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The platform formerly known as Twitter is learning new tricks. X is looking to expand its reach by launching XChat, a standalone messaging app promising end-to-end encryption, no ads and no tracking, at least according to the Apple press release.

In addition to the traditional text-based messages already offered by X, XChat promises to offer both audio and video calling, as well as the ability to send documents, create group chats, and edit or delete your sent messages. If the screenshots shared by X are accurate, the interface is minimalistic, emphasizing active chats in "a private, focused space built for conversation," according to Apple's press release.

Despite the claims of "privacy" and "end-to-end" encryption, some X users are pointing out what they perceive to be a contradiction in the app's privacy policy.

How is it, they're asking, that an app that cares about user privacy also links so much personal information, from your location and contact list to your search history and your user profile? 

Musk took to Twitter earlier this month to disparage the privacy policy of WhatsApp. WhatsApp pushed back against the claims.

XChat will only be accessible to people with an X account, and will only launch for the iPhone and iPad, according to the release, leaving out the Android market.

Given that apps including Signal and WhatsApp don't require a separate account on another platform, it remains to be seen if XChat can attract enough users to compete at the same scale. 

With an expected launch of April 17, though, we won't need to wait long to find out.

2026 is an incredible year for movies and shows alike, with some highly awaited titles dropping in theaters and streaming platforms. And if you're an anime lover, there's something for you too, whether it's a returning hit show or a new adaptation that fans have been waiting for.

I love the Apple TV adaptation of Foundation. These are some of my favorite books of all time, and the actual show is a top-tier prestige sci-fi epic that puts 90% of sci-fi movies to shame. However, it also has a two-year gap between seasons. It then only offers 10 episodes per season.

Using a Large Language Model (LLM) with Home Assistant has a number of benefits. It can add natural language understanding, power your voice assistant, and even analyze images. A local LLM can help maintain privacy, but you don't always need to use the largest model.

The Google Play Store has a treasure trove of apps, but it's not the only game in town. In fact, some of the most innovative and privacy-focused Android apps are hiding just beyond Google's official storefront.

Believe me, I know the pain of troubleshooting 3D prints to the point where I just feel like throwing my printer in the garbage and buying a new one.

Another day in 2026 means it's time for a streaming service to raise its prices. This time, it's YouTube, which is raising subscription fees for YouTube Premium and YouTube Music. Netflix, Spotify, Paramount+, and Prime Video have all announced price hikes this year, and it's only April. When will it end?

Nobody likes filing their taxes (or do they?), but a select few fast food restaurants are offering some financial relief to celebrate Tax Day. 

On April 15, you'll be able to score a dozen Original Glazed donuts from Krispy Kreme with the purchase of any regular dozen donuts at their usual price.

Best of all, the offer applies to in-store purchases, drive-thru pickup, and even to-go orders made through the Krispy Kreme app (use the code TAXBREAK at checkout).

You can read more about the promo on the Krispy Kreme official website, but suffice it to say a lot of families may be indulging after paying their accountants a visit. 

But Krispy Kreme isn't the only restaurant offering a break that you can grab on Tax Day and beyond.

Because April 15 falls on a Wednesday this year, Burger King's Whopper Wednesday discount applies, meaning you can pick up a regular Whopper for $3.99 or a Small Whopper Combo for $6.99.

Meanwhile, burrito chain QDOBA has instituted a Tax Day Guac Relief program, to highlight the fact that their guacamole is always free. To take advantage of the deal, first join their rewards program and then fill out a short survey about all of the times you've been forced to pay for guac in the past.

As a reward, you'll score $5 off a full-sized entree, redeemable between April 20 and 26. And the Tax Day Guac Relief forms? Naturally, they're due on Tax Day, April 15 — but what's a bit more paperwork when the payoff is so sweet?

If you want some much-deserved Tax Day relief, or if filing your taxes has inspired you with a new appreciation for a good deal, celebrate submitting your return with some well-deserved chow. 

PLA, or polylactic acid, is the most common material of choice for filament deposition modelling (FDM) 3D printers. It looks like plastic, smells like plastic, and probably tastes like plastic. It’s the filament that most of us start with, and it’s the one that many of us should stick with in all but the most exceptional circumstances.

Over time, Android phones and tablets accumulate a lot of junk files that take up space and clutter your storage. I found a wonderful free app that makes it easy (and fun) to clean up the mess. It even has a "feature" for keeping or deleting personal files just by swiping right or left on them.

We've all gone through the soundbar upgrade cycle. You start off with a cheap soundbar that's at least better than your TV's built-in audio but later buy a much nicer unit or even go all out with a surround setup.

I love foldables. After taking a break from smartphones, foldables caught my eye and led me back in. But there are downsides—some I reflected on, and some I didn't!

Windows 11 looks sleek and modern, but it still suffers from usability and quality-of-life shortcomings that make running it daily a bit tedious. Luckily, several developers have created free programs that make up for those deficits.

If you're a Ryobi fan and own several of those bright green tools from Home Depot, there's one type of tool from the company you don't want to miss. Have you ever seen Ryobi's "Hybrid" tools that work with or without a battery? If not, you'll want one.

When you first start using Windows Subsystem for Linux, everything appears to work. You can clone a repository, install dependencies, run your app, and even convince yourself that you now have "Linux on Windows."

If you have an internet outage—presumably not right now, because you're more than likely reading this article on the internet—it's a common misconception that the network part of your computer is completely out of use.

For your morning commute, Waze is unmatched. It's a dynamic, social marvel that uses crowdsourced data to pinpoint a stalled car or a police officer, dependably shaving precious minutes off your drive. However, it has one major drawback compared to Google Maps.

Dealing with a mounting pile of digital data can feel like a never-ending battle, especially when you're stuck performing every bit of file organization by hand. The volume of daily downloads, project assets, and documents turns your workspace into a cluttered mess. If you find yourself clicking through generic filenames or navigating a labyrinth of deeply nested folders just to find one spreadsheet, you're managing files the hard way. Use the hidden power of built-in Windows automation to organize your files and finally stop wasting time.

Some of my favorite documentaries focus on the world of sports. From the thrill of victory to the agony of defeat, athletic competitions are more dramatic than soap operas. This weekend, spend some time perusing the documentary section on Paramount+. I picked three documentaries that should appeal to most fans.