News 29 January 2026 - 30 January 2026

Coles at one-year high ahead of ACCC review, low volume keeps bid hidden
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Coles at one-year high ahead of ACCC review, low volume keeps bid hidden

Coles shares closed at A$24.41 Friday, a 52-week high, up 1.5% on light volume of 2.10 million, below the 3.08 million average. The ACCC will begin monitoring supermarket prices at Coles and Woolworths from July 1 under new excessive-pricing rules. Coles’ price-earnings ratio stands at 32.28, with a 2.99% dividend yield. The company’s FY26 investor day is set for August 25.
June 27, 2026
Roblox faces Dutch watchdog probe over kids’ safety under EU rules
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Roblox faces Dutch watchdog probe over kids’ safety under EU rules

Dutch regulator ACM has opened an investigation into Roblox over child safety and compliance with the EU’s Digital Services Act. The probe examines whether Roblox protects minors from explicit content, scams, and manipulative design. ACM can order changes or fine the company if violations are found. Roblox says it is cooperating and introducing new age verification measures.
January 30, 2026
Perplexity’s $750 million Microsoft Azure deal raises a question: why keep AWS too?
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Perplexity’s $750 million Microsoft Azure deal raises a question: why keep AWS too?

Perplexity signed a $750 million, three-year Azure cloud deal with Microsoft, Bloomberg reported, citing sources. Microsoft confirmed the partnership but did not disclose terms. The agreement comes as Microsoft faces investor concerns over heavy AI spending and slowing cloud growth, with shares falling sharply after earnings. Perplexity, backed by Nvidia, is also facing a lawsuit from Amazon over automated shopping tools.
January 30, 2026
Pentagon vs Anthropic: AI guardrails dispute stalls $200 million military talks as Microsoft lands $750 million Perplexity deal
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Pentagon vs Anthropic: AI guardrails dispute stalls $200 million military talks as Microsoft lands $750 million Perplexity deal

Talks between the Pentagon and Anthropic over a potential $200 million AI contract have stalled due to disagreements on restricting military and surveillance uses, sources told Reuters. A recent Pentagon memo ordered “any lawful use” clauses in AI contracts. Anthropic says its AI is already used in national security and called negotiations “productive.” Perplexity signed a $750 million Azure cloud deal with Microsoft.
January 30, 2026
Apple’s iPhone 18 Launch Gets Upended: Foldable and Pro Models First, Standard Phone Slips to 2027
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Apple’s iPhone 18 Launch Gets Upended: Foldable and Pro Models First, Standard Phone Slips to 2027

Apple will delay the standard iPhone 18 launch to early 2027, focusing 2026 production on premium models and its first foldable iPhone, Nikkei Asia reported, citing four sources. The move comes amid memory chip shortages and supply-chain strains. Apple has not confirmed the timeline. CEO Tim Cook warned rising DRAM costs will further impact margins in the March quarter.
January 30, 2026
Google Chrome’s new Auto Browse AI agent can shop and plan trips for you — powered by Gemini 3
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Google Chrome’s new Auto Browse AI agent can shop and plan trips for you — powered by Gemini 3

Google has launched “auto browse” in Chrome, allowing its Gemini AI to perform multi-step tasks across websites for users. The feature is available as a U.S. preview for paying AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers. Gemini now appears in a pinned side panel and can access apps like Gmail and Maps. Chrome will also support the Universal Commerce Protocol, an open standard for agent-led shopping.
January 30, 2026
Bondu AI toy leak: 50,000 kids’ chat logs were visible to anyone with a Gmail login
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Bondu AI toy leak: 50,000 kids’ chat logs were visible to anyone with a Gmail login

Researchers found a flaw in Bondu’s web console that let any Google account access over 50,000 children’s chat transcripts and profiles. Bondu, which makes AI-powered stuffed toys, said it fixed the issue within hours and saw no evidence of unauthorized access beyond the research team. The exposed data included names, birth dates, and conversation logs.
January 30, 2026
Pay with your palm in the UAE: Central bank pilots face-and-palm biometric payments as Amazon pulls back
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Pay with your palm in the UAE: Central bank pilots face-and-palm biometric payments as Amazon pulls back

The UAE central bank has launched a pilot allowing payments by facial or palm scans at the Dubai Land Department, calling it a regional first. The system uses technology from Network International and PopID. The pilot runs as Amazon prepares to end its Amazon One palm-pay service after limited adoption. No timeline for a broader rollout has been set.
January 30, 2026
FCC loosens 6 GHz Wi‑Fi rules — new higher‑power outdoor devices get green light
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FCC loosens 6 GHz Wi‑Fi rules — new higher‑power outdoor devices get green light

The FCC has approved geofenced variable power devices for unlicensed use in the 6 GHz band, allowing higher power operation indoors and outdoors under new rules. The order sets power limits, creates exclusion zones, and seeks comment on expanding 6 GHz access, including for cruise ships. Industry groups welcomed the move, citing potential for increased Wi-Fi capacity and new device types.
January 30, 2026
Apple iOS 26.3 brings new carrier location-privacy switch as EU-only iPhone features expand
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Apple iOS 26.3 brings new carrier location-privacy switch as EU-only iPhone features expand

Apple has launched a “Limit Precise Location” feature for select iPhones and iPads running iOS 26.3, reducing the accuracy of location data shared with mobile networks. The option is available in Europe and a handful of other markets, limited to certain models and carriers. Apple says the setting does not affect emergency calls or app-based location sharing. The update also adds Europe-only features to meet EU rules.
January 30, 2026
Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 price leak: €179 base, €249 Pro as Samsung holds the line in Europe
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Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 price leak: €179 base, €249 Pro as Samsung holds the line in Europe

Leaks indicate Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 4 will launch in Europe at €179, with the Buds 4 Pro at €249. Some early buyers in France may receive a free 25W wireless charging pad with black models. A February 25 release is rumored, but Samsung has not confirmed details. Color options include black, white, and a possible apricot exclusive for the Pro.
January 30, 2026
Google’s ‘Aluminium’ ChromeOS switch: Will your Chromebook get the Android-based update?
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Google’s ‘Aluminium’ ChromeOS switch: Will your Chromebook get the Android-based update?

Google VP John Maletis said many current Chromebooks cannot run the new Android-based “Aluminium” software due to hardware limits, with no official list of supported models yet. A leaked video showed the software running on an HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook with Android-style features. The transition has raised concerns about lost ChromeOS functions and support gaps for schools and businesses.
January 30, 2026
Samsung teases a ‘privacy display layer’ for Galaxy phones — and the S26 Ultra buzz is back
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Samsung teases a ‘privacy display layer’ for Galaxy phones — and the S26 Ultra buzz is back

Samsung will introduce a customizable privacy feature for Galaxy devices to block nearby people from viewing screens, targeting situations like public transit. The company has not disclosed a launch date or device, but tech site T3 suggests the next Galaxy S may debut the tool. Users can apply the feature to specific apps and actions, including PIN entry and notification pop-ups.
January 30, 2026
Apple earnings: iPhone 17 surge lifts outlook to 16% growth as chip crunch looms
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Apple earnings: iPhone 17 surge lifts outlook to 16% growth as chip crunch looms

Apple reported $143.8 billion in revenue and $2.84 earnings per share for the holiday quarter, driven by strong iPhone 17 demand and a rebound in China. The company expects March-quarter revenue growth of 13% to 16%, above analyst forecasts, but warned of supply constraints due to chip shortages. Services revenue hit $30.01 billion, while Mac and wearables sales declined. Shares rose up to 3.5% after hours.
January 30, 2026
Technology News 30.01.2026
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Technology News 30.01.2026

West Virginia lawmakers advanced a bill to test tablet-based CPS investigations in two counties, aiming to reduce paperwork and improve fieldwork. The pilot follows criticism of the $272 million PATH system. Meanwhile, open-source firms like Hugging Face and Flower AI are building shared AI infrastructure as critics warn of industry concentration. Darren Aronofsky’s AI-driven series On This Day… 1776 drew criticism for lifeless visuals and generic storytelling.
January 30, 2026
Samsung and SK Hynix warn AI boom is squeezing memory chips for phones and PCs
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Samsung and SK Hynix warn AI boom is squeezing memory chips for phones and PCs

Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix warned Thursday that PC and smartphone makers face tightening DRAM supplies as production shifts to AI-server memory. IDC and Counterpoint forecast global smartphone sales will fall at least 2% in 2026, while IDC expects the PC market to shrink by 4.9% this year. Samsung signaled only modest capacity growth through 2027, focusing on higher-margin AI chips.
January 29, 2026
Apple’s second-biggest acquisition ever: Inside the near-$2 billion Q.ai deal for “silent speech” tech
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Apple’s second-biggest acquisition ever: Inside the near-$2 billion Q.ai deal for “silent speech” tech

Apple has acquired Israeli audio AI startup Q.ai in a deal valued at nearly $2 billion, according to the Financial Times. About 100 Q.ai employees, including CEO Aviad Maizels, will join Apple. Q.ai developed technology to capture whispered speech and enhance audio in difficult environments. Apple has not disclosed how it will use Q.ai’s technology.
January 29, 2026
Comcast’s broadband losses deepen again — and the company is freezing prices in 2026
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Comcast’s broadband losses deepen again — and the company is freezing prices in 2026

Comcast lost 181,000 broadband subscribers in Q4, a steeper decline than analysts expected. The company will freeze broadband prices through 2026 and offer new bundles with free mobile lines. Theme parks and Peacock drove profits above forecasts, despite widening streaming losses. Revenue reached $32.31 billion; adjusted earnings were 84 cents per share.
January 29, 2026
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