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Bill Bennett
Freelance journalist.
Auckland-based Bill Bennett writes technology and business stories that are directly relevant to New Zealand readers.
His emphasis is on telecommunications, but he also covers other aspects of technology and business. You can find his features in the New Zealand Herald and hear him regularly on RNZ Nine to Noon and the NZ Tech Podcast.
Bennett's The Download Weekly newsletter is published every Friday. You can sign up for it here.
If you want to support his work, you can make a donation to his PressPatron account.
Bill Bennett - Latest News [Page 4]
Download Weekly: Spark's Innovation Studio makeover
Friday, 6 October 2023, 6:19 pm | Digitl
Spark updates its Innovation Studio as it hits 1.5m IoT connections. One NZ offers a customer service dashboard. Pacific Islands telco to move from Huawei kit. More >>
Is Microsoft Surface still competitive?
Sunday, 1 October 2023, 1:42 pm | Digitl
Yesterday’s post What is going on with Microsoft Surface? looks at the rapid recent decline in the device’s fortunes. This follow up explores less obvious reasons why Microsoft is selling fewer Surfaces. More >>
Digital piracy make a comeback
Sunday, 1 October 2023, 1:37 pm | Digitl
Piracy came close to disappearing, then streaming companies decided to push for better margins. Guess what happened next? More >>
Download Weekly - Vocus brands refund $480k
Sunday, 1 October 2023, 1:31 pm | Digitl
In this week's newsletter: Vocus brands refund broadband plus power cancellation fees. UK research says NZ mobile data among world's most expensive. More >>
What is going on with Microsoft Surface?
Wednesday, 27 September 2023, 11:25 am | Digitl
Almost overnight demand for Microsoft’s Surface range of devices has dried up. What’s going on? More >>
Download Weekly: NZ schools enter satellite age
Saturday, 23 September 2023, 6:53 pm | Digitl
NZ schools enter the satellite age with Network for Learning. ComCom weighs in on confusing bundled offers. Tuanz asks next government to help with tech talent. More >>
Download Weekly: iPhone 15 launches, faces China challenge
Saturday, 16 September 2023, 1:24 pm | Digitl
iPhone 15 models surface as China fears hit Apple share price, Tuanz calls on next government to boost online security, Starlink revenue More >>
Starlink satellite broadband impact on New Zealand
Friday, 8 September 2023, 8:22 pm | Digitl
SpaceX has achieved much since it launched its Starlink low earth orbit satellite broadband service in 2020. More >>
Download Weekly - Skinny shines in ComCom service rankings
Friday, 8 September 2023, 8:13 pm | Digitl
Skinny performed well in the first ComCom customer service rankings while One New Zealand is the clear under-achiever. Tuanz puts digital divide on the election agenda. Phone sales plummet. More >>
Download Weekly - Mighty Ape swings into mobile market
Friday, 1 September 2023, 2:01 pm | Digitl
Mighty Ape CEO Gracie MacKinlay and One NZ CEO Jason Paris at Mighty Mobile launch. More >>
Download Weekly: Extreme weather trims Chorus result
Saturday, 26 August 2023, 12:35 pm | Digitl
This year's extreme weather contributed to a fall in profit at Chorus. Milford Sound connected to fibre. A solid result at Spark but challenges remain. Cloud now top of mind for NZ businesses. More >>
Vodafone FibreX party left One NZ with $3.675m hangover
Tuesday, 22 August 2023, 8:06 pm | Digitl
Download Weekly: One New Zealand cops record fine for Vodafone-era FibreX mess. Tuanz wants next government to elevate telecoms. FIFA traffic surge. More >>
Trend Micro's pointless HouseCall antivirus
Tuesday, 22 August 2023, 2:37 pm | Digitl
Trend Micro says HouseCall online security will “detect and fix viruses, worms, spyware, and other malicious threats for free”. In reality it is an attempt to sell you unnecessary, expensive security tools. More >>
2degrees claims world first as it tests LEO voice calling
Thursday, 17 August 2023, 1:34 pm | Digitl
Download Weekly: 2degrees says it is world's first telco to test satellite voice calls on standard handsets. Being loyal doesn't pay. N4L plans upgrade. More >>
What is open source - a one minute guide
Thursday, 17 August 2023, 1:19 pm | Digitl
Anyone can download open source programs, run them, copy them and pass them on to friends and colleagues without paying a licence fee and without breaking any laws. More >>
Android drifts as it heads towards 15th birthday
Saturday, 5 August 2023, 11:31 am | Digitl
Google’s Android phone operating system has been around for 15 years. It’s been wildly successful in the sense that the majority of the world’s mobile phones run Android. More >>
Download Weekly: New Zealand behind the 5G availability pack
Saturday, 5 August 2023, 11:23 am | Digitl
Download Weekly: New Zealand languishes near the bottom of OpenSignal's table for 5G availability. ComCom moves on surcharges. 2degrees mobile market share improves. More >>
Momentum building for school phone bans
Saturday, 5 August 2023, 11:06 am | Digitl
Unesco, the UN’s education, science and culture agency, wants schools to ban mobile phones. More >>
Samsung launches folding phones
Saturday, 29 July 2023, 7:42 pm | Digitl
Last night Samsung launched two new folding phone handsets: the Galaxy Z Fold5 and Galaxy Z Flip5. As the names suggest they are the fifth generation of the company’s folding phones. More >>
Lynk, 2degrees trial two-way voice via satellite
Saturday, 29 July 2023, 7:30 pm | Digitl
Download Weekly: Lynk demonstrate satellite voice calling, 2degrees tests service locally. Next Generation Critical Communications goes live. CERT moves to National Cyber Security Centre. More >>
