https://www.afterdawn.com/ Daily updated technology news en-us Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:03:00 GMT Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:09:41 GMT http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 15 https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/15/usb-c-mandatory-charging-laptops-european-union https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/15/usb-c-mandatory-charging-laptops-european-union Petteri Pyyny <p style="text-align:center;"><img src="https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/news/600x400/USB-C-cables-2.jpg" hspace="0" vspace="0" border=0 alt="USB-C to become mandatory method for charging laptops in Europe" /></p><strong>The European Union</strong> approved legislation in 2022 which <a href="https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2022/10/04/usb-c-and-quick-charging-mandatory-eu-phones-laptops">made USB-C a mandatory charging connector</a> in all mobile phones sold in Europe. <br/> <br/>The law came into force for mobile phones in 2025, and as a result, <i>Apple</i> switched to using the USB-C standard in its iPhones already in 2024. The requirement was an excellent example of the legislation's "stickiness," as even though there was no similar requirement in other countries around the world, Apple voluntarily adopted USB-C elsewhere as well. <br/> <br/>Now, based on the same law, the next phase is being entered, as from April 28, 2026, all <strong>laptops</strong> must have a charging capability using a USB-C connector. <br/> <br/>Manufacturers are still allowed to offer other charging options in their computers, but the computer must also be able to be charged with a standard USB-C charger. If the computer supports any kind of fast charging technology, it must also support the standard USB PD fast charging technology. <br/> <br/>In practice, the change means that, for example, on a business trip, you no longer need to take more than one USB PD standard-compliant charger, as <b>the same charger can be used to charge both a mobile phone and a computer</b>. <br/> <br/>Since it is a standard, it also means that chargers from all manufacturers will be cross-compatible. So, you can charge a Lenovo laptop with an Apple charger - and vice versa. <br/> <br/>However, the requirement <b>does not</b> apply to all laptops currently on sale, but rather to new models that are introduced for sale only after April 28, 2026. This means, for example, a new computer introduced in March 2026 can still be sold, even years from now, even if it does not have a USB-C charging port. <br/> <br/>In practice, this means that stores will still be selling new computers for a couple of years that do not have a USB-C charging option. <br/> <br/>The change also means that it is no longer mandatory to supply a charger with computers. However, whether a charger is included with the computer or not must be clearly stated in the device's description and packaging labels. <br/> <br/>This legislation is also very likely to be quite "sticky," meaning it is probable that in the future, all laptops sold worldwide will use a USB-C charging connector. <br/> <br/>More detailed information about the legislation can be found on <a href="https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ%3AC_202402997" target="_blank">the European Union's page on the topic</a> <i>(PDF)</i>.<p><a href="https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/15/usb-c-mandatory-charging-laptops-european-union" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/15/usb-c-mandatory-charging-laptops-european-union#comments" title="View user comments on this article">Comments</a></p><hr /> Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:03:00 GMT https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/15/usb-c-mandatory-charging-laptops-european-union#comments 3 USB-C to become mandatory method for charging laptops in Europe https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/15/eu-official-age-verification-app-is-ready https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/15/eu-official-age-verification-app-is-ready Petteri Pyyny <p style="text-align:center;"><img src="https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/news/600x400/age-verification-old-person-midjourney.png" hspace="0" vspace="0" border=0 alt="EU&apos;s official age verification app is ready - Already in use in some countries" /></p><b>The European Commission</b> has announced that the age verification app is now technically ready. The app is part of the EU's broader effort to protect minors online and provides a way to verify age without revealing the user's identity. <br/> <br/>European Commission president <i>Ursula von der Leyen</i> and executive vice president <i>Henna Virkkunen</i> <a href="https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/statement_26_820" target="_blank">provided</a> more <a href="https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/statement_26_817" target="_blank">information about the app</a> today. The app was first heard about <a href="https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2025/06/02/eu-age-verification-app-mandatory-porn-sites">last summer</a>. In a few countries, testing of the first version of the app had already begun last year. <br/><!-- inStream --> <br/>The app is a direct response to the requirements of the <b>Digital Services Act</b> <i>(DSA)</i>. In recent months, the Commission has tightened its grip especially on large adult entertainment websites and social media platforms, such as TikTok and Meta, accusing them of insufficient age verification and addictive design. <br/> <br/>One of the app's key technical features is the so-called zero-knowledge proof. According to Virkkunen, this means that the user retains full control over their data. <br/> <br/>The app only transmits information to the service about whether the user is over 18 years old. The service provider therefore does not receive the user's name, date of birth, or other identifying information. The user also cannot be tracked across different websites. <br/> <br/>The app's transparency is enhanced by being open source, which allows for independent code review. <br/> <br/>Ursula von der Leyen compared the new age verification solution to the COVID certificate app developed during the pandemic, which was developed in record time and widely used in several different countries. <br/> <br/>The age verification app is already in use or coming into use in seven "leading countries": France, Denmark, Greece, Italy, Spain, Cyprus, and Ireland. These countries plan to integrate the solution as part of their national digital wallets or release it as a separate app. <br/> <br/>In Finland, the project has progressed in close cooperation with authorities. The Office of the Data Protection Ombudsman already confirmed earlier to AfterDawn that an age verification solution is also coming to Finland. <br/><!-- inStream --> <br/>By the end of 2026, Finland will introduce an official European digital identity wallet and the age verification will be one of the wallet's key features alongside the digital ID card.<p><a href="https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/15/eu-official-age-verification-app-is-ready" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/15/eu-official-age-verification-app-is-ready#comments" title="View user comments on this article">Comments</a></p><hr /> Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:00:53 GMT https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/15/eu-official-age-verification-app-is-ready#comments 0 EU's official age verification app is ready - Already in use in some countries https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/14/google-app-for-desktop-windows-search https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/14/google-app-for-desktop-windows-search Petteri Pyyny <p style="text-align:center;"><img src="https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/news/600x400/google-logo-pixelated.jpg" hspace="0" vspace="0" border=0 alt="Google released a new Windows app - brings Google&apos;s AI and Lens to Windows desktops" /></p><strong>Google</strong> has made its desktop application for Windows widely available. The application, <strong>Google app for Desktop</strong>, brings the search giant's AI services directly to the Windows desktop without the user needing to open a separate browser. <br/> <br/>Unlike normally with Google's new innovations, the application is immediately available in all countries - although its user interface currently only works in English. The application works on both Windows 10 and Windows 11. <br/> <br/>The core idea of the application is to bring the entire operating system under one search - strongly reminiscent of <i>macOS's</i> <i>Spotlight</i>. The keyboard shortcut <i>alt + spacebar</i> opens a small floating search bar on the screen, through which one can search simultaneously from multiple sources. From the same search field, one can, of course, perform web searches using Google, but in addition, the search can also find files on the computer's hard drive, applications installed on the computer, and information stored on the user's own Google Drive cloud storage. <br/> <br/><center><img src='https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/storage/pictures/550/google-app-for-desktop-2026.jpg' width='550' height='196' alt='Google app for Desktop in its basic state' loading='lazy' style='height:auto;'/></center> <br/> <br/>The search bar is not just a text field; it also integrates file uploads, screen sharing, and image-based search. One can drag and drop PDF files or images into the search window and ask Google's AI questions related to that file. All web searches open by default in AI mode, and the traditional list of links can only be opened by clicking on a different tab separately. <br/> <br/><center><img src='https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/storage/pictures/550/google-app-for-desktop-image-search-afterdawn.jpg' width='550' height='639' alt='Old AfterDawn layout being processed by Google app for Desktop' loading='lazy' style='height:auto;'/> <br/><i>a piece of the old AfterDawn website's layout has been snipped into the application here</i></center> <br/> <br/>In addition, the application offers the ability to share the entire visible screen content with the AI or select only parts of the information displayed on the screen, from which questions can then be asked. Practically, taking screenshots and then sharing them with the AI for processing in a browser is no longer necessary thanks to Google's new application. The technology is essentially familiar <b>Google Lens</b>, but in a simpler and more tightly integrated form within the operating system. <br/> <br/>The application can be downloaded directly via the official <a href="https://search.google/google-app/desktop/next-steps/" target="_blank">Google app for Desktop download page</a>.<p><a href="https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/14/google-app-for-desktop-windows-search" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/14/google-app-for-desktop-windows-search#comments" title="View user comments on this article">Comments</a></p><hr /> Tue, 14 Apr 2026 21:50:03 GMT https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/14/google-app-for-desktop-windows-search#comments 0 Google released a new Windows app - brings Google's AI and Lens to Windows desktops https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/14/davinci-resolve-v21-beta-photographer-features https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/14/davinci-resolve-v21-beta-photographer-features Petteri Pyyny <p style="text-align:center;"><img src="https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/news/600x400/DaVinci-Resolve-21-PHOTO.jpg" hspace="0" vspace="0" border=0 alt="DaVinci Resolve 21 brings its own section for photographers - AI handles focus, modifies faces, and creates speech" /></p><b>Blackmagic Design</b> released a new version of its flagship video editor, <b>DaVinci Resolve</b>. The public beta version of the upcoming v21 is an interesting one, as it also caters quite a lot of tools for photographers now. <br/> <br/>The new <i>Photo</i> tab brings advanced "node-based" tools, familiar from the video side, to photographers. This means that Hollywood-level color processing can now be applied directly to images. The Photo tab also includes full support for RAW images, albums, and direct camera connection (tethering) with Sony and Canon cameras. <br/> <br/>These features seem like an open attack against <i>Adobe Lightroom</i>, as noted by many people on social media since the announcement. <br/><!-- inStream --> <br/>Another significant thing about the version 21 is that it brings tons of new AI tools for video editing. To mention some, <i>AI Face Age Transformer</i> allows aging or rejuvenating faces with a slider and <i>AI CineFocus</i> is an AI-powered post-capture focus adjustment. <br/> <br/><i>AI UltraSharpen</i> and <i>Motion Deblur</i> improve low-resolution footage and remove motion blur. This means that a potentially failed clip can be subsequently improved with the help of AI. <br/> <br/>In addition, DaVinci Resolve includes an AI Speech Generator, meaning speech can be created from text. The program can clone the user's own voice based on just a 10-second sample. <br/><!-- inStream --> <br/>In addition, the update brings numerous improvements to graphics tools and audio, such as Fairlight folders to facilitate track management. All new features and the beta download link can be found on <a href="https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/media/release/20260414-01" target="_blank">Blackmagic Design's website</a>.<p><a href="https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/14/davinci-resolve-v21-beta-photographer-features" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/14/davinci-resolve-v21-beta-photographer-features#comments" title="View user comments on this article">Comments</a></p><hr /> Tue, 14 Apr 2026 19:48:25 GMT https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/14/davinci-resolve-v21-beta-photographer-features#comments 0 DaVinci Resolve 21 brings its own section for photographers - AI handles focus, modifies faces, and creates speech https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/13/first-details-of-sony-playstation-6-leaked https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/13/first-details-of-sony-playstation-6-leaked Petteri Pyyny <p style="text-align:center;"><img src="https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/news/600x400/Sony-PlayStation-5-floating.jpg" hspace="0" vspace="0" border=0 alt="The first details of the Sony PlayStation 6 console leaked" /></p><strong>Sony's</strong> next-generation game console, the <strong>PlayStation 6</strong> - codenamed <strong>"Orion"</strong> - has been the subject of several leaks this week, which have begun to reveal upcoming details about the PS6. The leaks are quite consistent with each other, so they can be considered relatively reliable. <br/> <br/>According to the information, the PS6 is indeed scheduled to launch already in the fall of 2027, even though it was recently speculated that due to the component crisis, <a href="">the release of the PlayStation 6 might be delayed by several years</a>. The internals of the upcoming console are most clearly presented by the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@MooresLawIsDead/videos" target="_blank"><i>Moore's Law Is Dead</i> YouTube channel</a>, considered a fairly reliable leaker, as well as <i>Kepler_L2</i>. <br/> <br/>At the core of the PlayStation 6 is said to be a partially customized <strong>AMD Orion</strong> system-on-chip, manufactured using <b>TSMC's</b> 3 nm process. At the same time, the console's power consumption has reportedly been improved, and according to claims, the PS6's total power draw would be limited to 160 watts <i>(the PS5's figures are about 200-220 watts)</i>. This would also reduce the console's physical size and make cooling easier. On the graphics side, the Orion chip would be based on AMD's upcoming RDNA 5 architecture, offering computing power of about 34-40 teraflops <i>(PS5: 10.28 teraflops and PS5 Pro: 16.7 teraflops)</i>. <br/> <br/>According to the information, the PS6 would also be backward compatible, meaning the console would be able to play both PS4 and PS5 games. PS3 support, however, would reportedly be left out, which is due to the special characteristics of the PS3's processor and the complexity of emulation. The console's price is set to rise clearly from the current PS5 price level and would likely be in the same range as the current PS5 Pro. Sony apparently originally hoped to keep the price at the same level as the PS5, but the sharp increase in component costs is forcing the PS6's launch price to a clearly higher level. <br/> <br/>An interesting additional angle to the leaks is that both leakers hint that a fully fledged new PlayStation handheld console would be released alongside the PS6. The last time Sony tried its hand in the portable game console segment was with the <a href="https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2011/12/21/ps_vita_selling_strongly_in_japan"><b>PS Vita</b>, which was released in 2011</a> and discontinued in 2019.<p><a href="https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/13/first-details-of-sony-playstation-6-leaked" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/13/first-details-of-sony-playstation-6-leaked#comments" title="View user comments on this article">Comments</a></p><hr /> Mon, 13 Apr 2026 18:08:56 GMT https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/13/first-details-of-sony-playstation-6-leaked#comments 0 The first details of the Sony PlayStation 6 console leaked https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/13/booking-com-hacked-sends-warning-to-its-users https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/13/booking-com-hacked-sends-warning-to-its-users Petteri Pyyny <p style="text-align:center;"><img src="https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/news/600x400/booking-com-logo.jpg" hspace="0" vspace="0" border=0 alt="Booking.com hacked - Sends warning to its users" /></p>One of the world's largest hotel accommodation booking sites, <strong>Booking.com</strong>, has fallen victim to a data breach. <br/> <br/>The site has already sent a warning to some of its customers that their personal data has ended up in the hands of the attackers. However, the company emphasizes that, among other things, credit card details did not leak in connection with the data breach. <br/> <br/>According to <i>The Guardian</i> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/apr/13/booking-com-customers-hack-exposed-data" target="_blank">reporting</a>, the company has not revealed how large a share of its customers the breach affects - nor what specific customer data has fallen into unauthorized hands. <br/> <br/>Although Booking.com is a subsidiary of the American company <b>Booking Holdings</b>, Booking.com's head office is located in Amsterdam. Because of the location of its headquarters, the company's obligation to report data breaches is very clearly defined under EU legislation. The company informed the Dutch authorities about the breach only 22 days after it occurred, and therefore it will have to pay a fine for the delayed notification. <br/> <br/>According to the company <a href="https://www.dutchnews.nl/2026/04/booking-com-warns-customers-after-reservation-data-breach/" target="_blank">statement</a>, the PIN codes for upcoming hotel night reservations have been changed for all customers whose data was involved in the breach.<p><a href="https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/13/booking-com-hacked-sends-warning-to-its-users" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/13/booking-com-hacked-sends-warning-to-its-users#comments" title="View user comments on this article">Comments</a></p><hr /> Mon, 13 Apr 2026 16:34:46 GMT https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/13/booking-com-hacked-sends-warning-to-its-users#comments 0 Booking.com hacked - Sends warning to its users https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/13/roomba-plus-505-combo-review https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/13/roomba-plus-505-combo-review Petteri Pyyny <p style="text-align:center;"><img src="https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/news/600x400/roomba-505-combo-plus-arvostelu.jpg" hspace="0" vspace="0" border=0 alt="Roomba Plus 505 Combo review - Surprisingly good and relatively affordable robot vacuum" /></p>The pioneer of robot vacuums, <strong>iRobot</strong>, significantly updated its product line during 2025. The company's <strong>Roombas</strong> received LiDAR light radars for the first time, and at the same time, the smartphone application intended for controlling the robots was significantly updated <i>(actually, several times)</i>. <br/> <br/>From the new product line, we put one of the most interesting cases to a long test, the <strong>Roomba Plus 505 Combo</strong>, christened with a confusing name monster, which, to avoid any confusion, also bears the name <i>Roomba 505 Combo+</i>. <br/> <br/>This is a robot vacuum that mops floors with rotating mop pads, intelligently avoids obstacles with the help of a camera, empties its own dustbin, and washes its own mops. In other words, a direct answer to the currently most popular category of robot vacuums. <br/> <br/>As is our custom, we put the new product to a user test lasting about six months, where the robot was the only tool responsible for the cleanliness of the apartment's floors throughout our test period. Conveniently, the test also fell in the middle of the Nordic winter, meaning that grit, slush, and various other dirt were carried indoors with shoes, hindering Roomba's work. <br/> <br/>So, let's find out how the Roomba 505 Combo+ performed its task.. <br/> <br/><h2>Table of contents</h2> <ol type="1"> <li><a href="#appearance">Appearance and functions</a></li> <li><a href="#specs">Technical specifications</a></li> <li><a href="#app">Phone app</a></li> <li><a href="#usage">Usage</a></li><li><a href="#obstacles">Obstacle Avoidance</a></li><li><a href="#cleaning">Cleaning Result</a></li><li><a href="#irobot">Roomba's situation..?</a></li> <li><a href="#summary">Summary</a></li> <li><a href="#alternatives">Alternatives</a></li> <li><a href="#pros">Pros</a></li> <li><a href="#cons">Cons</a></li> <li><a href="#stars">Stars</a></li> </ol> <br/><!-- inStream --> <br/><h2 id="appearance">Appearance and features</h2> <br/><center><img src='https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/storage/pictures/550/roomba-505-telakassa.jpg' width='550' height='736' alt='Roomba 505 Combo+, docked' loading='lazy' style='height:auto;'/></center> <br/> <br/>Viewed from the front, the Roomba 505 Combo+ looks like a completely ordinary robot vacuum, but therein lies one significant change in Roomba's new product line: Roomba models have not previously had a LiDAR light radar on top of the robot; instead, the company's robots have navigated in other ways. <br/> <br/><center><img src='https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/storage/pictures/550/roomba-505-lidar.jpg' width='550' height='286' alt='Roomba and its LiDAR' loading='lazy' style='height:auto;'/></center> <br/> <br/>Now, this has moved in line with all other robot vacuum manufacturers. It should be noted that the Roomba 505 Combo+ is by no means the only Roomba model that uses LiDAR, but it is one of the first. <br/> <br/><center><img src='https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/storage/pictures/550/roomba-505-paalta.jpg' width='550' height='523' alt='Roomba 505, seen from the top' loading='lazy' style='height:auto;'/></center> <br/> <br/>Viewed from above, the robot is also very conventional: a round disc with two physical buttons. Pleasingly, most of the robot's surface is textured plastic, not glossy plastic, as in most other robot vacuums. Glossy robots are nice-looking in themselves - for a moment. Until dust and dirt start accumulating on them, after which they constantly look a bit untidy. <br/> <br/><center><img src='https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/storage/pictures/550/roomba-505-kamera.jpg' width='550' height='332' alt='Roomba and its camera' loading='lazy' style='height:auto;'/></center> <br/> <br/>And of course, the robot also has a camera, which is used for identifying <i>(and avoiding)</i> obstacles left on the floor. <br/> <br/><center><img src='https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/storage/pictures/550/roomba-505-pohja-ilman-moppeja.jpg' width='550' height='580' alt='Rooma 505 seen from the bottom, without mopping pads' loading='lazy' style='height:auto;'/> <br/><img src='https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/storage/pictures/550/roomba-505-pohja-moppien-kanssa.jpg' width='550' height='539' alt='Roomba 505 seen from the bottom, mopping pads installed' loading='lazy' style='height:auto;'/></center> <br/> <br/>No major surprises are revealed from the bottom: there are two rotating mop pads, one of which can extend further if necessary when mopping along walls. <br/> <br/>Perhaps the only cause for wonder is that Roomba uses only one cleaning roller - as the company has become known specifically for Roombas usually always using two counter-rotating cleaning rollers, which generally makes vacuuming more effective. <br/> <br/><center><img src='https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/storage/pictures/550/roomba-505-telakka.jpg' width='550' height='659' alt='Roomba 505 dock' loading='lazy' style='height:auto;'/></center> <br/> <br/>The Roomba 505 Combo+'s dock is also a very typical charging dock for a higher-end modern robot vacuum. And the dock has the same problems as other modern robot vacuum docks: it is so large that it cannot be neatly hidden, for example, under a sofa. <br/> <br/><center><img src='https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/storage/pictures/550/roomba-505-polypussi.jpg' width='550' height='492' alt='Dust bag' loading='lazy' style='height:auto;'/></center> <br/> <br/>The dock contains a dust bag into which the robot automatically empties the debris from its internal dustbin at the end of cleaning. The dust bag must be replaced with Roomba's own dust bag when it fills, just like in traditional vacuum cleaners. <br/> <br/><center><img src='https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/storage/pictures/550/roomba-505-vesisailio-kadessa.jpg' width='550' height='598' alt='Clean water tank' loading='lazy' style='height:auto;'/></center> <br/> <br/>For mopping support, both dirty and clean water tanks are available. At the beginning of cleaning, the mop pads are moistened with clean water, and at the end of cleaning, the mop pads are automatically cleaned with clean water - and the dirty water is sucked from the washing tray into its own tank. The water tanks are slightly small compared to most competitors, only 2.3 liters in size. <br/><!-- inStream --> <br/><h2 id="specs">Technical specifications</h2> <br/><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=5> <tr><td><b>Suction power:</b></td><td>7000 Pa</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Navigation:</b></td><td>LiDAR mapping + camera-based obstacle detection</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Mopping method:</b></td><td>Two rotating mopping pads</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Mop lifting:</b></td><td>Detects carpets, lifts mops automatically</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Battery capacity:</b></td><td>5000 mAh</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Battery life:</b></td><td>approx. 90-180 min</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Charging time:</b></td><td>approx. 180 min</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Robot width:</b></td><td>35 cm</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Robot height:</b></td><td>10.6 cm</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Weight:</b></td><td>approx. 4.3 kg</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Threshold climbing:</b></td><td>approx. 2 cm</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Dock functions:</b></td><td>automatic emptying, mop washing and drying</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Dust bag (in dock):</b></td><td>approx. 2.5 liters</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Clean water tank:</b></td><td>2.3 liters</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Dirty water tank:</b></td><td>2.3 liters</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Dock dimensions:</b></td><td>45 x 34.4 x 47 cm</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Dock weight:</b></td><td>approx. 6.3 kg</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Voice assistants:</b></td><td>Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Siri</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Maps:</b></td><td>support for multiple floor plans, can be used on multiple floors; restricted areas; room-specific control</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Filter:</b></td><td>HEPA / fine dust filter</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Price:</b></td><td>at the time of review, approximately �500 / $500</td></tr> </table> <br/><!-- inStream --> <br/><h2 id="app">Phone application</h2> <br/>The smartphone application used by iRobot has undergone many changes over the past year, and in fact, newer robots, such as the Roomba Plus 505 Combo we tested, have switched to using their own Roomba app, instead of the old iRobot Home app. <br/> <br/>At the same time, the company has clearly tested and experimented with various changes to make controlling the robot vacuum as clear as possible for the average consumer. The views have changed so much that sometimes keeping up with the app's logic has been a bit challenging. <br/> <br/><center><a target='_blank' href='https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/storage/pictures/1920/roomba-505-app-main-view.png'><img src='https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/storage/pictures/550/roomba-505-app-main-view.png' width='550' height='1101' alt='Main view of the app' loading='lazy' style='height:auto; max-width:48%; margin: 2px; display: inline;'/></a><a target='_blank' href='https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/storage/pictures/1920/roomba-505-app-start-before-selection.png'><img src='https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/storage/pictures/550/roomba-505-app-start-before-selection.png' width='550' height='1101' alt='Starting the cleaning process through the app' loading='lazy' style='height:auto; max-width:48%; margin: 2px; display: inline;'/></a> <br/><a target='_blank' href='https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/storage/pictures/1920/roomba-505-app-start-select-vac-mop.png'><img src='https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/storage/pictures/550/roomba-505-app-start-select-vac-mop.png' width='550' height='1101' alt='Are we mopping or vacuuming or both?' loading='lazy' style='height:auto; max-width:48%; margin: 2px; display: inline;'/></a><a target='_blank' href='https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/storage/pictures/1920/roomba-505-app-start-select-power.png'><img src='https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/storage/pictures/550/roomba-505-app-start-select-power.png' width='550' height='1101' alt='Choosing the cleaning method' loading='lazy' style='height:auto; max-width:48%; margin: 2px; display: inline;'/></a></center> <br/> <br/>Currently, the main view focuses on offering pre-set routines, from which the robot can be made to perform the most commonly used tasks with a single tap: whether it's a thorough cleaning of the entire apartment or just a light vacuuming in the kitchen. <br/> <br/>Only a couple of routines are visible in the main view, which makes the view a bit annoying when I personally use three or four different routines, depending on the situation. But presumably, for most users, the current solution is quite functional. <br/> <br/><center><a target='_blank' href='https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/storage/pictures/1920/roomba-505-app-history.png'><img src='https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/storage/pictures/550/roomba-505-app-history.png' width='550' height='1101' alt='Cleaning history' loading='lazy' style='height:auto; max-width:32%; margin: 2px; display: inline;'/></a><a target='_blank' href='https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/storage/pictures/1920/roomba-505-app-settings.png'><img src='https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/storage/pictures/550/roomba-505-app-settings.png' width='550' height='1101' alt='Robot settings' loading='lazy' style='height:auto; max-width:32%; margin: 2px; display: inline;'/></a><a target='_blank' href='https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/storage/pictures/1920/roomba-505-app-autowash-settings.png'><img src='https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/storage/pictures/550/roomba-505-app-autowash-settings.png' width='550' height='1101' alt='AutoWash settings' loading='lazy' style='height:auto; max-width:32%; margin: 2px; display: inline;'/></a></center> <br/> <br/>As usual, Roomba does not offer the same level of adjustability in terms of settings as many of its Chinese competitors, but instead, the app's menu structures have aimed for simplicity. <br/> <br/>The current philosophy is not entirely successful in my opinion - and the old Roomba app from a few years ago was clearer in terms of usability, in my opinion. At the same time, certain things, such as adjusting the water amount during mopping, are practically completely hidden, and the chosen routine decides on behalf of the user how water is dispensed to the mop. <br/> <br/>However, for cleaning, there are quite smart solutions available, such as light basic cleaning, deep cleaning - and also adjustment possibilities for different rooms. Thus, you can create your own default settings for each room - whether they only need to be vacuumed or if mopping is also needed, and how thoroughly each room should be cleaned. <br/> <br/><center><a target='_blank' href='https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/storage/pictures/1920/roomba-505-app-map-editing.png'><img src='https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/storage/pictures/550/roomba-505-app-map-editing.png' width='550' height='1101' alt='Main view for map editing features' loading='lazy' style='height:auto; max-width:48%; margin: 2px; display: inline;'/></a><a target='_blank' href='https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/storage/pictures/1920/roomba-505-app-map-keep-out.png'><img src='https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/storage/pictures/550/roomba-505-app-map-keep-out.png' width='550' height='1101' alt='Adding a no-go zone to the map' loading='lazy' style='height:auto; max-width:48%; margin: 2px; display: inline;'/></a> <br/><a target='_blank' href='https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/storage/pictures/1920/roomba-505-app-cleaning-modes-1.png'><img src='https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/storage/pictures/550/roomba-505-app-cleaning-modes-1.png' width='550' height='1101' alt='Cleaning preferences for one, specific room 1/2' loading='lazy' style='height:auto; max-width:48%; margin: 2px; display: inline;'/></a><a target='_blank' href='https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/storage/pictures/1920/roomba-505-app-cleaning-modes-2.png'><img src='https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/storage/pictures/550/roomba-505-app-cleaning-modes-2.png' width='550' height='1101' alt='Cleaning preferences for one, specific room 2/2' loading='lazy' style='height:auto; max-width:48%; margin: 2px; display: inline;'/></a></center> <br/> <br/>Map editing also follows a very simplified model, offering all basic functions, but presented somewhat crudely and abstractly. Perhaps the most important thing to note is that the default cleaning settings for individual rooms are adjusted through the map editor. <br/> <br/>Overall, I was not entirely comfortable with the revamped application: I loved the old iRobot app for its simplicity - and now, in a way, simplicity has been cut back, but without offering all the adjustability that other manufacturers have in their applications. <br/> <br/>As a Finn, I'm also very pleased about the fact that iRobot translates its app and its robots' voice commands to several smaller languages, too <i>(like my native Finnish)</i>. <br/> <br/><h2 id="usage">Usage</h2> <br/>Roomba's daily use does not differ from other robot vacuums in any way. That is, it is meant to be used preferably daily - and not only when the home starts to look dirty. Robot vacuums, generally speaking, are intended to maintain a tidy home, and they may not necessarily clean a completely chaotic apartment in one go, nor is that their purpose. <br/> <br/>The most sensible way to use the robot is through scheduling, if one's daily life and routine allow it. If, on the other hand, you regularly work remotely, for example, the robot can be turned on either by pressing the physical button on the robot or via the application, by selecting the desired routine. <br/><!-- inStream --> <br/>After starting, the robot cleans the designated rooms in the desired order. Finally, it returns to its dock, empties its internal dustbin, and begins washing its mop pads clean. <br/> <br/><center><iframe width="315" height="576" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_jEgP5VSRzQ" title="Roomba Plus 505 Combo+ empties its internal dust bin" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen loading="lazy"></iframe></center> <br/> <br/>Roomba's soundscape is very typical for a robot vacuum, meaning it's nowhere near as loud as a regular vacuum cleaner, but annoying enough that you wouldn't want to listen to it while at home. <br/> <br/><center><img src='https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/storage/pictures/550/roomba-505-pesuallas.jpg' width='550' height='350' alt='Roomba 505 washbasin' loading='lazy' style='height:auto;'/> <br/><i>the washbasin in the dock where the mop pads are automatically washed</i></center> <br/> <br/>The biggest noise from Roomba comes when it empties its internal dustbin into the separate dust bag found in the dock. After that, the mop pad cleaning process begins, which lasts a few minutes. Finally, the drying of the compartment takes one to three hours, during which a slight hum can be heard from the dock - so I do not recommend placing the robot in a location where no extra noise is desired. <br/> <br/>Roomba's battery life was better than average, and I would estimate that during a workday, it can easily clean an apartment with a floor area of approximately 150m2 with one intermediate charge. The robot can thus charge itself during cleaning if the battery is not sufficient to complete the entire routine on a single charge - and Roomba knows where to resume cleaning after charging the battery. <br/> <br/><h2 id="obstacles">Obstacle avoidance</h2> <br/>The Roomba Plus 505 Combo is now the first Roomba to reach our test bench that features both LiDAR light radar and camera-based obstacle avoidance. This combination is thus exactly the same as what all other significant robot vacuum manufacturers use in their higher-end, intelligently obstacle-avoiding robot vacuums. <br/><!-- inStream --> <br/>But of course, as we've noted over the years, merely having LiDAR and a camera in a robot doesn't mean anything in itself - some robot vacuums are utterly terrible at avoiding obstacles left on the floor despite their technology, while others are truly excellent at avoidance. <br/> <br/><center><img src='https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/storage/pictures/550/roomba-505-jumi-matto-2.jpg' width='550' height='322' alt='Roomba 505 stuck with a rug' loading='lazy' style='height:auto;'/></center> <br/> <br/>And Roomba actually pleasantly surprised in this area: it wasn't quite among the top contenders of the obstacle-avoiding robots we tested, but clearly better than most. Actually, the only major problem for Roomba was the chrome kitchen chair legs, which I've dubbed "robot killers," and which most other robot vacuums also stumble upon. <br/> <br/><center><img src='https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/storage/pictures/550/roomba-505-jumi-tuolin-jalka.jpg' width='550' height='383' alt='Roomba stuck with a chair' loading='lazy' style='height:auto;'/> <br/><img src='https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/storage/pictures/550/roomba-505-jumi-tuolin-jalka-2.jpg' width='550' height='345' alt='Roomba 505 stuck with a chair - again' loading='lazy' style='height:auto;'/></center> <br/> <br/>But Roomba handled shoelaces, charger cables, and rugs left on the floor with commendable results. Only a few times had it managed to crumple a light hallway rug so that it couldn't get past it after crumpling, or to ingest a shoelace in the hallway. But during the several-month test period, Roomba was in trouble only very rarely - and the occassional problems were almost always with those kitchen chairs. <br/> <br/><center><img src='https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/storage/pictures/550/roomba-505-jumi-kenka.jpg' width='550' height='570' alt='Roomba has found a shoe lace' loading='lazy' style='height:auto;'/> <br/><img src='https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/storage/pictures/550/roomba-505-jumi-matto.jpg' width='550' height='342' alt='Roomba 505 stuck with a rug, again' loading='lazy' style='height:auto;'/></center> <br/> <br/>Even with chairs, Roomba actually performed better than most other robot vacuums, as the design of the Roomba 505 Combo+ clearly used the same principle as in a <i>Samsung Jet Bot 90+ AI</i> robot vacuum we reviewed years ago: more power is put into the robot. This means Roomba managed to break free from even bad jams several times just by brute force. <br/> <br/><h2 id="cleaning">Cleaning result</h2> <br/>As for cleaning, Roomba was tested extensively, as the robot cleaned our test location from late autumn through winter, until early spring. And in that regard, the Roomba 505 Combo+ was an excellent case: it managed to collect the grit and leca gravel crumbs accumulated in the hallway, in addition to the usual dust found in corners. <br/> <br/><center><iframe width="1366" height="768" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8XCfBYNGo0A" title="Roomba Plus 505 Combo+ cleaning a kitchen" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen loading="lazy" style="max-width:100%"></iframe></center> <br/> <br/>Roomba can lift its mop pads quite well when encountering carpets, and thus it also does not wet carpets or leave dirt from the mop pads on carpet surfaces. But it should be mentioned here that the Roomba 505 Combo+ <b>does not</b> know how to leave its mop pads in its dock - or take them to the dock to wait if they are not needed. So, in this respect, Roomba clearly loses out to its slightly more expensive competitors: since the mops are not automatically detached from the vacuum at all, Roomba is not suitable for plush carpets. The mops dragged along would wet and dirty carpets more than a couple of centimeters thick. <br/> <br/>Another observation related to cleaning also concerns mopping: Roomba uses water quite liberally for washing the mop pads after cleaning - clearly more than other robot vacuums I've tested. In addition, the water tanks in the dock are slightly smaller than in most competitor models. <br/> <br/>From this, it follows that if Roomba is always instructed to also mop the apartment during vacuuming, the water tanks in the dock must be emptied and refilled more often than in most other robot vacuums implemented with similar technology. <br/> <br/>For the same reason, I would schedule the robot to only vacuum during a long vacation, so that cleaning would not stop due to the water tanks emptying or the dirty water tank filling up. <br/> <br/>It should also be mentioned that, because of the patents held by iRobot, Roomba is one of the few robot vacuums that recognizes when its internal dustbin is full - and the robot is able to empty its bin during cleaning at the right time, before continuing the cleaning. This makes Roomba an excellent helper for homes with pets that shed a lot of hair. <br/><!-- inStream --> <br/><h2 id="irobot">Roomba's situation..?</h2> <br/>News about the weak financial situation of iRobot, Roomba's owner, was reported throughout 2025. The situation naturally worried current and potential buyers of Roomba vacuums - because if the company collapsed, support services and app functionalities might cease. <br/> <br/>However, the situation eventually resolved happily for robot owners, though poorly for iRobot's shareholders: the entire <a href="https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2025/12/15/irobot-sold-to-china-chapter-11">iRobot transferred to new owners through debt restructuring</a>. The new owner is practically the same company that has been manufacturing Roombas for years. <br/> <br/>In the current situation, Roomba is easy to recommend again, as the company's current ownership structure appears stable. The new owner has also promised that service and warranty will continue as usual for previously purchased Roomba models. <br/> <br/>Of course, it can be considered problematic that the previously American iRobot is now also a Chinese-owned company - like almost all other major robot vacuum manufacturers, with the exception of South Korea's Samsung. <br/> <br/><h2 id="summary">Summary</h2> <br/>The Roomba 505 Combo+ <i>(aka Roomba Plus 505 Combo, aka Roomba 505 Combo+ AutoWash)</i> was an interesting addition to the wide range of robot vacuums. It doesn't bring anything truly new to modern robot vacuums per se, but it performs its promised functions well and reliably. <br/> <br/>Particularly pleasing were its competent obstacle avoidance technology and cleaning results. On the other hand, criticism must be given for the somewhat confusing mobile application and, above all, for the robot's inability to detach its mop pads - making it relatively useless for homes with thick carpets. <br/><!-- inStream --> <br/><h2 id="alternatives">Alternatives</h2> <br/>There are plenty of alternatives for Roomba. But if we limit realistic alternatives to robot vacuums that offer camera-based obstacle avoidance, automatic mopping, and a self-emptying dustbin, the selection narrows down to higher-end products. And here Roomba is strong, as it has been sold for even under $500/�500 in early 2026, while challenging many Roborock counterparts in terms of features. <br/> <br/>As comparisons, I would perhaps highlight the <i>Roborock Qrevo Curv</i> and <i>Roborock Qrevo Edge</i> models, which are essentially the same vacuum, just with a different dock. Their price tag has also recently hovered wallet-friendly below the $500/�500 mark. Compared to these, the Qrevos beat Roomba in terms of adjustability, but Roomba, in turn, performed clearly better in obstacle avoidance - offering more reliable daily use. <br/> <br/>Additionally, I'd like to remind that there are huge price fluctuations in robot vacuums constantly - so, actively look for discounts. <br/> <br/><h2 id="pros">Pros</h2> <br/><ul><li>Good cleaning result</li><li>Very good language support, even for smaller languages</li><li>Very good obstacle avoidance for its price range</li><li>Suitable for pet homes</li></ul> <br/> <br/><h2 id="cons">Cons</h2> <br/><ul><li>Cannot leave mops in the dock automatically - therefore poorly suited for thick carpets</li><li>Somewhat confusing mobile application</li><li>Uses a lot of water for mop washing compared to counterparts</li></ul> <br/><!-- inStream --> <br/><h2 id="stars">Stars</h2> <br/><center><img src="https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/press/ad_review/png/colored/ad_review_en_3_5_colored.png" alt="iRobot Roomba 505 Combo+ - AfterDawn review: 3.5/5 stars" width="200" height="200" border="0" loading="lazy" /></center> <br/> <br/>However, the biggest headache when reviewing Roomba was its fluctuating price: the robot's price range was around $700/�800 at the beginning of our test period, which would be far too much for this particular model. But the price dropped to around $500/�500 over the winter, at which point Roomba 505 became competitive again in terms of price-quality ratio. <br/> <br/>At the time of our review, Roomba's price has been pretty constantly set at $500/�500, so we've deciding our star rating based on that price level. And <b>with a price tag under �500/$500, Roomba Plus 505 Combo is, in our opinion, a very good robot vacuum</b>.<p><a href="https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/13/roomba-plus-505-combo-review" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/13/roomba-plus-505-combo-review#comments" title="View user comments on this article">Comments</a></p><hr /> Mon, 13 Apr 2026 15:21:00 GMT https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/13/roomba-plus-505-combo-review#comments 0 Roomba Plus 505 Combo review - Surprisingly good and relatively affordable robot vacuum https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/12/cpu-z-and-hwmonitor-official-download-links-hijacked-malware https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/12/cpu-z-and-hwmonitor-official-download-links-hijacked-malware Petteri Pyyny <p style="text-align:center;"><img src="https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/news/600x400/hacking-security-pixabay.jpg" hspace="0" vspace="0" border=0 alt="CPU-Z and HWMonitor official download links hijacked, malware included" /></p>For the past few years, there have been warnings online that software should always be downloaded from trusted sources - and preferably from the developers' own websites. <br/> <br/>But even this advice doesn't always help. <br/> <br/>The official website for <strong>HWMonitor</strong> and <strong>CPU-Z</strong>, hugely popular programs among PC enthusiasts, was successfully hijacked. Both programs are developed by the same company, <strong>CPUID</strong>, and both programs are available for download through the same site. <br/> <br/>The perpetrators who hijacked the site did not cause any easily noticeable damage to the sites; instead, they only changed the official download links for both programs to point to fake download files containing malware. The issue came to light when users who had downloaded the programs started complaining on social media about how antivirus software completely freaked out over recently downloaded CPU-Z or HWMonitor. Some users also contacted CPUID directly. <br/> <br/>CPUID managed to rectify the situation six hours after the site's download links were changed to point to installation files containing malware. However, users who downloaded either program from its official site between April 9, 2026, and April 10, 2026, also received malware on their computers as a bonus with the program. According to the company's <a href="https://x.com/d0cTB/status/2042520961824559150" target="_blank">statement</a> <i>(X/Twitter)</i>, the incident was caused by a vulnerability in CPUID's API interface, which attackers successfully exploited. <br/> <br/>The attackers did not manage to modify the actual, legitimate installation files in any way; instead, in the attack, users' downloads were redirected to unofficial installation files - that is, ones that had malware combined alongside the actual CPU-Z or HWMonitor installation file. <br/> <br/>The malicious installer contained a fake <i>CRYPTBASE.DLL</i> file, which masqueraded as a Windows system component. This file connected to a command server and downloaded additional malware code onto the victim's machine. Particularly concerning was that the malware aimed to stay off the hard drive as much as possible and operated mainly in the computer's RAM, utilizing, for example, PowerShell commands. This allowed it to evade many traditional anti-malware detection methods. <br/> <br/>Based on <a href="https://x.com/vxunderground/status/2042499378233876715" target="_blank">analyses by third parties</a> <i>(X/Twitter)</i>, the primary goal of the malware was to steal usernames and passwords stored in browsers - especially Chrome. The malicious code was observed interacting with Chrome's API, which can be used to decrypt and collect passwords. <br/> <br/>Windows' own antivirus, <b>Windows Defender</b>, and other common antivirus programs detected the malware already when it was attempted to be installed. Thus, damage has primarily occurred to those users who chose to disregard antivirus warnings and installed the infected version of CPU-Z or HWMonitor despite the warnings. <br/> <br/>According to CPUID, it cannot estimate how many users downloaded the infected installer from its site during those six hours. However, if you installed or updated either program on April 9th or 10th, it is recommended to run an antivirus scan on your computer immediately.<p><a href="https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/12/cpu-z-and-hwmonitor-official-download-links-hijacked-malware" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/12/cpu-z-and-hwmonitor-official-download-links-hijacked-malware#comments" title="View user comments on this article">Comments</a></p><hr /> Sun, 12 Apr 2026 06:13:00 GMT https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/12/cpu-z-and-hwmonitor-official-download-links-hijacked-malware#comments 0 CPU-Z and HWMonitor official download links hijacked, malware included https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/11/microsoft-removing-copilot-from-windows-apps-not-ai https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/11/microsoft-removing-copilot-from-windows-apps-not-ai Petteri Pyyny <p style="text-align:center;"><img src="https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/news/600x400/Microsoft-Copilot-Pro-Hero-IconOnly.jpg" hspace="0" vspace="0" border=0 alt="Microsoft started removing Copilot from Windows apps - but not the AI" /></p><strong>Microsoft</strong> has started removing its <strong>Copilot</strong> AI brand from <strong>Windows</strong> applications. <br/> <br/>The company has, in recent years, pushed AI into almost all possible applications - including utilities shipped with Windows. At the same time, every single update that even slightly smelled of AI has been branded with the company's Copilot brand. <br/> <br/>Now, a clear rollback has begun, and the first results are already visible. <a href="https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/microsoft-finally-begins-removing-copilot-from-notepad-on-windows-11-but-the-ai-still-persists" target="_blank">According</a> to <i>Windows Central</i>, Copilot branding and Copilot logos have already been removed from a recent experimental version of Windows 11, at least from <b>Notepad</b>. <br/> <br/>However, the AI functionalities have not disappeared; they have only been renamed. So, Notepad's AI-assisted writing mode, previously branded with the Copilot logo, is now simply named the <i>"Writing Tools"</i> menu. <br/> <br/>On the other hand, significant updates are apparently coming to Windows applications already this year, as the company has <a href="https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/04/windows-11-major-overhaul-native-apps">formed a new team whose task is to lighten Windows applications</a>. The team leader states that the majority of Windows applications will be implemented with so-called native code, focusing on the lightness and speed of the applications.<p><a href="https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/11/microsoft-removing-copilot-from-windows-apps-not-ai" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/11/microsoft-removing-copilot-from-windows-apps-not-ai#comments" title="View user comments on this article">Comments</a></p><hr /> Sat, 11 Apr 2026 06:07:00 GMT https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/11/microsoft-removing-copilot-from-windows-apps-not-ai#comments 0 Microsoft started removing Copilot from Windows apps - but not the AI https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/10/fbi-managed-to-extract-signal-messages-from-suspect-s-phone-even-after-signal-was-deleted https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/10/fbi-managed-to-extract-signal-messages-from-suspect-s-phone-even-after-signal-was-deleted Petteri Pyyny <p style="text-align:center;"><img src="https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/news/600x400/signal-android.jpg" hspace="0" vspace="0" border=0 alt="FBI managed to extract Signal messages from suspect&apos;s phone even after Signal was deleted" /></p>Most people are likely well aware that <strong>Signal</strong> is one of the most strongly encrypted instant messaging apps available. <br/> <br/>Signal has even added so-called quantum-resistant encryptionto its app, designed to prevent message encryption from being broken by future quantum computers. <br/> <br/>Naturally, this creates challenges for authorities, as all communication on Signal is end-to-end encrypted. Put simply, this means that Signal messages cannot be accessed on any device other than the intended recipient's phone running the Signal app. <br/> <br/><i>404 Media</i> <a href="https://www.404media.co/fbi-extracts-suspects-deleted-signal-messages-saved-in-iphone-notification-database-2/" target="_blank">reports</a> <i>(paywalled)</i> on a case where the United States federal police, the <strong>FBI</strong>, managed to obtain part of a suspect's Signal message history. <br/> <br/>The individual was suspected of vandalizing property belonging to the United States immigration authority, <b>ICE</b>. He was arrested and authorities gained access to his <b>iPhone</b>. However, the suspect had deleted the Signal app entirely from the phone, along with all of its message history. <br/> <br/>Despite this, the FBI managed to recover the suspect's <b>received</b> messages in a rather unexpected way. <br/> <br/>The iPhone includes a built-in notification history database, which stores all incoming app notifications. Crucially, this database is not protected by any separate password -- once the phone itself is unlocked, the notification history database is also accessible. <br/> <br/>In other words, the FBI was not able to recover deleted Signal messages themselves, but instead retrieved the received messages because traces of them had been stored at the system level on the iPhone. <br/> <br/>So this is not a security vulnerability in Signal itself, but rather an issue related to the operating system the app was used on. If the suspect had completely disabled notifications for Signal, they would <i>(presumably)</i> not have been stored in the iPhone's internal database either. <br/> <br/>Users can also configure Signal notifications so that they only display the sender's name, without showing the message content - in which case the iPhone's notification history would only contain information about who sent the message. <br/> <br/>Android devices have a somewhat similar notification history feature as well, although on some phones it must be enabled separately. But if it is enabled, the same situation would most likely apply to Android phones too.<p><a href="https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/10/fbi-managed-to-extract-signal-messages-from-suspect-s-phone-even-after-signal-was-deleted" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/10/fbi-managed-to-extract-signal-messages-from-suspect-s-phone-even-after-signal-was-deleted#comments" title="View user comments on this article">Comments</a></p><hr /> Fri, 10 Apr 2026 22:02:33 GMT https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/10/fbi-managed-to-extract-signal-messages-from-suspect-s-phone-even-after-signal-was-deleted#comments 0 FBI managed to extract Signal messages from suspect's phone even after Signal was deleted https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/10/chrome-vertical-tabs https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/10/chrome-vertical-tabs Petteri Pyyny <p style="text-align:center;"><img src="https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/news/600x400/chrome-vertical-tabs.jpg" hspace="0" vspace="0" border=0 alt="Chrome got vertical tabs" /></p><strong>Chrome's</strong> desktop version has received two desired new features: <b>vertical tabs</b> and an improved immersive <b>reading mode</b>. <br/> <br/>According to <strong>Google</strong>, this is one of the biggest user interface changes in Chrome's history, as the traditional horizontal orientation of tabs has been in use since the browser's early days. At the same time, Chrome is catching up with other browsers, as vertical tabs, which are placed on the side, have already arrived in most of its competitors. <br/> <br/>Vertical tabs offer an alternative to the traditional tab bar. In the new view, all open tabs are listed on the left side of the browser window, allowing website titles to be seen better - even when many tabs are open. This particularly eases the workflow for users who use many tabs simultaneously. The view can also be condensed into mere icons, so that the side tabs do not consume as much browser screen real estate. <br/> <br/>Enabling the feature is simple: the user only needs to right-click the top of the browser window and select <i>"Show tabs vertically"</i> from the menu. Returning to the traditional horizontal tab bar is done in the same way. <br/> <br/>The second update is an "immersive" reading mode, which is not a new function per se, but an improved version of the reading mode already present in Chrome. The new function expands the reading mode to the size of the entire browser window, removing extra visual elements from web pages and focusing solely on text. Reading mode can be activated either from the right-click menu or from a separate reading mode icon found in the address bar. <br/> <br/>Both updates are already being rolled out and will gradually become available to all desktop users, across all supported operating systems <i>(Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS)</i>.<p><a href="https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/10/chrome-vertical-tabs" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/10/chrome-vertical-tabs#comments" title="View user comments on this article">Comments</a></p><hr /> Fri, 10 Apr 2026 03:18:00 GMT https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/10/chrome-vertical-tabs#comments 0 Chrome got vertical tabs https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/09/nasa-phone-wallpapers-artemis-ii https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/09/nasa-phone-wallpapers-artemis-ii Petteri Pyyny <p style="text-align:center;"><img src="https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/news/600x400/artemis-2-christina-koch-earth.jpg" hspace="0" vspace="0" border=0 alt="NASA released images suitable for phone wallpapers from the Artemis II mission" /></p>The US space agency <strong>NASA</strong> has noticed that space has garnered a great deal of interest from people following the <strong>Artemis II</strong> moon mission. <br/> <br/>The internet has indeed been full of derivative works created from images published by NASA. <br/> <br/>But NASA wanted to make life a bit easier for space fans and released a collection of the best images taken during the Artemis II moon mission, in a format suitable for <b>phone wallpaper</b>. <br/> <br/>Among the ready-made, free wallpapers is, for example, the delightful "earthset," where Earth slowly disappears behind the Moon. <br/> <br/>NASA's wallpapers intended for mobile phones <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/artemis-ii-mobile-wallpapers/" target="_blank">can be found here</a>.<p><a href="https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/09/nasa-phone-wallpapers-artemis-ii" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/09/nasa-phone-wallpapers-artemis-ii#comments" title="View user comments on this article">Comments</a></p><hr /> Thu, 9 Apr 2026 18:57:59 GMT https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/09/nasa-phone-wallpapers-artemis-ii#comments 0 NASA released images suitable for phone wallpapers from the Artemis II mission https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/09/duobell-bicycle-bell-manages-to-deceive-noise-cancelling-headphones https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/09/duobell-bicycle-bell-manages-to-deceive-noise-cancelling-headphones Petteri Pyyny <p style="text-align:center;"><img src="https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/news/600x400/skoda-duobell.jpg" hspace="0" vspace="0" border=0 alt="DuoBell - Bicycle bell manages to deceive noise-cancelling headphones" /></p>Better known for its cars, part of the <i>VAG group</i>, <strong>Skoda</strong> has developed an invention that we perhaps didn't even realize we needed - but which seems ingenious. <br/> <br/>Skoda's engineers have developed a <strong>bicycle bell</strong> which rings in such a way that it manages to bypass the algorithms of <b>noise-cancelling headphones</b> used by pedestrians. <br/> <br/>Nowadays, there is a huge number of pedestrians using noise-cancelling headphones in traffic, who probably follow car traffic, but not so much cyclists. And in many countries pedestrians and cyclists have traditionally been made to use the same pathways. <br/> <br/>This, of course, leads to the problem that when a cyclist tries to warn a pedestrian with their bell, the pedestrian using noise-cancelling headphones may not hear the bell's sound at all. <br/> <br/>Instead of just making the bell louder, the company's engineers decided to make it smarter instead. Researchers found that virtually all noise-cancelling headphones let sounds through in a specific frequency range <i>(between 750 Hz and 780 Hz)</i>. <br/> <br/><center><a target='_blank' href='https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/storage/pictures/1920/skoda-duobell-sound-frequency-chart.jpg'><img src='https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/storage/pictures/550/skoda-duobell-sound-frequency-chart.jpg' width='550' height='309' alt='Frequency of sound produced by Skoda DuoBell' loading='lazy' style='height:auto;'/></a></center> <br/> <br/>So Skoda's new bicycle bell, the <strong>DuoBell</strong>, emits sound both in that frequency range and in the frequency range produced by traditional bells <i>(hence the "duo" part of the name)</i>. In addition, the bell's "hammer" intentionally produces an irregular sound wave that noise-cancelling headphone algorithms do not have time to recognize - and block. <br/> <br/>The solution is completely analog, meaning the bell contains no electronics at all. <br/> <br/><center><img src='https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/storage/pictures/550/skoda-duobell-mechanics.jpg' width='550' height='303' alt='Skoda DuoBell disassembled' loading='lazy' style='height:auto;'/></center> <br/> <br/>The company published a separate <a href="https://cdn.skoda-storyboard.com/2026/04/Skoda-DuoBell-Research-final_cf127752.pdf" target="_blank">research report</a> <i>(PDF)</i> on the topic, and based on it, other companies are free to develop similar solutions. <br/> <br/>The DuoBell was tested in real life in London, where they were distributed to local food delivery riders. The bell proved so effective that the food delivery riders wanted to continue using them even after the testing period.<p><a href="https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/09/duobell-bicycle-bell-manages-to-deceive-noise-cancelling-headphones" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/09/duobell-bicycle-bell-manages-to-deceive-noise-cancelling-headphones#comments" title="View user comments on this article">Comments</a></p><hr /> Thu, 9 Apr 2026 18:53:17 GMT https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/09/duobell-bicycle-bell-manages-to-deceive-noise-cancelling-headphones#comments 0 DuoBell - Bicycle bell manages to deceive noise-cancelling headphones https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/08/youtube-premium-on-the-go-auto-speed https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/08/youtube-premium-on-the-go-auto-speed Janne Yli-Korhonen <p style="text-align:center;"><img src="https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/news/600x400/YouTube-Premium-test-on-the-go.jpg" hspace="0" vspace="0" border=0 alt="YouTube&apos;s new On-the-Go mode makes it easier to use videos while walking - new features in testing for Premium subscribers" /></p><b>YouTube</b> has introduced two new experimental features for its <i>Premium</i> users, designed to make consuming content on mobile devices easier. The most notable addition is On-the-Go, which transforms the user interface to allow safer management of videos and podcasts even when on the move. <br/> <br/>Many people listen to podcasts or other programs from YouTube during a walk or commute. Until now, managing the video has required precision, as the interface buttons have been small and surrounded by distracting elements, such as comments. <br/> <br/>The new On-the-Go mode is specifically designed to bring relief to such situations. Its simplified mode offers large and easy-to-hit buttons for playback, rewinding, and pausing. <br/><!-- inStream --> <br/>On Android phones, YouTube can automatically suggest turning on the mode if the device's motion sensors detect that the user has been moving (for example, walking) for at least 60 seconds. <br/> <br/>In addition, unnecessary visual elements, such as comments, are hidden so that the user can focus on listening and easier control. <br/> <br/>The feature can also be turned on manually via video settings. Google states that the feature is only available for Android. <br/> <br/>Another new experiment is Auto Speed. It is an AI-based function that dynamically adjusts video playback speed according to the content. <br/> <br/>The purpose of the feature is to save the user's time: it speeds up the video in parts where speech is slow or the amount of information is low, but keeps the speed normal in important or complex sections. The user can set their desired base speed, and the system handles the rest. Currently, Auto Speed only works with English-language videos on Android and iOS. <br/><!-- inStream --> <br/>According to YouTube, both features are experimental and will be available to Premium subscribers until April 27, 2026. After this, Google will decide, based on user feedback, whether the features will remain part of the application or be removed. <br/> <br/>Premium users can enable the functions through YouTube settings under "Premium benefits".<p><a href="https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/08/youtube-premium-on-the-go-auto-speed" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/08/youtube-premium-on-the-go-auto-speed#comments" title="View user comments on this article">Comments</a></p><hr /> Wed, 8 Apr 2026 18:41:49 GMT https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/08/youtube-premium-on-the-go-auto-speed#comments 0 YouTube's new On-the-Go mode makes it easier to use videos while walking - new features in testing for Premium subscribers https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/08/samsung-profits-surge-as-memory-gets-ridiculously-expensive https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/08/samsung-profits-surge-as-memory-gets-ridiculously-expensive Petteri Pyyny <p style="text-align:center;"><img src="https://cdn.afterdawn.fi/news/600x400/samsung-logo-large-conference.JPG" hspace="0" vspace="0" border=0 alt="Samsung&apos;s profits surge, as memory gets ridiculously expensive" /></p>Almost all electronics companies have been struggling due to the <b>memory crisis</b> that began in autumn 2025. Companies have been forced to cut their margins, downgrade the specs of their upcoming products - and gradually pass on sharply increased costs to consumers. <br/> <br/>The surge in prices of memory chips and NAND flash used in SSDs is largely driven by AI companies, which are racing to build data centers around the world. In the process, they are effectively buying up all available memory chips on the market - at any price. <br/> <br/>Naturally, there are also winners in this otherwise grim development. One of the biggest beneficiaries is Korean conglomerate <strong>Samsung</strong>, and particularly its electronics manufacturing arm, <strong>Samsung Electronics</strong>. For consumers, Samsung Electronics is best known for its smartphones and televisions - businesses that are also being hit hard by rising component costs. <br/> <br/>But at the same time, Samsung Electronics is also <a href="https://www.researchandmarkets.com/articles/key-companies-in-next-generation-memory" target="_blank">the world's largest manufacturer of memory chips</a>. The company itself has directly contributed to the current price surge by raising its own memory prices amid virtually unlimited demand. <br/> <br/>At the same time, the actual cost of manufacturing memory chips has not meaningfully increased. In other words, the massive price hikes are effectively pure profit for the largest memory manufacturers. <br/> <br/>And it shows. <br/> <br/>Samsung Electronics has <a href="https://news.samsung.com/global/samsung-electronics-announces-earnings-guidance-for-first-quarter-2026" target="_blank">released its preliminary financial results for the first quarter</a>, and based on those figures, the memory crisis has been a true goldmine for the company. According to early estimates, Samsung Electronics' revenue grew to 133 trillion won <i>(appx. $90 billion)</i> in the first quarter - but the most striking figure is the <b>operating profit</b>, which surged to 57.2 trillion won <i>(appx. $39 billion)</i>. <br/> <br/>The company's operating profit nearly increased eightfold compared to the same period last year. In fact, its first-quarter profit alone exceeded the company's total profit for the entire previous <b>year</b>. Samsung itself stated that AI-driven demand for memory chips was the primary reason behind the surge in profits - nearly 95 percent of its earnings came specifically from its semiconductor division. <br/> <br/>Korean financial analysts <a href="https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/008/0005340638?sid=101" target="_blank">estimate</a> <i>(in Korean)</i> that Samsung could generate an astonishing 327 trillion won in operating profit for the full year 2026 - roughly $220 billion. According to the same estimates, 2027 could be even stronger, with Samsung Electronics potentially reaching as much as 488 trillion won in operating profit <i>(appx. $330 billion)</i>. <br/> <br/>If these projections prove accurate, Samsung Electronics would become the most profitable company in the world. For comparison, highly profitable <i>Google</i> parent company <i>Alphabet</i> generated appx. $129 billion in operating profit last year, while <i>Apple</i> reported about $133 billion in operating profit for its fiscal year 2025.<p><a href="https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/08/samsung-profits-surge-as-memory-gets-ridiculously-expensive" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/08/samsung-profits-surge-as-memory-gets-ridiculously-expensive#comments" title="View user comments on this article">Comments</a></p><hr /> Wed, 8 Apr 2026 17:40:22 GMT https://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2026/04/08/samsung-profits-surge-as-memory-gets-ridiculously-expensive#comments 0 Samsung's profits surge, as memory gets ridiculously expensive