Welcome to the Radcomm UK’s Weekly Tech Roundup. Here, you will find the latest and greatest tech stories all in one convenient spot; ensuring you are kept up to date with current events. If you wish to join our mailing list, feel free to drop us an email at sales@radcommuk.co.uk and we’ll sign you up straight away. Make sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for news updates and exclusive online deals.

1. Top surveillance predictions for 2018

IHS Markit analysts were recently asked to give their top predictions on how surveillance is likely to develop in 2018. IHS Markit currently stands as a world leader in critical information, analytics, and solutions. Here’s what they had to say;

AI and deep learning
Driven by the research-and-development investment from chip vendors, software startups and major video surveillance vendors, deep learning video analytic algorithms have been developed into fully deployable products, with user-friendly interfaces and scenario-focused solutions. For example, deep learning face-recognition algorithms are now available in search-engine applications designed to find missing people from video footage. Vendors that market vertically-focused deep learning applications aligned with their own existing portfolios should have good opportunities to grow.

Privacy and GDPR
In 2018, there will be an increase in the wider discussion about privacy and how the video surveillance industry protects the data it gathers. Much of this discussion will stem from the new European Union (EU) General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) which will become law across EU member states (including the UK) in May 2018. GDPR will replace each EU member state’s own version of data protection law and is likely to increase public awareness about the rights ordinary citizens have regarding their own personal data protection. With a wide-ranging scope covering many industries, GDPR also has specific coverage for video surveillance data.

China vs the world
China is forecast to account for almost half (46 percent) of global professional video surveillance equipment revenue in 2018. However, the Chinese market has some unique characteristics that differ from other regional markets. Essentially, there are two markets for video surveillance equipment: the Chinese market and the rest of the world.

Drone detection
Consumer drones are readily available for just a couple of hundred dollars and flown by anyone, with no prior training and without a license.Thus, the problem of drones in restricted airspace has become an increasing concern. Given the large physical area these restricted airspaces cover, simply being able to identify a nearby drone has proven challenging. Recent developments in drone detection technology mean that anyone wanting to secure a perimeter in 2018 will have to take into account the threat from above.

Video surveillance fault tolerance
Compared to the IT industry, the video surveillance industry is often viewed as having a relaxed approach to many aspects of failover and redundancy. However, as the multiple uses and perceived value of video surveillance data increases, we can expect to see increased demands for greater failover, redundancy and backups from end-users.

Forensic video analytics
Forensic video analysis has been available for some time, yet the improvement in accuracy provided by deep-learning technology over the past two years has been instrumental in delivering a level of competency reliable enough to assist human analysts. We can expect to see increased convergence in post-recording video repositories, where multiple video sources are brought together and investigated using deep-learning video analytics.

The Xue Liang programme
The Xue Liang programme aims to connect all the video surveillance cameras installed in Chinese districts, towns and villages to a central surveillance platform at the county and national levels — and build a comprehensive mechanism for video data sharing across law enforcement, emergency services and other government agencies. More traditional video surveillance vendors are expected to add data centre-ready hardware and cloud-enabled offerings to their portfolios, in order to meet the technology requirements of this programme.

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2. $400,000 crypto-currency stolen by hackers

Last Saturday online hackers stole $400,000 (£290,000) of a virtual currency known as Stellar Luman. 

The attack – which took place late Saturday afternoon (Jan 13) – specifically targeted a web-based wallet application called BlackWallet.co.  As of right now, it is thought that the attackers collected a total of 669,920 Lumens which is approximately $400,192 on the current exchange rate.

The Black Wallet team had tried to warn their users not to login to their account – but with little success. Users would login into BlackWallet to find that their funds had mysteriously disappeared from their wallets.

The DNS hijack of Blackwallet injected code, if you had over 20 Lumens it pushes them to a different wallet. pic.twitter.com/Eiwb8UR1Nn

— Kevin Beaumont (@GossiTheDog) January 14, 2018

In response to the attack, the developer of BlackWallet.co, who goes by the alias of Orbit84, said: ‘I am sincerely sorry about this and hope that we will get the funds back.

‘I am in talks with my hosting provider to get as much information about the hacker and will see what can be done with it.

‘If you ever entered your key on BlackWallet, you may want to move your funds to a new wallet.’

You can read Orbit84’s full statement on Reddit.

3. False missile alarm in the US due to poorly designed interface

The false alert was sent out after a government employee accidentally pressed a button labeled ‘missile alert’ instead of ‘test missile alert’. 

The accident took place due to what is being described as a ‘terribly designed’ user interface.  The current system which the Hawaiian Emergency Management Agency (HEMA) use to send emergency alerts requires employees to select the type of alert that they want to send out via a drop down bar.

One of these options – test missile alert  – ensures that the notification system is active and working without actually sending anything out to the public. Next to that option – missile alert. This was always going to end badly.

Perhaps more worrying was the amount of time the HEMA took to send out a ‘Whoops, we screwed up. Don’t panic!’. 38 minutes to be exact.

Tech expert Graham Cluley  sums this story up brilliantly:
This sounds like terrible user interface design to me. Why have the genuine “Jeez Louise! Freak out everybody!” option slap-bang next to the harmless one labelled “Test the brown alert”?

4. Amazon’s top-selling gadgets: 2018

Every week, we’ll take a look at the highest trending products on the net, to let you know the hottest gizmos and gadgets out there. This week, we’ll be taking a look at the top 5 gadgets on Amazon, highlighting the model, the price and the people’s verdict.

See below the top 5 most sold gadgets currently on Amazon including features, price, rating and a hand-picked review from the Radcomm UK team.

5. Kidz Labs Robotic Hand 

Price: £11.99

Rating: 3.5 Stars

• Magic number tricks
• Ideal for cognivitive skills
• 15 Fun math tricks
• Games and puzzles
• Ideal Gift

Radcomm’s top review – Amazonfan

4. Nulaxy Dual Aluminum Stand
Suitable for iPhone 7, 6, 5, Ipad, Nintendo Switch

Price: £13.99

Rating: 4.5 Stars

• FULLY FOLDABLE: With fully foldable design, it’ll save you plenty of space and make it easy to carry with travel.
• QUICK AND ENDLESS ADJUSTABLE ANGLE: There are endless adjustable angles for you to fit your device or your situation. And it’s pretty easy to use.
• ANTI-SLIP SILICONE PAD: It works perfect to keep your devices in place while in use and protect your devices from daily scratches and sliding.
• PREMIUM QUALITY: The whole body is built solid and durable with aerospace aluminum. It’s compatible with 4 to 10 Inches devices like iPhone 8 8 Plus 7 6 6S Plus, iPad, Galaxy S7 S6, Note 6 5, LG, Sony,Nexus Apple phones and tablets.
• ELEGANT DESIGN: The elegant design makes it look like a work of art which will add some stylish element to your table.

Radcomm’s top review – Mr Tester 

Neat, compact and well made. The ‘tension’ on the angled sections seems about right to me. I have tried it with a smartphone and also an 8″ tablet and it supported them both really well. I had expected the small ‘hooked gadget supports’ to be made of metal like most of the stand is but they are constructed from a rubber-like material. I don’t think that’s a problem though as they seem fairly sturdy (but I do think they are a potential weakness and metal, with rubber grips, might have been more reassuring. So far I have tested these ‘hooked’ supports and there is no suggestion at the moment that they will fail.

I particularly like the fact that the stand offers many angles of support for a phone or tablet and at all the angles I tried it seemed stable. It’s also a bonus that the stand will fold down for storage or when you want to put it into a bag or suitcase etc. The black finish is nicely done and I like the flat rubberised section that will come into contact with a phone or tablet’s back when placed on the stand — this should mean no fear with scratching your expensive gadget!

Overall I am pleased with the simple but well designed stand. It seems good value too.

3. Scratch Map Travel Edition

Price: £11.90

Rating : 4.5 Stars

• An original Scratch Map map by Luckies – Inventors of the Scratch Map concept back in 2009.
• Remove the gold foil to record where you’ve been and create a unique record of your journeys.
• Designed & made in UK. A super high quality design product packaged in a beautiful gift tube.
• Accept no substitutes. Beware of nasty imitations (some don’t even come in a gift tube!).
• Map dimensions 42 x 29.7cm. Tube dimensions 32.3 x 5.3cm.

Radcomm’s top review – Amazon Customer

2. NUTRiBULLET Magic Bullet Blender

Price: £39.50

Rating: 4.5 Stars

• From the creators of the bestselling NutriBullet, the All in One Magic Bullet Blender, Mixer and Food Processor is the high-torque, high-speed, versatile kitchen magician that helps you prepare quick, healthy and delicious snacks and meals in seconds!
• One touch, easy to use press and twist action makes it so easy to chop, dice, grate, grind, blend and juice to create healthy soups, smoothies, nutritious breakfasts or snacks, desserts, dips and sauces, dice onions, chop fruit and so much more!
• Sleek and compact design means it takes up less space on your counter than a coffee cup!
• Includes a stay fresh re-sealable lid, so if you make more than you need, simply twist on the lid and store in the fridge for later.
• The steamer lid and cups are dishwasher and microwave safe.

Radcomm’s top review – James Ward

1.BAGSMART 

Price: £18.99

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Even filling the organizer up it can close easily. It can close easily. t makes the most efficient use of packing space inside your suit#case or bag and still keeps your accessories neat.

• Material: Water repellent nylon with inner foam to better protect your accessories
• Dimensions: 9.2″L x 4.9″W x 1.8″H Weight: 160g
• Double zipper opening for easy and immediate access with a top handle
• 1 zip pocket and 1 storage plate separate this organizer into two parts
• 17 different length elastic loops for storing cables and earphones / 10 different size mesh pouches with elastic loops hold charger or USB / 1 outer and 1 inner large zipper pockets for phone or money

Radcomm’s top review – Bascule_thi_Teller

This is an excellent and very neat small case for carrying your electronic essentials for travel. My bag holds the following on most trips:

* 2 x USB sticks, one is a Kingston HyperX 300MB/s 256GB stick
* Apple watch charging cable
* iPhone charging cable
* iPhone stand
* Spare set of Apple earphones (my main ones are Bose, these are just a spare)
* A Chafon multi-cable charger
* A Microsoft mobile folding keyboard (best portable keyboard IMO)