Further to the news that Gordon Moore, co-founder of Intel, died last week, it’s a reminder that also last-week-in-history (22 March 1993), Intel announced it would be shipping its Pentium microprocessor. This was the successor to the Intel 486, and it was a massive undertaking that involved thousands of engineers and scientists, and it took […]
Equinix, the largest global data centre and colocation provider for enterprise network and cloud computing, has installed a rooftop farm at one of its sites that uses waste datacentre power to grow fruit and veg. Paris Rooftop Greenhouse As part of its Corporate Sustainability programme, Equinix has already covered several of its data centre rooftop […]
WhatsApp can use up a lot of space and mobile data by automatically downloading some large photos, videos, and voice messages. Here’s how to limit the types of media that are automatically download and the amount of mobile data WhatsApp calls use. Email: hello@gmal.co.uk Visit our contact us page Or call 020 8778 7759 Back to Tech News
Microsoft has announced that it is to help users save time and increase productivity by embedding its AI chatbot ‘Copilot’ into popular Microsoft 365 apps. Embedded In Popular Apps Microsoft says that the Copilot chatbot has been embedded in the popular Microsoft 365 apps – Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams. Like Chat GPT, Copilot is […]
Following the news that Microsoft will soon be integrating Copilot, an AI large language model (LLM) like the one behind ChatGPT, into Microsoft 365, we look at how this will help businesses, what OpenAI’s GPT-4 will bring, and Google’s response. Copilot Microsoft announced last week that it will soon be adding Copilot to Microsoft365. Copilot […]
The UK government Department of Health (DOH) is facing criticism over a report that says it spent more on new Apple iPhones than it did on defibrillators last year. £1.5 Million Spent On iPhones For Whitehall Staff The report from the Mirror newspaper highlighted how, in 2022, the DOH spent £1.5 million buying iPhones for […]
In this insight, we look at what GPL is, how it relates to the right to repair, and how businesses can be affected if other businesses don’t fulfil their obligation under GPL. General Public License (GPL) The General Public License (GPL) is a widely used open-source software license that grants users the right to use, […]
On 14th March 1950, the first prototype of the silicon transistor was demonstrated by researchers at Bell Labs, the company spawned from its eponymous founder Alexander Graham Bell (i.e. the person widely accredited with inventing the telephone). This incredible breakthrough device then paved the way for modern digital electronics. Some people may even remember the […]
UK data centre startup Deep Green is using servers submerged in mineral oil as “digital boilers” to turn server heat into free heating for hot-water for swimming pool owners, distilleries, and large apartment blocks. Digital Boilers Harnessing the heat from decentralised data centre models is one of the new ideas that several companies are adopting […]
In addition to Windows Defender, Windows 10 has a Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT) that’s designed to remove hidden malware from your device, and normally receives regular updates and runs itself in the background. However, if you’re worried you have a malware infection, you can download and run it manually. Here’s how: Email: hello@gmal.co.uk Visit our contact […]
There was some relief from UK businesses hoping for government help following the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) after HSBC rescued the UK arm of the bank by buying it for £1. What Happened? Due to what many financial analysts believe to be SVB making some bad investments and betting (badly) on interest rates, […]
Here we look at how popular streaming service Netflix has faced a user backlash on social media after it accidentally posted what appear to be some unpopular plans to tackle password sharing on its platform. What’s Been The Problem? In recent years, and particularly during the pandemic, Netflix has faced the issue of password sharing, […]
The boss of WhatsApp, Will Cathcart, has said he would rather stop users in the UK from using the app than lower its security, as suggested by the UK’s Online Safety Bill. End-to-end Encrypted App One of the key security features of Meta’s WhatsApp is its end-to-end encryption. This ensures that only the intended recipient […]
OpenAI has announced the general release of API access to ChatGPT and their ‘Whisper’, which is an automatic speech recognition (ASR) AI model. What Does This Mean? An API is a set of protocols, routines, and tools for building software applications that specify how software components should interact with each other. In simpler terms, an […]
In this article, we look at how slimming-down and optimising websites is yet another way that businesses are helping to cut their carbon emissions. Websites And Carbon Emissions According to the Eco-Friendly Web Alliance, the internet has a significant carbon footprint, contributing to 3.7 per cent of global emissions – more than the aviation industry! […]
If you’d like to be able to add a bit more emphasis to some of your messages in WhatsApp, here are some fast and easy manual ways to add bold, italic, or strikethrough. Email: hello@gmal.co.uk Visit our contact us page Or call 020 8778 7759 Back to Tech News
A recent US research paper entitled “Opted Out, Yet Tracked: Are Regulations Enough to Protect Your Privacy?” highlights how, in many cases, user data is still being collected, processed, and shared, even when users opt out through a Consent Management Platform (CMP). The Issue The research was based around developing a framework to measure how well Consent […]
With TikTok announcing new features for teens and families, including a 60-minute daily screen time limit, we look at the issue of social media addiction and ideas for tackling it. TikTok Time Limit (Short) video sharing app TikTok has just announced that every account belonging to a user below age 18 will automatically be set […]
In this article, we look at what OLED is and its advantages, and we take a brief look at the other types of LED displays available. What Is OLED? OLED stands for Organic Light Emitting Diode. This is a display technology that’s used in many modern electronic devices such as smartphones, televisions, and wearable devices. […]
Researchers from the John Hopkins University working with Dr Brett Kagan (chief scientist at Cortical Labs in Melbourne) have reported that brain ‘organoid’ biocomputing devices could be the next ‘big thing’ in computing. What Is A Brain Organoid? Computers powered by brain cells could use ‘brain organoids’, which are (pen) dot-sized clusters of cell cultures made […]
With eco-friendly packaging being considered as part of the green product decision-making process of today’s customers, here we look at food packaging that could save on plastic waste because it is edible! Edible Food Packaging The concept of edible food packaging is not new and has been around for centuries in the form of natural […]
Google has announced that you can now use a stylus or your finger to annotate PDFs in the Google Drive app on your Android device. Here’s how: Email: hello@gmal.co.uk Visit our contact us page Or call 020 8778 7759 Back to Tech News
Following the banning of Chinese short video sharing app TikTok from EU and US government devices, plus more trouble on the way in Canada, we look at some of the reasons why. Banned From EU Government Devices The European Commission recently decided to ban the TikTok app from staff phones (work and personal devices). EC […]
Meta has announced it’s launching its own version of Twitter’s Blue Tick called ‘Meta Verified’ for Facebook and Instagram where users pay a monthly subscription to be verified on the platforms. Announcement On February 19, Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, announced that Meta is starting the rollout of its new ‘Meta Verified’ subscription service for Facebook […]
With OpenReach now ‘throttling’ broadband speeds and limiting phone calls as measures designed to gently “nudge” customers to upgrade as the “Big Switchoff” approaches, we look at exactly what’s happening, why, and when. What Is The Great Switchoff? The “Big Switchoff” refers to the switch from the old copper phone network to a new ‘Digital Voice’ alternative. Back […]
A Mimecast spokesman has warned that in a labour market already stretched by shortages, Dutch digital resilience could be threatened if more attention isn’t paid to the mental well-being of cyber security professionals. Wanting To Change Jobs Recent research commissioned by Mimecast in the Netherlands showed that a quarter of Dutch IT professionals are considering […]
Researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) have developed a way for using a 3D-printing ink that contains calcium carbonate-producing bacteria, giving a result similar to mollusc shells or bone. ‘BacktoInk’ – Environmentally Friendly Researchers at EPFL’s Soft Materials Laboratory in the School of Engineering have successfully added the Sporosarcina pasteurii bacterium […]
If you’d like a way to send web pages you find interesting to your inbox rather than bookmarking them in Chrome and forgetting about them, the “InboxThis” extension may be helpful. 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
Green distributed computer network heating company Heata is offering to provide up to 4.8kWh of free hot water per day in exchange for installing a business cloud server in your home. Green Distributed Compute Network Heata, which began as an innovation project with British Gas, describes itself as “a ground-breaking green distributed compute network that uses the […]
Although Openview’s recent second report shows that most SaaS companies used usage-based pricing last year, many are now moving to hybrid models. What Is Usage Based Pricing? Usage-based pricing (UBP) is a pricing model where customers are charged based on how much they use a particular product or service. In the context of SaaS (Software […]
Twitter-owner Elon Musk’s latest decision to turn off SMS 2FA after 20 March unless you pay for Blue Tick has caused another storm of criticism. What And Why? On 15 February, Twitter announced that: “starting today, we will no longer allow accounts to enroll in the text message/SMS method of 2-Factor Authentication unless they are Twitter […]
In this insight, we look at the popular email authentication protocols SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, how they work, why they’re important, and what happens if they’re not set up properly. What Is SPF? SPF, or Sender Policy Framework, is an email authentication protocol used to verify the sender of an email message. It is used […]
With the integration of large language models (LLMs) into search engines, some people are predicting that the massive increase in computing power needed could mean huge carbon emissions. What Are Large Language Models? Large language Models (LLMs) are types of artificial intelligence (AI) models that are trained on vast amounts of text data to understand […]
If you’d like a fast and easy way to navigate within YouTube, here are some top keyboard shortcuts. Email: hello@gmal.co.uk Visit our contact us page Or call 020 8778 7759 Back to Tech News
Kaspersky research has shown that hackers are now being recruited with dark web job ads offering huge salaries and benefits! What?! According to Kaspersky’s analysis of more than 200,000 employment ads posted on the dark web between January 2020 and June 2022, ‘employers’ have been seeking applications from the best hackers by offering favourable terms […]
Following anecdotal reports that some users can’t turn off the strict SafeSearch settings when searching using Bing, we look at what SafeSearch is, and how to control it. What Is SafeSearch? SafeSearch is a setting in Microsoft’s Bing search engine that’s designed to filter out inappropriate web content. How? It works on the search terms […]
$100 billion/£82.7bn is reported to have been wiped off the value shares in Google’s parent company Alphabet following a rather public error made by Bard, Google’s new answer to ChatGPT. Bard Originally called ‘Apprentice Bard,’ Bard is Google’s conversational AI service which uses Language Model for Dialogue Applications (LaMDA), Google’s family of conversational neural language models. […]
Researchers from the University of Sussex and Universal Quantum have announced that they have made a major breakthrough in quantum computing that could help solve the most complex real-world problems. What Are Quantum Computers? Quantum computers can carry out complex calculations at high speed. Whereas traditional computers store data in binary ‘bits’ (ones and zeros) […]
Hull-based company iHelios has developed a system of using temperature controlled, energy-efficient electric infrared ‘wallpaper’ to heat homes and businesses which may have the potential to replace traditional central heating systems. Heating Film The ‘smart’ heating system from iHelios uses a wafer-thin heating film that is placed within the ceiling, under floors, or in panels, […]
If you don’t want to drain your Windows 11 laptop’s battery while out and about, Firefox can show you how much power specific websites use up. Here’s how it works: Email: hello@gmal.co.uk Visit our contact us page Or call 020 8778 7759 Back to Tech News
The inevitable monthly subscription for ChatGPT is a step closer following the introduction of a trial ‘ChatGPT Plus’ service in the US priced at $20 (circa £16) per month. Just The US For Now OpenAI say that the new ChatGPT Plus service is just available to customers in the United States but will be made […]
Google’s CEO, Sundar Pichia, has announced that Google will be launching its rival to OpenAI’s ChatGPT called ‘Bard’ “in the coming weeks” following its final testing stage. What Is Bard? Referred to as ‘Apprentice Bard’ during its development stages, Bard is Google’s conversational AI service which uses Language Model for Dialogue Applications (LaMDA), Google’s family of conversational […]
Following news that hackers have stolen encrypted backups from the parent company of popular password manager LastPass, we look at what password managers are, plus the implications of the attack for businesses. Password Challenges We are all used to using passwords but without extra measures (e.g. 2FA) they are now recognised as having security limitations […]
In this insight, we look at what a virtual machine is, where to get one, what it can be used for, plus a few of the main pros and cons. What Is A Virtual Computer? A virtual machine/virtual computer is a software-based simulation of a computer system, generally created and run on cloud-based infrastructure, and […]
Engineers at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) say they have modified a conventional diesel engine to run (mostly) on hydrogen which could lead to CO2 emissions being cut by up to 85 per cent. Engine Converted The UNSW Sydney engineers have reported taking an automotive-sized inline single-cylinder diesel engine, then modifying it to […]
If you’d like a fast method of highlighting paragraphs of text (e.g. for copying and pasting) without having to click and drag your mouse to a specific point, here’s how to do it. To quickly highlight a paragraph/several paragraphs of text you’re viewing in a browser: Email: hello@gmal.co.uk Visit our contact us page Or call 020 8778 7759 […]
Facebook, Instagram, and other social media sites may soon face lawsuits alleging that the way their algorithms work may be a factor in causing mental illness in some users. A Defective Product? In the US, a reported consolidation of lawsuits across multiple districts that are rumoured to be filed next month in the Northern District of California […]
With OpenAI’s ChatGPT making the headlines and quickly becoming a useful tool for many businesses, here we look at some of the more novel ways to use this innovative technology. 20 Ways Here are 20 ways to use ChatGPT that you may not have heard about: What Does This Mean For Your Business? Not only […]
OpenAI and Microsoft have announced that they are extending their partnership to work on more AI research and development. What Is Open AI? OpenAI is a San Franciso based research organisation/capped-profit company that develops and promotes ‘friendly’ AI. Their research focuses on creating and promoting advanced AI technologies (including machine learning, robotics and natural language […]
In this article, we look at how significant job cuts and other factors are evidence of a tech recession, what the causes are, plus what tech businesses can do to survive and move forward. Tech Recession Evidence – Job Cuts Much of the evidence of a tech recession has come in the form of tech […]
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a zero-energy condenser that can harvest drinking water from the humidity in the atmosphere 24/7. Could Solve Shortage Challenges In some parts of the world, fresh drinking water is scare. Two of the main options include: The New ETH Zurich Condenser The technology behind the new ETH Zurich Condenser […]
If you’d like to avoid accidentally moving the cursor around while typing on your Windows 11 laptop, here’s how to disable the touchpad: Email: hello@gmal.co.uk Visit our contact us page Or call 020 8778 7759 Back to Tech News
Blockchain data platform Chainanalysis has reported that cybercriminals have seen a 40 per cent fall in their earnings as more people have refused to pay the ransom following ransomware attacks. More Strains With Shorter Lifespans However, the number of unique ransomware strains being used in attacks increased dramatically in 2022 (Fortinet). Also, Chainanalysis reports that […]
22 passengers experienced the UK’s first full-size autonomous bus for the first time as part of a testing process by Stagecoach, the UK’s largest bus and coach operator. Trial Over The Forth Bridge The ground-breaking trial of a full-size autonomous single-decker bus, carrying a mixture of invited members of the Co-Design Panel, volunteers helping Stagecoach […]
Here we look at the trend of ‘job boomeranging’, the reasons why the trend occurred, and why businesses may choose to re-hire boomerangers. What Is It? Job boomeranging refers to when an employee leaves a company and then returns to work for the same company at a later date. How Has It Come About? The […]
In this feature, we look at what is known as ‘Davos’ is, why it exists, plus how it can help the worlds of business and technology. What Is It? The World Economic Forum (WEF) is an annual meeting held in Davos, a small ski resort town in the Swiss Alps. The WEF meeting in Davos […]
CumulusData has announced the completion of a key milestone in the construction of Phase 1 of its 475-megawatt zero-carbon “Susquehanna” data centre that’s directly connected to 2.5-gigawatt nuclear power stations. First Phase –Shell Ready For Lease The company, a subsidiary of Talen Energy, says that the construction of the powered shell for its first 48-megawatt, […]
You can use a hyphen after a search term to exclude words that you don’t want Google to search for. For example, the search may be for a mustang horse rather than a mustang car. Here’s how it works: Email: hello@gmal.co.uk Visit our contact us page Or call 020 8778 7759 Back to Tech News
This second part of ‘Why Use Outsourced IT Support?’ focuses on what kind of questions to ask when looking for your ideal outsourced IT support company. 10 Important Questions Here, we’ll focus on 10 important questions (although you may have others) and the reasons why you may want to ask them. Other Considerations Other things […]
Following a recent case where a remote worker was fined for ‘time theft’, we look at what it is, the legal and ethical aspects, and how it relates to employee monitoring software. What Is Time Theft? ‘Time theft’ refers to any instance in which an employee is paid for time they did not actually work. […]
A new AI feature for Nvidia’s Broadcast client will overlay your eyes with some deepfake ones which are always looking at the camera. Eye Contact Feature The ‘Eye Contact’ feature has been designed to make users/content creators look more engaged while video conferencing or during a live stream. The feature may make it easier for […]
Consumer champion Which? says that high-end smart products may lose features and functionality, or become a hacking risk, after as little as two years because manufacturers may stop tech updates. Stopping The Smart Updates Limits Lifespan Which? says it discovered the risk after analysing smart appliances in six key household product areas – washing machines, […]
Scientists from Kyung Hee University in Seoul have developed a clear window film that can cool the inside of buildings, thereby reducing the energy consumption from air conditioning in hot cities. Why? Cooling buildings in hot countries (e.g. using electric-powered air conditioning units) accounts for around 15 per cent of global energy consumption and air […]
If you need to research competitors (for example) and look at similar websites, or you need relevant search information about something but may not know the exact words to type in, here are two small Google tips that could be a big help: Searching for similar websites: To search for synonyms, for instance how to […]
In this feature, we look at some of the most prominent tech trends for 2023 and how businesses could benefit from them. A Dozen Key Tech Trends Here are as dozen key tech trends to watch this year. 1. Satellite mobile connections and satellite broadband are expected to become more widely available in 2023. This is thanks […]
Although figures show no bank robberies last year in Denmark, it appears online banking fraud and other forms of digital crime are now replacing the traditional ‘hold-up’. Why No Bank Robberies? It is believed that the recent Danish bank association ‘Finans Danmark’ figures showing no physical bank robberies in 2021 compared to 221 back in […]
Looking at this question in two parts, here we’ll be firstly looking at the pros and cons of opting for outsourced IT support. The Popularity Of Outsourced IT Support A considerable number of businesses in the UK now use outsourced IT support, as outsourcing has become a popular way for businesses to access specialised expertise […]
Iridium, a satellite phone company, and Qualcomm, a chip manufacturer, are partnering to bring satellite connectivity to premium Android smartphones later in the year. Connect To Satellites The Partnership will mean that in areas where there is no mobile coverage, users will be able to connect to passing satellites to send and receive messages using […]
Here we look at the new technologies which could lead to a more environmentally friendly and ‘cleaner’ shipping industry, plus we look briefly at promising clean tech innovations for air freight. The Challenge With 90 per cent of global trades transported by sea, traditional cargo ships are responsible for a significant portion of the world’s […]
If you have a Google account, you can use Google Drive to open and edit a PDF. Here’s how: Right click on the PDF in Google Drive and select ‘Open With > Google Docs’. Edit the PDF. To re-save it as a PDF, go to ‘File’ (top left), ‘Download > PDF Document (.pdf)’. Email: hello@gmal.co.uk Visit […]
In this article, we look at what ChatGPT is, what it can do, and what type of businesses could get the most out of it. What Is ChatGPT? Released by OpenAI in November 2022, ChatGPT is a free, text-based AI Chatbot that can answer questions, write essays seemingly on any subject, tell jokes, write literary parodies, […]
It’s been reported that global logistics firm DHL used “a good number” of leased robots to help it deal with high demand over the Christmas period. What For … And Where? The Wall Street Journal reported that DHL used leased robots for package handling over the Christmas period. Jobs the robots helped with include sorting/receiving/unloading [packages], moving […]
Microsoft has retained the No.1 spot in Drucker Institute’s annual Management Top 250 ranking for the best-run companies in the U.S. for the third year in a row, while rankings for some other tech companies have slipped. Top Five Not All Tech This Year One of the most notable aspects of this year’s rankings is that […]
US scientists have announced a major breakthrough in their efforts to create nuclear fusion energy after they were able to produce more energy from a fusion experiment than was put in, for the first time, ever. What Is Nuclear Fusion? Whereas current nuclear power plants split atoms in a process known as ‘fission’ to generate […]
Google’s Image Search allows you upload an image (or paste in the URL) to identify what a product is and where it can be found on the Web. This could be very useful when searching for presents. Here’s how it works. Email: hello@gmal.co.uk Visit our contact us page Or call 020 8778 7759 Back to Tech News
As part of Project Gigabit, the UK government has announced a trial of Starlink satellite broadband in the Lake District as part of wider plans to connect highly remote areas. What Is Starlink? Starlink, operated by billionaire Elon Musk’s SpaceX company uses a constellation of low orbit satellites around the earth (launched by SpaceX rockets) […]
Here, we look at more of the rapid changes at Twitter, what the reaction has been, how this has affected the platform, plus the wider implications. All Change The beginning of Twitter’s (current) saga was when the world’s richest man, Tesla and SpaceX founder, Elon Musk bought shares in the social media giant back in […]
The Government’s decision to amend the Online Safety Bill to allow ‘legal but harmful’ content has received a mixed reaction with criticism coming from The Samaritans. What Is The Online Safety Bill? The UK government’s Online Safety Bill, originally proposed by former PM Teresa May, is (draft) legislation that’s designed to place a ‘duty of […]
With the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) launching India’s first pilot for a retail digital rupee (e₹-R/eINR/E-Rupee) this month, we look at what this means and what the benefits could be. Why? The pilot will help to decide whether India could intrpduce one of the world’s first nationwide digital currencies. It is thought that having […]
FlyZero’s and UK Aerospace Technology Institute’s (ATI) study has concluded that green liquid hydrogen powered aircraft could deliver the net-zero 2050 target for aviation. Two Technologies The 12-month study results suggests that aviation can achieve net-zero by 2050 through the development of both sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and green liquid hydrogen technologies. What Is Green […]
If you need to quickly find images on any subject which already have a transparent background, there’s a quick and easy way to do it with Google’s Image Search. Here’s how: Email: hello@gmal.co.uk Visit our contact us page Or call 020 8778 7759 Back to Tech News
The announcement by San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors to allow the city’s police to use robots that can deploy “deadly force” in the fight against crime has been met with concern. What Killer Robots? According to a San Francisco Police Department policy document, the city has essentially approved the use of 17 robots, 5 of […]
A report from Seagate has highlighted how the rising costs of storing and managing data is hitting businesses hard. One-Third Of Company Budgets The report highlights how up to a third of company IT budgets are being eaten up by data management and storage costs at an average spend of £213,000 per year! Sleeping Giant […]
In this insight, we look at what ‘quiet quitting’ is, what its causes are, together with what could be done to prevent it. Quiet Quitting? Quiet quitting is a term commonly associated with employment where it refers to how workers decide to only do the job they’re being paid to without taking on extra duties […]
Following news of the collapse of FTX, we look at what it was plus the events leading up to its demise and the effects going forward. FTX FTX, until very recently, was a Bahamas-based cryptocurrency exchange, founded in 2019 which at its peak (July 2021) had more than one million users and was the third-largest cryptocurrency exchange […]
A report which shows huge sales of EVs in the US only resulted in only a 0.54 per cent fall in gasoline consumption in 2021 has led to disappointment and questions about the beneficial impact of EVs so far. EV Sales A recent Argonne National Lab report shows that a massive 2.1 million plug-in vehicles, […]
Microsoft’s OneDrive cloud storage system at Onedrive.com allows you to share files and folders with other members of your team, control who has permission to just view or to edit files and folders, and work together on them at the same time. Here’s how it works: Email: hello@gmal.co.uk Visit our contact us page Or call 020 8778 7759 […]
In this insight, we take a closer look at the new alternative positioning system to GPS that is accurate to within an incredible 10 centimetres. Issues With Current GPS System Society heavily relies on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) like GPS for positioning and navigation, as well as the distribution of time and frequency reference […]
A Helsinki startup has developed a ‘Medicine-as-a-Service’ system where drugs can be 3D printed to exactly match the needs of the patient in terms of their size, physiology, species, plus any allergies. CurifyLabs According to CurifyLabs, the startup that has created the system, there is one big drawback to the existing methods of administering medication. […]
Following the UK government’s decision back in June 2020 to remove all Huawei Equipment From 5G Network Cores, the deadline has now been pushed back to December 2023. Why Remove Huawei Equipment? The decision to remove the equipment in the UK dates back to the Trump era in the US, however worries about national security […]
Following a copyright lawsuit against an AI code generator and industry questions about who actually owns images made by AI text-to-image generators, we look at the legal issues (and others) surrounding generative AI. The Issue The recent lawsuit and questions from coders, artists, musicians, and other creatives show that the challenge is that there is […]
The University of Maine Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC) in the US has unveiled the first 3D-printed house made entirely with bio-based materials. BioHome3D The 600-square-foot prototype ‘BioHome3D’ has 3D-printed floors, walls and a roof made of wood-fibres and bio-resins. The fully recyclable house also has 100 per cent wood insulation and customisable R-values. […]
If you’d like a quick way to share a page from any website, Google Chrome gives you the option to share a QR code for any page. Here’s how it works: Email: hello@gmal.co.uk Visit our contact us page Or call 020 8778 7759 Back to Tech News
WhatsApp has given a progress update on new business-focused features that can embed the entire shopping experience directly into the WhatsApp chat. Find A Business – Browse Businesses By Category WhatsApp says that it is launching a new ‘Business Search’ feature. This allows users to browse businesses by category, or search by the business name. […]
Speaking in the House of Commons, UK chancellor of the exchequer Jeremy Hunt said that Brexit “freedoms” could be leveraged to “turn Britain into the world’s next Silicon Valley.” How? Mr Hunt highlighted artificial intelligence (AI), quantum technology and robotics as key areas he believes the UK could excel in. In his speech, he drew upon ‘lessons’ from […]
Following the roll-out of a range of new features for Google’s Maps, Search and shopping, we take a look at what they are and what benefits they could bring to users. Two New Features For Shopping It’s the ideal time of year to introduce new features to Google Shopping, hence the roll-out of two new […]
After a new report published which says that most business leaders plan to increase investment in sustainability initiatives to protect against disruption, we look at what this means. Report A recent Gartner report highlighted how 86 per cent of business leaders plan to increase their organisation’s investment in sustainability initiatives to protect against disruption and […]
A feasibility study is to be carried out into whether solar powered data centres could be put into orbit to reduce their carbon footprint. Who And What? The European Commission has chosen Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between aerospace and defence companies Thales (67 per cent) and Leonardo (33 per cent) to lead the […]
If you’d like to save time by making your most often used and/or favourite pages load automatically whenever you open Google Chrome, here’s how: In Chrome, click on the three dots top-right and select ‘Settings’. In the left-hand menu select ‘On startup’. Select ‘Open a specific page or set of pages’. Click on ‘Add new […]
Following announcements that Twitter under Musk will generate revenue by blue tick subscriptions, we look at what this means and at the blue tick chaos that followed the announcement. What Is this ‘Blue Tick’ ? Twitter’s paid-for Blue service, launched last year, is a subscription service – $7.99 (£6.99) per month in the US, also […]
Meta has announced that it is laying off a masive 13 per cent of its workforce globally in re-structuring market uncertainty about the Metaverse vision. Losses Lead To Layoffs Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, announced the 11,000-employee layoff from Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, after Reality Labs, the division building the metaverse, […]
Amazon is reported to be testing the machine learning ‘Sparrow’ robot arm that could handle 65 percent of its 100+ million diverse parcels. Challenge Although Amazon already uses robot arms called ‘Robin’ and ‘Cardinal’ to re-direct boxed-up pre-delivery items around its warehouses, the challenge has been to create a robot arm that can detect, recognise, […]
Zoom has announced that its new (beta) productivity tools, Zoom Mail and Calendar (clients and Services), combined with its existing features will mean that workers will have everything they need in one app. Give Workers A ‘Toggle Tax’ Break Zoom says that the new productivity tool, working together with existing features within Zoom, such as […]
With lab-grown, cultivated meat looking as though it could tackle environmental and animal welfare issues, we look at the Dutch origins of this new produce, its benefits, and how tech has played an important role in creating the product. What Is ‘Cultivated Meat’? Cultivated meat / cultured meat is real meat, but not taken from as […]
Microsoft Excel is still one of the world’s most widely used data tools and a new feature (for desktop), ‘Data from Picture’, means that you can now import a picture of a data table and convert it into a usable one within Excel. Here’s how: Save a cropped-down screenshot of an excel data table. Open […]
Privacy campaign group Big Brother Watch has filed a complaint to the ICO that the face recognition search engine PimEyes may be unlawful, plus it could be enabling surveillance and stalking. What Is PimEyes? PimEyes is a search engine that uses facial recognition technology to provide a reverse image search tool, and a photo search […]
Meta’s WhatsApp has announced the global rollout of it ‘Communities’ feature along with in-chat polls, 32-person video calling, and groups with up to 1024 users. Communities The Communities feature, for iOS and Android, allows users to connect multiple groups, e.g. schools, local clubs, non-profit organisations, and businesses together under one umbrella to organise group conversations […]
In this insight, we look at how you can use voice commands to carry out tasks in Windows, plus how speech recognition technology can be used for voice control of different systems and devices. How Does Speech / Voice Recognition Work? Voice commands can be used to carry out tasks in Windows, plus Android and […]
Here we look at what Matter 1.0 is, its advantages for the IoT and setting up a smart home (or office), and what its current limitations are. What Is Matter? Released just recently this October, Matter 1.0 is the new open standard that resolves interoperability and connectivity issues between all the IoT devices in smart […]
A prototype of an award-winning robotic fish design that filters water to trap microplastics has now been tested in lakes as well as the lab. Gilbert Wins Eleanor Mackintosh’s design for the glow-in-the-dark, water-filtering ‘Robo-fish’ named “Gilbert” won the University of Surrey’s public competition, the Natural Robotics Contest, which resulted in Gilbert being turned into […]
It’s been reported that if you have Google’s Enhanced Spellcheck enabled, it could be sending everything you type to Google’s servers, including passwords. Here’s how to stop that from happening: To check if you have enabled Google’s ‘Enhanced spell check’ copy and paste chrome://settings/?search=Enhanced+Spell+Check into the Chrome address bar (the omnibox). If ‘Basic spell check’ […]
Microsoft’s Social media platform LinkedIn has announced the introduction of new security features to help verify, identity, detect, and remove fake accounts, all aimed at boosting authenticity. Problem With Fake Accounts Back in April, researchers from the Stanford Internet Observatory reported finding more than one thousand fake ‘virtual’ employees with AI-generated faces on the LinkedIn […]
A recent Uswitch.com study has concluded that 5G connectivity has been overhyped, with many users yet to experience any real improvements in mobile speed or reliability. Overstated The study found that: One in six mobile users felt the power of 5G technology had been overstated. Less than half of those surveyed said they had seen […]
In this insight, we look at what a ‘Discord server’ is, how to set one up, and the pros and cons of Discord servers. What Is It? Launched in 2015, ‘Discord’ (https://discord.com/) is a (free to access) voice, video and text chat app where users can set up their own public server / dedicated virtual […]
After finally buying Twitter, firing the CEO, dissolving the Board, plus naming himself sole director and “Chief Twit,” we look at what’s happening at Twitter and where it could be heading. Twitter Takeover Following many months of negotiations, Tesla founder, Space X boss and world’s richest man Elon Musk finally bought Twitter in a $44bn […]
In what could be a huge step forward for environmental clean-ups, a team of researchers from the University of Washington has created a new technique for destroying so-called ‘forever chemicals’. What Are Forever Chemicals? ‘Forever chemicals’ refers to molecules / chemical compounds that are found in many different consumer, commercial, and industrial products and encountered […]
If you’re looking for a free, online image editor with plenty of functionality, you may want to try Photopea. With Photopea, you can edit photos, apply effects, filters, add text, and crop or resize pictures in your browser. It supports PSDs and you can export files in a number of popular formats including jpg, png, […]
Following a BBC report which suggested that TikTok was making money from families in Syrian camps begging for donations on its platform, we take a closer look at what’s happened and what’s being done about it. The Report The much publicised, recent BBC report followed 30 TikTok accounts broadcasting live from Syrian camps for people […]
(ISC)2’s 2022 Cybersecurity Workforce Study has highlighted how the workplace skills gap, particularly the gap in the number of cyber security professionals, has grown by 26.2 per cent in the last year. All Time High – But Still Not Enough The study revealed that even though the global cybersecurity workforce is at an all-time high, […]
New research from Gartner suggests that companies may be planning to increase their IT spend to help them meet the challenges of a recession. The Recession Following the worst bout of inflation for 40 years and a shrinking economy, in September the Bank of England raised interest rates as it reported that the UK is […]
Concordium Blockchain, COBRA, Aarhus University, the Alexandra Institute, and the IT University in Greenland have been given DKK 3.6 million (by DIREC) to research a blockchain-based online voting system for Greenland. What Is Blockchain & Why Might It Be Good For A Voting System? Blockchain is an incorruptible peer-to-peer network (a kind of ledger) that […]
The ‘Powerfoyle’ mini, screen printable solar cells produced by Swedish startup Exeger could be a breakthrough in providing a renewable, sustainable, potentially endless power source for all kinds of gadgets and devices. What Is ‘Powerfoyle’? Powerfoyle is a flexible solar cell that can be screen-printed into strips. Powerfoyle incorporates a special coloured dye which absorbs […]
If you’ve ever given your Gmail address for access to any third-party website, app, or game, there’s a way check which apps you’ve given access to, clean up any apps you no longer use, and keep your account safe. Here’s how: Go to myaccount.google.com. Click on ‘Security’. Scroll down to ‘third-party apps with account access’ […]
Gregory Micallef Associates Limited (GMA) announced this week that it has signed on as Champion for Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2022. What Is Cyber Security Awareness Month? Founded in 2004, Cybersecurity Awareness Month, held each October, is the world’s foremost initiative aimed at promoting cybersecurity awareness and best practices. The Cybersecurity Awareness Month Champions Program is […]
A new set of European Commission rules, called the AI Liability Directive, could make it easier for people injured in AI accidents to sue. Why? The European Commission says that the new proposals, which could become the first-ever legal framework on AI, are needed because: AI developers, deployers and users need clear requirements and obligations […]
Tesla and SpaceX boss Elon Musk has introduced a prototype humanoid robot named Optimus to attendees and the cameras at Tesla’s recent AI Day 2022 event. Useful Humanoid Robot Mr Musk told the audience that the idea behind Optimus was simply to “make a useful, humanoid robot as quickly as possible” and that Optimus has […]
After a recent Medix report noted the widescale adoption of “low-code” by business, we look at what it is, the reasons for its growth, and the pros and cons of using it. What Is Low Code? Low code applications are those built using visual, model-driven tools like drag-and-drop modelers, smart services, components, and pre-built connectors rather […]
In this insight, we look at a dozen Microsoft products / apps that you may not know much about, but which could be helpful to your businesses. 1. MS Dynamics CRM. Microsoft’s Dynamics 365 a flexible, customisable pay as you use CRM which has 5 million+ users. The benefits include that it seamlessly integrates with other […]
The development of a battery-free, wireless underwater camera by MIT engineers could help to build more accurate climate models and help scientists to better understand how climate change impacts the underwater world. Challenges A massive 95 percent of Earth’s oceans have never been observed, meaning that we have seen less of the ocean than we […]
The combined address bar and search box in Google Chrome has been improved to allow you to search your bookmarks, history and tabs, as well as the Web. Here’s how to do it: To activate this new feature in Chrome 105 (released in September): Type chrome:flags into the address bar of Chrome (also known as […]
With the news that as of 20 September 2022, the new Windows 11 update started its rollout in 190+ countries, we look at what it includes and how these elements could benefit your business. The Focus Microsoft says that the new Windows 11 22H2 update takes account of the move to flexible work, and is […]
Following the announcement by the USB Promoter Group of the imminent arrival of the new USB4® Version 2.0 connectivity standard, we look at what is, and what advantages it offers. What Is USB4 Version 2.0? USB4® Version 2.0 specification (USB4 2.0) is the name for the newest Universal Serial Bus standard, which is the plug-and-play […]
UK communications regulator Ofcom has announced that it will soon be launching a market study under the Enterprise Act 2002 into competition in the UK’s cloud sector and its ‘hyperscalers’. What Is The Enterprise Act 2002? The Enterprise Act 2002, which came into force on 20 June 2003, reformed competition, and consumer law enforcement in […]
Following a move by the Iranian government to restrict access to Meta’s WhatsApp, the company has said in a tweet that it “will do anything” within its technical ability to keep its service up and running for Iranian users. What Happened? After protests which followed the death of a woman, 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, in police custody in Tehran, […]
With the UK’s ban on fracking for shale gas in England that has been in place since 2019 now formally lifted, we look at the technology involved and how fracking fits in with the idea of sustainability. What Is Fracking? Fracking is the term for drilling into geologically complex layers of rock and pumping a […]
If you’re using Microsoft Word and you need to put a list in alphabetical order based on the second word in each list entry, e.g. by surname in a list of names, here’s how: Highlight the text list. Click on the A-Z button in the top menu (Home > Sort), and ‘Options’ (bottom left list). […]
Arguably no phrase has dominated the tech world the last 24 months more than the term “data breach.” From breaches that have impacted critical infrastructure like the Colonial Pipeline to hackers compromising healthcare records at UC San Diego Health, the last two years have been saturated by headlines of cyber security mishaps. Yet, despite the […]
A new study by 1Password has revealed that almost half of employees put their companies at risk by using risky online habits to avoid difficulties logging in and out of apps at work. Taking Risks With Company Security The study, by passwords manager maker 1Password which surveyed 2,000 US workers, found that 44 per cent […]
Google has been given the largest ever anti-trust fine of 4.125 billion euros from the EU, following an unsuccessful appeal. What Was The Anti-Trust Issue? The European Commission (EC) originally fined Google in 2018 for breaching its anti-trust laws by forcing Android phone-makers to install the Google search and web browser apps in order to […]
The most popular altcoin and second-largest cryptocurrency by volume, Ethereum, has switched to a new operating model which uses 99.95 per cent less energy! The Merge ‘The Merge,’ which the change is being called, and which finally happened on September 15, refers to the original Ethereum Mainnet merging with a separate proof-of-stake blockchain called the […]
If you’d like to customise and personalise your Chrome browser, including changing the colour, the theme, and the avatar, here’s how: Click on the three dots (top right) and click on ‘Settings.’ Click on ‘You and Google.’ Pick a theme colour and pick an avatar. To add a theme, click on ‘Appearance’ (left hand side […]
Ahead of the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, we look at the technology the monarch was known to use during her reign. Embracing Technology? Queen Elizabeth II very much embraced and enjoyed technology and the Queen’s reign of 70 years meant that she was able to witness, use, and enjoy technology as we would […]
In this insight, we take a look at some of the many options available for sharing files that self-destruct. Why? Many business IT users have occasions where they need to send sensitive information, e.g. passwords and other private work data and files but would feel uneasy about simply sending it via the normal email system, […]
With Google announcing that Android 13 gives businesses using Android Enterprise new ways to get more out of their devices, we take a look at what the more business focused OS offers. Simplifying The Separation And Management of Personal and Work Profiles Android’s Work profile already helps keep company data accessible and secure, with personal profile data […]
The Candela P-12 Shuttle electric ferry, recently unveiled and due to enter service in between Stockholm city and the Ekerö suburb next year, can dramatically cut journey times. Faster Than Stockholm’s Cars and Subway? The makers of the world’s fastest, longest-range, and most energy efficient electric ship ever, the electric-powered the Candela P-12 Shuttle, claim that […]
If you’re working with lots of tabs open but want to be able to quickly locate essential web pages in your Google Chrome browser, try pinning important tabs to the left-hand side. Here’s how: Right-click on the tab and select ‘Pin’. The pinned tab will appear as a smaller tab to the left of your […]
In this article, we compare the TikTok and YouTube platforms and take a look at some of the pros and cons of each. Similarities There are several important similarities between YouTube and TikTok. For example: Both are popular video-sharing social media platforms that encourage user-generated content. Both platforms also cater for content from individual […]
In this insight, we look at what Softaculous is, what features it offers, and how it can be used to help businesses. What Is It? Softaculous is a time and hassle-saving, open-source app, auto-script installer that enables the user to install any app in a couple of clicks, and to install and configure many different […]
Cruise company Royal Caribbean Group has announced that it will be using Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Starlink satellite Internet for broadband connections aboard its ships. What Is Starlink? Starlink, operated by billionaire Elon Musk’s SpaceX company uses a constellation of low orbit satellites around the earth (launched by SpaceX rockets) to provide broadband internet. Starlink […]
The UK government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has proposed a new set of rules to tighten up network security against cyberattacks in broadband and mobile carriers. Amongst The Strongest In The World The government says that the new regulations and code of practice, developed with the National Cyber Security Centre and Ofcom, […]
A study by the University of South Australia’s Future Industries Institute has revealed that with no plans in place for the recycling of end-of-life wind turbines has meant that they are causing a waste problem that looks set to get worse. What’s The Problem? There are several key issues at the root of the end-of-life […]
If you’d like a really fast way to sketch out your creative ideas on a digital canvas and quickly download or share the image, try Google Canvas. Here’s how it works: Go to https://canvas.apps.chrome/. Choose a pen, pencil, crayon, eraser, colour, size, and opacity from the left-hand menu. Click on the layers symbol (top right) […]
In this article, we look at how the risks to businesses posed by pirated software can far outweigh the benefits of using it, and how you can protect your business from the true costs of pirated software. Benefits On the surface, there appears to be some clear benefits to using pirated software such as acquiring […]
Thames Water has said that it wants to work with data centres in its jurisdiction to enable them to use raw water rather than drinking quality water for cooling. Switching To Raw Rather Than Drinking Quality Water Just as the drought has led Thames Water to introduce a hosepipe ban affecting 15 million customers in […]
With the world facing a considerable semiconductor microchip shortage, we take a look at the causes and effects of the shortage plus some potential solutions. Why Is This Important? Microchips are now included in virtually everything from watches to white goods and crucially in larger, high demand, big industry items such as cars. Many products […]
Following an experiment by Bristol and Cambridge Universities, Google has announced that it plans to run adverts on YouTube, TikTok, Twitter and Facebook, educating users about how to spot disinformation and misinformation. ‘Pre-Bunking’ Experiment The University experiment which led to Google’s decision to run adverts was based on the idea of ‘pre-bunking’ from ‘Inoculation Theory.’ […]
French company Alstom has announced a renewable energy world-first by operating a 100 percent hydrogen train which only emits steam and condensed water while operating with a low level of noise. Replacing Diesel Trains The train called the Coradia iLint, which operates on a route in Bremervörde, Lower Saxony, Germany, is the first of 14 […]
If you’d like to improve your productivity and focus on daily tasks, but in a way that works with your existing behaviour patterns, and doesn’t create ever-longer to-do lists, ‘My Day’ in Microsoft’s ‘To Do’ cross-platform app may help. Here’s how to use it: Go to https://todo.microsoft.com/tasks/ and sign-in with your online Microsoft 365 login […]
In this article, we look at what ‘job phishing’ is, how it works, and how you can protect yourself from this type of fraud. What Is Job Phishing? Job phishing refers to recruitment/employment scams where fraudsters pose as recruitment agents or reputable companies. The fraudsters post fake job descriptions and information about their businesses on […]
In this insight, we take a brief look at Calendy contrasted against Microsoft Bookings and highlight some of the pros and cons of each. Calendy Founded in 2013, Calendy is a SaaS meeting and event scheduling app for website, Chrome extension or mobile app, which has 100+ partner integrations, and has 10 million users worldwide. […]
Microsoft Excel’s new @mentions feature allows users to create, assign, and track tasks in a workbook, thereby making collaboration in Excel easier. Added To Roadmap 2020 The @mentions feature, which was added to Excel for the web in 2020 and added to the Microsoft 365 roadmap in January 2021, has been made popular through its […]
A Google data centre going offline in July due to a cooling related failure is just one of a slew of challenges posed by climate change that the big tech companies are facing. Heatwave Knocks London Data Centre Offline The heatwave in July caused outages due to cooling problems at a London data centre used […]
Researchers from US Carnegie Mellon University have concluded that quadcopter drones produce much less greenhouse gas emissions than traditional alternatives for last-mile delivery. The Problem The point of the research was to shine a light on the energy productivity of freight transportation, which has traditionally been a real challenge in an overwhelmingly petroleum-powered transport sector […]
Here’s a simple tip using Notepad to check if your antivirus is working as it should: Open Notepad. Type X5O!P%@AP[4\PZX54(P^)7CC)7}$EICAR-STANDARD-ANTIVIRUS-TEST-FILE!$H+H* into notepad. Save the file as either e.g., test.exe or test.bat (cyber criminals often exploit bat as well as exe files to launch malicious scripts). Scan the file with your antivirus and if it detects […]
In this insight, we look at what Microsoft Azure is, plus what it offers businesses. Azure Microsoft Azure (formerly Windows Azure) is Microsoft’s public cloud computing platform. Public cloud refers to cloud computing services offered over the public Internet and available to anyone, i.e. the services are shared with multiple customers rather than just controlled […]
Advanced, an IT supplier to the NHS, has been hit by a ransomware attack that could take a month to recover from. What Happened? Birmingham-based ‘Advance’ provides digital services to the NHS such as patient check-in and NHS 111. The company’s Adastra software works with 85 per cent of NHS 111 services. Advanced reported spotting […]
New privacy features being rolled out this month mean that WhatsApp users can now leave group chats silently. Three New Privacy Features WhatsApp has announced the introduction of three new privacy features: Leave Groups Silently, Choose Who Can See When You’re Online, and Screenshot Blocking For View Once Messages. Leave Groups Silently – For users […]
Communications regulator Ofcom has opened an investigation to make sure that telecoms providers are complying with rules to ensure that there is always uninterrupted access to 999 calls. Investigation Into Compliance With General Condition A3.2(b) The new investigation will essentially decide whether providers are operating in a way that meets with General Condition A3.2(b), which relates to […]
Apple’s Vice President of the environment, Lisa Jackson, has announced that all iPhones will be powered by renewable energy by 2030. Acquiring Renewable Energy From Wind Farms The announcement was made in Australia while celebrating the company’s 40th anniversary there. It is understood that in line with this announcement, Apple will be acquiring renewable energy […]
With so many of us using WhatsApp for important business matters, it makes sense to backup chats either on Google Drive or iCloud Drive. Here’s how: To make a Google Drive backup: Open WhatsApp and Tap More options (the three dots). Select Settings > Chats > Chat backup > Back up to Google Drive. Select […]
While some people are busy asking whether we’re seeing the death of cryptocurrencies, a new report says 60 percent of us will be using digital wallets by 2026. Digital Wallet Usage Driven By ‘Superapps’ A Juniper Research study says that the presence of ‘superapps’ will drive digital wallet use in developing countries that are currently […]
With the Online Safety Bill threatening to undermine end-to-end encryption, we look at the strengths and weaknesses of this security trade-off. Encryption Encryption comes from the science of cryptography. In today’s digital world, encryption refers to using electronic devices to generate unique encryption algorithms which essentially scramble messages and data, making them unintelligible to anyone […]
Google has made it easier to do quoted searches by adding snippets to search results to help users save time in locating a phrase in a web page. Quoted Searches Quoted Searches are searches where the search term is placed within quotation marks to find an exact match in the search engine results. However, although […]
In this insight, we take a look at what GitHub and GitLab are, and why they are important in the world of software development. GitHub, from GitHub Inc., is a not-for-profit website and cloud-based hosting service for open-source development projects – it is the largest open-source host. It helps developers, working on software projects, to […]
In this article, we look at how super-strong Graphene can be used to make projects and products more environmentally friendly. What is Graphene? Graphene is a one-atom-thick layer of carbon atoms arranged in a two-dimensional honeycomb-style hexagonal lattice. Not only is it the building-block of Graphite, but it is also the thinnest material known to man […]
If you need to instantly deliver important and time-sensitive information to contacts and groups in WhatsApp, you could use ‘voice messages.’ Here’s how to use this feature: To send a voice message Open an individual or group chat. Tap and hold the microphone and start speaking. Once finished, remove your finger from the microphone. The […]
Following Amazon suing the admins of more than 10,000 Facebook groups over an alleged co-ordinated fake reviews campaign, we look at how to spot fake reviews and dubious ratings on Amazon. Why Use Fake Reviews? On the site of one of the world’s largest retailers and the top online marketplace, large numbers of positive reviews […]
A 1976 Apple-1 prototype, believed to have been owned by Steve Jobs and hand-soldered by Steve Wozniak is being auctioned and is expected to fetch around $500,000. At $400,000+ Already! The prototype is essentially a broken circuit board with a crack in it but at the time writing this, after 19 bids and with the […]
A new Oxford University study involving 38,935 video-game players overs six weeks has concluded that there is little to no evidence for a causal connection between game play and well-being. Why Do We Believe Spending Time Playing Video / Online Games Is Bad For Us? A combination of previous research, social judgements, anecdotal evidence, online […]
Google has announced that due to the need for more time to evaluate alternatives, it is delaying (by nine months) its plans to rid Chrome of third-party tracking cookies. Third-Party Cookies A cookie is a piece of code (used for tracking) that takes the form of a small text file that is stored on the […]
Researchers at the University of Colorado in Boulder have developed a net carbon neutral (or even carbon negative) method of producing Portland cement by substituting quarried limestone with limestone produced by microalgae. The Problem With Traditional Portland Cement The problem with traditional Portland cement is that it is made by quarrying limestone in large quarries and […]
One way to get more organised when using Google Chrome is to group open website tabs together with a click to keep related pages together in one workspace. Chrome’s ‘Group tabs’ lets your give the groups a label/name and colour. Here’s how: Right-click a browser tab. Click ‘Add Tab to new group.’ Click ‘New Group’ […]
With an ONS survey showing that from October to December 2019 and January to March 2022, homeworking in the UK more than doubled from 4.7 million to 9.9 million people, we take a closer look at the figures and what’s behind them. COVID 19 Pandemic Triggered Huge Rise In Homeworking With the UK government first […]
With young people now unlikely to read newspapers or watch the TV news, and following the latest Ofcom report, we look at which channels people get their news from. Decline of Printed Newspapers Newspaper readership has been declining for many years but the drop in readership during the pandemic years has been much more pronounced, […]
Google has sacked senior software engineer Blake Lemoine, who made the news after saying that Google’s LaMDA chatbot’s responses to questions showed that it was a sentient being. What Happened? Back in June, Google engineer Blake Lemoine reported that the Language Model for Dialogue Applications (LaMDA ) AI system bot may have feelings and was […]
For those who have so many apps open that they run out of space on the taskbar, Microsoft is adding an overflow button where the excess ones can be accessed. Overflow – Button With Three Dots For those who need it (i.e. those who are in the habit of having many apps open at once), […]
Finnish engineers, Markku Ylönen and Tommi Eronen have made a giant battery which stores heat from green energy within sand that can be used as an all-year-round energy supply. Sand Battery The Finnish engineers’ company, Polar Night Energy, has made a sand battery in Kankaanpää, in the west of Finland. The battery consists of a […]
Save both time and effort with this ever-so-easy way to copy web data into excel. Instead of copying and pasting chunks of data at a time, e.g. from a table on web page, simply copy the URL of the page you’d like to get the data from. Here’s how: Open Excel. Click on ‘Data’ (top […]
In this tech-insight, we look how extreme heat can affect IT hardware and what measures you can take to keep the equipment cool and prevent damage. High Temperatures Hot weather UK-style is not normally a problem. With an average temperature here of about 14 °C, temperatures over 30 °C are a fairly rare occurrence – although becoming more […]
BMW UK is now offering ConnectedDrive owners Front Seat Heating for a £15 per month or £150 per year subscription. BMW ConnectedDrive Services BMW ConnectedDrive Services use the smart / Internet connected element of the car to enable owners to use software to activate more services in the car by paying a subscription for each, […]
Vodafone and Virgin Media O2 have announced that their customers will be joining both Three and EE’s customers in having access to high-speed mobile connectivity on London’s Tube network, including within the tunnels. Joined BAI As confirmed by Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, Vodafone and Virgin Media O2 have joined BAI Communications’ 4G and […]
In this article, we look at what eyestrain is, what causes it, and the many measures you can take to prevent it. What Is Eyestrain? Eyestrain is eye fatigue, caused by intensely focusing the eyes during a task, such as staring at a computer screen (or phone screen) for extended periods, driving, reading, or engaging […]
Nipping along the road on an EScooter sounds like a perfect way to get around which is touted as being easily-accessible, cheap and pollution-free. So, it should be a no-brainer, right? However, with some research now showing that rental Escooters haven’t reduced carbon emissions in cities, we look at whether they are as green an […]
If you are reading a web page or blog in Google Chrome and come across a term you’d like to know about, Google has a built-in way to search for that term simply as a result of when you highlight the text with your mouse. Here’s how it works: In Google Chrome, find a term […]
Following recent security concerns about Amazon’s plans to enable Alexa to mimic voices, we look at how easy it is to do, what the benefits are, and what risks it poses. Alexa The Mimic Recently, Amazon announced that it was working on technology to enable its Alexa digital assistant to take on the voice of […]
Following a recent Intellectual Property Office (IPO) consultation, it has been decided that AI will not be allowed to patent inventions. What’s The Issue? As highlighted by a legal battle dating back to 2018, some people believe that if AI systems invent something, they should be granted the status of being listed as the inventor […]
Rising electricity prices, energy-hungry crypto mining operations and falling cryptocurrency prices are thought to be behind a significant decrease in the amount of electricity being used for crypto mining. What Is Crypto Mining? Crypto mining, such as Bitcoin mining, uses specialised computers that are constantly powered-on and connected to the cryptocurrency network to verify transactions […]
In this article, we take a brief look at the relative merits of Office 365 compared to Google Workspace and how Google’s recent introduction of features and greater integration have been aimed at challenging Microsoft 365’s dominant position. Google Workspace Many of us are likely to have started with a Gmail account and witnessed how, […]
Tata Chemicals Europe has opened the UK’s largest industrial-scale carbon capture facility at its chemical plant in Cheshire to convert carbon dioxide into food and pharmaceutical-grade sodium bicarbonate. Capturing 10% Of The Carbon Dioxide Produced The £20 million Tata Chemicals Europe carbon capture unit at its chemical plant unit in Northwich will capture more than […]
If you’re off on your holidays and days out to enjoy the warm weather, there’s an audible speed trap feature in Google Maps can help you monitor your speed and avoid a getting a ticket. Here’s how to use it: In Google Maps, tap on your profile photo (top right). Tap on ‘Settings’. Tap Navigation […]
The new Privacy Auditing feature in Windows 11 allows users to see a list of which apps have accessed their microphone or camera recently, plus details of any other suspicious activity. See Which Apps Have Accessed Your Microphone and Camera David Weston, Microsoft’s VP for Enterprise and OS Security, highlighted the new privacy feature in […]
Social media app Instagram has announced that it is testing new methods for age verification of users, including the use of a video selfie. What Are The Issues? This latest announcement by Meta’s (Facebook) Instagram is an extension of an age verification program which the company began in 2019. Finding new technology-based ways to confirm […]
With identity theft and the resulting identity fraud becoming more widespread, we look at how to spot the signs that you may be a victim, the effects on victims, plus how to reduce the risk of having your identity stolen and used for fraud. What Are Identity Theft and Identity Fraud? Identity theft is when […]
In this tech-insight, we look at what Wi-Fi 5 And 6 are including their differences plus the improvements that Wi-Fi 6 offers. Wi-Fi Standards Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6 are the names of the most recent Wi-Fi standards. Wi-Fi standards are sets of services and protocols that dictate how a Wi-Fi network (and other data […]
Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a device that can desalinate water at least one thousand times faster than existing methods. A Membrane Made From Tiny Fluorine-Based Nanoscopic Rings Scientists at the Tokyo School of Engineering’s Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology constructed tiny fluorine-based nanoscopic rings that were coated with a hydrophobic surface of a […]
If you’d like to get more at-a-glance organisation and track all items related to a project or task in your Microsoft Outlook calendar, colour-coding can help. Here’s how to add it: From the main calendar view, right click on an appointment, meeting, or event in your calendar, select ‘Categorize’ and select a colour category. From […]
A government Bill has laid out a new UK data protection regime (which diverges from EU regulations) and which the government says will ease the burden of compliance on businesses. Data Reform Bill The government says that the ‘Data Reform Bill’, announced in this year’s Queen’s Speech, and outlined as part of London Tech Week, […]
A Strengthened EU ‘Code of Practice on Disinformation’ will require big tech companies to take more action to ensure that purveyors of disinformation do not benefit from advertising revenues. Broader Range Of Commitments The strengthened ‘Code of Practice on Disinformation’ will aim to achieve the objectives of the European Commission’s Guidance presented in May 2021, […]
In this insight, we look at what ‘data gravity’ is, what challenges it creates, and some ways in which businesses can tackle data gravity challenges. What Is Data Gravity? Working with (larger) datasets means the need to collect, store and manage the data and move it around to different applications. The data then accumulates (builds […]
Microsoft’s Internet Explorer browser has been retired after 27 years and here we take a brief look back over its history and why it fell behind competitors before being succeeded by Microsoft Edge. It Came From ‘Mosaic’ Microsoft first launched its Internet Explorer (IE) browser in 1995. The browser was built under license to Microsoft […]
Scientists at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have created renewable, sustainable ‘biocement’ made entirely from waste materials, making it a greener and more sustainable alternative to regular cement. How? The NTU scientists have used two common waste materials, industrial carbide sludge (the waste material from the production of acetylene gas) and urea (from the urine of […]
If you want to add an extra layer of privacy to sending a photo or video in WhatsApp (e.g. a photo of a password), adding a “view once” designation before sending the message means that the photo or video will disappear as soon as the recipient has opened the message and exited the media viewer. […]
The growing number of cyber-attacks since the start of Russia’s war against Ukraine have led The Russian Foreign Ministry to warn that more western cyber-attacks on its infrastructure could lead to a direct military confrontation. Housing Ministry Website Hack The warning followed an apparent cyber-attack on the Russian housing ministry website which led to a […]
Following the recent news that the EU plans to introduce a single, universal charger for all devices, it has been reported that the UK has said that it is not currently considering copying the idea. Just One Universal Charger Cable A week ago, the EU parliament announced that by autumn 2024, USB Type-C will become […]
In this insight, we take a look at Shopify, what it offers, and how it has grown to become a major e-commerce platform. Where And Who? The Canadian-based Shopify Inc. is a multinational e-commerce company founded in 2006 by Tobias Lütke and Scott Lake after they tried to set up an online store for snowboarding […]
Following news of a Freedom of Information (FOI) disclosure revealing a lack of public reprimands issued over GDPR breaches in the public sector, we take a closer look at the FOI, what it can be used for, and how it’s linked to the ICO. What Is The Freedom of Information Act? The Freedom of Information […]
A report by datacentre energy management company Schneider Electric has highlighted a sustainability action gap between the statements of intent and actions of IT companies. The Research The research for the report, carried out with Forrester and 451 Research, collected data from 3,000 global cloud and IT businesses, and comments about the IT industry’s lack […]
If you have the Google Photos app, you can use ‘Google Lens’ to identify a picture and show search results about the objects featured in a photo, e.g. an animal, a plant, or a building you took a photo of on holiday. Here’s how it works: Open the Google Photos App. Open one of your […]
The new AI-based interview Warmup tool from Google uses questions from a series of industry experts to help users prepare for job interviews. Tech Jobs And Skills Gap Googe says that this news Interview Warmup tool was developed as part of its own Google Career Certificates programme which offers professional-level online training. The programme was […]
The new, free Firefox Translations browser extension translates websites in the browser without using the cloud, using machine learning. Client-Side Translations Firefox Translations provides automated translation of web content but, unlike cloud-based alternatives, the translation is done locally, on the client-side, so that the text being translated does not leave the user’s machine. With Firefox […]
In this tech-insight, we look at what a blockchain domain is, what it is used for, how to buy one, and what may bring them more into mainstream usage. What Is Blockchain? Blockchain is an incorruptible peer-to-peer network (a kind of ledger) that allows multiple parties to transfer value in a secure and transparent way. […]
The world’s first ‘exascale’ computer, called the ‘Frontier’ computing system (i.e. a supercomputer) from Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee, has smashed the exascale computing speed barrier. What Is The Exascale? The exascale is a computing system threshold / level of computing performance of a quintillion calculations per second, i.e. a computer that’s capable of […]
New York state lawmakers have passed a two-year ban on energy-hungry ‘proof-of-work’ crypto mining that uses carbon-based fossil fuel power plants. Energy-Hungry Crypto-Mining One of the big environmental challenges of cryptocurrency mining is that it requires a large amount of power. For example, Bitcoin “mining” uses specialised Bitcoin computers that are constantly powered on and […]
If you’re meeting up with someone, or you want a friend to know exactly where you are (which can be a useful safety feature) WhatsApp has a fast and easy way to share your location with someone at the tap of a button. Here’s how to use it: Tap on the + sign or the […]
Google has announced that users of Google Drive can now use the familiar keyboard shortcuts Ctrl + C (or ⌘ + C on Mac), Ctrl + X and Ctrl + V to copy, cut and paste Google Drive files via the Chrome browser. Timesaving And About Time By (finally) introducing what is now a decades-old feature […]
With Macs getting a huge boost in popularity over the pandemic and a new report showing Mac shipments growing almost twice as fast as the PC market as a whole in 2021, we look at why more businesses are embracing Macs, and also what challenges Macs can bring. The Pandemic And Digital Transformation Digital transformation in […]
A recent ‘Mobile Phone Trends’ report has highlighted how the quality and reliability of mobile phone calls in the UK are improving. So, what’s helping to bring about this change and why is it so important now? The Figures Some of the key figures highlighted in the report (by testing company RootMetrics) that show an improvement […]
Zoom has announced that its new apps, updates, and features will improve collaboration and creativity, thereby increasing engagement and interaction among attendees of hybrid-working meetings. Collaborate Mode Zoom says that its new ‘Collaborate Mode’ will improve engagement by elevating the screen-sharing model to be interactive, with participants seeing the host’s app view (similar to a […]
Rather than EV drivers waiting for 40 minutes to re-charge the car battery at a charging station, could the solution be stations where drivers can quickly swap their battery for a fully charged one? Swap Battery Rather Than Wait To Re-Charge Chinese electric carmaker, Nio, recently made the news with exactly this idea (which is […]
If you need to hold a group meeting, you’ll be pleased to know that WhatsApp allows users to make a group voice call for up to 32 participants for free! Here’s how: Open the group chat you want to voice call. Tap ‘Voice call’ and confirm your decision. The first seven people who answer can […]
If you have a touchscreen PC, Windows 11 gives you the option to customise the touch keyboard with different colours and themes. Here’s how: To enable the touch keyboard in the first place, right-click the taskbar and select ‘Taskbar settings’. Click on ‘Touch keyboard’ to turn it on. To customise the touch keyboard, press the […]
Following the launch of the new business-focused WhatsApp Cloud API, we take a look at where Facebook’s (i.e. Meta) popular secure chat app is heading. Cloud API Last week, Facebook’s WhatsApp announced that it was opening WhatsApp to all businesses and developers with a new cloud-based API service. WhatsApp Cloud API, on the WhatsApp Business Platform, offers businesses […]
With the next update, as part of Microsoft’s 365 roadmap, Outlook users will soon be able to ‘react’ to Outlook emails without sending or receiving incremental emails. Like Emojis The Microsoft ‘Reactions’ feature will enable Outlook users to choose a thumbs up, laugh, heart, celebrate, or shed a tear reaction to emails. As well as applying […]
The UK government’s MI5-run ‘Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure’ has launched a new app to help people spot approaches from foreign spies and organised criminals seeking sensitive information. Really? How Big Is The Problem? According to MI5, it spotted 10,000 UK nationals across society being approached last year via fake social media profiles, […]
In this insight, we look at the development, applications, and issues relating to new ‘smart eye’ wearables such as smart glasses and contact lenses. Smart Contact Lenses Smart contact lenses, such as those in development by health and technology company Mojo, use a tiny micro-LED display the size of a grain of sand to display […]
With container ships being bigger greenhouse gas producers that aeroplanes, London-based company ‘Seabound’ has developed technology that reduces up to 95 per cent of CO2 emissions per ship. The Problem The shipping industry is responsible for producing around 940 million tonnes of CO2 annually, which equates to at least 2.5 per cent of the world’s total […]
Following last month’s announcement, Meta’s WhatsApp is rolling-out emojis and the ability to share files within WhatsApp up to 2GB in size. Communities The new features are being added as part of WhatsApp’s “vision for Communities” where the idea is to “help people have the next best thing to an in-person conversation when they want to talk to […]
In this insight, we look what ereaders are, their strengths and weaknesses, and popular makes and models. Ereaders Ereaders / e-book readers / e-book devices are mobile electronic devices that look similar to tablets and are designed primarily for the purpose of reading digital e-books, newspapers and magazines which the user downloads to the device. […]
With its volatile past and with a recent survey showing that almost one-third of small businesses in the US now accept them as payment, we look at who accepts CryptoCoins in payment for goods and services. Cryptocurrencies CryptoCoins / cryptocurrencies are digital/virtual currencies, secured by cryptography with no central issuing or regulating authority and don’t […]
ICANN, the US-based non-profit organisation responsible for overseeing the Internet’s Domain Name System (DNS) has turned down a request by Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister to revoke Russian domain names. The Request In a published response from Göran Marby, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), he outlined what Ukraine’s […]
A fast-growing Amsterdam-based start-up, The Great Bubble Barrier, has created a barrier (as the name suggests) that uses bubbles to stop plastic waste from entering waterways and to remove plastic from them. Most Plastic Travels Via Rivers And Canals Each year, up to 80 per cent of the 8 million tons of plastic reaching the […]
If, like many people, you have a Gmail account that contains all manner of important personal and / or business emails, Gmail’s ‘Takeout’ feature provides a handy way to back them up. Here’s how to use it: Log in to your Google and go to Gmail. Click on the profile icon (top right) and select […]
Apple, Google and Microsoft have announced that they are joining forces to support a common passwordless sign-in standard that will allow websites and apps to offer consistent, secure and easy sign-ins across devices and platforms. The Problem With Password-Only Relying on password-only authentication is known to present many risks and challenges such as managing multiple […]
The UK government has announced that it is giving statutory powers to the new Digital Markets Unit (DMU) regulator to enforce pro-competition rules and protect users from the “unfair practices” of big tech companies. New Watchdog To Prevent Abuse of Market Power Following a consultation in July 2021, the government says that it is giving […]
In this article, we look at how there are several risks and challenges associated with sending email attachments, how businesses can track emails, and about a new product that could allow greater visibility and control of what happens to email attachments after they’ve been sent. What Happens When Emails With Attachments Are Sent? Modern email […]
In this insight, we look at where Virtual Reality (VR) is now, plus what predictions there are for its future. Potted History Virtual Reality (VR) is a simulated and fully immersive experience that obscures the natural world, which is used for entertainment, education and business. The very first VR headset / head-mounted display (HMD) dates […]
With our devices using lithium-ion batteries and with Electronic Vehicles (EVs) currently dependent on lithium for their rechargeable batteries, we look at the environmental impact of lithium mining, and what the possible alternatives could be. Lithium Lithium is a naturally occurring element found in ionic minerals like petalite, lepidolite, and spodumene, and is a soft, silvery-white […]
With so many of us depending on our smartphones for many aspects of our business and personal life, and with electricity prices rising, here are some ways to reduce battery consumption and save electricity: Use Dark Mode (for OLED screens). Stick with 4G rather than 5G. Reduce your screen refresh rate (via Settings). Opt for […]
In this article, we look at the legal issues around recording calls on your mobile, and the different methods for doing so. Is It Legal To Record Phone Calls On Your Mobile? In the UK, as an individual mobile phone user, generally speaking, secretly recording a conversation is not a criminal offence and is not […]
In this article, we look at the immediate challenges ahead for Twitter with Elon Musk now at the helm, plus we look at some of the likely ways that he could start adding more revenue. What Happened? Billionaire Elon Musk recently became Twitter’s largest shareholder after acquiring a 9.2 per cent stake in the social […]
Google has announced that it is changing its policies to allow more types of personally identifiable information removal requests. Personal Information Showing Up In Google Search Google acknowledges that personally identifiable information of some users can and does show up in Google search queries. This can make users concerned, e.g. about how it could be […]
With many governments (including the UK Government) being targeted with Pegasus phone-spying software, there’s now news that Spain’s PM’s has also been hit. What Is Pegasus? Pegasus spyware is sold by Israeli-based NSO Group to governments to carry out surveillance by infecting phones with surveillance software. The software is sold to nation states, for millions […]
New research by British Gas (Centrica) has revealed that UK households could save an average of £147 per year on their electricity bills by switching off their ‘vampire electronics’. What Are Vampire Devices? So-called ‘vampire devices’ are those household electronic devices, plugged into the mains, that continue to drain power even when left on standby. […]
If you need a really fast and simple way to remove the background from any photo, you may wish to try using ‘removebg’. Here’s how it works: – Go to www.remove.bg. – Click on ‘Upload An Image’ to upload the photo from your device that you would like to remove the background from. – The […]
The University of Toronto’s Citizen Lab has reported finding evidence that Pegasus spyware was being used to listen-in on UK government networks for 10 Downing Street and the Foreign and Commonwealth Offices (FCO) in 2020 and 2021. Pegasus Pegasus spyware is sold by Israeli-based NSO Group to governments to carry out surveillance by infecting phones […]
In this tech insight, we look at what ‘toxic’ backlinks are, how to identify them, and how to remove them. Backlinks Backlinks (incoming links) are believed to be one of Google’s top three ranking factors. Trustworthy backlinks from websites with a high authority score are a factor which contribute to higher search engine rankings. However, […]
In this article, we look at the possible causes of the recent large losses of Netflix subscribers, and what’s next for the global streaming giant. 200,000 Subscribers Lost In its Q1 results, the world’s biggest global streaming service, Netflix, revealed that it had lost a massive 200,000 subscribers in the first 3 months of the […]
The UK Government’s Department for Transport (DfT) has announced that following changes to The Highway Code, users of automated vehicles will be allowed to watch TV on built-in screens. Viewing Content On Built-In Screens Following a public consultation launched a year ago on how self-driving vehicles can be used safely on UK roads, the DfT […]
Windows 11 ‘voice typing’ feature uses online speech recognition so that you can enter text on your PC simply by speaking. Here’s how to use it: Firstly, make sure you’re connected to the Internet, have a working microphone, and have your cursor in a text box. Press Windows logo key + H on a hardware […]
Researchers from the Stanford Internet Observatory have reported finding more than one thousand ‘virtual’ employees on the LinkedIn platform. Faces Created By Artificial Intelligence Virtual employees in this case are AI-generated photos of employees, the photos of whom don’t belong to any person (living or dead) and are made from mixtures of faces mashed together […]
In this article, we look at the next phase of Elon Musk’s attempt to control Twitter – a so-called ‘hostile’ takeover. The Next Stage In The Twitter / Musk Story – Hostile Takeover Billionaire Elon Musk recently became Twitter’s largest shareholder after recently acquiring a 9.2 per cent stake in the social media company. Twitter […]
In this tech-insight, we look at what Web 3.0 is, together with its main benefits plus some concerns about it. What Is Web 3.0? Web3 / web3 / Web 3.0 (a term coined in 2014 by Ethereum co-founder Gavin Wood) is the next phase in the evolution of the Web. It is based on blockchain […]
A survey by IT asset management platform Lansweeper has revealed that 55 per cent of devices are not capable of upgrading to Windows 11. Survey The survey, based on an estimated 30 million Windows devices from 60,000 organisations, has revealed that on average, only 44.4 per cent of workstations are eligible to receive the automatic […]
Being able to use gestures on the touch screen or touchpad of your Windows 11 device can help make work faster and easier. Here’s how to set them up: Gestures that are supported by Windows 11 include tapping, scrolling, zooming, and three and four-finger-finger gestures. Here’s how to enable them on the touch screen of […]
In this insight, we look at the history of fears about a possible link between mobile phone usage and cancer, then we look at the latest studies, conclusions, and expert opinions. History Claims that mobile phones could cause cancer (e.g. brain tumours) can be traced back to the 1990s when mobile phones were first used […]
A report by SEO software firm SEMrush has shown that so-called ‘Dumbphones’ are experiencing a revival, but why? What Is A ‘Dumbphone’? Dumbphones are mobile handsets that lack the advanced functionality characteristics of a smartphone and typically have press-button based inputs, a small non-touch display, and can just make and receive calls and SMS text messages. […]
In this article, we look at what the digital switchover is, why it’s needed, what the challenges are, and why it’s now been paused. The Switch To ‘Digital Voice’ Back in April 2021, BT Openreach announced that starting from the end of the year and finishing in 2025, it would be “switching off the UK telephone […]
WhatsApp has announced that it will soon be introducing some new features to improve its voice messaging. Voice Messaging WhatsApp’s voice messaging, introduced back in 2013, saves typing and is a fast way and free way to send expressive, encrypted messages. WhatsApp says that its users send 7 billion voice messages on average every day. […]
The Edge Bar is a handy floating sidebar / mini (Bing) browser that comes with the latest version of Edge in Windows and makes searching and accessing email and other platforms faster and easier. Here’s how to enable and use it: Open Edge and click on the three dots (top right). Select ‘Settings’. Select ‘Edge […]
The UK’s national fraud reporting centre, Action Fraud, says that it has received 196 reports of scam emails claiming to be raising funds for victims of the war in Ukraine. Facebook Post In a Meta / Facebook post on 18 March, Action Fraud reported: “We’ve received 196 reports about FAKE emails purporting to raise money […]
In this article, we look at the cyber-crime gang Lapsus$, how they operate and the details of some of their recent high-profile attacks. Lapsus$ ? Lapsus$ is reported to be a mostly teenage cyber-crime gang (hackers), mainly based in South America, yet with its alleged multi-millionaire teenage leader based in Oxford, UK. The gang, which […]
The EU Parliament, Council negotiators and lawmakers have agreed new rules under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) that will limit the market power of the big technology companies and open up the market for competitors. What Is The Digital Markets Act? The Digital Markets Act (DMA) from the European Commission has been designed to ensure […]
In this insight, we look at how Stephen Wilhite invented the GIF file, and how his invention has endured while the Internet has undergone vast changes. Who Was Stephen Wilhite? Stephen Wilhite is regarded as one of the inventors who changed the face of the Internet. White worked at CompuServe in the 1980s. Founded in […]
Freeing-up space and getting rid of junk files can help a PC perform faster and better. Here’s how to use the built-in Window ‘Disk Cleanup’ tool to find and delete those old junk files: In the Start menu, search for Disk Cleanup, and select Disk Cleanup. Wait for Disk Cleanup to analyse the selected drive. […]
Deepfake videos of both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky have appeared online this week, both with quite different messages. What Are Deepfake Videos? Deepfake videos are made using deep learning technology and use manipulated images of target individuals (found online), often celebrities, politicians, and other well-known people to create very convincing […]
Germany’s Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) has warned that Russia-based Kaspersky’s anti-virus software could be used for spying or launching cyber-attacks. Russian Companies Forced To Launch Cyber-Attacks? The warning was aimed at Russian IT businesses who, claims the BSI, could be used via the software to carry out offensive operations, or forced against their […]
With so many smart devices now all around us in homes and offices, we look here at ways to minimise the risk of having your privacy invaded. The Internet of Things (IoT) IoT devices are those devices that are now present in most offices and homes that have a connection to the Internet and are, […]
A recent revision to the (draft) Online Safety Bill could mean that executives who don’t comply with the regulator’s information request could start facing penalties such as jail just two months after the bill becomes law. The Online Safety Bill The UK government’s Online Safety Bill, published in May 2021 and now introduced to parliament, […]
A new feature to Chrome’s built-in password manager means that users will soon be able to store notes with their passwords. The feature, currently limited to Chrome’s latest Canary release, means that: A “Notes” field will appear in Google Chrome’s password manager underneath the username and password fields. The option will appear when either editing […]
A report by Security Company ‘Elevate’ has revealed that 3 per cent of users are responsible for 92 per cent of malware events for businesses, indicating that a small number of users create the most risk. 2016 to 2021 ‘The Size and Shape of Workforce Risk’ report, conducted on data provided to the Cyentia Institute […]
Proofpoint researchers have reported that, starting in early February, there has been a 500 per cent jump in mobile malware delivery attempts in Europe. Trend According to the researchers, this rise is in keeping with a trend that has been evident in the last few years where attackers have been increasing their attempts at smishing […]
In this article, we look at what Wordle is, and how a change of ownership has led to some online criticism. What Is Wordle? Wordle is a free, web-based word game where players have six chances to guess a randomly selected five-letter word. Each day there’s a different word to guess. Players choose letters from […]
In this insight, we look at what scalping is and why some people are looking to introduce legislation to stop it. Scalping The term “scalping” refers to stockpiling popular products and reselling them at a higher price for profit (the secondary resale market). This being a tech insight, this article will look at how technology […]
If you’ve started using Windows 11 and, as a long-time Windows user, you’d prefer the Start button to still be on the left rather than centred, here’s how to move it back: Press the Windows Key + I to open the ‘Settings’ app. Select ‘Personalisation’ and ‘Taskbar’. Select ‘Taskbar behaviours’. Click ‘Left’ under ‘Taskbar alignment’. […]
In response to the invasion of Ukraine, Microsoft has suspended all new sales of Microsoft products and services in Russia. Other Aspects Of Its Business Too Microsoft has described how it has been “horrified, angered and saddened” by the “unjustified, unprovoked and unlawful invasion by Russia” which has led to its decision to suspend sales to Russia. In addition […]
Microsoft has announced that higher demand for cloud services resulting from home and hybrid working is the reason why it will delay its planned commercial price increases for Microsoft Office 365 and Microsoft 365. Two Week Grace Period An announcement posted in the ‘Partner Center’ section of Microsoft’s website states that the commercial price rises announced back in […]
In this article, we look at what Starlink is and why it has been making the news in the last couple of weeks. What Is Starlink? Starlink, operated by billionaire Elon Musk’s SpaceX company uses a constellation of low orbit satellites around the earth (launched by SpaceX rockets) to provide broadband internet. Starlink provides satellite […]
In this article, we take a brief look at what agile working is, plus how technology contributes to it. Agile Agile working refers to the idea of connecting processes, people, technology, time, and place to create a dynamic workforce. By giving workers the freedom and maximum flexibility to work where and when they want, thereby minimising […]
If you’re finding that you’re keeping up with the news more lately, try using ‘Widgets’ to catch upon the news at a glance in Windows 11. Here’s how: Sign into your Microsoft account. To show or hide the widgets board, select the Widgets icon on the taskbar, press the Windows logo key + W, and […]
In this article we look at how cyber-attacks have been used by Russia against Ukraine, how this may spread to other countries, and what businesses can do to prepare. Cyber Attacks – A Part of ‘Hybrid Warfare’ State-sponsored cyber-attacks are now very much an ongoing threat faced by all countries but, specifically in the case […]
A study by security firm ‘Proofpoint’ has revealed that 82 per cent of UK organisations whose systems were infected by ransomware in 2021 opted to pay the ransom. Much Higher Than The Global Average Despite cybersecurity and government agencies warning against paying, Proofpoint’s ‘2022 State of the Phish’ report states that this UK figure for […]
With reports that Microsoft Edge is about to beat Safari to become the second most-popular browser, we take a brief look at what different browsers have to offer. Google Chrome The most popular browser with a 65.38 per cent share of the market, Google Chrome is supported by Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS. Its popularity […]
If the Online Safety Bill is passed in its current form, it could mean that the main social networks will be forced to filter out any unverified accounts. One Of Two New Duties Added To The Bill Last Friday, the government published details on its website of two new duties to its Online Safety Bill […]
If you need to use the “Remove everything” option to reset a Windows device, and don’t want to leave any data behind (a known current issue), here’s the latest workaround from Microsoft: Sign out or unlink OneDrive before resetting the Windows device. Instructions can be found in the “Unlink OneDrive” section of the Microsoft support […]
In this article, we look at what the ‘quantum apocalypse’ is, and what businesses are doing to prepare for this threat. What Is The Quantum Apocalypse? The so-called ‘quantum apocalypse’ refers to the unspecified point in the future where someone (e.g., threat actors or a foreign power) has a functioning quantum computer that can break […]
Insurer Aviva has highlighted how accidental damage caused by VR headset-wearing gamers caused a 31% jump in home contents claims in 2021. Average of £650 Aviva reports that the average VR-related claim for accidental damage in 2021 was about £650, for example for TVs that have been broken in the real world after gamers, immersed […]
In this insight, we look at how to best to avoid redacted text from being ‘unredacted’ by certain software tools, and we look at what researchers advise based on recent experiments. The Problem For businesses and organisations, the increased need for data sharing and/or making some data public can mean that certain (sensitive) parts of […]
A sacked school IT Technician who took revenge by deleting data and sabotaging his old school’s network (and by wiping the computers of everyone who was logged in) has been jailed. Revenge Hack As reported on Leicestershire Live, a court was told that Adam Georgeson, 29, who was dismissed from his job as an IT […]
Organising your open apps on the screen in a way that suits you can be a great help to productivity and can save time. Here’s how to choose the right snap layout in Windows 11: Hover over a window’s maximise button OR press Windows logo key + Z. Choose a snap layout from the 6 […]
Under the draft Online Safety Bill legislation, adult websites (i.e. pornographic) site operators will be legally required to verify the age of website visitors or face tough penalties. Online Safety Bill For those who run commercial porn sites, the bill, which expected to be introduced to parliament in the next few months, looks likely to […]
