Mobile users warned urgent ‘mandatory' update affects their battery after reports of phones catching FIRE
A "MANDATORY" update is going out to some mobiles after reports of fires breaking out when charging.
While the update is important for safety, affected users will notice a knock to their battery's capacity as a result.
2
Google has confirmed to The Sun that a "subset" of Pixel 6a devices will receive it "to reduce the risk of potential battery overheating".
It comes as a number of unverified reports online that the phone caught fire when on charge.
One user shared pictures of his destroyed Pixel 6a which they say began to "shoot out hot gas" in the middle of the night as it was on charge.
"Luckily, I was able to smother the fire, then throw the still-smoking phone into the toilet before the fire spread," Reddit user zaliver claimed.
"My wife and I are pretty shook up about it."
A small number of other users have reported similar issues.
"The update will enable battery management features that will reduce capacity and charging performance after the battery reaches 400 charge cycles," Google said.
"We'll contact impacted customers next month, with all the information they need to address the issue."
It comes only a few months after another update impacted the batteries on the Pixel 4A, though this incident affected all models and wasn't a result of safety concerns.
Owners were offered a free replacement battery to solve the problem.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
43 minutes ago
- The Independent
Federal workers are still required to fill out DOGE ‘five things' email despite Musk being long gone
Despite Elon Musk's exit, federal employees still have to send an email explaining five things that they did in the past seven days, Axios reported. Musk left the his job at the helm of the Department of Government Efficiency at the end of last month and subsequently turned his rage against President Donald Trump. During his tenure, Musk concocted the idea of forcing federal employees to send emails in a post on X, saying that failing to respond more than once could result in their firing. At the time, some cabinet-level officials in the Trump administration such as FBI Director Kash Patel and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard pushed back on the emails. Axios reported that White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles was surprised by the policy. 'To use a phrase Susie might use, she was fit to be tied at Musk,' one official said. But despite Musk's exit, federal government employees at agencies like the Office of Personnel Management and NOAA are encouraged to send out the emails. 'We're told to send it every Monday before midnight,' one employee at Social Security told Axios. Despite this, the employee said 'I have never gotten a response from anyone.' White House spokeswoman Liz Huston responded by saying 'Commissioner Bisignano is streamlining the Social Security Administration to deliver more efficient service for American taxpayers.' OPM spokeswoman McLaurine Pinover said she submits her emails weekly. 'This practice is vital to maintain accountability and transparency in employee contributions,' she told Axios. 'It's an easy way to share my work with leadership.' Despite Musk almost completely decimating the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, one employee said that they had not been told to stop sending the emails, but they stopped doing so. 'Got tired of saying I hadn't accomplished anything because we haven't been given any work,' they said. White House spokesman Harrison Fields defended the emails too. 'The mission of eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse is a part of the DNA of the federal government and will continue under the direction of the President, his cabinet, and agency heads to enhance government efficiency and prioritize responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars,' he said. Trump tapped Musk, a major 2024 campaign donor and booster on social media for the president, to lead DOGE, which was named after an internet meme dog. During that time, Musk slashed numerous government agencies such as the US Agency for International Development and the CFPB while reducing the workforces who manage the nation's national park system or at the Department of Health and Human Services. Earlier this month, Musk turned his ire toward Trump's signature 'One Big, Beautiful Bill' domestic spending legislation an ' outrageous, pork-filled abomination.' Musk then went a step further and said that Trump , calling for his impeachment. Earlier this week, Musk apologized for some of his remarks.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Trump team weighs shutting out Musk's SpaceX from ‘Golden Dome' project as fallout from feud lingers
The role of Elon Musk's SpaceX in the Trump administration's Golden Dome missile project is reportedly in doubt following the feud between the billionaire and President Donald Trump last week. Musk's company appeared to be the frontrunner to begin work on the ambitious project to create a missile shield over America, a project that would have pocketed Musk billions. But after last week's explosive breakup, which Musk has since attempted some damage control, the project is in jeopardy, three people familiar with plans told Reuters. 'Because of the blowup, the Pentagon has been given the space to look at other alternatives,' one of the people told the news agency. The White House said in a statement that any decision on the project would be made 'prioritizing the best deal for America and leveraging the most advanced and innovative technology.' A spokesperson added that the administration 'is committed to a rigorous review process for all bids and contracts.' A senior Defense Department official told Reuters that the Pentagon 'has no announcements regarding future contracts associated with the Golden Dome effort.' If SpaceX misses out on the project, it would signal the significance of the president's personal relationships when it comes to his leadership, aerospace and defense experts said. 'That people guiding the program or building it are approved based on their political affiliation signals a real concern that the project itself is very politicized and not being conducted on the technical merits,' Laura Grego, a missile defense expert and research director at the non-profit Union of Concerned Scientists, told Reuters. Insiders also told the outlet that there is a lot of uncertainty looming over the project and a 'scramble' among contractors and industry experts. 'There isn't a coordinated effort with a true vision,' an insider told the outlet. 'All of these companies are just grabbing at this pot of money.' The independent Congressional Budget Office has estimated the project could take 20 years to complete and cost $524 billion. After last week's blowup between Trump and Musk, the tech mogul issued a groveling climbdown in the early hours of Wednesday, expressing regret over the public fallout between him and Trump last week. 'I regret some of my posts about President Donald Trump last week. They went too far,' the world's richest man wrote on X. Trump also hinted that reconciliation between the pair was possible. 'Look, I have no hard feelings,' Trump said in the interview recorded on Monday.
Geeky Gadgets
an hour ago
- Geeky Gadgets
3 Microsoft Copilot Tricks Every Accountant Should Know in 2025
What if you could reclaim hours of your workweek, eliminate tedious manual tasks, and deliver sharper insights to your clients—all without hiring extra help? In 2025, this isn't just wishful thinking; it's the reality for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) using Microsoft Copilot. This AI-powered assistant is more than just a tool—it's a fantastic option for the accounting profession. From automating error-prone processes to uncovering financial trends hidden in mountains of data, Copilot is redefining what's possible in your daily workflow. But here's the catch: not all CPAs are tapping into its full potential. Are you ready to stay ahead of the curve and harness its fantastic power? In this deep dive, PBA explores three essential ways Microsoft Copilot can transform your practice. You'll discover how to free yourself from the grind of repetitive tasks, unlock actionable insights from complex datasets, and foster seamless collaboration with clients and colleagues. These aren't just incremental improvements—they're the kind of innovations that can elevate your role from number-cruncher to strategic advisor. Whether you're looking to boost efficiency, enhance accuracy, or deliver more value to your clients, these Copilot tricks are your blueprint for staying competitive in an evolving industry. After all, the future of accounting isn't just about keeping up; it's about leading the way. Microsoft Copilot for CPAs 1. Automating Repetitive Accounting Tasks Repetitive tasks often dominate a CPA's workload, leaving less time for strategic responsibilities. Microsoft Copilot addresses this challenge by automating routine processes, allowing you to focus on higher-value activities that require critical thinking and expertise. Copilot can automatically categorize expenses, detect anomalies in financial records, and generate comprehensive reports in seconds. Its automation capabilities significantly reduce the risk of human error, making sure compliance with accounting standards while saving hours of manual effort. For instance, instead of manually reconciling accounts, you can rely on Copilot to identify discrepancies and propose corrections. This not only enhances accuracy but also frees up time for tasks such as financial planning or client consultations. By incorporating automation into your workflow, you can increase productivity, minimize errors, and deliver more strategic insights to your clients. 2. Unlocking Insights with Advanced Financial Data Analysis Analyzing financial data is a critical aspect of a CPA's role, and Microsoft Copilot's advanced analytics tools make this process faster, more accurate, and more insightful. By using AI-driven algorithms, Copilot can process vast datasets, identify trends, and generate actionable insights to support data-driven decision-making. Copilot enables you to forecast cash flow trends, evaluate financial health, and identify potential risks with just a few clicks. It simplifies complex datasets by creating visualizations and summaries, making it easier to communicate findings to clients or stakeholders. For example, you can use Copilot to assess a company's financial performance over time or predict future revenue streams based on historical data. These insights empower you to provide more strategic advice, helping clients make informed decisions that align with their goals. By integrating Copilot's analytical tools into your practice, you can enhance your role as a trusted financial advisor and deliver deeper value to your clients. Microsoft Copilot Accounting Tricks for 2025 Watch this video on YouTube. Find more information on Microsoft Copilot browsing our extensive range of articles, guides and tutorials. 3. Enhancing Collaboration with Integrated Tools Effective collaboration is vital in today's accounting landscape, particularly when working with distributed teams or managing client relationships. Microsoft Copilot seamlessly integrates with platforms like Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and Outlook, allowing smoother communication and more efficient teamwork. Copilot can summarize lengthy email threads, extract key points from meetings, and suggest actionable next steps based on discussions. It ensures alignment among team members by providing real-time updates, tracking changes, and organizing relevant documents. For example, when reviewing financial statements or discussing projections, Copilot can compile necessary data, highlight critical insights, and streamline the review process. These features reduce miscommunication, enhance workflow efficiency, and ensure consistent, high-quality results. By using Copilot's collaboration tools, you can strengthen client relationships, improve team productivity, and deliver better outcomes. Maximizing Your Potential with Microsoft Copilot Microsoft Copilot is reshaping the accounting profession by automating repetitive tasks, advancing financial data analysis, and enhancing collaboration. As a CPA, adopting these tools in 2025 allows you to work more efficiently, reduce errors, and provide deeper insights to clients. By mastering these capabilities, you position yourself as an innovative and adaptable professional in an industry that increasingly values precision, efficiency, and strategic thinking. 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.
