New AI browser set to challenge Google
The new browser will feature a direct chat-like function and an AI agent, 'Operator', designed to assist users with tasks such as filling out forms and making reservations.
This initiative aims to provide OpenAI with more direct access to user data, which will help improve the AI agent's capabilities.
Built using Google's open-source Chromium code, the browser could potentially challenge Chrome's significant market share if adopted by a large number of ChatGPT users.
Researchers have expressed concerns that increased reliance on AI tools, including such a browser, could reduce critical thinking skills and lead to overreliance on technology.
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Geeky Gadgets
20 minutes ago
- Geeky Gadgets
BitChat Jack Dorsey's Offline Secure Messaging App : No Signal? No Problem!
What if you could send a message without ever needing Wi-Fi, cellular data, or even an internet connection? It sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie, but with BitChat, it's a reality. Created by Jack Dorsey, the mind behind Twitter and Square, this new app uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to create a decentralized mesh network, allowing users to communicate even when traditional networks fail. Imagine being at a packed concert where your phone signal is nonexistent, or stuck in a remote area with no internet access—BitChat ensures you're never out of touch. But this innovation isn't just about convenience; it's also a bold step toward redefining how we think about privacy and connectivity in a hyper-connected world. In this overview, Better Stack explore how BitChat's peer-to-peer messaging works, the real-world scenarios it's built for, and the challenges it faces as it pushes the boundaries of offline communication. From its promise of secure, encrypted chats to its potential role in emergencies or protests, BitChat offers a glimpse into a future where staying connected doesn't depend on traditional infrastructure. But is it ready to deliver on its ambitious vision? As we unpack its features, limitations, and potential, you might find yourself questioning how much we truly rely on the internet—and whether BitChat could be the app to change that. BitChat: Offline Messaging App How BitChat Works BitChat's defining feature is its ability to assist peer-to-peer messaging without traditional internet infrastructure. Instead of using cellular towers or Wi-Fi, the app employs BLE to connect devices within a decentralized mesh network. Messages are relayed from one device to another until they reach their intended recipient. This system ensures that communication remains possible even in areas where cellular networks are unavailable, unreliable, or congested. For example, at large-scale events like concerts or sports matches, where cellular networks often become overwhelmed, BitChat can provide a dependable alternative. Similarly, in remote locations with no internet access, the app's offline functionality ensures users can stay connected. Its decentralized nature also makes it resilient in scenarios where traditional communication methods fail, such as during natural disasters or network outages. Privacy and Security Features Privacy is a cornerstone of BitChat's design. The app employs end-to-end encryption to protect messages from interception, making sure that only the sender and recipient can access the content. To establish secure communication channels, BitChat uses the Noise handshake protocol, a widely respected cryptographic framework. Additionally, the app incorporates ephemeral key rotation, which generates new encryption keys every 5 to 15 minutes. This feature minimizes the risk of long-term data exposure, further enhancing user privacy. Despite these robust measures, BitChat has faced criticism for early security vulnerabilities and the absence of comprehensive external audits. These concerns highlight the importance of ongoing development and rigorous testing to maintain user trust and safeguard sensitive information. As the app evolves, addressing these issues will be critical to its success. How BitChat Works Offline Watch this video on YouTube. Dive deeper into messaging apps with other articles and guides we have written below. Development Challenges and Platform Limitations BitChat originated as a weekend project by Jack Dorsey, with the assistance of an AI development tool named Goose, which accelerated the coding process. Its open source framework has attracted a growing community of contributors, allowing continuous improvements and regular security updates. This collaborative approach has been instrumental in refining the app and addressing user feedback. However, the app's performance has not been consistent across platforms. While the Android version has demonstrated greater reliability, the iOS version has encountered significant bugs that hinder the user experience. These technical inconsistencies underscore the need for further refinement to ensure seamless functionality across all devices. Additionally, the app's reliance on BLE technology limits its range to approximately 100 meters, which may restrict its utility in certain scenarios. Real-World Applications BitChat's unique features make it a versatile tool for a variety of real-world situations. Its ability to function without internet access and its emphasis on privacy position it as a practical solution for several use cases, including: Crowded Events: At concerts, festivals, or sports events where cellular networks are often overwhelmed, BitChat provides a reliable communication channel for attendees. At concerts, festivals, or sports events where cellular networks are often overwhelmed, BitChat provides a reliable communication channel for attendees. Confidential Meetings: The app's encryption features make it ideal for secure corporate discussions, journalist-source interactions, or other sensitive communications. The app's encryption features make it ideal for secure corporate discussions, journalist-source interactions, or other sensitive communications. Protests and Demonstrations: In situations where offline, secure communication is essential, BitChat offers a practical and discreet solution. In situations where offline, secure communication is essential, BitChat offers a practical and discreet solution. Remote Areas: For individuals in locations without internet access, such as rural communities or wilderness settings, BitChat ensures connectivity through its decentralized network. For individuals in locations without internet access, such as rural communities or wilderness settings, BitChat ensures connectivity through its decentralized network. Emergency Situations: During natural disasters or network outages, BitChat can serve as a critical tool for maintaining communication when traditional methods are unavailable. These applications highlight the app's potential to address a wide range of communication challenges, making it a valuable resource for both everyday users and those in specialized contexts. Looking Ahead: BitChat's Future The future of BitChat hinges on its ability to overcome current limitations and build trust among users. Addressing security vulnerabilities and improving platform stability will be essential to its long-term success. The app's open source nature provides significant opportunities for customization and innovation, allowing developers to tailor it to specific needs and explore new functionalities. If these efforts are successful, BitChat could play a pivotal role in redefining offline communication. Its decentralized architecture and focus on privacy make it particularly appealing to users who prioritize security or operate in environments with limited internet access. Furthermore, the app's development could inspire broader advancements in decentralized technologies, paving the way for a new generation of communication tools. BitChat's potential extends beyond individual users, offering solutions for businesses, humanitarian organizations, and communities in need of reliable, internet-free communication. As the app continues to evolve, it has the opportunity to establish itself as a cornerstone of decentralized messaging, addressing both practical and privacy-related concerns in an increasingly connected world. Media Credit: Better Stack Filed Under: Technology News, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
The Guardian
37 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Digital resurrection: fascination and fear over the rise of the deathbot
Rod Stewart had a few surprise guests at a recent concert in Charlotte, North Carolina. His old friend Ozzy Osbourne, the lead singer of Black Sabbath who died last month, was apparently beamed in from some kind of rock heaven, where he was reunited with other departed stars including Michael Jackson, Tina Turner and Bob Marley. The AI-generated images divided Stewart's fans. Some denounced them as disrespectful and distasteful; others found the tribute beautiful. At about the same time, another AI controversy erupted when Jim Acosta, a former CNN White House correspondent, interviewed a digital recreation of Joaquin Oliver, who was killed at the age of 17 in a 2018 high school shooting in Florida. The avatar of the teenager was created by his parents, who said it was a blessing to hear his voice again. In June, Alexis Ohanian, a co-founder of Reddit, posted on X an animation of his late mother hugging him when he was a child, created from a photograph. 'Damn, I wasn't ready for how this would feel. We didn't have a camcorder, so there's no video of me with my mom … This is how she hugged me. I've rewatched it 50 times,' he wrote. These are just three illustrations of a growing phenomenon of 'digital resurrection' – creating images and bots of people who have died using photographs, videos, voice messages and other material. Companies offering to create 'griefbots' or 'deathbots' abound, and questions about exploitation, privacy and their impact on the grieving process are multiplying. 'It's vastly more technologically possible now because of large language models such as ChatGPT being easily available to the general public and very straightforward to use,' said Elaine Kasket, a London-based cyberpsychologist. 'And these large language models enable the creation of something that feels really plausible and realistic. When someone dies, if there are enough digital remains – texts, emails, voice notes, images – it's possible to create something that feels very recognisable.' Only a few years ago, the idea of 'virtual immortality' was futuristic, a techno-dream beyond the reach of ordinary people. Now, interactive avatars can be created relatively easily and cheaply, and demand looks set to grow. A poll commissioned by the Christian thinktank Theos and carried out by YouGov in 2023 found that 14% of respondents agreed they would find comfort in interacting with a digital version of a loved one who had died. The younger the respondent, the more likely they were to be open to the idea of a deathbot. The desire to preserve connections with dead loved ones is not new. In the past, bereaved people have retained precious personal items that help them feel close to the person they have lost. People pore over photos, watch videos, replay voice messages and listen to music that reminds them of the person. They often dream of the dead, or imagine they glimpse them across a room or in the street. A few even seek contact via seances. 'Human beings have been trying to relate to the dead ever since there were humans,' said Michael Cholbi, a professor of philosophy at the University of Edinburgh and the author of Grief: A Philosophical Guide. 'We have created monuments and memorials, preserved locks of hair, reread letters. Now the question is: does AI have anything to add?' Louise Richardson, of York university's philosophy department and a co-investigator on a four-year project on grief, said bereaved people often sought to 'maintain a sense of connection and closeness' with a dead loved one by visiting their grave, talking to them or touching items that belonged to them. 'Deathbots can serve the same purpose, but they can also be disruptive to the grieving process,' she said. 'They can get in the way of recognising and accommodating what has been lost, because you can interact with a deathbot in an ongoing way.' For example, people often wonder what a dead loved one might have done or said in a specific situation. 'Now it feels like you are able to ask them.' But deathbots may also provide 'sanitised, rosy' representations of a person, said Cholbi. For example, someone creating a deathbot of their late granny may choose not to include her casual racism or other unappealing aspects of her personality in material fed into an AI generator. There is also a risk of creating a dependency in the living person, said Nathan Mladin, the author of AI and the Afterlife, a Theos report published last year. 'Digital necromancy is a deceptive experience. You think you're talking to a person when you're actually talking to a machine. Bereaved people can become dependent on a bot, rather than accepting and healing.' The boom in digital clones of the dead began in the far east. In China, it can cost as little as 20 yuan (£2.20) to create a digital avatar of a loved one, but according to one estimate the market was worth 12bn yuan (£1.2bn) in 2022 and was expected to quadruple by 2025. More advanced, interactive avatars that move and converse with a client can cost thousands of pounds. Fu Shou Yuan International Group, a major funeral operator, has said it is 'possible for the dead to 'come back to life' in the virtual world'. According to the China Funeral Association, the cost is about 50,000 yuan per deceased person. The exploitation of grief for private profit is a risk, according to Cholbi, although he pointed to a long history of mis-selling and upselling in the funeral business. Kasket said another pitfall was privacy and rights to digital remains. 'A person who's dead has no opportunity to consent, no right of reply and no control.' The fraudulent use of digital material to create convincing avatars for financial gain was another concern, she added. Some people have already begun stipulating in their wills that they do not want their digital material to be used after their death. Interactive avatars are not just for the dead. Abba Voyage, a show that features digital versions of the four members of the Swedish pop group performing in their heyday, has been a runaway success, making about £1.6m each week. Audiences thrill – and sing along – to the exhilarating experience while the band's members, now aged between 75 and 80, put their feet up at home. More soberly, the UK's National Holocaust Centre and Museum launched a project in 2016 to capture the voices and images of Holocaust survivors to create interactive avatars capable of answering questions about their experiences in the Nazi death camps long into the future. According to Cholbi, there is an element of 'AI hype' around deathbots. 'I don't doubt that some people are interested in this, and I think it could have some interesting therapeutic applications. It could be something that people haul out periodically – I can imagine they bring out the posthumous avatar of a deceased relative at Christmas dinner or on their birthday. 'But I doubt that people will try to sustain their relationships with the dead through this technology for very long. At some point, I think most of us reconcile ourselves with the fact of death, the fact that the person is dead. 'This isn't to say that some people might really dive into this, but it does seem to be a case where maybe the prospects are not as promising as some of the commercial investors might hope.' For Mladin, the deathbot industry raises profound questions for ethicists and theologians. The interest in digital resurrection may be a consequence of 'traditional religious belief fading, but those deeper longings for transcendence, for life after death, for the permanence of love are redirected towards technological solutions,' he said. 'This is an expression of peak modernity, a belief that technology will conquer death and will give us life everlasting. It's symptomatic of the kind of culture we inhabit now.' Kasket said: 'There's no question in my mind that some people create these kinds of phenomena and utilise them in ways that they find helpful. But what I'm concerned about is the way various services selling these kinds of things are pathologising grief. 'If we lose the ability to cope with grief, or convince ourselves that we're unable to deal with it, we are rendered truly psychologically brittle. It is not a pathology or a disease or a problem for technology to solve. Grief and loss are part of normal human experience.'
Geeky Gadgets
an hour ago
- Geeky Gadgets
iOS 26 & Apple News This Week
Apple's iOS 26 beta 5 introduces a series of updates that underscore the company's dedication to enhancing both functionality and user experience. With improvements spanning software, hardware integration, and artificial intelligence, this release offers a glimpse into the future of Apple's ecosystem. Whether you're a developer, a tech enthusiast, or a casual user, these updates aim to refine your interaction with Apple devices while setting the stage for upcoming innovations. The video below from Brandon Butch gives us more details on iOS 26 and the latest Apple News. Watch this video on YouTube. Key Features and Enhancements in iOS 26 Beta 5 The latest beta version of iOS 26 brings several noteworthy features designed to improve usability, aesthetics, and overall functionality. Among the most striking updates is the liquid glass effect for the home screen and control center, which introduces a sleek, modern visual design. Additionally, Dynamic Island now includes a low power mode indicator with animations and a quick toggle, seamlessly combining functionality with visual appeal. Other updates include: An improved placement of the 'Select' button in the Mail app, making it more accessible for users. A toggle in the Camera app to revert to the classic scroll direction, addressing feedback from users who preferred the previous functionality. Enhanced screen-lock animations, particularly for devices with Always-On Display, adding a polished touch to the user experience. A new AirPods splash screen that explains the meaning of charging case light indicators, improving clarity for users. While these updates enhance the overall experience, some features, such as low power mode, still exhibit minor performance inconsistencies. These issues highlight areas where further refinement is needed before the final release. Performance and Battery Life: Incremental Improvements iOS 26 beta 5 demonstrates noticeable progress in terms of performance and stability compared to earlier beta versions. System crashes and bugs have been significantly reduced, resulting in a smoother and more reliable user experience. Battery life has also seen improvements, though it remains slightly below the levels achieved in stable iOS releases. These advancements suggest that Apple is prioritizing both reliability and efficiency as the final release date approaches. For users testing the beta, the improved stability and performance provide a more seamless experience, though further optimizations are expected in subsequent updates. Apple's AI Initiatives: Expanding the Ecosystem Apple is making strides in artificial intelligence alongside its iOS updates, signaling a broader strategic focus on this rapidly evolving field. Reports indicate that Apple has formed an internal team, reportedly named 'AKI,' to develop a ChatGPT-like chatbot. This initiative could result in a standalone AI app, separate from Siri, offering advanced conversational capabilities and potentially transforming how users interact with Apple devices. In addition to this, Apple is actively recruiting engineers with expertise in search algorithms and machine learning, further emphasizing its commitment to strengthening its AI infrastructure. These efforts suggest that Apple is positioning itself to compete more aggressively in the AI space, with potential implications for both software and hardware integration across its ecosystem. iPhone 17 Rumors and Anticipated Features As excitement builds for the iPhone 17 lineup, rumors suggest that Apple is preparing to introduce innovative technologies that will redefine user expectations. The lineup, expected to launch on September 9, 2025, may include several innovative features aimed at enhancing both design and functionality. Rumored features include: Liquid silicone cases with integrated lanyard straps, offering improved durability and convenience for users. A 2.49mm thin battery with a 2800mAh capacity in the iPhone 17 Air, showcasing advancements in battery technology for longer-lasting performance. A custom image sensor capable of dynamic range performance approaching that of the human eye, promising unparalleled photography and videography capabilities. These potential features highlight Apple's focus on blending innovative design with practical functionality, further solidifying its position as a leader in the smartphone market. Broader Ecosystem Updates and Industry Context Beyond iOS and hardware, Apple's ecosystem continues to evolve in ways that demonstrate its versatility and utility. For example, a recent success story involving AirTag showcased its practical applications when the device helped recover $5,000 worth of stolen roofing supplies in Florida. This incident highlights the real-world value of Apple's ecosystem in everyday scenarios. Meanwhile, competitors like Google have taken the opportunity to critique Apple's slower rollout of certain features. A recent Pixel 10 advertisement, for instance, highlighted some of these delays, underscoring the competitive dynamics within the tech industry. As the iOS 26 beta program progresses, weekly updates are expected to address performance issues, refine features, and further optimize the user experience. The final release, anticipated in mid-September 2025, is expected to deliver a polished and feature-rich operating system. Looking Ahead iOS 26 beta 5 represents a significant step forward in Apple's software development, combining aesthetic enhancements, functional improvements, and a glimpse into the company's broader strategic goals. From the liquid glass effect to the development of AI chatbot initiatives, these updates reflect Apple's commitment to delivering a seamless and forward-thinking user experience. As the final release approaches, the tech community eagerly anticipates the culmination of these efforts, alongside the debut of the highly anticipated iPhone 17 lineup. Here is a selection of other guides from our extensive library of content you may find of interest on iOS 26 beta features. Source & Image Credit: Brandon Butch Filed Under: Apple, Apple iPhone, Guides Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
