Science and Technology

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

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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.

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.

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

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

Q: 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

Sky TV plans an online future without dishes

The new service will be just like that of its rivals Netflix and Amazon

‘Free’ mobile 4G service is not so free

The appealing offer comes at a non-quantifiable price

Mythbuster: ‘France behind with new technology’

Fact or fake? In this regular column we look at the ‘truths’ that everyone ‘knows’ about France

Europe’s online shops to open their borders

Online shoppers should be able to shop around for the best deals across the EU

New banks shake up ‘old’ online practices

A host of new mobile-only banks, called néobanques, like Orange Bank, N26, Revolut or Morning have sparked changes to traditional online-only finance houses.

High speed broadband grant

January’s Connexion said new grants could help access high speed broadband. There are now many options other than broadband by phone line so, what do I need to know before applying for a grant?

Providing internet access in holiday home

I plan to do holiday lets at my French second home and will need to provide internet access. How can I help visitors should they have problems with the service if I am in the UK? T.L.

Email lists will need data review

New rules on data protection mean many small businesses will have to rethink their database of contacts before they come into force on May 25

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