Tech Industry

Huge chunks of the internet were completely unavailable yesterday, with many other websites and services experiencing slow performance. It was immediately clear that the problem was with the Cloudflare network, but it took some time for the company to establish the true cause.

Cloudflare says that it initially believed it was experiencing a massive cyber-attack, but subsequently realized the problems were caused by a “painful” error with a software update …

When it comes to favorite technology, Apple gets a double win from me. My MacBook Pro is my single most important piece of tech, and the Apple ecosystem is absolutely core to my approach to a whole range of things, across both work and leisure.

But I also have a number of non-Apple devices that either serve as important accessories or standalone devices in their own right …

A second Windows laptop has demonstrated that there is potential for the MacBook Air to be even lighter. Earlier this year, we saw a 14-inch Asus laptop come in lighter than the 13-inch MacBook Air, and now Acer has done the same with a 16-inch model.

Interestingly, the Acer Swift Air 16 manages to be lighter than the MacBook Air despite being thicker, at 0.63-inches against 0.44 inches …

It seems clear we’re still a year away from the first iPhone Fold, but the rest of the market isn’t standing still. Samsung is planning to launch its first trifold phone this year, and Huawei is already onto its second-generation model.

On a pedantic note, I would argue that as they have two sets of hinges, they are bifold rather than trifold, but the industry seems to have adopted the latter term, so I guess we’re stuck with it now …

You would think certain things would be blindingly obvious, among them “if you are listening to music or a video on your phone on public transit, wear headphones.”

But anyone who regularly uses transit services can tell you that this is definitely not the case. London has now decided to take executive action with a PR campaign …

With smartphone addiction a growing problem among US teens, one solution being tried is digital detox summer camps, where parents are charged around $2,000 a week to separate their kinds from their electronic devices.

One kid sent to camp was so desperate to remain connected he brought three phones with him, handed over one, had another found in his bag, and was ratted out on the third by his room-mate …

Authorities came under fire when it was suggested there were no warnings of the flash floods in Texas, which resulted in at least 120 lives being lost, with many more people still missing.

In fact, the Wireless Emergency Alerts system was used to send multiple warnings, but a number of issues meant that many Texans didn’t receive them or act on them – and a new report suggests that’s a hard problem to fix …

A “click to cancel” law was last month passed in California, and now the FTC has ratified a federal rule designed to achieve the same goal. The idea of both is to force companies to make it as easy to cancel an online or app subscription as it is to sign up in the first place.

Update: Following a court challenge, the US Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals has vacated the rule. See update at the end …

When a serious emergency occurs, a picture can be worth a thousand words. It can be incredibly helpful to first responders to see ahead of time what they will be faced with when they arrive.

It is technically possible to send photos and video to 911 operators, but it’s a convoluted process. That’s set to change later this year …

While current wireless charging has its benefits, that just moves the visible wire from the device to the charging pad. The long-term dream is long-distance invisible wireless power transmission, and a new video demonstrates that we can take a big step closer to that today.

The setup embeds a large charging loop beneath the desk itself, enabling a keyboard, mouse, speakers – and even a monitor – to be powered without a cable or charging pad in sight …

If you want to promote the idea of buying refurbished tech rather than new, displaying your message on one of the world’s most iconic Apple Stores is a pretty good way to do it. Back Market projected its message on the exterior wall of London’s Covent Garden Store.

The projected message “Let’s end fast tech” is arguably mis-targeted, as Apple products are generally known for their longevity, but Back Market is calling for more thoughtful purchases and better re-use of discarded tech …