Digital Living

Talking to the dead with Google

Andrew Kaplan may be remembered as one of the world's first "digital humans".

Companies are planning a world in which future generations can interact with dead relatives.

Mental healthcare's tech future

Artificial intelligence and e-therapy options are finding their way into the toolbox to deal with mental health issues. ...

Artificial intelligence and e-therapy part of future prescription for mental healthcare.

The photographer shunning Photoshop

Auckland photographer and PhD researcher Anna Vasilyeva refuses to retouch the photos she posts to Instagram, in a bid ...

Photographer and academic Anna Vasilyeva says women shouldn't feel pressure to measure up to airbrushed images.

Would banning anonymity online work?

Lifting the curtain on anonymous social media behaviour is unlikely to stop bullying, internet safety experts warn.

"Monstrous" and "vicious" content online prompts calls to ban anonymity on social media.

The zero-fee currency card

Kiwis love to travel and we were charged a massive US$1b (NZ$1.55b) for using our cards abroad last year.

OPINION: Good news for travelling Kiwis. There's a way to avoid card fees while you're abroad.

The perils of a digital detox video

Tech-free travellers can experience withdrawal symptoms and feelings of anxiety and isolation, study shows.

Tech-free travellers can experience withdrawal symptoms and feelings of anxiety and isolation, study shows.

Tik Tok takes off

TikTok sensation Ricky Chainz with partner Mari and daughter Sarah at home.

It's bigger than Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. But if you're over 18, it's a foreign gadget.

The last bastion of the Luddite

Tesla even lets you play an arcade racing game on its display (using your cars actual steering wheel and pedals). And ...

OPINION: Some industries feel they don't have to try very hard where technology concerned. And its your fault, consumer.

Welcome to #Bookstagram video

A new kind of reading enthusiast is emerging thanks to Instagram.

The bookish chat on Instagram is an example of the social media platform at its best.

Legal stoush over school's laptop rule

An Acer Chromebook similar to the ones recommended by Rosehill College. (File photo)

Caregiver who objected to school installing software on her granddaughter's laptop contacts lawyer to fight school policy.

What is the number neighbour craze?

All the cool kids are texting their "number neighbour" - but what does that mean?

Is the number neighbour craze worth it?

Fashion’s had a tech makeover

The P30 Pro's in-built features include AI functions such as motion detection, stabilisation technology, and superior ...

Get style smart with the latest tech must-have.

ID thefts a 'vicious cycle' video

Criminal rings often buy datasets from multiple hacks to commit fraud.

Criminal rings often buy datasets from multiple hacks to commit fraud.

Bad news for Spotify

Spotify's analysts projected that it would reach up to 110 million subscribers. Whereas it only delivered 108 million.

Share price drops 5 per cent after service misses subscriber target.

New tech ignores queue jumpers at bars

'AI Bar' is the first AI powered bar launched in London by data science product company DataSparQ.

Queue jumpers at bars can be the absolute worst. AI could stop them.

The Detail: Facebook's cryptocurrency

Facebook's proposal to develop its own currency was little more than a press release when it came under attack from ...

Facebook's proposal to develop its own currency was little more than a press release when it came under attack from regulators and politicians.

Relaxing days of flying are over video

Most of us are addicted to our phones, and flying was like a compulsory visit to rehab.

OPINION: Flying was once an escape; it's pretty quickly becoming a mobile office.

Apple weans itself off iPhone

Apple's next phone will be the iPhone 11. However the company's iconic handset now makes up less than half of its ...

The company's iconic handset now makes up less than half of its turnover for the first time since the death of Steve Jobs.

Internet content moderators suffer silently

Lester works as a content moderator in the Philippines, which has caused emotional distress for him.

Even a year after quitting his job, Lester prays every week that the images he saw on the internet can be erased from his mind.

I gave up social media for a week

I deleted all social media apps on my phone to see what I could achieve in a week.

Day two was the hardest. 

The never-Googlers video

Some people are trying to build barriers to Google and other tech giants largely due to increasing concerns about the ...

It's everywhere, but some people are turning off Google entirely, to keep their information safe from prying eyes.

Nothing to like about 'likes'

The pursuit of "likes" turned Instagram into a popularity contest. Removing that function is a step in the right direction.

OPINION: Instagram is currently testing a new feature that hides "like" counts. That's a good thing.

London police Twitter hacked video

It didn't take long to realise something was amiss with the London police Twitter account.

Metro police apologise after hackers take over, sending out tweets such as "what you gonna do phone the police".

Elon Musk's brainstorm

Brain wave or brain explosion? Elon Musk's latest venture raises many questions, starting with whether he's serious.

OPINION: The serial entrepreneur is out to rewire the human brain. Which could be good. Or bad.

FaceApp raises privacy concerns

Chef Gordon Ramsay tries the FaceApp - adding a few decades to his age.

Gordon Ramsey, Drake and other celebrities have tried the fun app, but concerns are raised as to how the photos are used beyond it.

Musk's man to machine mission 'impossible'

Tech mogul Elon Musk unveiled plans to implant human brains with computer chips in an effort to merge man with machine, ...

The billionaire's plans to implant chips into human brains finds a sceptical audience among scientists.

Thumbs up on emojis at work video

The meaning of emojis can easily be misinterpreted.

Signing off an email with an emoji is likely to score you a smiley face from your workmates, new research shows.

How to watch RWC 2019 online

Watch the All Blacks defend their world cup title on your smart TV, computer, or smartphone.

Sport is changing, are you ready? Connect your TV to fibre for the Rugby World Cup.

Google is listening in video

A Sony speaker that features Google Assistant. Recordings captured by smart speakers, or your phone, after the Assistant ...

Google contractors regularly listen to recordings of what people say to AI system Google Assistant, via their phones or smart speakers.

How much is streaming really worth?

Is Netflix's home-brand content strong enough to warrant its $15 a month subscription?

Providers pushing limits of how many subscriptions we're willing to pay for.

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