Following the news that a student made a successful appeal against a parking ticket by using a letter written by the ChatGPT chatbot, we look at how it happened, how to get the best results from ChatGPT, and we look at some of the recent concerns…

If you'd like a way to share experiences, celebrate milestones, conduct a poll, propose ideas, and discuss your interests with people across your organisation directly from Microsoft Outlook, try Storyline Posts. Here's how. In Outlook,…

In this article, we look at how generative AI could change work and jobs going forwards, plus how it could help businesses adopt new work trends such as a 4-day week.  The Rise Of Artificial Intelligence (AI) – A Timeline  AI…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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,…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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?…

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…

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 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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

(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…

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…

After 30 years of Microsoft Office, a major re-branding will see it being re-named as Microsoft 365 as part of Microsoft’s expansion of its productivity suite.  What, Who, And How?  Microsoft has announced that starting in…

Glasgow arts venue SWG3’s innovative new heating and cooling system uses the captured body heat emitted from its visitors to provide a renewable energy source.  The BODYHEAT System  As part of its drive to become a net zero…

Following a provisional agreement in June, the European Parliament has voted in favour of a law to ensure that all devices have a single universal charger.  Why? Back in June, the EU Parliament highlighted the following reasons why…

The release of Firefox 104 in August gave users the ability to annotate PDFs, e.g., sign PDFs directly in the browser and save them. Here’s how:  Open a PDF in Firefox, i.e., drag it into the Firefox Window, or right click on the file…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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,…

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’…

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…

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 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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Following SpaceX and Tesla boss Elon Musk becoming Twitter’s largest shareholder after recently acquiring a 9.2 per cent stake in the social media company, we look at the news, issues, and implications relating to this move.  9.2…

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…

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…

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…

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,…