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Two years later, Meta is making DMs on Threads official

Meta announced just a couple weeks ago that it would finally start testing a dedicated inbox for direct messages on Threads. Now, it's making the feature official and rolling out DMs to everyone. As with the earlier test, the update will add a messaging tab to the Threads app where users can access the inbox and exchange DMs with mutuals. Meta says that initially people will only be able to send messages to users who already follow them or mutual followers from Instagram, though it plans to rol

Marshall’s new Middleton II Bluetooth speaker lasts 30 hours between charges

Marshall has launched its latest compact Bluetooth speaker, the Middleton II. A direct replacement for the first-generation Middleton from 2023, the new speaker promises room-filling 360-degree sound from a device that sits comfortably in the palm of your hand and won’t demand too much space in your backpack for trips. The original Middleton offered bright clear sound that belied its diminutive proportions, and with its successor Marshall says it has engineered deeper bass and "more refined per

The FCC delays enforcement of prison call rate caps

Commissioner Anna M. Gomez called it an 'indefensible decision to ignore both the law and the will of Congress.' Chalk one up for prison telecoms — and against inmates' family members — courtesy of Trump's FCC. On Monday, the agency said (via The Verge) it would delay enforcement of a 2024 action aimed at capping prison phone call fees. The rules are now scheduled to take effect in April 2027. FCC Commissioner Anna M. Gomez criticized the agency's move in a statement. "Today, the FCC made the

Topics: fcc fees law rates state

New FileFix attack runs JScript while bypassing Windows MoTW alerts

A new FileFix attack allows executing malicious scripts while bypassing the Mark of the Web (MoTW) protection in Windows by exploiting how browsers handle saved HTML webpages. The technique, was devised by security researcher mr.d0x Last week, the researcher showed how the first FileFix method worked as an alternative to 'ClickFix' attacks by tricking users into pasting a disguised PowerShell command into the File Explorer address bar. The attack involves a phishing page to trick the victim in

The Apple Pencil Pro is under $100 again - even before summer sales kick off

'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean? ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing. When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or

You can snag T-Mobile's Starlink satellite service on any carrier - how to get it for free

Kaye Marie Christofferson / 500px/Getty T-Mobile will officially launch its public Starlink satellite service on Wednesday, July 23. Currently in beta testing, the service will be available for any mobile phone user with a compatible device, including AT&T and Verizon subscribers. In its Monday news release, the Uncarrier explained what Starlink will offer. From the get-go, iOS and Android users alike will be able to send SMS text messages. Other features include MMS (Multimedia Messaging Serv

I'm a tech expert, and these July 4th phone deals are worth upgrading to

'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean? ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing. When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or

This 5-in-1 charging station replaced several desk accessories for me - and it's half off

Kayla Solino/ZDNET ZDNET's key takeaways Baseus' Nomos 5-in-1 Charging 140W Charging Station The Nomos Charger cuts down on cords and clutter, and can easily replace a wireless charging pad, a USB-C multi-charger, and other cords like laptop and phone chargers. Its innovative features make it easy to track the output and charging of your devices, but if you're looking for something with a smaller profile, or just don't need extra ports, smaller wireless or multi-chargers may be your best bet

I changed 8 settings on my Pixel phone to instantly improve the battery life

Kerry Wan/ZDNET Pixel phones have an excellent reputation for smart software, but battery life has been a common complaint with Google's smartphones. Thankfully, that same smart software is now improving battery life and longevity, though many features aren't set up for maximum endurance out of the box. I've found that a handful of features can dramatically improve how long your Pixel lasts, both in a single day and over the long haul. Also: Why I recommend this $280 Android phone over cheap m

I unsubscribed from 20 lists in seconds with Gmail's new tool. Here's how to use it

Screenshot by ZDNET A few months ago, Google rolled out a new feature for Gmail on Android that made it easier to clean out your inbox by showing a single list of all your subscriptions and providing a simple way to unsubscribe from these lists. That feature is expanding, as "Manage Subscriptions" is now showing up on Gmail for desktop. Google hasn't made an official announcement, but users have started noticing the new button over the past few days. Also: Run out of Gmail storage? How I got

Casio's tiny digital watch for your finger is available again - while supplies last

'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean? ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing. When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or

USB-C gadget refuses to charge? Here's why and 2 clever workarounds

'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean? ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing. When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or

Graph Theory Applications in Video Games

Maze Generation w/ Disjoint-Sets & Union-Find Observing Properties of Mazes Cells are "matched" with a select few adjacent ones. Cells that have been matched do not have a wall between them. All cell pairs that are not "matched" have a wall separating them. Mazes can be represented as graphs. Depending on the properties of the maze, it can be a minimum spanning tree. We can use typical graph algorithms to find solutions to mazes. Popular choices include DFS (Depth-First Search)

Topics: let maze set sets tree

Show HN: HackerNewt - Breadth-first exploring HN client for iOS

Don't get lost in big Hacker News discussions! HackerNewt is a Hacker News client that uses an alternative way of displaying comment tree. Advantages over traditional interfaces: - Comment width doesn't get narrower no matter how deep in the tree you are - You always see the parent of the comment you're currently reading - Swiping allows you to move in and out of subtrees with animated transitions that you fully control - You can easily skip subtrees that don't interest you by simply scrolling A

Benchmarking Postgres

Want to learn more about unlimited IOPS w/ Metal, Vitess, horizontal sharding, or Enterprise options? Benchmarking Postgres By Benjamin Dicken | July 1, 2025 Today we launched PlanetScale for Postgres. For the past several months, we've been laser focused on building the best Postgres experience on the planet, performance included. To ensure we met our high standard for database performance, we needed a way to measure and compare other options with a standardized, repeatable, and fair method

iRobot Roomba Plus Robot Vacuum and Mop With AutoWash Dock for 50% Off as Amazon Exclusive Deal

Set and forget thanks to the iRobot Home app which allows you to have your Roomba clean while you’re away from the house. The app can suggest cleaning schedules and provide a clean map report so you can see exactly how well it covered every exposed surface on the floor of your home. In need of a cleaning off-schedule? Just ask Alexa, Siri, or you Google Assistant to send the Roomba on its way. The specialized microfiber mop pad can take care of footprints, dirt, and dust like no other. Add a co

14 Million People Could Die in Next 5 Years Due to USAID Cuts, Study Finds

Elon Musk’s wood-chipping of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is poised to leave piles of bodies behind in its wake, a new study suggests. Scientists have calculated that recent funding cuts to USAID could lead to millions of preventable deaths worldwide over the next half-decade. An international group of researchers conducted the study, published Monday in the Lancet. They estimated that USAID funding in developing countries has helped save dozens of millions of

The Next ‘Marvel Rivals’ Update Will Feel the Fury of the Phoenix Force

Marvel Rivals might be moving on from Krakoa for its new season, but that doesn’t mean mutants are leaving the spotlight: Jean Grey is the latest X-Men superstar to join the game’s roster of playable characters in a new spacebound season, alongside the arrival of the long-awaited Blade. Netease confirmed the theme for Rivals‘ third season in a new trailer released today, which will focus on Venom’s homeworld Klyntar and the rise of Knull, the creator of the symbiote race, as he transforms Hela

Ninja Blast Portable Blender Is at Its Lowest Price of the Year as Amazon Clears Out Its Best-Seller Shelves

If you’ve ever tried to make a smoothie during a hectic morning or while traveling, you know how quickly the idea of a fresh, healthy drink can go out the window. You don’t always have the time or desire to mess with a full-size blender just to make something delicious or healthy on the way out. The best option is a smaller personal blender that you can even take with you. And you can get one right now for a great price. You can head to Amazon right now to get the Ninja BC151BK Blast Portable B

Amex and Chase Both Changed Welcome Bonus Terms for Popular Credit Cards. Here's Why That Matters

CNET/Getty Images A credit card's welcome offer is generally one of the main incentives for applying for a credit card. So what happens if the card issuer no longer discloses how much you earn before you apply, or changes its rules around who's eligible and who isn't? American Express recently changed the language for the terms on the Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card. The card issuer no longer specifies the exact number of points you can earn for the car

'Happy Gilmore 2' and 10 More New Netflix Movies You Shouldn't Miss in July

Netflix has two long-awaited sequels premiering in July, along with loads of other hits, from zombie movies to strange-but-true documentaries about some of the biggest news stories of our time. The biggest films to hit the streamer in July are definitely Happy Gilmore 2, the Adam Sandler film that arrives on July 25, and The Old Guard 2, the action fantasy that stars Charlize Theron, Veronica Van, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Kiki Layne and Uma Thurman. Five new entries in the platform's popular Trainwrec

AMC now warns moviegoers to expect ’25-30 minutes’ of ads and trailers

AMC Theatres is making it easier for moviegoers to know the actual start time of their film screening and avoid sitting through lengthy ads. A new notice has started appearing when people purchase tickets via the AMC website, warning that “movies start 25-30 minutes after showtime.” This already mirrors the estimated runtime of AMC’s preshow content, which includes ads and trailers, but now customers will be better informed if they want to arrive a little later without missing the start of thei

Casio’s Ring Watch is available online after being sold out for months (update: sold out)

Casio’s $120 CRW001-1 (AKA the Ring Watch) is back in stock on Casio’s website for the first time since it launched — then swiftly sold out — in December. The Ring Watch was released to commemorate the 50th anniversary of its original digital watch. While it may look like a novelty, the fully-functional watch impressed The Verge’s Victoria Song as both a fashion statement and a practical gadget. The silver ring has a sub-inch screen and comes in one ring size: 10.5. However, Casio includes 16 an

Topics: 16 50th casio ring watch

Threads now has DMs

is a news writer who covers the streaming wars, consumer tech, crypto, social media, and much more. Previously, she was a writer and editor at MUO. Threads has officially launched direct messaging for everyone. You can now privately message other users on the Meta-owned X rival, though Threads will only allow DMs between your followers or mutual followers on Instagram to start. You can send a DM on Threads by selecting the envelope icon in the toolbar at the bottom of your screen in the app. F

AT&T now lets you lock down your account to prevent SIM swapping attacks

is a news writer who covers the streaming wars, consumer tech, crypto, social media, and much more. Previously, she was a writer and editor at MUO. AT&T is launching a new Account Lock feature that’s designed to protect wireless users against SIM swapping attacks. The feature, which you can enable from the myAT&T app, prevents unauthorized changes to your account, like phone number transfers, SIM card changes, and updates to billing information. SIM swapping attacks have become increasingly co

Remark raises $16M to build out human-powered expert models for e-commerce

Startups working on AI-powered e-commerce tools often rely on external data or user signals to build and improve their models. However, a company called Remark is taking a different approach by letting thousands of human experts chat with users while they are purchasing items, and then using that knowledge to train models. Remark also makes those experts “available” all the time by having their AI-powered persona answer questions. Remark said that this resulted in a 10% net revenue gain for par

Nikita Bier joins X as Head of Product: ‘I’ve officially posted my way to the top’

In Brief Elon Musk’s X has appointed serial entrepreneur and growth hacker Nikita Bier as its new Head of Product. “I’ve officially posted my way to the top,” Bier wrote on X, alluding to his large presence on the app. Bier is best known as the founder of apps like Gas, which was acquired by Discord, and TBH, which was acquired by Facebook. Both Gas and TBH were apps geared toward teens, who were encouraged to leave one another compliments. More recently, Bier has been working as a venture p

Can Sensing Be Safe? Designing Privacy-Aware Wireless Systems

Introduction From fitness trackers to smart speakers, mobile sensing has quietly become ubiquitous, embedding itself into our daily lives. These devices are capable of monitoring motion, detecting presence, identifying user activities, and even inferring health conditions, sometimes without any user interaction. As these applications grow and become central to smart environments, a critical question arises: Can sensing systems be designed to be both safe and ethical? While mobile and wearable

Millions of websites to get 'game-changing' AI bot blocker

Millions of websites to get 'game-changing' AI bot blocker 45 minutes ago Share Save Chris Vallance Senior Technology Reporter Share Save Getty Images Millions of websites - including Sky News, The Associated Press and Buzzfeed - will now be able to block artificial intelligence (AI) bots from accessing their content without permission. The new system is being rolled out by internet infrastructure firm, Cloudflare, which hosts around a fifth of the internet. Eventually, sites will be able to

One UI 8’s Now Brief will make sure you don’t miss a birthday again

Joe Maring / Android Authority TL;DR Now Brief in the latest One UI 8 beta displays birthday reminders and also lets you create an AI-generated birthday card. The birthday card is generated with a prompt and can be created in one of six art styles. This is the latest addition to Now Brief, and we’re expecting plenty more by the time stable One UI 8 is released. Samsung’s Now Brief feature gives users a summary of relevant information several times a day. We know Samsung is working on more ty