Category: Gadgets
Amazon’s Alexa can now help NFL newbies understand the American sport
Image: Press Association Anyone new to NFL need not watch in confusion, as an Alexa skill has been added to provide insight into one of America’s favourite sports. For those who have wondered what “move the chains” means or how tall quarterback Aaron Rodgers is, the Rookie’s Guide to the…
Nissan unveils Invisible-to-Visible ‘connected car’ concept at CES
At the upcoming CES Trade Show in Las Vegas, Nissan will unveil its future vision for a vehicle that helps drivers “see the invisible” by merging both real and virtual worlds to create a connected-car experience. Invisible-to-Visible, or I2V, is a future technology created through Nissan Intelligent Mobility. It claims to support drivers by merging…
Depression linked to social media is TWICE as high among teenage girls – study
Depression linked to social media is almost twice as high among teenage girls compared to boys, according to research by University College London (UCL). Researchers found the greater amount of time girls spend on social media at age 14, as well as exposure to online bullying and lack of sleep, were key factors in their…
Turn off children’s gadgets an hour before bedtime, parents advised
Parents should avoid letting their children use gadgets such as mobile phones, tablets or computers an hour before bedtime and agree screen time limits, according to new official guidance. Experts say that looking at screens such as phones, tablets or computers in the hour before bed can disrupt sleep and impact children’s health and wellbeing.…
Edinburgh Premier Inn becomes first battery-powered hotel in UK
The trial is expected to save the hotel £20,000 a year in energy costs (Premier Inn/PA) An Edinburgh hotel has become the first in the UK to be battery-powered. The Gyle Premier Inn at Edinburgh Park has installed a five-tonne battery which will charge from the national grid during off-peak periods…
Intel uses AI to create anti-poaching camera for wildlife reserves
Artificial intelligence (AI) created by Intel is to be used in cameras to detect poachers entering wildlife reserves and alert park rangers before they kill endangered animals. The technology firm has announced its software is to be used in TrailGuard AI cameras that are capable of object detection and image classification remotely, and which can…
Halfords to sell ‘world’s first’ connected smart bike with Amazon Alexa
Amazon’s Alexa digital assistant is continuing to move beyond the speaker and on to two wheels for the first time, with the launch of a new connected smart bike in the UK. The Cybic Legend will allow riders to ask Alexa anything as they cycle - from traffic updates to directions. “Adding Alexa functionality expands…
Hackers take over Google Chromecast devices to support YouTuber PewDiePie
PewDiePie (Hannah McKay/PA) Hackers have taken control of Google Chromecast smart TV devices around the world in a stunt to raise awareness of cyber security and to promote YouTuber PewDiePie. They claim to have gained access to more than 70,000 Google Chromecast devices – used to stream content on a TV…
Fortnite streamer Ninja reportedly earned nearly £8m in 2018
The world’s most popular Fortnite streamer, Ninja (pictured above), estimates he earned almost 10 million dollars (£8 million) from playing the video game in 2018. Tyler Blevins, better known as Ninja, broadcasts himself playing the battle royale game on YouTube and streaming platform Twitch and now boasts millions of subscribers to his various channels, thousands…
Video games now account for over half UK entertainment market revenue
The video games sector now accounts for more than half of the entertainment market, according to new figures. The Entertainment Retailers Association (ERA) said the gaming market’s value rose to £3.864 billion, more than double what it was worth in 2007. It now makes gaming a larger market than video and music combined for the…