Month: October 2019
O2 trialling outlets within Next stores
Mobile operator O2 is trialling new outlets within four Next stores as both brands seek to adapt to “current challenges” facing the high street. Shoppers will be able to browse and buy O2 products and services alongside Next’s clothing and homeware offer in a move the two brands hope will appeal to consumers seeking convenience.…
Scientists create Trimbot, a gardening robot
Scientists have created Trimbot, a gardening robot that can prune roses and trim bushes, making light work of gardening chores. The green-fingered robot uses mapping technology to find its way around the garden and performs horticultural tasks with its advanced cutting tools. Developers fitted five pairs of cameras and a flexible robotic arm to an automated…
Full fibre boost for London using Tube tunnels
Properties in London are set to benefit from a £10 million investment in full fibre broadband using Tube tunnels and public buildings to deliver gigabit speeds. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan announced the latest upgrade from copper cables to full fibre optics, in a bid to help the capital catch up with other cities across…
Tokyo Motor Show: Electric Vehicles take centre stage
New electric and self-driving vehicles have taken centre stage at the Tokyo Motor Show as car-makers move towards more sustainable transport methods. High-profile manufacturers including Nissan, Mitsubishi Motors and Lexus are showcasing concept electric vehicles at the event, which is expected to be attended by more than 700,000 people. They have been joined on the…
Met Police release footage to detect live-streamed terror attacks
Footage of police firearms officer training has been released as part of the work by the Metropolitan Police with Facebook to improve detection of live-streamed Christchurch-style terror attacks. The force hopes the videos will help the social network develop technology that can identify terror attacks so the company can tip police off about attacks early…
Instagram bans plastic surgery filters from Spark AR Hub
Instagram is banning face-altering filters that promote plastic surgery amid a focus on the mental health of its users. The Facebook-owned app released a tool in August allowing users to create and share their own effects, which are superimposed on to photos and videos. Instagram has now decided to remove filters associated with plastic surgery…
Google claims Quantum Computing breakthrough
Google claims to have achieved a breakthrough in quantum computing research. The technology giant said an experimental quantum processor has completed a calculation in just a few minutes that would've taken a traditional supercomputer thousands of years. The findings, published in the scientific journal Nature, show that “quantum speed-up is achievable in a real-world system…
BBC launches interactive voice news for Alexa
The BBC is launching an interactive voice news service for Alexa, allowing people to skip stories or ask for more details about the items they are interested in. From Wednesday, Alexa-enabled devices can ask “Give me BBC News” and take control of their news agenda, unlike the existing radio-like flash briefing bulletin offered by the…
Snapchat reveals rise in users and revenue
Snapchat has added another seven million daily active users in the last three months, while losses narrowed, the photo sharing app has revealed in its latest results. The platform’s parent company Snap said it attracted 210 million daily active users in its latest quarter, up 13% year-over-year. More Snapchat users who are going to the…
Drone that cost council nearly £36,000 has never been used
A drone that has cost a county council nearly £36,000 has not flown operationally even ONCE since it was purchased more than a year and a half ago. West Sussex County Council became one of the first local authorities in the UK to buy a drone, in February 2018. Then council leader Louise Goldsmith hailed…