Gmail Archives

AppWizard

May 21, 2025

New Google AI Pro and $249/month Ultra subscription announced at I/O

On May 20, Google launched two new artificial intelligence subscription plans: AI Pro and AI Ultra. The AI Ultra plan is currently only available in the United States but will expand to other regions soon. The AI Pro plan enhances the existing Gemini Advanced plan with features like Flow, a new AI filmmaking tool, and Notebook LM, offering higher rate limits and integrated capabilities across Google applications such as Gmail, Docs, and Vids. It provides up to 2 TB of storage for .99 per month, with a 50% discount for the first three months. The AI Ultra plan includes advanced models like Veo 3 and 2.5 Pro Deep Think, early access to experimental features, and a YouTube Premium subscription, along with 30 TB of storage. The Ultra plan also features Project Mariner and Agent Mode for streamlined task management.

AppWizard

May 20, 2025

Google Workspaces gets supercharged with Gemini to help you work smarter

The latest Google I/O event introduced several AI-driven features across Google's products aimed at enhancing user experience and productivity. - Gmail will receive AI-powered personalized reply suggestions, inbox cleanup, and faster appointment scheduling through the new Gemini tool. - Google Meet will offer real-time speech translation in multiple languages for AI Pro and Ultra subscribers, starting with English and Spanish. - Google Vids will enable users to convert slides into videos, generate scripts, and refine recordings using AI, with features like AI avatars for video production. - Imagen 4 will enhance visual content creation in Slides, Vids, and Docs by generating richer images and accurate text rendering. - Google Docs will incorporate Gemini for source-grounded writing assistance, allowing users to link relevant data and documents directly within their writing.

AppWizard

May 13, 2025

Google reveals vibrant Material 3 Expressive, coming soon to a Pixel near you

Google has unveiled its new Android design refresh, Material 3 Expressive, which will debut with the Android operating system and extend across the Google app ecosystem. This design builds on the previous Material You system and features "springy" animations, brighter colors, and innovative shapes. The development was informed by user research involving over 18,000 participants, indicating that users can locate important buttons up to four times faster than with older interfaces. Future Android iterations will emphasize playful animations, a bolder color scheme, improved typography for better contrast, a wider variety of button shapes, and more legible status bar icons.

Winsage

May 6, 2025

BitLocker is Locking Out Windows 11 Users; Here’s How to Recover and Prevent It

Microsoft's Windows 11 24H2 update enables BitLocker (Device Encryption) by default, encrypting the entire drive to protect user data. BitLocker is automatically activated during a clean installation when users sign in with a Microsoft account, and manufacturers will have it enabled by default on new PCs with this version. Microsoft has relaxed certain hardware requirements to increase accessibility. Users have reported being locked out of their PCs due to a lack of communication about BitLocker's activation process. The BitLocker recovery key can be found by signing into the Microsoft account linked to the PC at account.microsoft.com/devices/recoverykey. To disable BitLocker, Windows 11 Home users can go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Device Encryption, while Pro users can search for Manage BitLocker in the Start menu. To prevent automatic BitLocker encryption during installation, users can modify settings in the Registry Editor.

AppWizard

May 3, 2025

Google One AI could have more tiers on the way, like a ‘Gemini Ultra’ plan

Google is reportedly planning to introduce new AI subscription tiers under the Google One umbrella, specifically "Gemini Pro" and "Gemini Ultra," alongside the existing Gemini Advanced option. The Gemini Advanced plan has recently been upgraded to include NotebookLM Plus and Veo 2 for video generation, but there will be a monthly limit on video production for subscribers. Google One's AI Premium plan has also been enhanced, offering existing users access to NotebookLM Plus and advanced Gemini capabilities in Gmail and Docs, along with 2TB of cloud storage. Upcoming updates are expected to be revealed at the I/O 2025 event, with a focus on improving user productivity and introducing new interactions.

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

April 24, 2025

The Gemini app is becoming more like NotebookLM in April’s Workspace feature drop

In the April 2025 Workspace feature drop, Google introduced new AI tools across Gemini, Gmail, Slides, and Chat. Gemini gained two features similar to NotebookLM: Canvas and Audio Overviews. Gmail can now automatically detect event invites in emails and prompt users to add them to their Calendar with one click. Additionally, Gmail will offer Contextual Smart Replies for efficient communication. Google Slides received a new design sidebar for easier presentation creation, allowing users to explore templates and add elements without leaving their current slide. For enterprise users, a board tab in Chat will enable teams to pin messages, files, and links, and a new HubSpot app for Google Chat will enhance workflow efficiency. These features are now widely accessible as part of the April 2025 update.

AppWizard

April 18, 2025

Gemini will come to Wear OS as an app update [APK Insight]

Google's Gemini platform will replace Assistant on Wear OS devices through an app update. This transition was hinted at in January, with the latest Assistant app version (1.18.x) revealing strings related to Gemini. Users can activate Gemini by holding the side button or using the "Hey Google" hotword. Gemini's capabilities will be similar to Google Assistant, allowing users to set alarms, timers, and message contacts, though it's unclear if it will integrate with Gmail or Google Maps. Location and Voice Match settings will remain unchanged, and the Wear OS Tile feature will still be available. The launch may coincide with a new flagship watch.

AppWizard

April 14, 2025

Gemini app rolling out Google Photos integration on Android

Google is rolling out an integration of its Photos app with the Gemini application for Android users, allowing seamless access to backed-up images and videos. The integration includes two main components: one for locating images and videos using criteria such as facial recognition, location, date, keywords, and current conversations, and another for requesting details related to photos. Users can issue specific prompts to find their photos and ask for information about past events. To activate the feature, users must navigate to the Gemini app and select Google Photos from the profile menu. The rollout is currently limited to a select group of invited users on Android devices in the United States.

Winsage

April 7, 2025

EncryptHub’s dual life: Cybercriminal vs Windows bug-bounty researcher

EncryptHub has been linked to breaches affecting 618 organizations and is associated with the disclosure of two Windows zero-day vulnerabilities, CVE-2025-24061 and CVE-2025-24071, to Microsoft. The vulnerabilities were addressed during the March 2025 Patch Tuesday updates, and the reporter was acknowledged as 'SkorikARI with SkorikARI.' Investigations revealed a connection between EncryptHub and SkorikARI, following an incident where EncryptHub exposed their credentials. SkorikARI's accounts were used to report the vulnerabilities, contributing to Windows security. Evidence linking SkorikARI to EncryptHub includes password files exfiltrated from EncryptHub's system and a GitHub account associated with SkorikARI. EncryptHub has previously attempted to market zero-day vulnerabilities on underground forums and is believed to have affiliations with ransomware groups. The threat actor has executed social engineering campaigns, phishing attacks, and developed a custom infostealer known as Fickle Stealer. They created fictitious social media profiles and websites, such as a fake project management application called GartoriSpace, which installed malicious files on unsuspecting users. EncryptHub has also been implicated in exploiting a Microsoft Management Console vulnerability, CVE-2025-26633.