disruptions Archives

AppWizard

October 12, 2026

OpenAI’s own advice during its October 9 Android outage: use ChatGPT on the web

On the evening of October 9, users attempting to access ChatGPT on Android devices encountered the message "This content is unavailable in this version of the app" due to an issue from OpenAI. The problem began at 21:00:39Z and lasted for three hours and 26 minutes, concluding at 00:26:44Z on October 10. OpenAI advised users to switch to the web version while they worked on a fix for older app versions. A second major incident occurred 48 minutes later, locking workspace administrators out of plugin settings from 21:48:34Z to 23:26:59Z on October 9, totaling one hour and 38 minutes. Both incidents overlapped entirely, with the Android issue persisting for an additional hour after the admin issue was resolved. As of 21:42 UTC on October 10, a third minor incident regarding "Delayed Costs data in the Compliance API" remained unresolved, having started at 17:23:18Z on October 9. OpenAI reported that some customers might experience incomplete Costs data while the backlog was addressed, with the catch-up process expected to continue through October 11. ChatGPT usage and API Platform requests were unaffected, and the overall status was designated as "Partial System Degradation." Additionally, a more significant outage occurred on September 29, lasting five hours and 22 minutes and affecting 30 components, which was more extensive than the incidents on October 9. Neither of the major incidents on October 9 impacted the API.

Tech Optimizer

October 10, 2026

How and why we built Managed PostgreSQL for AI workloads

The Nebius Managed PostgreSQL team developed a solution for AI workloads using CloudNativePG and Kubernetes, resulting in improved backup and restore times by transitioning from Barman to WAL-G, reducing a 1.5 TB backup duration from over a day to two hours. Since its launch in 2025, the service supports hundreds of production clusters and manages tens of tebibytes of data. Key features include high availability, point-in-time recovery, automated failover, compressed and encrypted backups, rapid restoration, connection pooling, and strict synchronous replication for zero data loss. Kubernetes and CloudNativePG were chosen for their advantages, including out-of-the-box features and open-source distribution. Each cloud project has a separate MK8s cluster for customer isolation and security. Persistent data is stored on fault-tolerant SSD drives, enabling swift instance migration during failures. Regular physical backups are archived, allowing restoration within a seven-day window with a single click. The transition from Barman to WAL-G addressed slow backup and restoration times and resource control limitations. With WAL-G, backups and restorations for a 1.5 TB cluster improved to two hours and one hour, respectively. PgBouncer was implemented to manage database connections effectively, reducing connection storms during peak AI workload traffic. Two vector search extensions, pgvector and pgvectorscale, are available to cater to different memory and dataset needs. Benchmarking showed that Nebius performs competitively with AWS at a lower cost. The infrastructure integrates cloud engineering principles with specialized expertise to meet AI workload demands.

Tech Optimizer

October 7, 2026

VPN threat protection vs. dedicated antivirus: Are VPNs really enough?

Many VPN providers are now offering additional security features such as malware detection, malicious link checkers, and ad blockers, alongside their primary function of encrypting internet traffic. Notable VPNs like NordVPN and Surfshark have integrated real-time malware protection, with NordVPN becoming the first VPN to receive certification as a reliable anti-phishing tool in 2024. Surfshark's Surfshark One package offers comprehensive real-time protection from viruses and malware. Other VPNs, such as Avira and CyberGhost, utilize shared infrastructures for antivirus capabilities, which can lead to delays in updates and inconsistent platform support. Microsoft Defender has improved significantly, blocking 95.5% of live threats according to AV-Comparatives, while Apple employs multiple defenses in macOS, including Gatekeeper and XProtect, to manage malware threats. Avast Free Antivirus has achieved a perfect 100% block rate in recent testing but comes with limitations compared to paid antivirus suites like Norton 360 Deluxe and Bitdefender Total Security, which offer additional features such as password managers and identity monitoring. A layered approach to digital security, combining a VPN, free antivirus, and built-in OS-level security, is recommended for effective protection. Relying solely on one layer leaves potential gaps, as a VPN cannot detect existing malware, and free antivirus solutions may lack advanced features. Users managing sensitive data or frequent financial transactions should consider investing in premium antivirus suites for enhanced security.

AppWizard

October 6, 2026

Pixel 11 users are reporting Google Maps freezes and strange visual glitches in Android Auto

Users of Google's Pixel 11 series are experiencing significant issues with Google Maps while using Android Auto, including freezing, flickering, and graphical glitches. Reports describe "pixelated black static" appearing in place of the map, affecting both wired and wireless connections. Attempts to resolve the issue by uninstalling the app or clearing its cache have been ineffective. The root cause is unclear, and it is uncertain if Google is addressing the problem. Some users have found that keeping their device unlocked improves performance, while others report no issues. An earlier update to Google Play Services aimed to fix connection bugs, but feedback on its effectiveness has been mixed.

AppWizard

October 3, 2026

Google already rolling out Android 17 QPR3 Beta 1 for Pixel

Google has released the Android 17 QPR3 Beta 1, following the QPR2 release, with a stable version expected in March 2027. The beta includes several enhancements and fixes, such as: - Functional audio output device switching during playback from apps without active media controls. - Stabilized foreground service initiation from Quick Settings tiles. - Adjusted application icons in the app menu to reduce excessive spacing. - Reliable app previews in the recent apps screen. - Improved NFC service stability. - Optimized fingerprint sensor unlocking to prevent device freezes. - Refined Face Unlock settings to avoid crashes. - Enhanced MediaPlayer functionality for non-ASCII audio attribute tags. - Improved application launch stability to reduce ANR errors. - Correct functioning of video calling apps without camera feed rotation in desktop mode. - Streamlined user interface navigation back to the home screen. - Corrected Mobile Data icon anomalies in Quick Settings. - Screen recording now supports front camera functionality. - Stabilized calling apps to prevent crashes after device reboot. - Addressed eSIM profile activation issues. - Minimized battery drain during idle with Flip to Shh enabled. - Stabilized access to battery settings in the Settings app. - Improved audio playback consistency on LHDC v5 Bluetooth devices. - Mitigated cellular service disruptions due to modem reporting issues. - Enhanced Wi-Fi connectivity for automatic reconnections during background wakes. The Android 17 QPR3 Beta 1 system images are available for various Pixel devices, including the Pixel 6a, Pixel 7 series, Pixel Tablet, and Pixel 8 models. Users can report issues through the Android Beta Feedback app and join the Android Beta Program for OTA updates. Opting out of the Beta program after installation will result in a data wipe, while opting out before installation will not.

AppWizard

October 2, 2026

HP’s Googlebook 14 Looks Like an Android User’s Dream, But Check the Price

HP has introduced the Googlebook 14, a premium laptop designed to integrate seamlessly with Android phones, featuring phone-file access, app streaming, and a 2.8K OLED touchscreen powered by Snapdragon X Elite hardware. The laptop starts at ,199.99, with Google listing it at ,299 for a configuration with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. It supports Android 17 or newer phones, allowing users to access phone files and applications directly from the laptop. The Googlebook 14 has a slim profile, vapor-chamber cooling, a 5MP infrared camera, and supports up to two UHD external displays. Battery life is claimed to be up to 19 hours, but testing methods vary. The laptop includes AI features like Magic Pointer and Rambler, but some features are limited by region and age. Eligible buyers receive 12 months of Google AI Pro with 5TB of cloud storage, available in select countries.

Winsage

October 1, 2026

Microsoft Enables Windows Settings Backup by Default

Microsoft has announced that Windows settings backup will now be enabled by default on eligible Windows 11 version 26H2 devices. This feature, previously known as Windows Backup for Organizations, automatically preserves users’ Windows settings and Microsoft Store app lists, facilitating restoration after device resets, replacements, or reimages. The change aims to minimize disruptions during device recovery and ensures more devices have recovery data readily available. Administrators will still control the restore process, which requires explicit configuration. The default-on behavior applies only to Windows 11 version 26H2 or later, devices with the backup policy in a “Not Configured” state, and excludes certain environments. Administrators can disable the backup feature if necessary.

AppWizard

September 30, 2026

This Nvidia GeForce Now mod lets you play PC games on your Nintendo 3DS

An open-source, unofficial Nvidia GeForce Now client named Kasumi has been developed for jailbroken Nintendo 3DS consoles, allowing users to stream PC games directly on devices like the Nintendo 3DS, 3DS XL, and 2DS XL. Kasumi enables customization of control schemes and connection settings and supports a library of games from platforms such as Steam, Epic Games, and Ubisoft Connect. It utilizes Nvidia's servers for game rendering while the 3DS handles video and audio decoding and controller input. The application is designed to work within the limitations of the 3DS, capping frame rates at 30fps and bitrates at approximately 1Mbps. Server latency ranges from 60ms to 80ms, and a buffer is included to enhance gameplay experience. Kasumi allows for user-friendly control mapping and is compatible with the free version of GeForce Now, which includes a waiting queue and session limits. The project is still in active development, meaning users may experience some inconsistencies.

Winsage

September 30, 2026

How to get the Windows 11 2026 Update

Windows 11, version 26H2 is now available for eligible devices running Windows 11, versions 25H2 and 24H2. The update is delivered via a small enablement package that activates new features already integrated into the operating system. The installation process is similar to a monthly update, requiring a minor download and a quick restart. The update includes enhancements in quality, reliability, and security. For commercial and educational customers, it can be accessed through existing management tools like Windows Autopatch and the Microsoft 365 admin center. Version 26H2 offers 24 months of support for Home and Pro editions and 36 months for Enterprise and Education editions. Some features that were disabled in version 25H2 will now be enabled by default in version 26H2.

AppWizard

September 30, 2026

Why is Spotify not working? Thousands of users report issues

By 3:20 PM on September 29, over 4,000 users reported issues with the Spotify app, particularly in the UK. Spotify acknowledged the situation on its X page, stating they were checking out the issues. Users expressed confusion and frustration on X, questioning whether the app was down and reporting difficulties in listening to music. Downdetector is a platform that allows users to report service disruptions for various popular services, and it monitors interruptions by collecting problem indicators from social media and other online sources.