IT & Security News
Pollinger’s Productivity : April 2025
Time To Forget Canva? ChatGPT’s New Image Feature is RevolutionaryOpenAI has rolled out a hugely impressive new image feature in ChatGPT. You can now generate and edit images directly in the app or on desktop using simple prompts. Whether it’s creating visuals from scratch or uploading and modifying an existing photo, ChatGPT can now handle…
NHS Supplier Fined £3m For Ransomware Failures
A software provider to the NHS has been fined £3.07 million after serious security lapses allowed hackers to steal sensitive personal data in a 2022 ransomware attack. A Breach With Real-World Impact The penalty, issued by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), follows a detailed investigation into Advanced Computer Software Group Ltd. In August 2022, the…
Croydon First Place To Get Permanent Facial Recognition Cameras
It’s been reported that Croydon is set to become the first place in the UK (and possibly the democratic world) to host permanent live facial recognition (LFR) cameras on its streets. Two Fixed Units This Summer The Metropolitan Police has confirmed the installation of two fixed units in the town centre this summer, the first…
Google Unveils AI-Powered Holiday Planning Features
Google is rolling out a suite of new features (many powered by generative AI) across its core platforms to help users plan their summer holidays with greater ease and personalisation. Tools For Inspiration and Planning It appears that the update spanning Search, Maps, Lens, and Gemini, is designed to keep Google front and centre as…
Your Guide to Choosing the Right AI Model in 2025
In this week’s tech insight, here’s a handy guide to the major (and now plentiful) generative AI models available, including what they do best, and how to access them. Which One Is Right For You? The AI boom is showing no signs of slowing. Whether it’s for writing, coding, design, research, or customer support, generative…
ChatGPT Gets Image Upgrade and Fewer Restrictions
ChatGPT’s image generation tools have just received a major upgrade, and while everyone is busy turning politicians into dreamy ‘Studio Ghibli’ characters, OpenAI’s (quiet) policy changes may prove to be the bigger story. A New Visual Brain for ChatGPT At the centre of this update is GPT-4o, OpenAI’s new omnimodal model. Unlike previous tools like…
HP’s Toner-Blocking Settlement
HP has (quietly) settled a class action lawsuit over claims it deliberately blocked customers from using third-party toner cartridges in its printers, without paying a penny in damages. Locking Out Third-Party Toner The lawsuit centred on HP’s controversial Dynamic Security feature, i.e. software designed to detect and reject toner cartridges not produced by HP itself.…
Cable-Cutting : Cat And Mouse
New fibre optic sensing technology is being deployed under the Baltic Sea to detect and deter sabotage attempts on Europe’s critical subsea data cables. Subsea Cables Carry the World’s Internet Many people may not know that nearly all global internet traffic depends on cables running across the seabed. Although these are slender fibre optic lines,…
Council Says AI Could Save Them £60m
In a new internal report, Cheshire East Council says it could save as much as £60 million over the next five years by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI). Smart Technology Shift The report highlights how AI could transform everything from customer service to social care, while tackling the authority’s ongoing financial struggles. The plan is part…
Google’s $32 Billion Bet on Wiz
Google Cloud has just signed one of the biggest cybersecurity deals in history with a bold $32 billion all-cash agreement to acquire Wiz, a fast-growing cloud security firm. Awaiting Approval The deal, still subject to regulatory approval, signals Google’s most aggressive move yet to close the gap with rivals Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft…
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