Google Pixel Battery Drain Bug Hits Phones After April Update as Fix Remains Unclear
Google is investigating reports of severe battery drain on Pixel phones following March and April software
Ubisoft’s Animal Crossing-Style Alterra Is Reportedly Dead After Three Years
Ubisoft has canceled Alterra, a social-simulation game inspired by Animal Crossing, after nearly three years in development at its Montreal studio, Insider Gaming reported Tuesday. Staff were informed and sent home, with
Google Gemini Can Now Use Your Photos — The Privacy Trade-Off Behind Its New AI Images
Google is rolling out a Gemini update allowing its chatbot to generate AI images using a subscriber’s Google Photos library, The Verge
Google Pixel Battery Drain Complaints Grow as April Update Leaves Bootloop Fix Pending
Google Pixel users are reporting new battery drain issues across multiple models, days after Google acknowledged a separate bootloop bug linked to
Glencore Extends South Africa Smelter Job-Cut Deadline to April 7 in Eskom Power Talks
Glencore-Merafe Chrome Venture extended its retrenchment consultation deadline to April 7 as Eskom requested more time to finalize a discounted power deal
Xiaomi Stock in Focus After Fresh Buyback as Profit Slip Tests EV and AI Bets
Xiaomi repurchased 2.2 million shares for HK$71.4 million on March 27, days after posting its first quarterly profit drop in three years.
Rolls-Royce CEO pay plan put to shareholders after turnaround, with package topping £18 million
Rolls-Royce proposed a pay policy that could raise CEO Tufan Erginbilgic’s maximum compensation to £18.5 million in 2026, pending shareholder approval at the April 30 annual meeting. The plan would increase his long-term incentive grant to 750% of salary and annual bonus cap to 300%. If the share price rises 50%, his package could reach £24.4 million. Erginbilgic’s base salary rose 15.6% to £1.58 million in September.
Grab doubles Indonesia Eid bonus budget to Rp110 billion as new payout rule takes hold
Grab Indonesia will double its 2026 Eid bonus budget for drivers to up to 110 billion rupiah ($6.3 million), covering over 400,000
Cochlear share price crash: why ASX:COH slid 19% — and what investors watch next
Cochlear shares plunged 18.9% to A$199.22 Friday after half-year profit dropped and full-year profit guidance was cut to the low end of
HarmonyOS 6 Cleans Up the Notification Center: Huawei’s “Hidden Status Bar Icons” Change Lands as 6.0.0.120 Updates Expand (Dec 16, 2025)
Huawei’s HarmonyOS 6.0.0.120 update on Mate 80 phones now hides status bar icons in the Notification Center, leaving only carrier info visible.
Breaking the Universe’s Speed Limit: The Quest for Faster-Than-Light Communication
The speed of light in vacuum is 299,792 km/s, and relativity forbids information from exceeding it. In 2023, UK researchers proposed “Hyperwave”
Technology News 22.04.2026
LIVETechnology news rolling coverageStarted: April 22, 2026, 12:00 AM EDTUpdated: April 22, 2026, 3:41 AM EDT NASA's Curiosity finds the most diverse organic molecules yet in Martian rock sample April 22, 2026, 3:41 AM EDT. NASA's **Curiosity** rover drilled a rock nicknamed Mary Anning on Mount Sharp, and the analysis reveals the most diverse set of **organic molecules** ever found on Mars. Of 21 carbon-containing compounds identified, seven were detected for the first time on the planet. Scientists caution that the source-biological or geological processes-remains unresolved, but the discovery confirms that ancient Mars possessed chemical ingredients capable of supporting life.
PlayStation Users Face June Cutoff for Voice Chat as Sony Rolls Out Age Checks
Sony will require adult PlayStation users in the UK and Ireland to verify their age from June 2026 or lose access to chat, messaging, parties, Discord voice, and some sharing features. Players who do not verify can still play games and use the PlayStation Store. The company will use Yoti for age checks, offering phone, facial scan, or ID verification. The change follows new UK online safety rules.
Apple’s macOS 27 Cutoff Is Coming: The Intel Macs Facing Their Last Full Update
Apple will end major macOS updates for Intel-based Macs after macOS Tahoe 26, with macOS 27 requiring Apple silicon. Only a handful of Intel models, including the 2019 Mac Pro and certain MacBook Pros and iMacs, can install Tahoe. macOS 27 is expected in beta in June and public release in September. Apple will provide security updates for supported Intel Macs for three more years.
Microsoft Just Pushed Xbox Mode and Faster Windows 11 Fixes Closer to Your PC
Microsoft has released KB5083631 in the Windows 11 Release Preview channel, adding Xbox Mode’s full-screen gaming interface to PCs, laptops, and tablets. The update also targets File Explorer speed, Windows Hello reliability, and taskbar stability. Rollout is phased, so not all users will receive it immediately. FAT32 formatting limits increase to 2TB.
Google Pixel Battery Drain Bug Hits Phones After April Update as Fix Remains Unclear
Google is investigating reports of severe battery drain on Pixel phones following March and April software updates, with users citing power loss even while idle. The company has not confirmed the cause or a timeline for a fix. Complaints span Pixel 6 to Pixel 10 models, and a Google tracker entry cites “extreme idle battery drain” linked to the phone’s CPU not entering Deep Doze mode.
Panasonic’s $399 Lumix S 40mm F2 Lens Is the Tiny L-Mount Upgrade S9 Owners Were Waiting For
Panasonic will sell the Lumix S 40mm F2 full-frame L-Mount lens for $399.99, with shipments starting in early June. The 144-gram lens targets compact bodies like the Lumix S9. Panasonic also announced plans for a compact wide prime and a large-aperture telephoto zoom, but did not specify release dates. Preorders for the new lens are open in black and silver.
Ubisoft’s Animal Crossing-Style Alterra Is Reportedly Dead After Three Years
Ubisoft has canceled Alterra, a social-simulation game inspired by Animal Crossing, after nearly three years in development at its Montreal studio, Insider Gaming reported Tuesday. Staff were informed and sent home, with no layoffs announced. The game had not been publicly revealed. Ubisoft shares closed at €5.16 in Paris, up from €5.01.
Google Expands Gemini in Chrome Across Asia-Pacific as AI Browser Race Tightens
Google is launching its Gemini AI assistant in Chrome for Australia, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, and Vietnam. The rollout covers desktop and iOS, except in Japan, where iOS is excluded. Gemini can summarize pages, compare tabs, and work with Gmail, Calendar, Maps, and YouTube. Google’s “agentic” browser-control feature remains in U.S. testing for paid users.
Oppo Find X9 Ultra Goes Global With a 10x Zoom Camera to Challenge Samsung
Oppo launched the Find X9 Ultra globally, featuring dual 200MP cameras and a 50MP 10x optical telephoto lens. The phone will be available in the UK and Europe from May 8, starting at £1,449. The device uses Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip and a 7,050mAh battery. North America is excluded from the initial rollout.
PS5 Age Verification Deadline: Sony to Block PlayStation Chat, Parties and Streaming Without Age Check
Sony will require adult PlayStation users in the UK and Ireland to verify their age from June 2026 to keep using messaging, voice chat, parties, and sharing features. Players who do not complete verification can still play games but lose access to communications tools. Verification options include mobile number, face scan, or ID, with Yoti as provider. The change follows new online safety laws in both countries.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Able Leak Reveals The Earbud Design Bose And Sony Already Bet On
A leaked firmware icon shows Samsung’s unannounced Galaxy Buds Able with a clip-on, open-ear design, diverging from its usual in-ear models. References to the product and model number SM-U600 appeared in the Galaxy Wearable app, but sources say the device has faced delays and is not expected at the July 2026 Galaxy Unpacked event. The leak follows the March launch of Galaxy Buds4 and Buds4 Pro.
Xbox Game Pass Price Cut: Microsoft Slashes Ultimate, But Call Of Duty Loses Its Day-One Perk
Microsoft on Tuesday cut Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to $22.99 a month from $29.99 and dropped PC Game Pass to $13.99 from $16.49. Future Call of Duty games will no longer be available on either tier at launch, instead joining about a year later. Existing Call of Duty titles remain on the service.
iOS 27 Compatibility Leak Says iPhone 11 and 2020 iPhone SE Could Be Dropped
A leak from Chinese social media suggests iOS 27 will drop support for iPhone 11 models and the second-generation iPhone SE, starting compatibility with the iPhone 12 series and newer. Apple has not confirmed the list ahead of WWDC 2026, which begins June 8. The company’s current support page still includes the iPhone 11 lineup and 2020 SE.
Apple’s 200MP iPhone Camera Leak Now Points To 2028 — And Android Has A Long Head Start
Apple is evaluating a 200-megapixel periscope telephoto camera for a future iPhone, but supply-chain sources and Morgan Stanley expect any launch in 2028, not sooner. The move would mark a shift from Apple’s current 48MP sensors and bring it closer to Android rivals like Samsung, which already use 200MP cameras. Samsung and Sony are competing to supply the sensor. No mass production or specific iPhone model has been confirmed.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 Reviews Are In: Fastest Desktop CPU, But The $899 Catch Is Hard To Miss
AMD’s Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 Dual Edition launches April 22 at $899, featuring 16 cores, 192 MB L3 cache, and 200W TDP. Early reviews report strong workstation and Linux performance but limited gaming gains over cheaper X3D chips. Phoronix measured up to 33% Linux lead over Intel rivals, with power draw peaking at 261 watts. TechSpot found only modest improvements in creator workloads.
Sennheiser HD 480 PRO Launch: New Closed-Back Studio Headphones Target Bass, Comfort And Studio Work
Sennheiser unveiled the HD 480 PRO closed-back professional headphones Tuesday, priced at $479 in the U.S. and ₹43,999 in India. The HD 480 PRO Plus version costs $519 and ₹47,999, respectively. Both models target studio and live monitoring, featuring a 38 mm dynamic transducer, 3 Hz–28,700 Hz frequency response, and under 0.5% total harmonic distortion at 1 kHz.
Microsoft Teams Is Finally Fixing the Raise Hand Button That Makes Meetings Awkward
Microsoft will redesign the Teams meeting toolbar in June, moving the Raise Hand control under Reactions and shifting the Leave button to the right side, according to a Microsoft 365 Roadmap update. Users will be able to reorder meeting buttons. The changes aim to reduce accidental clicks during calls. The release date may shift, as Microsoft lists it as an estimate.
Ford’s 795-HP Mustang Dark Horse SC Opens Orders, Giving The GTD A Cheaper Shadow
Ford has opened orders for the 2026 Mustang Dark Horse SC, a supercharged 5.2-liter V8 coupe producing 795 horsepower and 660 pound-feet of torque. Base pricing starts at $103,490 before fees, with Track Pack versions reaching $170,970. Each engine is hand-built in Dearborn. Deliveries begin this summer.
Samsung’s iPhone Fold Fight Starts Early: July 22 Leak Points to a Wide Galaxy Fold
Samsung plans to unveil the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Z Flip 8, and a new Wide Fold model at a July 22 Unpacked event in London, according to Korea Economic TV. The Wide Fold is expected to feature a 4:3 screen ratio and Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chip. The Z Flip 8 may retain a 4,300mAh battery and 25W charging. Huawei launched a competing wide foldable, the Pura X Max, in China on Monday.
Google Photos Adds Skin-Smoothing And Teeth-Whitening Tools — Here’s Who Gets Them First
Google Photos is adding face touch-up tools for Android users, allowing skin smoothing, blemish removal, eye brightening, and teeth whitening. The feature is rolling out globally to devices running Android 9.0 or newer with at least 4 GB of RAM. No iOS release was announced. Older or lower-memory Android phones are not eligible.
Deezer’s AI Music Flood Hits 44% of Daily Uploads as Fraud Concerns Grow
Deezer reported nearly 75,000 fully AI-generated tracks are uploaded daily, making up 44% of new music deliveries. Only 1% to 3% of total streams are AI-generated, with 85% of those flagged as fraudulent and demonetized. The company has removed AI tracks from recommendations and playlists. Spotify and Qobuz have also tightened rules and detection tools for AI music.
Technology News 21.04.2026
WhatsApp has introduced a new Meta AI logo and a Liquid Glass UI with translucent layers and updated animations. The branding update, featuring a purple petal-like emblem, is being tested with select users. Core AI features and privacy protections remain unchanged. The rollout is not yet available to all users.
Apple’s iOS 26.5 Beta 3 Just Landed, and the Big iPhone Messaging Shift Is Closer
Apple released iOS 26.5 beta 3 to developers on April 20, adding a new “Suggested Places” feature in Maps and testing end-to-end encryption for RCS messaging. The beta, build 23F5059e, also includes a pop-up about local ads in Maps, which users cannot opt out of. Apple is expected to release iOS 26.5 publicly within weeks, ahead of its iOS 27 announcement at WWDC on June 8.
Samsung’s One UI 8.5 Betas Bring Galaxy S26 AI Tools to Older Galaxy Phones
Samsung has released new One UI 8.5 beta updates, bringing Galaxy S26 AI features to the Galaxy S25, S24, and recent foldables. The S25 beta build ending in ZZDD is over 900MB and includes the April 5, 2026 security patch. Stable rollout dates remain unconfirmed. The beta is live in South Korea, Germany, India, and the UK.
Google Pixel 10 Amazon Deal Hits $549 As Pro XL Falls As Low As $899
Amazon on Monday listed the unlocked Google Pixel 10 128GB at $549, down from $799, and the Pixel 10 Pro XL 256GB as low as $899 in some color options. The discounts keep Pixel 10 prices below current iPhone and Galaxy flagship models. Amazon’s listings showed the Obsidian 128GB Pixel 10 in stock at $549. Price cuts varied by color and seller, with some Pro XL models listed at $949.