COMPUTERS

Bill Gates says advanced AI could amplify terrorist or hostile-state attacks and urges federal safeguards, monitoring and logging, while Mark Zuckerberg backs company-led safety measures.

Bill Gates said reaching a global agreement on artificial intelligence could be harder than Cold War nuclear arms talks, urging mandatory safeguards and rejecting claims that catastrophic AI risks are a hoax.

Contractors working on ChatGPT-related projects were reportedly removed after using AI to complete evaluation tasks, while internal rules prohibit tools such as ChatGPT, Grammarly and AI detectors.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang will visit Kazakhstan on 23 October for AI Month, meeting officials and technology leaders as the country seeks to strengthen its regional AI ecosystem.

Microsoft has released emergency cumulative updates for Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025 after a major September security patch caused Remote Desktop, Hyper-V and USB audio failures.

About 100 protesters rallied outside Philadelphia City Hall for a three-year pause on new AI data centres, adding to growing US opposition that has delayed or blocked major projects.

Michael Lines is suing OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT reinforced religious delusions linked to his bipolar disorder and failed to respond appropriately before a near-fatal suicide attempt.

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei said he largely agrees with warnings that AI could endanger humanity, while rejecting a fixed probability and urging slower development, oversight and global coordination.

Elon Musk has linked the debate over AI-generated software and the future of hand-coding to wider questions about technological competition, warfare and national security.

Apple's iPhone 17, powered by the A19 chip, demonstrates competitive single-core performance against many Windows laptops, highlighting advancements in mobile computing and narrowing the gap with traditional laptop processors.

Apple's iPhone 17 series led global smartphone sales in Q2 2026, capturing 6% of unit sales despite an 11% market decline, with strong performance across key regions.

The Dell 14 Plus, formerly Inspiron, is praised for its exceptional battery life and solid performance, despite a utilitarian design. It offers good value for everyday use at a competitive price.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15Q8X10 offers strong processor performance and exceptional battery life at a budget price, though compromises in display and touchpad quality are evident.

The Internet Archive experienced a temporary outage, affecting access to its services. Monitoring services reported mixed signals, with some users unable to access the site, while others faced no issues.

Dell's redesigned XPS 13 is praised as a credible Windows alternative to Apple's MacBook Neo, offering competitive pricing, sleek design, and strong performance amid rising laptop prices in 2026.

Apple has classified the iPhone X as obsolete, ending official repair support for the device that introduced Face ID and OLED displays, marking a significant shift in Apple's product lifecycle.

The upcoming Google Pixel 11 series has been extensively leaked, revealing details about specs, pricing, and new features like the 'Pixel Glow'. The official launch is set for August 12, 2026.

Bose's QuietComfort Headphones offer familiar comfort and design but face criticism for their sound profile. While noise cancellation is solid, the sound signature may not appeal to all listeners.

OpenAI's new Health in ChatGPT feature allows U.S. users to securely connect Apple Health data and medical records for personalised health insights, enhancing user experience with context-aware health information.

A major outage affected Microsoft 365 services, disrupting access to Teams, SharePoint, and Outlook. Microsoft is investigating the issue, with no timeline for resolution yet provided.

Samsung's latest Ultra-branded smartphones, the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and Galaxy S26 Ultra, share core specifications but differ in design and functionality, reflecting a strategic shift towards form factor and user experience.

I3 Broadband customers report widespread outages, marking the second major disruption in recent weeks. The regional provider has not yet issued a statement on the cause or resolution timeline.

Apple is set to launch new iPad Pro models and a redesigned MacBook Pro in 2027, featuring the M7 chip optimized for AI performance, amid ongoing memory shortages.

The HP OmniBook Ultra 14, featuring Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 Elite processor, offers a sleek design, powerful performance, and impressive battery life, challenging Apple's dominance in the premium laptop market.

A Windows 11 update is causing boot failures and BitLocker issues, affecting business devices from HP and Dell. Users report problems with Secure Boot and EFI partition space.

Verizon customers reported wireless connectivity issues, prompting the company to investigate. While no major outage was detected, the situation highlights the importance of reliable telecom services.

Minecraft experienced widespread disruptions, affecting players' ability to access servers and accounts. The outage, coinciding with school holidays, underscores the challenges of maintaining reliable online services.

Apple is preparing to introduce a new low-cost MacBook with vibrant color choices, including pink, as early as March 2026, marking the company's most colorful laptop lineup in decades and targeting students, educators and budget-conscious consumers.

Microsoft has yet to confirm an official date for unveiling its next generation of Surface products, but industry speculation, leaks and historical patterns suggest an announcement could come in the spring of 2026, likely between April and May, for devices expected to launch shortly thereafter.