Thursday, May 10, 2018

BT cuts 13,000 jobs to slash costs

BBC News - Technology
BT cuts 13,000 jobs to slash costs
BT cuts 13,000 jobs to slash costs
The telecoms giant will axe many back-office and middle management roles in the next three years.
TechNewsWorld
Circadian VP Keenan Skelly: Changing the Cybersecurity Paradigm
"It's only a few times in the history of the U.S. and in specific domains do you have the opportunity to make decisions and have a lasting effect on that domain," said Circadence VP Keenan Skelly. "In terms of information cybersecurity, we're right in the middle of it right now. We're just figuring out what global norms should be. The things that we put in place -- whether they're policies or advanced technologies, are going to shape this domain for many years to come. That's really exciting to me, being able to be part of that change and influence this domain."
Gear Latest
Google and the Rise of 'Digital Well-Being'
Google and the Rise of 'Digital Well-Being'
Google wants to unglue people from their phones. But like other wellness trends, "digital well-being" promises more than it can deliver.

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Google I/O 2018: How Google’s Duplex Demo Stole the Show

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Google I/O 2018: How Google’s Duplex Demo Stole the Show
Google I/O 2018: How Google’s Duplex Demo Stole the Show
Google's new "Duplex" technology presents a significant tipping point for machine intelligence–powered virtual assistants.
Google I/O 2018: All the Big Announcements From Android to AI
Google I/O 2018: All the Big Announcements From Android to AI
Google is harnessing its AI to power self-driving cars, surface apps before you ask for them, and make voice assistants sound indistinguishable from humans.
TechNewsWorld
Echo for Kids, Retro Voice Assistants, and a Second Snap
Amazon is trying to rope in younger members of the family to use its Alexa voice assistant with the release of a smart speaker for kids. The Echo Dot Kids Edition has a rubber case protecting a standard Echo Dot and a two-year, no-questions-asked replacement policy. It includes a one-year membership for FreeTime Unlimited, Amazon's subscription service for kids' books, videos, games, education apps and Alexa skills. FreeTime Unlimited has parental controls and optimizes the Alexa experience with kids in mind.
With Custom Skills, Alexa Inches Closer to Being One of the Family
Amazon has introduced Alexa Skill Blueprints, adding personalization capabilities to its smart speaker devices. The new tool provides pre-crafted templates for users to create customized experiences. Among the possibilities are answers to specific questions, or skills for particular users. With Alexa Skill Blueprints, users can build into their devices experiences that are personalized for themselves, their friends and their families. The experiences they create will appear only on the devices registered to their Amazon account.
BBC News - Technology
Vodafone makes €18bn swoop on Liberty Global cable networks
Vodafone makes €18bn swoop on Liberty Global cable networks
The European deal will allow the UK telecoms group to take on Deutsche Telekom in Germany.

Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Solving Tech's Diversity Problem

TechNewsWorld
Solving Tech's Diversity Problem
I recently attended Dell Technology World, which shone a light on one of Michael Dell's passions: addressing the lack of gender diversity in the tech industry. Some time back he asked the most powerful woman at Dell, CCO Karen Quintos, to spearhead an effort to fix the problem. I was one of a few analysts who were invited to hear a talk by a leading expert on the problem, Howard Ross of Cook Ross. In a nutshell, he said that fixing gender inequality was impossible, and all of the metrics indicated it was getting worse -- not better.
Gear Latest
Google I/O 2018: Watch Live Video of the Keynote Right Here
Google I/O 2018: Watch Live Video of the Keynote Right Here
Google kicks off its annual developer conference in Mountain View, California on Tuesday, May 8 at 10 am Pacific. Watch it live.
BBC News - Technology
World of Warcraft attacker jailed in US
World of Warcraft attacker jailed in US
A man accused of disrupting the video game's computer servers faces a year in prison.

Monday, May 7, 2018

Could Trump's 'Space Force' become a reality?

BBC News - Technology
Could Trump's 'Space Force' become a reality?
Could Trump's 'Space Force' become a reality?
"We're getting very big in space," says the US president. What would a new branch of the military do?
Facebook privacy: Survey suggests continuing US loyalty
Facebook privacy: Survey suggests continuing US loyalty
A Reuters/Ipsos survey indicates most US users remain loyal, despite the Cambridge Analytica row.
Gear Latest
How to Watch Microsoft Build 2018
How to Watch Microsoft Build 2018
Microsoft's developer conference kicks off with a keynote address at 8:30 am PST on Monday May 7. Here's how to watch.
Microsoft Build 2018: What to Expect From the Big Show
Microsoft Build 2018: What to Expect From the Big Show
Cloud computing, artificial intelligence, mixed reality—it's all happening at Microsoft, and this is the place to hear about it all at once.
Apple Beats Headphone Sale: Studio3, Solo3, PowerBeats (and Other Tech Deals)
Apple Beats Headphone Sale: Studio3, Solo3, PowerBeats (and Other Tech Deals)
The new Beats Studio3 Wireless and other headphones are on sale, along with other great deals this weekend.

Sunday, May 6, 2018

Google Assistant Gains Momentum in Smart Home Race

TechNewsWorld
Google Assistant Gains Momentum in Smart Home Race
Google Assistant, the artificial intelligence software built into Android handsets and the Google Home smart speaker system, now can control more than 5,000 smart devices. That's up from just 1,500 products in January -- and the list of supported products includes everything from cameras and security systems to doorbells, locks and lights, to dryers, dishwashers and refrigerators. Google's smart home platform has grown exponentially since its released in the fall of 2016.
BBC News - Technology
YouTube stars' fury as videos promoting cheating removed
YouTube stars' fury as videos promoting cheating removed
Following a BBC investigation, YouTube has taken down hundreds of videos promoting an essay-writing company.

Saturday, May 5, 2018

V2, the Second Coming of Vine, Is on Indefinite Hold

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V2, the Second Coming of Vine, Is on Indefinite Hold
V2, the Second Coming of Vine, Is on Indefinite Hold
V2 got everyone's hopes up, but there's just not enough money to move the project forward, says one of Vine's original co-founders.

Friday, May 4, 2018

Facebook's Clear History Privacy Option: Boon or Sop?

TechNewsWorld
Facebook's Clear History Privacy Option: Boon or Sop?
Facebook plans to offer members a tool that to prevent tracking of their online activity outside the network. The Clear History feature will allow users to see which websites and applications send Facebook information when they use them, delete the data and prevent Facebook from collecting and storing it in the future. Although that information would not be associated with a user's account, it still would be used in anonymized form to provide website operators and app developers with analytics about Facebook users use of their wares.
The Electronics Industry: A Pawn in the US vs. China Chess Game
Rising tensions between China and the U.S. have led to growing concerns that a tariff war will have a negative impact on the electronics industry. Amazingly, the industry has been spared thus far, and with good reason. However, even if tariffs aren't imposed, there is a silent battle between the two countries that already has impacted the global electronics ecosystem. Watching the countries levy their recent tariffs has been like watching two opponents playing chess. Each has made a move intended to weaken the other's political position.
BBC News - Technology
New kids on the block
New kids on the block
From goal-line tech to Video Assistant Referees, football is always on the look-out for new tech.
Gear Latest
Star Wars Day Deals: Funko Pop, Sphero, ThinkGeek, Loungefly
Star Wars Day Deals: Funko Pop, Sphero, ThinkGeek, Loungefly
Save some credits on Star Wars swag this May the 4th.

Thursday, May 3, 2018

TalkTalk broadband worst for customer service, says Ofcom

BBC News - Technology
TalkTalk broadband worst for customer service, says Ofcom
TalkTalk broadband worst for customer service, says Ofcom
TalkTalk comes last for the second year running in a broadband service report from Ofcom.
TechNewsWorld
Fitbit's Health Alliance With Google Could Be a Risky Experiment
Fitbit and Google have announced a new partnership on healthcare. Fitbit will develop consumer and enterprise health solutions that will use Google's new Cloud Healthcare API. Fitbit also will move to the Google Cloud Platform to innovate and advance its products and services. Most Google Cloud products support HIPAA compliance; the move will allow Fitbit to leverage Google Cloud's infrastructure and security features, as well as Google's artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities, and its new predictive analytic algorithms.

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Everything Facebook Announced Today at F8

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Everything Facebook Announced Today at F8
Everything Facebook Announced Today at F8
Oculus Go, Facebook for dating, and a suite of new features for Instagram and WhatsApp.
Facebook's New 'Dating' Feature Could Crush Apps Like Tinder
Facebook's New 'Dating' Feature Could Crush Apps Like Tinder
Mark Zuckerberg announced at Facebook's annual developer conference in California on Tuesday that the company is building a matchmaking service.
BBC News - Technology
The US town banning new Bitcoin mines
The US town banning new Bitcoin mines
Bitcoin mining has been eating up Plattsburgh's electricity quota and pushing up bills.

Tuesday, May 1, 2018

Autonomy ex-executive guilty of fraud

BBC News - Technology
Autonomy ex-executive guilty of fraud
Autonomy ex-executive guilty of fraud
An ex-financial officer is found guilty in the first legal judgement over the UK software firm.
TechNewsWorld
Could BlackBerry Displace Apple?
I spent a day with BlackBerry last week and it brought back memories of how Apple displaced the company around a decade ago. I, like a lot of folks at the time, thought what Apple was attempting was impossible. However, after the fact, it didn't even look difficult. BlackBerry largely has completed its pivot to software and services, but a wave of new phones from its partners apparently will be coming to market shortly. Now, BlackBerry isn't even going to try to displace Apple, so what follows is "what if" speculation.

Monday, April 30, 2018

God of War: Games no longer where actors careers 'go to die'

BBC News - Technology
God of War: Games no longer where actors careers 'go to die'
God of War: Games no longer where actors careers 'go to die'
Christopher Judge, who plays Kratos in the new God of War, talks about the jump from the silver screen to games.

Sunday, April 29, 2018

Fake five-star reviews being bought and sold online

BBC News - Technology
Fake five-star reviews being bought and sold online
Fake five-star reviews being bought and sold online
A trade in false online reviews relied upon by millions is identified in a BBC investigation.
Play as a refugee in Syrian war video game
Play as a refugee in Syrian war video game
The BAFTA nominated video game trying to teach people about what it's like for refugees fleeing Syria.
Gear Latest
Best Weekend Tech Deals: 200GB MicroSD, Ecovacs Deebot, Apple iPad
Best Weekend Tech Deals: 200GB MicroSD, Ecovacs Deebot, Apple iPad
Whether you're hunting for a 200GB MicroSD card or a new laptop, we've got a dozen tech deals to check out this weekend.
Apple’s Done Making Airport Routers, So Try These Instead
Apple’s Done Making Airport Routers, So Try These Instead
With the official end of the Airport era, it's time to let a new router into your life. Preferably mesh.

Saturday, April 28, 2018

Gadget Lab Podcast: Snap Spectacles and Our Faceputer Future

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Gadget Lab Podcast: Snap Spectacles and Our Faceputer Future
Gadget Lab Podcast: Snap Spectacles and Our Faceputer Future
This week on the Gadget Lab podcast, we hear about Lauren and Arielle's adventures with Snap's new Spectacles.
Why the New Snap Spectacles Matter
Why the New Snap Spectacles Matter
Want to see the future? Try squinting through Spectacles.
BBC News - Technology
Deadline to amend UK surveillance laws
Deadline to amend UK surveillance laws
A High Court judgement calling for changes came out of a legal challenge mounted by rights group Liberty.
Tech Tent: the technology of pleasure
Tech Tent: the technology of pleasure
Meet the British firm making its mark in the sex tech sector.
TechNewsWorld
Snap Doubles Down on Spectacles Wearable Cam
Snap, the company behind Snapchat, on Thursday released the second generation of its Spectacles, a wearable video camera that captures short clips that can be synced to a smartphone. The new version also takes still photos and is designed to be water-resistant. The new Spectacles sport the same basic Ray-Ban style design as the first iteration, but they have been slimmed down and are less bulky -- a good thing both for wearing the glasses and transporting them. In addition, users have more color options. They include the ever-fashionable onyx, as well as ruby and sapphire.

Friday, April 27, 2018

IS web media targeted in EU-led attack

BBC News - Technology
IS web media targeted in EU-led attack
IS web media targeted in EU-led attack
The EU police agency says it has "punched a big hole" in Islamic State propaganda.

Thursday, April 26, 2018

'Holy Grail' Exploit Puts Nintendo Switch Consoles at Risk

TechNewsWorld
'Holy Grail' Exploit Puts Nintendo Switch Consoles at Risk
Devices built on Nvidia's Tegra X-1 mobile processor are at risk of attack from a flaw security researchers have revealed. The exploit chain discovered by Katherine Temkin and others affects any device running the chip, including the Nintendo Switch gaming console and some Chromebooks. Called "Fusée Gelée," the vulnerability allows anyone to run code on the chip by overloading a critical buffer when a system boots. "Fusée Gelée isn't a perfect 'Holy Grail' exploit -- though in some cases it can be pretty damned close," Temkin wrote.
BBC News - Technology
Gun emoji disarmed as Microsoft follows Google toy switch
Gun emoji disarmed as Microsoft follows Google toy switch
Microsoft plans to replace its revolver emoji with a water pistol, following similar moves by others.

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

How to Clean Your Computer Inside and Out

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How to Clean Your Computer Inside and Out
How to Clean Your Computer Inside and Out
Scrub down those keys, wipe the fingerprints off your screen, and delete all the files that have been clogging your tubes.

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Ransomware infects Ukraine energy ministry website

BBC News - Technology
Ransomware infects Ukraine energy ministry website
Ransomware infects Ukraine energy ministry website
Hackers have taken Ukraine's energy ministry website offline, demanding a Bitcoin ransom to release encrypted files.
TechNewsWorld
Fighting Fake News and Forging Real Diplomacy
What we do about fake news today could have a major impact on our future. Two new initiatives -- a concerted effort by Apple and a massive educational effort called the "Pro-Truth Pledge" -- could help eliminate much of the fake news BS that is really messing up the United States at the moment. On another front, President Donald Trump's plan to meet with Kim Jong-un, the supreme leader of North Korea, reminds me a bit too much of a pivotal meeting between Carly Fiorina, who was CEO of HP at the time, and Steve Jobs, who was then CEO of Apple.

Monday, April 23, 2018

South Korea turns off loudspeaker broadcasts into North

BBC News - Technology
South Korea turns off loudspeaker broadcasts into North
South Korea turns off loudspeaker broadcasts into North
South Korea says silencing the propaganda broadcasts will help set the mood for the inter-Korean summit.
Man fined for hate crime after filming pug's 'Nazi salutes'
Man fined for hate crime after filming pug's 'Nazi salutes'
Mark Meechan put footage on YouTube of the dog reacting to statements such as "Sieg Heil" by raising its paw.
'TSB gave me access to someone's £35,000'
'TSB gave me access to someone's £35,000'
Computer chaos for customers continues as one man gets access to someone else's accounts.

Sunday, April 22, 2018

Jeremy Hunt threatens social media with new child-protection laws

BBC News - Technology
Jeremy Hunt threatens social media with new child-protection laws
Jeremy Hunt threatens social media with new child-protection laws
The health secretary wants action from the sites on underage use, bullying, and screen-time limits.