How to get into tech: Microsoft, Toshiba and Siemens back A-Level alternative “tech levels” September 9, 2015 Students in the UK can now take technology-focused alternatives to A-levels, which will set them in good stead to land jobs at some of the country's leading firms. AQA, one of the leading exam boards, has introduced “tech levels” as an option for pupils aged 16-19. These are being offered at colleges across England, [...]
Starting work before 9am is “torture”, says sleep expert September 9, 2015 If getting into work this morning was a struggle, you're not alone: an expert has said being forced to start work before 9am is a form of "torture". Oxford University's Dr Paul Kelley told the British Science Festival that the majority of office workers are sleep-deprived because the body's 24-hour circadian rhythm is set. "You [...]
European migrant crisis: Uber and Save the Children partner for #UberGiving donations on-demand to help refugees September 8, 2015 Uber has partnered with charity Save the Children to allow people to provide donations on-demand, with the aim of helping refugees fleeing Syria and other displaced people. The startup, better known for providing rides through its app, is now using its ubiquity across European cities to help people make donations to charities across the continent. [...]
SpaceX is getting ready to launch its Falcon Heavy – the world’s most powerful operational rocket September 8, 2015 Not one to be perturbed by a couple of missed landings, SpaceX – the space company founded by Tesla entrepreneur Elon Musk – has announced plans to attempt one of its boldest rocket launches yet: sending the Falcon Heavy, the world's most powerful rocket, into space for the first time. At a conference in [...]
What iPhone 6S? The mobile phone alternatives that prove there’s more to life than Apple September 8, 2015 SONY XPERIA Z3 Coming only six months after the Xperia Z2, this upgrade looks pretty similar from the outside, if slightly squatter and available in more colours. It’s waterproof and dust resistant, so if you’re an outdoorsy type or insist on keeping your phone in your back pocket when you go to the loo, you’re [...]
After space whisky, here’s the booze-powered car: Government invests £11m in Celtic Renewables September 8, 2015 Say what you like about whisky, but it's definitely going places. After yesterday's revelation that when matured in space, the spirit produces a "dramatically different flavour profile", it has now been revealed that the government has awarded cash to a company trying to produce whisky-powered fuel. Celtic Renewables, a spin-out from Edinburgh Napier University's Biofuel [...]
Uber China raises $1.2bn led by Baidu while local rival Didi Kuaidi bags $3bn September 7, 2015 China is the new battleground for Uber – and now it has landed billions to fund a fight against a rival which calls the country home turf. Speaking to Chinese media, Uber boss Travis Kalanick confirmed UberChina has bagged at least $1.2bn (£787m) in its latest round of funding, with the investment led by one of [...]
Apple iPhone 6s and 6s Plus launch event: Spec, features, UK release date – including 3D Touch, Apple TV and iPad Pro September 7, 2015 As surely as the leaves start to turn from green to orange and the kids head back to school, September is the season of the iPhone launch. This week, tech fans are waiting patiently for the 9 Septemeber event, where, like a headmaster giving his start of term speech, Apple boss Tim Cook is expected [...]
This is how to make your children the smart decision-makers of the future September 4, 2015 If you want your children to be the great decision-makers of the future, encourage them to focus on improving maths and science skills at school. That's the advice from Dame Athene Donald, the new president of the British Science Association, at next week's British Science Festival. According to the BBC, she will say [...]
Linkedin, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: What does your favourite social network say about you? September 3, 2015 Linkedin lover or addicted to Twitter? What social network you spend most of your time on reveals more than you might think about your gender, age and even social grade. Polling institute Ipsos Mori has released its latest quarterly Tech Tracker, which analyses how Britons access the internet (short answer: everywhere and a lot). Alongside [...]