Latest Technology News

AI has been very much top of the agenda this week. We've had President Biden's executive order on AI, we've had the AI Safety Summit in the UK, we've even had Collins Dictionary choosing AI as its word of the year (not to be confused with the three-toed sloth beloved of Scrabble players).

Today we also have new research from SnapLogic looking at how generative AI is being used, viewed, and adopted within large enterprises.

There have been a number of notable updates for Windows 11 in recent weeks, not least of which is the KB5031455 update from last month. The update brought with it a higher number of new features, including the AI-powered Copilot; it also brought problems.

Microsoft acknowledges an issue that results in desktop icons moving around, and the finger of blame is being pointed at Copilot's interaction with multi-display setups.

The hitherto cheapest means of accessing Apple Music is no more. Apple has announced that it is killing off the $4.99 per month Apple Music Voice Plan.

Introduced back in 2021, this tier allowed for access to the entire Apple Music catalog, but only via Siri, and the discontinuation of this plan means that the cheapest generally available Apple Music subscription is now $10.99 (although students have a $5.99 option). So, what does this means for anyone currently on the Apple Music Voice Plan?

Duracell, the brand we’ve entrusted to keep our gadgets going, has unveiled its latest innovation -- the M150 Portable Power Station. I absolutely adore the classic “Coppertop” design. It looks like a giant disposable battery, y’all!

The M150’s 150 watt capacity makes it an indispensable companion for your laptops, smartphones, and other electronic devices. Imagine being at a tailgate and still having the luxury to charge your phone, or sitting in a remote work spot without the stress of finding a power outlet.

Silicon Power is launching two new portable solid state drives with a USB flash drive form factor. Called "DS72" and "MS70," these diminutive SSDs are targeting creators and mobile professionals. They boast of fast read and write speeds courtesy of the USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface, which is excellent for handling large files, high-resolution media, and demanding software applications. Notably, these drives can transfer a 30-minute 4K video in under 28 seconds.

The DS72 is notable for its read and write speeds of up to 1,050MB/s and 850MB/s respectively, and its storage capacity of up to 1TB. A distinctive feature is its inclusion of both Type-A and Type-C connectors, which allows for a range of user scenarios. For example, sharing a presentation between a MacBook and a Windows laptop using the Type-C connector, or accessing files on a public computer through a Type-A port, becomes straightforward. This is a useful feature for photographers and videographers who often need to transfer high-resolution media between different devices. Mobile professionals using various devices will find the DS72 handy as it reduces the need for multiple adapters or cables.

Public transportation systems have a rich history dating back over a century, with iconic examples like the 1863-established London Underground and New York City's subway, which began operations in 1904. While these systems have evolved alongside technological advancements and urban growth, the expenses involved in maintaining and modernizing them often surpass the available resources.

In the U.S., these upgrades tend to be notably more expensive than in other countries. For example, the installation of protective screen doors at just three subway stations in New York is estimated to cost a staggering $100 million. As a result, public transportation experiences often fall short of contemporary expectations, leading to delays, complex route planning and frustrations arising from the need to cross-reference information. All these elements contribute to reduced commuter satisfaction in comparison to alternative modes of transportation, such as cycling or driving.

Today, Microsoft rolls out new builds for Insiders on both the Dev and Canary channels.

Build 25987 for the Canary Channel adds an option to install previously downloaded drivers when installing Windows 11, so you won’t be stuck offline if you don’t have Wi-Fi drivers. It also does away with two Microsoft apps previously installed by default.

Microsoft began its rollout of Windows 11 2023 Update (23H2) yesterday, but development  continues apace with both Beta Channel and Canary Channel builds arriving for Insiders today.

For those in the Dev Channel, Build 23580 makes it possible for users with local accounts to access Copilot in Windows for a limited number of queries before needing to sign in. Microsoft has also “significantly” improved the nearby share transfer speed for users on same network.

ADATA, today, unveils its first USB4 external SSD. The SE920 supports both Thunderbolt 3 and 4, and is also compatible with USB 3.2 and USB 2.0. This seamless compatibility is further sweetened by a performance that can skyrocket to an astounding 3,800 MB/s. And thanks to its mainstream Type-C interface, transferring large files or swiftly exporting videos is a breeze.

The SE920 has a spring-loaded chassis coupled with a built-in fan for optimal heat dissipation. As data races through the circuits at up to 40Gbps courtesy of USB4, the SE920 stays cool, quite literally. A simple push on its telescopic casing activates the micro fan, extending the chassis and enlarging the internal space to enhance air circulation and expedite heat discharge. This ingenious mechanism isn’t just for show; it translates to a notable 10 percent temperature reduction compared to its fanless counterparts, ensuring a steady and reliable data transmission.

A new report from Dashlane finds that password health and hygiene have improved globally over the past year, reducing the risk of account takeover for consumers and businesses.

However, reuse is still widespread leaving user accounts particularly vulnerable to password-spraying attacks if they’re not protected by strong multi-factor authentication.

ChatGPT For Dummies demystifies the artificial intelligence tool that can answer questions, write essays, and generate just about any kind of text it’s asked for.

This powerful example of generative AI is widely predicted to upend education and business. In this book, you’ll learn how ChatGPT works and how you can operate it in a way that yields satisfactory results.

A new survey of over 280 developers and technical decision makers finds two-thirds dealing with major flaws in homegrown authorization efficiency, security, and app performance. As a result, most organizations (83 percent) plan to invest more into policy as code as a solution.

In case you're unfamiliar with the concept, policy-as-code is an approach to policy management in which policies are defined, shared, updated and enforced using code rather than relying on manual processes.

Microsoft has now officially launched Windows 11 23H2, and the company is also referring to this latest release as the Windows 11 2023 Update.

This update is due to roll out as an automatic update in the coming months, but it is currently available for those who manually seek it out. If you have multiple computers to update, if you want to install the latest version of Windows 11 in a virtual machine, or you just want to make sure you have the latest installation media, here's how to download the Windows 11 23H2 ISO -- or how to download the Windows 11 2023 Update ISO if you prefer this name.

With the UK's national 'Stop Sell' having commenced in September this year and the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) switch off due by December 2025, business owners need to have all the facts and critical information that they need to act fast and confidently to make the right decisions about their digital alternatives.

With the switch off deadline looming how can businesses in the UK ensure that they are prepared for these significant, but exciting changes to communications?

Ad blockers tend to make the internet a more palatable place to explore, but in recent times there has been an increase in ad block detection. Coupled with this has been the introduction of nag screens or content being rendered inaccessible until ad blocking is disabled.

YouTube is one of many big-name sites to have ramped up its efforts to discourage -- and ultimately stamp out -- the use of ad blockers. Now the company is expanding its attack on users who try to avoid ads, and is using the effort to simultaneously promote YouTube Premium.