As augmented reality technology improves, the holography of Iron Man and Avatar moves a step closer to entering our everyday lives.

Target has agreed to pay $US18.5 million ($24.78 million) to settle investigations by dozens of US states over a 2013 hack of its database, in which the personal information of millions of customers was stolen.

Letting anyone accept Apple Pay, Android Pay and credit cards on-the-spot, Square's tiny contactless reader puts a pop-up store in your pocket.

The combination of ICT and business skills has become an ideal set of qualifications for future jobs. People with ICT skills are busting out of ICT enclaves to perform vital roles across a full range of businesses, from retail and finance to agriculture, construction and mining

Technological advances often lead to better science, but every now and then opting for the lowest tech levels possible can achieve the best outcome.