Since 2010 all Gmail has been encrypted between Google's servers and your computer but, as Google announced in a recent blog post, all Gmail wherever it goes will now be encrypted using HTTPS. This includes between Google's own servers. Google cite 'last summer's revelations' i.e. the NSA as the driver behind this security upgrade. Although this encryption is great PR I very much doubt it will thwart those that really want to access your email so don't think all is 100% safe.
Facebook Revives F8
Facebook is bringing back it's developer conference, F8, in San Francisco on 30th April. It's the first since 2011 and will be open to 1500 developers where one-to-one help and advice can be sought from Facebook's team of engineers as well as a number of technical workshops and keynotes. It is expected that Facebook's recent acquisitions of Instagram and Parse will feature quite heavily. Registration will 'open soon'.
Facebook Buys WhatsApp
The social networking, Facebook, have purchased the messaging company WhatsApp in a deal worth $19 Billion in total. WhatsApp is a pretty much free (users pay 99p/year) messaging service with around 450 million monthly active users around the world. The service has become extremely popular due to its almost universal compatibility - it's available on iOS, Android, Blackberry, Symbian (Nokia) and Windows phone.
GoPro To Go Public
GoPro, the rugged and wearable camera company announced on Friday that it plans to go public and has filed confidential IPO documents - meaning it doesn't have to release financial information just yet. The company is thought to be worth just over $2 Billion and only a few days ago appointed a new CFO, Jack Lazar.
GoPro have come a long way since they released their first camera back in 2005 which used 35mm film and weighed 200g. The latest camera is the Hero3+ which can shoot in 4K video and weighs just 74g.
If You Value Your Phone, Don't Get This Game
A new game has shot to the top of the App Store, and it will make you throw your phone. The game, called Flappy Bird, is an arcade style game in which you must tap the screen to make a little bird fly higher. The aim is to get through as many obstacles as possible but it's insanely frustrating and will probably end in you throwing your phone at a wall.
Flappy Birds is available now on iOS and Android.