Techbest – Top Tech Reviews In Australia
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Drsaec 2024 Wireless Earbud, Bluetooth Headphones 5.3 for Android iOS
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The South Australian Department for Education is leading the way in digital innovation, addressing the challenges of school security, connectivity, and user experience, while ensuring “equitable access to digital tools and learning opportunities,” as stated by CIO Daniel Hughes.
As per Hughes, the EdPass program, which utilizes Okta’s single sign-on technology, has transformed security and access management within schools. “This has increased security while also instilling confidence in educators and school leaders to embrace technology,” he remarked.
By minimizing login effort—requiring teachers to sign in once instead of fifteen times—Okta has fostered a more efficient and secure digital atmosphere. “It has streamlined the digital experience for both students and teachers, enabling them to concentrate on learning rather than administrative chores,” Hughes noted.
Key to this initiative was striking a balance between security and usability. “If it becomes overly restrictive, staff are unlikely to use it. But the technology was simplified enough that we didn’t have to engage in that discussion,” Hughes elaborated, leading to a more secure and user-friendly setting that lets teachers concentrate on their core responsibilities.
Reflecting on project achievements, Hughes mentioned the success stemmed from a collaborative strategy with Okta, which prioritized cooperation over merely selling a product, focusing on practical solutions that meet educational requirements.
“Unlike conventional commercial partnerships, Okta showed a genuine desire to understand our needs and explore what a meaningful solution would look like for our students and staff throughout the state. Their sincere interest in making a difference was refreshing,” Hughes remarked.
Furthermore, Okta’s head of public sector, James Enoch, noted that this collaborative strategy has improved teachers’ login experiences—providing them with smooth and secure access—and has also balanced the resources available across all schools in the state. “We have implemented a unified authentication system for students in 900 schools, ensuring uniform access to digital resources, whether they are from a large urban school or a small rural one. This uniformity directly enhances their learning experience,” Enoch stated.
“These advantages are substantial and mark a significant step forward for educational technology on a national scale. The department has truly established a new benchmark for what can be achieved in this sector,” Enoch added.
Simultaneously, the department’s adoption of AI technologies, like EdChat, highlights its commitment to innovative education, Hughes noted. “These tools facilitate personalized learning and help alleviate teachers’ administrative tasks, allowing them more time for individual instruction,” he explained.
Enoch from Okta concurred, underscoring the transformational potential of these innovations: “AI and wearable technology are not merely trends. They are tools which, when implemented thoughtfully, can greatly enhance the learning experience and give educators more time to address individual student needs.”
For more insights into the digital transformation journey of the South Australian Department for Education, tune into the full podcast featuring Daniel Hughes and James Enoch here.
The South Australian Department for Education, in collaboration with Okta, has made significant improvements in school security, connectivity, and user experience through initiatives like EdPass. The emphasis on collaboration and the integration of AI technologies reflect the department’s commitment to providing equitable access to digital resources and innovative educational experiences.
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Nokia Power Earbuds (Genuine Nokia Product) 2020 Bluetooth Earphones with Audio, Charging Case, Up to 150 Hours Battery, Waterproof and Comfortable in-Ear Design, Charcoal Black Universal
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Microsoft has revealed its plans to substantially increase spending on AI infrastructure this fiscal year, even though growth in its cloud services shows signs of slowing. This decision implies that the rewards from its significant investments in AI technology may take longer to materialize than early projections by Wall Street investors suggested.
After the announcement, Microsoft shares dipped by seven percent initially but rebounded slightly to close down by four percent. The company suggested that growth in Azure cloud services is set to pick up in the second part of fiscal 2025.
Microsoft isn’t the only tech giant pouring resources into AI. Alphabet, Google’s parent company, has recently cautioned that its capital spending will remain high throughout the year. Microsoft reported a 77.6% increase in capital expenditures to US$19 billion for its fiscal fourth quarter concluding June 30, with cloud and AI-focused investments constituting a significant portion of this expense. For fiscal year 2024, total capital expenditure reached US$55.7 billion.
Even with the increased outlay, investors who have driven Microsoft’s stock up nearly 25 percent over the past year on AI optimism were left dissatisfied with the slower growth reported for Azure. Microsoft forecasts that Azure’s growth will range between 28 percent and 29 percent for the July-September quarter, slightly falling short of the 29.7 percent growth expectation.
Although overall Azure growth has slowed, AI services have contributed more significantly to revenue growth in the June quarter, contributing 8 percentage points compared to 7 percentage points in the prior quarter. CEO Satya Nadella stated that more than 60,000 customers are now utilizing Azure AI, reflecting an almost 60% year-on-year increase, with average spending per customer also on the rise.
Nadella has been advocating for the incorporation of AI into nearly all Microsoft products, from the Bing search engine to productivity applications like Word. A substantial portion of these efforts is powered by technology from OpenAI, in which Microsoft has invested around US$13 billion.
Microsoft’s productivity segment, which encompasses the Office suite, LinkedIn, and 365 Copilot, experienced an 11 percent growth, exceeding the 10 percent expectations. Revenue from the Intelligent Cloud segment increased by 19 percent to US$28.5 billion, slightly missing analysts’ projections of US$28.68 billion. Overall, Microsoft’s total revenue grew by 15 percent to US$64.7 billion in the fourth quarter, surpassing analysts’ predictions.
The personal computing division, covering Windows, Xbox, and Surface devices, recorded a 14 percent growth, benefiting from recovering PC sales. IDC indicated that the PC market witnessed growth for the second consecutive quarter during the April-June period.
Microsoft’s bold initiative to enhance its AI infrastructure, despite the deceleration in its cloud services, highlights the company’s long-term strategy and dedication to AI-centric solutions. While market reactions have been mixed, the potential for future growth remains robust, particularly as Azure AI gains increased traction among users.
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Plantronics Backbeat Pro 5100 True Wireless Earbuds, Black
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Australian Unity, a member-owned entity operating in banking, financial advisory, retirement living, and private health insurance, has successfully deployed seven AI applications from a total of 78 recognized opportunities. During the Gartner Data & Analytics Summit, general manager of data and analytics, Craig Rowlands, announced this achievement.
Rowlands pointed out that the organization traditionally takes a conservative stance and is proceeding with AI integration judiciously. “For us, typically we would look to do things in-house first of all, make sure that we’ve got them to an appropriate level before sharing them wider with members and customers,” Rowlands mentioned.
The strategy for AI integration at Australian Unity employs a ‘funnel’ methodology. Currently, 78 use cases are under examination, with seven successfully creating value. The other initiatives are at various phases, from business case formulation to minimum viable product (MVP) progression towards production readiness.
A significant AI resource employed is BigID, a machine learning-powered tool that scans the organization’s realm for sensitive information. This encompasses personally identifiable information, health records, financial details, commercially sensitive information, and intellectual property.
Rowlands clarified that BigID allows organizations to pinpoint sensitive data in both originating systems and data replicas within the environment. Recently, it enabled the identification of sensitive data in a newly created folder on a shared drive, thereby facilitating remediation actions.
The diverse operations of Australian Unity require distinctly tailored data management and lifecycle regulations. For example, the retention protocols for health insurance data vary significantly from those applicable to wealth management data. The utilization of AI tools like BigID aids in complying with these diverse mandates, ensuring adherence and data integrity across all divisions.
Australian Unity’s measured yet tactical method to AI integration has led to the successful deployment of seven AI initiatives out of 78 identified opportunities. By leveraging tools such as BigID for sensitive data management and following various data regulations across its diverse operations, the organization is making meaningful advancements in harnessing AI technology.
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Sony WF-C700N True Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds – All-Day Comfort and Stability – Up to 15H Battery Life with Charging case – Lavender
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Recently, the robotics firm Figure has unveiled a new trailer showcasing their forthcoming Figure 02 robot.
The video begins with a detailed view of the robot’s foot, exhibiting a completely reinvented approach to how the robot engages with the ground.
In the side view, we observe a foot that mimics the shape of a human foot, tapering down to the toes in a manner that would comfortably fit a shoe.
What truly sets this foot apart from human prototypes is the rear, featuring a space between the ankle and the heel. As the camera rotates to showcase the back, we see the foot lift, initiating the walking motion.
From this angle, the gap and the angled joint enable the foot to rotate, imitating the movement of human feet and ankles in a remarkably natural manner.
The underside of the foot reveals textured protrusions, clearly designed to enhance grip as the robot traverses various surfaces. Materials like tiles or wet concrete could be slippery, and this grip should aid in stabilizing the foot as the robot progresses. However, it does raise concerns about potential wear over time.
The video ascends the body, unveiling a collection of new actuators. The following list details the capabilities of each actuator featured in the video. These actuators are integrated throughout the knees and hips of the Figure 02 robot.
As the video progresses, we notice the legs are designed symmetrically, swapping positions from left to right. Standardizing components on both sides minimizes manufacturing complexity and costs, allowing software to adapt for usage on either side of the body.
The competition in the humanoid robot sector is intensely fierce, and actuator design is a crucial differentiator. Purchasing ready-made solutions isn’t feasible, and Figure showcases a disassembled actuator, illustrating components often hidden from view, which I believe is crucial in the design process.
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Australian Unity, a prominent mutual organization engaged in varied sectors including banking, financial advisement, retirement living, and private health insurance, has proficiently advanced seven AI use cases out of the 78 potential opportunities identified. This strategic yet careful methodology of AI adoption was underscored by Craig Rowlands, General Manager of Data and Analytics, at the Gartner Data & Analytics Summit.
Rowlands revealed that the AI deployment process at Australian Unity starts with in-house development of solutions to verify their effectiveness prior to rollout for members and customers. From 78 AI use cases in their framework, seven have transitioned to a production phase, while the others remain at various development stages, from business case initiation to minimum viable product (MVP).
A significant AI use case includes a machine learning tool from BigID, tailored to scan the organisation’s ecosystem for sensitive data. This tool has been pivotal in pinpointing personally identifiable information (PII), health records, financial data, confidential business data, and intellectual properties within Australian Unity’s data repositories.
Rowlands elaborated that BigID’s tool facilitates the identification of sensitive data in both originating and source systems, as well as in any copies that may inhabit the environment. Recently, the tool pinpointed sensitive information within a new folder on a shared drive, enabling the organisation to promptly resolve the issue.
The tool’s capacity to distinguish data management and lifecycle rules across various divisions of Australian Unity’s business, such as health insurance and wealth management, adds further value. Each division maintains separate retention policies, and the tool aids in ensuring adherence to these diverse regulations.
Australian Unity’s deliberate and systematic method toward AI deployment has resulted in the successful advancement of seven out of 78 recognized AI use cases. With solutions like BigID’s machine learning data scanner, the organisation enhances its ability to handle sensitive data while complying with varied data lifecycle regulations across its sectors. This tactical approach underscores the significance of cautious AI adoption in realizing substantial and enduring outcomes.
Australian Unity traditionally adheres to a risk-averse philosophy, emphasizing the need for AI solutions to be effective and secure before introduction to members and customers.
BigID’s tool scans for sensitive data throughout the organisation’s landscape, assisting in the identification and management of PII, health information, financial data, and other sensitive assets.
From 78 identified AI use cases, Australian Unity has transitioned seven into the production phase.
The tool aids in managing various forms of sensitive data, including personally identifiable information, health records, financial details, confidential business data, and intellectual property.
The organization utilizes solutions like BigID to guarantee compliance with the distinctly different data management and retention regulations relevant to various divisions of its operations, such as health insurance and wealth management.
AI use cases at Australian Unity progress through stages ranging from business case initiation to MVP and subsequently towards a production result.
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Shareholders from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike have launched a class action lawsuit in the federal court of Austin, Texas. They claim that the company deceived them regarding the strength of its software testing, which led to a severe outage on July 19, affecting over 8 million computers around the globe.
Following the outage, CrowdStrike’s share price dropped by 32% within 12 days, wiping out an astonishing US$25 billion (AU$38.5 billion) from its market capitalization. This decline has led to a more thorough investigation into the company’s claims regarding the dependability of its technology.
CEO George Kurtz and CFO Burt Podbere are listed as defendants in this legal action. The case, brought forth by the Plymouth County Retirement Association of Plymouth, Massachusetts, seeks unspecified damages for holders of CrowdStrike Class A shares between November 29, 2023, and July 29, 2024.
Delta Air Lines encountered major disruptions due to the outage, with CEO Ed Bastian stating that the event cost the airline US$500 million. This amount encompasses lost revenues, compensation, and lodging for passengers left stranded.
In an official statement, CrowdStrike has indicated its intention to “vigorously defend the company,” claiming the lawsuit is unfounded. The organization’s reputation for its cybersecurity offerings is currently under scrutiny as it grapples with these legal hurdles.
CrowdStrike finds itself at a pivotal moment as it copes with the aftermath of a significant software disruption that has resulted in substantial financial losses and legal ramifications from its shareholders. With additional lawsuits likely on the way, the company’s capacity to reassure investors and restore confidence will be critical.
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