Money

Telco giant launches new Sidekick service so you’ll never feel alone or unsafe again

Published

4 years ago

September 9, 2021

A major telecommunications giant is doing its part to ensure the safety of customers

Australia’s second biggest telco, Optus has launched a new feature called Sidekick which help customers to feel safer and reassured when they are making their way home, out on a walk by themselves or just at home on their own.

The new Optus feature will allow Optus customers to choose up to three close and most trusted contacts to check in on them whether they’re home alone, walking alone or making their way home on their own.

How it works:

You select your three contacts, you set a timer to cover the amount of time for your walk, your commute home or anything else you want – and if you don’t stop this timer before it runs out your contacts will receive a notification.

Users can cancel the timer at any time when they’re feeling comfortable or when you get a reminder to stop it.

“Optus Sidekick was initiated as a passion project by our team who, from experience, research and news stories, realised that a certain sense of apprehension when out and about alone wasn’t uncommon and we wanted to give our customers just a little more peace of mind,”
says Katie Brodie, Optus Director, Digital AI.

“Many of us can identify with that feeling of wanting someone to check in with us in a little while to make sure we are okay, even if we can’t exactly pinpoint why we feel that way.

“It may feel awkward to ask someone for that extra assurance.

“Optus Sidekick can help you prearrange a time when Optus will let the people you care about know you want them to check in on you, and only gets in touch if that time arises.

“We have also discovered that it’s not just women who may want to use Optus Sidekick, but also kids walking home from school, people out for a late-night walk, and even an elderly neighbour who walks to the store alone.”

Customers can set up the Optus Sidekick with a simple tap in their My Optus App.

Money

RBA rate shock: ASX200, Gold and Crypto market

RBA’s interest rate shift impacts ASX200, AUD; gold/silver rebound analyzed amidst upcoming economic data and crypto market navigation.

Published

23 hours ago

February 10, 2026

Harvey Vargas

RBA’s interest rate shift impacts ASX200, AUD; gold/silver rebound analyzed amidst upcoming economic data and crypto market navigation.

The RBA’s latest interest rate decision has sent ripples through the ASX200 and AUD, leaving investors weighing what comes next. We break down how these changes could affect global equities ahead of this week’s crucial non-farm payroll and consumer price index releases.

Zoran Kresovic from Blueberry Markets shares his analysis on the rebound in gold and silver after recent market turbulence, and what factors could drive further gains or sell-offs in the commodities market.

We also dive into the current state of cryptocurrencies, exploring how investors can navigate volatility and what to watch as economic data continues to shape market sentiment.

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#RBA #ASX200 #GoldMarket #SilverRebound #CryptoUpdate #InvestingTips #MarketVolatility #EconomicOutlook

Money

Dow hits record while tech stocks drive market gains

S&P 500 rose 0.7% with Nvidia and Broadcom driving gains; investors await delayed January jobs and inflation reports.

Published

1 day ago

February 10, 2026

Harvey Vargas

S&P 500 rose 0.7% with Nvidia and Broadcom driving gains; investors await delayed January jobs and inflation reports.

The S&P 500 rose 0.7% on Monday, powered by gains in technology stocks, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average hit new heights. Investors are eagerly awaiting crucial economic reports this week.

Nvidia and Broadcom were among the standout performers, climbing 3% and 4% respectively, continuing the momentum from the previous session. The market rebound comes after significant losses earlier last week, with the Dow exceeding 50,000 for the first time ever on Friday.

Investors now turn their attention to the delayed January jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, due Wednesday, and the consumer price index for January, expected Friday with a 2.5% annual rise.

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Money

Tech stocks slide as investors rotate into small-cap and value plays

Nasdaq drops 1.84% amid turbulent week; investors pivot to cyclical and value sectors from high-growth tech.

Published

2 days ago

February 9, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Nasdaq drops 1.84% amid turbulent week; investors pivot to cyclical and value sectors from high-growth tech.

U.S. equity markets wrapped up a turbulent week with mixed results. The Nasdaq Composite fell 1.84%, marking its worst week for large-cap technology stocks since November, while the S&P 500 remained largely unchanged. Investors are weighing concerns about artificial intelligence and potential overinvestment in high-growth areas.

Meanwhile, smaller-cap and value-oriented stocks continued to add to their year-to-date gains. Market participants rotated into cyclical sectors that had lagged, reflecting a shift in investor sentiment and appetite for risk outside the traditional tech heavyweights.

Analysts say this rotation highlights the broader market’s evolving dynamics, as growth concerns collide with opportunities in underappreciated areas. Stay tuned for further developments as the market digests these trends.

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