News, views and analysis from the A/NZ tech sector
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Hi there,
In the past year we’ve seen a lot of technology touted to assist with the control of Covid, and we’ve looked into plenty of them on your behalf.
Despite ongoing obfuscation from MoH, behind the scenes they and Rush Digital did finally manage to get an app to market, albeit after business had solved the issue themselves and a day (well, weeks) late and a few dollars short on functionality.
$3.6 million later, NZ Covid Tracer is doing a reasonable job of tracking QR scans as a useful tool for contact tracers. But only half of users have chosen to turn on the 'set and forget' Bluetooth function to sense proximity to others.
This week we take a look at the vexxing issue of battery drain that has users baulking at using Bluetooth.
Facebook has also grabbed attention this week 'going nuclear' over Australia’s planned Media Bargaining Code, spectacularly blocking, without notice, all Australian news content from being posted or shared on the site. With credible news a rare commodity amongst the blather the platform feeds off (anti-vaxxers et al), the commercial and political fallout will be interesting to watch.
In other news:
- Woolworths/Countdown’s big investment in digital upskilling
- Will AI wreak dystopian havoc without regulation?
- Online sales data signals fast-changing behaviours
- Musk's satellite internet opens for business across A/NZ
- Fusion5 injects private equity
And lastly (because it's important to us) the readership survey is coming to a close. If you haven't yet, please take a moment to send us your views.
Enjoy the read,
Heather Wright
Editor
editor@istart.co.nz
CONTACT TRACING
The Covid Tracer blues
Bluetooth battery woes and the future of Covid Tracer…
As New Zealand steps down from yet another Covid community scare, so too are the number of NZ Covid Tracer app users with Bluetooth deployed.
“The root cause is not ENF.”
[Read more]
TRAINING
Woolworths rings up $50m digital upskilling
Tech transformation needs staff to match…
Woolworths Group, and its Kiwi subsidiary Countdown, have launched an AU$50 million Future of Work fund to upskill staff, with the learnings to be shared across the wider retail and service market.
“While these changes push our industry forward, they’re also changing the nature of work.”
[Read more]
NEWS MEDIA DISRUPTION
Facebook’s Aussie news content ban
Going, going, gone…
Facebook’s threat to ban news content for Australians has come to fruition – but it’s also impacted dozens of other organisations, including charities and the Bureau of Meterology.
"Publishers willingly choose to post news on Facebook.”
[Read more]
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Is AI really going to run amok?
And if so, who’s responsible for regulating it?…
As the tech around AI evolves ever faster, surpassing human decision-making in unexpected and perhaps dangerous ways, can industry take accountability for its role in those emerging AI hazards?
“All surveyed industries see trouble ahead for AI governance and regulation that do not go far enough”
[Read more]
ERP BUYER'S GUIDE
RETAIL
Unpacking the online shopping boon
Savvy retailers get second Christmas…
Last year was a record breaking year for online shopping with the forced move to online shopping resulting in lasting changes in consumer spend – and it’s a change businesses are gearing up to capitalise on long term.
Consumers are no longer seeing it as online vs instore, but a seamless experience that spans both.
[Read more]
AEROSPACE
Elon Musk’s satellite service hits A/NZ… nearly
Starlink pre-orders open…
Elon Musk’s Starlink low-orbit satellite service has opened for pre-order for Australia and NZ, with the local service expected to launch before the end of the year.
“Every new satellite constellation in history has gone bankrupt. We hope to be the first that does not.”
[Read more]
PRIVATE EQUITY
Fusion5 takes up private equity deal
Waterman targeting tech sector growth…
IT services provider Fusion5 says it’s in ‘serious growth mode’ after gaining new majority owners.
It enables us to grow more quickly and take advantage of high growth opportunities.
[Read more]
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