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Just the Facts, from multiple news sources.

Technology News

Breaking news and analysis from the world of technology

Humanoid robots to become baggage handlers in Japan airport experiment

Humanoid robots to become baggage handlers in Japan airport experiment

April 28, 2026 • Guardian World

Summary

Japan Airlines will test humanoid robots to help handle luggage and cargo at Tokyo’s Haneda airport starting in May. The robots aim to reduce the workload on human staff amid a shortage of workers and rising tourist numbers.

Key Facts

  • Japan Airlines will start a trial using humanoid robots as baggage handlers in May 2026.
  • The trial will run until 2028 and takes place at Haneda airport, which serves over 60 million passengers yearly.
  • The robots are made by Chinese company Unitree and can push luggage and cargo on the tarmac.
  • Robots need charging breaks every two to three hours but can reduce human physical labor.
  • Key tasks like safety management will still be done by people.
  • Japan faces labor shortages due to a shrinking, aging population and increased tourism.
  • More than 7 million tourists arrived in Japan in early 2026, following a record 42.7 million visitors in 2025.
  • Japan plans to use robots for other work at airports, like cleaning aircraft cabins.
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Guardian World Guardian Tech
Australia targets tech giants with levy unless they pay for local news

Australia targets tech giants with levy unless they pay for local news

April 28, 2026 • France24

Summary

Australia has introduced draft laws that would require tech companies Meta, Google, and TikTok to pay local news publishers for their content. If these companies do not agree to pay, they will face a tax of 2.25% on their revenue earned in Australia.

Key Facts

  • The draft law targets Meta, Google, and TikTok, requiring them to pay local news outlets for sharing news content.
  • If the companies refuse to pay, they must pay a levy equal to 2.25% of their Australian revenue.
  • The law aims to help local media companies struggling as more people get news from social media instead of traditional outlets.
  • Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese supports the law and said the tech giants will get a chance to make payment deals first.
  • The law is designed to prevent tech companies from removing news content entirely to avoid payments, a move seen in other countries.
  • Research shows that more than half of Australians use social media as their main source of news.
  • The move reflects a global push to get big tech companies to share revenue with news publishers.
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France24
Axios Finish Line: Prompt like a pro

Axios Finish Line: Prompt like a pro

April 28, 2026 • Axios

Summary

The article explains how anyone can get better results from AI tools like ChatGPT by learning to ask clear and detailed questions, called prompts. It offers practical tips to improve AI use, such as giving context, asking AI questions, using examples, refining answers, and creating reusable prompt templates.

Key Facts

  • Many people get average AI results because they don’t ask detailed or clear questions.
  • Giving AI more context, like your job or audience, improves its responses.
  • Asking AI to suggest questions helps sharpen your own prompts.
  • Using specific examples in prompts gives better AI answers than broad instructions.
  • Don’t accept the first AI answer; ask for improvements and changes.
  • Save successful prompts as templates to use again for consistent quality.
  • Voice input can help give AI more context faster.
  • Paying for the latest AI models often provides better results than free versions.
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Axios
Put it in pencil: NASA's Artemis III mission will launch no earlier than late 2027

Put it in pencil: NASA's Artemis III mission will launch no earlier than late 2027

April 28, 2026 • Ars Technica

Summary

NASA’s Artemis III mission will launch no earlier than late 2027 and will send astronauts into Earth orbit to test lunar landers before attempting a Moon landing. The mission will involve docking with spacecraft from SpaceX and Blue Origin but will not go to the Moon, allowing NASA to test equipment closer to Earth.

Key Facts

  • Artemis III will launch astronauts to Earth orbit, not the Moon.
  • NASA is working with SpaceX’s Starship and Blue Origin’s Blue Moon as lunar landers.
  • The mission aims to test docking and operations with these landers in orbit.
  • Launch is now expected in late 2027 or later, later than earlier projected.
  • The mission will help prepare for future Moon landings planned in 2028.
  • NASA is considering different orbit altitudes for the mission to save rocket parts or simulate lunar conditions.
  • A new rocket part, the Centaur V upper stage, will be used in later missions.
  • NASA plans to fly Artemis missions at least once a year.
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Ars Technica
Why Spotify has no button to filter out AI music

Why Spotify has no button to filter out AI music

April 27, 2026 • BBC Tech

Summary

Spotify does not have an official option to filter out AI-generated music from its playlists. A software developer named Cedrik Sixtus created a tool to identify and block AI music on Spotify, but this feature is not built into Spotify itself. Spotify tests limited AI usage disclosures but has not fully committed to labeling or filtering AI music, citing the complexity of the issue.

Key Facts

  • Cedrik Sixtus developed a Spotify AI Blocker to label and block suspected AI-generated music on Spotify.
  • The blocker uses community data, AI detection tools, and signs like cover art and high release volume to identify AI music.
  • Spotify launched an optional feature that allows artists to disclose AI usage in their song credits, but it relies on voluntary reporting.
  • Spotify avoids officially labeling or filtering AI music because detecting it and deciding how to handle it is difficult.
  • AI-generated music can sound very close to human-made music; in tests, most listeners cannot tell the difference.
  • Tens of thousands of AI songs are uploaded daily to music streaming platforms, potentially affecting human artists’ earnings.
  • Spotify, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music have not implemented clear AI music labels or filters yet but monitor and remove spam or misuse.
  • Competitor Deezer tags AI-generated content when detected, showing a more proactive approach.
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BBC Tech BBC Business BBC Top Stories
Jury selection begins in legal battle between Elon Musk and Sam Altman

Jury selection begins in legal battle between Elon Musk and Sam Altman

April 27, 2026 • CBS News

Summary

Jury selection has started in a court case between tech leaders Elon Musk and Sam Altman. The case involves these two well-known figures from the technology industry.

Key Facts

  • Jury selection for the trial began on Monday.
  • The legal battle is between Elon Musk and Sam Altman.
  • Both individuals are leaders in the tech industry.
  • The case is being covered by CBS News.
  • Jo Ling Kent, a business and technology correspondent, is reporting on the story.
  • The details of the case itself have not been specified in this report.
  • The trial is part of the U.S. legal system proceedings.
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CBS News
Open source package with 1 million monthly downloads stole user credentials

Open source package with 1 million monthly downloads stole user credentials

April 27, 2026 • Ars Technica

Summary

An open source software package called element-data, used by many developers, was hacked by attackers who added a bad version that stole sensitive data like passwords and keys. The harmful version was quickly removed after about 12 hours, and users are advised to update to a safe version and change any exposed credentials.

Key Facts

  • Element-data is a command-line tool used to monitor machine-learning systems, downloaded over 1 million times per month.
  • Attackers exploited a weakness in the developers' GitHub workflow to access signing keys and sensitive information.
  • A malicious version (0.23.3) was published, which collected sensitive data, including user profiles, passwords, cloud keys, and API tokens.
  • The bad version was removed about 12 hours after it was found, and a safe version (0.23.4) was released.
  • Developers advise users who installed version 0.23.3 to uninstall it, install version 0.23.4, delete cache files, and check for a specific marker file showing if the malware ran on their machines.
  • Users should also change any credentials that could have been accessed while the malicious version ran.
  • The developers fixed the vulnerability in their GitHub workflow and audited other parts of their system to prevent similar attacks.
  • Supply-chain attacks on open source software like this have increased in recent years, often starting with small weaknesses in developer tools.
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Ars Technica
Musk and Altman face off in trial that will determine OpenAI's future

Musk and Altman face off in trial that will determine OpenAI's future

April 27, 2026 • Ars Technica

Summary

A trial is starting between Elon Musk and Sam Altman over OpenAI’s future. Musk claims OpenAI left its nonprofit mission to benefit only wealthy people, while Altman’s side says the lawsuit is meant to slow down Musk’s own AI efforts. The trial’s outcome may change how OpenAI operates and funds its work on artificial intelligence.

Key Facts

  • Elon Musk helped start OpenAI as a nonprofit committed to AI benefiting everyone.
  • Sam Altman currently runs OpenAI and pushed it toward a for-profit model for funding.
  • Musk is suing, claiming OpenAI “stole the charity” and broke its nonprofit promise.
  • A US judge in Northern California will make the final decision after jury input.
  • OpenAI says Musk’s lawsuit is a jealous attempt to disrupt their work and protect his AI company, xAI.
  • Musk says if he wins, all damages will go to OpenAI’s nonprofit to support its mission.
  • Both sides have submitted thousands of internal documents and given depositions.
  • The trial could decide who leads OpenAI and how it balances profit with public good.
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Ars Technica
Google workers urge CEO to refuse classified AI work with Pentagon

Google workers urge CEO to refuse classified AI work with Pentagon

April 27, 2026 • CBS News

Summary

Hundreds of Google employees have asked CEO Sundar Pichai to stop working with the U.S. Pentagon on AI projects that involve classified information. They are concerned that their AI tools could be used in harmful ways, such as in autonomous weapons or mass surveillance.

Key Facts

  • Google workers wrote an open letter to CEO Sundar Pichai about AI and Pentagon cooperation.
  • The employees want Google to refuse to use AI for classified military projects.
  • They worry AI could be used in dangerous or unethical ways, including lethal weapons.
  • The letter says wrong decisions could harm Google's reputation and business.
  • Google is currently negotiating a deal with the Defense Department to use AI in classified work.
  • OpenAI, another AI company, recently made a deal with the Pentagon with certain restrictions.
  • Neither Google nor the Pentagon has commented publicly on the employees’ letter yet.
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CBS News
OpenAI ends its exclusive partnership with Microsoft

OpenAI ends its exclusive partnership with Microsoft

April 27, 2026 • Ars Technica

Summary

OpenAI and Microsoft have changed their partnership deal. OpenAI can now offer its AI products through other cloud services, not just Microsoft’s Azure, while Microsoft keeps a non-exclusive license to OpenAI’s technology until 2032.

Key Facts

  • Microsoft invested $1 billion in OpenAI in 2019 and had an exclusive partnership.
  • OpenAI’s new deal lets it use other cloud providers besides Microsoft Azure.
  • Microsoft will still have a license for OpenAI’s technology until 2032 but it won’t be exclusive.
  • OpenAI will pay Microsoft a 20 percent share of revenue, capped and guaranteed through 2030.
  • The new deal removes a previous rule that would cancel exclusivity if OpenAI achieved advanced AI known as artificial general intelligence.
  • The change follows a $50 billion agreement between Amazon and OpenAI to run OpenAI’s models on Amazon Web Services (AWS).
  • Microsoft previously threatened legal action over the Amazon deal, but the new agreement reduces legal risks.
  • OpenAI says the old Microsoft-only deal limited its ability to serve customers who use other cloud platforms like Amazon’s.
  • Amazon plans to offer OpenAI’s models to its customers soon on its cloud service Bedrock.
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Ars Technica
EU tells Google to open up AI on Android; Google says that's "unwarranted intervention"

EU tells Google to open up AI on Android; Google says that's "unwarranted intervention"

April 27, 2026 • Ars Technica

Summary

The European Commission has asked Google to make its Android operating system more open to allow third-party AI services to work better on Android devices. Google disagrees and says this demand would interfere with device makers' control and raise costs, but the EU may still require Google to make changes under its Digital Markets Act.

Key Facts

  • The European Commission started investigating Google’s use of AI on Android in January.
  • The EU wants Android to be more open to AI services other than Google’s own AI, called Gemini.
  • Google’s AI, Gemini, is preinstalled and has special access on Android devices, which limits what other AI apps can do.
  • The EU’s Digital Markets Act targets large tech companies like Google to ensure fair competition and openness.
  • The Commission proposes that third-party AI tools could be activated by voice commands or buttons and access local data for better suggestions.
  • Google says the EU’s demands would reduce autonomy, increase costs, and harm privacy and security protections.
  • The EU has previously forced Google to make changes, such as allowing alternative search engines and payment methods on Android in Europe.
  • The Commission aims to give users more choice in AI services without losing features or functionality.
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Ars Technica
With new patch design, the Crew-13 astronauts clearly aren't superstitious

With new patch design, the Crew-13 astronauts clearly aren't superstitious

April 27, 2026 • Ars Technica

Summary

NASA is sending its Crew-13 team to the International Space Station in mid-September on a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. The mission patch for Crew-13 honors the Apollo 13 mission and symbolizes human space exploration efforts toward the moon and Mars.

Key Facts

  • Crew-13 includes astronauts Jessica Watkins, Luke Delaney, Joshua Kutryk, and cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov.
  • The mission will last about five months and involves scientific research and technology tests.
  • The Crew-13 patch features a golden dragon, representing the SpaceX capsule and referencing Apollo 13’s golden horses.
  • Design elements such as the Roman numerals XIII and the capsule shape connect to the Apollo 13 insignia.
  • Earlier NASA missions avoided the number 13 due to superstition, using a special numbering system instead.
  • NASA’s previous system for shuttle missions replaced “13” with codes like STS-41-C to avoid triskaidekaphobia (fear of the number 13).
  • The Crew-13 patch does not include crew names but honors both past missions and future space goals.
  • This launch marks the first crewed mission numbered 13 since Apollo 13 in 1970.
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Ars Technica
Elon Musk trial against Sam Altman to reveal OpenAI power struggle

Elon Musk trial against Sam Altman to reveal OpenAI power struggle

April 27, 2026 • Al Jazeera

Summary

Elon Musk has sued OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and cofounder Greg Brockman, accusing them of betraying Musk by turning OpenAI from a nonprofit into a profit-making company without his knowledge. The trial, starting with jury selection in Oakland, California, will decide if Musk’s claims of deceit and misuse of his support are true.

Key Facts

  • OpenAI was founded in 2015 as a nonprofit, primarily funded by Elon Musk.
  • The company later changed into a for-profit venture now valued at $852 billion.
  • Musk filed a lawsuit in August 2024 accusing Altman and Brockman of secretly shifting OpenAI’s mission to make money.
  • Musk wants OpenAI to return to being a nonprofit and to remove Altman and Brockman from leadership roles.
  • The case involves thousands of internal documents, including a personal diary entry from Brockman about breaking away from Musk’s control.
  • OpenAI denies the accusations, saying Musk’s lawsuit is an attempt to harm the company’s growth and boost Musk’s own AI venture, xAI.
  • The trial is being heard by US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland.
  • Musk recently faced a separate court loss related to his 2022 Twitter takeover, which may affect his business reputation as SpaceX plans an upcoming public stock offering.
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Al Jazeera
Google workers urge CEO to reject classified AI work with Pentagon

Google workers urge CEO to reject classified AI work with Pentagon

April 27, 2026 • The Hill

Summary

Over 600 Google employees signed a letter asking the company’s CEO to stop working with the Pentagon on secret artificial intelligence (AI) projects. They warned that these projects could have risks similar to those seen in another AI company, Anthropic, which was banned from military work earlier this year.

Key Facts

  • More than 600 Google employees signed a letter to the CEO.
  • The letter asks Google to reject classified AI work with the U.S. Department of Defense (the Pentagon).
  • The employees work at Google DeepMind, the company’s AI research division.
  • They cited concerns similar to those involved with Anthropic, an AI company recently banned from military projects.
  • The letter highlights risks connected to using AI in secret military tasks.
  • Anthropic’s military work ban happened earlier in 2024.
  • The employees want Google to avoid involvement in sensitive government AI contracts.
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The Hill
Valve Officially Announces Steam Controller With Quick Start Guide

Valve Officially Announces Steam Controller With Quick Start Guide

April 27, 2026 • Newsweek

Summary

Valve has officially announced its new Steam Controller, priced at $99, which features multiple buttons, thumbpads, and grip sensors for a customizable gaming experience. The controller connects wirelessly to a PC via a special charging puck and includes instructions for updating its hardware before use.

Key Facts

  • The Steam Controller has six face buttons, two analog sticks, a D-pad, two thumbpads, a Steam Big Picture button, a home button, four trigger buttons, and four buttons on its back.
  • It includes a wireless adapter, a charging puck, and a cable for PC connection.
  • The charging puck must be plugged into the PC for wireless play but can attach to the controller for play while charging.
  • Players need to update the charging puck and controller hardware before use.
  • The controller is priced at $99, about $20 more than typical PlayStation 5 or Xbox controllers.
  • Buttons are fully customizable through the Steam platform.
  • Grip sensors allow players to control gameplay features by moving or removing their hands.
  • The Steam Controller will be available to purchase via Steam starting May 4 and can be added to wishlists now.
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Newsweek
"Super ZSNES" is a stab at a modern SNES emulator from the original developers

"Super ZSNES" is a stab at a modern SNES emulator from the original developers

April 27, 2026 • Ars Technica

Summary

Super ZSNES is a new Super Nintendo emulator created by the original developers of the old ZSNES emulator. It offers better sound and graphics improvements, including widescreen and 3D effects, while running on modern devices like Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android.

Key Facts

  • ZSNES was a popular SNES emulator from 1997 known for running well on old PCs but with less accuracy.
  • The original ZSNES stopped receiving updates around 2007 after the creators left.
  • Super ZSNES is a completely new emulator written from scratch by the original developers.
  • It uses GPU rendering for better performance and has more accurate CPU and audio functions than the old ZSNES.
  • The "super enhancement engine" adds features like widescreen support, texture mapping, and improved audio.
  • Enhancements do not change the original game files or include game data, helping avoid legal problems.
  • The initial release supports seven popular games and plans to add more, with tools for users to create enhancements.
  • Supported platforms include Windows, Intel and Apple Silicon Macs, Linux, and Android, with iOS coming soon.
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Ars Technica
China kills Meta’s acquisition of Manus as US-China AI rivalry deepens

China kills Meta’s acquisition of Manus as US-China AI rivalry deepens

April 27, 2026 • Ars Technica

Summary

China has blocked Meta’s purchase of the AI company Manus due to national security concerns. This action highlights growing tensions between the US and China over artificial intelligence technology and foreign investments.

Key Facts

  • Meta bought the AI company Manus in December 2025 for $2 billion.
  • Chinese regulators reviewed the deal and asked Meta to cancel it in April 2026.
  • Manus creates AI agents that help users complete tasks like booking travel and managing ads.
  • Manus uses multiple AI agents, including one that can browse the web and code new applications.
  • Manus’s founders moved the company’s main team to Meta’s Singapore office before the acquisition.
  • China banned foreign investment in Manus citing national security reasons.
  • This blocking impacts Meta’s plans to use Manus’s AI in its advertising and other services.
  • The decision shows increasing government control in the US-China tech rivalry and makes it harder for tech companies to do deals across borders.
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Ars Technica
Pearl Abyss Staff Gets Huge Bonus for 5 Million Crimson Desert Copies Sold

Pearl Abyss Staff Gets Huge Bonus for 5 Million Crimson Desert Copies Sold

April 27, 2026 • Newsweek

Summary

The video game company Pearl Abyss sold 5 million copies of their game "Crimson Desert" shortly after its release. To celebrate this success, the company gave each of its 733 employees a bonus of about $3,400.

Key Facts

  • Pearl Abyss sold 5 million copies of "Crimson Desert" since its release on March 19.
  • The game is a single-player adventure and has received positive reviews.
  • The company has around 733 employees.
  • Each employee received a bonus of approximately $3,400 USD.
  • The total bonus payout was about 3.7 billion won (South Korean currency).
  • Pearl Abyss CEO Heo Jin-young thanked employees for their hard work and said this success will encourage future challenges.
  • Bonuses in the video game industry are often followed by layoffs, but Pearl Abyss chose to reward all employees this time.
  • "Crimson Desert" is expected to compete for game of the year awards.
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Newsweek
Study: Infrasound likely a key factor in alleged hauntings

Study: Infrasound likely a key factor in alleged hauntings

April 27, 2026 • Ars Technica

Summary

A new study suggests that feelings of haunting or ghostly presence in certain locations may be caused by infrasound, which is sound at frequencies too low for most people to hear. Infrasound can come from things like pipes, fans, or traffic, and it can cause people to feel uneasy or sense something unusual without realizing why.

Key Facts

  • Infrasound is sound below the range of human hearing but can still affect people subconsciously.
  • Researchers believe infrasound may explain many reported ghostly sensations and hauntings.
  • Other environmental factors like magnetic fields, humidity, and lighting also influence these sensations.
  • Previous studies found people often feel paranormal experiences more strongly in places known to be haunted.
  • One example involved an engineer who felt ghostly sensations caused by vibrations from an extractor fan.
  • Infrasound can cause physical feelings such as chills, pressure, or the sense of being watched.
  • A small study tested infrasound effects by playing it in a haunted house without actors, studying how it affected people’s fear responses.
  • The research aims to explain paranormal experiences with natural causes rather than supernatural ones.
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Ars Technica
Musk vs. Altman: Tech titans face off in court

Musk vs. Altman: Tech titans face off in court

April 27, 2026 • The Hill

Summary

Tesla CEO Elon Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman are set to appear in court for a trial about OpenAI’s company structure. The dispute has lasted for years and involves issues related to OpenAI’s operations and Musk’s connection to the company.

Key Facts

  • Elon Musk is the CEO of Tesla and was one of the original founders of OpenAI in 2015.
  • Sam Altman is the CEO of OpenAI, the company behind the AI tool ChatGPT.
  • Musk left OpenAI after its founding and later started a different AI company.
  • The court case is scheduled to begin on Monday.
  • The trial focuses on disagreements about how OpenAI is organized as a business.
  • This legal battle reflects a long-standing conflict between Musk and Altman.
  • OpenAI is known for developing popular artificial intelligence technologies like ChatGPT.
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The Hill