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Simon Rose

Gadgets & Gizmos: Trapping CO2, Michael Parkinson to return & Google fined more than the world's GDP

Simon Rose
Original Broadcast:

Gadgets and Gizmos

Gadgets & Gizmos: Trapping CO2, Michael Parkinson to return & Google fined more than the world's GDP
Steve Caplin explains how US scientists have found an impressive way of trapping CO2 while Australian boffins have worked out how to generate electricity from polystyrene. Airbus are to increase internal baggage space on planes by 60%. An AI version of Michael Parkinson will soon be hosting a new chat show. The largest prime number has been discovered. Steve explains how to conquer "Hi Dad" text fraud. There's a clever crowd-funded camera for kids that will project the images. And Russian judges have fined Google $20 decillion, many times the size of the global economy.
Guest:

Steve Caplin


Published:
Simon Rose

The Bigger Picture: Reaction to Rachel Reeves' first budget, the Tory leadership contest & the US election

Simon Rose
Original Broadcast:

The Bigger Picture

The Bigger Picture: Reaction to Rachel Reeves' first budget, the Tory leadership contest & the US election
Political commentator Mike Indian fillets Rachel Reeves' first Budget, with a massive increase in taxes, in large part to be paid by business, particularly through an increase in their National Insurance contributions. While the public sector will be getting considerably more money, it is important for the government to make the state more efficient. It is Mike's view that Reeves will be raising taxes more further down the line. He also looks at the Tory leadership contest but believes the new leader will not only not become PM but won't even be the leader in two years' time. As for the US election, the polls are tight – as always – and if there isn't a clear, outright win, we can expect a protracted and bitter aftermath.
Guest:

Mike Indian


Published:
Simon Rose

The Bigger Picture: Poaching young talent, British industry's voice & the truth about plastic recycling

Simon Rose
Original Broadcast:

The Bigger Picture

The Bigger Picture: Poaching young talent, British industry's voice & the truth about plastic recycling
Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University says the UK has to worry, not just about the top 1% who pay 29% of income tax leaving, but also young talent. They – the future high earners – are being tempted by offers from countries like Italy and Portugal. With an ageing population we could face an ever declining economic pie and get into a doom loop. Tim also considers why business (and indeed unions) have largely lost their voice and rarely speak up to defend their interests. With no robust argument we end up with soggy thinking and it's unhealthy. And he looks at how the science and economics of plastic recycling has not been properly thought through, producing unintended consequences, as so often with political short-termism.
Guest:

Professor Tim Evans


Published:
Simon Rose

The Business of Film: The Wild Robot, The Apprentice, The Crime is Mine & The Radleys

Simon Rose
Original Broadcast:

The Business Of Film

The Business of Film: The Wild Robot, The Apprentice, The Crime is Mine & The Radleys
James Cameron-Wilson reports that box office takings are up 23%. #1 is the animated The Wild Robot from the creator of How To Train Your Dragon. #3 is The Apprentice, about the property-developing years of Donald Trump. Despite two excellent central performances, it's a dreary and underwhelming affair, which isn't particularly entertaining. The Crime is Mine from the versatile and prolific film director François Ozon is a farcical trifle set in 1930s Paris which is sweet but no Muscatel. On Sky Cinema, The Radleys is a vampire drama set in Whitby with Kelly Macdonald and Damien Lewis. But with an uncertain tone and no link to real life, it most resembles an episode of Grange Hill.
Guest:

James Cameron-Wilson


Published:
Simon Rose

Gadgets & Gizmos: AI generating TV programmes & podcasts and why video games boost your brain

Simon Rose
Original Broadcast:

Gadgets and Gizmos

Gadgets & Gizmos: AI generating TV programmes & podcasts and why video games boost your brain
Steve Caplin talks health tech, including vein locators, speedier blood tests and AI spotting fractures doctors might miss. ITV is going to use AI to generate programme ideas: Steve got it to come up with a couple. But AI can also now generate complete podcasts; this example might put Steve and Simon out of a job. There's a colour Kindle and proof that video games are actually good for your brain. Prada are designing the new generation of NASA space suits. There's a foldable keyboard the size of a paperback book and a touch screen display in a suitcase. And Steve explains why Funexpo 2024 might not be as much fun as it sounds.
Guest:

Steve Caplin


Published:
Simon Rose

The Financial Outlook for Personal Investors: Are UK banks worth a look?

Simon Rose
Original Broadcast:

The Financial Outlook for Personal Investors

The Financial Outlook for Personal Investors: Are UK banks worth a look?
Russ Mould of A J Bell looks at the UK's main banks now that we're in the midst of results season. He points out that while the big five account for 11% of the FTSE's market cap, they produce 1/5 of pre-tax profits and 1/5 of total dividends. There remains a good deal of residual scepticism. They may yet be worth a look, despite the many possible adverse factors. Russ notes that cashbacks and dividends will see HSBC on a yield of almost 15% this year, with the others on 10-12%.
Guest:

Russ Mould


Published:
Simon Rose

The Business of Film: Transformers One, Terrifier 3 & Wolfs

Simon Rose
Original Broadcast:

The Business Of Film

The Business of Film: Transformers One, Terrifier 3 & Wolfs
James Cameron-Wilson explains that box office is down 17%, with a big dropoff for the new Joker movie. He couldn't get excited by new #1 Transformers One. Being animated, it negates the wow factor and he was bored rigid. For the first time in his career, he thinks a film should not have gone on general release. #3 Terrifier 3 is a Christmas horror movie so strong some patrons have been made ill. James says it would have been banned in the 80s. Again he recommends people to catch Beetlejuice Beetlejuice or The Outrun, both still in the charts. On AppleTV+ he enjoyed Wolfs with George Clooney and Brad Pitt playing well off each other as rival fixers, even if it does get increasingly silly.
Guest:

James Cameron-Wilson


Published:
Simon Rose

Gadgets & Gizmos: Standing desks, digital examinations & a robot orchestra conductor

Simon Rose
Original Broadcast:

Gadgets and Gizmos

Gadgets & Gizmos: Standing desks, digital examinations & a robot orchestra conductor
Steve Caplin delves into the world of tech. Tesla's Robotaxi disappointed investors. Standing desks turn out to be no better than being seated. A robotic finger can now be used for digital examinations. The Dresden Sinfoniker has a robot conductor – with three arms – to perform complex music. There's an electric version of the old BMW bubble car. You can buy Vespa scooters with 75mm anti-armour cannons attached. A bell has been designed for runners – at a price. And firemen at the Stadtallendorf fire station may be regretting not installing a fire alarm.
Guest:

Steve Caplin


Published:
Simon Rose

The Bigger Picture: Budget lookahead, the Tory leadership contest & Alex Salmond

Simon Rose
Original Broadcast:

The Bigger Picture

The Bigger Picture: Budget lookahead, the Tory leadership contest & Alex Salmond
Political commentator Mike Indian looks ahead to the Budget, discussing whether Labour will be breaking its manifesto commitments, feeling that a time-limited wealth tax would be better than discouraging pension saving. He discusses the surprise ejection of James Cleverley from the Tory leadership contest, perhaps the one best placed to unify the party. He predicts that at the end of this Parliament, it will be Boris Johnson who is leader of the opposition. He also reflects upon the life of Alex Salmond, who so nearly became Prime Minister of an independent Scotland. He had flair and talent, though perhaps not integrity. The latter, in the long run, is more important in a politician.
Guest:

Mike Indian


Published:
Simon Rose

The Financial Outlook for Personal Investors: London Tunnels & Card Factory

Simon Rose
Original Broadcast:

The Financial Outlook for Personal Investors

The Financial Outlook for Personal Investors: London Tunnels & Card Factory
Neil Shah of Edison Group finds London Tunnels' project fascinating. Despite the name, they are listed on Euronext and aim to turn the network of tunnels under Holborn Underground into a major tourist attraction. Although intended as air raid shelters they became a home for MI6 and ended up being used by the GPO. Details of a forthcoming presentation are on the Edison Group website. Card Factory is demonstrating that a combination of bricks and clicks could be more effective than a pure online operation. The company is expanding its product range, stores and its online business and is trading at a larger discount than it should be.
Guest:

Neil Shah


Published: