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The Future of AI: What’s Next?Blog
AI has already changed how we live, work, and chat with our phones. From answering questions in seconds to generating artwork, it’s made life easier—and it’s only just getting started. But what’s coming next? Let’s take a look at some of the coolest AI advancements on the horizon. Smarter assistants that just get you. Right now, AI assistants can set reminders, send messages, and answer basic questions. But in the future, they’ll do so much more. Imagine your phone knowing what you need before you even ask—like reminding you to leave for work with the fastest route already mapped out. AI will also get better at handling complex tasks. Instead of just setting an alarm for your morning run, your assistant might check the weather, your calendar, and your sleep quality to suggest the perfect time to get moving. The aim? To make your digital assistant feel less like a tool and more like a personal sidekick. We already rely on AI to help manage our schedules, but in the future, it’ll become even smoother. Picture your phone not just booking flights but sorting things if there’s a delay, finding you a hotel when plans change, or suggesting things to do based on what you love. Whether it’s picking the perfect takeaway or helping you stick to your fitness goals, AI will soon be handling life admin like a pro. AI that knows how you feel. Right now, AI can understand words and voice commands, but the next step is emotional intelligence. Future AI could pick up on your tone of voice, typing style, or even facial expressions to sense how you’re feeling. If you sound stressed, your phone might suggest a break or play some calming music. If you’re feeling low, it could remind you to check in with a mate or suggest something fun to do. This kind of emotional AI could change the way we interact with our phones, making them feel more in tune with our lives than ever. Health monitoring beyond fitness. Your smartwatch already tracks your steps and heart rate, but AI is about to take health monitoring to a whole new level. In the future, your phone could analyse your voice to detect early signs of illness, stress, or even mental health conditions. It could monitor your sleep patterns and suggest ways to improve your rest. Some experts reckon AI might even detect signs of conditions like anxiety or depression by noticing small changes in your behaviour. With smarter health tracking, AI could help us all take better care of ourselves—before we even realise we need to. AI that works across your apps. A big step forward for AI is its ability to handle multiple tasks across different apps with a single request. Instead of jumping between apps yourself, your AI assistant could do it for you. Need to book a table, find the best route there, and let your mates know? Just ask once, and AI will sort the lot. This kind of cross-app intelligence is already starting to appear, making multitasking even easier. In the future, AI won’t just respond to what you ask—it’ll anticipate what you need, helping you get stuff done faster. AI that supercharges your creativity. AI isn’t just about getting things done—it’s also about having fun and getting creative. Future AI will go beyond just generating content from prompts—it’ll collaborate with you, helping bring your ideas to life. Imagine an AI that doesn’t just create a song in your favourite genre but tailors it based on your mood and past playlists. Or one that learns your fashion sense and suggests fresh outfit combos you’d never have thought of. AI is also set to make creativity more accessible than ever. Whether you’re an aspiring filmmaker, an indie musician, or just want to level up your social media game, AI-powered tools will help turn inspiration into reality—fast. Instead of replacing creativity, AI will amplify it, making sure your best ideas don’t stay stuck in your head. The bottom line. AI isn’t just the future—it’s happening right now. And as tech keeps evolving, our phones are only going to get smarter, more intuitive, and more personal. Whether it’s predicting what you need, supporting your mental health, or making travel easier, AI is set to make life smoother and more connected than ever. So, what’s next? Watch this space—because AI is just getting started.
Genius women who invented game-changing tech!Blog
Mobile and communications technology has totally transformed our lives. It’s fundamental to how we shop, consume entertainment and even date! From coding and encryption to wireless communication and mobile interfaces, it’s the innovators behind this tech that we should be thanking. And it’s important to recognise the trailblazing women that made these breakthroughs. Although women have been at the forefront of research and development, they often don’t get the recognition they deserve. So, let’s help put that right by delving into some of the most game changing inventions by some of the most brilliant women in science and technology. 1. Computer programming - Ada Lovelace, 1840s. If you’ve opened an app, played a game or done just about anything on a computer, you’ve got Ada Lovelace to thank. Often considered the first computer programmer, Lovelace worked with the much better-known Charles Babbage on his Analytical Engine – the first automated, mechanical calculator. In the 1840s, she wrote Note G – a calculation that’s now widely recognised as the first algorithm intended for implementation on a machine. Lovelace’s visionary work laid the foundation for computer programming, opening the doors for the digital revolution. 2. WiFi & Bluetooth - Hedy Lamarr, 1940s. We take wireless communication for granted now. But it’s something we use every day, whether that’s joining a Teams meeting, playing music on the move or streaming a movie. What’s hard to take for granted is that the technology behind it was originally invented by a Hollywood movie star! And although still remembered for her life on screen, Hedy Lamarr is another unsung hero of the tech world. During World War II, Lamarr co-invented a frequency-hopping spread spectrum technology for guiding torpedoes without being detected. This invention was the precursor to modern wireless communication technologies, including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. 3. Cryptography & Encryption - Joan Clarke, 1940s. Keeping our data private is obviously a huge part of how we feel safe online. And without it, any kind of online payments would be impossible. But the origins of data encryption read like a spy story. During World War II, Joan Clarke worked as a cryptanalyst at Bletchley Park, where she played a crucial role in deciphering the Enigma code. On its own that would have been a monumental achievement, since cracking Enigma shortened the war by years. But Joan Clarke's work was instrumental in advancing the field of cryptography, laying the groundwork for encryption techniques that are vital for today's mobile device security. Her contributions ensure that our communications remain private and our data secure, making her an unsung hero in the digital age. 4. Coding - Grace Hopper, 1950s. Programming languages tell a computer what to do and how to do it. As such, they’re the building blocks of apps, games and more. But the first high-level programming language (COBOL) actually goes back to the 1950s. And it’s still in use today. One of its key creators was Grace Hopper, a pioneering computer scientist and United States Navy rear admiral. She worked on the Harvard Mark I computer during World War II and later developed the first compiler for a computer programming language. Hopper is also known as the first hacker in history! 5. Icon & UI Design - Susan Kare, 1980s. It’s easy to overlook icons and menus, but we’d be lost without them. A major part of the success of smartphones is that they’re just so easy to use. And a lot of those user-friendly interfaces are thanks to the work of Susan Kare. From the original icons and fonts for Apple’s Macintosh in the 1980s, her work laid the foundations for the clever but clear badges and buttons we take for granted today. Kare’s designs have made technology more accessible and approachable (regardless of language barrier) for billions of people around the world. 6. Voice over Internet Protocol - Marian Croak, 2000s. Imagine a world without Skype, WhatsApp, or Zoom. It’s hard to picture now, especially after the global shift towards remote work and online communication. Marian Croak developed the technology for voice calls over the internet, known as VoIP. This innovation has revolutionised how we communicate, making it easier and more affordable to stay in touch with people across the globe. But Marian Croak is also a prolific inventor, with over 200 patents related to internet-based communication and mobile voice services. She once said: “I love trying to understand how things work. I actually thought I would become a plumber.” Lucky for us that she studied tech! So, the next time you make a call on Skype, use Wi-Fi or simply swipe through the apps on your phone, take a moment to appreciate the brilliant women who made these things possible. Have we missed anyone off? Are there other key inventions and their inventors we should be giving a shout out to? Comment below.
5 Cooking Apps you need to download!Blog
Whether you’re a novice cook or a seasoned chef, cooking at home has never been easier. Plus, we’re serving up something extra special, a chance to win a NINJA SLUSHi FS301UK Frozen Drink Maker – Arctic Blue & Grey! Gone are the days of rummaging through old recipe books or calling mum for advice. With the right app, you can search for new recipes, plan meals, or even cook along to step-by-step videos—all from your phone. To save you the hassle of searching, we’ve rounded up some of the best cooking apps out there. Whether you’re an iPhone or Android user, there’s something on this list that’s just your flavour… Kitchen Stories. Kitchen Stories offers thousands of recipes with step-by-step instructions and high-quality photos. This app is perfect if you prefer a visual approach to cooking. There are thousands of recipes, each with an easy step-by-step approach and high-quality images. And you can share your tips and tricks too. Kitchen Stories lets users upload and share their own recipes with a global community, so you can make friends and trade tips. Whether you're looking to make a quick weeknight dinner or an elaborate weekend feast, Kitchen Stories serves up something for everyone. Download: iPhone | Android Tasty. Tasty provides a vast library of recipes, with loads of dietary preferences covered, including vegan and gluten-free. And there’s step-by-step instructions and video tutorials on this one too. But one of the standout features of Tasty is the ability to filter out ingredients based on personal preferences or allergies, meaning that you can find recipes that suit your needs. Or even just because you forgot to pick something up! Speaking of which, the app also offers a "What's in Your Kitchen?" feature. Just input the ingredients you have on hand, and Tasty will suggest recipes you can make. This is a great tool for reducing food waste and making the most of what you already have. Download: iPhone | Android Forks Plant-Based Recipes. You don’t have to be a vegan to use Forks. And while it’s great for people who don’t do meat or dairy, it’s also brilliant if you’re looking for a healthier diet or to broaden your cooking repertoire too. And there’s plenty to get inspired by - with over 600 recipes including soups, stews, burgers and desserts. There are also step-by-step recipes from over 50 leading chefs – so you can try your hand at some plant-based gourmet dishes too. And you can pick a few recipes and everything you need will be compiled into a handy shopping list. Download: iPhone | Android BBC Good Food. You can’t go wrong with BBC Good Food! It has an absolutely vast collection of tried and tested recipes from the BBC Good Food team, community and established TV chefs. The app features categories like healthy, vegetarian and seasonal recipes, meaning you can keep everyone happy and cook from fresh no matter the time of year. And it goes far beyond food – with recipes for jams, sauces and cocktails! The user-friendly shopping list feature allows you to add ingredients from recipes and organise your grocery trips. Additionally, you can save your favourite recipes for easy access later. There’s also cooking tips and techniques, helping you improve your skills and become more confident in the kitchen. Download: iPhone | Android BigOven. Hate waste? BigOven hosts over a million recipes, including a “Use Up Leftovers” feature to make sure you’re throwing nothing out. You can input the ingredients you have on hand, and BigOven will suggest recipes. The app also allows users to create and share their own recipes, encouraging a community of cooks and loads of culinary creativity. And as well as BigOven's meal planning and grocery list, you can create custom meal plans that work with your diet. Yum! Download: iPhone | Android Giveaway Time! Now that you’re ready to explore new recipes, why not add some fun to your kitchen? What’s your favourite drink? Share it below for your chance to win a NINJA SLUSHi FS301UK Frozen Drink Maker – Arctic Blue & Grey! The winner will be picked at random, so make sure to keep an eye on your inbox or DMs for a message from us. But hurry - the competition closes on 17th March at 23:59!