What is ‘phubbing’ and why is it damaging to relationships?
New research has uncovered that the phenomenon – whereby couples ignore each other in favour of their digital devices – is leading to increased conflict and reduced intimacy. While this may seem obvious, it’s taken a pair of psychologists to make us notice. In this day and age, we’re...
Current in Tech
Autonomous drones are advancing firefighting efforts
The market growth for autonomous firefighting drones is on a rapid rise in 2023 and we could soon see devices put to use in both natural and domestic emergencies. As the climate crisis ignites blazes of increasing severity and regularity across the planet, emergency services will inevitably become stretched. Like the...
Fragments of interstellar meteor discovered in the Pacific Ocean
Harvard University Professor Avi Loeb has recovered tiny iron fragments near the fireball path of the first recognised interstellar meteor. Tests are now underway to discover more about its mysterious origin beyond our solar system. Scientists looked on in wonder in 2014, as a 500kg fireball plummeted from the sky...
Should Apple be taking on mental health?
Apple’s latest iOS update will allow iPhones and to track our mental health. The news is raising questions about the rise (and ethics) of digital health. In an era marked by unprecedented technological advancements, our relationship with digital devices has become deeply intertwined with our daily lives. Besides dominating the tech...
Microsoft beats FTC in historic bid to land Activision Blizzard
Microsoft has passed arguably the most vital hurdle to becoming sole owners of Activision Blizzard in the most expensive tech deal of all time. Is this the beginning of an anti-competitive market within gaming? The controversial deal which will dwarf what Disney paid for Marvel is a huge leap closer...
Instagram officially launches Twitter competitor Threads
With Elon Musk’s ownership of Twitter causing mounting problems, Instagram has swooped in with its own competitor, Threads. The app has officially launched. Zuckerberg has officially launched his direct Twitter competitor Threads. Largely based on a similar, endless feed of statuses, Threads directly moves over your Instagram profile and provides...
UK launches first eco-friendly water cremation facilities
Later this year, water cremation services will become widely available in the UK. The goal is to offer a more environmentally friendly method of dying, where traditional burials and fire cremation fall short. How does it work? We’ve all heard about ways to ‘live sustainability,’ but what about dying sustainably? It may be a morbid topic, but even in death, our environmental impact continues to grow. At present, most countries’...
Alef Aeronautics receives testing approval for world’s first flying car
Startup Alef Aeronautics has been given FAA Special Airworthiness Approval, which means it will be allowed to undergo experimental testing of its new flying car. Could we soon be buying flying cars? Well, we’re one step closer at least. The startup company Alef Aeronautics, backed by Space-X, is the first in the world to be allowed to test an electric flying car. It says the car will cost about $300,000...
Kenyan startup uses VR to teach about pollution
Kenyan startup Ukwenza VR is using virtual reality technology to improve young people’s understanding of environmental challenges such as plastic pollution and climate change. Despite the efforts of governments, organizations, and the private sector, the utilization of technology in most African countries is still expensive. Digital devices like laptops and tablets continue to be accessible mainly to privileged students, predominantly in private schools. Despite the global advancements in educational technology,...
Developer of ‘Gollum’ shutting down after disastrous launch
Publisher of the infamous ‘Gollum’ game Daedalic Entertainment is shutting down its development studio. With big-name titles ballooning in budget, facing increased delays, and putting their developers at higher financial risk, is the industry becoming unsustainable? The studio behind 2023s worst video game ‘Gollum’ is shutting down. Ridiculed online for its poor presentation, basic AI, dire technical performance, and absurd DLC content, Gollum has been a punching bag for both...
