(Brands & Consumers)
Apple and Google have reinstated TikTok on their U.S. app stores, following an executive action that delayed the enforcement of a potential ban on the platform. Google Play confirmed on Thursday that it had restored TikTok, while reports from Bloomberg and CNBC indicated that Apple would do the same later that evening. By Thursday night,…
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reassured the public of Keystone Bank’s stability following a recent court ruling that ordered the forfeiture of its shares to the federal government. CBN spokesperson Hakama Sidi Ali, in a statement on Friday, acknowledged concerns surrounding the judgment but emphasized that there was no threat to the bank’s…
Apple has officially chosen Alibaba as its partner to introduce artificial intelligence (AI) services in China, marking a major step in expanding its AI capabilities into the world’s largest mobile phone market. This decision ends months of speculation over how Apple would navigate China’s strict regulations on foreign AI operators. A Strategic Partnership for AI…
The gaming industry is experiencing a seismic shift, and at the centre of it is a surprising development – Microsoft, traditionally a rival to Sony, could end up publishing more games on PlayStation in 2025 than Sony itself. This unexpected reality has left gamers questioning the future of Xbox as a console platform and the…
For nearly 30 years, smartphones have been at the center of modern life, evolving from simple communication devices to essential tools for work, entertainment, and social interaction. However, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg believes their dominance is coming to an end. According to him, smart glasses will soon replace smartphones as the primary way people interact…
Chevron has announced plans to lay off 15% to 20% of its global workforce by the end of 2026 as part of a cost-cutting initiative aimed at streamlining operations. The U.S. oil giant is currently engaged in a legal battle with Exxon Mobil over its planned acquisition of Hess, a key component of its strategy…
Fabric and craft retailer Joann is set to shut down 500 of its 800 stores across the United States in the coming months as it moves through the bankruptcy process. In a statement, the company described the decision as a necessary step to stabilize its operations. “Right-sizing our store footprint is a critical part of…
Spirit Airlines has once again turned down an acquisition offer from Frontier Group, stating that the $2.16 billion bid does not provide as much value to shareholders as its ongoing restructuring plan. Frontier’s latest proposal, a reiteration of its earlier offer, included $400 million in debt and a 19% stake in Frontier for Spirit shareholders….
A Tesla Cybertruck crashed into a utility pole while operating on the latest version of the company’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software, raising fresh concerns about the technology’s reliability. The incident was reported by Jonathan Challinger, a Florida-based software developer, who shared images of the damaged vehicle on social media. Challinger said he was using Tesla’s…
Kanye West’s Yeezy website has gone offline after Shopify terminated its service, citing violations of its policies. A Shopify spokesperson confirmed the decision on Tuesday, stating that the platform removed the online store because it “did not engage in authentic commerce practices and violated our terms.” As a result, the Yeezy website, which had been…
The competition between Sam Altman and Elon Musk over the future of artificial intelligence has reached new heights, with OpenAI’s CEO rejecting a staggering $97.4 billion buyout offer from Musk and his group of investors. Altman’s refusal signals his commitment to OpenAI’s mission, even as the tech billionaire ramps up legal and competitive pressure. Musk,…
Kanye West has once again ignited backlash after launching $20 T-shirts featuring swastikas on his website, marking another week of controversy for the rapper. West, who now goes by Ye, promoted his Yeezy store with a Super Bowl ad, which aired in select markets on Sunday. The low-budget commercial, filmed on an iPhone, showed him…
Eskom has issued a warning to South Africans with rooftop solar panels, urging them to register their systems or risk penalties. Homeowners and businesses that fail to comply could face costs exceeding R50,000 to bring their installations up to standard. The power utility emphasized that the registration process is crucial for ensuring that solar systems…
Google Messages is reportedly developing a feature that would allow users to initiate WhatsApp video calls directly from the app. The feature, discovered in the app’s latest code, is not yet functional but is expected to activate when Google Meet is not installed on the caller’s device. According to a report by Android Authority, the…
Elon Musk is spearheading an investor group that has made a staggering $97.4 billion offer to acquire OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT. If successful, the deal could dramatically alter the landscape of artificial intelligence and reignite Musk’s influence over the organization he co-founded in 2015. The move, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, follows…
The rise of Chinese AI firm DeepSeek is shaking up not only global tech giants like OpenAI but also China’s own technology landscape. As the company’s influence spreads, some of China’s biggest firms – many of which have been developing their own AI chatbots – are now integrating DeepSeek’s open-source model into their services. Earlier…
Users of Google Maps in the United States are now seeing the body of water formerly known as the Gulf of Mexico listed as the Gulf of America. The change follows an executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump, renaming the gulf. Google, in a statement on Monday, reiterated its policy of updating names…
Telecommunications giant MTN Nigeria has rolled back its 200% tariff increase on the 15GB data plan, acknowledging that the hike was an error. The company announced the reversal in a statement on its official X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday, apologizing to customers for the unexpected price surge. Earlier in the week, MTN had implemented…
Tech billionaire Bill Gates has expressed concern over Intel’s declining dominance in the semiconductor industry, stating that the company has fallen behind in both chip design and fabrication. In a recent interview with the Associated Press, the Microsoft co-founder – who has long had ties to Intel – said he was “stunned” by the company’s…
Gmail users are being urged to stay alert as cybercriminals deploy AI-powered scams designed to steal login credentials. The FBI has issued a warning about a sophisticated phishing attack that tricks users into granting hackers access to their accounts by impersonating Google support representatives. The scam begins with a fraudulent phone call that appears to…
A newly launched Taiwanese observation satellite, ONGLAISAT, has successfully captured high-resolution images of Earth, marking a significant achievement in small-satellite technology. The satellite, built with the help of Japanese startup ArkEdge Space, was deployed into orbit at approximately 400 km above Earth in December and has since produced 2.5-metre resolution imagery, among the highest quality…
Elon Musk has denied any plans to purchase TikTok, dismissing speculation that he might bid for the popular video-sharing platform. Speaking at the WELT Economic Summit on January 28, the billionaire entrepreneur made it clear that acquiring TikTok is not on his agenda. “I’ve not put in a bid for TikTok, and I don’t have…
Apple has disclosed a severe security vulnerability in its macOS kernel, identified as CVE-2025-24118, which could allow attackers to gain kernel-level privileges. The flaw, affecting multiple versions of macOS, iPadOS, and macOS Sequoia, has been deemed a significant risk to users. Security researcher Joseph Ravichandran from MIT CSAIL uncovered the vulnerability, which stems from a…
With nearly 10 million active users in Nigeria, YouTube has solidified its place as one of the country’s most dominant entertainment platforms. The video-sharing site attracts millions of viewers daily, offering diverse content ranging from music and gaming streams to educational tutorials and lifestyle vlogs. But does YouTube truly reign supreme in Nigeria’s entertainment space?…
Console gamers can breathe a sigh of relief as Rockstar Games has reaffirmed that Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6) remains on schedule for a fall 2025 release. However, PC players may have to wait much longer, as the company has yet to announce a version for the platform. No Delays – For Now During…
Fans of the popular Football Manager series have been left disappointed after Sports Interactive (SI) announced the cancellation of Football Manager 2025 (FM25) due to unresolved development challenges. Originally scheduled for a November 2024 release, FM25 had already faced multiple delays. However, in an official statement, the game’s creators confirmed that despite their efforts, they…
A Tokyo electronics store has issued an apology after a massive crowd, mostly Chinese buyers, caused chaos while attempting to purchase Nvidia’s latest gaming chips. The commotion, which unfolded in Akihabara – a district famous for gaming, anime, and tech shopping – was triggered by the high demand for Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 50 series graphics…
A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers is moving to prohibit government employees from using DeepSeek, a Chinese artificial intelligence chatbot, on official devices due to national security concerns. Representatives Darin LaHood (Republican, Illinois) and Josh Gottheimer (Democrat, New Jersey) plan to introduce legislation on Friday that would block the use of DeepSeek in government systems….
UK Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has announced plans to make it more difficult for immigrants to acquire British citizenship, proposing stricter eligibility requirements. In one of her first major policy declarations since taking leadership, Badenoch stated that under her proposed changes, immigrants would need to reside in the UK for 15 years before being eligible…
Spotify and Warner Music Group (WMG) have announced a new multiyear partnership aimed at enhancing their collaboration in recorded music and publishing. The deal, revealed on Thursday, underscores a shared commitment to supporting artists, songwriters, and fans while driving growth in the music industry. Although financial details were not disclosed, both companies emphasized their focus…
Hundreds of LinkedIn users across the UK have reported issues accessing the platform, with disruptions beginning around 6 p.m. Users encountered error messages, login failures, and unresponsive pages, leading to frustration among professionals relying on the site. According to Downdetector, a real-time outage tracking service, over 200 users reported problems within the first 30 minutes…
Google has quietly removed a key restriction from its AI principles, signalling a shift in its stance on the use of artificial intelligence for potentially harmful applications, including military weaponry. The change, first reported by Bloomberg, eliminates a section from Google’s AI guidelines that previously stated the company would not pursue AI projects “that cause…
Public libraries are facing an overwhelming flood of AI-generated books, creating challenges for digital lending services and raising concerns about content quality. With the rise of generative AI tools, low-quality ebooks—often filled with automated summaries or fabricated content—are increasingly making their way onto platforms that supply libraries with digital materials. A report by 404 Media…
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has made bold claims about the company’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology, suggesting that it has become so advanced that some drivers misuse it in unsafe ways. His comments have sparked both praise and criticism as Tesla continues to push the boundaries of autonomous driving. At a recent investor and analyst conference,…
Apple has expressed concerns regarding the availability of a pornography app on iPhones in the European Union, highlighting how the bloc’s new digital regulations are eroding consumer confidence in its devices. The app, called Hot Tub, has gained attention as one of the first adult content apps to be distributed through an alternative app store…
The global gaming peripheral market, valued at $6.74 billion in 2024, is expected to experience significant growth, reaching $17.52 billion by 2033. This surge, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.2%, is primarily driven by increasing consumer investment in high-performance gaming accessories and the growing demand for immersive gaming experiences. Consumer Investment in…
In a continuous effort to protect Android users from security threats, Google has announced that it successfully blocked 2.36 million apps from the Play Store for violating its policies in 2024. This action highlights the company’s ongoing commitment to securing the Android ecosystem, which serves billions of users worldwide. Despite Google’s enhanced security measures, malicious…
PlayStation users worldwide have been left frustrated as a major PlayStation Network (PSN) outage has stretched into its second day, preventing gamers from accessing online services. 24 Hours Without PSN The disruption, which began around 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, was first flagged by tracking site Down Detector, which reported a surge in complaints from…
A Seoul appeals court has acquitted Samsung Electronics Chairman Jay Y. Lee of accounting fraud and stock manipulation charges related to a 2015 merger, marking a significant legal victory for the business leader. The Seoul High Court upheld an earlier ruling that dismissed allegations that the merger of Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries was orchestrated…
Apple has agreed to a $20 million settlement in a class action lawsuit concerning battery swelling issues in early Apple Watch models. Owners of the Series 0, 1, 2, and 3 who reported swelling problems may be eligible for compensation. The lawsuit, Smith et al. v. Apple Inc., was filed in the U.S. District Court…
The Australian government has officially banned the use of DeepSeek on all government devices, citing national security risks associated with the Chinese artificial intelligence startup behind the technology. In a statement on Tuesday, the Department of Home Affairs directed all government agencies to block the installation of DeepSeek products, applications, and web services, and to…
Google is ramping up security measures for Android, but the changes could leave millions of users needing a new phone within the next 12 weeks. The tech giant recently outlined its latest efforts to enhance Android security, including AI-powered threat detection, stricter privacy policies, and improved developer tools. In 2023, these measures blocked over 2…
Microsoft is making high-end artificial intelligence more accessible by integrating OpenAI’s powerful o1 model into its Copilot assistant at no cost. This move provides Windows users with free access to AI reasoning that would otherwise require a pricey subscription. The o1 model, introduced by OpenAI in December, was initially available only through paid plans. OpenAI’s…
Another major Xbox franchise may soon be making its way to PlayStation, as reports suggest that a remastered collection of the Gears of War trilogy is in development for PS5. According to Spanish gaming insider eXtas1s, who has previously leaked accurate information about Xbox games expanding to new platforms, the collection will feature remastered versions…
A new artificial intelligence model from China, DeepSeek-R1, is gaining attention among researchers for its affordability and openness, positioning itself as a strong competitor to advanced reasoning models like OpenAI’s o1. DeepSeek-R1, released on January 20, operates using a step-by-step reasoning approach similar to human thought processes, making it particularly effective in fields such as…
MTN Nigeria invested a substantial N11.1 billion over two years to repair and relocate 2,502km of fibre-optic cables, according to the latest GSMA Nigeria Digital Economy report. The report highlighted that this amount could have been used to lay an additional 870km of new fibre, had it been directed toward network expansion. In 2022, the…
Coca-Cola has inaugurated a new Packaging Collection Hub in Lagos, Nigeria, with the capacity to process up to 13,000 metric tons of plastic bottles each year. The initiative is part of the company’s commitment to enhancing plastic recycling efforts in Nigeria, promoting cleaner communities, and generating employment opportunities. The facility will serve as a center…
OpenAI is investigating allegations that Chinese AI startup DeepSeek may have improperly leveraged its technology to develop a competing language model, intensifying an ongoing debate over intellectual property and fair use in artificial intelligence. According to reports from Bloomberg and the Financial Times, OpenAI and its key investor, Microsoft, are reviewing evidence that DeepSeek may…
Casual dining chain Chili’s is experiencing a remarkable resurgence, posting a 31% increase in sales at restaurants open for at least a year in its latest quarter. This marks the third consecutive quarter of double-digit growth, sending shares of parent company Brinker International (EAT) surging 16% on Wednesday. Unlike many competitors that have relied on…
The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit to block Hewlett Packard Enterprise’s (HPE) proposed $14 billion acquisition of networking equipment company Juniper Networks, citing concerns over reduced competition in the industry. According to the complaint filed on Thursday, the DOJ argues that the deal would consolidate control of over 70% of the U.S….
