Microsoft Suffers Widespread Global Outage Impacting Outlook, Teams, and Key Cloud Services – DTH

Microsoft Suffers Global Cloud Outage Lasting 18 Hours

Microsoft experienced a widespread, day-long global outage affecting key services including Outlook, Teams, cloud file storage, Copilot AI, and Defender security tools. While internet traffic analysis indicates systems bagan to recover after roughly 18 hours of downtime, Microsoft has not yet identified the root cause beyond an unexpected server failure, though it confirmed there is no evidence of malicious activity.

Source: TechCrunch

Google Removes Precise Coordinates and Military Imagery From South Korean Maps

Google has removed precise coordinates and military imagery from its mapping services for South Korea, fulfilling security requirements for a high-precision map data export permit granted in February. Under this agreement, Google is partnering with domestic navigation provider TMAP Mobility to process static map data according to local security standards, while real-time user location data remains excluded.

Source: Reuters

OpenAI Introduces ChatGPT Wallet for AI-Powered Purchases

OpenAI has introduced ChatGPT Wallet, a new feature allowing its AI agents to securely make purchases on behalf of users in partnership with major payment networks like Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. Designed to streamline AI-driven commerce while protecting user card details through transaction-specific payment tokens, the feature is initially rolling out to U.S. ChatGPT Pro subscribers as OpenAI works to build merchant partnerships and agentic infrastructure.

Source: CNBC

Peacock Redesigns Its Mobile App Around Vertical Video and AI

NBCUniversal is overhauling the Peacock mobile app with a focus on vertical video content, fan hubs, and generative AI features to increase user engagement. The redesign comes as Peacock reaches profitability and aims to transition from a traditional streaming platform into a broader entertainment hub.

Source: Engadget

Google Launches Gemini 4 Hydrogen AI Model

Google launched Gemini 4 Hydrogen, a fast AI model for everyday tasks and agentic workflows like coding and testing. Featuring configurable thinking levels and improved conversational and visual reasoning, Hydrogen beats Google’s Argon model under default settings and pairs with Carbon and Argon. It rolls out globally today on Google Search and the Gemini app.

Source: Mashable

Elon Musk’s AI Division Cuts 60 Jobs From Grok Imagine Team

Investing.com, SpaceX’s AI division has laid off roughly 60 employees from its Grok Imagine visual generation team, shifting strategic focus toward AI coding tools like Cursor and its Grok Bot autonomous agent. The retreat highlights the steep compute costs of generative video, mirroring OpenAI’s earlier discontinuation of Sora and leaving Google, Meta, and dominant Chinese firms like ByteDance and MiniMax to lead the visual AI sector.

Source: Yahoo Finance

BYD Apologizes for Wheel Assembly Error in Great Tang Electric SUVs

BYD issued an apology and offered free rim replacements, loaner vehicles, and restarted warranties after discovering an assembly error where front and rear wheel rims were swapped on some of its new Great Tang electric SUVs. The issue was traced to a supplier error and resolved without impacting safety, as BYD prepares to launch the vehicle internationally in late 2026 or early 2027.

Source: Engadget

Uber Drivers’ Personal Information Exposed in Third-Party Data Breach

Uber is notifying thousands of drivers that their personal and driver’s license information was compromised following an October data breach at third-party provider Fireworks AI. While the overall number of affected individuals remains unknown, notices filed with state attorneys general reveal thousands of drivers impacted across multiple states, marking Uber’s second third-party security incident of the year.

Source: TechCrunch

Meta’s Muse AI Agent Can Now Make Phone Calls for Subscribers

Meta has updated its Muse AI agent with the ability to make phone calls on behalf of paid subscribers to handle tasks like scheduling appointments and making reservations. The feature has received positive feedback for handling calls effectively, though potential issues remain regarding AI identification and interaction. Alongside this, Meta also introduced dedicated email addresses for Muse as part of its ongoing feature expansion, competing with similar phone-calling capabilities from Google and Instinct.

Source: Engadget

Google Wallet Adds Digital Home Keys Using Aliro Standard

Google has announced support for digital home keys in Google Wallet based on the new Aliro standard, allowing Android users to unlock compatible smart locks via NFC tapping or hands-free ultrawideband (UWB) approach features. Supported locks from brands like Schlage, Aqara, and Nuki can sync across devices and allow residents to manage access seamlessly, though setting up the feature requires a compatible Android phone, an updated smart lock, and a Matter-enabled Google hub with a Thread border router.

Source: CNET