RNZ: Bits+Bytes

Critics worry a big reform of European privacy laws could have a chilling effect on free speech on the internet; the new technology we'll see in this year's FIFA World Cup; and a review of YouTube Music.

This week, The New York Times reported Facebook has allowed dozens of phone handset makers (including Nokia, Sony Ericsson and Apple) to access personal information about its users. Peter Griffin has the latest tech news.

Wille Apple soon take on Netflix and Amazon with its own video streaming video service? Plus Mary Meeker's top tech trends for 2018 and the widespread "GDPR fatigue".

Bits+Bytes with Peter Griffin and Emily Wang of Datacom. This week, YouTube wants a bigger slice of the streaming music pie and is taking on Spotify, Apple Music and Tidal. Plus Google and Facebook launch new cloud storage services. And Emily looks at apps designed to monitor your digital wellbeing. So how long are you actually spending on Instagram or Facebook (the results may astound you!), and why is Silicon Valley rolling out tools to help you monitor your tech usage?

Peter Griffin beams in from Google's developer festival I/O 2018 to tell us what the tech company have got in the development pipeline. [Peter Griffin travelled to California with the assistance of Google]

Artificial intelligence technology will not lead to mass unemployment in New Zealand, according to a new report by the AI Forum. Peter Griffin and Emily Wang discuss what artificial intelligence could mean for this country.

Many predict self-driving vehicles will be the biggest disruption to the transport system since cars replaced horses. Are New Zealand road users – and laws – ready?

What's happening with Amazon's Australasian strategy, and is Prime likely to come this way anytime soon? Plus is the new international cybersecurity accord akin to a digital Geneva Convention or a strategic move by Silicon Valley?

Peter Griffin and NZ Privacy Commissioner John Edwards review Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg's response to probing questions from US lawmakers this week – and the implications. Plus, the local impact of new European privacy laws and concerns the new US CLOUD Act erodes international data privacy.

New European privacy laws that come into force next month will change the internet forever and make privacy and data protection a legal right. Bits+Bytes, with Peter Griffin and Emily Wang, explores what the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR will mean for New Zealand internet users and businesses, as well as for global tech players like Facebook, Google, Amazon and Apple.

Who are the main players, who protects your security and privacy best, and why does Apple keep sending alerts that your iCloud is full? Peter Griffin looks at the options for safely storing data and photos.

Facebook blames Cambridge Analytica for allegedly obtaining personal information from millions of American Facebook users in an attempt to manipulate elections – but are the UK consulting firm really the only ones at fault?

This week, a warning about electric vehicles from a group of NZ citizen scientists, flying taxis to be trialled here, and why the people who sift through and remove disturbing YouTube content work a 4-day week.

Joining Peter Griffin to navigate the world of tech and analysing the latest news from the digital world. This week plans are afoot to position New Zealand as a base station for the global satellites sector. Also competition heats up in the broadband market pushing prices down, but will regulation see a hike in rates for consumers? Google rolls out free calls to mobile phones and landlines from their home assistant Google Home. Plus Emily Wang of Datacom on reports that users of Amazon's Alexa system are hearing the unit emit strange, "witch-like" laughter (if you do a search of #AlexaLaugh on Twitter, you'll see many funny/creepy examples).

Bits and Bytes with Peter Griffin helping you navigate the world of tech and analysing the latest news from the digital world. This week, Spotify goes public (well sort of!). But can it continue to dominate in the world of streaming? With over 70 million paying subscribers, it has nearly half of the global music streaming market, and users average 25 hours on the platform per month. Sky TV slashes prices this week as it loses subscribers and revenue to competitors like Netflix and Lightbox. And finally a listener questions about charging cables: why do Apple cables seem to fail so frequently?

Bits and Bytes with Peter Griffin helping you navigate the world of technology and analysing the latest news from the digital world. This week Snapchat becomes a real threat to Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, so why have over a million users signed a petition unhappy about a design change to the app? Plus horror stories are emerging from people seeking a replacement battery for their throttled iPhones, and Emily Wang looks at cryptojacking at Tesla, so hackers using Tesla's cloud computing to mine cryptocurrencies. And a listener question, why can't cellphone records be used to locate missing airliners like Malaysian Airlines' MH370.

Why is Google blocking ads in it's popular web browser Chrome, and yet in gmail there are plans for more dynamic, interactive, dancing and singing ads that will blink and flash in your inbox? Plus questions from some of our leading scientists about NZ's involvement in building the world's largest telescope project. It's called the Square Kilometre Array, and once built could unravel the origins of the universe. And Emily Wang looks at emojis, the smiley faces used in digital communications and the latest emojis launched for 2018 and how you can make your own. Plus questions answered - this week how does the camera on your device know where a photo has been taken if it's not connected to the internet or the mobile phone network when the shot is taken?

The latest tech news and your questions answered with Peter Griffin. This week, the latest in the Apple iPhone throttling saga: could it be about to offer refunds for repair costs to the millions of users affected by 'Batterygate'? The casino operator Sky City bets big on the esports video gaming sector, and awkward revelations from court hearings involving ride-hailing company Uber which faces allegations it stole trade secrets from rival Waymo. Emily Wang looks at the multi million dollar white hat hacker industry - where hackers make money from big tech companies who pay them to find exploits and weaknesses in their hardware and software. Google alone spent $3 million on so-called 'bug bounty' programs in 2017! Plus your questions answered - this week how to set up Netflix on older TVs, and will a new undersea broadband cable mean cheaper and faster internet for New Zealand?

Bits+Bytes: Which internet service providers are getting the most complaints – and the simple steps to take if you’re feeling ripped off by your provider – and why Facebook has banned cryptocurrency ads.

Alphabet (Google) tightens up YouTube advertising rules; the future of smart speakers; Simon and Peter test out wireless home audio systems; and why has Facebook changed its algorithm?

Scrutiny of Apple intentionally slowing down iPhone performance heats up; more fallout from the world’s biggest hardware fault; gaming addiction now officially a mental disorder; and the Chinese electric car that's making waves.

Flawed computer chips, Spotify gets ready to go public as it gets sued for using unlicensed music, why facial recognition will be big in 2018, and another faulty Apple product, this time an iPad keyboard.

Apple may have to compensate customers after slowing down the processing speed on many iPhone models; Twitter prohibits accounts that promote violence against civilians; and how WeChat morphed from a messaging app to an everything app. 

Bits+Bytes with Peter Griffin and the latest from the world of technology. This week a decision in Europe means that Uber will be treated as a transport not a technology company by regulators. We look at what it could mean for the company's future plans, its listing prospects, and for the rights of Uber drivers. Also Apple admits to slowing down processing speed on many iPhone models after users upgraded to the new iOS 11 operating system. Apple says it's just doing what's best for its users, but faced with a slow, poorly functioning phone they might take some convincing! And an overview of the current state of augmented and virtual reality; Magic Leap unveils its new headset the Lightwear amid news of job losses at a local AR/VR pioneer.

'Cryptojacking' is not the latest urban dance craze, but a way your computer or smartphone gets hijacked to mine cryptocurrencies without you knowing. Also why some heavy hitting ex-Facebookers are criticising social media, and the threat it poses to democracy and the societies we live in.

The International Robotics Exhibition is underway in Tokyo this week, with 130,000 visitors expected to attend the world's largest robotics fair. This Way Up technology correspondent Peter Griffin's been roaming the exhibition halls to check out the latest robots, from aged care assistants and exoskeletons to virtual-reality controlled robots and hospital bots. We also discuss Sky TV's controversial decision to sue 4 local internet service providers over their alleged role in promoting the spread of illegally downloaded content.

Peter Griffin reviews the best deals on the market for safely storing your data and photos. Who are the main players, who protects your security and privacy best, and why does Apple keep sending alerts that your iCloud is full?

Tech commentator Peter Griffin delves into the Paradise Papers, the disappearance of US$300 million of the cryptocurrency Ether, and Google's new driverless taxis and mail accounts for under-13s.

Apple buys a New Zealand company that's developed an efficient way to move power around without wires, Amazon works on a way to deliver when you're not home and Facebook experiments with the display of news articles.

Tech correspondent Peter Griffin looks at how the change in government will impact the local tech industry.

Tech correspondent Peter Griffin shares his experience of buying virtual coins, and he's got a few tips if you are considering investing in new cyber frontier.

Peter Griffin has tips on boosting your wifi signal throughout the home – no more dead spots and laggy connections in the loo!

Which tech issues are dominating the political agenda in the run-up to the election? Also Zello - the app that turns your smartphone into a walkie-talkie and will Christchurch's all-electric vehicle car sharing scheme take off?

This week, internet users' worries about 'fake news' are revealed in a new survey. Also Samsung tries to put its exploding battery woes behind it by launching another big smartphone, the Galaxy Note 8.

A genetic heart disorder has been fixed using gene editing in human embryos. We assess how this week's big science story could impact New Zealand.

Facebook tries to bolster its ad revenues to meet Wall Street's expectations.Also Amazon's CEO Jeff Bezos has just overtaken Bill Gates to become the world's richest person. It's all down to Amazon's share price and we look at why this online retail giant just keeps on growing, and is now making a concerted effort to boost its business Down Under.

Could TVNZ live-streaming be the beginning of the end for Freeview, plus more EU scrutiny of Google and the big tech story of the week – hacking tools stolen from the NSA are again used in a major cyberattack

Tech news with Peter Griffin and UBER's CEO Travis Kalanick steps down after his controversial stint in the spotlight. And from renewing a passport to paying your speeding tickets; how often do you deal with the government online? Finally, fake news, the rise of the messaging app, and more of us are reading the news in bed than on our commutes! These are some of the key findings from the Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2017.

Why the market for digital currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum is booming; the latest from LA gaming conference E3 2017; and Crash Override, the malware that can take down power grids.

The founder of Android launches a smartphone; Google releases its NZ accounts (spoiler alert: it's not paying much tax here), and China introduces new laws for foreign tech companies.

This week, Google's offerings from its annual I/O developer conference; the latest fallout from the WannaCry ransomware attack; and the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) votes 2:1 to overturn some legislation protecting net neutrality.

The founder of Wikipedia is proposing a crowdsourced solution to the problems besetting the news media; and a TV series dealing with teen suicide raises questions about the censorship of video streaming services.