Bits+Bytes

Who are the main players, who protects your security and privacy best, and why does Apple keep sending alerts that your iCloud is full? Peter Griffin looks at the options for safely storing data and photos.

Facebook blames Cambridge Analytica for allegedly obtaining personal information from millions of American Facebook users in an attempt to manipulate elections – but are the UK consulting firm really the only ones at fault?

This week, a warning about electric vehicles from a group of NZ citizen scientists, flying taxis to be trialled here, and why the people who sift through and remove disturbing YouTube content work a 4-day week.

Joining Peter Griffin to navigate the world of tech and analysing the latest news from the digital world. This week plans are afoot to position New Zealand as a base station for the global satellites sector. Also competition heats up in the broadband market pushing prices down, but will regulation see a hike in rates for consumers? Google rolls out free calls to mobile phones and landlines from their home assistant Google Home. Plus Emily Wang of Datacom on reports that users of Amazon's Alexa system are hearing the unit emit strange, "witch-like" laughter (if you do a search of #AlexaLaugh on Twitter, you'll see many funny/creepy examples).

Bits and Bytes with Peter Griffin helping you navigate the world of tech and analysing the latest news from the digital world. This week, Spotify goes public (well sort of!). But can it continue to dominate in the world of streaming? With over 70 million paying subscribers, it has nearly half of the global music streaming market, and users average 25 hours on the platform per month. Sky TV slashes prices this week as it loses subscribers and revenue to competitors like Netflix and Lightbox. And finally a listener questions about charging cables: why do Apple cables seem to fail so frequently?

Bits and Bytes with Peter Griffin helping you navigate the world of technology and analysing the latest news from the digital world. This week Snapchat becomes a real threat to Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, so why have over a million users signed a petition unhappy about a design change to the app? Plus horror stories are emerging from people seeking a replacement battery for their throttled iPhones, and Emily Wang looks at cryptojacking at Tesla, so hackers using Tesla's cloud computing to mine cryptocurrencies. And a listener question, why can't cellphone records be used to locate missing airliners like Malaysian Airlines' MH370.

Why is Google blocking ads in it's popular web browser Chrome, and yet in gmail there are plans for more dynamic, interactive, dancing and singing ads that will blink and flash in your inbox? Plus questions from some of our leading scientists about NZ's involvement in building the world's largest telescope project. It's called the Square Kilometre Array, and once built could unravel the origins of the universe. And Emily Wang looks at emojis, the smiley faces used in digital communications and the latest emojis launched for 2018 and how you can make your own. Plus questions answered - this week how does the camera on your device know where a photo has been taken if it's not connected to the internet or the mobile phone network when the shot is taken?

The latest tech news and your questions answered with Peter Griffin. This week, the latest in the Apple iPhone throttling saga: could it be about to offer refunds for repair costs to the millions of users affected by 'Batterygate'? The casino operator Sky City bets big on the esports video gaming sector, and awkward revelations from court hearings involving ride-hailing company Uber which faces allegations it stole trade secrets from rival Waymo. Emily Wang looks at the multi million dollar white hat hacker industry - where hackers make money from big tech companies who pay them to find exploits and weaknesses in their hardware and software. Google alone spent $3 million on so-called 'bug bounty' programs in 2017! Plus your questions answered - this week how to set up Netflix on older TVs, and will a new undersea broadband cable mean cheaper and faster internet for New Zealand?

Bits+Bytes: Which internet service providers are getting the most complaints – and the simple steps to take if you’re feeling ripped off by your provider – and why Facebook has banned cryptocurrency ads.

Alphabet (Google) tightens up YouTube advertising rules; the future of smart speakers; Simon and Peter test out wireless home audio systems; and why has Facebook changed its algorithm?