Challenger bank Atom acqui-hires northern games developer Grasp ahead of launch to boost digital March 8, 2016 Challenger Atom Bank which plans to give the big four banks a run for their money, has bought a northern software developer which specialises in games and virtual reality development in an effort to boost its digital products ahead of its launch. Atom snapped up Grasp for an undisclosed sum after working with the Gateshead-based developer since 2014 to [...]
Here’s how Facebook is making the most detailed maps of the world’s population with artificial intelligence and solar-powered planes March 8, 2016 Facebook has revealed new images of its ambitious project to map the world's population using artificial intelligence and solar-powered planes. The video, published by Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg, shows the incredibly detailed images of areas around the world where AI technology has enhanced even the most state of the art pictures we have had previously. State [...]
Specsavers chief optometrist warns e-cigarettes could be linked to dry eye and cause more serious sight loss March 8, 2016 Although tobacco smoking is still far riskier than vaping, Specsavers' expert optometrist has warned e-cigarette use can cause dry eyes and can also lead to macular degeneration. The ingredients contained in e-cigarettes can include formaldehyde, a carcinogen which has been shown to irritate the eyes, nose and throat in studies, while propylene glycol can also cause eye and respiratory irritation. [...]
A Justice League of tech is plotting against Donald Trump: Tim Cook, Elon Musk and Larry Page met with Republican politicians and Karl Rove to “plot to stop Trump” report claims March 8, 2016 Apple boss Tim Cook, Google's Larry Page and entrepreneur Elon Musk are among the biggest names in the tech industry to secretly meet and discuss presidential hopeful Donald Trump – and how to stop him – according to reports. The guest list at the secretive confab which took place over the weekend reads like a Justice League-style line-up [...]
DeepMind’s AlphaGo versus Go world champion Lee Sedol: Everything you need to know about the man versus machine showdown March 7, 2016 Artificial intelligence is about to face its biggest test to date. The AI software AlphaGo created by British-based Google-owned DeepMind will face its most challenging human foe yet – the champion player of the chess-like ancient Chinese game Go, Lee Sedol. Man and machine will meet for a five set game in Seoul starting this week. Representing the human corner is [...]
Apple will have to pay millions over ebook price-fixing after supreme court declines to hear case March 7, 2016 Apple will have to pay out $450m in a settlement over ebook price-fixing after losing a battle in the US courts. The supreme court declined to hear Apple's challenge to a previous ruling which found that the tech giant conspired with publishers to increase the price of ebooks. A New York court ruled in June last year that it [...]
BBVA acquires Finnish digital banking startup Holvi March 7, 2016 The Spanish bank BBVA which last year invested £45m for a stake in UK challenger bank Atom has snapped up a digital banking startup in Finland. Helsinki-founded Holvi, set up in 2011, has been acquired for an undisposed sum. "We’re excited about Holvi as we share a vision about the benefit of technology for the customer. They use [...]
Modern life is probably killing you by middle age – but the government’s new “One You” public health campaign wants to change that March 7, 2016 Modern life is probably killing you. That's what the government thinks, anyway, blaming too much drinking, unhealthy eating and lack of exercise among the middle-aged for an £11bn a year bill footed by the NHS. Now, in an effort to improve the health of the nation and those aged between 40 and 60 in particular, a £6m campaign [...]
Employees’ lack of cyber security knowledge is putting companies at risk, with just a quarter of companies feeling their training has been “very effective” at altering workers’ behaviour March 7, 2016 Companies are failing to bolster their employees' cyber security knowledge, putting their data and their reputation at risk. Research released today by Axelos – a joint venture of the UK government and professional services giant Capita – has found that organisations are underestimating what impact their staff's lack of knowledge can have on the safety of their systems, [...]
Monitise’s share price soars more than 40 per cent as payments firm enters talks to sell off MyVoucherCodes arm Markco Media March 4, 2016 Monitise has confirmed it is in "very early stage discussions" around the possibility it will sell off part of its content business after the Aim-listed firm's share price soared more than 40 per cent this morning. Monitise, whose share price has tumbled 85 per cent in the last year after a series of bad results [...]