BATTERYFORPC BLOG
Coronavirus: NHS uses tech giants to plan crisis response
Data collected gathered via the NHS's 111 telephone service is to be mixed with other sources to help predict where ventilators, hospital beds, and medical staff will be most in need. The goal is to help health chiefs model the consequences of moving resources to best tackle the coronavirus pandemic. Three US tech firms are aiding the effort - Amazon, Microsoft and Palantir - as well as London-b ... Read more
2020-03-26 19:23:59
Coronavirus: UK’s WhatsApp bot working after false start
A Covid-19 WhatsApp bot set up by the UK government is finally working after problems during launch on Wednesday. Members of the public who message the bot can access pre-determined chunks of advice on symptoms or how to avoid spreading the disease, for example. But it failed to work for some users after its launch, providing nothing more than an error message. However, the BBC has verified tha ... Read more
2020-03-26 19:23:40
New online communities help those facing isolation
New social media groups are springing up around the country as people come together to help their neighbours who may be self-isolating or need help with shopping.
BBC Click's Stephen Beckett finds out more.
Following the recording of this film the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has outlined strict new measures to tackle the spread of the coronavirus. Find out more here.
2020-03-25 19:35:35
Coronavirus: Tracking app aims for one million downloads
An app that tracks the symptoms of Covid-19 in the UK has become one of the most popular downloads. Its creators aim to deliver insights into why some people get the disease more severely than others. They also hope to create a map showing where outbreaks are happening and help distinguish cases from those of the common cold. It is one of many such new apps. Experts have warned people to be cau ... Read more
2020-03-25 19:35:15
Coronavirus: Millions yet to receive UK government's Covid-19 text
Millions of mobile users in the UK have yet to receive the government's text message alert about coronavirus. The SMS - telling people to stay at home - began being sent early on Tuesday morning. But Vodafone has confirmed it only expects to complete the process later this Wednesday. One expert said that it highlights the shortcoming of not having a system that can flash a message to people's p ... Read more
2020-03-25 19:34:54
Coronavirus: Radio listening booms while music streaming stalls
People staying at home due to the coronavirus pandemic appear to be listening to more radio rather than music apps, figures suggest. Global, which owns Capital FM and talk station LBC, said online radio listening had risen by 15%. The BBC said streaming of its radio stations had risen 18% since last week. Meanwhile, data from two US analytics companies suggested use of music-streaming apps such ... Read more
2020-03-25 19:34:32
Openreach halts home-visit broadband connections
BT's Openreach says it will no longer install new broadband connections when a home visit is involved. The division, which runs the broadband network for a range of internet service providers, says it will now focus its efforts on other "essential work". It means work to switch customers between suppliers will not be done if it requires engineers to enter a customer's house or flat. B ... Read more
2020-03-24 20:16:30
Coronavirus: Minecraft offers free lessons to children
Minecraft is making its educational worlds available free, to help pupils no longer able to attend school because of the coronavirus pandemic. The 12 digital lessons will be available to download until the end of June. They include tours of the International Space Station and the inside of a human eye, which "can be played on your own, or with parents or friends". The worlds offer cre ... Read more
2020-03-24 20:16:06
Coronavirus: Dyson develops ventilators for NHS
Dyson has announced it will develop a new type of medical ventilator for the NHS, to help with coronavirus. The firm, headed by British inventor Sir James Dyson, said it had responded to the government's request for help. Meanwhile, a consortium of more than a dozen companies aims to build ventilators based on two existing designs. Some industry insiders have suggested that Dyson's approach to ... Read more
2020-03-24 20:15:42
Coronavirus: Mobile networks send 'stay at home' text
For the first time, all the UK's mobile networks are sending out a government message to their customers with details of the new shutdown measures. The text reads: GOV.UK CORONAVIRUS ALERT. New rules in force now: you must stay at home. More info and exemptions at gov.uk/coronavirus Stay at home. Protect the NHS. Save lives. Some customers have already received the message, while others are set ... Read more
2020-03-24 20:15:00