Apple fined for slowing down old iPhones February 8, 2020 Apple has been fined 25m euros (£21m) for deliberating slowing down its older iPhone models and not making customers aware. The fine, which was imposed by France’s competition and fraud watchdog DGCCRF, was for failing to make this clear to consumers. Apple admitted in 2017 that it slowed down some of its iPhones but only [...]
Why pork chops are the new steak for the 2020s February 7, 2020 Pork chops are having a moment. Thick and fat-rimmed, they come covered in capers and sage, or turnips and salsa verde. They may arrive with mash and cabbage, or hazelnuts and apple, or bathing in a splendid pig’s trotter gravy. For decades, beef has been the hero dish in top restaurants, with a legion of [...]
UK confirms third coronavirus patient February 6, 2020 A third person in the UK has tested positive for coronavirus, the Department of Health has confirmed. The patient, who did not acquire the virus in the UK, has been transferred to a specialist NHS centre. “We are using robust infection control measures to prevent any possible further spread of the virus,” said chief medical [...]
Fusion energy can power us to a greener world February 6, 2020 There is an old joke among scientists: fusion power is 30 years away, and always will be. Yet as we enter the decade in which the big questions on the future of energy must be answered, is it time to revisit fusion and its unrivalled potential to change the way the world generates power? The [...]
It’s time for marketers to give the emoji a thumbs up and a smiley face February 6, 2020 There is a clear rule of thumb in the world of marketing: emojis equal engagement. Emails with an emoji in the subject line have better click-throughs, and social media posts with images get more responses. Given this, why do some marketers still feel that these modern-day hieroglyphics are a formality fail, especially in a business setting? [...]
DEBATE: Is 2035 too soon to ban petrol and diesel new car sales? February 6, 2020 Is 2035 too soon to ban petrol and diesel new car sales? Alex Buttle, director of car selling comparison website Motorway.co.uk, says YES. The government already had its work cut out to meet its previous 2040 deadline, and endless confusion over Brexit and the car industry’s future haven’t helped consumer confidence to make the switch [...]
Spotify boosts subscribers amid surge in podcast listening February 5, 2020 Spotify today reported a sharp growth in subscriber numbers as the music streaming giant cashed in on its recent investment in podcasts. The Swedish firm boosted its monthly active users to 271m in the four quarter, up 31 per cent year on year, with paid subscribers up 29 per cent to 124m. Total revenue for [...]
Goldman Sachs ‘in talks’ to partner with Amazon on small business loans February 3, 2020 Goldman Sachs is reportedly in advanced talks with Amazon to offer small business loans in the US, as the Wall Street giant looks to the tech titan in a bid to break into the mainstream areas of financial services. Goldman Sachs has begun building technology that would allow it to offer loans to small and [...]
Amazon ‘launches search’ for new London office space February 3, 2020 Amazon is said to be on the hunt for new office space in London as the e-commerce giant doubles down on its commitment to the capital after Brexit. The tech firm has called in advisers at Cushman & Wakefield to find a building with roughly 200,000 square feet (sq ft) of office space, the Times [...]
Sadiq Khan interview: The London mayor talks tech tax, Brexit, Labour and Uber January 30, 2020 There can be no doubt that last year’s General Election redrew Britain’s political landscape. But for an example of just how different things have become, consider that next week a Labour mayor of London will warn a Tory chancellor against imposing new taxes on multinational tech giants. Sadiq Khan tells me he enjoys a good [...]