China’s reportedly blocked Instagram due to Hong Kong protests

What do we want? #democracy! When do we want it? [Censored]. Yep, it looks like everyone's favourite photo-sharing service is now blocked in China. Boo. As filled with other people's shoes, food, and engagement rings as Instagram can be, it's also a great way for people to record what's happening, especially when huge global events…

Transport for London launches #HomeSafeSelfie, but will it really keep us safe?

Transport for London has launched a new hashtag, #HomeSafeSelfie, which asks women to post a pic on Twitter or Instagram after a night out to let their friends and followers know they got home safely. It's part of a campaign highlighting the dangers of unbooked, unlicenced minicabs and recommending people download the free Cabwise app…
Hash signs on street

The week in hashtags: #MFW, #HeForShe, #LessClassicallyBeautiful and more

#HeForShe Proving she can stand up to more than just dementors, Emma Watson had the crowd spellbound with her speech at the launch of the United Nations’ He For She campaign. Hogwarts puns aside, it was an emotional, provocative speech that challenged perceptions of women’s rights, inviting men and boys to become advocates for change…

What is Alibaba and why should we care?

So what's Alibaba? Alibaba (not to be confused with the guy from the Arabian Nights tales) is widely known as 'China's answer to eBay', but many say it's actually more like someone rolled eBay, Amazon and Google together into one massive superpower. The thing is it's got the potential to be even better AND more…

Facebook and Twitter got the Scottish referendum all wrong

Just after 6 AM today, the results were in: Scotland had voted to stay in the United Kingdom by 55% to 45%. Whether it was because of Gordon Brown’s unexpectedly rousing speech, the Better Together campaign’s uninspiring ad, or just because people tend to stick with what they know, the final result was 2,001,926 votes…

10 people who just didn’t want to queue for an iPhone 6

So, it turns out there were a lot of people REALLY wanting the iPhone 6 today, as there were queues all over the world, full of Apple fans hoping to be the first to get their hands on the new Apple phone. Of course, Twitter was on hand, as always, to mock the whole idea…

How safe are contactless payments?

With the announcement of Apple Pay earlier this month and the launch of EE’s Cash on Tap users being able to pay for London transport this week, anti-virus software Bitdefender’s Chief Security Strategist has spoken out about his fears of the growth of contactless payment, and questions its security. We know, we know it's scaremongering at its…
hash symbol sculpture

The week in hashtags: #Phones4U, #WhyIStayed, #LFW and more

#Phones4U After its final remaining network EE cut ties with the company on Sunday night, Phones4U has gone into administration. The store may have been one of the less soothing retail experiences out there, about on par estate agents and the Primark returns queue, but with 720 outlets the cheap and cheerful mobile merchants were…