Nest Thermostat 3rd Generation review: An improvement on a winning formula December 20, 2017 Every tech company wants to be “the Apple of X”. Nest – which was bought by Google in 2014 for $3.2bn – is the Apple of “really boring stuff ”. Smoke alarms. Doorbells. Thermostats. But in the same way Apple convinced millions of people that they really, really wanted to put their entire music [...]
Blue Satellite headphones review: Great sound, but these cans will leave you feeling Blue December 20, 2017 Beginning life as a manufacturer of high-end equipment for audio professionals, Blue has been tentatively easing its way towards the lucrative consumer market for some time. Its new Satellite headphones are its most high street-friendly pair yet, but it still has some way to go to bridge the gap between studio and sidewalk. Compared [...]
Is Uber a tech or transport firm? Europe’s highest court’s about to decide December 20, 2017 A major question of modern times asking whether Uber is a transport or technology company is set to be answered by Europe's highest court on Wednesday. The European Court of Justice will make a ruling in a long-running case originating in Spain and is expected to decide that Uber is a transport company. The implications [...]
Millennial mortgages are here: Automatic switching is go at proptech startup Trussle December 19, 2017 The era of millennial mortgages has arrived. A couple from London are the first homeowners to switch their mortgage automatically and entirely online, without the hassle of searching new deals and lengthy paperwork, thanks to an innovative property technology startup. Trussle's switching alert lets users know when they should remortgage to find a better deal. [...]
Cyber security wages are set to soar amid a skills shortage December 18, 2017 Demand for cyber security roles is set to boom over the next year following several high-profile cyber attacks, prompting a rise in wages, new research from the recruitment sector’s trade body suggests. Every specialist IT recruitment agency surveyed by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) said they thought demand for cyber security staff would rise [...]
UK mattress startup Simba Sleep raises £40m and is heading for profit in some markets December 17, 2017 Simba Sleep, one of several startups hoping to disrupt the world of sleep, has bedded fresh cash to fuel global expansion as it nears profitability in some markets. The £40m series B round of investment comes from previous backers Nigel Wray, a City heavywight and chairman of Saracens rugby club, Wharton Asset Management and Swiss [...]
JP Morgan and Barclays are exploring quantum computing technology with IBM December 14, 2017 JP Morgan will begin exploring the potential of quantum computing and how it might be applied to trading strategies, portfolio optimisation, asset pricing, and risk analysis in a new partnership with tech giant IBM. The investment bank is one of two financial institutions, along with Barclays, taking advantage of the commercialisation of quantum technology, which [...]
Open Banking: Meet 10 startups that just won cash for innovative ideas December 13, 2017 Nearly a dozen startups have been chosen for a cash prize totalling £5m for their innovative ideas for making banking easier for small businesses. A firm that is a current account for freelancers that can help them manage tax and expenses, called Coconut, and another, Funding options, a marketplace for financial products for small firms, [...]
11 tech startups to watch according to top insurers in Startupbootcamp’s insurtech accelerator December 11, 2017 Nearly a dozen startups looking to disrupt the insurance industry with technology such as artificial intelligence have been chosen for the latest cohort of a London programme, backed by Lloyds Banking Group, Allianz, Scottish Widows and Confused.com among several high-profile financial firms. The 11 early stage startups from nine countries around the world will join [...]
Uber’s London licence appeal against TfL is set for first court hearing December 10, 2017 Uber's legal battle with London regulators is set to move forward with a court hearing due to take place this week over its licence to operate in the capital. The preliminary hearing at Westminster Magistrates court on Monday will lay out plans for the full case to be heard some time next year. It comes [...]
