Mobile technology

Covid-19: Global smartphone sales take a tumble in Q1 2020

Leading analyst Gartner attributes 20% year-on-year decline in device sales to effect of coronavirus pandemic, with leading brands showing sharp falls Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Privacy campaigners call for radical changes to contact-tracing app

Liberty, Privacy International and the Open Rights Group join calls for the government to either put in place better data protection policies or abandon its Covid-19 contact-tracing app altogether Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

SmarTone deploys Ericsson Spectrum Sharing to open the gates to 5G-based smart city

Hong Kong operator deploys 5G broadly across territory using dynamic spectrum-sharing technology Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

CWDN series: what defines modern software development practices?

Programmers, coders, software engineers of all creeds and even meddling script kiddies all see themselves as artists, of a sort.  Creating applications, data engineering and services across PCs, ... Continue Reading

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• Adrian Bridgwater

Wireless Broadband Alliance calls for single global Wi-Fi network

Global wireless ecosystem consortium unveils WBA OpenRoaming to offer automatic and secure connection of billions of devices to millions of Wi-Fi networks Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Qualcomm aims to tap into Wi-Fi 6E with ‘world’s most advanced’ mobile wireless portfolio

Hot on the heels of FCC action described as milestone and watershed moment for innovation that will supercharge connectivity, wireless processor giant aims to cash in on new wireless standard Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Test and Trace has not passed data protection impact assessment

Public Health England failed to complete the required impact assessment before launching the Covid-19 Test and Trace programme Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

O2 completes Innovate UK cyber security project blueprint for self-driving cars

Leading UK telco O2 finalises projects to protect data integrity of connected cars as part of major UK project into autonomous vehicles on UK roads Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

The new future of work

We may come to stop talking about ‘remote’ working altogether after the coronavirus pandemic. It could become just ‘working’ – part of the normal mix of how things are done Continue Reading

By

• Bev White, Nash Squared

European General Court annuls ban on proposed Three UK/O2 merger

Court reverses European Commission judgment blocking 2016 purchase of leading UK mobile providers Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Covid-19 calculated to cause 18% drop in net new IoT devices in 2020

Fleet management, heavy transport vehicles, equipment, fixed assets and digital signage are among the internet of things applications hit hardest by the pandemic Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Public Health England to keep contact-tracing data for 20 years

PHE will retain the data it collects via the NHS Test and Trace programme for 20 years Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

UK government unveils NHS Test and Trace service to combat Covid-19

UK government unveils framework to stop the spread of coronavirus, but contact-tracing launch date not revealed Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Three-quarters of people expect to work remotely more often after the lockdown

Current changes in working patterns through the Covid-19 outbreak set to see marked shift in the future, and have major impact on digital infrastructures Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Covid-19: Managing spikes in website traffic now IT leaders’ biggest challenge

AppDynamics research reveals that 95% of companies plot new tech course after Covid-19 outbreak as technologists see opportunity to show their value to the business Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

PropertyGuru touts 3D virtual viewings with StoryTeller

Southeast Asian property portal PropertyGuru rolls out new capability in its FastKey platform that lets developers showcase properties to prospective buyers through 3D visualisation Continue Reading

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• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Fears contact-tracing app will open the floodgates for cyber criminals

Study of UK consumers reveals worries over an uptick in cyber crime and a lack of trust in government Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

EE network sees fivefold leap in Zoom users, 45% increase in voice calls, apps since lockdown

Research from mobile operator highlights changing habits of UK citizens during lockdown, with video conferencing seeing massive leap Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

StrandHogg mobile vulnerability has evil twin

Variant of the dangerous StrandHogg vulnerability affecting Android phones could allow hackers to access almost all apps on a target device Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Huawei hits out at fresh UK network probe

UK cyber security agency confirms it will conduct a new investigation into the security-worthiness of Huawei’s 5G technology Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Ericsson enables commercial 5G network for Telia in Stockholm

Swedish operator lays the foundations for the next phase of digital transformation with 5G network designed to open up new user experiences and accelerated innovation in areas such as entertainment, healthcare, manufacturing and transport Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Nokia joins the Open RAN Policy Coalition

Finish comms tech provider reinforces its commitment to the development of future secure mobile radio technologies for 5G by joining open and software-defined network technology consortium Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Lack of clarity around 5G fuels misconceptions about next-generation networks

Revolutionary potential of next-generation 5G network is huge, but research suggests key messages are not hitting home with businesses or consumers Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Android security vulnerabilities differ by country, say researchers

Manufacturers of Android devices including Huawei, Samsung and Xiaomi shipped devices with different levels of security in different regions, leaving their users exposed to attack Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Thailand gears up for 5G

Thai government forms 26-member committee to develop a roadmap for 5G adoption and address roadblocks related to the recall of unused spectrum from state agencies Continue Reading

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• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Hancock to Harman: No contact-tracing privacy law

Health secretary claims existing data protection law is good enough to guarantee the security of contact-tracing data Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

UK workers struggle to unplug from ‘new normal’ at home

As the country enters month three of enforced working from home, research reveals that as personal devices and app overload blurs home-work life, concerns arise over productivity and the mental state of the workforce Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Coronavirus: How MyIX is keeping Malaysians connected

Malaysia’s MyIX internet exchange has been classed as critical national infrastructure, with member telcos adding more capacity to meet the surge in demand for internet services Continue Reading

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• Avanti Kumar

UK contact-tracing app set to miss official launch date as Google, Apple release API

Government ministers aim to shore up contact-tracing strategy after junior minister concedes much-publicised app set miss-stated start date and Silicon Valley giants officially launch API for apps that follow different route than NHS Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

UK government spent over £50m on digital response to Covid-19 pandemic

NAO report outlines public spending on responding to the coronavirus crisis, which also includes a £1.2bn hit from delaying controversial IR35 tax reforms Continue Reading

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• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

Coronavirus: Pandemic spurs QR code app upgrade at PayPal

PayPal introduces QR code payment functionality to its mobile app to support social distancing Continue Reading

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• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Nokia, KDDI trial fully virtualised 5G cloud RAN

Finnish comms tech supplier Nokia adds to portfolio of customers trailing its cloud RAN solutions in deal with leading Japanese operator KDDI, including Nokia AirScale Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

NCSC discloses multiple vulnerabilities in contact-tracing app

National Cyber Security Centre has received mountains of feedback on the security of the government’s Covid-19 contact-tracing app, and has now taken the step of making multiple disclosures Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Nearly two-thirds of US small businesses to continue with remote working post-pandemic

Survey reveals small businesses are having a big rethink on remote working as a fundamental business practice when the coronavirus pandemic has passed Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Personal devices putting Singapore employers at risk

More than half of Singapore respondents to a CrowdStrike-commissioned survey believe their devices are only somewhat secure against advanced cyber threats Continue Reading

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• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Bartoletti to AI developers, beware ‘datafication & technosolutionism’

There’s an old (possibly slightly apocryphal) technology story related to the history of Microsoft as told by American futurist Peter Schwartz.  Somewhere between CP/M, IBM BIOS and Windows 3.0, ... Continue Reading

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• Adrian Bridgwater

Ericsson extends 5G reach with China Telecom, China Unicom

Leading Chinese operators tap Swedish comms tech giant for 5G core portfolio systems, including cloud packet, NFVI, dynamic orchestration and spectrum sharing Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

GDPR wholly inappropriate to govern contact-tracing data

Human Rights Committee Chair Harriet Harman says current data protection law is not up to the job of governing the data collected by the Covid-19 contact-tracing app Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Doubts mount over effectiveness of UK contact-tracing app

Studies from BCS and Anomali reveal that a significant proportion of the UK population is not prepared to download the Covid-19 contact-tracing app Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Huawei: US using technological strengths to ‘crush’ companies outside its own borders

Chinese tech giant hits back at White House decision to extend technology ban and says it will ultimately be self-harming Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

2B or not 2C? That is the question for 5G

A flurry of 5G network launches in all major markets in Asia, North America and Europe, focused on consumer applications and services. This looks set to change in 2020 as the operators get down to business Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Worldwide comms services industry projected to take limited hit from Covid-19

Coronavirus pandemic has changed some trends in the global telecom services market, but operators have adapted quickly and temporarily pushed aside some earlier priorities, says IDC Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Coronavirus: Digital bank’s valuation falls as it seeks funds to ride Covid-19 storm

Monzo is seeking new investment to help it through the coronavirus pandemic Continue Reading

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• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Contact-tracing app tests on the Isle of Wight show that technology is not the solution

The NHSX contact-tracing app has been in live testing on the Isle of Wight for over a week now, and already we can make one important conclusion – a conclusion that was surely self-evident anyway. ... Continue Reading

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• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

Covid-19: NHS reveals comms network strain as virus spread

Patients hit the web and phone lines for coronavirus assessments, with demand peaking as lockdown was announced, says health service Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Harman seeks to bring private member’s bill over contact tracing

Chair of Human Rights Committee aims to put the proposed Contact Tracing (Data Protection) Bill 2020 before parliament as a private member’s bill if necessary Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

CW APAC: Trend Watch – business response to coronavirus

With countries the world over reeling from the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak, which has meant sweeping changes both economically and socially, Computer Weekly looks at how firms in the Asia-Pacific region have adapted to what has so quickly become the new normal. Continue Reading

US maintains ban on Chinese tech firms as Huawei, ZTE make 5G leaps

White House extends executive order that effectively bans US companies from using comms equipment made by firms posing a national security risk, while Huawei and ZTE reveal new 5G advances Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Coronavirus: Asos launches See My Fit to replace model photoshoots

Online fashion brand’s augmented reality technology enables customers to see how an outfit might look on them Continue Reading

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• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Vodafone aids Covid-19 fight with added capacity for NHS Scotland, and introduces IoT thermal camera

Comms tech to the fore in assisting key workers at temporary coronavirus facility in Glasgow, while heat detection camera combining thermal imaging and IoT capability will help facilitate people’s return to work Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

UK’s contact-tracing app targeted by scammers

Even though it is only operational on the Isle of Wight as a beta test, the UK government’s coronavirus contact-tracing app has already attracted the attention of cyber criminals Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

SK Telecom brings quantum security to the masses

The South Korean telco is readying the world’s first 5G smartphone equipped with a quantum random number generator chipset Continue Reading

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• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Telcos’ enterprise ambitions at risk from private network operators, private spectrum

Research finds a rising number of spectrum initiatives underpinning strong momentum for private cellular networks within enterprises Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

European comms bodies set up standards group, call for vigilance on contact-tracing apps

New ETSI group will develop standardisation framework for secure smartphone-based proximity tracing systems, helping to break Covid-19 transmission chains Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Draft Covid-19 contact tracing legislation proposes formal oversight

Human Rights Committee chair Harriet Harman has outlined a proposed bill to guarantee the security and privacy of data generated by the UK’s Covid-19 contact tracing app Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Vodafone shrugs Virgin move as it posts steady financial year

UK operator claims to have defied the odds and bucked the market in last financial year but warns of impact of Covid-19 on business Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Coronavirus: Retailers reach for tech to keep staff connected in the crisis

From fast-tracking home-working strategy, to conducting training and board meetings virtually, read about how retailers are keeping staff connected during the Covid-19 coronavirus crisis Continue Reading

By

• Ben Sillitoe

Opportunity in times of crisis for Nordic tech startups

Nordic tech startups face some major challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic, but this could be the making of some of them Continue Reading

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• Matthew Staff

Details released of second UK contact-tracing app development

Contractual documents show Zuhlke Engineering receiving an official start date of 6 May to supply a managed delivery team to support and run proximity mobile application and services for the UK Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

UK contact-tracing app developers hit back at effectiveness and privacy doubts

Pre-eminent scientists continue to defend NHS contact-tracing app from criticism of its effectiveness and the use of centralised data gathering Continue Reading

Will the NHS’s Covid-19 contact-tracing app work?

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we get the expert reaction to find out if the NHS contact-tracing app will work. Staying close to clients is crucial through lockdown – we look at the importance of customer experience management. And imagine implementing a digital transformation plan in two weeks – one CIO explains how he did it. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Contact-tracing app hits teething troubles as minister confirms changes could be made

UK contact-tracing saga continues as UK government releases details of impact assessment on the app and admits that adaptations and even total change in form are not off the table Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

UK said to be on verge of major technology shift for Covid-19 contact-tracing app

Technology community awash with reports of potential sea change in much-publicised and much-criticised app away from controversial centralised database Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Contact-tracing app fails to protect privacy and human rights

Reassurances over the security and human rights implications of NHSX’s approach to developing its Covid-19 contact-tracing app are insufficient, says the cross-bench Human Rights Committee Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Brits expected to call time on office life after lockdown

O2 Business study reveals currently displaced workers see a permanent change to their company’s approach to flexible working Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Industry 4.0 transformation reaches communications inflection point

Survey finds huge potential for investment in advance 4G and 5G technology among industrial organisations Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

UK comms experts continue to question contact-tracing app

Academics and comms industry experts challenge UK government scientists on their defence of NHS contact-tracing app, in particular the issue of centralised data gathering Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Cash use to go below 5% of total spending in Middle East

Banks expect a rapid reduction of the use of cash in the region Continue Reading

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• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Telcos lose out in early enterprise 5G business

Research reveals that industries and enterprises are ready to reap the benefits of 5G, but warns that service providers need to learn how to satisfy this demand Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Singapore to test 5G in Industry 4.0 trial

Trial, spearheaded by IMDA, IBM, Samsung and M1, will test the use of 5G, along with AI and IoT technologies, in manufacturing Continue Reading

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• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

T-Mobile US claims ‘significant’ 5G standalone architecture firsts

US operator partners with comms technology leaders to achieve world’s first milestones for standalone architecture 5G Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Contact tracing: The privacy vs protection debate

The Covid-19 pandemic has necessitated extreme measures not seen in peacetime for over 100 years. Contact-tracing apps are being developed as a tool for managing the pandemic, but are they a step too far? Continue Reading

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• Peter Ray Allison

UK contact-tracing app developers hit back at effectiveness and privacy doubts

Pre-eminent scientists continue to defend NHS contact-tracing app from criticism of its effectiveness and the use of centralised data gathering Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Building security and privacy into contact-tracing apps

Governance and data decentralisation are among measures that organisations can take to allay security and privacy concerns over contact-tracing apps, according to RSA Continue Reading

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• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

SK Telecom, Deutsche Telekom form joint venture to combat coronavirus

Telecoms giants extend working relationship to expand global 5G ecosystem by accelerating 5G deployment in Europe and exchange their respective technological expertise once the situation with Covid-19 improves Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Don’t get too excited about ‘immunity passports’ just yet

As the UK government starts trials of its contact-tracing app in the Isle of Wight, attention will soon shift towards another potential app-enabled solution to help ease lockdown requirements and ... Continue Reading

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• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

No silver bullets and ‘bumps in the road’ likely but UK contact-tracing app development gathers pace

UK scientific experts address doubts on contact-tracing app’s effectiveness, particular regarding data privacy, but admit that its nature may have to evolve as the roll-out scales up Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Four risks to data privacy and governance amid Covid-19

EY privacy experts assess some of the novel risks to data privacy, protection and governance during the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic Continue Reading

By

• Pragasen Morgan and Paul Smith

NatWest Bank shutters its app based bank after five months

NatWest is closing its consumer-facing, app-based bank and increasing its focus on mobile business bank Mettle Continue Reading

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• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Research institutes warn of necessity for UK contact-tracing app to link to testing

BCS and Cass Business School call for proposed UK contact-tracing app not to be launched without alignment to testing and warns that without this link, NHS will not be able to “big data” its way out of “no data” situation Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

5G on the ropes as Covid-19 set to land $51bn blow on global mobile services industry

Research predicts mobile revenue will drop 4.1% worldwide because of pandemic, with European operators taking a particular heavy hit Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Why you should think before you Zoom

Feel free to use Zoom during the coronavirus lockdown, but think before you discuss anything confidential Continue Reading

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• Dai Davis, Percy Crow Davis & Co

Global contact-tracing apps take divergent routes to beat Covid-19

Telecoms will play a key role in controlling the coronavirus through contact-tracing apps that can mitigate its spread. But that will only be the case if population masses actually use the apps – and that’s not guaranteed for a variety of reasons Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Pre-owned device values stay strong amidst coronavirus pandemic

More than half a billion dollars returned to US consumers in Q1 2020 as used and new mobile device markets stabilise after Covid-19 disruption Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Logitech MX Master 3 mouse, who moved the cheese?

Some things, products, services (people even) take a little getting used to, but once you do, the effort is worth it. This is the deal with MX Master 3 mouse. You’ve most likely not been using a ... Continue Reading

By

• Adrian Bridgwater

Unified communications: The key to prospering in the new working reality of Covid-19

Covid-19 lockdowns are causing a collective rethink in the way companies operate, with unified communications transformed from a nice-to-have to a business essential as remote working becomes the new normal Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Imou Ranger IQ review: a 355° view smart camera

We’re all enjoying the Internet of Things (IoT), right? Well mostly… but a lot of the IoT is industrial mechanised sensors on aircraft and manufacturing equipment that we never see, plus, a lot of ... Continue Reading

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• Adrian Bridgwater

IMDA to issue 5G spectrum to Singtel and StarHub-M1 venture

Singapore’s telco regulator will award 5G spectrum to major operators whose proposals have exceeded its requirements in some cases Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Coronavirus: Cash use plummets during UK lockdown

Consumers are switching to digital payment methods amid the current global pandemic crisis Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Nokia closes capacity and customer experience tech deal with Bharti Airtel

Third-largest telco in the world’s second-largest telecoms market takes up Nokia Single Radio Access Network to enhance capacity and improve 5G readiness Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

NHSX on track for May launch of Covid-19 contact-tracing app but challenges remain

Leading UK scientific experts assure MPs that much-anticipated application will be ready for launch in May but concede that challenges exist on achieving meaningful uptake Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Black Rose Lucy ransomware now posing as FBI porn warning

A new strain of Russian-developed ransomware impersonates US federal law enforcement to force payment, says Check Point Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Hey teacher, leave those kids to (low) code

As the BBC’s Kate Russell said this week on the broadcaster’s flagship techzine programme ‘Click’, “I wouldn’t be doing my job as a tech evangelist if I didn’t point out that lockdown is a perfect ... Continue Reading

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• Adrian Bridgwater

Adtran initiates software-defined access network project, advances the smart home experience

Partnerships with Orange and Plume will evaluate and test SDN-based programming for next-gen fibre access networks, and boost customer experience management of Wi-Fi-enabled services Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

COVID-19 solutions: Ring Video Doorbell 2

The COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic is throwing up discussion surrounding the ways and means that the technology industry will respond to the global contagion. There is talk of tracing apps, there ... Continue Reading

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• Adrian Bridgwater

Australia’s CovidSafe app debuts, source codes to follow

Australia’s contact tracing app has been downloaded more than 1.1 million times, even as privacy concerns linger on Continue Reading

By

• Stephen Withers

Wireless stakeholders cheer ‘historic’ FCC Wi-Fi 6GHz spectrum allocation decision

US broadcast and telecoms regulator confirms proposal lauded as a milestone moment that will no less than supercharge connectivity Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Coronavirus: Dutch Covid-19 tracking app stirs national debate

Privacy concerns raised over mobile app to help track and control the spread of coronavirus in the Netherlands Continue Reading

By

• Kim Loohuos

NHSX reveals full details of UK Covid-19 contact-tracing strategy

National Health Service’s digital innovation unit aims to allay fears over privacy and confidentiality in forthcoming contract-tracing app Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Technology has brought us together, but can it lead us out of lockdown?

The government needs to tell us more about the NHSX contact tracing app - choices made now around privacy and transparency will affect all our lives as we aim to ease lockdown, says the shadow digital minister Continue Reading

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• Chi Onwurah, Labour