Elon Musk's X down for thousands of US users, Downdetector shows

Elon Musk's X was down for thousands of users in the US on Saturday, according to outage tracking website Downdetector.com.
There were more than 6,700 incidents of people reporting issues with the social media platform as of 06:07 p.m. ET, Downdetector showed, which tracks outages by collating status reports from a number of sources.
Downdetector's numbers are based on user-submitted reports. The actual number of affected users may vary.

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What's New in the 2026 Tesla Model S and Model X

ArabGT

5 hours ago

ArabGT

What's New in the 2026 Tesla Model S and Model X

Tesla has quietly introduced updates to its flagship electric vehicles—the 2026 Tesla Model S sedan and the 2026 Tesla Model X SUV—marking a new chapter for the long-standing duo. While the changes are largely incremental in nature, they come with a bold move: a $5,000 price hike across every configuration, reinforcing Tesla's strategy of leveraging brand equity even as competition in the luxury EV space intensifies. Visually, not much has changed, though Tesla has added a new exterior paint option called Frost Blue, offering a fresh, modern look to the familiar silhouette of both models. New wheel designs have also been introduced, contributing to better aerodynamics and marginally enhancing energy efficiency. Additionally, both the 2026 Tesla Model S and 2026 Tesla Model X now feature a front fascia camera, intended to improve forward visibility—an enhancement likely tied to the continued development of Tesla's autonomous driving systems. The 2026 Tesla Model S Plaid version receives updated exterior styling, a move Tesla says optimizes high-speed stability. However, this comes with a caveat: its top speed has been reduced significantly, from 200 mph down to 149 mph. While it still boasts an impressive 0–60 mph time of just 2.5 seconds, the drop in maximum speed is notable and may raise eyebrows among performance-focused buyers. Inside the cabin, the updates focus on refinement and comfort rather than radical design changes. Both models now benefit from enhanced soundproofing, including new insulation materials and improved active noise cancellation. Tesla claims these changes make the interiors 'even quieter,' reducing both wind and road noise for a more serene driving experience. Dynamic ambient lighting has also been added to the dashboard and door panels, providing a more upscale and customizable cabin atmosphere. Ride quality has been addressed as well, with Tesla implementing new suspension bushings and an updated suspension design. Though details remain scarce, the brand asserts that these tweaks result in a smoother, more composed driving experience. The Model X, in particular, now offers increased third-row passenger space and expanded cargo capacity, enhancing its family-friendly appeal. One of the most practical benefits of the refresh comes in the form of improved range. The 2026 Tesla Model S Long Range now reaches an EPA-estimated 410 miles per charge—the highest of any Tesla to date. The Plaid variant of the Model S improves to 368 miles. Meanwhile, the Model X sees gains as well: the Long Range version now offers up to 352 miles, and the Model X Plaid reaches 335 miles. These modest improvements are made possible by the aerodynamic enhancements and possibly software or drivetrain refinements. Despite the relatively minor nature of these upgrades, the price increase is significant. The base 2026 Tesla Model S now starts at $86,630, while the high-performance Plaid variant climbs to $101,630. For the SUV, the Model X begins at $91,630, and its Plaid version reaches $106,630. Tesla's website currently lists delivery estimates at two to four weeks for all variants, indicating availability is already in motion. While the updates to the Model S and Model X might not be revolutionary, they reflect Tesla's focus on incremental refinement over radical redesign. With new tech, minor design tweaks, and improved driving comfort, Tesla is making its luxury EVs more polished—albeit at a steeper cost. Whether these subtle enhancements justify the price hike will ultimately depend on consumer perception in a market that is no longer short on alternatives.

Asharq Al-Awsat

13 hours ago

Asharq Al-Awsat

Big Tech on a Quest for Ideal AI Device

ChatGPT-maker OpenAI has enlisted the legendary designer behind the iPhone to create an irresistible gadget for using generative artificial intelligence (AI). The ability to engage digital assistants as easily as speaking with friends is being built into eyewear, speakers, computers and smartphones, but some argue that the Age of AI calls for a transformational new gizmo. "The products that we're using to deliver and connect us to unimaginable technology are decades old," former Apple chief design officer Jony Ive said when his alliance with OpenAI was announced. "It's just common sense to at least think, surely there's something beyond these legacy products." Sharing no details, OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman said that a prototype Ive shared with him "is the coolest piece of technology that the world will have ever seen." According to several US media outlets, the device won't have a screen, nor will it be worn like a watch or broach. Kyle Li, a professor at The New School, said that since AI is not yet integrated into people's lives, there is room for a new product tailored to its use. The type of device won't be as important as whether the AI innovators like OpenAI make "pro-human" choices when building the software that will power them, said Rob Howard of consulting firm Innovating with AI Learning from flops The industry is well aware of the spectacular failure of the AI Pin, a square gadget worn like a badge packed with AI features but gone from the market less than a year after its debut in 2024 due to a dearth of buyers. The AI Pin marketed by startup Humane to incredible buzz was priced at $699. Now, Meta and OpenAI are making "big bets" on AI-infused hardware, according to CCS Insight analyst Ben Wood. OpenAI made a multi-billion-dollar deal to bring Ive's startup into the fold. Google announced early this year it is working on mixed-reality glasses with AI smarts, while Amazon continues to ramp up Alexa digital assistant capabilities in its Echo speakers and displays. Apple is being cautious embracing generative AI, slowly integrating it into iPhones even as rivals race ahead with the technology. Plans to soup up its Siri chatbot with generative AI have been indefinitely delayed. The quest for creating an AI interface that people love "is something Apple should have jumped on a long time ago," said Futurum research director Olivier Blanchard. Time to talk Blanchard envisions some kind of hub that lets users tap into AI, most likely by speaking to it and without being connected to the internet. "You can't push it all out in the cloud," Blanchard said, citing concerns about reliability, security, cost, and harm to the environment due to energy demand. "There is not enough energy in the world to do this, so we need to find local solutions," he added. Howard expects a fierce battle over what will be the must-have personal device for AI, since the number of things someone is willing to wear is limited and "people can feel overwhelmed." A new piece of hardware devoted to AI isn't the obvious solution, but OpenAI has the funding and the talent to deliver, according to Julien Codorniou, a partner at venture capital firm 20VC and a former Facebook executive. OpenAI recently hired former Facebook executive and Instacart chief Fidji Simo as head of applications, and her job will be to help answer the hardware question. Voice is expected by many to be a primary way people command AI. Google chief Sundar Pichai has long expressed a vision of "ambient computing" in which technology blends invisibly into the world, waiting to be called upon. "There's no longer any reason to type or touch if you can speak instead," Blanchard said. "Generative AI wants to be increasingly human" so spoken dialogues with the technology "make sense," he added. However, smartphones are too embedded in people's lives to be snubbed any time soon, said Wood.

Al Arabiya

20 hours ago

Al Arabiya