audio capture Archives

AppWizard

February 25, 2026

Hide from Meta’s spyglasses with this new Android app

An innovative Android application called Nearby Glasses, developed by Yves Jeanrenaud from Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences, alerts users about nearby smart glasses using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology. The app detects manufacturer identifiers associated with smart eyewear, including Ray-Ban Meta AI Glasses, and notifies users when such glasses are in proximity. However, it may produce false positives due to other Bluetooth devices from the same manufacturer. The app's launch coincides with growing concerns about non-consensual recording, highlighted by incidents like a viral altercation on a New York subway involving smart glasses. Meta has stated that their glasses have an LED light that indicates when recording is occurring, but this indicator can be disabled. Legal experts warn that while video recording in public is generally allowed, collecting biometric data raises privacy concerns, and various state laws may require consent for audio recordings. Recent courtroom incidents have also underscored the contentious nature of wearable technology.

AppWizard

November 5, 2025

6 Android Apps Caught Recording Conversations

Security researchers from ESET discovered that 12 malicious Android chat applications, including Privee Talk, MeetMe, Let’s Chat, Quick Chat, Rafaqat رفاق, and Chit Chat, were found to covertly harvest users’ messages and deploy a remote access trojan called VajraSpy. Six of these apps were available on Google Play before being flagged for suspicious activity, resulting in approximately 1,400 downloads, primarily targeting users in India and Pakistan. The spyware could extract messages from encrypted chat platforms, record ambient sounds in real time, and intercept communications on apps like WhatsApp and Signal. The operators used honey-trap tactics to entice users into installing the apps, which requested permissions typical of espionage tools, such as RECORD_AUDIO and access to notifications and accessibility services. Users are advised to uninstall these apps and review permissions to protect against potential threats.

Winsage

February 10, 2025

9 tools that will supercharge your productivity on Windows

- Microsoft Outlook is a free, built-in tool for managing emails, appointments, meetings, and tasks, featuring calendar sharing and integration with Microsoft To Do. - IFTTT automates repetitive tasks by connecting various apps, services, and devices through customized applets. - The Windows Snipping Tool captures screenshots, records desktop activity, supports full-screen video recording, and has OCR capabilities for text extraction from images. - Microsoft PowerToys is a suite of utilities that enhances the Windows experience, including tools for multitasking, file management, and keeping the PC active. - Grammarly provides real-time grammar and spelling checks, compatible with platforms like Microsoft Word and Google Docs, with a premium version offering advanced features. - Obsidian uses Markdown to create interconnected notes, allowing users to build a personal knowledge base with customizable plugins. - Microsoft 365 includes applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, along with collaboration tools like Teams and OneDrive, with regular updates for new features and security. - UniGetUI is a package manager that simplifies app installations by allowing users to select and install multiple applications simultaneously. - Flow Launcher allows users to quickly launch applications, files, and websites, enhancing workflow efficiency and providing flexibility as a portable app or standard installation.

AppWizard

December 5, 2024

Steam’s background recording feature is the new gold standard of game clipping

Steam's Game Recording feature allows players to capture high-quality video of the last few minutes of gameplay in the background. Since its beta launch, it has been used frequently due to its efficient file sizes, which are significantly smaller compared to recordings made with Nvidia Shadowplay. For example, a five-minute clip recorded with Shadowplay is 1.78GB, while Steam's equivalent maintains impressive visual fidelity with reduced storage needs. Steam's audio recording captures only the game's audio by default, avoiding background noise from other sources, which simplifies the sharing process. However, the exported clips may not match the quality of Shadowplay or OBS, and turning off background recording requires multiple clicks. The tool is limited to games launched through Steam, and some bugs persist despite updates. In comparison, Medal, another DVR app, offers similar features but has a less user-friendly interface and requires bulk deletions for space management. Steam's Game Recording provides quick MP4 generation and easy sharing on platforms like Discord, making it a preferred choice for quick clips. Users must enable the feature through Steam settings to use it.