Month: May 2019
HONOR 20 Series phones launched despite ongoing US dispute
Huawei-owned smartphone brand HONOR has unveiled its latest 20 series smartphones, despite uncertainty over the future of its devices. An executive order from US President Donald Trump last week effectively banned technology firms from “foreign adversaries” trading with US companies without approval. Google then confirmed it would stop supporting Android on Huawei and Honor devices,…
Instagram influencer data discovered unprotected online
A database of personal information on millions of Instagram influencers has been discovered online. The database was stored on a server and was not protected by a password, leaving it vulnerable and accessible by anyone. According to US site TechCrunch, which first reported the incident, the database contained more than 49 million records, including private…
Xbox boss urges games industry to improve safety for players
The head of Microsoft’s Xbox gaming platform has urged the industry to work together to improve safety for those using their platforms. Phil Spencer said Xbox would “commit to working across the gaming industry on safety measures” to protect gamers. Video games have come under increased scrutiny in recent months in the debate over the…
Digital key urged for police to unlock encrypted messages in ‘exceptional’ cases
Tech firms should make a 'digital key' for police to unlock encrypted messages in “exceptional circumstances” such as child abuse or terror cases, a senior police officer has suggested to an inquiry. Norfolk Police Chief Constable Simon Bailey, the UK lead for child protection, said the tool would help UK authorities who are already stretched…
Existing Huawei phone users will be ‘significantly impacted’ by Google block
The Huawei Mate 10 smartphone (Huawei/PA) Huawei users have been warned they will be “significantly impacted” by Google's decision to restrict the Chinese firm’s access to its Android software. The block is the result of an executive order from US President Donald Trump last week which prevents “foreign adversaries” from accessing…
Google stops Huawei from using apps like Gmail, Maps on phones
Google has blocked Huawei from using its apps on phones. The Chinese company is one of a number of phone manufacturers who use Google's Android operating system on its phones and tablets. The Verge has reported that Google has cut off Huawei’s licence – meaning it will no longer be able to use apps like…
Driverless cars can work together to keep traffic moving, research finds
A fleet of driverless cars working together to keep traffic moving smoothly could improve overall vehicle flow by at least a third, a study using scale models has shown. A team of researchers at Cambridge University programmed 16 miniature robotic cars to drive around a two-lane track and observed how the traffic flow changed when…
Full fibre broadband rolled out in schools in rural areas
More than 30 schools in rural areas will receive full fibre broadband as part of a Government effort to improve poor connection speeds in remote locations. The £200 million rollout of full fibre broadband will begin with 20 schools eligible in Cornwall, seven in Northumberland, three in Cumbria and one in Pembrokeshire. “Our decision to…
ASUS ZenFone 6 with innovative Flip Camera unveiled
ASUS has unveiled its ZenFone 6, a smartphone with innovative Flip Camera that means there is no need for a notch to spoil the display. Similar in concept to the recently pivot-rising Reno phone from Chinese manufacturer Oppo, the main module boasts the latest Sony IMX586 48MP sensor with an f/1.79 wide aperture lens and a…
Elon Musk’s SpaceX delays internet satellite launch – again
SpaceX has postponed the launch of its satellites designed to beam internet coverage from space down to Earth until next week, in order to carry out software updates and additional checks. It is the second time the Elon Musk-founded company has been forced to delay its launch, having originally aimed for liftoff of the Starlink…
