Apple has announced that because of regulatory uncertainties due to the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), it will be delaying the EU region rollout of three new AI features – Phone Mirroring, SharePlay Screen Sharing enhancements, and Apple Intelligence – until later this year.

Phone Mirroring allows users to display their iPhone screen on other Apple devices seamlessly, and the SharePlay Screen Sharing enhancements are designed to improve collaborative experiences by enabling simultaneous app usage and interactions during screen-sharing sessions. The Apple Intelligence feature uses AI to produce text, images, and other content on command.

Apple said (in an email) that its main concern is that “the interoperability requirements of the DMA” would force it to compromise the integrity of its products in ways that “risk user privacy and data security”.

Apple has also said, however, that it will be working with the European Commission to find a solution that would enable it to deliver the three new AI features to EU customers without compromising their safety.

Marnie Wilking, chief information security officer at Booking.com, has warned that the arrival of generative AI and its use by scammers to create more sophisticated phishing emails is behind an increase in travel scams of up to 900 per cent in the last 18 months.

Speaking at the Collision technology conference in Toronto, Ms Wilking said that the increase in travel scams, using phishing emails containing fake booking links and made to look like they’re from Booking.com and Airbnb, started shortly after ChatGPT was launched.

Ms Wilking called for the industry and customers/travellers and hotels to use two-factor authentication, and an additional check, such as inputting a security code, to combat phishing and credential stealing.

Massachusetts-based Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI) research scientists, in partnership with bioplastic manufacturing company Eastman, have reported developing a new a prototype bioplastic straw that degrades even faster than paper.

The Problem With Drinking Straws 

The problem with plastic drinking straws is that they are now one of the most commonly found sources of marine litter. Their single-use nature contributes to global plastic pollution. These straws are not biodegradable, perhaps taking hundreds of years to break down. In oceans, for example, they can harm marine life both physically and through ingestion.

Lack of Understanding 

Although the research looked at this issue, the study was carried out with a bioplastic company as a partner. Therefore, the researchers made the point that there is a lack of understanding of how long plastics (such as drinking straw plastics) last in the ocean and that, although science supports moving away from using the material, plastics are here to stay. The researchers therefore carried out the research with the overarching idea that it’s important to try and find a next-generation type of plastic that works equally as well, yet which degrades much more quickly, and doesn’t contribute to persistent plastic pollution in the environment.

Study  

As acknowledged by the researchers, not all plastics are created the same and different manufacturers have different formulations of base polymers, e.g. polylactic acid (PLA) and polypropylene (PP) and chemical additives, meaning that different plastic formulations behave differently in the environment and break down in the ocean at different rates.

As part of the research, therefore, WHOI scientists Collin Ward, Bryan James, Chris Reddy, and Yanchen Sun put different types of plastics and paper drinking straws head-to-head to see which degrade the fastest in the coastal ocean.

This involved suspending eight different types of straws in a tank of continuously flowing seawater from Martha’s Vineyard Sound, Massachusetts. The tank’s temperature was controlled while light exposure plus other environmental variables were made to mimic the natural marine environment. The eight straws were monitored for signs of degradation over 16 weeks, and the microbial communities growing on the straws were characterised.

The Findings 

The researchers (who published their paper in ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering) found that some biodegradable straws degrade up to 50 per cent in just 16 weeks in marine environments, thereby offering a potential sustainable alternative to traditional plastics and potentially contributing to reduced ocean pollution. Specifically, the researchers found that a prototype straw made from a material called cellulose diacetate (CDA) – a polymer derived from wood pulp – breaks down even faster than paper in the environment when foamed (foamed CDA).

WHOI scientist, Brian James, said: “The unique aspects of this foam straw are that it’s able to have a shorter expected lifetime than the paper straws but retain the properties that you enjoy of a plastic or a bioplastic straw”.  This could indicate that the foamed prototype straw could become a promising alternative to conventional plastic straws compared to paper straws, which degrade quickly in the ocean but sour user-experience by getting soggy.

The Value Of The Study 

Jeff Carbeck, Eastman’s Vice President of Corporate Innovation, highlighted the value of the study, saying: “This study can be immensely valuable for straw manufacturers by providing informed and transparent data when selecting a material for straws. Even more, it provides reassurance that CDA-based straws won’t add to the persistent plastic pollution, while also demonstrating straw manufacturers’ commitment to offering a sustainable product that reduces risk to marine life”. 

Going Forward 

WHOI scientist Collin Ward said that he and the rest of the research team plan to continue measuring the degradability of plastic materials, with the hope of guiding where the industry goes next and that the object is to “optimise their products for degradation in the environment and ultimately the good of the planet.” 

What Does This Mean For Your Organisation? 

The development of a new bioplastic straw that degrades faster than paper by WHOI researchers (and Eastman) could present a significant opportunity for UK businesses and organisations committed to sustainability. This innovation not only addresses the persistent issue of plastic pollution in marine environments but also aligns with the increasing consumer demand for environmentally responsible products.

For businesses in the hospitality and food service industries, integrating biodegradable straws could enhance their sustainability credentials and appeal to a more eco-conscious clientele. It offers a practical solution that does not compromise on user-experience, overcoming the common drawback of paper straws that tend to become soggy. This shift could serve as a substantial point of differentiation in competitive markets, potentially attracting new customers and improving customer satisfaction among those who take a real interest in the environmental impact of their purchasing decisions.

Also, the introduction of these bioplastic straws could influence supply chains. For example, companies might consider transitioning to these more sustainable materials as part of their procurement processes, which could help in setting new standards within the industry. This move could also pre-empt future regulatory changes as government policies increasingly favour environmental sustainability in business practices.

This development could also inspire more innovation within the UK’s manufacturing sector. Companies involved in the production of single-use items, for example, may be inspired to explore and invest in similar biodegradable technologies. Such innovation not only aids in compliance with environmental regulations but also opens up avenues for new products and market expansion.

Overall, the research from WHOI and Eastman could be a catalyst for UK businesses to re-evaluate and potentially change their environmental strategies. By adopting these faster-degrading bioplastic straws, businesses could significantly reduce their ecological footprint, align with global sustainability trends, and position themselves as leaders in the movement towards a more sustainable future.

This video-update outlines when a chatbot gives you more relevant help than just a Google Search.

Snapping windows allows you to quickly arrange open windows on your screen, making multitasking more efficient by giving you a better overview of multiple applications simultaneously. Here’s how to do it:

To snap a Window to the Side

– Click on the window you want to snap.

– Press Win + Left Arrow or Win + Right Arrow to snap the window to the left or right half of the screen.

To snap a window to a Corner

– After snapping to the side, press Win + Up Arrow or Win + Down Arrow to move the window to a corner.

To snap to quadrants

– You can also directly snap a window to a corner by dragging it to a corner or using the Win + Arrow keys combination.

Managing privacy settings in your Microsoft 365 account can help protect your personal and business information. Properly configured privacy settings help ensure that your data is only accessible to those who are authorised and that your activities remain private. Here’s how to access and manage your privacy settings to enhance security and privacy:

Access Your Privacy Settings

– Sign in to your Microsoft 365 account.

– Click on your profile picture in the top right corner and select My Account.

Review and Adjust Privacy Settings

– In the left-hand menu, select Privacy.

– Here, by you can manage various aspects of your privacy settings, including ad preferences, location services, activity history (browsing and search), and more.

Configure Security and Privacy Settings

Under the Security section (left-hand menu – click on ‘Security’), you can:

– Review your sign-in activity and security settings.

– Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for an additional layer of security.

– Regularly update your password and ensure it is strong and unique.

By taking steps to manage your privacy settings, you can enhance the security of your Microsoft 365 account, ensuring your personal and business information remains protected and private.