim of a leak divulging confidential company information and steamers' earnings. More than 100GB of data was posted online on Wednesday. The documents appear to show Twitch's top streamers each made millions of dollars from the Amazon-owned company in the past two years. Fortnite streamer BBG Calc told BBC…
Top 10 most valuable James Bond cars: Spy Who Loved Me Lotus Esprit tops list
It was Auric Goldfinger in the 1964 James Bond movie who was said to have the Midas touch, but classic car insurance company Hagerty has found that just an association with the spy franchise is enough to make car values soar. Its valuation analysts compared the values of real Bond cars which were used during…
Tech Digest daily roundup: Meet Astro, Amazon’s house robot
Amazon is launching Astro, its first household robot, powered by its Alexa smart home technology. The company said it can be remote-controlled when not at home, to check on pets, people, or home security. It can also patrol a home automatically and send owners a notification if it detects something unusual. Amazon said it was…
Tech Digest daily roundup: Apple resists EU call for common USB-C charger
The European Commission has set out plans for a common charger port for all mobile phones, tablets and headphones, in the face of resistance from US tech giant Apple. An 18-page directive released on Thursday said a common charger for all brands “would benefit consumers and reduce electronic waste”. It estimates that it will save EU…
Tech Digest daily roundup: Microsoft unveils Surface Pro 8
Microsoft has announced a range of computers, laptops, and a dual-screen smartphone as part of its big Surface Windows 11 event. The unveiled devices include brand new computer types and updated models in existing lines, as well as new accessibility options. Each of the machines will be some of the first to ship with Windows 11. Surface…
Measuring the success of British TV exports
We look at which British shows and formats have made the leap abroad to become our finest TV exports in recent years... Despite the success of platforms like Netflix and imported TV shows from the US, the UK still punches above its weight when it comes to exporting TV shows and formats across the world.…
Tech Digest daily roundup: DB5 Junior No Time To Die Edition
There's always a lot of excitement around a James Bond film, because everyone loves 007. But with the delays and setbacks that have beset No Time To Die, anticipation is higher than ever - Spectre was six years ago, and we haven't waited that long between Bonds since Dalton was switched for Brosnan. Anyway, the…
Sir Clive Sinclair RIP – 10 things about the great man you may not know
Image: https://twitter.com/Clive_Sinclair/photo Born in Richmond, London (then Surrey) in 1940, Sir Clive left school at 17, not wanting to go to University. He worked for four years as a technical journalist to raise funds to found Sinclair Radionics. He set up the company in 1962 at a house in Islington, north…
Tech Digest daily roundup: Inventor Sir Clive Sinclair RIP
Inventor Sir Clive Sinclair, who popularised the home computer and invented the pocket calculator, has died at his London home aged 81. His daughter Belinda Sinclair said he passed away on Thursday morning after having cancer for more than a decade. Sir Clive's products included the ZX series of computers and his ill-fated C5 electric…
Tech Digest daily roundup: Rolls-Royce electric plane takes maiden flight
Rolls-Royce’s first all-electric plane has completed its maiden flight ahead of a world record attempt later this year. The Spirit of Innovation’s 15-minute flight took place at the Boscombe Down military testing site on Wednesday, powered by the most “power-dense” battery pack assembled for an aircraft, the company said. Rolls said the 400kW electric powertrain was…
Tech Digest daily round up: Apple launches ‘no longer a spectacle’
A smaller notch. A faster processor. A new camera with cinematic mode. In the pantheon of Apple keynote events, Tuesday’s iPhone 13 launch was towards the modest end. “We still see room for innovation,” was one analyst’s rather dry take. Perhaps Tim Cook didn’t want to make any risky moves on an unlucky number. The unveiling…
Tech Digest daily roundup: iPhone 13 to have terabyte storage option?
Apple could be about to upgrade the iPhone 13 with huge amounts of new storage, according to a last minute rumour. The company is planning to release the new phones in the same options that are offered in the iPhone 12, numerous reports have suggested. But it will add a new storage option, giving people a full…
Tech Digest daily roundup: Openreach to offer free broadband installation for poor
Openreach will install broadband for free to UK households on universal credit which have no other earnings. The company would usually charge ISPs, such as Sky or TalkTalk, for connecting households to broadband. The firm estimates about one million people could save up to £92, depending on how internet firms pass on the saving. But…
Tech Digest daily roundup: British food-waste app Olio raises £31m
Image: Olio A British app that encourages people to give away excess food has raised $43m (£31m) from investors including German takeaway giant Delivery Hero. Olio, founded in 2015 by Tessa Clarke and Saasha Celestial-One – whose second name was invented by her “hippy entrepreneur” parents – has 5m users who collect…
Online sales of 25% ‘new normal’, claims ParcelHero
As shoppers return to the High Street, online sales have fallen for four months in a row, with Amazon and Etsy reporting a marked slowdown in growth. However, e-commerce expert ParcelHero predicts online will level out at a quarter of all retail sales.... Shoppers may be flooding back to High Streets and shopping centres, but…
Tech Digest daily roundup: Oculus pauses Quest 2 sales
Virtual-reality headset-maker Oculus is issuing a recall for the foam padding in its Quest 2 headset, warning it can cause skin irritation. Facebook-owned Oculus said only a "very small percentage" of users were experiencing the problem. But it is offering a free cover - made of silicone - to all Quest 2 owners. Facebook also…
Tech Digest daily roundup: Tesla to open up supercharger network
CEO Elon Musk confirms plans on Twitter to begin allowing access to rival EV brands at its US supercharger network later this year, with global network to follow suit. Tesla plans to open up its global charging network to allow rival brands of electric vehicles to power up their batteries in future, the company's CEO…
Tech Digest daily roundup: Amazon Echo speakers to work with Siri, Google Assistant
Amazon's Echo smart speakers are about to get a lot smarter. An upgrade to Matter – an open-source standard platform – should make Amazon's smart speakers work with more voice assistants, not just Alexa. Matter is the new name for Project Connected Home over IP (or CHIP for short). It's a coalition of big-name companies…
Tech Digest daily round up: EE main winner in Rootmetrics awards
EE has once again won the most awards in RootMetrics’ UK mobile network tests, however all four of the country's big operators appear to be making their services more reliable and faster as they continue to rollout 5G technology across their infrastructure. RootMetrics, which conducted 650,000 tests across all four UK nations and in 16…
Tech Digest daily round up: Jimmy Fallon roasts Bezos over phallic rocket
Jimmy Fallon has roasted billionaire Jeff Bezos over his recent trip to space in a rocket made by the Amazon founder’s space company Blue Origin. Many have noted that the rocket, which is called New Shepard, is an unusual shape. It takes the form of a long cylinder topped with a dome. In short, it is very phallic. On…
Tech Digest daily round up: Top journalists ‘targeted with phone malware’, reports claim
Rights activists, journalists and lawyers around the world have been targeted with phone malware sold to authoritarian governments by an Israeli surveillance firm, media reports say. They are on a list of some 50,000 phone numbers of people believed to be of interest to clients of the company, NSO Group, leaked to major news outlets.…
Tech Digest daily roundup: Royal Marines uses drone swarms in battle drills
In a first for the UK's armed forces, Royal Marines have used drone swarms to assist in battle drills. Autonomous machines were present in the air, on the sea and underwater to help the soldiers as they carried out simulated raids on missile and radar installations across the UK. Those in charge of the trials…
Tech Digest daily round up: Meet the robots running Tokyo Olympics
The Olympic Games may be taking place a year late because of the pandemic, but it will still be a chance for host nation Japan to show off its world-class robotics technology. And despite spectators being kept away from the events by Covid restrictions, there will still be a string of robotic participants to help run the Tokyo…
Tech Digest daily roundup: Sweat used to power medical sensors
Small biofuel cells can harvest enough energy from the sweat on a person’s fingertips to power wearable medical sensors that track health and nutrition – and because our fingertips are one of the sweatiest parts of the body, the sensors could be powered all day. Lu Yin at the University of California, San Diego, and…
Tech Digest daily roundup: FIFA 22 on PC won’t include next gen improvements
FIFA 22’s PC version will not feature next-gen improvements seen on PS5 and Xbox Series X, including its new animation tech. The PC edition of FIFA 22 will instead be comparable to the last-gen version, to the dismay of its small but vocal core of fans. It will follow in the footsteps of FIFA 21, which likewise…
Tech Digest daily round up: EVs to cost same as petrol cars, claims Vauxhall owner
Stellantis makes the electric version of the Fiat 500 Electric cars will soon cost the same to run and buy as vehicles with petrol or diesel engines even without government subsidies, the owner of Vauxhall has claimed. The prediction from Stellantis, which also owns Peugeot, Citroen and Fiat, came as it outlined…
Tech Digest daily round up: Profit up 53% at Samsung Electronics
Tech giant Samsung Electronics has said it expects its quarterly profit to rise by 53% amid a global chip shortage. The world's biggest memory-chip and smartphone maker forecast operating profit of $11bn (£8bn) for the three months to the end of June. It said strong demand for memory chips had offset weaker sales of devices…
6 things we’ll miss once lockdown has ended
On Monday UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that the lifting of most Covid-19 restrictions will take place (most likely) on July 19th. While many of us will rejoice in not having to wear face masks, stand two metres apart from others and carry out funny elbow shakes, there are some things we’ll definitely miss.…
Tech Digest daily roundup: NHS Covid-19 app future in doubt
There's doubt over the future of the NHS Covid-19 contact tracing app for England and Wales, as the government prepares to relax restrictions in England on 19 July. But one advisor says the app has proved effective and urged the government not to drop it. Among the restrictions that the Prime Minister said would be…
Tech Digest daily round up: Colossal ransomware attacks hits US firms
About 200 US businesses have been hit by a "colossal" ransomware attack, according to a cyber-security firm. Huntress Labs said the hack targeted Florida-based IT company Kaseya before spreading through corporate networks that use its software. Kaseya said in a statement on its own website that it was investigating a "potential attack". Huntress Labs said…
Tech Digest daily round up: AirCar completes 35 minute flight
A prototype flying car has completed a 35-minute flight between international airports in Nitra and Bratislava, Slovakia. The hybrid car-aircraft, AirCar, is equipped with a BMW engine and runs on regular petrol-pump fuel. Its creator, Prof Stefan Klein, said it could fly about 1,000km (600 miles), at a height of 8,200ft (2,500m), and had clocked…
Tech Digest daily round up: TikTok ‘closely controlled by Chinese parent company’
Former TikTok employees say the hugely popular video app is closely controlled by its Chinese parent company ByteDance, raising privacy concerns that the government in Beijing could leverage the app to collect personal information about Americans as part of its sprawling digital surveillance apparatus. Former employees told CNBC in a new report that key decisions and meetings usually ran through China, and…
Tech Digest daily round up: Does Windows 11 spell end for Skype?
Microsoft has officially announced Windows 11, its new operating system which will replace the current version over the next few years. Among all the new features are two seemingly small but related things that jumped out. First - Microsoft Teams, the video-calling app which saw a boom during 2020's pandemic, will be integrated into Windows…
Tech Digest daily round up: O2 to reintroduce EU roaming charges
One of the UK’s biggest mobile phone networks has announced roaming charges for Britons travelling to the EU, in a blow to Boris Johnson’s Brexit celebrations. Customers of O2 have been told they will be billed £3.50 for every gigabyte (GB) of data used above a new limit of 25GB, from August. The move comes after the Christmas Eve trade agreement…
Tech Digest daily roundup: China tells banks to stop supporting cryptocurrency
China has expanded its clampdown on cryptocurrencies, telling banks and payments platforms to stop supporting digital currency transactions. That follows an order on Friday to shut down Bitcoin mining operations in Sichuan province. The price of Bitcoin slumped by more 10% on Monday but stabilised in Asian trading on Tuesday. The value of the cryptocurrency…
Tech Digest daily round up: Social media channels promote COVID-19 jab
Snapchat, YouTube, TikTok and Reddit are involved in a new campaign encouraging more young people to get their coronavirus jab. The social networks have teamed up with the government as it pushes ahead with the final stage of the vaccine rollout. New data shows that one million vaccine appointments were booked in the two days…
Tech Digest daily roundup: NHS app gains 2.7 million users since Covid status update
The NHS app has gained an additional 2.7 million users since a new version of the app has allowed people to show whether they have received the coronavirus vaccine. The app, separate from the NHS Covid-19 app, began enabling people to show proof that they had received the vaccine from 17 May, in order to…
Tech Digest daily roundup: Google adds encryption to Android messages
Google's Android phone system is adding encryption for its mainline messaging app. A standard of Apple's iMessage system for years, the feature has until now been absent from the default app from Google. Google's version depends on something called Rich Communication Services, which the company introduced in 2019. But like iMessage, it will be active…
McAfee takes control of Peloton Bike+ to expose cyber threat
Today, McAfee's Advanced Threat Research (ATR) is releasing a vulnerability disclosure for the Peloton Bike+. This vulnerability could allow someone with physical access to the bike, or access during any point in the supply chain (from construction to delivery), to gain remote access to the Peloton’s tablet, including the camera, microphone and personal data. During COVID-19, Peloton…
Tech Digest daily roundup: Smartphone sales to hit 1.4 billion in 2021, boosted by 5G
2020 saw a substantial dip in smartphone growth as shipments fell 7% due to the market conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. 2021 will see the market recover, predict the analysts at Canalys, who also forecast that it will get close to a tipping point in the adoption of 5G. The smartphone market will bounce back…
Tech Digest daily roundup: WhatsApp launches privacy ad campaign
WhatsApp has launched its first major privacy-focused advertising campaign in the UK. It follows a customer backlash against changes to its terms and conditions, announced earlier this year. The platform also said it is standing firm against pressure from governments, including the UK, to compromise on the way it encrypts messages. Authorities should "demand more…
Tech Digest daily roundup: Virgin proposes flying taxi service
Virgin Atlantic is exploring whether it could launch a flying taxi service as part of a partnership with Bristol-based Vertical Aerospace. The airline suggests electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOL) could fly from towns to major airports. Vertical Aerospace is conducting test flights of its aircraft this year. One expert said the proposal was…
Tech Digest daily roundup: OnlyFans ‘must do more to stop underage users’
The children's commissioner for England says OnlyFans needs to do more to stop underage users after the BBC revealed some were selling explicit videos. BBC News found under-18s have used fake identification to set up accounts on the site and police say a 14-year-old used her grandmother's passport. Dame Rachel de Souza has written to…
Tech Digest daily roundup: Half of UK adults visited adult website during lockdown
UK adults spent more time online than other large European countries such as France and Germany during the pandemic, according to Ofcom. They spent more than three-and-a-half hours (217 minutes) online each day in 2020 – more than an hour longer than in Germany and France and 30 minutes more than Spain, the regulator’s annual…
Tech Digest Daily Roundup: Apple iOS15 to offer greater privacy functions
Apple device users will now be able to see when individual apps request access to features such as the microphone, camera and phone gallery, plus which third parties they have connected with in the last seven days. The new "app privacy report" feature was unveiled at the firm's annual developers' conference, WWDC. Apple has prioritised…
Tech Digest daily round up: Dating apps introduce Covid vaccine badges
UK online daters will be able to choose to display a badge on their profiles to show if they have been vaccinated against Covid or support the jab drive. However there will be no way of verifying whether those displaying the badge have genuinely had the vaccine. Tinder, Match, Hinge, Bumble, Badoo, Plenty of Fish,…
Tech Digest daily round up: Google Pixel Buds ‘serious alternative’ to AirPods
Google has officially unveiled the Pixel Buds A-Series and, just as predicted, they cost significantly less than the AirPods. For just £99 ($99, about AU$140), Google's wireless buds promise Bass Boost, hands-free controls via Google Assistant and Fast Pairing. The A-Series buds leaked online as far back as March. They look almost identical to the current Pixel Buds but…
Tech Digest daily round up: iPhone 13 could be ‘thicker’ than iPhone 12
Not so long ago we heard that the iPhone 13 range might have bigger batteries than the iPhone 12 range, and now we’re hearing that – predictably – that’s made the phones thicker too. We’re not sure exactly how much thicker, but leaker Jon Prosser claimed that based on the latest, most up to date CAD (computer-aided design) files that…
Tech Digest daily round up: Amazon puts ‘wellness chambers’ in warehouses
Amazon plans to put "wellness chambers" in its warehouses so that stressed workers can sit inside and watch videos about relaxation. In a video shared on its Twitter account, Amazon said the "AmaZen" chamber would help staff focus on their mental health. But it deleted the post after a wave of ridicule from other social…
Tech Digest daily round up: Driverless shuttles hit Cambridge roads
The UK’s first driverless shuttles have taken to the road in Cambridge, carrying their first passengers in a trial alongside normal traffic. The autonomous vehicle took a 20-minute journey around the University of Cambridge’s West Cambridge campus in a test project which aims to assess whether the technology could one day join the UK’s public…
Tech Digest daily round up: Tesla fined for slowing down battery charging
A court in Norway has fined Tesla after a software update issued in 2019 slowed down battery charging speeds and affected the number of miles some of its vehicles could travel between charges. The case was brought by 30 customers, reports Norwegian news platform Nettavisen. The fine amounts to 136,000 Norwegian Krone (£11,500) for each complainant.…
Tech Digest daily round up: Snap announces AR Spectacles – but you can’t buy them!
Snap’s new Spectacles glasses are its most ambitious yet. But there’s a big catch: you can’t buy them. On Thursday, Snap CEO Evan Spiegel unveiled the company’s first true augmented reality glasses, technology that he and rivals like Facebook think will one day be as ubiquitous as mobile phones. A demo showed virtual butterflies fluttering…
Which Star Wars planet would you like to visit?
Planning your summer holiday or more of a permanent move? We take an imaginary look at the Star Wars destinations that would probably be more desirable than those on the ‘green’ travel list right now. Sometimes life on earth gets you down. Especially at the moment as we’re all still locked down – at least…
Tech Digest daily round up: Berlin’s IFA technology show cancelled again
One of Europe’s largest annual technology shows has cancelled its plans to hold an in-person event this year because of ongoing “uncertainties” around Covid-19. The IFA trade show is normally held in Berlin each year and attracts around 200,000 visitors across its four days. A scaled-down version of the convention took place in 2020 and…
Tech Digest daily round up: No fossil fuel boilers from 2025, says IEA
The International Energy Agency (IEA) says that no new fossil fuel boilers should be sold from 2025 if the world is to achieve net-zero emissions by the middle of this century. It's one of 400 steps on the road to net-zero proposed by the agency in a special report. The sale of new petrol and diesel…
Tech Digest daily round up: YouTube pays for Covid-19 vaccination ad campaign
YouTube has launched a multi-million-pound advertising campaign to encourage young people in the UK to get vaccinated against Covid-19. It said the partnership with the NHS would involve ads on buses, billboards, bus stops and YouTube, with the video-sharing site paying for them. YouTube has been criticised for being slow to stop the spread of…
Tech Digest daily round up: China’s spacecraft lands on Mars
An unmanned Chinese spacecraft has successfully landed on the surface of Mars, Chinese state news agency Xinhua has reported, making China the second space-faring nation after the US to land on the red planet. The official Xinhua news agency said the lander had touched down on Saturday, citing the China National Space Administration. China’s Tianwen-1 probe, consisting…
Tech Digest daily round up: Apple AirTag tracker hacked days after release
Apple's newly released tracker device has already been hacked by an IT security researcher, just days after its release. German security researcher Stack Smashing tweeted on May 8, just one week after the device went on sale, that they managed to 'break into the microcontroller of the AirTag.' The IT researcher added that he was…
Tech Digest daily round up: Tesla suspends Bitcoin payments
Tesla has suspended vehicle purchases using Bitcoin due to climate change concerns, its CEO Elon Musk said in a tweet. Bitcoin fell by more than 10% after the tweet, while Tesla shares also dipped. Tesla's announcement in March that it would accept the cryptocurrency was met with an outcry from some environmentalists and investors and…
Tech Digest daily round up: Online harms bill announced in Queen’s Speech
Social media firms will have to remove harmful content quickly or potentially face multi-billion-pound fines under new legislation. The government's Online Safety Bill, announced in the Queen's Speech yesterday, comes with a promise of protecting debate. It is "especially" geared at keeping children safe and says "democratically important" content should be preserved. But campaigners say…
Tech Digest daily round up: Apple in court over commission fees
Millions of Apple's UK customers should be compensated for breaches of competition law, a legal action claims. The case, filed with the UK Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT), alleges Apple's 30% commission on app sales is an abuse of dominance and unlawful. Organisers are aiming to include nearly 20 million UK users in the collective action,…
Tech Digest daily round up: Ransomware cyber attack on US fuel pipeline
The US government issued emergency legislation on Sunday after the largest fuel pipeline in the US was hit by a ransomware cyber-attack. The Colonial Pipeline carries 2.5 million barrels a day which is 45% of the East Coast's supply of diesel, gasoline and jet fuel. It was completely knocked offline by a cyber-criminal gang on…
Tech Digest daily round up: Smart cities target for hackers, warns NCSC
Smart cities will be a target for hackers, and councils need to be prepared, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has warned. Sensors and internet-connected devices may improve urban services, but could also be used by hackers and foreign states to disrupt or spy. The NCSC - an arm of GCHQ - has published guidance for…
Tech Digest daily round up: Scientists invent flat pasta that morphs into 3D shapes
An interdisciplinary team of scientists specialising in material science, mechanical engineering, and computer-aided fabrication are making a new type of pasta dough that remains flat during storage, but can morph into tubes, spirals, twists, and waves when cooked. The scientists, including those from the Morphing Matter Lab at the Carnegie Mellon University in the US, believe…
Tech Digest daily round up: AI wins its first crossword competition
Matt Ginsberg is good at a lot of things - he is an AI scientist, author, playwright, magician and stunt plane pilot. But he isn't very good at crosswords. In fact, despite writing them for the New York Times, he says that when they are published, he often cannot solve his own. So when he…
Tech Digest daily round up: Google still selling ‘unofficial’ ads for Government services
Google has failed to stop "shyster" websites advertising on its search engine, despite promising to fix the problem, the BBC has found. Adverts for unofficial services selling government documents such as travel permits and driving licences are against Google's own rules. But the BBC found adverts for expensive third-party sellers every time it searched during…
Tech Digest daily round up: Dutch couple become first to move into 3D printed house
A Dutch couple has become Europe’s first tenants of a fully 3D printed house in a development that its backers believe will open up a world of choice in the shape and style of the homes of the future. Elize Lutz, 70, and Harrie Dekkers, 67, retired shopkeepers from Amsterdam, received their digital key –…
Tech Digest daily round up: Amazon smart doorbells to ‘shout at thieves’
Amazon is planning a crackdown on package thefts by developing smart doorbells that can shout at thieves if they attempt to steal parcels. Amazon has filed a patent application in the US for the new artificial intelligence system that could constantly watch people’s doorsteps and learn to identify any packages left there during the day. Anyone seen…
Tech Digest daily round up: Google earnings profits soar in lockdown
Google owner Alphabet saw its earnings soar in the first quarter as people stuck at home in the pandemic used more of its services. Net profit jumped by 162% to a record $17.9bn in the three months to March as advertising revenue swelled by a third. It comes as the tech giant faces increased scrutiny…
Tech Digest daily round up: Tesla profits boosted by Bitcoin, Spotify raises prices
Elon Musk's Tesla made a strong start to the year with profits up and record deliveries of its electric cars. It came despite production hurdles due to a global shortage of computer chips that has also hit other carmakers. Mr Musk said the chip shortage caused "supply chain challenges", although that "particular problem" had eased.…
Tech Digest daily round up: Spotify founder teams up with ‘Invincibles’ to attempt Arsenal FC buy-out
Spotify founder Daniel Ek has reportedly recruited three of Arsenal’s legendary Invincibles team as he prepares to buy the club from beleaguered owner Stan Kroenke. The new report in The Telegraph comes after Ek, who is estimated to be worth £3.4billion, said on Twitter that he was interested in taking over the north London side. “As a kid growing…
Tech Digest daily round up: Elon Musk to host Saturday Night Live
Elon Musk is to host the US comedy show Saturday Night Live in May. The tech billionaire, boss of carmaker Tesla and aerospace company SpaceX, will be joined by musical guest Miley Cyrus. The choice was criticised by some who said Musk had no talent for showbiz and was simply chosen because of his wealth.…
Tech Digest daily round up: Four astronauts blast off on SpaceX Crew Dragon Capsule
French astronaut Thomas Pesquet and three crewmates are set to blast off Friday morning aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule for a six-month stay at the International Space Station. The European Space Agency veteran joins two Nasa astronauts – mission commander Shane Kimbrough and pilot Megan McArthur – along with Japanese astronaut Akihiko Hoshide for…
Tech Digest daily round up: TikTok faces legal challenge over children’s data
TikTok is facing a legal challenge from former children's commissioner for England Anne Longfield over how it collects and uses children's data. The claim is being filed on behalf of millions of children in the UK and EU who have used the hugely popular video-sharing app. If successful, the children affected could each be owed…
Tech Digest daily round up: Amazon opens hair salon
Amazon is cutting into the hairstyling sector with the opening of its own salon in the UK. The bricks-and-mortar “experiential” venue is launching in London’s Spitalfields, on Brushfield Street, as a showcase for new products and the latest industry technology. This includes augmented reality hair consultations to virtually test out a new hair colour, as…
Tech Digest daily round up: Ingenuity helicopter takes flight on Mars
A helicopter has made the first-ever flight on another planet, NASA has said. The Ingenuity helicopter took to the Martian skies this morning, the space agency said. It marks NASA's first attempt at a powered, controlled flight on another planet. Data from the flight will return from Mars to Earth in a few hours' time.…
Tech Digest daily round up: Google Earth introduces time-lapse feature
Google Earth has launched a time-lapse feature that lets users wind back the clock and see how the world has changed over several decades. The feature uses millions of satellite images from the past 37 years to let people scroll through time. It allows people to see, for example, the retreat of glaciers alongside global…
MG reveals Cyberster EV photos
Just days after revealing design renderings, MG has released the first official photos of its Cyberster concept car, which is making its debut at the Shanghai Auto Show later this month. The Cyberster - developed by the team at the MG Advanced Design Centre in London – is a two-door, two-seater sports car which aims…
Tech Digest daily round up: NHS Covid app update blocked
An update to England and Wales's contact tracing app has been blocked for breaking the terms of an agreement made with Apple and Google. The plan had been to ask users to upload logs of venue check-ins - carried out via poster barcode scans - if they tested positive for the virus. This could be…
Tech Digest round up: Elon Musk firm shows monkey playing Pong with mind
Neuralink, Elon Musk's computer to brain interface firm, has released a video it claims shows a monkey playing the video game Pong with its mind. Its brain signals were sent wirelessly via an implanted device. The hope is that the interface could eventually allow people with neurological conditions to control phones or computers remotely. One…
Tech Digest daily round up: Bumble founder joins Forbes Super-Rich list
Image via Wikipedia. Photo by Steve Jennings/Getty Images for TechCrunch You may never have heard of her - but the founder of dating app Bumble, Whitney Wolfe Herd, has joined Forbes list of the super-rich. And while others, such as fellow billionaire Kim Kardashian, are grabbing the headlines, there is an…
Over 9 in 10 UK adults now regular internet users, claims ONS
More people than ever were regular internet users in 2020, figures just released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show. According to its data, 92% of all UK adults went online in 2020, up from 91% in 2019. London was once again named the UK region with the highest recent internet use, with 95%…
Tech Digest daily round up: Over 500m Facebook accounts hacked
The personal details of more than 500 million Facebook users, including phone numbers, Facebook IDs, full names, locations, birthdates and email addresses, have reportedly been posted on a website for hackers. According to Business Insider, which first reported the availability of the data, information of some 533 million people from 106 countries was online on Saturday.…
Tech Digest daily round up: Halfords Carrera impel is-1 e-scooter reviewed
Private e-scooters may be illegal on UK roads (and pavements), but this doesn't stop retailers from selling them. Chris Price reviews the latest Halfords e-scooter, the Carrera impel is-1, for Tech Radar. "Looking for a solid, powerful e-scooter? Then the Carrera impel is-1 is definitely worth considering," he writes. "Everything about this e-scooter feels robust,…
Tech Digest daily round up: Facebook to allow you to turn off algorithm
Facebook is to allow users to turn off the algorithm powering its News Feed and control the order in which items appear amid growing calls for algorithmic transparency. The company will also provide more context on suggested content by expanding the "Why am I seeing this?" tab, as well as letting users control who can…
Tech Digest daily round up: Deliveroo shares plummet over gig economy fears
Deliveroo shares have plummeted on its stock market debut after a number of major UK investors expressed concerns about its gig economy worker model. Shares in the food delivery business had been offered to investors at 390p each, but dived in early London trading to 275p at one stage, a 30% fall. The company had…
Tech Digest daily round up: Google Maps to direct drivers to ‘eco-friendly’ routes
Google Maps will start directing drivers along routes estimated to generate the lowest carbon emissions based on traffic, slopes and other factors, the company announced on Tuesday. Google said the feature would launch later this year in the U.S. and eventually reach other countries as part of its commitment to help combat climate change through…
Top 6 noise-cancelling headphones
If you're working from home, sometimes you need a bit of peace and quiet to focus, especially if the neighbours are making a racket. Here we look at six of the best noise-cancelling wireless Bluetooth headphones on the market right now. All are pretty good at keeping the noises of the outside world out (many…
Tech Digest daily round up: China bans Tesla EVs for state officials
China is to place curbs on state officials using Tesla vehicles over fears the electric cars could be used for spying, according to reports. The Chinese state will bar government officials and military personnel from using cars from Elon Musk's electric vehicle company. China believes the cars can be used to record video footage of…
Fake Google reviews used to boost UK businesses, claims Which?
Businesses across the UK are artificially boosting their online ratings by paying firms for fake Google reviews, as a booming industry in misleading information avoids detection by the tech giant, a Which? investigation has revealed. The consumer watchdog's latest research involved setting up and buying fake reviews for its own fake business listing on Google.…
Tech Digest daily round up: Aston Martin pledges electric future to UK
Luxury car giant Aston Martin has pledged to manufacture all of its electric cars in the UK from 2025. As first reported in the Financial Times, owner Lawrence Stroll said all of its battery sports cars will be made at its plant in Gaydon, Warwickshire. Its electric SUV models will be made at St Athan in…
Tech Digest daily round up: 8 year old becomes paid Fortnite player
The BBC writes about the youngest ever paid Fortnite player. Aged just 8, Joseph Deen signed with the Californian esports team, Team 33, in December last year. They invited him to their headquarters to give him a $33,000 (£23,600) signing-on bonus, and high-speed computer system. "I felt amazing when I got offered the contract," Joseph…
Tech Digest daily round up: NHS faces legal action over data deal
The NHS is facing a legal challenge over its data deal with controversial Silicon Valley firm Palantir, Sky News can reveal. Palantir, which has become notorious for its close ties to security services and immigration agencies in the United States, secured its first ever deal to handle NHS data in March last year for the…
Tech Digest daily round up: Tesla rival Lucid Motors to go public
Tesla rival Lucid Motors has agreed to go public by merging with blank-check firm Churchill Capital IV Corp in a deal that values the combined company at a pro-forma equity value of $24 billion. Lucid, which is run by an ex-Tesla engineer, is the latest firm to tap the initial public offering (IPO) market, with…
5 ways the Covid-19 pandemic has shaped the tech sector
As the Prime Minister announces the roadmap out of lockdown, Brexit-plans roll on, and we await the Spring Budget from the Chancellor, we talk to Tom Chambers, Associate Director of Technology & Growth at Robert Walters, about the key developments in the UK's tech sector. 1. Rise in remote working The rise of remote working was…
NASA Mars Rover: Your questions answered
The NASA Perseverance Rover landed at Mars’ Jezero Crater yesterday (February 18). But what has it been sent to do and how many rovers have explored Mars so far? In this article, Chris Price answers all these questions and more... How many Rovers have been sent to Mars so far? NASA has sent five robotic…
Tech Digest daily round up: Parler is back, Bitcoin hits $50,000
Controversial social-media app Parler is back online after a month out of service. The Twitter-like app was a favourite among supporters of former US President Donald Trump and right-wing conservatives. It was banned from Google and Apple's app stores and Amazon's web-hosting service, after an armed mob broke into the US Capitol building on 6…
Tech Digest daily round up: Nissan ‘quits talks’ with Apple over driverless car
Nissan has quit talks with Apple over its secretive Project Titan electric autonomous vehicle project. Discussions didn't reach an advanced stage, the Financial Times reports, with the two companies apparently disagreeing about branding. Nissan said today (Monday 15th February) it wasn't in talks with Apple about developing self-driving cars, after Hyundai also denied reports it was…
Tech Digest Weekly Round-up: Gocycle e-bike, London gets smart city cash
Welcome to our weekly round-up of future tech in conjunction with Transition Earth. This week there's a new e-bike from Gocycle and London gets investment to implement a smart cities programme... 1. Smart bricks that can power your home is a thing - So we have had smart cities and smart homes, how about smart…
Today’s Tech Digest: Biological battery, Google to go dark
A new wearable device that claims to turn your body into a biological battery has been developed by scientists at Colorado University, according to a story in The Daily Mail. The stretchy device attaches to the skin like a ring sits on a finger and taps into the user's natural heat to convert the body's…
1 in 5 have had their dating accounts hacked, claims survey
Nearly a fifth (18%) of people have had their dating app accounts hacked, with 16-25-year-olds twice as likely to fall victim (30%), according to a survey from antivirus software company McAfee. McAfee’s latest research reveals a significant shift in consumer behaviour in the past year, with 65% of Brits increasing their online social activities – including online…
Safer Internet Day: 1 in 2 children encounter misleading content daily
To mark this year’s Safer Internet Day, new research released today (9th February) shows young people are experiencing misleading content online on a daily basis. According to research from the coordinators the UK Safer Internet Centre (UKSIC), 77% of young people (aged 8 - 17) surveyed feel that being online has been a more important…
Top 6 Performance Cars for 2021
With tickets for Goodwood's Festival of Speed now on sale, we asked YesAuto Editor Nick Francis to share his Top 6 Performance Cars for 2021... Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA and GTAm: Summer Launch We are a nation that love performance saloons, so these special editions of Alfa’s hotter-than-the sun saloon, the Giulia Quadrifoglio, should be…
Top 5 coffee apps – including Coffee Cup Guru
The world of coffee can be overwhelming, intimidating and complex with dozens of varieties to choose from. But did you know that technology can help you drink better coffee? Coffee apps can tell you how to brew your coffee based on the weight of the bean, help you find the best café near you, and…
CES 2021: Top COVID-fighting technologies unveiled
Usually, CES sees thousands of people flock to Las Vegas for the world's biggest technology trade show. Not this year. But while 2021's CES may be virtual for the first time, it hasn't stopped thousands of innovative new gadgets being unveiled. Chris Price reports on the COVID-fighting gadgets that it's hoped will stop the spread…
UK’s Top 100 websites of 2020 – 4 Key Trends
The UK Domain has revealed the top 100 websites of 2020 in a brand new study that highlights how our internet behaviours have changed over the past year... 2020 has been a tumultuous year for everyone as the population was forced to stayed inside their homes and therefore relied on technology more than ever. Businesses…
Sales of Campervans surge as demand for mobile offices increase
Revolution Campervans, which produces campers from new or used VW Transporters, claims to have seen a surge in sales as customers buy them as mobile offices, doubling as a base for camping adventures and staycations. Kelly Smith, who owns her own candle and jewellery making business in Sussex, Billy’s Beach Hut, bought one in the…
Cyber Monday: 15 top tips to stay safe online
We partner with consumer watchdog Which? to help you to stay safe online when shopping for your loved ones on Cyber Monday and beyond.... We shop online all year round, but the arrival of Cyber Monday and the peak of the Christmas shopping season plus the COVID-19 restrictions that have been in place for most…
Cassette tapes and Etch-A-Sketch top ‘iconic gadgets’ list
Cassette tapes, Etch-A-Sketch and video tapes are UK’s favourite nostalgic tech The original 1960s Etch A Sketch cost £2.31 – that’s equivalent to £54 today with inflation Consumer spending experts launch Retro Tech report As the nation gets ready to snap up new technology this Christmas, research from money.co.uk has revealed the retro gadgets we miss the…
Men’s health: 6 Apps to Improve your Wellbeing
As the UK marks Movember which aims to improve mental health and prevent suicide as well as tackling prostate and testicular cancers, we look at 6 apps that can also help to improve men's health... In a world as stressful as this, we're probably all on our phones much more than usual. In fact, how…
Technology predictions for 2021 and beyond
Together with ABI Research, we highlight the main technology predictions and stats for 2021 and beyond... The world is faced with major instability caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the US presidential election, Brexit, global trade wars, and many other societal currents. These headwinds are forcing companies and industry sectors to accelerate their digital transformations in…
Accessorise with these latest gadgets – including iPhone 12 cases
Thinking of buying one of the many new iPhone 12 cases on the market or maybe investing in a cheap 4K camera. Here we take a look at the some of the accessories available in time for Christmas... Catalyst Total Protection Case for AirPods Pro $49.99 How about this for a tough-looking AirPods Pro case?…
Apple iPhone 12 launch: What the Experts Say
Apple has announced four 5G-compatible models in its new iPhone 12 range, including a new iPhone 12 Mini retailing for £699. Here three experts give their opinions on the new line up... Ben Wood, Chief of Research, CCS Insight Apple’s new 5G iPhone offerings Despite the pandemic and the global macroeconomic pressures it has created,…
What Trying To Stay Active During COVID-19 Taught Me About Riding A Bike
First, a confession. It’s been a very long time since I last threw my legs over a bike and rode off on the road. While I like to think of myself as an active person, cycling is one activity I’ve never really been desperate to re-acquaint myself with until COVID-19 upturned our lives. However, fired…
COVID-19: 9 key trends shaping industry response
Frost & Sullivan’s recent analysis, The Reshaping of Industries Caused by COVID-19, encompasses nine key trends that will emerge from industries reshaping as a response to COVID-19. Chris Price reports... With the pandemic’s negative impact on the global economy, immediate action is critical. Technology leaders must assess the emerging opportunities resulting from COVID-19 and provide technological…
Flying cars: just how close are they to reality?
Image: Samson Switchblade Research from comparison and switching site Uswitch has revealed the flying cars closest to reality, our attitudes to the emerging tech and 5 designs which are coming soon... 1. A first-generation flying car could cost as little as £95,000 Although some may not look like the technology…
5 EVs that could be cheaper than petrol car
The Skoda CITIGOe: one of five EVs that could be cheaper than a petrol car Electric vehicles (EVs) are often seen as being more expensive than petrol cars, but if the fuel saving costs are taken into account and the upfront purchase price is spread across monthly leasing payments, then a…
Half of Americans think video games should be in Olympics
Over half of Americans think video games should be considered a part of the Olympics, according to new research. The survey looked at 2,000 Americans’ opinions on video games and asked them to examine their own gaming habits. Three in four respondents agree that it’s more socially acceptable to play video games now than it…
What’s the future for electric scooters?
Ashley Norris of Transition Earth argues that electric scooters will play a vital role in our future transport infrastructure... It might be hard to believe, but there was a time not long ago when the future of electric scooters hung in the balance. Detractors said they were unsafe, they cluttered up city streets. Those in…
7 Best Apps for Video Calling During Lockdown
Video calling has seen an explosion in popularity since lockdown, becoming the preferred option for staying in touch with friends and family. According to the latest research from price comparison company Uswitch.com, 19 million UK households are currently using video calling to stay in touch with one another during the Coronavirus pandemic, with 3.6 million…
Revealed: Fastest and Slowest Video Games to Download
New research from Uswitch.com has revealed the fastest and slowest video games to download, depending on where you live around the world. The study took 41 of the most-mentioned video games across Reddit, IGN, Gamespot, Gamesradar, Giant Bomb and Metacritic and calculated how long it would take to download them, based on the average download…
NCSC removes 2000 Coronavirus scams in a month
The UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), part of GCHQ, has taken down more than 2,000 online coronavirus scams in the last month. NCSC said this included 471 fake online shops that were selling fraudulent virus-related items. It coincides with the launch of a cross-governmental ‘Cyber Aware’ campaign offering advice for people to protect passwords,…
Top Tech Stories of the Week: iPhone SE launches, Facebook warns users
Chris Price looks at the biggest tech stories of the week, including the launch of new, cut-price iPhone SE and Ford trialling social distancing wristbands in factories... Ford is trialling a wristband that buzzes when workers come too close to one another. The experiment, which aims to encourage social distancing in the workplace, took place…
Top 50 online activities during lockdown
Live meditation sessions, music concerts and even visits to the zoo are among the Top 50 online activities taking place online as the nation adapts to ‘virtual living’. A study of 2,000 adults found many people have gone way beyond conference calls, keep fit sessions and online pub quizzes. Lockdown has forced us to find…
8 Tips for setting up a Secure Zoom meeting
Just as Britain leaving the European Union spawned new words - most notably Brexit - so too is the Coronavirus pandemic changing our vocabulary. And inevitably with many of us now WFH - or working from home - a lot of these words are to do with technology, particularly around video conferencing it seems. Much…
Five ways smartphones could help Coronavirus ‘exit strategy’
Could technology help us find a way out of the current Coronavirus pandemic - the so-called exit strategy? It is possible. Chris Price looks at several projects that are hoping to fight the spread of the virus... NHS Coronavirus 'contact tracing' app 'Contact tracing' is expected to be a key part of the government's exit…
6 Top Tips to Save Money on Energy Bills during COVID-19 Lockdown
Brits are facing having to adapt to new working environments as the current lockdown see millions of people working from home, many for the first time. As a result of the increased need for remote working, one of the many concerns may be the impact this could have on household bills – which Ofgem average…
VW unveil classic looking e-BULLI electric vehicle
The e-BULLI is based on the T1 Samba Bus from 966 This looks amazing. It's an electric vehicle based on a T1 Samba Bus that was originally produced in 1966 and which has been comprehensively restored. Called the e-BULLI, it was due to be launched at Techno Classica 2020 but,…
How to stay safe online during Coronavirus isolation
As most of us find ourselves playing out much of our lives online, whether that’s working from home, teaching from home or keeping ourselves entertained, there comes an increased possibility of opening ourselves up to potential attacks from cybercriminals. David Emm, Principal Security Researcher at Global security expert, Kaspersky, provides the below advice on how…
Over half of users have problems with mobile network, says GWS
Mobile network tester Global Wireless Solutions has released the results of its most extensive nationwide customer experience test of mobile network performance to date. The detailed assessment involved GWS’ engineers collecting close to one million data and voice task tests on iOS and Android devices, alongside nationwide focus groups conducted in partnership with Jigsaw Research,…
Smart Window poster to help Bath’s homeless
With most of us now carrying less cash than ever before, giving money to homeless people has become a real problem. However technology may have the answer in the form of ‘smart window poster’ which allows contactless donations to be made to the homeless. Ground breaking new contactless technology is being trialled at Nationwide’s Union…
Worst password offenders 2019: Google and Facebook top list
Password management company Dashlane has announced its fourth annual list of the "Worst Password Offenders." The list highlights the high-profile individuals and organizations that had the most significant password-related blunders in 2019. Big Tech and regulation have been at the forefront of political and societal conversations, with GDPR and the general election dominating the media.…
Six Great Apps to Help You Find Local Events
LoyalFree founder Sophie Hainsworth picks her favourite apps for finding local events, including Skiddle and Eventbrite... With new technology, finding out what is going on in your local area has never been easier. This is great news if you don’t want to hear about a great local event after it happened, or you have moved…
How can social media users deal with online trolls?
Social media users are being encouraged to ignore and report abusive messages they receive from online trolls as part of a new campaign to stop the spread of hateful content. A new charity – the Centre for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) – has published advice on how to best to deal with abuse that has…
Apple iPhone 11: Everything you need to know
Apple has announced a range of new devices at its latest live event, including the next generation of iPhone devices. Here is everything you need to know from the event. iPhone 11 To be released in three different sizes, the iPhone 11’s big focus is ensuring better photography. The entry-level iPhone 11 comes with a…
Hotels of the Future: 6 key features
Glass TVs that know your favourite films, showers that adapt to your body temperature and glass privacy walls which change from transparent to opaque. These are all predicted to be key features of hotel rooms by 2034 according to new research... Hospitality technology experts Guestline has partnered with six technology, AI and hotel experts to…
Underwater highways to become common claims Samsung report
Self-cleaning homes and flying taxis will be commonplace by 2069, a new Samsung report into life in the future predicts... Underwater highways, hoverboard-based sports and holidays in space will be available in 50 years’ time, a new report on the future of technology has predicted. The report also predicts the mass-scale production of 3D-printed organs,…
What is 5G and how fast is it?
The Government has announced plans to speed up the roll-out of 5G technology and improve mobile phone signals in rural areas as part of efforts to increase innovation across the UK. 5G networks have already begun to launch across parts of the country, with several mobile operators switching on their networks in a number of…
Virtual GP service ‘risks destabilising care for patients with greatest needs’
Expansion of a virtual GP service where patients are consulted over smartphones risks “destabilising care” for the most complex and vulnerable cases, a heath professor warned. If rolled out more widely, the NHS GP at Hand service would “cream off” fit young patients from existing practices at the expense of those with the greatest needs,…
One giant leap for mankind: 50 years since first step on the moon
This weekend marks 50 years since astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first person to walk on the moon. The landing craft carrying the Apollo 11 Commander and fellow astronaut Buzz Aldrin touched down on the moon on July 20 1969, before Armstrong stepped out and onto the surface, declaring: “That’s one small step for a…
What if Apollo 11 had ended in disaster?
Apollo 11 was an unprecedented mission, meaning there was always the possibility that astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin would not make it back from the moon’s surface. A speech was prepared for then-US president Richard Nixon, penned by White House speechwriter Bill Safire on July 18 1969. Fortunately, the mission was a success, meaning…
5 things we learned from Vodafone 5G launch
Yesterday Vodafone became the latest mobile operator to launch 5G in the UK, following EE's launch in May. Here are 5 things we learned from the launch... 5G isn't going to be that expensive - It may be that Vodafone is aggressively pricing its 5G packages in order to gain greater market share against frontrunner…
How do I switch mobile provider with text message?
Mobile users across the UK can now switch network provider via text message in a move aimed at simplifying the process. Here is how customers can go about changing: Why are these changes happening? The changes have been introduced by telecoms regulator Ofcom with the aim of making it less hassle for people to switch…
Review: Nissan LEAF e+ from £35,000
Chris Price travels down to Southampton on Clean Air Day to check out Nissan's latest electric vehicle, the £35,000 LEAF e+ It's perhaps a sign of the growing maturity of the electric vehicle (EV) market that at first glance there's little to distinguish between the latest Nissan LEAF e+, pictured above, and a conventional fuel…
NASA restores Mission Control 50 years after Apollo 11
NASA has held a grand reopening of its Mission Control room from the Apollo days after it was meticulously restored to the way it looked 50 years ago. The site at Johnson Space Centre in Houston was last used for space shuttle flights in the 1990s, and has been recreated down to the carpeting, wallpaper,…
Fake review sales rife on Facebook and eBay, reports CMA
Facebook and eBay have been urged by the competition watchdog to stop the sale of fake reviews through their sites, after it found “troubling evidence” that there is a thriving marketplace for them. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said that after web sweeps performed between November 2018 to June 2019, it was concerned about…
Facebook Libra cryptocurrency – your questions answered
Facebook has announced its own form of cryptocurrency called Libra alongside a digital wallet named Calibra. Together, they will allow users to pay for everyday items directly using their smartphone. Martyn Landi reports... Here is a look at how the new digital currency will work. What is Libra? Libra is the name of the new…
Review: Should I buy £469 Google Pixel 3a XL
Google’s attempt at taking a bigger bite out of the hardware side of the smartphone sector continues with its Pixel range, which now includes a budget version of its third handset. Jamie Harris reviews the Google Pixel 3a XL... The strongest part of Google's Pixel phones lie within its photographic abilities. With the Pixel 3a…
Will smartphones ever take the place of professional cameras?
The Huawei P30 Pro phone is creating a stir among mobile photography enthusiasts. But what would members of one of the oldest camera clubs in the UK make of the pictures produced by a phone? Dan Waters reports.... For more than 128 years, camera enthusiasts across the generations have met at Llanelli Photographic Society to…
How will our lives change in a world of net zero emissions?
The look of the countryside could change (Ben Birchall/PA) People could see widespread changes in their daily lives as the UK moves to cut climate emissions to zero over the next three decades. Prime Minister Theresa May has announced that the UK will legislate for a new legal target to cut…
Having TV on while sleeping increases obesity risk. 5 tips for better sleep
Women exposed to artificial light at night were more likely to become obese (Clara Molden/ PA) Having the TV on while sleeping could increase the risk of obesity, new research suggests. Women exposed to artificial light at night were more likely to gain weight and become obese or overweight over the…
SKODA unveils cycling support car with built in washing machine!
Billed as the support car for the cyclist who dreams of the perfect summer ride, the ŠKODA Karoq Velo features a whole host of in-built technologies, from a fully-functioning washing machine for washing sweaty kit to a drone landing pad! Developed and built by ŠKODA UK, the Karoq Velo was conceived by a team of…
London Tech Week: Theresa May praises UK tech sector
Prime Minister Theresa May has urged the tech industry to work with the Government to ensure Britain remains “one of the best places in the world to start and grow a tech business”. Mrs May used a speech at the opening of London Tech Week to announce Government investment of more than £150 million in…
What is Google Stadia? Everything you need to know about gaming platform
Google has given more details about its upcoming cloud-based gaming platform Stadia, announcing prices and game titles. Here is how the tech giant’s offering looks so far: What is Stadia and how does it work? Stadia is Google’s forthcoming video gaming service, which uses the cloud to stream games instead of requiring players to download…
What does the end of Apple iTunes actually mean?
Apple has announced plans to replace iTunes, its long-running software which revolutionised the way people buy music, films and TV shows when it launched 18 years ago. Many are viewing the move as the end of the app, though it will continue to exist in some form for now. What has Apple announced? Apple said…
Apple WWDC: Key announcements – including iOS13, ‘cheese grater’ Mac Pro
Apple has announced a wide range of updates across its software platforms, as the tech giant prepares for its next generation of devices. Here is a closer look at the Apple products announced at WWDC (Worldwide Developer Conference). macOS and the end of iTunes (Apple) The most significant part of Apple’s updates around macOS, the…
EE launches 5G but which smartphones are 5G-enabled?
5G is available to the public in the UK for the first time, with EE launching its service on Thursday May 30th in select cities. The new network coverage is available in parts of London, Cardiff, Belfast, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Manchester to begin with, before rolling out gradually to other locations by the end of…
Virtual Reality better at detecting Alzheimer’s than conventional tests
A new virtual reality system developed by a team of UK scientists is better at spotting the early signs of Alzheimer’s than “gold standard” tests currently use by doctors, research suggests. Pioneered by a team at the University of Cambridge, the technology was even able to sort patients with early signs of Alzheimer’s from those…
Vodafone announces 5G launch on July 3rd with several new handsets
Vodafone is to switch on its 5G network for both consumers and business customers in seven cities across the UK on 3 July 2019. It will also offer 5G roaming in Germany, Italy and Spain over the summer. Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Manchester, Liverpool and London will be among the first cities in the world…
Google I/O developer conference: all the key announcements
Google has revealed a string of software and hardware updates as the company set out its plans for the rest of 2019 at its annual I/O developer conference. Alongside new, cheaper Pixel handsets were a range of new technologies for its artificial intelligence programmes. Here is a look at the key announcements. Pixel 3a Siblings…
OPPO launches new Reno models with pop-up cameras. Including 5G model on EE
Unveiled to Tech Digest at an exclusive event in Zurich, Chinese manufacturer OPPO - the fifth largest smartphone manufacturer in the world - has launched its new Reno product range in Europe. Prices start from 499 Euros, up to 899 Euros for the 5G model. Boasting Pivot-Rising Camera design (see above pic and below YouTube…
What do new age rules over online pornography mean?
Tighter controls on pornography websites are due to come into force from July, in a bid to prevent children from easily accessing adult content. The long-awaited and controversial measures are said to be a world first, which will be overseen by a regulator, but concerns have been raised about how it will work. Why is…
How to make great branded video content. Interview: Phil Nottingham, Wistia
Once, if small business wanted to promote themselves they would have to place an ad in their local newspaper or perhaps – if budget allowed – produce a shaky little promo video that appeared at their local cinema. Who can remember those classic Pearl and Dean gems from the 1970s and 1980s that you would…
Government unveils ‘world’s first’ internet safety laws
The Government will introduce “world first” internet safety laws designed to make the UK the safest place in the world to be online, new proposals published today (8th April 2019) claim. A white paper on online harms, published jointly by the Departments for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Home Office, proposes strict…
Review: Samsung Galaxy S10+ smartphone from £899
2019 is likely to be a watershed for smartphone makers, with foldable phones and 5G technology entering the market, offering the chance for firms to set new standards. For Samsung it is also likely to be a pivotal year as it must respond to the contrasting fortunes of its two biggest rivals – Huawei’s upward…
Review: BT Complete WiFi, from £39.99 per month
Name: BT Complete WiFi Type: Broadband service Specs: Click here for full specs Price: From £39.99 per month Fed up of not being able to get WiFi throughout your home? BT has introduced what it claims to be the only service that guarantees 'wall to wall' coverage in every room of the house. Called Complete…
Apple ‘yet to convince’ it can compete with Netflix, industry expert says
Apple may not be able to offer the same range of content as Netflix when it launches its Apple TV+ streaming service, according to one industry expert. The technology giant showcased a wide range of Hollywood stars including Steven Spielberg, Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon as it announced its plans to make original, quality TV…
Key announcements from Apple’s live event – Apple TV+, Apple Card, Apple News +
Apple has announced a string of new services as the company looks to further establish itself outside of the slowing smartphone market. Here is a look at what the technology giant has unveiled including Apple TV+, Apple Card and Apple News+ Apple TV+ The firm’s much anticipated new video subscription service, Apple TV+ is a…
Everything you need to know about new streaming service, Apple TV+
Apple has launched its long-rumoured TV streaming service, Apple TV+, at a star-studded event featuring the likes of Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey. The new service comes at a competitive time for streaming, with Netflix and Amazon Prime currently leading the way, and Disney and WarnerMedia currently preparing their own offerings. Here is everything you…
Web inventor Sir Tim Berners-Lee calls to stop misuse as it marks 30th anniversary
Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the world wide web, has called on the public and politicians to “come together” to end its misuse in a letter to mark the technology’s 30th anniversary. The founder of the World Wide Web Foundation said the internet had created opportunities for good but had also become a space…
How can parents help keep children safe online? Top 4 tips for internet safety
The safety of children on the internet has been called into question in recent weeks following a number of incidents that have raised concerns about the amount of harmful content online. Internet companies are being pushed to do more to combat this but parents – even those with limited knowledge of social media – can also…
Britbox: What is it and will it be able to compete with rivals like Netflix?
The BBC and ITV are proposing a new joint streaming service for the UK to take on the might of Netflix and Amazon. New commissions, recent shows and old British favourites will feature on the BritBox platform. But what exactly is it and can it really take on its rivals? Why are the BBC and…
The key features of the Samsung Galaxy S10 line-up
Samsung has marked the 10th anniversary of its flagship Galaxy S smartphone range by unveiling three new versions of the phone. Here’s a closer look at the key features of the new S10 range. Galaxy S10 The standard version of the new line-up, the S10 will come with a 6.1-inch Wide Quad HD+ Dynamic AMOLED…
IBM’s AI machine loses debate against a human
An IBM-made machine designed to win debates has lost out to a human champion debater from London, in a heated competition of man versus artificial intelligence. The tech firm’s Project Debater is said to be the world’s first AI system that can debate against humans on complex issues, but at an event held in San…
Huawei blames ‘jealousy’ for cybersecurity criticism
Jealousy could be behind some of the criticism of Huawei in the West, the Chinese technology giant has suggested. The firm said it had a “sound record” of cybersecurity and warned continuing “groundless suspicion” would damage the whole technology industry as it begins to roll out 5G, the next generation communication technology. Several countries –…
Wingate and Finchley’s FC Artificial Intelligence coach earns draw in landmark game
Wingate and Finchley FC have seen the first results of their move to incorporate artificial intelligence into the coaching set-up with a 1-1 draw in the Isthmian League Premier Division. Earlier in the year, the north London side announced their decision to use the Amazon Echo system, and it debuted in the relegation clash against…
Microsoft names UK as ‘safest place in the world’ for internet users
Microsoft has named the UK as the safest country in the world for internet users. But the tech giant warned many still suffer from abuse, scams and unwanted contact. Releasing the figures to mark Safer Internet Day, the firm said the most common complaints for UK users included being contacted by strangers, receiving unwanted sexual…
Parts of central London in ‘Broadband Blackspot’, according to Which? report
Parts of central London, including Westminster, have some of the lowest Broadband speeds in Britain Parts of central London, Stroud, Tunbridge Wells and Canterbury are among the more surprising areas suffering from the worst broadband in the country, according to new Which? analysis of customer speed tests. The consumer watchdog…
Nike confirms $350 Adapt BB ‘connected shoes’ with smartphone control
As per our story this morning, Nike has confirmed a new pair of connected shoes which are self-lacing and can be controlled from a smartphone. The new Nike Adapt BB contain what the sportswear firm called power laces, which tighten or loosen the shoes at the press of a button - either on the shoes…
CES 2019: 5 things we learned from the world’s biggest tech show
Every year the technology industry gathers in Las Vegas for the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), an event that often sets the agenda for the coming 12 months. This is what CES 2019 taught us, reports Martyn Landi... The dawn of 5G The first 5G networks are expected to begin rolling out this year, and so the…
In Pictures: Top gadgets showcased at CES in Las Vegas
This year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) has drawn to a close in Las Vegas. The CES welcomed more than 180,000 visitors over four days, viewing more than 20,000 new gadgets. Here are some of the best on show… The Royole Corporation showcased FlexPai, the world’s first foldable screen smartphone (Martyn Landi/PA) The phone looked somewhat…
The best gadgets of CES 2019? Including LG rollable display, Hyundai walking car
CES, the biggest trade show in the technology calendar, has come to a close in Las Vegas after a week of flexible screens, robots and driverless cars. Here are some of the best new gadgets we saw at the show... LG rollable TV Flexible screens were one of the themes of this year’s show, but…
CES 2019: How Apple succeeded at this year’s show without even attending
CES is the biggest technology show in the world but there has been one glaring absence since 1992 – Apple. The iPhone maker and first public company worth one trillion dollars no longer exhibits at the trade show, held in Las Vegas, and which was attended by more than 182,000 people this year. However, the…
CES 2019: The year when smart vehicle technology took centre stage
Martyn Landi/PA Car and other vehicle concepts are transforming CES from a traditional gadget convention into something much more diverse, writes Martyn Landi... The technology on display at CES increasingly involves cars and other vehicles, with the gadget show becoming more diverse in the products showcased as a result. Some vehicle…
Appy Christmas – Help get your business through festive season with these 6 Fun Xmas Apps
Guest writer Anthony Main of app development company The Distance picks his favourite fun apps for getting through the festive period... With Christmas fast approaching, the high streets are flooding with people, the Christmas markets are springing up in town and city centres across the country and the parties are in full swing. However, Christmas…
Vauxhall unveils all electric GT X concept car – no wing mirrors or door handles required!
Car design hasn't really changed that much in the last few years. However new technology means that in the not so distant future, cars will not only respond in a different way than they do today (largely thanks to increasing automation) they will also look much different too. Take the GT X concept car…
Why upgrading to smart home security is a smart idea
Wasim Bux, product manager at home insurance provider iGO4, explains why upgrading to smart home security will keep your home safe and give you peace of mind. As our homes become smarter, it's easier than ever to keep track of our entire lives from the palm of our hand. The same is now true for…
Review: Apple iPhone XR £749
The £749 iPhone XR is available in six different colours Apple’s third iPhone of the year - the 'affordable' XR - is meant to be the device to bring the latest Apple technology to more people. But is it really any good or has its cheaper price-tag been achieved by cutting…
Top Five Electric Motorbikes On The Market, Including Zero And Vespa
@zeromotorcycles BMW launched an electric scooter back in 2014. The Isle of Man TT has an entire race devoted to electric bikes. You may not have heard them coming, well you wouldn’t, would you, but electric motorbikes are here and more than ready to give conventional bikes a run for their money. Imagine, no more…
Six transformative ICO-funded companies which are definitely worth watching
This time last year the investing world was abuzz with tales of ICOs (Initial Coin Offerings) and how small companies were raising millions off the back of half an idea and a cleverly worded white paper. Mercifully the hype surrounding ICOs seems to have well and truly receded, and now the dial has shifted towards…
Apple iPhone XR, XS, XS Max, Apple Watch launch – what the industry experts have to say
We asked four industry experts and commentators for their views on yesterday's Apple iPhone and Apple Watch launch.... Apple iPhone XS and XS Max Ben Wood, Chief of Research at CCS Insight: "The iPhone XS Max is undoubtedly the star of the show. It builds on the success of the iPhone X and offers one…
10 surprising ways that driverless cars could change the world
With driverless, or autonomous, cars set to arrive on UK roads by 2021 according to the government, they are predicted to change the face of personal mobility forever. Undoubtedly, they'll make our roads safer, give us more free time and make our journeys faster. But what are the less predictable consequences of driverless cars? Select…
Review: Airtame wireless dongle £299
Chris Price reviews the Airtame, a plug and play device that can help businesses connect their employees and guests with the TV and projector screens in their organisations much more easily…. When it comes to giving presentations on the big screen it never seems as easy as it should be. All too often, the computer…
5 things to see at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed – including Tesla Model 3, Ford Mustang GT
Staged every summer since 1993, the Goodwood Festival of Speed is the world’s largest automotive garden party, set against the spectacular backdrop of Goodwood House in West Sussex, UK. Over 600 cars and motorcycles spanning the phenomenal history of motoring and motor sport take part with some of the most legendary figures from the sport (and…
Review: PaMu Waterproof Wireless Earphones $79
It's fair to say that wireless headphones and earphones didn't used to be that great. Sound quality was generally poor, often very hissy, and range wasn't all that good either. How things have changed. We've been using these latest PaMu wireless earphones for a little while and so far we're extremely impressed. We first saw…
Top 12 tips for surviving summer driving
Most Brits love nothing more than basking in the sunshine, and according to reports, Britain is about to hit a heatwave, as tropical air from the Atlantic Azores islands engulf the nation over the next 10 days. This will affect us all, but for those planning road trips it’s essential to be prepared. Drivers need to…
7 video game startups to look out for – including Robot Cache, Blade Shadow Box
2018 has been shaping up to be an exciting year for gaming, as numerous companies are showing off VR/AR tech, the Razer 2 phone will be released later this year, and we’re only a few months away from TechCrunch’s Disrupt SF 2018 conference. Here we pick our 7 video game startups to look at for... It’s…
How you can make a living playing video games
Dean Anderson, Founder of social gaming platform Gamestatix, argues that skilled gamers should be financially rewarded. Gaming is rarely seen as anything more than an enjoyable hobby – yet anyone who’s tried to complete the epic journey that is Dark Souls, nail every challenge in Myst, or just get the better of Mike Tyson in…
Audi A6 Review: technology and comfort combined in a high-end saloon
Chris Price heads to Portugal's stunning Douro Valley to spend time driving the latest Audi A6 Saloon. His verdict? Not only is it very agile for a big car, it also combines onboard comfort with loads of great technology features... Driving around the mountainous roads of Portugal's Douro Valley it's difficult to believe that I'm behind…
Father’s Day Gift Guide: Top 5 audio choices for your Dad
It's nearing that time again (June 17th in the UK and US) when Dads are expecting gifts from their favourite children and woe betide anyone who decides to buy their old man slippers rather than a 1980s Boombox or a pair of cool looking headphones! Chris Price picks his Top 5 audio gifts for Father's…
Q+A interview with Get Technology author Gerald Lynch
Chris Price speaks to former Tech Digest editor Gerald Lynch about everything from bionics to transhumanism - just two topics featured in his latest book, Get Technology... Q: How did you get into technology? Were you into computer games as a kid? Like most people my age, it was probably through computer games. We had an…
5 IT ‘must-haves’ if you work from home
The popularity of work from home positions is on the rise – and for good reason. Remove the office and the commute and it seems people across a huge number of industries are more motivated, less likely to be ill, more productive and, believe it or not, collaborating with colleagues more effectively. That said, this…
How to bridge the Digital Skills Gap and get more programmers to meet demand
A digital skills gap is looming. Within just two years there will be a shortfall of nearly a million skilled programmers and other technical professionals, according to the EU Commission, and the demand for programming skills already outstrips supply. But how do we tackle this problem before the UK is left far behind the rest…
Heartbeat spoofing and Rick Astley Ransomware. Just some of the ways McAfee is tackling cybercrime
Image: fbi.gov Chris Price spends a day with McAfee Labs finding out how it plans to tackle cybercrime by showing organisations such as car manufacturers and the NHS just how easy it is to break into their systems.... Think McAfee and what springs to mind? Probably the anti-virus software that…
Review: FLIR One Pro thermal imaging camera £399
Name: FLIR One Pro Type: Thermal Imaging Camera Specs: Click here for full specs Price: £399.99 Oregon-based manufacturer Flir Systems has been producing a wide range of professional testing products for different markets including maritime, surveillance and defence industries for the last 40 years. It also offers a range of thermal imaging cameras for both…
When will we see the iPhone X Plus, and will it sell?
As one of the most innovative brands in the world, you would expect Apple to keep customers guessing when it comes to its future innovations. The launch of the futuristic iPhone X reaffirmed this, while commentators are already speculating about Apple's latest developments and the launch of a potential successor to their 10th anniversary offering.…
3 industries being disrupted by voice-enabled tech right now
Voice enabled technology has made great inroads in recent years, with digital assistants like Siri, Cortana and Alexa being embraced by millions worldwide. From searching for the best-rated local Mexican restaurant to finding out the name of the actor who played Ned Ryerson in Groundhog Day, we increasingly use these voice assistants as personal aids,…
Audi A7 Sportback review: luxury, performance and hi-tech combined
It's been a long time coming, but Chris Price is impressed by the refined yet sporty looking new Audi A7 as well as its masses of onboard tech While the style and the sophistication of a coupé, like the beautiful Audi TT, are all very well there are times you need the practicality of a modern…
10 free apps and tools to help you run your small business successfully
Image credit: tayloright.com Running a small business in this day and age is no easy feat. Not only are you competing against other businesses and huge corporations that operate on a global scale, you are often doing so on a fraction of the budget they have to spend. Another problem…
Vox Pop: the voice search revolution and how to make your business stand out
Tim Butler, founder of Innovation Visual, talks about how improved accuracy and convenience are ensuring massive growth for voice search and how businesses need to adapt to compete Voice Search is beginning to revolutionise search marketing. Google recently announced that 20% of searches on its mobile app and Android services are now carried out by…
Top 5 Personalised Gifts for Car Lovers This Valentine’s Day!
Valentine's Day is fast approaching, and if you’re a little fed up with the traditional flowers, chocolate and restaurant combination, why not try a more personal approach? Before you jump to conclusions, we’re talking about the perfect, personalised gifts to suit car lovers. Read on to see the Top 5 Gift Ideas for motor-enthused loved ones…
Tech Digest films skateboarding in VR 360 with the Kodak PixPro actioncam
Last week before the snow set in we travelled over to a lovely skate park in Tottenham's Markfield Park (formerly a sewage works) to film our latest 360 video in association with Kodak PixPro. And despite a few problems with the locals who didn't take kindly to our camera man setting up his gear in the…
Top 7 tips for winter driving to help stay safe
With parts of the UK experiencing heavy snow and icy conditions for the first time in several years, we've already seen treacherous driving conditions over the weekend and into this week. And with temperatures expected to keep dropping it's only going to get worse. Here we give our top 7 tips for winter driving to help you…
London landscapes: filming in 360 with Kodak PixPro 4K VR360 VR/action cam
Don't you just love those cold and crisp Autumn days when the sunlight glistens through the trees and the leaves make a crunching sound under foot. Well unfortunately the day we went down to the woods to film with the Kodak PixPro VR camera wasn't one of those days. Instead it was one of those horrible…