National Radio Day: Celebrating the Technology That Keeps Us Connected

Celebrate National Radio Day on 20 August and discover how radio evolved from early wireless broadcasts to DAB, internet stations, podcasts and smart speakers.

Every year on 20 August, National Radio Day celebrates one of the most influential communication technologies ever developed.

Radio may have been with us for more than a century, but it has never stopped evolving. From the crystal sets and the humming, crackling wireless sets of the early 20th century to DAB radios, internet stations, smartphone apps and smart speakers, radio has repeatedly adapted to changes in technology and listening habits.

The invention of radio cannot be credited to just one person. Scientists and inventors including James Clerk Maxwell, Heinrich Hertz, Nikola Tesla and Guglielmo Marconi all contributed to the discoveries that made wireless communication possible.

Here in Britain, radio broadcasting became part of everyday life during the 1920s. The BBC began regular broadcasts in 1922, bringing news, music, drama, education and entertainment directly into people’s homes. Radio soon became an essential source of information, particularly during the Second World War.

Although television and, later, the internet appeared to threaten its survival, radio proved remarkably resilient.

Today, millions of people still listen while driving, working, cooking or relaxing. Radio remains a companion that does not demand our full visual attention. We can listen while carrying out other tasks, something that gives it a considerable advantage over television and online video.

Modern radio is far more technologically sophisticated than the wireless sets of the past. Digital Audio Broadcasting, better known as DAB, allows more stations to share the available airwaves while providing additional information such as programme names, song titles and news headlines.

Internet radio has removed geographical boundaries altogether. A listener in Shropshire can tune into a local station in Scotland, Australia, Canada or almost anywhere else in the world. Small independent broadcasters can now reach international audiences without needing access to an expensive traditional transmitter.

Smartphones and smart speakers have also transformed listening. Asking a digital assistant to play a favourite station takes only a few seconds, while catch-up services allow programmes to be heard long after their original transmission.

The distinction between radio and podcasting is becoming increasingly blurred. Many radio programmes are made available as podcasts, while successful podcasts are sometimes adapted for broadcast. Audio technology is creating a flexible world in which live and on-demand listening can exist side by side.

Radio also remains important during emergencies. Battery-powered and wind-up receivers can continue operating during power cuts or when mobile networks and broadband services are disrupted. For that reason, keeping a portable radio and spare batteries in an emergency kit is still sensible advice.

National Radio Day is an opportunity to celebrate presenters, producers, journalists, engineers and technicians, along with the radio amateurs and community broadcasters who keep the airwaves alive.

It is also the perfect excuse to tune into a station you have never heard before, rediscover a favourite programme or retrieve an old radio from the cupboard.

Radio has survived technological revolutions because it has changed with them. Whether it reaches us through FM, DAB, satellite, the internet or a smart speaker, its basic appeal remains the same: a human voice, travelling across the distance, keeping us informed, entertained and connected.

Happy National Radio Day from That’s Technology!

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Why Switching Off Freeview Would Be a Bad Idea

The future of streamed only TV?

The way we watch television is undoubtedly changing. Streaming services, smart televisions and catch-up platforms now play a major role in British homes. For example, I now like to watch YouTube videos whilst I'm walking to the shops.

However, that does not mean the traditional Freeview service has become unnecessary, or that switching it off would be a sensible move.

The Government is currently consulting on the future of digital terrestrial television, with possibilities including ending Freeview broadcasts in 2034 or extending the service until 2044. Importantly, no final decision has yet been made.

Supporters of an internet-only future argue maintaining television transmitters will become increasingly expensive as more people switch to online viewing. That may be true, but television is a public service as well as an entertainment business.

Freeview works because it is simple. Connect an aerial, tune in the television and watch. There is no broadband contract to arrange, no password to remember, no app to update and no additional monthly internet bill. And no sudden loss of service when your broadband fails or the nearest cell town goes on the blink. But more on this later.

For older viewers, people with disabilities and anyone who is uncomfortable with digital technology, that simplicity is enormously valuable. Ofcom has previously found the households most likely to continue relying entirely on terrestrial television include older, less affluent and disabled people.

An internet-only system would also shift costs onto viewers. Freeview itself does not require a subscription, whereas online television needs a reliable broadband connection. Even if the programmes remain free, the connection required to receive them certainly is not.

Rural communities could be particularly badly affected. Broadband coverage and speed have improved substantially, but there remains a considerable difference between a property technically being able to receive broadband and having a connection that is affordable, dependable and fast enough for uninterrupted television.

Internet services can also fail. Broadband outages, overloaded networks, faulty routers and power interruptions can suddenly remove access to every online television service in a household or even a neighbourhood or village. 

Terrestrial broadcasting provides a valuable alternative, particularly during major emergencies when people need dependable access to news and public information.

There is also the question of privacy. Traditional television broadcasts travel from the transmitter to the viewer without the broadcaster needing to know who is watching. Internet television can generate information about viewing habits, devices and accounts. Moving everyone online would make anonymous television viewing increasingly difficult.

The answer should not be to oppose streaming technology. Services such as BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, My5 and Freely offer convenience and additional choice. They should continue to develop alongside terrestrial television.

A hybrid approach would give viewers the best of both worlds: Freeview for universally available live channels and internet services for catch-up programmes, additional content and on-demand viewing.

According to Ofcom’s research, millions of people are still expected to depend on terrestrial television well into the 2030s. The Government’s own discussion papers acknowledge that extending Freeview until 2044 would offer a lower-risk transition.

Technology should expand people’s choices, not take reliable services away from those who still need them. Until affordable and dependable internet access is genuinely universal, and everyone is comfortable using it, switching off Freeview would be premature, exclusionary and potentially very costly for viewers.

Freeview should be modernised where necessary, but it should not be sacrificed simply because internet television is growing. Sometimes the most sensible technology policy is to keep a system that continues to work.

Silver Voices are running a petition which you can access here:- https://c.org/48hGy7wK4W

"Everyone's Gone to the Moon?" Harlette Capital Launches ALPHA LUNAR™ Initiative to Explore Nuclear Power for Moon Missions

The race to establish a long-term human presence on the Moon depends on more than rockets and spacecraft. 

Reliable, continuous power will be essential for supporting habitats, scientific research, communications and robotic operations in the harsh lunar environment. 

With this challenge in mind, London-based Harlette Capital Ltd has launched its ALPHA LUNAR™ Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Request for Information (RFI), seeking collaboration with leading organisations working in advanced nuclear technology.

The initiative is designed to explore the potential for compact micro nuclear reactors capable of providing dependable energy for future lunar infrastructure. Unlike solar power, which is limited by the Moon's long nights and harsh environmental conditions, nuclear energy offers the possibility of continuous electricity generation regardless of location or time of day.

As part of the RFI process, Harlette Capital has invited major players in the nuclear sector, including Rolls-Royce SMR and Westinghouse Electric Company, to contribute technical information and participate in discussions on technologies that could support future lunar power systems.

The company says the ALPHA LUNAR™ programme will investigate a range of innovative concepts, including the possible integration of hydrogen-based technologies alongside compact reactor designs. The aim is to better understand how these technologies could support permanent lunar operations safely and efficiently.

Among the programme's objectives are the development of lightweight power systems, highly reliable long-duration energy generation, advanced thermal management, radiation shielding and autonomous operation. The company is also interested in technologies that could support communications networks, scientific payloads and critical infrastructure for future international lunar missions.

The launch follows Harlette Capital's participation in the International Conference on Topical Issues in Nuclear Installation Safety, hosted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna earlier this summer. The company also attended a joint meeting organised by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the IAEA, where experts discussed the growing collaboration between the space and nuclear sectors.

Rather than commissioning hardware immediately, the Request for Information represents an early-stage market engagement exercise. Harlette Capital hopes to identify current technological capabilities, future development pathways and opportunities for collaboration with industry, universities and research organisations.

Founder Harlette DeFalaise (PICTURED) told That's Technology that reliable, compact nuclear power could become one of the key technologies enabling humanity's long-term presence on the Moon. 

Through the ALPHA LUNAR™ initiative, the company aims to gather expertise from across the nuclear and aerospace industries to help shape future research partnerships and programme planning.

As international interest in returning to the Moon gathers pace, initiatives such as ALPHA LUNAR™ highlight the increasingly important role that advanced energy technologies could play in making sustained lunar exploration a practical reality.

https://www.harlette.com

Hugo Gernsback's Teleyeglasses: The 1963 Smart Glasses That Predicted the Future

Discover Hugo Gernsback's revolutionary 1963 Teleyeglasses, the wearable television concept that used miniature CRTs, phosphor screens and precision optics to predict today's smart glasses.

As someone who is interested in technology you have most likely seen an image of inventor, science fiction author and publisher Hugo Gernsback smiling whilst wearing his Teleyeglasses back in 1963. But what exactly were Teleyeglasses? 

What were the principles behind the design? And why did they never go into production? Let's take a look at them, now.

Long before virtual reality headsets, augmented reality glasses and wearable displays became reality, science fiction pioneer and inventor Hugo Gernsback imagined a world where people could watch television through a pair of spectacles.

In 1963, Gernsback introduced his concept for the "Teleyeglasses", a remarkable idea that anticipated many of the wearable display technologies we are only now beginning to take for granted. Although the design never reached commercial production, it remains one of the most fascinating examples of futuristic thinking from the early days of television.

A Television You Could Wear

The Teleyeglasses were designed to allow the wearer to watch television without the need for a conventional TV set. Rather than viewing a large screen across the room, each eye would receive its own miniature image inside a pair of specially designed glasses.

At the time, televisions relied on bulky cathode ray tubes (CRTs), making the idea of a wearable television seem almost impossible. Gernsback's proposal cleverly sidestepped this problem by moving most of the electronics away from the spectacles themselves.

The glasses were connected by cable to a separate electronic receiver, which could be worn on a belt or carried nearby. This external unit housed the television tuner and much of the circuitry needed to generate the picture.

The Technology Behind the Concept

Unlike today's OLED microdisplays or LCD panels, the Teleyeglasses relied on an entirely different technology.

Each eyepiece contained a tiny cathode ray tube, similar in principle to those used in televisions of the era, but dramatically miniaturised.

The image from these miniature CRTs was projected through a system of:

Precision lenses

Mirrors

Optical prisms

These components magnified the tiny image so that it appeared to the wearer like a much larger television screen floating several feet away.

The result was an immersive viewing experience without requiring a physically large display.

What Were the Viewing Screens Made From?

One of the most interesting aspects of the design was the viewing system itself.

The wearer did not look directly at a conventional screen.

Instead, each miniature CRT produced an image on a phosphor-coated glass faceplate. Just like a traditional television, the inside surface of the glass was coated with phosphorescent materials that glowed when struck by an electron beam.

The optical system then enlarged this tiny phosphor image using carefully aligned glass lenses and mirrors before presenting it to the eye.

In essence, the "screen" was:

A miniature glass CRT faceplate

Coated with phosphor

Viewed through magnifying optics rather than directly

This was an ingenious solution decades before flat-panel displays became possible.

Surprisingly Advanced Ideas

Several aspects of the Teleyeglasses now seem remarkably familiar.

Gernsback envisioned:

Personal television viewing

Hands-free entertainment

Private viewing in public places

Portable electronics worn on the body

Lightweight eyewear connected to a wearable processor

These concepts strongly resemble modern products such as smart glasses and mixed-reality headsets.

The Limitations

Despite its visionary nature, the technology of the early 1960s imposed significant constraints.

Miniature CRTs were:

Expensive to manufacture

Fragile

Power hungry

Relatively heavy

Limited in brightness

The electronics required vacuum tubes and early transistor circuits, while batteries capable of powering such a system for long periods simply did not exist.

As a result, the Teleyeglasses remained a conceptual design rather than a practical consumer product.

A Vision Ahead of Its Time

Today, companies including Apple, Meta and Xreal are bringing wearable displays to market using micro-OLED screens, waveguides and advanced optics that Gernsback could scarcely have imagined.

Yet the underlying ambition remains strikingly similar: placing a large virtual display directly in front of the user's eyes while keeping the device compact enough to wear comfortably.

More than sixty years after Hugo Gernsback unveiled the Teleyeglasses, his vision serves as a reminder that many of today's technological breakthroughs began as bold ideas sketched on paper. 

While the materials and electronics have changed dramatically, the dream of carrying a personal cinema wherever you go is one that Gernsback saw coming decades before the rest of the world.

You can learn more about the amazing author, publisher and inventor Hugo Gernsback in the biography Hugo Gernsback a Man Well Ahead of his Time, which you can purchase here at our own Amazon-powered shop:-https://amzn.to/3QOF1Ut

Infinigate Appoints Kai Grunwitz as Chief Growth Officer to Accelerate Global Expansion

The Infinigate Group has strengthened its executive leadership team with the appointment of Kai Grunwitz (PICTURED) as Chief Growth Officer (CGO), underlining the company's ambitions to accelerate growth across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Asia-Pacific region.

The move comes as cybersecurity, cloud computing and network infrastructure continue to evolve rapidly, with artificial intelligence reshaping both opportunities and cyber threats. Infinigate believes the new role will help drive its long-term strategy while creating greater value for technology vendors and channel partners.

As Chief Growth Officer, Grunwitz will lead several of the company's key strategic priorities. His responsibilities will include expanding Infinigate's vendor portfolio, developing new value-added services and solutions, strengthening relationships with channel partners, and enhancing the company's marketing and brand presence across EMEA and ANZ.

Grunwitz brings more than three decades of experience in the global technology sector, having held senior leadership positions with some of the industry's biggest names. During his career he has worked for Sun Microsystems, Oracle and NTT DATA, serving in a variety of executive roles including Chief Executive Officer of NTT Germany, Senior Vice President of NTT Security EMEA, and Head of Transformational Portfolio, Innovation and Alliances at NTT DATA EMEAL. Most recently, he was President of Kyndryl Germany.

Commenting on his appointment, Grunwitz said he was excited to join Infinigate at a time of significant change for the cybersecurity industry.

He told That's Technology: "As AI transforms the technology landscape and reshapes cyber risk, the role of specialised value-added distribution has never been more critical," he said. "With its market-leading portfolio, extensive vendor ecosystem and strong thought leadership, Infinigate is uniquely positioned to help vendors and channel partners capture the opportunities ahead."

Marco van Kalleveen, Chief Executive Officer of Infinigate Group, welcomed the appointment, describing it as an important milestone in the company's continued expansion.

He said the newly created Chief Growth Officer position would play a central role in delivering Infinigate's ambitious strategy and praised Grunwitz's leadership experience, market knowledge and industry credibility.

The appointment reflects the growing importance of specialist cybersecurity distributors as organisations increasingly seek trusted partners to navigate complex digital transformation projects, strengthen cyber resilience and capitalise on emerging AI-driven technologies.

With demand for advanced cybersecurity solutions continuing to rise, Infinigate is positioning itself to expand its influence across international markets while helping vendors and channel partners seize new opportunities in an increasingly sophisticated threat landscape.

For more information about the company and its services, visit Infinigate http://www.infinigate.com

UK's Top Tech Entrepreneurs Celebrated at the 2026 Enterprise Awards

Discover the winners of the 2026 Enterprise Awards as the UK's leading technology entrepreneurs and founder-friendly investors are recognised for driving innovation and business growth.

Britain's thriving technology sector took centre stage in the City of London this week as some of the country's most innovative entrepreneurs and investors were recognised at the 2026 Enterprise Awards.

Held at the prestigious Drapers' Hall on 1 July, the awards celebrated the founders, business leaders and investors helping to shape the next generation of high-growth UK technology companies. Now in its 14th year, the Enterprise Awards has become an important fixture in the UK's innovation calendar, highlighting businesses that are solving real-world problems through technology, creativity and entrepreneurship.

Since the awards were launched, almost 120 entrepreneurs have been recognised. Collectively, their businesses now generate more than $3.1 billion in annual revenue while employing around 18,000 people worldwide, demonstrating the significant impact that British innovation continues to have on the global economy.

The evening was opened by Enterprise Awards founder John O'Connell, Executive Chair of ScaleUp Group, alongside Tola Sargeant, Chair of the Judging Panel and CEO of Archives of IT, and Paddy McGwire, Senior Partner at Silverpeak. Entrepreneurs, investors and industry leaders gathered to celebrate the individuals and organisations driving the UK's technology ecosystem forward.

This year's winners reflected the breadth of innovation taking place across the country.

Laura Earnshaw of myHappymind was named Social Enterprise Entrepreneur, recognising the company's work supporting children's mental wellbeing. Helen Murphy of Opply received the Applied AI Entrepreneur award, highlighting the growing importance of artificial intelligence in solving business challenges. Sean Williams of AutogenAI won Scale-Up Entrepreneur, while Thomas Garnett and Vlad Galu of Refute secured the Emerging Entrepreneur title. 

Stephanie Eltz of Doctify was recognised as Developing Entrepreneur, and Michelle He of Abound received the prestigious Enterprise Entrepreneur award.

One of the biggest additions for 2026 was the introduction of the Founder Friendly Funds recognition. Eighteen investment funds were honoured for backing ambitious UK technology businesses, collectively making almost 400 investments worth around $600 million during 2025, covering everything from Seed funding through to Series B investment.

Tola Sargeant praised the exceptional standard of entries, saying this year's winners demonstrated commercial success alongside innovation, leadership and a commitment to creating lasting impact.

John O'Connell added that both the entrepreneurs and the newly recognised investment funds represent the people and organisations helping to shape the future of UK technology by supporting ambitious founders over the long term.

At a time when the UK continues to compete on the global technology stage, the Enterprise Awards offer a timely reminder that great ideas, backed by visionary founders and supportive investors, remain one of the country's greatest strengths.

https://www.enterprise-awards.co.uk

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Europe’s Routers Could Hold the Key to Digital Sovereignty

European technology firms have launched SAFENet, calling for stronger protection of routers and network devices as a critical part of Europe's digital security strategy.

Europe's Routers Are the Digital Front Door – So Why Are We Ignoring Them?

When discussions turn to digital security, most attention tends to focus on cloud services, artificial intelligence, semiconductors and 5G networks. Yet one of the most important pieces of technology in our homes and workplaces is often overlooked: the humble router.

A new alliance of leading European network technology companies believes that needs to change.

Four major manufacturers, devolo, FRITZ! (AVM), LANCOM Systems and TDT AG, have come together to launch SAFENet, the Sovereignty Alliance for European Network Technology. Their message is simple: if Europe wants true digital sovereignty, it must pay far closer attention to the devices that handle the vast majority of its internet traffic.

According to research cited by the alliance, around 93 per cent of European internet traffic passes through routers and home network gateways. These are the devices that connect us to online banking, healthcare services, work systems, streaming platforms and private communications. In comparison, mobile networks account for only around seven per cent of internet traffic.

That makes routers far more than simple networking equipment. They are the digital front door to our connected lives.

The concern raised by SAFENet is that Europe has become heavily dependent on technology produced outside the continent. The alliance points to Chinese manufacturers controlling close to 40 per cent of the router and gateway market, creating potential security and strategic risks.

To address this, SAFENet is calling on European and national policymakers to take three key actions.

First, it wants greater transparency so consumers and organisations can clearly see where network hardware, software and security updates are developed and maintained.

Second, it is urging public bodies and operators of critical infrastructure to prioritise trusted European-made networking technology when purchasing equipment.

Finally, the alliance wants routers and network devices to receive the same level of strategic attention as 5G infrastructure. It is proposing a dedicated "Router and Network Technology Security Toolbox" that would assess risks and identify potentially high-risk suppliers.

The debate around digital sovereignty is likely to intensify in the coming years. While cloud platforms and artificial intelligence often dominate headlines, SAFENet argues securing Europe's digital future may begin with something much closer to home, the router sitting quietly in the corner of your office or living room.

As Europe seeks greater control over its digital destiny, that argument may become increasingly difficult to ignore.

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