WhatsApp has announced the introduction of usernames, a privacy-focused feature allowing users to connect with others without disclosing their phone numbers. The messaging platform, which serves over three billion users globally, will begin rolling out the functionality later this year, with early reservations opening this week. The Privacy Challenge of Phone Numbers Phone numbers have long been considered sensitive personal information, linked to numerous aspects of daily life. For individuals meeting new acquaintances—whether classmates, neighbors, or people encountered at social gath…

WhatsApp has announced the introduction of usernames, a privacy-focused feature allowing users to connect with others without disclosing their phone numbers. The messaging platform, which serves over three billion users globally, will begin rolling out the functionality later this year, with early reservations opening this week. The Privacy Challenge of Phone Numbers Phone numbers have long been considered sensitive personal information, linked to numerous aspects of daily life. For individuals meeting new acquaintances—whether classmates, neighbors, or people encountered at social gath…

Security researchers at Graz University of Technology have detailed a new browser-based side-channel attack that can reveal which websites and applications a user has open by measuring SSD access latency through JavaScript. The technique, named FROST (Fingerprinting Remotely using OPFS-based SSD Timing), achieved about 89% accuracy for identifying visited websites and roughly 96% accuracy for recognizing running applications on an M2 Mac Mini test system. The attack requires only that a victim load a malicious web page and reportedly functions across different browsers. How FROST operates FR…

AMD is reportedly preparing a special-edition reissue of the Ryzen 7 5800X3D to mark the 10th anniversary of the AM4 socket (2016–2026). Leaks attributed to HXL and covered by industry outlet VideoCardz indicate a Ryzen 7 5800X3D “10th Anniversary Edition” slated for release in Q2 2026, celebrating one of the longest-lived desktop CPU platforms. Technical specifications The leaked materials suggest this anniversary model is a faithful reissue of the original 2022 chip rather than a redesigned refresh. The specification set reproduced in the leak matches the initial 5800X3D: Vermeer arch…

AMD has introduced the Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 Dual Edition, a flagship processor that establishes a new performance tier for the AM5 platform. Retailing at 899 dollars, this 16-core CPU is positioned as a halo product designed for enthusiasts who require a no-compromises solution for both technical workloads and high-end computing. The processor represents the first time the company has equipped two separate compute dies with its specialized cache-stacking technology in a consumer-grade part, though the high cost and specific performance profile make it a niche offering in the current hardware mar…

Google has expanded the capabilities of its Vids platform by integrating advanced artificial intelligence models for video and audio production. The update, effective as of April 2026, incorporates the Veo 3.1 and Lyria 3 models to facilitate automated content creation for a global user base. This release transforms the browser-based editor from a standard utility into a more robust suite capable of generating original media from text prompts and static images. High Quality Video Generation for All Users The implementation of the Veo 3.1 model allows any individual with a Google account to pr…

As we evaluate the state of Open Source in 2026, the data from the previous year’s Octoverse report provides a critical roadmap for the future. The ecosystem is no longer a localized phenomenon but a massive, global engine of innovation that is currently grappling with the growing pains of unprecedented scale and the rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence. A Borderless Developer Community In 2025, the community saw an influx of 36 million new developers. This demographic shift is fundamentally changing how software is built. The majority of contributors now reside outside the geog…