Episodes
Critics worry a big reform of European privacy laws could have a chilling effect on free speech on the internet; the new technology we'll see in this year's FIFA World Cup; and a review of YouTube Music.
Published 06/16/18
This week, The New York Times reported Facebook has allowed dozens of phone handset makers (including Nokia, Sony Ericsson and Apple) to access personal information about its users. Peter Griffin has the latest tech news.
Published 06/09/18
Wille Apple soon take on Netflix and Amazon with its own video streaming video service? Plus Mary Meeker's top tech trends for 2018 and the widespread "GDPR fatigue".
Published 06/02/18
Bits+Bytes with Peter Griffin and Emily Wang of Datacom. This week, YouTube wants a bigger slice of the streaming music pie and is taking on Spotify, Apple Music and Tidal. Plus Google and Facebook launch new cloud storage services. And Emily looks at apps designed to monitor your digital wellbeing. So how long are you actually spending on Instagram or Facebook (the results may astound you!), and why is Silicon Valley rolling out tools to help you monitor your tech usage?
Published 05/19/18
Peter Griffin beams in from Google's developer festival I/O 2018 to tell us what the tech company have got in the development pipeline. [Peter Griffin travelled to California with the assistance of Google]
Published 05/12/18
Artificial intelligence technology will not lead to mass unemployment in New Zealand, according to a new report by the AI Forum. Peter Griffin and Emily Wang discuss what artificial intelligence could mean for this country.
Published 05/05/18
Many predict self-driving vehicles will be the biggest disruption to the transport system since cars replaced horses. Are New Zealand road users – and laws – ready?
Published 04/28/18
What's happening with Amazon's Australasian strategy, and is Prime likely to come this way anytime soon? Plus is the new international cybersecurity accord akin to a digital Geneva Convention or a strategic move by Silicon Valley?
Published 04/21/18
Peter Griffin and NZ Privacy Commissioner John Edwards review Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg's response to probing questions from US lawmakers this week – and the implications. Plus, the local impact of new European privacy laws and concerns the new US CLOUD Act erodes international data privacy.
Published 04/14/18
New European privacy laws that come into force next month will change the internet forever and make privacy and data protection a legal right. Bits+Bytes, with Peter Griffin and Emily Wang, explores what the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR will mean for New Zealand internet users and businesses, as well as for global tech players like Facebook, Google, Amazon and Apple.
Published 04/07/18
Who are the main players, who protects your security and privacy best, and why does Apple keep sending alerts that your iCloud is full? Peter Griffin looks at the options for safely storing data and photos.
Published 03/27/18
Facebook blames Cambridge Analytica for allegedly obtaining personal information from millions of American Facebook users in an attempt to manipulate elections – but are the UK consulting firm really the only ones at fault?
Published 03/23/18
This week, a warning about electric vehicles from a group of NZ citizen scientists, flying taxis to be trialled here, and why the people who sift through and remove disturbing YouTube content work a 4-day week.
Published 03/16/18
Joining Peter Griffin to navigate the world of tech and analysing the latest news from the digital world. This week plans are afoot to position New Zealand as a base station for the global satellites sector. Also competition heats up in the broadband market pushing prices down, but will regulation see a hike in rates for consumers? Google rolls out free calls to mobile phones and landlines from their home assistant Google Home. Plus Emily Wang of Datacom on reports that users of Amazon's...
Published 03/09/18
Bits and Bytes with Peter Griffin helping you navigate the world of tech and analysing the latest news from the digital world. This week, Spotify goes public (well sort of!). But can it continue to dominate in the world of streaming? With over 70 million paying subscribers, it has nearly half of the global music streaming market, and users average 25 hours on the platform per month. Sky TV slashes prices this week as it loses subscribers and revenue to competitors like Netflix and Lightbox....
Published 03/02/18
Bits and Bytes with Peter Griffin helping you navigate the world of technology and analysing the latest news from the digital world. This week Snapchat becomes a real threat to Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, so why have over a million users signed a petition unhappy about a design change to the app? Plus horror stories are emerging from people seeking a replacement battery for their throttled iPhones, and Emily Wang looks at cryptojacking at Tesla, so hackers using Tesla's cloud computing...
Published 02/23/18
Why is Google blocking ads in it's popular web browser Chrome, and yet in gmail there are plans for more dynamic, interactive, dancing and singing ads that will blink and flash in your inbox? Plus questions from some of our leading scientists about NZ's involvement in building the world's largest telescope project. It's called the Square Kilometre Array, and once built could unravel the origins of the universe. And Emily Wang looks at emojis, the smiley faces used in digital communications...
Published 02/16/18
The latest tech news and your questions answered with Peter Griffin. This week, the latest in the Apple iPhone throttling saga: could it be about to offer refunds for repair costs to the millions of users affected by 'Batterygate'? The casino operator Sky City bets big on the esports video gaming sector, and awkward revelations from court hearings involving ride-hailing company Uber which faces allegations it stole trade secrets from rival Waymo. Emily Wang looks at the multi million dollar...
Published 02/09/18
Bits+Bytes: Which internet service providers are getting the most complaints – and the simple steps to take if you’re feeling ripped off by your provider – and why Facebook has banned cryptocurrency ads.
Published 02/02/18
Alphabet (Google) tightens up YouTube advertising rules; the future of smart speakers; Simon and Peter test out wireless home audio systems; and why has Facebook changed its algorithm?
Published 01/19/18
Scrutiny of Apple intentionally slowing down iPhone performance heats up; more fallout from the world’s biggest hardware fault; gaming addiction now officially a mental disorder; and the Chinese electric car that's making waves.
Published 01/12/18
Flawed computer chips, Spotify gets ready to go public as it gets sued for using unlicensed music, why facial recognition will be big in 2018, and another faulty Apple product, this time an iPad keyboard.
Published 01/05/18
Apple may have to compensate customers after slowing down the processing speed on many iPhone models; Twitter prohibits accounts that promote violence against civilians; and how WeChat morphed from a messaging app to an everything app. 
Published 12/29/17
Bits+Bytes with Peter Griffin and the latest from the world of technology. This week a decision in Europe means that Uber will be treated as a transport not a technology company by regulators. We look at what it could mean for the company's future plans, its listing prospects, and for the rights of Uber drivers. Also Apple admits to slowing down processing speed on many iPhone models after users upgraded to the new iOS 11 operating system. Apple says it's just doing what's best for its users,...
Published 12/22/17
'Cryptojacking' is not the latest urban dance craze, but a way your computer or smartphone gets hijacked to mine cryptocurrencies without you knowing. Also why some heavy hitting ex-Facebookers are criticising social media, and the threat it poses to democracy and the societies we live in.
Published 12/15/17