conversations Archives

AppWizard

May 6, 2025

Mike Waltz’s Cabinet Messaging App Goes Dark After Massive Hack

TeleMessage, an encrypted messaging application, has temporarily suspended its services following a security breach. The platform was used by dismissed national security adviser Mike Waltz during a Cabinet meeting, and a leaked image of his inbox showed conversations with notable figures such as Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The breach, reported by 404 Media, did not access messages among Cabinet members but compromised data from Customs and Border Protection, cryptocurrency firm Coinbase, and various financial institutions. The hacker claimed the breach was easy, completing it within 15-20 minutes. Signal, the platform from which TeleMessage archives messages, stated it cannot guarantee the security of unofficial versions. TeleMessage was acquired by U.S. company Smarsh last year for archiving communications. Following controversies, including Waltz's accidental inclusion in a group chat discussing a military operation, he was removed from his position, and President Trump expressed skepticism about using Signal for government communications.

AppWizard

May 6, 2025

TeleMessage suspends services after hackers claim breach

TeleMessage has temporarily suspended all services due to a reported security breach, with the parent company Smarsh investigating the incident. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has discontinued using the app as a precaution. A hacker claimed to have accessed a centralized TeleMessage server and downloaded data, including a screenshot of the contact list for employees at Coinbase, which confirmed the authenticity of the screenshot but stated that customer data remained secure. Multiple U.S. government agencies have contracts with TeleMessage or related entities. Another hacker also claimed to have breached TeleMessage, providing evidence of their claims. The investigation into the breach is ongoing, and it is unclear if sensitive communications from U.S. officials were compromised.

AppWizard

May 5, 2025

Microsoft shuts down Skype — messenger worked for over 20 years

The Skype app officially ceased operations on May 5. Microsoft announced that all Skype accounts and users' chat histories will be transitioned to the Microsoft Teams app. Skype users can upgrade to the complimentary version of Microsoft Teams, which retains most of Skype's features and introduces new functionalities. Users can sign in to Microsoft Teams Free using their existing Skype credentials, with contacts and chat histories automatically transferred. A notification will guide users through the migration process. Users who do not adopt Microsoft Teams Free can save their Skype data. Skype was launched in 2003 by Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis and was acquired by Microsoft in 2011 for .5 billion. Microsoft introduced Teams in 2017 as a collaboration platform based on Skype.

BetaBeacon

May 5, 2025

Best new mobile games on iOS and Android – May 2025 round-up

- Katamari Damacy Rolling LIVE is a game included with Apple Arcade subscription where players roll katamari to make them bigger in a mock livestream format. - The gameplay of Katamari Damacy Rolling LIVE remains similar to its original version from 2004, with some minor changes in controls and influencer window dressing.

AppWizard

May 3, 2025

Meta launches AI app to compete with ChatGPT

Meta has launched a standalone AI application during its LlamaCon event, providing users with direct access to Meta AI similar to OpenAI's ChatGPT. The app, available in the U.S. and Canada, utilizes user data from platforms like Facebook and Instagram to deliver personalized interactions. Users can enhance the AI's memory by sharing additional information. The app employs the Llama 4 model, offering advanced features such as image generation and editing, a voice mode for interaction, and a “discover” feed. Since its integration across platforms in 2023, Meta's AI assistant has attracted nearly 600 million monthly users as of December 2024.

AppWizard

May 3, 2025

Photo appears to shows Mike Waltz using Signal-like app that can archive messages

White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly confirmed that the encrypted messaging application Signal is officially sanctioned for government use and installed on government-issued devices. The National Security Council has not commented on the related app, TeleMessage, which is derived from Signal and designed to help government entities comply with records retention laws. TeleMessage was founded in 1999, acquired by Smarsh in 2024, and has been involved in government contracts, including a .1 million contract with the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA that began in February 2023 and will conclude in August 2025. Tom Padgett, Smarsh’s president for enterprise business, stated that like Signal, messages sent through TeleMessage are encrypted, but the app does not address security issues raised by a recent incident involving Signal. The specifics of how government officials utilize TeleMessage remain unclear, and five cybersecurity experts admitted they were unfamiliar with the app prior to recent developments. TeleMessage licenses parts of its technology, including its encryption protocol, to other companies, but Signal clarified there is no formal agreement with TeleMessage and expressed concerns about the privacy and security of unofficial versions of their app.

AppWizard

May 2, 2025

How to use Gemini Live’s camera and screen sharing features

Gemini Live has transitioned from a voice-based AI assistant to a multimodal platform that can process camera feeds and screen-sharing inputs, enhancing user interactions with visual context. It requires an Android device with at least 2 GB of RAM and Android 10 or later, along with a Google One AI Premium subscription for access to camera and screen-sharing features. These features are complimentary for Google Pixel 9 and Samsung Galaxy S25 users, and newer Pixel devices may offer a trial for Gemini Advanced. To share a live video feed, users must launch Gemini, tap the Live icon, select the Camera button, and ensure the desired items are visible. For screen sharing, users open the relevant app or screen, activate Gemini, and select Share screen with Live. Gemini can summarize content and answer questions based on the shared screen. The multimodal capabilities are particularly beneficial for scenarios requiring detailed descriptions, positioning Gemini Live competitively alongside other AI platforms.

AppWizard

May 2, 2025

Caught on camera: Mike Waltz using less secure version of Signal messaging app – The Times of India

Mike Waltz has come under scrutiny due to a photograph showing his use of a modified messaging application, TM SGNL, raising security concerns. The photo, taken by Reuters on April 30, 2025, during a White House cabinet meeting, revealed Waltz's phone screen with conversations involving JD Vance, Marco Rubio, Tulsi Gabbard, and Steve Witkoff, who are key figures in foreign relations and national security regarding Ukraine. TM SGNL is a variant of Signal, known for its encryption, but its archiving feature risks compromising end-to-end encryption. Messages displayed included a note to Rubio stating, "there is time," and Vance's message about confirmation from a counterpart. Following these events, President Trump appointed Waltz as UN ambassador and Rubio as interim national security advisor. The White House stated that "Signal is an approved app for government use and is loaded on government phones."

AppWizard

May 1, 2025

Meta launches a standalone AI app to compete with ChatGPT

Meta has launched a stand-alone AI application at the LlamaCon event, designed to integrate with its platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger. The app utilizes user data from these platforms to offer personalized interactions, allowing it to tailor responses based on individual user preferences. Currently, it is available in the U.S. and Canada and enables users to share personal information to enhance future conversations. The app also includes a Discover feed for users to share their AI experiences with friends, while maintaining control over what is shared. Users are advised to be cautious about how their data may be used, as Meta relies on user data for its advertising revenue.

AppWizard

April 29, 2025

How to archive Facebook messages on Android

To archive a conversation in the Facebook Messenger app, scroll through your chat list to find the specific chat, press and hold on it to bring up a menu, and select the "Archive" option. This moves the conversation to an archived folder, helping to organize your inbox while keeping messages accessible.