Students are up in arms against anti-cheating surveillance tech
As colleges continue to rely on ‘anti-cheating’ exam monitoring tech in lockdown, pupils claim they’re being treated more like criminals than students. If you’re something of a nervy student you’ll know that settling down and feeling comfortable plays a big part in overcoming the whole exam process. The quicker you’re...
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Snapchat boosts creative toolset with Spotlight and Voisey
2020 has become a good year to make a buck in the creative industry, and Snapchat is using the current landscape to forge a strong comeback in the social media arena. Social distancing regulations imposed by Covid-19 continue to usher in a burgeoning DIY culture, and Snapchat is taking full...
NASA launches new satellite to monitor rising sea levels
NASA’s new ocean satellite is set to completely revolutionise the way we collect data on sea levels and the impact of climate change. It sounds crazy to say now, but when NASA first began its research on rising sea levels in the 1990s, scientists were unsure whether or not climate...
Twitter strives for inclusivity with new stories feature ‘Fleets’
Twitter is encouraging people back on its platform with timed, disappearing tweets called ‘Fleets.’ It’s hard to stay relevant if you don’t roll with the times - and Twitter appears to have finally realised it may be lagging behind the competition. The platform has always been the place to go for...
Snapchat’s new astrology update fosters Gen Z lockdown connections
All is written in the stars, and as of Thursday, also on Snapchat. Whether you’re a horoscope devotee who believes destiny is written in the stars, or just looking for an excuse to break the ice with a crush in lockdown, Snapchat has developed a full-fledged astrology feature to serve...
Noveto’s ‘sound beaming’ technology emits audio straight to your ears
Noveto’s futuristic device is beaming audio media straight to people’s heads without the need for headphones. For some, I’d imagine the second round of Covid-19 lockdowns is akin to a peaceful meditation retreat, but for larger families it’s likely a daily cacophony of noise. As someone firmly in the latter bracket,...
How AI-based app WYSA is helping Gen Z’s mental health
Offering pragmatic solutions to mental health struggles, WYSA is using AI chat algorithms and questionnaires to tailor emotional support for Gen Z users. It seems AI is everywhere these days. Whether it’s used to help artists create paintings from scratch, or to quicken disaster response times via satellites, we’re finding more innovative ways to use algorithms and automated systems every day. You can now add mental health support to...
Virgin’s Hyperloop to carry passengers in levitating pods at 600mph
Virgin’s Hyperloop may one day have commuters flying through vacuum tubes in levitating pods at over 600mph. It’s safe to say Branson’s dreaming big. Remember the Futurama opening sequence that depicted commuters whizzing around cities inside giant tubes? Well Richard Branson’s vision for the future of human and cargo transportation isn’t all that different. At the forefront of this concept is the Virgin Hyperloop, a bullet shaped pod which aims to...
Gen Z help location apps flourish but is our privacy at risk?
Dating apps and COVID-19 tracking services have seen huge growth this year - particularly with Gen Z and Millennials - but should we be concerned about the privacy risks? It’s official - a second wave of COVID-19 is here in full swing. With no real end to the pandemic restrictions in sight, more of us are turning to online platforms and new location-based apps to connect with others than ever...
The floating trashcan transforming the fight against plastic pollution
A new floating rubbish container called the ‘Seabin’ could help prevent marine and port waste from entering our oceans, making the entire process more affordable. Could floating trashcans become the future of ocean clean-ups? A new Australian start-up called the ‘Seabin Project’ is certainly hoping so. Founded in 2015 by surfer and environmentalist Pete Ceglinski, this small company has created an affordable wastage management solution called the ‘Seabin’ that can...
