WhatsApp Gets ‘Incognito’ Chat; Googlebook Will Replace Chromebook-Some Chromebooks Updatable Though; Apple-Many Changes for Next iPhone Camera; Heat Pump Startup from Former Tesla Exec

Posted: May 13, 2026 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

WhatsApp is getting an AI chat function dubbed Incognito Chat, which will allow users to converse privately with Meta AI…Meta itself won’t be able to access the questions or answers. Wired.com reports that the new feature is based on WhatsApp’s Private Processing scheme that already undergirds WhatsApp’s present AI features. Meta says the intent of Incognito Chat is to offer AI integration that does not conflict with the communication platform’s commitment to end-to-end encryption, the privacy scheme in which only direct participants in a conversation can read messages or hear a call. Incognito chats are ephemeral by default and will disappear once your conversation is over. With more than 3 billion users around the world, Incognito Chat may offer many people their first opportunity to interact with an AI chatbot. So the fact that it is built to be privacy preserving is significant.

During The Android Show today, Google clarified that the Googlebook will essentially replace Chromebooks. According to 9to5google.com, Google has confirmed that Chromebooks will continue to be updated throughout their lifespans, while some machines will be eligible to move to the experience found on Googlebooks. It’s always good to find out that your old machine won’t become a boat anchor right away. While not giving specifics about models, Google said ‘many’ Chromebooks will be eligible to get the Googlebook experience. The Googlebook will apparently be positioned as a more premium line of hardware. Of course, the first ones to be released will be the ‘super premium’ models.

It looks like iOS 27 may completely overhaul Apple’s Camera app. engadget.com notes that well-known analyst Mark Gurman from Bloomberg says the updated app would make it more customizable and offer pro and hobbyist users more control over the image output of Apple’s phones. Apple is also adding new grid and level features while you’re capturing images and moving the toggle that lets you see all your available controls from the top right of the Camera app to the right of the shutter button. Siri’s changes are equally massive. Besides being smarter, the AI assistant’s glowing animation is moving from the border of iPhones, to a new home in the Dynamic Island as part of Apple’s planned updates. Users will also be able to type requests or searches through a new ”Search or Ask” interface that’s replacing iOS’ existing Spotlight Search.

A former exec from Tesla has started a heat pump startup. TechCrunch.com reports that the firm is called Sadi Thermal Machines and it actually started in stealth in the summer of 2025 in Scotts Valley, Ca. Drew Baglino is the CEO. He holds patents for a thermal management system that operates two coolant loops for cars…one cools the battery and another the drivetrain. The auto system is about the size of a suitcase. Baglino notes that making a heat pump for homes is easier than for a car because the vehicle “Is so constrained on mass and volume and energy.” A heat pump that can handle both HVAC and water heating in one unit is anticipated from the startup. Baglino said “We have learned a lot about how to make capable and reliable heat pumps that work in all environmental conditions and are excited about the idea of working on that problem one day. Let me put it that way, it’s definitely aligned with our mission to accelerate the transition to sustainable energy.”

I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now. 

Google Says AI Came Up with Zero Day Exploit; Apple-iOS 26.5 with End to End Encryption with Android is Out; Apple Tests Cam Equipped AirPods; TikTok Launches Ad-Free UK Subscriptions 

Posted: May 11, 2026 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , | Leave a comment

Here’s another downside to AI, I’m afraid. Engadget.com reports that Google has announced the first-ever discovery of a zero-day exploit made with AI. Zero-day vulnerabilities are often the most dangerous since they’re unknown to the targets, leaving them with zero days to prepare for the attack. Google said in the report the threat actor was planning to use it in a “mass exploitation event,” but its proactive discovery “may have prevented its use.” Google added that it doesn’t believe its own Gemini models were used, but still has “high confidence” an AI model was part of discovering the vulnerability and weaponizing an exploit. Google and Anthropic have been building measure stores try to prevent their models from creating ‘high severity vulnerabilities.’

Apple has unleashed iOS 26.5 now, as well as iPadOS 26.5, which give the promised end-to-end encryption RCS with Android phones. According to Macrumors.com, the feature has to be carrier-supported, and the Android phone will need to support the feature. If so, we finally get the end-to-end encryption of our texts. Those encrypted texts will have a little padlock symbol like you see on encrypted browsers. Also in iOS 26.5…the map app will be getting ads this summer. Apple also is including a Pride Luminance wallpaper that matches the Apple Watch face and band. 

In other Apple news, Cupertino is doing late stage development testing on AirPods that are equipped with cameras. The cams aren’t for pictures or video like in the variety of smart glasses, but  to see the space surrounding a user and provide information.

TikTok has launched an ad-free subscription plan in the United Kingdom. Techcrunch.com notes that it runs 3.99 Pounds per month…about $5.44 monthly. It is available for users that are over 18. It is not only ad free, but TikTok claims your data won’t be used for advertising purposes. Call me a skeptic on that…I bet TikTok sells your data to others and they will use it to target marketing to you. The no ad use clears the UK’s General Data Protection Regulation. Third party brokers will still get their hands on your data. So far, no word on if or when the ad-free paid subscription will come to the US.

I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now. 

Meta Rolls Out New Scam Detection; WhatsApp Gets Parent-Linked Kid Accounts, Nvidia Making Open Source Open Claw Competitor; Your Tire Monitors as Tracking Device

Posted: March 11, 2026 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , | Leave a comment

Meta has launched new scam detection on its Facebook, Messenger, and WhatsApp platforms. Thenextweb.com reports that just last year the company removed 159 million scam ads last year and took down 10.9 million accounts linked to criminal networks. Now, the tentpole feature of the added scam protection is one for Facebook…it flags suspicious friend or follow requests before users act on them. When a request arrives from an account with no mutual connections, a different country location, or a suspiciously recent join date, Facebook will display a warning. WhatsApp also gets a new layer of protection. Device linking fraud has become a bigger issue…where you link your phone to a tablet, for example. Bad guys can spoof your account and get access. Scammers have been tricking users into scanning malicious QR codes, sometimes under the pretense of a customer service call or technical support request, which links the scammer’s device to the victim’s WhatsApp account. The app will now display a warning when it picks up a suspicious device linking request…and it will show where the request originated. On Messenger, on-device analysis automatically flags messages from unfamiliar contacts that match the patterns of common scams, fraudulent job offers, fake investment pitches, work-from-home schemes. Users get a warning, and have the option of sending the conversation to Meta AI for a cloud-based second review. 

WhatsApp has introduced a new set of parent-supervised accounts for kinds under age 13. According to TechCrunch.com, The company said that these accounts will only have access to messaging and calling, and won’t be targeted with any ads. While the company rates its apps 13+ on both the App Store and Play Store, many pre-teens use WhatsApp to communicate with parents, as WhatsApp said it is introducing this feature after feedback from parents. To set up the account, tor he parent will need both their own device and the child’s, to authenticate the account with QR codes. By default, the parent gets an alert when a pre-teen adds, blocks or reports a contact. The parent also gets an alert if the youngster changes their name of profile picture, or when they are getting a new chat request; joining, creating, or leaving a group; a group turning on disappearing messages; and deleting a chat or a contact. All these settings are protected by a six-digit PIN that parents can set and change from their own device. The kid accounts have no access to Meta AI, Channels, or Status. The messages are still end to end encrypted. When the kid gets older, they get a message that they can convert to a regular account…but the parent can use their supervisory power to delay that by 12 months…so age 14. That still seems pretty young for unsupervised child activity. 

We’ve mentioned OpenClaw here a time or two…the system that lets users direct ‘always-on’ AI agents from their personal machines, using any number of underlying models. Arstechnica.com says now Nvidia is now getting set to launch its own open source agent platform to compete with OpenClaw. Nvidia’s platform is dubbed NemoClaw, and they have already demo’ed it to Salesforce, Cisco, Google, Adobe, and CrowdStrike. Earlier this month, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang told CNBC that OpenClaw was “the most important software release probably ever.” The sudden interest in OpenClaw has seemingly driven a run on Mac Mini hardware with unified memory that’s well-suited to running the tool. NemoClaw will run on machines without using Nvidia’s own GPUs. 

You probably think of a device that can be planted under your car or something like an AirTag being used to track you by authorities, a crazy ex, or others. Well guess what? They don’t need any of that.Almost every modern car has something built in that allows tracking you. Bgr.com notes that it is your tire pressure monitoring system…TPMS. The system sends continuous signals so that if one of your tires is low on air, you get a warning….the little light on your dash, or in some cars it even shows you which tire. For less than $100 bucks, people can make a receiver that can pick up your car tire signals from up to 164 feet away…even if your car is moving or on the other side of a wall. A Spanish study revealed that someone using a very simple device can track the unique signal tires send out, meaning they can know if the same car has been tracked before. Over time, this can build out a pattern of someone’s routines such as when they arrive and leave for work, when they go home, or what day they head to the grocery store and to which one. Researchers are imploring manufacturers to fix this problem quickly! 

I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now. 

AMD Partners with OpenAI; ICE Wants to Build 24-7 Social Media Surveillance Team; Discord User IDs & Data Compromised; Tesla Insurance Division Accused of ‘Egregious Delays’

Posted: October 6, 2025 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , | Leave a comment

AMD is partnering up with OpenAI, and will provide the AI firm with 6 gigawatts worth of processors for its AI data centers…something that poses a direct challenge to Nvidia’s AI chip market dominance. Theverge.com reports that the deal is a 5 year agreement which will aim to help OpenAI bulk up its infrastructure to meet the growing computational demands for its AI apps like ChatGPT. The first wave will be a gigawatt worth of AMD GPUs coming in the 2nd half of 2026. No dollar amount has been announced, but it is safe to say it will be in the tens of billions of dollars. 

ICE is moving to connect with private vendors to run a multi-year surveillance program out of its two little—known targeting centers. According to wired.com, ICE plans to hire almost 30 contractors to sift through posts, photos, and messages—raw material to be transformed into intelligence for deportation arrests and raids. The contractors would be located at ICE facilities in Williston, Vermont and Santa Ana in Southern California. They would pore over Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and other platforms converting posts and profiles into fresh leads for enforcement raids. 

A third party customer service provider for Discord has been infiltrated, and the hackers were able to gain access to user information. Engadget.com says the breach occurred on September 20th. Discord claims that the compromised data includes a “small number” of government IDs like driver’s licenses and passports, which some users may have submitted to verify their ages. To be clear, Discord itself wasn’t hacked, and you would only be affected by the data breach if you’ve ever communicated with the messaging service’s Customer Support or Trust & Safety teams. That also means the bad actors didn’t get access to your messages within the service, just whatever you may have communicated with customer support. Affected users are getting emails notifying them. They have cut ties with the provider. 

The California Department of Insurance has slapped Tesla with an enforcement action for routinely denying or delaying customer claims despite years of warnings from that state regulator. Techcrunch.com notes that Tesla’s insurance arm along with partner State National Insurance Company, engaged in “willful unfair claims settlement practices” including “egregious delays in responding to policyholder claims in all steps” of the process and “unreasonable denials,” CDI wrote. This has allegedly caused “financial harm” and “distress to policyholders.” The state insurance department first warned about the issues in 2022, and now says things have only gotten worse. Tesla launched the in-house insurance back in 2019. 

I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Will Regulate Apple Pay, Venmo, and Others; Amazon Shows Huge Echo Show; Over 200 Companies Now Support Passkeys; A Mother Lode of Rare Earth Elements in Spent Coal

Posted: November 21, 2024 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , | Leave a comment

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which has had the task of regulating banks, is now expanding. Engadget.com reports that the CFPB will now supervise Apple Pay, Google Pay, Venmo, and other payment apps and digital wallets. The Bureau proposed regulating the apps in 2023, but now the supervision will actually go into effect…with refined policies…in 30 days. 

Amazon is supersizing Echo Show, introducing a new 21 inch model for smart home control, organization, and entertainment. According to geekwire.com, the Echo Show 21 smart display features built in Fire TV and Alexa. The screen comes with wall mounting hardware, for $399. If you prefer a counter stand, Amazon will sell you one of those for another $99. The 15 inch Echo Show has also gotten an upgrade with better audio quality. The 15-incher is $299.

We are finally…finally moving to a passwordless future. Now, 9to5mac.com says over 200 major companies are supporting passkeys. For those unfamiliar, passkeys were introduced two years ago, and they replace traditional passwords with more secure authentication using a security key or biometrics. The technology was developed by FIDO Alliance in partnership with companies such as Apple, Google, and Microsoft. Passkeys can use biometrics…like Apple’s FaceID and TouchID, freeing you from having to manage a massive list of passwords…or even using an app like 1 Password. It can’t happen soon enough!

It’s a kind of one person’s trash is another person’s treasure story. Dailykos.com picked up a report from the International Journal of Coal Science and Technology, and apparently there are rare earth elements in coal ash. The amounts are tiny…ordinarily not worth much, but there is a huge supply of the chalky coal ash in the US…maybe 11 million tons of accessible rare earth elements are in that coal ash. That is 8 times what the US has in domestic reserves. Most of our rare earths right now…about 75%…come from China. Ukraine also has a good supply, but this could make the US self-sufficient on these elements that go into batteries, solar panels, magnets, and other energy technologies. It’s likely that some entrepreneurs are active as we write this, looking at ways to efficiently extract those 17 rare elements.

I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now.

Amazon Prime Big Deal Days-October 8-9; Chrome-Easier to Use Passkeys Across Devices; EU Looks to Demand Apple Open up iOS; VW Halts ID.4 Production-Door Handle Problem

Posted: September 19, 2024 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , | Leave a comment

Yes, another big Amazon sale is on the way. Amazon Prime Big Deal Days is scheduled for October 8th and 9th. Engadget.com notes that Amazon has changed the name of this event a few times, but it remains what they call Amazon’s marquee sale event for Prime members. As always, expect big discounts on Amazon’s own devices…the Echos, Kindles, Blink cams, and so forth. We can also expect, if the past is an indication, cheap prices on small items like ear buds…and of course, the ever popular ‘lightening deals.’ There’s nothing like a big sale to goose revenues in the 4th quarter for companies…and get a head start on the holiday rush. Stan Freeborn is smiling somewhere…as he tugged Santa’s beard…as well as ad agencies and merchants…with his ‘Green Christmas’ back in 1958!

As some of the major players move to a password-less future with passkeys…using the biometrics or screen locks on your smartphone, tablet, or computer to log into websites and apps, Google has dropped another obstacle to making this happen by making it effortless to use passkeys on different devices. Zdnet.com reports that previously, you had to scan QR codes to grant accesses to different devices. Google has introduced a feature that will allow passkeys to be saved right in Google Password Manager on Windows, MacOS, Linux, and Android. it all works the same…you create a passkey when they prompt you and it is now automatically saved and synced automatically across all devices when logged into the same Google account. Google has also introduced Google Password Manager PIN, an extra layer of protection. Apple has already had the ability to use passkeys across devices using their biometrics like Face ID and Touch ID, but it will be a big plus to have Google letting this work across devices and operating systems. 

The EU is stepping things up to make Apple open up all of iOS and iPadOS to third parties. According to appleinsider.com, they have now started two ‘specification proceedings’ which will set the rules and timetable for Apple to allow the third party access to all its iPhone hardware and software features. The first proceedings concerns connectivity with third party devices. The second one will put in deadlines for compliance. So far there hasn’t been any comment from Apple. Apple CEO Tim Cook, however, had earlier described some EU moves as based on anti-US sentiment. I can see Apple complying and allowing interoperability with third party devices…like other watches, earbuds, etc…but opening their operating systems…that may be a bridge too far for Cupertino.

There are auto recalls virtually constantly. Here’s one I haven’t seen happen. Volkswagen has stopped production on the ID.4 crossover because the cool flush door handles apparently don’t meet their waterproofing specs. Arstechnica.com says the moisture can get into the door controller’s circuit board, and might allow the door to open while the EV is moving! VW has a recall for almost 100,000 ID.4 models, and put out a stop sale to dealers. This is actually the 2nd fix for ID.4 doors. Earlier, some would open intermittently while driving or refuse to open. So far, thankfully, there have been no crashes or injuries reported.

I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now. 

Prime Day Underway; Easier for Cops to Crack Phones; New HIV Drug 100% Effective So Far in Human Tests; Kaspersky Exiting the US

Posted: July 16, 2024 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , | Leave a comment

If Amazon Prime Day was an actual 24 hour day, it would be half over…but of course, it isn’t. Amazon has stretched Prime Day to 48 hours for several years now…I suspect it will be a week at some point in the future. At any rate, engadget.com reminds us that there are deals to be had even on gear from Apple…you can score AirPods Pro from $80 off, for example. Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones are $298, that’s $102 off. Pick up an iRobot Roomba Combo Essential robot vacuum and mop for $190, a $110 discount. Amazon’s own Echo Show 8 is $85, a $65 reduction. You get the idea. 

We heard yesterday that the FBI had already gotten into the phone of the shooter who nicked former President Trump’s ear on Saturday. Theverge.com reports that the phone was sent to the FBI lab in Quantico, VA. It’s worth noting that nearly every police department in the country now has Cellebrite, the Israeli gadget that is made for extracting data from phones, and also has some capability to unlock phones. The Electronic Frontier Foundation also says that the FBI more than likely has its own in-house tools to hack into phones. Until recently, it had taken the FBI weeks or even months to get into a suspect’s phone. Just a reminder that tech often moves at warp speed. It now takes only minutes to brute-force a 4 digit password and just hours to crack a 6 digit one.

This is more bio-tech, but still pretty amazing. A clinical trial in Africa has found an HIV drug to be 100% effective in a human trial. According to bgr.com, the results were reported by The Conversation. The drug is called Lenacapavir, and it was trialed by Gilead at 25 different sites in South Africa and Uganda. This drug and two others were tested on 5,000 women. The Lenacapavir is an injection given twice a year. The 2134 women given this drug did not get HIV at all…the ones that got the other two drugs got some protection but not close to 100% protection. Hopefully this will get approval by various governments…it could be a boon to millions of people.

On the heels of the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioning 12 Kaspersky Lab execs and freeing their US assets, Kaspersky Lab will start shutting down operations in the US on July 20th. Bleepingcomputer.com reports they will lay off all US employees…but that only amounts to about 50 people. The Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security said in a release “Today’s Final Determination and Entity Listing are the result of a lengthy and thorough investigation, which found that the company’s continued operations in the United States presented a national security risk—due to the Russian Government’s offensive cyber capabilities and capacity to influence or direct Kaspersky’s operations—that could not be addressed through mitigation measures short of a total prohibition.” 

I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now.

Google & AT&T Invest in Starlink Rival; US EA Aims to Stop Citizen Data Exploitation; iOS 17.3 Drops-With Stolen Device Protection; FTC Tells Intuit to Stop Pushing Free Software That Isn’t

Posted: January 23, 2024 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , | Leave a comment

Google, AT&T, and Vodafone are pumping $206 million into AST SpaceMobile, a Starlink competitor that intends to offer smartphone service from low-earth orbit satellites. AST said it has “over 40 agreements and understandings with mobile network operators globally, who collectively service over 2 billion subscribers.” While Starlink already has over 5,000 satellites delivering home Internet service and plans to launch tens of thousands more, it isn’t too far ahead of AST SpaceMobile in terms of cellular-enabled satellites. SpaceX launched the first six Starlink satellites that can provide cellular transmissions to standard LTE phones a few weeks ago and demonstrated the technology with text messages sent between T-Mobile phones.

The US is planning to issue a new executive order that will be aimed at prevent foreign adversaries from accessing troves of highly sensitive personal data about Americans and people connected to the U.S. government, according to Bloomberg News. The draft order focuses on ways that foreign adversaries are gaining access to Americans’ “highly sensitive” personal data through legal means and through intermediaries like data brokers, third-party vendor agreements, employment agreements or investment agreements. The administration is concerned about the collection of data on political figures, journalists, academics, activists and members of marginalized communities, as well as patient data obtained through health-care providers and researchers. This order will NOT be voluntary like the commitments AI companies made this year. 

Apple has released iOS 17.3, which is a minor upgrade except for one feature…Stolen Device Protection. Theverge.com notes that of late, a number of accounts have been taken over after a person meets another in a bar, and gets them to enter their passcode to the phone…allegedly to put in the new person’s number and info. The scammer has memorized the passcode, and has your name, etc…so they can take over your iCloud account and get into all your saved passwords…like banking info to drain accounts. Stolen Device Protection requires either Face ID or Touch ID for certain actions…like viewing saved passwords or applying for a new Apple Card. If you are away from your home or work, any time you try to change a password or the like, you will have to input the passcode AND use the biometric ID…and then wait an hour. To use the feature go to Settings, then select Face ID and Passcode. Scroll WAY down, and you can see Stolen Device Protection. Turn it on. It is off by default. 

The FTC ordered Intuit to stop promoting its software products and services as “free” unless they’re actually free for all consumers. Bleepingcomputer.com reports that the order comes after the consumer protection watchdog’s investigation into how Intuit promoted its tax preparation software TurboTax as being a “free” product as part of a years-long deceptive advertising campaign. Around two-thirds of all tax filers in the U.S. could not use TurboTax for free as advertised by the accounting and tax software provider, instead being hit with charges when it was time to file. In other words, plug in all your info, and go through the whole stressful procedure and then…oh, yeah…you can’t actually file without paying these fees. By the way, if your taxes are pretty simple and you have an adjusted gross income of $79,000 or less, you can use products available through the IRS’ Free File Program to file federal and state tax returns for free.

I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now.

Disney Releases Kid-Focused Messaging App; Company Gets Pokemons (and players) Off Businesses Lawns

Posted: August 5, 2016 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Disney has rolled out Disney Mix, a new messaging app for kids as young as 4. 9to5google.com says the tag line is ‘chat, share, play.’ The free app has stickers from virtually every Disney movie you can think of, custom cartoon avatars, built-in games, and safety features to keep it all family friendly. A whistle icon at the top of the app will cause an adult moderator to jump in in the event of bullying or the like. It’s available at the Google Play Store and on iOS, too.

We’ve all heard and read stories about people basically yelling at Pokemon Go players to ‘get off their lawn,’ but now a cybersecurity company is actually working to have the Pokemon removed from maps in certain places. Thenextweb.com reports that LookingGlass is working with at least 8 companies to get Niantic Labs to pull them out of certain areas to help players to avoid dangerous situations. Apparently, most of the locations were pulled from the game company’s earlier AR game Ingress, that they released in 2013. LookingGlass and others are also trying to get Niantic to build in a way to notify them to remove Pokemon from dangerous areas.