Archived News for IT Professionals
Apple has made another attempt to redeem the resounding failure of its maps app, acquiring another map-centric company to try to catch up on Google’s cartographic lead.
Fire truck GPS roll-out steams ahead
By the end of next year the New South Wales Fire and Rescue Service will have its entire fleet of 560 vehicles fitted-out with GPS tracking tools to ensure the fastest response to an emergency.
Government blocks do little to stem tide of torrents
A new study has shown that blocking access to torrent sites has little to no effect on users, with new avenues for piracy popping up faster than they can be closed.
In Ballmer's view; Vista was worst
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has announced he will leave the company some time in the next twelve months, the man who oversaw many recent launches says his greatest regret was Windows Vista.
Online uranium deal soured by stupidity
A man has fallen not for the oldest trick in the book - but possibly the most obvious – arrested after responding to a fake ad looking for uranium.
Queensland health cuts from the top down
A handful of top-tier public servants have been sacked in what is likely only the first round of heads to roll over the Queensland Health payroll fiasco.
Windows to offer 3D printing support
There are now dozens of home 3D printers that anyone can purchase and use, but building things at home is set to become even easier with the announcement that the next version of Windows will support the additive manufacturing revolution.
Merger for perfect storm of phone service
Craig Neil has sold the company he spent nearly 24 years building, offloading NSC to Telstra for a reported $100 million.
Commission holds back on NBN access plan
Australia’s competition regulator has withheld its decision on whether to accept the long-term pricing plan put forward by NBN Co.
NBN looks within to fix design, contractor woes
Reports say NBN Co has been hit by a multi-billion dollar blowout from mounting construction costs and contractors’ demands.
New chips learn from the human brain
Mobile phones, computers, video game consoles and other such devices are crammed with an unbelievable amount of microscopic transistors to allow them to process information, but still none have come close to the complexity or computing scale of the human brain.
North Korea launches smartphone for citizens
North Korea has unveiled what it calls its first domestically-made smartphone, but the new Android device may be less than it seems.
Powerless wireless could network all things
A new device has allowed the wireless transmission of data between two devices with no power supplies or batteries.
Taking to Chinese Twitter to boost tourism
The Melbourne Airport is the latest Australian group to try to enhance its social ties with China, engaging with the nation’s most popular social media platform; Weibo.
Texts tested ahead of fiery times
Victoria’s Emergency services will now alert people via text message on all mobile networks if there are dangers in their area, with tests going on over the weekend.
Experts warn of school tablet cyber-bully liability
Two legal experts from the University of Canberra have warned against schools’ complacency on cyber-bullying, saying a school could be sued in some circumstances.
Lessons in discretion from AOL CEO
The chief of AOL Inc has apologised in a memo after showing exactly how not to fire an executive.
Online uni to rival the big guns
An online university has shouldered the modest challenge of taking on the ivy-bedecked likes of Yale and Harvard.
Data portal for business, urban planning
A new study from the University of Melbourne aims to make one of the world’s most liveable cities even more liveable.
Assange sees good signs of dip in US cyber-spying
One of the world’s leading campaigners for internet freedom says the US Government pledge to back off on rampant digital spying is a win for whistleblowers and private citizens.
Facebook tries getting trendy
Social media outlets are becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish from each other, with news Facebook has poached Twitter’s Trending Topics feature.