Uber banned in Germany as bumpy ride continues into 2020 December 19, 2019 A German court banned Uber from operating its ride-hailing services in Germany today for lacking the licence necessary to offer transport services using rental cars. Uber is active in seven German cities and works exclusively with car rental companies and their drivers. It can appeal to a higher court and will continue to drive in [...]
Facebook’s transfer of EU citizen data to US legal, says EU court adviser December 19, 2019 Tools used by hundreds of thousands of companies to transfer EU citizens’ data abroad are legal, an adviser to Europe’s top court has ruled, marking a major win for Facebook in a long-running court case. Austrian privacy campaigner and lawyer Max Schrems had challenged Facebook over its use of standard contractual clauses to move electronic [...]
Facebook Libra’s 2020 launch plan unclear, says board member December 19, 2019 Facebook’s Libra project does not have a solid strategy for how or where it will be introduced next year, a member of the board overseeing the controversial cyptocurreny’s launch has said. Libra is still on track to launch next year, but the scope of the roll out is dependent on progress in talks with regulators, [...]
Introducing hemp, the UK’s secret green gold mine that could help save the planet December 19, 2019 It is with relief that I have been witnessing climate issues rise up the agenda for consumers, businesses, and politicians alike in 2019. In the General Election, the main parties all put forward their most ambitious, forward-thinking environmental policies ever. However, a big part of the solution may lie in past practices. I’m talking about [...]
Thin, light and mighty, the Surface Laptop 3 is Microsoft’s MacBook killer December 18, 2019 Microsoft’s Surface range of hardware has been around for seven years, but still manages to impress with each new device launched. Laptops that appear to have been sculpted out of single blocks of brushed metal. Tablets housed in alacantra keyboard cases. Two-in-one hybrids with skeletal, alien hinges, and gravity-defying desktop machines poised on silent hinges. [...]
Amazon, Apple and Google team up to break home tech barriers December 18, 2019 Amazon, Apple and Google are teaming up to develop a new standard for compatibility across smart home products and appliances, the companies said today. The standard could unify a home’s electrical ecosystem and break down barriers between platforms, enabling consumers to rely on multiple providers for a streamlined service. Read more: Smart homes could transform [...]
The biggest tech breakthroughs of the last decade December 18, 2019 It is easy to forget, as we approach the end of not just 2019 but also the decade, just how far technology has developed over the past 10 years. To mark the end of the era, City A.M. asked several experts for what they think have been the biggest technological breakthroughs or advancements made in [...]
Ocado set to be crowned the FTSE’s most valuable tech giant December 17, 2019 Analysts have said Ocado has the vision to become the “Microsoft of Retail tomorrow” and transition into the FTSE’s most valuable tech giant. Once finalised, the decision by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to de-designate Ocado as a retailer in August will make it the largest listed tech company in the UK by valuation. [...]
Trainline revenue surges to £198m on £2.9bn ticket sales December 17, 2019 Trainline enjoyed a 26 per cent jump in revenue in the first nine months of its current financial year, it revealed today. The ticket-booking app saw total group revenue hit £198m after international income soared 90 per cent year on year to £20m and UK consumer revenue leapt 31 per cent to £133m. Read more: [...]
Tensions mount in German coalition as SPD eyes Huawei ban December 16, 2019 German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s coalition government could be plunged into further conflict tomorrow as the Social Democrats (SPD) vote on a proposal to block Huawei from the country’s 5G network. The government has announced plans to toughen up scrutiny of telecoms suppliers, but has stopped short of excluding any country or company. Read more: Telefonica [...]