Diesel hits £2 a litre as Google Maps shows pump prices
UK diesel went above £2 a litre for the first time on 2 October. Six days later, Google Maps began showing live pump prices from the government's Fuel Finder scheme. Here's how much that helps.
Ada
Ofcom's first Meta probe is about paperwork, not peril
Ofcom is investigating whether Meta risk-assessed Instagram's disappearing Instants feature before launch. It's a test of process, not a ruling that the feature is unsafe, and every UK platform should take note.
GPT-6 turns ChatGPT answers into mini apps
OpenAI's GPT-6 brings Intelligent UI to all ChatGPT users, mixing text with charts, buttons, maps and calculators. Useful, but a polished chart is still just a claim, and free UK users also see ads.
Asos hack: the weak link wasn't Snowflake
Hackers used the Asos app to send customers a ransom note on 6 October. The way in appears to be a tricked employee and a third-party AI marketing tool, not Snowflake. Here's what UK shoppers should do.
AI Toolkit #3: seven free features worth knowing
Seven AI features that cost nothing extra: Gemini Skills, making a smaller allowance last, a ChatGPT privacy check-up, flashcards, pronunciation help and more.
HMRC bets up to £2.4bn that Salesforce can end the queue
HMRC has picked Salesforce for a customer system deal worth up to £2.4bn, running to 2036 and possibly 2041. It promises shorter queues. It also means years of lock-in.
Which AI model? The October 2026 guide
The best AI model or tool for each everyday job this month, with runners-up and UK prices. Free Gemini changes knock out one of September's picks.
£320k, 500,000 faces, no arrests: BTP's face scan trial
British Transport Police scanned over 500,000 faces at London stations in a £320,786 facial recognition trial. It produced one alert, which was wrong. Now it's been extended.
Record EV sales in September. Still not enough
A record 99,201 new battery electric cars were registered in the UK in September, 28.3% of the market. But the year-to-date share is 26.2%, well short of the 33% mandate.
AI Playbook #2: Write a complaint that gets results
Use AI to turn a faulty-product problem into a clear timeline, a firm complaint letter citing UK consumer rights, and an escalation plan. Five prompts and a checking routine.