Technology

Nanjing steelmaker rolls out AI model across operations

• NISCO says YuanYe is in use across its steel operations.
• The company reports over CNY100 million in annual cost reductions.
• Its rolling-force prediction hit rate rose from 88 to 98 per cent.

Nanjing Iron & Steel Co. says it has deployed YuanYe, a steel industry AI model built with Huawei and partners, across its operations. The company says the system combines AI models with metallurgical process models to support decisions in production, and is part of a wider shift from…

Manager’s ultimatum preceded engineer’s failure to back up chip design

• A critical chipset backup was never completed.
• The gap surfaced six years later for a satellite chip project.
• The manager later documented backup requests and confirmations.

An engineering manager later realised that a crucial backup of a semiconductor chipset design had never been made. The lapse came to light six years later, when a customer wanted the old design for a radiation-hardened satellite chip, leaving the manager and a colleague to reconstruct files from…

Google’s Pac-Man doodle exposed a Firefox extension’s hidden browsing behaviour

• Google’s Pac-Man Doodle unexpectedly played sounds for some Firefox users.
• CoolPreviews secretly opened Google’s homepage in the background.
• A mute button and click requirement fixed the problem.

Marcin Wichary has recounted how Google’s 2010 Pac-Man Doodle unexpectedly made computers used by some Firefox users play sounds in the background. The incident showed how a design decision that seemed harmless on Google’s homepage could affect people through the way browser extensions opened pages invisibly. For Pac-Man’s…

India proposes secure data-sharing framework for AI training

• India proposes secure data exchanges for AI training.
• Data owners would set rules for how their information is used.
• The plan targets healthcare, finance and education.

India’s government has proposed a framework to let AI developers train models on data held by Indian organisations, while keeping that data under the owners’ control. The plan aims to encourage AI tailored to local needs and limit unrestricted access by large technology companies. Under the Data Empowerment…

Five technology stories explore devices, AI risks and hiring pay

• Five recommended technology stories span devices, privacy, AI security and hiring.
• LinkedIn figures put average AI job adverts at $177,000 versus $80,000.
• The selections include a Googlebook review and chatbot data concerns.

The article recommends five recent stories from the writers and editors of CIO, Computerworld and PCWorld, publications the author can now connect with through a broader media portfolio. The selections cover new devices, privacy and AI, offering readers a window into related technology coverage. The pieces assess Apple’s…

Copilot maternity review questioned as Juan Atkins dies and US-Turkey tensions rise

The English maternity care review faces questions over omitted concerns, while Washington criticises a Turkey-Libya maritime deal. Detroit techno pioneer Juan Atkins has died aged 64, and London City Lionesses’ European hopes suffer a setback.

Google says Asian advertisers spending less off due to Europe’s customs changes

• Google links slower ad growth to EU customs changes.
• The EU introduced a €3 duty on low-value imports.
• Chinese e-tailers are a significant source of ad revenue.

Google said some advertisers in Asia are buying fewer ads after the European Union changed its customs rules for low-value imports. The comment points to how trade policy can affect advertising revenue, particularly for platforms that rely on retailers selling inexpensive goods into Europe. The EU has introduced…

Android Auto makes Google Maps navigation tasks easier than CarPlay

• Google Maps felt easier to use on Android Auto in the same car.
• Gemini was hands-free and faster for route changes there.
• Stops, map controls and destination shortcuts also favoured Android Auto.

Testing Google Maps in the same car found that Android Auto made several everyday navigation tasks easier than Apple CarPlay. The comparison matters because the two systems offer the same app, but differ in how quickly and conveniently drivers can use its more involved features. Android Auto made…

Android Auto hints at support for work apps in the car

• A hidden Android Auto tile hints at possible Work Profile support.
• Google has not confirmed a release or explained the tile’s function.
• Driving restrictions and employer controls would still limit work apps.

An experimental Work Mode tile found in Android Auto code suggests Google may be exploring support for employer-managed Work Profile apps in the car. Such support could help drivers join work calls between appointments, while also raising concerns about work notifications and calls extending into the commute. The…

Forget ‘Bosch,’ Titus Welliver Stole the Show in One of Sci-Fi’s Greatest Franchises

• Titus Welliver plays an Imperial captain in “The Heiress”.
• His brief role makes the Empire feel more threatening.
• The episode helps set up Din and Bo-Katan’s alliance.

Titus Welliver, best known for leading the crime drama Bosch, made a brief appearance as an Imperial captain in The Mandalorian episode “The Heiress”. The article argues that his performance strengthens the episode by making the Empire feel like a more credible threat and giving its action a…

Binance withdrawals top $3.6bn after record-breaking cyber attack

• Binance reopened after a hack affecting $6.3bn in assets.
• Customers withdrew more than $3.6bn.
• The company says it has covered about 95% of the stolen assets.

Binance customers withdrew more than $3.6bn (£2.7bn) in assets after the cryptocurrency exchange reopened on Sunday, following a record hack. The incident affected $6.3bn of digital assets and led Binance to suspend transactions; the FBI and other organisations have accused North Korea of carrying out the attack. Binance…

Useful iPad widgets bring delivery tracking, smart controls and forecasts to the Home Screen

• iPad widgets can do more than show weather and calendar events.
• Parcel tracks deliveries from up to 300 services.
• Home and weather widgets add quick controls and detailed forecasts.

The article highlights less obvious iPad widgets that can make everyday tasks quicker and give the Home Screen more useful information. It says iPadOS 27 has added extra-large widgets to Today View, making better use of the iPad’s larger display. Examples include Parcel for tracking deliveries, Apple’s Home…

Prescription AI glasses remain impractical as everyday eyewear

• Prescription lenses are available for AI glasses.
• They can weigh up to 80 grams.
• Privacy rules and short battery life limit daily use.

AI glasses can be fitted with prescription lenses, but their extra weight, short battery life and privacy concerns make them a difficult choice as a person’s only everyday glasses. Restrictions in places such as courtrooms, schools and workplaces may also leave wearers unable to use them when they…

How using one earbud more than the other can cause uneven wear and tear

• One earbud used more often may wear out sooner.
• Alternating sides can help balance battery use.
• Transparency mode can keep you aware of your surroundings.

Frequently using one earbud can make its battery wear out faster than its partner, because it handles more use and charging cycles. The imbalance may leave the favoured bud dead while the other still has charge, and some older designs cannot play through the remaining bud on its…