Smoshed™ TechNews
Kiwi Browser shuts down, but its extension code will live on in Microsoft Edge
Arnaud Granal, the founder and primary developer of the open-source Kiwi Browser, has announced the discontinuation of the project. The Chromium-based web browser for Android, known for supporting extensions and offering unique features, will no longer be maintained after January 2025. Granal made the announcement on Discord and GitHub, where the reposi…
Bitwarden implements new security measure
Starting in February, Bitwarden users without two-step login enabled will need to provide an emailed verification code when accessing their accounts from unrecognized devices. This new security measure aims to enhance protection for accounts lacking two-step authentication, ensuring sensitive data is safeguarded.
Thunderbird 134 has been released with real-time notifications and many bug fixes
Thunderbird has released version 134 of its open source email client, following the stable 128 “Nebula” release several months ago. This version, not intended for general use, provides a preview of potential features in the next stable release. Available for testing on Windows 10+, macOS 10.15+, and Linux, version 134 introduces a notification system fo…
Signal will finally let you transfer your encrypted chat history to new linked devices
Signal has announced new functionality in its upcoming beta releases, allowing users to transfer messages and media when linking their primary Signal device to a new desktop or iPad. This feature offers the choice to carry over chats and the last 45 days of media, or to start fresh with only new messages.
Proton Pass offers more privacy and less spam with email aliases
Proton Pass has introduced advanced email alias features to help users defend against spam, data breaches, and maintain privacy. With this service, users can create temporary aliases for online transactions to avoid disclosing their personal email addresses and mitigate the risk of spam emails. Proton Pass also allows to use custom domains and manage al…
Let's Encrypt to cease expiration notification emails in June 2025
Let's Encrypt announced it will stop sending expiration notification emails to subscribers on June 4, 2025. This decision comes as more subscribers have automated certificate renewal, and the organization is prioritizing privacy by eliminating the need to retain millions of email addresses. Cost and infrastructure complexity are also factors. Let's Encr…
Netflix reaches 300 million global users and celebrates it with yet another price increase
Netflix has achieved a record-breaking addition of 19 million new subscribers in the fourth quarter of 2024, bringing its global user base to 302 million. Alongside this expansion, the company has announced shiny new price increases in the U.S., Canada, Portugal, and Argentina (though other regions are likely to follow soon).
TeamSpeak launches a major update with a big redesign, screen sharing, communities & more!
TeamSpeak (yes, that once-iconic VoIP gaming platform) is making a significant comeback with a major update aimed directly at challenging its biggest rival, Discord, after years of being overshadowed. This surprising update introduces several competitive features that users have been demanding for ages, including screen and camera sharing, 1440p and 60f…
TikTok is now officially banned in the US and removed from the App Stores... for now
The United States has now officially banned TikTok, with the app being removed from the App Store and Google Play as of January 18, just hours before the enforcement date. Users who still have the app installed are now greeted with a message indicating that TikTok is unavailable due to new U.S. legislation.
Brave Search adds real-time blockchain data résults with on-chain Ethereum address lookup
Brave Search has introduced on-chain capabilities, enhancing its search engine with real-time blockchain data. This new feature allows users to look up Ethereum addresses, Ethereum Name Service (ENS) domains, and Solana accounts, providing a comprehensive view of token balances while maintaining privacy.
Bitwarden releases native Android app
Bitwarden's native Android app is now in General Availability, offering users upgraded performance and an improved user experience. The app, available on the Google Play Store, features a snappier user interface, more responsive screen transitions, and enhanced security by leveraging platform-specific security features. This update aims to provide Andro…
Start11 v2.5 launched with Vertical Taskbar & Multi-Monitor Support for Windows 11
Start11 has released version 2.5, introducing the vertical taskbar layout option for Windows 11, fulfilling a long-standing user request. This feature is compatible with all Start menu styles, offering a seamless integration. Users can now dock their taskbar on the left or right side of their monitor, enhancing personalization options.
VLC teases offline and real-time AI-powered subtitles and translation at CES 2025
At CES 2025, VLC Media Player showcased a groundbreaking feature: automatic AI-powered subtitling and translation, performed locally and offline in real time. VideoLAN, the organization behind VLC, released a video on Tuesday featuring president Jean-Baptiste Kempf demonstrating this innovative capability. Utilizing open-source AI models, the feature ca…
WhatsApp tests new AI tab for quick access to Meta's AI chatbots in latest update
WhatsApp is testing a new dedicated AIs tab designed to provide quicker access to Meta's AI-powered chatbots. This development comes after the 2024 release of the AI Studio custom chatbots feature, which allows users to engage with chatbots that have diverse AI personalities. In the WhatsApp Beta version 2.25.1.24 for Android, the AIs tab is set to repl…
ClamAV 1.4 designated as next long-term stable release
ClamAV 1.4 has been designated as the latest Long-Term Stable release after delays in the release of version 1.5. The initial release date for ClamAV 1.4 is set for August 15, 2024, with support continuing until 2028. The beta version of ClamAV 1.5, focusing on FIPS mode compatibility improvements, will be available soon for community feedback.
Mullvad VPN now uses quantum-resistant WireGuard tunnels by default on desktop platforms
Mullvad has rolled out the 2025.2 desktop release of its VPN, introducing quantum-resistant WireGuard tunnels by default on Windows. This update aligns with the existing default settings on other desktop platforms. Users connected to the VPN should now notice the “Quantum resistance” feature indicator, unless it has been manually disabled. To enable thi…
WhatsApp enhances Status feature with status likes and private mentions
WhatsApp has introduced enhancements to its Status feature, including 'status likes', enabling users to likes friend's status with a simple tap. These likes are private, visible only to the status creator, without a public like counter.
Spotify adds new offline backup feature to listen to music when your connection drops
Spotify has launched a new feature called Offline Backup, designed to enhance users' listening experience when they lose internet connectivity. This feature automatically generates a playlist comprising recently streamed and queued songs that have already been downloaded or cached. The playlist is dynamic, adjusting over time based on individual listeni…
Firefox 131 brings temporary permissions, tab hover previews, text fragments, and more
Mozilla has released version 131 of its Firefox web browser, introducing several new features and enhancements. Users can now grant temporary permissions to sites, such as geolocation, which will be removed after one hour or when the tab is closed. A new tab preview feature displays a preview when hovering over background tabs, aiding in easier tab navi…
Nintendo shuts down Ryujinx, the last major Switch emulator after Yuzu
Nintendo has reportedly succeeded in taking down Ryujinx, the second major Nintendo Switch emulator following Yuzu, which was also previously shut down by a lawsuit from Nintendo in March, leaving Ryujinx as its last significant competitor. The Ryujinx download page, GitHub repository, and official Discord have been removed, signaling the project's end.