Microsoft has reintroduced its AI Recall technology for Copilot Plus-powered computers, currently in testing and available to select users via the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.2415 (KB5046723) in the Dev Channel. The technology is limited to devices with Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets, with plans for broader compatibility with AMD and Intel systems. Microsoft has implemented a stricter privacy framework requiring user permissions for data access and ensuring that snapshots are stored locally.
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) and Google presented closing arguments in an antitrust case concerning the advertising market in a Virginia court. DOJ attorney Aaron Teitelbaum accused Google of manipulating ad auctions and monopolistic control, while Google's attorney Karen Dunn argued the DOJ had not proven its claims. The case could lead to significant changes in Google's business structure.
Evolv Technology reached a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) over misleading claims about its AI scanners' effectiveness in detecting weapons. Evolv is now prohibited from making unsupported claims about its products following investigations that questioned the technology's real-world performance.
A group of schoolchildren from Middle Barton Primary School in Oxfordshire previewed a new motorsport-themed minigame within Minecraft at the headquarters of the Formula 1 team BWT Alpine. The minigame allows players to explore the F1 team's base in a Minecraft landscape, learning about the processes involved in creating and racing a Formula 1 car. It is part of Alpine's Race into STEM campaign aimed at increasing female participation in motorsport. Developed with Microsoft, the game features pixelated avatars of real-life team members, including team principal Oliver Oakes. The minigame is available for free on the Minecraft Education platform. BWT Alpine is currently sixth in the F1 constructors championship and recently achieved podium finishes in Brazil with drivers Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly.
NatWest Group has formally banned a range of messaging applications, including WhatsApp, Meta's Messenger, Skype, Telegram, Signal, Viber, Snapchat, Discord, WeChat, and Line, to enhance regulatory compliance and communication oversight. This ban, effective from November 6, applies only to company-issued devices and is aimed at protecting the bank and its stakeholders from regulatory complications. The prohibited apps are seen as lacking proper record recovery options, which could hinder compliance documentation. Employees are discouraged from using personal devices for business communication on these platforms. The decision comes amid increased regulatory scrutiny of banks' recordkeeping practices, highlighted by significant fines imposed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority is also looking into financial institutions' usage of encrypted messaging apps. Approved communication channels at NatWest include Microsoft Teams, Viva Engage, Zoom, Outlook, Symphony Chat, and SMS, all of which allow for record retrieval.
Ubisoft has officially disbanded the development team behind Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. This decision was confirmed in a statement to Eurogamer. The game has concluded its post-launch roadmap, which included three free content updates and a DLC pack released in September. Ubisoft has launched the game on Steam and plans a Mac release by winter. Most developers from the team have transitioned to new projects, and Ubisoft plans to deliver more Prince of Persia experiences in the future.
London was reported to have winds exceeding 13,000 mph and Nottingham was forecasted to experience overnight temperatures of 404°C, which were attributed to a malfunction in the forecasting software of DTN, the BBC’s weather data provider. The BBC confirmed that the issues with incorrect wind speeds and temperatures had been resolved and that both the website and app were functioning normally again. DTN issued an apology for the disruption. BBC meteorologist Matt Taylor reassured the public that the extreme forecasts were a result of a data glitch and that Hurricane Milton was not heading towards the UK.
The Bird of a Thousand Voices is a browser-only, mobile-friendly game that educates and explains Armenian mythology through hand-drawn art and an original soundtrack.
Telegram Messenger is under investigation in Eagle County for drug distribution to minors. CEO Pavel Durov was arrested in France on charges of facilitating drug trafficking, fraud, and distributing child sex abuse images via the platform. The case involves Kathya Saenz-Hernandez, who received a 16-year suspended imposition sentence for selling drugs to minors through her Telegram account. The investigation began in March 2022 after a mother reported her child's drug use linked to Telegram. Evidence revealed a channel where various drugs, including marijuana and LSD, were sold. Saenz-Hernandez was arrested on September 26, 2023, and pled guilty to distributing a controlled substance to a minor, receiving a suspended sentence with probation conditions.
Avira Prime has a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of .99 and offers good malware protection, a monthly antivirus plan, a VPN, and a password manager. It has a free version, a basic antivirus subscription, and a premium plan. The premium plan includes features for mobile devices, an unlimited VPN, and device optimization tools. The installation process for Avira’s Windows application is quick, and it conducts a comprehensive system scan. Avira has a commendable record in malware protection but has missed some zero-day threats in tests. The VPN feature includes two U.K. servers, and the password manager performs well. Customer support is available but lacks 24/7 availability. Avira emphasizes user privacy and does not sell or share personal data.
The global Microsoft outages were caused by a technical problem in CrowdStrike's software, affecting over 42,000 flights globally, causing cancellations of surgeries and medical visits in hospitals, disrupting operations in various industries, and impacting city services. The fix is being implemented, but some systems may take days to fully recover.
