With 5G officially launching in the UK there was plenty to discuss last week. And we’re keen to see how the technology advances. On top of that there were adverts, packaging designs and stories about fraudsters that also grabbed our attention at Gloo HQ.

5G has landed in the UK

EE turned on the UK’s first 5G network last week, and it seems for the most part to be working. The Verge gave a full hands on experience, testing the speed of the network across various locations in London. The results are a promising start, but with only a limited number of handsets compatible, pretty hefty price plans, and availability in only select areas of six cities, it’s going to be a while before we see widespread adoption.

The BBC also tested 5G last week, but its results weren’t so positive. During one of its news broadcasts, the aim was to not only talk about the launch of the latest mobile network, but to show it in action too. The live interview was to be conducted using the new superfast network. Only it didn’t quite go to plan as the network cut out, with the presenter apologising for the “5G line [not] working properly.” It’s still early days for 5G and we expect to see teething problems, let’s just hope these don’t last for long.

Would you have spotted this scam?

We regularly write about cybersecurity and things like phishing, financial pretexting and social engineering, so this recent article on the Guardian really caught our eye. Scammers continue to use the same old tricks—this example is one of the oldest in the book—but these tricks are being used in ever more sophisticated ways that it’s becoming harder for the general public to spot them.

An experienced accountant replied to an official Metro Bank tweet about the customer service he had received. What followed was a phone call apologising for his negative experience and the promise to resolve the issue there and then. The accountant was taken through the bank’s usual security questions, and received his authorisation codes texted from Metro Bank. Only it wasn’t Metro he was talking to. And the account he had just paid into wasn’t the new one he was trying to open, but the fraudster’s own account.

Metro Bank did spot the scam and notified the customer the same day, but he’d already lost £9,200. This is a pertinent example of just how readily people will accept the information they’re being told. No matter how legitimate things seem, it’s always best to double check.

Other things we loved over the past week:
  • Heinz has changed the packaging of its HP sauce for the first time in 123 years to incorporate the scaffolding currently surrounding Big Ben (or the Elizabeth Tower if want to be technically correct). It’s a great example of a small change that can have a big impact.
  • Amazon has already disrupted the online retail space, and it’s already shaking things up for brick and mortar stores in the US. It looks as though we’re next as Amazon stores are set to pop up on UK high streets, selling everything from food and drink, to electronics and homeware.
  • Not sure if that IKEA lamp is right for you? What about if we told you it looks just like the one in Monica’s apartment in Friends? In a clever move to get more traction in the UAE, IKEA have displayed their furniture in the style of iconic living room sets: Friends, The Simpsons and Stranger Things. 

Posted by John on 7 June 2019