Mobile
5 digital cleanup hacks you didn't know you needed
'The CyberGuy' Kurt Knutsson discusses the creation of a robot in China that can reportedly build cars and do everyday tasks on'Fox & Friends Weekend.' Let's face it, our digital lives get messy. Whether it's thousands of unread emails, random screenshots cluttering your desktop or a downloads folder that's basically a graveyard, the digital gunk adds up fast. But cleaning it all up doesn't have to be overwhelming. With a few smart automations and tools, you can tidy up your tech and keep things running smoothly, without lifting a finger every week. Join the FREE "CyberGuy Report": Get my expert tech tips, critical security alerts and exclusive deals, plus instant access to my free "Ultimate Scam Survival Guide" when you sign up!
Sam Altman-backed startup makes optical scanner to detect humans from AI
Have you ever wanted a mobile device designed solely to scan your eyeballs? No, that sounds a little creepy? Tools for Humanity, a start-up backed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, debuted the Orb Mini this week, a smartphone-sized device with two massive eye sensors on it. The hardware is part of the World project and app, a grand plan aimed at creating a global identification system. The idea is that these sensors, paired with a blockchain registry, could serve as a tool for verifying someone's humanity.
Google's AI unleashes powerful scam-busting features for Android
The CyberGuy explains steps you can take to protect yourself from scams. Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, leveraging advanced tools like generative AI to con unsuspecting victims. According to the Global Anti-Scam Alliance, mobile consumers worldwide lose over 1 trillion annually to scams. To combat this growing threat, Google is rolling out cutting-edge AI-powered scam detection features for Android users. However, while Google's efforts are impressive, there are additional steps you can take to protect yourself from scams.
New Google Labs experiments help you learn new languages in 'bite-sized' lessons
My wife and I like to travel to other countries, but we always face a familiar obstacle -- how to learn the language well enough to converse with people. We've tried taking language lessons, yet we invariably run into situations where we can't find the right words to express ourselves. Now, Google has launched a trio of translation tools that could help overcome this obstacle. Also: Want a quick daily podcast based on your interests? Try Google's latest AI experiment Launched on Tuesday as Google Labs experiments, the "Little Language Lessons" are designed to assist you in specific situations, especially when you're traveling in a foreign country.
A Tariff Standoff With China, Power Outages, and the End of Christmas
President Trump's tariff standoff with China has caused chaos, confusion, and major delays for companies of all shapes and sizes. As everyone waits to see what happens next, some businesses that depend on international trade are already feeling major impacts, saying that they might not meet their production deadlines. And one of those deadlines is pretty important: Christmas. Today on the show, we're joined by WIRED's senior business editor Louise Matsakis to talk through the latest on tariffs. Mentioned in this episode: Donald Trump Is Already Ruining Christmas by Zeyi Yang OpenAI Adds Shopping to ChatGPT in a Challenge to Google by Reece Rogers The Agonizing Task of Turning Europe's Power Back On by Natasha Bernal Write to us at uncannyvalley@wired.com.
Meta's new AI app delivers a chatbot with a social media twist
Meta has unveiled a new AI app that combines chatbot features with a social media experience. Launched on Tuesday for the iPhone, iPad, and Android devices, the Meta AI app offers most of the usual aspects of an AI app. You can get information, generate content, and analyze photos and other images. "Meta AI is built to get to know you, so its answers are more helpful," Meta said in a news release. "It's easy to talk to, so it's more seamless and natural to interact with. It's more social, so it can show you things from the people and places you care about. And you can use Meta AI's voice features while multitasking and doing other things on your device, with a visible icon to let you know when the microphone is in use."
How to manage Siri Suggestions on your iPhone
If you've been keeping up with the recent discussion around how best to use Signal and how to keep journalists out of your private chats about national security matters, you'll know that White House officials have been blaming an iPhone feature called Siri Suggestions for adding unauthorized members to a private group chat. Siri Suggestions works on iPhones (and iPads and Macs) to give you contextually aware assistance when you need it. The feature might make suggestions about who to invite to events based on previous events, for example, or give you prompts for searches on your device, based on what you've searched for at certain times in the past. In the case of the White House Signal chat blunders, it appears Siri made a contact suggestion based on details included in an email--only the contact details in the email weren't those of the email sender but those of someone mentioned in the message, which is where the confusion arose. As with many modern day AI tools, Siri Suggestions lets you choose where to draw the line on how much assistance to get.
I tested Motorola's 1,300 Razr Ultra, and it made my Samsung Galaxy Z Flip feel outdated
You have my attention, Motorola. The company yesterday unveiled not one, not two, but three Razr flip phones, including a first-ever'Ultra' model that's feature-packed, fashionably styled, and unsurprisingly expensive at 1,299. I spent an intimate afternoon with all three models ahead of their launch, and, barring the price tag that makes me question the state of the economy, my first impressions were mostly positive. In fact, the Razr Ultra, which I tested the most, left me feeling a little less excited about what's on the docket from Samsung later this summer. The base Motorola Razr model (left) and Razr Ultra (right).
Trump Wants to Blame Fed Chair Powell for Economic Downturn
This week, Emily Bazelon and David Plotz are joined by Henry Blodget to discuss the financial and political fallout from the President's threats to fire Fed Chair Powell and subsequent retreat; a Supreme Court case over free exercise of religion that could have broad implications; and why Trump stands by Hegseth after Signalgate Part 2. Here are some notes and references from this week's show: Colby Smith for The New York Times: Trump Says He Won't Fire Powell. His Fed Battle May Not Be Over Yet. America's economy is collateral damage Nicole Narea for Vox: Trump's tariffs are driving a gold rush Megan K. Stack for the New York Times (Opinion: Guest Essay): My School District Could Have Avoided This Supreme Court Case Neal McCluskey for Reason: The Supreme Court Is About To Hear 2 Education Cases. Ian Millhiser for Vox: The Supreme Court's "Don't Say Gay" argument went disastrously for public schools Aaron Blake for The Washington Post (Analysis): Even on the gravest of issues, GOP can't summon the will to question Trump Michael Crowley for The New York Times: Critics Call Rubio's Overhaul Plan a Blow to U.S. Values Here are this week's chatters: Henry: Christopher Lamb, Alicia Johnson, Jhasua Razo, and Sarah-Grace Mankarious for CNN: Who will be the next pope?
I used Motorola's 1,300 Razr Ultra, and it left me with no Samsung Galaxy Z Flip envy
You have my attention, Motorola. The company today is unveiling not one, not two, but three Razr flip phones, including a first-ever'Ultra' model that's feature-packed, fashionably styled, and unsurprisingly expensive at 1,299. I spent an intimate afternoon with all three models ahead of their launch, and, barring the price tag that makes me question the state of the economy, my first impressions were mostly positive. In fact, the Razr Ultra, which I tested the most, left me feeling a little less excited about what's on the docket from Samsung later this summer. The base Motorola Razr model (left) and Razr Ultra (right).