Google Home Max review: The supersized version of Google’s smart speaker packs some real punch October 4, 2018 The supersized version of Google’s smart speaker, Google Home Max was launched in the US, Canada and Australia this time last year. Now finally available in the UK, the Home Max joins the regular Google Home and the doughnut-sized Mini in the company’s growing selection of Google Assistant-powered speakers. Whereas the others are Assistant-focused devices [...]
Apple and Amazon deny reports of Chinese hardware hack October 4, 2018 US tech giants such as Apple and Amazon have denied reports of a Chinese hack on their hardware systems, after a Bloomberg investigation claimed malicious computer chips were placed inside equipment by foreign agents. Bloomberg cited 17 anonymous sources across US intelligence agencies and company insiders, who stipulated Chinese intelligence officials had infiltrated around 30 US [...]
Air France–KLM looks at blockchain to cut costs for flyers October 4, 2018 Air France–KLM has announced a push into the blockchain-based technology to cut prices and offer personalised travel packages for customers. The Franco-Dutch airline company has partnered with Winding Tree, a blockchain specialist, to look at how new technology can help it cut out middlemen in its operations. The airline group will test Winding Tree’s technology, [...]
Priyanka Chopra joins Bumble to take the dating app to India October 4, 2018 Indian actress Priyanka Chopra has joined dating app Bumble as an investor and an advisor, as the app plans to launch its service into India later this year. Chopra said she was inspired to join the startup by the "real, positive change Bumble is creating" as dating apps hustle to give women more power online. [...]
UK and Netherlands put Russian military intelligence behind five cyber attacks October 4, 2018 Prime Minister Theresa May, in tandem with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, today said UK and Dutch authorities have identified a number of cyber attacks which came from a network of hackers employed by Russian military intelligence (GRU), including an attack on a UN watchdog. The UK's National Cyber Security Centre, supported by the Foreign Office, said the GRU [...]
By disrupting its own industry, Ocado has proven the power of automation October 4, 2018 Further evidence of automation’s benefits has emerged this week following the news that online retailer Ocado’s revenue jumped by 11.5 per cent in the last quarter – largely thanks to the automation of its warehouses. The effects are unquestionably positive, with the average number of orders processed by the firm reaching 283,000 per week. Its [...]
Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp are becoming increasingly important to businesses October 4, 2018 When was the last time that you voluntarily made a phone call? Some of you may pretend that you prefer the human touch of chatting over the phone, but let’s be honest – phone calls are inconvenient. A ringing phone interrupts your day and train of thought, while waiting for your call to be answered [...]
We’re on the cusp of a blockchain revolution October 4, 2018 Earlier this year, Bank of England governor Mark Carney scrutinised blockchain technology, describing it as an inadequate currency platform set for a “brutal reckoning”. His views come as no surprise for someone deeply ingrained into the traditions of the financial system and the institutions that have set the industry’s tone for centuries. Read more: Up [...]
Toyota and Softbank team up on ride-sharing, driverless tech unit October 4, 2018 Toyota and Softbank have unveiled a partnership that will see the two companies collaborate on transport services that utilise self-driving technology. Named Monet, a play on the longer term Mobility Network, the new venture will be initially funded at ¥2bn (£13.5m), with Softbank taking a stake of just over half of the business. “SoftBank alone and automakers alone [...]
German digital bank N26 backed by Tencent and Peter Thiel launches in the UK October 4, 2018 A German digital bank backed by Tencent, Li Ka-shing and Peter Thiel will launch in the UK today with the aim of taking on the big high street banks and adding to the fierce competition among British app-only banks. N26, which already counts 1.5m customers across 17 European countries, has started rolling out its banking [...]