Meta has begun testing a new feature in Germany, France, and the US that allows users of Facebook Marketplace to browse eBay listings directly on the platform, while completing their transactions on eBay.

Collaboration

The pilot programme, announced on Wednesday, represents a striking collaboration between two major platforms in the e-commerce space. By integrating eBay’s listings into Facebook Marketplace, Meta claims the change will benefit both buyers and sellers. Marketplace users gain access to an expanded array of listings, while eBay sellers can reach a larger audience via Facebook’s vast user base.

Why Is Meta Doing This?

Being a little cynical about Meta’s claims around the benefits of the joint-venture, the motives for the partnership are rather less consumer-minded and more legislative. The move comes as Meta faces significant regulatory scrutiny from the European Commission, which recently fined the tech giant €840 million (£725 million) over alleged anti-competitive practices involving Marketplace. The landmark ruling by the European Commission accused Meta of abusing its dominant position by tying Facebook Marketplace to its main social network. Regulators argued that this practice stifled competition by forcing Facebook users to interact with Marketplace, thereby disadvantaging rival platforms.

What Does Meta Say About It?

In a statement on its website, accompanying the announcement, Meta has denied any wrongdoing and has appealed the decision, but is complying with the ruling in the interim.

Meta says, “While we disagree with and continue to appeal the European Commission’s decision on Facebook Marketplace, we are working quickly and constructively to build a solution which addresses the points raised.” This test could, therefore, serve as part of that solution, while also appealing to consumer demand.

What Will the New Feature Look Like?

The integration essentially allows Facebook Marketplace users to browse listings from eBay without leaving Facebook’s interface. However, transactions will still take place on eBay’s platform, with Facebook acting purely as a discovery tool. Meta describes the collaboration as a way to “benefit people using both platforms.”

For users, the change is expected to enhance the shopping experience by offering a wider range of products without needing to search across multiple platforms. Meanwhile, eBay sellers stand to gain increased visibility among Facebook’s estimated 2.96 billion monthly active users.

What Does This Mean for the Market?

Meta’s move has wide-ranging implications for the e-commerce landscape. By cooperating with eBay, the company appears to be shifting its strategy to address regulatory concerns while maintaining Marketplace’s relevance. At the same time, this test may herald a broader trend towards platform interoperability, where marketplaces collaborate to offer consumers a seamless experience.

For eBay, the collaboration could provide a significant boost. Although eBay remains a major player in online commerce, it has faced stiff competition from the likes of Amazon and newer entrants such as Vinted. The company’s blog post about the partnership reflects optimism: “We’re thrilled to announce that we’re adding Facebook Marketplace to the growing roster of channels where your listings can be found.”

However, some analysts question whether this partnership will create genuine value for Meta. While the integration may placate regulators, it also dilutes Marketplace’s autonomy by relying on a rival’s inventory. Critics suggest this could undermine Marketplace’s position as a competitor in the e-commerce space.

Regulatory Battles in Europe

The integration of eBay listings comes after years of scrutiny into Meta’s practices in Europe. In November 2024, the European Commission imposed a record fine of €840 million on Meta for allegedly tying Facebook Marketplace to its core platform in a way that harmed competition. Regulators argued that Marketplace’s integration with Facebook allowed Meta to unfairly leverage its dominance in social media to strengthen its classified ads service.

Meta strongly contests these claims. In its response to the fine, the company argued that Facebook Marketplace meets a clear consumer demand and that users are free to ignore it if they choose. “The reality is that people use Facebook Marketplace because they want to, not because they have to,” Meta said, pointing out that the platform operates in a highly competitive market where incumbents like eBay, Subito, and Vinted have continued to thrive.

Meta’s compliance with the ruling has not deterred its criticism of the European Commission’s approach. The company claims the decision “ignores the market realities” and protects incumbent platforms at the expense of innovation. Nonetheless, the new collaboration with eBay could help Meta demonstrate its willingness to address regulators’ concerns.

What Are the Critics Saying?

While the pilot programme has been framed as a win-win for both platforms, it is not without controversy. Some commentators argue that the initiative is less about consumer benefit and more about appeasing regulators. By sharing Marketplace’s space with eBay, Meta risks blurring the lines between its own offerings and those of a competitor, potentially diminishing its control over user engagement.

Others have raised concerns about the potential for data misuse. Although Meta has stressed that advertisers’ data from rival marketplaces will not be used to benefit Facebook Marketplace, the integration with eBay could prompt renewed scrutiny of Meta’s data practices.

There are also questions about how sustainable the partnership will be in the long term. If the test proves successful, it may set a precedent for similar collaborations. However, critics note that this could also dilute Marketplace’s unique value proposition, particularly if users begin to view it as merely a conduit for other platforms.

Financial Impact

It seems that the announcement has already had an impact on the stock market. For example, on the day of the announcement, eBay’s share price jumped by over 5 per cent, reflecting investor optimism about the partnership’s potential to drive sales. In contrast, Meta’s shares dipped slightly, indicating a more cautious response from investors.

Meta has not disclosed how it plans to monetise the integration, but analysts speculate that the company may eventually explore advertising opportunities or commission-based revenue models. For now, the focus appears to be on addressing regulatory concerns and enhancing user experience.

What Does This Mean For Your Business?

The test of eBay listings on Facebook Marketplace encapsulates the intersection of regulatory pressure, platform evolution, and shifting market dynamics. At its core, this move highlights Meta’s need to balance compliance with European Union antitrust requirements while striving to maintain the relevance and utility of Facebook Marketplace. For users and sellers, the pilot programme promises some tangible benefits, offering a more expansive shopping experience and broader exposure, respectively. However, its long-term implications for the e-commerce landscape remain less clear.

Meta’s willingness to collaborate with a direct competitor like eBay reflects some adaptability and, of course, its need to resolve regulatory matters constructively. The European Commission’s hefty fine and pointed criticisms highlight the scrutiny faced by dominant tech companies in ensuring fair competition (which many would say is necessary). By integrating eBay’s listings, Meta can address regulators’ concerns about its practices while potentially pioneering a model of platform interoperability that could redefine how online marketplaces interact.

However, the collaboration raises questions about Meta’s strategic direction. Some critics argue that sharing Marketplace’s space with eBay may blur the platform’s identity and dilute its competitive edge. Also, the reliance on eBay’s inventory could be seen as a concession that compromises Meta’s autonomy within the e-commerce sphere. The concern that this initiative is more about regulatory appeasement than consumer value adds a layer of scepticism, particularly given the potential for increased scrutiny of data practices and platform oversight.

Financially, the early market reaction reflects a divergence in sentiment. For example, while eBay’s stock surged with the promise of heightened visibility, Meta’s slight dip suggests investor caution about the broader impact on its Marketplace strategy. The test, if expanded or monetised, could alter revenue streams for both companies, but whether these gains offset risks to their respective brands is yet to be seen.

The collaboration could be said to highlight a broader shift in how major platforms navigate regulatory and competitive pressures. Whether this initiative proves to be a stepping stone for innovative partnerships or a cautionary tale of compromise will depend on its execution and reception. For now, Meta’s eBay integration represents a pivotal experiment that balances an immediate need for compliance with the potential for reshaping the e-commerce landscape.

Apple is under fire for its AI-powered news alerts, with critics urging the tech giant to withdraw the feature over concerns about misinformation and inaccurate summaries.

Introduced in December 2024, Apple’s AI-powered alerts aim to simplify news consumption by condensing multiple notifications into concise summaries on lock screens. Available on the latest iPhones, iPads, and Macs running iOS 18.1 or higher, the feature requires users to opt in and relies on Apple’s “Apple Intelligence” AI system.

However, serious flaws in the AI have caused it to apparently spread misinformation. The BBC, for example, flagged the issue to Apple after the system falsely claimed a darts championship winner before the event began and appeared to have fabricated a story about a murder suspect’s actions. Other organisations, including the New York Times and ProPublica, have also reported experiencing similar errors, leading to misleading summaries of political events and public figures. Critics argue these inaccuracies erode public trust in both journalism and technology.

The feature has drawn criticism from multiple sectors. Alan Rusbridger, former editor of The Guardian, has called the technology “out of control” and warned of its potential to worsen misinformation. Journalism organisations like the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) have also called for the feature’s removal, arguing it is not mature enough for public use.

In response, Apple has announced it will issue a software update in the coming weeks to clearly label AI-generated summaries. The company has described the feature as being in beta and claims it is improving through user feedback. Apple has also encouraged users to report any inaccuracies. Despite these measures, critics, including the RSF, argue that such steps merely shift the responsibility to users without addressing the underlying flaws in the AI system.

For now, Apple users who wish to avoid potential misinformation may prefer to disable the AI summarisation feature through their device settings pending a fix, and rely on direct access to other trusted news sources. While Apple’s ambitions to streamline news consumption align with trends in AI innovation, the backlash highlights the risks of perhaps deploying immature technology in sensitive areas like news and public information. This controversy also raises broader questions about accountability in the tech industry as companies race to integrate AI into everyday tools.

Consumer champion Which? has warned that telephone fraudsters posing as BT are exploiting the UK’s digital landline switchover, tricking consumers into sharing payment details under false threats of disconnection.

Which? says the scam callers have been telling victims the switchover requires immediate payments or confirmation of financial details, using the now-defunct January 2025 deadline to create urgency. Victims report receiving calls where they are being pressured with threats of service termination. Which? also reports that the scammers have targeted both landline and mobile users and are often armed with personal details to appear credible.

BT has confirmed that the switchover to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) involves no charges, and customers will only be contacted via official channels. Legitimate providers will never request payment information for this process.

To avoid falling victim, the advice is to never share personal or payment information during unsolicited calls, verify any claims directly with your provider, and use call-blocking services. Businesses can educate employees, implement secure protocols, and promptly report scams to Action Fraud to help combat these threats.

In a UK-first, researchers have achieved a significant milestone in the journey towards sustainable energy by producing fusion-ready steel on an industrial scale.

NEURONE Producing RAFM

In a UK-first, the NEURONE (Neutron Irradiation of Advanced Steels) consortium, led by the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), has successfully forged 5.5 tonnes of reduced-activation ferritic-martensitic (RAFM) steel. This material is uniquely capable of withstanding the intense heat and neutron radiation inside a fusion reactor, laying the groundwork for cost-effective manufacturing of fusion-grade materials. This groundbreaking achievement not only holds the promise of reducing the costs of nuclear fusion but also addresses key challenges in the development of this cleaner, virtually limitless energy source.

The Challenge of Fusion Energy Materials

Nuclear fusion, the process that powers the Sun, is thought to be the ultimate solution to the world’s energy crisis. Unlike nuclear fission (from current nuclear reactors), fusion produces no long-lived radioactive waste and relies on fuels like deuterium, which can be extracted from seawater, and tritium, which can be bred from lithium, both of which are abundantly available. Fusion, therefore, has the potential to provide virtually limitless energy without greenhouse gas emissions, addressing the twin challenges of energy security and climate change.

Fusion’s promise comes at a time when the world urgently needs scalable, clean energy alternatives to fossil fuels. Unlike solar or wind, fusion could deliver consistent, base-load power without dependence on weather conditions. However, achieving this vision is no small feat. Inside a fusion reactor, hydrogen atoms are superheated to temperatures over 150 million degrees Celsius to form plasma, which must be contained and stabilised to sustain the reaction.

It’s Not So Much The Heat, It’s The Neutron Radiation Damage

Materials play a critical role in this process, as reactor walls must be able to withstand the extreme environment created by fusion reaction. Neutron radiation from the fusion process is particularly damaging, degrading materials over time. As explained by Ryan Ramsey, Chief Operating Officer at British fusion startup First Light Fusion, “The biggest problem isn’t the heat, it’s neutron damage.” Without materials like reduced-activation ferritic-martensitic (RAFM) steel, capable of enduring both intense heat and neutron loads, reactors would face frequent repairs, undermining their efficiency and commercial viability.

The Breakthrough By UK Researchers

The NEURONE team, working in collaboration with the Materials Processing Institute (MPI) in Middlesbrough, used a seven-tonne electric arc furnace (EAF) to produce RAFM steel at an industrial scale. Previously, the production of such steel was limited to laboratory-scale quantities. This technological leap is set to reduce production costs by up to 90 per cent, thanks to the scalability and efficiency of EAF technology.

“This is a groundbreaking moment for nuclear fusion R&D,” says Richard Birley, NEURONE project lead at MPI. “As the only sovereign UK steel research facility able to produce RAFM steel at this scale, we are proud to contribute to a future powered by sustainable fusion energy.”

Fast Workers

The project’s achievements were surprisingly swift. For example, within its first year, NEURONE was able to produce a substantial 5.5 tonnes of fusion-grade steel. The programme has also developed over 50 variants of advanced RAFM steel, designed for analysis and optimisation, ranging from small-scale melts of 100 grams to full industrial batches.

Why It Matters for Sustainability

This breakthrough could have far-reaching implications for the future of fusion energy and sustainability. Fusion powerplants, for example, could offer a virtually limitless source of clean energy with no greenhouse gas emissions and minimal long-lived radioactive waste. However, building commercially viable reactors hinges on solving technical challenges like material durability and cost efficiency.

On the UKAEA website, David Bowden, NEURONE programme lead and Group Team Leader for Materials Science and Engineering at UKAEA, highlights the importance of this achievement, saying: “One of the major challenges for delivering fusion energy is developing structural materials able to withstand the extreme temperatures and high neutron loads required by future fusion powerplants.”

The new steel’s ability to withstand temperatures up to 650°C is particularly significant. Higher operational temperatures mean more heat can be extracted from the fusion reactor, improving overall energy efficiency. As Bowden puts it, “Developing these types of steel could also benefit adjacent industries that require high-strength, high-temperature structural steels, such as nuclear fission or petrochemicals.”

Economic and Environmental Impact

With this latest breakthrough, the electric arc furnace used by MPI operates on electricity rather than coal, thereby aligning with broader goals to decarbonise industrial processes. By leveraging existing supply chain infrastructure, NEURONE’s approach could make fusion steel production not only cheaper but also more environmentally sustainable.

UK Could Now Be a Key Player in Global Transition to Clean Energy

The UK’s leadership in fusion-ready steel production may also now position it as a key player in the global transition to clean energy. Also, fusion startups, such as Oxford-based First Light Fusion, stand to benefit directly from this progress. For example, as Light Fusion’s CEO Ryan Ramsey notes, “This is really positive and potentially has relevance for all fusion energy projects.”

Collaboration Driving Innovation

The NEURONE consortium’s success is rooted in collaboration. For example, supported by a £12 million investment, the project brings together academic and industrial partners from across the UK and beyond, including the Universities of Swansea, Sheffield, Birmingham, Manchester, and Oxford, as well as the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO).

By supporting PhD students and internships, NEURONE is also nurturing the next generation of researchers in fusion materials science. This is a vital investment in the future of both the fusion industry and the UK’s scientific leadership.

Still a Long Road Ahead

While this breakthrough is a significant step forward, fusion energy remains a challenging goal that still seems some way off. That said, the International Atomic Energy Agency optimistically estimates that commercially viable fusion powerplants could be operational by 2035. However, scaling up the production of advanced materials, like NEURONE’s RAFM steel, is essential for realising this timeline.

Looking ahead, the NEURONE team aims to refine and optimise RAFM alloys to meet even higher performance targets. As Bowden explains, “We plan to produce advanced variants of RAFM steel capable of operating at up to 650°C – a stretch target, given the solid-state physics of irradiated materials behaviour.”

What Does This Mean For Your Organisation?

This breakthrough in fusion-ready steel production could be a crucial step forward in the quest to make nuclear fusion a viable, sustainable energy source because it tackles the key challenge of developing structural materials capable of withstanding the extreme environments inside fusion reactors. The success of the NEURONE consortium demonstrates that industrial-scale production of specialised RAFM steel is actually achievable and cost-effective, thereby making fusion technology one step closer to reality. Also, the collaboration between UK industry and academic partners has not only advanced materials science but also positioned the UK as a key contributor to global fusion research.

However, while this progress is remarkable, the path to commercial fusion remains long and complex. Challenges still exist in perfecting reactor designs, scaling up materials production, and proving that fusion power can deliver electricity at a competitive price. For all its potential, fusion is not a guaranteed solution yet.

That said, the global push toward cleaner energy sources makes breakthroughs like this all the more significant. If nuclear fusion can eventually be realised, it would represent an energy revolution that’s capable of addressing climate change, ensuring energy security, and reshaping the way power is generated across the globe. Until then, every advance, such as NEURONE’s success with RAFM steel, should be celebrated because it brings that vision closer to becoming reality.

Unstructured prompts with your AI platform significantly diminishes the power of this amazing technology so in this video, Jonathan shares eight helpful suggestions around structuring your prompts to get much more out of your AI.

[Note – To Watch This Video without glitches/interruptions, It may be best to download it first]

Save time by being able to access all desktop files and shortcuts directly from the taskbar without minimising windows. Here’s how:

To Enable Desktop Toolbar (Windows 10) :

– Right-click the taskbar, go to Toolbars, and select Desktop.

Use the Toolbar:

– Access desktop items from the dropdown arrow on the taskbar.

To Enable Desktop Toolbar (Windows 11) :

– Open Taskbar Settings

– Select Taskbar behaviours

– Choose Select the far corner of the taskbar to show the desktop

– Click the empty box to enable it

This is tip is especially helpful for multitasking or managing shortcuts.