FutureFive New Zealand - Consumer technology news & reviews from the future

About Shannon

Shannon Williams headshot photo

Shannon Williams

News Editor

Shannon is an experienced journalist and editor with a strong interest in technology and the digital world. Her career spans a wide range of sectors, including tech, politics, tourism, transport and climate change, where she brings a sharp editorial eye and an ability to translate complex issues into clear, engaging stories.

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Kiwi Stories

App of the week: Bolt
Apple

App of the week: Bolt

Instagram introduces Bolt, its answer to Snapchat, with a focus on speed. But will it be able to compete with the established messaging apps?.

By Shannon Williams • 3 min read • Wed, 27th Aug 2014
Her hips don't lie... who wins the Facebook popularity contest?
Facebook

Her hips don't lie... who wins the Facebook popularity contest?

Shakira becomes the most liked public figure on Facebook with 100m fans, using personal posts and fan engagement to bridge gaps internationally.

By Shannon Williams • 2 min read • Tue, 29th Jul 2014
Kiwi car rental firm drives Wi-Fi tech push
Wireless Networks

Kiwi car rental firm drives Wi-Fi tech push

Thrifty Car Rental customers will be able to access the internet from wherever their rental car takes them in New Zealand.

By Shannon Williams • 2 min read • Sat, 19th Jul 2014

Global Stories

TV review: The Killing, Season 4 starts
Gaming

TV review: The Killing, Season 4 starts

At one point I could hear myself breathing and all that was happening was Sarah standing in the middle of a room.

By Shannon Williams • 3 min read • Wed, 27th Aug 2014
Trend Micro: NZ ranks high in online streaming trickery
Gaming

Trend Micro: NZ ranks high in online streaming trickery

New Zealand has ranked as the fifth highest country affected by dangerous social engineering lures during the recent school holiday movie season.

By Shannon Williams • 2 min read • Tue, 26th Aug 2014
Samsung NZ saves the selfie snarling Black Cats...
Samsung

Samsung NZ saves the selfie snarling Black Cats...

Samsung NZ partners with a photographer to boost black cat adoptions, combating the selfie bias with expert photo tips.

By Shannon Williams • 3 min read • Tue, 26th Aug 2014
Do you really hate Facebook? Or is it just because you're supposed to?
Facebook

Do you really hate Facebook? Or is it just because you're supposed to?

Critiquing yet addicted, the masses declare disdain for Facebook, but its embedded role in daily life proves otherwise.

By Shannon Williams • 2 min read • Mon, 25th Aug 2014
Yahoo! Community goes to the web...
Digital Entertainment

Yahoo! Community goes to the web...

The news that Commnity is headed to Yahoo for a sixth season has delighted fans (and me) of the now un-cancelled series.

By Shannon Williams • 1 min read • Wed, 30th Jul 2014
Nice move, Slingshot...
Unified Communications

Nice move, Slingshot...

Earlier this month Slingshot unblocked access to certain movie websites, much to the delight of their customers.

By Shannon Williams • 2 min read • Tue, 29th Jul 2014
Is Facebook's Buy Now button a game-changer for SMBs?
Facebook

Is Facebook's Buy Now button a game-changer for SMBs?

Facebook's new Buy Now button could revolutionise online shopping for SMBs, making impulse buys easier directly from their pages.

By Shannon Williams • 2 min read • Tue, 29th Jul 2014
For their eyes only... Facebook Mentions
Apps

For their eyes only... Facebook Mentions

Facebook unveils 'Mentions', an exclusive app for celebrities to connect with fans, stirring up social media's VIP scene.

By Shannon Williams • 2 min read • Mon, 28th Jul 2014
Series finales worth watching (not How I Met Your Mother)
Digital Entertainment

Series finales worth watching (not How I Met Your Mother)

From M*A*S*H to Friends, explore finales that nailed their goodbye, proving not all series end in disappointment. #TVFinales #MustWatch.

By Shannon Williams • 3 min read • Fri, 18th Jul 2014
Bitcoin... What exactly is it?
Crypto

Bitcoin... What exactly is it?

Discover Bitcoin: the groundbreaking digital currency enabling transactions without central banks, revolutionising wealth distribution since 2009.

By Shannon Williams • 4 min read • Thu, 17th Jul 2014
Every you step you take... more wearable tech
Apple

Every you step you take... more wearable tech

Keep track of everything you do with wearable technology – the SmartBand SWR10 from Sony is an innovative life-logging wrist band.

By Shannon Williams • 2 min read • Thu, 17th Jul 2014
iOS review: MovieMood
Gaming

iOS review: MovieMood

Sometimes picking a movie is as painful as the day is long, whether you're in a group or all alone on Friday night.

By Shannon Williams • 2 min read • Wed, 16th Jul 2014
Fitbit gets even better
Apple

Fitbit gets even better

Fitbit enhances workouts with MobileRun for real-time stats and GPS tracking, available on its latest app version.

By Shannon Williams • 2 min read • Wed, 16th Jul 2014
Film review: Devil's Knot
Gaming

Film review: Devil's Knot

This movie brought nothing new to the table. It was just a dramatisation of everything the Paradise Lost and West of Memphis documentaries uncovered.

By Shannon Williams • 3 min read • Wed, 16th Jul 2014
Election App: Left or Right - How will you swipe?
Apps

Election App: Left or Right - How will you swipe?

The app doesn't tell you who the policy belongs to, but at the end will suggest which party would be best suited to you, based on which way you swiped.

By Shannon Williams • 2 min read • Mon, 14th Jul 2014