With the long-term impact of lockdown yet to be fully felt, there are signs of what the ‘new normal’ looks like. Take Replika, the AI chatbot helping Gen Zers to feel less lonely. As tech fulfils a multitude of needs for young people, a chatbot may be the next frontier in friendship.

As it releases a series of updates for its iOS, Apple is addressing the growing consumer demand for increased user privacy and control over their data. By giving people more control over their personal information, Apple is winning fans and differentiating itself from other Big Tech companies.

Psychedelics are entering the mainstream, with everyone from Gwyneth Paltrow to Silicon Valley tech bros dabbling with mushrooms. But these experiences aren’t especially accessible, and as more people seek release, a start-up called Lumenate may hold the answer: an app-induced trip.

As rates of depression and anxiety rise, companies are taking a more active role in safeguarding employees' mental health. Moodbeam, a wristband that lets people report their emotional state, offers employers a way to bridge the communication gap and stay emotionally connected.

As tech becomes more pervasive than ever before, people expect seamless experiences that span across several platforms and devices. This is why Material You – an aspect of Google Android 12 that is customizable and adaptive to different users and platforms – is aiming to do just that.

With no visible product or service on offer, Nothing Tech was shrouded in mystery when it was announced in January 2021. Despite this, the self-described ‘consumer-based technology’ brand has attracted more than $22 million in investment from both everyday people and big names in the tech world.

Tiring of Big Tech, Gen Zers are seeking out alternative platforms. Members of Gen Z Mafia are building the tech world they want to see from the ground up. Since its launch, users include college and high school students, founders, and young employees at tech companies and start-ups.

With more time spent at home, the use of voice assistants has risen but many remain wary. What’s important for building trust in these devices? Canvas8 spoke to Jonas Föhr, a marketing and consumer researcher, to understand how people create and maintain trust with voice assistants.

Increased anxiety and loneliness led to a boom in pet sales during lockdowns – but as offices open up again, people are having to navigate new challenges. A slew of pet-tech solutions is cropping up to relieve pet parents of the guilt of leaving home and to help alleviate separation anxiety.