BATTERYFORPC BLOG
Tech Tent: The world in 2031
Will robots take over most tasks from manual workers over the next decade? Will we find innovative new energy sources to help us battle climate change? And will we really all be living in virtual worlds? This week Tech Tent gets out its crystal ball and asks some big thinkers to work out what the world will look like a decade from now. The Metaverse If Mark Zuckerberg is to be believed, by 20 ... Read more
2021-10-22 19:14:42
Nigerian romance scam suspects targeted 100 women - FBI
Eight Nigerian men accused of an internet dating scam have appeared in a South African court after a massive international operation involving the FBI and Interpol. Authorities in the US, where the investigation originated and most of the alleged victims are based, have applied for their extradition. They are accused of defrauding more than 100 victims of almost $7m (£5m) in total over the past ... Read more
2021-10-21 19:36:22
Trump to launch new social media platform TRUTH Social
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 was his favourite means of communication as president. But Mr Trump was banned ... Read more
2021-10-21 19:35:30
Nearly 45 million received scam calls in three months, Ofcom says
Almost 45 million people in the UK were targeted by scam text messages or phone calls over the summer, according to telecoms regulator Ofcom. About half reported getting a scam call or text at least once a week. A survey of 2,000 adults in September found that almost a million people had been misled by a message or a call which they received. Text scams are most common among 16 to 34-year-olds, ... Read more
2021-10-20 19:31:11
Activision Blizzard: More than 20 staff leave after harassment claims
Gaming giant Activision Blizzard says more than 20 employees have "exited" the company following numerous sexual harassment and discrimination claims. The firm has spent the last several months dealing with a handful of lawsuits and claims about its allegedly toxic workplace environment. More than 20 other employees have faced disciplinary action, it said in a letter to staff on Tuesda ... Read more
2021-10-20 19:30:45
Google's Pixel 6 processor brings AI photo features
Google has unveiled its latest smartphone, containing the tech giant's first self-designed computer chip. The Pixel 6 contains Google's "Tensor" processor, which it says enables new phone features powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning. It is also the first phone in the series with a "Pro" model, designed to compete at the high end of the market. "The w ... Read more
2021-10-19 19:34:57
Pornhub owner settles with Girls Do Porn victims over videos
Pornhub's parent company has settled a lawsuit brought by 50 women who said they were victims of a sex-trafficking operation. The women said that Girls Do Porn, an adult content provider, coerced them into having sex on camera and lied about how the material would be shared. The 50 women had sued Pornhub, alleging the firm knew of the allegations but continued a partnership anyway. Terms of the ... Read more
2021-10-19 19:34:24
Apple unveils new computer chips amid shortage
Apple has unveiled its M1Pro and M1Max chips used to power new MacBook Pro laptop computers. Apple says the M1 Max chip, with 57 billion transistors is the most powerful it has ever built. The new chips were announced almost a year after the firm revealed its first Mac computers powered by silicon of its own design. It comes after reports that Apple cut its iPhone 13 production targets amid the ... Read more
2021-10-18 19:26:07
Facebook to hire 10,000 in EU to work on metaverse
Facebook is planning to hire 10,000 people in the European Union to develop a so-called metaverse. A metaverse is an online world where people can game, work and communicate in a virtual environment, often using VR headsets. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has been a leading voice on the concept. The announcement comes as Facebook deals with the fallout of a damaging scandal and faces increased ca ... Read more
2021-10-18 19:25:38
I get abuse and threats online - why can't it be stopped?
Online abuse against women is on the rise, but why aren't the police, the government and social media companies doing more to stop it? I'm the BBC's first specialist disinformation reporter - and I receive abusive messages on social media daily. Most are too offensive to share unedited. The trigger? My coverage of the impact of online conspiracies and fake news. I expect to be challenged and crit ... Read more
2021-10-17 19:18:18