Neil Renwick

Let’s talk about two things that have been making waves this year: AI, and cyber threats. In fact, AI has enabled a big change in the way cyber criminals are targeting businesses like yours.

Typically, the summer months see a dip in hacking attempts and malware scams. Because even cyber criminals need a holiday.

But 2023 has bucked this trend dramatically. According to a report from Avast, cyber attacks spiked during July and August, with their tools blocking over a billion attacks each month – that’s a new record.

AI has made these attacks easier to execute and more potent. It’s a game-changer, not just for us but for cyber criminals too.

But don’t let this put you off AI. It’s still an incredible tool that’s revolutionising our world. What we need to do is stay informed and vigilant.

If you could do with some help understanding the opportunities and risks AI presents to your business, get in touch.

#CyberSecurity #AI #StaySafeOnline

As we approach the end of another year, there’s something other than Christmas that’s hotly anticipated (among music fans at least), and that’s your personalised Spotify Wrapped.

Sure, we all love a good holiday tune, but let’s face it, our musical tastes run deeper than ‘Jingle Bell Rock’ and ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’. And that’s where Spotify Wrapped comes in.

Dropping every December like a fresh snowfall, Spotify Wrapped offers subscribers a fun, visual snapshot of their listening habits over the past year. It’s been described as ‘kind of like a personality quiz but for your musical year.’

How does it work? It’s all about the algorithm, of course.

Spotify tracks your listening data from January to October, tallying up everything from play count to genre preference to favourite artists. For a track to be officially added to your Wrapped stats, you need to listen to it for at least 30 seconds.

This data then gets wrapped up (pun intended) into a neat, social media-friendly package that lets you see—and share—your top artists, most-streamed songs, and even how many minutes you spent jamming out.

But here’s the best part: Spotify Wrapped isn’t just a personal scorecard, it can also be a social event. Why not make it a bit of office fun? Encourage your team to share their Wrapped results and see who spent the most time listening to podcasts, who’s the biggest pop fan, or who discovered the coolest new artists. It’s a great way to bond with your colleagues and maybe even discover some new tunes for your office playlist.

What will be your most listened to track this year?

#SpotifyWrapped #ListeningTastes #FunFriday

Ever found yourself desperately needing to access your Windows tools, but you’re miles away from your PC?

Maybe you prefer the portability of your Android or iPhone?

Well, I’ve got some Microsoft news that will make you happy… the new Windows app. It really is the game-changer that could make Windows 11 more accessible than ever, right from your pocket.

This app is designed to let you access Windows on Android devices, iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Imagine being able to stream a copy of Windows 10 or 11 from Azure Virtual Desktop, Microsoft Dev Box, Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Service, Windows 365, or even a remote PC.

But what does this mean for you and your employees?

Think about the convenience and flexibility it offers. You can be on the go, yet have all your essential Windows tools at your fingertips. A bit like carrying your office around with you, without the bulk. No more limitations, and no more waiting until you get back to your PC. Plus, the app comes with features that make Windows usable on other devices, like resolution scaling, mouse and keyboard support, and redirection for peripherals like webcams and printers.

Imagine you’re working remotely, in a coffee shop, with just your iPad. With this app, you can use the front-mounted camera as your webcam for that important business meeting. Or connect your iPhone to an external display wirelessly via AirPlay, then use the Windows app to run a copy of Windows on the display while using your iPhone as a touchscreen to control the mouse pointer.

Don’t let that confuse you… just know this new app will simplify the process of using Microsoft services on non-Microsoft devices. It’s flexible, convenient, and efficient – just what we all need.

At the moment, the Windows App is in its preview form and only supports business and school accounts. It’s likely you’ll also be able to log in with your personal Windows account when the app is out of preview.

Will you encourage the use of this one across your business?

#Microsoft #WindowsApp #Android

Google Chrome is testing a new feature called ‘Probabilistic Memory Saver Mode’… and that had me intrigued wondering what it was!

I did some digging so you don’t have to. It’s designed to help your computer work smarter, not harder. It essentially ‘snoozes’ tabs that you haven’t visited in a while, freeing up precious RAM (memory) for the tabs you’re actively using.

Here’s where it gets interesting: this mode uses probability distributions to estimate the likelihood of a tab being revisited based on its current state. So, if you’ve got a multitude of tabs open (we all know that feeling), Chrome will assign a probability score to each one. This score represents the chance of each tab being reopened.

Pretty smart, huh?

Now, I know what you’re thinking: ‘That sounds great, but what’s the catch?’ Well, with every innovation comes a trade-off. If you do go back to those snoozed tabs, it might take them a little longer to load. But hey, isn’t a small wait worth the extra memory space?

As of now, this feature hasn’t been officially released and is still under testing in Google Chrome Canary version 121. But don’t worry, if you’re struggling with a sluggish system or need some tips to free up or add memory to your devices, I’m here to help. Just message me.

#GoogleChrome #TechNews #MemorySaver

Do you remember the magic of instant photography back in the days when it was film not digital? The thrill of waiting for an image to materialise before your eyes? Well, it all started on this day in 1948 with the release of the first commercial instant camera – the Polaroid Land Camera Model 95.

It was a chilly November day in Boston. Shoppers at the Jordan Marsh department store were buzzing around, hunting for perfect Christmas gifts. Suddenly, a new item caught their eyes – a sleek, portable camera that promised sepia-toned photographs in just about a minute. No more waiting for film development, no more guessing if the shot turned out right. Instant gratification in the palm of your hand.

Polaroid thought they had enough stock to last through the holiday season, but guess what? All 57 units and all the film sold out on the very first day.

The genius behind this game-changer was none other than Edwin H. Land, the company’s founder, whose name the camera proudly bore. The Model 95 set the stage for Polaroid’s flagship product line, making the name ‘Polaroid’ synonymous with instant film and the cameras that used them.

In 1950, true black-and-white instant film came along, and by 1963, we finally had colour film. Polaroid continued to produce their instant film cameras until 2008, leaving a legacy of instant memories captured and cherished.

Have you ever owned a Polaroid camera? Do you prefer this old-school way of capturing a memory to today’s digital alternative?

#Polaroid #HistoryOfPhotography #InstantGratification

Have you ever found yourself needing to quickly remove or replace the background in a photo?

It’s something we all need to do, whether it’s to post a team photo without sensitive info in the background, or to send something to a client.

Good news: If you use Windows 11, this is going to be easy peasy. Microsoft’s Photos app is rolling out a new feature to strip away or replace the background in a snap.

Not only can you remove the background with the click of a button, but you can also replace it with any solid colour of your choice. And if you want to paste the foreground object elsewhere, you can simply copy it to your clipboard or save the pic as is.

How cool is that?

The Photos app will also make it easy to share a photo that’s backed up on OneDrive. Right-click on the photo, send a link via email, or copy the link for pasting wherever necessary. This is the kind of efficiency we want and need.

Microsoft has also applied other performance and stability updates to improve the Slideshow feature, navigation between tabs, and opening images.

We can’t wait to give this one a try – can you?

#Microsoft #Windows11 #PhotosApp

Bet you’ve been here: You desperately need to copy a piece of text, but it’s simply not selectable. Perhaps it’s an error code in a pop-up message or a key piece of information on a website.

Frustrating, isn’t it?

Guess what? There is a solution, and it lies within the mighty realm of Microsoft PowerToys.

PowerToys is a suite of utilities designed to make your life easier – and no, it doesn’t come with a cape, though it should.

One of these utilities is the Text Extractor module. This little tool is like a magic wand for unselectable text. All you need to do is ensure that the Text Extractor is enabled (check this by clicking on the PowerToys system tray icon and moving the Text Extractor toggle to the ‘On’ position).

To summon this tool use the shortcut Windows + Shift + T. However, if you find this combination as awkward as trying to shake hands with an octopus, you can change it to something more comfortable in the Text Extractor section of PowerToys.

And there’s more. If you’re multilingual and have more than one language configured on your computer, you can choose which one Text Extractor should use by default. Simply select your preferred language from the drop-down menu in the Text Extractor section.

Once you’ve pressed the Text Extractor keyboard shortcut, a floating toolbar will appear at the top of your screen. This is your gateway to text capture options. You can even choose how your captured text will be formatted – as a single line or as a table.

After you’ve drawn your selection box around the text, it will be whisked away to your clipboard, ready for pasting. Just press Ctrl + V to paste the text into your desired location – whether that’s a word processor, a messaging app, or even an email to your favourite IT expert (that’s me, in case you were wondering).

So, there you have it – a simple solution to a frustrating problem. Where there’s a will, there’s a way… and if you need help finding any more cool tricks, get in touch.

#MicrosoftPowerToys #TextExtractor #ITTips

In this era of remote work, have you ever felt like your team is becoming disconnected from the company culture?

You’re not the only one.

The challenge of keeping remote workers connected to our shared goals and values is one that many employers are struggling with.

Recent data paints a concerning picture: A growing chasm between remote workers and their sense of purpose within the company. This disconnect can lead to a transactional, ‘gig-like’ relationship, threatening the very loyalty that holds our teams together.

But there’s no need for despair. Enter Microsoft Teams, a beacon of hope in these challenging times. Why Microsoft Teams, you might ask? It’s an indispensable tool for remote work, much like a compass for a ship at sea.

Microsoft Teams ensures smooth sailing for your day-to-day operations. From quick catch-ups to major meetings, Teams serves as your central communication hub.

There’s also Viva Engage. Have you tried it? It’s Microsoft’s enterprise social network, formerly known as Yammer. This tool is the perfect complement to Teams, designed specifically to bolster employee engagement.

According to a recent study, nearly half (48%) of companies are already using enterprise social apps, while 26% are utilising team-building apps.

These digital platforms build communities across roles, departments, and even countries, allowing remote workers to feel part of the larger whole.

But let’s not forget that technology alone isn’t the solution. It’s how we use these tools that truly matters. And of course, encouraging face-to-face conversation where possible is also a big help.

How do you make sure your remote workers remain engaged?

#MicrosoftTeams #RemoteWork #CompanyCulture

What if I told you that the secret to boosting productivity at work might just lie within… Candy Crush Saga? Yes, you read that right.

New research conducted by King, the parent company of Candy Crush Saga, has found that playing games during work hours could potentially make employees more productive.

Surprised? So was I.

According to the study, more than two-thirds (69%) of office workers play games on their phones during working hours. And about a third of them claim it helps them refocus (34%) or de-stress (30%).

Up to 70% of Gen Z workers are concerned about their boss’s perception. Yet, the data suggests that regular breaks, including those spent gaming, could be beneficial for productivity.

Only around 37% of office workers take regular breaks, and a mere 59% of Boomer workers take their full lunch break. Compare this with 81% of Gen Z workers taking their full break, and you start to see a pattern.

Now, I’m not suggesting we all become professional Candy Crush players (although how fun would that be?), but this research does highlight the need for different working methods. A career expert, quoted in the study, rightly points out that us humans cannot always give 100% effort. We need time to relax and recharge. And if a quick game of Candy Crush does the trick, why not?

So, perhaps it’s time to rethink our approach to breaks and productivity? Would you encourage this for your team?

#Productivity #GamingAtWork #CandyCrushStudy