Zone’s Rianna Mitchell handpicks and shares the five best news stories on digital trends, experiences and technologies…
1. The digital pound gets closer
A digital version of sterling, dubbed ‘Britcoin’, could be in use by the end of the decade. A consultation paper published by the Bank of England and Treasury argues that a digital pound is likely to be needed in the future, and decisions to go forward will be based on future developments in money and payment.
Unlike other cryptocurrencies, Britcoin would be issued by the Bank of England and interchangeable with cash and banknotes. The proposal aims to protect vulnerable people against the volatility of cryptocurrencies and ensure Britcoin is a trusted, state-backed digital currency with stable value.
2. Retro digital camera back in fashion
Nostalgia kicks in as digital cameras from the early noughties become a burgeoning trend for young people. There has been a surge in search traffic for this type of retro merchandise on online marketplaces like eBay and Etsy, whilst videos with the hashtag #digitalcamera have accumulated around 220 million views on TikTok.
The trend has been linked to similar revivals of early 21st-century fashion styles as they make a comeback in 2023. Paul Greenwood, head of research and insight at We Are Social, says people seek comfort in times of uncertainty and discomfort, and the trend is shorthand for authenticity and reality, which is what Gen Z are seeking.
3. M&S customers get VIP treatment
Marks and Spencer has soft-launched a new paid-for premium loyalty scheme for its customers, which offers members ‘VIP Treatment’. An upgraded tier in the Sparks loyalty scheme, Sparks Plus members can access perks worth over £200 in addition to existing Sparks benefits.
Customers will have to pay £120 for 12 months to access the VIP tier, offering unlimited delivery, a monthly £10 voucher, and a free hot drink from any M&S Café. Members will also receive exclusive invites to store events, a special gift, and double charity donations.
4. It’s game on for Microsoft
The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has said that Microsoft’s proposed plan to purchase video games publisher Activision Blizzard, which would be the biggest takeover in tech history, is anti-competitive and could harm UK gamers.
The CMA has provisionally concluded that the deal could result in higher prices, fewer choices, and less innovation. There are also concerns it will reinforce Microsoft’s strong position in the market and reduce its competition. While the deal is under scrutiny, Microsoft is finding solutions to address the CMA’s concerns.
5. Google’s multisearch feature goes global
Google announced the global rollout of its newer multisearch feature for Google Lens, available on mobile devices. With 10 billion users per month, the feature allows both text and images to be used simultaneously in the search engine to get more granular and convenient results.
The combination of imaged-based search with text prompts could help Google to process and understand search queries better than before, drawing insights and connections between topics, concepts, and ideas. The feature is most helpful with shopping searches, creating an enhanced experience for users.
