Brits return to High Street for Black Friday bargains, online spending down
November’s retail sales results show a 0.2% rise in the amount of goods Brits purchased but, surprisingly, online spending tumbled by 4.3%, says the home delivery expert Parcelhero. The latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) retail sales figures for the period 27 October to 23 November 2024 show a mixed bag of results for Britain’s retailers, says…
Hackers stole $2.2bn of crypto this year, AI can distinguish between US and Scottish whiskies
A total of $2.2bn (£1.76bn) in cryptocurrencies has been stolen this year, with North Korean hackers accounting for more than half that figure, according to a new study. Research firm Chainalysis says hackers affiliated with the reclusive state stole $1.3bn of digital currencies - more than double last year's haul. Some of the thefts appear…
Why Hobbies Make You A Better Employee
Did you know that your hobbies can make you a better employee? It's true. Many hobbies require you to develop and lean on different skills to get enjoyment from them. The personal growth and development that come from these hobbies can be massively beneficial in many areas of your life, including employment. If you've ever…
Apple urged to scrap AI feature, ChatGPT joins WhatsApp
A major journalism body has urged Apple to scrap its new generative AI feature after it created a misleading headline about a high-profile killing in the United States. The BBC made a complaint to the US tech giant after Apple Intelligence, which uses artificial intelligence (AI) to summarise and group together notifications, falsely created a headline…
Illegal online casinos using Roblox, Apple working on foldable laptop, phone?
Illegal online casinos are using Roblox, one of the most popular video games in the world, to draw children as young as 12 into online gambling, a Sky News investigation has found. The unlicensed casinos allow children of any age to sign up using their Roblox accounts and bet their in-game currency (Robux) on games…
Social Media firms given ‘last chance’ in UK, MG to launch semi-solid-state EV in 2025
Online platforms must begin assessing whether their services expose users to illegal material by 16 March 2025 or face financial punishments as the Online Safety Act (OSA) begins taking effect. Ofcom, the regulator enforcing the UK's internet safety law, published its final codes of practice for how firms should deal with illegal online content on…
Astro Bot Wins Game of the Year, DS No 8 EV boasts range of 469 miles
Astro Bot has won the top prize at the videogame industry's biggest awards ceremony. The cute and colourful PlayStation platformer beat Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Black Myth: Wukong, Metaphor: Refantazio Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree and Balatro to be named Game of the Year at The Game Awards. Accepting the trophy, Nicolas Doucet, studio…
Chatbot encouraged teen to kill parents, Apple Intelligence comes to UK
A chatbot told a 17-year-old that murdering his parents was a "reasonable response" to them limiting his screen time, a lawsuit filed in a Texas court claims. Two families are suing Character.ai arguing the chatbot "poses a clear and present danger" to young people, including by "actively promoting violence". Character.ai - a platform which allows…
Scam ads slipping through net too easily on second-hand marketplaces, Which? warns
Scammers are avoiding detection on second-hand marketplaces, Which? is warning, after its investigation found Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace and Nextdoor failed to pick up quickly on suspicious listings. Second-hand marketplaces can be a happy hunting ground for scammers, it claims, because consumers do not have the same rights as they do when buying from a retailer. …
Bargain mobile tops Which? list of 50 best products of the year
A mobile phone that costs less than £200 has been named as the product of the year for 2024 by Which?, in a list that also includes an electric car, washing up liquid and an air purifier. The products, tested or launched in the last year, have been nominated by the consumer association and whittled…
