Articles

Thu

Dec

Google's New 'Aluminium OS' Revealed

Submitted by John Lister on Thu, 12/04/2025 - 12:03

Details about Google's long-rumored plan to merge its computer and mobile operating systems have emerged from an unlikely source. A now-removed job listing has provided the first public confirmation of "Aluminium OS," a new system designed to bring Android to PCs. The job posting, first spotted by Android Authority, was for a product manager role to work on the new operating system. It described Aluminium as being "Android-based" and built with "Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the core." (Source: androidauthority.com ) The End of ChromeOS? The listing strongly suggests that Aluminium OS, also ...view more

Wed

Dec

Copilot Leaving WhatsApp in Early 2026

Submitted by John Lister on Wed, 12/03/2025 - 12:09

Microsoft has confirmed its AI assistant, Copilot, is being removed from WhatsApp starting January 15, 2026. This change follows a similar announcement from OpenAI regarding its ChatGPT assistant. The decision is a direct result of upcoming changes to WhatsApp's platform policies. Parent company Meta is banning the use of its business API (which lets other companies integrate with WhatsApp) to distribute general-purpose AI chatbots that are not its own. New WhatsApp Policies Force Removal The new terms effectively prohibit rivals from using WhatsApp to reach customers, leaving Meta AI with no ...view more

Tue

Dec

Spyware Targets Messaging Apps, Feds Say

Submitted by John Lister on Tue, 12/02/2025 - 12:54

The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has warned smartphone users about commercial spyware aimed at mobile messaging applications. It says tools which use ordinary cellular text messaging as a backup are particularly at risk. According to the federal cyber defense agency, these malicious tools are often deployed through social engineering tactics that manipulate users into installing them. Once a device is compromised, the spyware can siphon off sensitive data including private messages, contact lists, and real-time location, potentially giving attackers full ...view more

Mon

Dec

Hacker to Repay $5M in Crypto

Submitted by John Lister on Mon, 12/01/2025 - 12:23

A British man responsible for a high-profile 2020 hack of Twitter, now known as X, has been ordered to pay back 4.1 million British Pounds ($5.37 million USD) in cryptocurrency. Joseph James O'Connor, 26, is currently serving a five-year prison sentence in the United States after pleading guilty to multiple charges including computer intrusion and wire fraud. The cyber attack in July 2020 affected the accounts of numerous public figures, including then-presidential candidate Joe Biden, former President Barack Obama, and Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Other notable victims included Bill Gates, Warren ...view more

Fri

Nov

Apple Updates App Rules for AI Data

Submitted by John Lister on Fri, 11/28/2025 - 11:39

Apple has updated its App Review Guidelines, introducing stricter rules for developers regarding the sharing of user data with third-party artificial intelligence services. This marks the first instance of Apple's guidelines specifically mentioning the term "AI," signaling the company's increased focus on the technology. The core change requires app developers to explicitly disclose when and with whom personal user data will be shared, including any third-party AI models. Developers must also obtain clear and direct permission from users before any such data sharing occurs. Stricter Consent ...view more

Thu

Nov

Google to Flag Battery-Draining Android Apps

Submitted by John Lister on Thu, 11/27/2025 - 11:29

Google has announced a new policy for the Play Store that will identify and flag Android applications using excessive amounts of battery. Starting March 1, 2026, apps that are found to be significant power drainers may be labeled with a warning on their store listing and be featured less prominently. The initiative aims to improve the user experience by providing more transparency about how an application might impact a device's battery life before it is downloaded. The new system was developed in collaboration with Samsung, combining real-world battery usage data with Android's ...view more

Wed

Nov

Apple to Expand iPhone Satellite Capabilities

Submitted by John Lister on Wed, 11/26/2025 - 11:44

Apple is reportedly working to significantly expand the satellite connection features available on iPhones, moving beyond just calling emergency services. Future updates could allow for more robust communication and connectivity in areas without cellular or WiFi coverage. The planned enhancements are said to include the ability to send photos via satellite through the Messages app, an upgrade from the current text-only functionality. Additionally, Apple is reportedly developing satellite connectivity for Apple Maps, which would provide navigation capabilities even when users are offline. ...view more

Tue

Nov

Google 'Recovery Contacts' to Bolster Account Security

Submitted by John Lister on Tue, 11/25/2025 - 11:14

Google has launched "Recovery Contacts," a new security feature made to help you get back into your account by nominating trusted friends or family to help you. It offers a safe option for when you can't use your usual methods, like a recovery email or codes sent to your phone. The system works by having a person you trust confirm it's really you. It's made to solve common problems, like losing your phone or access to a backup email, which can block you from finishing the usual security steps. How Recovery Contacts Work To use it, you must add trusted contacts ahead of time in your ...view more

Mon

Nov

VideoProc Converter AI Review

Submitted by Dennis Faas on Mon, 11/24/2025 - 14:16

What's one of the best one-stop video/image quality enhancement and editing software available for Windows? Answer: Digiarty's VideoProc Converter AI! From the makers of WinX DVD Ripper and WinX Video Converter comes VideoProc Converter: a multi-award winning software program that is a one-stop video/image processing program that allows you to restore and enhance video image quality in 1 click, convert video/audio, rip DVDs, edit video, download videos, video to GIF maker ... plus much more! The latest version of VideoProc Converter AI includes the ability to restore blurry faces, colorize ...view more

Fri

Nov

MS Warns of BitLocker Bug in Latest Security Update

Submitted by John Lister on Fri, 11/21/2025 - 11:50

Microsoft has confirmed that a recent Windows security update is triggering some computers to demand a BitLocker recovery key upon startup. This issue primarily affects users on Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2, as well as Windows 10 version 22H2, who have installed updates released on or after October 14, 2025. Upon restarting their devices, affected users are confronted with a prompt asking for their BitLocker recovery key. BitLocker is a security measure that encrypts a hard drive to make it more secure if somebody steals a computer or gets unauthorized physical access. Microsoft says ...view more

Mon

Nov

Microsoft Finally Fixes 'Update and Shut Down' Bug

Submitted by John Lister on Mon, 11/17/2025 - 12:18

Microsoft has confirmed it has fixed a long-standing and frustrating bug within its Windows operating system that caused computers to restart when users selected the "Update and shut down" option. This correction addresses an issue that has affected users of both Windows 10 and Windows 11 for years. Battery Problems For many years, users intending to power down their machines for the day would select "Update and shut down," only to discover later that the computer had actually rebooted to the login screen. This bug was particularly problematic for laptop owners, who would often find their ...view more

Mon

Nov

MS Backtracks on Simplified Windows Update Names

Submitted by John Lister on Mon, 11/17/2025 - 07:00

Microsoft is partially reversing its recent decision to simplify the naming scheme for Windows 11 updates after facing significant backlash from users, particularly IT administrators. The company has confirmed that it will reintroduce dates into update titles, acknowledging that the initial change made it difficult for technical users to manage system updates effectively. The controversy began when Microsoft announced a new, streamlined naming convention for various updates. The goal was to make the information clearer for everyday users by removing what Microsoft considered "unnecessary ...view more

Wed

Nov

Passkeys Bring Major Security to WhatsApp Backups

Submitted by John Lister on Wed, 11/12/2025 - 13:35

WhatsApp has announced a significant security enhancement: passkey support for end-to-end encrypted chat backups on both iOS and Android devices. This update means users can secure their valuable chat histories using the same simple methods they use to unlock their phones, such as a fingerprint, face scan, or screen lock PIN. (Source: forbes.com ) The move is designed to make robust security more accessible by removing a major hurdle for users. Previously, securing a cloud backup with end-to-end encryption required users to remember a complex password or safeguard a cumbersome 64-digit key. ...view more

Mon

Nov

Apple Loses $2B Lawsuit Over App Store Fees

Submitted by John Lister on Mon, 11/10/2025 - 12:26

Apple has lost a significant legal battle in the UK and could be forced to pay up to 1.5 billion Euros ($1.97 billion USD) in damages. A collective action lawsuit, brought on behalf of 36 million UK iPhone and iPad users, successfully argued that Apple abused its dominant market position through its App Store policies. The claimants contended that consumers were overcharged for apps and in-app content due to these practices. The Competition Appeals Tribunal ultimately sided with the claimants in its ruling. (Source: bbc.co.uk ) Ruling Deems Fees 'Excessive and Unfair' The case, led by ...view more

Fri

Nov

Critical Bug Prevents 911 Calls on Google Pixel Phones

Submitted by John Lister on Fri, 11/07/2025 - 13:17

A dangerous and recurring bug that prevents users from making emergency 911 calls has once again affected Google's Pixel smartphones. Multiple owners have reported that in an emergency, their phones have frozen or failed to connect to 911. This is not a new problem for the Pixel line of devices. A similar, high-profile bug caused widespread concern in 2021, which was later identified as a conflict with the Microsoft Teams application. Users Report Alarming Failures Recent complaints on platforms like Reddit describe frightening scenarios where the phones failed in a moment of crisis. Owners ...view more

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