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How the FBI recovered Signal messages (and how to fix the flaw)
For years, the Signal messaging app has been a favorite for privacy-minded folks. However, it's not perfect.
404 Media reported this week that the FBI was able to read a suspect's Signal messages, which should not normally be possible. Signal messages are end-to-end encrypted, meaning only the sender and receiver should be able to read them. They also disappear over time, so as not to leave a trace. In this case, the user had also deleted the app off of their phone.
SEE ALSO: FBI says it's investigating Signal. Should users worry?So, how did the FBI see the messages? By reportedly extracting them from an iPhone's push notification database, of course. If messages are displayed in a push notification, that technically skirts the whole encryption problem, making it possible for a third party to read them. This is true of any app with push notifications, not just Signal.
Thankfully, per our friends at Lifehacker, there's an easy way to get around this.
Credit: Mashable / Signal screenshotsSignal has an internal setting that can be accessed in the app's Settings menu (tap your profile picture in the top left corner). Tap the "Notification" section, then "Notification Content." Then, choose "No Name or Content" to make it so push notifications do not show any specific information about messages you've received.
You'll still get a notification, but you'll have to actually open the app to see what the message said, and the FBI won't be able to take advantage of that loophole anymore.
That seems like something that should maybe be on by default, to be honest.
Featured Video For You Moltbook's real risk isn't AI. It's your dataSamsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 launch date leaks
Samsung's next bundle of foldable devices may have just gotten a launch date.
A new report by the Korea Economic Times (via 9to5google) claims that Samsung will hold its next Galaxy Unpacked event in London on July 22.
Galaxy Unpacked is Samsung's regular series of product announcement livestreams, usually devoted to flagship mobile devices. There's usually a Galaxy Unpacked event early in the year and another in the summer; the early one happened in February, and now it seems the later one will happen near the end of July, if this report is correct.
As for which devices will make their debut in July, expect a lot of foldables.
Korea Economic Times reports that Samsung will launch a follow-up to last year's excellent Galaxy Z Fold 7 (most likely called Galaxy Z Fold 8), as well as a new, persistently rumored "Wide Fold" that could compete with the still-unannounced iPhone Fold. While this report didn't mention the Z Flip line, it would be a major surprise if the company doesn't release a Galazy Z Flip 8, too. Samsung has also launched Galaxy Watch models during summer Unpacked events, so keep an eye out for those, too.
SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold is getting a restock April 10. How to get yours before it's gone.One other potentially interesting nugget: Samsung will apparently showcase S Pen support for at least one of these new devices, though it's not entirely clear which one, based on the report. It would obviously make sense for the Wide Fold, given the theoretically larger size of the inner display, but we'll have to wait and see.
While the tech world waits with bated breath for the iPhone Fold, it's worth noting that Samsung's foldables have become truly high-quality devices in recent years. The Galaxy Z Fold 7, in particular, is still probably the best foldable you can buy right now, in part thanks to its impressively thin form factor. Hopefully, Samsung can keep up that momentum in 2026 for Android users.
5 Raspberry Pi-powered 3D printing projects to try this weekend (April 10 - 12)
You’ve got a 3D printer, a spare Raspberry Pi, and a weekend to burn. It’s time to combine those three ingredients and get started on some fun projects, or at least take inspiration from them to start something of your own.
5 Raspberry Pi-powered 3D printing projects to try this weekend (April 10 - 12)
You’ve got a 3D printer, a spare Raspberry Pi, and a weekend to burn. It’s time to combine those three ingredients and get started on some fun projects, or at least take inspiration from them to start something of your own.
Forget the Mercedes E-Class–this Genesis sedan feels way more premium
The car world has changed a lot in the past few years. Sedans used to rule everything, from daily drivers to high-end executive rides, but now SUVs dominate the streets.
Forget the Mercedes E-Class–this Genesis sedan feels way more premium
The car world has changed a lot in the past few years. Sedans used to rule everything, from daily drivers to high-end executive rides, but now SUVs dominate the streets.
Hisenses ultra-thin art TV is over $300 off
SAVE $302: As of April 10, the Hisense 55-inch Canvas QLED 4K TV is down to only $697.99 at Amazon. That's a savings of 30% or over $300. If you prefer not to shop at Amazon, it's also on sale for $699.99 at Best Buy.
Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 55-inch Canvas S7N QLED 4K TV $697.99 at Amazon$999.99 Save $302 Get Deal
If you have Samsung The Frame TV taste, but not quite a Frame TV budget, Hisense's Canvas TV is an excellent alternative. Like The Frame, it turns a basic black box into stylish artwork that hangs on your wall. But instead of paying over $1,000, you can add it to your cart for under $700.
As of April 10, the 55-inch version of the Hisense Canvas TV is down to just $697.99 at Amazon for a savings of 30% or $302. While that's not quite its best price ever, it's still a pretty significant discount we think is worth grabbing. If you're anti-Amazon, you can grab the same TV at Best Buy for just $2 more.
The Canvas TV blends seamlessly into a gallery wall with other non-tech wall hangings, thanks to its matte finish and its ultra-slim wall mount that lies flush for a true framed art look. As a QLED model with real-time adaptive brightness and color temperature, it's also just a bright and brilliant looking TV, no matter what lighting conditions you're working with.
It features a variable refresh rate up to 144Hz, which is surprisingly good for smooth and tear-free gaming, as well as live sports. And unlike The Frame, it uses Google TV's interface, which Mashable's Miller Kern (a satisfied Canvas TV owner) says is much more intuitive and responsive than the Samsung interface.
If you hate the look of a clunky black box in your living room, the Canvas TV offers an aesthetic upgrade. And if you act fast, you can make the change without overpaying.
VW ends US production of its ID.4 EV—here's what's coming next
Volkswagen only started manufacturing the ID.4 electric SUV in the U.S. four years ago, but it's already moving on. The German brand is ending production of the ID.4 at its Chattanooga, Tennessee factory in mid-April as it shifts to "higher-volume models that support sustained growth in North America." The model isn't selling as well as VW would like, in other words.
VW ends US production of its ID.4 EV—here's what's coming next
Volkswagen only started manufacturing the ID.4 electric SUV in the U.S. four years ago, but it's already moving on. The German brand is ending production of the ID.4 at its Chattanooga, Tennessee factory in mid-April as it shifts to "higher-volume models that support sustained growth in North America." The model isn't selling as well as VW would like, in other words.
Junk mail wasted gigabytes of my Google Drive storage—here's how I freed up 3GB in just 5 minutes
I recently received an email from Gmail, informing me that my Gmail storage was almost full. I didn't want to have to pay for extra storage, so I decided to clean out the junk instead. Using a few search operators, I freed up plenty of space in under five minutes.
Junk mail wasted gigabytes of my Google Drive storage—here's how I freed up 3GB in just 5 minutes
I recently received an email from Gmail, informing me that my Gmail storage was almost full. I didn't want to have to pay for extra storage, so I decided to clean out the junk instead. Using a few search operators, I freed up plenty of space in under five minutes.
Exit 8 just got a major discount on Steam, just in time for the movies release
SAVE 30% OFF: As of April 10, get the video game 'Exit 8' for just $2.79 on Steam. That takes 30% off its $3.99 list price, saving you $1.20. This deal comes just in time for the game's movie adaptation release.
Opens in a new window Credit: Kotake Create 'Exit 8' $2.79 at Steam$3.99 Save $1.20 Get Deal
Even if you're not a gamer, you've probably consumed a video game one way or another. Video games adaptations like The Last of Us, Five Nights at Freddy's, and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie are all the rage, but even indie games are being adapted too. The latest is Exit 8, made by Kotake Create, now adapted into a feature film, and it's out today, April 10.
The single-player walking simulation traps players in an endless underground passageway as you try and make your way to the elusive Exit 8. Players are only given the instructions: "Don't overlook any anomalies. If you find anomalies, turn back immediately. If you don't find anomalies, do not turn back. To go out from Exit 8."
Mashable's Shannon Connellan reviewed Exit 8 calling it, "At once a masterpiece of game-to-film adaptation, an elegant, nail-biting horror-thriller, and a technical cinematic marvel." However, if you want to play the game before you see the movie (maybe it'll give you a leg up on the jump scares) there's a limited time deal to check out.
As of April 10, Exit 8 is just $2.79 on Steam. That saves you 30% off its already affordable $3.99 price tag — way cheaper than a movie ticket. The game itself is a quick play through with Steam estimating total playtime is between 15 and 60 minutes. That means in no time, you'll be ready to head to the theater to catch the film adaptation.
7 things I wish I knew before running a Pi-hole
If you're considering deploying Pi-hole like I did, don't be like me and learn only after the fact that some things will stop working. Let me help you out and show you what you should be prepared for.
New FCC rule will make Starlink satellite internet faster and cheaper
SpaceX's Starlink might get cheaper and faster thanks to a set of new rules, but not everyone is happy about them.
On Apr. 30, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is voting on an order (via PCMag) that will change how older, geostationary satellite systems share radio spectrum with low-Earth orbit constellations (such as Starlink).
SEE ALSO: SpaceX may be going public with a big fundraising targetPer current rules, the amount of energy satellite systems can transmit to and from ground equipment is pretty limited for low-Earth orbit systems, in order to protect the higher-orbiting systems. But the new proposal will loosen these rules and let the operators of various satellite systems reach private agreements on how they share radio spectrum.
This would enable Starlink and similar systems to use more satellites in a geographic area, resulting in faster internet speeds there. Conversely, an operator would be able to use a higher power level per satellite, thus delivering the same internet speeds with fewer satellites in a given area, which could reduce costs.
Featured Video For You NASA's Artemis II launches to the moonSpaceX, whose Starlink is actually mentioned in a footnote of the text, lobbied for this change, which led the FCC to consider changing these rules. Both SpaceX's Starlink and Amazon's Leo systems have already received a temporary approval to exceed the current power limits, but the new proposal, if approved, would make this permanent.
Not everyone is happy about the proposal, though. For example, satellite TV company DirecTV previously said its service could face disruptions if SpaceX is allowed to increase Starlink radio emission levels.
The full text of the document is available on the FCC website.
I fell for the hype on these PC upgrades, and my wallet still hurts
There is tons of stuff out there that's worth upgrading or overspending on. Other stuff, though, not so much. And depending on where you're getting your tech tips from, you might often hear the wrong advice on what you should spend money on. Here's a few things that you might not want to overspend on.
3 rewarding Home Assistant projects to try this weekend (April 10 - 12)
Sometimes you just want a Home Assistant project that you can get done over the course of a weekend and have something impressive to show off at the end of it. Here are some projects that you might want to try out this weekend.
Why I'm skipping the "AI PC" trend and building a "privacy PC" with Linux instead
If you're in the market for a computer these days, expect to be sold some form of AI. Windows computers come with a CoPilot button. Chromebooks advertise Gemini during setup. Like many of you, I'm tired of all of it, so I've decided to build my own privacy-oriented PC instead.
Ford issues recall affecting 420,000 owners—check if your car is included
Ford and recalls seem to go hand in hand at this point. Last year alone, the automaker topped the charts again with a record 153 recalls impacting nearly 13 million vehicles, keeping its spot as the most-recalled brand for a second year running.
Stop building giant desktops—here's why a mini PC does everything better
If you’re in the market for a new computer, it should be a mini PC, not a full-size desktop. Sure, in the past, full-size desktops were the gold standard, but that’s just not the case anymore. Here’s why I think a mini PC is the perfect system for nearly everyone.
5 Android features Google killed even when users loved them
Every few years, Google quietly removes something from Android that was doing nothing wrong. I've been using Android since the days of Ice Cream Sandwich, and I’ve lived through Google killing over a dozen apps and features that I used to love. Here are five such features that they dropped in favor of some subpar alternatives.


