DSP's ultra-low-power Alexa-enabled voice processor aims to put Amazon's assistant into battery-powered gadgets
TECHNOLOGY POWERING BUSINESS
June 2018
Google, Facebook ‘Deceive’ Users On GDPR Data Choices
The internet giants' new privacy controls don't obtain the explicit, informed consent required by European law, consumer groups claim
Amazon Buys Online Pharmacy In Health Care Move
The purchase of US pharmacy PillPack is seen as a notice of Amazon's intent to establish itself in the healthcare industry
Google’s Duplex Now Identifies Itself As A Robot
The automated appointment-booking service, which uses an AI system to ring businesses, is to begin trials this summer
European Chip Makers Call For State Support
An industry study identifies AI and European semiconductor self-reliance as key priorities in uncertain times
Hackers ‘Using International Characters To Create Scam Sites’
Researchers find an upsurge in scam sites with lookalike international characters in the domain name
Trump Bolsters Review Panel To Limit Foreign Tech Investments
US President promises tougher security review panel to curb Chinese investments in American tech
Firefox To Include ‘Have I Been Pwned’ Alerts
Breach notifications to be included for Firefox users to alert them if their data is compromised in a data breach
Facebook Shuts Down ‘Aqulia’ Drone Program
Bye bye to Somerset-based aerospace outfit Ascenta, as Facebook cancels high altitude drone connectivity program
Microsoft Rolls Out Juggernaut Blockchain Payments System For Gaming Industry
The new blockchain-based offering, backed by services giant EY, is expected to turn into one of the world's biggest enterprise blockchain deployments
Details Emerge Of Qualcomm’s ARM-Based Desktop Chip
The 'Snapdragon 1000' aims to take on Intel in laptops and desktops with smaller chips that use less power
HMRC Voice ID Scheme ‘Breaks GDPR’, Claim Campaigners
The voice identification programme has collected more than 5 million citizens' voiceprints to date
Enigma Codebreaking Bombe Moves To New Home
New gallery next door to Bletchley Park showcases the machine that helped cracked Hitler’s Enigma machine
US Supreme Court Rules On Mobile Phone Location Data
Court case involving armed robber sees setback for American law enforcement in using historical location data
Apple Denies Researcher’s Claim Of Passcode Hack
Sorry FBI, no easy way into iPhones after brute force hack of passcode is dismissed by Apple
Google’s Android Messages Comes To The Desktop
A new web-based messaging system lets users keep up with SMS conversations through any browser
Microsoft Working With M&S On ‘Game-Changing’ AI Tech
Marks & Spencer is the latest retailer to work with Microsoft on revamping the high-street shopping experience
Intel Chief Krzanich Quits Over Relationship
The consensual relationship was in violation of a policy that applies to all managers, Intel said
Microsoft To Open Two Data Centres In Norway
Nordic expansion for Azure as Microsoft reveals plans for two new facilities in Norway
Former Telsa Staffer Sued For Hacking
Disgruntled former employee alleged to have hacked IT system and transferred sensitive data to third party
Controversial Copyright Bill Approved By EU Committee
But critics argue it will change the face of the Internet as we know it, and herald the end of memes
Blue chips & sole traders – all commit to WordPress to sell online
The death knell of Magento?
Google To Patch Smart Speaker, Chromecast Location Leak Bug
The loophole could allow attack websites to determine a user's precise location
Marriott To Install Amazon Echo In US Hotel Rooms
The next time you check into a Marriott hotel in the US, Amazon's Alexa might be there to help you dial room service
More Troubles Ahead For ZTE After Senate Votes To Reinstate Embargo
Shares in ZTE and its US suppliers plummeted following the US Senate's vote to annul President Trump's trade deal
IBM AI Machine Draws In Debate With Humans
“Open the pod bay doors, HAL”. IBM AI machine holds its own in public debate with human
Motorola Patent Hints At Foldable Phone Solution
No more creases! Patent deals with tricky problem with foldable phones, notably creases in the screen
Apple Fined For ‘Bricking’ Third Party Repaired iPhones
Error 53 comes back to bite Apple as Australian court fines it £5 million for disabling iPhones repaired by third parties
US Military Backs Research Into AI ‘Common Sense’
The Defence Department's Darpa agency wants machines that can adapt to their environment and are better at spotting counterfeit imagery
US Supreme Court To Hear Apple Appeal In App Store Monopoly Case
The lawsuit over excessive App Store developer fees could have a broad impact on e-commerce platforms such as those of Amazon and eBay
Huawei Says Australian Security Fears ‘Ill-Informed’
Australia is expected to ban Huawei from participating in the construction of its 5G mobile network
Gloucester Police Fined For Disclosing Victim Details In Bulk Email
An officer failed to activate the 'BCC' function in a bulk email, landing the force a £80,000 penalty
Apple Disables iPhone Encryption Workaround Used By Cops
Apple said the move was not specifically aimed at frustrating law enforcement's efforts to convict criminals
Microsoft Working On Shop Automation Tech To Rival Amazon Go
Microsoft is working with retailers to build checkout-free systems like the Amazon Go shop that opened to the public in January
ICANN Puts First GDPR Measures Into Place
The GDPR is the 'first time' legislation has forced ICANN to make changes, the internet governance body says
Facebook To Require Labels For Targeted Ads
Advertisers must now tell users when they've been targeted using information from a third-party data broker
Home Office Launches ‘Start-Up’ Visa Programme
The move aims to attract more entrepreneurs, following criticism of immigration restrictions from the UK's tech industry
Qualcomm To Refocus Server Chip Business On Large Cloud Players
Despite rumours of a possible sale of its server chip division, Qualcomm insists it isn't going anywhere
Tapplock Smart Padlock Hackable With Smartphone
Researcher finds smart fingerprint padlock is not as secure as first thought, and can be unlocked in seconds
Dixons Carphone At Centre Of Huge Data Breach
At least 5.9 million payment cards and 1.2 million personal data records have been compromised
US To Retake Supercomputing Crown With ‘Summit’
The new Oak Ridge National Laboratories system will be used to help build an exascale computer running at 100 petaflops
Xiaomi Reports $1bn Quarterly Loss Ahead Of Blockbuster IPO
The smartphone maker's listing is expected to be the biggest since Alibaba's US market debut in 2014
Swiss ‘Crypto Valley’ Tests Blockchain-Based Voting
The city of Zug is to hold a small-scale test referendum using its blockchain-based electronic ID system
Foxconn Investigates Amazon Echo Factory
Chinese factory that makes Amazon Echo speakers and Kindle readers probed for workforce violations
Verizon To Retire Yahoo Messenger
Out with the old...twenty years after it was first launched, Yahoo Messenger is to be retired in mid July
Google Pledges AI Halt For Weapon Systems
Alphabet signals u-turn after military project, and publishes its core principals for AI development going forward
China’s TCL Launches Security-Oriented BlackBerry Key2
The high-end device features dual rear cameras, a dedicated shortcut key and unique security and privacy features
Atlanta Loses ‘Years’ Of Police Video Evidence In Ransomware Attack
The incident paralysed city services for weeks, and police have only now mostly recovered
US Deal Allows China’s ZTE To Resume Business
The agreement will see ZTE pay out $1.4bn and retain a monitoring team for 10 years - but critics say it's not enough
WannaCry Hero Marcus Hutchins Faces More Charges
British security researcher who halted last year's WannaCry outbreak, faces more US charges
Former Cambridge Analytica CEO Nix Grilled By MPs
Alexander Nix admits obtaining Facebook data from Cambridge researcher in testy exchanges with MPs
Microsoft Sinks Second Data Centre Under The Sea Near Orkney
No more worry about cooling costs, when you sink a data centre deep within the ocean, claims Microsoft
Apple Unveils iOS Features To Combat Gadget Addiction
WWDC 2018: iOS 12 also includes Group FaceTime, improved Face ID and a feature that blocks cops' phone unlocking tools
Police Figures Cite Cybercrime, Digital Data As Top Concern
An exponential surge in data and a decentralised structure are making cyber-policing increasingly difficult
Court Finds Facebook Page Administrator ‘Jointly Responsible’ For Data Protection
The German operator of a fan page on Facebook must take its share of responsibility for the collection of user data
Sharp Returns To PCs With Purchase Of Toshiba PC Division
Foxconn bolsters its PC credentials as its Sharp division scoops up the PC business of Toshiba
Google To End Military AI Drone Project – Report
Internal pressure from staff forces a rethink by Google over little-known Pentagon drone project
Apple OS To Block Facebook Web Tracking Tools
Blow for Zuckerberg as Apple says it will block Faceboook's web tracking tools in new Mac OS and iOS
Japan Drives Ahead With Self-Driving Car System For Tokyo
The system could be in place in time for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, with commercialisation planned for 2022
Facebook Denies Claims Mobile Data Sharing Broke Privacy Pledges
Facebook shared users' data with more than 60 mobile device makers without gaining their consent, New York Times claims
Microsoft Buys Code-Sharing Site GitHub For $7.5bn
The move means changes for developers - but also big Microsoft competitors such as Google, Facebook and Amazon
Samsung Can Ignore Updates For Old Phones
Legal victory in Netherlands means tech giant is not obliged to update older generation smartphones
Google Nest Launches Ring Rival Doorbell In UK
Watch out Amazon's Ring.com as Google's Nest division launches facial recognition video doorbell in UK
Uber In Tech Sharing Talks With Alphanet’s Waymo
Possible thaw in frosty relationship between Uber and Alphabet's Waymo as talks begin over self driving tech