Uber trials bus-route style pick-ups in San Francisco August 25, 2015 Uber's not content with just offering rides on-demand in hundreds of cities around the world. Now the startup is trialing a new feature that offers bus-style pick-ups along certain routes. The so-called "smart routes" are being tested out on the streets of San Francisco and build upon its existing Uber Pool service that lets you [...]
Sony unveils Aerosense drone: Watch the drone prototype take flight for the first time August 25, 2015 The world has been given a first glimpse of Sony’s future drone completing a vertical take-off, as Sony’s Aerosense unveils a prototype that shows the company’s shift from consumer to enterprise tech. The drone looks cool, but this is no toy. Moving away from the consumer sphere, these plane-shaped drones are aimed at business use. [...]
Markit expands fintech service with acquisition August 25, 2015 Financial data supplier Markit is expanding its reach in the global financial industry, as it announced yesterday it has agreed to purchase foreign exchange trading service DealHub for an undisclosed sum. Markit said the acquisition will allow the group to expand its service, offering a one-stop shop for banks, brokers and asset managers. Jeff Maron, [...]
UK researchers have developed Moo-Q, an app that knows when you’re most productive August 24, 2015 When are you at your most productive? Is it just after a good night’s sleep, or after that third cup of coffee kicks in mid-morning? Perhaps you’re not really sure: In that case, there is now an app for that (of course there is). UK psychologists have developed an app to help us figure out [...]
New flu vaccine could give humans life-long immunity August 24, 2015 A new vaccine created by scientists in the US could give humans life-long immunity to influenza and help prevent future pandemics. Read more: Yorkshire duck farm bird flu outbreak: How is the disease transmitted and can it affect humans? Vaccines are already available for preventing the illness, but as soon as the virus mutates [...]
How do you use social media? One in three use WhatsApp, Snapchat and other mobile messaging apps August 21, 2015 One in three smartphone owners use messaging apps like WhatsApp, according to a new social media study released today. Among young people, this shoots up further to one in two. In Pew Research Center’s latest report, the institute has broken out messaging apps for the first time, asking about them as something separate from texting [...]
Ashley Madison hackers leak second 20GB data dump that’s twice as large as first August 20, 2015 The hacking group behind the leak of information from extramarital dating site Ashley Madison has dumped a second tranche of data containing the personal details of millions of members. The second leak is 20GB, almost twice the size of the first batch of private information – including email addresses and credit card numbers – which was [...]
Have we hit peak smartphone? Global growth hits two-year low as China’s sales decline for first time ever August 20, 2015 Is Peak Smartphone upon us? Drooping sales in China have caused smartphone sales to hit the brakes with the slowest growth rate since 2013, according to Gartner’s latest report, released today. In China, the world’s largest market, sales have fallen for the first time ever, with a four per cent decline year on year. Anshul [...]
Chances of getting a stroke “more likely” with longer working hours August 20, 2015 It might be time to cut back on that overtime – it turns out those working longer hours are more likely to have a stroke, according to a new study. An analysis of just over 600,000 people published in the Lancet Medical Journal showed those working more than the standard nine to five were as [...]
It’s official: Dining at your desk or on the move makes you gain weight August 20, 2015 We all know we should get outside for some fresh air at lunchtime – but it turns out missing out on exercise isn't the only reason eating "al desko" makes you gain weight. A new study, by scientists at Surrey University, has found if you're focusing on something other than your meal – by, for [...]