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Weekly News: Apple’s Siri is the new Google

Apple's Siri is the new Google
Apple's Siri is the new Google

According to a report by the Financial Times, Apple Siri may be the new Google. In other words, Apple might be working on their own search engine in a move to make Siri a one-stop shop. 

The rumours emerged at a time when big tech is under growing scrutiny for its monopolistic practices. 

Besides trying to capitalise on the current media agenda to appear more pro-competition, Apple Siri intends to eliminate the need for its popular assistant to resort to Google searches whenever a query is made. 

Experts, however, believe the move might be a stepping stone towards a full-fledged search engine that eliminates the Google factor altogether.

TechCrunch

Will Apple Siri be the new Google? Edge computing in 2021

In addition, a new Forrester report points at 5 predictions about how technological transformation will impact edge computing in 2021. 

Spending on edge computing is expected to grow at the detriment of the public cloud. Orchestration and 5G will also keep on spreading.

Edge hosting is likely to become its own marketplace, with content delivery companies reaching out to colocation partners to build a widely distributed network of data centres that can host applications closer to where they are used.

AI will also move towards the edge, making machine learning happen closer to the source rather than within the data centre. 

TechRepublic

An update on cloud

Microsoft is celebrating a record quarter, fuelled by the growth in cloud adoption brought about by the epidemic. 

The company’s core cloud business grew 31% over the last quarter, with Azure’s revenue jumping up by 47%.

Enterprise software giant SAP had a few cloud updates as well this week. The firm announced a new roadmap to shift to a co-innovation, one-data model that prioritises cloud-based subscriptions over traditional upfront licensing.    

Financial Times / ZDNet

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Weekly News: Remembering the Father of Mechanical Brains

Tech News

Remembering the father of ‘mechanical brains’

British mathematician Alan Turing would have celebrated his 108th birthday this week. 

Regarded as the father of computer science and artificial intelligence, Turing played an instrumental role in deciphering the Nazi Enigma code during World War II. The communications intercepted thanks to his computational machine are said to have saved millions of lives.  

Sadly, Turing was never recognised in life for his many contributions to humankind — all on the basis of his sexual orientation. He died at a young age in tragic circumstances, after years of prosecution and forced chemical castration. 

Thankfully, our society has made major progress since then. But, as we celebrate Pride month, let his story serve as a reminder of why we need to keep fighting for universal LGTBQ rights.

If you are curious to see how little importance was given to Turing’s legacy at the time of his death, here’s the obituary that The Guardian wrote for this creator of ‘mechanical brains’.

Tech execs are regaining confidence

A new survey by global industry association CompTIA revealed that tech executives are feeling confident about an imminent return to normality. Around two-thirds of respondents believe things will be back on track by August, with business volume already beginning to pick up. 

Despite most companies have experienced at least some degree of client loss and restructuring, the sector has shown its resilience by maintaining solid activity levels throughout this crisis period.    Training is a focus for 70% of respondents, with soft and business skills being prioritized. Discover what business skills are the most demanded right now.

Apple has news for devs

After months of rumours and speculation, Apple finally announced it is abandoning Intel chips in favour of its own ARM-based processors. The custom-built silicon, which will debut in new systems by the end of the year, is said to deliver better performance at lower power consumption.

The company is releasing a developer transition kit (DTK) to let developers familiarize themselves with the new architecture. It’s basically a Mac mini on steroids, preloaded with everything you’ll need to start building your software. 

Find out how to request a unit.

Please find our secrets attached

COVID came and cyber security got trickier with the surge in remote employees and potentially hackable access points. This week, a WSJ survey revealed another major cause for concern for companies: rogue employees.    

About 70% of companies are worried about malicious employees leaking proprietary data or helping attackers get into enterprise networks. For all the advancements in security tools, limiting the harm that can be done by individual employees remains a challenge for most big companies. 

Ironically, the study was made public less than a week after a poll by Nordlocker showed that a preoccupying number of employees regularly share sensitive and confidential files via email. Not with malicious intent, though. 

News from the frontlines…

What’s tech doing this week about the coronavirus?  If it’s the U.K. we are talking about — starting again from scratch. 

Last week we wondered why the country’s authorities were silent regarding their NHS-sponsored app. Well, it turns out that the government is abandoning the app altogether, pursuing instead a new one based on the Apple-Google technology. 

However, the new app is not likely to come in time to be of any significance in the fight against the second wave of the virus this Fall. 

But there’s more — allegations have surfaced regarding the NHS’ obsession to shut down rival apps while its now-failed one was in development. Live and let live, as they say.

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Businesses are Preparing the Return to Activity

IT News

Almost two months after the start of the global lockdown, some parts of the world are slowly starting to reopen. People walk the streets and are allowed in stores again, albeit under strict social distancing guidelines. 

Business is ready to get back on track, but companies now face the double challenge of ramping up activity and adapting to a new normal. Last week we discussed how investing in IT is crucial to enterprise survival and recovery – this week we saw some positive signs confirming this trend.

Many multinational companies are hiring for their Indian offshore IT centres, while the country’s demand for senior positions related to digital transformation remains strong.  

As yesterday’s Harvard Business Review article reminds us, the key to digital transformation is talent, not technology.

Microsoft is doing more than well

It was not that long ago that Microsoft seemed destined to take a more secondary role in the future of enterprise technology. But the company bounced back.

This week was packed with news from the Redmond, Virginia company — from a 59% quarterly increase in cloud revenue to an upcoming update to its VMware Azure integration.

More about Microsoft’s momentum in our latest industry snapshot. Spoiler alert: you could win up to $200K if you beat the company’s new hacking challenge.

More on contact tracing

This week we got more details on the upcoming contact tracing technology that Apple and Google are developing to help fight the spread of COVID-19. 

Addressing what has been one of the most contentious points of debate, the duo said their app will not permit the use of location tracking. The full system, which is expected to be released mid-May, will rely instead on Bluetooth to safeguard user privacy. 

Meanwhile, the UK’s National Health System, started testing an app that uses a similar approach. 

The solution leverages (the ironically named) Bluetooth Low Energy handshakes to tell whether a person might have been in contact or not with an infected individual.

News from the frontlines

One more week, the tech world keeps up the fight against the pandemic. This week…

Cybercrime has spiked amidst global chaos and the rise of remote work. Regrettably, healthcare institutions are among the hardest hit. 

A group of security companies and professionals calling themselves the Cyber Alliance to Defend our Healthcare have struck deals to protect a series of hospitals and national health organisations across Europe. The U.S. will be their next area of focus.

Meanwhile, Ciaran Martin, chief of the UK’s National Cybersecurity Centre, has pledged to redouble the body’s efforts to protect the country’s hospitals and health system.

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To trace or not to trace — and how

IT News

Beyond a shadow of a doubt, the tech news story of the past few days has been the Apple-Google partnership against COVID-19. 

Announced last week, the unlikely union between the two giants will focus on developing an app to help determine if a person has been in close contact with an infected individual. 

The system will let users opt-in, providing anonymous and decentralised tracing. Much like a tool previously proposed by MIT researchers, the app will theoretically ensure privacy by leveraging Bluetooth connectivity.

The news, however, has sparked a global debate on the potential security and surveillance implications of implementing the technology. 

Is anonymity really guaranteed? Should this power be in the hands of private companies or controlled by public institutions?  

The two companies held a media call earlier this week to answer questions by reporters. Here’s TechCrunch’s account of what was discussed in that call.    

If you’d like to dive deeper into the specifics, here’s a look at how these tracing tools work.  

And they keep burning 5G towers…

Last week we touched on an ongoing phenomenon that sounds surreal even in these strange times.

Some people in the UK are attacking 5G cell towers, believing them to be linked to COVID-19. 

Well — it looks like events keep escalating, fueled by ludicrous conspiracy theories and social media claims that 5G is behind the spread of the disease. 

According to industry body Mobile UK, the country’s network received more than 20 attacks over the weekend. 

It turns out that one of the attacks was directed at — wait for it — a 5G tower servicing a nearby hospital. 

Genius. 

Like the virus itself, this wave of disinformation seems to be spreading like wildfire, with incidents now being reported in the Netherlands.

Cybersecurity 

Now more than ever, ensuring your network and data security is critical for business success. 

Remote work has multiplied the number of potential points of entry for attackers, while phishing attacks are easier to carry out thanks to greater use of social media and email tools.

Just in the US, a cybersecurity consultancy firm claims to have experienced a 500% increase in attacks directly related to work-from-home individuals. 

Now is the time to strengthen your IT security team, if you haven’t done so yet. 

But hurry up. The skills shortage is getting worse.

News from the frontlines…

One more week equals one more look at the new tech initiatives being launched to help fight the novel pandemic. 

Speaking of cybersecurity, Microsoft announced that its AccountGuard security service is now available for free for healthcare staff, as well as for human rights and humanitarian organisations. 

The company has also released a new security patch addressing 113 bugs. Make sure to update your system.

Cloud provider DigitalOcean has created a hub where developers can share their projects aimed at tackling the crisis. The various initiatives go from hackathons to remote learning and quarantine support platforms.  

A start-up called Thoughtful Human has partnered with BetterHelp to offer a free month of emotional support with licensed therapists.

Working on Mars — from home

Nothing better to remind you that you’re not alone working from home.

NASA’s Curiosity team keeps operating the Mars rover from the comfort of their households. Inspiring to say the least.

If they can coordinate across time zones and different computing setups to drive a robot that’s millions of miles away, we can all weather this storm. 

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Job Descriptions Web Developer

Swift Developer : Job Description

Swift Developer
The Swift Developer role was born together with Apple’s new programming language: Swif. Discover the role with Mission Control Center by Mindquest

Use our template to create a compelling and comprehensive Swift Dev job description to attract top talent.

The Swift developer role was born together with Apple’s new programming language: Swift. The language is specially designed to develop iOS, macOS, Apple TV and Apple Watch applications.

Also explore the role of the Android Developer

Swift was created to replace Objective-C, a ubiquitous language dating back to 1983 and not very flexible in use. Since its first appearance in 2014, the language has quickly gained momentum and popularity among developers for its ease of use and —well, as its name suggests — its speed.

Accordingly, Apple is banking big on Swift to propel its platform moving forward, and most applications being developed today are coded in this language. It’s, therefore, the future of Apple programming — a language you should add to your CV if you plan on working with or for the California company.

What is the role of a Swift developer?

The jobs reserved for a Swift developer are, then, the same as those of any Apple-specific developer. They simply use Swift as their main coding language.

Participate in the assessment of user needs

In order to design “tailor-made” computer programs, developers need to take part in the early stages of the application design process. They participate, thus, in the initial assessment of user needs, in the development and ultimately in the test phase of the prototype.

A good developer should be well informed of innovations via trade and social media, but also by going to industry shows and publisher conferences.

Follow the specifications to develop an application

Usually, the project manager, with whom the developer works closely, establishes the requirements for any development, with whom the developer works closely. The latter will follow these specifications during the creation, testing and updating of the application.

Adapt the software to your needs

Once the app is launched, changes are often necessary both in terms of maintenance and upgrades. Therefore, the Swift developer also supports the training of the software’s end can even help write the user guide in some cases.

Required skills

Excellent technical knowledge

Swift developers must obviously have a deep understanding of the Swift language, as well as possess  complementary capabilities in XHTML, PHP, etc. They must know the Apple universe very well and understand its issues and constraints, both for desktop and for mobile. Knowledge of Objective-C language may also be required.

A strong team spirit

The developer’s job is largely dependent on teamwork. Beyond direct and almost permanent contact with the project manager and other developers, a developer often has also to work with graphic designers, UX experts and the clients themselves.

An analytical mind and rigour

A Swift developer needs to be a good analyst to pinpoint user needs and devise solutions. They must also be rigorous and very well organized to produce quality code and deliver proper software performance.

Within the industry

Formerly outsourced, the developer role has become a real strategic job within companies. Development skills are now key differentiators for teams looking to streamline the software production pipeline and increase the agility of IT operations in general.

Salary of the Swift Developer

The salaries of Swift developers, of course, varies a lot depending on the level of experience, but, for example, the daily rate of a swift contractor tends to oscillate between €350 and €800.

Training of the Swift Developer

Although there is no specific academic path that one must follow to become a Swift Developer, a degree in computer engineering is usually required. However, as it is becoming more and more common in tech, experience and practical know-how take preference over diplomas. At the end of the day, what employers want is that you can demonstrate expertise in Swift language and projects.

Looking to get your feet wet with Swift? Apple’s popular Swift Playgrounds app for iOS and macOS is a great – and free – platform to get you started.

Discover all the web development programming skills and professions

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Weekly News Digest #2

Weekly News Digest #2
Weekly News Digest #2

A week in retrospect…

Recently got a dog although you “don’t really have the time” for it?

Do not fret, irresponsible dog owners — AI’s got your back.

Now you can leave your pet unattended for hours, possibly days, and not have to deal with the slightest remorse. Go enjoy that weekend at a ski resort without leaving your apartment keys with a friend. When you return home, this AI-powered dog trainer will have your pet obedient and ready for a flawless Instagram photo session.

I guess the important question here is whose orders your pet will obey. Good news, Skynet — Now you have dogs on your side.

On a more serious note…

This week, the Swiss town of Davos hosted the annual World Economic Forum. This year’s edition put, again, much of its focus on technology.

As the meeting marked its 50th anniversary, the organisers wanted to reflect on how much technology has changed everything in the past half century. Experts at the Forum’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution called for careful and ethical use of emerging technologies, while outlining 9 reasons to be optimistic about tech in 2020.

Taking advantage of the media spotlight ahead of the event, Microsoft made a pledge to remove all of the carbon it has emitted since the company was founded in 1975. All that by 2050. That goes way beyond Amazon’s pledge to be carbon neutral by 2040.

Ha! Take that, Jeff. The cloud wars keep raging — Ironically, this time the battle is over actual (CO2) clouds.

Meanwhile, in another part of Europe…

The EU is considering a 5-year ban on the use of facial recognition technology in public spaces, citing concerns over data privacy and the potential nefarious uses of a technology that’s not yet fully understood. Caution is good. At least as long as it is to allow for enough time for companies and governments to establish regulations and protocols that protect us citizens.

Google and Microsoft are already wrangling over the proposed ban. Microsoft, which happens to sell this technology to governments and state agencies, is, not surprisingly, against the ban. On the other side of the ring, Google is advocating for the ban, in a clear effort to get on the good side of the EU after growing signs of the Union’s mistrust of the Internet giant.

Taking a more subtle approach to AI, Apple has paid $200 million for the AI start-up Xnor.ai, a company specialising in on-device AI. The acquisition reinforces Apple’s strategy to build an AI that operates within the device, rather than in the cloud, to achieve greater levels of privacy and security.

All in all, this has been the week of AI. Even Davos jumped on the AI bandwagon by making available an AI toolkit for corporate boards.

Oh, and —

Remember last week’s service cut for Windows 7 and its potential security ramifications? Well, not even a week later, Microsoft is announcing a patch for an Internet Explorer security bug that is already being targeted by attackers.

The problem? You guessed it. MS doesn’t offer support for Windows 7 anymore, so the old OS won’t get the patch. Oopsie!

And so it begins….