Science and Technology

The latest science stories from around France, plus developments in French tech and news updates for smarter living in France.

The Cx symbol denotes subscriber-only articles.

Got a question about technology in France? Get in touch at news@connexionfrance.com

Gadget inspector: French tech firms reveal the future

Such is the vitality of the technology sector in France that the country had the third largest national presence in the startup section of the recent prestigious CES electronics innovation show in Las Vegas.

Stop calls while driving

A phone app helps motorists to ignore calls or texts that may disturb them – and possibly cost them a €135 fine – by blocking them and automatically sending back a message saying the person is driving.

Public can test out a robot taxi in Normandy

People in Normandy will soon be able to try one of a fleet of free robot taxis with public tests starting in Rouen of Europe’s first on-demand autonomous car service on open roads.

Alternatives to Orange's service which is stopping

For ten years we have been using Orange internet and home landline. As we are only in France for the summer they allowed you to turn off the landline and internet when you were not there and restore the service when you returned so we only had to pay for three months a year. Now it is stopping. Are there any alternatives?

Google fined billions for 'abusing Android dominance'

Internet giant to appeal against massive European Commission fine

Work starts on hyperloop test track near Toulouse

Construction has started on the first test track in Europe for Tesla tycoon Elon Musk’s idea for a vacuum tube transport system, the hyperloop.

Cost-efficient way to be connected on a boat?

We live on a boat on the Canal du Midi for several months each year. What is the most cost-efficient way to get an internet service for use while on the boat? I can get unlimited wifi hotspot from my US mobile carrier but it is very expensive.

New data protection laws oblige firms to act

European citizens should now be better protected from data misuse as new rules come into force giving them more control of their data and making businesses liable for keeping the data secure.

Free app scans food label and gives a health rating

More than 1.7million people in France have downloaded an iPhone and Android app that scans food products’ barcodes and gives a health rating.

Be insured to fly a drone in France

As increasing numbers of people buy flying drones for leisure use, insurers have warned of the risks they face if the drone accidently damages another person’s property.

How do I save the information on my mobile?

I have put so much information onto my mobile that I am worried about what would happen if I lost it or had it stolen. Do you have any recommendations?

Innovation on show at prestigious Concours Lépine

Competition has been running since 1901 and was the first place to recognise the ballpoint pen, contact lenses and the steam iron

European Space Agency maps Milky Way

New information from ESA's Gaia space telescope have allowed scientists to map the galaxy as never before

Data privacy in France: new laws

More control over personal data

How can I improve my wi-fi connection?

My broadband works well when I use my PC but when I want to work on my laptop or use my iPad it is much slower. It is even worse when we have visitors and several want to connect to the wi-fi. How can I improve this?

Give old PC or Mac new life as high-end cloud computer

A French start-up claims to have invented the “computer of the future” which will turn any low-powered PC, old Mac or smartphone into a high-end machine

Prehistoric find excites experts

13million-year-old skull could be that of an ancestor of the elephant that was previously unknown in southwest France

Macron pushes French AI potential

President announces plans to invest €1.5billion in AI

A word in your ear from the podcasting pioneers

Every edition we assess an aspect of the French zeitgeist. This month: the huge popularity of downloadable audio, by Jane Hanks

Keeping broadband service safe during storms

Luckily I was not affected by the winter storms that caused friends to lose their broadband service. How can I protect myself in future?

Avoiding excessive money transfer costs

My wife and I moved to France last year. Two of our children will be attending universities in the UK; how can I avoid paying too much on transfers to help with their living expenses? G.J.

Now you can block calls to expensive numbers

From March 1 telecom operators must offer a way to block calls to surcharged numbers in a bid to stop sky-high bills

Loading some business profiles...

Loading some classifieds...