Apple Intelligence Is Here

Thank you for hitting that little subscribe button when it popped up in your LinkedIn notifications last week. My aim is to push this out once a week on a Monday (Tuesday this week because of the King’s Birthday Public Holiday in Melbourne.?

My plan is to share relevant updates, news, insights, tips and thought bubbles about everything and anything tech related - stuff that I think is relevant and that I feel you need to know about.?

I hope you find it educational and entertaining. It is a work in progress though. I want you to find it something useful - something that you want to read. So if there is something in particular that really resonates let me know.?

1. Apple Introduces Apple Intelligence for iPhone, iPad, and Mac

We’ve been waiting for a while, and all knew it was coming. Apple have finally unveiled their suite of? AI-driven features collectively known as Apple Intelligence, designed to enhance user experience across iPhone, iPad, and Mac. These features include advanced on-device machine learning capabilities that personalise user interactions, improved Siri functionalities with deeper contextual understanding, and innovative productivity tools.?

Some of the highlights include real-time language translation, enhanced photo and video editing tools powered by AI, and a smarter home automation system. Apple Intelligence promises to bring a seamless and intuitive experience, leveraging the power of AI to make everyday tasks easier and more efficient.

Key Features:

? On-device machine learning for personalisation

? Enhanced Siri with better contextual understanding

? AI-powered productivity tools

? Real-time language translation

? Advanced photo and video editing

Read more - https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2024/06/introducing-apple-intelligence-for-iphone-ipad-and-mac/

I also came across a fun little X thread here with some videos covering Apple Intelligence and other announcements from WWDC - https://x.com/rowancheung/status/1800268708230599088

2. Scam Alert: Fake Business Invoice Scams

This is not new news but I feel like it never gets mentioned enough and I continue to hear stories of businesses and individuals falling victim to it.?

Scamwatch has issued a warning about a surge in fake business invoice scams targeting Australian businesses. These scams involve fraudsters sending fake invoices that appear legitimate, tricking businesses into paying for goods or services that were never ordered.

Businesses are urged to verify the authenticity of invoices by contacting the supplier directly and to be wary of any unsolicited invoices. The alert emphasises the importance of internal controls and vigilance to prevent financial losses and protect sensitive information.

Prevention Tips:

? Verify invoices with the supplier

? Be cautious of unsolicited invoices

? Implement internal controls for payment processes

Read more - https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/news-alerts/scam-alert-fake-business-invoice-scams?

3. Strengthening Cyber Security with the Essential Eight

The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) has updated its Essential Eight strategies, a set of prioritised mitigation strategies to help organisations protect against cyber threats. The Essential Eight includes measures such as application whitelisting, patching applications, configuring Microsoft Office macro settings, and user application hardening. The updated guidelines provide more detailed implementation advice and emphasise the importance of a proactive, layered approach to cybersecurity. Organisations are encouraged to adopt these strategies to enhance their cyber resilience and safeguard critical data.

Essential Eight Strategies:

? Application whitelisting

? Patching applications

? Configuring macro settings

? User application hardening

Read more - https://www.cyber.gov.au/resources-business-and-government/essential-cyber-security/essential-eight

4. AI at Work

The 2024 Work Trend Index from Microsoft and LinkedIn reveals that AI usage in the workplace has nearly doubled in the last six months, with 75% of global knowledge workers now using it. Despite this rapid adoption, many leaders struggle to develop a cohesive AI strategy. Employees are increasingly bringing their own AI tools to work, highlighting a gap between individual use and organisational planning. To harness AI’s full potential, companies need to move from experimentation to transformation, integrating AI into business processes to drive growth and innovation.

Key Insights:

? 75% of knowledge workers use AI at work

? 79% of leaders agree AI is necessary to stay competitive

? 60% of leaders worry about their organisation’s lack of an AI implementation plan

Read more

Boosting Productivity with Technology

Before I close off this first full edition I just wanted to share with you this week some ways that I have helped clients this week with their own Tech Evolution

1. Utilise Task Management Apps - we helped a client set up Trello to organise and manage tasks.
2. We automated a number of routine tasks for a different client - helping them save time and money
3. I built my own Pomodoro Timer with the help of ChatGPT (I can’t code) from code to deployment to help my own productivity and prove the power of ChatGPT. You can see the timer here. https://hamishjones.github.io/pomodoro/index.html