ShinyShiny tech roundup: App users spending more time on TikTok than YouTube
App users in the UK and US are spending more time on TikTok than on YouTube, a new report suggests. Data from app monitoring firm App Annie indicates that average time per user spent on the apps is higher for TikTok, indicating high levels of engagement. App Annie characterised TikTok as having "upended the streaming…
Brits spend more than 100 days of their lives deciding what to watch
Deciding what to watch: we spend 100 days of our life deciding what to watch A study of 2,000 adults found people typically flick through eight TV channels when choosing an episode and a further nine-film titles before making a final decision. The average week sees 24 minutes and 24 seconds…
Vodafone launches Curve IoT Pet Tracker
Vodafone has introduced a new pet tracker pack to its IoT range. Called Curve, it comprises a smart GPS tracker and a new pet tracker clip. The new pack, available now for £36 (connection fee starts from £3 per month on a 24-month contract), allows owners to securely attach the Curve tracker to their pet’s…
How to Find Old Friends Online
As you get older and life gets busier, you might end up losing touch with great friends you used to see or talk to all the time. This is something that commonly happens, especially as people start families or move away from the place where they grew up. But, just because life inevitably brings changes,…
ShinyShiny tech roundup: Food waste app Olio raises $43 million
Image: Olio A British app that encourages people to give away excess food has raised $43m (£31m) from investors including German takeaway giant Delivery Hero. Olio, founded in 2015 by Tessa Clarke and Saasha Celestial-One – whose second name was invented by her “hippy entrepreneur” parents – has 5m users who collect…
ShinyShiny tech roundup: Skip ‘Hey, Google’ with Quick phrases
“Quick phrases” is a new feature currently under development for Google Assistant that could one day let you skip having to say “Hey, Google” for common phrases like “What time is it?” or “Turn the lights on,” 9to5Google reports. The feature is yet to be officially announced, and it’s unclear when it might launch or exactly which…
4 in 10 UK adults admit to using mobile phone in bathroom
A survey of 2,000 UK adults revealed 41 per cent can't help but take their mobile phone into the bathroom - with this figure rising to 77 per cent of 18- to 24-year-olds. Social media is partly to blame, with a fifth fearing they couldn’t go 24 hours without checking for the latest updates on…
ShinyShiny tech roundup: Philips Hue partners with Spotify for syncing music with lights
If you’ve got a home full of Hue lights, there’s an easy new way to set the mood for your next party. Signify, which makes the Philips Hue line, is partnering with Spotify so that your lightbulbs can automatically sync up with whatever music you have playing, changing color and flashing along to the beat.…
Covid-19 leads to 20% growth in smartwatches, claims study
The global COVID-19 pandemic has made more people aware of their health, fitness and well-being, and the smart wearables market is reaping the rewards, according to the latest report by technology analyst firm CCS Insight. It recently published a market forecast that predicts shipments of wrist-worn wearables will hit 232 million units in 2021, a…
How to Stay Out of Trouble When Growing Your Business
There are many problems that can arise when you’re looking to grow your business and take it to where you feel it should be. All too often, inexperienced and eager entrepreneurs end up landing themselves in hot water or causing problems for themselves in completely unnecessary ways. Staying safe and ensuring you’re not putting your…
