Posts by Mike Knight
Google Breakup Proposed
Following a recent US ruling that Google acted illegally to maintain a monopoly on its online search and the associated advertising, the US government has now proposed forcing Google to sell off parts of its business, potentially leading to the breakup of one of the world’s leading tech companies. Antitrust Remedies – Structural Relief Suggested …
Read MoreRyanair Third-Party Data Protection Inquiry
What happens to data gathered as part of Ryanair’s extra ID verification requirement (from customers who don’t book directly through its website), has led to an inquiry being launched by Ireland’s Data Protection Commission (DPC). Why ID Verification? For travellers booking flights through third-party websites or online travel agents (OTA), rather than directly through Ryanair,…
Read MoreApple in Workers’ Rights Dispute
The U.S. National Labour Relations Board (NLRB) has accused Apple of restricting employees’ rights to advocate for better conditions by limiting their use of social media and Slack and retaliating against those who raised concerns. The NLRB’s allegations, filed this month, focus on Apple’s work rules regarding Slack and social media use. Apple, which introduced…
Read MoreAI-Designed Bacteria Creates Rubber Alternative
Paris-based biotech startup BaCta, which has just secured €3.3 million in funding, produces natural rubber using genetically engineered bacteria, thereby offering a sustainable alternative to traditional rubber sources and synthetic, petroleum-based versions. What’s The Problem With How We Get Rubber Now? The current methods of rubber production present several significant environmental and sustainability issues. Synthetic rubber,…
Read MoreAI Safety-Bill Killed (Well, Blocked)
Following California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoing a landmark AI safety bill aimed at regulating the development and deployment of advanced AI systems, we look at the reasons why it was blocked and the implications of doing so. What Bill? US Senate ‘Bill 1047’ relates to regulating AI systems with the focus specifically around frontier AI…
Read MoreNew Ways To Search
Search technology has transformed significantly from text-based queries back in the nineties to now, where there’s a wide range of interactive methods like voice, visual, and AI-driven tools. Here, we look at how these advancements are reshaping the way we search, with a focus on the latest innovations and trends in the search landscape. The…
Read MoreEbay : Fees Scrapped For UK Private Sellers
Online marketplace eBay has announced that starting Tuesday 1 October 2024, private sellers will not pay transaction fees when they sell items on eBay.co.uk. Like Germany In its online announcement of the change, eBay highlighted how it recently launched a similar free-to-sell programme in Germany, with the result reportedly being that many new customers joined…
Read MoreOpenAI : Powerful Voice Building Updates
ChatGPT’s creator and Microsoft-backed start-up OpenAI has announced the introduction of its new (beta) Realtime API tool which enables developers to create AI voice applications using a single set of instructions. Multiple Steps Now Reduced To One Step The ‘Realtime API’ tool simplifies the process of creating AI-driven voice applications by integrating what used to…
Read MoreMicrosoft Office 2024 For Macs (Subs-Free!)
Microsoft is now offering a no-subscription, standalone version of Microsoft Office 2024, available as a “one-time purchase for 1 PC or Mac.” As a one-time purchase version of Microsoft Office, this provides permanent access to Microsoft’s classic productivity suite, representing a longer-term cost-saving alternative to the subscription-based Microsoft 365. Continue reading … …Free MSP Standard Access…
Read MoreTaking Carbon Out Of … Seawater!
Amsterdam-based startup Brineworks is using innovative seawater electrolysis technology to tackle the issue of carbon emissions and reshape the landscape of carbon capture and sustainable fuel production. In A Nutshell – Leveraging The Potential of Seawater Brineworks has developed a seawater electrolysis technology that extracts carbon dioxide (CO₂) and produces green hydrogen (H₂) directly from…
Read More