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

X Stories

Kiwi Stories

X stories

Hands-on review: Avast Deepfake Guard and Scam Guardian
Mobile Device Management

Hands-on review: Avast Deepfake Guard and Scam Guardian

Avast rolls out Deepfake Guard for Windows and expands Scam Guardian on mobile, promising real-time protection from AI-powered scams.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 5 min read • Fri, 13th Feb 2026
One NZ adds satellite data & WhatsApp calling service
Unified Communications

One NZ adds satellite data & WhatsApp calling service

One NZ extends Starlink-powered satellite service with limited data apps and WhatsApp calling for eligible phones beyond mobile coverage.

By Melania Watson • 4 min read • Mon, 2nd Feb 2026

Global Stories

X stories

'Maturing' Australian gaming industry shows signs of growth
Gaming

'Maturing' Australian gaming industry shows signs of growth

Government support and recent hit releases are helping Australian games studios add jobs, even as distance and skills shortages persist.

By David Shilovsky • 6 min read • Last week
eYou opens public app as users distrust social media
Data Protection

eYou opens public app as users distrust social media

Concerns over misinformation and manipulation are creating an opening for eYou, which is now available worldwide on iOS and Android.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 3 min read • Last week
Agentic era and the UI transition
Digital Transformation

Agentic era and the UI transition

AI agents are set to erode ad-funded web traffic, forcing businesses to pivot from screen-based funnels to metered API revenue.

By Ned Shawa • 5 min read • Last month
OpenAI acquires TBPN to expand media and strategy reach
Digital Entertainment

OpenAI acquires TBPN to expand media and strategy reach

The deal gives OpenAI a direct line to builders and users of artificial intelligence, while TBPN keeps editorial independence for its show.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Last month
Multiplier buys Oxygen Advisors in sixth global deal
Data Analytics

Multiplier buys Oxygen Advisors in sixth global deal

The acquisition strengthens Multiplier’s push into professional services as AI and rising client demands reshape the startup advisory market.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Wed, 1st Apr 2026
Resemble AI launches deepfake detector & threat report
Data Protection

Resemble AI launches deepfake detector & threat report

Users can now check suspicious images, video and audio in real time as concern mounts over AI-generated content spreading online.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Sat, 28th Mar 2026
Taara unveils photonic chip for cable-free 25Gbps links
Unified Communications

Taara unveils photonic chip for cable-free 25Gbps links

Taara unveils a silicon photonics platform and Taara Beam, a cable-free link delivering fibre-like 25Gbps speeds over distances up to 10km.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 3 min read • Wed, 25th Feb 2026
Taara unveils Lightbridge Pro for five nines backhaul
Unified Communications

Taara unveils Lightbridge Pro for five nines backhaul

Taara launches Lightbridge Pro, a 20 Gbps wireless optical backhaul platform promising five nines uptime with seamless fibre or RF failover.

By Kaleah Salmon • 3 min read • Thu, 19th Feb 2026
Avast launches Deepfake Guard & expands Scam Guardian
Malware

Avast launches Deepfake Guard & expands Scam Guardian

Avast rolls out Deepfake Guard for Windows and takes Scam Guardian global on mobile in a push to combat rising video-led fraud.

By Melania Watson • 4 min read • Thu, 5th Feb 2026
Umanitek launches Guardian Agent to combat AI deepfakes
Software-as-a-Service

Umanitek launches Guardian Agent to combat AI deepfakes

Swiss startup Umanitek has unveiled Guardian Agent, a subscription tool to spot deepfakes, fake profiles and AI-driven impersonation online.

By Mark Tarre • 5 min read • Wed, 4th Feb 2026
UK online shopping scams soar 416% amid ad fraud surge
Mobile Device Management

UK online shopping scams soar 416% amid ad fraud surge

Online shopping scams in the UK jumped 416% in late 2025 as malvertising, social media fake shops and deepfake frauds surged, Gen warns.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • Wed, 21st Jan 2026

Stories from Other Regions

X stories

Report finds LLMs train on Canadian news, rarely attribute
Marketing Technologies

Report finds LLMs train on Canadian news, rarely attribute

AI models rarely credits Canadian news sources, McGill audit warns, risking traffic and pay for regional and French-language outlets.

By Jake MacAndrew • 4 min read • Fri, 20th Mar 2026
Bionic warns fans as concert ticket scams surge online
Phishing

Bionic warns fans as concert ticket scams surge online

Music fans are warned over a surge in fake ticket scams, with more than 11,000 reports and GBP £11.5 million lost in just 13 months.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • Thu, 19th Feb 2026
Ofcom probes X over Grok deepfake sexual imagery risk
Data Protection

Ofcom probes X over Grok deepfake sexual imagery risk

Ofcom has opened a probe into X over claims its Grok AI tool enabled deepfake sexual images, testing the UK's new Online Safety Act.

By Shannon Williams • 4 min read • Fri, 16th Jan 2026
PR teams face budget strain, leadership gap & AI shift
Data Analytics

PR teams face budget strain, leadership gap & AI shift

PR teams face flat budgets, leadership disconnects and AI disruption as they struggle to prove impact and align with business goals.

By Catherine Knowles • 4 min read • Fri, 16th Jan 2026