Apps

Firm told to treat third-party services that appear in its results in ‘fair and non-discriminatory manner’Google has been fined a total of €890m (£760m) by the EU for breaches of online competition laws by its search and app store services.The European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, said Google had broken the Digital Markets Act by giving priority to its own services such as shopping and hotel deals in search results over those of its rivals. Continue reading...

• Microsoft's stock is experiencing a decline as investors question the long-term viability of the Microsoft 365 suite in the age of artificial intelligence. • Wall Street is debating whether foundational productivity tools like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint will be rendered obsolete by general Large Language Models (LLMs). • The shift is driven by the increasing utility of AI services, such as Anthropic’s Claude Pro Plan, which offers broader capabilities despite a higher $20 monthly cost compared to the $12.99 Microsoft 365 Family plan.

• The FIFA World Cup 2026 can be streamed live on mobile phones through various apps. • DirecTV app is a recommended option, offering stable coverage without equipment or contracts, starting at $89.99/month. • The entry-level Entertainment tier of DirecTV covers local network FOX affiliates and FS1.

• FIFA World Cup 2026 viewing guides have been released, detailing the tournament's streaming platforms, weekly fixtures, and match timings for viewers in India. • Live TV broadcasts are being hosted on Unite8 Sports channels, while digital streaming is available via the ZEE5 app. • ZEE5 has encountered criticism from users regarding streaming glitches and recent changes to subscription plans since the tournament's start.

• Zee Entertainment has officially acquired the broadcasting rights for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in India. • The deal ensures that Indian football fans can access all tournament matches through a variety of television and mobile platforms. • This announcement ends weeks of speculation regarding which network would secure the rights to the global event.

• The FIFA World Cup 2026 is currently underway, with live TV broadcasts available via Unite8 Sports channels. • Viewing options include the ZEE5 streaming app, though the platform has recently faced criticism regarding subscription plan changes and technical glitches. • The guide provides essential information for fans, including this week's fixtures, specific match timings for viewers in India, and the full knockout stage schedule.

• India's crackdown on obscenity within major Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms is being undermined by the rise of new microdrama apps. • These platforms are bypassing regulations by using social media advertisements to promote highly suggestive and provocative content. • Critics warn that these apps often frame predatory behavior and coercion as romance, potentially eroding the cultural standards the government sought to protect.

Keir Starmer to set out plans on Monday but there are fears a decision to ban some platforms but not others will lead to legal challengesTeenagers under the age of 16 are to be banned from accessing “high-risk” social media apps while safer platforms will be subjected to restrictions, under a sweeping government crackdown.Under-18s will also be banned from using romantic or sexual AI chatbots after a consultation on keeping children safe online. Continue reading...

Campaigners warn against blanket restrictions and say focus should be on blocking teenagers from platforms with ‘risky’ featuresOnline safety campaigners have urged Keir Starmer to block under-16s from accessing social media apps that do not meet strict safety standards, instead of implementing a broader Australia-style ban.The NSPCC, Molly Rose Foundation and Smartphone Free Childhood said tech platforms should not be allowed to offer “risky” features to teenagers such as infinite scrolling, disappearing messages and push notifications. Continue reading...

New rules would enable single-ticket bookings across multiple rail operators throughout EuropeCross-border train journeys through several European countries are the stuff of many a holidaymaker’s dreams.But the reality of trying to buy the tickets, navigating multiple websites without knowing who can help if a connection is missed, can prove less than relaxing. As one MEP puts it, it can often require “five tabs, three apps and a prayer”. Continue reading...

Inquest hears Kyle Hudson, who died aged 22, withdrew from betting accounts multiple times but received more than 300 inducementsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA young Melbourne man who took his own life after gambling more than $895,000 over four years was repeatedly drawn back to online betting platforms by targeted inducements, an inquest has heard.Coroner Paul Lawrie is investigating the circumstances and likely contributing factors to the death of Kyle Hudson, 22, including whether betting companies like Sportsbet, Entain and bet365 accurately assessed his risk of gambling-related harm. Continue reading...

Nigel Farage’s party sees local elections as showcase for a sleeker approach borrowing from an unlikely sourceNigel Farage was midway through his walkabout of Waltham Abbey when a hunting horn loudly sounded on the Essex market town’s pedestrianised high street. “Oi oiii!” exclaimed the owner of Ouch Tattoos, Rob Chillingworth, putting down the instrument and reaching out a welcoming hand to the approaching Reform UK leader.For Farage, this was the latest stop in a midweek tour of half a dozen towns in Essex, where more than 1m county council votes are up for grabs. Barring breakthroughs in Wales and Scotland, going from having a single councillor here to taking power would be one of Reform’s biggest achievements in Thursday’s polls. Continue reading...

• OpenAI is developing a smartphone launching production in 2028, where AI agents fully replace traditional apps for US consumers. • The device faces potential hurdles from global memory shortages that could delay or derail rollout. • This breakthrough could disrupt mobile ecosystems dominated by Google and Apple, redefining user interfaces.

Growing use of AI tech comes at expense of workers’ rights, protections and pay, report warnsBillion-dollar tech platforms are aggressively pushing for deregulation of the “Uber for nursing” industry in an effort to expand gig work in the healthcare sector, according to a report published Tuesday.The report from the AI Now Institute, Uber for Nursing Part II: How Gig Nursing Companies Are Lobbying States to Deregulate Healthcare, examines the use of artificial intelligence to staff hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Continue reading...