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Category: Technology

  • 13-hour AWS outage reportedly caused by Amazon’s own AI tools

    13-hour AWS outage reportedly caused by Amazon’s own AI tools

    A recent Amazon Web Services (AWS) outage that lasted 13 hours was reportedly caused by one of its own AI tools, according to reporting by Financial Times. This happened in December after engineers deployed the Kiro AI coding tool to make certain changes, say four people familiar with the matter.

    Kiro is an agentic tool, meaning it can take autonomous actions on behalf of users. In this case, the bot reportedly determined that it needed to “delete and recreate the environment.” This is what allegedly led to the lengthy outage that primarily impacted China.

    Amazon says it was merely a “coincidence that AI tools were involved” and that “the same issue could occur with any developer tool or manual action.” The company blamed the outage on “user error, not AI error.” It said that by default the Kiro tool “requests authorization before taking any action” but that the staffer involved in the December incident had “broader permissions than expected — a user access control issue, not an AI autonomy issue.”

    Multiple Amazon employees spoke to Financial Times and noted that this was “at least” the second occasion in recent months in which the company’s AI tools were at the center of a service disruption. “The outages were small but entirely foreseeable,” said one senior AWS employee.

    The company launched Kiro in July and has since pushed employees into using the tool. Leadership set an 80 percent weekly use goal and has been closely tracking adoption rates. Amazon also sells access to the agentic tool for a monthly subscription fee.

    These recent outages follow a more serious event from October, in which a 15-hour AWS outage disrupted services like Alexa, Snapchat, Fortnite and Venmo, among others. The company blamed a bug in its automation software for that one.

    However, Amazon disagrees with the characterization of certain products and services being unavailable as an outage. In response to the Financial Times report, the company shared the following statement, which it also published on its news blog:

    We want to address the inaccuracies in the Financial Times’ reporting yesterday. The brief service interruption they reported on was the result of user error—specifically misconfigured access controls—not AI as the story claims.

    The disruption was an extremely limited event last December affecting a single service (AWS Cost Explorer—which helps customers visualize, understand, and manage AWS costs and usage over time) in one of our 39 Geographic Regions around the world. It did not impact compute, storage, database, AI technologies, or any other of the hundreds of services that we run. The issue stemmed from a misconfigured role—the same issue that could occur with any developer tool (AI powered or not) or manual action. We did not receive any customer inquiries regarding the interruption. We implemented numerous safeguards to prevent this from happening again—not because the event had a big impact (it didn’t), but because we insist on learning from our operational experience to improve our security and resilience. Additional safeguards include mandatory peer review for production access. While operational incidents involving misconfigured access controls can occur with any developer tool—AI-powered or not—we think it is important to learn from these experiences. The Financial Times’ claim that a second event impacted AWS is entirely false.

    For more than two decades, Amazon has achieved high operational excellence with our Correction of Error (COE) process. We review these together so that we can learn from any incident, irrespective of customer impact, to address issues before their potential impact grows larger.

    Update, February 21 2026, 11:58AM ET: This story has been updated to include Amazon’s full statement in response to the Financial Times report.

  • A judge ruled Tesla still has to pay $243 million for a fatal crash involving Autopilot

    A judge ruled Tesla still has to pay $243 million for a fatal crash involving Autopilot

    Tesla is still on the hook for $243 million after a US judge rejected the EV maker’s bid to overturn a jury verdict from last year. On Friday, US District Judge Beth Bloom upheld the jury’s decision to hold Tesla partially responsible for a deadly crash that happened in 2019 and involved the self-driving Autopilot feature.

    The judge added that there was enough evidence to support the jury’s verdict, which was delivered in August 2025 and ordered Tesla to pay millions in compensatory and punitive damages to the two victims in the case. Judge Bloom added that Tesla didn’t present any new arguments to dispute the decision.

    While the case has been moving along recently, the incident dates back to several years ago when the driver of a Model S, George McGee, was using Tesla’s Autopilot feature while bending down to retrieve a dropped phone. The Model S then crashed into an SUV that was parked on a shoulder, where Naibel Benavides Leon and Dillon Angulo were standing aside. Benavides was killed in the crash, while Angulo was severely injured.

    Tesla hasn’t publicly commented on Judge Bloom’s decision yet, but it won’t be a surprise to see the company appeal the latest ruling with a higher court. Tesla’s lawyers previously tried to pin the blame on the driver, claiming that the Model S and Autopilot weren’t defective. As this major case plays out, Tesla is also facing several investigations from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for both its Autopilot and Full-Self Driving features.

  • The US will send Tech Corps members to foreign countries in its latest push for AI dominance

    The US will send Tech Corps members to foreign countries in its latest push for AI dominance

    The government agency that sends its corps members abroad to volunteer in foreign countries launched its latest initiative called Tech Corps. The Peace Corps’ latest proposal will recruit STEM graduates or those with professional experience in the artificial intelligence sector and send them to participating host countries.

    According to the press release, volunteers will be placed in Peace Corps countries that are part of the American AI Exports Program, which was created last year from an executive order from President Trump as a way to bolster the US’ grip on the AI market abroad. Tech Corps members will be tasked with using AI to resolve issues related to agriculture, education, health and economic development. The program will offer its members 12- to 27-month in-person assignments or virtual placements, which will include housing, healthcare, a living stipend and a volunteer service award if the corps member is placed overseas.

    Richard E. Swarttz, the acting director of the Peace Corps, said in a press release that Tech Corps volunteers will be “building technical capacity, supporting AI adoption across critical use cases and addressing barriers to last-mile AI implementation.” While the Tech Corps program is framed at benefiting host countries, it would also help to secure the US’ position in the rapidly expanding global AI market that includes growing competition from China.

  • The Stop Killing Games campaign will set up NGOs in the EU and US

    The Stop Killing Games campaign will set up NGOs in the EU and US

    The Stop Killing Games campaign is evolving into more than just a movement. In a YouTube video, the campaign’s creator, Ross Scott, explained that organizers are planning to establish two non-governmental organizations, one for the European Union and another for the US. According to Scott, these NGOs would allow for “long-term counter lobbying” when publishers end support for certain video games.

    “Let me start off by saying I think we’re going to win this, namely the problem of publishers destroying video games that you’ve already paid for,” Scott said in the video. According to Scott, the NGOs will work on getting the original Stop Killing Games petition codified into EU law, while also pursuing more watchdog actions, like setting up a system to report publishers for revoking access to purchased video games.

    The Stop Killing Games campaign started as a reaction to Ubisoft’s delisting of The Crew from players’ libraries. The controversial decision stirred up concerns about how publishers have the ultimate say on delisting video games. After crossing a million signatures last year, the movement’s leadership has been busy exploring the next steps.

    According to Scott, the campaign leadership will meet with the European Commission soon, but is also working on a 500-page legal paper that reveals some of the industry’s current controversial practices. In the meantime, the ongoing efforts have led to a change of heart from Ubisoft since the publisher updated The Crew 2 with an offline mode.

  • How to send a message via satellite on iPhone

    Apple’s satellite features were originally designed for emergencies, allowing iPhone users to contact emergency services when cellular and Wi-Fi coverage is unavailable. With recent versions of iOS, Apple has expanded those capabilities to include sending and receiving messages via satellite. This makes it possible to stay in touch with friends and family from remote locations where traditional networks do not reach, such as hiking trails, rural areas or offshore locations.

    Messaging via satellite is built directly into the iPhone and works automatically when no cellular or Wi-Fi signal is available. While it is not intended to replace regular messaging, it can be a useful backup when coverage drops.

    How to send a message via satellite

    Before you can get started, you’ll need to turn on iMessage before you’re off the grid. It’s also important to set up an emergency contact as well as members of your Family Sharing group prior to your departure. This will enable them to message you via SMS without the need to message them first.     To send a message via satellite, open the Messages app when no cellular or Wi-Fi signal is available. If the feature is supported in the current location, the app will display a prompt indicating that satellite messaging is available.

    Selecting the option to connect via satellite launches a guided connection screen. Your iPhone will provide real-time instructions to help maintain alignment with the satellite. Once connected, a text message can be typed and sent, although delivery may take longer than usual.

    The iPhone will notify you when the message has been sent successfully. Replies from the recipient will also be delivered via satellite, as long as the connection remains active.

    What you need before you can send satellite messages

    Sending messages via satellite requires a compatible iPhone model and the correct software version. The feature is supported on iPhone models with satellite hardware, beginning with iPhone 14 and later. The device must be running a version of iOS (iOS 18 or higher) that supports satellite messaging, which Apple has continued to refine through recent iOS updates.

    The feature also depends on location and availability. Satellite messaging is currently supported in select regions, including the United States and parts of Canada, with expanded support rolling out gradually. The iPhone must be outdoors with a clear view of the sky, as trees, buildings and terrain can interfere with the satellite connection.

    Satellite messaging is not designed for continuous conversations. Messages are compressed and sent at a slower pace than standard texts, and delivery times can vary depending on conditions and satellite positioning.

    How satellite messaging works on iPhone

    When an iPhone loses access to cellular and Wi-Fi networks, the system automatically detects that only satellite connectivity is available. Instead of failing to send, the Messages app prompts the user to connect to a satellite.

    On-screen instructions guide the user to position the phone correctly. This typically involves holding the device up and following directional prompts to align it with an overhead satellite. The phone uses built-in sensors to help maintain the connection while the message is being sent.

    Messages sent via satellite are text-only and use a reduced data format to ensure they can be transmitted reliably. Images, videos, audio messages and large attachments are not supported.

    Who can receive satellite messages?

    Satellite messages can be sent to contacts using iMessage or standard SMS, depending on the recipient’s device and settings. If the recipient is using an Apple device with iMessage enabled, the message will be delivered through Apple’s messaging system. If not, the message will be sent as a standard text.

    Recipients do not need a satellite-capable device to receive messages. From their perspective, the message appears similar to a regular text, though delivery times may be longer.

    Tips for getting a reliable connection

    A clear view of the sky is essential for satellite messaging to work properly. Open areas with minimal obstructions offer the best results. Movement, heavy foliage and nearby structures can interrupt the connection.

    Because satellite bandwidth is limited, keeping messages short improves reliability and delivery speed. The iPhone may prompt the user to edit longer messages to fit within satellite constraints.

    Battery life is also a consideration. Maintaining a satellite connection uses more power than standard messaging, so it helps to conserve battery when relying on satellite features for extended periods.

    Limitations to keep in mind

    Satellite messaging is designed for occasional use when other networks are unavailable. It does not support group messages, media attachments or read receipts in the same way as standard messaging.

    Delivery times can range from under a minute to several minutes, depending on environmental conditions and satellite availability. The feature should not be relied upon for time-sensitive communication unless no other option is available.

    Apple has also noted that satellite features may be offered free for a limited period, with potential pricing or subscription requirements introduced in the future depending on region and carrier arrangements.

    When satellite messaging can be useful

    Messaging via satellite can be helpful for travelers, hikers and anyone spending time in remote areas where coverage is unreliable. It offers a way to check in, share basic updates or request non-emergency assistance when traditional networks are unavailable.

    While it is not a replacement for emergency services, it complements Apple’s existing emergency satellite features by providing an additional communication option when users are off the grid.

    As Apple continues to expand satellite support, messaging via satellite is likely to become a more familiar part of the iPhone experience, particularly for users who regularly venture beyond the reach of cellular networks.

  • Get 10 percent off at Squarespace — and see how easy it is to build a website with Blueprint AI

    UX/UI designers discussing and brainstorming on wireframes for a website and mobile app prototype, surrounded by sketches of user flow and design tools, in the concept of website and mobile application design concept.

    Streamline your web design with Blueprint AI. (seksan Mongkhonkhamsao via Getty Images)

    One of the most important aspects of starting a new business, or expanding an existing one, is building a website. Whether you’re building a home for your online portfolio or setting up a home base for a new small business, a web presence that you own and operate lets you tell the story on your own terms. There are tons of website builders out there, but Squarespace is the only one that offers Blueprint AI, an artificial intelligence system that simplifies the process from start to finish, letting even beginners design, build, and finalize a site ease. And if you start now, you’ll save 10 percent off with code ENGADGET10. Have a website up and running in no time while saving money and time to build it.

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    What is Blueprint AI?

    Blueprint AI helps you design a website from the ground up using Squarespace, with custom website templates that can be personalized to your business. Follow the easy-to-use interactive builder process from scratch, even choosing from bespoke adaptive templates for inspiration. All you need to do is answer a few questions about your business, industry, and goals, and using machine learning, Blueprint AI will provide the direction to to get your website mapped out and ready to go.

    In just a few minutes, you can get a professionally curated starter website to match your business needs, tone, and brand personality. You can then edit bit by bit until it’s to your liking for finalization, with the option to make refinements at any time later using the Fluid Engine drag-and-drop editor. Preview elements before you decide on them and apply once they’re just right. Choose color palettes, additional pages, homepage sections and layouts, and even integrate commerce tools.

    SEO-friendly copy can even be built based on your instruction, offering the possibility of improved site ranking and traffic from the jump. The system optimizes your site for intuitive navigation, and the sites are optimized for viewing on both desktop computers and mobile devices.

    Blueprint AI can be useful for any business or personal application, including (but not limited to) photography, consulting, education, real estate, technology, marketing, construction and maintenance, health, weddings and music and audio. It’s available for both UX language and content output in seven languages, including English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and Japanese.

    How to start using Squarespace with Blueprint AI

    Visit the Squarespace website from a desktop computer and start your journey with 10% off right now. Select a plan (Basic, Core, Plus, and Advanced levels are available) and Blueprint AI trial and choose either the builder or templates to get started. By leveraging the AI assistant, you can have a website ready to go within minutes. Of course, you can also slow down and refine it to your heart’s content, personalizing images, graphics and color schemes.

    For small businesses looking to kickstart and an online presence, Squarespace with Blueprint AI is a quick and simple way to get it done. AI assists in the process from start to finish, gathering your background information, image and text prompts, and building a curated website with a look and feel that matches your brand. Once it’s ready, you can promote, refine, and focus on the task at hand – not teaching yourself coding.

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    Editors’ note: This story was posted earlier and has been updated with the most recent discount offer.

  • Apple’s first event of the year will reportedly bring at least five products over a ‘three-day blitz’

    Apple’s first event of the year will reportedly bring at least five products over a ‘three-day blitz’

    Ready your wallets if you’ve been thinking about upgrading your Apple products. According to Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman, Apple will announce “at least five products,” starting on Monday, March 2, and extending to its scheduled “experience” on Wednesday, March 4.

    There’s a long list of potential options that Apple could announce next month, but Gurman is confident in a few. According to the report, Apple is “very likely” to reveal the low-cost MacBook, especially considering the event logo’s choice of colors that could reference the new laptop colors. Gurman also predicted that Apple could announce the iPhone 17e, since its predecessor was launched last spring, and an iPad Air that’s updated with the M4 chip. Previous rumors point to Apple getting ready to drop the upgraded MacBook Pro, which will likely get M5 Pro and Max chips, and the new MacBook Air with the base M5 chip. If that wasn’t enough, Apple could even debut the refreshed Mac Studio and a new Apple Studio Display since the two desktop-oriented options were already expected to be released in the first half of the year.

    There hasn’t been any confirmation from Apple directly, but it may have left behind some hints for this “three-day blitz” of product announcements. Going off Apple’s wording, the March 4 event will be an “Apple Experience” with locations in New York, London and Shanghai, which doesn’t sound like the typical format of an event with keynote addresses that’s paired with a livestream. Gurman also noted that Apple usually announces its new products on Tuesday, unlike the official Wednesday timing.

  • Apple is reportedly considering red as the next premium color for its iPhones

    Apple is reportedly considering red as the next premium color for its iPhones

    First, we got iPhones in Hermès orange, and now we might get them in Louboutin red. According to Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman, Apple is already mulling over what the next premium colorway will be for its iPhone Pro models. While we’re not expecting iPhone 18 announcements until later this year, Gurman reported that “red is the new flagship color in testing for the next iPhone Pros.”

    Gurman added that there were rumors of purple and brown shades, but predicted that these could just be different shades of the main red option. Red is definitely a departure from Apple’s usual palette of more modest tones, but the company could be trying to continue the momentum of its flashier Cosmic Orange option that has been boosting sales in China. The bold orange option has been informally rebranded as Hermès orange among fans and is becoming somewhat of a status symbol in Chinese markets. With red as a potential frontrunner for the next iPhone Pro colors, Apple could capture even more sales in China, especially since the color is seen as lucky in Chinese culture.

    It’s not the first time Apple has offered red iPhones, though. Previously, Apple manufactured iPhones in deep red hues in collaboration with Product Red, with the last available models being the iPhone SE, iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus. On the other hand, Gurman reported that Apple will play it much safer when it comes to the rumored foldable iPhone, sticking with its basic tones.

  • 2026 Olympics: How to watch the Winter Games Closing Ceremony today

    The 2026 Winter Olympics come to an end this weekend. This year’s Closing Ceremony theme is “Beauty in Action.” The event will feature appearances from musician and DJ Gabry Ponte, actress Benedetta Porcaroli, and ballet dancer Roberto Bolle. Alfredo Accatino, the ceremony’s artistic director, has promised the ceremony will “begin with lots of colors and end with a party.”

    The ceremony will kick off today at 2:30PM ET on NBC and Peacock. An encore broadcast will air on NBC at 9PM Here’s everything you need to know to watch the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics Closing Ceremony. (And as we close out the Winter Games, here’s a look at the final medal count, too.)

    How to watch the Closing Ceremony at the 2026 Winter Olympics

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    Image for the mini product module
    Image for the mini product module

    Date: Sunday, Feb. 22

    Time: Airs live at 2:30PM ET; primetime re-air at 9PM ET

    Location: Verona Arena, Verona, Italy

    TV channel: NBC

    Streaming: Peacock, DirecTV, NBC.com and more

    Olympics Closing Ceremony start time

    The ceremony will kick off at 2:30 PM ET on Sunday afternoon. An encore broadcast will also air on NBC at 9PM ET/PT.

    How to watch the Closing Ceremony live for free

    There are a couple of ways to watch the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony on Sunday, Feb. 22. You can tune in live Sunday afternoon on NBC or stream live on Peacock, or catch the encore broadcast on NBC, which is available with DirecTV, Hulu + Live TV, and more.

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  • Samsung is adding Perplexity to Galaxy AI for its upcoming S26 series

    Samsung is adding Perplexity to Galaxy AI for its upcoming S26 series

    Samsung’s next flagship devices will offer Perplexity as part of an expansion to support multiple AI agents in Galaxy AI. Perplexity’s AI agent will work with apps including Samsung Notes, Clock, Gallery, Reminder and Calendar, according to the announcement. And, some third-party apps will support it, though Samsung hasn’t yet said which. The news comes just a few days before Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event, so we can expect to find out more about that integration and how it fits in with Samsung’s revamped Bixby very soon.

    What we know so far is that the Perplexity agent will respond to the wake phrase, “Hey Plex” (not to be confused with the streaming service Plex). It can also be initiated by quick-access physical controls. In a statement, Samsung’s Won-Joon Choi, President, COO and Head of the R&D Office for Samsung’s Mobile eXperience Business, said the expansion of Galaxy AI is aimed at giving users more choice and flexibility in getting their tasks done. “Galaxy AI acts as an orchestrator, bringing together different forms of AI into a single, natural, cohesive experience,” Choi said.

    Samsung previously announced a partnership with Perplexity last year to integrate the company’s AI search engine into Samsung TVs.  Perplexity has been in hot water though over alleged content scraping and copyright infringement, and was even sued in September by Merriam-Webster — yes, the dictionary — and Encyclopedia Britannica.