🌴💻 Workations: Britain’s favourite productivity loophole

Britain has quietly embraced the workation — the art of working remotely while technically being on holiday — and honestly, this might be the most relatable labour trend in years ✨

What started as a post-pandemic exception is becoming policy. Research shows one in eight UK employers now has a formal workation policy, more than three-quarters of businesses allow them in some form, and over a third of remote workers say they want to try one this year 📊

For many workers, the appeal is simple: you still do your job, but your evenings and weekends feel like a mini-break. Same deadlines, same inbox — different view, better headspace 🌅

This isn’t just a Gen-Z digital nomad thing either. People in their 40s and 50s are extending trips, house-sitting, visiting family abroad, or working from beach huts and city breaks. The common thread isn’t escapism — it’s autonomy and trust 🤝

Employers, surprisingly, are mostly on board. Managers report boosts to morale, mental health, and loyalty, with very few horror stories of people disappearing offline. The fear that “everyone will slack off” hasn’t really materialised — the opposite, if anything 🧠

There are caveats. Not every job can do this, which risks deepening divides between digital workers and everyone else. And experts warn that if workations blur into “always-on” culture, the benefit disappears fast 🔕 Real breaks still matter.

But zooming out, this feels less like a perk and more like a mindset shift. We’re moving from work-life balance to work-life blending — where work fits around life, not the other way round 🌍

So what?
The workation isn’t about pretending you’re on holiday while answering emails. It’s about flexibility, trust, and recognising that people don’t suddenly become worse employees just because they’re answering Slack from Naples instead of Newcastle 🍝

Turns out, giving people a bit of control over where they work might be one of the cheapest productivity upgrades employers have ever shipped.

Read more:
The Guardian – How Britain is embracing the ‘workation’
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jan/08/work-life-balance-britain-embracing-workation

😮Is Musk good for Business?😮

At first you may think it is hard to find a brand disliked by its customers more than many Elon Musk is in charge of, but, well as some would say, "hold my beer" as Ryanair enters the chat😅

Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary has accidentally (or deliberately) demonstrated the cheekiest marketing funnel in aviation: annoy Elon Musk on X, sit back, and watch bookings rise 📈

After Ryanair publicly dismissed the idea of installing Starlink Wi-Fi — arguing the hardware would add drag, hike fuel costs, and deliver a terrible ROI on short-haul flights — Musk did what Musk does best and escalated online, calling O’Leary an idiot and floating the idea of buying the airline in front of his hundreds of millions of followers 🐦

O’Leary responded with peak Ryanair energy: EU ownership rules mean Musk can’t take majority control anyway, so thanks very much for the free publicity. Within days, Ryanair reported a 2–3% bump in ticket sales and an 8% jump in website traffic, which is about as close as capitalism gets to a controlled experiment 🧪

The irony is that this is the least surprising tech-business story of the year so far. Two men who thrive on attention discover that attention still converts — especially when one of them runs Europe’s most ruthless low-cost airline and the other can’t resist turning every disagreement into content 🔥

There’s also a serious business point hiding under the banter. Long-haul airlines can justify free Wi-Fi because passengers value it. Ryanair’s model is built on the opposite assumption: if only 5% of customers will pay for it on a one-hour flight, then it’s not a feature, it’s a subsidy — and Ryanair doesn’t do subsidies ❌

Meanwhile Musk, keeps providing free amplification for brands that know exactly how to use him. O’Leary knows how to pick a row that pays; Musk increasingly just picks rows 🧠

So what?
This is a reminder that in 2026, outrage is still a marketing channel, but only if you actually understand your unit economics. Ryanair does. Musk… less so. Don’t blame us for being sceptical when “innovation” looks suspiciously like shouting online and calling it strategy 💸

Read more:
Irish Times on Musk polling followers about buying Ryanair and the Starlink spat:
https://www.irishtimes.com/your-money/2026/01/26/stocktake3/

Futurism on how Musk’s tantrum turned into free bookings for Ryanair:
https://futurism.com/future-society/elon-musk-ryanair

📱 TikTok’s US deal: the end of the will-they-won’t-they era (for now)📱

After years of political brinkmanship, court cases, deadlines that meant nothing, and creators living in constant existential dread, TikTok has finally done the thing everyone assumed it eventually would: carve out a US version that’s technically no longer Chinese-controlled 🇺🇸

Under a Trump-approved executive order, TikTok’s US operations now sit inside a new entity — TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC — with ByteDance holding under 20% and the remaining 80% owned by US-based investors, which is Washington’s favourite kind of compliance: structural, symbolic, and lawyer-heavy ⚖️

🧾 So who actually owns TikTok US now?

The controlling investor group is led by Oracle, alongside Silver Lake and MGX, each taking roughly 15%. Another 35% sits with existing (mostly US-aligned) ByteDance investors, including the Dell Family Office and Alpha Wave — meaning TikTok US is now less “foreign threat” and more “private-equity salad” 🥗

Oracle also becomes the trusted security partner, auditing data, overseeing compliance, and — crucially — helping rebuild and retrain a US-specific algorithm that can be leased from ByteDance but not controlled by it. Yes, that sentence alone tells you how messy this all still is 🧠

👀 What changes for US users?

In theory: not much.
No new app. No forced migration. No sudden “TikTok USA Edition” splash screen.

In practice: the algorithm may slowly diverge, data storage becomes more tightly fenced, and content moderation, recommendation logic and software assurance now sit under US governance — or at least US oversight with very sharp pens 🖊️

🎭 How did we get here (again)?

This saga began back in 2020, when Donald Trump first tried to ban TikTok, then force a sale, then watched the courts block him. Biden picked the fight back up. TikTok sued. Deadlines came and went. Trump changed his mind again. Investors circled. Creators panicked. Repeat for five years 🔁

What finally broke the stalemate wasn’t a single security revelation — it was fatigue. Political, legal and economic exhaustion met the reality that TikTok wasn’t going anywhere without blowing up a massive chunk of the creator economy 💸

🤷 So what?

This deal is less a dramatic victory than an acceptance of inevitability. TikTok didn’t “win”, the US didn’t “ban”, and ByteDance didn’t fully exit — instead everyone agreed to a corporate compromise designed to look tough, feel safe, and keep the app running 🧯

It’s also a reminder that in modern tech geopolitics, ownership structures have become the new censorship. If you can’t kill the platform, you rewire who controls the pipes 🔌

📎 Read more:
TechCrunch – Here’s what you should know about the US TikTok deal
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/23/heres-whats-you-should-know-about-the-us-tiktok-deal/

📶Battle of the stars📶

🛰️ Blue Origin wants a piece of the satellite internet war — and it’s aiming straight at the enterprise stack

While most people still associate Blue Origin with suborbital joyrides and Jeff Bezos’ very public space flexing, the company is quietly lining up something much more serious. Meet TeraWave: a new satellite internet network promising eye-watering data throughput of up to 6 terabits per second — not for your home Wi-Fi, but for governments, data centres and large enterprises 🌍

This isn’t consumer broadband. It’s infrastructure.

🔌 What is TeraWave, exactly?

TeraWave will combine:

• 5,280 low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites using RF links (up to 144 Gbps per satellite)

• 128 medium-Earth orbit (MEO) satellites using optical links capable of the full 6 Tbps throughput

First launches are planned for late 2027, with rollout timelines still deliberately vague — very on-brand for space programmes 🚀

For context: SpaceX’s Starlink currently tops out at around 400 Mbps, with 1 Gbps coming “soon”. TeraWave isn’t trying to beat Starlink on households — it’s trying to sit under the internet itself.

🏢 Who is this actually for?

Blue Origin is positioning TeraWave as a “space-based layer” for existing network infrastructure — think:

• Remote or hard-to-reach industrial sites

• Governments and defence

• Hyperscale data centres needing redundancy and symmetric speeds

• Organisations that care more about uptime and scale than price

In other words: places where fibre can’t go, and downtime isn’t an option 🧠

🧩 Why this matters (beyond the speed numbers)

What’s interesting here isn’t just the bandwidth — it’s the stacking. Bezos now has:

• Amazon’s consumer-focused LEO network (Project Kuiper / Leo)

• Blue Origin’s enterprise-grade TeraWave

Two distinct satellite networks, aimed at different layers of the market, quietly setting up real competition to Starlink’s increasingly dominant position 📡

Starlink may have the customers (9+ million and counting), but TeraWave is a reminder that the next phase of the satellite internet race won’t be about who gets Netflix to a campervan faster — it’ll be about who powers cloud, AI workloads, defence and global infrastructure at scale.

🤔 So what?

This is Blue Origin moving from “space company” to infrastructure company. If TeraWave works as advertised, it positions Bezos not just as Musk’s rival in rockets, but as a serious contender in the future plumbing of the internet — especially as AI, cloud and geopolitical resilience drive demand for non-terrestrial networks 🌐

It’s also a signal that the satellite internet market is starting to split cleanly: consumer on one side, enterprise and state on the other. And Blue Origin is very deliberately choosing the side with bigger contracts and longer cheques 💼

📎 Read more:
TechCrunch – Blue Origin’s satellite internet network TeraWave will move data at 6 Tbps
https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/21/blue-origins-satellite-internet-network-terawave-will-move-data-at-6tbps/

🔞 Pornhub pulls the plug (sort of) on the UK📵

Pornhub has announced it will restrict access for UK users from 2 February, meaning only people with existing accounts will be able to view content — blaming the UK’s tougher age-verification rules under the Online Safety Act for the decision 🚪

Its parent company, Aylo, says traffic to Pornhub dropped 77% after age checks were introduced and argues the law hasn’t actually protected children — instead pushing users towards “darker, unregulated corners of the internet” (Like X (Twitter😅)) 🕳️

Regulator Ofcom isn’t buying that framing. Its line is simple: adult sites can either implement age checks or block access — their choice. Ofcom says the rules are working because fewer children are stumbling onto explicit material by accident 🧱

Aylo’s core complaint is enforcement. The company claims compliant, regulated platforms are taking the hit, while thousands of sketchier sites remain easily accessible via search, social media, or VPNs — which conveniently surged in downloads after the rules came in 📈

The government response? The law doesn’t ban porn, it bans kids accessing it. Sites don’t need to leave the UK — they just need to verify age properly. Ministers are also eyeing device-level controls and even limiting VPN access for children 🧒

Experts say there’s no silver bullet. Age checks reduce harm but don’t eliminate it, VPNs will always exist, and layered protections are the only realistic approach — even if that means big platforms taking the pain first 🛡️

This news comes in the week that the European Commission has launched an investigation into X over concerns its AI tool Grok was used to create sexualised images of real people. A bit behind the curve in terms of how quickly this happened but Musk's assumption that a quick algorithm tweak would mean his problems go away may be short lived😲

So what?
This is the messy reality of online safety regulation. The UK is testing whether friction works — and Pornhub’s partial exit shows regulation does change behaviour, even if it doesn’t solve everything. Expect more platform brinkmanship, more VPN discourse, and more pressure on Apple, Google and device makers to step in 📱

Protecting kids online was never going to be elegant — but this makes clear that the era of “just click yes, I’m 18” is officially over 🧠

Read more:
BBC News – Pornhub to restrict access for UK users from February
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czr428rxg57o

📈 The tools behind the tech📉

📦Product📦

• Why We've Tried to Replace Developers Every Decade Since 1969
• Lessons from Building AI Agents for Financial Services
  

📏Design📏 

• A minimal Python library for live coding visual scenes using desktop windows
• Open source icons

👩🏿‍💻Code👩🏿‍💻

• Software engineers can no longer neglect their soft skills
• The future of software engineering is SRE
  

🏢The business behind the tech🏢

•  ChatGPT's lead shrinks as Gemini surges in AI traffic war
• Vimeo's fade

🙌Amplify with Bloomberg🙌

Discover Innovative and Exciting Insights from Bloomberg’s Data and Engineering Teams  

On Feb 25th, Bloomberg is joining forces with Colorintech for another installment Amplify, an event dedicated to amplifying diverse voices in the world of tech! 

The evening will feature a series of dynamic lightning talks and a special panel discussion with leading voices at Bloomberg showcasing innovation and insights from Bloomberg’s Data and Engineering teams.

Additionally, the team are expecting to have roles in the following areas:
Software Engineers: 4+ years experience with proficiency in a high level language like C++ or Python and interest in systems design;

Data Management professionals: (including Data Engineers and Data Quality) with 4+ years experience 

Technical Account Manager: 3+ years experience. 

So if you’re also interested in speaking to someone about your next career step at Bloomberg, I’d strongly advise registering your interest. 

Check out the key details below: 

Date: Wednesday 25th Feb 2026 

Time: 17:30 - 20:30 UK Time 

Where: Central London 

As this event has limited spaces, you’ll need to register your interest to attend using the form below: 

Application Link: https://bloomberg.avature.net/su/0cab465ddb1412ae 

Application Deadline: 18th Feb 2026 

After applying, the Bloomberg team will reach out to you and provide you with next steps if they have invited you along. 

This is a great opportunity for anyone who wants to learn, be inspired, and build connections with Bloomberg Professionals who are shaping the future of technology!

👉EIR program

Partnerships can make or break a startup, but founders are rarely taught how to 'build relationships'... until now.

Whether you're a B2B, B2C or B2B2C, understanding how to start, build and scale thriving partnerships with corporate organisation and investors can be a huge factor in your startups success - notable examples being:
General Motors partnering with Lyft (leading ride-sharing startup);
Coca-Cola partnering with Hivery (AI Startup focused on optimizing shelf space and vending machine operations);
Anytime Fitness partnering with DeltaTrainer (Digital personal training platform).

With this session of Entrepreneur in Residence, we're going to share tips, tricks and lessons for creating successful partnerships for your business.

What to expect:
A sparknotes workshop on navigating corporate partnerships and understanding corporate jargon;
An AMA with a guest speaker (to be revealed soon );
Networking time.

This opportunity is designed for founders and builders at any stage thinking about building corporate and investor partnerships!

You don’t need to be full-time or funded. If you’re serious about building, you’re welcome.

Please see the key details below:

Date: Tue 3rd Feb 2026
Time: 18:00 - 20:30 BST
Location: London, UK!
Event Page: https://luma.com/EIR32026

 Spots are limited – register now to secure your place 

👉EIR program

Calling founders interested in finding great talent AND Working Professionals interested in startups

On the 10th Feb, we’re teaming up with Dawn Capital for an intimate, interactive and practical event connecting the founders and working professionals within the Colorintech Community!

We’re planning interactive activities (including speed matching) and a panel with Avalon, Karen and Dami covering:

• What makes a strong team & leader; 

• What talent should look out for in potential startup employers; 

• How investors assess team risk at Pre-Seed to Series A;

• How to identify your own strengths, blind spots, and best-fit collaborators.

This is a great opportunity for founders who are keen to expand their team and talent interested in working with or for a startup! 

Interested? Check out the key event details: 

Date: Tuesday 10th Feb

Time: 18:00 - 21:00

Where: London

Event Page: https://luma.com/perfect-match

😏Fully funded PhD in Data Visualization😎

Recruiting Now: Fully funded PhD in Data Visualization
Change what we can see, see what we can change
We are looking for people with diverse backgrounds and interests to solve diverse
problems.

🙌Earn a fully funded PhD in Data Visualization at City St George’s | University
of Warwick.
👝 Experience internships, exchange visits, collaborations and more.
🎓Develop world-leading skills demanded across science, industry and society.
💰 Receive a tax-free grant of £23,158 (increasing each year), a high-spec laptop
for use through the degree, and further benefits.
Contact info@diverse-cdt.ac.uk with any questions.

Link to find out more here

😃What we are consuming😃

💸 Apple's AI plan

🇬🇧 AI in the UK government