This week, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified in a landmark social media trial, claiming the company only wanted to make Instagram “useful” and not addictive. In this episode, we chat about Zuck’s testimony and the potential implications of this trial for social media companies. Also, we dive into the latest effects of the RAMaggedon RAM shortage, including a potential PlayStation 6 delay and a dire future for practically every consumer electronics company.

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Topics

• Mark Zuckerberg testifies that Instagram was meant to be “useful,” not addictive in social media addiction trial – 1:27

• Meta reportedly plans to launch a smartwatch later this year – 13:23

• The RAMageddon will likely kill some small consumer electronics companies – 15:54

• Apple could unveil a MacBook, new M5 Pro chip, and iPhone 17e at March 4th event – 26:26

• Google’s Pixel 10a arrives on March 5 – 32:17

• Email leaked to 404 media suggests Ring had plans to use its Search Party function for wider surveillance – 34:48

• Pop culture picks – 49:04

Credits

Host: Devindra Hardawar
Producer: Ben Ellman
Music: Dale North and Terrence O’Brien

Microsoft is bringing Copilot to the Windows 11 taskbar and File Explorer. The update turns the plain old search box into something that actually understands how you ask questions. Type “When is my performance review due?” and the system pulls the answer from your calendar, emails, and local files. No more digging through folders.

The taskbar becomes a kind of mission control for AI. The search field now connects your local PC with your Microsoft 365 data. It knows who you work with and what documents you touch most.

The taskbar is now a command center for AI agents

Hit the @ symbol in the taskbar search and you get a menu of AI agents that run in the background. These aren’t the kind that disappear into browser tabs. They sit on your taskbar so you can see their progress while you do other stuff. A researcher agent might spend 10 minutes comparing public sentiment against internal design guides. You watch its status on the taskbar icon like a download bar. Green checkmark means it’s done. Hover for a summary. Click for the full report with sources.

Voice works too. Hold the Copilot key or hit Windows key + C. Tell it “Find the file Robin shared” and it checks your emails and meetings to figure out which Robin you mean.

File Explorer gets Copilot Control for instant document insights

File Explorer now shows your SharePoint and OneDrive files right alongside local ones. Recent docs, shared stuff, favorites, all in one view. But the Copilot Control is the real trick. You can ask questions about a file without opening it.

Need a stat buried deep in a design doc? Ask for it. Copilot pulls out something like “over 70% of employees prefer sustainable materials” and shows you the context immediately. You never leave the File Explorer window.

Over on Android, Google is doing something similar with its Files app. Gemini now automatically offers to analyze PDFs when you open them, letting you ask questions about a document without importing it into a separate AI tool.

What this means for your workflow

The updates are rolling out now. Which ones you get depends on your hardware. Standard Windows 11 machines handle the cloud stuff. Copilot+ PCs with NPUs unlock the offline tools like Fluid Dictation and Click to Do.

Bottom line? You search less and find more. The taskbar starts acting like a coworker who remembers where everything lives. File Explorer becomes a window into your documents, not just a list of folders. Keep an eye out for the Copilot icons in the coming weeks.

WhatsApp has introduced Group Message History, a new feature that allows recent chat messages to be shared with newly added members so they can catch up without interrupting ongoing conversations.

The update enables group admins and participants to send between 25 and 100 recent messages to a new member, reducing the need for screenshots, copied summaries or repeated explanations when someone joins an active discussion.

Group Message History keeps all shared messages end-to-end encrypted, maintaining the same privacy protections as standard personal and group messages across the platform.

After a winter that still refuses to end with record-breaking cold, snow stacked on top of more snow, and the uncomfortable realization that even escaping to the Florida Keys in late-January didn’t feel like enough distance, Audioengine has decided to change the mood. The company just announced its 2026 Color of the Year: Limoncello Yellow, a limited-edition high-gloss finish rolled out across a complete, coordinated listening system created with Crosley.

Call it seasonal defiance. After an industry-wide 2025 where color quietly became the most obvious form of innovation, Audioengine is leaning hard into the idea that design matters when your gear lives in the open and not buried in a rack.

Instead of slapping a fresh coat of paint on one product and calling it a launch, Audioengine went all in. Limoncello Yellow spans the A2+ Home Music System, S6 Subwoofer, DS1M speaker stands, and the Crosley C6 turntable, all finished to match. The result looks intentional rather than improvised; bright without being gimmicky, and perfectly timed for anyone who has seen enough gray skies to last a lifetime. Spring can’t get here fast enough.

And while we’re at it, would it be too much to ask for someone to pass the Limoncello? Not the sad, sugary stuff they sell at the Venice airport, but the real kind that actually takes the edge off while you’re staring across a stone courtyard at Nicole Grimaudo and briefly forgetting that winter still has you in a headlock.

If Audioengine can’t fix the weather, at least they can fix the mood. And honestly, that’s progress.

Each Audioengine product in the collection uses real wood cabinets finished through a 13-step, piano-grade painting process. That means sealing, layered color application, curing, hand polishing, and final inspection done the slow way, because shortcuts show. The same high-gloss finish is applied across the A2+ Home Music System, S6 Subwoofer, and DS1M speaker stands, so the color actually matches instead of playing “close enough” under different lighting.

The Back Story

When Audioengine first introduced the A2 Powered Speaker System, it was conceived as a true desktop audio solution; compact enough to sit comfortably beside a computer monitor, measuring only slightly taller than a modern iPhone, yet capable of delivering sound that felt far larger than its footprint suggested.

Back in 2007, that idea wasn’t obvious or common. Dedicated desktop speaker systems barely existed, and most compact speakers were designed to be accessories for larger hi-fi rigs, not standalone solutions. If you wanted better sound at a desk, you usually gave up space, added boxes, or both. The A2 flipped that logic, proving that a small, self-contained system could be practical, intentional, and good enough to live on a desktop without apology.

The goal of Audioengine was to design a desktop audio speaker solution that would provide more than what was expected. As a result of their efforts, the A2 and A2+ have enjoyed the success that inspired Audioengine to provide additional high-performance compact speaker systems such as the A5+, HD3, HD4, HD5, HD6, A1-MR, and more. 

Audioengine A2+ Home Music System

The Audioengine A2+ Home Music System ($279 at Amazon) is a compact, powered speaker system designed for desks, shelves, and smaller rooms where space is tight but expectations aren’t. Each speaker delivers 20 watts RMS per channel into 4 ohms, with 30 watts peak, for a total of 60 watts peak output. That’s more than enough for nearfield listening, apartments, or office setups without pretending it’s trying to replace a full-size system.

Connectivity is straightforward and flexible. Bluetooth 5.3 is on board with support for aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, standard aptX, AAC, and SBC, so wireless playback works well whether you’re on Android, iOS, or a laptop. Wireless range stretches to about 100 feet (30 meters) under good conditions, which is genuinely useful unless you’re trying to stream through walls. For wired sources, you get USB-C digital audio supporting up to 24-bit/96kHz, plus RCA and 3.5mm analog inputs, making it easy to connect computers, streamers, turntables with built-in phono stages, or just about anything else with an output.

Digital conversion is handled by a PCM5100A DAC, chosen for reliability and clean performance. Noise and distortion stay well under control, with a signal-to-noise ratio greater than 95 dB and THD+N below 0.05 percent at all power levels. Frequency response runs from 65 Hz to 22 kHz, which is realistic for a speaker this size and pairs naturally with a subwoofer like Audioengine’s S6 if you want more low-end weight.

Driver duties are handled by 2.75-inch aramid fiber woofers and 0.75-inch silk dome tweeters with neodymium magnets, tuned for clarity and balance rather than artificial hype. Protection circuits cover output current, thermal limits, and power on or off transients, so the system behaves itself even when pushed.

Physically, each speaker measures 6 x 4 x 5.25 inches (H x W x D), which explains why the A2+ works so well on desks without turning into visual clutter. In the Limoncello Yellow edition, those real wood cabinets go through Audioengine’s 13-step, piano-grade finishing process, resulting in a deep, high-gloss surface that actually holds up over time.

Audioengine S6 Compact Subwoofer

The Audioengine S6 Compact Subwoofer ($299 at Amazon) is designed for small spaces and compact systems, and yes—it actually works on a desk. Measuring 10 x 8.7 x 10 inches and weighing just over 15 pounds, it fits under or beside a desk without getting in the way, something we’ve done ourselves without regret.

A front-firing 6-inch driver in a sealed cabinet is powered by a Class D amplifier rated at 140 watts RMS (210 watts peak), delivering controlled bass down to 33 Hz. Adjustable volume, crossover (40-130 Hz), and phase (0-180 degrees) controls make it easy to integrate with small powered speakers or compact systems from Audioengine and other brands.

Connectivity is straightforward with RCA/LFE and 3.5 mm inputs, and while the S6 isn’t wireless by default, it can be made wireless using Audioengine’s W3 transmitter/receiver kit ($149). Power consumption drops below 1 watt at idle thanks to auto-sensing standby, and the 15 mm MDF cabinet keeps things solid without adding bulk. It’s a practical subwoofer for desks, apartments, and small rooms where space matters as much as sound.

Crosley C6 Turntable

The Crosley C6 Turntable is a manual, two-speed record player built around a straightforward analog design. It uses an audio-grade MDF plinth paired with a heavy steel platter to provide a stable platform for vinyl playback. A belt-driven, low-vibration motor sits beneath the platter and supports 33-1/3 and 45 RPM records, keeping operation simple and consistent without automation getting in the way.

Setup is hands-on but not complicated. The tonearm features an adjustable counterweight and anti-skate, and the table comes with a pre-mounted Audio-Technica cartridge, so you’re not starting from scratch. Connectivity is flexible, with a built-in, switchable phono preamp for direct connection to powered speakers or integrated amplifiers, along with RCA outputs for systems that already have a phono stage. Bluetooth is also built in for wireless playback when convenience matters more than cabling.

The C6 isn’t trying to be clever or overdesigned. It’s a clean, manual turntable that fits neatly into compact systems, especially paired with powered speakers, and does its job without demanding constant attention. In the Limoncello Yellow finish, it adds visual cohesion to the setup while keeping the focus where it belongs—on playing records.

The Bottom Line

What you’re buying here is a cohesive compact system that handles both analog and digital sources without setup issues. The Audioengine A2+ speakers are a time-tested design that many audiophiles and more than a few hi-fi editors still rely on for desktops and secondary systems because they’re consistent, balanced, and easy to live with. They’re only “underrated” by people who haven’t lived with them.

This setup is for listeners who want vinyl, streaming, and computer audio in one small footprint for desks, offices, apartments, or second systems where space matters but sound still counts. Add the S6 for low-end support and the Crosley C6 for analog playback, and you get a system that covers real-world listening needs without excess, complexity, or pretending to be a full-scale hi-fi rig.

Where to buy:

Related Reading:

• Proofpoint uncovered fake RMM tool “TrustConnect” built as cover for RAT malware
• Criminals created website, paid for certificate, tricking firms into $300/month subscriptions
• Tool gave attackers full remote control; linked to Redline infostealer customer

A group of cybercriminals went to great lengths to infect businesses with a remote access trojan (RAT), setting up an entire company, vibe-coding a website, and paying thousands for a legitimate certificate.

In its report, Proofpoint said it was fairly common for cybercriminals to use legitimate remote monitoring and management (RMM) tools in their tech stack. They would trick their victims into installing their tool of choice and sharing login credentials which would enable them to deploy all sorts of stage-two malware, including infostealers, remote access trojans, or ransomware.

Douglas Trumbull’s 1972 sci-fi film appeared just as space tales were becoming increasingly cold and remote. Silent Running changed that by firmly rooting its futuristic vision in the kind of realistic, beat-up features found in everyday life. On board the Valley Forge, a gigantic converted cargo based on a real, retired aircraft carrier, the sets appeared to be in constant use. The pipes, consoles, and congested halls appeared practical rather than sleek. This method lured the viewer into a world that seemed plausible, one in which technology serviced human needs rather than the other way around.

Trumbull, who had recently completed the psychadelic effects work on 2001: A Space Odyssey, simply wanted to warm things up. He directed his debut picture with a strong emphasis on connecting with the characters on an emotional level. Bruce Dern plays Freeman Lowell, a botanist tasked with caring for the last of Earth’s trees, which happen to be floating in geodesic domes in space. When orders are issued to burn them down, Lowell takes great measures to do the right thing and save the flora. He has some unexpected assistance in the form of three small maintenance drones, Huey, Dewey, and Louie, who become his crew. Actors with amputations wore custom suits, so the machines all looked awkward and endearingly jerky in their movements, giving them a feeling of personality without the use of words.

Those little drones created an effect, and George Lucas even drew influence from them while designing R2-D2. The idea of a little, expressive robot that communicates through beeps and body language rather than words originated with the Silent Running helpers. Lucas even secured Trumbull’s permission to create a comparable figure. R2-D2 exudes the same quiet commitment, transforming a tool into a friend.

Not only did the robots have an impact, but the film’s visual language was also highly significant. Trumbull’s team created these extremely accurate miniatures with genuine texture and hundreds of model kit parts mixed together for surface detail, then shot them using a variety of unique approaches. John Dykstra, a young effects artist on Silent Running, went on to manage the special effects team for Star Wars. He introduced motion control photography and a dynamic camera approach, making spaceships feel alive during dogfights. Many of the personnel from Trumbull’s workshop ended up joining ILM, bringing some of the practical model work and devotion to realism with them.

Star Wars captured that lived-in feel on board, with spaceships displaying signs of wear, filth, and maintenance. The interiors felt industrial and utilitarian, similar to the Valley Forge’s carrier-inspired designs. The Death Star’s huge, metallic halls provide the same feeling of scale and function. This trend away from clean, polished futures and toward ones that were torn and worn became the genre’s new standard.

Many other films followed suit, such as Alien, which adopted the gritty, no-nonsense appearance of a working-class spaceship with crew members whining about wages and conditions. Blade Runner expanded the detailed, evocative surroundings. WALL-E paid respect by depicting a lonely robot maintaining a fragile plant in a destroyed planet. Even Interstellar and Avatar continue the environmental concern that Silent Running raised, highlighting our duty to nature in the face of technological advancement.
[Source]

The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) ordered government agencies to patch their systems within three days against a maximum-severity Dell vulnerability that has been under active exploitation since mid-2024.

According to security researchers from Mandiant and the Google Threat Intelligence Group (GTIG), this hardcoded-credential vulnerability (CVE-2026-22769) in Dell’s RecoverPoint (a solution used for VMware virtual machine backup and recovery) is being exploited by a suspected Chinese hacking group tracked as UNC6201.

After gaining access to a victim’s network in CVE-2026-22769 attacks, UNC6201 deploys several malware payloads, including a newly identified backdoor called Grimbolt. This malware is built using a relatively new compilation technique that makes it harder to analyze than its predecessor, the Brickstorm backdoor.

While the group swapped Brickstorm for Grimbolt in September 2025, it’s not yet clear whether this switch was part of a planned upgrade or “a reaction to incident response efforts led by Mandiant and other industry partners.”

“Analysis of incident response engagements revealed that UNC6201, a suspected PRC-nexus threat cluster, has exploited this flaw since at least mid-2024 to move laterally, maintain persistent access, and deploy malware including SLAYSTYLE, BRICKSTORM, and a novel backdoor tracked as GRIMBOLT,” they said.

The security researchers have also found overlaps between UNC6201 and the Silk Typhoon Chinese state-backed cyberespionage group (although the two are not considered identical by GTIG), also tracked as UNC5221 and known for exploiting Ivanti zero-days to target government agencies with custom Spawnant and Zipline malware.

Silk Typhoon has previously breached the systems of several U.S. government agencies, including the U.S. Treasury Department, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).

Feds ordered to prioritize CVE-2026-22769 patches

CISA has now added the security flaw to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog on Wednesday and ordered Federal Civilian Executive Branch (FCEB) agencies to secure their networks by the end of Saturday, February 21, as mandated by Binding Operational Directive (BOD) 22-01.

“These types of vulnerabilities are frequent attack vectors for malicious cyber actors and pose significant risks to the federal enterprise,” CISA warned on Wednesday. 

“Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.”

Last week, CISA also gave U.S. federal agencies three days to secure their BeyondTrust Remote Support instances against an actively exploited remote code execution vulnerability (CVE-2026-1731).

Hacktron, which reported the vulnerability on January 31, warned in early February that around 11,000 BeyondTrust Remote Support instances were exposed online, and that around 8,500 were on-premises deployments that required manual patching.

Modern IT infrastructure moves faster than manual workflows can handle.

In this new Tines guide, learn how your team can reduce hidden manual delays, improve reliability through automated response, and build and scale intelligent workflows on top of tools you already use.

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from the first-do-no-harm dept

The good folks over at Adafruit are raising the alarm about a new New York State 3D printing law that could greatly imperil the public’s freedom to tinker and could generally make life way more annoying for the schools, libraries, hospitals, small businesses, hobbyists, and garages that utilize 3D printers.

New York’s 2026–2027 executive budget bill (S.9005 / A.10005) includes language requiring that all 3D printers operating in the state need to include software or firmware that scans every print file through a “firearms blueprint detection algorithm” and then locks the hardware up so it refuses to print anything it flags as a potential firearm or firearm component.

As Adafruit’s Phillip Torrone notes, the key problem here is it’s largely impossible to detect firearms from geometry alone:

“A firearms blueprint detection algorithm would need to identify every possible firearm component from raw STL/GCODE files, while not flagging pipes, tubes, blocks, brackets, gears, or any of the millions of legitimate shapes that happen to share geometric properties with gun parts. This is a classification problem with enormous false positive and false negative rates.”

NY’s new law would apply to open source firmware like Marlin, Klipper, and RepRap, which are generally maintained by volunteers without the resources for compliance. As well as office printers that never touch the internet, or CNC milling machines that can basically generate any shape you can imagine.

Torrone goes on to explain how the bill could be dramatically improved by exempting open source firmware, and focusing more concretely on the intent to create fire-arms, instead of waging an impossible enforcement war on ambiguous shapes. They’re also recommending limited liability for retailers, schools, and libraries, and the elimination of mandatory file scanning:

“But the answer to misuse isn’t surveillance built into the tool itself. We don’t require table saws to scan wood for weapon shapes. We don’t require lathes to phone home before turning metal. We prosecute people who make illegal things, not people who own tools.

The Open Source 3D printing community probably does not know about this. OSHWA and other open source advocacy orgs have ignored many of the things we really need their help with. That needs to change. This bill is in early stages — the working group hasn’t even convened yet. There’s time to work together, in the open, for amendments that make sense.”

Random aside: it’s worth reminding folks that this proposal comes on the heels of a recently passed New York State “right to repair” law (supposed to make it easier and cheaper to repair technology you own) that Governor Kathy Hochul basically lobotomized at lobbyist behest after it was passed, ensuring it doesn’t actually protect anybody’s freedom to tinker.

Filed Under: 3d printer, 3d printing, consumers, hobbyists, legislation, new york, new york state, tinker