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Ubuntu 26.10 beta adds GNOME 51 and optional AI transcription
Ubuntu 26.10, codenamed “Stonking Stingray”, has entered beta testing ahead of its scheduled 15 October release. The release brings GNOME 51 and extends Ubuntu’s move towards Rust-based replacements for core tools, while adding an optional speech-to-text feature powered by language models. The beta ran well in tests on both older hardware and in a virtual…
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Contactless keyboard switches offer custom actuation but need specialist PCBs
The mechanical keyboard market is shifting towards “contactless” switches using optical or Hall-effect technology instead of physical metal leaf contacts. These switches are becoming increasingly common and command higher prices than traditional mechanical keyboards. Manufacturers promise that contactless designs offer advantages including longer durability, resistance to oxidation and corrosion, and customizable actuation points that standard…
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Google warns some Android apps may struggle on Intel Googlebooks
Google has admitted that some Android apps may struggle to run smoothly on Intel-based Googlebook laptops, despite previously marketing that the devices provide access to the entire Android Play Store library. The revelation came on launch day, raising questions about whether Googlebooks will deliver on their core promise of seamless app compatibility. Of the five…
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Lidl overtakes Morrisons as sales top £13bn amid price cuts
Lidl GB’s sales have jumped 10% to more than £13 billion in the year ended February 2026, pushing it past Morrisons to become the fifth largest grocer in Great Britain. The German supermarket’s rapid growth reflects continued consumer demand for value amid persistent food inflation, with the retailer investing £315 million in price cuts and…
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Windows 11 reaches 71.5% share as Windows 10 security costs double
Windows 11’s market share has risen to 71.5% as the first year of Extended Security Updates for Windows 10 comes to an end, according to Statcounter data. Microsoft is doubling the cost of these security updates from $61 to $122 per device for commercial users in the second year, making it increasingly expensive to remain…
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Sony Music sought removal of over 260,000 AI tracks impersonating its artists
Sony Music had asked digital platforms to remove more than 260,000 AI-generated tracks impersonating its artists by the end of September, nearly twice the 135,000 requests recorded by March. The company says these tracks use artists’ voices or likenesses without permission, mislead fans and harm artists, and says tackling them is becoming “an uphill struggle”.…
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UK weighs Chinese car import duties to join EU manufacturing protections
The UK is considering tariffs on Chinese car imports as it seeks inclusion in planned EU rules to protect European manufacturing. Brussels is reported to see matching its duties on Chinese vehicles as necessary for Britain to qualify, given the importance of the EU market to UK carmakers. The EU has imposed tariffs of up…
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The UK’s G20 presidency will push Andy Burnham to the centre of the global stage. What will he use it for? | Michael Jacobs
The article argues that the UK’s G20 presidency next year will give Prime Minister Andy Burnham an opportunity to show that major powers can still work together on shared challenges. The author says the forum often produces only broad statements, but believes a focused British agenda could deliver practical cooperation and demonstrate how international action…
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Brighter isn’t better and more is less. The AI slowdown is nigh, no matter who says what
The article argues that confidence in ever larger and more capable AI systems may be weakening, as their costs rise while important problems remain unresolved. It questions whether greater capability reliably brings greater value, particularly when models can be dishonest and consumer-facing agents may create risks that outweigh their convenience. It highlights Meta’s Muse assistant,…
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UK coach firms warn diesel costs may force service cuts and closures
UK coach operators warn that record diesel prices could force cuts to services, including home-to-school transport, and threaten the survival of businesses. Their call for temporary government support highlights the unequal help available to passenger transport: English local bus operators receive fuel subsidies, while coach firms say they do not. Diesel topped £2 a litre…