When the world of tech is so dynamic, there's always a story to spark debate in our office. Are the machines really taking over our tech? Should we regulate social media? Would we want to be driven home by a driver-less taxi?
That's when I thought it's time to take our Intercity chit-chat about the tech stories that drive our industry public. Every two weeks, I'll be sharing my top 5 tech news stories that are changing the way I see the world.
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1. Are smart-watches the new tech detectives?
Australian Police have used data from an Apple Watch as evidence in determining the time of death of a murder victim. The time of death of the victim could be proved from the readings on her Apple Watch which detected when she went into shock and lost consciousness, and the data is serving as a key piece of evidence in the case against her daughter-in-law.
It might be a morbid use of technology, but with the wearable tech trend not looking to disappear any time soon, will we see technology joining forces with law enforcement to get justice?
2. Who’s the winner of the smart-speaker war?
Whether you’re a HomePod lover or more of an Alexa ally, we’re the generation using smart-speakers to order from Amazon and to find out what time the local Chinese takeaway closes. We’ve all been waiting for Facebook’s entry into the smart-speaker stakes, and if reports are correct, we shouldn’t be holding our breath.
In the wake of the Cambridge Analytica scandal, Zuckerberg is stalling to make sure that their AI-powered alternative strikes the right balance between providing and requesting information.
3. Does your iPhone control your life?
The only time your iPhone lets you down is when its battery is outlasted by a Samsung. But do you control your smartphone or is it your smartphone that really knows how to press your buttons? A recent study by Price has created a bit of a buzz: apparently following a survey of 4.8 million users of Moment, it was revealed that people spend 4 hours a day on their phones. How do you get your life back from the grips of your smartphone?
Minimising your notifications, and only allowing the ones you actually need allow you to use your phone for what you need rather than what an app developer thinks you want. Separating your sleep space from where you charge your phone helps you avoid that late night scroll through your feeds. Do you spend more time on your phone, or is it about making the transition to spending more time on your life?
Tech takeover: Do you control your smartphone or is it your smartphone that really knows how to press your buttons?
4. Apple vs Facebook
Zuckerberg vs. Cook could be a more interesting exchange if Saturday’s Joshua vs. Parker fight didn’t give you your fill of adrenaline.
This week, Apple’s Tim Cook condemned Facebook’s approach to the Cambridge Analytica data-handling scandal, pointedly saying he wouldn’t have made the same mistakes as Zuckerberg.
In retaliation, Zuckerberg states:
"The reality here is that if you want to build a service that helps connect everyone in the world, then there are a lot of people who can't afford to pay”
arguing that we should not allow companies making profit out of users convince us that they care more about us. If we paid for use of the platform, what difference would it make? Should technology leaders be pointing fingers when they could be next in the firing line?
5. Grindr and sharing HIV status
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has been kept busy with yet more headlines, this time with Grindr, a gay dating app, defending its decision to share data with external companies about its members’ HIV status amongst other information.
Grindr is maintaining data that was sent to Apptimize and Localytics, two companies who monitor user interaction and try to optimise their experience, was encrypted. Users can choose whether to share their HIV status in the app, including the last time they were tested, to receive reminders to go for another test as well as where they can find their nearest centre.
Grindr are no longer sharing information with Apptimize and are edging away from Localytics. Before you get ‘appy, it’s worth considering where your information goes, and whether third parties have the opportunity to benefit from your information when data is increasingly becoming a universal currency.
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