TECHNOLOGY

Slack users reported problems accessing the workplace messaging platform on Thursday, prompting Downdetector to flag a possible outage while the cause, scope and duration remained unclear.

Anthropic has unveiled Claude Duet, a background AI agent for professionals and small businesses that monitors connected apps, completes tasks and requests approval for high-risk actions.

A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $25 billion after a jury found more than 43 million consumer protection violations involving Facebook privacy claims. Meta will appeal.

Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 8 delivers a thinner design, brighter displays and a smoother hinge, but reviewers say its higher price and modest hardware upgrades limit its appeal.

A Geekbench listing reportedly reveals Motorola's Razr Flex prototype with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chip, 12GB of RAM and Android 17 ahead of its unconfirmed 2026 launch.

Apple's iPhone Duo and Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 offer similarly sized folding displays, but differ on price, weight, durability, cameras, multitasking and availability.

Apple retail staff have reportedly been told to discourage customers without preorders from seeking the iPhone Duo in stores, as production constraints drive delivery estimates into 2027.

GitLab said it resolved CI/CD failures and slower interface performance affecting a limited number of GitLab.com customers after several days of intermittent platform disruptions.

OpenAI's upgraded ChatGPT Chrome extension can read open tabs and control websites for tasks including form filling, messaging, file downloads and tab organisation.

Global timekeepers have voted to phase out leap seconds from 2027, allowing Coordinated Universal Time to drift further from Earth's rotation before a rare leap-hour adjustment is needed.

Sony has launched three premium Walkman music players, including a $5,899 gold-plated flagship, with upgraded audio processing and Australian releases expected from late November.

Microsoft's Surface Laptop Ultra launches with Nvidia RTX Spark silicon, exceptional local AI performance and a vivid display, while early reviews question its price and software optimisation.

Bluesky users reported problems accessing the app and website on Thursday, but the company had not confirmed an outage or explained how many users were affected.

The Oppo Find N6 currently offers the least noticeable crease among thoroughly tested foldables, while early reviews suggest Apple's iPhone Duo could match or surpass it.

DeepSeek has emerged as a serious low-cost AI competitor, outperforming some US models in coding, but it faces weaknesses in reasoning, reliability, chip access and market trust.

DeepSeek users reported widespread access problems, including failed logins and unresponsive chats, as the company acknowledged a partial outage affecting its web service and API.

Apple has reportedly increased orders for its first foldable iPhone by 30% ahead of pre-orders, signalling stronger-than-expected demand despite production challenges and limited supply.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has criticised OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's view that society should accept some AI-related harms, while questioning the technology's healthcare benefits.

Discord users reported problems accessing the platform early Wednesday, with Downdetector showing a sudden rise in complaints while the cause, scope and duration remained unclear.

Users reported problems accessing Fox News on Tuesday, with Downdetector recording a spike in complaints. The cause, scope and affected services remained unclear, and Fox News had not commented.

Apple has introduced HomeView, a $299 smart display with Face ID-style personalisation, Siri AI, FaceTime, music and smart-home controls. Pre-orders begin in six countries.

OnePlus has launched its OnePlus 16 flagship in China with a 165Hz display, 9,000mAh battery, upgraded cameras and a higher starting price than its predecessor.

Palantir CTO Shyam Sankar says some AI researchers smoke to signal their belief that the technology will cure cancer, but provided no names or evidence.

Astound Broadband customers reported internet disruptions Monday, particularly in Chicago's western suburbs, while outage trackers showed elevated complaints and the company had not confirmed the cause or scope.

Bill Gates says criminals using advanced AI without safeguards pose a more immediate risk than loss of human control, warning that governments are not prepared for cyberattacks and disruption.

Aiper's IrriSense N2 SE combines a controller, valve and sprinkler in one hose-connected unit, offering mapped watering, up to six zones and weather-aware scheduling for Australian gardens.

Apple is reportedly preparing to unveil HomeView, a Siri-powered smart home hub with a display, alongside updated Apple TV and HomePod mini devices this week.

OpenAI, Anthropic, Google and xAI have backed calls for stronger AI safety measures while continuing product launches, leaving the question of who will lead in 2027 unresolved.

Microsoft has opened pre-orders for the $2,599 Surface Laptop Ultra, a high-end 15-inch Windows laptop powered by Nvidia's RTX Spark chip and aimed at creative professionals, developers and AI researchers.