THE LATEST TECH NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WORLD

Oxford University and Oracle collaborate to detect Covid-19 variants faster

Oxford University has partnered with Oracle to develop a Global Pathogen Analysis System (GPAS) that allows scientists and decision-makers to identify Covid-19 variants faster. Built using Oxford’s Scalable Pathogen Pipeline Platform (SP3), Oracle APEX, and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), the GPAS is a cloud platform that provides a unified, standardised system for analysing and comparing the annotated genomic sequence data of Sars-Cov-2. Researchers are using the system to upload pathogen data and receive comprehensive results within minutes. With user permission, the results may be shared with participating laboratories around the globe in a secure environment.

Cybercrime attacks on Australians increase to 1 every 8 minutes

Australian authorities are blaming the pandemic for a 13 per cent rise in cybercrime, saying malicious actors have pivoted to exploit those working from home and targeting vulnerable people and health services to conduct espionage and steal money and sensitive data. The Australian Cyber Security Centre received more than 67,500 cybercrime incidents in the 12 months to June 30 — or one every eight minutes. Ransomware-related cybercrime reports increased nearly 15 per cent in that time, according to its annual report.

Amazon’s Ring targets pro security market with new services

Amazon’s Ring smart doorbell launched a $20-a-month subscription that offers monitoring and backup cellular web connection, designed to kick in if the home internet service goes out. The new offering was launched alongside the $250 Ring Alarm Pro, which can store video locally and on Ring’s servers. With a separate service, called Virtual Security Guard, customers can have Ring forward video that triggers a motion alert to third-party monitoring companies. Depending on what agents on the other side of the video see, they can tap into the camera’s speaker to communicate with the person, activate a camera’s siren or call emergency services.

Mastercard offers installment plans as ‘buy now, pay later’ booms

Mastercard will make it easier for banks to offer installment plans as consumers flock to options for paying off purchases over time. With Mastercard’s new push, lenders will be able to approve consumers for an installment loan before a purchase or offer the option during checkout, the company said in a statement. According to Linda Kirkpatrick, Mastercard’s president of North America, the new initiative will allow lenders to utilise individuals’ financial data – information it gained access to after buying the data aggregation company, Finicity last year – in their underwriting decisions.

Salesforce raises sales outlook on strong software demand

Salesforce raised its revenue outlook for fiscal year 2022 to range between $26.25bn and $26.35bn. The company had already reported a strong gain in quarterly sales in its second quarter, with profits topping analysts’ estimates. At the time, the company said sales in the current fiscal year ending January 31, 2022 would reach as much as $26bn. Salesforce also forecast in a statement that sales during the fiscal year 2023 will reach between $31.65bn and $31.8bn.

Netflix’s gaming push is coming together, but lacks release date

Netflix co-chief executive officer Ted Sarandos said he’s thrilled with the company’s efforts to expand into gaming, but the timing of the plan remains foggy. Sarandos discussed the push into video games at the Code Conference in Beverly Hills, California, saying there was no hard deadline for the move. The embrace of video games marks Netflix’s first significant foray beyond TV shows and films. At the conference, Sarandos also tamped down the idea that Netflix might buy a cinema chain. He said that movie theaters will survive the streaming era, but they’ll become more expensive. He also said Netflix wasn’t thinking about being acquired.