Ben Francis
@tola.me.uk
Krellian Founder. W3C Invited Expert on Web Apps and the Web of Things. Previously: Mozilla & Google. https://tola.me.uk
I currently have availability for part time consulting/contracting work. I'm a full stack Software Engineer with 15+ years of commercial experience, specialising in Web Apps and the Web of Things. Please let me know if I can help with anything. #OpenToWork tola.me.uk/consulting
Freelance Web Consulting - Ben Francis
Bespoke websites, web apps and web things.
tola.me.uk
November 11, 2025 at 1:21 PM
I currently have availability for part time consulting/contracting work. I'm a full stack Software Engineer with 15+ years of commercial experience, specialising in Web Apps and the Web of Things. Please let me know if I can help with anything. #OpenToWork tola.me.uk/consulting
An interesting new range of Matter smart home devices from IKEA www.theverge.com/news/814241/...
Ikea’s new smart home collection is entirely Matter-compatible
Ikea’s affordable smart home devices will now work with other brands.
www.theverge.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:11 AM
An interesting new range of Matter smart home devices from IKEA www.theverge.com/news/814241/...
New blog post: Introducing the Web Thing Protocol tola.me.uk/blog/2025/11...
A dedicated real-time protocol for the Web of Things.
A dedicated real-time protocol for the Web of Things.
Introducing the Web Thing Protocol
I am excited to share that the W3C Web Thing Protocol Community Group has published the first draft of the Web Thing Protocol WebSocket sub-protocol, a dedicated real-time protocol for the Web of Thin...
tola.me.uk
November 6, 2025 at 1:08 PM
New blog post: Introducing the Web Thing Protocol tola.me.uk/blog/2025/11...
A dedicated real-time protocol for the Web of Things.
A dedicated real-time protocol for the Web of Things.
Still within the margin of error, but an opinion poll showing the Greens ahead of both Labour and Conservatives is quite a moment in British politics. 💚
Westminster Voting Intention:
RFM: 32% (=)
GRN: 17% (+2)
CON: 16% (-1)
LAB: 16% (=)
LDM: 12% (=)
SNP: 2% (=)
Via @findoutnow.bsky.social, 29 Oct.
Changes w/ 22 Oct.
RFM: 32% (=)
GRN: 17% (+2)
CON: 16% (-1)
LAB: 16% (=)
LDM: 12% (=)
SNP: 2% (=)
Via @findoutnow.bsky.social, 29 Oct.
Changes w/ 22 Oct.
October 31, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Still within the margin of error, but an opinion poll showing the Greens ahead of both Labour and Conservatives is quite a moment in British politics. 💚
Dia is still the best attempt at this "AI Browser" thing so far IMO. Despite my serious misgivings about the whole concept, it kind of feels like what a web "user agent" was meant to be all along.
October 23, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Dia is still the best attempt at this "AI Browser" thing so far IMO. Despite my serious misgivings about the whole concept, it kind of feels like what a web "user agent" was meant to be all along.
Only just noticed Firefox now has a chatbot sidebar to chat with Claude, ChatGTP, Gemini and Mistral. But unlike Dia, Comet and Atlas it cannot use open tabs as context for prompts - which is by far the most useful feature of chatbots in a browser. support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/ai-...
Client Challenge
support.mozilla.org
October 23, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Only just noticed Firefox now has a chatbot sidebar to chat with Claude, ChatGTP, Gemini and Mistral. But unlike Dia, Comet and Atlas it cannot use open tabs as context for prompts - which is by far the most useful feature of chatbots in a browser. support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/ai-...
"This Jen, is the Internet." #AWSOutage
October 21, 2025 at 10:44 AM
"This Jen, is the Internet." #AWSOutage
Reposted by Ben Francis
So Nvidia has now invested billions in both OpenAI and xAI... to enable them to buy Nvidia GPUs. The deal has a "unique deal structure, backed by the GPUs as opposed to the company".
I can't see any way this could possibly end badly... 🫧 www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
I can't see any way this could possibly end badly... 🫧 www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
xAI to Raise $20 Billion After Nvidia and Others Boost Round
Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup xAI is raising more financing than initially planned, tapping backers including Nvidia Corp. to lift its ongoing funding round to $20 billion, according to ...
www.bloomberg.com
October 9, 2025 at 10:39 AM
So Nvidia has now invested billions in both OpenAI and xAI... to enable them to buy Nvidia GPUs. The deal has a "unique deal structure, backed by the GPUs as opposed to the company".
I can't see any way this could possibly end badly... 🫧 www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
I can't see any way this could possibly end badly... 🫧 www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Proud to have Krellian featured in the ICC's “Opportunity of a Lifetime” campaign.
"The climate crisis is not only the defining challenge of our time, it is also the greatest opportunity to build a more sustainable and inclusive future." iccwbo.org/news-publica...
"The climate crisis is not only the defining challenge of our time, it is also the greatest opportunity to build a more sustainable and inclusive future." iccwbo.org/news-publica...
Empowering startups to seize the climate opportunity of a lifetime - ICC - International Chamber of Commerce
Sage Foundation is supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to take advantage of the opportunity of a lifetime. In partnership with Village Capital, it welcomes 165 purpose-driven startups...
iccwbo.org
October 3, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Proud to have Krellian featured in the ICC's “Opportunity of a Lifetime” campaign.
"The climate crisis is not only the defining challenge of our time, it is also the greatest opportunity to build a more sustainable and inclusive future." iccwbo.org/news-publica...
"The climate crisis is not only the defining challenge of our time, it is also the greatest opportunity to build a more sustainable and inclusive future." iccwbo.org/news-publica...
"Why I gave the world wide web away for free" www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
"If we are able to muster it, we have the chance to restore the web as a tool for collaboration, creativity and compassion across cultural borders." -- Tim Berners-Lee
"If we are able to muster it, we have the chance to restore the web as a tool for collaboration, creativity and compassion across cultural borders." -- Tim Berners-Lee
Why I gave the world wide web away for free | Tim Berners-Lee
My vision was based on sharing, not exploitation – and here’s why it’s still worth fighting for
www.theguardian.com
October 1, 2025 at 8:57 AM
"Why I gave the world wide web away for free" www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
"If we are able to muster it, we have the chance to restore the web as a tool for collaboration, creativity and compassion across cultural borders." -- Tim Berners-Lee
"If we are able to muster it, we have the chance to restore the web as a tool for collaboration, creativity and compassion across cultural borders." -- Tim Berners-Lee
Android is eating the world. www.theverge.com/news/784381/...
It always seemed inevitable that Android and Chrome OS would eventually converge in some way, but I was cheering for the other team. The one built on the open web.
It always seemed inevitable that Android and Chrome OS would eventually converge in some way, but I was cheering for the other team. The one built on the open web.
Google’s Android for PC: ‘I’ve seen it, it is incredible’
Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon teases his first look at Google’s merger between Android and ChromeOS.
www.theverge.com
September 24, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Android is eating the world. www.theverge.com/news/784381/...
It always seemed inevitable that Android and Chrome OS would eventually converge in some way, but I was cheering for the other team. The one built on the open web.
It always seemed inevitable that Android and Chrome OS would eventually converge in some way, but I was cheering for the other team. The one built on the open web.
Google's new data centre in Essex will have CO2 emissions equivalent to 500 short-haul flights a week, amid the scramble to supply a predicted 13x increase in computer processing power needed by "AI" by 2035. www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Google’s huge new Essex datacentre to emit 570,000 tonnes of CO2 a year
Exclusive: Planning documents show impact of Thurrock ‘hyperscale’ unit as UK attempts to ramp up AI capacity
www.theguardian.com
September 16, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Google's new data centre in Essex will have CO2 emissions equivalent to 500 short-haul flights a week, amid the scramble to supply a predicted 13x increase in computer processing power needed by "AI" by 2035. www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
The Browser Company is being acquired by Atlassian substack.com/home/post/p-...
Your Tuesday in 2030
Or why The Browser Company is being acquired to bring Dia to the masses.
substack.com
September 4, 2025 at 12:44 PM
The Browser Company is being acquired by Atlassian substack.com/home/post/p-...
Technically feasible? Sure, given enough time and resources. But where would the nine figure annual revenue come from to support "ChromeCo" as a standalone business? kgi.georgetown.edu/research-and...
The Technical Feasibility of Divesting Google Chrome – Knight-Georgetown Institute
kgi.georgetown.edu
July 3, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Technically feasible? Sure, given enough time and resources. But where would the nine figure annual revenue come from to support "ChromeCo" as a standalone business? kgi.georgetown.edu/research-and...
What an incredible experience exhibiting Krellian's climate tech innovations at the Houses of Parliament in London yesterday, with Sage and @techuk.bsky.social.
July 2, 2025 at 3:51 PM
What an incredible experience exhibiting Krellian's climate tech innovations at the Houses of Parliament in London yesterday, with Sage and @techuk.bsky.social.
I am honoured to have been invited to showcase Krellian's climate tech innovations at the Houses of Parliament next week, as part of the Digital Tools for Net Zero Parliamentary Showcase in partnership with Sage and techUK. www.techuk.org/what-we-deli...
June 25, 2025 at 3:10 PM
I am honoured to have been invited to showcase Krellian's climate tech innovations at the Houses of Parliament next week, as part of the Digital Tools for Net Zero Parliamentary Showcase in partnership with Sage and techUK. www.techuk.org/what-we-deli...
I've been using Dia (@diabrowser) for a week now and I what I like about it is that it enhances rather than replaces web pages, using your open tabs and browsing history as context to provide meaningful insights.
June 18, 2025 at 4:48 PM
I've been using Dia (@diabrowser) for a week now and I what I like about it is that it enhances rather than replaces web pages, using your open tabs and browsing history as context to provide meaningful insights.
Dia (@diabrowser.com) read my last ten blog posts and concluded "Ben’s writing is a tapestry of technical exploration, open-source advocacy, and a gentle, persistent optimism about the web’s potential to empower users and communities." I'll take that.
June 18, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Dia (@diabrowser.com) read my last ten blog posts and concluded "Ben’s writing is a tapestry of technical exploration, open-source advocacy, and a gentle, persistent optimism about the web’s potential to empower users and communities." I'll take that.
An exhilarating and exhausting few days in Atlanta, representing Krellian at the Sage Impact Entrepreneurship Programme Summit with Village Capital. I've learnt a huge amount over the last three months and built valuable new relationships. #Impact #Startup #ClimateTech
June 11, 2025 at 3:16 PM
An exhilarating and exhausting few days in Atlanta, representing Krellian at the Sage Impact Entrepreneurship Programme Summit with Village Capital. I've learnt a huge amount over the last three months and built valuable new relationships. #Impact #Startup #ClimateTech
Dia, from The Browser Company www.diabrowser.com
Meet Dia, a smart, fast, secure browser where you can chat with your tabs.
Dia is the AI browser that lets you chat, write, learn, plan, shop, and more — all with the context of your tabs.
www.diabrowser.com
June 11, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Dia, from The Browser Company www.diabrowser.com
"AI will consume up to 82 terrawatt-hours of electricity this year—roughly around the same as the annual electricity consumption of a country like Switzerland" www.wired.com/story/new-re...
AI Is Eating Data Center Power Demand—and It’s Only Getting Worse
A new analysis of AI hardware being produced and how it is being used attempts to estimate the vast amount of electricity being consumed by AI.
www.wired.com
May 27, 2025 at 11:25 AM
"AI will consume up to 82 terrawatt-hours of electricity this year—roughly around the same as the annual electricity consumption of a country like Switzerland" www.wired.com/story/new-re...