Tag: Cortana
Tech Digest daily round up: Halfords Carrera impel is-1 e-scooter reviewed
Private e-scooters may be illegal on UK roads (and pavements), but this doesn't stop retailers from selling them. Chris Price reviews the latest Halfords e-scooter, the Carrera impel is-1, for Tech Radar. "Looking for a solid, powerful e-scooter? Then the Carrera impel is-1 is definitely worth considering," he writes. "Everything about this e-scooter feels robust,…
Microsoft contractors ‘can listen to Skype calls via translation function’
Microsoft contractors are able to listen to some conversations that go through Skype’s translation function, a report has claimed. While the tech giant states in its policies that it may analyse audio recordings to improve translations, it does not make clear that humans may be listening in, according to Motherboard. Microsoft says it gets permission…
Female-voiced AI assistants reinforce gender bias, claims UN study
AI virtual assistants such as Alexa and Google Assistant reinforce gender stereotypes which portray women as “subservient” by relying on female voices, a UN report has said. The UNESCO paper criticised voice-powered digital speakers and devices for making it appear that women are “obliging, docile and eager-to-please helpers, available at the touch of a button…
Amazon Alexa now available on Windows 10 PC – but without video, calls, Spotify
Alexa arrives on Windows 10 (PA) Amazon is continuing to expand its Alexa digital voice assistant beyond its Echo speakers with the launch of an app on Windows 10. Of course Microsoft already has its own voice-powered assistant for PCs, Cortana, but the two companies announced they were working together last…
Will Chris help to keep drivers’ eyes on the road and off their phones?
Billed as the 'Alexa for Automobiles', and called somewhat bizarrely Chris (the same name as the author of this post), here's a device that claims to prevent drivers from becoming distracted by their mobile phones while driving. With mobile phone use during driving seemingly reaching epidemic proportions, despite dramatic increases in fines and penalty points, Chris…
3 industries being disrupted by voice-enabled tech right now
Voice enabled technology has made great inroads in recent years, with digital assistants like Siri, Cortana and Alexa being embraced by millions worldwide. From searching for the best-rated local Mexican restaurant to finding out the name of the actor who played Ned Ryerson in Groundhog Day, we increasingly use these voice assistants as personal aids,…
Vox Pop: the voice search revolution and how to make your business stand out
Tim Butler, founder of Innovation Visual, talks about how improved accuracy and convenience are ensuring massive growth for voice search and how businesses need to adapt to compete Voice Search is beginning to revolutionise search marketing. Google recently announced that 20% of searches on its mobile app and Android services are now carried out by…
10 things you need to know about Windows 10 – released July 29th
Microsoft has announced the next generation of its operating system, Windows 10, is due to be released on 29 July. Here are 10 things you need to know about the software giant's latest OS. 1. Customers running Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 will be able to upgrade to the next-generation OS for FREE 2. Operating across all…
Is Microsoft’s Siri-like Cortana coming to iPhone and Android?
Microsoft's voice assistant, Cortana, could be coming to iPhone and Android, unexpectedly. According to Reuters CEO Satya Nadella could greenlight the apps for rival platforms as part of his strategy of getting Microsoft's products on devices people actually use - rather than insisting that they use Windows Phone. Apparently Cortana could come as a stand…
Windows 10: All you need to know
Last night Microsoft officially unveiled Windows 10 - its new operating system for computers, tablets and mobiles. Here's everything you need to know. The Start Menu Is back Microsoft has widely chosen to backtrack on the mess that was Windows 8, and give desktop and laptop users the start menu back. This means no more…