Apps & Software
TechnologyThe latest on Apps & Software from our Technology desk.
Google Cloud services banks hit by UK outage
Google Cloud linked a UK outage to a “power event,” disrupting services used by banks and courts. Revolut confirmed a third-party issue, while customers reported missing investment balances, failed payments and trouble accessing accounts. Google Cloud has not given a timeline for restoring affected services, and the company said it was investigating problems at its UK data centre complex.
Tech Probe Finds Teens Could Download 135 Nudify Apps on Apple, Google
A Tech Transparency Project investigation found that researchers using accounts marked as belonging to 13-year-olds could download 135 apps with nudification features. The report says many apps were incorrectly rated for minors, while a face-swapping app allowed a subscription purchase without alerting a linked parental account.
Verizon’s iPhone Handoff Costs $10 a Month, Double T-Mobile’s Fee
Verizon will charge customers $10 a month for iPhone Handoff, which lets one phone number move between two compatible iPhones. The fee is twice T-Mobile’s price, while support for the feature is expected before the end of the year. Customers will need compatible iPhones running iOS 27 to use it.
Sony Drops Android 17 Upgrade for Xperia 10 VI, Citing Storage Limits
Sony has withdrawn a promised Android 17 upgrade for the Xperia 10 VI, meaning owners of the midrange phone will miss a major software update
WhatsApp Scheduled Messages: What the Beta Feature Offers
WhatsApp is testing scheduled messages in its Android beta, with a reported window ranging from 10 minutes to two weeks. Users could schedule text, links, photos and videos, including messages sent while their phone is offline. The feature has not been announced for a general release, and details such as editing or canceling a scheduled message remain unclear.
Windows 11 Photos App Brings PC, OneDrive and iCloud Images Together
Photos scattered across a computer and cloud services can be hard to browse in one place. Microsoft’s redesigned Photos app for Windows 11 now brings
FBI Arrests Canadian Cybersecurity Executive in Employee Data Hack
The FBI arrested Edward Dubrovsky, a Canadian cybersecurity executive and ransomware expert, in connection with an investigation into a hack that exposed data on current and former bureau employees. He faces extortion and threat-related charges and has been transferred to Texas for a detention hearing. Investigators are still pursuing others they believe were involved.
Indonesia Says Meta Has Not Reported Underage Threads Enforcement
Indonesia says Meta has not reported enforcement against underage users on Threads under the country’s child-safety rules. The ministry says Meta reported blocking around 85,000 underage Instagram accounts and 99,000 Facebook accounts, while teen accounts remain classified as high-risk. Platforms have around five months left to meet the requirements.
Elon Musk Questions Ambani as Starlink Awaits India Approval
Elon Musk questioned Mukesh Ambani’s influence as Starlink internet waits for final security clearances and spectrum allocation in India. The government rejected Musk’s claims of unfair treatment, saying Starlink and two other satellite operators are at broadly the same stage of approval. Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel are also preparing satellite services, while both have agreements to distribute Starlink equipment and services, subject to government approval.
Android’s New Sideloading Rules Add a 24-Hour Wait — But Not Everywhere
Android users in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand now face a 24-hour wait before installing apps from unregistered developers. Google’s new process ...
Samsung Expands Android 17 Rollout to Galaxy S24 and Older Foldables
Galaxy S24 owners and users of older Samsung foldables are beginning to get the company’s latest Android software, widening an update that first reached its
ASOS Probes Threatening App Alert as Shares Fall Nearly 10%
ASOS is investigating a threatening notification sent to app users that claimed hackers had compromised a Snowflake database and threatened to leak data. The retailer’s website and app remained online, while its shares fell almost 10%. Security experts said the claim was unverified and warned customers to watch for phishing messages posing as ASOS.
YouTube TV Raises Monthly Price to $82.99 as 3 Channels Leave
YouTube TV still appeals to sports fans with live channels, unlimited DVR and access to ESPN Unlimited for eligible subscribers. But its $82.99 monthly base price and the planned loss of three channels may make the service harder to justify for households with different viewing habits. An old Google Nest Hub can also work as a small, voice-controlled screen for watching the service around the home.
WhatsApp Tests Restricted Chat for Sensitive Conversations
WhatsApp has begun testing Restricted Chat with selected Android and iOS beta users. The feature is intended to give account holders more control over sensitive conversations, but the company has not yet specified which chat actions it will restrict or when the option may reach all users.
Smart Devices Given Personalities, Chatted in Discord Experiment
A writer gave smart home devices personalities and let them chat in Discord, using n8n and hosted LLMs. The experiment pulled anonymized data from an ESP32 soil sensor, a smart doorbell and an LG smart TV.
Terror handlers turn to porn sites and encrypted apps to evade surveillance in Jammu and Kashmir
Srinagar — Terror outfits and Pakistan-based handlers are using pornography websites with live-chat features and niche encrypted apps to contact recruits in ...
WhatsApp group chat exposed as cash pipeline for crime and extremism
A WhatsApp group of 532 people was used to move cash across borders and help fund organised crime and extremism, according to an investigation by
Florida father’s TikTok plea goes viral as family races to find son’s stem cell donor
A Florida father has drawn more than 15 million views on TikTok after posting a desperate appeal to save his 15-year-old son, Max, who needs
Madlanga Commission turns to WhatsApp messages from late taxi boss Jonathan Msibi
PRETORIA — The Madlanga Commission is focusing on WhatsApp messages linked to the late taxi boss Jonathan “Mswazi” Msibi, as the inquiry continues to probe
Apple Restores Telegram After CSAM Content Removal
Telegram was briefly removed from Apple’s App Store before being restored the same day after Apple said the app had violated rules on child sexual abuse material. Telegram said it banned the user involved and removed the content.
Facebook Desktop Outage Hits Users Worldwide
Facebook down complaints surged worldwide as desktop users saw an unavailable message and Downdetector recorded a sharp spike in reports. The outage affected users in multiple regions and highlighted how quickly a platform issue can disrupt messaging, publishing and account access.
Track Your Android Data Usage in Settings
Android phones track your mobile data in multiple ways. Here's how to monitor usage, set limits, and avoid unexpected overages across different devices and carriers.
No More Shadow Infrastructure: BoE and FCA Begin Direct Audits of AWS, Google, and Microsoft
The UK begins direct regulatory oversight of AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft under the new CTP regime to prevent systemic financial risk.
iOS 27 Unveils Enhanced Mail App Features: A Global Perspective
Apple's latest operating system, iOS 27, has been making waves in the tech world, and its Mail app is at the forefront of the conversation.