Robot rift revealed: Boston Dynamics put up for sale by Google as Alphabet seeks revenue, reports say March 17, 2016 Google has put its robot business Boston Dynamics up for sale, according to reports, signalling a significant dialling down of its research in the area for parent company Alphabet. The division, bought by Google in 2013, is on the market as it's unlikely to be able to put a product on the market soon, Bloomberg [...]
Sky’s going big on virtual reality with VR studio and plans for Formula 1, boxing, cycling content and more March 17, 2016 Sky is deepening its efforts in virtual reality, an industry expected to be worth $70bn by 2020, with a specialist studio producing new content, including films from the Formula 1 racetrack. Viewers will be able to almost smell the petrol of the pit and experience the hair-raising bends of a Grand Prix track as if they [...]
What Apple’s co-founder Steve Wozniak really thinks about the Apple Watch, driverless cars and Tim Cook March 17, 2016 Apple's co-founder is not such a fan of the Apple Watch, it turns out. While he loves it as a customer, Steve Wozniak has revealed he's not such a huge fan of the wearable from a business point of view. In a Reddit AMA (that's ask me anything), he said he was worried about the market Apple [...]
Premier Farnell share price dives as Raspberry Pi maker cuts dividend after profits slump and names Jos Opdeweegh new chief executive March 17, 2016 The company behind the Raspberry Pi mini computer Premier Farnell has slashed its dividend after profits slumped as pressure from rivals mounts. Shares fell as much as six per cent in early trading after revealing a final dividend for the year of 3.6 pence per share, down from 10.4 pence per share a year earlier. Pre-tax profit for the [...]
Imagination Technologies share price jumps on more job cuts and more restructuring plans March 17, 2016 Imagination Technologies is cutting a further 200 jobs from its global workforce with its latest restructuring efforts. Shares of the UK chip maker, which counts Apple among its customers, jumped as much as 11 per cent in early morning trading after the company updated investors on its turnaround plan. The firm aims to save a further £12.5m by [...]
Four fintech lessons from Silicon Valley to London March 17, 2016 I had an eye-opening trip to San Francisco last week, as part of a UKTI mission to showcase the Best of British in fintech. While there, we were fortunate enough to meet with some of the most influential organisations on the West Coast, to educate them on the burgeoning fintech market here in the UK [...]
Budget 2016: Uber drivers can use the new digital tax break aimed at occasional Airbnb and eBay users – but here’s why they won’t March 16, 2016 A new scheme designed to offer occasional users of the sharing economy renting out a room on Airbnb tax breaks, could be used by Uber drivers. The new tax breaks, on earnings of up to £2,000 and announced by George Osborne in today's Budget, has angered black cab drivers. However, the Treasury told City A.M. that while Uber drivers would [...]
UFC 2 review: Bloody, technical and frustrating March 16, 2016 UFC 2 is a must-buy for anyone who craves a realistic depiction of one man kicking another man in the head. Never has the act of planting your foot against the cranium of another human being been so meticulously, lovingly recreated. Each hyper-realistic blow sees bursts of spittle erupt from angry mouths, gashes form under [...]
Hitman is back on target: we review the first instalment March 16, 2016 You are Agent 47, a cool, calm, collected, bald, barcoded assassin. But given this is the genetically enhanced hero’s ninth outing (11th if you count the two movies), you probably already knew that. This reboot, however, is slightly different: it will be released in seven instalments over the course of the year, which you can [...]
Budget 2016: Tax breaks for Airbnb hosts and eBay sellers as George Osborne rewards sharing economy bedroom entrepreneurs March 16, 2016 Millions of people renting out their homes to holidaymakers on Airbnb or selling items on eBay will be rewarded with tax breaks on earnings up to £2,000. George Osborne announced the so-called "digital tax break" for those bedroom entrepreneurs forming part of the sharing economy in his Budget statement today. "We’re going to help the new world of micro-entrepreneurs [...]