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Ukip leader defends capital’s black cabs, saying many Uber drivers can’t speak English and don’t know their way aroundNigel Farage, the Ukip leader, has complained that many Uber drivers can’t speak English, play loud music and don’t know their way around London.Speaking during his regular phone-in show on LBC radio, Farage jumped to the defence of London’s black-cab drivers after the capital’s mayor, Boris Johnson, described them as luddites for protesting about the effect new taxi smartphone apps, especially Uber, are having on their business. Continue reading...

Director Ilya Naishuller’s gory, first-person action film is like a video game in which we leap, climb, kill and find ourselves bored sillyFor folks who are too lazy to play their own video games, there’s the movie Hardcore. For 90 minutes, first-time feature director Ilya Naishuller throttles your central nervous system with a stretched-out spasm of first-person action. Run here, jump there, slice this carotid artery, shatter that skull. The plot, what little of it there is, has mute amnesia victim Henry (ostensibly “you”), avoiding death at every turn and frantically racing to a series of checkpoints delivered to his phone by a reappearing guide in the form of a manic (and homophobic) Sharlto Copley.From an acrobatic point of view, all the GoPro choreography is impressive. “How’d they do THAT?” you’ll wonder for the first 15 minutes. But as the relentless shaky-cam and ear-splitting weapons blasts soldier on, this query changes to: “Do I have any aspirin in my bag?” Hardcore taps into a 14-year-old boy’s brain, marinating in a vat of Mountain Dew, fantasising about high-energy kills, lusty women and loud music. Perhaps interesting for sociological study, but as a movie, it is vulgar, boring and embarrassing. Continue reading...

Formerly just deadly military devices, now anyone can buy and fly a drone – but mastering one is another matter altogetherDrones have a bad reputation. The first we heard of them, they were flying unmanned missions to kill not necessarily the right targets in the name of freedom. Next, they were going to replace Amazon delivery drivers, severing permanently the company’s relationship with human beings.This week, Nigel Wilson, 42, was fined £1,800 for flying a drone dangerously close to sports grounds and Buckingham Palace . It also emerged that drones were being used to fly contraband drugs into prisons. (“It’s complicated,” a prison governor tells me off the record. “The drugs are often legal. And the drones are legal. The only illegal thing they’ve done is fly over a prison.”) Continue reading...

Swarms have existed for millions of years in nature and now they’re evolving into silicon. Labs across the US are developing robotic swarms of flying copters and tiny bots that can coordinate on their own. With robot swarms already in development for the US military, these bands of robots will only continue to grow Continue reading...

In the third episode of internet podcast Updog, we journey into the strange world of political memes and curious politician fandoms on TumblrWe’re used to political humour on Facebook and Twitter, but how about Tumblr?Hark back to the days of the general election and you may remember the Milifandom, a group of teens who loved Ed Miliband and found their own way to support him. In a nutshell, politics Tumblr is similar, where people, predominantly young people, discuss in their own language the ins and outs of stereotypically dull current affairs. There are fandoms, there are jokes and there are plenty of flower crowns for everyone. Continue reading...

Andrew Parker also says telecoms firms should provide more help in monitoring suspected terrorists and paedophilesThe head of MI5, Andrew Parker, has called for more up-to-date surveillance powers and said tech companies had an ethical responsibility to provide more help in monitoring the communications of suspected terrorists and paedophiles.In the first live media interview ever given by a senior British intelligence official, Parker defended the British surveillance system and backed the government’s plans for new surveillance powers. Continue reading...

New range of Fire Tablets promises to outlast an iPad without breaking the bank when used for media consumption

Oscar-winning film-maker was criticised for telling an African-American judge on HBO show Project Greenlight that winners should be picked purely on meritMatt Damon has apologised for appearing to downplay the importance of diversity in film while judging the HBO reality show Project Greenlight, in which first-time directors are given the chance to make a movie.Damon was heavily criticised on social media, with the hashtag #Damonsplaining trending on Twitter, after an awkward exchange with African-American producer Effie Brown on Sunday’s episode of the show, which he created with long-term partner Ben Affleck. Continue reading...

President lectures China on commercial cyber-attacks despite reports the US has done so itself in the past and says that ‘we’re still the best at this’The Chinese president, Xi Jinping, received a chilly welcome ahead of his first US state visit next week as Barack Obama responded to growing China-bashing among presidential candidates by listing his own demands on Beijing.

From baby boredom to Candy Crush begging, once the social network starts adding new buttons, it’s hard to know where it should stopFacebook is introducing a ‘Dislike’ button. Or at least something like it, for people to “express empathy” for status updates they feel awkward about liking – from people posting about the death of a loved one to news stories about crises.“Not every moment is a good moment,” said Mark Zuckerberg, as he confirmed that work had begun on an alternative. Continue reading...

The place to talk about games and other things that matterIt’s Wednesday. Comments are now ON! Continue reading...

Prime minister calls for explanation after Google appears to adopt names used by neighbour and territorial rival VenezuelaA centuries-old territorial dispute in South America has taken a technological turn after anglophone Guyana decried Google Maps’ Spanish-language labelling of street names in a region claimed by neighbouring Venezuela.

Court decision allows YouTube user to move forward with lawsuit against Universal music for takedown notice on 2007 video that featured Prince songIt just became a little harder to force someone to take copyrighted videos off YouTube, after a ruling from a three-judge panel in California found that before filing a removal notice, copyright holders must consider whether the way their intellectual property is used could be considered “fair use” under US law.Further, according to Monday’s decision from the ninth circuit court of appeals, if an entity misuses legal takedown notices, it is taking a financial risk of its own. Continue reading...

At arms fair in London, Admiral Sir George Zambellas says navy plans to demonstrate a directed energy weapon at sea by end of decadeThe Royal Navy hopes to develop a ship-mounted “death ray” laser cannon by 2020, the first sea lord, Admiral Sir George Zambellas, has announced at one of the world’s biggest arms fairs.

They can’t drive, play football or get goosebumps from listening to music. So why are we so afraid of our mechanical offspring, asks the Scissor Sisters singerRobots are machines of human creation. Let me say that one more time: robots are machines. Though many of them have arms, legs and heads, they cannot move, sense touch, or see like humans. Artificial intelligence is just that: artificial. It is a simulation of human intelligence, becoming ever more human-like in its creative and problem-solving capacities, but it is not yet a mind. Robots come from us, but are not like us. There is so much more to the human brain than the ability to process information, and it’s this subtle intelligence that will always set us apart from our mechanical counterparts.

Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Azerbaijan and Bahrain are among 61 countries the UK government has invited to biennial eventAuthoritarian regimes including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and Azerbaijan are among the official guests invited by the UK government to one of the world’s largest arms bazaars, opening in London’s Docklands this week.The biennial weapons fair, which opens on Tuesday, is the focus of an increasingly heated debate between those who say major weapons producers such as Britain cannot claim at the same time to defend human rights, and those who say the arms industry provides tens of thousands of jobs and valuable exports. Continue reading...

Will the new generation of IoT­-related data benefit us enough to be comfortable giving up even more of our privacy?For most of us, the internet of things (IoT) might call to mind specific gadgets – slick innovations like Nest thermostats or the Apple Watch – that seem to owe their provenance to science fiction and promise a more wired world, as well as the inevitable automation of everyday life.Then there are people like serial entrepreneur Nova Spivack, someone who’s far less enamoured of the next IoT device than he is with something infinitely geekier: the data that can be captured. Continue reading...

The late singer’s sister says that Houston’s hologram tour is ‘a great opportunity for her fans to see a reinvention of one the most celebrated female artists in history’A hologram of the late Whitney Houston will take to the stage next year, as Hologram USA and Houston’s estate announce that fans will be able to watch the singer’s greatest hits during a new world tour.The singer’s sister-in-law and president of her estate, Pat Houston, said in a statement that the hologram is “a great opportunity for her fans to see a reinvention of one the most celebrated female artists in history and to continue a legacy of performances that will not be forgotten in years to come.” Continue reading...

The place to talk about games and other things that matterIt’s Monday and it’s raining – what could be better?! Continue reading...

Andy Robson is the MD of Testology, which helps rid games such as Batman: Arkham Knight and Tearaway Unfolded of glitches and bugs to ensure smooth, stress-free playHow did you get into games testing?

The former Vodafone executive faced questioning from a Senate committee after the company admitted accessing a journalist’s call records and text messagesFormer Vodafone executive Bill Morrow says he did not report a serious privacy breach of a journalist’s phone to the police because he was not aware of it during his time with the company.

Do you know your LOLZ from your ROFLs, your number of followers and are you fluent in the language of emojis? Michael Hogan asks ten multiple choice questions to see how up-to-date you really are1How many social networks are you on?Three. Instagram, Pandora and Snapchat. The others are for old squares.Five. Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, Facebook and Vine. Wait, is Tinder one too?Also five. LinkedIn, Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook and Google+. Definitely not Ashley Madison, honest.Just Facebook. Are there others? How ghastly.2When you share pictures, what do they tend be?Mirror selfies.Burgers, cocktails, holiday hotdog legs and smashed-avocado-on-toast brunches.Your kids or pets looking cute.Sunsets and gardens.3On which device do you most of your social networking?Your smartphone. It’s like an extra limb and you have a nervo if it’s out of reach or battery.Your laptop, which you whip out of your backpack any time you have a spare moment.Your tablet. Well, when you can wrestle it off your gaming kids.Your desktop computer, clearly. What else could you use?4What was the first social network you ever joined?Facebook. IKR? Maje cringeface.MySpace or Habbo Hotel.Faceparty or Bebo.Does the local Rotary Club count?5How many friends and followers do you have?HundredsThousandsYou’ve got no idea (or so you pretend).Mind your own business. Oh, you mean on social media? God knows. How do you find out?6Which celebrities do you keep up with on social media?Tay-Tay Swift, Justin Bieber and 1D.Kimye, Beyonce and the Beckhams.Nigella, Russell Brand and Barack Obama.Stephen Fry, Jeremy Clarkson and your local MP.7Do you use emojis?Duh, totes obv. Most of your social media posts are made up entirely of hearts, fistbumps and yellow cry-faces.You flirt and sext with aubergines and kisses, plus are partial to the nail-painting one and the smiley poo.The odd smiley face or dancing flamenco lady, but only ironically.Emojis... are they those Cuban cocktails?8What do you deem to be “oversharing” on social media?Nothing really.Sexy or icky health stuff. Anything else is fair game.Every meal, run or night out. Better to save it for the envy-inducing ones.Everything. You wish people would stop showing off.9What do LOL, bae and #onfleek mean?LOL srsly?Laugh out loud, babe and on point.Laugh out loud, which you try never to use. Either baby or babe, you’ve never been sure. You’ve made that third one up.Lots of love. No idea on the others. Speak properly, for pity’s sake.10What do you tend to share, forward and retweet?Hot pix of bare hench baes or clothes/shoes you’re lusting after.LOLZ, memes and ROFLs, plus the odd bit of self-promotion.Worthy political causes or broadsheet columns that chime with your worldview.Inspirational quotes on pretty backgrounds. Continue reading...

The ratings system introduced by the biggest car boot sale on earth is now used by everyone from Uber to AirbnbTwenty years ago this month, a French-born Iranian-American computer programmer named Pierre Omidyar added an experimental online auction section to his personal website, which at that time focused mainly on the Ebola virus. He called it AuctionWeb because it enabled people to bid to purchase items that other people were advertising for sale. One of the earliest, and most puzzling, sales on the site was of a broken laser pointer, which went for $14.83. The story goes that Omidyar wrote to the buyer asking if he understood that the laser pointer was broken. The guy replied that he was a collector of broken laser pointers. At this point, Omidyar realised he might be on to something.He was: he called it eBay. The idea that one could use the web as a way of putting buyers and sellers in touch with one another was not new. But up to then that affordance of the technology had been seen mainly in the context of firms. It was the basis, for example, for the early and rapid growth of so-called B2B (business-to-business) sites. The critical twist that Omidyar added was that the same technology could work for ordinary people. And so he created what turned out to be the greatest car boot sale in the history of the world. Continue reading...

The Scissor Sisters singer can’t wait to see what technology has in store for humanity, so long as it doesn’t involve FacebookYou’ve just published a book about robots. When did your love of them begin?

Driverless cars will revolutionise motoring, claim the manufacturers. But is the greatest danger that they will be too safe?In the BMW museum at the company’s solidly futuristic headquarters, next to the old Olympic stadium site in Munich, you can view a century of evolving mechanical desire. BMW has long prided itself in creating “ultimate driving machines” and all that Bavarian engineering pride is dramatised in the decade-by-decade progression of engines that harness ever more efficient power in steel, and car bodies that have moved with the ergonomic times. Each sequence of cars on show leaves a gap at one end, ready to showcase the next generation of technical advancement. Over the past century, innovation has smoothly followed innovation; it is likely, however, that the next stage will be a paradigm shift rather than a marginal gain. The next empty space, or the one after, is likely to be filled by the ultimate driverless machine.The person leading BMW’s prototype efforts to make that car a reality, Michael Aeberhard, does not want to see it in those terms. As he takes me for a drive in what seems a regular 5 Series, he is at pains to suggest that the new model now in gestation is simply another improved iteration of what has gone before. Continue reading...

Rustling up a meal becomes a whole new experience whn you can print your own food, use a smart oven or have a robot do all the work for youRead more of our future of food special:

Gay users are flocking to the photo network which offers support, belonging and taut absThink of Instagram and you probably imagine a stream of changing-room selfies, envy-inducing holiday snaps and an avalanche of smashed avocado on toast. But there’s another aesthetic which arguably defines the online social networking and photo-sharing platform which you may have missed if you’re straight.Instagram is being made over by gay men and, to a lesser extent, gay women. Search for the hashtags #gay, #gaygirl or #instagay and you’re hit with more than 45 million posts. Must-follows include: @thenexttopgay (buff guys who clearly don’t own any shirts); @lesbianfunhouse (honed girls with quiffs, tattoos and bow ties) and @thegaybeards (two guys who love to accessorise their whiskers). And recently a cluster of accounts have sprung up celebrating all things gay marriage, highlighted in a Buzzfeed listicle entitled 17 Beautiful Instagram Accounts That Will Bring Queer Love To Your Feed. Continue reading...

Apps to track your moods and a ‘life coach’ app that is part science and part interactive dramaARCADIA BY IAIN PEARSiOS Continue reading...

We share some of the newest, most fun and helpful tech ideasCan’t be bothered with pedals when you cycle? Then the Kick Varibike is for you. You can push along as though you’re on a scooter or turn the cranks by the handlebars to increase upper-body strength on the move. It has a three-gear system and brakes on the front and rear. With a prototype recently on show at the Eurobike exhibition, commercial versions are expected to become available soon. But with an estimated RRP of €1,600 (£1,160) it’s wheely expensive. Continue reading...

Apple would like to see its new set-top box become the next Nintendo Wii. But it’s questionable whether the company really understands gamingWith the launch of the new Apple TV, Apple has positioned its set-top box as the heir to the Nintendo Wii, bringing accessible casual gaming into the living room with the device’s app store and motion-sensitive remote control.The company’s all-singing, all-dancing press conferences regularly involve a quick play-through of a video game, but usually under the guise of a graphics demonstration. Hence the introduction of Vainglory, the mobile-first multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) that debuted alongside the iPhone 6, which was explicitly characterised as an example of what the company’s new Metal API could do for game developers; and Infinity Blade, announced as “Project Sword” by Epic Games alongside the introduction of Game Centre, again with the emphasis on its graphical fidelity. “Everything you see is in realtime”, Epic’s Mike Capps emphasised. Continue reading...

‘The handling is a bit creaky and stiff, like a person with a slightly bad back’Nissan has been going through a phase of making cars that look like their internal organs are on the outside of their bodies (chief among them, the marvellously ugly Juke, which once you notice, you become fascinated by, like ugly babies). In the Pulsar, they bring us a car that looks like a car: they are obviously a bit embarrassed by that, which is why they gave me a red one (they think we’re like bulls, and you hold our attention by waving a red thing at us: which in my case is broadly true).The look suited me fine: I prefer a hatchback to be sensibly close to the ground. The way they endlessly try to raise themselves above one another is vulgar. It has all kinds of nice finishes, from the classy textures on the ledge above the exhaust, to the alloy wheels, to the elegant fonts on all the displays. The boot looks large and is even larger, as I learned when I swapped cars while away and had to leave the dog in Kent (joking! I went back for him). Continue reading...

Temple University physics professor Xi Xiaoxing was accused of scheming to provide secret technology to China, but other physicists and experts backed himUS prosecutors have sought to dismiss charges against a Temple University physics professor accused of scheming to provide secret US technology to China. Statements from physicists said investigators had misunderstood the technology.The US attorney’s office in Philadelphia declined to comment on the four-page motion the office filed seeking to drop four counts of wire fraud against the professor, Xi Xiaoxing. Continue reading...

UK intelligence agency wants you to simplify your approach to online passwords. But will you take data-protection advice from the organisation famed for its snooping exploits?The UK intelligence agency responsible for vast amounts of snooping, as exposed by the Snowden revelations, has released new password guidelines.

British actor releases footage of himself performing Move It on Over in I Saw the Light in advance of Toronto film festival premiereThe first footage of Tom Hiddleston as country legend Hank Williams in the biopic I Saw the Light has been released on Twitter by the British actor.

In these simple, highly popular romance simulators, the dating game really is a game, with pitfalls, rewards and unexpected twists...What are they?Dating sims are games focused on building a romantic relationship with one of many possible partners and are popular in Japan. Often the protagonist is a male character with several potential female partners, but some titles – called otome games – have a female protagonist with male suitors and others feature same-sex pairings or don’t enforce gender restrictions. The game is won by building up enough of a relationship with a chosen partner to fulfil a relationship goal such as dating, sex, or marriage, often within a time limit. The inclusion of multiple available partners adds replay value. Continue reading...

The latest from Pac Man, Angry Birds and Lara Croft plus a war game where you help civilians survive

New games range from Star Wars to Homer Simpson in MordorDizzying number of toys-to-life products are coming out in the next six weeks, featuring the biggest entertainment names.Toys-to-life is the world’s most lucrative video game genre, having made an estimated £2.6bn since it began in 2011 with Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure. This month marks a manic time for the sector. Disney Infinity 3.0 has just launched, while Skylanders Superchargers and Lego Dimensions arrive over the next two weeks. More than 100 toys based on these games (plus Nintendo’s Amiibo range) will be released over the next 12 weeks. Here’s what to expect. Continue reading...

Sony’s machine had its US launch 20 years ago this week, a console that didn’t just coincide with my entry into games writing, it defined my careerIt was exactly 20 years ago, a warm, late-summer afternoon. My girlfriend and I arrived in Bath, unsure of where to park, marvelling at the sheer density of beautiful Georgian architecture – just like millions of tourists before us. I was there for a job interview, and I was nervous as hell because I had lied to get it.The PlayStation was launched in Japan in the winter of 1994, but it took several months for Sony to roll its impressive 32bit console out to the rest of the world. The US release was on 9 September 1995, a day of hype and expectation dominated by two launch titles: the arcade driving sim Ridge Racer and the now almost forgotten fighting game Battle Arena Toshinden. Both featured state-of-the-art texture-mapped polygonal graphics, both spoke of a future that would abandon old-school two-dimensional sprites and scrolling, in favour of fully explorable worlds with dynamic cameras. It was immense and exciting. Continue reading...

Automatic updates now include Windows 10 and up to 6GB of storage claimed on hard drives for those using Windows 7, 8 or 8.1, according to reportsMicrosoft has admitted that it is automatically downloading Windows 10 on to user machines even when they have expressed no interest in installing the new operating system.

Apple’s Siri interrupts a question about the intricacies of Barack Obama’s Iran policy on Thursday during a White House press briefing. The iPhone’s personal assistant beeped its question-acknowledgement tone as a journalist asked White House spokesman Josh Earnest if Obama is disappointed at not getting Republican backing for the Iran nuclear agreement. Siri then buts in, saying ‘Sorry. I’m not sure what you want me to change’ Continue reading...

UK-only app from Moshi Monsters maker is used by ‘hundreds of thousands’ of children, and will now launch elsewhere in the worldMoshi Monsters maker Mind Candy is selling its social app PopJam to fellow children’s entertainment firm SuperAwesome.The app launched in July 2014 as an Instagram-style photo-sharing app for children, and remains only available in the UK. Neither company is disclosing the acquisition price for the app. Continue reading...

The place to talk about games and stuffIt’s Friday. Continue reading...

Former Channel 5, Sky and ITV executive, who is advising the government on BBC charter renewal, will pursue ‘external opportunities’Dawn Airey, Yahoo’s top European executive, is to leave the company to “pursue external opportunities” after just over two years.Airey, the former Channel 5, Sky and ITV senior executive who is currently advising the government on BBC charter renewal, has left the company with immediate effect. Continue reading...

Charlotte Proudman told ‘no more briefs for you’ after shaming senior solicitor over his LinkedIn comment about ‘stunning’ photographThe barrister at the centre of a sexism furore over a complimentary LinkedIn message from a solicitor 30 years her senior has said she is facing a professional backlash over her decision to speak out.Writing for the Independent, the human rights lawyer Charlotte Proudman said she did not regret her decision to make public a message from Alexander Carter-Silk that commented on her “stunning” photograph, because it had led to an outpouring of similar experiences from other women. Continue reading...

Apple is doing users a disservice by offering its new iPhone 6S and 6S Plus with just 16GB by defaultWith its latest 16GB iPhone 6S and 6S Plus Apple has answered the question of what it thinks really matters: profit or user experience?

Artist Bill Shannon explores the gap between the artificial and what is realIf you think this looks like a 3D version of a Picasso, then you’re not far off. Inspired by the abstract ideas of cubism, artist Bill Shannon created the digital headgear to explore the disconnect between our real and digital selves.Acting as a “digital face in front of the face”, the mask projects pre-recorded footage of Shannon in different emotional states from an iPod app on to the screens, which are mounted on holders welded to a hard hat. The mask is accompanied by audio of Shannon constantly yelling out “status updates!” Continue reading...

Patrick is looking for a portable laptop/tablet hybrid with a screen big enough to work on. The Microsoft Surface Pro 3 fills the bill, but what about the cheaper alternatives?I am looking for a portable laptop/tablet hybrid with a screen that is a reasonable size for working from home (larger than 10 inches), and fairly good performance, as my partner wants to edit photos. I know the Surface Pro 3 is probably the safest bet, but I have seen a few far cheaper alternatives. They seem to have mixed reviews, though, and every time I look, different models appear. Patrick Continue reading...

Our woman on the golf course vows to improve her handicap after trying GameGolf, an app that monitors your performance … not to mention the US president’sGameGolf promises to help you “take the guessing out of golf” and, in the main, it does. It’s a PC/smartphone system with a red widget you wear on your belt that allows you to scan the club you’ve chosen to use and logs every shot you play via GPRS – Barack Obama has been spotted using one.When you get home, to the White House or wherever, you can indulge your inner golf-geek: you can download your round and fastidiously study where your strengths and weaknesses lie. Every shot and putt are there for you to see and compare with previous rounds. Continue reading...

Protesters say the online ride-sharing service is destroying their livelihoods by avoiding costly regulations and demand it should be outlawedTaxi drivers have staged rallies in Melbourne and Sydney demanding state governments outlaw the ride-sharing service UberX.Around 400 drivers and their supporters gathered outside the New South Wales parliament chanting, “Shame on Uber”, and demanding the state transport minister, Andrew Constance, resign. Continue reading...