microsoft keystencil
,

AI Image Captioning Gives More Accurate Descriptions Than Humans

Microsoft has announced that in tests, its new, AI-based, automatic image captioning technology is better than humans at describing photos and images. Part of Azure AI The new automatic image captioning model is available via Microsoft’s…
google phonepexels
,

‘Hum to Search’ Songfinder

Google has introduced a new feature to its search that enables it to identify a song that a user hums or whistles. What’s This Song? Serving the same basic purpose a the Shazam app, for example, users can now ask the Google app, Google…
Woman using LaptopPexels
,

Desktop Screen Recording Software

Recording your screen can be useful for training, marketing and communications and there are many different free and paid-for services available for recording desktop activity. This article takes a brief look at several different examples. Recording…
tech used for abusestencil
,

Tech Increasing Domestic Abuse

With domestic abuse on the rise, particularly since the pandemic lockdowns, we look at some of the chilling ways that smart devices and other technology are being used as a tool by abusers. Rise In Reports A BBC Panorama and Women’s…

Tech Tips – Using New Privacy Controls on Amazon Echo

If you have an Amazon Echo smart speaker at home or in the office (which could be both if you are working at home) here’s how to protect your privacy using the newly introduced privacy controls. Amazon’s smart speakers take voice recordings…
online paymentpexel

Learning From the WisePay Attack

In the wake of the recent attack on the WisePay website which saw some parents unwittingly making school payments to cyber-criminals, we look at how to spot whether personal data may have been compromised and how to protect personal information…
online meetingpexel
,

New ‘Breakout Rooms’ For Google Meet Users

Users of the Google Meet, Enterprise for Education video-communication service (formerly part of G Suite) will soon be able to divide meeting participants into Breakout Rooms. Greater Engagement The feature, which started its gradual…
youtubepexels
,

Buy Products Directly From YouTube

It has been reported that YouTube (owned by Google) is testing a feature that will enable viewers of YouTube videos to directly purchase products that they see featured in the video they are watching. Back in 2015 The idea was originally…
H and M recyclingH&M

Recycling Your Jumper

Swedish clothing retailer, H&M, in conjunction with the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) has introduced the first jumper-cycling machine to one of its Stockholm stores. Environmental Impact Reducing the…

Tech Tips – Tracking Prevention With Microsoft Edge

If you use the Windows 10 Microsoft Edge browser and you’d like to improve your security and privacy by blocking potentially harmful trackers, here’s how: In Microsoft Edge, select Settings and more  > Settings  > Privacy and services.Set…
whatapppexels
,

Are You Being Tracked By WhatsApp Apps?

A recent Business Insider Report has highlighted how third-party apps may be exposing some data and details of the activity of WhatsApp users. WhatsApp – Known For Encryption Facebook-owned WhatsApp is known for its end-to-end encryption. …
doctor onlinepexels

Most People Happy With Virtual Doctors’ Appointments

A recent survey from Visionable has shown that 73 per cent of people are happy with the idea of having video consultations with their GP. Pandemic Strengthens View The survey, which originally took into account the views of 1500 people…
facial authenticationpexels
, ,

Facial Recognition, Facial Authentication and the Future

Facial Recognition and facial authentication sound similar but there are distinct differences and this article takes a broad a look at how both are playing more of a role in our lives going forward. So firstly, what's the difference? Facial…
google logo

Google To Pay Publishers $1 Billion

Alphabet Inc.’s CEO, Sundar Pichai has said that Google will pay $1 billion to publishers globally for their news over the next three years. Fight The fight to get Google to pay publishers for content has raged for years and there was…

Tech Tips – Reading Articles That Are Behind Paywalls

If you find an article that you’d really like to read but it’s behind a paywall and you don’t want to sign-up to the online publication just to read one thing, here’s how to read the whole article: Go to https://outline.com/ Copy…
UberStencil

Uber Reclaims London Licence

A year after Transport for London (TfL) stopped ride-hailing service Uber’s London operating licence over safety concerns, an appeal has led to the company being granted a further 18-month licence. What Happened? Back in November 2019,…
TestAndTrace
, ,

Privacy Campaigners Challenge Government Over Test and Trace

Privacy campaign groups Big Brother Watch and The Open Rights Group have voiced their concerns that there is a lack of clarity from the government about how the data of users of the new NHS contact tracing app will be protected. Concerns The…
pexels

Cybersecurity Top of List for Digital Transformation

A recent survey appears to have shown that changes brought by the pandemic have meant that IT buyers from companies working on digital transformation now value cybersecurity the most. Survey The survey, conducted among IT business leaders…
laptop userpexels

The Challenge of User Access Permissions

Employees being given too much access to privileged, sensitive company data can put an organisation in danger.  In this article, we explore the issues around this subject and how businesses can minimise the risk. Survey In a recent…

Tech Tips – Matching Displays

If you need to use 2 or more monitors to help you to get more things done and multi-task, here are some tips for making sure those monitor displays match up.If the monitors are the same make/model Windows may be able to automatically extend…