Latest Tech News

• Draft messages are much easier to find in iOS 26
• Leaked code also suggests iOS 26 will bring a huge security boost
• Apple is apparently testing end-to-end encryption for RCS messages

How many times have you started to write a text in iOS’s Messages app and then left it for later, only to forget who you were messaging and what you were saying a few hours down the line?

It’s a common occurrence, but iOS 26 includes a new feature that will make it much easier to find those unfinished texts – and it’s almost shocking Apple hasn’t implemented it sooner.

If you’re running the iOS 26 public beta, you’ll now be able to filter your texts by draft status. All you need to do is open the messages app, tap the hamburger menu in the top-right corner, then select Drafts under the Filter By header. Your Messages inbox will now show only draft texts and nothing else, saving you a bunch of time tapping into all your existing threads in a vain attempt to find the elusive draft.

There are filters for other situations, too. If you’ve scheduled messages for another time, you’ll see a Send Later filter, for example, while there’s an Unread filter for any message you haven’t gotten around to reading yet.

Note that these filters only show up if there is a relevant message to filter. If you don’t have any drafts, for example, you won’t see the Drafts filter. And these filters work regardless of whether you’re using Apple’s iPhone-to-iPhone iMessage standard or RCS/SMS messages sent to Android devices. Blue bubbles or green bubbles, it works.

Stronger security

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Speaking of RCS messages, iOS 26 might include a significant security boost when it comes to sending texts between an iPhone and an Android device, and it could address a flaw that’s gone unaddressed for too long.

According to Apple code reportedly discovered by Android Authority, iOS 26 will implement end-to-end encryption when sending messages using the RCS protocol between iOS and Android. Although you can currently send RCS messages between these two platforms (something that Apple finally brought about in iOS 18), the standard is not end-to-end encrypted. While iMessage has featured this security technology for years, the GSM Association (GSMA) – which implements and updates RCS – has taken a while to add this toughened-up encryption.

That changed in March of 2025, when the GSMA said end-to-end encryption would be added to RCS. And although Apple has previously outlined that end-to-end encryption would be coming to RCS on the iPhone in “future software updates,” it didn’t set a date for the change.

Yet Android Authority says it’s seen code that includes the string “GisRCSEncryptionEnabled,” which suggests that RCS encryption is undergoing internal testing at Apple. Further code snippets also include the string “mls-rcs-server,” which could imply Apple is assessing the MLS encryption that Google has added to Google Messages.

Despite the promising signs, there’s no guarantee that iOS 26 will implement RCS encryption. Apple took a long time to implement RCS in the first place – partly due to its weaker security compared to iMessage – and it might simply be testing its updated functionality. But the fact that these strings are present in iOS 26 code gives us hope that RCS encryption could be on the way, making cross-platform texting safer for iOS and Android users alike.

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Want to Be a Better Griller? Professional Chefs Say 'Do Less'

I asked food professionals and career chefs about the biggest grilling mistakes amateur cooks make at home.

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Latest Tech News

• Samsung could be adding a more vivid camera filter in OneUI 8
• According to IceUniverse, the feature will force a watermark on your image
• There's no release date yet

Samsung’s camera app is set to get a new vivid filter, according to leaks, which showcase it producing more striking and vibrant images. The catch? It’ll force you to watermark your photo.

Photo filters are nothing new, but one feature you might not be taking advantage of is that Samsung’s camera app can pre-apply filters to your snap – helping you to better visualize the final product in the moment.

It recently updated the tool to tweak the existing filters and allow you to create a custom filter based on another photo, thanks to AI assistance.

BREAKING！For Samsung users, here's a major discovery!Yesterday, I mentioned that the next version of One UI 8 would introduce two "Chinese-style" photo watermarks. But it turns out there's more to it—Samsung has tied its new "Vivid" style to the watermark. Look, all my… pic.twitter.com/zKx6jAgJc1August 18, 2025

Another change is apparently set to launch with a OneUI 8 update in the future, according to tipster IceUniverse. The update will usher in a new, vivid photo filter profile, but it will also put a border around your snap in a so-called “Chinese-style photo watermark.”

The border makes the snap look kinda like a Polaroid, with a thick bar at the bottom including info like the camera settings, date, and time when the picture was taken, as well as a note saying it was taken on a Samsung Galaxy phone.

This kind of watermark is common on phones from Chinese brands like Xiaomi and OnePlus.

(Image credit: Future)

Some people think the extra information is handy; unfortunately, for me, I’m not in that boat. I believe the watermark comes across as a blatant hijacking of my photos for marketing.

So, as a Samsung Z Fold 7 user, I’ll be steering clear of the vivid filter if this update rolls out as expected. I say that because, as with all leaks, we don’t know how the software update will materialize until it launches.

I’ll also hope the other filters aren’t ruined by a watermark, but we’ll have to wait and see what Samsung delivers.

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Latest Tech News

• First portable color ePaper monitor offers 13.3-inch screen, wireless connections and stand
• Bigme B13 provides multiple refresh modes, adjustable lighting and dual audio options
• Priced at $699, B13 targets early adopters seeking eye-friendly portable productivity

The world’s first portable color ePaper monitor has gone on sale, marking a new step for ePaper beyond e-readers like the Amazon Kindle.

The Bigme B13 is a 13.3-inch device that combines the familiar look of paper with the flexibility of a modern monitor.

Unlike LCD or OLED panels, ePaper is easier on the eyes for long use, making it appealing for work and study. The B13 supports both wired and wireless connections. It can be connected to a laptop, desktop or mobile device using HDMI or USB-C, or it can mirror content wirelessly.

Different user modes

If you require a dual-screen experience, an optional stand allows the monitor to magnetically attach to a laptop, for a compact portable productivity setup.

The stand is adjustable, with a universal backplate designed to fit laptops between 13 and 17 inches. Auto gravity adaptation means the screen rotates automatically when repositioned.

With its 4:3 aspect ratio and 3200x2400 resolution, the monitor is built for reading documents, editing text and browsing the web.

It won't be of interest to people whose work depends on creative projects, advanced data visualization, or tasks requiring color-critical business displays, but professionals handling reports, contracts, and lengthy text documents may find it useful.

Color output is rated at 150PPI while black and white reaches 300PPI. At 660g and just 6mm at its thinnest point, the B13 remains lightweight and highly portable.

Different modes allow you to adjust performance depending on the task. Text mode sharpens words, web mode smooths scrolling, image mode boosts color richness and video mode improves motion handling.

If ghosting occurs, which is a possibility, the refresh button clears the screen instantly. A 30Hz refresh rate helps the panel handle video playback with greater clarity than older ePaper screens.

The B13 includes a front light that can be customized for brightness and warmth, ranging from cool white to warm yellow. This light can also be turned off entirely, depending on your needs.

The monitor has built-in dual speakers and a headphone jack for video calls or casual audio playback without extra equipment.

The Bigme B13 is positioned as an early adopter product and priced at $699 although you can save 15% off the price using coupon code B13SAVE.

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I Update My Router's Firmware Regularly to Get Top-Notch Wi-Fi: Here's How to Do It, Stress-Free

Updating your Wi-Fi router’s firmware can be tedious, but it helps keep your data secure from hackers. Here’s how to make the process less stressful.

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Latest Tech News

• KeyGo 12.8-inch screen offers sharp visuals despite a compressed 1440p layout for multitasking
• Scissor-switch keys provide a tactile typing experience suitable for serious work or long sessions
• RGB lighting enhances visibility in low-light conditions while allowing personal customization

Small external screens have steadily become essential for those seeking flexible workflows and improved multitasking capabilities.

Yanko Design's new KeyGo keyboard merges a 12.8-inch touchscreen monitor with a full-size keyboard.

It aims to create a hybrid device that extends the traditional workspace without requiring a full desktop setup.

A screen built for precision

This concept is ambitious, but its practicality is limited by the absence of a built-in battery, meaning users must remain connected to a power source for extended use.

The integrated display delivers a resolution of 1920x720 at 60Hz, which might initially raise eyebrows among those accustomed to conventional 1080p monitors.

However, the design essentially compresses a 1440p screen across a wider layout, producing a pixel density that keeps text sharp and visuals reasonably crisp.

For professionals who rely on portable monitors or a monitor for video editing, this width-oriented resolution provides a usable secondary screen for reference materials, timelines, or notifications, even if it cannot fully replace a main 4K display.

The keyboard uses scissor-switch keys, which offer a responsive typing experience comparable to high-end laptops.

This design minimizes the often-criticized “mushy” feel of cheaper units, enabling fast and accurate typing.

RGB lighting is integrated with three modes, supporting work in dimly lit environments and allowing a degree of personalization.

While the visual flair may appeal to gamers, business users may appreciate the practicality of illuminated keys during extended work sessions.

Connectivity is handled through USB-C, simplifying connections to laptops, tablets, or smartphones across Windows and macOS platforms.

The single-cable solution handles both power and data, which reduces clutter and streamlines setup for mobile professionals.

Despite its thin CNC-machined aluminum build, which gives it a premium feel, the device remains somewhat limited by its dependence on external power.

It also comes with a 180-degree hinge, allowing users to orient the touchscreen above the keys or stand it fully upright as a second monitor.

While the KeyGo revisits ideas reminiscent of Apple’s Touch Bar, it expands the concept into a standalone, multi-touch interface.

Pricing begins at $538, although early backers can purchase the KeyGo for $249, representing a 54% discount.

The product also includes global shipping and a one-year warranty, and the company claims only 23 of 200 units remain.

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Latest Tech News

• Lumma Stealer malware hides in a fake Telegram Premium site, launching without user clicks
• Executable uses cryptor obfuscation to bypass most traditional antivirus scanning techniques entirely
• Malware connects to real Telegram servers while secretly sending stolen data to hidden domains

A malicious campaign is targeting users through a fraudulent Telegram Premium website, delivering a dangerous variant of the Lumma Stealer malware.

A report from Cyfirma claims the domain telegrampremium[.]app closely mimics the legitimate Telegram Premium brand and hosts a file named start.exe.

This executable, built in C/C++, is automatically downloaded upon visiting the site, requiring no user interaction.

A closer look at the malware delivery

Once executed, it harvests sensitive data, including browser-stored credentials, cryptocurrency wallet details, and system information, increasing risks such as identity theft.

The fake site operates as a drive-by download mechanism, a method where malicious payloads are delivered automatically without explicit consent.

The high entropy of the executable suggests the use of a cryptor for obfuscation, which complicates detection by traditional security suites.

Static analysis shows that the malware imports numerous Windows API functions, enabling it to manipulate files, modify the registry, access the clipboard, execute additional payloads, and evade detection.

The malware also initiates DNS queries via Google’s public DNS server, circumventing internal network controls.

It communicates with both legitimate services like Telegram and Steam Community for possible command-and-control purposes and with algorithmically generated domains to evade domain takedowns.

These techniques allow the malware to maintain communication channels while avoiding detection by firewalls and conventional monitoring tools.

The domain involved is newly registered, with hosting characteristics suggesting it was set up for short-lived, targeted activity.

The malware drops multiple disguised files in the %TEMP% directory, including encrypted payloads masquerading as image files.

Some are later renamed and executed as obfuscated scripts, enabling the malware to clean its traces.

It uses functions like Sleep to delay execution and LoadLibraryExW to stealthily load DLLs, making it more difficult for analysts to detect its presence during initial inspection.

Staying safe from threats of this nature requires a combination of technical measures and user awareness.

How to stay safe

• Organizations should implement endpoint detection and response solutions capable of identifying suspicious behavior patterns associated with Lumma Stealer
• Block all access to malicious domains
• Enforce strict download controls to prevent payload delivery
• Multi-factor authentication is essential to limit damage if credentials are compromised
• Regular credential rotation helps reduce the risk of long-term access by attackers
• Continuous monitoring for suspicious activity allows faster detection and response to potential breaches

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German Super Cup Soccer Livestream: How to Watch Stuttgart vs. Bayern Munich From Anywhere

The DFB Pokal winners take on the reigning Bundesliga champions.

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Latest Tech News

• Floppy disks were officially deemed obsolete in 2010, yet persisted in surprising places for years
• Polymatt used CNC machining and PET film to craft a functioning magnetic storage disk
• Iron oxide coating allowed the handmade disk to store and retrieve basic magnetic data

Floppy disks, once a staple of personal and professional computing, have been phased out for over a decade - but while the technology was officially declared obsolete in 2010, some organizations kept using it surprisingly long.

The Japanese government only moved away from the format in 2024, while the German Navy followed suit the same year. In the United States, the last official use of 8-inch floppy disks for nuclear launch coordination ended in 2019, with San Franciso's government also finally cutting ties with floppies in 2024.

Against this backdrop of obsolescence, a YouTuber known as polymatt decided to recreate one from scratch, using modern tools and consumer-grade equipment.

Engineering a working floppy from the ground up

Polymatt began the project by carefully measuring and modeling the disk enclosure and internal components using Shapr3D and MakeraCAM software.

He then cut aluminum parts with a Carvera Air CNC machine, ensuring precise tolerances for the mechanical structure.

For the magnetic disk surface, he laser-cut PET film and coated it with a suspension of iron oxide powder, replicating the material properties needed for magnetic data storage.

After assembling the components, he managed to magnetize the disk and write to it.

While the data handling capabilities were basic, the fact that a functioning magnetic storage medium emerged from raw materials marked a notable technical achievement.

The process was not without difficulties, but persistence and methodical experimentation allowed him to complete the build.

Today, cloud storage services allow vast amounts of data to be accessed from anywhere, without the physical limitations of older media.

SSDs deliver high-speed and durable storage in compact formats, while an external SSD offers portable capacity far exceeding what was once possible with floppy disks.

A single modern SSD can store millions of times more data than the recreated floppy, with speeds that make the older medium seem impractically slow by comparison.

While polymatt’s recreation is unlikely to be used in practical applications, it demonstrates the enduring appeal of hands-on engineering projects.

Building a floppy disk in 2025 serves more as a tribute to a pivotal era in computing than as a viable alternative to current storage methods.

For those who once relied on them, the familiar clunk of a floppy drive reading data is part of a technological heritage that shaped modern computing.

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Starlink Deal Makes Satellite Dish 50% Cheaper for New Customers. Here's How It Works

No matter your location, you can now get a Starlink dish for $175, a dramatic markdown from $349.

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How to Choose the Right Home Generator So You’re Ready for Anything

A power outage isn't fun and can be a real pain. If you live in an at-risk area, we recommend you invest in one of the top home generators.

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Latest Tech News

• Sixunited launches lightweight 16 inch laptop powered by Ryzen AI MAX+ 395 APU
• AMD's Strix Halo processor has mostly be found in mini PCs to date with a few pricey exceptions
• Large 99.9Wh battery delivers long runtimes while keeping weight under 1.8kg

Sixunited, a relatively unknown laptop maker from Shanghai, China, has unveiled a new notebook which arrives ahead of Dell and Lenovo in adopting AMD’s latest high-end laptop processor.

The XN77-160M-CS features the AMD Ryzen AI MAX+ 395 APU, also known as Strix Halo, a 16-core chip with integrated Navi 3.5 graphics and a 50 TOPS NPU.

This APU has been rare in the laptop market, with only a handful of models, such as HP’s ZBook Ultra G1a and Asus ROG Flow Z13 announced so far.

Large capacity battery

Sixunited will offer two thermal configurations, 85W and 120W, both supported by a dual-fan cooling system, and paired with LPDDR5X (non-upgradable) memory running at up to 8000 MT/s.

Storage comes from up to two PCIe 4.0x4 SSDs in M.2 2280 format, allowing for large and fast configurations.

Perhaps the most notable aspects of the new laptop is its 99.9Wh battery, which is the largest capacity allowed for most airlines.

Despite the large battery, the chassis weighs under 1.8kg and is built with aluminum and mylar materials.

The laptop includes a 16-inch display at 2560x1600 resolution with a 165Hz refresh rate and 100% sRGB coverage, with an OLED version also planned for the future.

Videocardz notes the XN77-160M-CS is a barebones design, meaning it may appear under different brand names. Sixunited often acts as an OEM supplier for other companies.

Pricing remains unknown for now, but it’s not likely to be cheap. For comparison, Asus’ AI MAX+ 395 laptop starts at $2099, while HP’s device is priced from $4099.

Sixunited’s move adds another option for those seeking a compact yet powerful laptop with extended battery life.

It also highlights growing interest in AMD’s Strix Halo platform, which to date has mostly appeared in mini-PCs like the GMKTec EVO-X2, Beelink AI Mini and AOOSTAR NEX395.

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Latest Tech News

Geoffrey Hinton, scientist, former Google employee, and widely recognized 'Godfather of AI,' has made a late-stage career of criticizing his godchildren. And now he's taken it all a step further, insisting we need "AI Mothers," not AI Assistants.

Speaking at the AI4 Conference in Las Vegas this week, and as first reported by Forbes, Hinton again sounded the alarm on the impending advent of Artificial General Intelligence, which he now believes will arrive in a few years, a notion that syncs with recent comments from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.

That acceleration from what was once thought to be decades to a few orbits around the sun is, perhaps, what prompted Hinton to argue that we need something other than AI Assistants.

"We need AI mothers rather than AI assistants," Hinton said, according to Forbes. The idea, Hinton posits, is that AI's with "maternal instincts" are a sort of protection system. After all, mothers generally don't harm and usually protect their children.

If AI systems like ChatGPT, Claude AI, and Gemini truly become smarter than us in a matter of years, having them in some way feel as if it's their job to look out for us might prevent them from harming us or society.

Hinton, who recently won a Nobel Prize and helped develop the technological foundation that arguably made all this AI possible, left Google in 2023 and immediately started warning people about a dire AI future. Imagine a parent disowning their child, and you get the idea.

I don't think Hinton is turned off from AI. After all, he can't stop talking about it, and appears to recognize its potential, but it's also clear it scares him.

He previously told The New York Times in 2023 that

• Increased competition is leading to a less cautious approach
• He presciently warned about the flood of fake online content
• He warned about AI taking on all the jobs we don't want to do (it may be taking others, as well)
• He worried about AI that can both program and then run programming (a very dangerous closed loop)
• And he was talking almost immediately about AI outsmarting us

So, sure that day is now fast approaching, but is a motherly AI what we want or need? I don't think so.

The minute we start training "Mom Instincts" into AI, it will start to act like a mother and slip into that creepy, uncanny valley where you can no longer tell if you're talking to a program or a person. Motherly instincts imply warmth, compassion, caring, understanding, and love. I don't want those things from an AI.

What I think we need, though, is for AI assistants to understand what it means to be human. Put another way, if AI chatbots can at least understand humanity, they can serve us better. They can also recognize our propensity for trust and perhaps finally stop presenting us with false narratives and fake friendliness and interest.

We shouldn't want companionship out of our super-intelligent AI systems. Instead, we need utility and trust, an ability to carry out our wishes in a way that best serves our interests.

The last thing we need is an AI full of maternal instincts, which then makes its own choices and, when things go awry, insists, "Well, dear, mother knows best."

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Don't Buy a Portable Air Conditioner Without Reading This First

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