Tuesday, 20 September 2016 08:45
From smart fridges to smart cities – how far will Internet of Things stretch?
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a term that internet users have been peppering the search engine with questions about. People want to know how big IoT is really going to get, and what the benefits will be for daily life. As it turns out, IoT isn’t actually new. In fact, tech companies and pundits have been discussing the idea for decades, and the first internet-connected toaster was unveiled at a conference in 1989. So how far will this technological…
Thursday, 15 September 2016 13:18
Singapore, Dubai and Lyon have embraced autonomous transportation. Should we be worried?
Autonomous vehicle technology is evolving rapidly, and cities around the world are embracing the concept with open arms. Dubai recently launched its first driverless bus service, while Singapore has became the first nation in the world to implement driverless taxis. As the world moves forward and adopts technology that no longer involves human interference, carmakers must face the difficult question of how safe their product really is before it’s ready to move people on highways and city streets. The Middle…
Tuesday, 06 September 2016 11:16
It’s only a matter of time before hackers detect smart city vulnerabilities
The prospect of smart cities is exciting; urban developments with integrated ICT and IoT solutions delivered in a secure fashion to manage a city’s assets. These assets include local departments’ information systems, schools, libraries, transportation systems, hospitals, power plants, water supply networks, waste management, law enforcement, and so on. In short, smart cities are envisioned to improve quality of life by using technology to improve efficiency and services to meet residents’ needs. But where there’s connectivity, there will be hackers,…
Wednesday, 31 August 2016 06:12
Could the EC’s harsh ruling on Apple’s tax deal with Ireland trigger another EU referendum?
The European Commission (EC) has used an iron fist to come down on corporations that don’t meet its strict competition and tax laws. Google has been relentlessly pursued by the commission for its alleged monopoly abuse, while Apple is the latest and most severely punished victim to date. Apple has been ordered to pay €13 billion to the EU over its ‘sweetheart’ tax arrangement with Ireland. The commission ruled on August 30 that the tax arrangement is illegal. Could the…
Tuesday, 23 August 2016 10:20
Despite predictions for a 2020 launch, South Korea is striving to deliver 5G for the 2018 Winter Olympics. Can it be done?
When Rio de Janeiro was announced as the venue for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, the world held its breath. Doubt gnawed at athletes who grew wary about the city’s cleanliness and safety, while Brazil’s political instability was also called into question. In the end, Rio pulled through and put on a spectacular show. But premium connectivity proved to be an issue with so many people uploading and downloading content on the go. With the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics set…
Sunday, 14 August 2016 12:52
CSPs must fight for relevance in the face of digital transformation
The communications space is growing as disruptive internet companies are increasing their dominance. Communications service providers (CSPs) need their own digital strategies and action plans to face the challenge of this changing business environment. The last decade was quite a challenge for CSPs who experienced diminishing returns due to market saturation, price pressure and consumer demands for increasingly complex mobile services, as well as the rise of over the top (OTT) competitors who are able to provide free communication services…
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Sunday, 14 August 2016 08:05
The evolution of content consumption in 2016
Vision accounts for around 70%-80% of our sensory perception. In turn, videos and rich media are the most efficient means for storytelling and emotional engagement. Rich media transformation has been one of the several emerging trends we see in 2016, amongst others captured below. Rich Media Getting on Our Smartphones Content consumption is more and more driven by mobile devices – according to Limelight Networks, 2016 is the first year where downloading videos on one’s cell phone was outplaying a…
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Thursday, 11 August 2016 11:44
Google Maps wields the power to shape our perception of the world
Since its inception in 2005, people around the world have become heavily reliant upon the convenience of Google Maps. It makes sense, because as technology leaps forward and travel becomes more seamless, cities are becoming more expansive and difficult to navigate. In fact, 2008 marked the first time in history that the world’s population was evenly split between urban and rural areas. By 2025, the Population Reference Bureau estimates that 27 megacities will exist, with 21 in less developed countries.…
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Monday, 08 August 2016 07:14
Tesla’s autonomous mode saved a man’s life. But let’s not forget it killed a man too…
Tesla and Google both agree that autonomous vehicles will make streets safer. The two tech giants are racing towards a driverless future. The benefits of Tesla’s autopilot feature were proven recently when a Tesla Model X vehicle navigated 20 miles of highway on autopilot, saving its passengers’ life. 37-year-old Joshua Neally was driving home in Springfield, Missouri, when he suffered a blockage of his lung arteries which could have killed him if not for his vehicles’ autonomous technology. But the…
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Wednesday, 03 August 2016 07:09
How zinc-air energy storage became the go-to for telcos experiencing grid instability
The telecommunications industry is continuously evolving, influencing unexpected industries – even the energy sector. Now that connectivity is such a vital part of modern lifestyle, people today expect telecom operators to provide them with seamless service. But that isn’t always possible, especially for remote and rural regions that often suffer from power blackouts. That was, until, zinc-air energy storage emerged as a promising solution. Zinc-air energy systems allow telcos to keep cellular base stations operational during periods of grid instability,…
Monday, 01 August 2016 08:03
Virtual Reality: The next big thing in content consumption
The explosion of video consumption and the different ways that people now view content has caused internet traffic to grow exponentially. Think phones are a big part of our digital life. Virtual and augmented reality will be even bigger; a key player in the tech industry. It’s the next big thing in content consumption that will be used in all manner of activities, not just games. “It’s going to be huge... It has the opportunity to eclipse the smartphone market,”…
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Thursday, 28 July 2016 07:22
Juniper Research identified the world’s top disruptive tech innovators
Juniper Research recently identified three firms, including Cybereason, Klarna and what3words, as the world’s top disruptive technology innovators. Cybereason came in first place; a Washington-based cybersecurity startup, which uses big data, behavioral analytics and machine learning to detect and hunt down complex cyber-attacks in real-time. Klarna, a Swedish e-commerce and “frictionless” payments vendor took the number two spot on the list; while what3words, a London-based startup which has launched a universal addressing system, took the third position. A report by…
