Tech Tent

Meta announcing plans for a Metaverse has intensified interest in virtual and augmented reality. But does the hardware and content match the marketing hype? Tech Tent hears from Alex Counsell, Technical Director at the newly opened Centre for Creative and Immersive & eXtended Realities. Tech expert Kate Bevan talks about scammers using shared screen programmes. And Bill Gates gives his thoughts about the future of the tech industry - and his feud with Elon Musk.

On the programme this week, Brooke Erin Duffy of Cornell University returns to give her assessment of Twitter's new owner. The MEP Arba Kokalari explains the new tougher approach Europe is taking to regulating tech. And wine drinkers see if they can tell the difference between a real sommelier and an AI one.

Tech Tent speaks to Julian Aquilina, from Enders analysis, on how serious a blow Netflix's loss of subscribers is. James Clayton checks back in with an update on Elon Musk and Twitter. And our technology reporter Shiona McCallum has been speaking to an astronaut.

A controversial facial recognition company helps identify the dead in Ukraine. And a look at whether age verification tech can stop children viewing pornography online.

This week, Tech Tent speaks to Professor Brooke Erin Duffy about what Elon Musk investing in Twitter could mean for the social platform. The curator of TED, Chris Anderson, gives details about the return of the conference in person. And Kay Wackwitz, from Drone Industry Insights, considers a major expansion of deliveries by unmanned aircraft in the US.

We report on the latest high-profile, high value theft of cryptocurrency. David Canellis, from the website, Protos, analyses what happened. The space expert Dr Teasel Muir-Harmony explains why the US and Russia continue to co-operate over the International Space Station. And Alex Bornyakov, the Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, describes how tech workers there are taking the fight to Russia.

This week's episode features an interview with Wendy Betts, who is involved with an app developed for war crimes investigators. John Hultquist, who’s Vice President of the cyber security firm, Mandiant, speaks about the cyber threat Russia poses to the US. And Tom Gerken reports on the millions of dollars raised by people playing Fortnite for the Ukrainian humanitarian effort.

This week's guests include Ina Burgstaller, who set up an online service for victims of the war needing medical treatment. One of the volunteer medics, Dr Lawrence Barnes also explains why he got involved. We hear about the lift-sharing scheme dubbed Uber for refugees, helping to get Ukrainians to safety. And a new trial to see if gaming can ease pain.

Alongside the physical conflict in Ukraine, battles are also being fought online. What do they tell us about the evolving nature of hacking attacks and disinformation ? And as volunteer hackers and hacktivists join the fray is there a risk they could provoke a response that takes the conflict to a new level? We also hear how digital businesses in Ukraine are adapting to the sudden arrival of war, and look at the positives and negatives of using satellite broadband to stay online.

Donald Trump is banned on Twitter and Facebook. Can he make a social media comeback? James Clayton and Jasmin Dyer discuss Trump's plans for his own social media platform 'Truth Social', and hear from Jason Miller, a former Trump adviser and founder of the GETTR platform. Plus we hear how US authorities tracked down billions of stolen Bitcoin, and the growing trend of celebrities advertising cryptocurrency to the masses. (Photo: Donald Trump at a recent rally, Credit: Getty Images)

Chip maker Arm won't be bought by Nvidia after all. Jane Wakefield speaks to the new Arm CEO Rene Haas about the future for the UK firm. Plus the BBC's James Clayton in Silicon Valley tells us about the sexual content evading the moderators on children's gaming platform Roblox, and the challenges of policing the nascent metaverse. And Pete Snyder from the privacy-focused web browser Brave discusses the prospect of an internet without cookies. (Photo: Arm logo, Credit: Getty Images)

Facebook is losing users, will it's pivot to the metaverse pay off? Chris Fox speaks to Parmy Olson, technology columnist at Bloomberg about Facebook's parent company Meta, and the challenge of developing its own technology for the virtual world. Plus the co-chair of the Facebook Oversight Board Helle Thorning-Schmidt tells us why organisations like hers are helping Meta become more transparent in the way it moderates its platforms. And the BBC's Joe Tidy reports from Kazakhstan on the central Asian country's boom in Bitcoin mining, and the impact it's having on the environment. (Photo: Meta headquarters in Silicon Valley, Credit: Getty Images)

Chris Fox and Jane Wakefield discuss Intel and US efforts to make more microchips at home amid the continuing global chip shortage. Plus we hear from the inventor of a car that turns into an airplane at the push of a button, and find out why video gamers are leading the backlash against NFTs. (Photo: US President Joe Biden holds a microchip at a press conference in February 2021, Credit: Getty Images)

Microsoft said it plans to buy mega games company Activision Blizzard in deal worth almost $70bn. How will this deal transform the gaming industry? We hear from Louise Shorthouse, senior games analyst at Ampere Analysis. Plus, are we all eventually going to live in a virtual world? Philosopher David Chalmers explains why he believes that virtual reality will overtake the material world. And, what makes a game go viral? We hear from Wordle fan and associate professor at Texas Tech University, Nick Bowman. (Image: the logos of Microsoft and Activision Blizzard. Credit: Getty).

What does the conviction of Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes tell us about tech startup culture? The BBC's James Clayton is joined by NPR tech reporter Bobby Allyn to ask if any lessons are being learned by Silicon Valley, where startups are encouraged to promise world-changing technology, and investors demand sky-high valuations. We discuss the impact of the Theranos scandal with one of the whistleblowers involved, the venture capital companies funding exciting new tech companies, and the biotech startups who say blood testing technology still has a bright future. (Photo: Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes arriving in court in November, Credit: Getty Images)

The major tech show returns to Las Vegas after going virtual during the pandemic. But as the impact of the coronavirus continues to be felt, is there still a place for major industry events like these? Chris Fox speaks to CES organiser Karen Chupka, and to some of the hundreds of startups exhibiting at the show. The BBC's Lara Lewington discusses some of her favourite gadgets at the event, and Spencer Kelly tries out a taxi service made up of remote controlled cars. (Photo: CES show in Las Vegas, Credit: Getty Images)

The BBC tech team on what we'll all be talking about over the next 12 months. Featuring Silicon Valley correspondent James Clayton on why Web 3.0 will be the buzzword of 2022, technology editor Zoe Kleinman on tech to fight climate change, plus what the new year will hold for AR and VR hardware, cryptocurrency and regulation, the new space race, and the future for Mark Zuckerberg. Presented by Joe Tidy with Jane Wakefield.

What better way to review the big tech stories of 2021 than with a battle of wits? Chris Fox tests the finest minds in tech journalism on the biggest events in tech over the last 12 months. Featuring Rhiannon Williams, technology correspondent from the i Newspaper, Shona Ghosh, technology editor at Business Insider, and BBC tech reporters David Molloy and James Clayton.

Politicians in the UK push forward plans for new laws to regulate social media and the tech giants. It’s designed to protect children from harmful content and stop disinformation, but will it work? Plus the company launching a satellite that can track the amount of heat being lost from factories and houses around the world. Could it help us become more energy efficient and fight climate change? And the women using technology to fight harrassment - how phone and smart watch apps are being used to help women feel safer on the streets.

Joe Tidy and Sarah Mulkerrins investigate the growing presence of cryptocurrency technology in the world of football. Some of the biggest clubs in the world are selling NFTs and their own cryptocurrencies, making hundreds of millions of dollars. But what's in it for fans? We speak to the millionaire collector who's buying up official Manchester City NFTs, and to the football fans investing in digital player cards changing hands for tens of thousands of dollars. Plus the company that’s signed up dozens of major clubs across the world to sell fan tokens. Buying them is supposed to make you feel more connected to your club, but are they putting fans at risk in the unpredictable crypto market? Photo: Premier league champions Manchester City are one of the big clubs investing in the crypto world. Credit: Getty Images)