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Apps to watch in 2015
From ride-hailing to photo sharing, here are a few up-and-coming apps and startups to watch in 2015. Which will be the breakout hit of the new year?

Apps use taking over from calls, texts
Mobile phone users are increasingly turning to messaging apps and shunning traditional calling and texting.

WhatsApp moves to encrypt data
WhatsApp, the world's most popular instant messaging platform, has begun encrypting all its data by default.

Facebook $22b WhatsApp deal buys $10m in sales
Facebook paid $22 billion for a startup that generated $10.2 million in revenue last year.

NZ gets first taste of new photo messaging app
A new photo messaging app from the team behind Instagram has launched in New Zealand.

Scam victim's epic revenge scheme
An angry online trader got his revenge on an unscrupulous seller by sending the man the entire works of Shakespeare via 29,000 text messages.

Nurse barred for hanging up on Healthline callers
A registered nurse who hung up on callers while working at a government-funded health service has been suspended from working as a nurse for two years.

Kiwis still big texters after 20 years
After 20 years of texting technology, New Zealanders are still avid text messagers, despite a decline in use overseas as smartphones take over.

<i>Success:</i> After the red, green lights beckon
A company named for a driving transgression is now on the road to high-tech success.

Stephen Foley: Ten things I hate about Twitter
My relationship with Twitter is love-hate, which is why I haven't decided if it is on a Facebook trajectory, towards world domination.

<i>Jim Eagles</i>: Sky high call costs limit use
If you've flown Air New Zealand and found yourself on the new Airbus A320, you'll have had the chance to use your mobile at 5000m, or to listen to your neighbour doing important business by phone.

Communications after the quake: Good, but could do better
Events in Christchurch give reason to ask if our phone networks are tough enough.

<i>Debbie Mayo-Smith</i>: Take a few lessons from a customer
All six kids individually said "Ewwww. No. Don't do it! I'll never drive with you again." "Marvellous", was my response. Even my husband wrinkled his nose in distaste at first.

Emergency texts to be considered in 111 review
Text messages and the internet may be used to contact emergency services in the future following a Government review of the 111 service.

<i>Anthony Doesburg</i>: Pretenders out to depose king of social media
Despite Facebook's 500 million users, even tiny start-ups reckon they can do a better job.

<i>Debbie Mayo-Smith</i>: Clawing back wasted time quick and easy
Often wonder why people don't use their email programs well. Is it lack of time? Lack of creative thinking? Lack of interest?

How texting can be a pain in the neck
Dozens of cases of 'text neck' - a condition linked to using mobile devices - are being reported each week, chiropractors' say.

Student party has top principal concerned
The principal of NZ's largest school is worried about a North Shore student party being organised on Facebook.

Sad ending in 'Olivia' hunt
An Australian public servant has been going to extreme lengths trying to track down the woman of his drea