Samsung has expanded its SmartThings platform to natively support 25 IKEA Matter-over-Thread devices, allowing the retailer’s cheap smart bulbs, plugs, scroll-wheel remotes, temperature/humidity and air-quality sensors, motion and door sensors, and water-leak detectors to connect directly to SmartThings without requiring IKEA’s DIRIGERA hub. The rollout, announced in late April 2026, follows multiple validation rounds between the companies aimed at resolving earlier “ghosting” and connectivity problems reported with IKEA’s Matter lineup. Samsung said it built enhanced integrations and a dedicated SmartThings app experience; Thread 1.4 compatibility and existing Thread border routers embedded in many Samsung TVs, soundbars and appliances mean millions of devices can act as local controllers. Some advanced features — for example, blind control via the scroll-wheel remote — are slated to arrive later. Reports note that a small number of sensors may still require a hub in certain setups, and observers flagged that Samsung’s platform-specific work highlights ongoing interoperability challenges for the fledgling Matter standard despite its promise of universal plug-and-play.

Sony AI’s autonomous robot ‘Ace’ has reached expert-level performance in competitive table tennis, according to a study published in Nature on April 22, 2026. Built around an eight-jointed robotic arm and a high-speed sensing suite (multiple high-frame-rate cameras and event-based vision systems), Ace uses model-free deep reinforcement learning trained in simulation to perceive spin, predict trajectories and execute shots with millisecond latency. In April 2025 it beat three of five elite players under International Table Tennis Federation rules; after further development it recorded victories over professional opponents in December 2025 and March 2026, including a win against a top-25 player. Matches were officiated by licensed umpires on regulation courts. Researchers say Ace’s strengths include superior spin estimation, rapid reaction time and unpredictability; limitations include reliance on an external camera network, a non-humanoid mounting platform and limited ability to read human body language. Sony AI and outside experts highlight potential applications of the underlying perception and control technologies in manufacturing, service robotics, sports training and other fast, safety-critical environments, while also noting ethical and security considerations as capabilities mature.

A UK Competition Appeal Tribunal has certified a collective opt-out lawsuit against Microsoft alleging it overcharged nearly 60,000 British businesses for Windows Server licences when run on rival cloud platforms. The claim, brought by competition lawyer Dr Maria Luisa Stasi, seeks about £2.1 billion (roughly $2.8 billion) and contends Microsoft set higher wholesale prices for Windows Server on Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud and Alibaba Cloud than for equivalent usage on its own Azure service, making competitors comparatively more expensive. The tribunal dismissed Microsoft’s challenge that the claim lacked a workable method for calculating losses and concluded the action “comfortably crosses” the threshold for a real prospect of success. A Collective Proceedings Order will be published with opt-out details and timelines; Microsoft said it would appeal and denied any wrongdoing. The ruling comes amid growing regulatory scrutiny of Microsoft’s cloud and licensing practices by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority and probes in Europe, the US and elsewhere. The decision keeps a major test of cloud licensing and competitive practices on track for trial and could lead to damages, settlements or changes to licensing terms if claimants prevail.

Meta is installing tracking software called the Model Capability Initiative (MCI) on U.S.-based employees’ work computers to capture mouse movements, clicks, keystrokes and occasional screenshots for use as AI training data, according to internal memos seen by Reuters and reporting by multiple outlets. The tool will run only on a pre-approved list of work apps and websites and is described internally as part of an “Agent Transformation Accelerator” effort to build agents that can perform routine computer tasks. Meta spokespeople said safeguards will protect sensitive content and that data will not be used for performance reviews. The rollout has provoked internal backlash — employees report no opt-out on company laptops — and comes amid major corporate AI investments, a Superintelligence Labs reorganisation and plans to cut about 10% of the workforce starting in May. Legal experts note U.S. federal law places few limits on workplace monitoring, while EU rules would likely bar similar measures there.

Meta Platforms said on April 21-22, 2026 it has begun construction of a data centre in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a project valued at more than $1 billion located at Fair Oaks Innovation Park. The campus will span more than 2 million square feet, be built by Fortis Construction, and will be Meta’s 28th U.S. facility and 32nd worldwide. The company expects peak construction to create over 1,000 jobs and about 100 permanent operational roles, and has pledged to pay site water and wastewater costs and more than $25 million for local infrastructure upgrades. Separately, Meta disclosed a ‘Model Capability Initiative’ that deploys tracking software on U.S. employees’ computers to record mouse movements, clicks, keystrokes and intermittent screenshots to train AI models; Meta says the data won’t be used for performance reviews. The announcements come as Meta accelerates AI investment amid reports of planned layoffs and rising environmental and privacy scrutiny.

Paramount Skydance has rolled out a redesigned Paramount+ app for Apple iPhone users that places a vertical, scrollable feed of short videos front and center, Reuters and other outlets reported in April 2026. The feed features sports highlights, CBS News segments, UFC clips and movie trailers aimed at driving frequent daily visits and higher ad impressions. The change is part of a broader technology consolidation after the Skydance merger, with Paramount working to unify Paramount+, Pluto TV and other assets into a single backend stack targeted for mid-2026. Executives hope the short-form format will enable new ad formats, real-time features during live sports and partnerships with influencers; Paramount declined to comment. Industry data cited in reporting show Paramount accounted for about 2% of global streaming app usage in Q1 2026, while YouTube’s user base dwarfs Paramount+ by roughly 59-to-1 per app-measurement firms. The redesign comes as streaming rivals likewise experiment with social-style features and as Paramount outlines advertiser-facing changes tied to its wider overhaul and planned combinations with other studio assets.