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A Big Stink About Ink

After trying to dismiss a lawsuit from HP customers angry at a firmware update (meaning that their HP printers wouldn’t work with third-party ink cartridges), we look at how HP is answering the arguments within the antitrust ink cartridge lawsuit and what the implications could be for customers. The Lawsuit Back in January, printing premier […]

Stop Your Data Being Used To Train AI

In this insight, we look at the process of AI training, the potential pitfalls of misused data, and what measures can be taken to protect your personal and business data from being used to train AI.  Data – For AI Training  AI training, at its core, involves feeding large datasets to algorithms, thereby enabling them […]

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FM Market Dominance Concerns

Following an initial report on AI Foundation Models (FMs) last year, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has expressed “real concerns” about it and is investigating the dominance of a small number of big tech firms at the centre of the FM market.  Foundation Models  Foundation models (FMs) are AI systems / large-scale machine learning […]

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Oxford’s Secure Quantum Computing Breakthrough

Researchers at Oxford University’s UK Quantum Computing and Simulation Hub claim to have made what could be an important breakthrough in quantum computing security.  The Issue  As things stand, if businesses want to use cloud-based quantum computing services, they face privacy and security issues when trying to do so over a network, similar to the […]

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Used iPhone Components To Be Allowed For iPhone Repairs 

Apple has announced that beginning in the autumn with select iPhone models, customers and independent repair providers will be able to utilise used Apple components in the repair process. Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, John Ternus, said: “With this latest expansion to our repair program, we’re excited to be adding even more choice […]

Why Sugarcane’s Genome Mapping Matters

Following a decade of research, it’s thought that the recent decoding of the complex genome of sugarcane could pave the way for advanced breeding techniques, more agricultural sustainability, and perhaps for developing a cost-effective and sustainable aviation fuel.  What Happened?  Scientists from The University of Queensland, Australia’s national science agency CSIRO, and Sugar Research Australia (SRA) […]

Tech Tip – How To Restore Recently Closed Files in File Explorer

Accidentally closing a File Explorer window that you needed can be frustrating, especially if you were deep in a directory structure or working with multiple files. Windows allows you to quickly reopen a recently closed File Explorer window – here’s how: Email: hello@gmal.co.uk Visit our contact us page Or call 020 8778 7759 Back to Tech News

Tesla Robotaxi In August

Following a fall in Tesla EV sales and profits, Tesla boss Elon Musk has announced that he’ll be unveiling a ‘Robotaxi’ on August 8 this year.  May Swap Lower Cost EV For Robotaxi  Reports initially indicated that Mr Musk’s Tesla company would be abandoning its plans to build a lower-cost EV (the Model 2) in favour […]

Could ‘Digital Mindfulness’ Reduce Your Tech Stress?

In this insight, we look at what ‘digital mindfulness’ is, how it could help you and your business, and what challenges there are to introducing it.  The ‘Digital Stress’ Problem  Although the digital age has revolutionised work in terms of levels of productivity and connectivity, it has come at a cost. A significant challenge emerging […]

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Google May Charge For AI Internet Searches

Google is reportedly considering charging for premium AI-powered Internet searches as the company fears that AI chatbots are undercutting its search engine.  Advertising-Funded  Google, up until now, has relied mainly on an advertising-funded business model (Google Ads) as a way to collect data and monetise its market-leading search. However, it seems that fears around users […]

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Headaches For MSPs As Microsoft Unbundles Teams

Microsoft’s announcement that it will sell its chat and video app Teams separately from its Office product globally is likely to cause considerable headaches for IT departments and managed service providers. Why Unbundle?  Teams is to be unbundled and sold separately globally (it’s been unbundled in the EU since last October) in response to an […]

Apple To Allow Retro Console Game Emulators On App Store Globally

As part of its compliance with EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) rules, Apple has announced a change in its App Store rules to allow emulators for retro console games globally. The change allows an option for downloading the titles, but Apple has warned the developers of such emulator apps that need to follow copyright rules. […]

Prototype Means Solar Farms In Space Getting Closer

Oxfordshire-based Space Solar has reported a world first with the development of a UK Prototype for space-based solar panels that could mean a constant, sustainable energy supply to the planet.  Solar Farms In Space  Space Solar’s plan is to be able to power more than a million homes by the 2030s using a mile-wide complex […]

Tech Tip – Record Steps in Windows to Explain a Problem to Others

If you need an easy way to explain to others the nature of a technical issue or the steps to take to solve that issue, Windows has an often overlooked, built-in ‘Steps Recorder’ to help you. As the name suggests, it records the series of steps you take on your computer, including screenshots and detailed […]

WhatsApp Updates

Here we look at some of the latest WhatsApp updates and the value and benefits they deliver to users.  Search Conversations By Date For Android  The first of three new updates of significance for WhatsApp is the “search by date” function for individual and group chats on Android devices. Previously, this function had been available […]

DMARC Diligence (Part 1) : The Basics of Email Authentication

In this, the first of a series of three articles explaining DMARC and email authentication, we look at why SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are the key pillars of email authentication.  The Issue  Businesses face numerous cyber threats, with email being one of the most common attack vectors. Phishing, spoofing, and malware are prevalent issues, making email […]

Copilot Gets Plugins And Skills Upgrade

Microsoft has announced that its Windows 11 Copilot AI companion (that’s been embedded into 365’s popular apps) has received an upgrade in the form of new plugins and skills.  Builds On The AI Key  Microsoft says that the new features build upon the introduction of the Copilot AI Key on new Windows 11 PC keyboards, […]

Brave Android Browser Gets ‘Leo’ Assistant

Brave, the privacy-focused browser, has announced the introduction of Leo, its privacy-preserving AI assistant built into the browser on all Android devices.  Users Can Choose Which Model – The Mixtral LLM & Meta’s Llama 2  Brave says its new ‘Leo’ AI assistant is powered by the open-source Mixtral 8x7B as the default large language model […]

End Of The Road For Apple Car

It’s been reported that Apple has ceased work on its Autonomous Electric Vehicle known as “Project Titan”.  The 2,000 employees who were working on the decade-long project (and who reportedly had a say in the decision to stop work on it) are reported to have been moved to Apple’s generative AI team, other divisions in […]

New £4 Billion EV Battery Factory in Somerset

Tata Group’s global battery business ‘Agratas’ has confirmed previous announcements that it will invest £4bn in a brownfield site near Bridgwater in Somerset to make it the UK’s biggest electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturing facility.  Somerset To Be Centre Of UK’s Green Energy Revolution  Somerset Council has reported that the Agratas factory should create up […]

Access Windows Secret “Send To” Menu for Quick Actions

Windows includes an extended “Send To” menu that offers more options for dealing with files, such as copying them directly to specific locations or sending them to compressed (zipped) folders. Here’s how to access it: Email: hello@gmal.co.uk Visit our contact us page Or call 020 8778 7759 Back to Tech News

AI Can Learn To Be Bad. And Stay Bad.

In a recent experiment where AI was taught to behave maliciously and then taught to stop, the bad behaviour continued despite efforts to stop it, giving a chilling reminder of the potential threats of AI.  The Experiment  The Cornell University experiment was documented in an online paper entitled “Sleeper Agents: Training Deceptive LLMS That Persist Through […]

How Fair And Effective Are AI Recruitment Platforms?

With more companies using AI to screen CVs and candidates’ body language during interviews, we look at what this could mean for today’s job applicants.  Widely Used  IBM research from November last year shows that 4 out of 10 companies now use AI to improve recruiting and human resources. Also, in June last year, IBM […]

Google Maps Gets AI Boost

Google has announced that it is trying out generative AI within Google Maps as a way for users to discover new places based on their questions.  How?  What Google means is that if users, for example, are visiting a town or city, they can simply tell Google Maps what they’re looking for and AI will […]

UK Cars Now Using Rear HD-Screens Instead of Windows

The new Swedish-made Polestar 4 will be the first car on UK roads to replace a rear window (and traditional rear-view mirror) with a high-definition screen showing a real-time roof-mounted camera feed.  Two Digital Cameras With Feed Displayed In ‘Mirror’  In fact, instead of a traditional rearview mirror, the Polestar 4 has a high-resolution rear-view […]

Apple Launches $3,500 Pro Vision VR Headset

Apple has launched its $3,500 (starting price) Pro Vision Virtual Reality (VR) headset in the US with Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, appearing at its Fifth Avenue New York store to mark the significance of the occasion. The Pro Vision VR Headset allows users to blend digital content with their physical space and users can navigate […]

First 3D Metal Printer in Space

With the world’s first metal 3D printer being sent to the International Space Station (ISS), we look at what impact being able to print metal parts in space could have on space-travel plus potential environmental considerations and more.  3D Metal Printer  Although the ISS already has several plastic 3D printers on board, the new Airbus-produced […]

Remove Hidden And Personal Data Before Sharing A Word Document

If you’ve got a desktop Word document that you need to share externally, and you want a fast way to check for (and remove) personal information, comments, or other hidden data that you might not want to distribute, Document Inspector can help. Here’s how to use it: Email: hello@gmal.co.uk Visit our contact us page Or call 020 8778 […]

New Yahoo & Google Guidelines For Bulk Emails

With newly expanded Google and Yahoo guidelines for high-volume emailers coming into force from the 1st of February, we look at what needs to be done to comply.  Why? As Google says about the reason for the new guidelines: “we’ll require bulk senders to authenticate their emails, allow for easy unsubscription and stay under a reported […]

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Copilot Product Update – Some Pros And Cons

Following Microsoft’s recent announcement that it is expanding its Copilot product line-up to appeal to a larger range of businesses, we take a look at what this means and some of the stand-out pros and cons.  Copilot  In November last year, Microsoft, a major investor in AI through its partnership with OpenAI (ChatGPT’s creators) announced […]

Cyborgs One Step Closer

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have reported making a two-legged “biohybrid robot” after combining an artificial skeleton with biological muscle, which can walk and pivot underwater.  Biohybrid  Whereas ‘typical’ biohybrid robots can only move in straight lines or perform large turns (making them unsuitable for use in areas with many obstacles), the Tokyo University biohybrid robot […]

New Feature To Declutter Your Gmail Inbox

Included in a recent major update to Google’s Gmail on Android (for now), a new feature can help users to declutter and remove annoying spam from their inbox.  Select All Option  The new feature (currently being rolled out) enables users to use a “Select all” tick box that appears above (top left) in the inbox (on the […]

Apple Tests Contingent Pricing To Retain Developers

To keep its App Store appealing to developers after they gain the right to distribute apps through their own channels when the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) comes into force, Apple is introducing a pilot test of “contingent pricing.”  This means that developers can bundle subscriptions for two apps at a discounted price in the […]

Data-Centres Using One-Third Of Ireland’s Electricity By 2026

A report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts that almost one-third of electricity demand in Ireland is expected to come from data-centres by 2026.  Doubling Of Electricity Demand  The IEA’s ‘Electricity 2024 – Analysis and forecast to 2026’ highlights how having one of the lowest corporate tax rates in the EU (12.5 per cent) […]

Bring Someone Else Into Your Outlook Conversations

If you’re involved in an email conversation in Microsoft Outlook and you want a fast and easy way to introduce other colleagues to certain parts of your message without having to start a new conversation, here’s how:  In the body of your email, type the ‘@’ symbol followed by the person’s name (their email address […]

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New Certification For Copyright Compliant AI

Following many legal challenges to AI companies about copyrighted content being scraped and used to train their AI models (without consent or payment), a new certification for copyright-compliant AI has been launched.  The Issue  As highlighted in the recent case of the New York Times suing OpenAI over the alleged training of its AI on […]

Work Starts On £790m UK Google Data Centre

Work has started on Google’s first UK data centre which will cost $1 billion (£790m), will add to Google’s 27 data centres worldwide, and will support its move into AI.  Crucial Compute Capacity  The data centre is being built on a 33-acre site at Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire. In addition to the construction and technical jobs […]

Hearing Loss And Tinnitus Warning To Gamers

A new review of existing research, published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), warns that video gamers who are listening to high-intensity sound levels for long periods of time may be risking permanent hearing loss and tinnitus.  Overlooked Area  Whereas headphones, earbuds, and music venues have been recognised as sources of potentially unsafe sound levels, […]

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Microsoft Releases Copilot for Microsoft 365

Microsoft have released Copilot for Microsoft 365.  This is a paid version of Copilot that sits in your existing Office apps and can significantly boost your productivity.  The UK cost is £296.40 (+VAT) per year.  Here’s how it can help. Microsoft Copilot: A Game-Changer in Collaboration Microsoft Copilot is the crown jewel of Microsoft’s AI […]

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Google’s AI Discovers 380,000 New Materials

A new AI tool called GNoME from Google’s DeepMind artificial intelligence lab has reportedly discovered and contributed nearly 380,000 new compounds to the Materials Project, the open-access database founded at the Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab).  GNoME  The Graph Networks for Materials Exploration (GNoME), is an AI-powered deep learning tool and […]

Create Instant ‘To-Do’ Desktop Notes with Sticky Notes

Jot down ideas, to-do lists, or important reminders for yourself using Sticky Notes in Microsoft Windows. This simple but effective tool allows you to place virtual notes on your desktop, freeing you from paper notes that can get lost, and ensuring you don’t forget critical tasks or information. Here’s how it works: Email: hello@gmal.co.uk Visit our contact […]

Apple Makes EU Concessions To Avoid Antitrust Fine

It’s been reported that The European Commission is now seeking feedback from Apple’s rivals and customers over concessions agreed by Apple relating to its tap-and-go mobile payment systems, based on the independent technology called Near-Field Communication (NFC). Following an antitrust investigation and the threat of a fine, Apple had agreed to open up these systems […]

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What’s Fun At CES?

Following the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas last week, we take a look at some of the more novel and fun gadgets (and claims from the show) and what lessons businesses can take away from this year’s event.  CES  The Consumer Electronics Show (CES), which this year took place in Las Vegas (from […]

A Quick Guide To Flash Drives & HDD Storage

In this brief guide to storage technology, we compare and contrast the benefits of flash drives and Hard Disk Drives (HDD) for enterprise storage and take a look at some other popular storage options.  What are Flash Drives?  Flash drives, sometimes called Solid State Drives (SSDs), use ‘flash memory’ to store data. The flash memory […]

Google Waives Exit Fees for Cloud Data Transfers

Google has announced that Google Cloud customers who want to switch and migrate their network data to another cloud provider and/or on-premises will no longer be charged a transfer fee to do so.  How?  The process for the free transfer away from Google involves contacting the Google Cloud account team (if one has been assigned), […]

Microsoft Now More Valuable Than Apple

Worries about smartphone demand have been blamed for Microsoft’s stock market value ending a trading session higher than Apple’s last week for the first time since 2021.  How Much?  Microsoft adding 1 per cent to its stock value compared to just a 0.2 per cent rise from Apple saw Microsoft’s value (market capitalisation) reach an […]

It’s our birthday!! This week we celebrate our 32nd Anniversary

When GMA started Terminator 2; Judgement Day was showing in the cinemas. It was the most expensive movie made at the time, this was largely due to the computer generated special effects. The Paragon at Caltech was named the fastest supercomputer in the world, with a maximum speed of 38.4 gigaflops (that’s around 38 thousand […]

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Green BT Street Cabinets To Become EV Charging Points

In line with the government’s aim to increase the number of electric vehicle (EV) charging points from 50,000 to 300,000 by 2030, the BT Group has announced that it will be repurposing its old, green street cabinets to EV charging points.  60,000 New EV Charging Points  The move, as part of a pilot scheme beginning […]

Use ChatGPT Within Microsoft Word

The ‘Add-Ins’ link on the menu (top-right) in Microsoft Word in Office 365 enables you to use many useful apps and tools directly within Word, including ChatGPT. Here’s how it works:  Open a Word document and click on ‘Add-Ins’ (a grid symbol) top-right in the horizontal menu bar at the top of the page.  From […]

Apple To Allow Sideloaded EU App Stores

In compliance with the regulations in the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), and following the iOS 17.2 update, it’s been reported that Apple will soon be allowing iOS users to sideload app stores in the EU. This means that iOS users will be able to download and install apps from sources other than its official […]

‘Public Domain’ – What Does It Mean?

With January 1 being ‘Public Domain Day’, we look at what ‘public domain’ actually means in relation to works of literature, music, art, and science.  Public Domain Day  New Year’s Day each year is called ‘Public Domain Day’ because it’s the day that the copyright protection on a wide range of creative works such as […]

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AI Key Added To Microsoft Keyboards

In the first change to Microsoft keyboards in 30 years, an AI key is to be added to Microsoft Windows 11 PC keyboards from February.  Copilot Key  In a move that Microsoft says will make “2024 the year of the AI PC” and to mark a “shift toward a more personal and intelligent computing future where AI will […]

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UK ‘Passportless’ eGates

A recent Times report highlighted how Phil Douglas, director-general of the UK Border Force, aims to replace the UK’s physical passport-based entry system with an upgraded, frictionless, facial recognition-based e-Gates system.  Current eGates System  The current eGates system that most UK travellers have experienced involves the use of facial recognition alongside a passport and automated […]

Apple Pays After Throttling iPhones Settlement

Following a US case dating back to 2017 which led to Apple admitting that it has deliberately slowed down some older models of iPhones (throttling), a settlement for compensation payments to affected iPhone owners has been reached.  After agreeing in 2020 to pay, this settlement of the lawsuit means that each of the 5.5 million […]

Map Shows UK Areas Under Water By 2050

An online map from non-profit climate science organisation ‘Climate Central’ shows which areas of the UK could be underwater due to climate change by 2050.  Sea Level Rise  As highlighted in a 2021 report by Benjamin H Strauss et al, if a high emissions scenario raised global temperatures by 4 ∘C warming, this could produce […]

Distraction-Free Reading In Word

If you have a document in Microsoft Word that you’d like to convert to a more readable, book-like format, reducing distractions and allowing you to really focus on the content, here’s how: Open the document in Microsoft Word. Go to the ‘View’ tab (top left) and select ‘Read Mode.’ This tidies away the menus and […]

What Does Incognito Mode Actually Do?

Following news that Google may need to pay $5 billion over tracking millions of people who thought they were browsing privately through incognito mode, we look at what incognito mode actually does.  Incognito Mode  Different browsers have different names for ‘private browsing mode’ including ‘InPrivate browsing’ (Edge), ‘Private’ for Firefox (Mozilla) and Safari, and ‘Incognito’ […]

Driverless Cars On UK Roads By 2026?

UK Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, said in a recent radio interview that driverless cars could be on some UK roads by the end of 2026.  2026  Following the November announcement of the new Automated Vehicles (AV) Bill, in an interview on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Mr Harper said: “Probably by as early as 2026 people […]

Amazon Prime Video : Pay To Remove Ads

Amazon has announced that from 5 February 2024, its Amazon Prime Video customers in the UK and Germany will see “limited” ads unless they pay £2.99 per month to remove them.  Why?  Amazon says that in view of the fact it won’t be making changes in 2024 to the current price of Prime membership, and […]

Apple Watches Back On Sale In The US After Ban

The latest version of the Apple Watch has gone back on sale in the US after being removed from sale by the US Government from 26 December 2023. Its removal from sale followed claims by medical technology company Masimo that the watch’s pulse oximetry sensors (used to measure how much oxygen is in the blood) […]

Austria’s Tech Gadget Repair Scheme

Austria’s Repair Bonus voucher scheme sees the government pay citizens up to €200 (£173) towards getting old electrical appliances, devices and tech gadgets fixed.  Why?   The Austrian government scheme, financed through the Covid Recovery Fund, is designed to motivate people to repair rather than throw away old electrical appliances (and add to a growing pile […]

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Pin Tabs In Chrome To Save Time And Stay Organised

If there are websites that you use regularly, pinning tabs is a way to save time, stay organised, and get right to the websites you need every time you open your Google Chrome browser. Here’s how it works: Email: hello@gmal.co.uk Visit our contact us page Or call 020 8778 7759 Back to Tech News

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Antitrust : OpenAI And Microsoft

Following the recent boardroom power struggle that led to the sacking and reinstatement of OpenAI boss Sam Altman, Microsoft’s relationship with OpenAI is now under US and UK antitrust scrutiny.  What Happened?  A recent boardroom battle at OpenAI (ChatGPT’s creator and working partner of Microsoft), led to the rapid ousting of OpenAI’s boss Sam Altman […]

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New Privacy Features For Facebook and Instagram

Meta has announced the start of a roll-out of default end-to-end encryption for all personal chats and calls via Messenger and Facebook, with a view to making them more private and secure.  Extra Layer Of Security and Privacy  Meta says that despite it being an optional feature since 2016, making it the default has “taken years […]

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New EU AI Regulations

Following 36 hours of talks, EU officials have finally reached a historic provisional deal on laws to regulate the use of artificial intelligence.  The Artificial Intelligence Act  The Council presidency and the European Parliament’s negotiators’ provisional agreement relates to the proposal on harmonised rules on artificial intelligence (AI), the so-called artificial intelligence act.   The EU […]

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Google’s Ultra-Powerful Gemini AI

Google has announced the phased rollout of its new ‘Gemini’ family of large language models with the Ultra version said to rival the abilities of OpenAI’s GPT-4.  What Is Gemini?  Gemini, which Google describes as its “newest and most capable” large language model (LLM) and representing a “new era” for AI, is a highly advanced and multimodal AI model. […]

$4 Jobs Cheque Sells For $46,063

A single 1976 $4.01 cheque from (and signed by) Apple co-founder Steve Jobs has been sold at auction for a whopping $46,063.  The cheque, written just four months after Apple was founded, was written for a purchase at Radio Shack, where co-founder Steve Wozniak famously bought a TRS-80 Micro Computer System.   The components from […]

Tree-Planting Gen-AI Search/Chatbot Released

Berlin-based green search engine company Ecosia has released a chatbot with a “green answers” option and ploughs all its advertising profits into tree-planting.  Ecosia AI Chat   The not-for-profit company, which has been developing its “green search” since 2019 to help users make climate-active decisions about what/who they click on has announced the introduction of its Ecosia AI […]

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Using Chrome As A Drag And Drop File Viewer

If you’d like to save time and conveniently view various types of files like PDFs, images, and text documents directly in the browser, eliminating the need for multiple separate applications, here’s how to use Google Chrome as simple, all-purpose, drag and drop file viewer: Email: hello@gmal.co.uk Visit our contact us page Or call 020 8778 7759 Back to Tech […]

Amazon Launching ‘Q’ Chatbot

Following on from the launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Bard (and Duet), Microsoft’s Copilot, and X’s Grok, now Amazon has announced that it will soon be launching its own ‘Q’ generative AI chatbot (for business).  Cue Q  Amazon has become the latest of the tech giants to announce the introduction of its own generative AI […]

Cameras In Airbnb Properties – What Are The Rules?

Following the Metro recently highlighting the issue of undisclosed cameras being used by a small number of Airbnb hosts, we take a look at what the rules say, reports in the news of this happening, and what you can do to protect yourself.  Do Airbnb Hosts Have The Right To Film Guests?  You may be […]

Google Files Fiasco

An issue with Google’s cloud that locked some Google Drive for desktop users out of some of their files from the last six months has led to some angry comments being left on Google’s community support site.  Reported Over A Week Ago  The issue was first reported by a user (known as ‘Yeonjoong) back on […]

AI Job Risks – Finance & Insurance

Analysis by the Department for Education’s Unit for Future Skills to try and quantify the impact of AI on the UK jobs market found the finance and insurance sector was more exposed than any other.   The Analysis  “The impact of AI on UK jobs and training” report published online by the government highlights the results of […]

Police Warnings Over iOS 17’s NameDrop

It’s been reported that iOS 17’s new NameDrop feature has prompted the Police to issue warnings to parents on social media (in the US) about its potential to be abused, possibly posing a risk to their children.  NameDrop, introduced with iOS 17.1 in November allows those with iPhones and Apple Watches running watchOS 10.1 to share their contact information, […]

Dynamic Window Breakthrough

Researchers at North Carolina State University in the US have developed a new dynamic window material that can tune out certain wavelengths of light and block heat to suit the conditions.  Three Modes Now Possible  The Dynamic window glass can be used to switch windows between three modes: transparent, or “normal” windows, windows that block […]

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Use Chrome As A Simple Note-Taking App

If you’re using Google Chrome to browse the internet and want a quick way to jot down notes or ideas without needing a separate app, this trick will turn a Chrome tab into a simple note-taking app. Here’s how it works:  Email: hello@gmal.co.uk Visit our contact us page Or call 020 8778 7759 Back to Tech News

3000% Increase in Deepfake Frauds!

A new report from ID Verification Company Onfido shows that the availability of cheap generative AI tools has led to Deepfake fraud attempts increasing by 3,000 per cent (specifically, a factor of 31) in 2023. Free And Cheap AI Tools  Although deepfakes have now been around for several years, as the report points out, deepfake […]

Tech Insight : A Dozen Ways Copilot Can Help Your Business

With Microsoft’s Copilot AI assistant now embedded within the Microsoft 365 apps and services to help users save time and increase productivity, we look at a dozen things you can do with Copilot to help your business.  Microsoft 365 Copilot  Copilot fuses ChatGPT version 4 and Microsoft Graph. More specifically, Copilot is designed to integrate […]

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ICO Cookie Warning To Top Websites

The UK Information Commissioner has warned some of the UK’s top websites that if they don’t offer users fair choices over cookie use, as required by data protection law, they will face enforcement action.  Guidance Not Being Followed  The Information Commissioner argues that although it has previously issued clear guidance that organisations must make it […]

Autumn Statement Suggests IT Spending Boost

The announcement of measures intended to boost investment in innovation and technology in UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s Autumn Statement could mean increased spending on IT and AI.  Measures To Boost The Tech Sector The UK Chancellor’s Autumn Statement introduced a range of measures aimed at boosting the tech sector, with potentially significant implications for tech […]

ChatGPT Voice Free To All iOS Users

OpenAI’s president and co-founder, Greg Brockman, has announced that ‘ChatGPT Voice’ in its ChatGPT app, previously only available to Plus and Enterprise subscribers, is now available free to all iOS and Android users.  ChatGPT Voice (originally introduced in September) integrates voice capabilities with the existing ChatGPT text-based model. This allows users to have a conversation […]

Friendlier Alternatives To Lithium-Ion Batteries

In this article, we look at what the issues around lithium-ion batteries are, why we need more sustainable alternatives, then we’ll look at some examples of the latest, environmentally-friendly alternatives.  What Are Lithium-Ion Batteries?  Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are a type of rechargeable battery which function by moving lithium ions between the battery’s positive and negative […]

Avoid Getting Stung With Roaming Charges

In the wake of the recent news that Scotland’s Health Secretary, Michael Matheson, received an £11,000 roaming charges bill from his holiday, here we look at some of main ways you can keep data roaming charges down.  What Are Data Roaming Charges?  Data roaming charges are fees that you incur when using your mobile phone’s […]

Amazon’s Satellite Broadband :100% Success

Amazon’s ‘Project Kuiper’ satellite broadband moved one step closer following a reported 100 per cent success rate for its first two prototype satellites.  Project Kuiper  Like Elon Musk’s SpaceX, with Project Kuiper, Amazon hopes to set up its own low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite broadband network, i.e. 311 miles (500 kilometres) above Earth. It is […]

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Warning Over Lessening Of AI Facial Recognition Supervision

Computer Weekly recently reported that in an interview with the outgoing England and Wales biometrics and surveillance camera commissioner, Professor Fraser Sampson, he warned of the declining state of oversight in AI facial recognition surveillance deployment by UK police.  Resignation  Professor Fraser Sampson emailed his resignation letter to (then) Home Secretary Suella Braverman in August, […]

An Apple Byte # 1 :  Apple Gets 36 Per Cent Of Google’s Ad Revenue

During a recent court hearing where Google was trying to defend itself from monopoly claims, it was revealed that Google sends 36 per cent of the advertising revenue it makes on Apple’s Safari web browser to Apple.  The figure, which was revealed by an expert testifying on behalf of Google, could be damaging given that […]

Tidal Energy ‘Kite’ That Can Power A Town

Swedish startup Minesto has developed a subsea ‘kite’ style mini power plant that generates renewable energy from tidal streams and ocean currents.  How It Works  The ‘wing’ technology, described by Minesto as a kind of “subsea kite” and a “powerful, lightweight, and modular power plant” which can be made with a wingspan ranging from 4.9 – 12m and weighing […]

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Filtering Video Searches In Google

If you need to search Google for a specific video, or for the best version of that video, Google Search lets you filter video results by duration, time, quality, source, and more. Here’s how it works: Email: hello@gmal.co.uk Visit our contact us page Or call 020 8778 7759 Back to Tech News

Major Upgrades To ChatGPT For Paid Subscribers

One year on from its general introduction, OpenAI has announced some major upgrades to ChatGPT for its Plus and Enterprise subscribers.  New Updates Announced At DevDay  At OpenAI’s first ‘DevDay’ developer conference on November 6, the company announced more major upgrades to its popular ChatGPT chatbot premium service. The upgrades come as competition between the […]

New £1 Billion UK Tech Campus

Plans have been submitted for a new £1 billion development in Cheltenham that will include one of Europe’s largest tech campuses and will house the National Cyber Innovation Centre.  Cheltenham’s Golden Valley Development  Planning has been submitted for what will be called ‘Cheltenham’s Golden Valley Development,’ which is reported to be at the heart of […]

Musk Launches Preview of Grok AI Chatbot

Elon Musk’s ‘xAI’ company has launched the preview of ‘Grok’, a new and rebellious AI chatbot that’s modelled after the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.  Grok  Grok is Musk’s answer to OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Bard. Musk was a co-founder ChatGPT’s OpenAI before stepping down from its board in 2018, and his new xAI company […]

New Wearable Smartphone AND Virtual Assistant

Humane has announced the release of its Apple-style AI-powered badge/pin wearable that combines a smartphone with virtual assistant capabilities for when you’re on the move.  Humane  Humane, a startup founded by ex-Apple design and engineering team Imran Chaudhri and Bethany Bongiorno, has announced the launch of its $699 (five years in the making) AI-powered pin […]

Minor Stroke For Apple Legend

Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, known for his revolutionary work in personal computing, was briefly hospitalised after a health scare in Mexico City. At 73, Wozniak suffered a fainting episode caused by a minor stroke last week while preparing to speak at the World Business Forum. Fortunately, after an MRI scan revealed a small capillary leak […]

Battery Drain Complaints Around Apple Watches

Recent user reports indicate a perplexing battery drain in Apple Watches, affecting even the robust Apple Watch Ultra. The problem, linked to the WatchOS 10.1 update, has raised alarm among consumers and professionals who rely on the device’s longevity for daily productivity and connectivity. For business owners and professionals, an unreliable device can mean disrupted […]

London Data Centres To Heat New Homes 

A new £36 million UK government project is to use data centre waste heat to provide heating and hot water to 10,000 new homes and 250,000 square metres of commercial space in London.  Using Heat From Data Centres  Data centres in our digital society and cloud-based business world now play a crucial role in supporting countless industries, […]

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Use Google Translate To Check For Mistakes In Your Content

If you’ve written content such as blog posts, articles etc that you’d like to check thoroughly for any mistakes and hear more clearly how it sounds being read back, try using Google Translate. Here’s how.  Email: hello@gmal.co.uk Visit our contact us page Or call 020 8778 7759 Back to Tech News

UK Proceeds With iPhone ‘Batterygate’ Case

The so-called ‘Batterygate’ iPhone throttling case has been given the go-ahead by UK’s Competition Appeal Tribunal which could mean a near $1 billion (£853 million) damages payout to affected Apple customers.  What Is ‘Batterygate’?  Batterygate refers to a 2017 software update to iPhones by Apple that customers reported had slowed older iPhones down. It was […]

UK’s AI Safety Summit : Some Key Takeaways

Following the UK government hosting the first major global summit on AI safety at historic Bletchley Park, we look at some of the key outcomes and comments.  Summit  The UK hosted the first major global AI Safety Summit on the 1 and 2 November at Bletchley Park, the historic centre of the UK’s WWII code breaking […]

Cyber Attacks Burn Out Security Experts

A new survey from CyberArk has revealed that increased workloads caused by a surge in cyber threats and attacks has led to 59 per cent of UK senior cyber security professionals facing burnout.  Cyber Crime Levels High  The results of the survey highlight the growing workload pressure on cyber security professionals because in just the […]

New Sub-60cm GPS Accuracy

US Startup Zephyr’s claim that it has solved smartphone GPS positioning problems through a network and software-based solution with sub-60cm accuracy has attracted $3.5 million seed funding.  The Issue  Even though consumers have been putting growing demands on GPS through their increasing use of mobile devices and wearables, and many more businesses and services have […]

Firefox – What’s In a Name?

On November 9th 2004, the well-known web-browser ‘Firefox’ was released, although it had earlier been called something entirely different altogether. Originally created in 2002 by members of the Mozilla community, the browser had the codename “Phoenix”. This was supposed to reflect the project’s aim to “rise from the ashes of Netscape Navigator” after it was […]

New AI Model Classifies Energy-Wasteful Homes

A new deep-learning AI algorithm, developed as part of a study by the University of Cambridge, can identify and classify ‘Hard to Decarbonise’ houses (energy-wasting homes) with 90 per cent accuracy.  What Are ‘Hard-to-Decarbonise’ Houses?  Hard-to-Decarbonise (HtD) houses/buildings are really a subset of residential structures that present unique challenges in reducing carbon emissions due to […]

Enhance Password Security with Emojis

If you’d like to protect your privacy and prevent yourself from being tracked by websites other than the one you are currently visiting, there’s a way to automatically block third-party cookies in Google Chrome. Here’s how: Email: hello@gmal.co.uk Visit our contact us page Or call 020 8778 7759 Back to Tech News

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Google Tests Tool Against IP-Based Tracking

Google is testing ‘IP Protection’, a feature for Chrome that sends third-party traffic for a set of domains through proxies to mask their IP addresses, thereby boosting privacy by fighting IP-based covert tracking.  IP Addresses  An IP address can be explained as being like a home address for your computer or device on a network. […]

Tech Nation Returns

After ceasing operations earlier this year when it lost its core funding grant, start-up network Tech Nation has announced it will be relaunching its brand with a £10bn investment. Tech Nation  Originally established in 2010 as ‘Tech City UK’, focusing on nurturing the tech ecosystem in East London, the non-profit ‘Tech Nation’ grew to become […]

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Copilot Can Attend Meetings For You

Following trials, Microsoft’s AI assistant ‘Copilot’, which can even attend meetings for you, will be generally available to all Microsoft 365 Enterprise customers from 1 November. Copilot First introduced in March 2023 and rolled out as part free update to Windows 11, Copilot is an AI assistant that’s embedded within Microsoft 365 apps and services […]

UK Joins Amazon’s Fast Drone Delivery Expansion

Amazon has announced that it will be expanding its ultra-fast Prime Air drone delivery operations to the UK, Italy and also to an as yet unnamed US city by the end of 2024.  Prime Air Drone Delivery  Amazon Prime Air is a service is intended to (safely) deliver packages to customers in 30 minutes or […]

BBC Basics – 87 Years Ago

“Gentlemen, you have now invented the biggest time-waster of all time. Use it well.”, said Isaac Shoenberg, head of the EMI research team that developed the first fully electronic television system to be used in regular broadcasting. On the second of November 1936, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) transmitted the first-ever scheduled television programmes. They […]

Fossil Fuels Peak as Solar & Wind Rise

Independent energy thinktank Ember’s Global Electricity Review 2023 reports that fossil fuel power generation has peaked for the half the world and that clean energy sources now account for nearly 40 per cent of the world’s electricity supply.  Five Years Ago  Ember’s review report, which analyses electricity data from 78 countries representing 93 percent of […]

Automatically Block Third-Party Cookies In Google Chrome

If you’d like to protect your privacy and prevent yourself from being tracked by websites other than the one you are currently visiting, there’s a way to automatically block third-party cookies in Google Chrome. Here’s how: Email: hello@gmal.co.uk Visit our contact us page Or call 020 8778 7759 Back to Tech News

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Microsoft Launches New AI Content Safety Service

Microsoft has announced the launch of Azure AI Content Safety, a new content moderation service that uses AI to detect and filter out offensive, harmful, or inappropriate user and AI-generated text or image content.  What Kind of Harmful Content?  The type of content Microsoft’s developed Azure AI Content Safety to filter out includes anything that’s […]

Ways To Use ‘WhatsApp Business’ To Help Your Business

In this insight, we look at some of the many ways you can use ‘WhatsApp Business’ to boost your marketing and connect with customers to provide a more personalised service.  What Is WhatsApp Business?  WhatsApp Business is a version of the popular encrypted app that was introduced in January 2018 which is specifically focused on […]

Schools Urge : Protect Kids from War Content

It’s been reported that some schools, in the UK (as well as Israel and the US) have advised Jewish parents to delete social media apps from their children’s phones over fears that they may see distressing hostage videos or videos of civilians being killed in the Israel-Hamas-Gaza conflict.  In Israel In Israel, schools and parents […]

21-Fold Increase in AI-Assisted Jobs

Human content writers have surged in demand recently, as part of a broader effect, where ‘prompt engineers’ have seen salaries of $300,000. LinkedIn’s figures show that job posts in English with references to “GPT” or “ChatGPT” have increased 21-fold since November 2022. Interestingly, after almost a year of generative AI and predictions that it could […]

October 10, 2023 : “A Thousand-Year Name Extension”

Around a thousand years before electronics, a monk called Poppo was asked to prove his faith, because Sweyn Forkbeard was having doubts about his baptism. Legend has it that Poppo proved his faith by holding a red-hot metal glove, yet he remained unharmed. Sweyn Forkbeard’s father (King Harald Blátǫnn Gormsson) had already converted from paganism […]

Giant Solar Space Farm By 2035

Oxfordshire based Technology firm, Space Solar, says that giant solar panel farms could be in orbit and operational above the Earth by 2035.  The Challenge  There are significant energy and environmental challenges facing everyone, including the fact that global electricity demand is set to double by 2050. This, together requirements to swap fossil fuel reliance with […]

How To Get A Full Long Page Screen Capture In Chrome

If you’d like to capture long web pages in their entirety, e.g. for use in documentation, presentations, or competitor analysis, Google Chrome has a lesser-known but built-in way for doing this. Here’s how it works: Email: hello@gmal.co.uk Visit our contact us page Or call 020 8778 7759 Back to Tech News

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Safety Considerations Around ChatGPT Image Uploads

With one of ChatGPT’s latest features being the ability to upload images to help get answers to queries, here we look at why there have been security concerns about releasing the feature.  Update To ChatGPT  The new ‘Image input’ which will soon be generally available to Plus users on all platforms, has just been announced […]

Apple Issues Fix For Overheating Problems

Following complaints from customers about an overheating issue with the Apple iPhone 15 Pro, Apple has issued an update to iOS 17 that provides security updates and bug fixes, including a fix for the overheating issue.  Overheating  Since the iPhone 15 went on sale in September customers have been reporting that their devices were heating […]

1 Second Lost in 300 Billion Years

Researchers at European XFEL X-ray laser have reported creating an atomic clock with such a precise pulse generator that it has an accuracy of only 1 second lost in in 300 billion years!  How Atomic Clocks Work  Up until now, atomic clocks have been the world’s most accurate timekeepers by using electrons in the atomic […]

October 1980 : Halloween, Early AI & Ghosts …

AI isn’t something that’s just emerged in the last couple of years. Blinky, Pinky, Inky and Clyde had distinct personalities and if these names sound familiar it’s because they were the four ghosts that chased Pac-Man around his maze, each with different styles of trying to catch him, a kind of ‘AI’. Originally developed by […]

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Microsoft’s Green Concrete In Data Centres

As part of its commitment to be carbon negative by 2030, Microsoft is trialling cement containing microalgae-based limestone in its data centre builds.  The Issue For Microsoft  The main issue for Microsoft is that it needs to decarbonise its data centre builds by reducing the amount of ‘embodied carbon’ in the concrete used to build […]

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Prioritise WhatsApp Messages By Pinning A Chat To The Top

If there’s a particular WhatsApp chat you would like to prioritise, you can pin it to the top of your chats list. Here’s how:  Your chosen chats (you can choose up to three) will then moved to top of your chats list.  Email: hello@gmal.co.uk Visit our contact us page Or call 020 8778 7759 Back to Tech News

Live Information From ChatGPT

OpenAI’s ChatGPT has announced that as part of three big changes, it can now access current information by browsing the internet.  Previously   Prior to the new (Beta) change, ChatGPT had only been trained on information up until September 2021, although ChatGPT’s newer GPT-4 architecture was trained up until January 2022. This has meant that unless […]

How To Make a QR Code

In this tech insight, we look at QR codes, the many different methods to generate them, the benefits of doing so, and the future for QR codes as the successor to barcodes.  What Is A QR code?  A QR (Quick Response) code, first designed in 1994 by Japanese company ‘Denso Wave’, is a type of […]

Zapier Launches New AI-powered Business Diagramming Tool

Zapier, the company behind the automation tool that lets apps link up to each other, has announced the launch of ‘Canvas,’ an AI-powered diagramming tool to help visualize, plan, and automate business-critical processes.  Why & Who?  Canvas is a tool designed to help businesses that need to gain clarity and refine their work operations when […]

Adobe Photoshop On The Web Arrives…With AI Features

After a long beta testing wait, Adobe Photoshop for the Web (which includes Firefly generative AI features) is now available as part of all Photoshop plans.  Major Milestone  The release of Photoshop on the web, which Adobe describes as “a major milestone” offers creators who are new to Photoshop “a streamlined user experience” (with easier navigation) and gives existing […]

Stooky Bill

In days gone by, a Scottish person with a broken appendage might well have said their arm or leg was held in a ‘stooky’ (or ‘stookie’) which meant a plaster-cast. It’s thought the word comes from ‘stucco’ (plaster) although the term also has a derogatory meaning for a ‘stupid person’, so perhaps it’s no surprise […]

Smart 5G Street Lamps Trial

Six areas across the UK will receive funding to trial a new multi-purpose smart street lamps that house EV charging hubs and boost wireless coverage including 5G.  Funding  As part of The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT’s) Smart Infrastructure Pilots Programme (SIPP) to level-up digital connectivity, six councils will receive funding for the […]

Google Chrome’s Link To Highlighted Text Feature

If you’ve found a specific passage of text in a web page that you’d like to show to another person, Google Chrome has a built-in feature that allows you to share a link that goes straight to that text. Here’s how it works:  Email: hello@gmal.co.uk Visit our contact us page Or call 020 8778 7759 Back to Tech News

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Google’s Bard Now Manages Your Email

Google has announced that it is embedding its ‘Bard’ chatbot into its apps and services with the launch of ‘Bard Extensions’.  Bard  In a similar way to Microsoft’s Copilot, Google’s own ‘Duet’ (for Google Cloud users), and Salesforce’s Einstein Copilot, Google is giving users an embedded chatbot assistant that works across its apps to leverage […]

Blockchain Bill

In this insight, we look at the introduction of the Electronic Trade Documents Act 2023 (ETDA), what it means and why it’s so significant, plus its implications.  The ETDA  The Electronic Trade Documents Act 2023 (ETDA), which was based on a draft Bill published by the Law Commission in March 2022, came into force in […]

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Volunteer To Be A Cyborg, Anyone?

Elon Musk’s neurotechnology company Neuralink has announced that it’s looking for recruits for its first in-human clinical trial of a brain implant.  Approved  Neuralink says that it has received approval from the independent institutional review board and for its first hospital site to begin recruitment in its first-in-human clinical trial of a brain implant that could help people […]

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Copyrights Conundrum: OpenAI Sued

It’s been reported that a trade group for U.S. authors (including John Grisham) has sued OpenAI, accusing it of unlawfully training its chatbot ChatGPT on their work.  Which Authors?  The Authors Guild trade group has filed the lawsuit (in Manhattan federal court) on behalf of a number of prominent authors including John Grisham, Jonathan Franzen, […]

Rocket Man!

This week on September 28 2008 SpaceX managed to finally get the Falcon 1 rocket into space. Founder Elon Musk was obviously thrilled, although curiously he wasn’t hungry – even though he’d skipped breakfast earlier that day. It was because he’d had such a big launch. And just like that pun spectacularly failed, so too […]

‘Cobots’ To Restore Reefs

With many of the world’s coral reefs being damaged by heat and acidification, one startup has developed a system to restore reefs at scale with the help of trained AI robots. Coral Reefs Struggling  The world’s coral reefs only cover 0.2 per cent of the seafloor, but they provide a vital habitat to more than […]

How To Save Time By Sending Public (But Private-Looking) Messages In WhatsApp

If you’d like to use WhatsApp to save time when asking a group of people the same question, making it look as though you’ve asked each of them individually and not having to open each chat to ask them separately, here’s how:  Email: hello@gmal.co.uk Visit our contact us page Or call 020 8778 7759 Back to Tech News

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iPhone Radiation : What’s It All About?

Following the recent news that sales of Apple’s iPhone 12 in France have been banned over radiation fears, we look at where these fears came from and how much danger, if any, Apple iPhone 12 users may be in.  France, Fears, Ban, & Update  France’s National Frequency Agency (ANFR), the watchdog that manages all radio […]

Why Is There Only One Monopoly Commission?

In this insight, we take closer look at the subject of tech companies getting into trouble over antitrust issues, why it happens, what can be done, and what part organisations like the UK ‘Monopoly Commission’ plays.  The Monopoly Commission  The Monopoly Commission dates back to a previous incarnation of a regulator and is often used […]

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€345m Children’s Data Privacy Fine For TikTok

Video-focused social media platform TikTok has been fined €345m by Ireland’s Data Protection Commission (DPC) over the privacy of child users.  The Processing of Personal Data  The fine, as well as a reprimand (and an order requiring them to bring its data processing into compliance within three months) were issued in relation to how the […]

Study Shows 20% Of Time Wasted Within IT

A study by the University of Copenhagen and Roskilde University has revealed that computer problems are responsible for us wasting between 11 and 20 per cent of our time.  How The Study Worked  The study involved 234 participants, in varying jobs (and education) including students, accountants, consultants and IT workers who spent between six and […]

Why Do Python Programmers Wear Specs?

A – Because they don’t see sharp! That’s a programming humour for you. And talking of programming, there’s currently an explosion of code being auto-generated by AI and before long, human-coders may go the way of the early switchboard operators. Hmm, possibly! Yet can you imagine painstakingly programming computers, line-by-line with assembly language, punched-cards and […]

Disappearing Packaging Made From Seaweed & Plants

London-based Notpla Ltd makes sustainable, biodegradable, and home compostable packaging from seaweed and plants.  Naturally ‘Disappears’  Notpla Ltd, a start-up founded in 2014, manufactures different sustainable packaging solutions made from Notpla, a material made from seaweed and plants that disappears naturally.  The Problem  The company was started by Pierre Yves-Paslier and Rodrigo Garcia Gonzalez after […]

Sharing How To Organise Your Bookmarks In Chrome

If you’ve got a long list of bookmarks in Google Chrome that’s not in order, using ‘Bookmark Manager’ can help get your bookmarks organised and easily navigable. Here’s how to use it:  Email: hello@gmal.co.uk Visit our contact us page Or call 020 8778 7759 Back to Tech News

Temporary Climb-Down By UK Government

In an apparent admission of defeat, the UK government has conceded that requiring scanning of platforms like WhatsApp for messages with harmful content, as required in the Online Safety Bill, is not (currently) feasible.  The ‘Spy Clause’  Under what’s been dubbed the ‘spy clause’ (Clause 122) in the UK’s Online Safety Bill, the government had stated […]

Laundering Money Via Spotify?

In this insight, we look at how, according to an investigation by Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet (SvD), criminals may have been using Spotify to launder money since 2019.  How?  The reported money laundering process, which was noticed by analysts from the National Operative Unit of the Swedish Police Force, involved a web of activities using […]

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Fitbit Data Transfer Complaints

Vienna-based advocacy group ‘Noyb’ has filed complaints against Google-owned Fitbit, alleging that it has violated the EU’s GDPR over illegal exporting of user data.  Complaints In Three Countries  Noyb, which stands for ‘None Of Your Business,’ (and founded by privacy activist Max Schrems) filed three complaints against Fitbit – in Austria, the Netherlands and Italy.   […]

EU Teams To Be Unbundled From 365

Following pressure resulting from a formal investigation by the European Commission over a possible breach of competition rules, Microsoft has announced that it will begin unbundling Teams from Office 365 and Microsoft 365 in European markets.  Antitrust Investigation  Following a complaint by Slack three years ago, this July the European Commission opened an antitrust investigation […]

25 Years of Google

Did you know that Google was incorporated 25 years ago, in September 1998?Or that it was originally made from Lego? (sort of) Google began as a research project by Larry Page and Sergey Brin when they were students at Stanford in 1996. Originally named “BackRub.” the name “Google” is a play on the word “googol,” […]

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Offshore Wind Makes Green Renewable Hydrogen

German company Lhyfe is showing how the challenges of producing green hydrogen can be met by using offshore floating wind-to-hydrogen turbines and electrolysers.  The Advantages of Hydrogen  The great advantages of hydrogen as a fuel include dramatically reduced greenhouse gas emissions, it only produces water vapour as a by-product when burned, it has a high […]

Sharing Your Location In WhatsApp

If you’d like an easy way to let others know where you are, e.g. a group of friends on a night out, or as a safety precaution, you can choose to share your location on WhatsApp. Here’s how: Email: hello@gmal.co.uk Visit our contact us page Or call 020 8778 7759 Back to Tech News

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Google’s Answer To Copilot

In this article, we take a look at what Google’s ‘Duet’ is, it’s features and potential benefits to businesses, and the price.  Duet  Introduced in May this year, Duet AI in the Google Cloud is essentially Google’s answer to Microsoft’s Copilot. Duet is a paid-for, “always on” AI assistant and “collaborator” that is embedded within (and works across) all […]

How To Check Your Web Usage

In this insight, we look at the many ways to check how much bandwidth you’re using, thereby helping to avoid exceeding data caps, and providing other benefits.  Why Monitor Bandwidth?  As we move deeper into the digital age, internet usage is skyrocketing, and with it, the necessity to manage bandwidth. For businesses, this is even […]

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Watermark Trial To Spot AI Images

Google’s AI research lab DeepMind has announced that in partnership with Google Cloud, it’s launching a beta version of SynthID, a tool for watermarking and identifying AI-generated images.  The AI Image Challenge  Generative AI technologies are rapidly evolving, and AI-generated imagery, also known as ‘synthetic imagery,’ is becoming much harder to distinguish from images not […]

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Firefox Helps You Hide (Your Emails)

Following several months of testing, Firefox users can now take advantage of the Firefox Relay email masking tool from within the browser to help preserve their online anonymity and boost security.  What Is Firefox Relay?  Firefox Relay from Mozilla is a Firefox browser extension that lets users keep their email address private when filling out […]

28 Years Ago : eBay (& Amazon by Comparison)

Whilst eBay’s market cap is dwarfed by that of Amazon (i.e. circa 24 billion dollars compared to circa 1.4 trillion dollars), it’s easy to forget eBay helped shape online purchasing too. Before it was rebranded as eBay in 1997, the site was originally called AuctionWeb. Founded by Pierre Omidyar in 1995, it was an experiment […]

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Cargo Ship Sails Help Reduce Pollution

The recently launched Pyxis Ocean cargo ship uses giant foldaway ‘WindWings’ to help supplement engine power and could cut lifetime carbon emissions by 30 per cent.  The Cargo Ship  A Mitsubishi Corporation cargo ship is currently demonstrating the WindWings, developed by BAR Technologies and Yara Marine Technologies, during its six week-long maiden voyage from China […]

Backup ChatGPT By Exporting Your Chats

If you’d like to backup your ChatGPT chats, it’s possible to export them by email from within ChatGPT. Here’s how: Email: hello@gmal.co.uk Visit our contact us page Or call 020 8778 7759 Back to Tech News

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Zoom Data Concerns

In this article, we look at why Zoom found itself as the subject of a backlash over an online update to its terms related to AI, what its response has been, plus what this says about how businesses feel about AI.  What Happened?  Communications app Zoom updated its terms of service in March but following […]

Python in Excel … So What?

Following the announcement that Microsoft is releasing a public preview of Python in Excel, we look at what this will mean for Excel users and how it could help businesses.  What Is Python?  The initial version was created in the late 1980s by Guido van Rossum, with its first official release, Python 0.9.0, coming out […]

Google Flights Can Show Cheapest Times To Book

With last-minute holidays on people’s minds (as well as current delays and disruption) Google has announced a new money-saving feature for Google Flights which shows users the cheapest time to book.  What Is Google Flights?  Google Flights, introduced back in 2011, is Google’s online flight booking search service which allows users to search for airline […]

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Opting Out Of AI-Targeting

The EU’s new Digital Services Act allows social media users to opt out of AI personalised content feeds based on relevance.  What Is The DSA?  The Digital Services Act is a new EU Law designed to protect users. It applies to any digital company operating and serving the EU with “very large online platforms” (those with over […]

World’s First “Superfast Charging” EV Battery

China’s Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited (CATL) has announced the launch of world’s first 4C superfast charging LFP battery.   The ‘Shenxing’ EV Battery  CATL says the ‘Shenxing’ battery can deliver 400 km of driving range from a 10-minute charge as well as a range of over 700 km on a single full charge, which is around […]

Ancient Data-Disasters

So far in 2023, Canada’s had wildfires devouring over 30 million acres, an expanse comparable to Kentucky. This has already surpassed Canada’s earlier record set in 1989, where flames ravaged more than 18 million acres. As the wildfire-season isn’t over yet, using the 1989 figures (much less than 2023) 18 million acres could yield in […]

Time Travel In Google

If you’d like to see, or remind yourself of what Google’s search engine was like back in 1998 when it started, here’s a fun, instant way to do just that:  Type ‘Google in 1998’ into Google’s search bar.  Google will immediately adopt the old look, complete with the logo + exclamation mark.  To change it […]

Subscription Sales Scrutiny

Following the news that US Federal regulators have sued Amazon, alleging that people have been “tricked” into buying hard-to-cancel Prime memberships, we take a closer look at ‘inertia selling’.  What Happened With Amazon Prime Subscriptions?  Back at the end of June, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that it was taking action against Amazon.com […]

AI-Camera Captures More Motorists

A free-standing AI road safety camera system deployed in Cornwall caught 300 drivers in the first three days.  How It Works  The camera system, on the A30 near Launceston, implemented by road safety tech firm Acusensus in partnership with Vision Zero South West, records clear images of passing vehicles (and of the driver) thanks to […]

iPhone Battery Risk Warning

Apple has issued a warning to iPhone users about the dangers of practices like charging a phone under a blanket or pillow at night, risking overheating and posing a fire risk.  Danger From Prolonged Heat Exposure  In a wide ranging post on the iPhone user-guide section of Apple’s website, the company warns about the dangers […]

70% Of Companies Used Generative AI

A new VentureBeat survey has revealed that 70 per cent of companies are experimenting with generative AI.  Most Experimenting and Some Implementing  The (ongoing) survey which was started ahead of the tech news and events company’s recently concluded VB Transform 2023 Conference in San Francisco, gathered the opinions of global executives in data, IT, AI, security, and […]

This Message Sent Around The World

At 7:00 p.m. on August 20, 1911, a commercial telegram was sent by the telegraph operator at the Times, working on the seventeenth level of the newspaper’s headquarters in Times Square. The message made a westward journey from New York, and shortly afterwards, the very same operator received his transmitted message back, having arrived back […]

‘Zero-Bills’ New-Build Properties

A new partnership between Octopus energy and sustainable housebuilder Verto aims to develop new homes across two south-west sites that will have no energy bills because all their energy and heating will come from with solar, battery and heat pumps.  Ground-Breaking ‘Zero Bills’ Proposition  Octopus says the 70 new homes built across two sites in […]

Assigning Roles To ChatGPT : The “Act As …” Prompt

If you’re looking for a fast, easy, and effective prompt to make ChatGPT write in a specific stye, or the style of a specific person / type of person, try assigning a role. Here’s how: Email: hello@gmal.co.uk Visit our contact us page Or call 020 8778 7759 Back to Tech News

YouTube Tests 3 Video Limits

YouTube’s testing of a scheme to stop ad blocker usage and limit video plays is being seen by many as a way to further monetise the platform.  How Does YouTube Make Its Money?  Google’s YouTube platform currently makes its money in several ways, with advertising being the main source of revenue. For example, its money […]

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New Chatbot Attack : “Unstoppable”

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have reported finding a simple way to exploit a weakness and disrupt major chatbots like ChatGPT, Bard, and others.  Incantation  The researchers discovered that if they add specifically chosen sequences of characters (an incantation) to a user query, it causes the Large Language Model (LLM) system to obey user commands, […]

Zoom-Bosses Order Staff Return To Office

Following its growth during the pandemic, video communications company Zoom, which made remote working possible for many, has now ordered staff back to the office for two days a week.  Those Within A Commutable Distance  This move from Zoom, which many see as a trend among big companies to pull-back from their major commitments to […]

What Is ‘Synthetic Data’ ?

In this insight, focusing particularly on AI and ML, we look at what synthetic data is, where it comes from and what it’s used for, its challenges, and the implications for businesses.  What Is Synthetic Data?  Synthetic data is data that’s been artificially created rather than derived from real-world activities. Synthetic data is not a […]

Some HP Source…

Hewlett-Packard registered HP.com back in 1986 but did you know that it could so easily have been PH.com instead? This $40 Billion brand was incorporated this month (August 18th) back in 1947. You’ll have heard of HP for their printers because the HP LaserJet series launched in 1984 rapidly became the world’s most popular. But less well-known is that […]

Aviation Fuel From Farm Waste

International Airlines Group (IAG) has announced another “significant” investment in Nova Pangaea Technologies (NPT), a company that makes aviation fuel from non-food agricultural waste and wood residues.  IAG & NPT  International Airlines Group (IAG) is the parent company of Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, Vueling and LEVEL, and Nova Pangaea Technologies (NPT) is a Teesside-based […]

What The 𝕏𝕏𝕏𝕏 Does It All Mean ?

Elon Musk has stated that his “𝕏” social media platform will cover the legal expenses and initiate lawsuits on behalf of individuals who have been treated “unfairly “by their employers due to posts or likes on the site, previously known as Twitter. Presumably, he is trying to reinvent champion the platform as a bastion of […]

Seven Safeguarding SamurAI ?

Following warnings about threats posed by the rapid growth of AI, the US White House has reported that seven leading AI companies have committed to developing safeguards.  Voluntary Commitments Made  A recent White House fact sheet has highlighted how, in a bid to manage the risks posed by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and to protect Americans’ […]

Money Saving Expert Chatbot

MSE Chat GPT is a recently launched experimental AI chatbot that can answer money questions using MoneySavingExpert guides as its primary source.   MSE ChatGPT – Get Fast Answers To Money Questions  Recently launched by TV’s consumer financial champion and founder of MoneySavingExpert (MSE), Martin Lewis CBE, MSE Chat GPT is a variant of OpenAI’s Chat […]

Explosion In Subject Access Requests

Following the recent Nigel Farage and Coutts Bank row, we look at what a Subject Access Request (SAR) is, how to make one, and why there appears to have been an explosion of them in recent times.   What Happened Between Nigel Farage and Coutts?  To summarise in a way that’s relevant this article, in a […]

The Wonderful Wizard of Woz

Steve Wozniak – business partner of Steve Jobs and co-founder of Apple – was born on August 11, 1950. Most people know that Apple went on to become one of the most valuable companies in the world and even though Steve the company way back in left in 1985, there are numerous other projects and […]

Data Centres May Have Their Water Restricted

The recent announcement by Thames Water that it may restrict water flows to London data centres and charge them more at times of peak demand may be the shape of things to come.  Thames Water Ltd – Considering Restrictions  The announcement follows an investigation last year into how much water was being used by London […]

36 Cents per Chat Query Prompts $30 Microsoft Fee

Microsoft’s announcement of pricing for its AI productivity suite 365 Copilot shows its intent to monetise its AI, ending any expectations of free AI provision.  Furthering Its (Monetising) Ambitions – Microsoft 365 Copilot & Bing Chat Enterprise  Announced under the heading “furthering our ambitions”, Microsoft has released details of both Bing Chat Enterprise and Microsoft 365 Copilot […]

Snooper’s Charter Updated. (Poorly)

Amendments to the UK Online Safety Bill mean a report must be written before powers can be used by the regulator to force tech firms to scan encrypted messages for child abuse images.  What Is The Online Safety Bill?  The Online Safety Bill is the way the UK government plans to establish a new regulatory […]

What’s Involved In a ‘Pen-Test’ ?

If you’d like to know what a ‘Pen Test’ is and the sorts of things you can expect from one, this article will give you a helpful overview. Pen Tests  Put simply, pen testing is short for “penetration testing” and in a virtual situation (we’ll concentrate mostly on virtual in this article) acts like a […]

Tech Travel Trends

In this article, we take a look at a few examples of nascent travel and delivery options in action.  Many New And Innovative Options With so many innovative technologically advanced (and green) transport, travel, and delivery products and systems now being used in the real world, let’s update ourselves on what’s happening and what the […]

How Bright Is Your Toothpaste?

The Oppenheimer blockbuster launched with an IMDB rating of 9.0, so it appears lots of people liked it. Whilst the film made mention of many of the pioneers in physics who helped during the Manhattan project, it could perhaps have made more than at least a passing reference to Marie Curie. After all, her contribution […]

Hydropanels Produce Pure Drinking Water From The Air

Hydropanels are an innovative and sustainable way to extract clean, reliable drinking water from the air off-grid.  How Hydropanels Work  Hydropanels (such as those made by Arizona-based SOURCE®) work by using a solar panel to power fans that pull pure water vapour out of the air and the warmed air inside the panel turns the […]

How To Make A Windows PC Startup Faster

Just a few clicks and changes in the task manager can save you time by making your Windows PC startup faster. Here’s how: Email: hello@gmal.co.uk Visit our contact us page Or call 020 8778 7759 Back to Tech News

Millions Sign Up To Meta’s ‘Threads’ Twitter Competitor

Following the release of Meta’s alternative platform to Twitter called ‘Threads’, Meta’s head, Mark Zuckerberg, reports 100 million signups to the new platform in its first five days.  What Is Threads?  The Threads app, launched by Meta on 6 June, is a “text-based conversation app” that is a direct competitor to Twitter – it looks remarkably similar […]

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How ‘Copilot’ Can Help Your Business

In this tech insight, we take a look at what Microsoft 365 Copilot is, how it is being used, and how it can help your business.   What Is Copilot?   Introduced in March 2023, Microsoft 365 Copilot is an AI assistant that’s embedded within the Microsoft 365 apps and services to help users save time and […]

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1.5 Million Seat NHS IT Support Deal

Microsoft and NHS England have announced the signing of new five-year contract whereby Microsoft (via a major reseller) will roll out the Microsoft 365 cloud-based online productivity suite to 1.5 million NHS staff.  Trusted Relationship Continues  Coinciding with the 75th Anniversary of the NHS, Microsoft says the partnership, through a contract awarded to the reseller, […]

Apple Photo Stream Shutdown Warning

Those with photos and videos stored on Apple’s Photo Stream may wish to back them up elsewhere or lose them when Apple retire Photo Stream on 26 July.  What Is Photo Stream?  Apple’s Photo Stream was a feature introduced in 2011 as part of their iCloud service, which allowed users to sync and share photos […]

The Start Of “More Noise”

On 18th July 1968, Intel was incorporated. These days, you’ll know them as the wildly successful manufacturer of microchips and indeed the processor that you’re using right now in whichever device you’re holding may well have “Intel Inside”. One of their big-breaks came when they correctly predicted that memory chips were going to have a […]

Sustainable Seafood … Cultivated Codswallop?

According to German-startup ‘Bluu Seafood’, its range of cultivated seafood is a way to protect oceans and animals as well as ensuring a high-quality, sustainable supply of nutritious food. What Is ‘Cultivated Seafood’ ? Cultivated seafood, also known as cultured seafood or lab-grown seafood, refers to seafood products that are produced using cellular agriculture techniques […]

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5 Ways to Speed Up Your Phone Charging

If you would like to save time and speed up your phone charging, here are five easy ways you can do this:  Email: hello@gmal.co.uk Visit our contact us page Or call 020 8778 7759 Back to Tech News

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Voice Changers

In this insight, we look at ‘voice changers’, technology that lets users change and disguise their voices in real time and in playback.  What Do They Do & How?  Voice changing software (and hardware) alter the sound of a person’s voice in real-time or during playback. Voice changers can be implemented through software applications installed […]

Why Is Apple the First $3 Trillion Company?

Following Apple recently becoming the first publicly traded company to close a trading day with a $3 trillion market value, we look at some of the main reasons for the company’s incredible popularity and growth.  The First $3 Trillion Company  Although Apple actually reached the $3 trillion market cap at the beginning of last year, […]

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Android Update Glitch Causing Silent 999 Calls

A recent update to Android 13 has led to reports of an increase in the number of false 999 calls / ‘silent’ calls.  Reports By Police  The police have reported that an increase in the number of silent 999 calls in recent months is likely to be the result of the updated ‘SOS’ feature in […]

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AI Improving Coding & Data Sorting

Google DeepMind’s AlphaDev artificial intelligence (AI) system has produced new algorithms that can write code better than humans and could create better programs.  Discovering Enhanced Algorithms  In a recent research paper, Google’s Deepmind has outlined how AlphaDev is able to use ‘reinforcement learning’ to discover enhanced computer science algorithms which surpass those honed by scientists […]

Computers Before Keyboards

Computing was a lot more challenging before July 4th 1956 because that’s when MIT revolutionised their Whirlwind Computer … by introducing a keyboard ! Before that, interacting with computers was a laborious, time-consuming process. Programmers would offer instructions to these mammoth machines by the manual insertion of punched cards, an operation requiring meticulous accuracy. They […]

Millions Of Hard Drives Being Scrapped Is Preventable

The Circular Drive Initiative (CDI) has reported that millions of usable hard drives are being unnecessarily destroyed, adding to the growing pile of e-waste.  How Big Is the Problem?  According to reported comments to the BBC from Chia Network’s and secretary and treasurer of the CDI, Jonmichael Hands, millions of hard drives are shredded each […]

Google Deletes Dormant Data

In this insight we look at Google’s updated inactive account policy whereby Google accounts not used for 2 years could be deleted, meaning the loss of important emails, photos, data and more. Gmail, YouTube, & Google Photos Accounts The inactive account deletions are part of a policy change for Google’s products and will apply to […]

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Email : Terminating Trackers

In this insight, we look at what email trackers are, how they work, what the main concerns about them are, plus how you can protect yourself from email trackers. What Is An Email Tracker?  An email tracker is a tool or technology used to monitor and track the activities associated with emails. It provides information […]

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Considering a Refurbished Mobile ?

In this insight, we look at what refurbished phones are, their pros and cons, things buyers may wish to consider when purchasing one, examples of where they can be purchased, and how refurbished phone retailers could help customers to choose their ideal refurbished phone. What Is Meant By ‘Refurbished’? A refurbished phone is a pre-owned […]

Wireless World

On June 28th 1965, ‘Early Bird’ (Intelsat I) was activated. It wasn’t just another satellite; it was the first commercial communications satellite to be nestled in a geosynchronous orbit. This is where it ‘parked’ at 22,236 miles above the equator in the line of the earth’s rotation, appearing stationary to observers on the ground. This […]

‘Try Before You Buy’ Wind Turbine At Glastonbury Festival

A huge pink, purple and crucially temporary wind turbine that was erected to help provide Glastonbury Festival with green energy will also act as a ‘try before you buy’ promotion for similar turbines to be set up in other UK sites.  Turbine + Solar Panels Feeds Super Low-Carbon Energy Microgrid  The 20-metre-high wind turbine with 8 metre […]

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Disable Read Receipts In WhatsApp

WhatsApp shows blue ticks to indicate when your messages have been read by the recipient. If you want to disable read receipts and prevent others from seeing when you’ve read their messages, you can turn off this feature. Here’s how: Email: hello@gmal.co.uk Visit our contact us page Or call 020 8778 7759 Back to Tech News

Tik Top Tops News Source For Young Adults

With the Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2023 showing TikTok now being the source of news for 20 per cent of 18–24-year-olds at the expense of news websites and apps, we look at where most people now get their news from and the reasons why.  The Report  The Reuters Institute report is based on the […]

What is ‘Y Combinator’?

In this insight we look at what ‘Y Combinator’ is, how it works, who it’s worked with, and how it’s made the news recently.  Startup Accelerator and Venture Capital Firm Y Combinator is a well-known startup accelerator and venture capital firm based in the United States. It was founded in 2005 by Paul Graham, Robert […]

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AI Could Drive Us To Drink Says New Research

An American Psychological Association research paper predicts that that as workers interact with AI systems (and rely more on them), this could lead to social disconnection at work, feelings of loneliness, and even insomnia and alcohol consumption.  Work-Related Interactions Being Altered & Creating Social Disconnection  The research, entitled “No Person Is an Island: Unpacking the Work […]

Meta’s New ‘Human-Like’ AI Image Generator

Meta has announced the introduction of I-JEPA, an AI model that generate images that can create the most human-like images so far and is “a step closer to human-level intelligence in AI”.  Overcomes Previous Limitations  Meta says that the I-JEPA model is based on its Chief AI Scientist, Yann LeCun’s vision for more human-like AI and […]

QWERTY Keyboards. Mightier Than The Gun?

In a world where typing has long outstripped writing, few people know the story of how the Qwerty keyboard came about or that famous gun manufacturer Remington was involved On June 23rd, 1868, the Sholes and Glidden typewriter was patented. This was the first commercially practical device of its kind which had started in 1867 […]

Huge Global Demand For Green Skills

New LinkedIn research has highlighted a shortage within the kind of green skills that are needed to help develop green industries and help it achieve it climate ambitions.  Green Skills Shortage In The Workforce  LinkedIn’s Global Green Skills Report 2023 showed that although the concentration of “green talent” in the workforce is growing, i.e. there […]

Reddit’s ‘Blackout’ User Protest

Following thousands of moderators making their subreddit communities private for 48 hours as a protest, we look at the reasons why, together with the implications for Reddit, its users, and other stakeholders.  What Is Reddit?  Reddit is a social media platform where users can join communities called ‘subreddits’ to share content, participate in discussions, and […]

The Impact of Generative AI On Datacentres

Generative AI tools like ChatGPT plus the rapid and revolutionary growth of AI are changing the face of most industries and generating dire warnings about the future, but what about the effects on datacentres?  Data Centres And Their Importance  Data centres are the specialised facilities that house a large number of computer servers and networking […]

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EU Wants AI-Generated Content Labelled

In a recent press conference, the European Union said that to help tackle disinformation, it wants the major online platforms to label AI generated content.  The Challenge – AI Can Be Used To Generate And Spread Disinformation  In the press conference, Vĕra Jourová (the vice-president in charge of values and transparency with the European Commission) […]

UK Will Host World’s First AI Summit

During his recent visit to Washington in the US, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that the UK will hosts the world’s first global summit on artificial intelligence (AI) later this year.  Focus On AI Safety The UK government says this first major global summit on AI safety will bring together key countries, leading tech […]

Consider All The Atoms In 10 Million Galaxies

At midnight on June 18th, 1997, the DESCHALL Project bore fruit. The challenge had been to use ‘Brute Force’ to discover the meaning of a message which had been encrypted. Going through up to seven billion possibilities per second, the key was cracked after 96 days by thousands of computers running simultaneously. The message was […]

Paper Packaging … Vodka Be Better?

Absolut Vodka has begun a 3-month trial of its first commercially available single-mould, paper-based bottle.   Trial – 22 Tesco Stores In Greater Manchester   As part of what it describes as its “journey to create a fully bio-based bottle”, Swedish vodka brand Absolut is holding a trial of the 500ml-sized single-mould paper bottles in 22 Tesco’s stores in […]

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Customise WhatsApp Notifications

Using WhatsApp as a personal note-taking tool allows you to conveniently store and organise your thoughts, links, and important information and provides a fast and accessible way to capture and retrieve notes whenever you need them. Here’s how to use WhatsApp as a personal note-taking tool: Email: hello@gmal.co.uk Visit our contact us page Or call 020 8778 7759 […]

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20 NHS Trusts Shared Personal Data With Facebook

An Observer investigation has reported uncovering evidence that 20 NHS Trusts have been collecting data about patients’ medical conditions and sharing it with Facebook.  Using A Covert Tracking Tool  The newspaper’s investigation found that over several years, the trusts have been using the Meta Pixel analytics tool to collect patient browsing data on their websites. […]

Self-Healing Skin Developed For Robots

Hmm, where have we seen this before? Stanford University scientists have created a multi-layered, self-healing electronic skin for robots and prosthetics that has a sense of touch and can realign itself autonomously when cut.  Layered Polymers  The research team created the synthetic skin using thin layers of rubber, latex (natural polymers), and other polymers including […]

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Police Facial Recognition – The Latest

With the Metropolitan Police Services’ (MPS) director of intelligence recently defending and pushing for a wider rollout of facial recognition technology, we look the current situation, the likely way forward, and its implications.  What Is Facial Recognition Technology?  The kind of facial recognition technology called Live Facial Recognition (LFR) that police have used at special […]

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Are Drone Wars Getting Closer?

With the UK, US, and Australian military trialling the use of ‘AI drone swarms’ that can overwhelm enemy defences, we look at whether drone wars could soon become a reality.  UK Drone Swarm Trial  The first UK military trial of an artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled drone swarm in collaboration with the US and Australia is reported […]

Would E.T. Be Better Off With Zoom?

In the iconic movie E.T (1982), a memorable scene shows the alien rigging up a child’s toy (Speak & Spell) with an umbrella, a record player and other paraphernalia to make a makeshift intergalactic communicator, while uttering the unforgettable line “E.T. phone home.” This moment demonstrates Spielberg’s genius, yet for the nerds among us, it […]

Wood-Based Satellites That Stop Atmospheric Pollution

Japan’s Kyoto University, working with Nasa and the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (Jaxa), plan to launch wood (rather than metal-based) satellites into orbit from next year.  LignoSat  As part of the LignoSat Space Wood Project, which began in April 2020, as a collaboration between Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry, wood specimens have been tested with […]

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Customise WhatsApp Notifications

If you’d like to give notifications for a certain WhatsApp group you’re in a different as tone so you know when new messages arrive there without having check, here’s how: You can also use the custom notification feature for individual contacts. Email: hello@gmal.co.uk Visit our contact us page Or call 020 8778 7759 Back to Tech News

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Musk’s Brain Chips Ready For Humans

Neuralink, Elon Musk’s brain-machine interface device company has been given the green light from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to begin a clinical study with humans as subjects.  What Is Neuralink?  Neuralink is a neurotechnology company co-founded by Elon Musk in 2016. The company aims to develop high-bandwidth brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) with the […]

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11% Of Female Gamers Left Suicidal By Online Abuse

New Sky Broadband research has revealed that the level of abuse suffered by female online gamers from male gamers has been so strong that over one-in-ten (11 per cent) have been left feeling suicidal.  Shocking Levels of Harassment and Abuse  The level of harassment and abuse revealed by the statistics in the study is shocking. For example, some […]

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Two Key Cyber Security Insights

With phishing attacks being favoured for their effectiveness by attackers and most ransomware attacks now targeting backup storage, we look at what businesses can do to protect themselves.   Spear Phishing Accounted For Two-Thirds Of All Attacks Last Year  A recent report from security provider Barracuda has revealed that although spear phishing attacks make up just […]

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View Deleted WhatsApp Messages

In this Insight, we look at how it is possible to uncover and read deleted messages on WhatsApp, and what a number of privacy features on the app mean for business users.  Changes   WhatsApp have made changes as regards message deletion that focus on giving users more control, such as:  How To Read Deleted Messages  […]

For A Few Bits More

On June 8th, 1978, a technological milestone was born, significantly shaping the future of computing because this was the day that marked the introduction of the Intel 8086, Intel’s inaugural 16-bit microprocessor. In the world of computing and microprocessors, the term “bit” signifies the basic units of data a processor can process simultaneously. Transitioning from […]

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Artificial Leaf Makes Petrol Alternative

University of Cambridge researchers have developed an ‘artificial leaf’ that uses sunlight to convert water and carbon dioxide into ethanol and propanol that could be used as a low-emissions petrol alternative to power car engines.  Inspired By Photosynthesis  The ‘leaf,’ made from thin-film metal oxides and materials known as perovskites and including multiple layers including […]

Creating and Sharing WhatsApp Call Links

If you’d like a way to create and share a WhatsApp call link so that anyone with a WhatsApp account can join your call by opening the link, here’s how: Each time you create a call link the URL is different and secure, so no one can guess your call links. Email: hello@gmal.co.uk Visit our contact us page […]

Want A .Dad Domain For Father’s Day?

Here we look at most of the modern top-level domains and their uses, along with the advantages and disadvantages of choosing a newer, lesser known, or more specific TLD for your website domain name.  What Are Top Level Domains?  Top-Level Domains (TLDs) are the highest level in the hierarchical Domain Name System (DNS) structure of […]

New AI That Generates 3-D Models From Text

The Shap-E AI system from OpenAI (creators of ChatGPT) and available for open-source download, can create 3D models from text.  What Is It?  According to the Cornell University researchers behind the system, Shap-E is “a conditional generative model for 3D assets” which, unlike other 3D generative models “generates the parameters of implicit functions that can be rendered as […]

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ChatGPT Banned At Apple

Apple has reportedly banned the internal use of ChatGPT and other chatbots plus AI writers like Bard, Copilot and GitHub to prevent the sharing of sensitive company information.  Internal Document Seen  The ban came to light following a report by the The Wall Street Journal, which said it had seen internal documents informing Apple employees of […]

AI Contributes To 55,000 BT Jobs Cuts

BT has announced that the completion of its fibre roll-out, 5G rollout, adapting to new technologies like AI, plus general cost cutting are key reasons why it will be axing up to 55,000 jobs, primarily in the UK, by the end of the decade.  40 Per Cent Of The Workforce  The massive 40 per cent […]

Getting Off The Ground Isn’t Always Easy!

Chuck Yeager (famous for being the first to break the sound barrier) mentioned in his excellent autobiography that whilst he was training Neil Amstrong in high-altitude flying, he found him a little a bit cocky. In fairness, Neil did have a training crash at one point and was lucky to survive – these were very […]

Low-Cost Underground Heating For 4,000 Homes

£22 million of the UK government’s £91 million Green Heat Network Fund will be used to build a geothermal heating network that could provide low-cost heating for nearly 4,000 homes in Cornwall.  Drilling Near Truro  The government-funded project by Geothermal Engineering Ltd (GEL), “The Langarth” at Langarth Garden Village (near Truro), Cornwall, will involve drilling […]

Twitter Encryption : More Musk Makeovers

Twitter has recently added a new encrypted messaging service to its repertoire, offering end-to-end encryption for all direct messages sent across its network. This privacy enhancement ensures that only the sender and receiver can view the content of their conversation, emphasising a renewed commitment to user confidentiality. Interestingly, Elon Musk, Twitter’s CEO, has affirmed that […]

Handy AI Resources For Your Business

In this article, we look at 20 handy AI sites that could help save time, make life easier and boost your business.  1. Pictory – https://pictory.ai/  Pictory offers a way to automatically create short, sharable branded, sales videos from your long form content. No technical skills or software download are required; it can use AI to extract content […]

20 Helpful ChatGPT Prompts

Using the right prompts is the way to quickly get the best responses from ChatGPT and here are 20 helpful ChatGTP prompts that you may want to try.  20 Productive Prompts  Here are 20 top prompts you can copy and paste into ChatGPT, just adding a few details to get some helpful and productive responses […]

Site-Speed : Sorted!

Here we look at what website speed means, how important it is for businesses (and why), plus how businesses can test their website speed and keep it up to scratch.  What Does ‘Website Speed’ Mean?  Website speed, also known as page load time or website performance, refers to the amount of time it takes for […]

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Erasing Yourself From Google

In this insight, we look at the steps you can take to erase any details about yourself from Google to protect your privacy.  Why Might A Person Want To Erase Their Details From Google?  Google collects your personal information when you go online, some (or all) of which you may want to erase, e.g. a […]

Let There Be Light

On May 16th, 1960, a new kind of light existed that nobody had ever seen before. This kind of light has unique properties and doesn’t exist in nature and as far as we know, it had never existed anywhere in the universe since it began, 13.8 billion years ago. Theodore Maiman had successfully fired the […]

Solar-Powered Aquatic Drone Purges Plastic In Waterways

The ‘WasteShark’ solar powered aquatic drone from Dutch company RanMarine removes floating pollution like plastics, algae and biomass from lakes, ponds, waterways, and harbours.  The WasteShark  The WasteShark is a mini-robot that floats, navigates autonomously, and scours the surface of the water for plastic waste and other pollution, then collects the waste it in its […]

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Use the ‘Autocomplete’ Command In ChatGPT

If you need to complete a sentence or get creative when writing some content but don’t have the time or are struggling to come up with new ideas, using the “/autocomplete” command in ChatGPT can help. Here’s how: “/autocomplete” is a command can be used to generate text that completes the sentence you provide. For […]

What If AI Goes Bad?

Following “AI Godfather” Dr Geoffrey Hinton’s departure from Google to talk about the dangers of AI, we look at what the threats could be and what this could mean for businesses. Departure From Google Dr Geoffrey Hinton was dubbed as the “AI Godfather” because of his pioneering research on neural networks and deep learning which […]

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Passwordless Future : Google ‘Passkeys’

Google has announced the rollout of ‘Passkeys,’ which it describes as “the easiest and most secure way to sign-in to apps and websites” and a major step toward a “passwordless future.” Working Toward A Passwordless Future : FIDO & Passkeys Passkeys comes out of the work that Google’s been doing with the FIDO Alliance, an open industry association, formed […]

Gmail To Get Blue Checkmarks For Verification

Google has announced that Gmail has introduced blue checkmarks next to select senders’ names to help users identify messages from legitimate senders. Will Work If You’ve Adopted ‘BIMI’ The new checkmark verification symbols work in accounts where users have adopted Brand Indicators for Message Identification (BIMI). The BIMI system, introduced in 2021, allows users to […]

The Online Rip-Off Tip-Off

In this insight, we look at the new online form where customers can report online rip-offs that’s been developed as part of the new government campaign “The Online Rip-Off Tip-Off” to help shoppers spot and avoid misleading online practices. The Online Rip-Off Problem According to a recent poll of over 2,000 UK adults by the […]

1954 : Silicon Makes A Splash

On 10th May 1954, Gordon Kidd Teal created a sensation at an Institute of Radio Engineers conference when he presented silicon transistors for the first time by announcing they were ready for production and available for sale. Why The Big Deal? Originally, germanium was mainly used to develop transistors. It was easier to work with but […]

Green Code To Reduce Software Emissions

Cloud-based CRM company Salesforce has announced the launch of its ‘Green Code,’ a new initiative which it says will help reduce carbon emissions associated with the software development lifecycle. The Software Development Lifecycle Carbon Emissions Problem The Green Code has been developed to tackle the environmental impact caused by the process of developing, deploying and […]

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Making ChatGPT Produce Answers In Tabular Format

If you’d like to save time and stay organised by getting outputs from ChatGPT that are already in tabular format, here’s how:  – Ask ChatGPT to list the benefits of two or more different ways of delivering a list, and to answer in a table format. For example, type “List the differences between rugby league […]

Want to be a ‘Prompt Engineer’?

No – it’s doesn’t mean engineers that are punctual! In this article, we will explore the role of prompt engineers in the AI industry, why the job is necessary, why it’s suddenly a sought-after role, and what the future prospects are for prompt engineers.  What is Prompt Engineering?  A prompt engineer is a specialist who […]

What Is Universal Basic Income?

In this insight, we look at what ‘Universal Basic Income’ is, how it relates to the tech industry, its potential benefits and pitfalls, plus what similar ideas are being discussed and explored.  UBI  Universal Basic Income (UBI) is a policy proposal in which all individuals in a given society receive a regular, unconditional cash transfer […]

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Microsoft Drops Twitter From Advertising Platform

Following Twitter’s announcement two months ago that it will be charging a minimum of $42,000 per month to enterprise users of its API, Microsoft is dropping Twitter from its advertising platform.  What Is The Microsoft Advertising Platform?  The Microsoft Advertising Platform is a digital advertising platform that enables businesses to create and run advertising campaigns […]

The Birth of The IC

Around this time 62 years ago (April 25th, 1961), Robert Noyce (co-founder of Fairchild Semiconductor) patented his invention – a monolithic integrated circuit (IC). Jack Kilby patented a similar invention, but his version was difficult to mass produce due to external gold wire connections. Thus, Noyce’s version of the IC became widely adopted due to […]

UK’s First Co-Owned Solar Park

Ripple Energy has announced that it is creating the UK’s first co-owned solar park, allowing those who buy shares to benefit from green electricity and money-off bills, plus the feelgood factor of the climate/environmental benefits.  Where?  Ripple Energy says the new ‘Derril Water Solar Park’ will be on a 175-acre site in the Torridge district […]

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Tech Tip – Ask For Sources In ChatGPT

If you’ve produced some content using ChatGPT and, knowing that it can sometimes generate incorrect information, would quickly like to check that the source data is from reputable sites, here’s how: Email: hello@gmal.co.uk Visit our contact us page Or call 020 8778 7759 Back to Tech News

Amazon Launches AI App-Building Platform

Amazon has announced the launch of ‘Amazon Bedrock,’ a new service which it says is the easiest way for customers to build and scale generative AI-based applications using foundation models (FMs).  What Is A Foundation Model (FM)?  A foundation model is an “ultra-large” machine learning model that generative AI uses. FMs, which are machine learning […]

OpenAI Now Exploring Humanoid Robots

A humanoid robotics company (1X Technologies) has announced that it raised $2.5m Series A2 funding led by ChatGPT’s creators OpenAI to pursue producing androids/humanoid robots at commercial scale.  Funding  The funding round to develop more androids was led by the OpenAI Startup Fund, with participation from Tiger Global and a consortium of Norway-based investors, including […]

What Is ‘Jailbreaking’ ChatGPT?

In this insight, we look at the ‘Jailbreaking’ concept in ChatGPT and other LLMs, and at what steps can be taken to mitigate the risks to users.  Jailbreaking  Jailbreaking, in general, refers to the process of removing restrictions or limitations imposed by a device or software, often to gain access to features or functionality that […]

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Quantum Threat Growing

Following large investments in quantum computing followed by the ensuing advancement of this technology in recent years, as well as looking forward to benefits this could bring, there is also the growing threat of ‘quantum hacking.’  Quantum Computers  Quantum computers can carry out complex calculations at high speed. Whereas traditional computers store data in binary […]

A Trip to the Zoo and $1.6 Billion Later …

On April 23, 2005, at exactly 8:31:52 pm local time, the first ever YouTube video was uploaded. It was titled ‘Me at the Zoo’ and is a 19 second recording of the co-founder of YouTube (Jawed Karim) standing in front of an elephant enclosure. It’s grainy and with poor audio – yet it made history. […]

Sustainability-in-Tech : Quantum Magnetic Material Discovery Could Deliver Ultrafast Sustainable Devices

The discovery of new quantum materials with magnetic properties could bring ultra-fast, more energy efficient, and sustainable computers and mobile devices.  Quantum Breakthrough In Sweden  A research team at team at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden have reported making a quantum breakthrough by being the first to make a device made of a two-dimensional […]

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Tech Tip – Changing Your WhatsApp Wallpaper Background

If you’d like to personalise who you’re chatting to by using their photo as a background in the chat, or you’d simply like to change and brighten up your WhatsApp experience, you can easily change the default background to chats. Here’s how: Within a chat for a particular person, tap on the three dots (top […]

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Don’t Get Sued For Using ChatGPT

One recent example of how ChatGPT may be the subject of a defamation lawsuit after it reportedly created completely incorrect (and highly damaging) content is in the case of Brian Hood, the mayor of Hepburn Shire, 120km northwest of Melbourne, Australia. Mr Hood reported being told by members of the public that ChatGPT had (falsely) […]

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Legal Aspects Of Online Writing And Publishing

With ChatGPT’s makers OpenAI facing a possible defamation lawsuit from an Australian mayor, we look at the legal aspects of online writing and publishing.  Defamed?  Last November, when ChatGPT was first released for public use, Brian Hood, the mayor of Hepburn Shire, 120km northwest of Melbourne, was told by members of the public that ChatGPT […]

How To Spot Fake Images

With deepfake images recently making the news by fooling many people, we look at the issues around fake images and how to spot them.  Recent Examples  The emergence of AI has led to an increasing output of highly convincing fake images/manipulated images/deepfake images (and deepfake videos). Motivations for making these images vary, e.g. entertainment (fun […]

Reduced OneDrive Cloud Storage

Changes to Microsoft 365 could mean less OneDrive cloud storage and could lead to Outlook being disrupted.  Change  In February, Microsoft announced that cloud storage used across Microsoft 365 apps and services would include Outlook.com attachments data and OneDrive data. Microsoft has warned that this change could reduce how much cloud storage users have available […]

April 14th, 111 Years Ago : Radio Helps 706 Survivors

Imagine for a moment that it’s April 14th, 1912 and just moments ago you were having a pleasant evening onboard one of the most luxurious and largest ships of its time. However, you are now sitting in a tiny lifeboat, surrounded by pitch black freezing water waiting for rescue. This was stark reality for the […]

Tech Tip – Save Time By Personalising Auto-Correct In Microsoft Office

If you’d like to save time when using Microsoft Office by personalising the auto-correct options so that auto-correct doesn’t try to correct even the most unnecessary things, here’s how: For example, in Word, go to File > Options > Proofing. Use the tick boxes in ‘AutoCorrect Option’ to set your preferences. Email: hello@gmal.co.uk Visit our contact us page […]

What’s All the Fuss About A National Alarm?

With the UK government’s new ‘Emergency Alerts’ system now live, we take a look at what it is and how it will work.  What Are ‘Emergency Alerts’?  The UK government’s Emergency Alerts service, managed by the government’s Cabinet Office, enables the government to send important public safety messages directly to people’s mobile phones in specific geographic […]

Beware Increasing Deepfake Voice Scams

There have been reports of scammers are using the latest AI deepfake voice clones to sound like family members in distress to swindle relatives out of money.  AI Voice Technology  The kinds of artificially generated voice technology tools that bad actors could be using for ‘imposter scams’ may include  ElevenLabs, Murf, Play.ht, Respeecher, Resemble, Overdub, […]

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TikTok Fined £12.7m By UK Data Watchdog

Embattled Chinese owned short-video-sharing platform TikTok has received a £12.7m fine from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) for breaching UK data protection law by failing to protect children’s privacy when using the TikTok platform.  Notice Of Intent Issued Last Year The ICO issued TikTok Inc and TikTok Information Technologies UK Limited (‘TikTok’) with the ‘notice of […]

ChatGPT Gets User’s Parking Ticket Revoked

Following the news that a student made a successful appeal against a parking ticket by using a letter written by the ChatGPT chatbot, we look at how it happened, how to get the best results from ChatGPT, and we look at some of the recent concerns about the advances in AI technology.  £60 Parking Ticket  […]

Microsoft Is Founded

Bill Gates originally wanted to become a lawyer, like his father, when he was a young child. However, as he grew up he discovered computers and on this week in history (4th April back in 1975) he, along with his school-friend Paul Allen founded “Micro-Soft” as it was called back then. Whilst they coding in […]

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Electric Roads Promise 70% Smaller Car Batteries

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden say that if an electric car charges while driving, the size of the battery can be reduced by up to 70 per cent.  Aim Of The Study?  The aim of the Chalmers University study was to discover what potential benefits there might be with a so-called electric […]

Tech Tip – Storyline Posts

If you’d like a way to share experiences, celebrate milestones, conduct a poll, propose ideas, and discuss your interests with people across your organisation directly from Microsoft Outlook, try Storyline Posts. Here’s how. Email: hello@gmal.co.uk Visit our contact us page Or call 020 8778 7759 Back to Tech News

Intel Founder and Moore’s Law Creator Dies

Gordon Moore, the co-founder of Intel Corp, predictor of home computing, and the creator of ‘Moore’s Law’ has died at the age of 94.  Intel Corporation  In July 1968, Gordon Moore famously co-founded Intel Corporation with Robert Noyce, who had previously co-founded Fairchild Semiconductor. Moore saw an opportunity to create a new company focused on […]

ChatGPT Freed To Access The Web Via Plugins

Conversational chatbot ChatGPT’s creators OpenAI have announced that ChatGPT will now be able to use plugins to improve its capabilities and outputs.  Plugins Coming To ChatGPT  It’s been announced that  OpenAI will be “gradually” enabling ChatGPT to use plugins for certain groups of ChatGPT users to begin with, starting with ChatGPT Plus subscribers. It’s also beginning to roll […]

Working Trends And The Effects Of AI

In this article, we look at how generative AI could change work and jobs going forwards, plus how it could help businesses adopt new work trends such as a 4-day week.  The Rise Of Artificial Intelligence (AI) – A Timeline  AI has been many decades in the making. For example, the field of AI was […]

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World Backup Day Is An Important Reminder

World Backup Day founder, Ismail Jadun, has said that March 31 will “will make everyone think about their situation, learn about the various options and get their files backed up”.  World Backup Day  World Backup Day, first celebrated in 2011, is an annual event (taking place on March 31) that’s dedicated to raising awareness about the […]