ShinyShiny tech roundup: Google hits record profits
Google’s parent company Alphabet has powered to record profits as a post-pandemic resurgence in advertising demand brought in billions more dollars for the search giant. Microsoft also revealed record figures, and predicted that rising inflation fears around the world would force more employers to spend on technology and automation. Alphabet, which owns Google and a…
National Internet Day: Most baffling text abbreviations explained
SMH (Shake my head) tops the list as the most searched for text abbreviation, with nearly 900,000 average monthly global searches. Search interest for GOAT (Greatest of all time) has seen a 300% surge in the past 12 months on Google Trends. 35 out of 100 abbreviations analysed have amassed more than 100,000 average monthly searches worldwide. Millennials and Gen Z are continually…
ShinyShiny tech roundup: Tesla market value hits $1 trillion
Tesla surpassed a market value of $1 trillion on Monday, making it the fifth such firm to reach the milestone. Shares in the electric carmaker climbed 12.6% after it struck a deal to sell 100,000 vehicles to the car rental firm Hertz. Tesla has been the world's most valuable carmaker for some time, but brands…
There Are Now More Than 20,000 Detectorists In The UK
The way the nation spends its time is changing. In the past, people would fill their weekends with trips to the beach, long walks in the park and attendance at religious services. However, today, things might be changing. With the rapidly rising popularity of metal detecting, more people than ever before are searching for buried…
ShinyShiny tech roundup: Eurostar trials biometric recognition
Image: Eurostar Continental rail operator Eurostar is set to trial a new biometric identity verification technology that promises seamless travel across borders. Created by identity, payments and data protection developer Entrust, the system allows travellers to register their face and passport ahead of travel for a touch-free journey through border checks. Once at St Pancras or other…
Review: Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition
If it’s true, you get what you pay for in a product, you wouldn’t expect much from free Antivirus software. However, Bitdefender’s free Antivirus solution is more than a pleasant surprise. With ongoing Covid-19 restrictions in some countries and the move to hybrid working worldwide, it has never been more essential to protect your home…
Which? unveils leading energy firms for sustainability
Good Energy, GEUK and Ecotricity have beaten the biggest energy firms to be named the best providers on sustainability, Which? research reveals, with all three crowned Which?’s first Eco Providers for energy. British Gas, Scottish Power, Bulb and Octopus were the best of the ‘big’ providers on sustainability in Which?’s analysis of more than 40…
ShinyShiny tech roundup: Donald Trump announces TRUTH Social network
Former US President Donald Trump has announced plans to launch a new social media network, called TRUTH Social. He said the platform would "stand up to the tyranny of big tech", accusing them of silencing opposing voices in the US. Social media played a pivotal role in Mr Trump's bid for the White House and…
Average adult listens to 10 hours of music a week to improve mood
A study of 2,000 Brits found almost a third have turned to music to help them through the pandemic and more than half said particular songs can dramatically improve their mood. And 26 per cent claimed music has been more important to them than ever during the last few months. While 37 per cent have…
ShinyShiny tech roundup: Facebook plans new name for ‘metaverse’ age
Facebook is planning to change its company name next week to reflect its focus on building the metaverse, according to a source with direct knowledge of the matter. The coming name change, which CEO Mark Zuckerberg plans to talk about at the company’s annual Connect conference on October 28th, but could unveil sooner, is meant…
