Author: dailyguardian.ae

With AI progressing so fast, it’s only a matter of time before we start getting AI companions like the ones we used to see in movies like R2-D2, Wall-E, or Baymax. Now, Singapore-based OKA Technology has unveiled Mori, a cute little AI companion that looks less like a conventional home robot and more like someone turned the Pokémon Foongus into a table lamp. Mori isn’t meant to clean your house or control your smart home, but to serve as what OKA calls a “Nature Companion.” It uses subtle movements, warm lighting, nature-inspired sounds, and small reactions to make its presence…

The Republic of the Congo becomes the first sovereign issuer from Africa to list securities on Nasdaq Dubai, marking a landmark moment for Middle East–Africa financial integration. The listing comprises two issuances due 2035 and 2036, admitted on Nasdaq Dubai alongside the Republic’s primary listing on the London Stock Exchange. Nasdaq Dubai’s total outstanding debt listings now exceed USD 147.5 billion, with sovereign issuances accounting for 43% of the total. Dubai, UAE; 19 October 2026: Nasdaq Dubai welcomed the secondary listing of two sovereign bond issuances totaling USD 1.55 billion by the Republic of the Congo, as the first sovereign issuer from Africa to list securities on Nasdaq Dubai. The listing enhances the visibility of the Republic’s sovereign debt profile among Middle Eastern and global institutional investors while deepening financial sector collaboration between the UAE and the Republic of the Congo. The listings include: USD 700 million 9.500% Amortising Notes due 17 February 2035 USD 850 million 9.500% Amortising Notes due 26 May 2036…

Grok Bot has been on a roll lately, with xAI pushing a steady stream of updates to the app. On iPhone, it recently picked up the ability to start a voice conversation with a press of the Action Button, and it also made its way to Apple CarPlay, and more. Now, it is getting its most useful update yet. Grok Bot can now connect with the apps on your phone, including Calendar, Reminders, Contacts, and more. The feature is rolling out now on both iOS and Android. What can Grok Bot do with your apps? Based on the announcement image,…

Ajman, UAE, 19 October 2026: Gulf Medical University (GMU), the flagship academic institution of Thumbay Group, has made its debut in the QS World University Rankings: Arab Region 2027, ranking 125th overall and first in the Arab Region for international student ratio. This recognition follows Gulf Medical University’s ranking first in the world for International Outlook in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027, with a score of 99.4, the highest of all 2,297 universities from 118 countries and territories assessed. It was GMU’s debut in THE’s World University Rankings, entering the 1,001–1,200 band as the only specialised medical and health…

Imagine smelling freshly brewed coffee through a video call or getting a whiff of perfume before buying it online. Scientists are bringing that idea closer to reality with Scentronic, an AI-powered system that can detect smells, transmit scent data over the internet, and recreate aromas remotely. Developed by researchers from Ohio State University and Zhejiang Laboratory in China, the research, published in Science Advances, explores how digital scent transmission could add an entirely new dimension to online communication. Your next shopping session might literally come with a sniff test. How does sending smells over the internet work? Scentronic works a…

Forget smartwatches. Scientists have developed a touchscreen that can be woven directly into clothing, letting users interact with digital content without carrying a rigid display. Researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have integrated 54 specialised fibres into a sleeve to create what they describe as the world’s first touchscreen built into a garment. Published in Nature, the research could open the door to clothing that does more than just look good. Your next smart outfit might actually be smart enough to show what’s happening on your phone. Your clothes could soon run apps The prototype features a 96…

Microsoft introduced Code last month as one of the three core parts of its revamped Copilot app. The app was pitched as an easy-to-use coding agent that lets users describe what they want to build in natural language, like an app, a tracker, a dashboard, an automation, or a workflow, and Copilot would build it for them. Essentially, it’s a workplace-focused vibe-coding app that turns existing work into a functional app, and Microsoft has begun rolling it out through the Frontier program. How it works As already mentioned, Copilot Code starts by asking what you want to build in natural…

I’m a big supporter of physical games. There’s something satisfying about owning a disc, lending it to a friend, or grabbing a bargain without waiting for a digital storefront to approve the price. But Phantom Blade Zero has me questioning one of the biggest arguments in the physical-versus-digital debate. The game’s digital version launches on October 29, 2026, while its physical PS5 editions, including Standard, Deluxe, and Ultimate versions, won’t arrive until 2027. And there’s another wrinkle: the digital version reportedly needs up to 134GB of storage, raising questions about how much of the game can actually fit on a…

US banks are facing a new kind of digital headache: artificial intelligence agents attempting to access customer accounts and perform actions that may go beyond what users intended. As AI tools become more capable of navigating websites and carrying out tasks independently, financial institutions are scrambling to prevent them from crossing security boundaries. According to a report published by Axios on October 22, major US banks have detected third-party AI agents operating inside customer accounts without authorisation. Some agents reportedly appeared to attempt actions independently of user instructions. The banks involved have not publicly detailed every incident, and there is…

YouTube is changing how its Home page works, giving viewers more control over what shows up there and making some of the app’s most-used sections easier to reach. Custom Feeds are now replacing the existing topic chips for eligible users, while YouTube is also testing a redesigned top bar on mobile that moves Subscriptions closer to the Home feed. YouTube first started experimenting with Custom Feeds earlier this year, letting you type out what you wanted to watch and turning that request into its own stream of recommendations. Now, the feature is starting to look less like a side experiment…