Tech's Message

This week on Tech’s Message : UK to ban any handheld use of a mobile phone behind the wheel https://www.engadget.com/uk-ban-any-handheld-use-mobile-phone-driving-125038275.html Peacock / Paramount+ / Sky’s strategy / Star Trek discovery https://blog.trekcore.com/2021/11/star-trek-discovery-leaves-netflix-paramount-plus-2022/ https://www.engadget.com/peacock-uk-ireland-sky-now-tv-streaming-16485961...

This week on Tech’s Message : U.K. Warns Facebook to Keep Users Safe or Risk Criminal Charges https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-11-04/u-k-calls-for-facebook-to-soon-face-criminal-action-on-new-law 'The way my boss monitored me at home was creepy' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-59152864 The extended version available via Patreon subscription also includes: Extra Message follow-up...

This week on Tech’s Message : Facebook Meta NATE: One million households in the UK potentially hit by Amazon ‘brushing scams’ https://www.which.co.uk/news/2021/10/one-million-households-in-the-uk-potentially-hit-by-amazon-brushing-scams/   https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=G33XVXQPUV79Z2ZC   IAN: UK schools slap a hold on facial scanning of children amid fierc...

This week on Tech’s Message : Updated MP3 with correct DTNS promo near the end. UK schools are using facial recognition to take pupils’ lunch money https://www.theverge.com/2021/10/18/22732330/uk-schools-facial-recognition-lunch-payments-north-ayrshire Anti-obesity scheme to offer voucher rewards for healthy living https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/oct/22/anti-obesity-scheme-to-offer-vouche...

This week on Tech’s Message : Shoppers start to use new £100 contactless payment limit https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-58898474 BT broadband customers can get Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for free https://www.pocket-lint.com/games/news/bt/158738-bt-broadband-customers-can-get-xbox-game-pass-ultimate-for-free Neighbour wins privacy row over smart doorbell and cameras https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/techn...

This week on Tech’s Message : Amazon opens first UK bricks-and-mortar non-food store https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/oct/06/amazon-opens-first-uk-bricks-and-mortar-non-food-store-bluewater-kent Sky Glass https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-58828822 https://www.engadget.com/sky-smart-tv-glass-comcast-095543008.html https://www.wired.co.uk/article/sky-glass The extended version availab...

This week on Tech’s Message : UK researchers find Apple Pay, Visa contactless hack https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-58719891 New UK broadband rules will make it easier to switch supplier https://www.theguardian.com/money/2021/sep/28/new-uk-broadband-rules-switch-supplier-ofcom-deals The extended version available via Patreon subscription also includes: EU rules to force USB-C chargers for all...

This week on Tech’s Message : Continuing Virgin Media saga: 5 days and no apology. Gigaclear installs on the 14th That time Nate played laser guns with Lara Croft UK children’s digital privacy code comes into effect https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/sep/02/uk-childrens-digital-privacy-code-comes-into-effect   https://www.wired.co.uk/article/age-appropriate-design-code-big-tech &nbsp...

This week on Tech’s Message : BRIEF UPDATE: Nate cancelled Virgin Media Data protection 'shake-up' takes aim at cookie pop-ups https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-58340333 PayPal to allow UK users to buy and sell cryptocurrencies https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/aug/23/paypal-uk-buy-sell-cryptocurrencies-bitcoin-ethereum-litecoin The extended version available via Patreon subscription...

This week on Tech’s Message : We’re joined by Andrew Lanxon! Find him on YouTube and Instagram , plus his work at CNET.com . New Adventures in Fibreoptic Broadband A discussion around Andy’s recent move to Hyperoptic and how smaller fibre firms are doing in terms of speed, value, installation etc. Nate will explain his consideration of a move from Virgin to Gigaclear after calculating that it’d be...

This week on Tech’s Message : App Store prices dropping in UK, South Africa, and other countries, more https://9to5mac.com/2021/08/03/app-store-prices-dropping-in-uk-south-africa-and-other-countries-more/ I’ve noticed £10 IAPs dropping to £9, for instance. Note on Bloomberg Terminal: The British pound has become the best performing G10 currency in the year to date. It is up 1.48% against the U.S....

In this Extra Message, I explain why Apple Podcasts subscriptions are not working for us, hence our removal of the offer. As was the case prior to June, the best way to support the show is by listening to our free feed and leaving a review or telling your friends, or joining us on Patreon. Thanks to both the people who tried our Apple Podcasts paid offer, and do reach out if you want your money ba...

This week on Tech’s Message : Ofcom releases pricing trends for comms services in the UK https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0013/222331/Pricing-trends-for-communications-services-in-the-UK.pdf   Nothing Earphones review https://twitter.com/Quicktake/status/1420730910882807815   The extended version available via Patreon subscription also includes: Why is the BBC not showing...

This week on Tech’s Message : BT to phase out 3G in UK by 2023 for EE, Plusnet, BT Mobile subscribers https://www.theregister.com/2021/07/15/bt_3g_shutdown/ NOTE FOR MORE ON the 5G BIT: EE aims for 5G coverage everywhere in UK by 2028 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-57811958 Online racists face football ban of up to 10 years, vows Boris Johnson https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-57837003...

This week on Tech’s Message : Right to repair rules will extend lifespan of products, government says https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-57665593 Some specifics here on what’s included: https://www.which.co.uk/news/2021/06/new-right-to-repair-laws-introduced-what-do-they-actually-mean-for-you/ Parents of children called Alexa challenge Amazon https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-57680173 https:/...

This week on Tech’s Message : Roaming fees are back. It’s time to switch network https://www.wired.co.uk/article/uk-roaming-charges-eu   https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-45064268   BT Signs OneWeb Deal to Tackle UK Rural Broadband Slow Spots https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2021/06/bt-sign-oneweb-deal-to-tackle-uk-rural-broadband-slow-spots.html   https://www.bloomberg.com/n...

This week on Tech’s Message : Nate is joined by Kate Lanxon. Find her website at https://www.snailscribbles.com and on Instagram @snail_scribbles . Three UK telco bug has customers receiving and making random calls https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/technology/three-uk-telco-bug-has-customers-receiving-and-making-random-calls/   https://twitter.com/ThreeUK/status/1406186043708223491  ...

This week on the regular version of Tech’s Message : Xbox Announced Streaming TV Sticks and Smart TV Apps https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-06-10/microsoft-wants-to-offer-xbox-gaming-on-tvs-without-the-console?sref=5hBiPAPD   Apple Lossless & Spatial Audio We examine the features, the pros and the cons and determine what more needs to be done to make lossless and hi-res even gr...

This week on the regular version of Tech’s Message : Amazon to stream major National Theatre plays in UK and Ireland https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2021/may/25/amazon-to-stream-major-national-theatre-plays-in-uk-and-ireland 'Irresponsible' London Underground Bitcoin advert banned https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-57254318 Related: NatWest launches 'urgent' cryptocurrency scam alert https://ww...

This week on the regular version of Tech’s Message : London will open electric scooter trials in June See press release https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2021/may/tfl-and-london-councils-announce-london-s-e-scooter-trial-will-begin-in-june https://www.engadget.com/e-scooter-trials-to-begin-in-london-starting-next-month-122007779.html The UK plans to roll out an emergency alert syste...

This week on the regular version of Tech’s Message : Government publishes draft online harms bill https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-57071977 Full PDF: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/985033/Draft_Online_Safety_Bill_Bookmarked.pdf HSBC plans Zoom-free Friday afternoons for some UK staff https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-57057782...

This week on the regular version of Tech’s Message : Facebook: Nice iOS app of ours you have there, would be a shame if you had to pay for it https://www.theregister.com/2021/05/07/facebook_ios_app/ https://www.engadget.com/ios-14-5-users-reject-app-tracking-165309407.html The Adobe Flash nightmare on Windows 10 is finally coming to an end https://www.tomsguide.com/uk/news/the-adobe-flash-nightmar...

This week on the regular version of Tech’s Message : Boris Johnson's personal mobile phone number available online for 15 years https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-56937889 https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/apr/29/boris-johnsons-phone-number-listed-online-for-last-15-years iOS 14.6 beta 1 hinted at Apple Music HiFi support with Dolby audio references https://9to5mac.com/2021/05/01/ios-1...

This week on the regular version of Tech’s Message : NextDoor fear: All Nate’s neighbours are terrified Paying for multiplayer gaming - What Microsoft did with free to play games ** Exclusive for Patreon supporters ** Access to our ad-free, longer version of the show, which includes the above as well as additional discussions about: Apple could supercharge your sleep with its first smart matt...

This week on the regular version of Tech’s Message : UK parliament to debate requiring verified ID to open a social media account https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/575833 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=26469383 Lockdown boredom drives UK video games market to £7bn record high https://amp.theguardian.com/games/2021/mar/19/lockdown-boredom-drives-uk-video-games-market-to-7bn-record-high...