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.

Prehistoric find excites experts

Sculptures of two Gomphotheriums, a four-tusked ancestor of the elephant

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

Close-up of French centrist politician Emmanuel Macron

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

New banks shake up ‘old’ online practices

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?

‘Free’ mobile 4G service is not so free

The appealing offer comes at a non-quantifiable price

Sky TV plans an online future without dishes

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

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

Apple and Epson in criminal probe

Are the products really designed to fail with time?

Late-running 3G on RER...

Statement causes mockery

Opt in to opt out of SFR

A service procedure has invited criticism from customers

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

French astronomer finds new planet

The exoplanet is situated outside of our solar system

Smartphone and internet use soars

Three quarters of French people use their phone daily

Drones to combat toxic caterpillars

Concept is tested in Mediterranean area

Power plan for Bordeaux bridge

The €3 million project was given the green light