Zone’s Ross Basham handpicks and shares the five best new stories on digital trends, experiences and technologies…
1. NHS app could lead to immunity passports
Facial recognition has been added to an NHS app, possibly paving the way for Covid-19 ‘immunity passports’. The NHS login app is used for ordering prescriptions and booking appointments, and is separate from the contact-tracing one. But its founder believes it is a “strong and trusted identity system which form the basis of an immunity passport”.
Such passports, where people carry documented proof they have immunity because of a past infection, are already being tested in Estonia. However, the idea has proved controversial because there is no hard scientific evidence that having the coronavirus provides people with long-lasting immunity.
2. Drone to deliver PPE to Scottish island
A Scottish island is to start bringing in personal protective equipment for its hospital by drone delivery technology. The Isle of Mull is only accessible via two passenger ferries, both of which are running massively reduced services due to the lockdown of the tourist industry and Scotland’s prolonged advice not to travel.
A drone allows supplies to be delivered in a straight line from Oban on the mainland, taking 10 minutes rather than the ferry’s 45. It’s a 10-mile run, meaning the usual rules about a drone not being allowed to fly beyond the visual line of sight are being waived by the Civil Aviation Authority for the trial period.
3. Hair stylists offering virtual appointments
One of the industries worst-hit by the pandemic has been hairdressing, with no return on the horizon for this very unsocial-distancing profession. And for many, not being able to get their hair cut or coloured has been very distressing. So hairdressers are offering virtual appointments to help people style their hair at home.
Stylists are using video calls to provide customers live one-to-one advice and tutorials on things like how to colour their hair and sort out their split ends. One hairdresser has also launched a Virtual Wash Day every Sunday, when she invites people to join her on Zoom to wash, treat and style hair together.
4. Google introduces tool to pay with your voice
Google has introduced a Voice Match feature on Google Assistant that can verify payments using just your voice. It’s currently part of a limited pilot programme and is meant to secure user purchases made through smart speakers and smart displays. Currently, you can only use it for in-app purchases through Google Play.
While voice recognition could be useful for people with disabilities that make it hard to confirm purchases with a fingerprint or face scan, it is also much less secure than those options. As Google itself admits: “Someone with a similar voice or recording may be able to confirm purchases on devices you’re logged into.” Hmm…
5. Anti-5G USB stick will match your tinfoil hat
Great news for fans of ludicrous conspiracy theories without a shred of evidence to back them up — you can now buy an ‘anti-5G’ USB stick that uses a ‘wearable holographic nano-layer catalyser’ to protect your home and family from the dangers of 5G technology. The USB stick is yours for the very reasonable price of £339.60.
The BBC asked an expert to examine the USB stick to find out what makes it so special — and it turned out to be a bog-standard device (only 128mb of storage, mind) with a circular sticker on it (worth less than a penny). Still, better to be safe than sorry, eh? And while you’re here, I have a bridge to sell you…
