Ford’s new SmartLink OBD accessory adds connected features to older cars

 Connectivity features are increasingly included as standard on new vehicles, with cellular modems in particular becoming a popular feature included even in base level trim. Now, connectivity is so important to Ford, that the automaker is actually offering an easy retrofit option to add connected features to Ford and Lincoln vehicles from model years between 2010 and 2016, with SmartLink, a… Read More

Netgear’s Orbi might be the best Wi-Fi router I’ve ever used

 I’m rarely this excited about a wi-fi router. I’ve used Apple gear for years now, replacing Airport after Airport until I found I hit a wall. My house is made of wood, brick, and lathe with a little horsehair and metal sheeting thrown in so I was unable to get good Wi-Fi throughout. I ran powerline Ethernet to the attic and added an Airport Express to speed things up but I was… Read More

Snap will reportedly file publicly for its massive IPO late next week

 Snap — the makers of Snapchat — had confidentially filed for its IPO late last year, but it looks like we’ll be getting a look at the inner guts of the company’s financials and workings as early as late next week. The company will file publicly for its initial public offering late next week, according to a new report from Kara Swisher over at Recode. This is yet… Read More

Saudi Arabian bank enables customers to print their own debit cards

Fingerprint scan at self-service units will authorise Al Rajhi Bank customers to print debit cards, statements and other documentation

Lloyds Bank hit by massive DDoS attack

It has emerged that UK banks have been targeted by a DDoS campaign that affected services intermittently only at the Lloyds Banking Group

No silver bullet for business IoT security

Good application design, adapting existing IT security and adopting some new ideas can protect firms from IoT threats

Schroders staff to complete daily tasks on mobile devices

The asset management company wants to make it easier for its staff to complete everyday tasks by linking mobile devices to enterprise systems

Lululemon turns to digital transformation to support consumer community

Athletic apparel retailer’s executive vice-president of digital explains how the brand has used digital transformation to support its core value of a community ecosystem

Government reaffirms broadband funding in industrial strategy plan

The government reaffirms previous commitments to further funding of rural broadband roll-out and 5G mobile networking in its post-Brexit industrial strategy plan

Government industrial strategy proposes £170m investment in tech institutes to boost Stem skills

The Prime Minister has claimed technology training and skills will be one of the key areas the government will focus on in its bid to boost the economy post-Brexit

Singapore and Indonesia stand out for IT spend in Apac banking sector

Singapore is the top spender on IT for banking of all developed economies in the Apac region, while Indonesia has the fastest growth rate in IT spending

Singapore bank offers online chat banking

POSB launches automated customer service platform that understands spoken language

All Chromebooks launching in 2017 will be compatible with Android apps

 All Chromebooks new in 2017 will support Android apps out of the box. An update will not be required. Owners will be able to take the Chromebook home, open it up and immediately access the Google Play Store. The news comes from a single line of text on Google’s list of Chromebooks compatible with Android apps. “All Chromebooks launching in 2017 and after as well as the… Read More

Go tell Neil Young that he can use the JustBoom DAC to play back his audio on a Raspberry Pi

 My, my, hey, hey lossless audio is here to stay thanks to JustBoom, a set of Raspberry Pi “hats” that connect to the mini computer and offer high fidelity audio playback and amplification. The $24 hats include a lossless DAC, a mini-amplifier, and a high-resolution audio output with COAX and optical audio out. If you, like Neil Young, require the utmost fidelity in your music… Read More

Axon VR promises real haptic feedback for your sojourns into virtual reality

 Have you ever wanted to feel a dragon breathe on your wrist? A tiny reindeer paw at your palm? A virtual robot skitter up your arm and burrow into your chest? Axon VR is about to let you. IEEE Spectrum’s Evan Ackerman checked out the Axon VR device at CES a few weeks ago and it looks like the sleeper hit of the show given how little it was covered and how amazing it looks. The box, a… Read More