IT And The Internet: The Last 30 Years

The internet has come a long way in the last 30 years. Remember, we can now order pizza : ) directly from our computers and mobile devices.
To celebrate the miracle of the internet led revolution we decided to create an infographic detailing the major breakthroughs since 1984 and up to now.

Let us know what you think.

The best & worst acquisitions made by tech giants

Peppermint Soda’s infographic takes a look at some of the tech industry’s biggest purchases from Facebook’s whopping $19 billion investment in Whatsapp in February, to the comparatively minuscule $1.1 billion that Yahoo invested in Tumblr.
The giants of the tech industry have billions to play with and each is trying to get ahead in the game – making sure that the next big thing is theirs. Facebook and Google have moved the most money around in 2014 so far, while ultimately playing the long game with their plans for the future; such as Facebook’s $2 billion purchase of the virtual reality software company Oculus Rift in March.
We have gathered together some of the best and worst investments made by tech companies over the last decade, who has been successful and who has made a devastating blunder.

CES 2014 in Numbers by Bell Pottinger Wired

Research by Bell Pottinger Wired, one of the UK’s leading digital consultancies, reveals that this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) was mentioned more than 1.5 million times online, across media sites, blogs, forums and social networks, such as Twitter.

Insights into online conversations around the event, held in Las Vegas on 7 to 10 January 2014, with more than 3,200 exhibitors and 150,000 visitors, highlight the extent to which consumers engaged with CES online.

Teenage Clicks – Are you ready for the digital first era?

Nationwide survey of 13-17 year olds reveals economic opportunity from generation’s IT aspirations and expectations

Slough, UK, 9 December 2013: A survey of more than 1000 UK 13-17 year olds points to a future workforce that is ‘digital first’ in everything it does, and whose digital talents could bring significant economic value to the UK. The findings are published today in a report by Logicalis UK, entitled ‘The Realtime Generation: Rise of the Digital First Era’.

The survey, conducted by research company Youngbods, reveals the digital life of the average UK teen includes six digital devices and access to 192GB of storage, while two-thirds are creating and actively sharing videos online.

This connected generation consider Maths, English, Science and ICT the four most essential subjects to study; and IT and Science top career choices. The findings also demonstrate a demand for change in the workplace of the future.

Gerry Carroll, author of the report at Logicalis UK, comments, “The statistics show a highly connected, commercially aware generation that is pursuing careers in STEM industries, and whose instinctive ICT skills could bring innovation and greater productivity to the workplace.

“This generation has the potential to deliver a digital dividend; an economic return on their ICT skills. But it won’t happen by itself. The challenge for Government, the education system and employers is to sustain this generation’s interest in the professions and industries that give Britain its competitive edge.”

Further findings from the research include:

Digital First: They are connected, cloud-ready, creators of digital content.
• The average Realtimer owns six digital devices. 84% own a smartphone.
• 26% claim to have more than 512GB of storage, 33% are using cloud services.
• 46% said they couldn’t live without their smartphone, only 4% without TV.
• Only 1 in 10 boys have coded, a further 1 in 3 teens would like the opportunity too.
• Bill Gates was selected as top role model by UK teens (46%) over leading figures from business, sport, IT, literature and TV.

Digital Choices: STEM subjects, university and science careers rule, but economic fears remain.
• 54% said the state of the UK economy has already influenced education and career choices. 74% think it will negatively impact their career prospects.
• Maths, English, Science and ICT are considered the top subjects needed to secure desired career.
• The top career choices for UK teens are: 1. Science & Research, 2. Teaching & Education, 3. Healthcare, 4. IT & Technology.
• The gender gap remains for IT & Technology careers, selected by 31% of boys and only 6% of girls.
• 70% are planning to go to university, only 7% to take an apprenticeship.

Digital Future: Connected teens say UK plc needs to evolve to get ready for them.
• 4 in 10 plan to work remotely and flexibly when they enter work. 25% don’t think the UK’s broadband infrastructure is good enough for this yet.
• 89% expect their employers to fund the digital devices they need for work. 51% expect to choose these devices.
• Three quarters expect UK plc to update devices and technologies to support their IT habits and needs.
• 85% want to engage with government services online when they finish school.
• Teens rate digital more important than physical infrastructure for their future, with High Speed Broadband rated more important than High Speed Railway (HS2).

The report provides a unique insight for universities, employers and Government into how this generation will influence our economy and change the workplace. Carroll adds:

“The Realtime Generation is expecting to use the technologies and devices to which they’re accustomed, throughout their education and into their careers. A student body or workforce that uses its digital know-how to improve performance or increase productivity is a highly attractive proposition. The nation will only benefit from this opportunity, however, if the infrastructure and working practices are in place to accommodate this generation’s expectations.”

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Research materials:
• The Realtime Generation: Rise of the Digital First Era
• Infographic
• Download from: www.uk.logicalis.com/knowledge-share/uk-realtime-generation-report.aspx

Survey methodology:
• Online quantitative survey, conducted by: ResearchBods
• Base size: 1004 children aged 13-17
• Fieldwork period: 18 – 27 October 2013

About the Realtime Generation survey:
Logicalis’ Realtime Generation survey seeks to establish the digital footprint of 13-17 year olds, the next generation of workers, and capture their opinions on the digital future of the UK. The sixth annual report, the Realtime Generation survey provides a unique insight for universities, employers and Government into how this generation’s expectations, concerns and aspirations for its education and prospective careers will influence our economy.