Global Microsoft Services Outage Affecting Teams, Outlook, and Exchange Online
Microsoft is tackling a worldwide service disruption impacting Teams, Outlook, and Exchange Online, which began early on 25 November. A change likely caused the issue, leading to slow service or inaccessibility. The company is reverting the change and deploying a fix, also performing manual restarts on some systems. Peak outage reports occurred between 7:34 am and 1:19 pm. The previous significant outage in July led to notable operational and financial setbacks.
Nintendo Patents Smartphone-as-Controller Concept for Multiplayer Gaming
Nintendo may innovate local multiplayer gaming by allowing smartphones to act as game controllers, a newly published patent suggests. This solution caters to occasional shortages of physical controllers without significantly impacting sales. While not confirmed for implementation, the technology could debut on the upcoming Switch 2, lending potential for unique second screen experiences. The Switch 2 is expected to launch before April next year, with backward compatibility features.
Possible PlayStation Event Hinted for 30th Anniversary on December 3
Rumors suggest Sony may host a PlayStation event on December 3 to mark the brand's 30th anniversary. Industry insider billbil-kun teased potential new PS5 accessories and announcements, despite no official confirmation. The hints emerged in a PlayStation ad, intensifying speculation among gaming communities.
Apple to Revamp iPhone 17 Design with New Frames and Camera Bumps
In 2025, Apple's iPhone 17 series is slated to see significant design changes. All models will feature aluminum frames, and the Pro and Pro Max will have larger aluminum camera bumps. These alterations raise questions about Apple's strategy and the potential impact on features like wireless charging.
Apple's New M4 Mac mini Sees Unexpected Post-Launch Discount
The recently released M4 Mac mini has already seen a surprising discount on Amazon, now available for $559.99, reduced from $599.99. Despite the rarity of discounts on new Apple products, this compact computer boasts a powerful M4 chip and is praised for exceptional value, even before the price cut.
Huawei Launches Mate 70 with HarmonyOS
Huawei unveils its new Mate 70 smartphone with its own HarmonyOS, moving away from Android. Starting at 5,499 yuan, the Mate 70 is called a major advance by the company, aiming to challenge US tech and establish itself with a homegrown system. The shift to HarmonyOS comes after US sanctions hindered Huawei's use of American technologies. Huawei targets a substantial app ecosystem to complement its OS in the competitive market.
Black Friday Deals: iPad Mini 6th Gen Drops Below $300 for the First Time
Amazon is slashing prices on Apple iPads for Black Friday, with the 6th generation iPad Mini now available for just $299.99, a 40% discount. This deal marks the first time the iPad Mini is priced under $300, offering a powerful, compact Apple tablet at a record low cost.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Shatters Records Post-Launch
Activision reveals Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 as the biggest in the franchise, setting records for player count, hours, and matches in its first 30 days. Developer Treyarch credits fan support, announcing a double XP event starting November 27 alongside new multiplayer playlists. The game's launch on Game Pass is seen as a factor for its success, despite Microsoft’s non-disclosure of specific deal terms or Xbox sales figures.
Outage Disrupts Microsoft 365 Outlook Email Service
Microsoft 365's free email service, Outlook, faced an outage on Monday, with reports starting just before 8 a.m. ET. The issue largely affected the website version. Microsoft is investigating and has deployed a fix. Users are warned against scammers offering fake support during this time.
Windows 11 24H2 Update Causing Ubisoft Game Crashes
Microsoft has halted the rollout of the Windows 11 24H2 update for users with certain Ubisoft games like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Star Wars Outlaws, due to crashes and black screens. While a temporary fix is available for Star Wars Outlaws, performance issues remain. Users are advised not to manually update and can force-close unresponsive games via Task Manager. Other known issues include audio volume spikes with external USB DACs on gaming systems, and blue screen errors on budget-friendly Asus laptops.