March 2, 2024
What is New in Latest Tech Communications?
Here’s a breakdown of some recent trends in tech communications:
Emerging Technologies:
- AI-powered communication: AI is playing an increasingly important role in shaping user experience. We see chatbots and virtual assistants becoming more sophisticated, offering personalized support and automating tasks. https://www.mhcautomation.com/about-us/news/mhc-expands-its-leadership-presence-in-g2-winter-2024-reports/
- The rise of the Metaverse: Communication within virtual worlds like the Metaverse is being explored, potentially offering new ways to connect, work, and socialize. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metaverse
Focus on User Experience:
- Omnichannel communication: Companies are prioritizing seamless communication across different channels (e.g., email, social media, chat) to provide a consistent and convenient experience for users. https://www.mhcautomation.com/about-us/news/mhc-expands-its-leadership-presence-in-g2-winter-2024-reports/
- Personalization: Customers expect personalized communication tailored to their needs and preferences. Businesses are leveraging data and AI to personalize content and interactions.
- Self-service options: Self-service options like chatbots and knowledge bases are gaining popularity as users seek quicker and more convenient ways to get answers. https://www.mhcautomation.com/about-us/news/mhc-expands-its-leadership-presence-in-g2-winter-2024-reports/
Additional Trends:
- Focus on security: As data privacy concerns rise, secure communication solutions are becoming increasingly important.
- Integration with emerging technologies: Communication technologies are being integrated with other innovations like AR/VR to offer new immersive experiences. https://www.mhcautomation.com/about-us/news/mhc-expands-its-leadership-presence-in-g2-winter-2024-reports/
These are just some of the recent developments shaping the landscape of tech communications. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more innovative and personalized ways to connect and interact in the future.
- Artificial intelligence research has a slop problem, academics say: ‘It’s a mess’
ICYMI: AI research in question as author claims to have written over 100 papers on AI that one expert calls a ‘disaster’ A single person claims to have authored 113 academic papers on artificial intelligence this year, 89 of which will be presented this week at one of the world’s leading conference on AI and… Read more: Artificial intelligence research has a slop problem, academics say: ‘It’s a mess’ - I spent hours listening to Sabrina Carpenter this year. So why do I have a Spotify ‘listening age’ of 86?
ICYMI: Many users of the app were shocked, this week, by this addition to the Spotify Wrapped roundup – especially twentysomethings who were judged to be 100 “Age is just a number. So don’t take this personally.” Those words were the first inkling I had that I was about to receive some very bad news.… Read more: I spent hours listening to Sabrina Carpenter this year. So why do I have a Spotify ‘listening age’ of 86? - Artificial intelligence research has a slop problem, academics say: ‘It’s a mess’
AI research in question as author claims to have written over 100 papers on AI that one expert calls a ‘disaster’ A single person claims to have authored 113 academic papers on artificial intelligence this year, 89 of which will be presented this week at one of the world’s leading conference on AI and machine… Read more: Artificial intelligence research has a slop problem, academics say: ‘It’s a mess’ - Irish authorities asked to investigate Microsoft over alleged unlawful data processing by IDF
ICYMI: Move follows Guardian revelations of Israel’s mass surveillance of Palestinians using Microsoft cloud Irish authorities have been formally asked to investigate Microsoft over alleged unlawful data processing by the Israeli Defense Forces. The complaint has been made by the human rights group the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) to the Data Protection Commission,… Read more: Irish authorities asked to investigate Microsoft over alleged unlawful data processing by IDF - I spent hours listening to Sabrina Carpenter this year. So why do I have a Spotify ‘listening age’ of 86?
Many users of the app were shocked, this week, by this addition to the Spotify Wrapped roundup – especially twentysomethings who were judged to be 100 “Age is just a number. So don’t take this personally.” Those words were the first inkling I had that I was about to receive some very bad news. I… Read more: I spent hours listening to Sabrina Carpenter this year. So why do I have a Spotify ‘listening age’ of 86? - Dan Houser on Victorian novels, Red Dead Redemption and redefining open-world games
ICYMI: As the Grand Theft Auto co-writer launches a new project, he reflects on his hugely successful open-world adventures and where game design might go next • Don’t get Pushing Buttons delivered to your inbox? Sign up here It is hard to think of a more modern entertainment format than the open-world video game. These… Read more: Dan Houser on Victorian novels, Red Dead Redemption and redefining open-world games - Irish authorities asked to investigate Microsoft over alleged unlawful data processing by IDF
Move follows Guardian revelations of Israel’s mass surveillance of Palestinians using Microsoft cloud Irish authorities have been formally asked to investigate Microsoft over alleged unlawful data processing by the Israeli Defense Forces. The complaint has been made by the human rights group the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) to the Data Protection Commission, which… Read more: Irish authorities asked to investigate Microsoft over alleged unlawful data processing by IDF - Metroid Prime 4: Beyond review – Samus Aran is suited up for action again. Was it worth the 18-year wait?
ICYMI: Nintendo Switch/Switch 2 (version tested); Retro Studios/Nintendo The bounty hunter – Nintendo’s most badass and most neglected hero – returns in an atmospheric throwback sci-fi adventure that’s entirely untroubled by the conventions of modern game design In a frozen laboratory full of cryogenically suspended experimental life forms, metal boots disturb the frost. A lone… Read more: Metroid Prime 4: Beyond review – Samus Aran is suited up for action again. Was it worth the 18-year wait? - Dan Houser on Victorian novels, Red Dead Redemption and redefining open-world games
As the Grand Theft Auto co-writer launches a new project, he reflects on his hugely successful open-world adventures and where game design might go next • Don’t get Pushing Buttons delivered to your inbox? Sign up here It is hard to think of a more modern entertainment format than the open-world video game. These sprawling… Read more: Dan Houser on Victorian novels, Red Dead Redemption and redefining open-world games - James Cameron says AI actors are ‘horrifying to me’
ICYMI: Avatar director, known for his advocacy of new technology, told interviewer generative AI performance puts ‘all human experience into a blender’ Avatar director James Cameron has called AI actors “horrifying” and said what generative AI technology creates is “an average”. Cameron was speaking to CBS on Sunday Morning in the run-up to the release… Read more: James Cameron says AI actors are ‘horrifying to me’ - Metroid Prime 4: Beyond review – Samus Aran is suited up for action again. Was it worth the 18-year wait?
Nintendo Switch/Switch 2 (version tested); Retro Studios/Nintendo The bounty hunter – Nintendo’s most badass and most neglected hero – returns in an atmospheric throwback sci-fi adventure that’s entirely untroubled by the conventions of modern game design In a frozen laboratory full of cryogenically suspended experimental life forms, metal boots disturb the frost. A lone bounty… Read more: Metroid Prime 4: Beyond review – Samus Aran is suited up for action again. Was it worth the 18-year wait? - Virginia Democrat flips seat in state legislature by taking on datacenters
ICYMI: John McAuliff won against a Republican by focusing on something affecting all his constituents: the cost of energy John McAuliff, a 33-year-old small business owner and former civil servant, was one of the more unlikely Democrats to win election to Virginia’s legislature this month, after a campaign in which he could, at times, come… Read more: Virginia Democrat flips seat in state legislature by taking on datacenters - James Cameron says AI actors are ‘horrifying to me’
Avatar director, known for his advocacy of new technology, told interviewer generative AI performance puts ‘all human experience into a blender’ Avatar director James Cameron has called AI actors “horrifying” and said what generative AI technology creates is “an average”. Cameron was speaking to CBS on Sunday Morning in the run-up to the release of… Read more: James Cameron says AI actors are ‘horrifying to me’ - Virginia Democrat flips seat in state legislature by taking on datacenters
John McAuliff won against a Republican by focusing on something affecting all his constituents: the cost of energy John McAuliff, a 33-year-old small business owner and former civil servant, was one of the more unlikely Democrats to win election to Virginia’s legislature this month, after a campaign in which he could, at times, come off… Read more: Virginia Democrat flips seat in state legislature by taking on datacenters - The 29+ best US Black Friday travel deals on luggage, backpacks, travel adapters and more
ICYMI: From Away, Calpak and Samsonite, here are budget-friendly reasons to upgrade your luggage, replace your headphones and finally invest in a set of packing cubes * The 65+ very best US Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, curated and vetted * Sign up for the Filter US newsletter, your weekly guide to buying fewer,… Read more: The 29+ best US Black Friday travel deals on luggage, backpacks, travel adapters and more - The 20+ best US Black Friday tech deals on TVs, tablets, phones, smart watches and more
ICYMI: The sales you’ve been waiting for all year have arrived. Snag deals from Samsung, Amazon, Sony and more * The 43 very best US Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, curated and vetted * Sign up for the Filter US newsletter, your weekly guide to buying fewer, better things Black Friday started off as… Read more: The 20+ best US Black Friday tech deals on TVs, tablets, phones, smart watches and more - The 29+ best US Black Friday travel deals on luggage, backpacks, travel adapters and more
From Away, Calpak and Samsonite, here are budget-friendly reasons to upgrade your luggage, replace your headphones and finally invest in a set of packing cubes * The 65+ very best US Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, curated and vetted * Sign up for the Filter US newsletter, your weekly guide to buying fewer, better… Read more: The 29+ best US Black Friday travel deals on luggage, backpacks, travel adapters and more - The 20+ best US Black Friday tech deals on TVs, tablets, phones, smart watches and more
The sales you’ve been waiting for all year have arrived. Snag deals from Samsung, Amazon, Sony and more * The 43 very best US Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, curated and vetted * Sign up for the Filter US newsletter, your weekly guide to buying fewer, better things Black Friday started off as a… Read more: The 20+ best US Black Friday tech deals on TVs, tablets, phones, smart watches and more - London councils enact emergency plans after three hit by cyber-attack
ICYMI: Royal Borough of Kensington and Westminster city council investigate whether data has been compromised as Hammersmith and Fulham reports hack to the ICO Three London councils have reported a cyber-attack, sparking the roll out of emergency plans as they investigate whether any data has been compromised. The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and… Read more: London councils enact emergency plans after three hit by cyber-attack - The seven best video doorbells tried and tested – and Ring isn’t top
ICYMI: Whether you want to bolster your home’s security or simply make sure you know who’s at the door, the latest generation of smart doorbells will help put your mind at ease • The best robot vacuums to keep your home clean and dust free Doorbells have evolved. Today, they watch us as we approach,… Read more: The seven best video doorbells tried and tested – and Ring isn’t top - London councils enact emergency plans after three hit by cyber-attack
Royal Borough of Kensington and Westminster city council investigate whether data has been compromised as Hammersmith and Fulham reports hack to the ICO Three London councils have reported a cyber-attack, sparking the roll out of emergency plans as they investigate whether any data has been compromised. The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and Westminster… Read more: London councils enact emergency plans after three hit by cyber-attack - The best Black Friday deals on the products we love, from sunrise alarm clocks to dehumidifiers
ICYMI: We’ve cut through the noise to find genuinely good early Black Friday 2025 discounts on Filter-recommended products across home, tech, beauty and toys • Big savings – or big regrets? How to shop smart this Black Friday • The best Black Friday beauty deals Like Christmas Day, Black Friday has long since ceased to… Read more: The best Black Friday deals on the products we love, from sunrise alarm clocks to dehumidifiers - The seven best video doorbells tried and tested – and Ring isn’t top
Whether you want to bolster your home’s security or simply make sure you know who’s at the door, the latest generation of smart doorbells will help put your mind at ease • The best robot vacuums to keep your home clean and dust free Doorbells have evolved. Today, they watch us as we approach, let… Read more: The seven best video doorbells tried and tested – and Ring isn’t top - Has Britain become an economic colony?
ICYMI: The UK could’ve been a true tech leader – but it has cheerfully submitted to US dominance in a way that may cost it dear Two and a half centuries ago, the American colonies launched a violent protest against British rule, triggered by parliament’s imposition of a monopoly on the sale of tea and… Read more: Has Britain become an economic colony? - The best Black Friday deals on the products we love, from sunrise alarm clocks to dehumidifiers
We’ve cut through the noise to find genuinely good early Black Friday 2025 discounts on Filter-recommended products across home, tech, beauty and toys • Big savings – or big regrets? How to shop smart this Black Friday • The best Black Friday beauty deals Like Christmas Day, Black Friday has long since ceased to be… Read more: The best Black Friday deals on the products we love, from sunrise alarm clocks to dehumidifiers - Meet the AI workers who tell their friends and family to stay away from AI
ICYMI: When the people making AI seem trustworthy are the ones who trust it the least, it shows that incentives for speed are overtaking safety, experts say Krista Pawloski remembers the single defining moment that shaped her opinion on the ethics of artificial intelligence. As an AI worker on Amazon Mechanical Turk – a marketplace… Read more: Meet the AI workers who tell their friends and family to stay away from AI - Has Britain become an economic colony?
The UK could’ve been a true tech leader – but it has cheerfully submitted to US dominance in a way that may cost it dear Two and a half centuries ago, the American colonies launched a violent protest against British rule, triggered by parliament’s imposition of a monopoly on the sale of tea and the… Read more: Has Britain become an economic colony? - Meet the AI workers who tell their friends and family to stay away from AI
When the people making AI seem trustworthy are the ones who trust it the least, it shows that incentives for speed are overtaking safety, experts say Krista Pawloski remembers the single defining moment that shaped her opinion on the ethics of artificial intelligence. As an AI worker on Amazon Mechanical Turk – a marketplace that… Read more: Meet the AI workers who tell their friends and family to stay away from AI - Xania Monet’s music is the stuff of nightmares. Thankfully her AI ‘clankers’ will be limited to this cultural moment | Van Badham
ICYMI: While a robot pop star may be novelty now, young people are maturing with a scorn for generic digital products Xania Monet is the latest digital nightmare to emerge from a hellscape of AI content production. No wonder she’s popular … but how long will it last? The music iteration of AI “actor” Tilly… Read more: Xania Monet’s music is the stuff of nightmares. Thankfully her AI ‘clankers’ will be limited to this cultural moment | Van Badham - Nvidia earnings: Wall Street sighs with relief after AI wave doesn’t crash
ICYMI: Amid a blackout of data due to the government shutdown, the $5tn chipmaker’s report took on wider significance Markets expectations around Wednesday’s quarterly earnings report by the most valuable publicly traded company in the world had risen to a fever pitch. Anxiety over billions in investment in artificial intelligence pervaded, in part because the… Read more: Nvidia earnings: Wall Street sighs with relief after AI wave doesn’t crash - Xania Monet’s music is the stuff of nightmares. Thankfully her AI ‘clankers’ will be limited to this cultural moment | Van Badham
While a robot pop star may be novelty now, young people are maturing with a scorn for generic digital products Xania Monet is the latest digital nightmare to emerge from a hellscape of AI content production. No wonder she’s popular … but how long will it last? The music iteration of AI “actor” Tilly Norwood,… Read more: Xania Monet’s music is the stuff of nightmares. Thankfully her AI ‘clankers’ will be limited to this cultural moment | Van Badham - Do you really need to buy a new TV? Seven simple ways to upgrade your setup (some are even free)
ICYMI: Don’t splash out just yet! From a system update to better room lighting, a little fine-tuning could save you hundreds • Do you really need to buy a new laptop? Do you really need to buy a new TV? While the latest specs and outrageous screen sizes may well be a temptation, perhaps you… Read more: Do you really need to buy a new TV? Seven simple ways to upgrade your setup (some are even free) - Nvidia earnings: Wall Street sighs with relief after AI wave doesn’t crash
Amid a blackout of data due to the government shutdown, the $5tn chipmaker’s report took on wider significance Markets expectations around Wednesday’s quarterly earnings report by the most valuable publicly traded company in the world had risen to a fever pitch. Anxiety over billions in investment in artificial intelligence pervaded, in part because the US… Read more: Nvidia earnings: Wall Street sighs with relief after AI wave doesn’t crash - What AI doesn’t know: we could be creating a global ‘knowledge collapse’ | Deepak Varuvel Dennison
ICYMI: As GenAI becomes the primary way to find information, local and traditional wisdom is being lost. And we are only beginning to realise what we’re missing * This article was originally published as ‘Holes in the web’ on Aeon.co A few years back, my dad was diagnosed with a tumour on his tongue –… Read more: What AI doesn’t know: we could be creating a global ‘knowledge collapse’ | Deepak Varuvel Dennison - Do you really need to buy a new TV? Seven simple ways to upgrade your setup (some are even free)
Don’t splash out just yet! From a system update to better room lighting, a little fine-tuning could save you hundreds • Do you really need to buy a new laptop? Do you really need to buy a new TV? While the latest specs and outrageous screen sizes may well be a temptation, perhaps you can… Read more: Do you really need to buy a new TV? Seven simple ways to upgrade your setup (some are even free) - What AI doesn’t know: we could be creating a global ‘knowledge collapse’ | Deepak Varuvel Dennison
As GenAI becomes the primary way to find information, local and traditional wisdom is being lost. And we are only beginning to realise what we’re missing * This article was originally published as ‘Holes in the web’ on Aeon.co A few years back, my dad was diagnosed with a tumour on his tongue – which… Read more: What AI doesn’t know: we could be creating a global ‘knowledge collapse’ | Deepak Varuvel Dennison - How Google’s DeepMind tool is ‘more quickly’ forecasting hurricane behavior
ICYMI: ‘Less expensive and time consuming’ model helps with fast and accurate predictions, possibly saving lives and property When then Tropical Storm Melissa was churning south of Haiti, Philippe Papin, a National Hurricane Center (NHC) meteorologist, had confidence it was about to grow into a monster hurricane. As the lead forecaster on duty, he predicted… Read more: How Google’s DeepMind tool is ‘more quickly’ forecasting hurricane behavior - Father of teen whose death was linked to social media has ‘lost faith’ in Ofcom
ICYMI: Ian Russell says watchdog lacks ‘urgency’ and is not willing to use its powers ‘to the extent required’ The father of Molly Russell, a British teenager who killed herself after viewing harmful online content, has called for a change in leadership at the UK’s communications watchdog after losing faith in its ability to make… Read more: Father of teen whose death was linked to social media has ‘lost faith’ in Ofcom - How Google’s DeepMind tool is ‘more quickly’ forecasting hurricane behavior
‘Less expensive and time consuming’ model helps with fast and accurate predictions, possibly saving lives and property When then Tropical Storm Melissa was churning south of Haiti, Philippe Papin, a National Hurricane Center (NHC) meteorologist, had confidence it was about to grow into a monster hurricane. As the lead forecaster on duty, he predicted that… Read more: How Google’s DeepMind tool is ‘more quickly’ forecasting hurricane behavior - AI firm claims it stopped Chinese state-sponsored cyber-attack campaign
ICYMI: Anthropic says financial firms and government agencies were attacked ‘largely without human intervention’ A leading artificial intelligence company claims to have stopped a China-backed “cyber espionage” campaign that was able to infiltrate financial firms and government agencies with almost no human oversight. The US-based Anthropic said its coding tool, Claude Code, was “manipulated” by… Read more: AI firm claims it stopped Chinese state-sponsored cyber-attack campaign - Father of teen whose death was linked to social media has ‘lost faith’ in Ofcom
Ian Russell says watchdog lacks ‘urgency’ and is not willing to use its powers ‘to the extent required’ The father of Molly Russell, a British teenager who killed herself after viewing harmful online content, has called for a change in leadership at the UK’s communications watchdog after losing faith in its ability to make the… Read more: Father of teen whose death was linked to social media has ‘lost faith’ in Ofcom - EU investigates Google over ‘demotion’ of commercial content from news media
ICYMI: Some content created with advertisers is no longer visible, which could mean loss of revenue, officials say The EU has opened an investigation into Google Search over concerns the US tech company has been “demoting” commercial content from news media sites. The bloc’s executive arm announced the move after monitoring found that certain content… Read more: EU investigates Google over ‘demotion’ of commercial content from news media - AI firm claims it stopped Chinese state-sponsored cyber-attack campaign
Anthropic says financial firms and government agencies were attacked ‘largely without human intervention’ A leading artificial intelligence company claims to have stopped a China-backed “cyber espionage” campaign that was able to infiltrate financial firms and government agencies with almost no human oversight. The US-based Anthropic said its coding tool, Claude Code, was “manipulated” by a… Read more: AI firm claims it stopped Chinese state-sponsored cyber-attack campaign - What does my love for impossibly difficult video games say about me?
ICYMI: From Demon Souls to Baby Steps, challenging games keep a certain type of player coming back for more. I wonder why we are such suckers for punishment • Don’t get Pushing Buttons delivered to your inbox? Sign up here Most people who really love video games have the capacity to be obsessive. Losing weeks… Read more: What does my love for impossibly difficult video games say about me? - EU investigates Google over ‘demotion’ of commercial content from news media
Some content created with advertisers is no longer visible, which could mean loss of revenue, officials say The EU has opened an investigation into Google Search over concerns the US tech company has been “demoting” commercial content from news media sites. The bloc’s executive arm announced the move after monitoring found that certain content created… Read more: EU investigates Google over ‘demotion’ of commercial content from news media - The race begins to make the world’s best self-driving cars
ICYMI: Chinese search giant Baidu challenges Google’s Waymo’s driverless vehicles and Musk aims for a $1tn pay package * Sign up for the TechScape newsletter here Hello, and welcome to TechScape. I’m your host, Blake Montgomery, writing to you from Barcelona, where my diet has transformed at least half my body into ham. Sam Altman’s… Read more: The race begins to make the world’s best self-driving cars - What does my love for impossibly difficult video games say about me?
From Demon Souls to Baby Steps, challenging games keep a certain type of player coming back for more. I wonder why we are such suckers for punishment • Don’t get Pushing Buttons delivered to your inbox? Sign up here Most people who really love video games have the capacity to be obsessive. Losing weeks of… Read more: What does my love for impossibly difficult video games say about me? - Can OpenAI keep pace with industry’s soaring costs?
ICYMI: As investor jitters grow, the loss-making ChatGPT firm’s vast spending commitments test the limits of Silicon Valley optimism It is the $1.4tn (£1.1tn) question. How can a loss-making startup such as OpenAI afford such a staggering spending commitment? Answer that positively and it will go a long way to easing investor concerns over bubble… Read more: Can OpenAI keep pace with industry’s soaring costs? - The race begins to make the world’s best self-driving cars
Chinese search giant Baidu challenges Google’s Waymo’s driverless vehicles and Musk aims for a $1tn pay package * Sign up for the TechScape newsletter here Hello, and welcome to TechScape. I’m your host, Blake Montgomery, writing to you from Barcelona, where my diet has transformed at least half my body into ham. Sam Altman’s bet:… Read more: The race begins to make the world’s best self-driving cars - I’m a committed introvert – but no AI will take away the joy I get from other people | Emma Beddington
ICYMI: While it might be soothing to think you could replace social interactions like book clubs with ChatGPT, subcontracting human thought out to a bot will never bring happiness This is depressing: according to the Cut, people are using AI to solve escape room puzzles and cheat at trivia nights. Surely, that is the definition… Read more: I’m a committed introvert – but no AI will take away the joy I get from other people | Emma Beddington - Can OpenAI keep pace with industry’s soaring costs?
As investor jitters grow, the loss-making ChatGPT firm’s vast spending commitments test the limits of Silicon Valley optimism It is the $1.4tn (£1.1tn) question. How can a loss-making startup such as OpenAI afford such a staggering spending commitment? Answer that positively and it will go a long way to easing investor concerns over bubble warnings… Read more: Can OpenAI keep pace with industry’s soaring costs? - Social media misinformation driving men to seek unneeded NHS testosterone therapy, doctors say
ICYMI: Endocrinologists warn taking testosterone unnecessarily can suppress natural hormone production Social media misinformation is driving men to NHS clinics in search of testosterone therapy they don’t need, adding pressure to already stretched waiting lists, doctors have said. Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is a prescription-only treatment recommended under national guidelines for men with a clinically… Read more: Social media misinformation driving men to seek unneeded NHS testosterone therapy, doctors say - I’m a committed introvert – but no AI will take away the joy I get from other people | Emma Beddington
While it might be soothing to think you could replace social interactions like book clubs with ChatGPT, subcontracting human thought out to a bot will never bring happiness This is depressing: according to the Cut, people are using AI to solve escape room puzzles and cheat at trivia nights. Surely, that is the definition of… Read more: I’m a committed introvert – but no AI will take away the joy I get from other people | Emma Beddington - Social media misinformation driving men to seek unneeded NHS testosterone therapy, doctors say
Endocrinologists warn taking testosterone unnecessarily can suppress natural hormone production Social media misinformation is driving men to NHS clinics in search of testosterone therapy they don’t need, adding pressure to already stretched waiting lists, doctors have said. Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is a prescription-only treatment recommended under national guidelines for men with a clinically proven… Read more: Social media misinformation driving men to seek unneeded NHS testosterone therapy, doctors say - Unesco adopts global standards on ‘wild west’ field of neurotechnology
ICYMI: UN body’s recommendations driven by AI advances and proliferation of consumer-oriented neurotech devices It is the latest move in a growing international effort to put guardrails around a burgeoning frontier – technologies that harness data from the brain and nervous system. Unesco has adopted a set of global standards on the ethics of neurotechnology,… Read more: Unesco adopts global standards on ‘wild west’ field of neurotechnology - Fortnite maker and Google settle five-year legal fight over Android app store
ICYMI: Epic Games has reached a ‘comprehensive settlement’ with Google, potentially ending a years-long legal battle Fortnite maker Epic Games has reached a “comprehensive settlement” with Google that could end its five-year legal crusade targeting Google’s Play Store for Android apps, both companies revealed in a joint legal filing. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney called the… Read more: Fortnite maker and Google settle five-year legal fight over Android app store - Unesco adopts global standards on ‘wild west’ field of neurotechnology
UN body’s recommendations driven by AI advances and proliferation of consumer-oriented neurotech devices It is the latest move in a growing international effort to put guardrails around a burgeoning frontier – technologies that harness data from the brain and nervous system. Unesco has adopted a set of global standards on the ethics of neurotechnology, a… Read more: Unesco adopts global standards on ‘wild west’ field of neurotechnology - Fortnite maker and Google settle five-year legal fight over Android app store
Epic Games has reached a ‘comprehensive settlement’ with Google, potentially ending a years-long legal battle Fortnite maker Epic Games has reached a “comprehensive settlement” with Google that could end its five-year legal crusade targeting Google’s Play Store for Android apps, both companies revealed in a joint legal filing. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney called the settlement… Read more: Fortnite maker and Google settle five-year legal fight over Android app store - The best meditation apps to quit doomscrolling and find peace instead
ICYMI: You can’t control this chaotic world, but the best meditation apps can help you control how you react to it, one deep breath at a time * Sign up for the Filter US newsletter, your weekly guide to buying fewer, better things Anxious? Stressed? Trouble sleeping? Meditation is not a magical remedy for all… Read more: The best meditation apps to quit doomscrolling and find peace instead - Oakley Meta Vanguard review: fantastic AI running glasses linked to Garmin
ICYMI: Camera-equipped sports shades have secure fit, open-ear speakers, mics and advanced Garmin and Strava integration The Oakley Meta Vanguard are new displayless AI glasses designed for running, cycling and action sports with deep Garmin and Strava integration, which may make them the first smart glasses for sport that actually work. They are a replacement… Read more: Oakley Meta Vanguard review: fantastic AI running glasses linked to Garmin - The best meditation apps to quit doomscrolling and find peace instead
You can’t control this chaotic world, but the best meditation apps can help you control how you react to it, one deep breath at a time * Sign up for the Filter US newsletter, your weekly guide to buying fewer, better things Anxious? Stressed? Trouble sleeping? Meditation is not a magical remedy for all that… Read more: The best meditation apps to quit doomscrolling and find peace instead - Oakley Meta Vanguard review: fantastic AI running glasses linked to Garmin
Camera-equipped sports shades have secure fit, open-ear speakers, mics and advanced Garmin and Strava integration The Oakley Meta Vanguard are new displayless AI glasses designed for running, cycling and action sports with deep Garmin and Strava integration, which may make them the first smart glasses for sport that actually work. They are a replacement for… Read more: Oakley Meta Vanguard review: fantastic AI running glasses linked to Garmin - Ducking annoying: why has iPhone’s autocorrect function gone haywire?
ICYMI: The internet has been rumbling about autocorrect for years – and now AI is changing how the technology works Don’t worry, you’re not going mad. If you feel the autocorrect on your iPhone has gone haywire recently – inexplicably correcting words such as “come” to “coke” and “winter” to “w Inter” – then you… Read more: Ducking annoying: why has iPhone’s autocorrect function gone haywire? - How do Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 compare against hearing aids? I put them to the test
ICYMI: Can these earphones, with less cost and stigma than real aids, be a gateway for millions with untreated hearing loss? * Sign up for the Filter US newsletter, your weekly guide to buying fewer, better things I didn’t think much about it when I asked my partner to repeat herself. But then I did… Read more: How do Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 compare against hearing aids? I put them to the test - Ducking annoying: why has iPhone’s autocorrect function gone haywire?
The internet has been rumbling about autocorrect for years – and now AI is changing how the technology works Don’t worry, you’re not going mad. If you feel the autocorrect on your iPhone has gone haywire recently – inexplicably correcting words such as “come” to “coke” and “winter” to “w Inter” – then you are… Read more: Ducking annoying: why has iPhone’s autocorrect function gone haywire? - Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold review: dust-resistant and more durable foldable phone
ICYMI: Book-style Android with cutting-edge AI, good cameras and great tablet screen for media and multitasking on the go Google’s third-generation folding phone promises to be more durable than all others as the first with full water and dust resistance while also packing lots of advanced AI and an adaptable set of cameras. The Pixel… Read more: Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold review: dust-resistant and more durable foldable phone - How do Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 compare against hearing aids? I put them to the test
Can these earphones, with less cost and stigma than real aids, be a gateway for millions with untreated hearing loss? * Sign up for the Filter US newsletter, your weekly guide to buying fewer, better things I didn’t think much about it when I asked my partner to repeat herself. But then I did it… Read more: How do Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 compare against hearing aids? I put them to the test - Nvidia becomes world’s first $5tn company amid stock market and AI boom
ICYMI: Silicon Valley chipmaker hits $5tn valuation just three months after it was first to break through the $4tn barrier Nvidia has become the world’s first $5tn company as the artificial intelligence industry and wider US stock market boom. Just three months ago, the Silicon Valley chipmaker was first to break through the barrier of… Read more: Nvidia becomes world’s first $5tn company amid stock market and AI boom - Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold review: dust-resistant and more durable foldable phone
Book-style Android with cutting-edge AI, good cameras and great tablet screen for media and multitasking on the go Google’s third-generation folding phone promises to be more durable than all others as the first with full water and dust resistance while also packing lots of advanced AI and an adaptable set of cameras. The Pixel 10… Read more: Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold review: dust-resistant and more durable foldable phone - Nvidia becomes world’s first $5tn company amid stock market and AI boom
Silicon Valley chipmaker hits $5tn valuation just three months after it was first to break through the $4tn barrier Nvidia has become the world’s first $5tn company as the artificial intelligence industry and wider US stock market boom. Just three months ago, the Silicon Valley chipmaker was first to break through the barrier of $4tn… Read more: Nvidia becomes world’s first $5tn company amid stock market and AI boom - The Séance of Blake Manor review – gripping gothic detective game steeped in mystery and menace
ICYMI: Raw Fury/Spooky Doorway; PC An atmospheric folk-horror adventure combines colonial guilt, spiritualism and supernatural chills in a tale of secrets and seances on Ireland’s haunted west coast A remote manor house on the west coast of Ireland, an eccentric cast of misfits and ne’er-do-wells, a dapper investigator with secrets of his own. The Séance… Read more: The Séance of Blake Manor review – gripping gothic detective game steeped in mystery and menace - US and China reach ‘final deal’ on TikTok sale, treasury secretary says
ICYMI: Scott Bessent said plan was part of framework for trade deal but did not share details on transferring app’s ownership * Murdoch, Ellison and China: what we know about the US’s TikTok deal US treasury secretary Scott Bessent claimed on Sunday that the US and China have finalized the details of a deal transferring… Read more: US and China reach ‘final deal’ on TikTok sale, treasury secretary says - The Séance of Blake Manor review – gripping gothic detective game steeped in mystery and menace
Raw Fury/Spooky Doorway; PC An atmospheric folk-horror adventure combines colonial guilt, spiritualism and supernatural chills in a tale of secrets and seances on Ireland’s haunted west coast A remote manor house on the west coast of Ireland, an eccentric cast of misfits and ne’er-do-wells, a dapper investigator with secrets of his own. The Séance of… Read more: The Séance of Blake Manor review – gripping gothic detective game steeped in mystery and menace - Amazon strategised about keeping its datacentres’ full water use secret, leaked document shows
ICYMI: Executives at world’s biggest datacenter owner grappled with disclosing information about water used to help power facilities Amazon strategised about keeping the public in the dark over the true extent of its datacentres’ water use, a leaked internal document reveals. The biggest owner of datacentres in the world, Amazon dwarfs competitors Microsoft and Google… Read more: Amazon strategised about keeping its datacentres’ full water use secret, leaked document shows - US and China reach ‘final deal’ on TikTok sale, treasury secretary says
Scott Bessent said plan was part of framework for trade deal but did not share details on transferring app’s ownership * Murdoch, Ellison and China: what we know about the US’s TikTok deal US treasury secretary Scott Bessent claimed on Sunday that the US and China have finalized the details of a deal transferring TikTok’s… Read more: US and China reach ‘final deal’ on TikTok sale, treasury secretary says - ‘Sycophantic’ AI chatbots tell users what they want to hear, study shows
ICYMI: Scientists warn of ‘insidious risks’ of increasingly popular technology that affirms even harmful behaviour Turning to AI chatbots for personal advice poses “insidious risks”, according to a study showing the technology consistently affirms a user’s actions and opinions even when harmful. Scientists said the findings raised urgent concerns over the power of chatbots to… Read more: ‘Sycophantic’ AI chatbots tell users what they want to hear, study shows - Amazon strategised about keeping its datacentres’ full water use secret, leaked document shows
Executives at world’s biggest datacenter owner grappled with disclosing information about water used to help power facilities Amazon strategised about keeping the public in the dark over the true extent of its datacentres’ water use, a leaked internal document reveals. The biggest owner of datacentres in the world, Amazon dwarfs competitors Microsoft and Google and… Read more: Amazon strategised about keeping its datacentres’ full water use secret, leaked document shows - The best e-readers in the US, for every kind of book lover
ICYMI: Whether you’re on a budget, looking for an easy way to read when you travel, or want one for kids, here are our picks (they’re not all Kindles) * Sign up for the Filter US newsletter, your weekly guide to buying fewer, better things * In the UK? Check out our top-rated e-readers here… Read more: The best e-readers in the US, for every kind of book lover - ‘Sycophantic’ AI chatbots tell users what they want to hear, study shows
Scientists warn of ‘insidious risks’ of increasingly popular technology that affirms even harmful behaviour Turning to AI chatbots for personal advice poses “insidious risks”, according to a study showing the technology consistently affirms a user’s actions and opinions even when harmful. Scientists said the findings raised urgent concerns over the power of chatbots to distort… Read more: ‘Sycophantic’ AI chatbots tell users what they want to hear, study shows - I thought I hated working out until I tried this fitness app
ICYMI: Future Fitness bottles the best parts of a personal trainer in the convenience of an app – here’s why it’s worth the $199 a month * This natural rubber yoga mat lasted me a decade of daily practice * Sign up for the Filter US newsletter, your weekly guide to buying fewer, better things… Read more: I thought I hated working out until I tried this fitness app - The best e-readers in the US, for every kind of book lover
Whether you’re on a budget, looking for an easy way to read when you travel, or want one for kids, here are our picks (they’re not all Kindles) * Sign up for the Filter US newsletter, your weekly guide to buying fewer, better things * In the UK? Check out our top-rated e-readers here Bookworms… Read more: The best e-readers in the US, for every kind of book lover - ‘Significant exposure’: Amazon Web Services outage exposed UK state’s £1.7bn reliance on tech giant
ICYMI: Cloud computing disruption highlights risk of deepening ties despite warnings from UK’s own regulators, including the Treasury Amazon chief executive Andy Jassy beamed as he met Keir Starmer in Downing Street’s garden to announce £40bn of UK investments in June. Starmer was equally effusive, gushing: “This deal shows that our plan for change is… Read more: ‘Significant exposure’: Amazon Web Services outage exposed UK state’s £1.7bn reliance on tech giant - I thought I hated working out until I tried this fitness app
Future Fitness bottles the best parts of a personal trainer in the convenience of an app – here’s why it’s worth the $199 a month * This natural rubber yoga mat lasted me a decade of daily practice * Sign up for the Filter US newsletter, your weekly guide to buying fewer, better things For… Read more: I thought I hated working out until I tried this fitness app - I thought I hated working out until I tried this fitness appFuture Fitness bottles the best parts of a personal trainer in the convenience of an app – here’s why it’s worth the $199 a month * This natural rubber yoga mat lasted me a decade of daily practice * Sign up for the Filter US newsletter, your weekly guide to buying fewer, better things For… Read more: I thought I hated working out until I tried this fitness app
- I’m a digital nomad who works on the road. These seven travel gadgets go with me everywhere
ICYMI: From ultra-portable laptops to organizers for all your cables, the right gear makes all the difference * Sign up for the Filter US newsletter, your weekly guide to buying fewer, better things Two years ago, I traded the routine of a fixed desk for a rotating cast of airport gates, train stations, and cafe… Read more: I’m a digital nomad who works on the road. These seven travel gadgets go with me everywhere - ‘Significant exposure’: Amazon Web Services outage exposed UK state’s £1.7bn reliance on tech giant
Cloud computing disruption highlights risk of deepening ties despite warnings from UK’s own regulators, including the Treasury Amazon chief executive Andy Jassy beamed as he met Keir Starmer in Downing Street’s garden to announce £40bn of UK investments in June. Starmer was equally effusive, gushing: “This deal shows that our plan for change is working… Read more: ‘Significant exposure’: Amazon Web Services outage exposed UK state’s £1.7bn reliance on tech giant - Experiential entertainment is having a gold rush but commercial success is far from certain
ICYMI: As an immersive Hunger Games show opens in London, producers turn to bankable franchises, with mixed results When the first ever stage adaptation of the global book and film franchise The Hunger Games opens its doors in London next week, fans paying up to £200 have been promised an “electrifying” and “immersive” experience. The… Read more: Experiential entertainment is having a gold rush but commercial success is far from certain - I’m a digital nomad who works on the road. These seven travel gadgets go with me everywhere
From ultra-portable laptops to organizers for all your cables, the right gear makes all the difference * Sign up for the Filter US newsletter, your weekly guide to buying fewer, better things Two years ago, I traded the routine of a fixed desk for a rotating cast of airport gates, train stations, and cafe tables.… Read more: I’m a digital nomad who works on the road. These seven travel gadgets go with me everywhere - Experiential entertainment is having a gold rush but commercial success is far from certain
As an immersive Hunger Games show opens in London, producers turn to bankable franchises, with mixed results When the first ever stage adaptation of the global book and film franchise The Hunger Games opens its doors in London next week, fans paying up to £200 have been promised an “electrifying” and “immersive” experience. The show… Read more: Experiential entertainment is having a gold rush but commercial success is far from certain - Driverless cars are coming to the UK – but the road to autonomy has bumps ahead
ICYMI: Waymo plans London robotaxis as early as 2026, but the history shows hype, hesitation and a few missed turns The age-old question from the back of the car feels just as pertinent as a new era of autonomy threatens to dawn: are we nearly there yet? For Britons, long-promised fully driverless cars, the answer… Read more: Driverless cars are coming to the UK – but the road to autonomy has bumps ahead - Dan and Phil’s relationship revelation is a reminder of how toxic fandoms can be | Eilish Gilligan
ICYMI: In the British YouTubers’ latest video, the pair confirm their romantic relationship – after suffering frenzied speculation for the last 16 years This week, longtime British YouTubers Dan Howell and Phil Lester uploaded a new video confirming they have been in a secret romantic relationship for the past 16 years. If you weren’t a… Read more: Dan and Phil’s relationship revelation is a reminder of how toxic fandoms can be | Eilish Gilligan - Driverless cars are coming to the UK – but the road to autonomy has bumps ahead
Waymo plans London robotaxis as early as 2026, but the history shows hype, hesitation and a few missed turns The age-old question from the back of the car feels just as pertinent as a new era of autonomy threatens to dawn: are we nearly there yet? For Britons, long-promised fully driverless cars, the answer is… Read more: Driverless cars are coming to the UK – but the road to autonomy has bumps ahead - Plug-in hybrids pollute almost as much as petrol cars, report finds
ICYMI: Analysis of 800,000 European cars found real-world pollution from plug-in hybrids nearly five times greater than lab tests Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) pump out nearly five times more planet-heating pollution than official figures show, a report has found. The cars, which can run on electric batteries as well as combustion engines, have been… Read more: Plug-in hybrids pollute almost as much as petrol cars, report finds - Dan and Phil’s relationship revelation is a reminder of how toxic fandoms can be | Eilish Gilligan
In the British YouTubers’ latest video, the pair confirm their romantic relationship – after suffering frenzied speculation for the last 16 years This week, longtime British YouTubers Dan Howell and Phil Lester uploaded a new video confirming they have been in a secret romantic relationship for the past 16 years. If you weren’t a deeply… Read more: Dan and Phil’s relationship revelation is a reminder of how toxic fandoms can be | Eilish Gilligan - iPhone Air review: Apple’s pursuit of absolute thinness
ICYMI: Ultra-slim and light smartphone feels special, but cuts to camera and battery may be too hard to ignore for most The iPhone Air is a technical and design marvel that asks: how much are you willing to give up for a lightweight and ultra-slender profile? Beyond the obvious engineering effort that has gone into… Read more: iPhone Air review: Apple’s pursuit of absolute thinness - Plug-in hybrids pollute almost as much as petrol cars, report finds
Analysis of 800,000 European cars found real-world pollution from plug-in hybrids nearly five times greater than lab tests Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) pump out nearly five times more planet-heating pollution than official figures show, a report has found. The cars, which can run on electric batteries as well as combustion engines, have been promoted… Read more: Plug-in hybrids pollute almost as much as petrol cars, report finds - Space Harrier at 40: how Sega’s surreal classic brought total immersion to arcades in the 80s
ICYMI: As they flew above Yu Suzuki’s innovative, psychedelic 3D landscapes combating space dragons and alien rock monsters, the moving arcade cabinet would fling players around and physically involve them in the action During our family’s holidays in the 1980s, most of which were spent at classic English seaside resorts, I spent all my time… Read more: Space Harrier at 40: how Sega’s surreal classic brought total immersion to arcades in the 80s - iPhone Air review: Apple’s pursuit of absolute thinness
Ultra-slim and light smartphone feels special, but cuts to camera and battery may be too hard to ignore for most The iPhone Air is a technical and design marvel that asks: how much are you willing to give up for a lightweight and ultra-slender profile? Beyond the obvious engineering effort that has gone into creating… Read more: iPhone Air review: Apple’s pursuit of absolute thinness - Battlefield 6 review – operatic, ear-shattering all-encompassing warfare
ICYMI: Electronic Arts; PC, PS5, Xbox In contrast to the blast-em-ups this franchise drops players into a vast and vividly realised military offensive and the latest instalment is a brilliant return to form Barely a minute into your first round of the large-scale multiplayer mode, Conquest, you will know you are back in Battlefield at… Read more: Battlefield 6 review – operatic, ear-shattering all-encompassing warfare - Space Harrier at 40: how Sega’s surreal classic brought total immersion to arcades in the 80s
As they flew above Yu Suzuki’s innovative, psychedelic 3D landscapes combating space dragons and alien rock monsters, the moving arcade cabinet would fling players around and physically involve them in the action During our family’s holidays in the 1980s, most of which were spent at classic English seaside resorts, I spent all my time and… Read more: Space Harrier at 40: how Sega’s surreal classic brought total immersion to arcades in the 80s