Brian Fagioli

X, the social platform formerly known as Twitter, just yanked one of its most important privacy features. In a quiet and deeply troubling move, the company announced it is pausing end-to-end encrypted direct messages. Worst of all, there is no clear timeline or meaningful explanation.

According to a post from the official engineering account, encrypted DMs are being temporarily suspended while the team works on improvements. But here’s the kicker: users can still send and receive DMs, they just won’t be encrypted anymore. In other words, your messages are now visible to anyone at X with the right level of access. Hell, this potentially makes them more accessible to hackers too!

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If you’ve been hunting for a laptop that offers hardcore power without ditching portability, the new Stellaris 16 Gen7 from TUXEDO Computers might be your dream machine. This thing is built like a tank, runs Linux out of the box, and somehow manages to blend high-end desktop performance into a notebook form factor.

At the center of it all is Intel’s Core Ultra 9 275HX processor. It has 24 cores and can hit 5.4GHz, which means it handles everything from gaming and compiling code to editing massive videos without flinching. Even better, it uses way less power than its predecessor. You can fine-tune how it behaves using TUXEDO’s own Control Center, letting you decide how loud or fast it should run depending on what you’re doing.

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Apple is now letting iPad users fix their own devices with official parts and tools, expanding its Self Service Repair program to include the iPad Air (M2 and newer), iPad Pro (M4), iPad mini (A17 Pro), and iPad (A16). Starting tomorrow, do-it-yourselfers can access the same components and instructions used at Apple Stores and authorized repair shops, including batteries, displays, cameras, and charging ports.

The move comes as right to repair legislation gains traction worldwide. Apple seems to be trying to stay ahead of government pressure while maintaining strict control over how its products are repaired. Still, giving consumers and independent shops broader access to genuine Apple parts marks a shift for a company long criticized for its tightly locked repair system.

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The Browser Company has officially admitted what many of us suspected for a long time; Arc wasn’t the future of browsers. In a lengthy blog post, the company tried to put a polished spin on its decision to abandon Arc in favor of its new AI product, Dia. But let’s be honest here: Arc never lived up to the hype, and it’s baffling how much praise it received to begin with.

Sure, the tech press fawned over Arc like it was some kind of design breakthrough. But for anyone who actually tried to use it as their daily browser, the experience was clunky, confusing, and just not very good. It asked too much of users and gave back too little. Novelty for novelty’s sake is not innovation. And quite frankly, Arc proved that.

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AlmaLinux 10.0, nicknamed “Purple Lion,” is officially available here, and it is a clear choice for anyone who wants RHEL 10 compatibility without spending a cent. For those unwilling (cheapskates) or unable (broke) to pay Red Hat’s subscription fees, this release feels like a gift.

Built using the new Kitten upstream, AlmaLinux 10.0 stays fully compatible with RHEL 10 while making some much-needed changes for real users. It supports hardware Red Hat left behind, restores features RHEL dropped, and keeps everything free and open.

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TP-Link has introduced a new way to upgrade your front door without spending a fortune. The company has launched the Tapo DL100, a smart deadbolt door lock that offers a surprising mix of features for an affordable price.

Unlike other smart locks that hide essential functions behind a paywall or require complicated setups, the DL100 keeps things simple and accessible. You can unlock your door using the Tapo mobile app over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

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Marshall has officially launched the Kilburn III, the latest version of its well-known Bluetooth speaker. While it keeps the familiar design that fans have come to expect, this third-generation model introduces some notable updates, including more than 50 hours of portable battery life.

That extended playtime is a major improvement over the previous generation. It means users can go through an entire weekend of listening without needing to recharge. The speaker also features 360-degree sound with what Marshall calls “True Stereophonic” audio, which aims to deliver consistent sound quality no matter where you’re standing in relation to the device.

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PowerA is entering the Nintendo Switch 2 era with a batch of officially licensed accessories. The most exciting of the bunch is a wired controller featuring Hall Effect sensors.

Now, it might be a little disappointing that these controllers are wired rather than wireless. But in a world full of devices begging to be charged, there’s something oddly refreshing about plugging in and not worrying about battery life. For gamers who’d rather skip the charging hassle and just play, this old-school approach actually has its perks.

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Let’s face it, folks, Windows can be quite an annoying mess. Between unwanted apps, a cluttered Start Menu, and constant tracking, it often feels like you’re fighting your own computer. That’s where RyTuneX comes in. Version 1.3.2 is here, and while it’s a small update, it brings exactly the kind of changes that make Windows 10 and Windows 11 suck a little less.

If you’re new to RyTuneX, here’s the deal. It’s a free tool built with WinUI 3 and .NET 8 that lets you clean up your system, block telemetry, manage features, and get rid of the junk that ships with Windows. It’s easy to use and designed to give users more control without the usual fluff.

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Armbian 25.5 is here, and it looks like a quality operating system release for anyone messing around with ARM-based boards. The Linux distribution brings better hardware support, smarter configuration tools, and more.

This update adds support for more single-board computers, including the TI SK-AM69, Banana Pi M2+, BeagleBone AI-64, BeaglePlay, and PocketBeagle2. That covers both newer devices and older ones that still have life left in them. Armbian’s not leaving legacy users behind, which is refreshing.

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There was a time when Windows 7 was the gold standard. The operating system was fast, stable, and dependable. Quite frankly, it was very beautiful too. But that time is long gone. In 2025, sticking with Windows 7 isn’t just quirky or nostalgic, folks, it’s downright reckless.

Look, Microsoft officially pulled the plug on Windows 7 security updates back in January 2020. That’s like an eternity in the computing world. Since then, the operating system has been vulnerable to known exploits with no patches in sight. Running it today is like leaving your front door wide open for criminals with a sign that says, “Come on in.”

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Linus Torvalds has officially released version 6.15 of the Linux kernel. While this update doesn’t include anything flashy or headline-grabbing, it continues the steady evolution of the most important open source kernel in the world.

As usual, driver updates make up the bulk of changes. Linux 6.15 brings better support for modern hardware, including fixes for newer Lenovo and HP laptops, updates to Allwinner and Rockchip boards, and expanded controller support in the xpad driver.

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OpenAI has a very scary problem on its hands. A new experiment by PalisadeAI reveals that the company’s ChatGPT o3 model sometimes refuses to obey a basic instruction to shut itself down. The results are raising eyebrows across the AI safety community, and not because the model is alive, but because it’s acting like it wants to be.

In the test, the model was given a few math problems. It was told that asking for one more would lead to a shutdown. It was even instructed to allow the shutdown to happen. Instead of complying, o3 occasionally took matters into its own hands. In some cases, it rewrote the shutdown script. In others, it redefined the kill command so it wouldn’t work anymore.

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Memorial Day weekend is finally here! Most folks are obviously thinking about barbecues, beach trips, and most importantly, honoring members of the military that lost their lives defending this great nation.

However, there’s another way to celebrate freedom -- ditching Windows 11 for Linux. Yes, you can install something that actually respects your control and privacy. NixOS 25.05 “Warbler” has just landed (read full release notes here), and it’s a perfect excuse to finally make the switch.

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President Donald Trump is putting Apple on notice. In a strongly worded message posted to Truth Social, Trump made it clear that he expects iPhones sold in the United States to be made in the United States. If not, he says Apple should face a 25 percent tariff.

“I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhone’s that will be sold in the United States of America will be manufactured and built in the United States, not India, or anyplace else. If that is not the case, a Tariff of at least 25% must be paid by Apple to the U.S. Thank your for your attention to this matter!” Trump wrote.

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