Technology 28 January 2026 - 29 January 2026

AI in schools: A teacher goes “analog” as educators warn about Pinterest-style classroom clutter

AI in schools: A teacher goes “analog” as educators warn about Pinterest-style classroom clutter

A Fort Worth high school English teacher has banned generative AI and requires nearly all assignments to be handwritten, rejecting school-issued laptops. Chanea Bond said students relied on AI for thesis statements and weren’t engaging with literature. Some students said the shift felt strange but made them think more. Other districts, including Miami-Dade, are expanding official access to AI tools.
January 29, 2026
Trump cyber chief faces scrutiny after sensitive files were uploaded to ChatGPT

Trump cyber chief faces scrutiny after sensitive files were uploaded to ChatGPT

CISA’s acting director, Madhu Gottumukkala, uploaded sensitive contracting documents to public ChatGPT, triggering DHS security alerts and an internal review, Politico reported. The documents were labeled “for official use only” but not classified. CISA said the use was authorized, limited, and subject to controls. The review’s outcome remains unclear.
January 29, 2026
T-Mobile service suddenly dies overnight — why phones flipped to SOS and what we know now

T-Mobile service suddenly dies overnight — why phones flipped to SOS and what we know now

T-Mobile users across several U.S. regions lost service overnight, with many phones switching to “SOS” mode around 12:20 a.m. Eastern, according to outage trackers. Metro by T-Mobile and Google Fi customers also reported disruptions. Service was restored quickly, but T-Mobile has not disclosed the cause. Complaints dropped off within about an hour.
January 29, 2026
Technology News 29.01.2026

Technology News 29.01.2026

A federal jury convicted former Google engineer Linwei Ding of stealing AI trade secrets for Chinese companies. Publishers including The Guardian and The New York Times are blocking the Internet Archive’s bot over fears of AI scraping. The FCC approved new rules allowing certain unlicensed devices to use the 6 GHz Wi-Fi band outdoors with geofenced variable power controls. Microsoft says Windows 11 has reached 1 billion users, faster than Windows 10.
January 29, 2026
House probes Ford’s CATL battery pivot as data-center storage plans widen

House probes Ford’s CATL battery pivot as data-center storage plans widen

House committee chair John Moolenaar is pressing Ford for details on its licensing deal with China’s CATL as the company shifts U.S. battery plants to LFP cells and grid storage. Ford says its batteries meet tax credit criteria and will boost U.S. jobs. A CATL-licensed LFP battery plant in Marshall, Michigan, is scheduled to start production in 2026. Moolenaar also questioned any potential Ford joint venture with China’s BYD.
January 28, 2026
Google’s $135 Million Android Data Settlement: Who Could Get Paid and What Changes Next

Google’s $135 Million Android Data Settlement: Who Could Get Paid and What Changes Next

Google agreed to pay $135 million to settle claims it collected Android users’ cellular data without consent, according to a court filing Tuesday in San Jose. The deal requires judicial approval and would cap user payouts at $100 each. New rules would mandate explicit consent and easier data controls during Android setup. Plaintiffs’ lawyers may seek up to $39.8 million in fees.
January 28, 2026
Google Joins Redwood Materials’ $425 Million Round as AI Data Centers Chase Power

Google Joins Redwood Materials’ $425 Million Round as AI Data Centers Chase Power

Redwood Materials closed a $425 million Series E funding round, adding Google as a new investor with a reported $75 million stake. The company’s valuation is estimated above $6 billion. Funds will accelerate energy storage and recycling operations as demand from AI data centers rises. Redwood claims to recycle over 70% of used battery packs in North America.
January 28, 2026
Snap creates “Specs Inc” to lure investors and take on Meta’s AI smart glasses

Snap creates “Specs Inc” to lure investors and take on Meta’s AI smart glasses

Snap spun off Specs Inc as a wholly owned subsidiary focused on AR smart glasses, allowing for minority outside investment. Meta paused the international rollout of its Ray-Ban Display glasses, citing supply shortages and long waitlists. Google and Warby Parker plan to launch AI-powered glasses in 2026. IDC estimates Meta held 70% of the smart glasses market last year.
January 28, 2026
Anduril dangles $500,000 and a job in a new AI drone race — and humans can’t touch the controls

Anduril dangles $500,000 and a job in a new AI drone race — and humans can’t touch the controls

Anduril Industries launched the “AI Grand Prix,” an autonomous drone racing series with a $500,000 prize pool and a job offer for the winner. The contest begins with online qualifiers in April and ends with a final in Ohio in November 2026. Drones are supplied by Neros Technologies and the Drone Champions League runs the races. Eligibility rules require winners to meet work and security clearance conditions.
January 28, 2026
Texas Instruments stock jumps on AI data-center boom — and a Q1 forecast it hasn’t made since 2010

Texas Instruments stock jumps on AI data-center boom — and a Q1 forecast it hasn’t made since 2010

Texas Instruments forecast first-quarter revenue of $4.32–$4.68 billion and EPS of $1.22–$1.48, both above analyst estimates. Shares jumped nearly 9% after the company reported a 70% surge in data-center revenue for Q4 and said it will break out that segment separately. Q4 revenue reached $4.42 billion, with net income at $1.16 billion. Analysts cautioned that high capital spending and weak electronics demand could weigh on recovery.
January 28, 2026
Hong Kong scientists say this AI can spot storms 4 hours early — why forecasters are watching

Hong Kong scientists say this AI can spot storms 4 hours early — why forecasters are watching

Hong Kong scientists say their new AI-based DDMS system can predict thunderstorms and heavy rain up to four hours in advance, extending warning times. The model updates every 15 minutes and improved forecast accuracy by over 15% in tests. China’s Meteorological Administration and the Hong Kong Observatory plan to integrate the system into official forecasts.
January 28, 2026
UK watchdog puts Google Search on notice: publishers may get an AI Overviews opt‑out

UK watchdog puts Google Search on notice: publishers may get an AI Overviews opt‑out

Britain’s competition watchdog has proposed binding rules requiring Google to let publishers opt out of AI Overviews and certain AI training, while staying in Search. The Competition and Markets Authority set a Feb. 25 deadline for feedback. The package also addresses ranking transparency, Android and Chrome choice screens, and data portability. Google Search holds over 90% of UK search queries.
January 28, 2026
EU taps Ariane 6 for new Galileo launches as bloc pushes to cut SpaceX reliance

EU taps Ariane 6 for new Galileo launches as bloc pushes to cut SpaceX reliance

The EU space agency signed a new contract with Arianespace to launch two second-generation Galileo satellites on Ariane 6, shifting away from recent reliance on SpaceX. The L18 mission will mark Ariane 6’s fifth Galileo flight, with the inaugural mission set for December 17, 2025. EU officials are pressing for greater autonomy in space launches. France’s space minister called for ending dependence on non-European suppliers.
January 28, 2026
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