Technology 21 January 2026 - 22 January 2026

RingGo app down: UK parking payments fail at rush hour as outage hits drivers
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RingGo app down: UK parking payments fail at rush hour as outage hits drivers

RingGo is investigating service disruptions after thousands of UK drivers reported being unable to pay for parking via its app during Thursday’s morning rush. Downdetector logged over 1,300 complaints, mostly about the app, with some users also unable to reach customer support. The outage left drivers uncertain about proving payment and avoiding fines. RingGo has not given a timeline for resolution.
January 22, 2026
Technology News 22.01.2026
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Technology News 22.01.2026

Blue Origin launched six tourists to suborbital space on New Shepard’s 38th mission, after a last-minute crew change due to illness. The rocket lifted off from West Texas following a delay over unauthorized personnel on the range. Passengers experienced weightlessness and crossed the Kármán Line before landing separately. Ticket prices remain undisclosed.
January 22, 2026
OpenAI’s Altman shops for $50 billion in Middle East funding as $830 billion valuation talk surfaces
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OpenAI’s Altman shops for $50 billion in Middle East funding as $830 billion valuation talk surfaces

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is seeking at least $50 billion from Middle East investors in a new funding round, Bloomberg reported Wednesday. The talks value OpenAI between $750 billion and $830 billion. Altman has met with state-backed funds in Abu Dhabi, but discussions remain preliminary. OpenAI’s CFO said annualized revenue could top $20 billion by 2025.
January 22, 2026
Intel talks stall as AI chip startup SambaNova hunts up to $500 million in fresh funding
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Intel talks stall as AI chip startup SambaNova hunts up to $500 million in fresh funding

SambaNova is seeking $300 million to $500 million in new funding after takeover talks with Intel collapsed, Bloomberg reported Wednesday. Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan, who also chairs SambaNova, is weighing whether Intel should invest further. A previous deal valued SambaNova at about $1.6 billion including debt. The company is pitching the round to tech firms and semiconductor manufacturers.
January 22, 2026
Bezos’ Blue Origin takes on Starlink with 5,408-satellite TeraWave network plan
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Bezos’ Blue Origin takes on Starlink with 5,408-satellite TeraWave network plan

Blue Origin announced plans to deploy TeraWave, a 5,408-satellite network for enterprise and government clients, starting in late 2027. The company says the system will deliver up to 6 terabits per second and has filed for FCC approval. TeraWave would join Amazon’s Leo network as a second Bezos-linked constellation, as SpaceX’s Starlink remains the market leader.
January 22, 2026
OnePlus shutdown rumors spread fast after Oppo “dismantling” report — India chief calls it “false”
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OnePlus shutdown rumors spread fast after Oppo “dismantling” report — India chief calls it “false”

OnePlus India CEO Robin Liu denied reports that the brand is shutting down, calling them “false” and “unverified” on X. The rumors began after Android Headlines claimed OnePlus is being dismantled by parent company Oppo, citing unnamed sources and declining shipments. OnePlus did not address staffing or product plans in its response.
January 21, 2026
Apple Fitness+ finally launches in Japan with Japanese dubbing, ¥980 price and free trials
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Apple Fitness+ finally launches in Japan with Japanese dubbing, ¥980 price and free trials

Apple launched its Fitness+ subscription service in Japan, offering guided workouts with Japanese subtitles and digitally dubbed audio for ¥980 per month or ¥7,800 per year. New users receive a one-month free trial, with up to three months free on select device purchases. Partner deals include Anytime Fitness memberships and promotions with au and UQ mobile. The service supports Family Sharing for up to five users.
January 21, 2026
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leak dumps Qi2 magnetic power bank details and six colors ahead of February launch
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Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leak dumps Qi2 magnetic power bank details and six colors ahead of February launch

Leaked images show Samsung’s EB-U2500 magnetic Qi2 power bank, built for the upcoming Galaxy S26 series, with 5,000mAh capacity and 15W wireless charging. The S26 Ultra is rumored to launch in six colors, including Sky Blue and Cobalt Violet. Reports point to a Feb. 25 launch and early March sales, but Samsung has not confirmed details.
January 21, 2026
Nova Launcher bought again: Instabridge says it will keep the Android favorite alive — but ads are already showing up
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Nova Launcher bought again: Instabridge says it will keep the Android favorite alive — but ads are already showing up

Instabridge has acquired Nova Launcher and is considering ads in the free version, while Nova Launcher Prime will remain ad-free. Users and tech sites report ad tracking code and new ad permissions in the latest update, with some already seeing ads in the app drawer. Instabridge says Nova is not shutting down and is exploring paid tiers. The app now lists Instabridge as developer on Google Play.
January 21, 2026
Apple TV Down? App Store, iTunes and Music glitch as Apple services stumble for hours
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Apple TV Down? App Store, iTunes and Music glitch as Apple services stumble for hours

Apple restored App Store and Apple TV services late Tuesday after an outage disrupted downloads, purchases, and streaming for some users. Developer tools, iMessage, iCloud Mail, and Apple Maps Traffic were also affected. Apple resolved the issues by about 11:04 p.m. ET but did not specify a cause. All services were operating normally early Wednesday, according to Apple’s status page.
January 21, 2026
China’s Viral “Are You Dead?” App Is Spreading Fast — and It’s Exposing a Solo-Living Anxiety
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China’s Viral “Are You Dead?” App Is Spreading Fast — and It’s Exposing a Solo-Living Anxiety

A Chinese app known as “Are You Dead Yet?” requires users to tap a button daily or it alerts an emergency contact after two missed days. The app’s viral growth follows a high-profile solitary death in Shanghai and rising concern over people living alone, with single-person households topping 100 million in 2024. Developers plan to rebrand the app globally after backlash over its blunt name.
January 21, 2026
Technology News 21.01.2026
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Technology News 21.01.2026

Microsoft unveiled Rho-alpha, its first robotics model from the Phi series, capable of translating natural language into robot control signals for bimanual tasks. Rho-alpha is being tested on dual-arm and humanoid platforms, with early access applications open and a release planned via Microsoft Foundry. A study of over 20,000 US adults found daily personal use of AI chatbots linked to higher rates of depression and anxiety symptoms. Researchers reported a dose-response effect and warned AI is
January 21, 2026
Honor Magic 8 Pro reviews call it a Galaxy S26 Ultra rival — but you might not be able to buy it
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Honor Magic 8 Pro reviews call it a Galaxy S26 Ultra rival — but you might not be able to buy it

Honor’s Magic 8 Pro, featuring a 200MP telephoto camera and OLED display, launched in parts of Europe and Asia but not North America. Reviews praise its camera and battery but note quirks in software and display, including erratic auto-brightness. Specs and battery size vary by region. Pricing in Singapore starts at S$1,499.
January 21, 2026
RedMagic 11 Air goes global on Jan 29 as slim gaming phone targets buyers outside China
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RedMagic 11 Air goes global on Jan 29 as slim gaming phone targets buyers outside China

RedMagic will launch its 11 Air gaming smartphone globally on Jan. 29 after a Jan. 20 debut in China, where it sells for 3,699 yuan ($530) and up. The device features a 6.8-inch 144Hz display, Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, 7,000mAh battery, and a 24,000-rpm cooling fan. Asus has halted new phone development, casting doubt on its ROG Phone series. International pricing and carrier details for the 11 Air remain unannounced.
January 21, 2026
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