Focus: Latest

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Chris Hadfield: reinventing the role model

The boundaries between ourselves and the world's frontiers are diminishing. Astronaut Chris Hadfield used his online presence during his time on the International Space Station to let the public to discover the wonders of space for themselves.

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BT Sport: from broadband to broadcast

With 4.3 million people using internet video last year rather than paying for TV, broadcast and broadband are increasingly fused. While BSkyB hopes to eat into BT's broadband market share, BT is responding by moving into BSkyB's turf: television.

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Dornbracht: the rise of the spa bathroom

Applying 'smart' technology in fresh and innovative ways, Dornbracht's holistic Smart Water system seamlessly connects bathroom components while providing a plethora of customisation options.

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Makr Shakr: bottom-up bar culture

As the technological advancements of the 'third industrial revolution' increasingly place power in the hands of consumers, conceptual bar Makr Shakr is providing a taste of the foreseeable future.

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SmartThings: integrating physical and digital lives

By 2020 there will be 50 billion objects connected to the internet. SmartThings enables true human-computer interaction by ensuring that everything we own – electronic and otherwise – is part of the conversation.

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Leap Motion: seamless human-computer interaction

Computers are an increasingly important part of life, but interaction with them remains much the same. Leap Motion challenges established barriers, signaling a movement towards invisible technology and a future where human and computer work as one.

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FreedomPop: the internet as a human right

According to 'disruptive' new internet service provider FreedomPop, 'the internet is a right, not a privilege'. Starting with low-income Americans, can the company's 'freemium' super-fast broadband model challenge the internet's biggest players?

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How Tictail is bringing niche boutiques to the global marketplace

UK high street shops are shutting down at the rate of 32 a day, but new business Tictail has managed to open 10,000 boutiques across Europe in just ten months, with very little cost. There’s a bright future for retail, and increasingly it’s online.

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How Vizify is putting personal data to work

With 92% of employers using or considering using social networks for recruiting in 2012, personal identity platform Vizify collates information from social media to deliver the perfect first impression.

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How rome2rio built a new path to purchase for travellers

With a third of Brits spending over 10 hours researching a holiday, a new generation of apps is refining the process. As mobile becomes indispensable for travellers, rome2rio maps out journeys door-to-door to minimise both travel and planning time.

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How Disney is using data to make magic

As smart technology changes the way consumers interact with brands and products, innovations like Disney's MyMagic+ are leading the charge towards contactless payment and a smarter, more efficient world.

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AtFAB: downloadable design and the maker economy

New technology is making downloadable design a reality, and companies like AtFAB are leading the charge. But as consumers become producers, what are the implications for traditional making and selling?

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Shopkick: rewarding shoppers on the high street

In the smartphone era, 'traditional' card-based loyalty schemes are evolving. How does Shopkick, an app that rewards people for shopping, inject new life into the high street?

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Digital clutter: how Mailbox fights information overload

With consumers being constantly bombarded from all directions, information overload is an increasingly real source of stress. Happily, the same technologies that brought us here are now adapting to get us out.

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Extended family: why Google is 'the world's best place to work'

Whether it's a monthly barbecue served by the boss, a gaming suite in the office, or bringing your parents to work, smart businesses like Google are motivating their millennial workforce with more perks, not just more money.

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How Limmex uses design to save lives

Wearable technology only works if you wear it. It's a simple insight, yet one that is transforming the global market for personal security products as fast-growing Swiss watchmaker Limmex sees growth with a smart little watch that can save lives.

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Memoto: the cultural impact of wearable cameras

Modern technology is helping people track their lives in rich detail, illuminating rarely explored areas of existence. Wearable camera Memoto automatically records every waking moment, but what's behind the fascination with lifelogging?

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‘This will take six seconds’: why Vine works

As video watching goes mobile, Twitter’s video sharing app Vine is imposing a six second cap on length. This isn’t about reducing attention spans, but urging creators to better manage the resource they so voraciously consume: time.

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How Zeebox are reimagining the TV guide

Until now, television viewing has resisted much of the digital flurry, but with people spending time across multiple devices and dipping into a buffet of distractions – from big screens to little screens,  Twitter to IMDb – this is changing.

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Payoff: the psychology of motivation

With unsecured debt in the US at $2.6 trillion, personal finance startup Payoff is turning to behavioural science to help individuals save money. As people seek new tools to manage daily life, what makes Payoff a success?