The number of sick days we take has plummeted – but the reason behind the ones we do take is worrying February 24, 2015 The number of sick days we take has plummeted, a new study has found – but the number of days we take due to depression, anxiety and stress has risen. Using data from 68 GP surgeries across the nation, researchers found fewer periods of sick leave were taken between 2011 and 2013 than [...]
Google buys Softcard to take on Apple Pay February 23, 2015 Google has signed a partnership with Softcard to buy some of its payment solutions software. In a deft move, the search giant has also struck a bargain with several of the US’s biggest mobile carriers, which will see Google Wallet app pre-installed on thousands of handsets. Apple arrived at the near-field-communications party with Apple [...]
“Machine learning”: Microsoft creates platform for analysing data in the cloud February 23, 2015 Microsoft has created a platform, located in the cloud, to allow people to analyse large quantities of data. Called Azure, it uses something called "machine learning", which has been around for over 20 years but not available to the masses. It involves using algorithms to look at past behaviour and make business predictions [...]
Your voice could get you your dream job – here’s how to perfect it February 23, 2015 Before Margaret Thatcher reached the pinnacle of her political career, her voice was both higher and faster. But her colleagues, concerned that she did not sound authoritative enough, suggested that she undergo voice coaching. Gradually, Mrs Thatcher lowered the pitch of her voice through a series of exercises. By the end of the [...]
Is Apple about to change its rules with its new mobile operating system? February 22, 2015 iPhone users could be about to get a developer’s view of Apple’s operating system. The tech giant is reportedly planning to open up its new iPhone software to all users, rather than just developers, as part of a plan to improve functionality and eliminate bugs before the final release. The beta launch may, however, be [...]
How Greek game theory could lead to a win-win situation in the Eurozone February 20, 2015 Meetings to discuss the future of Greece are no playtime for the leaders of Europe, but that doesn't mean the country's finance minister isn't using game theory to ensure the best possible outcome for his strugging economy. Yanis Varoufakis was an academic and researcher of the technique before he went into politics. In [...]
The web on film: As Modern Family sets an episode on a laptop, what are the problems with filming the net? February 18, 2015 You’re having dinner with an old friend. The conversation flows until his phone, which has been sitting on the table beside his plate, vibrates. He looks down, but continues to nod as if still engaged in the conversation. “Yeah,” he says, scrolling to the bottom of the message, eyes widening at some surprising detail. [...]
Samsung to take on Apple in mobile payments sector with purchase of LoopPay February 18, 2015 Samsung has purchased LoopPay, a mobile wallet company that will rival Apple Pay and Google Wallet. The South Korean tech company has not disclosed the price of the deal it proclaimed will “accelerate the next wave of innovation in the digital smart wallet”. The move suggests that Samsung is ready to compete [...]
London FinTech startup WorldRemit raises $100m from Silicon Valley investors TVC and Accel Partners valuing firm at $500m February 18, 2015 WorldRemit, the London-based FinTech startup, has bagged a $100m (£65m) investment from Silicon Valley investors, valuing the firm at $500m. The series B funding round, from US venture firm Technology Crossover Ventures (TCV), along with existing backer Accel Partners, is the latest investment in financial technology firms emerging from the capital. The $100m backing from [...]
Why the Apple Watch should obliterate sales records for wearable tech February 17, 2015 Apple is banking on its new Apple Watch being a breakthrough device for the wearable tech sector after ordering between 5m – 6m units from its Asian supplier. An April launch date for the product has been set by Tim Cook who said in Apple’s earnings call last month that his “expectations are [...]