Google down: Workspace hit with huge outage as users battle to access Gmail, Google Drive and more
The service reported that the incident began at 3.10pm and is affecting Gmail, Google Drive, Google Meet and Google Workspace.
2
2
According to DownDetector, reports of issues reached a peak at around 4.30pm today.
Hundreds of users have logged issues with the service.
This is affecting platforms like Google Docs, Google Chat and Google Analytics.
A report from Google says: "Various Workspace services are experiencing elevated latency and error rates."
Users flocked to X to complain about the ongoing issues.
Another said: "Google drive is down? Well my work day is over then."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Geeky Gadgets
19 minutes ago
- Geeky Gadgets
iCloud Backup for iPhone: What You Need to Know
Backing up your iPhone to iCloud is a crucial step in protecting your personal data and making sure it remains accessible when needed. Whether you are upgrading to a new device, troubleshooting an issue, or simply safeguarding your information, iCloud provides a seamless and efficient way to store your photos, contacts, app data, and more. The video below from Apple explains how iCloud backups work, how to manage your storage effectively, and how to troubleshoot common issues, making sure your data stays secure and recoverable. Watch this video on YouTube. Automatic Backups: A Reliable and Convenient Option iCloud's automatic backup feature offers a hands-free solution to keeping your data secure. Once enabled, your iPhone will back up daily under specific conditions: the device must be locked, connected to a power source, and connected to Wi-Fi. This ensures your data is consistently updated without requiring manual intervention. To enable and confirm automatic backups: 1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone. 2. Tap your name at the top to access your Apple ID settings. 3. Select iCloud, then navigate to iCloud Backup. 4. Ensure the toggle for iCloud Backup is switched on. This feature is particularly beneficial for users who prefer a low-maintenance approach to data protection. By automating the process, you can rest assured that your information is regularly backed up without disrupting your daily routine. Monitoring Your Backup Status Regularly checking the status of your iCloud backups is essential to ensure your data is being protected as expected. This simple step can help you identify and address potential issues before they become problematic. To check your backup status: 1. Open Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup. 2. Review the status indicators, which provide quick insights into your backup's condition: Green Dot: Indicates that the backup was completed successfully. Indicates that the backup was completed successfully. Gray or Red Dot: Signals an issue, such as backups being disabled, insufficient storage, or a lack of Wi-Fi connectivity. If you notice a gray or red dot, take immediate action. For example, reconnect to Wi-Fi, enable backups in your settings, or free up iCloud storage space to resolve the issue. Regular monitoring ensures your data remains secure and up to date. Manual Backups: When Extra Control Is Needed While automatic backups are convenient, there are situations where a manual backup is more appropriate. For instance, before installing a major software update or troubleshooting a technical issue, creating a manual backup ensures you have the most recent version of your data stored. To perform a manual backup: 1. Open Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup. 2. Tap Back Up Now to initiate the process. 3. Ensure your iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi and a power source during the backup. Manual backups provide an added layer of control, allowing you to secure your data at specific moments when it is most critical. This flexibility can be particularly useful in situations where you need immediate reassurance that your information is safe. Effective Management of iCloud Storage iCloud offers 5 GB of free storage, but this may not be sufficient for users with extensive data. To prevent backup failures due to insufficient space, it is important to manage your iCloud storage effectively. To review and optimize your storage: 1. Navigate to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Account Storage. 2. Examine the size of your backups and decide which apps or data to include. For instance, you might exclude large files or apps that are already stored elsewhere. 3. Delete old backups from devices you no longer use to free up space.
Geeky Gadgets
19 minutes ago
- Geeky Gadgets
How to Build a Custom AI Assistants with Microsoft Copilot 365
Have you ever wished for an assistant that not only understands your unique workflow but also executes tasks exactly the way you would? Imagine automating your most time-consuming responsibilities—drafting polished emails, generating detailed reports, or even crafting professional social media posts—all with a tool that feels like an extension of yourself. With Microsoft Copilot 365, this isn't just a futuristic dream; it's a tangible reality. By building your own custom AI agent, you can unlock a level of productivity and personalization that goes far beyond the default Copilot experience. Whether you're a small business owner, a project manager, or simply someone looking to streamline their daily grind, this hands-on breakdown will show you how to turn Microsoft's AI-powered tools into your ultimate productivity ally. In this guide, the Piggy Bank Accountant walks you through the step-by-step process of creating your first Microsoft Copilot 365 agent, from defining its purpose to training it with precision. You'll discover how to tailor your agent's tone, behavior, and functionality to meet your exact needs—whether it's responding to customer inquiries with empathy, generating visually engaging content, or automating technical documentation. Along the way, you'll learn how to use advanced features like code interpretation and image generation to push your agent's capabilities even further. By the end of this journey, you won't just have a tool—you'll have a custom-built partner designed to help you work smarter, not harder. So, what could this agent free you up to focus on? Let's explore the possibilities. Building Custom Copilot Agents Understanding AI Agents in Microsoft Copilot 365 AI agents in Microsoft Copilot 365 are highly customizable tools designed to execute specific tasks based on user-defined instructions and training. Unlike the default Copilot, these agents are tailored to meet unique requirements. For example, you can create an agent to draft LinkedIn posts in a professional tone, generate customer service responses with consistent language, or even assist with technical documentation. By customizing their behavior, you can achieve greater efficiency and consistency in your workflows, making these agents invaluable for both personal and professional use. Steps to Build a Microsoft Copilot 365 Agent The process of building a custom agent involves several critical steps. Each stage ensures the agent is functional, aligned with your goals, and capable of delivering the desired results. Initial Setup: Start by accessing the 'Describe' tab in Microsoft Copilot 365. Clearly outline the agent's purpose. For instance, specify whether it will assist with drafting emails, generating reports, or managing customer service interactions. This step establishes the foundation for your agent's functionality. Start by accessing the 'Describe' tab in Microsoft Copilot 365. Clearly outline the agent's purpose. For instance, specify whether it will assist with drafting emails, generating reports, or managing customer service interactions. This step establishes the foundation for your agent's functionality. Detailed Customization: Navigate to the 'Configure' tab to refine the agent's capabilities. Define its behavior, tone, and response format. For example, you can set the agent to use a formal tone for business communications or a conversational tone for social media posts. Adding a meaningful icon can also help users quickly identify the agent's purpose. Build Your First Microsoft Copilot 365 Agent Today Watch this video on YouTube. Below are more guides on Microsoft Copilot from our extensive range of articles. Training Your Agent for Optimal Performance The effectiveness of your agent depends heavily on the quality of its training. Providing clear, relevant, and comprehensive data is essential to ensure the agent performs as expected. Provide Examples: Use past work, such as email drafts, reports, or social media posts, to teach the agent your preferred style, tone, and structure. These examples serve as a guide for the agent to replicate your desired output. Use past work, such as email drafts, reports, or social media posts, to teach the agent your preferred style, tone, and structure. These examples serve as a guide for the agent to replicate your desired output. Focus on Relevance: Avoid including irrelevant or outdated data, as this can confuse the agent and reduce its accuracy. Ensure that all training materials are directly related to the tasks the agent will perform. By investing time in thorough training, you can ensure the agent understands your expectations and consistently delivers high-quality results. Crafting Precise Instructions Providing structured and detailed instructions is crucial for guiding your agent's behavior. A clear framework ensures the agent can interpret your requirements accurately and produce outputs that meet your standards. Goal: Define the specific task the agent should accomplish, such as drafting a formal email or creating a social media post. Define the specific task the agent should accomplish, such as drafting a formal email or creating a social media post. Context: Offer background information to help the agent understand the scenario. For example, explain the target audience or the purpose of the communication. Offer background information to help the agent understand the scenario. For example, explain the target audience or the purpose of the communication. Expectations: Specify the tone, style, and level of detail required. For instance, you might request a concise and professional tone for business emails. Specify the tone, style, and level of detail required. For instance, you might request a concise and professional tone for business emails. Source: Provide references or examples to guide the agent's responses. This could include templates, previous work, or style guides. For example, if you're creating an agent to draft customer service responses, you might specify that the tone should be polite and empathetic, with responses structured to include a greeting, solution, and closing. Using Advanced Features Microsoft Copilot 365 offers a variety of advanced features that can be enabled or disabled based on your agent's purpose. These features allow you to customize the agent's functionality to suit specific tasks. Code Interpretation: Enable this feature if your agent needs to analyze or generate code, making it ideal for technical tasks such as debugging or script creation. Enable this feature if your agent needs to analyze or generate code, making it ideal for technical tasks such as debugging or script creation. Image Generation: Activate this capability for tasks involving visual content creation, such as designing graphics or generating visual aids for presentations. Additionally, you can add suggested prompts for common tasks, making it easier for users to interact with the agent and use its capabilities effectively. Testing and Refining Your Agent Testing is an essential step to ensure your agent performs as intended. Begin by providing sample inputs and carefully reviewing the outputs. For instance, if the agent drafts an email, evaluate whether the tone, format, and content align with your preferences. Identify any areas for improvement and adjust the training data or instructions accordingly. Iterative testing and refinement are key to optimizing the agent's performance and making sure it meets your expectations. Configuring Access and Security Once your agent is ready, it's important to configure its access settings to maintain data security and ensure appropriate usage. You can restrict access to specific individuals or teams within your organization. This step is particularly critical for protecting sensitive information and making sure compliance with organizational policies. Applications of Custom AI Agents Custom Microsoft Copilot 365 agents can be applied to a wide range of tasks, helping you save time and improve efficiency. Common use cases include: Email Drafting: Automate the creation of professional emails tailored to different audiences, making sure consistency and accuracy. Automate the creation of professional emails tailored to different audiences, making sure consistency and accuracy. Social Media Content: Generate engaging posts for platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram, tailored to your brand's voice and style. Generate engaging posts for platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram, tailored to your brand's voice and style. Customer Service: Respond to inquiries with pre-defined, consistent messaging, improving response times and customer satisfaction. Respond to inquiries with pre-defined, consistent messaging, improving response times and customer satisfaction. Report Generation: Streamline the creation of detailed reports by automating data analysis and formatting tasks. By automating repetitive tasks, these agents free up your time for more strategic and creative activities, allowing you to focus on achieving your broader goals. Maximizing the Potential of Your Microsoft Copilot 365 Agent Building a custom Microsoft Copilot 365 agent is a practical and effective way to streamline workflows and enhance productivity. By following this guide, you can create an agent tailored to your specific needs, making sure it delivers consistent and high-quality outputs. With clear instructions, comprehensive training, and thoughtful customization, your agent can become an indispensable tool for achieving your objectives efficiently and effectively. Media Credit: Piggy Bank Accountant Filed Under: AI, Guides Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
The Guardian
20 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Silicon Valley trades researchers like football teams poach players
The tech industry is in a high-flying war over who can dole out more millions to attract artificial intelligence specialists. Individual researchers, most equipped with PhDs in computer science, are commanding giant salaries and mammoth signing bonuses in hiring negotiations. You might call them talent. The Washington Post called them Olympians in a recent headline: 'Why AI superathletes could be winning $100 million bonuses in Silicon Valley.' These are the most sought-after employees in the world. Tech companies are tasking the star players of their AI squads with developing technology that can outperform humans in any task, a goal known as 'artificial general intelligence', or with creating AI models that surpass human intelligence overall, an objective known as 'superintelligence'. In pursuit of these grails, Silicon Valley is throwing around amounts of money that could found dynasties. The scramble is so desperate and remunerative that the poaching of individual researchers makes news, though they may have been unknown before now. A headline in Wired: 'Another High-Profile OpenAI Researcher Departs for Meta'. In Bloomberg: 'Meta Hires Two Key Apple AI experts After Poaching Their Boss.' In the Information: 'Anthropic Hires Back Two Coding AI Leaders From Cursor Developer Anysphere'. All of these stories were published in the past week. The tech press' furor over these researchers reminds me of sports media covering the trades of star players. The dissection of their pay, the speculation about who's next on Meta's list, the playing of one company off another, the discussion of each company's team composition or overall strategy and the attention to this individual player or that one are all redolent of the scrutinized trade of US basketball phenomenon Luka Dončić from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers, for example. The word 'Another' in Wired's headline is a cue that one company is fueling this frenzy: Meta. Mark Zuckerberg has made eye-popping claims about his firm's spending over the past week. He said that his company will spend 'hundreds of billions' of dollars on its artificial intelligence efforts. In April, Meta revised its planned capital expenditure for this year alone upward to a range of $64bn to $75bn. The company's previous range was $60bn to $65bn. In 2023, Meta's capex was a measly $28bn, according to Fortune. Zuckerberg is backing his pledges with cash. In early July, Meta hired away the leader of Apple's AI models team, Ruoming Pang, with a jumbo-sized pay package worth some $200m. The researcher joins Meta's Superintelligence team, perhaps the most expensive team of engineers since the Manhattan Project. Putting this trading frenzy in perspective is one Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, who made the point early last week that half of the top AI researchers in the world reside in China. Huang made the remark in Beijing, where he was attending a conference and celebrating Donald Trump's new allowance for Huang's extremely profitable company to sell its most advanced semiconductors in China, where there is strong demand for them. Previously, Nvidia's chips had been subject to strict export restrictions. Huang's nod to China's stock of AI researchers highlights the fact that American firms are pouring money into a pool of English-speaking talent that may yet be outclassed by its competition across the Pacific, no matter how much the tech giants pay. Several companies have created phones in recent years attempting to provide alternatives to the industry's biggest players, in some cases capitalizing on growing anxieties over how smartphones are dominating our lives or simply attempting to rebel against the monopolistic hold Apple and Samsung have over the market. One option is a device newly released in the UK by Sage Mobile, which is an iPhone 16 loaded with custom software that prohibits internet searches, gaming downloads and social media apps like Instagram. As UK technology editor Robert Booth writes, the bespoke handset costs more than double a standard UK iPhone contract and is marketed at children with the selling point of helping them 'reconnect with real life': The devices will include an app store that is curated by Sage Mobile and will only allow users access to apps for tasks like banking, public transport, schooling, calendars and weather. Experience with a similar device sold in the US showed children used it for between 15 minutes and an hour a day, instead of average screen time in the UK of almost three hours a day among eight to 14-year-olds. Kaspar said children lose interest in it because 'it's not as magical, it's not as fun', resulting in many reclaimed 'life hours'. An anonymous 16-year-old reviewer gave the phone a test run for the Guardian, finding that using Sage highlighted just how dependent their social life was on the myriad of apps and platforms they had grown up on. Although they felt more productive and spent more time talking with their family, creating a clean severance between online and offline life was more complicated than simply blocking your apps: The people at Sage said it could take a month to get used to the limitations, but I don't have that long to test it. I can already tell you that if you are a teenager you are going to feel disconnected from all of your friends and the rest of the world and that feels unfair. Having TikTok and Instagram is the way the world is wired now. If you take them away then it's quite hard to stay in the loop. If I stayed with this phone I would also end up feeling left out when speaking in real life to my friends as this is where so many of our sayings and jokes come from. The London-based company Nothing takes a different tack with its device, the minimally named Phone 3. Rather than a restricted or pared-down version of an iPhone or Android it is an attempt to create a design-forward, quirky phone with touches like a tiny LED screen on the back of its transparent semi-transparent case. Built off Nothing's version of an Android operating system, the phone carries much of the functionality but with unique elements that try to differentiate it from Apple and Samsung's ubiquitous devices. As consumer technology editor Samuel Gibbs writes in his four out of five stars review, you'll need to really prize that differentiation to make it worthwhile: The Phone 3 is a good but not great Android from Nothing. It is more interesting than rivals, but you have to actively want something different for it to make sense as you can easily get better-performing and longer-lasting handsets at about this price. In his pledge to spend hundreds of billions of dollars on AI, Zuckerberg said his company was at work constructing a data center nearly as big as Manhattan. The enormous complex, brought to life by Meta's equally humongous capital expenditure, will be named after Hyperion, a Greek titan who personified the sun. Zuckerberg christened a second, smaller data center Prometheus after the titan who brought humans fire and was punished eternally for stealing sacred knowledge from the gods on Mount Olympus. Is the data center the titan bringing us the fire? Or are we, the human beings who have created AI, the titan? If so, what will our punishment be? Whatever the feelings the name inspires in you, Zuckerberg has made yet another declaration of titanic ambition. The novel Frankenstein has a second, less famous title that seems relevant: The Modern Prometheus. Google is also expanding its earthly ambitions, with a $3bn hydropower deal and a plan to invest $25bn in data centers across Pennsylvania and neighboring states over the next two years. Apple, too, is leaving its mark with a $500m deal for rare earths minerals that it struck with a US mining company. Inside Elon Musk's plan to rain SpaceX's rocket debris over Hawaii's pristine waters OpenAI launches personal assistant capable of controlling files and web browsers Royal Society suggested to Elon Musk he consider resigning science fellowship Zuckerberg and Meta officers settle claim they lost company billions by violating privacy laws Risk of undersea cable attacks backed by Russia and China likely to rise, report warns Houthi-linked dealers sell arms on X and WhatsApp, report says
