Zone’s Rianna Mitchell handpicks and shares the five best new stories on digital trends, experiences and technologies…
1. A slap in the face for Clearview AI
Facial recognition firm Clearview AI has been fined over £7.5 million for illegally harvesting the facial images of Brits without their knowledge and permission.
The technology company is accused of sourcing 20 billion photos from the web and social media to create a global facial recognition database.
The system permits users to upload a person’s photo to find matches in the database and provides links to the location of these matching images online.
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) ordered the company to cease obtaining and using the data of UK residents and to delete the already-garnered details, as it breaches UK data protection laws.
Clearview AI CEO Hoan Ton-That believes his technology and intentions have been “misinterpreted” while insisting that the firm’s mission is to “help communities and their people to live better, safer lives”.
2. Google Map’s Street View feels nostalgic as it turns 15
Google Map’s Street View commemorate its 15th anniversary with a new update that allows iOS and Android users to view past images when using the service.
The search giant advertises that the feature provides access to an archive of historical Street View photography dating back to the app’s launch in 2007.
Viewers can virtually explore how places of interest have transformed over the years as they navigate the platform, albeit in locations where Street View was available at the time.
Since 2014, the ability to time travel has been available on Street View’s desktop version, but this is its debut on the mobile app for iOS and Android owners.
Users can access this latest feature by tapping on the photo and selecting “see more dates” to access a location’s historical imagery.
3. Dyson robot cleaners in the making
No time for chores? Domestic appliance provider Dyson hires 250 engineers to develop humanoid robots capable of household tasks.
The company plans to build the UK’s largest robotic centre at its Hullavington Airfield site in Wiltshire, part of a £2.75 billion investment into new technologies and facilities to create these robotic prototypes.
Moving beyond vacuum cleaners and handheld driers, these new household additions are programmed to complete everyday chores such as washing dishes, cleaning furniture, and tidying away debris.
Dyson revealed a sneak peek of its early models at the International Conference on Robotics and Automation in Philadelphia. The UK manufacturer hopes to roll out these machines to homes by 2030.
4. Gucci goes from garments to gaming
Iconic luxury brand Gucci launches a global gaming academy in partnership with Faceit and the World Health Organisation (WHO) for the future generations of esports players.
The first fashion label to ever do it, the gaming education program aims to foster the development of new gamers while supporting their mental health and well-being, particularly in high-pressure gaming environments.
Up-and-coming professionals can benefit from coaching sessions and team-focused tasks that pay attention to personal branding, performing under stress, operating in the spotlight, and developing competitive strategies and tactics to equip them for the world of gaming.
Faceit will choose the brightest talents in the gaming community to join the Academy to prepare them for scouting opportunities and a path to going pro.
5. WhatsApp wants you ‘out with the old, in with the new’
Older iPhone models will no longer be able to run WhatsApp in the coming months.
The chat platform is discontinuing support for iOS 10 and iOS 11 users — who will predominantly be iPhone 5 and iPhone 5c owners — as they are unable to support certain features in newer updates.
The chat platform has reportedly started to alert some users via a pop-up window on iPhones that their devices will stop working from October 2022.
Apple users are encouraged to update newer iOS versions, with iOS 12 being the minimum requirement to run the app.
