Technology
Analysis
Social media
In 2022, every app wants to be TikTok
Instagram is testing a makeover that makes it look a lot more like TikTok, the video social media app that has enjoyed a stunning rise in popularity.
- by Nick Bonyhady
Latest
From ‘door detection’ to scanning braille, phone accessibility keeps expanding
As smartphones become our default computing platform, the devices are having to adapt to make connectivity more accessible for people with disabilities.
- by Tim Biggs
Under pressure, ‘soft and fluffy’ Canva takes harder line on Russia
Activists want the Australian graphic design giant to pull out of Russia and encourage other firms to do the same to increase pressure on the Kremlin to end its brutal war.
- by Nick Bonyhady
Exclusive
Australia votes
Labor taps supporters to beat Libs to top of Google search results
A fundraising blast by Labor shows how the war for votes is heating up online as Australians turn to the internet for help on deciding who to back.
- by Nick Bonyhady
Analysis
Web culture
Stronger parental controls only one piece of phone safety puzzle
The government wants to force Apple and Google to make stronger tools for parental oversight, but a cultural and educational shift is also needed.
- by Tim Biggs
Analysis
Home tech
‘Voice assistants’ have become less vocal, but much more powerful
As Amazon and Google usher in an era of ambient computing, Sonos pushes back over privacy concerns with a music-based voice service of its own.
- by Tim Biggs
Investing startup tells of its escape from crypto rout that ‘wrecked’ others
The co-founder of investing app Tiiik said quick thinking helped it ride out the sudden collapse of TerraUSD in relatively good shape.
- by Nick Bonyhady
WeChat, the Chinese mega app, can do almost everything - including election misinformation
A barrage of false claims, misinformation and unauthorised political advertising is circulating on WeChat, just days before voters hit the polls.
- by Nick Bonyhady and Kat Wong
Google’s new gadgets, updates designed to power ‘ambient computing’
Assistants that know when you’re talking to them and search results more connected to the real world were some of the announcements at Google I/O, while the Pixel Watch was also unveiled.
- by Tim Biggs
Exclusive
Social media
‘Unprecedented internet censorship’: Libertarian group hits out at misinformation laws
The Institute of Public Affairs has criticised the federal government’s plans to regulate misinformation online, amid a global debate about free speech on social media.
- by Nick Bonyhady
Google to pay more than 300 EU publishers for news
The internet giant has signed deals to pay publishers in Germany, France and four other EU countries for their news.
- by Foo Yun Chee