KANE'S TECH TIPS:
SUNDAY 19TH NOVEMBER 2023
Welcome to another low down on all the latest Tech news, Tips and Tricks to help you keep up to date with the latest from the Tech world!
You can hear the feature On Air on a Sunday with Mark, and throughout the week.
Automated Bus in Milton Keynes
An automated self-driving bus is being tested at multiple stops and carriageways in Milton Keynes.
The vehicle will be on selected roads throughout November as part of a Europe-wide research project.
Similar trials have taken place in the Czech Republic in 2023, and in other continental cities in 2022.
In Milton Keynes, the vehicle will carry up to 15 passengers between Unity Place, Centre:mk, the Theatre District and Station Square.
The shuttle will be monitored by a research team from University College London who will ask passengers how the service can be developed to meet their needs.
Read More: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-67418123
Source: BBC News
Meta:Parental Approval On App Stores
Meta has called for laws that would force app stores to get parental approval when a child downloads an app.
The proposal would put app stores, like those run by Apple and Google, on the hook for implementing parental controls - rather than social media companies.
Meta, owner of Instagram and Facebook, has faced criticism for how it handles teens using its platforms.
The firm's safety chief called for a "simple, industry-wide solution" to govern children's social media use.
Read More: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-67433269
Source: BBC News
'Games Against Gangs' Initiative
A group of youth workers hope to keep young people away from gang culture through gaming.
The Yard is a gaming cafe on Gold Street in Northampton that gives young people who might get caught up in gang behaviour a safe space to go to.
The "Games Against Gangs" initiative has received £95,188 in funding from Children in Need.
Games Against Gangs uses gaming as a way for young people to learn to work together and offers a chance to talk about internet safety and other issues.
Read More: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-67407477
Source: BBC News
Apps Of The Week
The app of the week is called Pocket Casts.
Launching the app, you can dive right in with the ability to import your favorite podcasts from Castbox or other apps.
Alternatively, you can perform a search for the different podcast channels that you like.
While featured podcasts might offer something new, you can always check out whatever else is trending or based on the genres that interest you.
The app is free to download on IOS and Android Devices.
Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=au.com.shiftyjelly.pocketcasts
Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pocket-casts-podcast-player/id414834813
🛡️ Security Corner 🛡️
Scammers will make fake accounts and/or hack real accounts to use them to commit a range of fraudulent activities.
Many sites have a process to verify accounts, such as verified badges for Instagram and Facebook.
This can help to identify real accounts against fake accounts pretending to be a well-known person. Other things to look out for include
- where an account has a date indicating when it was set up
- nonsensical names (appears to be random letters and numbers)
- the number of followers (although note that followers can be bought)
