Jonathan Norrell
Articles by Jonathan Norrell
Five Ways Technology Has Made Moving Home Easier
It's safe to say that moving home will be one of the most exciting, yet stressful times of your life. Fortunately, both the search and the act itself isn't as difficult as it used to be. Technology has changed the real estate game for the better, giving buyers more control and resources than ever before. Here are five reasons why: You can now conduct property viewings using a VR headset Google Maps is great for checking out the general area, but doesn't help if you're half way across the country and want to view a property's interior. As virtual reality and 360 degree photography becomes more and more accessible to general consumers, so are the viewing options. It's now standard practice for some high-end real estate agents to conduct viewings digitally, allowing potential buyers to view every nook and cranny while sitting at home on the sofa. Real estate agents are also utilizing drones to take photos of unseen areas, such as roofing, so buyers can get a better idea of the exterior condition beforehand. You can sign all of the legal documents online Paper is being rapidly replaced with digital alternatives. Moving home used to require ream upon ream of contracts and legal documentation in order to seal the deal. Signing everything by hand can be a real headache, especially when every page of a contract needs to be initialed. Digital signing services such as DootLoop and DocuSign make the process a lot easier. All you have to do is select a custom-made digital signature and click on the area of the page that needs to be signed, and then you can send everything together in a single (legally binding) email. Getting free, no pressure quotes is easier Anticipating moving costs is a challenge in its own right. There will almost certainly be a number of unforeseen fees that you haven't taken into account. To get a more accurate picture, instant estimations can be provided from Allied.com that will take various factors into account, such as the location of your apartment/home, how many rooms it has, and the moving distance. Downloadable apps help you stay organized throughout When you're moving home organization is paramount. Fortunately, there are hundreds of apps available to make the process easier. From checklists and weight calculators to inventory spreadsheets and budgeting tools, no matter how small the task, you can be sure there's a specific app for it. Some great all-rounders include MoveMatch and MovingPlanner. Fuel aggregators can reduce unforeseen moving costs More often than not people underestimate the cost of the physical act of moving. Gas apps aggregate data to help you find the cheapest gas prices in your vicinity. In addition, navigation tools will not only help you reach your destination faster, but will enhance your efficiency by up to fifteen percent. Fuel may seem somewhat insignificant when you've made such a monumental purchase, but that's exactly why you should scrutinize every aspect of your spending. As the British say, "look after the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves."
Can Real Money Survive The Digital Age?
People have been predicting the end of cash for decades. With the rise of applications such as Apple Pay and Swish, contactless debit cards, online banking, and crypto-currencies like Bitcoin, it seems like the grim reaper of finance is getting closer and closer. But while physical money may feel like a thing of the past, it's still very much alive and unlikely to give way to the digital age anytime soon. There's a reason why it's survived for so many thousands of years... because it's safe and untraceable. Digital payment systems have many benefits, but convenience alone won't be enough to phase out physical cash altogether. Until technology can provide greater security, it will always be lagging behind. Here are some other reasons why cash will make it through: The U.S. Dollar is Expanding Substantially Contrary to popular belief, money isn't dying, it's actually expanding. U.S. Dollars increased in circulation by 42 percent between 2007 and 2012, and the currency expected to grow by an average of five percent annually during the next few years. While on the surface it may seem like money is losing traction because it's not "seen" out in the real world as frequently as it was, most people don't consider the reserves that aren't in circulation and stored abroad -- almost two thirds of American dollars are in other countries! Even Europe's Most Digital Countries Can't Shake the Coin Even countries like the Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden, which are embracing the cashless system in a massive way, still can't shake the coin. Holland has over 1,400 supermarkets with cashless registers; and in Stockholm even the homeless have debit card machines. While digital payments continue to grow in these countries, cash is still number one. People Trust Hard Cash More Than Technology Physical money has survived because it's reliable, easy to carry and widely accepted. Electronic systems are convenient, but they do have their downsides: there's more room for error and it leaves a digital trail. Strangely, the closest currency to "real hard cash" is the Bitcoin as it can be virtually anonymous. However, it's also extremely unstable and the vast majority of people simply don't trust it. You can't distrust hard cash; that's why so many people store it in case of an emergency. Look what happened in Iceland with the financial crisis... money just vanished. A wad of stored cash will always be there. Some Industries Rely On Coins To Survive Believe it or not, there are some industries that would crumble without hard cash. Imagine how charities would be affected if the penny went extinct. It would make fund raising very difficult. When the Danish government released a proposal to limit the flow of cash by 2016 -- something that was taken VERY out of context -- vulnerable companies flipped out. And then there's service professionals, such as waiters and waitresses, who rely on tips to boost their low-paid income. Fundamentally, a cashless world would be detrimental to the poor. Cash Has A Higher Psychological Value Than Numbers Contactless technology and movable digital money is great, but the psychological value of cash is much higher. When we go into our overdraft and see that "minus" sign on our accounts, we feel cheated. But imagine how much worse it would feel if the banks turned up on our doorsteps and rummaged through our belongings. Cash feels rich, it's harder to part with, and it's harder for banks (and us) to take. People Still Crave Human Interaction The self-service industry has been forced upon us. For example, charges are often incurred to those who don't deal with their finances online through digital channels. According to Contact Telephone Numbers companies are striving to limit human interaction because "dealing with queries by phone (or in person) increases expenditure on staffing and reduces profit margins." But with the advent of new self-service technology, particularly in the banking sector, the demand for the older and more personal approach is increasing simply because of the trustability factor. Real money will survive the digital age because we have no choice. While mobile banking and technology has made the process of using hard cash more convenient, and may even overtake it as a primary payment method in the not-so-distant future -- which would be a welcome change -- it will never completely replace it. Therefore, to say cash will go extinct simply isn't realistic.
Three Tech Innovations That Are Unlocking The Potential Of "The Internet of Things"
In the future anything that can be connected to the Internet will be. Even today most of us can link our phones to our computers, televisions and games consoles with ease; and some of us -- the current generation of iOS and Android users -- can even hook up our phones to home appliances, such as fridges, ovens and lighting systems. Yep, the world is changing. But what benefits are we going to get out of this network of stuff? Well, the two most obvious answers are: greater convenience and better economy. Imagine walking into a room where the lighting and/or heating system adjusts to match your mood. Perhaps the hue of the bulb changes to something softer when you're feeling a bit stressed, or the air con kicks in when you're a little flustered. While unavailable on the consumer market, these technologies are already starting to become a reality. The Internet of Things essentially revolves around a large network of sensors that is constantly gathering information in real time and feeding it to other devices via the Cloud. For example, you could have a smart watch that keeps track of your heart rate and redirects the information to your heating system. The Internet of Things is perhaps the biggest technology trend taking place right now. The latest smart phones and appliances are already utilizing it, and within five years it will no longer be a pipe dream reserved for science fiction novels, but rather, a reality for the everyday general consumer. The following three tech innovations are next on the agenda... More New Cars Will Be Connected This year more new cars in the United States have been connected to the Internet than not. While the rest of the planet are still lagging in the car-web-connectivity department, it's expected to be a standard feature within the next couple of years. GM are currently leading the race with the announcement that all of their new vehicles will ship with 4G-LTE as standard. The Internet of Lighting Will Start Gaining Traction Philips Lighting have just announced the second incarnation of the HUE system, an LED-based light bulb that can connect to smart phones and allows users to customize home lighting via an app. The current technology permits the user to adjust brightness, hue and colors -- it can even sync up bulbs with music. In addition, iOS users can activate and interact with the system using the Siri voice command interface. Every Home Will Have a Smart Meter Fuel supplier, British Gas, are the first of the UK's big six to start implementing home automation services in Britain. Subsidiary company Hive, has teamed up with Philips to utilize HUE, which is the first major step for widespread Internet of Lighting integration on British soil. In addition, they have also started supplying wireless smart meters, which allow customers to monitor their output from a single device and place caps on electricity and gas consumption via a smart phone -- other fuel suppliers in Europe are expected to follow suit in the near future. These three innovations may not be the most riveting; however, their benefits are already starting to prove just how powerful the Internet of Things could become, especially from an environmental standpoint. For example, Philips's new LED lighting system has been used to cultivate crops during the winter; over 90% of British Gas customers have reduced their carbon footprint (and bills) when utilizing smart meters; and cars hooked up to the web have been proven to improve lane capacity and lower emissions. It's an exciting time. With tech firms across every industry striving to create the next big thing, development shows no signs of slowing down. At the current rate of innovation billions of electronic devices will be hooked up to the Internet of Things by 2020, each working together to create a better, brighter future.
Backup Your Data: Start Preparing For The Digital Dark Age
With the recent Apple iOS 10 update, now seems like a good time to discuss the problems with NOT backing up your data. The digital dark age is upon us, and until tech giants such as Apple and Microsoft start reiterating the importance of backing up before launching new products and patches, our precious data will be lost forever. If you're planning on updating to Apple iOS 10, hold fire until you've read this article! Within the first hour of the iOS 10 release the Internet was ablaze with angry Apple users who were stuck on the update/restore process. Apple were quick to release a statement, claiming to have quickly resolved the issue, and also apologized to customers who were affected. Those customers have lost their data forever; but still, no mention of backing up... This seems to be happening more and more frequently these days: the 2011 PlayStation Network outage, the recent Amazon Web Services outage. Both events caused a phenomenal loss of data. Of course, routine Apple updates are not causing the looming digital dark age, but like all of the other outages and errors that are plaguing the tech world, they are certainly contributing. We rely on technology for everything, from work to managing our social lives. We even rely on it to strengthen our memories. Don't get me wrong, I'm not against forward thinking. I love technology! And especially the convenience that comes with it. I'm not saying we should slow down tech-development, I just think the importance of backing up should be given more attention. Even Apple are behind the times when it comes to backing up users' data via their own software. For example, iTunes backups don't include synced content: music, playlists, photos, ebooks, etc. In order to thoroughly backup an iPhone to your computer, you will need additional software, such as TouchCopy. Most users who are responsible and back-up conscious don't even realize this, and are often left baffled and confused when they're finally forced to retrieve lost data. Remember the Millennium Bug? It didn't lead to the apocalyptic catastrophe that many people were expecting, but at least it forced people to question the reliability of their computing. Just like we did in the buildup to the year 2000 we shouldn't be ignoring the possibility of a digital dark age, but preparing for it. Which brings me to another thought. When was the last time you got photos developed? Burnt a video to a DVD or CD? Or transferred a valuable document onto a USB stick? Even these mediums have a limited lifespan. Believe it or not, it's actually getting harder and harder to save data. The storage mediums that we once relied on -- that hold our pre-Facebook memories -- are getting phased out of the picture. I just realized while writing the previous sentence that my laptop -- Alienware 15x -- doesn't even have a disc drive, and I've had it for more than a year! My point, don't rely on one backup device, as before you know it, it'll end up as inaccessible as the floppy disc. In today's digital world we store our entire lives on our smart phones. Losing the data can not only be soul-destroying, but detrimental to the way we live. Backing up may not seem like a massive deal, it may not solve global hunger or cure diseases, but it's a very important aspect of our social history and self-preservation. Fundamentally, without both physical and Cloud-based backups, we will not only lose our sanity, but also our memories. So get yourself a hard drive, sign up to Dropbox (or whatever other web-based storage platform you prefer), and make sure you make data restoration an annual tradition. If not, you will one day regret it!
Is Self-Service Technology Destroying Customer Service?
At the turn of the century, companies started forcing customers to perform their own administration duties: banks implemented charges when clients didn't process their own transfers, telephone helplines suddenly had robotic voices providing audio guidance, even self-service checkouts started making appearances in supermarkets. Perhaps it's because we've been forced to use our own initiative, but self-service solutions are now the favored option when we encounter problems. While a visit from a computer technician or a call from a telephone representative was once the norm, most of us only rely on "human" fixes as a last resort. In fact, many of us no longer even trust them... According to a survey conducted by the Fast Company, 36 percent of modern customers expect a response to an email query within four hours; this figure rises to 55 percent for Facebook and Twitter users. Gone are the days when 24 hours was the standardized, acceptable time frame. With the advancement of modern technology streamlining our lives, customers not only expect, but demand a fast, efficient and friendly service. But companies, especially small to medium-sized businesses, simply don't have the infrastructure to meet this newfound advent of pressure. That's why self-service is the only forward solution: it's cheaper for vendors, accessible for customers, and takes the pressure off staff. Even large, international corporations with the budget and infrastructure to implement self-service technologies will be placing themselves at risk if they fail to use them. Take Sky, for example. Throughout 2016 the British telecommunications company started branching out into the mobile sector by providing television, mobile, broadband and home phone packages, in what they call "quad play" deals. This seamless integration of communication services will undoubtedly place greater strain on their customer services departments. They will not only have a whole new medium to deal with (mobile), but will be left with support staff that will need additional training. According to reports from Sky Telephone Number, the media giant currently invests 20 million GBP (approximately 26 million USD) annually into improving their customer service; and it works. Between 2009 and 2014 their approval rating had a 15 percent rise, climbing from 66 percent to 81 percent. Sky prove that human customer service teams are valuable, but they also prove that they are expensive to maintain. Without some kind of self-service solution, a far greater investment than 20 million pounds will likely be required. Coupled with their expansion into foreign territories, and the launch of their new streaming service, self-service will naturally be the only viable solution to meet the demand. But it's not just the retail and communications sector that self-service technology is affecting. Take healthcare, for example. Waiting in a doctor's or dentist's waiting room for hours on end is -- at least in some surgeries -- a thing of the past. Nowadays patients can wait in line virtually, using their smart phone to see how many people are ahead of them in the queue, and approximately how long it will take until they can be seen. And then there's the delivery industry. No more of this "Your package will arrive between 8am and 6pm" nonsense. With a few clicks of a button it's now possible to bypass customer services altogether and find out exactly where and when a delivery will arrive. These systems are already proving far more popular with the general public. So... is self-service technology destroying customer service? Definitely not! In fact, it's the complete opposite. Whether we've realized it or not, self-service is already standardized. By 2020 customers will manage 85 percent of their "relationship" with vendors themselves: it's a win-win for everybody. Self-service saves time for the user, empowers the customer, and reduces running costs. While there still has to be a human element involved -- there always will be -- it's influence will inevitably diminish. Fundamentally, with the advent of all of this new automated technology, customer service "satisfaction ratings" will no longer be a question of "was your representative pleasant and helpful?" but rather "how easy was it to find a solution yourself?"
How Open Source Low Tech Lighting Is Changing The World
As tech enthusiasts we have an innate love for anything electronic: that new super thin smart phone, ultra fast fiber optic broadband, futuristic gadgets and gizmos that can fit into a jacket pocket. But living in the digital age often makes us neglect the more natural innovations. Technology that doesn't require wires made of glass, silicon chips, or screen resolutions so crisp and clear the human eye can barely process the difference. Sometimes the most important innovations are created from the things we all take for granted; such as waste. The Internet of Lights is the newest tech trend to hit the lighting industry, and it's pretty darn amazing! There are now light bulbs that can amend their color and hue to suit your mood, or adapt their strength automatically depending on the available exterior light. However, lest not forget, not all of us have the simple luxury of light – and it really is a luxury! The are millions of people throughout the world who don't have access to this everyday commodity. When a bulb dies, we simply screw in a new one and hey presto, the problem is sorted. The Liter of Light is responsible for one of the most important lighting innovations of our generation, a technology that turns a simple plastic bottle into a 40-60 watt lightbulb that can illuminate a 40 square foot room, yet very few have heard of it. The technology itself was developed by a Brazilian named Alfredo Moser; however, it was popularized by Illac Diaz of the MyShelter Foundation in 2011. Illac not only sought out to solve the problem of lack of electricity Philippine slums, but to also provide local people with an income. Within months of bringing the bottle bulb to the Philippines, over 20 cities and 15,000 solar bulbs were installed. Since 2011 MyShelter has expanded significantly – surpassing their initial goal of lighting up one million homes by 2015 – and now operate in more than 20 different countries. Pepsi have even partnered with the Liter of Light to provide sponsorship funding and a global platform to raise awareness. The construction process revolves around cutting a circular hole in a sheet of corrugated metal, slotting in an empty one to two liter clear plastic bottle (yes, the kind we throw away!), filling it with water and bleach (to prevent algae buildup), and sealing it into place. The whole process takes around thirty minutes, yet it can provide lighting for three to five years – if you want to give it a try, watch this YouTube video. The real beauty of the Liter of Light technology is that it's an open source design. Since its inception it has constantly been adapted and upgraded by ordinary people like you and I, not the techno geniuses lurking beneath Apple Campus or Googleplex, just everyday average Joe's who are learning on the fly. While we may not have much use for bottle lights in the Western world, sometimes it's good to take a step back and go back to basics. With the onset of climate change, we need campaigns like the Liter of Light to remind us just how big of a difference natural resources and proper waste control can make, not just to local economies, but to carbon emissions. While we're hardly going to replace our glass skylights and electric bulbs with Pepsi bottles, there are plenty of green solutions available. The Google definition of technology is "the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry." While bottle bulbs may not be as complex as the latest Internet of lighting technology, they're certainly more important. With over one million bulbs having been installed in over 20 different countries throughout the world, the smallest, cheapest and simplest lighting technology of the last decade has certainly made the biggest difference in the fight against light poverty.
How Brexit Could Slow Down Innovation in the UK's Tech Industry
Britain's decision to leave the European Union could have a major impact on the tech industry, slowing down innovation and causing a red-tape nightmare for companies seeking talent from overseas. Not only will it be harder for them to employ skilled staff, major technology sectors in London and Bristol could slide into obscurity as the rest of the world seeks to trade with greater, more sustainable economies. According to a March poll conducted by techUK, 70% of Britain's tech industry supported remaining in the EU, 15% supported leave, while 15% were left undecided. With such one-sided figures, it's no wonder there's still a deep sense of apprehension in the tech world. One of the biggest worries is that new startups won't have the opportunity to compete with the massive U.S. talent pool. If the Freedom of Movement Act is abolished, it would make it far more difficult for skilled tech workers from across the channel to relocate. While the exact terms of the agreement are yet to be established, signs are pointing towards an Australian-like point system. While many British citizens were using Brexit as a means to control the influx immigrants, the tech industry, has the opposite agenda. In fact, most tech experts will agree that there's not enough of it! Places like Shoreditch have undergone major changes over the last decade, moving from a relatively poor, East London district, to a major global player in the tech industry. It has even been given the nickname "Tech City" due to the large density of both established and startup companies in the video game and computing business. Immigration and the sharing of resources across boarders has served as a catalyst for this expansion. Despite many years honoring the Freedom of Movement Act, the UK still has a major skills shortage, and Brexit will only make things more difficult. This isn't ideal considering that, now more than ever, the UK's tech industry needs to perform at its very best. But a slower rate of migration is just one of the dangers. The real challenge in the next two years will be to prevent an out-flux of tech workers. Many of Britain's crème-de-la-crème are now looking to protect their right to move freely between EU member states. And in doing so, the only sure-fire option seems to be to move overseas before Brexit occurs. This may permit workers to apply for duel citizenship in the future, and thus gain the ability to cherry pick where they want to live. Therefore, Britain could be left with a major lack of talent, resources and connections. Simply put, it's a concoction for disaster! And it's not just the digital computing sector that could be affected. Many distributors and manufacturers working in Britain are also fearing the future. According to electric radiators supplier, Eco Stores Direct Ltd – who specialize in researching and negotiating trade deals with Europe's top environmentally friendly manufacturers – "the introduction of trade tariffs could levy on imports and make it difficult for businesses to trade in the Single Maket, even if access is granted." While the Digital Single Market is an entirely different beast and may remain unaffected, tariffs could slow down the trade of physical tech products, such as computer parts, phones and even microchips, as businesses try to navigate the choppy waters of the English Channel. But it's not all doom and gloom! On the opposite end of the spectrum, Britain now has a huge opportunity. Tech companies that don't trade in the European Union may find London an attractive base to establish their business or open up new subsidiaries. In addition, the data sharing industry could hugely benefit as they may no longer be subject to EU legislation, which could help Britain compete with large-scale American corporations. But what will happen now? The British Government have made it clear that Brexit will be implemented; however, they've also made it clear that they're in no rush to speed up negotiations. Prime Minister Theresa May recently stated in a press conference with Germany's Chancellor, Angela Merkel, that she will not trigger Article 50 in 2016. Which at least gives British tech companies more time to limit any potential damage. But all of the predictions really do mean nothing. While nobody is denying that the tech industry will be very different in the coming years (as it always is!), the most likely scenario is that Brexit will cause short-term turmoil and prompt companies to adjust their current business model. Whether or not this will lead to prosperity is still yet to be seen...