Joined28 November 2013
Articles385
iOS 14
Apple has officially released iOS 14.4, bringing some important bug fixes and security updates. Smaller QR codes can now be recognised by Camera and there is an option to classify Bluetooth device type in Settings for correct identification of headphones for audio notifications.
Competition and Markets Authority
The UK competition regulator, the CMA, is to investigate whether Virgin Media’s proposed £31bn tie-up with telecoms operator O2 could lead to higher prices for mobile and broadband customers or poorer 5G connectivity for rival operators.
ZEISS
ZEISS Group and Microsoft have signed a multi-year strategic partnership to accelerate ZEISS’ transformation into a digital services provider that is embracing a cloud-first approach. By standardizing its equipment and processes on Microsoft Azure as its preferred cloud platform, ZEISS will be able to provide its customers with enhanced digital experiences, address changing market needs more quickly and increase its productivity.
Apple iPhone 12 Event Hi Speed
Apple has just sent out invitations to its next special event which will reveal the iPhone 12 series and possibly more. While there has been plenty of rumours surrounding the upcoming iPhone 12 series, the invite might just hold some clues. Last months Apple event promo was titled "Time Flies", which we deduced was related to a new Apple Watch. This time, Apple promo states: “Hi, Speed.”
Google Nest Audio
Google today launched the Nest Audio smart speaker, Google’s replacement for its original Home smart speaker from 2017. The new Google Assistant speaker looks more like a smaller version of Google’s big Home Max, with a full fabric-covered body, hidden LEDs on the front and a touch-sensitive top for volume and playback control.
Elisa Finland
Nokia has been selected by leading Finnish mobile operator Elisa as the nationwide supplier of 5G RAN. Nokia, which will provide its AirScale 5G RAN portfolio, will deliver enhanced ultra-fast, low-latency mobile broadband services to both consumer and enterprise customers.
BullGuard
BullGuard has launched its new 2021 suite of antimalware solutions featuring Dynamic Machine Learning capabilities and Multi-Layered Protection. BullGuard 2021 blocks malicious behaviour before it can do damage, even when malware attempts to intentionally take a consumer’s device offline.
Google Meet
Google Meet, Google's premium video-conferencing solution, now has a new noise cancellation feature that will let you filter out disruptive background noise on Android and iOS. The new feature is available to G Suite Enterprise and G Suite Enterprise for Education customers on web, Android and iOS.
European Commission
The European commission is to appeal a court ruling that said Apple did not have to pay €13bn (£11.9bn) in alleged back taxes to the Irish government, reopening a landmark battle in the EU’s campaign to stop sweetheart deals for multinationals.
Qualcomm Snapdragon 750 5G
Qualcomm has announced the Snapdragon 750G, a new entrant in the 7-series lineup of Snapdragon chips. It comes with 5G support, the latest AI engine and a more powerful CPU and GPU.
iOS 14
In a surprise move, Apple has officially released iOS 14, introducing the biggest update ever to Home Screen pages with redesigned widgets and the App Library, a new way to tap into the App Store with App Clips, powerful updates to Messages, and more.
Apple One
Apple One is the newest subscription service from the company that combines some of Apple's services into one monthly package. Packages include iCloud, Apple Music, Apple TV Plus, Apple Arcade, Apple News Plus and Apple's newest service, Apple Fitness Plus
Apple Watch Series 6
As well as unveiling the Apple Watch Series 6 today, Apple unveiled Apple Watch SE, bringing the essential features of Apple Watch into a modern design customers love — all at a more affordable price.
bp
bp and Microsoft have agreed to collaborate as strategic partners to further digital transformation in energy systems and advance the net zero carbon goals of both companies. This includes a co-innovation effort focused on digital solutions, the continued use of Microsoft Azure as a cloud-based solution for bp infrastructure and bp supplying renewable energy.
Asda Mobile
Vodafone has been selected by Asda as the new network for its Asda Mobile MVNO. In a five-year exclusive deal, Asda Mobile customers will benefit from Vodafone’s 4G and 5G coverage, unlimited mobile data plans, Wi-Fi calling and other benefits, such as family discounts.
TikTok
Tiktok has signed up to the EU’s code of conduct on hate speech today, as it struggles to contain the spread of a suicide video on its platform. The video, which shows a person committing suicide, has been circulating on the app since Sunday night.
Ronnie McNutt
A man has live-streamed his own death on Facebook with TikTok now scrambling to remove the clip which is being reshared by-users. Ronnie McNutt, 33, killed himself in his Mississippi home on August 31, by blowing his own face off with a shotgun, while he was live streaming from his computer.
Adobe Flash
Microsoft will finally end support for Adobe Flash Player in all its web browsers by the end of 2020. In 2017, Microsoft had made a coordinated announcement with Apple, Adobe, Google, Facebook, and Mozilla regarding the discontinuity of Adobe Flash Player, a decision that was prompted because of more secure and high performing open techs like HTML5, WebGL, and WebAssembly gaining more popularity in comparison to the Adobe Flash Player.
AAWireless
Developer Emil Borconi-Szdressy recently launched an Indiegogo campaign for an AAWireless USB dongle that adds wireless Android Auto to your existing car. You’ll need a car infotainment system with wired Android Auto support. While that’s increasingly commonplace, it does rule out upgrading an older ride.
Three UK
Three UK has awarded a multi-million backhaul contract to CityFibre, to connect an additional 1,300 key mobile masts across 59 towns and cities. Full Fibre backhaul is an essential part of delivering a great mobile experience, so partnering with CityFibre is part of Three’s strategy to deliver the UK’s fastest 5G network thanks to its leading 5G spectrum portfolio.
EE
EE has launched a new range of 5G Business Plans, allowing customers Unlimited Data and a range of unique Smart Benefits. Exclusive to EE only, business handset customers also cover Lifetime Guarantee and Free Next Day Replacement for their device at no extra cost, and the option to upgrade to a new device when they want during their contract.
BTS
Fancy snapping a selfie with boyband BTS? BTS are now available for a virtual selfie only at Samsung KX, London’s hub of innovation. The AR/XR area is equipped with The Sero as a preview screen and the Galaxy S20+ BTS Edition as the shooting device.
EE
EE today launched The Full Works Plan for iPhone, allowing EE customers for the first time in the UK to receive inclusive access to Apple Music, Apple TV+ and Apple Arcade for the duration of their plan, as well as unlimited mobile data and the option to upgrade to a new phone anytime.
Apple has released iOS 13.7, which introduces a new Exposure Notifications System directly baked into the OS, to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic, meaning new system no longer requires a separate app to be downloaded. When you upgrade to iOS 13.7, you’ll see a new section of the Settings menu that includes a toggle to “Turn on Exposure Notifications.”
Microsoft
Microsoft has joined Allianz, Amazon and S&P Global in announcing plans to launch the Climate Finance Foundation, a new initiative led by the Linux Foundation to build the OS-Climate Platform. This initiative leverages open-source analytics and open data to empower the investment community, as well as NGOs, academia and others, to help better model companies’ exposure to climate change.
Microsoft Deepfake
Microsoft has announced a new tool that it claims can detect the presence of deepfake software in images and video as it seeks to tackle disinformation online. Deepfakes, or synthetic media, are photos, videos, or audio files manipulated by artificial intelligence (AI). And they’re becoming increasingly hard to detect.
Canberra Raiders
Huawei has quit its major sponsorship of rugby league club the Canberra Raiders in Australia, decrying the "continued negative business environment" towards the company in the country. The company, which sponsored the Raiders for almost a decade, signed a new two-year deal to be the main sponsor of the club last year, but will end the deal one year early at the conclusion of the 2020 season.
TikTok
Walmart and Microsoft are teaming up in a bid to acquire TikTok, in a deal that would give the retail company a key technology to reach younger shoppers and build out its third-party marketplace and advertising business.
Royal National Institute for Blind
Samsung has received ‘Tried and Tested Accreditation’ for its 2020 Smart TVs from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) which is the first time this accreditation has been given in the TV industry.
Vodafone Tech Team
Vodafone UK has launched a video-based tech support service to help people unable to seek help in one of the physical stores. The new video-calling service, which launched today, means that anyone (customers or non-customers) is able to book a free 30-minute video or phone chat with an expert to resolve their technical issues.
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft has added a series of new video-calling features to Teams, including a Together mode which looks to provide a new way to group chat. With the new update, Microsoft Teams users will be able to view more members on the mobile's screen and also consume less amount of internet data during a video call and more.
Apple Music Radio
Apple today launched two new live global radio offerings on Apple Music, now available to music fans in 165 countries. Beginning today, Beats 1, the flagship global radio station, will be renamed Apple Music 1, and two additional radio stations will launch: Apple Music Hits, with songs from the ’80s, ’90s, and 2000s, and Apple Music Country, spotlighting country music.
Ransomware
Vodafone has expanded its business security services to include protection for business customers’ laptops and desktops. Trend Micro’s ‘Worry-Free’ service is a new detection service to protect businesses and their employees from online security threats such as ransomware, out-of-date applications, and phishing attacks on desktops and laptops.
TikTok
TikTok collected device-specific addresses of users’ smartphones via its Android app for at least 15 months, using a technique that Google has banned developers from using without user consent, a Wall Street Journal analysis has reportedly found.
Vodafone Lions
Vodafone UK is the Lead Partner of the British & Irish Lions for the 2021 Tour of South Africa. The two brands say they are united by a shared passion and commitment to connect people to each other and the things they love
European Commission
Only hours after Apple won their €13 billion EU Tax Bill Appeal, the European Commission has today adopted a new Tax Package to "ensure that EU tax policy supports Europe's economic recovery and long-term growth".
Samsung Pay
Samsung Pay is now available to TransferWise card members in the United Kingdom. The partnership will bring two new TransferWise cards to Samsung Pay; TransferWise debit Mastercard and the TransferWise debit Mastercard for Business.