FutureFive New Zealand - Technology news from the future

Technology news from the future

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Hands-on review: Playing the long game with the The iPhone XR

The red XR is a rare case of having a phone that’s ‘too pretty to be covered’ - and it’s not hard to see why.

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Hands-on review: MiniTool Power Data Recovery Software

I came across a wee gem of advice when researching the world of data recovery. As soon as you get that sinking feeling and realise you’ve lost a file, stop using your computer.

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Deepfakes the 'next wave of concern' - but can law really stomp it out?

Enforcing the existing law will be difficult enough, and it is not clear that any new law would be able to do better. Overseas attempts to draft law for deepfakes have been seriously criticised.

Google Street View cars about to hit NZ roads again

If you’ve ever used Google Streetview and been frustrated that the imagery is so outdated by years, Google brings good news.

D-Link hooks up with Alexa and Assistant with new smart camera

The new camera is designed for outdoor use within a wireless smart home network.

Vocus slams ComCom mobile review as “disgraceful”

The Commission says there is no need for measures to improve competition in the NZ mobile market. Vocus says this decision will be “crippling.”

Sony and Microsoft to explore strategic partnership

“Our partnership brings the power of Azure and Azure AI to Sony."

Hands-on PSVR preview: Blood & Truth

PlayStation VR fans who picked up a copy of VR Worlds with their headset will have had a taster of SIE London Studio’s Blood & Truth.

Google puts Huawei on the Android naughty list

Google has apparently suspended Huawei’s licence to use the full Android platform, according to media reports.

Govt & Canterbury Uni pour $7m into gaming research

The funding will be used to boost the University of Canterbury’s Applied Immersive Gaming Initiative, which will research and accelerate public use of immersing gaming applications.

This Feilding school has just won an international robotics award (again!)

“In typical Kiwi fashion, our students think laterally to solve challenges, build prototypes, test and retest until they have a working model. All on their own time and all with their own ideas."

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New educational game to boost construction skills shortage

The game has been designed to give future business people and construction workers a taste of what it’s like to build their own company.

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DJI launches Osmo Action - a handheld action cam with a difference

Hold on to your skis, snowboards, or your camera-mounted stunt cars, because DJI has launched Osmo Action camera.

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Study finds NZ mobile services in good stead due to competition

The study found indicators such as pricing, coverage and choice of mobile services were trending in a positive direction for consumers.

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Toyota & Panasonic to create 'connected towns' in Japan

Panasonic and Toyota have plans to create ‘smart towns’ across Japan, where transport, homes and services are all connected. Here’s a quick look at what they’re planning.

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Soon you could earn cryptocurrency as you drive

Jaguar Land Rover is trialling technology that could earn drivers cryptocurrency and rewards as they travel.

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Hands-on review: The Elgato Game Capture HD60 S

The Game Capture HD60 S is a portable capture device, perfect for streamers and content creators at all levels.

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Vodafone NZ into the finalists for Rainbow Excellence Awards

The Rainbow Excellence Awards are fast approaching, and one telco is celebrating about being among the finalists.

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D-Link security cams vulnerable to spying

Security researchers at ESET have discovered serious security holes in the D-Link DCS-2132L cloud camera.

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May 17 is Pink Shirt Day: How you can help prevent cyberbullying

This Friday May 17 is Pink Shirt Day, which is a colourful way to raise awareness about a serious and in some cases tragic issue: cyberbullying.

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Mind Lab at MOTAT hosting event to promote young women in tech

Gender diversity in the tech industry is a hot topic around the world, but it’s one that New Zealand is looking to tackle head on.

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Hands-on review: Flex your IRONCLAW with this Corsair gaming mouse

If you suffer from sweaty palms during those intense gaming moments, the textured grip means you won’t be fumbling to move the mouse.

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Lenovo unveils ‘world’s first foldable PC’

We’ve seen the foldable phones and the somewhat mixed reactions to them, but now Lenovo has thrown its hand in the ring with a PC.

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Can NZ say goodbye to digital divides?

"Barriers to digital inclusion are multi-faceted and are felt unevenly across New Zealand."

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Hands-on review: The Corsair K70 RGB Mk.2 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

Since I began reviewing in earnest, Corsair’s products have stood out on several fronts. I admire great engineering, and I admire it even more when I can see the thinking that has gone into a product.

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Quick facts about Google Assistant & Nest Hub Max

Google I/O has been something of a boon for smarthome lovers, especially when it comes to Google Nest and Google Assistant. Here are five things you should know about each of them.

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Hands-on review: The beauty of Adobe Premiere Rush

A good photographer will tell you that you need to follow the four main principles; lighting, lighting, lighting and lighting.

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Chch crypto exchange Cryptopia facing liquidation

It seems that Christchurch-based cryptocurrency exchange Cryptopia has been unable to recover after malicious cyber attackers stole around $20 million worth of cryptocurrency.

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Rotorua will soon be home to a massive 3D-printed sculpture

Visitors to Rotorua will soon be able to get up close and personal with a 3D-printed sculpture that will tower 12 metres over the city’s Hemo Gorge roundabout.

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Paranoid Android? Examining three key trends in Android malware

It definitely doesn’t mean you are paranoid if you’re worried about Android security: the threat landscape is growing in every dimension.

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Already more than 2 million logins for IRD’s new tax system

Having shutdown its services for seven days for an IT revamp, IRD is now celebrating its digital transformation success.

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Consumer spending on tech to reach US$1.32 trillion this year

If you ever thought the tech industry for consumers was beginning to wane, the International Data Corporation has some stats for you.

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Kiwi girls take on robotics world… and WIN

Tara Stevens (14) and Riley Pollard (11), from New Plymouth and Okato and the Nakibots team, beat 80 other teams from across the world.

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Hands-on review: The Corsair M65 gets an upgrade with the RGB Elite gaming mouse

Corsair really listened to its thousands of fans for this redesign of the popular M65, so let’s see what’s different.

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Five ways Windows 10 Professional lets you have it all

It’s the definition of a modern desktop that gives you the most productive and secure computing experience.

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Record-breaking data usage over school holidays

Rather than pulling their hair out thinking of potential activities, it would appear Kiwi parents are turning to the internet to entertain their little ones.

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Sydney hosts the Intel Extreme Masters 2019 esports competition

Unfortunately, A/NZ CS:GO teams Greyhound and Chiefs missed out from the playoffs having been eliminated.

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Forgotten your phone? Nearly half of Kiwis would feel ‘naked’

A majority of Kiwis are finding mobile phones increasingly indispensable to everyday life, a new survey finds with some very interesting results.

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Christchurch Airport: Fighting fire with VR

Virtual reality has become an important training tool for firefighters at Christchurch airport.

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What your privacy means to Google - and what it's doing about it

Google has declared that it’s all about making privacy work for everyone – despite its long-held reputation as an information harvester.

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Noise pollution is the new second-hand smoke

ow loud is our phone call? Can you hear your co-worker’s music through their headphones? Do you need to have that meeting in a public area of the office?

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Chch business reaps rewards by going paperless

“With a digital business model, we’ve been able to save significant amounts of time and money."

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Hands-on review: Visme transforms you into a graphical presentation guru

In my teaching days I studied and taught the principles of design. I’m no expert, by any means, and experience has told me that just about every principle you learn is made to be bent or even broken.

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Epson large format printers win first Red Dot Best of the Best Award

This year marks the third successive year that Epson products have been recognised in the Red Dot Award.

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People are tired of driving – bring on the autonomous cars

A new study has found that consumer preference for riding in self-driving cars is set to double within the next five years.

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Facebook sues South Korean analytics firm Rankwave

Last week the company filed a lawsuit against South Korean data analytics Rankwave, whose apps used the Facebook platform.

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Would you live-stream your loved-one’s funeral?

As loved-ones spread across the globe, it can be hard to attend funerals for those you hold dearest. Is taking them online the solution?

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Samsung first TV manufacturer to integrate Apple TV app

It wouldn’t be unrealistic to think they only talk via lawyers regarding smartphone patent breaches, but Samsung has now made a big announcement.

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Samsung left Bixby & SmartThings code wide open to the public

If you’re someone who likes to use apps and platforms with some level of confidence that they’re secure, you may want to take another look at how much you trust big brands like Samsung.

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Dashcams save lives & wallets, says insurer

Dashcams are lifesavers – and more people should consider investing in them, according to QBE Insurance and road safety organisation Brake.

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Nova Energy & Plume launch family-friendly WiFi controls

Nova Energy and smart home internet platform Plume have teamed up to offer New Zealanders a new range of family-friendly internet services and parental controls.

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It's 'lights out' for two more dark web marketplaces

Don’t be fooled if you see talk that Wall Street Market has been taken down – because it’s most likely not what you think.

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EV campervans to hit NZ roads in July

Jucy Rentals is about to unleash the first wave of fully electric rental campervans in New Zealand in July – and each camper will be able to travel approximately 200 kilometres on each charge.

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Spark, Vodafone, and 2degrees team up for Christchurch

Chief executives from New Zealand’s largest internet providers have jumped on board with the Christchurch Call to Action.

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Ericsson report uncovers the consumer potential of 5G

Video consumption is set to rise significantly with 5G.