Tech & Innovation
News, opinions and advice on technology development and the state of innovation.
Borders bankruptcy and the not-so-mysterious demise of the ice-barons [What do you think will...
The bankruptcy of Borders naturally got chins wagging at Anthill HQ, prompting us to consider what other big changes might be on the horizon, leading us to create our own short-list of things on the commercial endangered list. What do you think will become obsolete in the next decade?
Jack Matthews on the future of Fairfax Digital [PODCAST]
As CEO of Fairfax Digital, the online arm of Fairfax Media, Jack Matthews has been steering the Australian news giant since 2006 (when internet journalism was still an afterthought for most publishing houses). Matthews says in the interview that while advertising still drives of the bulk of Fairfax's revenues, he is aware that media companies are experimenting with the sales of good and services.
Japan goes wild over synthesised singing phenomenon Hatsune Miku [VIDEO]
You have to hand it to Japan. While other nations are busy rattling sabres, fretting over same-sex marriage or deifying Justin Bieber, the Asian giant gives us Hatsune Miku -- sythesised singing software that has triggered an earthquake of creativity.
What I learnt selling panties on Spreets [How to sell through group buying sites...
Tim Morris is the founder of The Pantless Postman, a subscription site for busy gentleman, who wish to avoid the time consuming task of buying underwear. Recently, Morris trialed a promotion through Australian collective buying site Spreets. In this intimate exclusive for Anthill, he explains what worked, what didn't and what he'd do differently next time.
Zygo’s football boots are ready to “deztruct” Australian sports
Zygo's boots are now available to be purchased in Australia. An Australian brand, Zygo was founded in 2004 by Con Hatzilias, a sports marketer. Zygo's boots have a special technology which enhances power, grip, spin and swerve.
Twitter joins with heavyweight Apple to spread some iTunes love [VIDEO]
In a strong signal that Twitter has reached the Olympus of Internet gods that look down on us all, the mini-message network is now integrated with Apple so users can share their favorite tunes. Twitter now works with Ping, iTunes' social network for music. Who will be Twitter's next partner as it hobnobs with the 'Net's other heavy hitters?
10 Mobile Marketing Predictions for 2011 [“Launching a mobile site will offer a greater...
Most retailers are going to be better off focusing on a mobile website first instead of a Smartphone application. A mobile website is well-suited for mobile shopping, is typically less expensive to develop, and can reach more end users with one site than multiple applications. Gartner estimates that over 85% of handsets shipped globally in 2011 will include a mobile browser. With mobile web traffic having grown 500% in the last two years, having a mobile site is now a necessity.
Which boffins pocket which grants, and at what benefit to the community? [Excellence in...
The Australian Government invests big bucks in research each year. But which nerdy boffins pocket the cash, and at what benefit to the community?
How to prevent ‘neighbours’ tapping into your wireless network
Cyber criminals and hackers can easily infiltrate an unsecured wireless network. Clearly, it’s important to take the proper measures to protect your internet. Even if a neighbour has a similar internet package, they can accidentally use your Wi-Fi or your broadband internet service for free instead of using their own. If you are living in close proximity to many other people – for example, in an apartment building – the risk increases dramatically with each tenant in close proximity.
Tony is more likely to shop online than Julia, according to Kogan’s numbers
Australia’s self-appointed online retail antagonist Ruslan Kogan -- while possibly enjoying a slow day at the office -- has crunched his online traffic numbers to reveal that the most popular names of 2010 online shoppers on the Kogan site were John, Peter, David, Michael and Paul (in addition to some information that you might actually one day use, on how and why Australians shop online).
Obama launches Startup America initiative: Should Australia follow suit?
Despite acknowledging there’s no way to predict its success, venture capitalists are “feeling good” about new White House initiative Startup America, according to the Wall Street Journal. So, when can we expect the launch of 'Startup Australia'?
Mobile-only broadband market to reach one billion by 2015
By the year 2015, one billion people globally will access the internet solely through mobile devices, according to new research from analyst Ovum. Yet another reason for the mobile industry to feel smug. But does this mean fixed broadband will go the way of Betamax, Commodore 64, and stone wash?
Australian mobile app to replace four billion pieces of pulped wood (also known as...
Appalogues (see what they did there?), created by Brisbane company Min-i-Mags, is a smartphone application that combines old-school catalogues with new mobile technology to create a product it hopes will replace shopping catalogues -- Australia’s third largest consumer-directed advertising medium (after newspapers and TV).
The 6 greatest cybercrime scams and exploits of the last decade [How many caught...
In first place comes the MyDoom's mass infection. Damage caused by this worm is estimated to have exceeded $38 billion. Designed to send spam mails through infected computers, its first attack took place in 2004. It sent so much spam from computers worldwide that it slowed down the internet by 10%!
CSIRO scientists break ground with mapping of Alzheimer’s protein [INNOVATOR]
A team of scientists, led by Dr Jose Varghese at CSIRO, has focused its research on a destructive protein known as amyloid beta, which assembles itself in the brain and builds up plaque that is associated with Alzheimer's disease.
Lessons from a LinkedIn lush: Why I regret becoming an open networker
One of the decisions I made when I joined LinkedIn was to become an “open networker.” I’m on a list that says I am open to connecting. Three years later and I have thousands of first-degree connections. Now... I kind of regret it.
What Australia’s solar power initiatives really need: A boy and his ‘death ray’
When Australia decides to get serious about its renewable-energy initiatives, we recommend that Ms. Gillard give Eric Jacqmain a ring. The youngster from the American Midwest created a portable "death ray" that, at its focal point, boasts the heat of 5,000 suns.
Internet TV will soon overtake cable, Ovum predicts
Over the next five years, internet protocol TV (IPTV) is expected to grow, globally, at an annual rate of 24%, reaching 109 million households. But this number is still very far from the 573 million homes that cable TV is expected to reach by 2015, at a growth of 3% per year, predicts Ovum in its most recent report.
The NSW Government opens its $6 million program to “revitalise” ICT industry
The NSW Government has issued a call for applications for its $6 million Collaborative Solutions program. This first initiative in the program, called Mobile Concierge, focuses on mobile and wireless technologies in the tourism and retail sector.
Finally, a big corporate has learnt how to exploit Twitter [Twelpforce]
This is not a story about Twitter being used to influence an election or kick-start a sit-com. This is a story about using Twitter commercially. Retail giant Best Buy has moved social media intelligence and online engagement toward the core of its marketing strategy. But one of its latest moves pushes that philosophy even further. It's called Twelpforce, and it appears to be a bold and brilliant move.
