(Brands & Consumers)
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….
Nvidia has suffered the largest single-day market value loss in U.S. history, shedding nearly $600 billion amid fears that a new open-source AI model from Chinese startup DeepSeek could disrupt the industry. The company’s stock plunged 17%, closing at $118.58, marking its worst trading day since March 2020. Nvidia’s market capitalization dropped from $3.5 trillion…
Starbucks is planning a major menu overhaul, reducing its beverage and food options by about 30% in the coming months as part of a strategy to streamline operations, shorten wait times, and enhance customer satisfaction. CEO Brian Niccol announced the move during the company’s earnings call on Tuesday, though he did not specify which items…
Frontier Airlines has made a new bid to merge with Spirit Airlines, aiming to save the struggling low-cost carrier from bankruptcy – nearly two years after a previous deal between the two airlines collapsed. In a statement released Wednesday, Frontier argued that the merger would create a stronger budget airline while providing significant financial value…
Spotify has achieved a milestone by paying a record $10 billion to the music industry in 2024, marking the highest annual payout from a single retailer. This represents a significant leap from the $9 billion paid in royalties in 2023, bringing Spotify’s lifetime contributions to nearly $60 billion. The Swedish streaming platform’s growth reflects the…
Retro gaming enthusiasts have a new reason to celebrate as Retro Remake opens pre-orders for the SuperStation One, an open-source FPGA clone of Sony’s PS One console. Designed to replicate the look and feel of Sony’s iconic gaming device, the SuperStation One boasts compatibility with original hardware while offering modern connectivity options and expanded functionality….
Google Maps is set to update its platform to reflect a recent executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. The change follows a directive signed by former President Donald Trump, emphasizing the renaming as part of an initiative to “honour American greatness.” In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Google…
A French-language AI chatbot named Lucie, supported by the French government, was taken offline following widespread criticism over inaccurate and bizarre responses. The chatbot, designed to promote the French language in artificial intelligence, faced backlash after making errors such as calling cow’s eggs edible and miscalculating basic equations. Lucie, developed by a consortium including the…
WhatsApp is set to roll out a feature allowing iOS users to manage multiple accounts on a single device. According to a report from WABetaInfo, the feature is currently in testing and will be included in an upcoming app update. To activate multiple accounts, users will need two separate phone numbers, as each WhatsApp account…
Phil Spencer, the head of Xbox, has confirmed that more Xbox-exclusive games will soon become available on other platforms, including rival consoles like the PlayStation 5. The announcement came during an interview on Gamertag Radio with host Danny Peña, where Spencer discussed the brand’s evolving strategy and its focus on accessibility for players worldwide. Spencer…
Negotiations are underway involving Oracle, Microsoft, and TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, as efforts continue to address national security concerns while preserving TikTok’s U.S. operations. Sources close to the discussions revealed that the proposed deal could see ByteDance retain a minority stake in the company, with Oracle playing a key oversight role. Under the proposed arrangement,…
Kia America has issued a recall for more than 80,000 vehicles due to a defect involving floor wiring beneath the front passenger seat. The issue could interfere with the proper deployment of airbags and seat belts or trigger unintended side curtain airbag deployment, according to filings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The…
Meta, under Mark Zuckerberg’s leadership, has experienced a series of controversial changes recently, including the removal of fact-checkers, a shift towards free speech, and the elimination of diversity and inclusion programs. These changes sparked outrage from some users, with calls for boycotts and account deletions in protest. However, despite initial concerns, Meta’s user numbers have…
Security researchers have uncovered significant vulnerabilities in Subaru’s Starlink system, exposing millions of vehicles to potential remote hacking and extensive location tracking. While Subaru denies selling location data, the findings have raised serious concerns about privacy and security in the era of connected cars. The vulnerability came to light when security researcher Sam Curry, while…
In a surprising shift, former President Donald Trump has downplayed the national security concerns surrounding TikTok, a stance that contradicts his earlier efforts to ban the app over fears of Chinese espionage. “Is it that important for China to be spying on young people? On young kids watching crazy videos?” Trump remarked recently, sparking fresh…
Costco is making a significant change at its food courts, bringing back Coca-Cola as its fountain soda provider and ending its decade-long partnership with Pepsi. The switch is set to take place this summer, as confirmed by Costco CEO Ron Vachris during the company’s annual shareholders meeting. “We will be converting our food court fountain…
Sony Set to End Blu-ray Media Production, Marking a Shift from Physical Media Sony has announced it will cease Blu-ray media production in February, signalling another step away from physical media in favour of digital distribution. Alongside Blu-ray, the company will also halt the manufacturing of MiniDiscs, MD data, and MiniDV cassettes. The move follows…
Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has set its sights on the U.S. penny, citing the high costs associated with producing the one-cent coin. In a post on X, DOGE revealed that the penny cost U.S. taxpayers over $179 million in the 2023 fiscal year, with each coin requiring more than three cents to…
Samsung has set a new standard in mobile technology with the launch of the Galaxy S25, a smartphone that combines cutting-edge hardware and revolutionary AI integration to deliver a seamless user experience. The culmination of years of development and collaboration with Google and Qualcomm, the Galaxy S25 takes personalized, AI-powered interactions to a level that…
CNN has announced a 6% reduction in its workforce, resulting in the loss of approximately 200 jobs, as part of a significant overhaul of its operations. The restructuring, revealed Thursday, includes a revamped weekday show lineup, a fresh digital strategy, and the introduction of new streaming and subscriber services. CEO Mark Thompson detailed the changes…
Global payment processing giant Stripe recently laid off 300 employees, or approximately 3.5% of its workforce, but the announcement was overshadowed by an unusual error. In termination emails sent to affected staff, the company accidentally included an image of a cartoon duck, a spokesperson confirmed to CNN. Adding to the confusion, some employees received incorrect…
Nigerian actress Jemima Osunde has shared details of a prolonged health battle stemming from an incident three years ago when she consumed contaminated food while on a film set. In a post on X.com on Thursday, the actress revealed she contracted Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a stomach-infecting bacterium, after eating food provided during the shoot….
Sony’s partnership with AMD is once again proving fruitful as development on the PlayStation 6 continues to progress smoothly. According to recent leaks, the chip design for the next-generation console is nearly complete and poised to enter the manufacturing phase. Renowned industry insider KeplerL2 revealed that the PlayStation 6’s system-on-a-chip (SoC) has moved into pre-silicon…
A startling advancement from DeepSeek, a one-year-old Chinese AI startup, has sent shockwaves through the global technology industry, causing U.S. stock markets to tumble on Monday. The company unveiled its R1 AI model, comparable to ChatGPT, but with a groundbreaking edge: it was developed at a fraction of the cost spent by American tech giants….
