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Excel at 40: How Microsoft’s spreadsheet tool still inspires users
As Microsoft’s iconic spreadsheet Excel reaches the big 4-0, dedicated fans have lined up to detail how it has morphed from a key business software tool into an essential life aid — from managing long-distance relationships to discussing baby names.
Launched in 1985 as an exclusive programme for the Apple Macintosh, Excel helped cement Microsoft’s reputation as one of the biggest players in software in the 1990s.
However, it has developed a much wider range of users, including Lucy, 41, who used Excel to manage her long-distance relationship when her partner relocated from London to Macclesfield, using it to keep track of train times and costs.
“We split the costs with the higher earner paying proportionally more,” she said.
Luke, a civil servant from London, revealed how he named his two sons with the help of Excel, sharing the spreadsheet with his office in the hope his colleagues might provide inspiration.
Do Fitness apps endanger world leaders?
French newspaper Le Monde has disclosed that the locations of major political figures, which are supposed to be confidential, can be easily tracked through the online fitness apps used by their bodyguards.
The investigation showed that some US Secret Service agents use the Strava fitness app to record activity and share workouts with a wider community.
The finding raised concerns that the security of figures such as President Joe Biden, presidential rivals Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, and other world leaders could be at risk.
Competition probe into Google Anthropic deal
The UK’s competition regulator, the CMA, has launched an investigation into Google’s investment in AI start-up Anthropic amid concerns that established tech companies are building a dominant power base in artificial intelligence.
Google parent Alphabet made a $2bn investment in the AI startup last year and has also signed a major cloud agreement with the US-based ‘public benefit’ outfit.
The CMA, along with the US Federal Trade Commission and the EU, are investigating several AI deals.
The CMA is currently investigating Microsoft’s deal with ChatGPT maker OpenAI. It also launched an investigation of Amazon’s investment into Anthropic in August but opted to clear the deal last month.
Apple’s AI features rolled out in select regions
Apple has started rolling out its suite of AI features, announced in June, to selected users in the US, UK, and other English-speaking regions, but not in the EU or China.
Apple Intelligence, a suite of AI tools, is accessible to users with eligible devices (iPhone 16 or later, iPad, or Mac) by updating to the latest version of Apple’s operating system, iOS 18.1.
To access these tools, users need to join a waiting list and ensure that their device language and Siri language are set correctly.
Features include writing tools to help refine text, summarised notifications that surface what’s most important, and the ability to search in photos and videos by description.
Meta AI Search: Meta’s move away from Google and Bing
Meta is developing its own AI search engine to replace Google and Microsoft in Meta AI with the aim of reducing its reliance on Google Search and Microsoft Bing.
The development follows Meta AI’s new partnership with Reuters, which allows users to get Reuters news without leaving Facebook, Instagram, or WhatsApp.
Irish Data Protection Commission fines LinkedIn for privacy breaches
The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) has imposed a €310 million fine on the networking platform LinkedIn for analysing personal data to conduct behavioural analyses for targeted advertising without obtaining explicit consent.
The DPC’s inquiry was initiated following a complaint made to the French Data Protection Authority in 2018.
It found that LinkedIn infringed on three different rules concerning transparency and fairness.
The decision includes a reprimand, an order for LinkedIn to bring its processing into compliance, and administrative fines totalling €310 million.
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