New Year's resolutions go digital as people vow to cut screen time
If you haven't made or broken any New Year's resolutions yet, here are some you might like to try. Research from Kaspersky indicates that 40 percent of people plan to change their digital lifestyle in 2020 with most aiming to reduce the time they spend with their gadgets.
The research shows 42.3 percent would make a digital New Year's resolution for 2020 rather than something more traditional.
Alexa, have you changed your hair?
People tend to anthropomorphize their virtual assistants, assigning them personalities and physical features such as age, facial expressions and hairstyles according to research from Canada's University of Waterloo.
But giving these qualities to virtual assistants could cause people to reveal more personal information to the companies that own them than they otherwise would, says the study.
5 ways technology is revolutionizing nightlife
A night on the town brings a feeling like no other. Letting your hair down, dancing with old friends and making new friends as you dance the night away. From alternative and underground to the VIP and luxury, there was something for everyone.
But it seems something has changed. In 2018, The Guardian reported that the value of the UK’s nightclub scene had dropped by an estimated £200m in the past five years. People are swapping gin for gyms and martinis for mini golf. So, is the nightclub industry on its way out? With some adapting, evolving and a heavy helping of tech, it’s possible that we’re seeing nightclubs claw back their popularity. Gone are the days of cheap pints and sticky floors. Nowadays people want uniqueness, something that’s worthy of uploading to Instagram, and something entirely experiential.
Consumers favor subscription apps over one-off purchases
Mobile users are becoming far more willing to subscribe to a service than to make a one-time purchase according to a new report.
A study from mobile user acquisition specialist Liftoff has analyzed more than 349 billion impressions across 992 mobile apps, 5.35 billion clicks and 76.6 million total post-install events.
Employees want automation to free them from tedious tasks
More than half the workforce (54 percent) believe they could save five hours or more from tools that automate tasks.
A report from collaboration tool monday.com based on a survey of 1,000 US employees shows over 32 percent would choose to eliminate repetitive administrative tasks if they could improve one thing about work.
If it's Wednesday you're probably on the internet
New research from the UK's Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveals that average daily internet traffic is highest on Wednesdays, while evening traffic peaks on a Tuesday.
The ONS used data from the London Internet Exchange (LINX) network statistics portal to analyze usage trends across the country.
Insurance companies face online fraud threats
Increasing numbers of people are using digital platforms when engaging with their insurers and this opens up the industry to a range of new fraud challenges.
A new report from TransUnion and iovation identifies 9.14 percent of online insurance transactions as risky, compared to just over five percent across all industries.
How can IT departments improve their employee experience? [Q&A]
We're all aware that there is a skills shortage and that it’s particularly acute in some areas -- such as cybersecurity. One of the ways companies can help retain the employees they have -- while making it more attractive to work there -- is by improving the employee work experience.
But what exactly does improving an employee’s work experience actually involve? We spoke to Pedro Bados, CEO of digital experience specialist Nexthink to find out.
Consumers prefer bots to humans
Consumers increasingly prefer to interact with bots rather than humans, especially when it comes to researching products, learning about new services or making customer service queries.
A new study from the Capgemini Research Institute finds almost 70 percent saying they will progressively replace visits to a store or bank with their voice assistant within three years’ time.
You're replacing me with a robot? That's fine
While people prefer to see jobs go to other humans rather than robots, it seems the opposite is true when it comes to their own jobs.
This is a finding of new research from Stefano Puntoni, professor of marketing at Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, released today in a co-authored article in Nature Human Behaviour.
When did computers get smarter than us?
There are few aspects of our everyday lives that don’t now rely on computers at some level. But does this reliance on technology mean that the machines are getting smarter than we are?
Server and network monitoring specialist CloudRadar has put together an infographic examining our reliance on technology.
Lost in the world of endless scrolling
Can you help me? I seem to be lost. I was surfing the Internet for funny cat videos and I stumbled onto this "web page." Or, at least, I thought it was a page. Now, I’m not so sure. I’ve been scrolling for a while now, but I can’t seem to find a way out. Every time I think I’ve reached the end, I find myself in yet another "page." Yet I have no recollection of clicking a link or taking any direct action. It just sort of…happened.
I think I remember where I started from. There was this link to a story about kittens. Or maybe it was baby tiger cubs. I’m not too sure anymore. In fact, my memory of just where I’ve been or even how I got to this point is a little fuzzy.
Now hiring: Digital voyeurs with flexible morals and a sense of adventure!
Psst! Hey you! Yeah, you! Lurking in the bushes with a camera! Sitting on the park bench with a cocked ear! Riding the subway with an eye on your fellow passengers' phone screens!
Are you tired of struggling to catch a glimpse of other people’s intimate moments? Need something to fill that gaping pit of loneliness and despair you call a "life?" Well, you’re in luck! Because we’ve got the perfect job for you!
UK office workers waste 1.8 billion hours a year because of poor technology
Office workers across the UK are wasting 14 days per person each year -- or 1.8 billion hours a year in total -- because the technology they’re given isn't good enough.
A new study of 2,000 office workers from technology solutions company Insight shows 80 percent at some point have felt they don't have the technology they need to do their jobs properly. While 34 percent also say not being equipped with the right technology makes remote and flexible working difficult and stressful.
It's 2029, you're paying more to read this page at peak time (and we're paying your ISP to stop you visiting other tech sites)
What would a world be like where ISPs and businesses are in control of everything you see and do online? A world, in other words, without net neutrality.
VPN comparison site TheBestVPN.com has been considering this and has created an interactive simulator looking at what the web without net neutrality could look like in 2029.
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